Deepening Bonds of Friendship

The day was basically done by the time I got back to class. If it wasn't for the fact that my bag was still hanging on my desk I would have been tempted to just go straight home after leaving the infirmary. Of course, there was a second reason why I'd want to come back. . .

I lifted my head up from my notebook to steal a glance Tsutsumi-san's way. She was busy jotting down notes from the board. I've been peeking over every now and then. I hope no one notices. I think she's been doing the same. Every now and then I'll catch those beautiful blue eyes looking my way and we'll both smile.

This is nice. I'm glad we're still friends.

Time passed peacefully. I don't hear as much during class because most are concentrating on the lesson. The things I do hear are mostly about the notes we're writing down. It can get confusing when people fall behind. I've rewritten sentences more than a few times because of that. But it's tolerable.

But afterwards comes hell. . . And today is no different. At least that's what I thought would happen. It's certainly noisy enough. I can't block anything out. But for some reason it's just not bothering me as much. I wonder why?

My cell phone vibrates. I'm not used to getting text messages so it caught me off guard and I jumped a little. I hope no one noticed. It would be embarrassing. I already know who it's from. It can only be Tsutsumi-san. I check to make sure no one is watching me. It looks like Kisaichi-san was going to say something to me but apparently she changed her mind and left. It should be safe now. I'm the only one left in the corner.

Are you busy after school?

Not at all. Why?

I promised Hikaru that I would have lunch with her tomorrow. So I thought maybe we could go to a café today.

An unexpected invitation. I must remember I'm still surrounded by classmates. It's going to be hard, but no smiling. There's also that. . . It can't be worse than here, but I should ask anyway.

I'd love to, but. . . There'll be a lot of people won't there?

I can't promise it will be empty, but it's usually quiet on weekdays and they only have 2 or 3 people working at a time. People from school rarely go there. Besides. I have a plan. I think.

A plan?

It's a secret. <3

She's really got this all planned out doesn't she? Almost.

It would be bad if people see us leave together.

No problem. Meet me at the fountain in the shopping district? It's near there.

That's about a fifteen minute walk from here. In the general direction of my house.

Okay. I'll leave a few minutes after you.

Then it's a date. <3

Please tell me no one saw me blushing just now. After she replied I put my phone away and idly passed my time staring out the window like I usually do. It didn't take long before everyone was gone and I was all alone. I guess it's time.

_________________________

I arrive at the fountain and find myself alone. There's no way I passed her on the way here is there? There aren't a lot of people around but there are more than I care for. If she's in a store I wouldn't be able to hear her from here.

Well. . . Maybe sense would be a more appropriate word to use. When I try to listen to her it's like gentle white noise. Unlike the voices of other people which cause me headaches, Tsutsumi-san's noise is actually very soothing.

The voices I hear feel very much like actual waves. Is it because it's sound I wonder? Other people's voices are like large crashing waves jostling me about violently. It's not so bad when there's only a few voices, but when I'm surrounded by more people it becomes harder to "keep my head above water" so to speak. Then I become feverish, overheat and faint. However, Tsutsumi-san's noise is like gentle waves lapping all over my body. It's soothing. I wish I could only hear her. . .

". . . . . . . ."

There she is!

"You're here faster than I expected." She said with a smile, her hands behind her back. "I went into a store to buy something nice."

"Something nice?"

She walked up to me and then swiftly put one of her hands on top of my head. And everything went black.

"What the heck! Tsutsumi-san?" I put my hands on my head and felt something cool and smooth with a woven texture and pulled it off immediately. In my hand was a tan colored straw hat with a moderately sized rim. "Huh? A summer hat?"

When I looked at her I noticed that she was also wearing an identical one. No. Not identical. Hers had a white ribbon and bow, on closer inspection mine was sky blue.

"Well? Do you like my plan?"

"Your plan?"

"Mhm. No one will know it's us if we wear these."

