[[Off in the forest
My spirit can fly
Off in the clouds
I say my goodbyes
Even without me the world will move on
I doubt that they'll even notice I'm gone|p1]]"...huh. This is pretty interesting poetry. Did you write this?"
Some girl you've never seen before is standing beside you in the hallway, holding a piece of notebook paper. ...holding *your* piece of notebook paper.
"Give that back!" You shout, trying to take it from her hands unsuccessfully. "And it's not poetry, it's lyrics."
A sparkle seemed to glint in her eyes in response to this, while she held your paper behind her back to prevent you from reaching it.
"Lyrics? So you write songs? Can I hear?!"
[[→|p1p2]]"-you did a great job today! I would expect no less from you, though!"
One of the other employees is giving you a hearty pat on the back. The weight of it is enough that it sends you lunging forward, trying to regain your balance.
You really hate having to deal with things like this.
"Thank you... I worked hard on preparing this piece. I hope the work I put into it came across to everyone."
"It did, it did! I mean, didn't you hear how loudly the audience clapped?! Your piano playing is always lovely, dear."
[[→|f1p2]](set: $lost to true)
(goto: "p9")"...why are you here, exactly?"
That girl from yesterday- *S*, she had asked you to call her- had somehow returned. She now stood in the entraceway of the music room of your school you try to take refuge in during lunch each day to avoid other people.
"Well, I still have those lyrics to that song of yours, remember? I forgot to return it before leaving, teehee~"
You want to gag hearing that "teehee". *Can she be any more fake?* Although she did look like she was enjoying herself acting that way.
"Give them back and go on your way." You're a little surprised she bothered to come back at all for you, but you try to not let it show.
[[→|p2p2]]Gray.
The uniform for your work is all just a boring shade of gray.
Light gray dress shirt, dark gray skirt; no matter the shade, it's just gray, gray, gray.
You don't complain about it, though. You're boring, just like the color.
*Someone who pushes everyone else away and isolates themselves can't be described as anything but boring, right?*
[[The only bit of color you have is the light blue headband you always put in your hair. You've considered breaking it a few times- *you don't deserve it anymore*- but you've never successfully gone through with it.|p3]]All of your life, no one's ever noticed you were even there.
Your presence left no impact on anyone. They never remembered you after you left. Just like a ghost-
Yes, this is what the people around school always said, in rumors they passed to each other.
"Did you know that there's a ghost that lives in the music room? If you walk past the music room in the middle of the day, you'll hear a piano playing itself! Supposedly it comes from a student here, but no one ever sees her! Spooky, right? So make sure you neveeeer go close to the music room!"
You were very much alive and not a ghost, but considering how little you meant to other people, you may as well be dead.
[[→|p3p2]]"Here... in this section... we could add something, like... hmm hm hmmm hm~♪"
Her advice makes no sense. None of her advice before this made any sense, either.
You can't help but smile at this; not like you'd admit it, though. If someone tried to call you out on it, you'd deny wholeheartedly that you were smiling, of course! To protect your pride!
"Hey. You're smiling."
...or at least, you can pretend in your head it'd turn out like that.
"I am. And so are you."
[[→|p4p2]]You stare ahead of you at the tall building obstructing your path. The lights in the windows glimmer in the night sky.
Sparkling, shining; these are the perfect words to describe this place to you. A place once filled with your regrets... that serves as your hope in this night.
Even though you're about to head inside where it's warm, you find yourself pulling up your scarf to cover your face even more.
Yes, tonight...
[[→|f3p2]]Every night is the same, performing here. The same respectful, light applause and everyone returns back to their meals. You suppose that shows you're good at doing your job consistently, but it's not very exciting.
Your eyes glaze over as they scan the audience at the end of this night's performance.
*Wait... is that..?*
Despite your previous internal laments over how mundane this was, something different has indeed happened tonight. A reminder of your past came to listen.
