Chapter 14

Author's notes:

Here we are again. The chapter where we see if Chie and Viljam can kiss and make up.

Translations will be found in the bottom notes.

(Inaba. May 26th. After school)

Chie and Viljam were avoiding each other. Although that was practically impossible during classes, the two took every chance they could get out of each others precense. Now after classes, Viljam practically ran away, while Chie waited for a moment, before she too started going home with Yukiko, who stayed behind with Chie.

"Chie, did something happen with Nousku-kun yesterday," Yukiko asked Chie, causing the green clad girl to flinch.

"No. Why would you think that," Chie said with an unconvincing tone.

"Because you and him have been avoiding each other," Yukiko replied as if it were obvious. Truthfully, Yosuke and Yu noticed too, but they decided to leave the two be for now. Yukiko was a little worried at why the two seemed to be uncomfortable in each other's presence.

Chie sighed at her best friends observance. "I did something stupid and now Nousku-kun hates me," Chie said in defeated tone. Yukiko looked confused.

"Did you beat him up," Yukiko asked in horror.

Chie was baffled at how Yukiko came to that conclusion. "What!? No, why would you think that," Chie asked clearly offended.

"Because other than that, I can't think of anything you could've done that would result in him hating you," Yukiko replied easily. This made Chie feel a little relieved, but only a little.

" I said something that I think offended him, though I don't know why. Now I don't know what I should do," Chie confessed her problem. Yukiko had a thoughtful look on her face.

"Have you tried apologizing yet," Yukiko asked. Chie gave her best friend a look that said "really?".

"He doesn't even want to talk to me, how am I supposed to do that," Chie said in depression. Yukiko wasn't sure how to do that either.

Then the idea hit her. "How about getting him to the school roof tomorrow. If you block the exit when he gets in, he will have no choice but to hear you out," Yukiko suggested. Chie wasn't sure of the idea, but if it allowed her to talk things out with Viljam it might be worth it.

"Alright, but how are we going to get him to the roof," Chie asked Yukiko.

"Leave that to me," Yukiko said with confidence. Chie wasn't sure if Yukiko knew what she was doing, but the green clad girl had no time to think about it, because she had to turn to a different direction to reach her house.

Some time after the two split up, Yukiko reached the bus stop. Viljam was actually waiting there. The Finnish boy narrowly missed the bus that would've taken him to Amagi Inn, so he had to wait for the next one.

"Nousku-kun," Yukiko called out, as she quickly walked towards the boy.

"I thought you might get here before the next bus," Viljam said with a faint smile.

"Umm. Nousku-kun, did Chie do something to you yesterday," Yukiko asked the Finnish boy. Yukiko trusts that Chie told the truth, but she still wanted to hear Viljam's side.

"I don't want to talk about it," Viljam said, while turning his head away, clearly depressed at the topic. Yukiko wanted to know more, but this felt like a topic she shouldn't push.

"Okay, but whatever happened, please don't hate Chie for it," Yukiko said dropping the topic, but Viljam's head snapped back towards Yukiko.

"Me? Chie's the one with a reason to hate me now," Viljam said, confusing Yukiko. Chie said Viljam hates her, but Viljam says that Chie hates him? This just became complicated.

"Why would Chie hate you? Also when did you get comfortable addressing her without a suffix," Yukiko asked. The question was innocent, but the last part could almost be taken as teasing. Viljam however wasn't phased by the second question.

"I was doing so well, and now I finally slip," Viljam whined a little. Yukiko was a little surprised at the answer, but then she remembered where Viljam was from. Of course there was a possibility that he would slip. "To answer the first question...I...may have said something that Chie-san might have taken as offensive," Viljam said with slight difficulty. Now Yukiko was even more curious, but as much as she wanted to ask, she saw that it was difficult for Viljam to say this much, so she decided to leave it at that. Though it doesn't mean she won't ask something else.

"Have you tried apologizing," Yukiko asked the Finnish boy who visibly deflated.

"It won't help," Viljam said simply. Out of all the answers Yukiko expected this wasn't one of them.

