The bell tolled, signalling the end of the school day. Tidying away her things, Azusa chatted briefly with Ui and Jun. "So you have another training camp coming up, Azusa-chan?" Ui asked.
"Yeah. Next weekend once our break starts." Azusa replied. Swinging her bag over her shoulder, she bid farewell to her classmates and headed out. When she reached the Light Music Club room, she paused briefly. I'll bet anything they're gorging on tea and cake right now. Just once I'd like to walk in on them actually practicing. Opening the door, her suspicions were unsurprisingly confirmed. The seniors were indeed relaxing. "Hello." she said. Leaping out of her seat, Yui ran over and threw herself on the kouhai.
"Azu-nyan, I missed you." she chimed innocently.
Using what strength she had, Azusa shoved Yui away. "Seriously, Yui-sempai, you see me everyday after school. How can you say you missed me?"
"But our classes are so long and so far from each other. It's hard to focus without my Azu-nyan energy."
"What, I'm a recharge station now?" Azusa asked blandly. The other girls smiled at the scene.
"Come on, Yui-chan." Mugi called. "Your tea's gonna get cold." Pulling the kouhai with her, Yui headed back to her seat.
Azusa sighed as she sat down. It doesn't look like we'll be doing any practising today either. Looking around, she watched her sempais talking. How exactly do they expect to get to Budokan like this? I could probably count the number of times we've actually played music in here on one hand. It's ridiculous.
"Azu-nyan?" Looking at Yui, Azusa saw the brunette looking at her curiously. "Is everything okay?"
"Yeah, just thinking."
"Shall I hug you again to cheer you up?"
Azusa crossed her arms together in a big X. "No thanks." Yui pouted at this answer. Azusa couldn't help but smile a bit. I guess this is just how we are. Eventually, they finished slacking off and headed home. That night, Azusa lay in bed, thinking. How is it that we're able to put on such great performances without consistent practice? I just don't get it. She rolled over, and Yui popped into her head. And I really wish Yui-sempai would quit smothering me like that. Doesn't she know I hate it? Closing her eyes, her thoughts slowed as sleep approached.
The next day after school...
Azusa opened the clubroom door, and was greeted with a glomp from Yui. "Azu-nyan~" Dropping to a crouch, the kouhai ducked through the stranglehold and separated herself from her attacker.
"Please, Yui-sempai. I hate it when you do that." Turning away, she dumped her bag, but was tackled again by Yui.
"Come on, you don't mean that, Azu-nyan. I know you secretly love it." She nuzzled Azusa's face.
The catgirl struggled to pull free. "Yui-sempai, please let go of me."
"I think you actually want me to keep doing this. You want your beloved Yui-sempai to love you."
"Yui." Mio spoke up. "I think she really wants you to let go."
"Just a bit longer." Yui said, digging her cheek into Azusa's.
The kouhai was nearing her limit. I don't know how much more of this I can take.
"Azu-nyan~" Oblivious to Azusa's discomfort, Yui carried on. Holding her tightly, she let out happy noises.
The other girls could sense that something bad was going to happen. "Yui..."
Yui then said, "I love you, Azu-nyan", and planted a kiss on her head. That proved to be the straw that broke the camel's back.
"ENOUGH! YUI-SEMPAI! GET OFF OF ME!" Azusa screamed, shoving Yui away. Yui stumbled back, shocked at the outburst. "WHAT IS YOUR PROBLEM?! YOU ARE CONSTANTLY THROWING YOURSELF ON ME, AND I HATE IT! I AM NOT A STUFFED ANIMAL!"
"Azu-nyan... I only do it because I love you..."
Azusa's eyes blazed with rage. "LOVE ME?! WE ARE BOTH GIRLS! I DON'T LOVE YOU, I'VE NEVER LOVED YOU! I HATE YOUR BEHAVIOR, I HATE THAT NICKNAME! I HATE YOU! YOU THROW YOURSELF ON ME AT EVERY OPPORTUNITY, YOU NEVER BOTHER TO PRACTICE! YOU ARE EASILY THE WORST SEMPAI I'VE EVER MET, YOU USELESS, LAZY FREAK!"
"Azusa, I know you're upset, but isn't this a bit much?" Ritsu asked.
Azusa rounded on the others. "WHY ARE YOU TALKING?! YOU ARE ALL EVEN WORSE! EVERYTIME I COME IN HERE, YOU'RE STUFFING YOUR FACES WITH CAKE INSTEAD OF PRACTICING! I CAN'T BELIEVE I ADMIRED YOU ALL!" The kouhai stopped to catch her breath. Deafening silence filled the room for several moments.
"Azu-nyan..." Yui then said in a quiet voice. Looking back, Azusa saw tears pouring down Yui's face. "You hate me?"
When Azusa realized what she had said, she frantically tried to make amends. "Yui-sempai, I didn't mean any of that."
"Azu-nyan hates me..."
"I don't hate you. I was just upset." Azusa stepped towards Yui, who stepped back.
"She hates me..."
"No, I don't." Taking another step forward, Azusa reached out. "Yui-sempai, please."
Yui swatted Azusa's hand away. "Stay away from me!" She then ran out of the room.
"Yui-sempai, wait!" Azusa could only watch. "Yui-sempai..." She dropped to her knees, feeling numb.
"Well, you've certainly done it now, Azusa." Ritsu said.
"I know you were uncomfortable, but you really overreacted there." Mio pointed out.
"Yui-chan didn't mean any harm. You're just really special to her." Mugi added. Each sentence stabbed through Azusa's heart. Guilt and regret filled her entire body.
"What have I done?"