Disclaimer: I do not own Citrus.
Chapter One:
Yuzu shifted, groaning in her sleep. She heard her alarm ringing loudly from her phone.
"Okay okay, shush." she moaned, impatiently slapping her phone. Squinting from the artificial light, Yuzu finally turned the annoying alarm off. Her hand snaked to the other side of the bed- Mei was gone, as usual. Mei always left earlier to go work on school stuff before school had started. Not to mention what had happened last night…
Yuzu quickly followed Mei's steps, pensive from the arguing. She hated seeing Mei like this. It hurt her more than it hurt Mei.
"Mei! We are only friends! Best friends… I do not love Harumi more than I love you!" she frowned, her heart racing. Mei, who had her back to Yuzu shook her head.
"That's not what I saw in the locker room." Mei simply said, looking back at Yuzu for a moment. Her amethyst eyes looked like they wanted to burst into tears, but Mei held her composure.
"I-It's not what it looked like! We were just playing around!" Yuzu explained, trying to get some empathy from Mei, who was already getting in bed for the night.
"Pinning someone down like that is not playing around. You should know of all people. Goodnight Yuzu." Mei snapped, ending the argument before she went to sleep.
Yuzu sighed, rubbing her puffy eyes. Crying at night was not good. Especially over Mei. For the next half hour or so Yuzu got ready for school. She dragged herself out of bed and made herself look presentable. Grabbing her bookbag and phone, Yuzu headed for the door.
"Goodbye Mama! Love you!" she yelled, seeing Ume sleepily walk out of her room. Ume smiled.
"Have a nice day!" she replied, heading for the bathroom.
Yuzu walked to school, dreading the day that was yet to come. It wasn't school in general that Yuzu wasn't looking forward to… it was Harumi and Mei. For the past month, Harumi and Mei have been having fights. Over Yuzu. Both of the girls wanted to have Yuzu all to themselves. Both went to extreme lengths, and it all ended up making Yuzu have more problems. The argument Mei and Yuzu had last night was a great example. 'When will this end? I don't know if I can take anymore…' Yuzu thought as she walked into the academy.
As Yuzu walked into the academy, she was soon surrounded by girls who were all wearing the same thing, going to the same destination. Nevertheless, Harumi easily spotted Yuzu.
"Yuzucchi! Over here!" Harumi smiled, waving. Harumi was by some lockers that were near the entrance. She had been waiting for Yuzu like she had done every day.
"Hey Harumi." Yuzu answered, keeping a straight face. Harumi quickly noticed, frowning.
"Is something wrong? You're missing the bright and energetic part of you that I usually see." Harumi said, trying to get Yuzu to look at her.
"Harumi, because of you Mei won't even look at me." Yuzu confessed, keeping her gaze on the ground. The two arrived at Yuzu's locker. Yuzu began to unpack her bookbag while Harumi stayed silent. Finally, Harumi thought of what to say and broke the silence.
"Well, what did I do?" Harumi asked, partially knowing what she had done. Yuzu clenched her fists, trying to stay calm.
"Mei walked in on us playing around in the locker room! And now she thinks we're dating!" Yuzu angrily whined, grabbing her things for first period. Harumi winced.
"So what if we're dating! The sentence has a ring to it.." Harumi fantasized for a second, softly smiling. Yuzu shook her head.
"What happened to us being best friends? You used to encourage me to try and get closer with Mei. Now, all of it has changed. Harumi, you two fighting is tearing me apart. I can't pick sides." said Yuzu while she walked to class. 'None of this is getting to her…' Yuzu thought, internally sighing. Harumi followed, snapping back to reality. "I am your best friend! Is it so bad that I want us to be something more…?" she softly asked, her voice becoming soft and silent at the end. Yuzu faced Harumi, who was blushing. "Not like this. Not now." Yuzu whispered, entering the class. The majority of the students were in class, ready to start the day.. Except for Mei and Himeko. Yuzu sat down, putting her notebooks on her desk. She saw Harumi do the same in her peripheral vision. 'Where is Mei..?' Yuzu thought, looking out the window. Her thoughts were interrupted when Mei and Himeko arrived, making their entrance dramatic. Girls drooled over Mei. Even the teacher seemed off-guard. Yuzu heard Harumi snarl behind her. Both of the girls sat down just before the bell rang.
