A Distance In Silence.

"I'm going." Sora told her family. 

During the walk to school, his mind brought him back to what happened yesterday. 

I wonder what's gonna happen with Hino. Should I try to talk to her later? Her mom told her to stay away from me, but it's not like she will know if I talk to her. Well, I guess it's up to her if she wants to talk to me...

As Sora was about to enter his class, he could already see Hino's back. She is already sitting on her seat.

He entered but kept his eyes on her. Her aura was different than how it was recently. It was as if she was back to how she was before she met him. Distant and immersed in her own world.

Sora finally sat on his seat. But, while sitting there he looked around the class. And he noticed that the class was empty and the two of them were the first two students ther. Their seats were however on opposites side of the classroom, separated by a distance. 

While waiting for class to begin Sora played his phone. And from time to time he would take a glance at Hino. Usually, Hino would also from time to time look back at him and acknowledge his presence. But, this time, Hino didn't look towards Sora's direction even once. 

I'm sure she knows I'm here. I guess she probably just don't want to talk to me. It's fine. I'll respect her decision to obey her parents. Well, at least now I know why she was always aloof. She was forced to be quiet and distance herself from others. And because of that she learns to build her own world. It's a shame, cuz she was always excited to have a nice conversation. 

Soon, the rest of the class arrives. Before which, the two made no sort of contact. Each on one end of the classroom, separated by a gap. The two worlds far apart.

Yesterday they were sitting with the same distance between them, but somehow the distance between them today felt further wide apart than it was yesterday. 

The school bell rings. 

The first thing Sora did after class was dismissed was he looked over to Hino's table. He was curious what she would do during lunch. 

But she did what she normally does. She wore her earphones, left her seat and went out of the class.

So, she's going to the rooftop as usual. Well, it was her spot. 

What should I do?  She seems like she wants to be alone. Or maybe she is willing to talk to me there? But it didn't seem like it...

I think I'm gonna go, cuz I rather be up there than here. 

When Sora left the class, Hino was already nowhere to be seen. 

He opened the door to the rooftop. And he saw Hino already sitting where she usually sits. On the left side of the rooftop after coming through the door. She leaned on the railing and read her manga. Her eyes usually glowed when reading the stories, but they were not even visible this time. Shadow black and partly covered by her manga. 

Not wanting to interrupt her, Sora finds a spot where he would not be within her sight. On the other side of the rooftop but not in front of her. Slightly towards the far end of the rooftop on the opposite side of the door. 

Sora made himself comfortable there. At first he enjoyed the winds and the view while listening to his music. Then after a while he followed Hino, he sat down and read a manga. Again, he would take a look at her at times but she would always be focused on herself.

Again, the two sat with a distance between them.

The bell rang marking the end of school for the day.

Sora looked over to Hino, but she was still sitting in her seat. 

That's odd... Usually by now she would have left the class or is exiting the class. She's spending longer simply sitting in her seat.

Although Sora was still curious about what was going on with her, he left. As usual, after school ends, he directly leaves to go to the café. And that was the first time Sora left class with Hino still sitting in her seat. 

The question is, where is she going to go now? Her mom knows about the manga café. Is she still going to go there? Or is she going to another place? Or maybe simply back home.  

Sora arrived at the store. He was greeted by the owner as usual, but it wasn't the same. He usually would see a Hino already sitting in her spot. But this time, he was the first. Or rather, alone. 

Sora sat in his usual seat. The same one from yesterday, the day before and the weeks before that. But somehow today felt a bit different. Before he met Hino, he sat there at the same spot alone. And now he is also in the same spot alone. But somehow the atmosphere today is different. 

Back then it was silent, but now it's somewhat a different kind of silence. 

Back then he was alone. The two of them with their own worlds. Hino with hers and Sora with his. And he was fine with it. He actually prefers it. But now, even when he also alone, it feels somewhat empty.

But despite that, Sora proceeded with his studies as usual. Deep down he hoped that she would come. But she didn't. And Sora simply respected what she has decided. Or to be exact, it was the only thing he could do. 

I think I'll read 'My Place of Comfort' after studying...