Scene 1: This Point In Time

A.N: I am back, I'm hyped, and I'm pissed off! I really hate technology sometimes…

But fuck it, I'll just push through with perseverance, determination, and spite!

-Red

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Lilly, Hanako, and I sit around the wooden table in an appreciative silence. Lilly's tea set sits in the corner, untouched. The usual relaxed and comforting atmosphere of our little classroom now has a feeling of hollowness as an undeniable part of it. I recall my first days at Yamaku, my encounters with all of the interesting people here, and my hopelessness with directions which led to me finding the woman I love.

Despite the melancholic tone of the room, it is peaceful and the three of us are content to sit here and ruminate on our pasts and futures. After some deliberation, we had all chosen to apply to West River University, a college which shared many aspects with Yamaku, despite not being directly affiliated with it. West River, like Yamaku, specializes in accommodating the physically impaired. It also boasts a full-time nursing staff proficient in medicine, discretion, and tact on campus 24/7. It's entrance exams are known for being just as difficult as other private universities and are scheduled on twenty-fifth of January. They accept anybody who can pass the exams, but promote their position of being able to support people with physical needs by giving students like Hanako, Lilly, and myself a scholarship of a sort. Because of the reduced tuition, most Yamaku graduates choose to apply at the prestigious West River.

The chaotic paths to whatever goal we choose seemed to have gained a semblance of order, and although the calm is appreciated by all of us, the longing for simpler times mixes with the eagerness for the future in a conflicting fashion.

Hanako and I watch the late July sun darken and fall below the horizon and Lilly sits quietly, holding onto my hand. The serenity that is enjoyed by us is only tainted by the bitter-sweet-

BANG!

"Hiya, hiya~! What's with this gloomy gathering?" The fire and ice duo that is the student council bursts into the room, fitting into its mood as well as a bleach would with vinegar.

"..." Shizune signs at lightning speed before flipping her short hair to the side.

"It's already six-thirty, miss Satou," Misha chirps, "the class representatives have a meeting to organize the final checks!"

I sigh as Hanako quietly resets the chair she toppled upon her suddenly leaping to her feet. Lilly opens her eyes slowly. "Oh dear, time has passed quickly. My apologies counsel president."

Slightly irritated I say, "what last checks? It's been a week since the break started, most of the students have already left."

As Misha signs our responses to Shizune, Lilly gets up and begins extending her cane.

"Wahaha~!" Her signature laugh bounces up and down with her trademark drills. "Silly Hicchan~! Lots of students are still here though, aren't they? And lots of possessions get left behind in rooms every year. It's an important responsibility of the student council to make sure nothing of sentimental or mon-e-tar-y value is lost!"

"They are correct, Hisao." Lilly makes her way to the pair. "The rush of summer break often sweeps over and leaves some things behind."

"..." Shizune gains a look of distaste.

"And with only the two of us on the council, we were backed up with other things so we already have a late start~!" It only occurred to Misha at the end of the statement that it was meant to be berating. Misha gives me a playful glare which Shizune must find unsatisfactory because she then gives me one which burns a hole into my chest.

"..."

"Not only that," Misha continues, "but I, that is Shicchan, and Misha, that is me, are some of the only ones who can actually check rooms." I can understand why running around campus to look for left behind possessions would be difficult for some students.

"Not to include the clean-up for the tanabata festival, the planning for the new members and the-wahhh~!" Misha suddenly flops onto the table dejectedly, sending Hanako into the corner. "We wouldn't be a tenth as busy if Hicchan had just joined us…~"

Putting aside the disturbing fact that they had planned for me to do nine-tenths of the work if I had joined, I did feel a little bad. Being in the hospital for tanabata gave me complete exemption for that workload, however. Still, I don't have much homework over this break so maybe...

"Maybe I could help with checking the rooms." The words escape my mouth before my brain weighs the consequences. Misha bounces up at my offer and excitedly signs it to Shizune.

"..." The superior and satisfied look of Shizune's face makes me think she planned this entire thing. "Wahaha~! That would be great Hicchan!" Shizune pulls a piece of paper from her pocket. "..."

"Here are the rooms that still need to be checked. It's mostly just the third-year girls' rooms, and having boy there is usually against the rules, but it should be fine for you to go if Lilly joins you! We, on the other hand, shall be laying some foundations on things with Aoi and Keiko~!"

I knew it.

"My, my." Lilly seems to have noticed their scheming as well. "Is this all because you don't want me giving the new council members the wrong idea about empathy and trust?"

Shizune playfully signs with Misha. "..."

"Not at all, dear cousin," Misha translates. "We simply need to instill as much untainted knowledge concerning hard-work and determination into the newest recruits! Wahaha~!"

That's essentially what Lilly said.

"Off you go you two! And no slacking off!"

The pair of them practically drag me and Lilly out the door and Hanako sneaks past them without a word to join us.

All in all, the summer break seems to be having a rather hectic beginning.

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A.N:

Hi! Thanks for reading this chapter. Sorry about the whole several month hiatus and completely remaking the story but I had to because technology. Again, the chapters will be uploaded irregularly as I have other priorities, but I will finish what I start (or at least try to).

Please read and review.

-Red