Yay! Finally chapter 7! Ahaha! I want to take this chance to thank everyone for their support to this story, and also to my other stories! it means a lot!

Well that's all XD Hope you enjoy this chapter!


I hope this goes well. I took a deep breath before taking hold of the door knob. I told Rin and Hanayo to go ahead of me because I'm on the cleaning duty today. Now I am standing in front of our clubroom. Slowly, I turned the knob and went in only to find Nico-chan in front of the computer with Hanayo and Rin, and then Honoka being guarded by Umi doing her homework. Nozomi and Eli are still probably at the student council room.

Kotori's not here.. which means-

"Oh Maki, Kotori went home already. She said something came up suddenly." Umi said looking up from Honoka's notebook.

Good. Now it's my turn.

"I see.. Wait, I wonder why you tell me that first thing you see me Umi."

Instead of answering, Umi just winked at me. To add more to the surprise, Honoka looked up and did the same. What did Kotori told them?

"A-anyway, I only came here to tell you that I also have to leave early today."

"You're also busy today Maki-chan?" Rin asked turning her attention to me.

"Y-yeah, something like that." I answered twirling the ends of my hair nervously. "I'll just make up for it next Monday."

"Don't worry about it Maki-chan!"

"I will really make sure that you and Kotori will catch up with us next Monday."

"O-oh.. See you then. Bye-bye." I waved to them before exiting the room.

Umi's statement brought shivers to my spine. I don't know what she's planning yet but I can be sure that it's nothing good. I quickly made my way towards the exit.

We did not put much thought on how we're going to get away with today's practice. We just went with the cliché excuse of "something came up." Since I had my cleaning duty today, Kotori went first by telling Honoka and Umi. And then I'll pick her up on her place.

For sure, they'll be suspicious of us but Kotori said she plans on telling everyone the truth after this, so we just went with it. But the reactions I got from Honoka and Umi just now makes me wonder if Kotori had revealed to them already the truth.

I sighed checking my phone as I walk now towards the school gate. I found one message from Kotori.

I just got home now Maki-chan. Be careful on your way here. (• 8 •)

Her bird-like emoticon never fails to form a smile on my face. I haven't told her that and I never plan to. I typed her a quick reply before putting my phone back on my pocket.


Are you prepared yet? I'm on my way there now.

"Looks like Mai-chan didn't have any troubles as well."

Almost ready here. No worries Maki-chan! (• 8 •)

It is already the day of my tooth extraction and I am not exactly sure of what to feel about it. Well, at least right after this, I can go back to eating sweets without any hesitation like the normal, though I will be extra careful of my teeth from now on.

Earlier, we had our a morning practice before going to school. My appointment with Dr. Ichiro is scheduled this afternoon. Though I told Maki-chan that I will tell everyone the truth after this, I already told Honoka-chan and Umi-chan about everything, as in everything. I got scolded by them as I have expected but thankfully forgave me right away and let me off the hook for now.

Maki-chan is almost over with her responsibility of me. Thinking about it makes me sad, but it makes me wonder if the happenings between us this week were able to change our relationship. I admit on my side, I have grown more attached to her now. I can see myself trying to come up with an excuse just to talk to her.

It isn't just an attachment.

I know. But I don't know what to do yet.

I have been admiring Maki-chan from the very first time I heard her sing. It was when she composed START:DASH! for us. When Honoka-chan started playing the CD with her record on it, I got entranced by her voice breaking the first impression I had of her.

When I first saw her, she seemed very intimidating and unapproachable. But what would I expect? We just suddenly went up to her and asked her to compose a song for us back then. She doesn't even know us yet. It was only natural that she would decline. That is why I was overjoyed when Honoka-chan brought that CD which contained her composition. Maki-chan kept on denying it was her at first.

Maki-chan changed a lot from when we first met her, or more like she let us see the real her after getting comfortable with us. Now, not only that I admire her singing voice and her piano skills, but I also admire her for herself. Maki-chan is just too shy but deep inside, she's a very adorable, sweet and kind girl. I can't help but want to hug her every time I see her and I think everything started from that thought. The drastic change of my feelings for her started with that thought and then, getting her special attention this week made it worse.

