Chapter 3

The Value of Trust

One late afternoon, Yumi walks out of the school and looks up at the sky. It's very gloomy, which can mean that it's going to rain. She wasn't aware that the weather was going to be bad until this afternoon. She now regretted not bringing a rain coat.

"Getting ready for the storm?" Miyabi asks as she puts a rain coat over her shoulders.

Yumi jumps at her voice and turns toward her. "Oh, I…didn't know the weather was going be bad this afternoon."

"Don't you check the weather?"

"I do. But sometimes, the weather might change from what the weather channel predicted."

"I see." Miyabi decides to change the subject. "Say…are you free Saturday?"

"Eh?" Yumi is surprised to hear the masculine girl say that. I don't believe it…she thinks. I, Yumi, have been asked out by the super popular girl, Miyabi-san. I'm…going out with her…for the very first time…in my life…

**Saturday**

Yumi runs out from her home after spending about 2 hours of picking the right outfit. She soon found one, which is a white summer dress with blue stripes and a brown hat, plus some sandals. She takes a bus to town where she's supposed to meet Miyabi. She gets off the bus and runs towards where the white haired girl is waiting. She is wearing a white collared T-shirt with blue jeans.

"Running late, Yumi~?" Miyabi teases. "You know, that's not a good way to start. It takes a lot to be about 20 minutes late for our first date."

Yumi stops to catch her breath. "Whatever…" She stands up and wipes the sweat off her forehead. "Anyways, we're going to the selan, not dating."

"Of course this is a date," The white haired girl says.

But…Yumi thinks. It's not like I want to go on a date with her. I've been practically spent hours picking the right outfit. I swore to myself this isn't a date. Which is why when I chose my outfit…I ended up with this…

"Hey, look," Miyabi says. "We're both wearing white. Well, sort of. That's great though."

"Oh…" Yumi blushes, but turns to the side to hide it.

"And also," Miyabi says. "Imu just told me that she and Murasaki have just started going out."

"Oh…I'm…glad to hear it…" The soft-spoken girl says quietly.

"She said it was all thanks to you, Yumi."

"I-I didn't do anything. Honestly."

"Imu called you 'Amazing'. And to be honest, I'm happy for her."

Yumi turns to leave. "We need to get to the Selan."

"Right now?" Miyabi quickly grabs her wrist. "We can go later. Unless…you have an appointment."

"I-I don't, but…"

"Then, let's have some fun first," Miyabi suggests. "We can go to the selan later, okay?"

"Yeah…sure…" For Yumi, she really wanted to go alone. But since Miyabi insisted that they would go together, she was left no other choice.

"Where should we go? A movie? Karaoke?"

Yumi blushes. "N-nowhere behind closed doors, okay!?"

"Why not?" Miyabi tilts her head in confusion.

"B-because…um…" She honestly doesn't know what to say.

The white haired girl just chuckles at her expression. "Don't worry. I'm not going to do anything except kiss you."

"Say what!?"

Just then, there are a couple girls behind them, whispering to each other.

"Hey, check it out! Is that a guy or a girl I'm looking at?"

"You mean the white haired one? Since I can see the boobs, she's definitely a girl. But she's so HOT~!"

"Totally! Should we try to talk to her?"

"She's with another girl."

"What!? There's no way that she's her girlfriend."

"Let's try talking to her then~!"

Miyabi just smiles at her when Yumi turns toward her. She holds out her hand. Yumi hesitates a little while blushing and gently grips it shortly after. With that, the two girls begin walking. But as they were walking, more and more girls take a look at the white haired girl and whispering things to each other, like, "She's so cool~!" or "That masculine girl is really hot!" and so on.

Miyabi stops and looks back at the soft spoken girl. "Yumi? Is something wrong?"

"No," Yumi replies. "Um…I was wondering…if this is the way people always act around you."

"Huh?"

"Girls just walking up to you like that…"

"Ummm…the girls come on to me quite a bit."

Yumi looks down at the ground. "Are you sure you want me hanging around with you? It must be embarrassing to be seen with me."

Miyabi walks up to the soft-spoken girl. "Yumi…do I look that shallow to you?"

"I…don't know what to think.." Yumi replies quietly. "It's a lot for me to take in."