*I have to run!*
[[→|f4p2]]*What an abrasive girl...* Lost in your thoughts, you fail to respond and just stare in disbelief at the nerve of this girl.
"...helloooo?"
"Ah!" You were disappointed to discover that even once you got snapped out of your daze, she had yet to leave you alone.
"'Suppose not, then... Well, okay. I really wanted to hear it but I can't force you to play it for me or anything... Oh well."
"..."
"What's your name, by the way? I don't think I've seen you before. ...You can just call me 'S', by the way! As like, a nickname."
[[→|p1p3]]You did hear the audience. They clapped so loudly, it filled the room and boomed in your ears.
*How noisy.*
You really hate having to deal with things like that.
*Why do I have to deal with other people? Why do I have to play for other people? Why can't I just play for my own sake?*
Surpressing the sigh threatening to come out, you simply give more thanks and excuse yourself.
[[→|p2]]"Awwww... What a grump. I want to hear it still!"
*Really, such an annoying sort of person.*
"...it's not finished. I only have those first lyrics done... I still need to finish the rest of the lyrics, and then work on the actual composition of the music."
[[→|p2p3]][[*So why does this girl want to help me? Why does she want to be with me?*|f3]][[Tonight is the night you're going to see your old friend again.|p4]]Someone who smiles at you. Someone who makes *you* smile.
That's not something you've had in a long, long time... Too long.
The only person who had ever smiled at you like that was that woman who played piano at your parents' place for the guests in the restaurant... That woman who had been like a mother to you, while your real parents just spent their time traveling the world, without a care what happened to you who got left behind.
As a matter of fact, the two of them's smiles looked almost identical.
[["Okay, okay, enough goofing around now. Let's get back to work on that song, shall we?"|f4]]"Wait, wait!" She must've realized that you were trying to escape before the two of you got a chance to talk, as she had started running after you, trying to catch up. You try to quicken the pace but you can only go so fast in heels.
"Please, wait at least a moment for me! I... wanted to tell you that your playing is as beautiful as ever! And, um... Why are you still running away?!"
Her attempts at conversation didn't faze you against your escape plan.
"Please, even if you won't talk to me now, call me later! My number's the same as before, okay?"
[[You got away before you had to respond.|p5]][["...my name is-"|f1]][["Oh, really? How about we work on it together, then?"|f2]]"Ya know, it never crossed my mind to ask earlier. What will this song be played on? Looking at the parts, can't just be vocals..."
You and "S" have been meeting up everyday during lunch to work on the song since the day she offered to help. In all the time you've spent together- *finally with someone else and not alone*- she's somehow apparently missed entirely what instrument was playing the accompaniment part.
"...do you really have to ask, S? Are you honestly that dumb?"
"I'm not dumb!"
"Then you already know what it is. Go ahead, say it. I'll confirm your, ahem, totally out there suspicions~"
[[→|p5p2]]"Friend."
She actually called you a "friend". No one's ever done that before.
The next few days pass in a haze of elation. *You have someone you can call a friend now. A place to belong.*
The rumors being spread amongst your classmates have moved on from being focused around you, too. You overhear them before class talking about it to each other.
"Did you hear? I got a fresh scoop from the underclassmen! There's this pair of weirdo twins in class 1-A... uh, Sakae and... forgot the brother's name. Oh well. Anyways, they only ever talk to each other, and word is that they got some kind of grudges and are planning to take it out on this school! I hope they don't come here and go on a rampage hurting people! Glad they aren't in our class, we'd have time to escape if they did from here!"
[[→|p6p2]]"You look so nice in that outfit! You were being serious when you said that you already owned enough nice clothing! I like the headband the best, though~"
"Of course you would, you chose it yourself..."
The day had arrived finally. The day when the two of you were going to perform the song.
"So, where are we going for it? You said you had a place where we could perform that'd have a decent sized audience..."
"I do. It's a surprise though, so I won't say. You'll see when we get there, so just follow me."
"You're making me wait to find out?! Awww, come on~"
"No means no, S. Let's get going."
