Abnormality

-----Kaede's POV

With the help of Emi and Aki, I successfully manage to lay down on one of the beds in the school's infirmary.

Nurse: "Alright. Could you lift your shirt for me?"

At her request, I pull up the side of my shirt, trying not to reveal anything more. I can't bare to see how bad it might look, so I find myself looking at the people around me instead, and all their faces seems quite off. Is it really that bad? The nurse then began to examine my rib as I quickly tensed up when I felt her fingers, expecting pain. However that pain never came as I soon relaxed as the nurse inspected my ribs once more.

Nurse: "The skin's just a little inflamed. Doesn't look like there's any sign of a broken rib."

Aki: "What?"

The news came as a surprise to all of us as Aki went to take a closer look.

Nurse: "Could you take a deep breath for me?"

Kaede: "M-mm."

I've been keeping my breathes short and the nurse must've realized, but I do as I'm told. And yet again, the expected pain never arrived as I was able to take a full breath without any noticeable pain.

Aki: "B-but her rib was definitely broken."

Nurse: "Well, as it stands, the area around her ribs is just a little irritated. There's nothing to treat."

At her words, I finally take a look, sitting up in the bed. And true to the nurses words, my ribs just looked like someone just lightly slapped it. It's barely even red at all.

Nurse: "She should be fine to go home."

...

We end up exiting the infirmary as we all got ready to exit school. But I can't seem to look back at what happened. I've never fought anyone, not even once, yet I managed to win against that girl. Not that I would really call it a fight, I was just trying to not get more hurt than I already was. I was honestly more scared that I hurt the girl more than myself.

Emi: "I got to say though, I didn't know you could fight!"

Kaede: "Eh?"

Emi: "You should've seen her Maria! She was like whoosh! And bam! It all happened so fast!"

I watch as Emi tries to imitate what I did, but was it really that impressive? She said it all happened so fast, but to me she was moving quite slow.

Maria: "Hehe. If I knew that, then maybe I should've stayed back and watched."

Ken: "No. It's good that you came to us. I wouldn't have wanted things to escalate any more than it already had."

Yui: "Wait, so they're no longer going to be apart of the club?"

Aki: "Well it all depends on-"

Ken: "No. I'll talk to the advisor on Monday and tell them that they're no longer with us."

Aki: "Hmmm. It is a pity though. We'll be short for the volleyball and relay team now. Ah! Maria!"

Maria: "Hmm?"

Aki: "Want to join? I saw you running when you came to us. You're not in a club, right?"

Maria: "I uhh. Hehe, I'm not too-"

Emi: "Sounds fun! I'm a little interested in volleyball actually."

Maria: "Eh?"

Emi: "What about you, Kaede?"

Kaede: "I don't think sports really suits me."

Aki: "Hmmm. But you three would be perfect. But I won't force it on you guys."

We soon make it past the gate as our big group ends up splitting up.

Aki: "We'll talk again on Monday!~"

It was just Yui and I who split up from the rest. Aki ended up hopping into a car that was waiting for her while Ken continued to follow Emi and Maria down the street. To think I'd make more acquaintances from what happened today. But sports... I was curious about it, but I really don't think its the place for me.

Yui: "So you know Karate or something?"

Kaede: "Eh?"

Yui: "From the way your friend described it, you must be pretty skilled, haha."

Kaede: "No, it was nothing. Emi's just putting me on too high of a pedestal."

Yui: "I could believe it though. I mean, your grip was certainly impressive."

My gaze soon locked onto Yui's arm as the bruise is still clear as day, causing my chest to tense up."

Kaede: "I'm really sorry! All of this is my fault."

Yui: "It's fine~ Those girls just overreacted."

Kaede: "At least Aki seems nice."

Yui: "Mm. I just hope she's still in the club next year."

Kaede: "Huh? I thought she was a third year?"

Yui: "Haha, nah. Ken just thought she'd fit the role for the girls captain, which I do agree. Haha, I honestly thought she was a third year too at first."

Can't say that changed my stance much, but it does make me feel a bit more safe knowing that Aki might be there next year as well. Wait, am I seriously considering joining their club? Well, that would give me more time to spend with Yui, so maybe it might not be too bad... Wait, why did I just think that?

Yui: "Hmm?"

Our eyes lock on with one another as I quickly avert my eyes as I feel the sudden warmth rising up my neck, spreading over my face.

