For the KSG Writing Week - Day 2, Lilly
        Passing
 
 
        Lilly opened her eyes and felt the soft blanket draped across her. The new warmth of the sun on her cheek told her it was morning, and a quick touch of the clock next to her confirmed it was nearly time to get up. Not seeking to waste a moment, a step out of bed and a short walk to the bathroom began her morning routine.
        Her door closed with a light metallic click as she left her room for the hall. Quiet breathing nearby confirmed her suspicions. “Good morning, Hanako.”
        “H-hello Lilly,” came a timid response. Lilly first felt it stir a moment later. Not here, please. She cleared her throat and offered Hanako her arm.
        “Shall we go to class?” She flashed Hanako one of her usual maternal smiles. Soon, the warmth of Hanako’s hand served as a signal to begin their walk.
 
 
 
        “…that’s wonderful, Hanako. It sounds like a lovely book.” A mix of nearby conversations and hurried footsteps told her they were in the courtyard. “I’ll be sure to ask if they have it in Br…” It stirred once more. Please. Not here. For a moment, Lilly strained. “My my, excuse me. I’ll ask Yuuko if they have it in Braille.” Hanako’s grip tightened for a moment, but soon they were in the school and talking of other things.
 
 
 
        Minutes later, Lilly’s sense of direction told her they were nearing Hanako’s classroom, 3-3. Leading Hanako along, she stepped lightly along the side of the hall until her ears picked up the conversations inside the room. She followed Hanako just inside the door; any further might risk a confrontation with the school’s queen bee and her dismally loud compatriot.
        “Well, Hanako, I shall see you at lunch.”
        “Okay, Lilly. B-bye.” Lilly smiled as Hanako stepped away, at least until it returned, deep inside. Lilly could only imagine as her knuckles took on a shade of her favorite color, gripping the end of her cane. It took every fiber of her being to step back into the hallway, where it finally dissipated. With reserved steps, Lilly walked on to her own class.
 
 
 
        “…which is when we’ll discuss the festival preparations.” Sensei ceased speaking, and the content of what she’d been saying was all Lilly needed to know lunch was near. For good reason; Lilly could not bear it for much longer. She could not, not here, not now. Every moment was a strained defense against what was building. She almost gasped as the lunch bell rang, and she shakily grabbed her cane, taking a stand and walking out the door as quickly as her politeness allowed. “The tea room,” she said to herself. “If I can get to the tea room…”
 
 
        The door opened. With quiet steps inside, her voice cut the silence.
        “Hello? Hanako, Hisao?” No answers. With an utterly pleased sigh, she took her usual seat. This was it. Release. Victory. She leaned back against the seat as she let it go. Her flatulence escaped with rapturous speeds; Lilly felt the very edges of her skirt fluttering against the force of it. Like a cloud, her wind slowly filled the room as the extent of it passed. Finally, free of its tyrannical pressure, she took in its saccharine vapors. Her bliss, however, would not last.
        “Lilly?” A sniff. “W-Was that you?” The voice could be no other’s. Hisao. Clearly, in her euphoria, she had not heard the door. And now… now he had seen this. Truly, a shame. She giggled.
        “My, my, Hisao, even a lady can’t help it sometimes. Why, come in, I’ll prepare you my new tea blend.” Hisao laughed as well, most politely.
        “Well, that sounds lovely.” He stepped inside.
 
 
 
 
        Finding one’s way from the woods was difficult for the blind, but not impossible. Lilly knew her way, and so it didn’t take her more than an hour or so to return after hiding the body. She sighed. First that Suzuki boy the previous year, and now Hisao. What’s worse, she had rather began liking him. The texture of her palms suggested she wash her hands before she return to class; she adjusted her course towards the dorms. It couldn’t be passed off as an accident, not like last time. No… she’d need an excuse. As she walked her merry way to clean the crime from her hands, she pondered to herself. Maybe one day the boys of this school would learn to keep their noses in their own business…