Hello again everyone! Thanks for the nice reviews, really meant a lot to me! Each one filled me with DETERMINATION!... that's an Undertale reference... Anyways, I figured that I should establish a nice handful of chapters for this fic early so that I can try to gain a following for it, that way if updates become slower I'll always feel obligated to keep posting until it's finished.

Also in this chapter is a small guest appearance from a character we all know (and love?) in the form of a cameo, so enjoy!

Chapter 2: The Closet Door Is Unlocked

I woke up that morning with an alien feeling in my chest. It almost feels natural, but it also feels like it doesn't belong. Oh, hold on.

It's infatuation.

Ha! I freakin' said it (in my head)! That was my first step. Last night I had thought up a bunch of steps for this new saga in my life, a bucket list of sorts. This was the first item on said list to be checked off. Next, however, was...

Telling someone.

Who were my options? Definitely not my family or Homura, that's for sure. Though I'm not entirely sure if Momo understands the moral aspects of homosexuality, and even if she did, I'd rather not risk anything that may make my parents suspicious or ruin our relationship. That leaves Madoka, a likely candidate who has all the qualities of a listener, but would her innocent mind be able to handle this? Maybe.

Lastly there was Sayaka. She was the person I was leaning towards most just cause she'd be the one with the most open and knowledgable mind besides Madoka. Though if I end up asking her for help I'd feel really selfish. I know that Saya is the type of person who'd love to hear me out if it made me lighten up a bit, but then what about her romance troubles?

Here's a little history lesson for all of you's: once upon a time, in a middle school far down the road, little Sayaka Miki developed a huge crush on her childhood friend, Kamiji— no, Kamigo. Kamija? Kamihameha?... We'll just call him Limp Dick for namesake.

Ok, so young Sayaka falls madly in love with Limp Dick and he's absolutely oblivious to it, yet despite him being a clueless idiot, he happens to be a violin prodigy. To make things worse for her, her second childhood friend, Hitoji... Hitmoi... Hitmon-chan... her second childhood friend, Seaweed Head is also madly in love with Limp Dick, so now they're caught in a tug-of-war of affection. The catch, Limp Dick was in a terrible accident in which his hand was injured so badly that he can't currently play violin.

So now Sayaka is constantly trying to get him to notice her, which sucks since I think he likes Seaweed Head more, even after all the sweet things Saya has done for him since his hospitalization.

The gist is that I don't want to impose and seem all mellowdramatic when Sayaka has it much worse than me and never complains about it. In fact, she refuses to admit to us that she likes Limp Dick. Though, and this is just a thought, maybe opening up to her will open her up to me, that way we can both get a load off our chests.

It may just work.

So that day at school, I slipped a note into her bag. It read:

Yo Saya,

Can we go meet up somewhere after school and talk? I have a confession I'd like you to hear out.

Sincerely,

Kyoko the Great

Now you may be wondering, why use a note when I could simply text her? Well the answer is because that's just how I roll! Imagine the effect that a physical note will have compared to a boring ol' text. Much more emphasis is added this way!

And now I wait... any second now... any minute now... sometime today Saya—

"Alright class, today's lesson is..." Damnit, this is taking forever! Can't we just skip the context and get to the climax? I guess not.

Twenty minutes drag by as my mind erodes in thought. I try doodling on my paper but I lose interest fast. Then I have an idea. I turn my notepad to a blank page and begin writing. By the time I put my pencil down I'm staring at my "bucket list."

Kyoko's Bucket List of Romance

1. Acknowledge my feelings X

2. Confess to Saya

3. Get Saya to confess to me

4. Send secret letter to Homes

5. Spend extra time with her

6. Confess to her

7. Hold hands

8. Hug

9.

I put a lot of thought into the steps, yet I hesitated to write down what I had in mind for number nine. It was the pinnacle of all romance stories, the final act that sealed the deal on a high school relationship. And so I wrote:

9. Kiss

I wrote it! Achievement unlocked: Kyoko's got spine! I was feeling kinda proud of myself for writing that until it hit me. I sent a note to Sayaka. Why!? I need to get that note before she reads it! I'm not ready! I can't do this!

I peer my eyes to the right and notice the folded piece of notebook paper on her desk.

