Chapter 14

The ready jets of hot water created damp wisps of soft vapor that rose about Sumireko's head as she carefully watched her reflection in the mirror, which was neatly and conveniently placed inside the shower.

The breathes of steam were already touching its sparkling glass surface. Slowly making opaque the area around her face, until the white translucence of it entirely obscured her features.

Sumireko knitted her brows in both a tense and pensive manner, challenging her own reflection into what any person would consider a futile staring contest.

Sumireko usually avoided these types of expressions, because other than harming her always-collected image, stressing will only cause her skin to age faster, and wrinkle.

And she wouldn't like that either.

Turning of the faucet, she lifted her hand up and slowly brought a fingertip to the mirror. Tracing uneven lines along the no longer reflective, and foggy surface.

Her brows knitted further in subdued agitation.

For a while now, something had been bothering her.

It was something that had always managed to prod its way back into her current thoughts every time she lowered her guard…

Thankfully enough, Haruki's little stunt had been good enough a distraction that her usual concerns were re-written with new ones, such as Haruki's whereabouts, and so on.

Click.

A particular and pitched crystalline noise startled Sumireko back into her reality.

Trying to locate the source of the sound, she glanced at her feet, hoping that she had not stepped on anything. Especially not Mahiru's rubber ducks, which were technically a memento Shinya had left behind.

She glanced at the showerhead, which had small-accumulated droplets of water trickling down. The droplets made a sound when they reached the shower floor, but it wasn't as high-pitched as the one Sumireko had heard.

Maybe she had imagined it?

Looking at her finger, which had been drawing a trail earlier, Sumireko's eyes uneasily widened and a small, barely audible gasp escaped her lips.

She quickly drew her hand back, away from the mirror, and took a few startled, clumsy steps back. Suppressing the sudden and uninvited emotions of both anger and devastation.

There was a small hole in the glass like object.

Unknowingly, she had accidentally punctured a hole through the mirror, causing further cracks along the no longer smooth surface.

After a careful inspection, she brought her hand up to her chest, denying to herself that whatever had just happened, had actually happened. But it did nothing to relieve her of her upcoming panic.

What was she to do now?

Banba had taken her bath earlier, so she had no actual reason to step inside the shower for the night...

Sumireko concluded that she would dispose of it after Banba was out cold in her bed for the night.

This was not a frequent occurrence, but it still happened.

Sometimes Sumireko would simply get distracted or sidetracked, and not keep tabs on the amount of force she was using. That's when things like this would happen.

She would break things.

This is what always bothered her; this was her main insecurity.

She was not entirely normal.

She had unintentionally hurt others in the past as well because of this. Be it because she had accidentally applied a little too much pressure to a clients' hand when finishing a business deal, or because she would unintentionally pet a puppy just a little too hard..

But what frustrated her the most, was that whenever she thought she had finally gained total control over her prosthetics, things like this would happen.

And truthfully, the fact that she was technically mechanically engineered had never truly bothered her. In the past, she would sometimes see it as convenient…up until she arrived in Myōjō.

And she knew exactly why.

"Hanabusa-san..are you alright..? Y-you've been in there a while..." A sweet, almost muffled voice called through the other side of the bathroom door.

Sumireko released a long, practically exasperating sigh.

Banba Mahiru.

Currently the only person alive who was able to shake whatever resolve and inner strength Sumireko once possessed.

Sumireko's eyes saddened, and she examined her fingers. Any normal person would have probably pierced, or cut through their skin. Any normal person would have probably cried out in pain.

Especially if they had punctured a hole through a sturdy mirror with their bare fingers.

But hers looked intact. Not a single scrape.

Any normal person would have felt that.

But if it hadn't been for the sound of actual glass shattering, Sumireko probably wouldn't have noticed.

She furiously breathed out and wiped her face, clenching her hands into fists. Through some massive force of will, she had controlled her heavy urge to cry, un-allowing any tears to escape.

She was stronger than this.

If she had gotten a little more careless, she could have broken a hole through the wall.

It has also happened before.

"Hanabusa-san?" Mahiru called again, this time without stuttering.

Sumireko heard the other girl beginning to fumble with the doorknob.

That's when it hit her.

What if one day she were to accidentally hurt Banba?

