"You know, you two didn't have to wait with me," Nozomi said.

"We didn't want you waiting all by yourself," Eli responded, "so we decided to keep you company."

"Yeah, the gracious Nico Nii wouldn't just let you stand out here all alone. Just what kind of friend do you think I am?" Nico questioned with a small huff and puffed out chest, Nozomi chuckled. "But why do we have to wait outside? It's freezing out here!"

Nico pulled her scarf in tighter to ward off the cold and tightened her jacket. Nozomi and Eli both did the same, they stuffed hands in pockets and stood in a tight circle directly in front of the school's gate. They searched for just a bit of warmth, the bitter cold had started to sink in since the end of the school day, and the wait since had done nothing to make it any more bearable.

"Because I'm not sure if Honoka-chan would wait for me if I asked her," Nozomi answered openly. She figured she would try and be open about everything since apparently she hadn't done a good job of hiding it. "We haven't really talked at all this week."

Eli placed a hand on Nozomi's cold shoulder. "Are you sure you don't want us to help you with this," Eli motioned toward Nico who gave a curt nod, "we really don't mind."

"Thank you," Nozomi answered with a soft smile, "but this is something I need to try and fix myself."

There were a few minutes of silence. Time passed by slowly as they stood and waited. Nozomi could feel an all too familiar bout of nerves already working their way into the pit of her stomach, but she shook her head and took a few deep breaths. Her resolve continued to waver slightly, but never break fully. She couldn't allow that to ever happen again as she continued remembering her conversation with Maki just a few hours ago. Finding the courage she needed to face what was coming, or at least she hoped she could.

"What did you do anyway? Honoka wouldn't get upset like this over nothing," Nico bluntly asked.

"Nico, that's a little personal don't you think?" Eli spoke up, giving a quick glance to Nozomi.

"It's fine," Nozomi waved a hand in front of her face to brush off the concern. "Everyone already knows something happened. So I guess I might as well just tell you the truth."

She looked at her two friends, both showing their support in different ways. Eli seemed ready to offer words of encouragement and consolation at a moment's noticed. Her wide eyes baring as much sympathy as they could muster. Nico stood with her arms crossed and body slightly turned to the side, but Nozomi could feel the care hidden in her narrowed eyes and scrunched face.

What would they think when they learned what really happened? Nozomi wondered if they would see her in a different light. The motherly and always compassionate Nozomi rejecting someone's honest confession of love. A rejection that was having obvious effects on the entire group's dynamic, as well as tampering with their leader's vibrant cheer.

A few students began trickling out of the school building as club activities started winding down. The occasional students passed by the trio and out the gate as Nozomi took in a few deep breaths to steady herself.

"I did something horrible to Honoka-chan," Nozomi began. Eli and Nico never breaking their stares. "You two know how we've been spending a lot of time together lately, right?"

"Well yeah," Nico answered, casting a discreet glance over to Eli before looking back to Nozomi. "Everyone knows that. You two have been inseparable these past couple weeks."

"We have, and it's been great. I love just being around her." Nozomi lightly chuckled. The sound trailing off immediately as she shifted her gaze down to her feet, a few beads of sweat formed on her neck against the cold air. "But I messed up."

"Nozomi," Eli said, placing a hand on Nozomi's shoulder with a reassuring squeeze.

"Honoka-chan confessed to me the other day you know," Nozomi admitted. She looked back up at her friends, Eli still held the same sympathetic expression, but Nico's eyes narrowed further.

"That's a good thing isn't it," Eli gave another squeeze to Nozomi's shoulder, "I know how you feel about Honoka. So something must have happened."

"Don't tell me you did what I think you did Nozomi," Nico said, arms crossed and staring daggers. Gone was the glimmer of warmth in her eyes, replaced by a judgmental stare.

Nozomi swallowed hard. "I," she muttered, biting her lower lip, "I rejected her."

"It's alright Nozomi," Eli cut in, moving her hand from Nozomi's shoulder to her back. "Can you tell us why?"

