Chapter 10: Broken, But Not Alone (Part 1 of 2)

7:15am

"Yaya-senpai," I poked her on the forehead as I lifted my head off of her chest, shifting myself up to a sitting position. "Wake up."

Yaya-senpai opened her eyes and stretched out her muscles. Once she stopped, she then smiled, "Good morning, pinky."

"Good morning, Yaya-senpai," I smiled back as I pulled the covers off of me. "Get dressed."

Yaya-senpai sat up and sighed in annoyance, "I honestly believe there should be exemptions from these stupid exams."

"Unfortunately there are none Yaya-senpai, so get out of bed and get dressed," I said as I handed Yaya-senpai her uniform.

Yaya-senpai quickly tossed her uniform aside, and grabbed of both of my wrists. Pulling me back into the bed, I landed right on top of her, in a rather tempting position. Blushingly, I looked away, "B-Baka, let me go!"

"Relax," Yaya-senpai chuckled. "We still have at least fifteen more minutes."

"Relax?" I frowned. "If I wanted to relax, I wouldn't be like this!"

"Oh? Would you rather switch places then, Tsu-bo-mi-chan?" Yaya-senpai asked, poking my sides playfully.

"No!" I replied quickly. "I'm fine up here."

"Really?" Yaya-senpai smirked. "Then, I guess there's no reason to let go of you."

Suddenly, the door opened.

"Yaya-chan, I'm getting my... Oh my!" Hikari-senpai stopped in surprise.

"It's not what it looks like!" I said as I pushed myself off of Yaya-senpai.

"It's okay, Tsubomi-chan," Hikari-senpai giggled. "I only came to pick up my suitcase, but I can pick it up later."

"You don't have to do that Hikari-senpai, I will be going now to my room to change," I said as I gathered up my things, and scurried out the door before Hikari-senpai could say anything else.

That was embarrassing!

After changing myself into my uniform, I walked into the dining hall for breakfast, sitting with Nagisa-senpai, Tamao-senpai, and Chiyo-chan. I didn't return to Yaya-senpai's room because I was still embarrassed. Therefore, I decided to go on ahead without her.

"No more, Tamao-chan!" Nagisa-senpai slammed her french book shut. "Why do I need to learn french? I don't see myself ever using this language in the future!"

"Nagisa-chan, if this was a french baking class, then you would have already known all the terms by now," Tamao-senpai sighed.

"And the recipes," Chiyo-chan added, gigglingly.

"But it's not a french baking class, is it?" Nagisa-senpai frowned. "I just don't see why french is so important."

"Nagisa-senpai, what if Shizuma-sama decides to take you to Paris with her for the next couple of days?" Chiyo-chan asked.

"Then she'll be the translator," Nagisa-senpai replied.

"Even so, knowing a little more than just the basics will help you in case Shizuma-sama isn't around you," I said.

"And if you run off into the bakery stores," Yaya-senpai interrupted, taking a seat next to me.

"I suppose your right," Nagisa-senpai sighed as she opened her french book. "I need to pass this french exam anyway."

"That's the spirit, Nagisa-senpai," Chiyo-chan beamed.

While Tamao-senpai and Chiyo-chan started occupying themselves in helping Nagisa-senpai study, Yaya-senpai poked my side, "Hey, why did you run off pinky? Hikari didn't seem to mind us."

"Even if she didn't mind us, it was embarrassing Yaya-senpai," I said.

"Embarrassing?" Yaya-senpai repeated. "Are you embarrassed to be seen with me?"

"Yaya-senpai, am I not with you right now like I always have been?" I frowned.

"I wasn't referring to that," Yaya-senpai shook her head. "I was referring to the fact whenever there are people around us, or just so happens to catch us like today, you seem to distant yourself away from me, although you are right next to me majority of the time. It's as if you don't want anyone to see us, especially when I hug you."

I took a quick glance at our Miator friends, just in case they were listening, and responded, "You held me during the display of fireworks near the end of the sport competitions festival, and last night when we were star gazing with the star gazing club. Both were in public, Yaya-senpai."

