"Italicized" = Signed

"Regular" = Spoken

Italicized = Yō typing

= Someone else typing

----- = A spoken word Yō can't understand (or at least not lip read)

...

Yō's POV:

Today was going to be terrible. We had a test today. An English test. A test that had a requirement of listening and copying what was said on it. A test I was going to fail no matter what I did.

I had woken at my normal time and gotten dressed before my mom came in. I sulked back to my room from the bathroom and grabbed a case from my dresser. I brought it with me to the table where breakfast was waiting for me.

"Why are you bringing that out? Don't you hate it?" Mom asked as she spied what I laid on the table.

"English test. It requires listening." I replied.

"Oh you poor thing." Mom responded.

She knew I hated this thing. I never wanted to wear it anymore. It really sucked. It would just give people even more of a reason to pick on me.

After eating I said bye and walked to school. I stopped at a bench along the way and put the cursed thing in my ear. I am going to hate today so much.

But at least that class is third. I could take them out at lunch. I just hope no one sees them. I really don't want them to have another reason to hate me in this school.

I reached school and went to my seat as usual. Chika and Riko entered a few minutes later. I prayed they wouldn't notice, but when did prayers ever work to begin with?

"Hey, Yō-chan! What's in your ear?" Chika noticed it first, or at least asked about it first.

I cringed at her voice. It was really high. I wasn't used to noise like this.

"It a cochlear implant. Basically a hearing aid but better." I replied.

"Wait. Can you hear me?" Chika seemed excited.

"A bit. I'm really deaf so it only helps so much. I can hear you though, because you're being really loud." I responded.

"Why are you wearing it?" Riko asked.

I sighed, "The stupid test in English..."

"Oh. Won't they let you pass on it?" Riko seemed shocked.

I shook my head, "She laughed in my face when I asked."

"How cruel." Chika growled.

"I'm not surprised. They've probably never had to deal with a deaf student before." I sighed.

"But still..." Chika protested.

"It's fine. It's not like I'm gonna pass this test anyway. I didn't want this class at all." I reassured her.

"I don't know many kids who do." Chika replied.

I glanced around the room, making sure the teacher wasn't in yet, "I don't need to know a third language. I don't plan on using it."

"Third language?" Riko asked.

"Sign language is my native language. Japanese is my second language." I explained.

"Oh..." Riko whispered.

The teacher walked in the room. We all took our seats and waited. I hope this day goes fast. I hate wearing these things.

...

When lunch time came around, we all gathered in our usual spot. As soon as we sat down, I pulled out my case and took out my implant. I put it away quickly.

"You don't like wearing it?" Chika tapped my shoulder so I would look at her.

"I hate it with all my heart currently." I growled.

"I can see why." Chika replied.

"How come you got it if you hate them so much?" Riko asked.

"I wanted to fit in with my friends. Most of them had gotten their surgery a few years back. I begged my parents until they let me get it. But we never were allowed to wear them outside of school because they worried we'd get bullied. I grew to resent them after that." I stated.

"Oh... wow..." Riko said.

"I have a question for you guys. What do I sound like to you? I can't really hear myself that well with them on so I don't know..." I asked them.

"Well, in all honesty it sounds like you're drunk sometimes and other times it sounds like it's not your native language as in the accent area. You sound like you're from a different country." Riko responded first.

"Yeah. You're hard to understand sometimes but like Riko-chan said, you sound foreign." Chika piped up.

We sat in silence. We didn't speak to each other for a little. Until Chika decided to try and sign again. I watched her as she fumbled around.

Riko watched her as well. I bet she was laughing at her internally too. Riko picked up the language a lot faster than Chika.

"Chika. What did I say?" I asked her.

"Not to sign until I'm sure I know what to do..." Chika replied.

"Yes. You were saying random words again." I nodded to Riko, "I think she knows what you said as well."

Chika blushed in embarrassment, "Sorry..."