[[→|p8p2]]S has seemed different since the day the two of you performed together.
Even though it was supposed to be a fun occasion, something seemed to be weighing down on her. She had even started to avoid you it felt like, not joining you for lunch like usual.
*She said we're friends, so I'm sure it's something serious, not petty... I hope she's okay, though.*
Thinking this, you headed to the nearest drinking fountain for some water, but a circle of students were blocking the way. You can't help but listen in on what the commotion is.
[[→|p9p2]]No one has ever depended on you before. Thus, you've had no experience defending others in bad situations. The thought that you even *could* get involved and stop it never occured to you throughout the whole ordeal. The reason you didn't defend S was because of this; but when her brother asks, you can't bring yourself to say it.
"...I'm sorry."
"*I'm sorry?* Is that all you have to say about this?! I was hoping you were different than everyone else. I was willing to put some trust in you, because you seemed to be making her happy; I should've just gone with my gut feeling."
S has a sad look on her face behind her brother, but she says nothing in your defense, either.
[[→|p10p2]](live: 0.5s)[.](live: 1s)[.](live: 1.5s)[.](live: 2s)[W](live: 2.5s)[h](live: 3s)[a](live: 3.5s)[t?]
(live: 5s)[S was your friend. S *is* your friend.
S is your only friend.
S would would always take your side. S would never abandon you. S isn't like everyone else.
*So, why... why is she abandoning me?*
[[→|p11p2]]]
"So... what are we doing from here?"
Today's the first time you and S met up outside of the music room at school. Now the two of you wander the streets of town.
"Well, we finally finished the piece, correct? So I think we should perform it somewhere! But, if we're going to perform, we need to buy some nice clothing for it!"
"...I already own plenty of nice clothing. And also... if we were going shopping, you should've warned me ahead of time. I didn't bring any money."
She gives you a look of shock. "What did you think we were going to do that *didn't* involve money in any way?! You really *don't* have experience hanging out with friends, huh."
[[→|p7p2]]*Why did she show up there?*
You have no idea why she'd want to see your face ever again.
Last time the two of you spoke, it didn't end on a positive note. Rather, it had ended with her looking at you full of hatred. You didn't do anything after that to improve her opinion of you, so you have no clue why she seemingly changed her mind.
At this point, it had been years since you last spoke. You suppose time can heal wounds or whatever people say, but the world had never been that convenient for you in the past. You didn't anticipate it would be starting now.
[[→|f5p2]]You've always loved the sound of piano.
It's something you've been listening to ever since you were a baby. Hearing it brings a peace to your heart like nothing else.
Even though you've had bad memories connected to the instrument, too... You still love it, after all.
It's like that with everything for you, though. You can't hold grudges long if your life depended on it.
[[→|f6p2]]"What're you going to do this weekend?"
One of the employees asked you this question as you lounged around the lobby area. It was a quiet day for business, so you could afford small talk.
"I don't have any plans currently. Practice piano, maybe?"
"That's all you ever do!"
"And? That's all I want to do."
"No, no no! This is absolutely unacceptable! A young lady like you should spend her weekends hanging out with friends!"
[[→|f7p2]]The two of you ended up deciding to meet back up for coffee after all.
You wring your hands nervously as you wait at the spot you agreed to meet up at.
*When will she get here? Ah, no, it may be better if she just doesn't show up at all...*
This thought of possibility gave you a sense of relief for just a moment before it was quickly gone by her walking right up to you.
"So, coffee. Shall we?"
[[→|f8p2]]"Sakae? Are you okay? You look tired."
You slumped into the nearest chair as soon as you entered the house. Of course your brother could tell something was wrong.
"I didn't mention this earlier, but... I meet back up with my old friend today."
He looks at you stoically for a moment, and then grimaces. "Guess it didn't go well."
You stare up at the ceiling. "Yeah. Wasn't perfect."
