Sakura Kyouko I : Barely Surviving

April is about to end and Sensei has something to announce during homeroom.

The classroom door opens and Sakura is late again, as she enters the classroom, "I'm sorry I'm late."

Sensei said, "It's fine, I really don't mind."

Sakura goes to her seat, as Sensei was about to announce something in class.

"In two weeks' time, we're going to have our school trip. It will be three days and two nights."

One of the students ask, "Where are we going, Sensei?"

Sensei answered, "We will be going to Kyoto."

The whole class reacted, "Kyoto!"

Sensei continued, "Yes, Kyoto. On the first day, the whole class is going to be together, the second day and the morning of the last day will be free time. We're going home after lunchtime."

The whole class is seemingly excited about this.

Sensei continued speaking to the class, "The deadline for the payment is on Friday."

One of the students asked, "How much is the payment, Sensei?"

Sensei replied, "It was originally twenty thousand yen but the inn that we're staying at was nice enough to give everyone a discount. The payment will be fifteen thousand yen."

Everyone in the class was pleasant to hear about the cost of the school trip.

Sensei continued, "In terms of transportation, the school will be paying for it."

The whole class reacted positively about the school paying for the transportation.

Sensei asked everyone in the class, "Everyone, create a group consisting of six members."

Yuuki, Itsuki, Miu, Nise, Sakura, and I looked at each other as if we already knew what to do.

Sensei continued, "After forming a group, tell Tanahashi-Kun or Uchida-san to list the members of your group and they will pass the list to me. You can now choose your members before homeroom ends."

Everyone in the class scattered around, as they went to their circle of friends in the class.

Itsuki, Miu, Sakura, and Nise approached Yuuki and I at our seats.

Nise smiled, "So, it's the six of us right?"

Miu replied, "I mean, do you want us to replace you?"

Nise pouted, "Please, don't."

I opened a notepad, "I'll list down the six of us."

Sensei forgot to announce something, "I nearly forgot to say this but have one guy who will serve as the leader of the group."

Itsuki asked, "Who will be the leader?"

We all looked at each other and they all ended up looking at me instead.

I was surprised, "Me?"

Yuuki replied, "It must be right?"

Nise followed, "You're right."

Miu added, "Certainly."

They are looking at me like they just wanted me to accept the role of the leader, "Fine, I'll do it. Stop staring at me."

I list down our names and gave them to Yuuki.

Miu stands up, "Sakura, can you accompany me to the restroom?"

Sakura was confused, "Why do I need to accompany you, you're not a little girl anymore."

Miu replied, "Girl stuff."

Sakura stands up and accompanies Miu, "We'll be back."

—

At the girls' restroom...

Miu asked, "Can you afford it, Sakura?"

Sakura replied, "I...don't know if I can even afford it. I'll be paying rent tomorrow as well."

Miu asked, "How much is the rent at your place?"

Sakura replied, "Around fifty-thousand yen."

Miu asked another question, "How much do you have left if you paid the rent?"

Sakura wasn't answering Miu at all.

Miu insisted Sakura on telling her, "Sakura, please tell me."

Sakura replied, "Three thousand yen."

Miu asked, "What happened?"

Sakura responded, "I just paid my bills last Friday. That's why I only have three thousand yen left on me."

Miu offered, "I can pay for your school trip."

Sakura denied her offer, "Don't Miu. You and your family have always been kind to me. I can't take advantage of your kindness always."

Miu can't say anything about it.

Sakura spoke, "If I can't afford it, I'll just stay at home I guess."

Miu reacted, "But Sakura."

Sakura stopped Miu, "It's fine, you can still enjoy the trip without me."

Sakura left the restroom while Miu followed suit.

—

It's already after classes, Yuuki, I, and the rest of the student council are in the student council room doing papers works.

Someone knocked at the door of the student council room.

Yuuki asked me, "Shin, can you open the door?"

I nodded and opened the door and it was Miu, "What brings you here, Miu?"

She asked, "Shin, Yuuki, are you guys free after this?"

I replied, "I have free time after this."

Yuuki followed, "Yeah, same as Shin."

Miu asked, "Can you guys go with me somewhere after school?"

I looked at Yuuki and we both said, "Sure."

Miu told us that she will be waiting for us in the classroom and left afterward.

An hour later, Yuuki and I met with Miu in the classroom. Miu grabs her bag, "Okay, let's go."

I asked, "Where are we going?"

Miu replied, "Just follow me and I'll explain it after you see it."

We exit the school and followed her. In a few minutes, we arrived at our destination.

Miu stopped at the front of a diner, "We're here."

Yuuki and I were about to enter but Miu stopped us, "Don't enter, you two will be seen."

I asked, "Seen by who?"

Miu pointed at the pink-haired waitress in the diner.

Yuuki and I looked at it.

Yuuki asked, "Isn't that..."

"Sakura?"

"Sakura?"

Miu said, "Let's go somewhere else before Sakura sees us."

We left and went to a different diner that is near the station.

Yuuki asked, "Miu, can you explain it to us?"

Miu replied, "Sakura can't afford the school trip."

Yuuki asked again, "What do you mean?"

Miu wasn't answering.

I asked a different question, "Miu, can you give us what you know about Sakura?"

Miu takes a deep breath, "I'll tell you guys, so you would get it easily."

Yuuki insisted, "Please, tell us."

Miu started explaining, "Sakura and I have been childhood friends. We've known each other for the past thirteen years. Sakura has been working multiple jobs. After her job at the diner, she has a job at a convenience store next to the station."

Yuuki reacted, "Why is she doing it? Are her parents not working anymore?"

Miu didn't answer Yuuki at all.

I think I understand the situation, "That's not the case, Yuuki."

Yuuki asked, "What do you mean, Shin?"

I looked at Miu, "Am I right, Miu?"

Miu looks at me and then looks at Yuuki, "Sakura's parents are no longer here."

Yuuki was surprised by it.

Miu continued, "Sakura lost her parents ten years ago. Her parents were shot in front of her."

I was shocked by it that I can't even say a word. Yuuki is the same as well.

Miu continued explaining, "When her parents died, our family supported her but she said she can take care of herself when she applied for part-time jobs and refused to take any support. Ever since that, she's been paying her own bills, rent, and food."

Yuuki just felt bad for Sakura, "Sakura."

I followed, "I feel bad for her."

Yuuki asked, "What should we do?"

Yuuki's right, what should we do?