I snickered, then laughed loudly. It's like something from a gag manga. This girl is incredible. I put the hat back on and scrunched up my face. "Now they'll never know it's meeeee!"

"Pfft!" Now it was Tsutsumi-san's turn to laugh. "You look ridiculous!"

"Aaaaaand whose fault is thaaaaaaaat?" I made a few more silly faces. "Haaaaaaa?" What am I doing? This is sooooo out of character for me. I honestly don't think I'd be able to do this with anyone else.

"Oh my god stop it!" She was laughing so hard she was crying. Wait. . . I think I'm drawing unwanted attention. I don't like what I'm hearing. I nervously look around and sure enough, several people were watching me and snickering. Thankfully nobody that I know, but still.

"Ah. . . Sorry." I grab her hand and lead us away from the fountain. "People are watching, quickly, where is the café?"

"Oh? Turn right after the shoe store."

"Got it." She squeezed my hand as we ran. Maybe it's because of how embarrassed I was a moment ago. Maybe it was because I was with Tsutsumi-san. All I know is that something that normally I would find really embarrassing felt normal. She never loosened her hold and neither did I. All the way to the café.

Once we turned the corner we slowed down and I happily let Tsutsumi-san take the lead. We were pretty much right next to the café. "Mare di Tranquillità" was written on the white canopy above the door. I have no idea what language that is and I'm not even going to try and pronounce that word. If I tried to say quilli I'm afraid my tongue would have a seizure. Thankfully there's a translation underneath. "Sea of Tranquility", huh? Sounds promising at least.

The café definitely had a Western design. There were two glass top tables with sky blue rims outside with sizeable white umbrellas in the center. Each table had two sky blue chairs with white cushions that looked really soft. The front of the store consisted of large window pains in sky blue painted metal frames on top of knee high brick walls. The bricks were white and sky blue. The door was also glass with the same sky blue metal trim. All of the glass was tinted blue so it was difficult to see inside. Did Tsutsumi-san buy the hats to match the café decor? I couldn't help but think that that was going a tad too far, but at the same time it was rather impressive.

The inside was no less incredible. It was surprisingly spacious. The walls were sky blue with fluffy clouds. So was the counter in the back. The chairs were the same as those outside and there were circular booths of white and sky blue leather. We're definitely nabbing one of those.

It was just as quiet as Tsutsumi-san said. Two employees. Zero customers. I motioned towards a booth on the left wall. I noticed before we entered that the building next door wasn't being used right now, so this was one hundred percent the best spot for me.

We removed our hats as soon as we sat down. I don't think I need this now unless someone comes in. "You really are a regular here aren't you?"

"Well, sort of." She seemed surprised with my sudden question. Well lets ask her something that will really confuse her.

"This is the first time you've come here with someone isn't it?"

"I haven't been able to convince Hikaru to come with me yet. How did you. . .?"

I chuckled. "With only two voices both saying pretty much the same thing it's easy for me to see that they're both surprised to see someone with you."

A look of complete shock. I've seen her surprised before but not like this. From this seat she's the only one who can see the employees so I have no idea how they're acting right now. Though it's not exactly proof, this should be compelling evidence that I wasn't lying to her about my ability.

Before she could say anything one of the girls was already here to take our orders. "You're here with a friend today, Tsutsumi-san?" She was very cheery and smiling brightly. I'd go as far as to say she was excited. Is it because Tsutsumi-san brought me with her? Probably.

"Mhm. This is Wakabayashi-san from my class." There's that gentle smile that I've come to rely on so much. "She's my precious friend!" Thank you, Tsutsumi-san. I now have another use for this hat.

If the waitress wasn't excited before, then she certainly was now. Her thoughts are so strong at the moment. I couldn't see anything. I wasn't joking about finding another use for the hat. "Oh myyyy!!!" I swear, Tsutsumi-san is going to make my heart explode someday.