[[→|f9p2]]You were right. The world does have it out for you. There's no point in having hope things will go right.
These thoughts build and build as you lay in your bed back at home, staring at the ceiling.
There's no point in building up relationships. There's no point in friendship. These are all things meant for humans, not a living ghost like you.
The sound of your phone recieving a text snaps you out of your thoughts.
[[→|f10p2]]"Hey, um... sorry for calling you so late at night."
"No, no, it's okay! I texted first, after all!"
"Ah, yeah, that's right, isn't it. So... then..."
"I'm sorry."
"I know that. You texted me that already."
"I did, didn't I? Haha!"
"I'm sorry, too."
"What, for that years old incident? It's fine, really! I totally understand now what it was like for you!"
[[→|f11p2]]*"Too kind for her own good." I've always thought of my little sister that way.
People would hurt her, and I'd need to protect her. She eventually became strong enough to take care of herself, like me... or so I thought, but that only lead her to more pain. Leaving her defenses and heart open caused her to get hurt. Fighting back to protect herself and hurting others as a result... also makes her hurt. I guess the world can be cruel to kind people in this way.
Yet... Seeing her open back up again, learn to trust again... Somehow... It makes me happy.*
These thoughts couldn't help but run through your brother's head as you send a simple text.
[[*"I'm sorry."*|f10]]"Hah?! Is that... *sarcasm* I detect? From *you?*"
"What ever made you think such a thing~?"
"Yep, totally sarcasm! I've definitely left some kind of effect on you, huh?"
She looks exasperated from your strange behavior. It's rather funny to see your positions swapped for once.
"Yep, you've most certainly have. Wonder if this is something I should thank or curse you for..."
[[→|p5p3]]"Thank, of course! Or, uh, it does seem kinda strange coming from you, so... um... Actually, nevermind! You never answered my question about the music!"
"And you never gave your guess like I had asked."
"Oh, right. Um... it's piano, right?"
"Shocking, isn't it? You got the answer right. Wonder what gave it away." You give her a slow clap while glancing over at the piano the two of you had been using the whole time to plan out how the song would go.
"More sarcasm from you... Aaah, it's so scary when you do it! Like, some kind of monster or something, I don't know! I just feel a chill! It's not right! You should be docile, and just glare at everyone like usual! Where'd this smugness come from?!"
[[→|p5p4]]"I got a confidence boost from the stupidity of your question. I knew that no matter how I acted, I couldn't be as shameful as you were there."
Game set. With this statement, her painful sigh displays her utter defeat.
"...to be more serious, though... What prompted it? I'm guessing it didn't just occur to you out of nowhere."
"Oh, um... Well, I was guessing it was piano but I wanted to be sure. I don't know how to play it myself, but... You could call it a special interest of mine, I guess. Someone close to me used to always play me songs... I loved it a lot."
[[→|p5p5]]"...I know the lyrics are pretty depressing, but I hope the song brings you some sense of happiness and peace anyways."
"...it does." Lifting her head up to look at me in the eye, she continues, louder this time. "So, how are you going to play it when it's finished? Will you do both the piano and the singing part?"
"No... I don't actually know how to sing."
"You wrote a singing part, having no one in mind who could perform it?!"
"Yeah, pretty much."
[[→|p5p6]]"Aren't you in luck, then?"
You don't know what she's talking about. "What do you mean?"
"I can do the singing part for you!"
"...why are you so willing to help me? First with finishing writing it, and now performing..?"
[["It's simple. We're friends, aren't we?"|f5]]You pay it no attention. You have a friend now, and the rumors aren't even about you; it doesn't matter.
[[*Let them do what they want. I've finally found happiness for myself, so I don't care anymore.*|f6]]You try to give her an angry face in response, but it's not like you're really angry at her. She just laughs.
"Okay, guess we're just shopping for me, then. I could maybe find something for you, too... Some small thing, just so the trip's not a waste for you."
"Would I have to pay it back later?"