"Why not? Apologizing means you're sorry," Yukiko asked not understanding why it wouldn't help.

"Because Chie-san can't forgive someone like me," Viljam said, causing Yukiko to frown.

The red clad girl forced Viljam to look her in the eyes as she fixed him with a stern look. "Nousku-kun, we've been over this. No matter what flaws you might have, you can't make us hate you," Yukiko said with a stern tone, which softened as she spoke the latter sentence.

Viljam turned his gaze towards the ground. "...I'm sorry. I don't think I'll ever get rid of my inferiority complex," Viljam said sadly. "I'll try apologizing to Chie-san tomorrow and hope for the best," Viljam said, though his tone indicated that he had no hope. Yukiko still smiled and patted the boys head, much to his chagrin. Just then, the bus came and the two got on.

(Yasogami High. May 27th. Lunch hour)

Viljam wanted to apologize to Chie about his slip that evening, but he didn't find a good moment. In other words he was too scared to even try. Now he was sitting on the roof eating his boxed lunch, though with his appetite gone he was practically forcing himself. After all, if he didn't eat he won't make it until the end of the day.

"Mihin se yksi nyt jäi," Viljam wondered aloud. When lunch hour started, Yu had asked Viljam if he wanted to eat lunch together on the roof. Few minutes later after they arrived to the roof, Yu said he needed to go to toilet and left. The silverhaired boy even left his lunch box behind. Soon enough Viljam heard the door to the roof opening. "What took you so long," Viljam asked as he turned towards whoever came to the roof. Only it wasn't Yu, but Chie who was standing there.

Chie was surprised to see Viljam. The green clad girl was called to the roof by Yukiko, so they could discuss more about how she could talk with Viljam. "Why are you here," Chie asked surprised.

"Yu-san invited me here," Viljam answered simply. Now was a perfect chance for him to talk, but the Finnish boy couldn't bring himself to do it. He was too afraid that every word he said would make Chie angry.

"Yukiko, we need to change location," Chie said to the red clad girl who came with her. Except that Yukiko had retreated back inside and closed the door behind. Chie rushed to the door, only to realize that it was locked when she tried to open it. "Yukiko, let me in," Chie cried as she tried yanking the door to no avail. However from behind the door, it was Yu who answered.

"Sorry, Satonaka-san, but the door will stay locked until you and Nousku have made peace," The silver haired boy's voice came from behind the door. Chie was shocked to hear Yu's voice. After Yukiko and Viljam had returned to the Inn, Yukiko had called Yu to discuss on how to get those two to talk. This was the result.

"I'm sorry Chie, but I was afraid you would run away at the crucial moment," Yukiko apologized from behind the door. Now Chie was even more shocked.

"You two planned this," Chie yelled at the door, causing Yukiko to flinch. Not that the green clad girl could see it.

"Amagi-san told me that you wanted to apologize to Nousku, so now's your chance," Yu said with his usual calmness. Either he was confident that Chie would thank them later, or he didn't think the girl could kick the door down, which she was so tempted to do.

"This isn't what you said, Yukiko," Chie said, referring to the fact that the green clad girl herself was supposed to prevent Viljam from leaving the roof. "I'm not even sure if he wants to forgive me," Chie mumbled sadly.

"Me? Forgive you?"

Chie jumped and turned around to see, that Viljam had moved closer to see what was going on. "I'm the one who needs to say sorry," The Finnish boy said, before Chie could say anything.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa," Chie said while waving her arms in front of her. "What are you, sorry for," Chie asked, not understanding why Viljam should apologize. Viljam opened his mouth to speak, then closed it. Then he just looked down.

Truthfully, Viljam didn't know anymore what he was supposed to apologize for. He knew he said something he probably shouldn't have, but now that he thought of it, it's not something to get angry over. At least Chie didn't seem to be angry about it. "Because I dared to have a thought about...," Viljam finally said, unable to finish the sentence. He then turned his head away while feeling his stomach twisting in nervousness.

