Iida looks at the five girls seated around the table. Miki is staring at the ceiling, Yossi is messing with her handphone, Rika is fiddling her fingernails, Makoto is counting the checks on her skirt and Konno is just looking into space.
Recently Iida has sensed a weird tension in the group. Through the help of Mari and Abe, she manages to pinpoint the culprits down to these five girls. Deciding that all the ignoring and avoiding among them has to come to a stop, she arranges this secret meeting. However, each individual’s behavior tells her it isn’t going to be an easy job. She decides to start from the easiest target.
“Konkon, what’s your problem?”
“Iida-san… I don’t have any problem.” Konno’s reply is so soft, Iida has to strain her ears.
“I mean Makochan and you, you two haven’t been talking much to each other.”
Yossi, Rika and Miki steal glances at Makoto and Konno whom just keep their heads low.
“Alright Konkon, you may leave.”
Just as a surprised Konno is about to leave the room, Iida says out “Konkon, don’t you think it’s silly to let a rumor ruin the friendship?”
The remark warms Makoto’s heart, it is exactly what she has been trying to tell Konno, just that Konno never give her a chance to have a heart to heart talk.
With Konno’s gone, Iida directs her attention to Rika.
“And you, does Yossi irk you so much?”
“no…”
“Alright, you can leave too, but before, I want you to think about this. Whose graduation from the group will sadden you the most?”
Iida: “I’m leaving too, I’ll leave the three of you to settle it out.”
Yossi, Miki and Makoto exchange looks, this is definitely something they do not expect.
The room becomes so quiet, the drop of a needle can be heard. Yossi looks at Miki, who turns to look at Makoto who turns to look at Yossi. They grin before laughing out loud.
“Alright, I’ll start it. Miki, I’m sorry I doubted you.”
“Apologies accepted. Ogawa-san, I never speak ill of you.”
“I believe you and Yossi, sorry about the slap.”
“SLAP!” Miki’s reaction is like a kid finding a new toy. “Oh, she deserves it.”
Three of them laugh again.
Miki: “I’ve a suggestion, let’s continue somewhere else…”