– Things Left Unsaid
Rin couldn't stop thinking about Aoi's words.
"If someone disappeared, do you think people would actually care?"
He told himself it wasn't his problem. People said things all the time. It didn't mean anything.
But then he remembered how her smile hadn't quite reached her eyes.
And that did mean something.
---
The next day, Aoi wasn't in class.
Rin told himself he didn't care. He really did.
But when lunchtime came, and the rooftop was too quiet without her usual chatter, he found himself irritated. He had gotten used to her presence. That was the problem.
Still, it wasn't like he could just ask where she was.
Right?
---
By the time school ended, Rin was still distracted.
He was standing by his locker, lost in thought, when a voice pulled him back.
"You looking for someone?"
Rin turned. It was Kenta, one of the guys in his class. He was leaning against the lockers, watching him with mild curiosity.
Rin frowned. "No."
Kenta smirked. "Really? 'Cause you've been acting weird all day."
Rin didn't respond.
Kenta shrugged. "If it's Aoi, she's probably skipping."
Skipping? That didn't seem like her. Aoi was annoying and loud, but she wasn't the type to just not show up.
Rin shut his locker.
Before he could stop himself, he asked, "Do you know where she usually goes?"
Kenta raised an eyebrow. "So you were looking for her."
Rin scowled. "Forget it."
Kenta laughed. "Relax, man. She usually hangs around the old train station outside town when she ditches."
Rin didn't say thank you. He just turned and walked away.
But for some reason, his steps felt heavier than usual.
Like he already knew something was wrong.