"Don't come in." Sumireko answered, with a little more urgency than she had originally intended, failing to mask her panic as soon as her voice broke. "I simply…dropped something.

Mahiru was quiet for a second.

"You sure..?"

Closing her eyes, Sumireko sighed again. Terrified with herself.

"Please, don't mind me. Would you mind preparing the tea this time? I'm a little too tired." Sumireko loudly asked, making sure that Mahiru had heard her, and hoping that would put the other girl at ease.

There was no answer, and for a second Sumireko assumed that Banba had already left, until a soft 'okay' replied her earlier request.

Sumireko couldn't help but smile a bit.

Her moods were simply no match against Mahiru. And lately, the girl had been less…shy.

Sumireko was not complaining. She was more than pleased with Mahiru's slow but steady improvements. She stuttered a lot less, and she was able to provide full answers whenever Sumireko would ask her something.

They also had tea every night now.

That was also nice.

Stepping out of the shower, Sumireko carefully dried herself off, and slipped into her nightgown, which was accompanied by a thin, silky robe. Her hair was still a little damp from the shower.

Taking a deep breath, she finally decided that it was time to step out of the bathroom.

She would have to do something about the mirror later.

Sumireko felt slightly more coherent with her thoughts now, but she still felt a headache beginning to set in. With gentle fingers, she took a moment to smooth down her hair, in an attempt to make herself look a little more presentable.

"Banba-san?" Sumireko carefully called, cracking the door open and peering out into the room.

Their room was the same as the rest of the other rooms, with the only exception of this one being slightly bigger, and better lit. The furniture was all the same as well, except it all had more of an elegant undertone to it. Different colors as well.

Sumireko continued to look around, now inspecting the next section of the room.

She found Mahiru in the living area, carefully preparing the tea at their usual table, which Sumireko had especially gone out of her way to order in a small size. Just so that she could sit closer to Banba, whenever they sat together.

Mahiru had randomly approached Sumireko one evening, and asked if she could teach her how to prepare tea.

It had been more than a pleasant surprise, considering that the gesture had come from Mahiru herself.

And after that, every now and again, Sumireko would receive the delightful surprise of already-made tea, sitting at her spot on the table.

Honestly, it wasn't the best tea.

Mahiru still needed years of practice before she could reach the level Sumireko was in.

But Sumireko was sure that it would always be the most delicious tea she will ever have.

At the table, Mahiru was already waiting and mixing the different herbs and fragrances, until the liquid finally took the color it was supposed to have. And without words or further hesitation, Sumireko decided to finally join, sitting in her usual spot.

Mahiru reached forward, and politely poured Sumireko's drink out for her, never making eye contact.

There was something particularly tense about the air around them tonight. Mahiru's hand shook with what Sumireko presumed to be anxiety, as she poured the tea into her cup.

Not understanding what could be causing such discomfort to her roommate, Sumireko began to map out possible causes, and failed to come to a liable conclusion.

Maybe it was because Mahiru was still not entirely used to the fact that they spent time together during the night now that Shinya wasn't around?

But that conclusion was far from the truth.

Yes, Sumireko was partly the cause of her anxiety, but it was for a whole other reason.

Tonight, Mahiru decided, was going to be the night she would finally confront to Sumireko about that particular night.

The night of the wedding party…

The night Shinya had ultimately crashed said party.

The night Shinya had flung Sumireko's soon-to-be husband down who knows how many stories.

The night Sumireko's soft and tender lips had forcefully greeted Mahiru's with their warmth…

Abruptly shaking her head, Mahiru forced herself to calm down. She wouldn't be able to focus properly if she kept thinking it over and worrying too much about it. But the sharp movement caused her to accidentally spill her own tea, staining the bleach white cloth that covered the table.

"I-I-I'm s-so sorry, Hanabusa-san..!" Mahiru stuttered, practically standing up from her chair, and frantically looking around. Trying to locate something she could use to clean up her mess.

"It's fine, Banba-san. Don't worry." Sumireko eased, lifting one hand and gesturing Mahiru to calm down.

This bothered Sumireko a bit. Because for a while now, she had been trying to judge Banba's mood. Her feelings as well, as she often found herself doing now.