This occurred some time ago. It just so happen that Honoka-chan was running late at our supposed meeting time at my house that I was able to have an alone time with Umi-chan. We were having a sleepover at my house then, to help Honoka-chan with her studies. I didn't know what came up to me when I suddenly opened up the topic to Umi-chan. I told her about my growing admiration for Maki-chan. That's when she started teasing me that it might grow into something more. Now, if Umi-chan did not jinx it...

My thoughts were interrupted when the doorbell rang suddenly. Getting up from the sofa, I made my way to our front door and opened it seeing Maki-chan by the gate smiling to me.

"I'm coming Maki-chan!" I yelled to her smiling back.

After locking our front door, I skipped my way through our gate.

"Kotori, are you looking forward to this? Weren't you afraid of the extraction?"

"Don't ruin it for me Maki-chan! I was trying not to think too hard about it so I won't be afraid!"

"Ah I see.. Sorry."

"It's okay. Let's go!"

I grabbed her by the arm as we start walking. What I said to Maki-chan was just an excuse but it was partly true. I am ready for the tooth extraction but I don't think about it as much as possible so that I would not imagine how painful it might be. The real reason for my excitement was the fact that Maki-chan is coming with me. Her presence lessens my anxiousness a lot.

"Kotori, may I ask what you told Umi and Honoka?"

"Why? Did they say anything to you?"

"They were both acting weird earlier and they kinda made me nervous."

"The truth is, I already told them everything. I just thought that it is about time for them to know."

"Ahh…. I see."

The rest of our walk to the train station was filled with silence. It was not an awkward silence, but a comfortable one. We did the same until we reached the Nishikino Hospital, although from time to time, we would talk about random things.

"Oh Maki-ojousama! What brings you here today? Your father is doing an operation at the moment." greeted one of the staffs that first noticed us enter.

"Don't worry, I wasn't called by him today. I-I'm accompanying a friend."

"Ah.. But should I inform him that you came?"

"T-thanks but no need. I already told him that I would come."

"Have a good day to you and your friend!"

"H-Have a good day to you too!"

We both smiled at him before we continued heading to the elevator.

"You seemed nervous back there Maki-chan."

"I am just not yet used to it."

"But you will take over this hospital someday right?"

"Yeah… But, I can't see myself there yet, at least for now."

Maki-chan stared off to nothingness with a longing look. I felt that she didn't want talk any further with the topic so I decided not to ask anymore. Instead, I hooked arms with her again and smiled at her when she looked at me with confusion.

"I'm here for you Maki-chan!"

"T-thanks.." she shyly said looking away.

Arrrhh… This is the very reason why despite avoiding sweets this week, I did not have the depressing craving for it.

Upon reaching the fourth floor, we quickly moved out of the elevator. Maki-chan lead me to Dr. Ichiro's room. Luckily, he only had one more patient left when we arrived so we didn't wait that long.

"Good afternoon Ichiro-sensei." we both greeted when we entered his room.

"Oh, this is a surprise! So you two are friends?"

"Y-yeah..?" we both muttered sharing the same confusion on our expressions.

"Well you see Maki-chan, I am friend with both your mothers. Didn't they mentioned anything to you two?"

"Nothing, really. My mom just told me to come to this hospital and look for you sensei."

"I only knew that you two are friends because you were classmates in college, but I didn't know you knew Kotori's mother as well."

"Just ask them. Haha! It might take a long story if I tell you how I also knew Minami. We have to get on with this."

There was a short period of our chuckles before we started. Dr. Ichiro asked me a few questions including if I had properly followed his advice. He also asked about my current condition. After that, he asked me to lie on the dentist bed while he readies his tools. Maki-chan walked to him and seemed to ask him something. It didn't took me long to find out what it was. She grabbed the nearest chair and sat on a side near me. I did not have time to ask why because Dr. Ichiro had already came back with his tools.

"I know this is your first time Kotori-chan.. Now, I want you to think of something else. Don't think about what I'm going to do to you. Don't think that it will be painful. Instead, think of something else you like, or maybe… let's see.. Do you have anyone you like?"

In an instant, I felt my face heating up. "E-ehh? Well.."

Dr. Ichiro grinned at me. "Then, think of that person so you won't feel the pain, okay?"

