Face to Face

A Chance of Happiness Chapter 27: Face to Face

“See you in a bit.” Vernon waved as he left their homeroom class.

Jin nodded and watched as he walked towards his next class, completely lost in thought.

“What… can I do for him?”

“Excuse me, Rento-kun?” a voice called.

Jin turned to find Mina and Kazuto standing behind him.

“Oh, good morning Yuriko-san, Okamato-kun.”

“Good morning.” Mina paused, looking at him curiously. “Did something happen with Ichihara-kun just now?”

“What do you mean?”

“Well… he didn’t seem like… his usual energetic self during class.”

Jin frowned, thinking to himself. “What should I tell them? I don’t want them to have to worry.”

“Y’know you can tell us, right?” Kazuto interrupted. “If something’s going on we can help. That’s what friends are for right?”

Jin felt a wave of several unfamiliar emotions wash over him instantaneously. It wasn’t an offer anyone would usually make, especially not to him of all people. As unfamiliar as it was, it brought him confidence, and even comfort.

The three began to walk towards their physics class as Jin explained what had been going on between Vernon and Ayaka.

“I… never would’ve guessed, Fujimura-san acts like nothing really bothers her.”

“You know her?”

“We’ve spoken a few times.”

Kazuto scratched his head. “It’s just… somethings not making sense to me. From what you said it sounds like they were close. What changed? Do you know?”

“I think so… but…”

“But what?”

“It… might actually be my fault.”

Mina and Kazuto gave Jin puzzled looks as they entered their physics class. The three walked back to their seats and set down their things.

“Why do you think you did something?” Mina asked.

Jin gave a hesitant expression. “It’s… complicated…”

“Have you tried talking to her?”

“She probably wouldn’t even want to speak to me.”

Kazuto turned back in his chair. “Even if it’s complicated, you gotta tell someone. If you don’t tell us, then tell someone who could make the difference you’re looking for. I don’t think she’ll listen to just anyone.”

Jin put his hand on his chin, trying to search for the right answer, or rather… the right person.

“Thank you guys.” Jin finally spoke.

“You’re welcome but… we really didn’t do anything.” Kazuto asked.

“No… you really helped.”

Mina gave him a curious look. “Did you figure something out?”

“I think so…”

As Jin approached his math class, he noticed Maddy walking into the classroom, followed by Midori. He entered the classroom and walked back to his seat to find that Vernon wasn’t already there. Jin took out his notebook, tearing one of the pages in half and writing on it.

As he finished writing, he slid out of his seat and placed the sheet on Midori’s desk, slightly startling her. She quickly turned around to see who it was, only to see Jin gesturing to her not to speak. Midori obliged and slowly opened the note, reading its contents. After reading the note, Midori turned back to Jin, giving him a nervous nod before putting it in her desk just as Vernon walked into the room.

The bell rang, dismissing the class as Jin and Vernon left the classroom. Jin looked around to see Midori walking away with Maddy.

Vernon let out a sigh as he stretched. “Man, I’m seriously not gonna make it through the year with Chino-sensei! It’s like he’s out to get me!”

“If you’d stop dozing off during class I’m sure he’d go a little bit easier on you.”

“I just can’t function on an empty stomach. Speaking of… let’s go get–”

“Actually…” Jin interrupted him. “I need to go to the library right now. I– We need to finish up our physics project.”

“Ooo sounds fun. Mind if I join?”

“It’s not!” Jin waved his hands. “It’s really… boring actually. You said you wanted to go check out the drama club in more detail right? Now would be a good time to do it right?”

“Oh… right… I guess–”

“Alright! See you later! Gotta go!” Jin waved as he left to go towards the library.

“Well that was new.” Vernon stood still in shock as Jin left.

Behind the library, Jin waited, and waited. Checking his phone as the time went by, taking glances around to see if anyone was coming. A moment later, Midori came around the corner and started walking towards him.

“S-Sorry… to keep you waiting.”

“D-Don’t be… and… sorry if the sudden request made you uncomfortable. Especially coming from me of all people.”

Midori shrugged up slightly. “N-No it didn’t…” she paused, taking a moment to collect her thoughts. “I was just a little surprised. But I knew you wouldn’t try anything weird.”

Jin gave her a slightly shocked expression. “You… don’t think I would?”

Midori tensed up, looking slightly embarrassed. “No… I don’t. And… well… you just seemed genuinely concerned. And you didn’t want to let Maddy know because of what might happen.”

“Then… thank you… for coming.”

“It’s… about Ayaka right?”

Jin nodded. “There… are just a few things you should know… and something I’d like to ask of you. But I understand if–”

“Tell me.” Midori replied in her normal low voice, but something about it felt more confident.

Jin paused for a moment, surprised by her sudden shift in demeanor. “You… must be close…”

“W-We are… she’s a good friend to me… one of my only ones actually…” Midori paused, returning to her shy self. “These past few days… something’s been off with her but. I have some ideas about what’s been going on but… if you know what’s been troubling her… please… tell me.”

Jin and Vernon exited their math class the next day as Vernon went on his usual rant about how math sucks and his school career is over.

“Hey, whaddya–” Vernon began.

“Why don’t you head to the fitness center?”

“Huh?”

“I’ll grab our lunches and I’ll meet you there. Sound good?”

“S-Sure…”

Before Vernon could even continue Jin left to head towards the quad in a hurry.

“Wait! I didn’t even tell you my order…” Vernon scratched his head. “Oh well... he’ll figure it out.”

Vernon turned and began to walk towards the fitness center, still slightly confused by Jin’s sudden attitude change.

Vernon arrived at the fitness center placing down his things and lying against the wall. He took out his phone and began scrolling through it. “What’s been going on these past couple days?” As Vernon continued to scroll through his phone his expression became more and more solemn. “Seems like things really are changing…”

A moment later, the door opened beside him, snapping him out of his thought process.

“Ah, finally. I’m starving.” Vernon whined as he got up off the ground. “Took you long…”

As the door closed, Vernon saw that the person who just walked in wasn’t Jin.

“... enough…”

Vernon stared in surprise as Ayaka looked right back at him, equally surprised and speechless.