- Saturday 11th April, 2015- Early Morning
Leiko Hamada: Hamada Residence
"Hmm? Wha-? I'm listening..." Leiko slurred softly into her pillow as the alarm rung shrilly in the background, a hand reaching over to slam the device silent with a lazy, heavy thud. Slowly, the girl began to stir into full consciousness, her eyes fluttering open hazily as she glanced down at her own haphazard state.
She was sprawled on her back across the bed, still clothed in her school uniform from the night before with her right hand tightly clasped around her cellphone and pressed to her ear. A shadow of confusion crossed Leiko's face at her peculiar position, before realization finally sunk in and she flopped back against the bed with a groan. Of course that's what happened. Saya happened.
The girl had called her not long after getting home, ranting incessantly about some guy in her new club, before describing some kind of contest and rivalry drama within the club. It didn't interest Leiko much at all, but Saya was like a dog with a bone, telling Leiko every excrutiating detail like it was some huge event. Eventually, Leiko had been lulled into a state of apathy, merely making noises of assent as her friend went on and on about the subject. Somewhere amongst her ravings, Leiko had fallen asleep, and she genuinely couldn't remember how their conversation had ended. It was possible that Saya would be annoyed with her when Leiko saw her in class, but she highly doubted it. Saya just wasn't the type to take offence in that way.
Glancing over at the clock again told Leiko that she would need to be quick with her morning routine today, or she would be late for school. Swiftly, she wasted no time in divesting herself of her creased uniform, tossing it hastily in the washing basket by her door before dashing into the bathroom to begin her typical preening regime. It was only when she was sat in front of her vanity mirror, wearing a fresh skirt and blouse and untangling her curls with a brush, did she stop for a moment to catch her breath. In that moment in time, her mind drew to what the boy she had met yesterday had said to her.
"I guess that's what happens when I don't spend every waking moment worrying about my appearance." At the time, it had obviously been a barb at Leiko's expense, and considering how their initial interaction had started, Leiko didn't entirely blame him for it. Still, the words settled uncomfortably in the back of her mind as her eyes pierced into the ones staring back at her in the vanity mirror. Did she really appear so obsessed with her own self-image? Perhaps justifiably so; she did spend a laborious amount of time and effort to look clean and presentable, and considering her somewhat notorious popularity in school, she was always expected to pertain to a certain public image to the student body. But did people really credit that to vanity?
Why does it even matter? She questioned her own reflection with an annoyed frown, choosing to push Tanaka's words out of her head for now and concentrate on more pressing matters, like getting to school on time. Once she applied the finishing touches to her appearance, she reached for her freshly laundered sweater, and swiftly made her way to school.
- Saturday 11th April, 2015- After School
Leiko Hamada: Warakuma High- School Grounds
"I am sorry about last night though." Saya was in the midst of her apology to Leiko shortly after the bell signalled the end of classes, following her dutifully to the lockers with a contrite expression. "I mean, I was the one that called you, and yet I completely left you hanging by falling asleep like that. I guess I was more tired than I thought," she smiled sheepishly, oblivious to the telltale smirk on Leiko's lips. "Too much excitement, I suppose. Can I make it up to you? Ooohhh, I know, let's go get cake!"
"Don't you have work?" Leiko reminded her with a lilt to her usual droll tone, her eyebrows flying up in amusement at the picture of despair on Saya's face. "Somehow, I think your parents would be less than pleased if you didn't show up."
"Awwww..." Saya's lips drew into a pout that was aimed at no one in particular as she shrugged on her boots with much less enthusiasm. "You're right. I guess I did promise to help out this weekend.." She let out a heavy sigh, but her smile was unweathered as she shot Leiko a playful wink. "Then I'll see you Monday then, Hama-chan! Don't have too much fun without me!"
And with a burst of energy, Saya merged into the stream of people leaving the school, each one flooding the exit of the school in a desperate bid to escape so that their weekend could finally begin.
Leiko wouldn't be too far behind, slinging her bag over her shoulder and stepping into her outdoor shoes before making her own way out of the school. She took in a deep breath of fresh Spring air as she did, her thoughts trailing towards her weekend plans. There was homework to do of course, but more importantly, she needed to leaf through her literary collection. She was still uncertain on what play the Drama Club would perform this year, and whilst the show was under her direction, it simply needed to be the best. So the sooner she started, the better.
Falling deeper into her musings, Leiko approached the school gates, oblivious to the blurring crowd of students surrounding her. It wasn't until she heard a loud smack that Leiko's concentration was broken, her head snapping up in surprise at the sound. Standing few metres away was a familiar looking male, staring off into the distance with a look of shock. What was more notable however, was the stream of crimson that he cradled with his hands. Leiko couldn't spot the person who had attacked him, but if the boy was upset about the encounter, he certainly didn't show it, as he merely wiped the blood off and went on his way.
Normally, Leiko wouldn't step out of her way just to help a complete stranger when she didn't even have the facts of the situation in front of her. For all she knew, the boy had been the aggressor in the first place after all. However, it was at that moment that Leiko finally recognized the fellow student. It was none other than Sato Hashimoto, one of the seniors that had auditioned on Tuesday. She remembered liking his emotive performance, although his odd quirks left her a little baffled.
Still, it was Leiko's duty to care for her own fellow performers, and with that in mind, she strode over to him with a sense of purpose. "Excuse me. Hashimoto-san?" She tapped his retreating back lightly, her expression creased in a myriad of concern and disapproval. "Please don't tell me you plan to go home in that state. You should be heading straight to the nurse's office, don't you think?"