"No, no, don't worry about it at all! I can part with the money for something small, don't worry. Friends give gifts like this all the time, so it's okay."
"...mm... okay."
[[→|p7p3]]The two of you go to a variety of clothing stores in city center. Her face beams a brighter smile than you've ever seen from her as she messes around, pretending to wear fancy gowns before checking the price tags and leaving quickly after while whistling like she's seen nothing.
"Why's every shop gotta be so expensive! I was so sure that $100 should be enough to cover it, but guess that was just wishful thinking... Agh! Do you hear me, big companies out there?! Lower your prices! Nobody should have to buy ugly clothing like that for so much!!" She shouts this to the sky, fist raised. As amusing as it is, you try to quiet her so as to not bother the other customers while giggling yourself.
"Fine, fine... I get it. Let's just get you your small thing and get out of here."
[[→|p7p4]]"...wait, we're still going to get that, even though you aren't going to buy anything for yourself?"
She heads over to a table covered in hair accessories. "Well, sure. I don't really mind." She picks up a light blue headband and shoves it near your face.
"Ugh- don't just do that all of a sudden! You surprised me!"
"Sorry, sorry! I just wanted to see it up against you... yep, looks great, as expected! A refreshing break from the gray you love to wear so much."
"...wouldn't it stand out too much? It's so bright..."
[[→|p7p5]]"Is it bad to stand out? You don't have to hide yourself all the time."
(live: 2s)[.](live: 3s)[.](live: 4s)[.](live: 5s)[you don't have any response you can come up with to that.]
(live: 6s)["I'm serious! You don't have to be the center of attention if you aren't comfortable with it, but... I don't want you to hide yourself. You're someone amazing... my only real friend. I want everyone to appreciate you, so... just accept this present, okay?!"
[["...okay."|f7]]]"Are we getting there... with that limo?!"
"We are, yes."
The two of you had met up at her house beforehand and you had offered to provide transportation. You suppose she didn't expect it to be this grand.
"Just how much money do you have..."
As she murmured that under her breath, her family came to the doorway of their house to wish her luck. From the looks of it, there's a teenage boy who looks like he could be a brother and an older woman, surely her mother... *Wait. Have I seen her before?*
Before you can ask or get a better look, S takes them into a group hug and drags you into the limousine.
[[→|p8p3]]"We're in city center now... just where are we going?"
S is watching the streets flash by through her window. As the trip continues, her face gets more and more confused.
"We're going to where I live."
"You live around here?!"
"I do. We're almost there, in fact." As you speak, you can see the top of the building you might call "home" approaching.
"But isn't this..."
[[→|p8p4]]*The Hotel Perdue.*
The main hotel that started a branch of other high end hotels with various locations around the world. To this day, they're still working to scout out locations for more. *The reason I'm always left alone by my parents.*
"You live *here*?!"
"I do. My family owns the place."
"*Excuse me?*"
"You heard what I said."
"I did, but... it's just so hard to believe... I suppose that's how you have so much money, but... Honestly..."
[[→|p8p5]]"...my mom used to work here."
She said it so quietly that you almost doubted your ears at first.
"She did? I might've known her, then. What position did she-" You cut yourself off midsentence. You already know.
*The pianist. The one I looked up to, the only one to show me kindness.*
"...your family is a kind one, isn't it..."
"...I don't know about that."
Sensing her nervousness, you take her hand and give her a reassuring smile. "We'll be playing in the same place she used to. Let's make sure to make her proud." [[And thus, the two of you went inside.|change set]]"Watch out everyone, it's *Sakae*. Ugh, she's got such a scary face! Will anyone protect me if she lashes out like a wild beast?!"
The group of people all seemed to be surrounding one girl. *Is this a bullying incident? How disgusting.*
"Yeah, you never know what she might do! Did you hear about what she did to one of her classmates? Punched them so hard they had to go to the hospital! The poor soul!"
"...they were threatening my brother. I had no choice..."
