Chapter 10
Kanade stared up at the clouds in the beautifully blue sky and breathed a sigh of relief for the first time in a long while. Everything seemed to be going smoothly now - it was rare for Kanade to feel this stress-free, but she loved every second of it.
Yukino had been staring at the content expression on Kanade's face as they sat on the bench amidst the park together with Shizuku squished in between them - Shizuku too, had a huge smile on her face. Kanade had closed her eyes with her face titled upwards to the sky as if reciting a prayer in her mind - Yukino couldn't help but smile too as she looked on at Kanade.
Shizuku was too busy licking her ice cream cone to notice the silent connection that was going on between Yukino and Kanade.
Let this moment last for as long it can, Kanade was hoping silently to herself - she was in her own little world as she secretly wished to the skies up above for any help they could offer her to make her prayers come true.
Yukino never took her eyes off of Kanade as her eyes remained closed and faced upwards towards the sky. What are you thinking, Kana-chan? Yukino wondered to herself about Kanade's sudden state of silence.
Shizuku stopped attacking her ice cream cone and looked at Kanade and then at Yukino - finally noticing the silence that befell on the three of them. "Neechan, are you okay," Shizuku asked, tugging at the sleeve of Kanade's jacket.
Kanade finally snapped out of her daydream and opened her eyes and looked down at Shi-chan's small, concerned face. Kanade smiled and placed a hand on top of Shi-chan's fine, dark hair. "I'm fine, Shi-chan," she chuckled. "I was just wishing for this moment to never end."
Both Shizuku and Yukino looked on in wonder at Kanade's sudden sentimental mood and looked at each other and smiled. They both jumped on top of Kanade to give her a big hug.
"Kana-chan is so sweet!" Yukino giggled, as she wrapped both of her arms around Kanade's neck.
"Neechan! Neechan!" Shizuku chanted, and hugged Kanade's torso tightly.
"Ack! Yukino! You're choking me!" Kanade gasped out. "And Shi-chan, you're crushing my stomach!"
The two of them relinquished their hold on Kanade and burst out laughing as they saw the frazzled look on Kanade's face. Kanade was rubbing at her sore neck and stomach, but once her sisters started laughing, she couldn't help but join in.
It was getting dark and the three of them made their way back home after spending a fun-filled day at the park. Kanade yawned loudly and stretched her arms up at the ceiling as she entered their home.
"Kana-chan," Yukino called out to her.
Kanade turned around to face Yukino as she rubbed at her tired eyes. "What is it?" she responded tiredly.
"Remember," Yukino started sadly, "We have to go back tomorrow - school's going to start again soon." Yukino had a sad look in her eyes as she delivered the bad news.
Shizuku looked up at the two of them fearfully as she clutched onto Kanade's jacket. "No! You can't leave me!" Shizuku shouted, gripping her hands onto Kanade even tighter.
Kanade looked down at Shizuku holding onto her as if her life depended on it and then at Yukino. "A-already?" was all Kanade could think of to say.
Yukino nodded her head sadly as she looked at Shizuku clinging helplessly onto Kanade with all her might.
"No! No! No!" Shizuku repeated like a helpless child as tears were now flowing freely down her face.
Kanade knelt down to embrace Shizuku in a comforting hug. "Shi-chan," she said softly into Shizuku's ear. "We have to go back, but we'll be home again soon for the holidays," she said, trying to console Shizuku.
Shizuku acted as if she didn't hear Kanade and stormed off to her room, her loud sobs echoed throughout the house until she slammed the door to her bedroom.
Kanade felt the happiness that was built up in her fade away as easily as it came - she knew her moment of happiness wouldn't last for long.
Yukino walked over to give Kanade a hug as she saw the glum look on her face. "Kana-chan, there's nothing that we can do about it - we have to go back to school."
Kanade held onto Yukino tightly as she tried not to cry. "I know," Kanade whispered as she hugged Yukino's warm body close to her. "I just wish I could do something right for once in Shi-chan's eyes."
Yukino felt her heart break for Kanade as she felt the pain Kanade must be going through. "Kana-chan, don't blame yourself."
Kanade wanted to cry as she listened to Yukino's sweet attempt at making her feel better. "Yuki-chan, thank you," Kanade whispered and kissed Yukino's cheek.
Yukino felt herself blush as she felt Kanade's warm lips plant a light kiss on her face. "Kana-chan…"
Kanade's eyes glistened from the tears that threatened to fall as she stared at Yukino's beautiful face - she wiped them away to gain a better sight at the girl she loved with all her heart.
Yukino felt the intensity of Kanade's gaze and looked away shyly and bit at her bottom lip.
Kanade had started to lean in for a kiss, but Yukino stopped her gently with a push of her hand. "It feels wrong to be doing something like this when Shi-chan's so sad right now," Yukino whispered half-heartedly.
Kanade looked at the unsure expression on Yukino's face and felt herself becoming slightly frustrated from Yukino's strong moral sense. "I can't even kiss you now?" Kanade said softly, as she brushed her lips against Yukino's.
Yukino shivered from the touch and felt her mind drifting off into another state of conscious as she relished the warmth of Kanade's lips. "Not when Shi-chan's depressed," Yukino said, even less convincingly than before.
Kanade couldn't control herself any longer - she needed to feel Yukino's lips on her own - Yukino was the only source of happiness she had, and she needed her comfort so much at the moment. Kanade moved in to press her lips against Yukino's softly and tasted Yukino's mouth with her tongue.
Yukino gasped at Kanade's sudden advancement and backpedaled slightly, but Kanade stopped her with her arm. They remained in their embrace as they kissed deeply; passionately. Kanade wanted to forget about everything and just run - run away with Yukino and never look back, but she knew in her heart she could never abandon poor Shizuku. At the thought of Shizuku, Kanade pulled away from Yukino.
Yukino's eyes had glazed over and she felt light-headed as she said, "What's wrong, Kana-chan?"
Kanade had stepped away from Yukino and looked down at the carpet with a far-off look in her eyes. "Nothing, I-I just think Shi-chan might need me right now." Kanade didn't look Yukino in the eyes as she spoke and walked off into the direction of Shizuku's room.
Yukino looked on as Kanade walked away. "I don't want you to leave me either," Yukino whispered softly to herself, as she stood alone in the middle of the living room with her own thoughts.