Chapter 3
 
As the days go on, I'm well settled back into school as usual, and my dormitory proves a comfortable respite.
 
On our first trip into town, we manage to find a shop before too long, and Hanako is willing to help me find just what I need.  However, there are no more words spoken between us besides the necessary.  I feel the desire to ask her what's wrong again, but I know that pushing the issue won't help.
 
We end up going to the store again the next week, everything going much more smoothly.  I can probably manage it myself, as well as our recent walks to the school building to attend our classes, but the time I get to spend with Hanako is very nice.  She's such a gentle, fragile girl, unimaginably so, even.  Being around her makes me feel warm inside.  I wonder if she feels the same way about me.
 
Sometimes, though, these walks don't occur.  On some mornings, I knock on Hanako's door and there's simply no answer.
 
 
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"You heard me, she's been playing delinquent all the time, waha~!"  Misha's booming voice overplays the depressing feeling I'm getting by hearing about Hanako's abscences, even though I'm already aware of it.
 
"Aand~, it's been like this all the time," Misha continues, her face losing it's smile and her voice lowering the slightest bit, "ever since the first year of school."
 
I keep my composure and respond.  "Well, I have noticed that to an extent.  Why are you telling me about this?"
 
"Well~.  You're her friend, Lilly.  You're the only person we've seen her with that wasn't one of the staff.  It's been that way since the first year... so we were wondering if you could try to help her out?  Maybe~..?"
 
"I think you're the right kind of person, Lii-chan~!  Nice and considerate.  And brave, too!"
 
A smile comes up on my face.  Compliments are truly a virtuous return for good manners.  It helps my confidence concerning their suggestion.
 
 
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The next day, I'm meeting Hanako outside her door, as usual.  She comes out the door, apparently finished with dressing.
 
"Okay, Lilly, let's go," Hanako says to me, in a cheerier tone than I'm used to.  For the first time, I wonder if she's smiling.
 
We file out of the dormitory building together, arm in arm, as usual.  Despite the pleasant feeling surrounding us this morning, I remember what Shizune and Misha told me.
 
"Umm... Hanako."
 
"Yes?"  Hanako's pace pauses for a moment before continuing.
 
"How are you doing in your classes?"
 
The shivering against my arm is back.  She is, of course, well aware of her own delinquency, and is self-conscious about it at the very least, I'd imagine.  "It's... f-fine."
 
This time, it's me who pauses.  "Are you sure?"
 
Hanako's grip tightens slightly on my arm.  "I told you, L-Lilly, everything's... fine," she mutters rather sharply as she resumes tugging me along, forcefully enough to display she's done talking.
 
I don't feel good about the tone of her voice.  Essentially, I was ignored, again.
 
Am I in the wrong?  Why can't she open up to me, her only friend?  I know what it feels like to be lonely, to be discarded, but I still confided in those closest to me and I've become a better person for it.  I suppose that's how Hanako and I differ, but what's her wall?  I've never wronged her, I've been there for her whenever she might need somebody.  What is missing?
 
I decide to let the issue go.  There's no use trying to continue it at this time.  Instead, as the days go on, I try my best to be a good friend to her and support her with whatever she feels like telling me about.
 
 
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By the next week, it's clear that her absences haven't stopped.  In fact, she's been absent for the past two days now.  This is no good.  I decide that I have no choice but to confront her about this.  Regardless of her demeanor, she won't get very far in the rest of her life if she constantly allows her grades to slip.
 
After a contemplative shower, I exit the restroom and notice that Hanako is still not out of her room.  I approach her door, and knock gently.  "Hanako, it's me Lilly."
 
No response.
 
"Are you there, Hanako?"
 
"L-leave me alone,"  I breathe a sigh of relief at hearing her voice again.  I have to get through to her now.
 
"Hanako, would you please come to school with me today?" I ask as gently as I can, a simple question bring the best thing I can think of.
 
"I s-SAID, leave me alone!"  Her heightened voice is accompanied by a soft impact sound on the door, most likely a pillow or similar object thrown by her.
 
"I'm not leaving this spot, Hanako.  You're skipping class every day and it's not good for you.  As your friend, I can't let you do this."
 
"Stop it, l-leave me a-alone..." she says with an audible sob.  Hanako's resistant as ever, but I intend to stay true to my word, no matter how long it takes, despite the feeling of pain and despair I can feel coming from inside the room.
 
I speak up again after a moment.  "The truant officers will start to look for you eventually, I don't want it to come to that.  Please, Hanako.."
 
My repeat of my request is stopped by a sudden sound of footsteps, louder than normal.  After a moment, the door swings open.
 
"Worry about yourself!  Leave already!"
 
"Hanako, I understand-"
 
"Understand!?  UNDERSTAND!?"
 
I'm not prepared for the open-palm blow across my face.  I'm sent crashing to the floor, from the shock of the situation more than the physical force, which is about as strong as could be expected from someone like Hanako, but not gentle in the least.
 
"How could you POSSIBLY understand!?"
 
The door slams in front of me.  I can hear her return to her bed and cry louder than I've ever heard her cry as I slowly get back to my feet.  A look of undying worry and shame on my face appears, that does not go away for the rest of the day, as I dust myself off and slowly make my way out of the dormitory building and to class.
 
I fought, and I lost.  I tried to be strong for her, tried to pull her out of whatever she's in, but I was only met with a slap to the face.  What does this mean?  Am I... just another doll for Hanako?  Something pretty to be by her side and make her feel better whenever she wants, only to be thrown behind a dresser when she doesn't want to see my face?  Or maybe, it was the other way around, I'm trying forcefully to keep Hanako well-dressed and prim in a way that will simply never fit her.
 
I'm not able to solve this case.  My only choice is to revert back to my old attitude, and just try to be there whenever she may need me.