Hello, I'm back with another chapter! I'm so sorry it took so long, I had a lot of stuff going on and got a little demotivated.
The main reason I picked it up again is because I read chapter 48 yesterday and I got so pissed at Tanaka-sensei that I just had to get back to my story.

The first part will be retelling the story again, I'm sorry if it's slightly boring but I am enjoying writing it and getting to know Murao's thoughts (even though I'm the writer) is very interesting.

I did add something completely new and even had to rewrite the original story, I'm sorry for that (not).

Please enjoy and I'd love to hear your opinions about it! :3

"Murao-saan!" Makita's voice comes from behind her. "Are you coming with us? The donuts at the station are 100 yen today!"

Murao holds her mug with hot chocolate milk tightly in her hands, even if it's too warm outside to order hot choco Murao will never refrain from ordering her favourite drink. Makita is holding a CD in her hands, Mabuchi gave it to her and she's extremely excited about it. Murao smiles a little, at the beginning of the year she could never have imagined that she would be sitting here with two girls from her class in a place called 'Nuts Donuts'. She still finds it difficult to interact them and sometimes she finds it hard to figure out their intentions. Her first reaction when Makita-san asked her to come with them was 'why', did she really expect an explanation, was she truly thinking that Makita-san would ask her so she could abandon her later? Maybe it was just a reaction coming from her natural instinct, but that Murao is in the past. That's why she agreed to going with them, she didn't have anything else to do either way.

Her eye falls on Yoshioka, Makita is too busy talking about Mabuchi to notice but Murao can see that she's struggling with something. She is nervously playing with her fingers and she's avoiding eye contact with the both of them. Just when Murao found the courage to ask Yoshioka what's going on with her she speaks for the first time since they arrived.

"I like Kou too." A silence follows between the three of them, so that's what she was struggling with. "I'm sorry, I like the same person as you." Yoshioka has her eyes on the table, hands clenched tightly together and she's probably on the edge of tears too.

"F-Futaba-chan you...too?" Against both of their expectations; Makita-san seems to be enthusiastic rather than mad at Yoshioka. "Kyaa~ well no wonder, Mabuchi-kun is great after all!"

"Are you two sure that there isn't something wrong with your eyes?" She remarks dryly.

"Eh? What part of him don't you like?"

"The part that he's a damn brat." And he hurts Tanaka-sensei. Murao takes a sip from her drink. Both of the girls get into a discussion about what they love so much about Mabuchi but Murao refrains from taking a part in that. Going with them was already a huge step in the good direction for her but talking about Mabuchi in her free time isn't something she is interested in. She already finds it hard to image that anyone would like a brat like him in a romantic way, or any way. His looks might resemble Tanaka-sensei's a lot, she can't deny that he's quite good looking, but his attitude is one of the worst she has ever seen. Not only is he lazy, rude and irresponsible he also doesn't seem to care about his brother who does so much for him. No, Murao simply can't stand his behaviour. She quickly takes a sip again to hide her smile from the other two girls, so this is what girls with friends usually do in their free time. Murao has never done this before with anyone, she was a little nervous before but that feeling fades little by little every minute she is spending with Makita and Yoshioka. She was worried that she wouldn't have anything in common with them and wouldn't know what to talk about- but secretly, she kind of likes this, whatever it is supposed to be.

Makita leaves to make use of the restroom and that leaves the two of them alone. Murao looks up at the girl in front of her. Yoshioka seems relieved and less nervous than before. A huge weight must have been lifted off her shoulders. Liking the same person as her friend probably bothered her. Murao wonders how that feels like.

"Ah, that was scary!" Yoshioka lets out a deep sigh. "I knew I had to tell her but it was so hard to do it. I finally managed to tell her."

Murao feels sympathy for her, for the first time she feels sympathy for a girl. Yoshioka is very brave. Could Murao be this brave, will she ever have to face a wall like this? She softly shakes her head, she is already facing a huge wall right now and she hasn't done anything to break that one down yet. There is still standing something big between her friendship with Yoshioka, and she should change that today.