"In public, but also in the dark," Yaya-senpai sighed. "I don't want to end up being your hidden secret, Tsubomi-chan."

"Yaya-senpai, we're not together," I said. "We shouldn't be sending the wrong signals to those around us or else, those people will start to get the wrong idea."

Yaya-senpai chuckled and shook her head again, "With the feelings I have for you, I can't do that. I can't act as if I don't have any, and as if you don't mean anything to me. You told me to follow my happiness and that is what I am doing. Screw what the other people think, you're my happiness!"

"That's so sweet!" Nagisa-senpai smilingly squealed, causing all the girls in the nearby tables to look at us.

"You heard that?" I asked, blushingly.

"Actually, we all did," Tamao-senpai giggled. "We are sitting in the same table."

"So," Yaya-senpai began. "Since we are currently under the spotlight Tsubomi-chan, are you now going to tell me again to behave and be more cautious of myself because you are not appearing presentable as you should?"

My own words... I was wrong.

I lowered my head, and replied, "No, and if you did, you wouldn't be the baka I fell for."

Yaya-senpai grinned and grabbed my hand, "Let's go!"

Dashing out of the dining hall, I didn't questioned Yaya-senpai where we were going, and just kept running with her. Yaya-senpai stopped at the cathedral, and pinned me with her hands on my shoulders against the stoned wall outside. Catching her breath, she smiled at me, "So, being able to present yourself properly in public now means less to you, huh? You're getting soft on me, Tsu-bo-mi-chan."

"You, pulled me all the way out here just to tell me that?" I asked, catching my breath still.

"Heh, I was only thinking of saving you from further embarrassment," Yaya-senpai chuckled as she released me. "I remembered you saying you didn't like to be in the spotlight."

"Thanks, but I'm afraid it isn't over yet," I sighed. "Anyone who heard Nagisa-senpai's high pitched squeal most certainly heard what I said before we ran out of the dining hall, and the last thing I need are the rumors to spread."

"Why? Is it because there's a chance the rumors might be true?" Yaya-senpai asked, frowningly.

"That's not it, the reason why I don't want the rumors to spread around is because I don't want everyone thinking we're together when I already told you I needed more time," I replied. "What I said to you before we left was not supposed to be heard by all those who were around us, it was only meant for you. And perhaps I am getting soft on you, but I will add being presentable in public is never a bad thing. Anyway, I'm not like you Yaya-senpai, you're the complete opposite of me, but I know if you became more of the person I want to see, then you wouldn't be the person I fell for in the first place."

"...I really hope you don't keep me waiting too long, pinky," Yaya-senpai sighed and walked towards the walkway.

"..."

Yaya-senpai stopped, and looked back smilingly, "We could skip the waiting part, you know? But, I know it is not up to me; however, if it was, I would give it a shot."

"It's not easy taking chances when one isn't ready," I said, walking towards her.

"Perhaps, but do you know what's worse than not taking a chance at all?" Yaya-senpai asked, holding out her hand.

"...It's having regrets," I replied softly, reaching out to her hand, interlocking our fingers.

4:25pm

99...97...98...

"YES!"

"What, I can't believe this!"

95...100...98...

"I did it! Haha, oh my god, I passed!"

"Hey, how did you do?"

Another 98...97! Yes, all A's!

"Damn it, I could have done better."

Now, all I have to do is find Yaya-senpai!

"I can't see!"

"Hey, stop shoving, you'll get your turn!"

... but first I need to find a way out of this damn crowd!

"Tsubomi-chan!" Yaya-senpai waved, leaning against the railing beside the stairs at a safe distance away from the crowd of girls. I pushed myself forward, forcefully, yet determinedly.

"All A's, Yaya-senpai!" I said as I hurriedly walked towards her, finally freed from the chaos. "99 in Japanese language, 97 in french, 98 in social studies, 95 in math, 100 in science, 98 in fine arts, then another 98 in homemaking, and finally a 97 physical education."

"All A's, huh? Yaya-senpai chuckled as moved away from the railing she leaned on. "As expected of you, overachiever."

"And proud of it," I said proudly. "So, how did you do Yaya-senpai?"

