Strange Meetings [Sayaka's Story]
Date: March 16th
Location: Mitakihara Hospital
I step into the hospital room, like I have countless times before.
Kyousuke is laying in his bed, as always, staring vacantly out of the window.
The CD player burns in my hands. My heart is beating faster. Will he welcome me today, or will he be angry that I'm bothering him? Is this the day he tells me he hates me? That I'm worthless?
'He'd be right to.'
I force a friendly smile for him. Sometimes that helps, and I don't think it hurts, usually. The worst it could do is make him angrier, but better angry than…than dead, like he is sometimes.
'Why did he have to break? Why not me?'
"Hey, Kyousuke." He turns to look at me, and I swallow involuntarily. Waiting for the words.
'Go away, Sayaka! I don't need you!'
"Oh. Hi, Sayaka. Sit down, if you want." My heart jumps in my chest, and a quickly hurry over, my smile growing a bit, even as I struggle to say something that'll help him feel better, even a little.
"Thanks Kyousuke. Being here with you…it makes me happy, you know?"
'Even if it hurts…it's always worth it, if I can make you smile.'
He regards for a moment, searching my expression, then smiles very faintly. My eyes feel warm, but I know I can't cry. That would ruin everything.
"How's school? Is Madoka doing okay?"
I nod, "She's doing as well as ever. You know how Madoka is--always trying to fix something or help someone." My mind wanders to those moments when she thinks no one's looking. When I can see eyes full of despair and guilt.
He actually chuckles slightly, "…Yes, she is like that, isn't she? She was here a couple of weeks ago. I thought she might have gotten something stupid into her head, about me, but she came to ask about you."
My eyes widen a bit, "She…did? I…why? She--"
He throws me an irritable look, but it's the old one--the one he used when we could bicker, before, "--is your best friend, and knows you well. She said you seemed down."
I shrug, "I'm just dreading school is all. Nothing special." 'I can't save my best friend from herself, and you're dying in front of me. Of course I'm down.'
He sighs, turning to stare back out the window, "That's what I told her, but I don't think she believed me."
I sit in silence, lost and unsure of what to say. Maybe he's done speaking, or maybe--
"Sayaka, you shouldn't--"
"Hello?" A girl's voice cuts him off, and I turn to look for the source. There's a black-haired young girl with two long braids standing near the door. She's…cute, in a fragile kind of way.
'She's not his friend is she? He doesn't have someone else, does he? Someone better?'
"What the hell do you want!?"
I flinch as Kyousuke suddenly shouts at the girl. Things were going so well. I do feel a bit relieved, though. He's not mad at me, at least.
'…and he's not keeping secrets, either.'
The girl squeaks and blushes, glancing downwards, "I-I'm sorry. I saw her uniform, and…" She turns to me, and bows deeply, "I'm Akemi Homura. I'll be transferring to your school soon, and…um, would you please take care of me? I've been here for most of my life, and when I saw someone that might be able to help me get used to the outside…"
She's like a kitten. A tiny, scared kitten. I want to pet her head, or maybe hug her. I don't, of course--that's Madoka's thing--but I figure it won't be any trouble to show her the ropes once classes start.
Before I can speak up, though, Kyousuke interrupts. His tone's completely different now, and I glance at him in confusion. He's frowning, contemplating something. Maybe scheming something, knowing him. I get a sudden feeling of dread.
"Wait, most of your life….actually, I've seen you here before, haven't I? Your heart?"
Straightening from her bow, she blinks a couple of times, probably in surprise, "Mmhm. The doctors say that I'm finally healthy enough to leave, and I've been given a slot on the school roster."
Kyousuke nods at that, smiling very faintly, "Good. I'm happy to see someone getting out of this place." He turns his eyes to meet mine, and I recognize his expression, faint though it is--it's the same look he gets every time he drags me into something, and wants me to play along, "Watch out for her. Anyone who gets stuck in here deserves to have someone waiting for them outside."
'What the hell is he up to this time?' I wonder, but I follow along as always, jumping into my usual persona for dealing with my juniors, giving her my best smile as I pump my fist enthusiastically, "Definitely! I'll show you the ropes, Akemi-san! I bet Madoka will be happy to help you out too! You'll be skipping class in no time!"
She...doesn't seem as impressed as most of them. The smile she gives in return is a bit stiff,
"Thank you. I'll let you get back to your conversation." She departs with that. I hope I didn't come on too strong…it's hard to be genuinely perky right here, so I may have overacted a little.
I turn back to Kyousuke once she's gone, "So…what was that about?"
He shrugs, "She's been here way longer than I have. I guess I just want to make sure she gets to be happy when she leaves. It's not too much trouble is it?"
He's not saying everything, but I drop the topic, shaking my head, "Nah, it's fine. Keeping an eye out for her won't be a problem. Would have done it anyway, since she asked."
He nods, "I know you would. Just…really, do your best with her."
He's weirdly insistent about this, but I nod, crossing my arms in slight annoyance, "I said would, Kyousuke. I don't go back on my word."
'I won't fail anyone, if I have a choice, and definitely not you. Not more than I already am.
He nods again, glancing out the window quietly.
I fidget, knowing the conversation's going to end soon, "So…what were you going to say, before she came in?"
He looks back at me, his attention regained for a moment, and gives a slightly mischievous smile, "Oh, nothing at all. Just…how about we put on that music for a few minutes?"
My hands spring for the CD player eagerly as a thrill rushes through me. He hasn't asked for music in a couple of weeks.
I hand him an earbud, and we settle in to listen together. Kyousuke hums along quietly, and the world's peaceful, for a little while.
