Game Plan

-----Kaede's POV

There wasn't much I could do while resting in the infirmary, and to be honest, I felt okay now after taking a break, but the nurse insisted to keep me in for a while longer.

Eventually, school ended up finishing as Emi and Maria came by to pick me up as we make out way out of the school building.

Maria: "I have your notes with me, Kaede."

Kaede: "Thank you."

Emi: "Hey, change of plans. You're parents are usually busy around this time, right?"

Kaede: "Yes, but I think mom will be home by now."

Emi: "Ah, then that should be fine! Maria, you busy?"

Maria: "Not really."

Emi: "Sweet. Text your parents that we're going to Kaede's place."

Kaede: "Huh?"

Emi: "It should be fine, right? I'm still worried about you, you know."

Kaede: "...Thank you."

And so, for the first time in high school, the three of us left school together as we walk down the same road together, heading to my house. My parents have met Emi before, but how would they feel about Maria? If it's only mom, I'm sure it'll be fine. Dad on the other hand is a bit more strict.

When we come up to the train tracks, I instinctively look around me, but there's still no sign of Yui. If only I had her details then maybe I could apologize and thank her through text.

Emi: "Kaede?"

Kaede: "Hmm?"

Emi: "You looking for someone?"

Kaede: "Ah, well... Kinda."

Emi/Maria: "Hmmm?~"

Despite their questioning glares, we continue forth as we soon approach the front door.

I could see the lights were already on inside, so mom should be back it seems. But right when I opened the door, I'm suddenly pulled into an embrace as I stumble inside the house.

Mom: "Kaede! You're okay?!"

Kaede: "I-I'm fine, mom~"

Mom: "I heard from the school that you collapsed. You're most certainly NOT fine."

Hahh~ What a warm welcome. Makes me wonder what it'd be like if mom wasn't here to hold me like this. I find myself smiling as I slowly wrap my arms around mom's waist.

Mom: "Ah! Emi. Good to see you again. Thank you for looking after my daughter."

Emi: "Hehe. It's alright. She did give us a scare though."

Mom: "I'll have a doctor take a look at you."

Kaede: "Eh? But the nurse said I was okay now. I just needed some water is all."

Mom: "I'm not buying it."

Maria: "W-well, we did have P.E just before Kaede collapsed. I also thought it was dehydration at first."

Mom: "And you are?"

Maria: "M-Maria Taylor, ma'am."

Mom: "Taylor?"

Maria: "My father's born in Europe."

Mom: "Well, thank you for looking out for my daughter as well. Please, come in."

And after the greetings, we all made out way inside as mom immediately began making refreshments for us.

Mom: "Kaede. I won't call a doctor yet, but if this kind of thing continues, then I won't hesitate."

Kaede: "U-understood."

Thank god... I really didn't want to see a doctor right now. Sure I'm worried about what's happening with me as if feels like I'm getting these visions more often with each passing day. And it doesn't help that I'm seeing the same people as well... Namely that girl that has the same eyes and hair as Yui...

...

We soon move up to my room with the drinks mom had prepared for us. I keep my room tidy so I'm not too worried what Maria would think.

Maria: "Pretty room."

Kaede: "You think?"

Maria: "Mhmm! It's a lot more stylish than Emi's."

Kaede: "Hehe. I guess you're right about that."

Emi: "Hey! I just don't have the money to go out and buy all these plushies and stuff."

We end up moving our things to the table as Maria pulls out some books form her bag.

Maria: "Okay. While we're here, we can just quickly go over what you missed out in class."

Kaede: "Thank you again, Maria."

Maria: "No problem~"

Thanks to Maria's help, I managed to successfully copy over the main topics from each class I missed out. Also I couldn't help but notice that Maria's handwriting is flawless, making it incredible easy to read... Unlike a certain someone.

Emi: "Oi, I know what you're thinking."

Kaede: "Hehe, I'm not wrong though."

Emi: "Mmmm... True..."

Maria: "Hmm?"

I do wonder what it would've been like if none of this happened to me. Right now, it seems like everyone has moved passed the time when I fell asleep in class as everyone began to approach me more easily. But if I hadn't fallen asleep, would those same people approach me on the first day? Maybe then, Emi wouldn't have felt the need to introduce me to Maria. Funny enough, I don't think I want to change the past at all. I also might not have even found another friend, Yui... Although I missed the chance to have a proper conversation with her.

Kaede: "...Hey."

Emi/Maria: "Hmm?"

Kaede: "Do you guys know who that girl was that carried me to the infirmary?"

Emi: "I thought you knew her, no?"

Kaede: "I was just wondering if either of you knew her as well."

Maria: "I don't know her personally, but I hear she's quite popular in her class."

Right. I recall her immediately being targeted by those boys from this morning. I wouldn't be surprised if one of them was her boyfriend.

(Girl: "Of course! You know I've never really been interested in guys like that.")

Just then, another vision flashes in my mind before fading just as fast as it appeared. The same pain from before attacks my head, however it's not as bad as before.

Emi: "Kaede?"

Is this a coincidence? Yui and that girl look similar, but they're not the same... But I get the sense that when I think of Yui, I start getting these visions... I wonder-

Emi: "Yahoo~ Kaede~"

Kaede: "Ah, sorry!"

Emi: "Jeez. You're spacing out."

Maria: "Be sure to drink up."

Kaede: "R-right."

Coaxed by Maria, I end up drinking the orange juice my mom prepared for us. It must just be a coincidence, right?

Emi: "So? You interested in this girl?"

Kaede: "Well, kinda. I haven't yet apologized or even thanked her for helping me out back there. I was wondering if maybe you two might know something."

Emi: "I know just as much as you. Today was the first time I saw her."

Both Emi and I found ourselves looking towards Maria, who seemed to have some sort of knowledge about Yui, even if only bits and pieces.

Maria: "Well, I hear she's in some sort of sports club already. But that's as far as I know. I swear, I know probably just as much as you two."

Emi: "So she's a sporty type, huh?"

I already knew that to an extent. I was confused as to why she was racing a train of all things, but now it makes sense. But at least I now know where to find her...

Kaede: "I wonder if there's still room in the club."

Emi: "You're joking, right?"

Kaede: "Hehe, yeah. I don't mind P.E, but joining a club for it seems too much."

Maria: "I think you'd be great though! I'm still amazed at how skilled you were in P.E today."

Kaede: "I dunno… Anyways, weren't we deciding what club all three of us could join?"

Emi: "Hmmm... Yeah, you're on your own if that's the case, haha. The "going home" club is the club for us!"

Maria: "Pfft."

I wonder if Yui was still back at school because of the club then? That'd make sense, but even thought the rain let up, the field outside would still be unusable until tomorrow. But at least with this, I might be able to open a conversation with her if I stumble upon her by the train tracks again. Maybe then I can finally express my thanks to her, and hopefully make a friend out of her at the same time.

Kaede: "Mm!"

Emi: "Oh? You seem pumped all of a sudden."

Kaede: "Yup!"

It's also to confirm whether or not Yui is somehow tied to these visions I've been experiencing. It's just a hunch right now, but I do wonder why Yui's connected if that is the case...