Disclaimer: I don't own them.
A/N: Thanks to everyone who reviewed :3 I'm sorry it took me a long time to finish this and I'm even more sorry that it's not fluffy at the end as I promised. What I had planned didn't work out as well. Also, this fic may be a prequel for a multi-chaptered fic I may write this summer.
Theme: Autumn
She was waiting for a sign. That was her pretense for not apologizing to Miyako right away. When she was impatient for her so-called omen she tried to make it come, flipping a coin only to find it turn up heads instead of tails. Then when a "sign" from the heavens told her now was the time she denied it.
She evaded apology because it would reveal a different side of her. Sending a love letter crossed the line of her friendship with Miyako but at least it was sent anonymously. She didn't know what to do. She wanted Miyako but felt it was wrong to feel so strongly for her friend.
"What if she doesn't like me even as a friend afterwards?" Kaoru wondered.
Today as soon as she entered the classroom, she noticed a neat stack of letters in Miyako's hands. The girl was flipping through the envelopes, checking names, and she stopped midway, her eyes wide in surprise.
Momoko, who was leaning over her desk to peek, blurted out, "Isn't he one of your friends?"
Miyako looked up and nodded. "It doesn't change anything. I'll still be his friend... but nothing more."
Momoko elbowed the blond, winking. "Ah! Still waiting for your Bubble Knight, right?" She suddenly started to think of her own romantic interests and a bit of drool oozed down her smile. "Speaking of boys, I'm going to ask this one guy..."
The other girl frowned, already predicting the outcome for the redhead. She looked at the clock. "I'm going to use the restroom." She delicately tiptoed from her seat and exited the classroom. Kaoru followed suit and grabbed her wrist more firmly than she intended.
"Do you have a minute?"
"Of course, Kaoru." She smiled, then her eyes drifted to the bathrooms. "I'll be right back."
oOo
"I'm sorry about that. Now, what was it you wanted to tell me?" She watched Kaoru with bright, curious eyes.
"That date you went on weeks ago... the one where the person didn't show up..."
Kaoru hesitated, biting the inside of her lip. "I'm sorry."
"You're sorry for me?"
"No. I mean I'm sorry for ditching you-- even if it was unintentional. I saw you stuff the letter in your backpack and then I thought you wouldn't be there and--"
Her confession was fast and garbled. She was amazed that Miyako could understand her.
"That was you. . .?"
Miyako's eyes grew big for a moment. "It's okay, you didn't mean to," she reassured with a smile and began to walk away. Her footsteps hitched when Kaoru continued.
"Will you go out with me?"
Miyako spun on the balls of her feet, an unsure expression covering her face, her hand was over her thundering chest.
"You-- I--"
"If it's because of Takkaki..." Kaoru groped for words, anxiously trying to win her favor.
"It is."
"I could keep you company until Takkaki comes back. After that..." Kaoru lowered her eyes, "...after that I'll back off."
"You know I could never do that. The closer you are to me, the more your heart will break."
She swallowed, acknowledging the truth. "If you're still waiting for Takaaki then why did you go on the date?" Miyako frowned, turning her gaze to the floor, she couldn't excuse that.
"I don't care. I want to be with you." Kaoru said as steadily as she could.
Miyako shook her head. "Please, I don't want to hurt you."
"It's okay, I'm a tough girl," Kaoru defended.
"Even strong girls feel pain."
The blonde beauty shoved past her, hurrying to the safe confines of the classroom.
OOo
Kaoru decided against going to the lab after school. Instead she opted for the way straight home, staring at the sidewalk in a daze, her arms swaying limply. She looked up from the pavement, checking her surroundings, then stopped in her tracks.
The girl ahead of her looked just the same-- a sigh willowing from her pink lips, eyes downcast. The wind blew her hair into her face but she scarcly noticed. She untied her long mane, the color of crisp red autumn leaves, and looked behind her, at Kaoru. She swallowed a smile, teary-eyed.
"Why do boys hate me? What am I doing wrong?"
Kaoru wiped her eyes.