When Makita returns they both notice her red eyes but they refrain from mentioning it. So this was hard for Makita-san too. Beneath that cheerful smile and happy eyes there was apparently a huge feeling of sadness, a feeling Murao failed to notice. Yoshioka made quite a sacrifice by telling Makita how she feels, if it wouldn't have been Makita then she could have lost a friend. This was a risk she was willing to take for the sake of their friendship. Yoshioka trusts Makita enough to talk about matters like this in front of her and it makes her wonder if she dares to do the same thing. Would Murao really dare to share her feelings about Tanaka-sensei with Yoshioka? Makita already found out, she could try it. She said that Yoshioka is a trustworthy person after all. Murao could always try it, she has already come this far and she learned today how important honesty is among friends. She will take the risk too. Maybe, if they would know who she likes, it wouldn't be that bad.

"I...like Tanaka-sensei."

"What?!" Yoshioka is so loud that Murao fears that everyone is looking at them right now. "I mean, what's this all of the sudden?" She continues on a regular tone. Murao finds it difficult to hold the same amount of confidence she had when she admitted this, she feels insecure about her decision to inform Yoshioka all of the sudden. "Hm, Yuuri, you don't look very surprised. Did you already know?"

Murao can't help but feel relieved that the attention is on Makita instead now, but it would be unfair to put her in the position that she has to excuse herself for something Murao is responsible for. Besides, she came this far already, she should finish it now too.

"She just happened to find out, I didn't actually want anyone to know." She defends Makita. "I thought she might tell you too, but she kept quiet about it." She smiles a little. "Makita-san is a good person, isn't she. You know that too, which is why you did your best to tell her something that was really hard to say. Looking at the two of you, I kind found myself thinking that I wouldn't really mind if you knew who I like, that's why I told you!" Murao's face colours red from excitement, she rarely speaks this much but somehow she can't hold herself from doing it. The words she held back all these years, all the things she wanted to say but she had no-one to share it with, but now... now she has two friends. "The truth is, this is the first time since entering high school that I've stopped by somewhere with someone on the way home." Yes, they're allowed to know. They are allowed to know everything about her. Her feelings for Tanaka-sensei was her biggest secret and she couldn't speak about it with anyone, just now she realises how good it feels to finally say those words out loud, to say anything out loud. There is finally someone to listen to her.

"Well," Murao holds her red mug in her hand and raises it to her lips. "it's Mabuchi who'll be making the decision in the end. You two snarling at each other won't affect anything. And who knows, he might reject both of you!" Murao is having fun, she is having fun for the first time in years again. "but even if things go better for one of you, I'll always remain neutral, so go for it, both of you."

"M-Murao-san! Thank you! We'll do our best!" Murao doesn't really understand it yet but if feels nice, hanging out with Yoshioka and Makita. "But seriously, you two really do have an awful taste."

By the time they are heading home it's dark already, she almost can't believe they sat there for almost three hours just talking. Murao feels so different, it's like when she realised her feelings for Tanaka-sensei. She gets overwhelmed by a familiar sad feeling when she enters her dark and empty house, of course, no-one is home. Murao has been living alone since the first year of high school. But she feels a little less lonely when she thinks back about today. Yoshioka and Makita, they can talk together, laugh together and Murao is certain that if she ever has a problem; she can rely on them, her new, first real friends.

Weeks come and weeks go and Murao gets closer to them each day. They sit together during their lunch break, sometimes they go out together shopping, they study together and they even went to Mabuchi's house to get him motivated to study too. Mabuchi was slacking off and Murao just happened to overhear a conversation between him and Tanaka-sensei about his dropping grades. It wouldn't have been her first choice to barge into Mabuchi's personal space to get him to study for his exams but Kominato insisted. Though; it might have been her who curiously asked when the next time would be that they'd study together. During those weeks Murao finally understands what they mean with the expression 'time flies when you're having fun', because it certainly does.

And so their days pass quickly; they go to school and study together in the library or outside when the weather allows them too. Murao is enjoying every day a little more, she even grows more acceptable of Mabuchi and Kominato's company. And now the more time she spends with her friends, the less time she thinks about Tanaka-sensei. It's not until the last day before their summer break that Murao realises that it's been two weeks that they had a normal conversation together. The last time was when Tanaka-sensei happily informed her about how Mabuchi started having dinner with him and his father more often, he complimented her that it's because of their hard work that Mabuchi is changing so much, and he's not the only one who is changing in a positive way, he had added with a meaningful smile.

