Kuro: “It doesn’t matter much now.”

Konsako Akihi: “What?”

Kuro: “We don’t have to deal with the foxes, or the rabbit anymore.”

Kuro: “We can leave.”

Kobayashi Amano: “Eh? The gate’s open?”

Konsako Akihi: “No. Kuro-san’s planning on climbing it.”

Kobayashi Amano: “What about-”

Konsako Akihi: “Without them.”

She paused, and the exhausted expression cowled.

Kobayashi Amano: “Do we have to?”

Itogaya: “It’s in our best interest.”

Kobayashi Amano: “You three decided that?“

Itogaya: “We negotiated.”

Konsako Akihi: “Not that it’s important, but I didn’t agree with it. I still think we should help the others.”

Kuro: “It isn’t important, and I’m not going to.”

Konsako Akihi: “Yeah, we know.” I quickly countered, before softly pressing my nails into my palm. “But Itogaya-sensei and I-”

Itogaya: “We’ve discussed this already, Konsako-kun. I can’t help, either.”

Konsako Akihi: “...”

Kobayashi Amano: “Cold feet?”

Itogaya: “No, it’s just in our best interest.”

Kobayashi Amano: “I see.”

The room paused for a brief time, which gave Kobayashi-san a moment to think. Her furrowed eyebrows refused to lift; surely she too was struggling to accept this, considering everything she put on the line before.

Ishimasu Kanana: “I think we should help them too.”

Itogaya: “I can understand why… but this isn’t up for debate. Not if a skulk exists, like you stated.”

Ishimasu Kanana: “Well I don’t know that!”

Itogaya: “That’s my point, Ishimasu-kun. None of us know. But the enemies do, from what we’ve seen.” The doctor quickly countered, his eyes widening.

Kobayashi Amano: “Kuro-san, considering you’re in the best shape, if you quickly checked the apartment, you could figure out if they’re accessible or not.”

Kobayashi Amano: “Kuro-san, considering you’re in the best shape… couldn’t you quickly check that apartment for them?”

Kuro: “I won’t.”

As she exhaled, Ishimasu-chan looked towards her, hoping she would argue against Kuro-san’s lack of care.

Ishimasu Kanana: “That’s just… that’s just selfish.”

Kobayashi Amano: “Yeah, but… I understand. After all, look where helping others gets you.”

The younger girl pressed closer to the older girl, mumbling.

Ishimasu Kanana: “What do we do then…?”

Kobayashi Amano: “There isn’t anything we can do… Konsako-san and I are both injured, and we can’t endanger you, Ichimachi-san.”

Ishimasu Kanana: “That’s not my name… and you’re just saying that cus’ I’m younger than you.”

Kobayashi Amano: “Well, I’m a big sister so I can’t really help but feel that way…”

I can’t… do anything. What was I talking about, when I said I’d do my best? If I can’t even be useful in a time like this… what’s the point of ever being useful? Because of this stupid leg… because of this stupid leg! And no one else will do it, because they’re scared. But, I’m not scared… so why does it have to be me that can’t do it?

Kuro: “We can’t waste anymore time on this.”

Itogaya: “Mm. Ishimasu-kun, Konsako-kun, can you ready our supplies for our leaving?”

Konsako Akihi: “...Fine.”

Itogaya: “We’ll need to bring food, water and emergency supplies; what’s left of the first-aid, weaponry and anything that can start a fire. Take the bedsheet, too. I only cut a small portion of it; you can use the rest as a hook for the gate.”

Itogaya: “We’ll leave in twenty to thirty minutes.”

Kuro: “I’ll help them if it’s going to take that long-”

Itogaya: “No, I need you for something else.”

Kuro: “What?”

Itogaya: “Are you familiar with suturing?”

Not saying another word, the two of us left the bedroom, Ishimasu-chan closing the door behind us.

Konsako Akihi: “Ishimasu-chan…”

Ishimasu Kanana: “It’s not fair… why do they get to make all the decisions?”

Ishimasu Kanana: “Just cus’ Kuro isn’t hurt… or a kid…”

Ishimasu Kanana: “I wish it was him who was hurt instead of you or Kobayashi-san.” She blurted out.

Konsako Akihi: “No… neither of us should be hurt, but…”

Before I could finish, she shut the bathroom door and locked herself inside. …And I hadn’t the energy to argue further, so I began picking at the supplies.

I think it would’ve been better to have Kuro-san do this. It’s not like my hands are broken.

Using the several empty grocery bags Kuro-san brought with him, I collected the supplies requested by Itogaya-sensei. I was tempted to ask Ishimasu-chan for help, but knew that would only make this ordeal go faster… and the faster we got out of here, the faster we would have to abandon those three.

After twenty minutes, I made my way back to the bedroom to collect the bedsheets…

Itogaya: “You’re better than I expected.”

Kuro-san, using a needle and thread from the first-aid kit, was sowing at the doctor’s exposed, sliced muscles. Sitting on the small circle table next to them was said kit, as well as small bottles of alcohol, and rubbing alcohol.

Itogaya: “Ah, Konsako-kun… are you two finished?”

Konsako Akihi: “Mm… we’re ready to go. I just need the bedsheet.”

Itogaya: “Kobayashi-kun, could you move from the bed? Don’t rush or push yourself, I can’t have you tearing the stitches.”

Kobayashi Amano: “Right.”

The girl moved slowly off the bed, allowing her feet to connect to the floor before lifting herself up.

And as she reached for the sheets, she turned to the open space on my right.

Kobayashi Amano: “Where’s the little girl?”

Konsako Akihi: “Ishimasu-san. She’s in the bathroom.”

Kobayashi Amano: “Okay…”

She placed the bedsheets on the floor.

Kobayashi Amano: “Kuro-san can carry them when we’re leaving… you don’t need all that weight on you.”

Konsako Akihi: “Thanks.”

Itogaya: “Konsako-kun, let Ishimasu-kun know we’re leaving very shortly.”

I nodded towards the doctor before leaving again, pushing my body towards the bathroom door while calling out her name.

Konsako Akihi: “Ishimasu-chan…”

Each movement of the muscle in my leg sent a pain, which circulated through the torso.

Konsako Akihi: “Ishimasu-chan, we’re leaving soon. Can you help carry some things?”

But she wouldn’t respond, and though I was hesitant, I began to knock on the door.

After knocking, I tried the door handle… despite the door being locked.

I heard it. I heard her lock it… and I didn’t hear it unlock. I’m sure I didn’t.

So, it shouldn’t open-

-But it did… and no one was inside.

Without taking a breath, I forced myself through the only other door in the apartment, which connected the restroom.

Empty.

Before I could call out to the three behind me, my eyes shot towards the apartment door.

…The door chain hung unconnected, leaving the door unlocked… and the cute, small shoes belonging to the small girl… were gone.

Konsako Akihi: “Ishi… Ishimasu-cha-”

I hit the floor; but I didn’t feel the impact.

…How can I help someone lost in the rain, when I too am lost?