BACK ONLINE
**Words hummed like bees** as I drifted back to consciousness.
*"Ah, he's awake,"* a voice cut through the haze.
*"Ouch!"*
*"Don't force yourself,"* someone chided. *"The doctor said it's a shallow wound—the knife didn't pierce deep."*
*"Thanks a lot, umm—"*
*"Better stop. You got stabbed in the left stomach, not the brain."*
*"Thanks a lot, Misato. Uhh… how'd you even find me? That location wasn't exactly…"*
She smirked. *"Let's just say I don't feel like taking the bus. Didn't wanna draw attention, so I took the shortcut."*
*"Oh, really? 'I almost got killed because someone didn't feel like taking the bus.'"*
*"So, what now? Calling the cops, or…?"*
*"Leave the cops out of it. No need to bother them with something this trivial."*
*"Trivial?! You almost died!"*
*"...Yeah. But maybe death would've been a favor."*
I shifted, wincing. *"Anyway, can I get discharged now?"*
Misato pushed me back down. *"Don't strain yourself. Rest. Take your time."*
*"I messaged our homeroom teacher. Maybe they'll reschedule your test—"*
*"No need. I'm taking it Monday."*
She sighed. *"Fine. Since I'm useless here, I'll head out."*
*"Thanks for… sparing time for me."*
*"Whatever."* She smirked again, then added, *"Oh, and I texted your girlfriend. Sorry for snooping—your phone had no security."*
*"...Thanks for that."* (*Or maybe no thanks.*)
---
**Chi arrived minutes later**, breathless from rushing. She complained about the transportation,her hands trembling like *she* was the one who'd been stabbed.
I took the first shift off for the first day but returned for the second.
---
**{Car horns blaring}**
A man and woman hurled curses after a collision—traffic laws ignored. Police arrived eventually.
*Privileged to catch free drama this early.*
---
**The dreadful second test passed.** My wound reopened, sending a blood-phobic classmate into a faint.
**Present…**
At the school entrance:
*"Damn, it's like the teachers *want* us to fail,"* someone muttered as gossip swirled.
*"Whatever. I bombed it too. Results'll be tragic."*
**{Homeroom teacher enters}**
*"Kimoko, your makeup exam is this afternoon. Be there."*
*"Yes, ma'am,"* Kimoko mumbled, shooting me a glare. *Guess I'm to blame for the blood incident.*
The teacher sighed. *"Your results are… embarrassing. Too ashamed to announce them."*
The class barely reacted—most expected it.
*"Especially you, Hananoi. You should've taken the makeup instead of pushing yourself. Barely passed. Pitiful."*
She folded her arms. *"Not much else to say. Your third test is a sports event. Details later."*
**{Class cheers—except the unathletic, who groan}**
I stood. *Misaki's absent today. Guess I'll thank her later.*
Early rooftop time.
---
**I stayed there until dusk**, only leaving when the student council prez surfaced during breaks.
**{Low thudding in the hallway}**
*Who's still here this late?*
*"Wassup, Hananoi? Heard about the stabbing. Sorry I've been MIA."*
*"Any idea who did it?"*
I move closer to her, voice dropping.
*"Yeah. It's them. Your exes."*