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Recently, her eyes are always on the same thing.
Today, she sighs deeply in front of a mirror.
(She's doing that expression again)
She is putting away the cables and I check on her, these days there are many times when she's looking at a mirror, during these times she is far from her usual self, she seems down and doesn't chat with other people.
(What is making her troubled?)
Our eyes met while she was holding the mirror but before I could say anything she smiled at me.
She never says anything, maybe it's because she doesn't want me to know. She doesn't want to trouble me.
I felt a bit disappointed that she wont rely on me what bothers her, so I focused on putting away the equipment.
"a mirror... I wonder what she sees there..."
At night, when I returned home, I stood in front of the mirror. What was reflected was nothing else but me.. and only me.
(If I ask her... I would find out faster)
I started thinking if it was okay to worry? since I ... am not special to her.
--
"Let's go to see the cherry blossoms" said Udagawa san as soon as the practice ended, everyone was looking at her.
"I don't get the point"
"I'm sorry Ako-chan.... crowded places are a bit ... to much..."
With them declining, this would be the usual timing for the voice to push everyone together, but it didn't happen. When I looked at her, she was still looking in the mirror.
"...It sounds good, let's go all together"
When I said that everyone but her looked at me, wondering if they heard correctly.
"Really Sayo san??!"
"Yes, well we don't have much time, so it would be more like a walk in the park."
Unexpectedly, Minato san agreed with my suggestion..
"A walk should be okay. Lisa, what about you?"
"Fuee!!"
She was surprised at being asked suddenly by Minato san. As expected from childhood friends, she knows that she wasn't listening.
"If you are not feeling well it is better for you to go back home"
"no problem!! Let's go together, let's go everyone. Rinko, right now there shouldn't be too many people"
"umm...ah..yes"
I noticed that everyone felt calm after hearing her bright voice.
(I still have a long way to go...)
There is no one that can replace her.
--
"Wow... it full bloom"
"Ako chan ... is dangerous to walk while looking up..."
Udagawa san was walking under the cherry blossoms while shirokane san goes after her. Minato san and Imai san seem to be having fun chatting.
(good....)
I was under the tree looking at the petals falling, it's like they were dancing and making their way to me.
"Wow"
"I'm sorry, Imai san?!!"
I bumped into someone, and it was Imai san who had just been walking next to Minato san. As always when our eye met she smiled at me, and it almost made me smile back.
"fu-fu Sa-yo- Thank you for gathering everyone today to see the cherry blossoms"
"eh..a...yes"
She held my right hand as she thanked me.
"...."
"It's a full blossom. But next week they will fall"
It seems that my feelings were not understood, so I looked back at the falling petals while looking at her from the side and thought"
(Just what is making you have that expression)
"Sayo?"
Without realizing, I was extending my right hand to her. I was about to touch her.
"ah..etto"
Just as I was having troubles on how to explain this situation I got some help,a petal fell on my palm.
"you had a petal"
As she saw the petal in my hand she laughed sheepishly, and it made my heart skip a beat.
--
"it's about time, let's go back ~"
When she was about to leave, I put my right hand on her shoulder and made her look at me.
"Imai san...."
"mmnn? sa--Sayo?! you are bit clo.. close"
Is it okay to ask her in this situation? I doubt myself, but I feel that if I don't I won't have other chance.
"Is there something troubling you? Recently you are always looking at the mirror."
As soon as I said Mirror, she looked at the floor.
(I want to help her with worries)
"Won't you ....share your worries with me"
I don't know if I can solve her problems, but even so I want to become her strength.
"It's not a big dea-"
"Imai san"
I took my hand off her shoulder and placed it on her cheek, I made her lift her head and look at me. As soon as she turned she slapped my hand.
"Imai san...."
"ahh...sorry...it's not good"
She took a step back.
It was only one step, but it felt like I could never reach her, it was like cold water dropped on my hand and also my heart.
"right now...This distance should be okay.... it's not happening..."
"...what?"
As I trIed to figure out what she meant, I heard the conversation between Shirokane san and Udagawa san"
"ACHOO!!.... this year the pollen is quite bad...ACHOO!!"
"Are you okay rinrin?"
(It's not happening?.. It can't be?)
Imai san looked a bit guilty about slapping my hand, she kept her eyes on the floor as she started talking.
"Recently, my eyes are red and itchy....I can't do my make up well either. My face is in the worst condition...that's why when I look in a mirror my mood drops...that's why I don't want anyone to look at me closely"
"Imai san"
"Especially ... in front of Sayo... Sayo!?"
I put my hand on her shoulder and told her clearly.
"Those are allergies"
She suddenly raised her head as she realized something. And there it was her cute face.
"Allergies? No, I don't have allergies"
"Recently, there have been many cases where people suddenly start suffering from allergies, I think it would be better to go to a hospital and get an allergy test."
The moment I finished speaking I could feel her relaxing, like she was prepared for something more important.
"Thanks for worrying about me so much Sayo, you looked so serious. ...I really thought you were going to propose! a ha!"
She said those words as her face was red, and then it was my turn to face down and I replied.
"...Please forget it!"
(I never thought I would get so conscious about something like this)
"ah, Sayo"
When she called my name, I raised my head and she patted my hair.
"You also had a petal in your head! Look!"
There was a petal in Imai san's hand.
--
That petal and my heart... both of them belong in those hands.