After a few minutes of teasing our orders were taken and delivered. I'm not familiar with coffee so I just ordered what Tsutsumi-san got. Something called a "latte macchiato". I was expecting it to be more bitter than it was. I kind of like it. Especially the aroma.

"Today is on me." She said suddenly.

"You don't have to. Really." I had a feeling she'd offer at some point. This was all her idea after all.

"No I insist." She shook her head and smiled. "Consider it an apology for not being able to have lunch with you tomorrow."

"Honestly. . . You don't owe me anything. Simply being able to be your friend is more than enough." I sighed and put her hat on her head, giving it a little shake as I mussed up her hair a bit.

Tsutsumi-san was staring at me with a curious look. She wants to ask me something, doesn't she?

"What's up?"

"Nothing, really. . ." She looks over my shoulder. "Say, are they still thinking about us?"

"Nope. We're no longer as interesting as some drama they saw on TV last night." My immediate, matter-of-fact reply appears to have surprised her, but I guess she really is starting to believe in my ability isn't she?

"Hmm. . ." She's still curious about something. She stares at me again and then slides over next to me. Our arms are touching. I'm already at the end of the seat so I can't move away from her any further without falling flat on my face.

"Tsu. . . Tsutsumi-san?"

"I'm testing something. <3" She's teasing me! That was definitely the voice of someone teasing someone!

"T. . . testing what?" How am I the only one embarrassed by this?!?

She leaned on me. Why are you always invading my personal space?!? "Can you hear them now?"

"Huh?" Well. . . Now that she mentions it. "Actually. . . No."

She immediately pulled back and sighed heavily. "Ah well that's a relief."

"Eh? What?" I blankly looked at her, confused to say the least.

"It looks like I don't actually have to hug you. I just need to touch you I guess." She shot me an icy, accusatory glare. "Were you expecting something else?"

"That was mean!"

"Consider it payback for your 'test' yesterday." And then she gives me the raspberry.

I was joking when I thought this earlier, but Tsutsumi-san really is going to make my heart explode someday. But somehow I think I'm okay with that.

_________________________

As sure as rain I'm on the roof alone today. Tsutsumi-san is with Akita-san right now. I only vaguely remember seeing Akita-san in class. She's the super energetic one I believe. You would think that someone like that would stand out. I'm sure to others she does. But to be completely honest I had zero clue she even existed before I met Tsutsumi-san. Even now I only know her as someone I've seen talk to Tsutsumi-san.

Is it really okay for me to categorize everything in my school life as either "things associated to Tsutsumi-san" or "things I don't care about"? Well. I guess there's also "things I need to do to survive high school". Considering this time last week I categorized everything as "things I either do or do not need to survive high school" could this be considered an improvement? Am I making some weird sort of progress?

Wait. Improvement? Progress? Of what? I have my "Lone Wolf" persona and I have Tsutsumi-san. Isn't that enough? I even have the roof all to myself today. It's so quiet. Peaceful.

. . .

This time last week I would have killed for this. But somehow, today, it doesn't feel the same. The food doesn't taste the same. Nothing has changed. Except for me. I've changed. Because of Tsutsumi-san. I want to see her. . .

I stare at my phone. No new messages. I wonder what she's doing now. Is she having fun with Akita-san? Is she thinking about me at all?

. . .

We haven't been able to talk since yesterday. I haven't even gotten a text from her since this morning. Maybe she's too busy? Should I message her? Why do I feel so. . . anxious? Is it because of how we parted here in this very spot two days ago? Before that I hadn't felt this anxious since. . . that day. The day I lost my best friend. The day I made her scared of me. Is this. . . loneliness? Isn't this the reason why I distanced myself from people to begin with?

**bzzt**

Tsutsumi-san! I can feel my heart start to race.

Sorry I won't be able to see you after school today either! I have a club meeting.

. . . This is okay, right? I've been alone for the past five years after all. What's one day without Tsutsumi-san? Right? So why does my heart now feel so. . . heavy?