"I-I'll try." I replied shyly. I wonder what Maki-chan is thinking right now…

I was about to glance over Maki-chan when I noticed the injection that is being brought up close to me…

"Kotori-chan, remember what I told you." Dr. Ichiro said one last time as I felt a hand taking mine unknown to him. Our fingers intertwined. The warmth it brought me made my mind blank leaving only the image of a certain redhead. I glanced over her only to see her blushing adorably. When she looked over to me, her purple eyes locked gazes with my amber ones. I suddenly felt like it was just the two of us here. Just a while ago I can still feel the air-conditioner of the room. But now, I can feel a sweat forming in my head as my body heat rise up continuously.

A crack sound snapped me out of my own world. That is when I returned my attention to Dr. Ichiro. I caught glimpse of a tooth on the tool he is holding before he disposed of it. He then ordered me to gargle some water to get rid of the blood. After he said that, the grip on my hand loosened as if to give way for me to do as he said. I immediately missed the presence of the other. After gargling, he asked me to open my mouth again so he could put the cotton ball on the spot where he took out my tooth. I obeyed once again.

"That will do for now to stop the bleeding. So, did you feel any pain?"

"N-Not at all..." In fact, I didn't even noticed until it was over. I tried to say in the most audible way finding it hard to speak now that the numbness is starting to register in my mind.

"That's very good to hear!" Dr. Ichiro said smiling to me.

"G-good for you Kotori." Maki-chan did the same shyly.

I smiled back to both of them. "It's thanks to you sensei!" And also to you Maki-chan.

Dr. Ichiro then gave me a new prescription, the mefenamic acid is still present. He instructed me to drink it only when it hurts again, and for the others, he said that I need to take it for three days.

"Last few things Kotori-chan. Do not engage to any strenuous activities until the wound in your gum is fully healed. And as much as possible, do not go to a long travel." He said handling me his prescription. I nodded in response. "And one more thing, you can eat cold things, like ice cream for example, to help stop the bleeding. Got it?"

"Yes sensei!"

"Good."

"Thank you Ichiro-sensei!" Maki-chan and I said getting off from our seat.

"You're welcome! And please say hi to your mothers for me!"

"We'll do!"

Not long after we shut the door behind us, it flung open again surprising both of us. Dr. Ichiro peeked out with a grin.

"One last thing."

"What is it sensei?" I was the first one to ask.

"Seeing you two reminds me of how your mothers were when we were in college."

He gave us a wink looking at our hooked arms before retreating back inside.


Seeing you two reminds me of how your mothers were when we were in college.

Dr. Ichiro's statement kept on repeating in my mind. What does he mean by that? After a moment of staring at each other, we broke contact looking away. With Kotori seeming like to have a habit of taking my arms, and me, not putting up an effort to refuse the skinship, it became natural for us to hook arms unconsciously. The teasing look Dr. Ichiro gave us earlier along with his statement makes me curious to no end what he meant.

We are now walking our way towards the nearest convenience store in Kotori's residence after deciding to eat ice cream together at her house. Both of us were awkwardly silent again the most of the trip, unlike the silence we had on our way to the hospital.

Maybe Kotori is thinking about it too? Or is it because I suddenly grabbed her hand earlier?

Blood rushed over my face again upon remembering how deep we looked into each other's eyes earlier. As soon as our eyes connected, I felt an electricity-like feeling flowing from her hands to mine and my heart is beating like crazy. I pouted when I had to let go of her hand already.

Admit it already Maki.

Admit what?

We both know what I mean.

"Maki-chan, we're already here." Kotori said looking at me with a worried expression. I was brought back to reality finding ourselves now in front of the convenience store entrance.

"O-oh. Let's go in then."

We went straight to the store's fridge for ice cream. After picking the flavors we like, I told her to pick anything she likes.

"It will be my treat."

"Ehh? But why so suddenly Maki-chan?"

"Hmm? Well I was just thinking how much you may have been craving to eat sweets."

"But still-"

"Just go on Kotori. You always treat us with the snacks and sweets you bring to our rehearsals, so I don't think you should argue with this on me?"

Sighing in defeat, she pointed out to the other fridge. We walked there and she shyly showed to me the mini-blueberry cheesecake.

This little bird really does love cheesecake. "Is that all you want?"

