255 Chapter five, 2017, years end: 3 (1/2)

Birthday, first his, and now, a week later, hers.

Kyoko wondered what Yukio had planned for them. Unlike his birthday this was a school day, so they only had a few hours, with exams coming up and all. Of their freshman year only remnants remained.

She looked across the classroom to the desk, second row from the door and one seat from the front, where Kuri-chan sat since their last seating change. While her best friend had regained some of her composure, Kyoko saw how all life had gone out of her.

It hurt. It hurt watching her best friend hurt.

”Kyoko, hello, Earth calling.”

She flinched and looked up at the face speaking to her. ”Oh, Noriko, sorry. Yes?”

Behind Noriko Ryu stood smiling at them both. ”I'll leave it to sis.”

”When was the last time you didn't?” Noriko retorted.

'You two. You are always so bright.' Kyoko looked at Kuri-chan's backside. 'And so were you. Please Kuri-chan, come back to us!'

”Happy birthday!” Noriko said and reached out with both hands. A small paper bag with nothing inside.

”OK, thank you,” Noriko said and accepted the gift. She quickly looked inside. It wasn't empty after all. An envelope lay inside, together with a chewing gum.

”For school break,” Ryu explained. ”We asked your parents, and they agreed, both of your parents.”

'Now what on Earth did you two come up with?' ”Should I open?”

”Actually, no. Open it together with Yukio when you're alone,” Noriko said and smiled mischievously.

'OK, now I'm really curious.' Kyoko said nothing but returned Noriko's smile with a nod.

Self-study home-room ended, and Kyoko grabbed her bag. On her way out she paused by Kuri-chan to see if she wanted company, but she just shook her head with those lifeless eyes of hers.

'I want to help, but you're not allowing me.' ”OK, see you tomorrow,” Kyoko said and left. 'More like I'll get to watch you sit by your desk avoiding everyone for another day.'

Her best friend, but now more a modelling machine than anything else. Kuri-chan worked and studied and did very little else.

On her way down the stairs Kyoko's phone spat out the default signal.

Unknown caller?

She stopped briefly between two floors, and looking out the windows she picked up her phone and took the call.

”Takeida Kyoko.”

”We'll get you good this time.” A male voice.

And the call was closed.

Kyoko stared at her phone. What she felt wasn't what she had expected. 'Fuck you! Kyoko, language! Fuck language!'

She returned up half a floor and took the long corridor to the left wing.