"Exceptional," Yaya-senpai replied.

"Oh really?" I raised an eyebrow in disbelief. "Prove it."

"Take a look for yourself," Yaya-senpai smirked, handing me her final report card.

"What, you were given a report card? No fair, I had to fight my way through the chaos just to see my final grades," I frowned.

"It's called seniority, Tsu-bo-mi-chan," Yaya-senpai said.

I rolled my eyes, and shook my head, "Okay, I guess."

I looked at Yaya-senpai's report card.

Japanese language 100

Physical Education 100

Social Studies 95

Homemaking 97

Fine Arts 100

Science 98

French 96

Math 97

My eyes widen in shock, "Huh? Yaya-senpai, are these even right?"

"Why so surprised?" Yaya-senpai laughed. "Did you think I was going to score less?

"Yes, I mean, you didn't bother to study this entire time Yaya-senpai, you practically spent it lazying around and neglecting your duties as always," I said.

"Studying is just a waste of time," Yaya-senpai said.

"I guess, so since we both made A's, how will we decide who wins?" I asked.

"We both made decent grades, but one of us did better," Yaya-senpai pulled out her pencil from her school bag. "Let's calculate our averages, the one with the highest wins."

"Okay," I nodded.

"What were your grades again?" Yaya-senpai asked.

"99, 97, 98, 95, 100, 98, then another 98, and a 97," I replied.

"Alright," Yaya-senpai began the math.

99+97+98+95+100+98+98+97= 782

100+100+95+97+100+98+96+97= 783

782÷8= 97.75

783÷8= 97.875

"I won," Yaya-senpai said.

"What?" I looked at the math work. "This is unbelievable, I lost by a decimal number!"

"Better luck next time," Yaya-senpai smirked.

"Well, this sucks, but a deal is a deal," I sighed.

"Heh, I am going to greatly enjoy this," Yaya-senpai chuckled. "I can just imagine you now, oh what a sight to see!"

"Yeah yeah, let's go get our bags, the chauffeur will be arriving soon," I said. Yaya-senpai wrapped her arm over my shoulders as we exited the Spica building.

"Hmm, I wonder what kind of fun we'll have together, Tsu-bo-mi-chan," Yaya-senpai smiled mischievously.

"Obviously it is nothing of the sort you're thinking of," I said.

"That is why we have dreams, don't we?" Yaya-senpai smirked.

"Hentai!" I frowned.

"What?" Yaya-senpai laughed. "I didn't tell you anything about them."

"You don't have to, I can just guess!" I said as I pulled her arm off my shoulders.

"Oh come on, don't be like that," Yaya-senpai continued to laugh, tightly wrapping her arm around my shoulders again. "You know your dreams are just as naughty as mine."

"Yaya-senpai, I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about," I huffed.

"Don't deny it, you know you do," Yaya-senpai cooed, placing a quick kiss on my cheek.

"B-Baka, w-what's that for?" I stuttered, blushingly.

"Just a gift from me to you," Yaya-senpai touched my cheek with her forefinger, smiling at my pink colored face.

"A gift, but what for?" I asked as my cheeks turned hot.

"I don't know, I just wanted to, that's all," Yaya-senpai replied as she moved her hand back down to her side, still keeping her other arm over me.

A gift... should I return it? Perhaps just this once. After all, it wouldn't do any harm, right? It's just a kiss...

I stopped, and turned to face Yaya-senpai.

"Tsubomi-chan?" Yaya-senpai looked at me curiously.

Not replying, I stood up on my tiptoes, and placed my hands on her shoulders to keep me steady. Before Yaya-senpai was able to say anything else, I kissed her.

Yaya-senpai smiled, blushingly, and touched her cheek, "Was that my gift?"

I stepped back and nodded, "It was your return gift."

Yaya-senpai chuckled and took my hand, continuing our walk back to the dorms hand in hand. I took a quick glance at her, and smilingly looked away. She was still blushing.

"Yaya-senpai?" I giggled. "You are as bright as my hair."

"Well, look who's talking," Yaya-senpai said. "You were blushing like crazy just a few seconds ago."