"Okay, I hope you'll have a nice summer without accidents, then now, you're dismissed!" an in unison cheer sounds through the classroom, together with chairs shoving and happy chatter among the students. They all passed their exams, the five of them even made it to the board, this was a first time for all of them except Mabuchi who used to be in the advantage class. Kominato was pissed though; they were the ones who tutored him but Mabuchi got the highest grades amongst all of them.

"Oh no! Kou's gone already!" She hears Yoshioka huff. "He's probably still hanging around somewhere, let's catch him!" She suggests. Yoshioka and Makita rush out of the classroom after that. Murao lifts her bag over her shoulder and slowly leaves the room after them, she's sure they'll catch him- she doesn't feel the need to run after Mabuchi. It's their battle after all, not hers. But when she leaves the classroom she sees that Makita and Yoshioka are waiting for her. "Shuuuko! Shuu-chaaan!" They yell, "come with us!" She shakes her head with a smile. "I'll leave Mabuchi's capture to you two."

"Okay! We'll wait for you by the entrance!" Murao watches them leave, they're so lively. Only a few months ago she told Kominato that she didn't want to remember anything about her previous class. She was a lone wolf and she was perfectly fine like that. And fine she might have been, but definitely not happy. Not as happy as she is now.

"Shuuuuko, Shuu-chan!" Murao looks up, Tanaka-sensei is approaching her from the stairs, repeating Yoshioka and Makita's last words. "It's the first time I've heard someone call you by your first name." He smiles and leans his arm on the railing. "I'm thrilled."

Murao ducks her head down quickly to avoid her teacher's eyes. "I might have found a place where I fit in," She pauses and more out of nervosity than that it was actually necessary she brushes a hair lock behind her ear. "but my feelings for you haven't changed. You might be thinking that you're about to get rid of something annoying, but that won't happen."

She looks up, something she shouldn't have done she thinks at first, but she definitely wouldn't have wanted to miss Tanaka-sensei's smile. "I've never thought of you as annoying, though." His smile is so gentle and his voice is soft, like a purr. It makes Murao's heart throb. Not just his voice but everything together, his meaningful smile, his soft eyes, his hair that has grown again and looks like the bed hair he had when they first met, the way he said that last sentence and the content of his words. "A good summer vacation to you." She replies quickly and rushes down the stairs. She got careless and wasn't prepared for a reaction like that...not fair. He caught her by surprise, again.

Youichi watches his student leave, that sounded more like a new year's greeting, but he knows that she means well. He must have overwhelmed her a little. "If you lead her on with that suggestive behaviour and you let Murao get ideas in her head that will end up making her feel hurt I will seriously not let it go. I'll make you pay for it." Kominato glares at the young teacher and wants to follow Murao, but Tanaka-sensei's voice stops him. "I see, so if it ends up in a way that she doesn't get hurt, you'd be fine with it?" Kominato is frozen on the stairs, did he hear that right? Tanaka-sensei raises his file with papers as a gesture of goodbye. "A happy summer vacation to you too."

He pisses me off! Kominato marches through the hall. He likes Kou but he really can't stand his brother, that's why he didn't really like Kou at first either. Tanaka-sensei appears to be innocent with his strange clothes and cute acts but in reality he is an underhanded grown up who knows exactly what he's doing, and that what he is doing is wrong. He huffs, not going to hurt Murao- hell, he'll personally make sure that he won't! If he only reaches out to her with one finger he's a dead man, that's a promise!

Youichi shuts his eyes as he walks away. He meant what he said and he certainly likes to tease his student but maybe he went a little too far this time. Kominato seemed deadly serious about his words. He might have to be a little more careful next time. He smiles; being even slyer and more secretive with his comments than he already is hmm? His relationship with the both of them is getting more and more tensive by the day.

Murao tosses a top with colourful flowers printed on it on her bed it's been a week since their summer break started and this is the first activity they are going to do together as a group. Murao feels a little nervous. At least they decided to not wear a Yukata. When Futaba asked if they should wear one to the festival Murao had brushed it off by saying that it's too much trouble putting it on but that was only an excuse. Murao wouldn't feel comfortable wearing one and if Yoshioka and Makita would be wearing one she would feel rather out of place. That's something she wants to prevent because she is just starting to feel like she is fitting in. Murao hears her phone vibrate, that's probably Yoshioka calling her. She can feel her cheeks heat up with excitement; maybe she needs clothing advice for this afternoon.