A few years prickled at Nozomi's eyes but fought them back as soon as they came. She enjoyed the small comfort Eli provided. It was a far cry from the very heated glare that she was receiving from the other member of their trio. With a deep breath, she steeled herself once again. She knew she couldn't cry and accept their pity, she hadn't earned that right.

"I was… scared," Nozomi admitted, "I've never been confessed to before, and I didn't know how to react. She was just so honest and open. She just looked me in the eyes and told me exactly how she felt. I didn't know how to react, and I hurt her because of it."

She knew that was only a half-truth. She was scared, and she had never been confessed to, but there was more to it. There would be a time and place to properly explaining, especially to Eli, but that story would have to do.

Nico caught on quickly and softened her expression, giving a few understanding nods that Nozomi was grateful for. The budding resentment in the shorter girl's eyes gave way to an understanding reassurance.

"You really made a mess out of this," Nico said, giving a small tender smile. "Do you think you can fix it?"

"I'm going to try, and I know what I need to do. I just hope she'll forgive me."

"You have our full support Nozomi, right?" Eli said, motioning toward Nico who gave a quick nod. "Plus it's Honoka. I just know she will understand."

"Thanks, Elicchi, Nicocchi."

Nozomi's attention was suddenly drawn to the main door to the school and the three girls who had just come out of it. She clenched her fists, her nails digging into the palm of her hand. It wasn't a time she could afford to be scared, she had resolved to see this through. Not just for Honoka's sake, but for her own happiness as well.

"Good luck Nozomi," Eli and Nico both muttered in unison as the second-years had caught sight of them and walked over.

Honoka walked in between her two friends. Kotori stood to her left, placing a hand on her shoulder as soon as she caught sight of Nozomi. Muttering a few quiet words into her friend's ear. Umi took her place to Honoka's right. She was a few steps in front of her as if she was trying to act as a barrier between Honoka and anything that may hurt her. Umi's eyes were narrowed and directed solely at Nozomi.

Nozomi figured that Kotori and Umi had been told about what happened. It wasn't surprising. The three were inseparable, and something as serious as this would have been confided almost immediately Nozomi assumed. But it wasn't the worried glances from Kotori or the unwavering glare from Umi that hurt the most. It was Honoka's eyes that jumped from person to person. From Kotori to Umi, even Nico and Eli, but she never once so much as glanced at Nozomi.

It was a stinging rejection Nozomi felt as Honoka's eyes wandered everywhere but in her direction. She figured this must have been at least a little similar to what Honoka herself had felt. It hurt. She felt compelled to turn heel and head straight home, not sure if her heart could take a direct rejection from the girl she was now certain she had fallen for. But if Honoka could do it, she figured she could as well. She owed Honoka at least that much.

"Hi Nico-chan," Kotori was the first to speak up, offering a bright smile. "You didn't tell me you were waiting for me."

Nico had already taken her place at Kotori's side, taking her girlfriend's mittened hand into her own. "Think of it as a nice little surprise."

Umi tore her eyes away from Nozomi. Her expression softening as she looked at Eli. "Hi, Eli."

"Hi Umi," Eli responded, smiling.

Nozomi focused on Honoka as the group continued their greetings and pleasantries. Thoughts of an impending confrontation paired with a worry and guilt as she watched Honoka stand silent, only talking when spoken to, her usual smile replaced by an indifferent straight line. It was a change that she knew she was entirely to blame for.

"Why don't you come over tonight Kotori?" Nico asked, glancing between Kotori and Nozomi. "The little ones want you to play dress up with them again."

"I'd love to, but," Kotori looked over to Honoka.

Honoka picked her head up, smiling a lopsided smile. "It's fine Kotori-chan. You can go have fun with Nico-chan."

"Are you sure?" Kotori asked, a hand still placed on Honoka's shoulder.

"Go have fun!" Honoka shouted a little too enthusiastically, lightly pushing Kotori closer to Nico. "I'll be okay."

"You heard her Kotori," Nico said, already tugging Kotori toward the gate. "Let's go."

"If you're sure," Kotori took a last look between Honoka and Nozomi before following along with Nico. "Bye everyone."

