saki-ch4

thin walls

As I walked towards the special building, where the student council and the service club rooms were located, I couldn't help but almost skip in delight. When I saw him enter the school building yesterday, I felt my heart skip a beat. I don't think I feel that way about him, but just seeing him walking again made me feel at peace, considering that last time I saw him I didn't know if he'd wake up again. Unfortunately, I didn't get a chance to talk to him since I was busy at lunch and after school, but I made sure that I would be able to talk to him for a bit.

They say that when we come across difficult situations, our true colors show in the way we react. I'm not sure if that's true one hundred percent of the time, but I do think there's some truth to that. That's why, when I saw him run to protect that little girl, I knew that regardless of what others say about him, or what he thinks about himself, he's a good person at heart. He's someone that will protect others with his own life. That's why I know he's somebody I would like to get to know more, and hopefully I can be part of his life and he a part of mine.

As I approached the classroom where I knew he'd be, reading a book to pass the time, I stopped at the door when I heard the voices of the other two members. I don't like to eavesdrop on others' conversations, but when I heard his name I instinctively stopped to listen. It sounded like they were talking about him, and not with him, so I was a bit curious as to what she was saying, and why she was still using that hideous nickname.

"Hey, Yukinon, do- do you think Hikki is dating anyone during high school?"

There was a long pause, as if the other girl didn't expect this question or topic.

"What is this all, all of a sudden?" Another strange, long pause.

"Umm. Well I had the impression he would wait until college, or maybe after. He's always been focused on studying so maybe he wants to finish school first." Hmm. She sounded too rushed, as if she was making excuses.

"First of all, he doesn't talk to many people, never mind a girl, so I doubt there's anyone he's seeing now." As rude as that was, I'm sure that's just as right. But if he's fine with it, it might be okay that way.

"Well, how about somebody from class?"

This time I heard a book being dropped onto the table.

"Is he going out with somebody?" Her voice sounded scarier than usual; I didn't know she would react like this. I mean, I had my suspicions but…

"I wanted to wait for him and walk to club together today, but I saw him talking to Saki-san, and I think she asked him to meet her parents for dinner."

Meet her parents? Isn't this too rushed? Maybe it's just to say thanks about the incident, but they should have already gone over to his house themselves to at least see how he was doing.

"Are you sure that's what you heard? Or maybe they invited him as a way to say thanks?"

"I thought so, but when I asked him if he was coming to club today, he said he wasn't feeling well so had to go home. If it were just that I'm sure he wouldn't have a problem telling us, right?"

She had a point, but he's always reserved anyway so he may just have not wanted to say. Another long silence took over the room, the hallway, and the whole school it seemed.

"It's not like he is obligated to tell us about his personal life, anyway. He can do whatever he wants." Her answer sounded forced, but it wasn't necessarily wrong. He really didn't need anyone's consent or anything, but I'd imagine he could talk to those he was closest to? Maybe we really weren't close at all.

"I understand that, but doesn't it bother you too?" She raised her voice towards the end; I could tell it bothered her more than a bit. Like me I guess.

"It doesn't bother me at all. Why are you so interested anyway? Like I said, he doesn't have an obligation to tell us about his personal life, and we have no say in what he does."

"I can tell it's bothering you. I've known you long enough to be able to tell at least that."

I heard a chair being scraped on the floor, so she must have stood up to leave. I quickly left, seeing that the person I came to see wasn't here anyway. Also, is he really dating her?