Yui: "You okay?"

Calm down, Kaede! Just breathe... Nope! Not working!

Yui: "...Hey, like I said, you really don't need to worry about my arm. It'll be fine by Mon-"

I end up taking Yui's hand in my own, causing her to stop mid sentence. And just like I thought, my heart quickly began to calm down as we hold hands.

Yui: "K-Kaede?"

Kaede: "Sorry. Could we hold hands for a little?"

Yui: "Su...Sure."

So the me in the future is with Yui. That's if I actually believe in that woman's words. But I can't imagine myself actually going so far as to ki... Kiss, her... Oh god, now that I'm remembering it, it's making me extremely self conscious. In a panic, I take my hand away from Yui's.

Kaede: "I... I change my mind!"

Yui: "Eh?"

I really want to just run ahead, but I know that Yui will catch me. But even if she couldn't, a part of me doesn't want to part ways with her. It's so strange...

Yui: "Pfft."

Kaede: "W-what's so funny?"

Yui: "Nothing. Just your reaction just now was very cute. Even now."

Kaede: "I-I don't know what you're talking about."

I try to steady myself, putting on a blank expression, but I can feel my heart wanting to jump out of my chest. Why is it that her words are affecting me like this and not Emi's or Maria's?

Yui: "Ohooo? Trying to act tough now?"

Kaede: "Huh?!

Suddenly, I feel my hand being grabbed my Yui this time, instantly breaking away my attempt at being calm.

Yui: "Mm. That's better."

Kaede: "Hahh~"

Accepting defeat, I try to exhale the tension, which seemed to have worked somewhat as I feel the heat in my face slowly dissipate. But I can't help but wonder if it's because of my exhale or if it's because Yui's holding my hand. Something's definitely wrong with me, but I'd like to wait for that woman to give me more answers.

...

Eventually, we come up to the train tracks as we soon let go of eachother's hands, getting ready to go our separate ways. But it was then that I feel the pain in my chest return, the same pain I felt in the bathroom today...

Yui: "Well, I'll text you tomorrow-"

Kaede: "Wait!"

Sensing that she was about to run, I grab hold of the back of her shirt. I was worried I might hurt her arm again if I were to grab her, so I decided to play it safe by going for her shirt.

Yui: "Yes?"

Kaede: "...Could we stay a little longer?"

Yui: "Hmm? What about your parents?"

Kaede: "I'll message them. They should still be at work anyways."

Yui: "Hmmm. Alright. I'm sure my parents wouldn't mind. It's the weekend after all."

I feel a smile quickly growing on my face after hearing her words. I still don't understand why I'm feeling like this, but again... I feel like I'll find those answers if I hang around Yui.

Kaede: "Hehe, then I'll be in your care."

...

Once we came close to Yui's house, the warm area around us suddenly turned frozen cold as I quickly try and warm my body up by bringing both my arms to my chest.

Yui: "You alright?"

It was then that I noticed an ambulance arrive right outside Yui's house as we were approaching the front door. The light in the sky soon changed to darkness, as if the sun just suddenly disappeared. What the hell is happening?

Yui: "Kaede?"

And looking at the front door, I could see... I could see... Me? But how? Looking at the entranceway, blood was everywhere, just like the vision I saw when I first entered Yui's house, only this time I'm seeing the image of me raising a knife to my stomach. And even though I'm seeing this projection of myself, I can't help but feel the pain as if it's my own as I watch the knife lower into my stomach. An intense amount of heat soon spread where I saw the knife pierce my body, forcing me to move my hands down to my stomach.

Kaede: "Hnng!"

Yui: "Kaede!"

I end up dropping to my knees as I clench hold of stomach. It feels as if someone is trying to make as big of a hole as possible! But why am I doing such a thing?!

Kaede: "...I-it hurts!"

Why am I seeing myself killing myself? Is this really the future? The pain only escalates as it feels like someone's twisting the knife inside me, making it difficult to voice any words as I'm using all the energy I have to suppress this pain.

Yui: "Kaede!-"

Her voice slowly becomes more and more muffled as the pain continues to assault me. The pain is so excruciating that it's now become my reality. I can't even see the projection of myself at the entranceway no more, and the daylight has returned, even the ambulance has disappeared... Yet... This pain is still there, as if it's haunting me.

Yui: "Kae-de..."

My visions suddenly goes black. Ahh... Not again. I'm truly sorry Yui...