Nozomi gave a small wave and her own goodbye to the couple as they left, she gave a silent thank you to Nico for helping. A silence fell over the remaining members as the last stragglers for the day's club activities exited the school grounds.

Eli walked over to Umi's side and tugged at her sleeve. She was the first to clear the silence. "Why don't you come over today?"

"Eli," Umi said, sighing. She ran a hand through her hair and turned toward Eli. "You know I want to, but I promised Honoka we would go together."

"I'm sure Nozomi would love to take your place Umi," Eli leaned past Umi and smiled at Honoka. "Would you mind if I stole Umi away just for today? I'll make it up to you I promise."

"Well," Honoka started, her voice trailed off as soon as it began. She took a second to look at Nozomi for the first time before looking back to Umi. "I'll be fine. Go be all cuddly with Eli-chan."

"Honoka!" Umi blushed and turned her head, taking a few seconds to collect herself before looking back. "Are you really sure about this?" She threw a quick glare toward Nozomi.

"I'm sure Umi-chan!" Honoka shouted, again with a little too much cheer.

"Thanks, Honoka," Eli cut in, already pulling Umi to leave.

With a few quick goodbyes, the couple left. Leaving Nozomi alone with Honoka, giving her the chance she had been preparing for since school let out.

The school had emptied out and an uncomfortable silence spread between the only two left in front of the gate. Nozomi tried to meet Honoka's eyes to give some reassurance or spark conversation, but Honoka again was uninterested and looked at everything that wasn't Nozomi. It hurt, but Nozomi couldn't be discouraged by something like this.

"So," Nozomi started, gripping at the end of her sleeve. Honoka perked up, but still kept her eyes low. "I've got some things I want to talk to you about. Do you have time to come over for a little while?"

Nozomi tried to get a read on what Honoka felt but couldn't see anything but the same dim expression that had been present all week. She pulled her jacket in tighter as she felt a deep chill run down her spine.

"Sure," Honoka dully said. She had already started off toward the gate as soon as she finished.

Nozomi was surprised at the sudden answer but quickly followed Honoka. She walked along Honoka's side as they started toward her apartment. Their steps never fully falling into sync, and their steps clicked on a staggered rhythm. Nozomi wasn't sure what to say or do to break the obvious tension.

"Did you have a lot of work today?" Nozomi decided to try simple small talk. She hated seeing a silent and removed Honoka. "I know it can get a little hectic around this time."

"Yeah, there was a lot of work."

Nozomi stared at Honoka, waiting for an answer that never came. A few cars drove by as the pair fell silent again. Honoka seemed content to trudge along in silence, and normally Nozomi would be alright with a quiet walk together. But the tension was unnerving.

"What about your homework?" Nozomi said, forcing a smile. "Do you need help with anything?"

"No," Honoka shoved her hands into her pockets, "Umi-chan and Kotori-chan helped me with it."

"Well that's good," Nozomi rubbed the back of her neck. "You know it's been pretty cold lately, hasn't it?"

"Yeah."

"Practice has been going well this week, don't you think?"

"It hasn't been too bad."

"Have you listened to Maki-chan's new song yet? It's really good."

"Not yet."

Nozomi let out a long held breath and watched it disappear into nothing. A bout of frustration had wiggled its way into her head, but she decided to drop it and walk in an awkward silence. She couldn't bring herself to continue talking to such a closed off Honoka, it didn't feel right. It also didn't help knowing that Honoka had really only acted this way towards her.

The days had started getting shorter, and by the time they reached Nozomi's apartment the sun had already begun to set. The crowds of people heading home for the days had already started to thin giving way to a quiet evening.

Nozomi unlocked and opened her door, motioning for Honoka to enter. "Please come in."

"Thank you for having me," Honoka said, walking into the entryway and discarding her shoes. Nozomi followed closely behind, doing the same.

"Take a seat wherever you like," Nozomi ushered Honoka into her living room. Honoka took a seat on the couch setting her bag nearby and placing her hands at her side. "Would like something to drink. I've coffee, tea, or maybe something else?"