Oh CRAP! Now she's expecting me to confess to her! Ohmygosh! What've I done!? Why is my heart beating so fast? Why is my hand shaking!? I shouldn't have rushed this, I should've paced myself! Now I'm gonna be forced to tell Saya everything!

Or maybe I can tell her anything.

That's it, I'll just make up some lie and everything will be ok! No problem.

So what do I tell her?

This question haunted me from first block to lunch, and by then it was too late. What would I tell Saya if she confronted me during lunch!? When me and Homura arrived at the roof for lunch, only Madoka was there.

"Hey Madoka, where's Saya?" I asked.

She looked up at me and smiled. "Hi Kyoko-chan. Hi Homura-chan. Sayaka-chan said she had to use the restroom, so she'll be here soon."

Alright, convenience has bought me more time to think. "Ok then, let's eat!" So we sat down, ate our lunches and talked the normal gibberish. The only difference was that Sayaka yet to show up. Then without thinking: "I'm gonna go find Sayaka. I'll be right back."

I stood up and started towards the door. Homura called behind me "Make sure she didn't fall in."

Madoka shuddered and put on a worried expression. "Don't say such horrible things, Homura-chan!"

"Sorry," she said back to Madoka, making me chuckle a little bit before entering the school building.

I made my way through the hallway and arrived at the girl's bathroom. Reaching for the door handle, my heart started hammering in my chest. By the time my hand was clutching it, I was too afraid to open it. Inside was Sayaka, the girl who was most likely avoiding me.

Using every ounce of courage I could muster, I pushed through the door. Upon entering I saw two girls washing their hands and one closed stall at the end of the room.

She must be inside that stall.

I trudged past the two girls at the sinks and stood in front of the stall. On the other side... on the other side was Sayaka. My hand was trembling as it neared the door. Without giving myself time to think, I knocked on the stall three times.

"Yes?" Said a voice from inside the stall.

"S-Sayaka, you ok in there?"

An awkward silence filled the air for a few seconds. Then, the person inside the stall spoke up: "Who's Sayaka?"

Eh? "Are you not Miki Sayaka?" I asked the mystery person.

"No, my name is Mami."

You've got to be kidding me. I stood in place for a few seconds, completely dumbfounded. "Oh, um, I-I'm sorry to have bothered you then." This was a waste of time. The two girls that were washing their hands now stared at me as I walked pat them for the second time. I said sarcastically to them "Guess I had the wrong address," then exited the restroom.

I returned to the roof and there was still no sign of the bluenette. I couldn't tell if my note had scared her off or if she legitimately had something else to tend to. Whatever the reason, it's making me anxious.

"Did you not find Sayaka-chan?" Madoka asked as I retook my seat next to her and Homura.

I grabbed the last of my taiyaki and plopped it into my mouth. "Nopp, she washn't in the reshtroom." I replied as I chewed on my food.

"Do you think she was called to do student council work?" Homura asked, holding a roll of sushi in between her chopsticks.

"That's probably it," Madoka said, a look of relief washing over her face, "and she's probably eating with them too."

"Makes sense." Homura said, holding out her chopsticks to offer me her sushi roll.

I smiled warmly at her. "Thanks Homes."

The sushi was delicious.

Sayaka was in her desk when we got back to class. I waited until school let out and proceeded to exit the main building, only Saya had disappeared from her desk before I could approach her. When I asked Madoka, she said 'Sayaka had to meet her family somewhere.' I sighed, feeling almost relieved that I didn't have to confess my feelings to her yet.

Homes, Madoka and I left school together. Madoka separated from us halfway through our walk, leaving the two of us alone together. I tried to think of something funny and witty to say. Something about politics maybe? Or possibly movies? Who am I kidding, Homura doesn't watch movies—

"Wanna come over to my place and work on tonight's homework?" Homura asked, cutting off my train of useless thought.

"Your place? U-uh sure, sounds good." It wouldn't be the first time I visited Homura's pad, but it'd be my first time since the "Infatuation Situation" (yes, that's what I named it) started last week. Even so, I can't say no. This is a chance to get closer to Homes that I cannot let slip away.

We arrived at her apartment moments later. She let me into her tiny one bed-one bath and motioned me towards the couch in the center of the living room. I sat down and started unloading my homework when Homura threw her bag off and walked towards her room. "I'm going to change out of my uniform. Be right back."

