Voicemail

[codeforhope]

Hello... you've reached Chihiro Fujisaki. I apologize for missing you, but, um... please leave a message and I will get back to you as soon as I can.

[Beep!]

Comments

[codeforhope]

[It isn't very long before Chihiro responds, so Kirigiri won't be kept waiting.]

I'm here. Is everything okay, Kirigiri-san?

[freshprints]

Mm. That's some of the reason I'm calling.

Have you heard from Nanami-san lately?

[codeforhope]

Nanami-san...?

[Oh.

He tries not to think too hard about why Kirigiri might be asking, at least not yet. But he still can't help but feel that growing sense of dread that's gotten all too familiar lately.]

I haven't lately, no. But I know she likes to travel, so...

[...]

...have you?

[freshprints]

I've been trying to get in touch with her. We typically exchange pleasantries in the morning, at least a few times a week.

I haven't heard from her lately either, but I would suspect that if she were going somewhere, you would be the likeliest person that she would inform.

[codeforhope]

Yes...she would have.

[There's something of a pause before he sends anything else.]

How recently have you tried contacting her?

[freshprints]

Once a day for the past three days.

[codeforhope]

[Another pause. This one is significantly longer than the last, because now Chihiro is trying to contact her himself.]

I

she's not answering

[freshprints]

...I know.

I'd suspected as much, but I wanted to confirm.

[codeforhope]

[What a good thing that this is over text, that's all he can say.]

Thank you for contacting me.

[freshprints]

Will you...be all right? Are you with someone?

[codeforhope]

I'm not alone.

but I don't think I'm all right. not now

[freshprints]

...I understand.

I'm...sorry, Fujisaki-kun.

[codeforhope]

It's okay. It isn't your fault.

[...]

I just...hope she's okay. Wherever she is.

[freshprints]

...I hope you're right.

[codeforhope]

[The next pause is so long that it might seem like Chihiro isn't going to say anything else, but he does eventually reply again.]

I'll keep in touch with you, Kirigiri-san. I promise.