You had just wanted to move on from the scene, but the voice that rose from the center of the crowd turned out to be a familiar one.
[[→|p9p3]]*S..?*
"Uh huh, sure. All just in self-defense~ I *totally* believe you~"
The group all laugh, even though nothing even close to funny had been said.
"S..." You try to raise your voice up above them, but fail miserably. As always, your existance is an easily ignored one.
"S..!" The group starts closing in even closer on her, and you say her name again in desperation.
"*That's enough.*"
[[→|p9p4]]*Huh? Who's that?*
An unknown voice came to S's defense. Taking a closer look, you vaguely recognize him.
*That guy was at her house when I picked her up for the performance... Must be her brother, after all.*
"Oh no, it's her twin brother~ Even scarier than Sakae! Everyone, run away before he can catch you!"
After that, they all scatter, although based on their giggling, they were still just having fun with it rather than running out of geniune fear.
[[→|p9p5]]Sighing, her brother turns to you after they all had left the area.
"You. You're that person Sakae has been hanging out with everyday, right? I think I remember seeing you with that limo the night of her performance."
"...that's right."
"It is, huh? Then... why were you just standing by and watching this all happen? Why did you just let them do that to her?"
[[→|p10]]"...I'm... I'm sorry..."
"*Stop saying that!*"
A harsh pain suddenly spreads across your cheek. After a moment, you realize he had slapped you. The group from before had spoken like he would act out violently when provoked; you suppose in a way they were right. Unlike them, though, you can understand why he did, and you don't blame him.
*There's no one to blame but myself.*
[[→|p10p3]]"And that performance, too! Was that some kind of cruel joke? Do you just want to rub in her face that you were the one our mother loved more?!"
"What... are you talking about..?"
"Back when we were kids, our mother used to play the piano at their restaurant, and when she'd come back home, she'd tell us all about the nice little girl who loved her piano playing, who she was teaching to play piano herself. She gushed about you. Yet, she never had any time for us! Can you imagine how that felt like to us?"
*I... really don't know what you're talking about...*
[[→|p10p4]]"I... I didn't mean to do any harm... You know this, right, S?"
S is your friend. She'll take your side, even if no one else will, right?
"...don't call me by that stupid nickname anymore. I'm sorry, brother. I should've listened to your warnings not to get close, after all..."
[[→|p11]]Her brother tugs her hand. "Come on. Let's leave, now." Their backs turn to you as they head away into the distance.
*Don't go...* Is what you'd like to say, but don't. You don't day anything at all. You have no one to say anything to.
This is the fate you deserve, after all. You just were living off borrowed time, pretending to be a normal person.
You take off your headband and stare at it. It quickly becomes damp with your tears.
[[→|p11p3]]*Sorry... I'm truly sorry...*
You wish you could apologize properly. You wish you could undo the pain you caused.
*But fixing problems is impossible for someone like me.*
Instead, you'll stay quiet. You'll live like a ghost, just like everyone wants you to.
You lived a nice dream for a bit, but quickly lost what you thought you found.
[[You return to the music room alone, and start to play the piano.|transition 3]]In fact, every time in the past the world seemed to let up on being terrible, it soon doubled down on it. This had included the relationship you had with that girl.
*I don't want to be tricked by the world into having hope again. I don't want to be hurt and abandoned again...*
[[Even though reuniting with her would be like a dream, your fears are too strong. You don't know how you'd overcome it.|p6]]"And when I'm older, my dream is to make everyone my friend! And then, I'll make everyone laugh! The world will be happy!"
You had made a speech like that as a kid, when forced to write a speech about what you wanted to do when you grew up. It wasn't really what they were looking for out of the speech- they'd rather you go into what job you wanted, which your brother aced by talking about his unrealistic dream to become the president someday- but they let you do it anyways because they found it sweet.
Even as jaded as you became, even as your brother tried to always get you to stop trusting and forgiving everyone no matter what; somehow, you retained this dream deep in your heart.