Homura disappeared behind her bedroom door, leaving me bewildered. Homura is undressing on the other side of that wall. All that's between me and her is thin, hard plaster, and on the other side she was...

My imagination kicked into third gear. I imagined her unbuttoning her shirt and slowly removing her skirt from her legs, exposing her underwear. I The thought made me feel ashamed of myself, honestly. In my mind her legs were long while her stomach lean and delectable. I felt my fang dig into my lip.

Before my fantasies have been innocent daydreams of the two of us doing mushy things you'd see in a romcom, but this was a new level of perversion. These thoughts were taboo. It had taken a lot of courage to start pursuing this forbidden desire, but to mentally undress my best friend made me feel dirty.

Yet I... I want to do those kinds of things, don't I? Have I always been this perverted?

I think I'm gonna be sick.

That's when Homura came back into the living room wearing light brown short-shorts and a thin white top. I'd be lying if I said she didn't look sexy in it.

She walked past me and entered her kitchen area, took out a bag of pretzels from a cabinet, and came over and sat next to me on the couch. I started blushing when she offered me the bag. "Hungry?"

Hungry for you, I thought to myself as I took a handful of pretzels. Before I could toss one into my mouth, Homura placed her hand on my shoulder, causing me to jump. I looked up into her eyes and froze. Her pitch black irises drilled into my red ones. I was starting to feel dizzy.

She put on a serious expression and didn't break eye contact. "Kyoko, you've been acting strange lately. Is there anything you want to talk about?" Homura said, making me blush.

It took me a second to regain my footings. "W-what do you mean? I feel just fine and dandy."

"Not at all. You've been spacing out a lot and you haven't been as energetic lately. What's wrong?"

Holy crap am I that obvious!? And here I thought I was a decent actor. Now what do I say? I can't just tell her well I got this big thing for you and daydream about you in your underwear. I mean I could, but I'd rather not.

Homura's serious look dissipated into concern. "Did something happen at home?"

"No!" I yelled, accidentally startling Homura. I took a second to calm myself down. Deep breaths. Deep breaths. "Sorry. I didn't mean to scare you, but there's nothing wrong at home."

She rubbed my shoulder with her hand, making my blush intensify. "Then what is it? I'll listen to whatever you have to say."

I wasn't kidding when I said she was my best friend. We bonded a lot over the weeks in school, and after some time we started hanging at each other's houses. Then the one time I invite her out to get some food, I enter the Infatuation Situation (the name shall stick). Where I started picking up on her various monotoned expressions she started reading my... whatever I have. Fangs? Sure lets go with that.

Anyways, I was terrified of the situation. Homes wasn't going to be bought off by some half-wit lie, and lying to her would only make things more complicated. So, I decided to put my foot down in the most polite and gentle manner possible:

"Homura, thanks for thinking about me, but I'm dealing with a personal issue right now." I mustered the most genuine smile of my life. "Everything is gonna be fine, don't worry about it."

She still looked concerned. "Are you sure it's nothing you can talk about?"

I placed my hand on top of the hand on my shoulder and moved it to the couch. Her fingers intertwined with mine. "Trust me. It's just hormonal teenage stuff. It'll pass with time."

I regretted saying those last few words immediately as they escaped my mouth, but they did their duty. Homura's worried look changed to a comforting smile. "Ok then. We should get started on our homework now." Her smile quickly faded and was replaced by her normal deadpan expression.

"Sounds good to me," I said, clicking lead out of the tip of my pencil. Even though the conversation had ended on a good note, I felt conflicted about my words 'pass with time.' Even though this is likely to happen in the future, I don't know if I want it to stop.

If I am to speak honestly, I feel alive. These emotions of affection and desire don't make me want to hurt myself or jump off a cliff like most teenage diaries would have you believe. I almost feel inspired. No, more like I'm seriously determined for the first time in my life.

Right now my only goal is to make the girl whose hand I'm holding my girlfriend... Wait a minute. I've been holding Homura's hand... Homura's small, tender hand, with her fingers wrapped around mine...

