If Kanata sees me here, he'll think I'm stalking him! I could already see myself explaining to him: "Oh, hi there, Kanata. You see, my feet were temporarily possessed and they led me here. What a coincidence, right?"

Even Chris wouldn't buy that.

So I whipped out my cell phone and dialed my friends' numbers. Soon, the gang was at the Omachi Department Store.

"What's up, Miyu-chan?" Nanami asked.

"Yeah, why did you invite us here?" Nozomu asked. "Although I'm not complaining, since it's a chance to be with you…" He handed me a rose.

I had to smile. My friends may be crazy, but they're dependable and really fun to be with. "Nothing really, guys… I just wanted to hang out."

Chris looked around and shyly asked, "Miyu-chan… Where is Kanata?"

I could practically see the cogs working underneath her pink hair. "He's gone out with Akira."

Aya and Nanami looked at me. "Akira, huh?"

"Yup." Because my best friends knew about my feelings for Kanata, they saw right through my nonchalant act. Thankfully, they didn't mention anything in front of the others.

We had lunch and then spent the rest of the day shopping--Nozomu and Santa tagged along for the food. It was such an enjoyable day that I (nearly) forgot all about Kanata.

The girls decided to give in to the guys' request to go to the arcade. They made a dash for the DanceDance Revolution Version 5.

"Go Santa!" Nanami cheered as he stomped his way to victory. I admit I was kind of impressed. My friends are talented as well as crazy.

"Oh yeah!" he yelled as the machine spewed out several tickets. "I can exchange these for a new record!"

I started giggling. "Santa, you are the weirdest person I know."

But Aya doused cold water on my happiness when she said, "Hey, isn't that Saionji-kun?"

I turned to look at her pointed finger and nearly fainted. "Oh… my… god."

"Is he… holding hands with Akira?" Chris asked uncertainly. I knew she couldn't make a scene in front of Akira; it would be embarrassing.

I suddenly felt a renewed empathy for Chris. She was the one who really understood how I felt: so jealous that I could turn green at any moment.

Santa was incredulous. "I can't believe this! I'm Kanata's best friend and he forgets to tell me that he has a girlfriend?"

Aya and Nanami held my hands, trying to comfort me without words.

Nozomu wasn't stupid, though. He looked at me and asked, "Miyu-cchi, are you all right?"

I nodded mutely. I was afraid that if I spoke, the lump in my throat might dissolve into tears.

"Let's go, guys. There's nothing more to do here. I'll walk you home, Miyu-cchi," Nozomu said.

It was dark when we arrived at the temple. "Do you want to come in for a cup of tea?" I asked Nozomu. He accepted, and we went inside.

The kitchen was warm and inviting, and soon we were enjoying hot tea and great conversation. Nozomu was good company, after all.

"Miyu-cchi," he began, and I smiled again.

"You know, that nickname used to bother me, but now I'm sort of used to it."

"Good, 'cause I don't have plans to change it." He smiled. "Miyu-cchi, I'm wondering… Do you have feelings for Kanata?"

"W-what?" I choked on my tea. "What makes you say that?"

"I saw the hurt in your eyes when he walked by." His unusually soft tone was uncharacteristic, but nonetheless comforting.

"Well… I guess you could say I like him. Or love him. Whatever."

He burst out laughing, and I joined in. It felt good to get a secret off my chest.

We were still laughing when the door opened and in stepped Kanata and Akira.

I wiped tears from my eyes and said, "Oh, hi! We were just having tea. Care to join us?"

Akira shook her head and said, "Oh no, we wouldn't want to disturb you two. Come on, Kanata-kun, walk me home." They turned and went outside.

I made a face at Nozomu. "It feels like we were the ones disturbing them."

Nozomu glanced at his watch. "Actually, Miyu-cchi, I need to go home too. It's getting late."

"Okay then." I drank the remaining tea and got to my feet.

We were near the top of the steps when Nozomu pushed out an arm to stop me.

"What?"

"Ssh. I think I hear something."

"That's just Kanata and Miss Perfect." I rolled my eyes.

"Aren't you dying to find out what they're talking about?"

That boy could make a good argument.

We hid in a nearby bush, our eyes peeking through the leaves.

"…I had a really good time with you today," Akira was saying.

"So did I, Akira."

"You know the perfect way to end this perfect day?" she asked in a sultry tone.

"What?"

I whispered to Nozomu, "Oh, god, Kanata is so dense."

I felt sick to my stomach. I knew what was coming next, what Akira was about to do, but I couldn't let them be.

"Let's go, Miyu-cchi, you don't need to see this." Nozomu and I stood up.

At precisely the wrong moment.

I love Nozomu! He's actually one of my favorite characters! I think he's so kawaii! Eee! Hehe…