"I…see…" Miyabi holds out her hand again. "Let's act more like a couple, then. Okay?"

Yumi stares at her hand while blushing.

"I mean, we're on a date. And we don't need any more distractions," Miyabi continues.

"But we haven't started dating." The soft-spoken girl gently takes her hand and Miyabi grips it.

"Sure we have," the white haired girl says. "You're my girlfriend now."

Yumi's sky blue eyes are focused on the ground while still blushing. I thought holding hands…wasn't such a big deal as kissing, she thinks to herself. But…when my hand touches Miyabi-san's…I can feel her warmth in a different way. But it makes my heart pound just as hard. I didn't know a person's touch can be so warm and comforting. I think it's…nice. A small smile appears on her face.

"Oi! Miyabi!"

Yumi and Miyabi look over to see a tanned girl with dark hair tied in a pony-tail. She approaches them with a smile.

"Hey, Homura," Miyabi says. "What's happening?"

"Nothing much," the girl Homura looks at the soft-spoken girl. "Who is this?"

"Oh, that's Yumi," Miyabi replies. "She's with me today."

"Oh?" Homura's smile fades a little as she eyes Yumi. Then she turns to Miyabi. "Well, I'm headed over to the bowling alley. Want to come?"

The white haired girl turns toward the gray haired one. "Should we?"

"Um…I don't know…"

"You should come," Homura says. "It'll be a lot more fun with three people."

Yumi hesitates for a moment before nodding slowly. "Okay…"

Homura stares daggers at the soft-spoken girl.

**Bowling Alley**

"You're up, Yumi," Miyabi says.

"Oh…okay…"

The gray haired girl stands up and takes a bowling ball. Homura sits there, still staring daggers at her. Why would Miyabi choose a girl like her!? she thinks. What's so good about her?

"I got your back," Miyabi says. "So, try your best."

"Got it!"

Yumi focuses her eyes on the pins and closes her eyes. She opens them and rolls the ball. A strike!

"Whoa!" Miyabi stands up and claps her hands happily. "That was awesome, Yumi! You're good at bowling!?"

"I bowled once in a while when I was younger," Yumi replies.

Homura tries super hard not to snap. "Is that what you see…Miyabi?"

A little while later, Miyabi and Homura were amazed on what Yumi scored.

"A Turkey?" Miyabi exclaims. "Three strikes in a row!"

"I was lucky…" Yumi says quietly.

"Lucky!? No one gets lucky on 3 tries all at once," the white haired girl says.

Homura looks at Yumi and Miyabi, talking and laughing. What's with her!? the tanned girl thinks. Miyabi looks like she's really having fun! This is so annoying.

While Yumi is waiting for her turn, Homura walks over towards the soft-spoken girl.

"Yumi," she says. "Want to grab some soda?"

"Um…sure…"

The two head over towards the vending machine while Miyabi still takes her turn. Homura turns toward the soft-spoken girl while she drinks her soda.

"So tell me, Yumi," she says. "Did Miyabi call you, or did you call her? Why are you two out today?"

"I didn't ask her," Yumi replies quietly. "But she asked me if I was free, so I just went along."

"She asked you? Aren't you guys already dating or something?"

"Miyabi-san is trying to tell me that we are, but…I don't know what it means to be dating someone yet. It's…so new to me."

Homura sighs heavily and walks up to her a few steps. "Okay, Yumi. Do you like Miyabi or don't you?"

The soft-spoken girl hesitates while blushing. "I-I guess…"

"You guess?" Homura puts her hand on her hip. "Listen, there are other girls that would KILL to be in your place. There are girls that would just LOVE to hang out with Miyabi. She's fawning all over you and you're guessing!? And trying to make up your mind?" She walks closer to her. "Alright. Let me ask you this: why would Miyabi choose you over someone she already had sex with?"

Yumi gasps in surprise. She never realized that Miyabi had another lover by her side. Was Asuka just her second girlfriend or what?

"So, if you're not sure about her," Homura continues. "Stop wasting her time."

**Back at the Alley**

Homura comes back and sits down across from Miyabi.

"Where's Yumi?" the white haired girl asks.

"No clue," the tanned girl says.

They hear footsteps and Miyabi is the first to notice.

"Oh, Yumi!" she says. "You're up next, okay? Get us another strike."