It's fine. Have fun.

This is crazy. . . I'll see her again tomorrow. This isn't like when we were on the roof before. It's not like that day either. But somehow telling myself this doesn't make me feel any better. My last memory in this spot was a bad one. And here I am. Alone again.

I have to stop this. I'm not alone anymore. I have Tsutsumi-san. We're okay, remember?

. . .

Am I really not going to be able to see her today?

**bzzt**

I miss you.

A single tear slowly streaks down my cheek. I put my phone down and gaze at the roof's fence off in the distance. It looks so far away today. I never noticed before. Was the roof always this big?

_________________________

I see a familiar face approach me after school. It's not Tsutsumi-san, sadly. It's Kisaichi-san again. "H. . . Hello? Wakabayashi-san?" She's just as timid as always. She's like a little rabbit. But for some reason she keeps trying to talk to me.

"Yes?"

"Um. . . Are you feeling okay? You. . . You were gone all day yesterday." She wasn't even looking at me. She was looking at the now empty desk behind me. She was blushing. It looks like she's nervously fidgeting with some kind of tiny plush toy in her hands which she's holding close to her chest. She's kind of cute, actually. I never really noticed before.

"Oh. It was just a fever. I didn't sleep well because I was worried about stuff. But everything worked out. I'm okay." She looked at me in shock, she even stopped fidgeting with her plush. "It wasn't one of my fits. So don't worry." I smiled back to try and reassure her.

"I. . . I see. . ." She blushed even deeper. "O. . . Okay. . . Um. . . Bye now!" Ah! She ran. . . She really is a rabbit.

I glanced over at Tsutsumi-san and noticed that she, too, was staring at me wide-eyed in disbelief. What's going on? I looked around me. Everyone was staring at me. Oh wait. . . Oh. . . No. . . What have I done?!?

I FORGOT ABOUT MY MASK!!!

I'm frozen in fear. My classmates were all staring at me. I have no clue how I'm supposed to get myself out of this situation. I got careless. God damn it all! What do I do?

"Did I just see what I think I saw?"
"What was that? What just happened?"
"Wakabayashi. . . san. . . smiled?"
"I've never seen her talk that much before."
"How did Kisaichi-san get her to talk?"
"She looked so. . . gentle."
"Is this really the same girl?!?"
"I think my heart just stopped. . ."
"Is Wakabayashi-san actually a nice girl?"

It doesn't help that they're all too stunned to talk. So all of their minds are racing right now. There's no way anything I'm hearing is sticking. Not even a little. It's all in one lobe and out the other. But I don't need to hear what they're thinking. It's pretty much written all over their faces. The 'Lone Wolf' Ichika Wakabayashi suddenly turned into a nice, normal girl right before their eyes and they're all trying to make sense of what their eyes and ears are telling them.

what do I do what do I do what do I do what do I do what do I do what do I do what do I do what do I do what do I do what do I do what do I do what do I do what do I do **throb** what do I do what do I do what do I do WHAT DO I DO?!? **throb**

"Waka. . ."

Even if I went back to acting like my old self now I don't think anyone would buy it at this point. I'm starting to shake. I feel cold. My body feels like lead. It feels different from one of my episodes. This is bad. I'm scared!

". . . yashi-san!"

"Tsutsumi. . . san?"

I feel like I'm about to pass out. . .

"Make room! I'm on the health committee! I'll take her to the infirmary!" Tsutsumi-san's voice was right next to me. I'm so dazed and numb I don't even know where I am anymore.

"Wakabayashi-san! Can you hear me?"

Hearing my name ringing in my ear woke me up a little. Somehow I'm still on my feet. But I'm leaning on Tsutsumi-san. She's gripping my hand tight to keep my arm around her neck and she's propping me up with her other arm around my back.

