Tanoue finally realized why he found her hard to talk to. It was those eyes. They seemed to look right through his heart. Right now, they were filled with a simple, honest pity. Tanoue gulped down the last of his warm tea and stood up.
"Whether I'm blaming myself or not doesn't matter. But thank you for the concern."
He walked toward the exit. Oguri watched his retreating back with a sad expression before taking another bite of chicken katsu.
A moment later, Tamamo Cross's voice rang out. "Oi, Oguri! You were talkin' to that guy just now. You know 'im?"
Oguri shook her head.
"Then who was he?" Tama asked, surprised.
"Apparently… he is Agnes Tachyon's Trainer."
"That's 'im?! He wasn't glowin' at all. So it was just a rumor. Man, I feel like an idiot for believin' such a stupid story." Tama laughed, but Oguri continued to stare at the door, her eyes searching for a trace of Tanoue.
Leaving the cafeteria, Tanoue felt a twinge of regret. He felt he'd been too harsh with the girl—after all, she was just a student. But he quickly brushed it off; she wasn't his student, so it didn't matter. He crossed the walkway into the main school building.
He was headed to the infirmary to check on Tachyon. He was worried about her, and he hated the thought of her being lonely. He had visited her that morning, but she had been fast asleep. He hoped she would be awake now.
When he reached the infirmary, he heard voices inside: Tachyon and the school nurse, Ms. Akasaka. He opened the door.
Tachyon was sitting on the edge of the bed with a cooling sheet on her forehead, chatting with Ms. Akasaka. When Tanoue entered, they both looked at him, then immediately looked back at each other and continued their conversation as if he weren't there. Tanoue stood there, stunned and hurt by the sudden cold shoulder. Then, the two women started to smirk, and finally, they burst into fits of laughter.
Tanoue stood there in total confusion.
"Haha! Oh, I'm sorry," Tachyon gasped, wiping a tear from her eye. "Your expression is simply too much!"
Ms. Akasaka, still chuckling, explained. "Tachyon suggested it. She said your 'confused face' is hilarious, so we decided to ignore you when you walked in. It was even better than I expected! How do you make a face that looks so normal yet so funny?"
Tanoue turned away, sulking. "Since I'm clearly not welcome, I'll be going."
"Ah, wait! It was just a joke!" Tachyon cried, moving to stand up. But as she did, she swayed violently.
Tanoue rushed forward, but he couldn't reach her in time. Fortunately, Tachyon caught herself on the bed, preventing a fall to the floor. She looked dazed, surprised by her own weakness. Tanoue let out a sigh of relief, moved to her side, and gently helped her sit back down.
"Thank you…" Tachyon murmured, her playful energy gone.
"It looks like you need more rest," Ms. Akasaka said, her tone shifting from amused to professional. Tachyon frowned. "No use making that face. I'm closing the curtains. Tachyon, sleep. Trainer, out. She needs quiet."
"Eeeh? He just got here! Can't we talk for a little bit?" Tachyon pleaded.
Ms. Akasaka looked at Tanoue, who gave a small nod. The nurse sighed heavily. "Fine. But no excitement. Tachyon, you are forbidden from talking too much. You listen while your Trainer speaks. …And if you two try anything 'impure,' I'll snap your necks. Even a kiss counts."
"We wouldn't do that!" Tachyon protested, sounding genuinely offended.
"There is a precedent," Akasaka said dryly. "And even if you aren't 'like that,' I don't trust Tanoue not to get ideas while you're asleep."
"I wouldn't do that either!" Tanoue shouted.
Ms. Akasaka gave him a look that clearly said "I have my doubts," which he met with an angry glare. She gave his cheek a light, playful slap, ignored his protest, and tucked Tachyon in. "I'm closing the curtains so she can sleep. Don't betray my trust."
Once the curtains were drawn, Tachyon whispered, "Trainer-kun… say something."
"Something? I don't really have anything to say," he whispered back, sitting on the edge of the bed.
"Then there was no point in you staying. Tell me something… something that will put me at ease."
"Something? Hmm…" Tanoue thought for a long time. "How about a song?"
"A song, of all things? Well, fine. What kind of song?"
"I'll sing whatever you want to hear."
"Hmm… just sing something you like. What are you into lately?"
Tanoue hesitated. The song he had in mind was a love song—one he felt didn't suit him at all. But a sudden impulse overcame his embarrassment.
"'In the Name of Love'…"
"A love song? How unexpected of you."
"Is it funny?"
"No, I won't laugh. Love and romance are concepts I don't quite grasp, so it isn't my place to mock them. Let me hear it."
Tanoue took a shaky breath. It took several moments of silence before he finally began to sing, his voice soft and hesitant.
I shall bring down the hammer of justice upon you
In this courtroom where true love is stripped bare
Gathered here tonight are only two:
Me, and you, my beloved.
Gently lift your veil for me
I want to see your face clearly
By tomorrow morning, I'll be gone
Vanishing into the light and the mist.
Shall we end it here?
Or will you be the one to end us?
Answer me. Show me those eyes.
Whether we fall left or right, is life just a tragedy?
If you are young, then so am I; we can end it whenever we wish.
Driven by fear, anxiety, and these dark emotions,
I summoned you to this courtroom... I summoned you.
He is watching you.
I hide you away.
But you won't stay still,
So you vanish from before my eyes.
As far as the power of my gaze reaches,
I scattered the flies that swarmed around you.
And you, unaware of any of it,
Simply live your life in peace.
Are you a sweet fruit?
Am I just another fly?
...I don't know anymore.