Intermission: Spring in Bloom, Spring in Boom

Intermission: Spring in Bloom, Spring in Boom

Intermission:

Spring in Bloom, Spring in Boom

T HE TSUWABUKI HIGH SCHOOL NURSE’S OFFICE. A bastion for all, afflicted or otherwise. From it emerged Tsukinoki Koto.

She turned back toward the room and bowed. “Thank you again, Sensei. Will Basori-san’s nosebleed let up soon, do you think?”

“Oh, I wouldn’t worry. She’s used to it by now.” Nurse Konuki Sayo, the keeper of the bastion, followed Koto out. The latter found her attempts at assuaging largely ineffectual. Konuki shut the door behind her and smiled. “No rest for a former vice president, hm?”

Koto smiled back. Her cheek twitched. “I’m trying to be better, okay?”

Konuki-sensei reached out and fixed the girl’s bangs. “You’re not so rough around the edges these days. When did you and Basori-san become so close?”

“Not too long ago. She likes me enough to come looking for me now, I guess.”

And Tiara had found her. Nose dripping with blood. Koto had insisted they go to the nurse’s office. She still couldn’t quite get a proper read on that girl or make heads or tails of the things she’d been muttering about. Something about Shintarou taking Nukumizu’s second button.

“I’m glad I caught you one last time,” Koto said. “Keep looking out for the lit club for me, would you?”

“You don’t have to tell me twice. We’re just getting to the good part.”

Koto didn’t know what that meant, but it was none of her business anymore. They exchanged only a handful more words before Koto moved on. It was about time she showed herself at the club room. This wouldn’t be the last day she saw her underclassmen, but it would be the last day she saw them in this same uniform.

As she walked, she found her every step through the hall becoming heavier. But then, from the shadows, it came. Like a creature of darkness—Shikiya Yumeko. An old, new friend. That was the only way Koto could describe their odd relationship.

Like a predator lurking in wait, she lurched forward as Koto passed. “Nurse… Koto-san. Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. Basori-san just needed somewhere quiet to rest a while.”

Shikiya jerked her head in the motion of a nod and ambled closer. “She gets…a lot of nosebleeds. She’ll be okay.”

“That’s what the nurse said too. Are you sure? That doesn’t sound like ‘okay’ to me.”

She nodded again before grabbing onto Koto’s sleeve. “I want…a picture.”

“Sure. Head to the trees?”

She shook her head this time. “Student council room.”

The place Koto had spent half a year serving as a very different kind of vice president. It brought back bitter memories. One in particular to do with Shikiya. But they didn’t sting quite as much as they used to. She might have even been acquiring a taste for them. Maybe going back just to put everything behind her once and for all would be good for her.

“Sure, why not,” Koto said. “Houkobaru gonna be there?”

“Just us. It’s okay. No distractions,” Shikiya rasped.

That word, “okay,” was starting to sound alien and meaningless. Koto scoffed, and they started to walk.

Shikiya leaned her shoulder in. “Can we…hold hands?”

“If you want. Whoa there, slick. Your fingers don’t have to go between mine.”

“But…it’s the last day,” Shikiya breathed breathlessly.

Koto rolled her eyes amusedly. “I’m not disappearing. We promised we’d go out for lunch sometime, and yes, I remember. Nagoya’s not so crazy far that I’ll never come to visit.”

“Can I…visit too?”

“Anytime. I’ll give you the grand tour.”

“Even…where you live?”

“Why not? I’ll even cook for you. I’ve been practicing.”

“And spend the night?”

That gave Koto pause. “Well, uh, maybe every once in a while. I’ll have to get a guest futon eventually, I guess.”

“I can use…yours.”

“Maybe a hotel’s a better idea,” Koto quickly shot back, sensing danger.

Shikiya cocked her head. “For both of us?”

“For you, doofus! Whatever, forget it, we’re here!” She threw open the door, but the student council room was empty. As Shikiya tugged her inside, Koto used her free hand to shove her phone in her face. “Look! Houkobaru says she’ll be here soon.”

“Meanie.”