"Hello?"

"Ah, I am calling to tell you that I'll be later!" That voice, that is definitely not Futaba calling for advice. "You can go ahead, I'll meet up with you guys there!" but this doesn't make her feel less excited.

"Sensei...?"

There follows a silence on the other end of the line. "Murao?" Her heart skips a beat, it is Tanaka-sensei! "Ah damn! I'm so sorry, I must have called you instead! You see, we're going to watch the fireworks together tonight but the weather is so hot that I fell asleep on the couch! I completely overslept and I still have to shower but we are supposed to meet in fifteen minutes!" Tanaka-sensei rattles, probably embarrassed by his mistake. Murao sits on her bed and twirls one of her dark hair locks around her finger. "Does Sensei have a date?"

She can hear him chuckle and unintentionally she imagines his face. "No, I'll be going with a couple of old friends I met during my student years. And Murao, is she coming tonight?" Tanaka-sensei suddenly sounds a lot calmer, but it makes her feels even more nervous than she already was. She nods but she quickly realises that she won't be able to get away with that this time, they're on the phone. "I am."

"A date?"

"No," she looks at her own reflection in the mirror; is he simply interested or is there another reason why he wants to know if Murao has a date? "with Futaba, Yuuri, Kominato-kun and Mabuchi-kun."

"Ah, I see!" There it is, she can hear the relief in his voice, she's certain of it. "Maybe I'll see you tonight, Murao!"

"Hmhm," she doesn't want him to hang up yet, she wants their conversation to last a little longer. Hearing his voice feels so good, she wants to hear him speak more, can she expand their time together? Ah- that's it, the obvious question, it won't come off as strange if she'd ask this. "why does Sensei have my phone number?"

Tanaka-sensei remains silent for a moment and it makes her worry, was that too much- did she scare him off? "You see," he stars slowly. "when you went missing during the camp I felt really responsible, it was me who pushed you into participating after all. We have a list with all the student's phone numbers, of course I never intended to call you, but I felt safer knowing that if Murao goes missing again I can try to reach you at least."

"I see..." Murao averts her eyes from the mirror, her face is completely red. "I'm sorry Murao, should I delete it? It's an infringement of your privacy after all."

"No!" That was too eager, way to go Murao, if she didn't scare her teacher already then she definitely did now. "No... I feel safe too knowing Tanaka-sensei has my phone number." She smiles, she saved it. "I have your number too now, so if I ever am lost or in trouble, I can call you. I-If you're allowing me to, that's it!" She quickly adds the last sentence too it.

"I'd like that, please call me if there's something going on with you, I'll be your emergency contact. ... But Murao?" She shuts her eyes, she knows what's coming now. Tanaka-sensei is using his serious voice again. One he only uses when he thinks it is necessary . "only in case of an emergency."

"Yes Sensei, I understand." The excitement she felt before vanishes. "Shouldn't you be getting ready by now? You'll be really late at this rate."

"You're right, ah I'm a horrible friend." He sounds cheerful again, just like always, like nothing just happened. "Have fun Murao, and maybe we'll run into each other later today!" Those are his last words before he ends the call.

Murao puts her phone next to her and lets herself fall on the bed. He did it again. He first makes her think she's special, she manages to create an opening but he closes it as soon as he can. He always makes sure to remain the same distance and makes her feel bad for even trying to get closer to him. Then she feels a sudden rage coming up inside of her, but he is the one who searched specifically for his student's phone number and added it to his contact list! Even if he never intended to call her; it wasn't Murao who made the first move this time! No, not even only this time. He gives her those vague hints, every time Murao thinks she should close the door between them he puts the door on ajar, just a little, but far open enough for Murao to see the light and get new hope that he actually does like her back. Her phone vibrates again. This time she checks the caller id before she picks up the phone. It's Yoshioka. Murao smiles again; maybe this time it's the call she was actually hoping for.

