At the end of the dodgeball game, Mr. Tomioka called it a tie. After you and Genya took each other out, the two teams had been going at it until class ended

But it didn't matter to you who won, you just liked to be a part of it

Although, Aoi's words did really stick with you.

Usually, on Fridays, everybody's excited about Literature class because they always get a free period

But since today is the day of the quiz, most people are standing around looking gloomy and moping in class

Now, you're sitting at your desk, staring blankly at the paper in front of you. The goal is to answer questions about the reading, so you'll likely ace this quiz no matter what.

You look to Sabito. His head is resting in his hand, and he's looking down. You can't see his face, but something about him seems...sickly

You may have been sad about him ignoring you before, but that doesn't matter to you at this point. You're just hoping that if you stare at him just a little longer, he'll turn around and smile again

Because you know something's wrong, but you can't tell what

Suddenly, Sabito stands up quickly, his hands over his mouth

"Whoever is moving, please remain seated--" Mr. Himejima starts

Before he can finish, Sabito runs out of the door

You're staring at the door. You can't see him, but you can hear his shoes clicking down the hall

Don't engage. No more drama.

After tossing it around in your head, you decide to cast the thought aside. It's probably just a ploy to skip class--he's done that kind of thing before, last year.

Curious whispers and murmurs ripple throughout the class, since people seem to have the same idea as you

Mr. Himejima claps his hands together "Everyone please remain focused. Everything is alright."

After class, Sabito disappeared.

All during science class, you were bored and got caught doodling pictures of random things in your notes. But the teacher let you off with a warning

At lunch, Makomo finally got to meet Tanjiro and Nezuko in person--it was more of an accident than anything, though

You see, you and Makomo were looking for Sabito, since he wasn't returning any texts or calls. Coincidentally, when the two of you were walking down the stairs at the side of campus, you ran into the other two getting up to some trouble

"Ah wow!! It's the new guy..." Makomo says, feigning enthusiasm

"Hey," he smiles up at you from the bottom of the stairway "Whos this?"

Behind him, Nezuko keeps running up the stairs and sliding down the railing over and over again. She appears to be enjoying herself

"This is Makomo!! She's the smart one of my friends. Single too, if you're interested" You elbow her jokingly, and she looks up at you with starry eyes

You hope that joking like this will keep him from thinking you like him

"Nah. I think you two would look better together than me" Tanjiro laughed

You blushed, furrowing your eyebrows "HEY! Don't make it weird"

He shrugged and hopped onto his skateboard, balancing with his arms out "What'd you guys come here for anyway? You looking for somebody?"

"We were, but It's alright. I kinda wanted to just sit down anyways" You plop down on one of the stairs, Makomo sitting close at your side

It seems like she still resents you for something, but not as much as earlier

"It's like...everyone has a lot going on right now. It's weighing on me." You sighed "I wanna ignore it, but I can't."

Tanjiro rolls around on his board, looking from Makomo, to Nezuko, to you

Nezuko slows to a stop at the bottom of the railing, looking at you with a worried expression

Makomo looks down at her feet, unable to touch the food in front of her

"Well, you're certainly right about the first part," Tanjiro says, leaning against the railing nearby you "I've noticed a lot of things."

"I look at people and somehow, I can see it in their eyes--everything they've been through, the baggage they're carrying, how many times they've hurt someone they loved."

You tap your thumbs together, looking up at him

"That's why I like you, (Y/n). Because we both want to play the hero, but neither of us can. My dad used to compare life to a game of cards--you can only use the cards which you're dealt. So change the world, but don't forget your own circumstances."

Everyone is silent now

You hug your shoulders "...What happened to your dad?"

Tanjiro looks away from you, at something in the distance "He's in the hospital right now. Terribly ill, unfortunately."

Makomo looks up, tilting her head at Tanjiro "well, he's in the hospital so he'll be alright, won't he?"

Tanjiro shakes his head

"With our family's consistent financial trouble, it's not easy to keep paying for treatment. Soon, mom will have to stop paying, and he will die."

Your eyes widened and it hit you.

It's all making sense now; this is why Tanjiro is never home. He busies himself with extracurricular activities, skating, learning as many new hobbies as he can, even studying to stay away from home.

It's also why he's often on his phone, sending you posts that remind him of you, or texting about random things he saw on his way home. He was looking desperately for a distraction.

"I'm sorry to drop that all on you so quickly. It's just easy for me to talk about since I've come to terms with it. Just know that I understand you"

You nod slowly "It's okay..."

Briefly, there is silence

Tanjiro quickly changes the subject "oh! I got so caught up I almost forgot I wanted to show you something"

You watch him dig in his front pocket

"My mom saw you the other day when you came to my apartment...she wanted me to give you this" he pulls out a small silver keychain

"Your mom wants me to have it? Why?" You cup the tiny charm in your hands, awestruck

"Errr...," Tanjiro scratches the back of his head "it's for good luck."

Nezuko gives Tanjiro a look of skepticism

"I don't bring people over a lot, so she seemed apologetic of the condition our place is in." He added

You clutch it tightly against your chest "what? There's no need to be apologetic! She had no idea I was coming"

Tanjiro crouches down on the stairs "mom's just like that sometimes. She worries too much"

Nezuko nods in agreement

"I see," you say, relaxing "...Please, do tell her I said thank you when you see her again."

"I have to go..." Makomo murmurs, standing up and storming off

You turn to watch her leave, frowning

"Is she alright?" Tanjiro questions, following your gaze

you ponder whether or not you should open up to Tanjiro about your friend group drama

"Yeah, she's fine. She's just shy" You lie

"Well, I'm going to art," Tanjiro picks up his things "You coming?"

You blinked at him "Oh? But lunch isn't over yet--and you have that class too!? I'm beginning to think our schedule is the same."

Nezuko runs up the stairs in a hurry, twirling like a kid when she reaches the top

Tanjiro tries not to laugh from watching his sister, and walks up the stairs with you "Mr. Uzui always leaves his classroom door unlocked halfway through lunch,"

you raise your eyebrows

The three of you start walking towards the art room, and Tanjiro finishes his sentence "I've gone in there a few times now. I don't know why he does it, but he leaves the room for such a long time. It's got a perfect view on the second floor and everything."

"Seriously?! Have you gotten caught yet?" You ask, lowering your voice to a whisper

Tanjiro shook his head "Uzui's got an explosive temper, but I can outsmart him without even trying."

"Wow, that'll leave a lovely impression on the staff" You elbow him softly in the arm

Tanjiro shrugs defensively "They've left me no choice! It was either that or get stared down by randoms outside. Until people get used to looking at me, I'd rather just hang out up here with Nezuko."

"That's fair" You sigh

You stop in your tracks when you reach the second floor, your muscles tense

Genya...