"Perhaps, but you hardly do," I playfully bumped Yaya-senpai in the shoulder with my shoulder.

Yaya-senpai chuckled, and returned the bump, "And you, on the other hand, always do."

"Hehe, if only Yaya-senpai would stop teasing me," I bumped her again.

"Tsubomi-chan should stop making me want to then," Yaya-senpai bumped me back.

"Huh?" I stopped walking. "How exactly am I making you want to tease me? I'm not doing anything."

"It's because you're cute, Tsubomi-chan," Yaya-senpai said as she let go of my hand and gently cupped my cheek.

I stepped back and shook my head, "Yaya-senpai, friends shouldn't say such things."

Yaya-senpai looked away, frowningly, "Perhaps friends don't."

"Yaya-senpai, am I hurting you?" I asked. "You know... with waiting?"

"It's complicated, Tsubomi-chan," Yaya-senpai sighed. "Just being with you, but not with you... yet, I can't see myself without you."

You are hurting...

"I'm sorry," I said softly. "It's my fault."

"No," Yaya-senpai shook her head. "It's no ones fault."

"But, I feel like it is. I am making you wait, and you're hurting because of me. Don't tell me that's not true, I... I don't want to hurt you, don't you see that?" I said as my eyes watered.

"What are you saying, Tsubomi-chan?" Yaya-senpai asked.

"If you're hurting now Yaya-senpai, you can't possibly imagine the hurt you'll feel later when you realize you can't have the girl you want, again!" I blurted out.

Yaya-senpai froze.

Oh, shit...

"I'm sorry Yaya-senpai, but I can't hide this from you, and I think we both know it wouldn't work out anyway," I continued.

Suddenly, Yaya-senpai bursted out laughing, "You, you are a wonderful actress! You actually had me believe there would be something between us. Haha, cold hearted as ever..." Yaya-senpai stopped laughing, and frowned, "Fuck you."

"Yaya-senpai!" I began as Yaya-senpai turned away.

"Don't talk to me," Yaya-senpai growled, pushing me off to the side.

"You should at least know that reason before you walk away, baka!" I shouted angrily. "You deserve to know that much!"

Yaya-senpai stopped in her tracks, her back facing me. Taking the silence as a green light, I ran in front of her, and looked at her directly in the eye. I continued, "First off, I do like you, I liked you ever since the first time I saw you singing in the choir. Secondly, as much as I am happy to know my feelings are requited, it wouldn't work out because..."

"Because of what?" Yaya-senpai asked impatiently. "Because you, just like the majority of all the girls here, don't know who the hell you want?"

"That's not it, that's not it at all," I shook my head.

"Then say it!" Yaya-senpai snapped. "Stop wasting my time!"

"I'm moving, baka!" I replied.

"What?" Yaya-senpai dropped the frown.

"In about a week, I'm leaving Japan," I continued. "So there, now you know. Have a nice life."

"Hey, wait!" Yaya-senapi pulled me back by my shoulder. "That's it? Have a nice life?"

"What else do you want me to say?" I snapped. "Fuck you too? There's nothing more for me to say to you. I'm done here."

"So that is it, huh?" Yaya-senpai frowned. "It's over? Fine. If that's what you want, then so be it."

Yaya-senpai walked away.

I, feel like shit, but at least she knows now. It could have been worse. She could have found out at a worse time, and I would be left staring at the big mess I made... That's funny, I'm doing just that. But, I did her the favor. I saved her the time. Why would I want her to continue loving me more than a friend would, when I already knew it would end up in shit? Well, I guessed it, it ended like shit, and I wouldn't be surprised if this was truly the end of it. I hope... is it even possible to hope at this point? Oh well, at least I don't have to mention this to Hikari-senpai, she'll find out soon enough. On the bright side, I don't have to hide anything anymore. Whatever happens, happens; and at this point, what else do I have to lose?

Yaya-senpai, I'm really sorry, but whether or not you can forgive me, please... understand my reasons...

9:15pm

"Oji-san!" I called out, passing the threshold with my small suitcase in hand.

"Tsubomi!" Oji-san smiled, walking out of the living room, widely spreading his arms. "Come give your oji a hug."

