[Center][h2]Noboru Yamamoto-Morning classes[/h2][/center]

Noboru sat in class half listening, but his mind mostly on other things. He clutched his deer necklace again, and his mind drifted off again.

[hr]

[Color=navy][i]"Hey, hey! Keiko! Where are we going today? Where? I wanna know![/i][/color]

[I]"Haha hey Noboru! Calm down! Stop bouncing around! What if we get into a crash? What are you gonna do? You're gonna hurt yourself is what. Sit down and calm yourself. We're only going to the mall. Okay?"[/i]

The car rolled down the road, making a low hum as it traversed to its destination.

[Color=navy][i]"Hey Keiko, what is that down there? It looks like it's coming really really fast towards us.[/i][/color]

Keiko acted fast, jerking the wheel to turn herself towards the oncoming car. Noboru closed his eyes and started whispering prayers to be protected. Keiko yelled out at Noboru.

[I]"NOBORU, DUCK YOUR HEAD AND COVER YOURSELF NOW!"[/i]

Noboru did as he was told, and only felt the events. The screeching of car tires, the shattering of glass, the warping of metal. He felt something pierce his left leg, and he cried out in pain. He was shook around in his seat, but he was unharmed. The last sound he heard before opening his eyes was a dull thud, right next to him.

[Color=navy][i]"K..K...Keiko? A...Are you okay?"[/i][/color] Noboru looked over. Keiko's head was rested on the steering wheel, the little bits of red dripping from the bottom. Her arms were limp, and she was making no movement. [Color=navy][i]"Hey Keiko, get up. Stop playing around. I know you're good at acting, but this isn't the time! Stop it! Now! Please! This isn't funny anymore![/i][/color]

Noboru started shaking her arms, grabbing her body and starting to shake that. He then realized what had happened. He clutched her, hugging her, the sobs coming out softly.

[hr]

Noboru's fists were clenched tightly, becoming ghostly white. He was shaking in his seat, the flashback way too real.

"Yamamoto, are you feeling well? If you must, go see the nurse."

Noboru got up, taking a detour to the bathroom to throw up first.

[H2]Afternoon-Training route[/h2]

Noboru walked out of the school, most of his day spent throwing up. He had his training clothes on and ready to run. He got to his route. And noticed a glaring problem. There, standing at the start, was Chiaki. He looked at her and she looked straight back at him. He stammered.

[Color=navy]I...I....I...[/color]

Noboru threw his head into his hands, starting up and running his route without her. He decided to take an alternate route, heading the way of the shrine. He got to the shrine, heaving.

[Color=navy]"Goddammit! Why am I so weak! Why can't I do this! Why! Keiko, why aren't you here to help me! Why did you have to leave me here! AGGGGHHHH!"[/color]