My name is Nishikino Maki, second year at Otonokizaka Academy, and this is a continuation of my story. Although the real focus of this story is on that of my friends, third years, Sonoda Umi and Minami Kotori. After helping Hanayo and Rin form a relationship that went beyond the strong bond of friendship they had shared for years before, the summer seemed to both disappear in a flash and drag on relentlessly. Classes and activities such as our daily meetings for idol practice helped keep the days busy and my mind distracted. It wasn't the intense summer heat that seemed to be slowing things down, but instead my own thoughts when I did end up having time to myself. My own emotions and reasoning were causing a never ending struggle within me. One that had been there ever since Hanayo and Rin had gotten together because of my intervention. I wanted love, true love like theirs. I'm trying not to sound like some kind of romantic. I mean, I'm sure everyone wants this at some point in their life. The issue was that I was growing impatient, even though I normally tended to be the opposite… for the most par that is. I wanted love immediately, but I also knew that I had much more to focus on before I absorbed myself in such things, mainly my education. I knew it would most likely have to wait until after medical school that I focused on such things when they weren't as trivial as they would be in high school, yet… I was feeling more alone with every day that passed.

Whether eventually or suddenly, autumn did come. Nights began to grow longer, and the leaves on the trees were transforming from deep green to vibrant shades of orange, red, and yellow. Considering both the symbolism and reality of autumn, it seems a rather odd time for love to bloom and flourish, if not the opposite. Love did bloom that season though. Although it was neither my love or a love for me. It was once again love that I noticed while both of the involved struggled to understand one another's feelings. At least this time it would be easier than the situation with Hanayo and Rin… or so I thought.

As per our usual routine, we practiced our dances on the roof in the low but intense sun of the late afternoon. By the time we finished, it had just begun its descent behind the distant horizon of silhouetted skyscrapers and buildings. I shuddered softly and crossed my arms as a breeze passed through my shirt and sweat pants, already cool with the coming night. I was watching Umi, trying my best not to make these observations too noticeable. We had all noticed a change in her demeanor a few days before that one, and it only seemed to be growing worse. We decided that evening, it was time to confront her and do our best to at least coax something out of her. Considering that it was Umi, I figured it would be hard to get even that. Surprisingly, she cracked almost immediately… actually, I think it would be better to describe it as an eruption. We all stood around her as she sat against the wall, sobbing uncontrollably, the last of the dying light warming her. Many of our hands were placed on her shoulders, knees, and even her head for comfort, but she struggled to get anything out. "Come on, come on, come on, Umi-chan…" Honoka pouted, sympathetic tears filling her eyes. Seeing both of her closest friends looking so hurt, Kotori began to weep softly and quietly. In a way, I was glad she did. Something about having both of them hurt by the silence and confusion finally made Umi open up, and what spilled out of her shaking mouth was something I honestly never expected to be the cause of her grief.

"I...I-I'm already a third year…"

"Is that what's been on your mind?" Kotori asks softly and sniffled.

"I understand. We don't have much longer here. That's why we need to make the best of it," Honoka assured her.

"A-and," Umi suddenly continued, " I've never been in a relationship… n-not once. I haven't even come close. Isn't high school the time for relationships?"

"…What? That's really it? You of all people are having some kind of emotional breakdown because of this?" I huffed out in fake annoyance, my cheeks growing red. I wasn't one to bash her considering my own circumstances, but I didn't want any of them to know of my struggles. "It can wait, can't it?"

"What if I've already missed out on finding the love of my life? I feel like it's already too late," she gasped out, her sobs dissipating as her voice grew weak.

"Too late? Are you kidding me?" I growled. I wanted both to slap her and hug her, my thoughts on the entire ordeal completely mixed and making me even more confused about my own issues. "Does your soulmate really have to be in high school with you? They could be anywhere."

"Maki-chan is right you know, nya," Rin chimed in.

"Mhm, it'll be worth the wait to find your true love," Hanayo added. Suddenly Umi's eyes ignited with fury and both her lips and eyebrows quivered with anger.

"As if you two can even talk! You're only second years and you already have an absolutely perfect relationship."

"S-s-sorry," Hanayo muttered, burying her head into Rin's shoulder.

"It'd be better to wait until after high school anyways," I assured her. "People move on and go about their lives." I looked back to see both of the two lovers giving me a rather disgusted glare. "Yes, I know," I huffed. "You two are an exception."