Murao takes a sip of the drink Kominato got for her. Earlier she was the first one to arrive at the place they were supposed to meet, for a girl who was always used to being on her own she felt seriously anxious. Wondering whether they would show up or not. When Futaba arrived she felt silly for thinking that they would let her down. They are not the same as them. She can hear Futaba sigh next to her. Apparently she and Yuuri decided to get serious this summer about their feelings for Mabuchi and Yuuri might have gotten herself an advantage today. Futaba called Murao about what she should wear to impress Mabuchi, but not something too extending. Futaba looks cute in her top with shorts but she can't compete with Yuuri's Yukata. She decided to wear one after all. Murao wonders if Futaba regrets not wearing one. Murao doesn't regret it; a Yukata doesn't fit her personality, but she's still relieved that Futaba isn't wearing one. Mabuchi did compliment Yuuri against her expectations, she thought that someone as blunt as Mabuchi would never notice something like clothes. Eventually it seemed to her that the compliment was actually meant for Yuuri's hair and not her traditional clothes. In Murao's opinion are Futaba's clothes more attractive to Mabuchi than Yuuri's choice. Mabuchi is a plain guy, he'd prefer something simple for his girlfriend too. But still, Yuuri got herself a nice spot next to Mabuchi while Futaba is stuck between her and Kominato.

"Ah," They all look up. In front of them is standing a guy with reddish hair and a hat. He's approaching them for Futaba. "can we talk for a moment in private?"

Murao watches them leave together after Futaba agrees. Before their exams started they were studying in the library and Futaba's clumsiness caused her to accidently touch that guy's crotch. They ran into each other a few more times but Futaba and the boy never spoke about it, or they never had the chance to.

Suddenly above them sounds a loud crackling noise and the sky fills with beautiful, bright colours. "It's starting!" Kominato proceeds to sit closer to her now that Yoshioka left. "It's beautiful." She sighs. It has been years since the last time she went to the summer festival. Her older sister used to take her but at some point she got too told to escort her younger sister to see the fireworks. Murao understand that now, it's more fun to go with your friends instead of your six years younger sister. After her sister stopped going with her and she lost all her friends she never went to the festival again.

Murao is secretly disappointed that Yoshioka isn't there to see the fireworks with them, and it seems Mabuchi went after them, but it's not making the moment less special nor the fireworks less beautiful. She's happy that at least Kominato and Yuuri are there to watch with her.

A group with slightly tipsy men passes them, and Murao wouldn't have paid attention to them if she didn't recognise Tanaka-sensei's laugh. The group contains about too much people for her to be certain that she saw Tanaka-sensei, but she's sure that she heard his voice. She wouldn't mistake him for someone else, while Yuuri and Kominato are still enjoying the fireworks she quietly gets up from the bench and follows the group of friends. You would say that it shouldn't be so hard to follow a whole group of people but after a few minutes Murao completely lost track of them, at some point they split up and Murao couldn't tell with which group her teacher went.

She is about to turn around and give up when she bumps into someone. Someone, as cliché as it might sound, who turned out to be Tanaka-sensei. How does this keep happening to them? "Ah, gomen, gomen! I wasn't looking where I was going and— Murao? Haa~ what a coincidence!"

"Hello."

He giggles softly, his cheeks have a red colour over them. "We're not at school, you don't have to be so formal! Is Murao alone?" He leans in to her with a sly smile. "or was she looking out for me?"

"N-No!" She stammers, since when is he so straightforward? "That's not—" His laughter interrupts her and she decides that she doesn't really have to finish that sentence. "Hmm, but I was looking for Murao though! I hoped to see you in a Yukata."

There it is, the moment of regret Futaba must have felt when she saw Yuuri all dressed up. "It wouldn't suit me, sensei should know that by now." She mumbles, a little embarrassed.

"Murao looks very cute like this too, I've never seen her in anything else than her school uniform!" Murao looks at her teacher's clothes, today he's wearing a navy blue bermuda and a dark purplish shirt with a light blue tie printed on it. Typical Tanaka-sensei. "Sensei doesn't really look any different." She chuckles.

"I suppose." He laughs with her and rubs with his hand over his nape. "Un, did Murao enjoy the fireworks?"

Murao nods, she doesn't feel the need to inform her teacher about that two of her friends were missing the special moment she wanted to share together. It was beautiful nonetheless.