HALLELUJAH! MERRY CHRISTMAS! HAPPY HANUKKAH! HAPPY BIRTHDAY NEIL PATRICK HAR—

"K-Kyoko? You can let go of my hand now." If I wasn't blushing before, now I looked like I had a mustache made out of my hair, if that makes any sense. I instantly retreated my hand back to my person and shifted my focus back to the homework laid out before me.

"U-um, sorry about that. Forgot my hand was on your... hand." The highlight of my day was slowly reviving the awkward atmosphere that had just subsided.

Fortunately it didn't last long. Homura was quick to forget about it, so we finally started on our homework.

I got home at around 6:30 p.m. By then mom had already returned home from work and Momo had been picked up at church.

Let me explain: mom works normally from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Dad works most days of the week at the church. When school lets out, Momo and I are to walk home and wait for mom, but since the church is really close to our house I can go out with my friends after school and Momo can wait at the church with my dad for an hour until mom picks her up. When she was sick dad had to go to work later in the day so that he could take care of her until I got back from school at 3:10.

I took a seat next to Momo on the couch. She was licking a blue popsicle – her favorite snack – when she leaned her head on my shoulder like the adorable sister she is.

"Hey Nee-chan, how was your day?" she asked with the popsicle in her hand.

I wrapped my arm around her figure and started channel surfing on the TV with my left hand. "It was pretty cool. Me and Homes hung out and did some homework after school, so that was fun."

She chomped down on the top of her popsicle, causing her to shiver. "How is Homura-nee doing?"

"She's the same as always. You know, deadpan, monotoned, emotionless." I wish I had more adjectives to describe her one trademark expression, but I'm too lazy to check a thesaurus. "Anyways, how was your day, sis?"

She took her mouth off her popsicle. "It was ok, but..." so you guys may be wondering how me and Momo are related. Well, you're about to see a real resemblance in our personalities.

Momo sat straight up on the couch. "That dang Hiro-kun decided it'd be a real grand idea to plant tacks on the teacher's chair, so that BAKA ended up getting a good scolding by Mr. I'm-Too-Good-Looking-To-Care-Teacher!" She took another large bite of her popsicle and shivered. "And then Shiro-chon go' all pouthi abot that dumb ol' Tanaka-BAKA guy," she swallowed the flavored ice in her mouth, "during lunch! I swear she has the worst taste in men!..."

She went on for another five minutes, so I'll spare you the gory details. Even so I sat by idly, patted her head, and said the occasion 'mhm' and 'I hear ya sis.' Long story short, she had a pretty good day. Ironic right?

That's when mom came in from upstairs and repeated the question Momo had asked when I walked in. "Hi honey, how was your day?"

I decided it best to keep things short. "In a nutshell, pretty uneventful, but no complaints. Three stars."

"I see, glad to hear that Sweetie." She gave me a hug from behind and kissed my head. "Think you can help me get started on dinner?"

I knew she wanted something from me, but I obliged anyway. We started cooking the food while Momo volunteered to set the table.

By the time dad arrived from work at the church, the square table was already set with the curry I had chosen. I told you guys I liked spicy food, so when mom let me choose dinner I went with the hottest stuff we had.

Dad came in and threw his tie onto the kitchen counter and plopped down into a chair at the table. "Man I am starving. How about you two? I'm sure Kyoko is as hungry as I am."

I gave him a tiny kiss on the cheek as I proceeded to my seat next to him, mom and Momo doing the same. "You know I am, papa."

"Heh, that's what I thought," dad said as we all took our seats. Dad's right hand took ahold of mine and his left took ahold of mom's, who had seated herself on the other side of him. I used my free hand to take Momo's. "Shall we say grace?"

We all bowed our heads and closed our eyes as dad began the meal prayer. I ignored it. Not because I had lost faith, but because I said my own secret prayer in my head. It went something like this:

Dear God. You've probably already abandoned me for my sins, but that shouldn't mean my family should be punished for the path I've chosen to take. So if you would please look after them in my place, it'd be very much appreciated. Thanks.

"Amen!" We all said in unison.

That night I texted Sayaka. I was going to make perfectly sure that tomorrow she wouldn't allude my grasp. She finally replied after about twenty minutes.

