Comrade

"Who are you?"

Sango asked with a stern look, she peered into my essence with her blue eyes.

"I… erm, what do you mean?"

I said with great trepidation. It's rather simple who I am: I am Friend B. Satoru's morning greeting, as-well as Friend A's gossip buddy.

"Who are you?"

She repeated.

'Uh, should I answer truthfully or…'

You know what, never in the script is my name brought up as definitively Friend B. So, where did I get Friend B from all of this? Oh! Maybe Sango has the answer!

"Uhm, Sango-san… Do you know?"

Sango flinched not knowing how to react to this question. Her eyes gleamed inquisitively.

Just what was I to her? Thinking about it rationally, she has been the only one to have called me by 'Friend B'. I wonder what type of info she holds, like does she know about the script? Or is this subterfuge?

As I ponder endlessly, I don't really stress this interaction. Stress, dread, and anxiety are all feeling that I have become friends with.

Her silence continues. Should I ask another question? Or should I leave her to her devices? I decide the former and say,

"Why are you interested in me, Sango-san?"

Maybe this is a key point in time wherein I can learn the deeper machinations of these women. Beside how they kill or interact with Satoru, I know nothing about them. So, I will use this repeat to gain valuable information.

Sango pauses and then speaks carefully

"In the nurse's office, you spoke of living in a false world and that Satoru-san is the main character. What did you mean by that?"

"Oh, that! That was just a strange dream I had, don't you know sometimes dreams can be very strange; like, the other day I had a dream where I had lunch with my classmate under the shade of a tree."

Sango was visible annoyed by my sarcastic remark

"Tsk"

Sango was annoyed, it seemed like I had something she wanted that I was unaware of.

The bell rang

It was time to head back to class; however, Sango grabbed my wrist before I get move.

I knew what was supposed to happen in class. Okamoto Sango was supposed to have a scene with Satoru today which would kickstart their relationship. Her not being there will cause untold changes to the script-

Sango pinched my cheek

"Ow! Oh, wait, sorry."

"I'll ask again without pretenses, who are you? You are different from the past you. I mean, who is Friend B? Is that even your name? What the hell is a name like Friend B? Hey, tell me what this place is?"

'Holy-shit!'

Shocked, surprised, and extremely euphoric. I was on cloud nine! Had she gained sentience? Is that why she was getting close to me in the beginning? Then, what happens to the script now? However, who knows what will happen if I tinker with a heroine's script.

'Nothing ventured nothing gained'

"Listen closely, Sango-san. We are actors within a play with no ending. There is a key to ending this charade, however. That lies in Satoru. He Is what can bring this script to the end."

I say curtly.

Sango let go of my hand and stumbled back a bit. It was a lot to take in admittedly. Afterall, having your world view shattered when you just start to understand the world around you is a bit ridiculous.

"Sango, I-"

"Friend B, I know. You're Friend B. But what if the key to finishing the script was you rather than Satoru-san?"

It was my turn to be shocked. There were concrete rules of this world! Every time Satoru died the world restarted, the only constant being me! So, it must be he, Satoru is the key to bringing the script to fruition.

"No"

I said with confidence from over thousands of repeats.

Sango looked down, and said,

"What if we changed that?"

"Huh?"

I looked at her incredulously, she looked back at me resolutely

"You and I are the only ones who have broken the chains caused by this script, right? So that gives us the power to change what will happen. Afterall, two heads are better than one."

I- I, this is a lot to take in… Am I crying? How much have I needed to hear this. I was like a tightly bound rope being unwoven. A comrade? Yet, another alien feeling was striking my heart. I couldn't quite pinpoint what it was, but my chest tightened.

"You're crying."

She said. Perhaps, by the amount of tears I shed she could tell that she shouldn't probe deeply into the reason for my sobbing.

"No, I'm just happy."

I had a smile on my face and tears streaming down my eyes.

"I'm Friend B, let's work hard together!"

"Likewise, I am Okamoto Sango. Let's do our best"

I held out my hand and she grabbed it in solidarity of our cause, which has no name yet, maybe I'll think of it when I get hom-

"What do you think the cause of name should be called?"

"Huh?"

"I think 'Friends' works, cause of you name."

"'Friends'? That should ridiculous, it should be 'Blossoming Trees Shimmering in The Wind'!"

"Eh? Why's that?"

"It sounds epic and poetic!"

Me and Sango have a back and forth of what the name should be, and ultimately settle on 'Friends' due to her overwhelming strength against me.

Comrade get!

Oh! We must get back to class!

Heading back to class together we open the door to be greeted by stares from everybody.

"Huh? Do I have something on my face?"

Satoru snickers while Sumiko has a brief chuckle. Meanwhile, Kohaku has a betrayed look on her face.

"Why are you late to class?"

Mrs. Yuki says

"Come to my office after class, you too Sango-chan"

I stupidly smile and scratch my chin

"huh?"

Mrs. Yuki points her ruler at me and says

"Stay after class"

"oooooo~"

The class jeers

Sango rolls her eyes

'Looks like I'm in trouble'

I deflate.