"Italicized" = Signed

"Regular" = Spoken

Italicized = Yō typing

= Someone else typing

----- = A spoken word Yō can't understand (or at least not lip read)

...

Yō's POV:

No one moved for a while. Kanan and Mari were locked in a staring contest. I was standing still. I have no idea what I'm supposed to do in this situation.

Kanan started talking. I could recognize her saying Mari's name. She also said mine a few times. My name was probably one of the only things I can still lip read. I just happened to learn how Mari's name looks when spoken.

Mari was replying to Kanan. She seemed very calm about the entire thing while Kanan was being more emotional. I don't know if I should step in or not.

They continued talking for a while. Then, Kanan just stormed out of the building. I looked at Mari. Mari sighed and shrugged.

"You guys know each other?" I asked.

Mari nodded, "We've been friends since childhood."

"Why'd she storm off like that?" I glanced at the door, but I doubted it would open again.

"She's a little upset. We ended on a bit of a tense standing."

"Is she upset about something in particular?" I asked.

Mari nodded. She didn't sign anything. I guess it isn't something she wants me to know. I really can't say I blame her. It's probably a sensitive topic.

"How'd you meet her?" Mari asked.

"I was invited to a party and we met." I explained.

"I guess you want to know what happened between us." Mari sighed.

I nodded. I'm curious as to why they're acting the way they are. If they're friends, it seems weird that they'd be fighting like that.

Mari grabbed my hand and led me to a couch. We sat down. I waited as Mari thought about what she wanted to tell me.

"Remember how I told you that Aqours was the name of an idol group I was in with my friends?" Mari asked.

I nodded. I'm guessing that means Kanan was in the idol group. I didn't think she'd be one for that type of stuff.

"Kanan and I were in it. And also another one of our friends. Things didn't turn out like we had hoped. We failed to sing at a competition. And then I was supposed to transfer." Mari had a bit of a forlorn look on her face.

"Shouldn't she be happy that you're back?" I asked.

"She's upset that I gave up the opportunity to study abroad. She was the one who told me I should." Mari explained to me.

"Oh..."

That makes more sense. I still feel like she should be happy to have Mari back, but I guess she has her reasons. I hope this won't affect our friendship, if I can call it that. I'm not sure what our status is.

I don't feel like I've been around Kanan enough to be able to call her a friend. I guess she's just an acquaintance.

The rest of the evening was tense. Mari kept to herself. I hope I didn't do anything bad. Was it wrong to bring Kanan here?

I went to bed early. I don't know what else to do. There's really not much I can do here. I want to get back to normal. I hope that can happen soon.

...

I woke up the next morning like normal. I turned off my alarm and then got dressed. I decided to bring my implant to school just in case. I wasn't planning on wearing it unless I had to.

Mari had already left by the time I got downstairs. She always went early. I made myself something to eat. After i cleaned up, I grabbed my bag and started the journey to school.

Today was different. Chika ran up to me once she saw me. She smiled at me and gave me a quick kiss on the cheek. Riko was with her. I guess they've made up.

"Morning." Riko greeted me.

"Morning." I replied.

"Riko and I made up." Chika confirmed.

"That's good." I signed.

We talked for a bit about life. It wasn't long before we had to go in to class. I'm nervous. Everyone saw my breakdown yesterday. What will they think of me? What if they don't like me?

Chika and Riko seemed to catch on to what was making me anxious. Chika grabbed one of my hands and held it. We were right outside the classroom. I don't want to go in. I'm scared.

"It'll be alright. I'm sure you'll be okay." Chika tried her best to reassure me.

Riko opened the door and walked inside. Chika pulled me in after her. She showed me to an open desk. It was beside Riko's desk. I set my bag down beside it.

I kept my gaze on Riko and Chika. I don't want to see what the other students are doing. I'm worried they're saying mean things about me. I'm sure Chika and Riko will stand up for me, but it doesn't change the fact that that's how they feel.

