I told Olympia I'd do anything to ease her burden. Truth is, I don't want to join the student council. But guess what? The deed's done—I'm already a member. What a drag.
I've never participated in any sort of event, so why should I now? What does being part of the student council entail anyway?
The day has ended, and rather than starting my witch hunt with Olympia right away, she let me know earlier that she has matters to attend to first, so we'll have to meet late tonight as well. I don't know how I feel about another all-nighter, but I guess this gap gives me time to get some sleep, albeit not underneath the moon. I don't normally sleep during the day; I used to, though. That was when I was depressed about life and didn't have the energy to do anything. I guess that's why my sister adopted the habit of waking me up from bed: so I wouldn't spend all day in it. She knows better than anyone how bad I can be.
But before I can get that much-needed sleep, there's something I must attend to, too.
Kumiko.
Kumiko Kikunaga.
Olympia asked me to escort her, not to Kumiko's home, but to Olympia's. I guess she'll be spending the night, as she has since that hellish break.
What's that saying again? Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer? Would that apply to Olympia? They're friends, I think, but I hope they're not enemies.
"I hope."
I can't confidently say that the two aren't enemies. This makes me sad.
Poke. Poke.
My monologuing is interrupted by the girl whom I'm escorting to Olympia's home: Kumiko.
"Is something the matter, Kiyomi?" Olympia asks with concern in her eyes. "You look extra tired today. Did you have a nightmare? Piss the bed, perhaps?"
"How old do you think I am?" I can't tell whether that last comment was a jab at me or a genuine question. This also makes me sad. "I didn't get much sleep last night. I slept for a total of half an hour. That explains the dark rings around my eyes."
"Hmm. What kept you up?" she asks, hopefully not to fill the silence that was between us.
"I probably shouldn't tell you this, since it isn't any of your concern, but Olympia and I spent the whole night together—"
She turns to me rapidly, eyebrows furrowed, fists gripped, and I think she's gritting her teeth, too. I probably should've thought about my choice of wording before speaking. Can you blame me, considering my lack of sleep?
"Don't get any weird ideas!" I blurt, quickly. "Remember what I said yesterday? About the rumored witch? Olympia asked me to go hunting for it, so we stayed up all night searching for it. Unsurprisingly, to me at least, we reached the morning empty-handed."
Kumiko's face begins to relax, but rather than going back to the calm Kumiko she was as we've been walking, her face distorts into something else: she's upset. Not mad. Not furious. Bothered by what I said, clearly.
She doesn't say anything. She just continues walking, deep in thought. I don't know if I should say anything.
Before I do, Kumiko breaks the silence, "May I ask some questions?"
"Sure, go on ahead," I reply.
"First, are you lying?"
What? Why would she assume that I'm lying? Sure, what I've brought up is rather far-fetched, but immediately thinking that I'd lie to her kinda hurts.
"Of course not," I tell her, "I know this sounds silly, but it's what she wanted to do. I'd never deny a request from Olympia."
Kumiko's expression remains the same, unwavered by my words. She does seem to be in deep thought about my response.
"Second," Kumiko continues, "does Olympia actually believe in this rumored witch? Between you and me, believing in such a thing is, for lack of better words, childish."
Childish? I'd never have thought Kumiko would describe Olympia in such a way. It's probably best that this stays between her and me.
"Trust me, I think this is rather childish, too. I don't know if Olympia believes in a witch or is simply passing time, but that doesn't matter to me. If she wants to hunt for a witch she knows doesn't exist, then hunt we will."
This response summons a short snicker. I try my best to ignore it. C'mon, don't laugh at me right to my face.
"Third question, why would she request this of you, but not me?"
This question stumps me. I don't know why Olympia would choose me over Kumiko. I'd feel rude if I tried to make up some best possible reason; it'd probably hurt her pride. "I don't know, sorry." I think this is the best answer I can come up with. Hopefully, it satisfies her.
Her eyes show a hint of sadness, but that goes away quickly.
"Finally," Kumiko begins...then stops. Her voice, low and careful: "Why are you lying to me, Kiyomi Otonashi?"
What? Is she messing with me?
"Didn't I answer this question already? I'm not lying to you. I know that this seems far-fetched and all, but—"
Kumiko's voice drops to a whisper. "Olympia was home all night. She doesn't know this, but every hour while we're asleep, I check on her—make sure she's really there. To see if this person whom I cherish, named Olympia Ventura, is with me right here, right now. And last night, every hour of the night, she was there on her side of the bed. So, I ask once more, Kiyomi Otonashi, why are you lying to me?"
What… What the hell is she talking about? She has to be messing with me, right? I was with Olympia all night until 6 in the morning. She was there with me. I was there with her. We bantered about nonsense. We bantered about personal things. When we walked together in search of this rumored witch, we brushed up against each other occasionally.
Her warmth, against the cold night air—I felt it. It was real, wasn't it?
Kumiko has to be the mistaken one. If her scheduled checkups were amid the dark, then of course her vision must have played tricks on her.
But…
But—
And just like that, we arrive at Olympia's house. My first time here. I've never been inside before. This is really her home…isn't it?