Mahiru wasn't one to open up or say the things she was actually thinking. So on many occasion, Sumireko would find herself trying to see how she could bring up specific subjects with her.

Particularly the subject regarding her wedding party.

Truthfully, Sumireko had purposely avoided the subject about that night.

It's not that she didn't wish to talk about it, on the contrary, she had been dying to just throw everything on the table and see what would happen.

But she was afraid of scaring Mahiru away.

That night, after the small squabble with the guards, Sumireko had delivered Mahiru back to her bed, and patiently waited for her to wake up. And when she did, Mahiru had felt too embarrassed to talk about anything.

She simply hid under the shelter of her blankets, until Sumireko finally gave up on trying to talk about it. From then on, none of them even attempted to bring it up. Not once.

Closing her eyes, Sumireko brought her freshly served cup of tea up to her lips, and took a pleasurable sip.

"You seem.. troubled. " She finally said, slowly putting her cup back down on the table and intently looking at Mahiru. "Is there anything bothering you?"

"N-no..it's just that I have something I would like to….discuss with you. If that's ok.."

She sunk lower and lower in her chair as she spoke, averting her eyes, from the conscious ones that pierced through her chest.

Sumireko's features dropped in dejection when she saw how her roommate was acting. Banba was once again acting shy and reserved towards her.

'More than usual.' Sumireko though, saddened by this fact.

"Have I done something which has caused you any type of displeasure, Banba-san?" Sumireko asked, lowering her eyes to her hands, which were tightly clasping her cup now.

Preparing herself, and afraid of the response that may come.

Because she had indirectly breached the subject both of them had been carefully avoiding and acting ignorant towards for far too long.

And Mahiru was not dumb in regards to this. She noticed Sumireko's subtle approach to the subject.

Now was the time.

Now was her chance.

Mahiru took a deep and uneven breath.

"A-A-A-A-A-ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED THAT NIGHT…" A wide-eyed and panic-stricken Mahiru tried. Her usually sooth and pale complexion had been aggressively painted a dark scarlet.

Loudly clearing her throat and trying to push back the weird warmth that was now finding its way up to her cheeks, Sumireko sat back down on her chair, and neatly placed her hands on her lap.

"T-that night?" Sumireko continued, trying to look as composed as she could.

As composed as she was always taught to be anyway.

But growing up, she had never been taught how to maintain her composure against Mahiru, who happened to be the sole exception to her rules and teachings.

"The night of my wedding gathering?"

"Y-yes."

"W-what about it?"

'Damn it.' Sumireko cursed to herself. 'Keep it together, keep it together.'

Sumireko had two theories.

One: Either Mahiru's stuttering was a contagious disease that only affected those within five feet of the girl.

Or two: Mahiru had supernatural tongue-tying powers, which rendered Sumireko's will, useless.

But Sumireko was a smart girl. She was fully aware of the reason why Mahiru affected her the way she did.

Mahiru felt herself beginning to clench the tablecloth. She felt the need to say something. She was not going to miss this chance. Because if she averted the subject again, she was sure that she wouldn't have the guts to bring it up in the future by herself.

"I'm sorry."

They words had been so quiet that Sumireko doubted if they had even come from Banba, but she's lived long enough with her to know that it had probably been an unnecessary apology.

It was usually an apology.

"What for?" Sumireko asked, trying to sound confident and unshaken.

"Shinya."

Sumireko lifted her brows in surprise.

"Shinya?"

"S-she..hurt him?" Mahiru complied, nervously playing with her own fingers now.

Sumireko both looked felt dumbstruck and lost.

"Him?"

"Yuu…san." Mahiru mumbled, avoiding eye contact.

Oh.

So that's what she wanted to say.

Was that the only thing that had been bothering her this whole time?

Sumireko felt herself grow pale and stiff with tension. She had gotten her hopes up. She had actually thought that Mahiru was finally going to allow her to talk about the other specific events that had happened that night.

In all honesty, she had even forgotten that her soon-to-be husband practically had every bone is his body broken, due to the fall.

She didn't exactly care enough.

Though Shinya's little stunt had cause Sumireko a bit of trouble with both her family and Yuu's, it wasn't anything she couldn't handle. That was still a problem for another day.

"Yuu is fine… Thank you for the concern."