"It's so pretty," he sighs dreamily. "I wish I could have seen them together with Murao. I love how they light up everyone's faces with their bright colours. I would have wanted to see Murao's face light up too as she watches them." He brushes a hair lock out of Murao's face and suddenly he's close. They are in a crowd filled with people but it feels like it's just the two of them. His eyes switch between hers and her lips. She can feel his soft breath on her skin. A strong feeling of desire takes her over and in an impulse she closes her eyes and leans in to her teacher. But then there is nothing. No touch of his lips against her like she expected. When she opens her eyes again she sees that Tanaka-sensei is frozen on his place.

"Youichi? Youichi!" A male voice is calling for him. Somehow hearing Tanaka-sensei's first name makes a pleasant shudder go through her body. Tanaka-sensei let's go of her. His face wears a confused expression and he's not smiling— is expression has something as if he just remembered he left the stove on at home. "I'm sorry, I have to go. They can't find us like this." There it is, a faint smile, but it's a smile. He wants to turn around but before he actually does so he kisses Murao's forehead. "Enjoy your night." He whispers before he disappears in the crowd.

Kominato is sitting next to Yoshioka, the other three went to get food a while ago and they still haven't returned. "Straaaange huh, that they're taking so long!" He moans while rubbing over his stomach. "I'm starving here! Oi, what do you think they're doing?" He looks at the girl next to him. "E-eh?" Yoshioka replies, unnecessarily nervous to him. "I don't know, maybe something happened?"

"Haa, that could be! You know what, I'll just call them! If they're taking this long the food must be getting cold too!" Not long after he pressed the call button Kou picks up his phone. "What? I can't hear you over the noise!" Kou shouts into his ear. "Where are you?" Kominato yells right back at him. "On our way back, Yuuri got hurt!"

"Really? Is Murao alright?!"

"Murao?" Mabuchi replies. "What are you saying? She's not with us!"

Kominato widens his eyes. "She's not?! But she's not here either!" He can hear his friend sigh on the other side of the line. "You have a crush on her and you still manage to lose her."

"Shut up!" He yells with fire red cheeks. "I'll send Yoshioka in your direction to help, I'll look for Murao!" He ends the call and after giving Yoshioka instructions he rapidly leaves. Murao could be in trouble too! With that thought running through his mind he starts to run faster, he has to find Murao.

He makes his way through the crowd, past all kinds of stalls, between mothers and their children. He can hear them complain and occasionally he'd yell that he's sorry but his concern only lies with Murao; a girl like her all alone, just what could happen to her? She could get lost, maybe she's hurt...maybe...!

"Lucky!" He cheers to himself, he expected to be looking for her for some time but it's been less than ten minutes and he has already found her! He might have lost her once today but he'd never mistake to recognise his crush! But...who's that man with her? She seems to be having fun, more fun than with her friends; is that why she left them? He's walking slower now, slowly approaching the couple. The man's hand is on her cheek and he's leaning in closer to her— what?! They're about to kiss! He read enough shoujo manga to know when a kiss is about to happen! Does Murao have a boyfriend and he had no idea? She never told him about that guy, how dare he kiss Murao! He looks suuuper old too!

Dark and messy hair, rather strange choice of clothes, not very tall for his age, super old. Is that—?!

"Youichi? Youichi!"

Kominato is awestruck and frozen on his place. If that is indeed Kou's older brother, then what on earth does he think he's doing?!

Murao is still standing on the same place; people occasionally bump into her and yell at her that she shouldn't stand still in the middle of their walking path but she doesn't notice them. The only thing she hears is the fast beating of her heart. This time it wasn't her imagination, Tanaka-sensei tried to kiss her. He apologised but that was rather for having to leave than almost kiss her. He left, but before he did he kissed her forehead. Her forehead. His lips are still burning on her skin, and what he said "they can't find them like this", what was he intending to do?

"Murao," The sudden voice draws her back. She's a little startled when she looks up, the voice is coming from her classmate. Kominato is standing next to her and holds her elbow with his hand. "Let's go home." He says with a strange hint of determination in his voice.

The always talkative Kominato is walking quietly next to her; it makes her feel anxious. He showed up shortly after Tanaka-sensei wanted to kiss her— did he see them? Murao wonders if she should say something, explain that it was a misunderstanding or should she just not mention it at all? Maybe she should pretend that nothing happen, because again, nothing did, but Kominato must sense that something is definitely going on. In spite of what she usually thinks of him, he is not stupid.