Sry i didnt 2day sumthing came up tmrw 4 sure

Ok. Time for mental preparation. Tomorrow I was going to tell Sayaka everything. I was going to tell her about the Dragon's Keep, the Infatuation Situation, and the fantasy I had about Homura's body... ok, maybe not that last one, but I'll tell her the rest, that way I can have a clear conscience, and perhaps a wingwoman.

When the next day reared its ugly head, I started my journey to school. I figured that if I got there early enough I could have an audience with Sayaka before class.

As fate would have it though, I ran into Sayaka and Madoka on my way. I hesitantly joined up with them.

"Hey Madoka, hey Saya. How's life?"

I had apparently scared the living daylights out of Sayaka because she flinched upon hearing my voice. Madoka, however, was quick to return my greeting with her own.

"Good morning, Kyoko. I'd say life is great! Wouldn't you Sayaka-chan?"

Sayaka stuttered when she spoke up. "Y-yes, of course! Life's always been great!" Wow, she was even more nervous than I was. Regardless, we all continued on our way to school, eventually picking Homura up along the way.

When we got to class, I immediately sat down and texted Sayaka When can u and i talk? It wasn't even a minute I received her answer:

After schul ends

Alright, I have until the end of the day to reenforce my nerves. Today I am confessing all my emotions to Sayaka... today I am confessing all my emotions to Sayaka... today I am confessing all my emotions to Sayaka.

I'm about to confess all my emotions to Sayaka!

I had waited all day for the next few moments of my life. We barely said a word to each other at lunch, and besides those few words we were practically in a cold war.

Finally the bell rang it ugly tone and all of Mitakihara High's students gunned for the exit. I stayed in my seat for a minute before Homes guided me out of the room. When we finally left the classroom, I saw Saya walking towards me.

Oh man, I'm not ready! I'M NOT READY! SAVE ME GHANDI!

Then, like the sneaky chick she is, Sayaka demanded that presence in the classroom on official student council orders. This ploy allowed me to separate from Homes without any unnecessary lie. Good idea Saya. We may just get out of this alive yet.

But now me and Sayaka are alone in the classroom. She closed the door behind her as I took a seat on top of the desk nearest to me. A heavy, awkward atmosphere was what ensued for the next couple of seconds.

"So," Sayaka said, breaking the silence, "you have a confession to make?"

Suddenly my heart started to beat faster. Holy crap, I'm actually doing this. I'm about to confess to Sayaka!... Wait a minu—

"Kyoko, we've known each other a long time," I don't think I like where this is going, but I'll play along anyways, "and you're one of the best friends I've ever had."

I really should stop her. "What are you saying Sayaka?" But I just can't help myself. "Am I not good enough? Do I offend!?"

"No!" She shouted. "That's not it! That's not it at all!"

"Oh good cause I like Homura."

I will never, ever, never ever forget Sayaka's face until the day I die. She shot straight up, widened her eyes, dropped her jaw, and let out a weird "Waahioteeewhat!?" She almost sounded disappointed.

"You like Homura-san!? When did that happen, Kyoko?"

"I don't know, few days ago. Possibly a week."

"But I, you, gay, how, HOMURA!?" She could only form abstract thoughts. "How do you of all people like Homura!?"

Then I started to feel my throat swell up again. Why were words so hard to say when they weren't in a comedic context?

Sayaka noticed this too and put on a concerned look. "Kyoko? Are you ok?"

I felt the heat rising to my cheeks. I didn't know what to say anymore. My mind was drawing blanks, and whenever it drew something it was a crappy scribble. My brain went into panic mode and I attempted to escape. "I-I just w-wanted to get that off my chest," I hopped off the desk and edged towards the door, "so I'm gonna go—"

"Oh no you're not!" She slammed her hand on my desk. "We are going to talk about this, and we're going to talk about it now!" There was an unexpected fear of Sayaka building in my soul. What is this conversation turning into?

"A-actually I think I left the oven on this morning—"

"Sit. Down. Now!"

Suffice to say, I was back in the desk within seconds, and with a newfound phobia of the color blue. Sayaka stood over the desk with her arms crossed and stared at me. I refused to look up and meet her eyes out of fear for my own sanity.

After what seemed like an eternity, Sayaka finally broke the silence. "So you have a crush on Homura-san?"

