Koi ni Naritai AQUARIUM

Chapter 1: You's Realization

"You-san, are you alright? You were spacing out."

I was so focused in staring at Chika and Riko sitting together in a corner that I did not realize Ruby walking over to me. I was also in the midst of sewing a new outfit for our next live. Due to my carelessness, I accidentally pricked my finger with the needle. Ruby started to panic at the sight of the blood.

"Wa-wa-wa! You-san!"

Ruby's panicking attracted the attention of Hanamaru who was reading a book with Yoshiko. She quickly went to get the first-aid kit in the room to tend to my small wound. I told the two first-years it was just a small cut but they protested and applied a bandage on it. It was then Chika, my childhood friend, came over to check on me with a worried expression her face.

"You-chan…are you-?"

I quickly got up which surprised Chika. I refused to meet her eyes and just looked down on the floor.

"Sorry, but I will be leaving early today. Ruby, please take care of the outfits."

After putting down the half-sewed outfit, I quickly left the clubroom without looking back.

Instead of home, I found myself at the beach. Thoughts of Chika and Riko filled my mind and will not just disappear. Just thinking of the two of them together brought about an unknown feeling inside me.

Was this what people called jealousy?

I would be lying if I told myself that I never noticed. I was aware how strong Chika's presence and influence affected Riko. As her childhood friend, I knew what kind of person Chika was. Heck, I could proudly say I knew her better than her own family. Chika managed to get Riko to become a school idol and Chika was the one Riko who would come to her aid when she was in a slump. Yes, I knew all of this however all that was irrelevant.

Despite being close childhood friends, I was not the first one to come to Chika's side when she had that breakdown after our Tokyo performance. I had picked up on Chika's change in mood and asked about it. She had assured me she was fine but I knew that was not the case. I had wondered if she would tell me if I pulled her away from the rest and asked her again. However, I had accepted her answer then. I remembered when I saw Riko hugging and comforting Chika standing in the ocean together. I had no ill feelings towards Riko then as I saw her as a good friend and finally I could ask someone else to watch Chika so she would not do something dangerous or something else along those lines.

I did not expect Chika's feelings for Riko will become stronger. I noticed her staring at Riko when Aquors sat to eat together. I was surprised at how Chika was looking at the other girl. That was the first time I felt a sense of insecurity.

"You."

I turned to see Kanan walking over to me alone. She smiled at me as if knowing what exactly was wrong with me. Despite us being childhood friends as well, the both of us were closer to Chika than each other. Kanan then went to stand beside me.

"Chika is worried you know. She wondered if she did something wrong to make you act like that."

My eyes widened at Kanan's statement and I looked at the sand guiltily.

"S-sorry about that. I just felt the need to get out of there beca-.."

"It's because of Riko right?"

"So you knew?"

Kanan chuckled upon seeing the surprise tone in my voice.

"Everybody noticed but we decided to just keep quiet about it. Riko is already awkward with the affection Chika is giving her despite her being the one who confessed first. Chika told me. She didn't tell you?"

I shook my head slowly. Chika never kept secrets from me and I felt a little hurt that she told Kanan and not me. I was the one who joined her club first. I was the one who decided to help her first. I was the one who helped her because I wanted to make her dreams come true together. Not Riko. Not Kanan. Not her dog Shiitake but me, Watanabe You!

Just because they were neighbours…

"That is one dangerous look you are giving, You."

I looked at Kanan who was frowning at me.

"Sorry…I just don't know. Chika…"

It was then Kanan pulled me to a hug. I could feel the warmth and softness of her chest. Furthermore somehow it was comforting. Slowly, the feeling of frustration within in me disappeared however it came back when I heard a familiar voice calling out my name.

"You-chan…"

I saw Chika standing behind Kanan plus the rest of Aqours were not far away.

"Chika-chan?!"

I quickly pushed Kanan away from me. My sudden action and the force I put to the push made Kanan fell to the sand in surprise. Mari quickly rushed forward to help the blue-haired girl up. The rest of Aquors followed suit behind her. I just stared at Chika who seemed to be thinking hard of what to say. I must have looked quite depressed and lost to everybody else. They all looked worried and anxious to me. When Riko stepped forward and held Chika's hand, I instinctively clenched my fists. Kanan noticed it and shook her head. She mouthed 'calm down' to me which I did. Chika seem to see it as well as she looked afraid now. I never got angry with her in our years of friendship together. Chika and Riko walked over to me with hands held together.

"You-chan…"

"You-san…"

I knew what they were going to say. It would seem they broke the news to the rest already. I found myself unable to be there anymore. Before they could tell me, I ran away. I could hear them shouting my name.

"YOU-CHAN, WAIT!"

I could hear Chika shouting at me and I looked back to see her running after me. I saw her tripping on something and falling face flat on the sand. I stopped and wanted to help her but hesitated. Riko helped Chika up who was practically begging me to come back. I ignored it and continued running.

-To be continued-