Sumireko lowly scowled at her cup as she said this. Feeling bad as soon as she realized how bitter and tasteless her tone had been. And it wasn't Mahiru's fault, she acknowledged that, but you couldn't blame her for getting her hopes up for a second.

Mahiru's expression saddened, her mouth slightly open now; she finally decided to look at Sumireko.

"H-Hanabusa-san?"

"Hm?" Sumireko replied, never looking up, and still sounding a bit dry.

"Are you…angry with me?"

Quickly darting her eyes up, Sumireko realized her mistake.

She inspected Mahiru closely and noticed how she slumped in her chair now, no longer nervous…but looking rather hurt.

"What?"

Sumireko's voice came out low and gentle this time, her eyes softening at the sight.

"Of course not. Why in the world would I ever be?"

There were moments where Mahiru was dead sure she was bothering Sumireko with her presence.

And this was one of them.

"I'm sorry…I'm just…not used to going out during the night. That time…was the first time, since Shinya left that I went outside, while it was dark…"

Sumireko took a moment to gather her thoughts, and leaned back against her chair, never removing her eyes from Mahiru.

If what Mahiru said was indeed true, that would mean that she probably had stayed locked up somewhere until the sun would rise again.

Not that there was anything wrong with that, because the night is, in fact, meant for sleeping. But still, there were small pleasantries that could only be acquired during a quiet night.

"What would you do before you were asked to return here? During the night, I mean. Did you even look out the window?" Sumireko asked, not sure if she was being inappropriate or not.

Mahiru closed her eyes for a brief moment and shook her head.

"Motel…I would stay at a small motel during the night…and not come out. I was…a little afraid when some men came to where I was staying …and told me I had to come back here. Because without Shinya, I felt …weak."

Sumireko leaned into the table, and rested her head on her arms, intrigued by the subject.

"Why did you return then?" She gently asked, afraid that if she raised the volume of her tone, she would scare Mahiru away. Because right now, Sumireko was taking the direct and subtle approach.

It had always been the safest choice when it came to Mahiru.

At the question, Mahiru jolted upright and her shy, violet eyes met Sumireko's blue ones.

"Because I-" She began to feel warm, once again turning into a soft shade of pink. "I wanted to see you."

"…"

Sumireko's eyes were wide, focused and alert. She quickly leaned back against her chair and blinked, puzzled, letting the words sink in.

Mahiru had said it as if it were a given.

Had she heard that correctly?

I mean, putting that night aside, this was actually news to Sumireko.

Doing her best to ignore her now obvious warmth, glee, and embarrassment, Sumireko began to softly giggle.

"Hanabusa-san?" Mahiru doubtfully inquired. She had not fully recovered from her own words either.

"Banba-san."

Sumireko stood up and walked all the way to where Mahiru sat, and extended a welcoming hand. Her simple smile had broadened into one filled with pleasure and a little anxiety.

"Would you please accompany me for a short while?"

Mahiru, unsure, slowly nodded agreeably.

"Where are we going?" She asked, hesitantly placing her own hand in Sumireko's.

With an anticipating smile, Sumireko tugged the confused and estranged looking girl out of her chair.

"Outside."

Sumireko replied, before she proceeded to quietly guide Mahiru out the room, and into the hallway.

The once lit morning sky had been obliterated by the rapidly falling night, which had transformed into a vast expanse of jet black. It was a completely dark and cold night.

Not a star in sight.

The academy was partly to blame for this. With all the stray lampposts and brightly lit buildings, it was hard to appreciate the beauty the night had to offer.

Especially in this particular night, where a full moon graced the sky with its presence.

But it all seemed rather dull.

Other than the fact that Myōjō was wasting excessive amounts of electricity twenty four seven, the entire town seemed particularly stagnant with the idea that every single household light had to be turned on at the same time.

Even if everything looked dull to a very disappointed Sumireko, Mahiru had a different take on the situation.

To Mahiru, everything looked different.

Familiar things had a weird slant to them now. It was as if the daytime trees, flowers and stones she well knew had gone to bed and sent out a slightly more ominous version of themselves to take their place.

Was this what the night was all about?

A disappointed sound came from Sumireko's throat as she glared at the dark sky. She had not considered that the light pollution might obstruct or interfere with whatever she had in mind.