Chie wasn't sure how to take Viljam's silence. Not to mention, the last sentence made the green clad girl think of too many things it could implicate. Chie desperately thought what she should do, how should she think of it. "Don't think too much Chie-chan." Kasai's words echoed in the girls head. "If you do, you might make things more awkward than they actually are.". With that Chie answered with surprising confidence, "I'm the one who thought you were asking me on a date.". With that Viljam once again was able turn his head towards Chie. "I was being stupid, so you weren't at fault at all," Chie said while laughing nervously.

With that Viljam covered his mouth and turned away from Chie. The green clad girl thought she may have said something bad again until she noticed the way Viljam's body was shaking. Then Chie caught the sound the boy was trying to suppress. "You're laughing at me," Chie asked in shocked annoyance.

"Sorry.*kihhihih* But I just feel *ehheh* dumb," Viljam said between laughs, confusing Chie. How did feeling dumb make someone laugh?

The confusion was soon replaced by annoyance. "Stop laughing, before I kick your ass," Chie shouted, causing Viljam to instantly stop.

"I'm sorry," Viljam said as he turned to face Chie with a guilty look. "It's just, when I said we should do that again, I didn't even think it could be taken as 'asking for a date'," Viljam explained in embarrassment.

Chie just sighed at the admission, since she actually took it that way. "So, are we cool now," Chie asked, wanting this thing to be over with.

"Yes we are," Viljam said smiling. With that the two had made peace. "Soooo. Do you think they would let us out of here now," Viljam wondered aloud, reminding Chie of a certain something she overlooked. Yu and Yukiko probably heard them, which means they now knew what caused their little misunderstanding. This made Chie blush in embarrassment. Before Viljam noticed this, the door opened, revealing the two masterminds.

"Well done you two," Yu congratulated Chie and Viljam.

"You inviting me to the roof was just a ruse to lock me and Chie out here," Viljam accused Yu.

"It was my idea," Yukiko said like she was ashamed. Viljam was very surprised, since he thought Yukiko wasn't capable of mischief. "So, Chie," Yukiko said, turning to her best friend. "You thought he was asking you on a date," the red clad girl said, confirming Chie's fears. Viljam froze as he realized that the two masterminds heard them. Chie didn't want to answer so she ran past the two and down the stairs. "Chie! Wait," Yukiko called after the green clad girl before running after her. Leaving Viljam with Yu.

"Now then," Yu said as he went to pick his lunch box that he left here. Viljam too returned to his unfinished lunch. "So, Satonaka-san thought you asked her on a date," Yu asked Viljam.

"Yes," Viljam said with a sigh. No use hiding it.

"How would you feel if it actually was a date," Yu asked after swallowing another piece of his lunch. Viljam nearly choked on his food at the question.

"Where did that come from," Viljam asked in clear discomfort.

"Just wondering," Yu replied easily. Viljam couldn't understand how the silver hairedboy was able to ask something like that just because. "That, and Yosuke once asked me if Satonaka-san or Amagi-san were my type. I was wondering what you thought," Yu said, piquing Viljam's interest.

"What did you answer," Viljam asked in curiosity.

"I said that they were both pretty, but neither are really my type," Yu said with a shrug. For some reason, Viljam wasn't surprised at the answer. "So what would you answer," Yu asked the Finnish boy. Viljam froze at the question. He wasn't sure if he wanted to answer. Yukiko was pretty, but she just wasn't his type. Chie on the other hand... Well... Viljam wasn't sure about her. Sure she was pretty in her own way, but the idea of dating her was something the Finnish had no idea how to feel about. Even the comment he made the day before yesterday came out of nowhere as far as he knew. "This will only be between us guys," Yu reassured the Finnish, guessing why Viljam clammed up.

With that Viljam took a deep breath. "Yukiko-san isn't my type, but I'm not too sure about Chie-san either," Viljam answered unsurely. While not a lie, there was a certain type of woman Viljam was drawn towards and Chie falls under that category, but that was something he was too embarrassed to admit. After that, the two ate in silence and Yu felt that he was starting to understand Viljam.

(With Chie and Yukiko)

After Yukiko caught up with Chie, the two had sat down on the stairs between first and second floor to eat their lunches.