"It's not just that," Umi continued, her voice weak and shaking again. "If I can't find someone now… if I haven't found someone this whole time… then I never will. No one wants to be with me."

"That's a complete lie, Umi-chan!" Honoka burst out. Kotori was the next to step up. She leaned down on her knees before Umi, grasping both of her hands in her own.

"Umi-chan, you would make a perfect girlfriend to anyone. Not only are you one of the most beautiful girls to ever exist with an equally perfect body, but you have such a wonderful personality to go along with it. Knowing you, I'm sure you'd be the most dedicated and loyal of girlfriends too."

"K-Kotori!" Umi gasped softly, her cheeks growing red as the two gazed into one another's golden eyes, Umi's a richer almost amber shade. It was at this moment as I looked on in admiration that I saw a connection between the two of them, one that went much deeper than the friendship they shared. It was suddenly so obvious that I was sure they both knew it too, but of course they didn't. They were both confused. After a moment their eyes darted away from one another's. "Then why does no one want to be with me?" Umi huffed, pulling her hands away from Kotori's loving grasp.

"Well… I don't want to sound harsh, but, um, I think if you were a more social person, and actually got out more then maybe other's would realize. There's also your issues with your own self-confidence," Kotori muttered, her eyes darting down shamefully as she finished.

"I won't be going in search of anyone. If someone wants to be with me, they'll have to come to me. It's simple really," Umi grumbled out, her lips becoming thin as she struggled to hold back both pain and anger. Kotori opened her mouth to speak but quickly shut it, hesitating a moment as she thought of what to say and how to say it.

"…They'd be nervous asking someone so perfect, you know."

"Yes, Kotori, I get it, but I have issues. I can't just blatantly tell someone that I'm attracted… well, want to be… am interested in perhaps being in… see? I can't even say it now!"

"Umi-chan, you don't have issues. I just got done saying that you're perfect."

"Yes I do! I would be with someone otherwise!"

"Umi-chan, please." As they bantered, their connection seemed even more obvious than before. Kotori was explaining her feelings towards Umi at every chance she received, but Umi didn't seem to realize that what and who she wanted was right in front of her. I wondered if I was really the only one who could see it. How was it not obvious to them and the other girls? One thing that I did know was that Kotori had affections towards Umi. It was just hard to tell whether or not Umi shared them… yet that is. She would eventually. I'd have to talk to both of them, individually of course. Embarrassing both of them would get me nowhere. Kotori had to work the next evening. I could talk to her then.

After their 'argument' had reached its end, and Umi was at least in a slightly better state than she was before, we all began to pack our things and get ready to head home. Both Hanayo and Rin stayed behind, eager to speak with me. "You saw it too, didn't you?" I asked, leaning against the railing and looking down at the long, dark shadows it created on the rooftop.

"We both did," Hanayo assured me.

"I kind of wish Honoka would've stayed behind too, nya. She seemed as clueless as them. I'm sure she'd want to know."

"It's better that she doesn't know. She's… bad at keeping secrets and would only end up making things awkward for both of them. Let's try our best not to tell her," I warned them.

"You're going to help them just like you helped both of us, right?" Hanayo asked, clasping her hands together, a pleading look on her face." I responded with a sigh.

"I'm not some kind of matchmaker for idols and high school students, you know." Of course I wanted to help them though, even if I seemed reluctant. It may not have involved myself or my love at all, but somehow the satisfaction, the drive of getting two people together seemed to be a similar sensation to doing it for yourself. Although I couldn't really say that considering I had never experienced anything like it before. That sensation quickly died out when the two were together and you were left alone. They deserved to be together though. I knew that much. At least it would keep me distracted for a while.

"Please, Maki-chan! Please, nya!" Rin cooed.

"Please," Hanayo followed softly.

"Okay, okay, fine. I'll see what I can do."

Suddenly, I was in Rin's grasp. "Nyaaaa!"

"Thank you so much, Maki-chan," Hanayo said with a soft nod, a slight grin on her face.

"Of course. I'll talk to Kotori tomorrow." As we made our leave, the sun finally disappearing as the cool night overtook it, I promised myself I'd find someone. I knew I would. I just needed to distract myself until then. Besides, just as I said to Umi, it would be better if it happened later in life. Just not too much later.