First period flew by, with Yuzu trying to make eye contact or any contact with Mei. Himeko seemed to prevent any of that. When first period was done, Yuzu quickly headed for Mei, politely pushing girls out of her way.
"Mei! Can we talk!" Yuzu called out, a few feet away from Mei. Himeko suddenly came between the two.
"Ugh.. you again. Leave Meimei alone. She doesn't want to be associated with you. At all." Himeko smirked, her hands on her hips. 'Gosh… this annoying bit-'
"Himeko. Let's go." Mei said, not looking back as she walked into the hallway. Himeko happily obeyed. Both of the girls soon blended in with all the other identical students. Harumi walked up to Yuzu, a frown on her face.
"You see how she degrades you? Oh, nevermind her. Cheer up Yuzucchi, we can go shopping after school and get a bite to grab~" said Harumi, smiling softly. 'Is my old best friend finally back and trying not to seduce me?' Yuzu thought hopefully.
"Okay, but don't think that's gonna make me forgive you for what you did in the locker room." Yuzu replied, suppressing a smile.
Second period was much more enjoyable, since no one was in the class with Yuzu. Not Mei, nor Harumi. Yuzu could just relax...
"Yuzu! What have I told you about falling asleep in my class?!" Rika sensei yelled. Snapping up, Yuzu's eyes widened. She heard a few classmates chuckle in the distance.
"I-I'm sorry Rika sensei! It won't happen again! I promise!" Yuzu quickly babbled. Luckily for Yuzu, the bell rang, indicating that the class was over. She couldn't be reprimanded any longer- until tomorrow.
Third period was the worst out of all of them. 'Why does lunch have to include...everyone?' Yuzu groaned in her head. She headed to her locker, still bummed out about Mei. After putting her books in her locker, Yuzu headed to the cafeteria. All eyes went on her as she entered. That's how it always was. Yuzu's bright blonde hair never failed to grab everyone's attention. Harumi quickly bounced over, happier than usual. Yuzu heard Harumi start talking something about clothes or whatever… but Yuzu couldn't pay attention. Her eyes scanned the crowded room for Mei and Himeko.
"...So are you going Yuzu?" Harumi asked loudly, making Yuzu's attention revert to her.
"U-Uh what were you saying?" Yuzu nervously chuckled, rubbing the nape of her neck. Harumi angrily sighed. Without warning she grabbed Yuzu's face, putting it in front of hers… in front of everyone.
"Yuzu! Will you please pay attention to me?!" Harumi pleaded, her eyes glazed over with uncertain emotion. With wide eyes, Yuzu struggled to find words.
"Harum-"
"Ladies. Affectionate physical contact in school isn't allowed. Please refrain from doing it in the future." Mei snapped, keeping her composure calm yet cold. Himeko stood next to Mei, smirking softly. Yuzu shrieked, pulling Harumi off of her. 'When did she get here?!' Yuzu screamed in her head.
"I! W-We weren't doing anything like that! I promise!" Yuzu blushed softly. Any eye contact from Mei was enough to make her blush. Harumi sighed, rolling her eyes.
"Will you leave us alone Mei? We were just talking- until you interrupted." Harumi replied, her arms crossed. Mei's facial expression didn't change at all.
"That's irrelevant. You two were participating in contact that isn't appropriate for school. The next time I see it happen, both of you will be punished." Mei replied, her amethyst eyes piercing into Yuzu's soul. Mei turned and walked away before Harumi could come up with a sassy clapback. Himeko stood there smirking at Harumi and Yuzu for a second, then quickly followed Mei's steps. Yuzu walked to an empty table, her head down. She had lost her appetite. Harumi followed, sitting down next to Yuzu.
"Don't pay no mind to that stuck up bitch Yuzu… She's just jealous." Harumi hissed, glaring at Mei who was sitting across the room. Yuzu groaned. She was tired of the two fighting. Too tired.
