Day 16

[from Y/N]

Kiyomi Hanabishi had heard about the butterfly effect once, from a TV show. It was the idea that even the smallest things, like the flapping of a butterfly's wings, could prove to have a large effect over time. She had never really considered it before or, indeed, since, and as she changed into her school uniform ready for another ordinary day of classes, things like the butterfly effect were the last thing on her mind.

Suddenly her mobile phone started to ring. Looking at the screen, it was her best friend Yuuko. Answering the call, she put the phone to her ear and continued pulling up her black kneesocks with the other hand. "Hey Yuuko," she said. "What's up?"

"What are you up to right now?" asked Yuuko.

"Uhh… getting ready for school," said Kiyomi, sounding a little confused. "Why, what else would I be doing?"

"Well, I've got a better idea," suggested Yuuko. "How about the two of us go out today, pick up some clothes, maybe go watch a movie, I'll treat you to lunch? How does that sound?"

"A lot better than school, I'll admit," said Kiyomi, as she started to put on her jacket, "but I can't just skip school for the day, can I?"

"Why not?" asked Yuuko. "We don't have any exams for a while, we're not learning anything important… you're not gonna be missing anything just by skipping a single day, right? Besides, it'll be fun!"

"I know," said Kiyomi hesitantly, "but…"

"Come on," prompted Yuuko, "yes or no?"

Kiyomi did not know it at the time, but this was the flap of the butterfly's wings, the moment that would change both their lives forever. It all hinged on a single question: yes or no. She took a moment to think, drumming her fingers on the bedside table, then gave her answer.

***

"You know what? Sure. Let's do it," said Kiyomi.

"Alright, great," said Yuuko, her voice perking up a little. "I'm heading out now; let's meet up at the usual place and from there we'll decide where we wanna go first. Sound good?"

"Yeah, that sounds good," said Kiyomi, nodding. "Like you said, it should be fun. I'm already changed into my school uniform though, so-"

"Well, don't change out of it," said Yuuko, "you'll want your parents to think you're still going to school, otherwise you'll be getting into trouble, right?"

"Yeah, good point," Kiyomi conceded. "Alright, I'll see you there, then."

"Okay," said Yuuko. "See ya."

"Bye." Kiyomi ended the call, put her phone in the pocket of her blouse, and resumed getting ready for school. While she may not be actually heading there, it was still important that she look the part in order to throw her parents off the scent. As excited as she was about spending the day with her friend, having fun, she was still a little nervous about the potential consequences if they were caught skipping school for the day. But she had made her decision, and she was just going to have to stick to it.

***

"No," said Kiyomi, shaking her head. "I'm sorry, I mean, it sounds like fun and all, but I really don't want to get into trouble, you know? How about we hang out after school instead?" she suggested. "We could still do all that stuff later, and we wouldn't get in trouble for it."

"Yeah, that works too, I guess," said Yuuko. "Alright, I'll see you later, then."

"Will you still be coming to school today?" asked Kiyomi.

"Ehh, probably not," admitted Yuuko. "I just don't really… feel like it, I guess."

Kiyomi felt a little concerned, but chose to let it slide. "Okay," she said. "Be careful, and try not to get yourself into too much trouble, alright?"

"I promise," said Yuuko. "Alright, see you later, then."

"See ya," said Kiyomi. She ended the call, put her phone in the pocket of her blouse, and then resumed getting ready for school, still feeling a little uneasy. Perhaps she should have agreed to go with Yuuko, just to make sure she didn't get up to anything bad. Perhaps she should have inquired further as to why Yuuko wanted to ditch school so badly when, as she herself at pointed out, today was merely an ordinary school day. But now she had made her decision, and she was just going to have to stick to it.