"I can hear you, Tsutsumi-san." I said weakly. Everyone's voices were gone now but I still felt tired and heavy. The fog was starting to lift, though. I could think clearly again and feeling was coming back to my body. Is it because I'm with Tsutsumi-san?

"Are you able to walk?" Her face exuded calm and composure but her eyes. . . Even though she was turned away and I couldn't see them well, I could tell just from that that her calmness was all for show.

"I think so." I steadied my stance and put one foot forward. I wobbled but stayed standing.

"Easy. I'll go with you. Let me support you."

"Okay."

There were murmurs echoing in the classroom as we slowly made our way out the door and started walking down the hall. The infirmary was in the opposite end of the building from the main entrance so as we walked the crowd started to thin until the last of the gawkers left and we were all alone.

"Tsutsumi-san?"

"Yes?"

"I think I'm okay now. Can we go to an empty classroom instead?" She stopped walking but I took a few steps to show her I was fine now. "See?" Balance on one foot. Balance on the other. No problem, right?

"It would be better to go to the infirmary." She still looked worried. She was hesitant. But a sudden vision of expensive sushi platters flashed through my mind. Please, no. Anywhere but the infirmary.

"I'm okay. I've spent enough time alone with the 'Tuna Demon' for one week. . ."

"Tuna. . . Demon?"

"Don't worry about it."

"Okay. . ." She still looked confused. Seriously, don't think about it. You don't want to know.

The abandoned literature club room was close so we made our way there. It's my back-up hideaway for when the weather is bad so i know it well. It's just as quiet as the roof with a couple places for me to hide away. Those places are along the side walls, though, so I can often hear people in adjacent rooms. There really is no such thing as a perfect place for me to go to in this school.

For an abandoned club room it was spacious. Since the literature club closed down two years ago it's been used mostly for library overflow. The large table in the center of the room was switched out for a smaller one in order to add more bookcases. There was also a section for office supplies. Thankfully there were still three chairs at the table and we graciously availed ourselves of two of them.

This is relaxing. . . Quiet. Peaceful. I can only enjoy tranquility like this when I'm alone. And when I'm with Tsutsumi-san. She takes out a book and smiles at me before she starts to read. Is she trying to be considerate and give me a few moments of solitude? Can she hear me or am I really that easy to read? Is it because I'm so unguarded when I'm with her? Maybe that's not such a good thing. . . After all that's why. . . The astonished faces of my classmates come flooding into my mind. Stop it. I don't even want to think about it.

I gaze longingly out of the nearby window. I'm not close enough to see anything but clouds but it's enough. A cool breeze blows in and I can faintly hear the cry of seabirds. I close my eyes and picture myself on a warm blanket on the beach. Resting under the shade of a huge umbrella. The gentle lapping of the waves. The distinct smell of the sea. A soothing voice next to me. A gentle hand placed delicately on top of mine. I can't see her, but I imagine it's Tsutsumi-san there with me. That would be nice.

When I'm surrounded by people I often try to distract myself from hearing everyone's thoughts with imagery like this. With varying degrees of success. The beach is probably my favorite. I'm not sure why I suddenly felt the urge to come here today. Maybe it's because of Tsutsumi-san.

I open my eyes and come back to reality and watch as a wispy cloud slowly passes by. I've really done it today haven't I?

I sigh loudly. "I don't know how I'm supposed to face my classmates tomorrow."

The soft thud of a book closing. "I don't think you have anything to worry about."

"The hell I don't. How can I go back to being 'Lone Wolf" Wakabayashi after that scene?"

A moments silence. "It was all a feverish dream." I see a bird dart in front of the window as another whispy cloud slowly enters my view.

"I don't follow."

"Just act like you normally do. I'll plant the seed." I turn to look at her. She's smiling again. That soft, gentle smile. She's confident in what she's saying. "They'll think it was all because you were having another episode. I'll make sure of it."

This girl. . . Is the kindest, most amazing person I have ever met. . .