The soft-spoken girl doesn't feel like bowling right now. Instead, she purposely rolls a gutter, making Miyabi tilt her head in confusion.

"Yumi?"

"I'm going home…" Yumi whispers.

She puts away her bowling shoes and starts to leave. Miyabi stands up and runs after her, but Homura grabs her arm.

"Miyabi!" Homura says. "You should stay and hang out with me."

"Look, Homura, I'm with Yumi today," Miyabi says as she pulls away. "I'm sorry."

The tanned girl stares at the white haired girl leaving her.

**At the Streets**

Miyabi runs outside to look for Yumi. But all she sees is a crowd of people walking by her.

"Yumi!?" she calls.

No response. She decides to search for her a bit more. Where could she be? she thinks as she runs.

**Bowling Alley**

Homura sits at the cafeteria, staring at the glass of water she's drinking. I love Miyabi, she thinks. I can't let Yumi beat me. What's so good about that soft-spoken witch anyways? I'd do anything for the girl I love.

She thinks back on when she first met Miyabi.

**Flashback**

"Homura?" one girl said to the tanned girl. "Are you ready?"

"Sorry," Homura said to her. "I have a date with my guy."

She went back to her make up and applied it on her face. Since dating her boyfriend, she was determined to be the best on her appearance. She bought all the make-up and pills she can use. However, even if she put all the effort into her face, it wasn't enough. Soon after, she ruined her skin and pimples started growing. She was about to cry when someone walked toward her and put a hand on her shoulder.

"You don't need to put on a lot of make up, Homura-san," a white haired girl said. "You sure put in a lot of effort to impress your boyfriend."

It was the first time someone like Miyabi complimented Homura's natural looks. But at the same time, she had a crush on her.

Later on, Homura's heart shattered into pieces when she found out her boyfriend was cheating on her. She thought she put in all her trust and love for him, but it was all a waste. Once she witnessed him with another girl and was told that he doesn't love her anymore, she ran away in tears. She felt like she had been thrown away from her boyfriend. All she could do…was run to Miyabi.

"Miyabi!" Homura called.

The white haired girl turned and the tanned girl plunged herself on Miyabi's chest.

"Miyabi!" Homura sobbed. "I…*sniff*…I can't take it anymore! I wanna die! I tried but…I…I will never be as cute as other girls! I look stupid!"

"Don't say that…" Miyabi says softly.

Homura looked up at the white haired girl with tears still brimming down her face. "Miyabi! I…I want to…have sex with you. Please! Just help me get rid of my pain, Miyabi! Please!" She buried her face in Miyabi's chest and sobbed harder when the white haired girl hugged her tightly.

**End of Flashback**

"I took advantage of Miyabi's kindess," Homura says to herself. "I even lost weight for Miyabi. I just wanted to be beautiful. But I will NOT put up with a girl who is around Miyabi and not put in the work it takes."

She looks up at the ceiling with her mind still on Miyabi.

**Meanwhile**

The rain starts pouring while Yumi is walking. And Miyabi is still searching for Yumi. She can be anywhere, but she has to find her no matter what. So, the white haired girl keeps on searching.

After about 15 more minutes, Miyabi decides to check on the school and see if Yumi went somewhere where she can be alone. And low and behold, there is Yumi, sitting at the back garden. She has her head hung low with her bangs hiding her expression. Then, she hears a familiar deep female voice.

"Thought I'd find you here," Miyabi says.

Yumi doesn't respond. The white haired girl walks over and sits next to her.

"Did I…say something wrong?" she asks.

Yumi still doesn't respond. Her mind is also still on what Homura had said to her.

"Why would Miyabi choose you over someone who already has sex with?"

"I don't…understand you, Miyabi-san," Yumi says, softly. "We're just too different."

Miyabi smiles a small smile and puts a hand on her shoulder. "That's not true."

The soft-spoken girl lifts her head up and looks at the masculine. She wonders what she meant.

"Hey, Yumi?" Miyabi says. "Can I show you something?"

The gray haired girl nods slowly. Miyabi takes her hand again and walks her about 5 blocks until they get to their destination. In front of them is another school building.

"Here we are," Miyabi says.

"What…is this?" Yumi asks.

"My middle school. Man, that takes me back."