The teacher came into the room. I quickly took my seat and hoped I wouldn't be asked to do anything. I don't want to introduce myself. Yesterday was a nightmare in my other classes.

Thankfully, the teacher left me alone. She took attendance and then sat at her desk. We had about 10 minutes until the first class started. I turned to look at Riko. She and Chika were talking.

I didn't want to interrupt them. I waited for them to finish. After a few minutes, they stopped and they both turned to me.

"See? Nothing bad happened." Chika pointed out.

"It's been maybe 20 minutes. That's not enough time to confirm that nothing will happen." I replied.

"Have some hope, Yō. We're here if anyone does try anything." Riko signed.

That reminds me... should I tell them about last afternoon? That girl is probably still out for me. They should probably be aware of that fact so they can help me. But, how should I explain it? I don't want them to be too worried about me.

"There's one thing I think you should know about." I started off with.

Chika and Riko looked at me. They waited for me to continue.

"There's a girl who doesn't like me. I'm not going into too much detail, but basically she was beating someone up and I stopped her. She's trying to get me for it." I told them, "Late last afternoon, I was walking around town and she found me. She started attacking me. She didn't do any permanent damage, so don't worry about me."

"You should report her." Riko told me.

"I don't know her name. And besides, I know that I won't be listened to by teachers. What's the point?" I sighed in hopelessness.

"What about someone high up in the school?" Chika suggested, "Don't they have to take it seriously?"

I shrugged. Wait. Maybe Mari could help then. She has a lot of power in the school. If I tell her, I'm sure she'd do everything she could to help. I think Chika is on to something.

"I'll consider it." I signed.

After that, we had to go to our first class. Chika and Riko walked beside me. They kept an eye out for anyone trying anything. There didn't seem to be anyone who wanted to start anything.

I know that girl won't do anything at school. She's smart enough to realize how stupid that would be. She'll wait until I'm alone somewhere. That means reporting her won't do much. She doesn't do it in school.

I guess I should still try and report her. Maybe that will deter her from trying anything more? I doubt that, though. It will probably make her hate me even more. But, I suppose I should. Maybe at lunch I'll go find where Mari is.

...

None of my classes had any problems. That was good. I didn't want to deal with anything. The only problems I had were when the teachers called on me to read something. I can't do that.

I can answer their questions since Chika or Riko can interpret. I can't read out loud, though. The teachers don't really like me. I'm starting to worry they might put me in a special education room just because they can't deal with me.

It was just turning to lunch time. I told Chika and Riko that I wanted to go and find someone. They offered to come with me, but I declined. I can handle this myself.

I walked around the school until I found the room I was looking for. I knocked on the door. I waited a few seconds and then walked in. Mari was in the room. I was worried she might've gone somewhere else.

"What's up?" Mari asked me.

"I need to talk to you." I signed.

"Take a seat." Mari nodded to the seat in front of her desk.

I sat there. I guess there's no going back now. I have to tell her. I just don't know what she can really do about it. What if this just makes that girl even more mad at me? Am I making a mistake reporting her?

"What's the problem?" Mari asked me.

"I've made an enemy." I replied.

"What's she gotten up to with you?" Mari asked.

"She's beaten me up." I told her, "I don't think she's ready to let me go."

"Can you describe this girl? I assume you don't know her name." Mari asked.

"I'll try. I have no idea who she is." I signed. I did my best to give details about what she looked like. I hope Mari will be able to find her.

I'm still worried about what she's going to do. What can Mari do to stop that girl? Will it be fast enough? What if she learns about it before she's punished? There are too many things I'm worried about.

"I think I know who you're talking about. I'm not positive, though. The only person who would know and be able to do anything isn't here. After school, we could go see her." Mari told me.

She has to be talking about Dia. There's no one else. I doubt she's talking about a teacher. If she was, she wouldn't be saying we should go visit.

"Can I have a name?" I asked. I want to be sure.

