Authors note: There is a reason for bold words and thoughts in italic, and it is not just aesthetic. Interpret it in your own way. If you have any questions, feel free to PM me. Form of the story will be explained in Chapter II. My apologies for any grammar mistakes.

There is always more than meets the eye.

Attention: MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS - Being set during Vol7Chap39, scene and dialogue are authentic to manga, only Keiko's thoughts are my fiction. Chapter II is/going to be purely fictional.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything, and I made no profit of this story.

Chapter I

"I hope it goes well for her."

I can't even look at her. Her words or something... Something hurts. I want to open my mouth and...

"... H-Hey, I was thinking that maybe I'll accept some chocolates this year after all..." So easy to say but...

Why did I say that? What am I hoping for? I think I've done quite enough. Or...

I feel tension around us. That uncomfortable feeling, we've been here before. I would walk away. I would sleep it all away. She turns to me, but I still can't look at her.

"I'm not giving any, though." Wait...

... Nothing. I've done nothing.

"WHA-?!" I bite myself before it's too late. Maru finishes it, though.

"Here, Maru-chan, for you!" she flashed that beautiful smile of hers, as she gave chocolate to our friend. Maru looks as uneasy as I am, but accepts it without a word.

"WHAT'S UP WITH THAT?! WHY AM I THE ONLY ONE BEING LEFT OUT?!" I shouted. Had I right to? I was left out. They...

You left me out. I'm fine with that. I deserve no better.

"You see... It's because this isn't a friendship chocolate. That's why I can't give it to you, Sanjou-san." I feel pain. I can't move. I can't speak. There is something irritating my eyes. I remember it from elementary school...

But it's meant for me, right?

"Alright, I'm going to get one from the convenience store, so wait a bit. It's going to be a proper friendship chocolate." And just like that, she went away. I merely watched her disappear. Why couldn't I say that? Why couldn't I tell her that I know everything, that I...

Because it's too late. I slept way too long to realize on time that I...

"Ah-" I hear myself sigh. It was more like a gasp for air, somehow, it became difficult to breathe. I want to leave, but I can't. I'm stuck.

"Sumizome was troubled all this time because you were both girls, but she didn't know what to do... You should give a straight answer." Maru said, visibly saddened. To give her a straight answer?

You are far too late.

"I-" It began. The flow that overtook me. Images flashed before my eyes. Memories I would never forget.

When I saw her for the first time.

When we talked for the first time.

When we touched for the first time.

When I 'saved' her.

And then, for the first time, I recalled everything. Every time she came to me, everything she said.

How badly I hurt you, Sumizome?

"I STILL WANT TO STAY FRIENDS WITH HER!" Lie. What a horrible lie. I know what I want now, but it's too late. I broke her. And myself. There was absolutely no way I could see her as friend again.

She deserves better. I'll help her. I...

My chest hurt badly. Something inside was falling apart. I'm fine with that... Be yourself Keiko. Be...

"Yeah, I think that's fine too. I also want us four to stay together." I heard Maru say, with comforting smile. You are wrong. Nothing will ever be fine. She may be, but I... Now I know that I...

I'll never be fine again.

If she finds someone else I would...

"I bought the chocolate!" Her voice made my heart skip a beat. Or two. Maybe... Maybe it stopped. I face her and take the gift she was giving to me.

"Oh thank... WAIT, A 10-YEN CHOCOLATE?!" She smiled with a saddest smile that I ever saw. All because of me. Yet, I'm being rude and complain. Why am I of all people...

Disappointed?

I disappointed everyone and everything. I disappointed myself too. I was blind. But...

Is it fair to recognize the true value of something only after you loose it?

"Oh, don't you go complaining now Keiko!" Thank you Maru. You couldn't say it better. I changed completely in 5 minutes. I'm turned upside-down. I'm...

Devastated.

Now I see everything. I feel everything. And most of it, if not all, hurts. It was symbolic.

Friendship between me and Sumizome would be and is like a 10-yen chocolate. Short, more bitter than sweet and most of all... Almost without any value. Because we are not meant to be friends. I can't be friends with someone...

I love... I love her.

Without a single word, I turn and run away. The only thing I did... For all this time. Last thing I saw were their faces. They had disbelief and worry written all over them. She looked as she was about to cry.

Why?

Tears. I was crying. Something pierced my ears. They were calling for me, but nothing ever reached me. I need to get away.

"Don't go after me." I whisper. I'm moving as fast as sound, no, faster, as light, no, even... Faster... As fast as I...

'Thank you, Sanjou-san'

I want to go away. Far away. I don't care where. Just far, far away. I want to disappear.

I thank you for your time. Feel free to review, it would help me in some way, considering this is my first fanfic.

I hope that Keiko and Sumizome are going to end up together in both manga and anime. Vol7Chap39 made me cry. Too slow Keiko, too slow...

Until next time. Hopefully, story will be updated until the end of July. I don't promise anything though.