"Y-yeah.."

"Alright, let's go pay for these now and head to your house before it gets dark." I was about to start walking towards the cashier when a hand suddenly grabbed my sleeve.

"Are you not getting a cake for youself?"

"Nope. I'm already good with the ice cream. Come on, let's go Kotori!"

In the middle of our walk to Kotori's house, she went back to normal and hooked arms with me again. I didn't really seem to mind this.

"Say Maki-chan, do you know how our moms were like when they were in college?"

"I don't know. Mama didn't told me anything other than your mom being one of her important closest friend in college. How about you?"

"Same here. But I'm going to ask her later."

"Is it because of what sensei said?"

"T-that's part of it. And, I've been wondering about it too recently."

"I'll do the same later."

"I would like to know what your mom will say."

"Haha! Okay I'll tell you tomorrow when I come over. And tell me yours as well okay?"

"Of course Maki-chan!"

When we reached her house, her mom was still not home. We settled ourselves at Kotori's room. She left me alone for a while to grab drinks for us. She went back carrying a tray with two glasses, a pitcher of cold water, and a fork probably for her cake.

"Thank you again Maki-chan for the cake!"

"It's nothing really."

"Let's start eating now so you can go home before it gets too late." She grinned to me happily and I only nodded in response.

I'm really taking back now what I said before about both of us not being a messy eater. Kotori excitedly enjoys her cupped ice cream that she didn't noticed when a drop of it splat on her hair.

"Kotori, there's ice cream on your hair."

"Ehh! Really! Oh no, it would get all sticky. Where is it Maki-chan?"

"I'll wipe it for you."

Before Kotori could protest, my hand already made its way to her hair wiping off the cream. When my fingers accidentally brushed against her cheeks, my subconscious seemed to have taken over and I lost control. My hand slowly lingered to her cheeks.

"M-Maki-chan..?" she mumbled almost inaudibly.

Her face is flushed, and so is mine. Slowly, I felt my body leaning closer to her while Kotori doesn't even move an inch.

No. This isn't how it is supposed to be.

The little voice is my mind brought back my control over myself and I stopped when our face were just inches away. I moved away immediately from her and did not dare to look..

"I-I'm sorry.. I d-don't know what's gotten into me." I managed to say between my rapid heartbeats. I heard a small "Mmm.." as her response.

The atmosphere between us became awkward once again. We continued eating our ice cream quietly until we finish it. I was left alone again when she clean up our messes and went down to their kitchen. Thanks to that, I was given a time to take a breath and try to calm down from everything.

She did not pushed me away.


When I got back to my room, Maki-chan is getting ready to leave already. Well, it was getting late after all. Pushing off the awkwardness earlier between us, I walked closer to her.

"I'll see you off Maki-chan."

"Ah no it's okay. You need to rest."

"But I insist. Hehee"

She sighed getting back to her relaxed state. "Okay if you said so."

Maki-chan really surprised me back there. I had to drink a few glasses of water just to calm myself down. I really thought she would do it. And….. I have to admit that I was a bit disappointed. Maybe she really isn't the type to make the first move.

Wait something is not right here.

If she were to do the first move earlier doesn't that mean…

"Kotori? Are you alright? We're already at your gate."

"E-eeh? S-sorry I was spacing out. Ha ha.."

"Well I'll be going now. See you tomorrow. Don't forget your medicine."

"Y-yeah see you tomorrow."

"Bye-bye!"

"Bye-bye.."

We waved to each other before she turned her back to me heading to her way home.

Maki-chan…

She's getting away. If there's something you want to say or do right now, just do it Kotori!

Listening to my own little voice in my mind, I ran and called out to her. "Maki-chan!"

She stopped moving and turned to me. "Kotori?" I hugged her just as I almost crashed against her. "W-what is it Kotori?"

"I forgot something. Hehee"

"What did you forgot?"

I leaned in and kissed her on the cheek almost reaching her lips. "Thank you for everything today. I will wait for you tomorrow Maki-chan!" I smiled to her widely before letting go of the hug. "Be careful on your way home! Bye-bye!" I said to her as I ran back to our house. All I can remember was how adorably flushed her face was.

That's what you get for making the bird fall.

I giggled upon myself slightly panting. I better do something soon.