"Hey, Umi?"
Umi looked to Honoka, who wore a mature smile. It surprised Umi, seeing Honoka, her childish friend, have such an expression. Her smile was small, but it had expressed much more emotion than her usual wide grin. It made Umi's chest tighten. Why did it hurt so much?
"Kotori and I know more than anyone," Honoka began. Taking the archer's hands into her own. "That you tried your hardest out there, and we want you to know that we're proud of you, Umi."
Kotori pulled Umi into a tight embrace from the behind. "You were amazing out there, Umi." She said with a gentle voice. "You did absolutely nothing wrong."
Umi's jaw tensed. How could they be proud of her? She had failed to win, everyone put her faith in her, and she still failed. A lump in her throat formed. She had trained so hard, and yet it was all for nothing. Umi couldn't hit the last three targets, and now the Kyuudo team was eliminated from the tournament. She failed herself, her team, her parents, her friends, and her entire school.
So what did they mean she did nothing wrong?
Honoka joined in on the hug, wrapping her arms around both Umi and Kotori.
"Thank you." Honoka and Kotori said softly.
"B-But... I...!" Umi couldn't take it anymore; she felt as if her heart would burst out her chest. "I w-wasn't... I wasn't a-able to...-" Umi barely managed to say in-between sobs; warm tears rolling down her cheeks. She grasped at the hem of her skirt, gripping it like she'd die if she let go.
"Shhh... It's okay, Umi..." Honoka assured, patting the archer's head. "You gave it your all. That's all that matters. You made us all proud."
Kotori nuzzled her face into Umi's back, pulling her a little closer. "Honoka's right, Umi. Even making it to that tournament is an achievement on its own. Hold your head up high."
"I-I'm... sorry...!" Umi choked out, her voice weak and shaky, "I'm s-so so...rry! I l-let us all... down...!" Umi buried her face into Honoka's chest, and placed her hands onto Kotori's. She needed their support. She needed them to tell her it was okay.
"It's okay... you have nothing to apologize for, Umi." Honoka assured. She ever so slightly tightened the hold she had.
Umi didn't hold back any tears, and sobs or words. She knew they'd take it all away- All her guilt, anxiety and sorrow. They'd replace it all with warmth and happiness. Kotori and Honoka, the two she loved the most in the whole world.
Honoka and Kotori finally pulled away from the embrace.
"You feeling better, Umi...?" Kotori asked quietly, rubbing circles on her friend's back.
Umi sniffled and gave the two a slight nod, wiping the tears from her eyes with the sleeve of her blazer.
"You know, Umi," Honoka smiled, "If you are ever feeling down, Kotori and I will always be there for you!"
"Yeah, no matter what. So Umi, you can always come to us if you need to talk." Kotori added, moving beside Honoka.
Umi looked to the both of them. They smiled brightly at her, and Umi's breath was taken away. The two in front of her, she just- She loved them both so much. So much so that it almost hurt.
Without a moment's hesitation, Umi ran up to the two, tackling them both into a tight embrace.
"W-Woah, Umi-!" Before Honoka and Kotori could even react, they were already on the floor.
"I love you both of you," Umi buried her head between them and shouted. "I-I love both of you, Honoka, Kotori...!"
Kotori and Honoka exchanged glances before returning the hug. They warmly smiled at the girl in their arms.
"We love you too, Umi!"
Sometimes we forget that both Umi and Nozomi's hair is actually black.
Thank you for reading this. Feel free to review if you have any advice on how I can improve and what you thought about it.
I wanted to keep it short, I hope that's okay.