"It's really dark," he breaks the long and especially uncomfortable silence between them. "should I walk you home?"

"No, it's not that far from here on. I'll be fine alone." The atmosphere is too awkward between them, she wants to be alone and think about this. She really doesn't need Kominato's company right now. "Thank you for coming after me, I'll see you soon!"

She can hear him call after her but she refuses to turn around; she doesn't want to listen to him. First she has to clear her head about Tanaka-sensei. He saves her number, accidently calls her, tells her not to contact him and then compliments her and above that all he almost kisses her at the festival. She wonders if Tanaka-sensei doesn't know what he wants either, or is he honestly this oblivious? If it's the former and he really doesn't, then he shouldn't confuse her like this.

What happened between them; that must have been the summer air.

A couple of days later she meets up with Futaba and Yuuri at their usual booth in the doughnut shop. They started coming here more often with the three of them and occasionally Kominato and Mabuchi would join them. They will join them too today, but the girls met up earlier to discuss the latest things between the three of them. Murao is happy that they're getting all closer to each other. She can't remember the last time she spent the summer with someone; it was before the incident, that's certain. Nowadays it's rare for her to spend her day alone, and even if she's not with her friends they still have contact via their phones.

Murao enjoys their time together the fullest, so this is what girls usually do in their free time. It's just like in the movies. Friends who meet up and talk about boys, and that's mainly what they do, especially talking about Mabuchi.

Futaba and Yuuri are chatting about another summer festival Futaba and Mabuchi were meant to go to, but something came between it and Mabuchi had to cancel. She can tell that Futaba feels guilty for not including Yuuri in this activity. She tilts her head and sucks on her straw. Isn't that the eventual goal of this competition, to plan individual dates in order to capture Mabuchi's heart? She can understand her new friend's way of thinking but when she thinks about how it would be for her; she wouldn't like to share Tanaka-sensei.

"Ah, but you don't have to worry about including me anymore!" Yuuri gives the both of them a bright smile. "Because I already confessed!" Yuuri's eyes dart down before she looks up at her friends again. "I got rejected though." She says with the most confident voice she ever heard from her.

The girls didn't see this one coming, so Yuuri already told Mabuchi about her feelings for him. Yuuri must be so strong, she thinks, the girl is still smiling as usual even though her love got denied. Without giving it much thought she raises her hand and strokes over Yuuri's short hair out of compassion for her. "S-Shuu-chan?" She giggles and Murao realises it's a little out of character for her do. All three of them laugh. Yuuri and Futaba are both very brave. Futaba told them about what had happened between her and Mabuchi when he walked her home and Yuuri opened her heart and told them about her rejection. They are so honest and sharing their feelings, should Murao too...? She does feel the need to talk about what happened between her and Tanaka-sensei the other day, what would they think? Maybe they'd be able to give her advice, but maybe, what if someone would overhear it and Tanaka-sensei would get in trouble? Or worse, they turn their backs to her someday and they'll tell their new friends everything about her secret.

Murao shakes her head. No, she mustn't think like that. Yuuri and Futaba would not betray her, they are her real friends now.

"It's Kominato!"

Murao raises her head, she's too late; Kominato is heading into their direction. He's looking good today, a simple shirt with a black logo on it, headphones around his neck and his hair is messy. That must be because of the hot weather. When their eyes connect she quickly ducks her head down again. Since what happened during the summer festival, things have been a little weird between the two of them. Kominato greets her like usual and takes a seat next to her. Maybe she has been worrying about it far too much, he doesn't seem to act like something is wrong. Murao must have been the only one who felt like that. She's relieved, she didn't want to have a confrontation between them about that night.. Now they can't both leave it behind, even though Murao is relieved she also feels something of regret. She actually wanted the girls to know about that evening but she doesn't want to bring it up now Kominato is here. Maybe she has better luck next time.

Thank you so much for reading! Chapter five is ready and I might upload it within a few weeks, I first want to start with chapter six and I have another few exams coming up plus my internship days go on too and I've gotten less time to write there!

Maybe Tanaka-sensei is a little OC, my apologies for that.
Also, I am usually not fond of using "?!" nor "!" but Kominato somehow needs it, we all know how expressive he is.

See you all next time!