"Harumi… could you just drop it? Why can't you two get along?" Yuzu buried her head in her arms.
"Because she hurts you! Look at what she just did- for no reason! Now you're all down in the dumps.." Harumi huffed, shaking her head. Yuzu slowly looked up at Harumi.
"Please? For me?" Yuzu softly asked, putting on puppy-dog eyes. Harumi looked into Yuzu's emerald orbs, thinking.
"Fine. But if one more thing happens, don't blame me." Harumi crossed her arms, closing her eyes.
The rest of the day was basically Harumi and Mei fighting back and forth with facial expressions. At one point Harumi was going to yell something at Mei, but Yuzu held her back. When school was over, Yuzu was exhausted. It was Friday, so Yuzu didn't have to worry about the two bickering for the next two days. She only had to worry about Mei at home. 'How can I get Mei to talk to me?' Yuzu thought, putting on her bookbag.
"Yuzu are we still going shopping after school? You said you wouuuuddd~!" Harumi smiled, pulling out her phone. Yuzu groaned.
"I'm sorry Harumi, but I just don't feel like it now. Maybe tomorrow or something, I just wanna be alone and sleep for a few hours." Yuzu replied, frowning. Harumi opened her mouth to argue- but decided to just let Yuzu rest.
"Alright, don't forget to text me though." Harumi softly smiled and quickly brought her best friend into a tight hug. Yuzu hugged back, closing her eyes. She melted in the embrace, ready to fall asleep.
"Well, see ya!" Harumi pulled away, breaking off the warm contact that Yuzu had been enjoying. Both girls headed their separate ways. Yuzu quickly walked home, not wanting to deal with anyone at the moment. 'Mama is at work, and Mei will be at school working… So I have the house all to myself.' Yuzu thought with a smile, walking faster.
A few blocks later and Yuzu made it. She took off her shoes, entering the empty house. Locking the door behind her, she quickly collapsed on the couch, putting her bookbag on the floor. She felt something uncomfortable under her. Digging under her body, Yuzu pulled out a stuffed bear that was pretty big in size.
"Oh-" Yuzu recognized the bear that Mei usually cuddled with.
"What are you doing here Kumagoro? You're usually at the kitchen table… Mei must've forgot to put you back." Yuzu softly said, talking to herself. 'Kumagoro smells like Mei…' Before Yuzu knew it, she was snuggling the stuffed bear, keeping it close to her body. A wave of tiredness and exhaustion hit Yuzu again, making the blonde pass out on the couch holding Kumagoro.
A few hours later Yuzu found herself being shaken awake. Softly moaning, she shifted, opening her eyes to find... Mei?
"M-Mei? What?" Before Yuzu could get a reply out of Mei, she felt the stuffed bear, Kumagoro, being snatched away from her.
"Kumagoro stays at the kitchen table. Do not touch him." Mei stated, putting the bear in a chair that was at the kitchen table and neatly tucking him in. 'Oh yeah… She's still mad at me..' Yuzu thought, making herself sit up.
"Listen Mei… I know you're still mad at me but can we just talk things out? You clearly misunderstood the situation. I'm not like that with Harumi. I promise." Yuzu said, her eyes on the ground. Silence filled the room. 'Say something… Anything!' Yuzu thought, looking up and around the room, only to find that Mei wasn't even in the living room. Mei had been in the girls' shared bedroom, getting ready for a bath. Yuzu clenched her fists. She was tired of trying to get Mei to forgive her.
Impatiently standing up, Yuzu stormed into the bedroom, her eyes on Mei the whole time.
"Can you even at least reply to me?! And why do you even care about what me and Harumi do? You don't love me anyways!" Yuzu hissed, trying to keep her voice down. Mei had her back to Yuzu, but even Yuzu could see Mei tense up. Mei put down some clothes she was preparing for her bath, and finally faced Yuzu. Mei's expression made Yuzu's anger shrink. It was anger mixed with... Something else Yuzu couldn't grasp. 'No… I'm not letting her intimidate me' Yuzu thought, clenching her jaw. But as soon as Mei started to walk towards Yuzu, her whole demeanor changed.
"M-Mei? What are you..?"