I ran towards him and hugged him tightly. After being released, Oji-san continued, "You came alone after all?"

"Yes," I nodded. "I told her, oji-san."

"Ah, I see," Oji-san said. "Come Tsubomi, let us go into the living room. Hand your suitcase to Natsuka-san, she'll prepare your room."

I handed my suitcase to the maid, and walked into living room. Sitting together on a black leather sofa, Oji-san took a sip of his glass of whiskey, and looked at me with sympathetic eyes, "I am proud of you, Tsubomi, you did the right thing."

"Did I?" I chuckled as I turned my head away, staring at the floor in front of me. "I hurt her oji-san, and that is nothing to be proud of."

"I understand, but you did what most people probably couldn't be able to do in your situation," Oji-san said.

"I guess," I sighed. "My senpai was going to find out one way or the other anyway, and it wasn't until I returned to Astraea Hill that I found out I would also be breaking her heart. A heart that recovered, and just started to love again."

"Your senpai will soon heal again Tsubomi, and so will you, it'll just take time," Oji-san smiled.

"Of course, she will one day and while I, on the other hand, will never forget," I said.

Oji-san took another sip of his whiskey, "You're strong Tsubomi, I know one day you will move on. You must not dwell on the past, for it will prevent you from enjoying the present, and looking forward to the future."

"You're right," I smiled. "But oji-san, how does one forget... a first love?"

10:41pm

Hikari-senpai: Hi Tsubomi-chan, are you awake?

Tsubomi: Hello Hikari-senpai.

Hikari-senpai: I want to let you know that Yaya-chan is staying with me at my obaa-san's house, she just fell asleep.

Tsubomi: I figured. How is she?

Hikari-senpai: Yaya-chan is hurt Tsubomi-chan. When I walked back to our dorm room to get my bracelet Amane gave me, I saw Yaya-chan crying on her bed, and our room was a mess. I have never seen Yaya-chan like that, and I have never seen her cry before... Also, she has hardly eaten all day, I'm worried she'll end up ill.

Tsubomi: It's all my fault, I caused this...

Hikari-senpai: It couldn't be helped, don't blame yourself Tsubomi-chan. If anything, I am glad you told her, and not the last minute.

Tsubomi: I guess so. Hikari-senpai, will you keep me updated on Yaya-senpai?

Hikari-senpai: I will. But, I also think the two of you should talk, at least once before you leave.

Tsubomi: Looking at how things are? It is very unlikely.

Hikari-senpai: Do you love Yaya-chan?

Tsubomi: Love is irrelevant.

Hikari-senpai: If you truly loved Yaya-chan, then you wouldn't leave her like this... I also forgot to mention, although the room was a complete mess, the only thing that wasn't on the floor was the stuffed panda bear, YOUR stuffed panda bear, which laid in bed next to her. Please, talk to Yaya-chan. You're in Tokyo, right? Can you, just for a day at least, come back to Kyoto and help Yaya-chan?

Tsubomi: I don't know, Hikari-senpai. Things may not end well for neither of us, and we'll probably end up shouting at each other more.

Hikari-senpai: Yaya-chan calls you her pinky, why do you think that is?

Tsubomi: Because of my hair...?

Hikari-senpai: No, but that would make sense, doesn't it? Anyway, she calls you her pinky because she cares about you, and I know you know that. I also know Yaya-chan isn't strong enough to say how much she wishes you could be here with her right now, despite what happened earlier today.

Tsubomi: You know all that, and no one even told you, I'm rather impressed by you. Is that an Etoile thing? Haha. I'll see what I can do, but I can't make any promises to you.

Hikari-senpai: Thank you, Tsubomi-chan. :)

A/N: Yaya's 1st P.O.V. coming up soon.

This chapter is short I'll admit, its size didn't suit my tastes at all. The reason?

The chapter was going to introduce Yaya's first P.O.V. combined with Tsubomi's storyline, but since it was going to be Yaya's first, I wanted her to have her own chapter. (Notice the times given for each section, there was a Yaya's P.O.V. in between). :)

Till the next chapter, have a wonderful day!