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I stumbled out of my room, massaging my throat gently. “Need… Need to check on Hirawa…” I mumbled, leaning against the wall.
I swallowed down the blood and the petals, weakly walking to xyr room. It hurt and tasted terrible, as blood always does, but with the very recent death of her twin, it was pretty obvious she needed comfort.
I waved slowly at Fujihara — he seemed off at the time, but I didn’t think much of it — and continued walking to Suzuki’s room.
When I finally arrived, I knocked on the door, shaking.
Creeaaak..
“Who’s there?” The door opened slightly to reveal a worn-out Suzuki-chan.
“Hirawa? It’s me, Himari… Er.. Arai. W-Whatever… don’t matter right now… what matters is you… Can I come in…?” I asked, swallowing down the petals in my lungs.
“Of course.. sorry about the mess..” She said, looking down at xyr knees.
Hirawa pulled open the door to reveal a (relatively) clean room that looked like it was being entirely resorted.
I slowly entered the room and hesitantly touched xyr hand. “Do… Do you wanna talk about what happened?”
“Please.” She sighed. Xe honestly looked like she hadn’t slept in days. “I’ve got literal photos and videos of his death and the killer, yet do the detectives and the police believe me? Absolutely not, they believe Mx [REDACTED] over Lotus’s damned sister. Only good one is Detective Kobayashi.”
“...Well they’re shitty officers! They can go eat shit for all I care!” I said, sitting on xyr bed. ( There's a green, white, and black flag over it. Wonder what it means… )
“Ha! Yeah, they can.”
I coughed violently, keeling over. Covering my mouth, I sat back up.
“What’s wrong? Are you sick, or is it asthma?”
“I-It’s probably nothing!” I said. “Continue.”
“Well, basically..” She sat next to me, crossing xyr legs. “The dumb officers won’t believe actual photos and videos that shows up not only on my phone but his phone too. And then his phone- yknow, with the evidence?- was suddenly smashed, and the only person who was alone with the phone at any point was Kaneko, and the only two people who didn’t believe his bullshittery about how I could’ve smashed it, so now I’m being framed for both murder and destroying evidence! Thankfully my boss is a witness for the defense, so they’re pretty much my alibi.”
Xe sighed, laying down. “I might’ve indirectly caused his death, though. If I had seen the photos earlier, I could’ve easily saved Ren.”
I placed a hand on xyr shoulder. “Hey, it was late at night, I doubt anyone else would have been awake… I believe you. Pretty much… everyone in our class does.”
“Yeah. Honestly, me being acquitted is relying on y’all and Takashi's summoning skills.” She laughed, but I couldn’t hear any humor in it.
“...Do you need a hug…?” I asked reluctantly, spreading my arms slowly.
“…Yeah.”
I hugged her gently. “Hey Hirawa? ...I bet [REDACTED] got their ass kicked by Fujihara.”
Hirawa cracked a grin, looking over before a frown creased xer lips. "Why do you say that..?"
I snickered before coughing again. “D...Dunno!” I stammered out, watching weakly as a bloody flower fell onto the bed.
“…Arai..?” She sat up. “What was that?- No, nevermind, you’re sick. I’m taking you to the hospital.”
I backed away. “N-No need! I-It’s probably nothing!”
“Arai, you coughed up a flower . That’s not nothing.”
I covered my mouth, gagging on another flower and shaking my head.
She stepped forward, gripping my shoulder. “Will you at least let me take you to the infirmary? I’m pretty sure one of our upperclassmen is an Ultimate Nurse.”
“...Fine…”
———————
I continued coughing as Hirawa walked me to the nurse’s office. It was quiet… I’d always hated silence, but this was nice. It was… peaceful.
“...Arai, how long has this been going on?” Hirawa asked, breaking the silence. “A… A few months, it’s n...never been this bad.” I responded.
“...Hirawa, what’s the meaning of the green, white, and black flag on your bed?” I asked hesitantly. She turned to me. “Don’t you know? I’m aromantic.”
“You’re… a romantic?” I tilted my head in confusion and xe laughed softly. “No, silly. Aromantic. It means… how do I put this… I’m not into the idea of being in a relationship.”
I tensed and continued walking. “O..Oh..! That’s… nice..” I mumbled, feeling petals come up my throat.
We finally arrived at the nurse’s office, and I laid on the bed. “...Hey, Hirawa? Can you wait outside?” I asked. With a nod, she left the room.
“What seems to be the problem?” The brunette nurse asked. I looked at her and let the petals spill out of my mouth.
She tensed. “Oh..! Oh dear…! Have you tried confessing your crush..?”
I turned away. “I’d get rejected anyway. The person I like is aromantic. So either I let myself die, or I let my memories of that person be erased.” I muttered bitterly.
The nurse’s gaze softened. “Alright, tell me who it is.”
———————
I stepped out of the nurse’s office and a red-headed girl stepped up to me. “Arai, are you alright?”
I tilted my head. “Do I know you?”