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I didn't sleep well last night. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw that sketch. "Stop acting." Those words were stuck in my head like a needle.
The next morning, the school felt... different. I walked into the classroom and did my usual thing. I smiled at everyone. I said "Good morning" to the girls who always talk to me. But my heart wasn't in it. I kept glancing at the back of the classroom.
His seat was empty.
Arata-kun wasn't there. Usually, he's just... there. Like a shadow. But today, the shadow was gone. Just a cold, wooden desk.
First period. Second period. Lunch. He never showed up. I felt so restless. My heart was heavy with guilt. Was he okay? I kept thinking about him walking into that freezing rain without anything. He did that for me. Because of my stupid pride, he got soaked.
"Hey, did you hear about Arata?" I heard some boys talking near the window. "He's got a really bad fever. Guess he's staying home for a while."
A high fever. My hands started to shake a little. It was definitely because of yesterday. Because of that indigo umbrella sitting right here in my bag.
I looked at his empty chair again. For the first time, I didn't care about the lesson. I didn't care about being the "Perfect Student." I just felt like a terrible person. I have to see him. I have to return this umbrella. But... where does he even live?