"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:

That evening we were allowed to go visit Chika. She only had to stay in the hospital for the night, thankfully. From what I've gathered, she just sprained her ankle. I'm glad it was just that.

We couldn't all go in to see her at once. That was just too many of us. We split up into halves instead. Riko, Mari, Yoshiko, and I were currently in the room.

Chika had her foot wrapped up in bandages. There were crutches leaning on the wall. Looks like she has to use support in order to move. This means we've been set back once again.

"How are you feeling?" I asked her.

"I'm alright. As long as I don't move my foot too much, it doesn't hurt." Chika replied.

"How long will you be forced to take it easy for?" Riko questioned.

Chika shrugged, "They said a few months depending."

"What are we supposed to do without you for practice? We have that other show coming up soon." Riko worried.

That was right. We did have another show set up. It was only a little less than a month away. We have to drop out of it, don't we?

"Can you just do it without me?" Chika asked.

Of course she would say that. She wouldn't want us to be set back by this at all. But, she's our leader. Don't we kind of need her to perform?

"The dance we have doesn't have a part for Yō. If you'd be willing to, we could tweak it and you could take Chika's place." Mari suggested.

Me... take the center...

I... I don't know... could I really do that? I... I'm not good enough. I couldn't do that! I'd never be able to do it.

"I can't." I was firm. I can't do this. I can't just jump back in as the center. I can't do that.

"If you change your mind, just let us know. I'm sure we can work out something else if you don't want to." Mari was very gentle in her response.

I nodded. It's just so daunting. All eyes would be on me at some point. And... I can't sing... I'd stand out so much. I don't know if I'm ready for that big of a step yet.

Riko wrapped an arm around me shoulders. Can they tell? I wouldn't doubt I showed my feeling a bit on my face.

"Would I even be the right choice?" I asked, "I can't sing and... it's the center..."

"I guess that is a good point." Mari nodded, "So, what if someone else took Chika's place and you took theirs instead? Would that be better for you?"

"Let me think about it."

I need time to figure out if I'm ready yet. I don't know that I have the strength to dance again. I'm still... scared. I don't want to mess up again. I want to stay on tempo and do it right.

...

The next day, I visited Chika alone. She was happy to see me, as expected. It must be boring here by herself. It was when I ended up here.

"How are you today?" I asked.

"Okay. They were doing tests earlier. It wasn't fun." Chika pouted.

"I'm sure it wasn't." I smiled at her.

I took a seat. I'm guessing she'll want to talk for a while.

"How are you doing?" Chika asked me.

I shrugged, "I'm fine."

"Have you decided if you'll dance?"

I should've known she'd ask. I still don't know if I can do it.

"I don't know yet."

"Yō, you really shouldn't worry about those mean people that much." Chika signed.

I know that. I want to tell her that, but I doubt it'll do anything. I know I shouldn't worry about what they think of me, but I do. I can't help it.

"They really aren't just targeting you." Chika added.

"What do you mean?" I was confused.

Yeah. I know other people get harrassed too, but that doesn't mean they aren't singling me out.

"Have you looked at the messages recently?" Chika questioned.

I shook my head. I don't normally look at them very often. Even before the hate started. I don't really care that much.

"I'm getting some backlash for this." Chika explained, "So, I don't really think they hate you in particular. It seems they just like mocking idols who mess up."

"Have you seen them doing that to other groups?" I asked.

Chika nodded, "Yeah. It seems to be all they comment."

So... they really aren't just targeting me because I'm deaf. They're just doing it because they like to. I... I wonder how the other people they've harrassed have managed.

"I still don't know if I'm ready to dance." I signed, "I don't know that I can learn it fast enough."

"Take your time. If you can't do this one, that's fine. Not like I'll be doing it either." Chika smiled at me.

I smiled back. She held out her arms. I carefully hugged her. We stayed like that for a while. I don't really want to let go. I don't think she does either. But, eventually we did.

But, then Chika grabbed me and pulled me back. She kissed me on the nose and then on the lips. I kissed her back. We obviously kept it short. It's not a wise idea to make out in a hospital room. Anyone could just walk in and see us.

We both were blushing when we pulled away. Chika flashed me another smile. She always seems to have a way to cheer me up. It may take some time before she does, but in the end something she does always works for me.

"I have to go soon." I glanced at the time. We had practice soon.

Chika pouted, "I wish I could leave already."

"If you do as they say, I'm sure it won't be long." I told her, before waving goodbye and leaving.

I made my way to practice. This will be interesting. It's our first time not having Chika for it. I hope this goes well.

They'll probably be expecting my answer. Am I willing to try? I mean... I could. If I can't do it in the end, I don't think it'll matter. At least, I don't think me not doing it would ruin the dance.

So, I guess I'll give it a shot. It had been decided yesterday night that we were going to have Riko as out center to fill on for Chika. Riko didn't want to at first, but eventually she agreed to it.

I hope she doesn't mind doing it. We haven't had anyone but Chika be the center so far. Maybe it is time we change that? I know other idol groups do that, so why shouldn't we? Maybe it could boost our popularity a bit?

It didn't take long before I was at practice. I told them I'd be willing to try and learn the dance, but also stated clearly I wasn't sure if I could learn it in time. They were all fine with that.

So, looks like I'm going back to how it used to be. I'll be dancing again. I... I still sometimes wish I could sing as well. But... I don't know I'll ever feel confident enough in that. I never have been even when I could talk pretty well.