[[→|f6p3]]"We're friends, aren't we?"
You had asked her this at some point in the past.
You had enough of abandoning your friend.
[[Clutching your phone to your chest, you hope she goes through with a call.|p7]]"So, are you inviting me to join you this weekend?"
"Nope! My weekend is fully booked already."
"So why do you care what I do with my time?"
You could tell you were annoying her with your dismissive answers. *Hopefully she'll take the hint and leave me alone.*
"What about that friend you invited over once to do a show with? Do you ever hang out with her?"
[[→|f7p3]]"...that was years ago. We haven't spoken in ages."
"Shame! She seemed like a good kid! Should've kept that relationship going!"
*"Please, even if you won't talk to me now, call me later!"* You shake your head, trying to forget the memory. *It's all too late now. I shouldn't bother.*
"If you have any opportunity to, you really should meet back together with her again!"
Spurred on, your hope overcomes your fears for just a split second. Right after that, regret comes crashing down again, but it was gone for long enough to send a text message to her. [[*When are you free to meet up?*|p8]]"How have you been, the past few years? Anything big happen?"
"Fine, I guess... nothing too surprising has happened that I can think to mention."
You started with simple catching up. This wasn't too bad, although you could feel a slightly tense air between you too throughout it.
"Has your brother been well, too?"
"Oh, totally. He's stopped picking fights with other people, and things have been going so much better for him! Like, do you remember the time he came at you?"
[[→|f8p3]]She went and did it. She brought it up.
She had a little bit of a smile on her face from the before conversation, but when she sensed that you weren't comfortable with this topic, it immediately dropped into a straight line.
"You mean the time you two blamed me and ignored my apologies, even though I was too weak to help you anyways?"
"Too weak? You're not weak at all. Someone willing to accept me and fight against the status quo in doing so is not 'weak'. Don't give me that."
You knew it. You knew it'd turn out this way. You got up despite her protests and left without another word. [[She didn't chase after you this time.|f9]]After another moment sitting there, you turn to your brother. "Hey, bro. Do you think she'll forgive me if I apologize?"
"...huh? *You're* the one apologizing?" He doesn't seem to understand where this came from.
"Yeah. It's true she wasn't there for me back then, but... I don't think she wanted me to get hurt. I never even gave her a second chance..."
"Neither did she ever try to talk to you again."
"Because I hurt her. She's the type who always assumes the worst... She'd assume since I never tried to patch things up that I hated her then."
[[→|f9p3]]*I'm sorry.*
(live: 2s)[.](live: 2.5s)[.](live: 3s)[.](live: 4.5s)[
Your heart beats hard as you stare at the text that came in from S.
*I don't... understand.* You're getting a bit dizzy. [[*Did things... actually go right?*|f11]]]"Really?"
"Really. It must've been hard, right?"
"...right."
"...hey. We're friends, aren't we?"
"...are we?"
"The answer is yes, you dumb dumb!"
[[→|f11p3]]"Huh? Since when was I the idiot of us two?"
"Since you ran away from our friendship! ...although I suppose that makes us both idiots."
"...yeah."
"...Let's never split up over some dumb fight again, okay? Our friendship is a true one; I'm sure it can endure through some hard times. Isn't that what friendship is all about?"
"I'm not sure it is, but... Okay. We'll never split up over a dumb fight again."
[[→|f11p4]]"Promise?"
"Promise."
<h3>Ending - Found</h3>[[I think that could be
Such a beautiful place
That world without me
My face, my disgrace|transition 1]]
[[It's a funny joke,
at least I could say.
Of course I won't leave
No how, no way.|transition 2]](set: $found to true)
(goto: "p9")(if: $lost is true)[(goto: "bad end")]
(if: $found is true)[(goto: "f8 HERE")]Perhaps, someday you could make friends again.
Perhaps, someday the two of you could make up.
You laugh bitterly at the thought.
*No. It's too late now. This is... just how it is.*
<h3>Ending - Lost</h3>