cotton balls soaked in disinfectant with some tweezers, and then sterilised my fingertip.
I wasn’t using my good hand though, so it was quite hard and clumsy.
“Mochida-san, could I trouble you to help me with the bandaid? I do not think it would go well using my left hand.”
“Eh-”
Mochida-san had been sitting there with her head hung, and her hands over her stomach. When I called out to her, she looked up at me in surprise.
I held out the bandaid to her.
Although she was timid, she took it from me, and taped up my finger.
“Are you all right, Mochida-san?”
“Eh-”
“You do not look well.”
“Ah-, …yes. I’m fine…”
“I see.”
The world isn’t filled with heroes who’ll save people from their crises. In the end, you have to take care of your problems yourself.
But I think that you still need emotional support for that.
“Hey, Mochida-san. Won’t you become my friend?”
“Eh-!”
It probably wouldn’t be possible to have her join my group. She’s just too different. If I asked it as a favour, I think the other girls would agree, but it would be hard because they would still have nothing to talk about.
“Greeting each other in the mornings, and emailing each other on our phones. That kind of friend. Ah, which reminds me, do you in fact have a phone?”
“Y-, Yes.”
“Then won’t you exchange your mail address with me? Message me when you have nothing to do, or when you feel like talking, for example. I mightn’t be able to answer straight away, though.”
When I was given the silent treatment in my old life, it was during break times and lunch times that I had it the hardest.
Because I couldn’t talk to anybody, I spoke to imaginary friends in my mind.
If Mochida-san has somebody to talk to, maybe things will be easier on her.
And if people know that I’m on good terms with her, the way people see her should change.
“Umm, I am actually somewhat aware of the situation you have found yourself in. But I do not think that it would be best for you if I confront them directly. It would probably only add oil to the fire, and you too would not appreciate being outed as a bullying victim in front of everyone, correct?”
“…”
“So please hold on for a while longer. Just do things with your head held high. There isn’t any reason to hang your head. And perhaps, trim your fringe a little? I think it might make your face look a little brighter. If you have complaints, then I will listen, so message me. All right? If after all of that, you still find it too much, then at that time I will definitely help you.”
Mochida-san began to cry. Large tears dropped from her face.
I just stayed quiet, and stroked her skinny back.