I could see Riko was trying not to laugh.

"Hey, uh, do you guys know about school -----?" Chika asked.

"Yeah. Why?" Riko replied.

"I don't know." I said.

"Well, I wanna start a school ----- club at school! But you need at least three members to start..." Chika replied.

"School what?" I asked still not understanding that word.

"I-D-O-L-S" Riko spelled out.

"You want to do that?" I asked.

Chika nodded, "Yeah."

"Well, you know I can't help you." I reminded her.

"You can! You could be our manager!" Chika stated.

"I'll consider it." I replied.

"Yay!" Chika pumped her fists in the air.

I rolled my eyes at her. She's definitely something else. But, I guess I'm glad she isn't like the other kids here. It would've sucked to have the entire student body hate me.

"Hey, uh, why exactly do you guys care enough to hang out with me? No one else makes any effort, not even the teachers." I asked.

"Well, I've never been one to follow the norm... or so I'm told. I've never understood why kids hate people who aren't like them. Plus, my mom always tells me to be nice to everyone since you never know what's going on in their life." Chika answered first.

"As for me... I guess I can see myself in you a little. I've been the outcast too. Except there was no reason they could give. There's nothing that's different about me, unlike you. No one liked me for some reason. I just don't feel it would be right for me to let someone else go through that too." Riko explained.

I was taken back. I wasn't really expecting an answer like that from either of them. I was thinking they'd just shrug and say because they could.

...

When school ended I was called to the student council room. For what reason, I wasn't quite sure. I don't think I've done anything to warrant this.

I knocked on the door and waited for a moment. After a little, I opened the door. I guess they called for me to enter by now.

I walked in and looked around. The room was pretty nice for a school like this. When I looked straight ahead, I saw only one person was at the table.

"Hello." I said as I sat opposite of her, "Why did you call me?"

"I'm impressed you knew I called you." They replied.

"I have two girls who refuse to leave me alone. I think they'd tell me stuff like that." I responded.

They nodded, "True. Anyway, do you know why I might've called you here?"

I shook my head, "Nope. And why is it you? Aren't you the vice president?"

"She was expelled. I've taken over."

"Oh. Well then, good luck with that, Dia. Right, that's your name?" I asked.

Dia nodded, "Yes, it is."

"So, why do you want to talk to me?" I asked.

Dia handed me a piece of paper. I took it and examined it.

Would you confront the student Watanabe Yō? She cheated on the English test.

I scoffed as I handed back the paper, "What the hell is that?"

"I don't know. Do you have any idea how she might've thought that?" Dia asked.

I thought about it. I don't really see how she thought I cheated. For heaven's sake I'm deaf and my phone was in my locker. She also had us put dividers between us so we couldn't see each other. How can I cheat? Oh...

"I think I have an idea." I stated as I dug through my bag.

Dia waited, tapping her foot impatiently as I found my case. I set it in front of her and opened it.

"I wore this today to try and help me hear the listening section. I guess she doesn't know what it is." I explained.

Dia examined them, "What is it?"

"Hearing aid." I stated simply.

"Oh. So that's what she was talking about..." Dia shook her head.

"Am I free to leave then?" I asked.

"Let me just write it down so I can give it to the teacher and then you can go." Dia grabbed a piece of paper and started writing.

She paused and looked up. She was looking to the side of me so I turned my head to see. Beside me stood a small girl with pink hair in pigtails.

"Hi! Sorry for interrupting," The girl said to me before she turned to talk to Dia.

I waited patiently, trying my best not to look at them to closely and spy. I don't think it'd be nice of me to eavesdrop on them.

After a minute or two, Dia looked at me, "Alright, I've finished. You can go."

I got up to leave, but the girl pulled on my arm. I looked at her. She seemed to be waiting for an answer.

I looked over at Dia, giving her a confused look.

"---- she's deaf. She didn't hear you." Dia said.

