It didn't take long until the other students noticed what was going on in the storage room. For the first time, this new generation, who was completely phone dependent for everything, just stood there in shock, crying, covering their faces in horror, hugging their close friends, a ton of emotions rushed through that corridor and no phone was seen in sight.

About an hour later, the paramedics arrived at the High School to retrieve Ikumi's body, which had already been removed from the storage room by the security guard, in a very late attempt to prevent further trauma for the students. 

After the paramedics left the site, the Principal of the High School issued a free afternoon for both students and teachers, as a sign of respect and empathy for the deceased student. 

As everyone was leaving school, Erena and Hinato sat on a bench close to a flowerish yard, behind the school's main building, just admiring the view of the blooming flowers, without saying a word to each other. Hinato felt uneasy with all that silence and as he glanced at Erena, he could only see her face pale from the fright she experienced and a deep emptiness in her red eyes that had drained all the tears she held inside. She wouldn't look anywhere else, if not ahead, he could tell she was lost in thoughts but at the same time not thinking about anything at all. Her usually playful and cheerful personality was nowhere to be seen, at that moment all Erena could do was…exist.

It hurts me…seeing you like this, Erena. Is there something I can do to ease your mind?

Seeing her like that was painful, Hinato felt so helpless knowing there was no quick way to wash those feelings away, that all he could do was stay by her side. 

And that was what he intended to do.

"Erena, when you feel ready to leave, what do you say you come to my house today? I know I won't stop thinking about this for a while and I know you probably feel the same way. Maybe, I don't know, we can distract each other a little bit, have pizza for dinner, go for a long walk at night, maybe…if it's okay with you, of course… you could spend the night there? Like we used to do when we were kids? I think some nostalgia might do us some good…"

Despite Hinato's attempt to make contact with her, Erena remained silent.

What am I doing?! Of course, she doesn't want to be surrounded by other people, my parents will be there, they'll end up talking about today…

Maybe, I can suggest something else…

"Yeah probably being surrounded by my parents won't do you any good either, so if it's not a bother, could I accompany you home and maybe stay there for a while until you go to sleep? Just that would leave me somewhat at ease" Hinato said, while gazing at the flowers and trying to endure the weight of the ambient silence. 

She still isn't saying anything…who am I to invade her personal space like that? "Would leave me somewhat at ease"? Are you trying to comfort her or yourself? Still…just the thought of her staying at her house alone…I better just keep it shut, for now.

Hinato was afraid he was being too insistent, but just the thought of Erena going home alone and staying by herself in that empty house was too much to bear.

And finally…

"Thank you Hinato…but, if you don't mind, I need to be alone right now…"

"Oh…right…no problem, can I at least make you company until you get home? If that's okay".

"I'm sorry…but not today… okay?"

"Sure…you need to process all of this, I get it, don't worry. Whatever you're feeling right now, the healthiest thing is to let it all out."

And so, they left the school's yard, and made it towards the exit, where they said their goodbyes.

"Erena, if you need anything or later you change your mind and you want me to pass by your house, just give me a call or text me. I'll be there in no time."

"Thank you Hinato…see you tomorrow." Erena responded with a smile.

However, Hinato knew that she was forcing that smile to keep him rest assured. He just knew her too well.

I know you're really strong…but if it becomes too much for you, please reach out. You know I'll always be here for you, right?

As they parted ways, Hinato couldn't stop looking back at Erena, whose figure was becoming more and more distant.

I wonder if I should've been more persistent that day…if I had been with you, would've it made a difference in the end?

(...)

On the following day, sorrow filled the High School's ambience, as many of the students rightfully hadn't gotten over the shock of the previous day's incident. The students entered their classrooms and sat on their respective desks, but it wasn't just another day at school, many wondered if they would even recover from something like this.

Before the teachers could start their class, the volume speakers, planted on the top corners of each classroom, issued a deep and assertive voice that students and teachers recognized to be the Principal's eloquent speech.

"Good morning dear students and my fellow colleagues, on this dreadful day we mourn the passing of a young female student. Miss Ikumi Watanabe was a remarkable student that aimed for excellence in this academic institution, as any other student on these premises, and I have the utmost respect and consideration for all the hard work she put in everyday. She was, no doubt, dear to all of her friends and to everyone in this school, to whom we wish both a joyful and determined academic journey. Rest assured, there is no need to question this action, you all don't need to feel any sort of blame for what happened to Miss Ikumi. The choice she made was her own and, as painful as it is, we must respect it and continue to cherish the beautiful and memorable moments we spent with her. She will always hold a special place in our hearts."

Many of the students teared up while listening to the Principal's speech, as it made them relive memories of their dear friend. However, his speech did not end there.

"At last, I'd like to praise Mr. Takashi, our respectable security guard, for his quick response when he encountered Miss Ikumi in a children's park nearby. Thanks to his actions, no child laid their eyes on that tragic view and Miss Ikumi made her way to her beloved school one last time, before the paramedic team arrived. Miss Ikumi's parents were shortly made aware of the incident and met with the paramedic team at the hospital. Our hearts are with the Watanabe family, who will hold the mourning ceremony on next Monday for any student or teacher who would like to attend. Our sincere condolences. That would be all."

The last part of the speech left everyone stunned, as the recollection of the events stated by the Principal didn't match the real ones witnessed by the students. Hinato also noticed this and quickly grasped the disgusting and devious strategy. 

The Principal made the announcement, not for the kind of heart, but to protect the school's image and dissociate any responsibility towards Ikumi's death. Since it wouldn't cross anyone's mind to take photos of the incident, out of respect, there was no evidence that Ikumi had been found in the storage room by Hinato, Erena and Yoki, and later on, by other students. 

At this point, no one would step forward to tell the real story, because, in the end, it didn't matter. The resolution had been the same, Ikumi took her own life and everyone was too devastated to make sense of the Principal's speech. Everyone just wanted to move on.