"No I'm fine," Honoka looked down at the table in front of her. "You said you wanted to talk about something, right?"

"Yeah I do," Nozomi replied, taking a seat next to Honoka. "Do you know what I wanted to talk about?"

"If it's about the other day we don't need to talk about anything," Honoka answered, her was voice strained and shaky.

Nozomi hadn't expected such a blunt answer and a few moments went by as they sat in silence. She rubbed her hands together, trying to find some way to continue. Trying to find something to make Honoka understand how she felt.

"But I have some things I need to tell you," Nozomi found her voice.

"Really Nozomi-chan, it's okay," Honoka balled her hands up at her side. "You didn't feel the same way. You didn't do anything wrong."

"That's not true," Nozomi mumbled, she still couldn't turn to look at Honoka. "I hurt you."

"You did," Honoka responded quickly. Nozomi recoiled at the harsh truth, Honoka's eyes never lifted from the table. "But it's not your fault. I got caught up my feelings for you and didn't think about how you felt. I pushed my feelings on you, and you don't feel the same way. It's just something I'm going to have to deal with. And now I'm sulking like a big baby."

"Honoka," Nozomi gently placed her hand on Honoka's balled up fist. She didn't grab or squeeze, just lightly set her hand down Honoka didn't pull away. "I really care about you. I love you. I know it's hard to believe that, but I really do. I have since before you confessed to me."

Honoka clenched her fist tighter. "Then why did you say no? Why do that to me?" Honoka's voice rose, a few years slid down her cheeks. "I don't believe you."

It was the answer Nozomi had expected, but it didn't hurt any less. Having her feelings thrown back in her face was heartbreaking, and she could feel her own tears begin to form. But she bit them back, forcing herself to face what she had sowed.

"I know it's not easy to believe," Nozomi rubbed her thumb over Honoka's clenched fist, she felt it relax a little. "But it's the truth, and I need you to believe that."

"Why say no," Honoka said quiet enough that Nozomi could just make it out. Her clenched fist unfurled, she let Nozomi's hand rest on top of her own.

"I was… scared," Nozomi admitted.

"Well so was I!" Honoka shouted, her hand grabbed at the couch. "It really took a lot to confess you know." More tears slid down Honoka's cheeks as she clutched at the soft cushion.

"I know it did, and I know I was being a coward," Nozomi said, her hand lightly squeezing Honoka's, "but you have to believe me, please."

"What were you scared of?" Honoka let Nozomi run her fingers through her own. "I was the one confessing."

"I just didn't know what to do," Nozomi said earnestly.

Nozomi got to see Honoka's eyes for the first time the entire afternoon. She couldn't see any anger or frustration hidden beneath as Honoka looked up at her. Just curiosity and maybe a little hope intermixed with tears. But above all else Nozomi could see the vulnerability, she knew she had to make things right.

Nozomi took Honoka's silence as her cue to continue. "I've never really been all that good at letting people get too close. Elicchi was the first person who I really considered a close friend."

Nozomi intertwined her fingers with Honoka and squeezed. Honoka didn't pull away, she just continued staring not saying anything.

"We did everything together," Nozomi continued, Honoka never breaking her stare, "I thought she was someone who I could let get close without it hurting me. So I let her get closer and closer, we spent more and more time together."

"At some point, I fell in love with her, and I was really happy about it," Nozomi turned away from Honoka's prying eyes. Even if she had already told Honoka all of this, it wasn't easy being so emotionally open. "And well… you know what happened after that."

Nozomi stared down at her knees. "Then you and I started to get closer and closer," she wiped a few years away with her free hand. "I had so much fun being with you Honoka-chan. You're so fun and beautiful and amazing how could I not fall for you after all the stuff we did together."

Honoka turned her hand over, relacing their fingers and squeezing tight. "I felt the same way, but."

"I don't expect you to forgive me. I hurt you and if you don't feel the same about me anymore I understand," Nozomi gripped harder at Honoka's hand. "Just believe me when I say I love you. I have for a long time now, and I know I've done something horrible to you. I will never hurt you again Honoka-chan, even if you don't feel the same way about me. I promise."