I was at a loss for words. I just kept staring at that peaceful smile. Those beautiful eyes as deep as the ocean.

She moved her chair closer to mine and rested her head on my shoulder. It was embarrassing. . . I'm pretty sure it's not the sun that's making my face burn up now.

"Say. . ." Her voice was soft and quiet. "Aren't you glad I joined the health committee?"
I woke up from my trance with that. I really could get lost in those eyes after all. . . Tsutsumi-san. Dangerous. "Why did you join anyway?" I realized that I had lost my chance to ask her about this earlier and then forgot about it until she asked that.

"Well. . ." She seemed unsure that she wanted to talk about it. But she pushed forward. "You say you can't hear anyone when you're with me. So. . . This way. . . If you have another fit, I can be of use to you." She turned away. I can understand her hesitation to say this. That was really embarrassing. "Maybe. . ."

"Y. . . You did it for me?" I would never be vain enough to deduce something like this on my own. This was a genuine shock.

"Yes. . ."

"But, why?"

"Do you really have to ask?" She pulled back from me and gave me that unfair, beaming smile of hers, her cheeks a deep pink. This was a lethal combination that I haven't seen before. Her hair was flowing gently in the breeze, the sun brightly lighting up her face. It was like a scene straight out of a shoujo manga. I had to remind myself to breathe. "You're my precious friend. Wouldn't you do the same for me?" I don't think I'm ever going to not be embarrassed by being called a precious friend.

We sat there for a moment in silence. She said this before. In the infirmary. I realized I never did answer her. I was too emotional and simply broke down. And then she did too. And the moment was lost. But this time. . .

"I would." I would literally do anything for this girl.

"You said it. . ." I should have said it sooner. This girl is here right now because of me. I have to do my best to be there for her. Wait. . . Wasn't there somewhere she was supposed to be right now? Oh. . .

I lowered my head sheepishly. "I'm sorry. . . about your club meeting. Because of me. . ."

She placed her slender fingers on my lips. "Nothing is more important than my precious friend."

"Tsutsumi-san. . ."

She began to fidget and looked down at her book. I think somehow she's blushing even more. What could possibly make her this nervous?

"Yasu."

"Yasu?"

"Call me Yasu, like the an of Heian. Because I want to be your peace."

Oh. My. God. Can my face possibly get any redder I wonder? That's got to be the most embarrassing thing I've ever heard. . . I know my mouth is moving but nothing but air is moving past my lips.

"And I'll call you Chika."

"Chi. . . Chika?!?"

"Because you're Ichika, a single flower, but I want you to be my Chika, a thousand flowers. The side of you only I can see."

I take it back. That is the most embarrassing thing I've ever heard. I feel like I'm going to explode from the embarrassment. . . I can almost see jets of steam shooting out of my ears. This girl has an unnatural gift to say the most embarrassing things in the world as if it was the most natural thing to do. Is this shoujo? Is my life a shoujo manga now?!?

Wait. . . Why am I back at the beach again? Why would I think about the beach at a time like this? Clouds are blocking the skies, it started pouring rain and I can hear thunder. Strong gusts are blowing and the umbrella blew away. Why so ominous? This is so out of place. . . Wait. . . Why is the sea receding? Am I about to die in my own daydream?!?

**thud**

I could hear a dull thud behind Tsutsumi-sa. . . Yasu. . . That's going to take some time getting used to. . . So embarrassing. . . The sound came from the bookcase. It seems she didn't hear it. It's not like I knew what to say right now anyway so this was a chance to at least delay my response and I took it.

I slowly peeked over her shoulder as she looked at me confused. It didn't take long for me to find the source of the noise. There was a book on the floor that I'm pretty sure wasn't there when we came in. And right next to it, timidly watching me from behind the bookcase was a tiny, twin-tailed girl with small eyes so darkly brown that they were almost black.

"Kisaichi-san?" This really is a shoujo manga. . .