"D-I-A."

Yep. It is her. I was right.

"I know her." I told Mari.

"That saves me having to introduce her then." Mari replied, "So, she's kept up with JSL?"

I nodded, "Yeah. Though, her dad seems to have a problem with it."

Mari frowned, "Still?"

"You know why he has a problem?" I was surprised.

Mari nodded, "I'm somewhat the reason. Dia and I are also childhood friends. Her dad hates me. He thinks I'm going to ruin Dia. No, he thinks I have ruined Dia."

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"Dia defies him a lot. He thinks I'm encouraging her to. I'm not. She's just standing up for what she believes. Like, he wants her to find a rich boy to marry so they can partner in businesses. Dia keeps refusing because she doesn't want that. He thinks I'm telling her to do that."

"But what does JSL have to do with any of this?" I asked.

"That's how we would talk to each other when he was around. He hated it because he couldn't understand us. It caused a lot of fights. I guess he's still bitter and thinks anyone signing is talking shit about him." Mari explained.

"Then why doesn't he just learn JSL?" I sighed.

"Too much effort for him?" Mari burst out laughing at her comment.

He really is a jerk. Why the hell does he still have this grudge? At this point, I don't think he should. There's nothing he can do anymore anyway.

"Are you sure it's wise for you to visit her then? What if he sees you?" I asked. I am worried about that. He probably wouldn't want her around. He probably doesn't want me around either.

"It'll be fine. I doubt he'd be home. He'll be out doing work." Mari shrugged off my worry.

"If you say so."

"So, after school we can go visit her and see if there's anything we can do about this girl." Mari smiled.

Should I tell her that Dia also knows who this girl is? Is that wise? Would that make her worry more or less? I mean, at least I won't have to really describe her to Dia.

"Okay." I signed.

I said bye and went to go locate where Chika and Riko were eating lunch. I found them sitting in a small shaded area away from the crowd. It seems like everyone in Aqours is eating together.

I made my way over to them. At least they'll all be nice to me. Chika was the first to notice me. She waved and smiled. Everyone looked at me. I nervously waved back. I sat down beside Chika.

"How are you?" Chika asked.

"I'm fine." I replied.

I glanced at everyone else. They had all gone back to eating. I guess that's a good idea. I pulled out my lunch. For the most part, none of us talked. We all just sat together. It wasn't that awkward.

"How did it go?" Chika asked.

"It went fine." I replied. I don't want to give too much detail. It's not like I really know that much.

"So, Yō, I was wondering if you'd reconsider joining the idol group. You know, as our manager." Chika asked nervously.

I thought her offer over. I mean, I could do that. It can't be that hard, can it? But, what if I damage their reputation? They've already done some by captioning their videos they post. But, it's also gained them a lot of popularity because of it.

"Let me think about it." I signed. I need to think it over a lot more before I give my answer.

"OK!" Chika smiled. I guess she's happy enough that I at least didn't say no to it.

"Do you not like dancing?" Yohane asked me.

"I've never tried to dance before. It takes a lot of effort, especially for me. I can't hear, but if it's loud enough and the speaker is facing the floor, I can feel the vibrations. I don't know if I'd be good at timing." I replied.

I would be lying if I said I hadn't thought about it before. It's not impossible for someone to dance if they're deaf. I just don't know if I have what it takes to do it. I'm not that steady on my feet when it comes to things like that.

"I think you should try! If you can't do it then that's that, but maybe you can?" Chika told me with a very hopeful expression.

"I'll think about it." I replied. I don't feel like trying today.

...

Once school ended, I went to go find Mari. She was in her office. The door was open, so I just walked in.

She smiled and greeted me. I greeted her back. She finished up the work she was doing and then walked over to where I was standing.

"Shall we go?" Mari asked.

I nodded. We left the school and started making our way down the streets. I looked up at the building. I could faintly see Aqours practicing on the roof. I wonder what a practice of theirs looks like.