They were rivals since they found out that both of them had feelings for Itachi Uchiha. Mayu always thought she was the winner because she and Itachi were very, very close friends. And Izumi thought she was the lucky one because Itachi belongs to the same clan she did.

But, one day, after getting news from Tsunade that the Uchihas were in a mission, Mayu became really worried.

At first, she told herself it was because Izumi was there with Itachi, when she was the one supposed to be there!

That's it. I'm jealous. Jealous of… her.

(…)

When they got back from the mission, Mayu was so relivied to see them! Everyone was safe!

Izumi had a bright and wide smile. Mayu never thought about it, but it was really pretty.

- So, how was it? – she asked, trying to play it cool while Itachi was there.

- Awesome! My clan finally see how strong I am!

- And… how was it with Itachi?

- Oh, he was great too.

- No, that's not what I mean. How was… you two…?

- Ew, no. – Izumi rolled her eyes. – I only felt sort of an admiration for him, that's all. It was kinda of a silly crush when I was younger. He's all yours now.

- Oh. – she felt a relief. Izumi wasn't her rival anymore. Now Itachi was all hers…

But why does that sound so weird? Isn't this what she wanted?

(…)

The date with Itachi was awful. No, awful was only a euphemism. She felt so weird, like she didn't even belong there. But how?

She were always jealous of Izumi because she was always around Itachi. But when Izumi said she didn't have feelings for him, she felt so happy! This means she likes Itachi… right?

Or maybe… and just maybe… perhaps… all those feelings weren't for Itachi at all.

She needed to find Izumi as soon as possible.

(…)

Wasn't that hard: Izumi was at her favorite place, eating dangos.

- Hey, you! – Izumi said, smiling. – I thought you were on a date right now.

- Yeah, but, hm, things… didn't work out the way I have imagined.

- Oh. – she looked…. Worried? – Was he… a total jerk?

- Oh, no, he was fine. It's just… - she couldn't say yet. Her stomach was fluttering (butterflies?) and her heart was beating so fast, really fast. – I think I like someone else.

- Really? Who?

Mayu waited until her heart got back to normal again to continue:

- All this time… I thought I was jealous of you because I loved Itachi, but… what if… no… the trutg is I wasn't jealous because I like him. It's because I like you.

Izumi didn't say anything for a long time. Mayu was starting to think this was a bad idea, a terrible idea, when she heard Izumi laughing.

- It's not funny.

- Sorry, is just… you took so long to realize that? Oh, Mayu…

- Shut up! I shouldn't have said-

Izumi covered Mayu's mouth with her own and they kissed, softly and gently.

- Just for the record… I like you too.