"Chie I'm sorry," Yukiko apologized for the umpteenth time. As much as Chie was annoyed that Yukiko had eavesdropped on her and Viljam, she just couldn't muster any anger. Unfortunately, Yukiko had taken Chie's silent treatment as a sign of anger.

"Yukiko, it's fine. I'm not angry," Chie said with a sigh.

"But I listened in on your confession," Yukiko said, causing Chie to choke on her food.

"YUKIKO," Chie cried, earning weird looks from passerbys. After the possible eavesdroppers left, Chie was able to continue. "It wasn't a confession, I just admitted that I got his words wrong," Chie explained frantically, earning a confused look from Yukiko.

"Wasn't that what you confessed," Yukiko asked, not understanding what Chie was defensive about. Chie was momentarily confused by the question until she realized that Yukiko didn't mean "love" confession.

"Anyway, I'm surprised you were able to pull something like that," Chie quickly changed the subject.

"Narukami-kun helped a lot," Yukiko said humbly. Truthfully all Yu really did was iron out the flaws in Yukiko's initial plan, but Yukiko still didn't feel like she did all that much. The two ate in silence for a moment until Yukiko decided to ask something she had been wondering.

"Chie, do you like Nousku-kun," Yukiko asked Chie, who froze mid bite. After few seconds Chie recovered and her shoulders visibly slumped.

"Not you too," Chie complained. Yosuke's occasional teasing was bad enough, but now her best friend too. "Look there's nothing going on," Chie said with finality. Unfortunately, Yukiko didn't take the hint.

"I didn't say there was. I just asked if you like him at all," Yukiko said, like it wasn't a big deal.

"Look I don't like him," Chie said in an attempt to end this conversation, but unfortunately her plan had a flaw.

"Why not?" And that was Yukiko wanting to know why Chie wouldn't like Viljam. "Is there something wrong with him," Yukiko asked, with an inquisitive look.

To that question Chie had a list of answers, but was any of them a reason to not like Viljam? Not really, because while Viljam doesn't act like a guy "should", that doesn't make him unlikeable. "URGH. Fine, I lied. He's...not unpleasant," Chie said honestly. The green clad girl wouldn't use the word 'like' to describe how she felt about Viljam, but he was good enough to be around with.

"It's not nice to lie Chie," Yukiko scolded Chie about lying, then she smiled again. "But it's nice to know that you don't hate him," the red clad girl added while patting Chie's head. Chie wasn't amused.

"Hey, I'm not a little kid," Chie said in annoyance, earning a questioning look from Yukiko.

"But Nousku-kun does this all the time," Yukiko retorted with little confidence. If Chie ever thought Viljam was bad influence on Yukiko, now it was confirmed. "He said he does this all the time to his little sister," Yukiko added. Chie felt some offence to that since she was a little shorter than Yukiko, despite...

"Yukiko, I'm older than you," Chie said in annoyance, causing Yukiko to look down in embarrassment. Although the difference in their age was just a few months, Chie still felt like she needed to remind Yukiko of that.

"Sorry," Yukiko apologized.

The green clad girl decided to pay Yukiko back by patting the red clad girl's head. "Now were even," Chie said with a grin, which made Yukiko smile. "Speaking of age how do we know Nousku-kun isn't younger than we are," Chie then wondered. If the Finnish boy had the nerve to treat Yukiko like he does his little sister, then he must think that he's older.

Yukiko of course had the answer. "He told me he was born on April fool's day," Yukiko said, confusing Chie.

"What's that," Chie asked. The next few minutes was spent with Yukiko explaining the concept of April fool's day. Viljam himself was a little surprised that the concept didn't exist in Japan. Then again, April Fool's is a western thing.

"...In Nousku-kun's own words, his very existence is the ultimate joke," Yukiko said with a giggle, which was shared by Chie. The girls then noticed students moving back and forth on the stairs. The classes must be starting again soon. The two closed their now empty lunch boxes and moved quickly to the class.

(Amagi Inn. 27th. Evening.)