"You mean it?" Honoka choked out.

"I love you," Nozomi wiped away another year, "and I promise I always will."

A silence fell in between them. Nozomi was doing her best to keep her composure. Everything she ever felt for Honoka was laid bare, and while she didn't expect Honoka to forgive her, she hoped that maybe she could get another chance.

Another few seconds went by with neither saying anything until Nozomi felt a warm weight press up against her shoulder. She only glanced over, seeing Honoka's shoulder pressed up against her own

"You mean it?" Honoka's voice quietly broke the silence.

"Every word of it."

"Do you really love me?"

"So much."

Nozomi pressed her eyes shut, the uncertainty of Everything gnawing away. Her terrified thoughts only broken by a warm and soft sensation on her cheek that was gone as quick as it came. She brushed her free hand against her cheek, it was just a little wet.

"I really really do love you Nozomi-chan," Honoka's voice wavered only slightly.

Nozomi finally opened her eyes and looked at her love. A small smile present on Honoka's face, a few years streaked down her own.

"I love you so much," Nozomi said, she felt Honoka rub circles on the back of her hand. "Thank you."

Honoka smiled her usual bright and cheerful smile. The one that fit her face so perfectly, and Nozomi was helpless but to give a big smile of her own.

"And you know Nozomi-chan," Honoka said, leaning back into Nozomi's shoulder. "You don't have to be scared. I'll always love you, and you can count on that."

"I know," Nozomi answered as she leaned into Honoka.

Nozomi couldn't believe what she was hearing. After all she had done, Honoka was still able to love her and tell her just what she needed to hear. Gone was the uneasiness that always sat in the pit of her stomach. Replaced instead by a happiness of a fulfilled love.

"You still have out book right?" Honoka asked, pulling away from Nozomi so their eyes could meet.

"Of course," Nozomi answered, happy to see the shine back in Honoka's eyes.

"I have something I want to put in it," Honoka picked up her bag and began sifting through.

Nozomi left her spot on the couch and quickly grabbed the purple book from her bedside table. Taking a second to look over the cover and chuckle at how important a book full of stickers had become to her, and how important the book would continue to be.

"I got it," Nozomi set the book down on the table and retook her spot beside Honoka.

"Here it is," Honoka said, she set her bag back down on the floor and cupped her hands together.

"Is it a new sticker?"

Honoka quickly nodded her head. "I got it the day I confessed to you, and I thought I would give it to you then."

"I'm sorry," Nozomi said, eyes downcast.

"Stop it, this is supposed to be a happy moment," Honoka quickly cut in, dispelling Nozomi's bad feelings as quickly as they came. "No peeking while I put it in, okay?"

"Fine fine," Nozomi turned her head giggling the whole time. She figured she just loved Honoka's childish side too.

"Now look."

Nozomi opened her eyes and found the book opened to the very first page. The seven flowers all still sitting at the bottom with the sun shining on the top left and the stereotypically white clad angel sitting across from it, but in the middle sat a small heart. The edges of it were well crumpled and worn, it barely stuck onto the paper and there was a hard crease down the center, but it still stuck despite all of the obvious flaws.

"It's perfect," Nozomi said, wrapping a hand around Honoka's wait and pulling her in close.

"I thought so too," Honoka nuzzled in closer. "But it's a little cheesy don't you think?"

"Maybe a little bit," Nozomi answered, chuckling. She leaned her head onto Honoka's. "But I think it fits."

A/N: Well that's all she wrote people. I hope everyone who read this all the way to the end enjoyed reading this as much as I did writing it. I want to give big thanks to everyone who has read, favorited, followed, and reviewed this story it means a whole lot to me.

Though this is the end of what I had planned there will probably be an extra chapter at some point. There are two things I've kinda left open that I hope to tie up, but this is the end of what was planned, and while it may not be great, I'm happy with it.

So again thanks to everyone who read this story which was really me fulfilling my need for a ship that nobody else wanted. I have my next multi-chapter fic planned but I'm not sure when that'll get written.

Chapter Album - I Learned the Hard Way by Sharon Jones