Miyabi leads her around the building. Everything around it is pretty old, but some of it is new, like the paint and new accessories. Miyabi and Yumi keep on walking until they get to the back. Miyabi then walks over and points toward a newly replaced piece of wood.

"See this?" she says. "I put a hole in this wall…with my fist. I was pretty wild back in the day." She backs away and has her eyes focused on the ground. "Back then…I wasn't really a nice person."

Yumi gasps in surprise.

"It really bugs me…" Miyabi says, softly. "You see, Yumi…my school was full of fighting and bullying. Worried that I might be a target, I kept a close eye to everyone around me; making sure I wasn't the next girl to get hit. I was like a chameleon. I did my best to blend in with my surroundings, doing and saying what I needed to stay safe.

Then one day…my best friend became the bullies' next target…around the other kids. I ignored her like everyone else. But secretly, we talk to each other. I had some nerve acting like a real friend to him. And then one day…she came to me…with her face covered in bruises and she said to me, 'I wanted to thank you for talking to me, Miyabi-san.'"

Yumi's eyes start to brim with tears as she listens to Miyabi's story, but tries hard not to cry in front of her.

"But the next day," the white haired girl continues. "She transferred schools. I never really did anything to help her. I was a fool…I know that. So I punched this wall to let out all my anger. But then, anger turned to sadness. And I cried for the first time in my life. I never felt so useless." Miyabi puts her hand on the wood. "Yumi, I know you think we're different…but the truth is…" She clenches her fist and grits her teeth, trying hard not to cry. "The truth is…even now in high school…I'm still blending in with the crowd. I'm still no good to anyone."

Yumi finally opens her mouth. "It isn't like that at all. From what I've seen, people seem to be really attracted to you."

"Sure…to my looks…" Miyabi sighs.

"That's not true! You can't just get a friendship with your looks! There's…there's faith, trust and work too."

The white haired girl chuckles. "So now you're telling me to trust people?"

Yumi blushes. "B-because you were the one who taught me to think that way, Miyabi-san. I'd never thought I'd say this, but…little by little, bit by bit…I want to start trusting people again."

Miyabi turns to look at her. "You know what I think? You're pretty strong. And because of that, people don't push you around. I really like that." She turns and looks up at the gray sky. "Yumi…there's something else I want to tell you. I fell in love with you the moment you kicked me."

The soft-spoken girl blushes at this.

"You might think I'm less cool now," Miyabi tries to laugh it off.

"You've…shown me your weakness, Miyabi-san," Yumi says. "To someone like me, that's cool."

The white haired girl also blushes. She rubs her chin as her golden eyes glance at the soft-spoken one. "You know, Yumi…this may not be the right time, but…can I kiss you?"

Yumi blushes harder as she looks up at Miyabi. The rain stops and the sun's rays peak through the open gap.

"Sure…" she says, softly.

Miyabi smiles, walks up to her while putting her hands on her shoulders. She leans in and kisses her with Yumi immediately returning it. She needed it and she knows very well that she needs it right now. The soft lips make her feel more relaxed. After pulling away, the two walk back home, hand in hand.

I have to admit, Yumi thinks. I was a little scared when I was with Miyabi this morning. But now…she makes me feel comfortable.

"Looks like I won't be going to the selan after all," she says with a sigh.

"Don't worry about it, Yumi," Miyabi assures her. "I like your hair just the way it is."

"Really?"

"Absolutely."

Yumi smiles a small smile. From what she had learned today, Miyabi also had a weakness, just like she did. But now, Yumi vows herself to never hide in her shell and come out strong. Because Miyabi had taught her that. And she'll never forget it.

A/N: So sorry for the late update, but here's the 3rd chapter~! What do you guys think? Hehe~! Long reviews are welcome! I'm not kidding! You all can comment, whether it's good or bad, but NO one-liner reviews! Please! I know some of you can't think of anything to say, but still, try to make longer reviews.

Note to Tinkerbell16dais: I like your enthusiasm, but like I said, it takes a bit of time for me to make more Senran Kagura stories. I like you and I love how you're my big fan, but please tone down the enthusiasm just a little bit? Hehe~! So, please stop asking to make more stories. I know when I will write a new story, but I can't keep any promises, okay Tink-chan?

And please longer reviews, too, if you will.

Thanks for reading this.