As long as I had Yuuko, it didn’t matter if I had no other friends or if people shot me mean looks in the hallways. I knew things would be okay.
When I reached the rooftop, I noticed that someone else had gotten there first.
It was unusual for anyone besides Yuuko or me to go up there. But the scene that greeted me wasn’t just strange—it was intensely unsettling.
I didn’t mind company, per se.
It was where the other girl was standing that bothered me.
She was on the other side of the rail, built high enough to stop students from leaning over it.
Hearing me open the door, she turned around.
I felt my chest constrict.
“What are you doing, Yuuko?”
The girl standing on the other side of the rail was Yuuko.
She smiled, eerily calm.
“Sayu.”
“Hey, that’s not safe! Come here. Why are you…? I thought you were at home.”
“I was here, waiting for you,” she continued quietly, as if she hadn’t heard me. “The first time I saw you, I thought you were really pretty. I thought someone as cute as you would make lots of friends and be the center of attention in class. But you never did. You were independent and beautiful, and no one could get close to you.”
“Hey, what are you talking about?”
“No matter what tricks those silly girls came up with, you stayed aloof. You were so cool. That’s why…I tried to get to know you. A pathetic girl like me wound up making friends with you.”
She seemed almost possessed as she went on cheerfully. But the real problem was that she was standing outside the railing. We were so high up. What if she slipped?
“When we got closer, I found out you were just a regular, cute girl. You were kind and thoughtful…and you had a lovely smile.”
Yuuko paused and shifted her gaze toward me. Her cold stare sent a shiver down my spine.
“And then I went and ruined it.”
“What? That’s not true!”
“Yes, it is. I ruined you, Sayu! You were so independent and beautiful, and now you’re being treated like an idiot for hanging out with a depressing girl like me. They’re making fun of you! But you’re not stupid; you’re beautiful and amazing!”
“I don’t care what they think. As long as you know the real me, that’s all I need.”
“No, it isn’t!!” Yuuko shouted at the top of her lungs.
I was at a loss for words.
I didn’t understand what she was getting at. I had no idea what she was thinking or why she was so angry.
“You’re not like me, Sayu… You can shine brighter… I admired you more than anyone, but…I tarnished you…”
Tears started streaming from Yuuko’s eyes, and she crouched down behind the railing.
This was my chance.
I had to get closer, reach past the rail, and grab hold of her. If she lost her balance even a little, her life might be in danger.
As Yuuko crouched, I slowly made my approach.
But she noticed immediately what I was doing. She bolted to her feet and turned her tear-soaked face toward me.
“Have you noticed, Sayu? You’ve stopped smiling again. When we’re together, all you ever think about is how you can protect me. You always look so sad.”
“Well, of course,” I answered. “You’re my friend.”
The corners of Yuuko’s mouth turned up slightly, but I couldn’t tell if she was happy or sad.
“…Thanks, but…that’s what hurts the most. I can’t take it anymore.”
Suddenly, a peaceful smile spread across her face.
The moment I saw her expression change, my mind screamed out, Don’t let this happen! My body lunged forward.
Yuuko spoke again.
“This isn’t your fault, Sayu.”
“Yuuko!”
“Never…stop smiling,” she said, grinning.
Then, with a little skip, she fell from the roof.
I was charging forward, but there was no longer anyone to reach for. I fell flat against the rooftop.
My whole body began shaking.
I heard screams coming from the school courtyard.
“Aaaah…”
I looked up. Yuuko was gone. This was really happening.
“Aaaaaaaaaaahhh…!”
An unintelligible wail escaped my lungs, and my vision blurred.
I crept toward the edge of the rooftop, leaned over the railing, and looked down.
And there…
Sayu’s face went pale, and she brought her hands to her mouth.
Before I had the chance to properly register what was happening, she vomited right in front of us.
Asami had nestled closer to Sayu halfway through her story, so her skirt got soaked.
“I-I’m so sorry… Your skirt…!”
Even at a time like this, Sayu was worried about Asami’s clothes, but the other girl was completely unfazed.
“It’s fine, Sayu… I can wash it,” Asami replied. “I know you needed to let it out.” Sayu’s expression relaxed.
“Thank y— Bleugh!”
Sayu puked on the carpet again, as if she couldn’t hold it back any longer.
“Yoshi, can you bring us a cloth or something?”
“Yeah, be right back.”
At Asami’s suggestion, I headed to the washroom. I’d bought a bunch of washcloths intending to clean the whole apartment, but I’d never gotten around to it.
As I grabbed a few of these, I pressed my other hand against my stomach.
Hearing about Sayu’s past had been more challenging than I’d expected. I had thought I was mentally prepared for whatever upsetting story Sayu might tell us, but I’d been naive, and I regretted it.
“Here. Use these.”
I handed washcloths to Asami and Sayu, and they began wiping their clothes while I cleaned the carpet.
“Sorry, Mr. Yoshida…”
“It’s all right. Go drink some water and relax. We can leave the rest of the story for another day.”
“Thanks…”
Sayu meekly made her way to the kitchen and got herself a glass of water.
Once she’d taken a moment to collect herself, she made a suggestion.
“If it’s all right with you two…I wanna tell the whole story today. I’m ready.”
Sayu had a determined glint in her eyes, and I couldn’t think of a reason to disagree.
“Sure.” I nodded. Then I looked at each of the girls in turn. “Maybe you should get changed first, though.”
The two of them smiled wryly and nodded.