The Amagi Inn wasn't busy today, that's why Yukiko had time to spend with Yu after school. Yukiko was currently in the middle of cooking. The kitchen of the Inn wasn't currently in use by the staff, so she wasn't in anyone's way. Why was Yukiko cooking right now? Because she wanted to get some practice before leaving the Inn. Yukiko had decided to leave Amagi Inn after graduating, so she thought she needs to be sure to know she can cook. After all eating out all the time isn't healthy. The only one who knows about this is Yu. Actually earlier in the day Yukiko had gone to grocery shopping with Yu. Which brings us to the second reason Yukiko is cooking, Yu had promised to taste test her cooking.

"I'm sure Narukami-kun will like this," Yukiko thought aloud as she added in some vegetables for the concoction that was boiling on the stove.

"What are you cooking for him?" Was the question that made nearly jump out of her skin. Viljam was standing in front of the doorway dressed in his "home clothes" as he calls them. Which consisted of black slacks and a loose t-shirt. The boy was in the middle of laughing at Yukiko's reaction. "When did I become so hard to detect," Viljam asked while laughing.

"Not funny, Nousku-kun," Yukiko said annoyed. Viljam quickly apologized before approaching the stove.

"Sorry, but what made you try to win Yu-san's heart with your cooking," Viljam asked the girl, who was currently dressed in her kimono. While the Inn didn't need Yukiko's help today, she was still dressed appropriately in case she was needed. The girl in question blushed at the question.

"No! It's nothing like that," Yukiko said embarrassed, unfortunately this only made Viljam smile evilly.

"Then what is it like," Viljam asked teasingly.

"Why can't Nousku-kun always be reserved," Yukiko thought desperately. A little something Yukiko noticed about Viljam, the moment it looks like there aren't people who the Finnish boy regards as "scary". He becomes what many people would regard as a pain in the ass. Nothing too serious, he just becomes more mischievous and more willing to speak his mind. "I just want to thank him for helpping me today," Yukiko said hoping Viljam buys it.

Judging by Viljam adopting his basic expression, he did. "You could've just said so instead," Viljam said, though he wasn't teasing anymore. Now Yukiko felt relieved. "Or did you bribe him with your cooking," Viljam said with a snicker.

"Don't say it like that," Yukiko said in a stern tone. The kimono clad girl decided to check her cooking, before Viljam would say anything else. "Hmm. I think it's done," Yukiko said as she went to pick up the lunch box she had prepared. As soon as she did, she heard coughing behind her. Yukiko turned around to see Viljam not far from the pot coughing. "Nousku-kun, are you okay," the kimono clad girl asked in concern.

"I'm fine," Viljam answered, though his face said otherwise. "It's rare, but sometimes I start coughing for no reason," Viljam said, making Yukiko a little worried, since she has heard how Viljam can cough so badly that he can taste blood in his throat.

"Are you sure you're alright," Yukiko asked, not wanting to take chances. Viljam gave a reassuring smile.

"Yes I am. Anyway, shouldn't you put the food in the box now," Viljam said, directing Yukiko's attention to the food she made. Yukiko quickly got to it, while Viljam looked on with a strange look on his face. "Yrittääkö hän myrkyttää Yun," Viljam mumbled, but Yukiko was still able to hear him.

"What," Yukiko asked, making Viljam jump a little, which miraculously went unnoticed by Yukiko.

"I said, I hope Yu likes it," Viljam said in a nervous tone, that Yukiko missed.

"Thank you," Yukiko said happily. With that Viljam slowly walked away.

Once exiting kitchens, Viljam had a moral dilemma. Did he do the right thing? Viljam didn't like lying, but how was he supposed to tell Yukiko that her cooking made him gag from just sniffing it. "En voi muuta kuin rukoilla Yun selviytymistä," Viljam said as he walked towards his room.

Author's notes:

Well. Chie and Viljam didn't kiss, but they did make up, Viljam got a sniff of Yukiko's infamous cooking and I managed to add a ship tease. Good work from me, if I do say so myself. Please don't flame me if I'm wrong.

Translations:

Yrittääkö hän myrkyttää Yun=Is she trying to poison Yu

En voi muuta kuin rukoilla Yun selviytymistä=I can't do anything but pray for Yu's survival