But her disappointment did not last long.

Her countenance lit up, excited, and she looked at Mahiru.

"This way."

Sumireko brightly beamed, tugging on the sleeve of Mahiru's shirt like an overly enthusiastic child, and moving forward.

But Mahiru's own mood contrasted that of Sumireko's.

Mahiru both looked and felt scared.

She wanted to run back to the safety of her room, and hide under her sheets, where nothing could hurt her. But she didn't resist Sumireko. Redundantly enough, even though she felt terrified with the idea of being outside during the night, having Sumireko next to her brought a type of comfort, or safe feeling she couldn't quite understand.

And after a long and quiet walk, Sumireko had escorted the slightly frightened girl to an unfamiliar building.

Mahiru didn't know where she was, or recognized her surroundings; because the building was located far from the usual routine path she was accustomed to take every morning on her way to class.

And it was dark.

From the looks of things, this particular area on the campus wasn't really used much, or at all.

In the same silence they had walked in, Sumireko urged Mahiru follow her inside.

"S-should we really be here? Is this really ok?" Mahiru asked for about the third time. She flanked Sumireko and tightly held on to the fabric of the back of her shirt.

Without answering, Sumireko smiled and continued to walk forward. Forcing Mahiru to involuntarily follow.

They soon reached a battered looking elevator.

And judging by its horrible condition, once the electric double doors opened, it looked as if it hadn't been used in years.

"It better be." Sumireko finally answered with a small laugh once they were both inside. "Relax a little."

The elevator went up more than eighty stories, before finally stopping at the top floor. And once the doors opened, Sumireko didn't hesitate to hastily walk out in direction of an old wooden door in the distance.

Which proved to be a staircase to the roof.

Up in the roof, it was noticeable that right now they were both standing in the highest point of the academy.

Sumireko had hoped to get a better view of the sky from this location, but was greatly distraught once she noticed that the stars were still barely noticeable. Just small, dim, specks in the sky.

And this frustrated her greatly.

But she was not about to give up.

"Hanabusa-san?"

Mahiru didn't quite understand what was going on. But she understood that Sumireko intended to show her the sky, but she failed see what the big deal was. She didn't know why Sumireko looked so frustrated.

The sky was just dark.

Yes, the stars were a bit more noticeable, but not noticeable enough to leave an impression.

Sumireko grunted and took out her phone from her pocket. Her fingers began to unevenly glide around the screen.

With a contempt grin, she shoved it back into her pocket and smiled at Mahiru.

"Connections can be a wonderful thing." She said, her grin broadening.

She got closer to Mahiru and encircled her arm around the somewhat shaky girls waist, and pulled her close. "Banba-san, please don't be frightened. I'm right here."

Mahiru didn't quite understand what Sumireko meant until her field of vision completely darkened.

Myōjō had entirely shut off.

Not just Myōjō

The entire town was currently experiencing a sudden and mysterious blackout.

Courtesy of the Hanabusa Corporation,ofcourse.

Mahiru shook with anxiety at the sudden darkness and brought her hands up to cover her eyes. Too much darkness was as scary as too much light. Even though she had finally begun to somewhat get over her fears, she was not entirely used to this. She felt frightened and found herself struggling to not cry.

"I'm right here."

She heard Sumireko warmly whispered in her ear, pressing her own body closer to Mahiru's until the cold night became less of a problem.

That's when the fresh smell shampoo hit Mahiru.

Sumireko was close.

Extremely close.

"Banba-san." Sumireko called.

She had swiftly moved behind Mahiru, closely hugging her, and successfully making Mahiru feel safe.

"Look now."

After a little hesitation, Mahiru willingly removed her hands away from her eyes, and blinked against the darkness. She felt Sumireko's warm breath against her neck, causing her body temperature to increase at a rapid pace.

Sumireko smiled to herself when she noticed how Mahiru's corporal temperature had drastically changed.

And soon after her eyes well adjusted to the darkness, Mahiru gasped at the sight before her.

A canopy of luminous stars materialized among the ocean of purple-blackness.

Some were dull, merely flickering into existence every now and again, but there was an adequate amount of shimmering starts to illuminate the dark.

The moon particularly stood out from all of this.

Enormous, elegant, and yellow.