I nodded, still refusing to look at her. Sayaka went quiet for a minute, prompting me to steal a glance at her face, only I kinda wish I didn't. She had this big stupid grin stretching from one ear to the other and was on the verge of laughing. I thought she'd explode any second.

I felt my right eye twitch at the sight. "S-Sayaka?"

Then she exploded. Not literally, but figuratively. I jumped out of the desk and started strangling her while she enjoyed laughing her arse off endlessly. And here I thought she was going to kill me.

"Bwahahahaha! Kyoko— Kyoko— likes Homura! Haaahahahahaa— blegh!" I punched her in the gut, which was probably already sore from the bellowing, causing her to kneel over. "Hey! That hurt!" Now she was angry.

"Well you had it coming, laughing at me like that!" I yelled, actually a little hurt.

Sayaka stood back up, looked at my embarrassed face, and started giggling again. "Sorry, I just can't help it. Our little Kyoko is finally growing up!" She looked happy, but I thought I saw traces of melancholy in her smile.

"Is my life some kind of soap opera for you and Madoka?" I said sarcastically.

"Yes, but only on Tuesdays. When did this happen?"

"I don't know, sometime last week when I was eating a burger."

She simply stared at me. "That's it?"

"What do you mean 'That's it?'"

"I don't know, I figured there would be a sunset, or some wind-blown hair. Heck, even a candle-lit dinner, but a fast food burger—"

"The Dragon's Keep is not just some 'fast food burger!' It's my friend!" Yes, my friend is a burger that I devoured. Sue me.

"Y-yeah, right. Either way, this is great! You have your first crush!" I honestly couldn't tell if Sayaka was happy with this development or not. Something was telling me that she was weirded out by it.

I tried to study her smile, but to no avail. I guess she is happy for me. In that case, I shouldn't have to hold back anymore. "Yeah, I have my first crush."

Awhile back I was asked about any past love life I may have had in Kazamino by Saya. Of course there was no such romance to speak of, so I was edged out of Madoka and Sayaka's gossip about Seaweed Head. Even so, she never admitted her undying love for Limp Dick, making the entire thing feel anticlimactic.

So I have my first crush, and it's a girl. Homura nonetheless. What's really weird is just how accepting Sayaka is about this when I personally denied it for a week.

Maybe that's where we differ: Saya adapts to changes while I have to fight myself internally.

Sayaka placed both her hands on my shoulders and grinned. "How about you tell me all of this over fast food. My treat."

My eyes lit up and I started jumping for joy. "Alright then! Let's go!" All that was on my mind now was eating another Dragon's Keep. After all, I felt like I deserved one for coming clean to Sayaka.

Later on that night, long after me and Saya had our chat over a Dragon's Keep, I worked on my homework in my room. As I was repacking my school stuffs, I remembered something important.

I opened my notepad up to a specific page and made approximately four lines in two respective places, then marveled at the sight before me.

Kyoko's Bucket List of Romance

1. Acknowledge my feelings X

2. Confess to Saya X

3. Get Saya to confess to me

4. Send secret letter to Homes

5. Spend extra time with her

6. Confess to her

7. Hold hands X

8. Hug

9. Kiss

Only six left to go. And yes, I'm totally counting that incident from yesterday as holding hands. Completely legit!

Hope you all enjoyed this chapter, and that Mami cameo. I'm hoping that with every new update my writing gets progressively better. I felt like this chapter was more stable structure-wise than the first one, so tell me what you think! Also I apologize for any spelling and grammar issues you may find.

Also ASimpleReader, you are absolutely right when you said I was rushing in that first chapter. The reasons for this are: I kinda hate intro chapters because I like to get into the meat of the story, which is a bad habit that I should fix in the future when writing; I feel that everyone from PMMM has an established ethos since we all know and ship them, so I just rushed through it with the intention of slowly building character (mainly Kyoko's since she's the narrator) as the story goes by, a nice perk I find evident in fanfiction; also the style of writing comes from my favorite book, A Catcher in the Rye, which is narrated the same way by its protagonist. I highly recommend it, especially if you're a teenager because only teens can truly appreciate it like I do.

And thank you so much for being the first user to review it! Yours, Radioactive Secret's, and Vandi's review seriously filled my with DETERMINATION!... again, the same Undertale reference.

So with that I bid ye all farewell, and until next time!