[X] Tell Sayaka that you may have a way to heal Kyouske's HANDS.
[X] If they wish to go to the hospital after school, ask Archer if he could come with you so that he can heal kyouske.
[X] Try to talk to Hitomi about Kyosuke
The end-of-lunch bell has rang and it's time for afternoon classes. However, there are still two things which you feel the time has come to deal with. It will be difficult to talk with both Miki Sayaka and Shizuki Hitomi in private, but you're going to try. You have to try. This timeline depends on it.
You approach Sayaka as the four of you are exiting the cafeteria. It's easy enough to pull her aside, and she follows you without hesitation when you mention your desire to talk. "What's up Homura?" she asks. "Listen, if this is about last night, again, I'm super sorry about what me and my big mouth cost you, and if there's anything I can do to make-"
"No, this isn't about me." You have only a limited timeframe in which to have this conversation. As rude as it may be to interrupt Sayaka in the middle of her apology, you need to do it. "It's about Kamijou Kyousuke."
Sayaka's face darkens, and she rubs her arm uncomfortably at the mention of her crush's name. "Oh... Um, what's up?"
You need to say this with tact. You've never been particularly good with tact before. "I don't want to get your hopes up unnecessarily, but I spoke with Archer last night, and I believe he may have some way of healing Kamijou Kyousuke's arm and hand." Immediately, colour, the most vibrant blue you've ever seen, fills Sayaks's eyes. "I make no guarantees, mind you, and I would need to have him survey the damage before he's able to determine if there is anything he can do."
"Homura, no fooling; if you and Archer fix Kyousuke's arm, I'll totes be your girlfriend. Like, you'll have to share me with Kyousuke, but that's how much I'd owe you if you manage to fix his arm."
A little bit of red colours your cheeks. You've never given any thought to anyone other than Madoka, and no one other than Madoka has ever given you any thought before, even jokingly. "I... I don't know what to say. To be honest, and I mean no offense when I say this, but... Well, you aren't exactly my type. I'm afraid, generous as your offer may be, I have to turn you down."
Besides,if Sakura Kyouko arrives on the scene Sayaka will want to save those hidden inclinations for her.
"Nah, that's cool, you do you. Besides, I get it; you like 'em small and cute, right?"
No longer have you become the red cabbage. Now, the red cabbage has become Akemi Homura. "I... Well I..."
"It's cool Homura. Tell you what- You manage to pull this off, and I'll do my best to get you and Madoka back together, 'kay?"
"I... Thank you Sayaka; that sounds agreeable. Should we see about making this possible tonight, or are you going to be busy with your mother?"
"I... I don't know. I guess? I mean, mom works like, crazy-long shifts and we almost never see each other, so I'd really like to have this dinner with her. But... Kyousuke has been in the hospital for awhile, and he doesn't deserve to have to suffer if there's a way to fix his arm. I..." It's rare to see Sayaka concentrating so intently on something like this. "Can I get back to you on this?"
"That's fine. Class is about to start; we should hurry."
Catching Shizuki Hitomi is somewhat more of a challenge, especially since she had gone on ahead of you and Sayaka, but miraculously you manage to pull her aside. You'll have to be quick here, but you don't know if you can afford to be quick with how sensitive the topic of conversation is.
"Shizuki Hitomi, I..." Just get it over with nice and quick, like ripping off an adhesive bandage. "You like Kamijou Kyousuke, don't you?"
There is no surprise on Hitomi's face; no shock that you've managed to uncover her secret. It isn't much of a secret to you, but somehow you had been expecting more of a reaction from her. "... So you figured it out? I... Yes, Kamijou-kun is the one that I like. I... I'm ashamed, actually, to like the same person that my best friend likes. Sayaka-san has known him longer... Been much more supportive of him during his ordeal in the hospital... I... I don't have the right to desire him the same way that she does."
"You need to tell her." You place a firm hand on Hitomi's shoulder. "Miki Sayaka is your friend. She will understand you, but she deserves to know the truth. Hiding it from her will only make things worse for the both of you in the long run."
"I... Well, yes, I suppose you have a point."
"Besides... It's like what she told me this morning. Everyone deserves to be happy, and if he makes you happy than you deserve him. You just have to tell them the truth."
"... Thank you, Akemi-san." Hitomi wipes away a small drop of water from the corner of her eye. "I've been worrying about this for months, terrified that Sayaka-san would hate me if she learned that I had developed feelings for Kamijou-kun."
"Miki Sayaka is your friend. She won't hate you for being true to yourself, but she will if you continue to lie; not just to her, but to yourself as well. Not tonight; don't say anything that might spoil tonight for her and her mother, but by the end of the week you need to have told Sayaka how you feel about Kamijou Kyousuke."
"But what if she does hate me? Or, what if Kamijou-kun rejects me?"
"If that happens, then there's nothing you can do about it. There's a chance that Kamijou Kyousuke may not reciprocate your feelings, but I don't think that your friendship with Miki Sayaka will break over a boy. A rough patch? That's to be expected; but I doubt she would be willing to end your friendship over this."
"You... Seem to know quite a bit about relationships, Akemi-san. Tell me, is Madoka-san not... Well, I guess the two of you aren't actually girlfriends, but..."
"No, you're right. Madoka is not the first girl that I've dated." This Madoka isn't "But none of my previous relationships ever lasted more than a month. I'm hardly the expert you think I am." That was... Much darker an answer than you had been expecting to give, but somehow the words rolled off your tongue without any conscious effort on your part.
"Anyway, I appreciate you taking the time to speak with me, Hitomi, but we should probably head to class before the late bell."
Hitomi nods, beckoning you to join her as she makes her way back to class. "Agreed. And, thank you, Akemi-san; for... For being someone I could talk to about this. You are a very wise and kind person, and it pains me that we were only able to meet a few days ago."
"Then perhaps you would like to... Hang out, some time this week? I have another friend; an upperclassman, and I think you and she would get along great as well."
"I would appreciate that, Akemi-san. I'm sure she's a wonderful person if you've been able to make friends with her so quickly."
With that, you and Shizuki Hitomi walk back to class, a little closer, and with a better understanding of one another. Strange; you never thought you could connect with Hitomi before, but it seems so easy now once you let yourself simply... Talk, with her.
Do you
[ ] Try to pay attention in class
[ ] Not pay attention in class, and try to ping
-[ ] Archer, to inquire as to the limits of his capacity to heal grievous injuries
-[ ] Tomoe-san, to inquire as to any new developments regarding Oriko and Kirika
-[ ] Kure Kirika, to inquire about Lancer's attack last night
[ ] Skip to the end of the day
[ ] Other (write-in)
?
[ ] BONUS- If Sayaka opts to go to the hospital after school today, and the timing is convenient for you, would you join her and her mother at dinner if you were invited?
