ACT II - The Third Reveal II

Startled with the sudden shouting, I tried to pick up what the family members were saying from inside the house. "She—She's struggling!"

"What? Yachiru! Yachiru!!"

"Come pick her up, we need to rush to the hospital—!!"

"O-Onee-chan? Onee-chan, what's wrong?!"

"M-move out of the way, Michiru!" The footsteps of Mr and Mrs Sayonaka carrying a whining Yachiru was heard, followed by the loud sobs of a confused and scared Michiru.

The scene changed again.

Sobbing. And more sobbing. Footsteps of many, many people visiting in dark clothes. A crying Michiru, gazing upon the shoes, which were waiting for their owner to come back. But she wouldn't.

Yachiru had lost her life.

A change of scene again. This time, Mrs Sayonaka was holding the shoes in her hands, eyes puffy from many sleepless, tear filled nights. "T-These shoes… I can't stand seeing them by the doorstep. I… I end up remembering her and I just…" She choked, desperately trying to stop the tears threatening to fill her eyes. "Should we throw them away…?" Mr Sayonaka was the one to reply. "I… Would like to keep them, if possible. But, if you insist on getting rid of them no matter what… Then we could donate them, I'm sure she'd be happy, as well…"

Michiru stepped into the scene, running in desperation. "No! No!! Don't give them away!!!" Mr Sayonaka got on his knees and hugged her grieving daughter. "My dear… I know it's difficult, but your kind onee-chan would prefer if these lonely shoes found a new owner, don't you think…?" Michiru shouted, "Me! I will wear them! Give them to me! Don't throw them away…!" Mrs Sayonaka also bent down to embrace her daughter. "Honey, you don't play volley—" Michiru immediately responded, cutting her mom's words. "I'll play! I'll play!! Let me keep them!"

"But, your height—"

"I'll grow! I'll grow!! Please, just don't throw them away…!"

"....."

With the painful exchange of looks between her parents, she was given permission to keep the shoes, which she wore even in the present day. Her parents wrapped her in a tight embrace, and the three of them cried… For God knows how many times since the departure of the eldest of the household.

I was shocked. I had no idea Yachiru-san was long gone… And that Michiru carried the grief of her older sister despite her cheerful nature. Inside the Reveal, one final scene occurred. It was present day Michiru, inserting insoles into the shoes. She put them on, and sighed. "You're still too big for me to wear properly, huh… Well, today too, I look forward to being with you."

With the sound of the door closing, I was back to handing the shoes to my childhood friend, waiting with expectant eyes.

The shock of the Reveal and suddenly being back to current day zapped my body ahead, making me drop the shoes. Michiru caught them in the air skillfully. "Huh, what's wrong Yuujin-chan? Did the lack of sleep make you stumble?"

I tried to laugh, but only a pathetic imitation came out of my mouth. "Haha, yeah… Sorry about that, I guess I got a bit dizzy…" She put on the shoes hastily—I noticed the insoles inside—and then patted my arms from both sides. "You might be in a worse state than you might think, so be careful at practice, yeah? See you~"

And off she went to her match, while I just stood in place for a while, trying to digest the truth about my childhood friend's situation…

The results of the practice match lit my phone up with many notifications. She was texting so happily, with many exclamation marks and emoticons, but my mind was undeniably stuck at her past events… I wondered if she was truly handling things well, or if it was just an act, like I was used to pulling lately. This made me shake my head. What was I comparing my pathetic depression to? She had lost her dear sister, and here I was, always moping about people being better than me…

Get a grip, Yuujin. It's not you who needs a conversation of support, it is her. I didn't know if she'd be willing to share things with me, but if I could be even the tiniest bit of support to her…

I congratulated her on the win, and asked her if she'd like to have a sleepover this Friday. I wanted to have a deep, long conversation with her, not risking any interruptions. It was after I sent the text that I wondered if she'd be uncomfortable with this idea, as we were more grown up now, but my invitation had found a positive response. All we needed was the permission of our parents, but since they knew each other from before, we didn't think it'd be an issue.

And we were right. On Friday evening, we were heading towards my home, while Micchan told me stories from her class and volleyball team. She genuinely sounded so happy, but… After such a Reveal, it was most expected of me to have doubts on the sincerity of that cheer…