The girl let go of my hand and grabbed a piece of paper and a pen. Well, looks like someone wants to talk.

I pulled out my phone and texted Chika I'd be later than I thought.

The girl tapped my shoulder and held out the paper. I took it from her and read her messy writing.

"You won't tell her?" I rolled my eyes at Dia.

"You want me to? I thought you'd might want it to be private." Dia responded.

Ruby gave us a confused look.

"I can lip read. And I can speak. But I can't hear you." I explained.

She made an 'oh' shape with her mouth.

"I was here because of a... misunderstanding. Everything's fine now." I told her.

"Oh, okay!"

"I'm going to go now. Someone is waiting for me even after I told her not to," I said, heading for the door.

...

Once I was outside, Chika greeted me with a hug. After she let go we started walking home.

She had asked me if I would like to stay over at her house tonight. I agreed only because I knew my mom would be mad if I turned down this opportunity.

She wants me to make friends. That's always been her goal. She worries too much about me sometimes.

We arrived at Chika's house and entered. We were greated with someone who I assumed was her mom.

Chika and her talked for a while, before Chika pulled me away and up to her room. We set our bags on the floor.

"Do you want to go get changed first?" Chika asked.

"Can't we just change together? It's not like it's anything new." I asked.

"I guess." Chika blushed a little.

I rolled my eyes and grabbed my clothes I packed. I started changing, trying my best to give Chika a bit of privacy. She seemed a bit shy to do this which I find strange.

It took only a few minutes for me to change. Chika was taking longer. I kept my eyes off of her to give her privacy.

After another few minutes, she tapped my shoulder. I turned around to see she had changed.

"I'm finished." Chika announced, as though I couldn't guess, "What should we do now?"

"I thought that you had planned something." I stated.

Chika shrugged, "I kinda asked you out of the blue..."

I sighed, "Well, why did you ask me so suddenly?"

"I don't know. I guess I just felt like it." Chika said.

"Impulsive decision making. Not the best thing to do, but sure." I replied.

"Could we do some more practice? I know I'm falling behind ---- -chan. I'm sorry I'm not able to pick up on it as fast." Chika asked.

I pouted, "Not everyone can pick up a language quickly. It takes time. We can do that if you want. I don't mind."

"Okay. Thank you!" Chika smiled at me, though I knew she was hurting.

It sucked. I hated having to remind her how to sign simple things. I could talk to Riko easily but Chika couldn't ever join. It wasn't fun. I knew it was taking its toll on her even if she wouldn't admit it.

I don't know what came over me, but before I knew it I was hugging her tightly. Chika was stiff with shock.

"It's alright to show your emotions. I can see you're holding back." I said, not knowing what else to do after I did that.

Chika relaxed into my grip and I could feel her shaking. I knew that meant she was crying. I held her tightly and rubbed her back. She brought her hands up and hugged me, though soon her hands just grabbed my shirt tightly.

We stayed like that for quite some time. But, I didn't mind. I know it might sound cruel, but I liked that she was in need of me. I guess I'm a little spoiled when it comes to attention. Having had not a lot from my family, I grew greedy whenever someone was paying attention to me. I craved it a little too much.

But I still felt bad for Chika. I've seen how she doesn't have many friends at school. She maybe has seven if you don't count Riko or I. She's too hyper for most people to deal with. She doesn't have people to really go to that are her age.

But, I like Chika the way she is. I think I might like her a bit more than I thought though...

Chika loosened her grip on me and backed away. Her eyes were all red and puffy.

"Thank you." Chika told me.

I gave her a soft smile, "It's nothing."

I moved to sit on her bed and motioned for her to join me. Chika sat beside me.

"Are you okay?" I asked, wanting to double check.

Chika nodded, "I'll be fine."

"Alright then. Do you still wanna learn?" I asked her next.

Chika smiled and nodded, but I could still see it was a bit forced. I didnt mention it though.

"Well then, let's start."