2ECONDS TO STΔRLIVHT: My Heart's Reflection/Story/Chapter 6
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Story
The next day, Sumire is wondering where Hakuno is as Rhyme is looking at the debris left around the club room and Han is hiding under a bookshelf- someone had come in and trashed the classroom, leaving a note on the chalkboard.
Hakuno arrives, asking why the lights are out. As she looks around the room, she sees the note and pulls it from the chalkboard. The letter claims that the sender knows she's closeted from her parents, and has 48 hours to disband the club or they'll out her to them. The sender also warns they'll out the others next if they ignore this.
Hakuno drops to the floor crying as the group struggle to figure out what to do. Sumire has a feeling she knows who the letter came from, suspecting her old friends. Regardless, she's sure the Pride Squad can do something about this.
Hakuno suddenly says that this is her fault, as the letter was addressed to her. Rhyme asks if they even know who it is-
I think I know...
Sumire explains that when she and Hakuno first met, Hakuno was being harassed by her former friends Rise and Ai. Rhyme figures that she is the "thing that can't be replaced" the letter is claiming Hakuno stole from them.
I'm not too sure...
Han wonders if they're being watched somehow, but Rhyme says it would be easy for someone to get their contacts, especially since the school would be fine giving them out for "valid" reasons- something Rhyme knows from personal experience. Hakuno looks away, and Sumire wonders if she thinks she's lying.
Han says they need to do something, and suggests they report to the school office, but Rhyme interrupts them, saying it's a bad idea:
It might be our only shot.
Rhyme asks how she knows they can trust the school to help them, and Hakuno asks what makes them think they won't simply tell their parents anyways. Han points out they can still dicipline them, but Hakuno also points out these things are reported to families anyways. Rhyme agrees, which is why it's a bad idea. Hakuno says they likely won't do anything anyways, as the teachers seem to dislike her and are looking for a way to bring her down. Sumire tries to say they wouldn't do that, but it comes out half-heartedly as she knows they would.
You know that's not a good idea, Han.
Han asks what else they're supposed to do, saying there has to be someone who can help them, but Hakuno says they're on their own. She curls herself into a ball and continues crying as the others look on helplessly. Rhyme points out the school wouldn't do anything anyways. Sumire asks how they would take care of this, but Rhyme admits she doesn't know.
Rhyme says it might be over, and they should disband the club.
Hakuno admonishes herself for believing that she could be happy- that there wouldn't be others looking to steal that happiness from not just her, but from her friends.
Sumire admonishes Rhyme for the suggestion, but Rhyme says they have to. Han tries to stop her, but Rhyme says they can't afford to risk it. Sumire suggests it's just an empty threat and they could simply ignore it, but Rhyme says she's seen things like this, and if they don't do anything, it will end poorly for Hakuno and everyone here.
As Hakuno sees the effect of the situation in the others, she tries to say that she'll leave the club; the letter was against Hakuno, not the others. Sumire and Rhyme try to tell her otherwise, but Hakuno insists she's brought nothing but trouble, and that it will continue to happen. Sumire insists it isn't true, but Hakuno is unconvinced. Rhyme says if she's leaving, they'll all go together as a group, and Han admits they wouldn't feel safe coming here anymore anyways.
Sumire points out they can still meet together after class, though Han says they should wait for things to blow over first. Rhyme agrees, not wanting Han to lose their chance to come out on their terms like Rhyme did.
Sumire decides that Hakuno, as the one the letter was addressed to, should have the final say. As everyone looks to Hakuno for the next, and potentially last, choice for the club, Hakuno makes her decision:
Route: My Heart's Reflection
Let's abandon the club.
The room goes quiet, and Sumire looks away as she declares the Pride Squad is disbanded. Han grabs their backpack and heads for the door. Before they leave, they thank the others for the past few months together before running out of the classroom, struggling not to cry. They drop one of their books, and Rhyme goes to pick it up. She says they'll make sure they get it back, and says goodbye to the club, telling Hakuno to stay safe before going after Han. Sumire offers to take Hakuno back home, but Hakuno says she'll be fine.
I...I dunno...nothing?
Rhyme is upset with Hakuno's decision, but Hakuno says she doesn't have any better ideas. She points out Sumire could be right, and that it's merely an empty threat- though they don't have any better options regardless. Han suggests they reconvene later in the week to see how things are going. Rhyme agrees, but says they need to make sure no one is tailing them when they do, and see if they can gather any info by the next meeting.
Sumire, surprised, asked if Rhyme wanted to club to disband. Rhyme says she did, but if this is Hakuno's choice, then she'll stand by it. Hakuno, though guilty they have to do all of this because of her, feels touched by Rhyme's stance. She apologizes, but Rhyme stops her. Sumire says the Pride Squad will be there for her, no matter what.
The group head home, and Hakuno sneaks in from her usual spot back home. However, she is met by her parents giving her a shared, menacing expression, and Hakuno realizes they already know.
Route: True to Myself
Hakuno realizes there might be another way: she comes out to her parents herself, on her terms, thus nullifying the threat. She tells the rest of the club her plan. Sumire tells her she can't, and Rhyme asks if she's really sure. Hakuno says she'll make it work. The group come together, holding Hakuno's hands and promising they'll all be there for her. Though Hakuno is unsure of what will happen after today, she promises she'll do her best. Rhyme tells her she doesn't have to go through with it, but Hakuno says she's certain it has to be today. Sumire tells her to let her know if she can do anything for her.
As Hakuno leaves the classroom by herself, headed back home, she knows her parents won't be happy with her. Regardless, she is determined not to let the others down, ready to throw away the person she isn't.
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2ECONDS TO STΔRLIVHT: My Heart's Reflection/Story/Chapter 6
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