Because there were no traces of light pollution whatsoever, the sight was breathtakingly beautiful.

"See." Sumireko began. "Right now, there's no reason for you to be afraid."

She said, with a tone filled with suppressed joviality and satisfaction as she gently tightened her hold on Mahiru, pressing against her back.

"Shinya may no longer be here to protect you, but rest assured, I am. There's no reason to be afraid."

Sumireko glanced at Mahiru, and saw the graceful sweep of long lashes. Her flush was bright and noticeable on her usually white and porcelain skin.

It was taking almost all of Sumireko's willpower to not press her mouth against Mahiru's soft and parted lips.

Mahiru twisted her head to the side, her eyes meeting blazing blue ones. Sumireko's features looked soft and relaxed, but there was something urgent about them as well.

"Thank you." Mahiru finally whispered, lifting her hand up and cupping Sumireko's cheek, brushing her thumb along her soft features. A shadow of a smile played at her lips.

Her fingers communicated a type of need, a desire.

And as happy as she felt right now, Sumireko felt something a little off about Mahiru. Something odd in Mahiru's usual behavior towards Sumireko.

Something Sumireko had noticed over time was that, on all the rare occasions Mahiru initiated contact between them, it was never her hands what she touched, as most people would usually be accustomed to. It was always either her shoulders, or her back.

That's when she finally understood.

How could she be so blind?

Sumireko's throat felt clamped now, the narrow, hard muscles were constricting her breathing, her speech, everything.

She took a deep breath, and felt herself approach a sentence. Feeling her inner organs being dragged out of her as she put aside thought and just spoke.

"You know..." She finally breathed out, releasing her hold on the girl and instinctively taking a step back.

And for the first time, Mahiru saw something she had never seen in her roommate.

Something she had never thought a strong and confident girl such as Sumireko could experience.

Helplessness.

Sumireko had always been extremely and unnecessarily careful around Mahiru. And as far as she was concerned, the only people who new about her little condition were Azuma, Haru, Nio and somehow, Isuke.

Mahiru looked equally shocked at Sumireko's words, turning to completely face her.

She never took her eyes off Sumireko as she took a step towards her, and grabbed one of Sumireko's hard hands, placing it in her own soft ones.

Sure and confident.

"I do." Mahiru replied, low and steady.

She had intended to sound calm and maybe a little indifferent, as if it didn't exactly matter, but her voice held traces of guilt. Because she knew that she wasn't suppose to know.

And knowing without Sumireko's permission made Mahiru feel as if she had unintentionally betrayed her trust.

Sumireko looked lost.

Lost and afraid, completely unlike her usual self.

"Disgusting, isn't it?" She scoffed out, producing a type of unintentional dry humor. "Right now, you're holding my hand, but I can't feel your warmth. I can only imagine it, and dream of the day I will actually be able to feel it."

Sumireko placed her other hand on top of Mahiru's, completely enclosing it.

"But that day will never come."

Tilting her head a little, Mahiru slightly frowned, completely focusing on what Sumireko was saying. She looked pensive, and a little frustrated.

"Please be honest with me. How does his feel?" Sumireko asked, intertwining their fingers together.

Mahiru looked down at Sumireko's hand, entwined with her own. And unable to think of an answer, she stayed quiet for a short while.

"Cold." She finally replied, never removing her eyes from their hands.

Sumireko humorlessly chuckled, her eyes saddening by the second, and looking extremely downcast. She felt numb inside, and feared what she would actually feel once the numbness subsided.

"I see."

Sumireko smiled, but it obviously didn't reach her eyes.

She closed her eyes and began to feel her heart pound spasmodically, un-allowing her mind to fully register the situation.

Mahiru was momentarily silent, and looked deeper in thought, her brows knitted further.

"There is… more than one way to give and receive warmth." She rasped out, now focusing her eyes on Sumireko.

She tenderly placed a hand on the back of Sumireko's neck.

And Sumireko quietly submitted, to the girls' tense grasp.

Mahiru then lifted herself, and touched her lips to Sumireko's exposed forehead, gently.

Sumireko let out a ragged breath when Mahiru then move down, feeling the sudden heat and moisture of Mahiru's uneven breaths on her neck. Her nose began to trace a line along the length of her neck.

Her touch was tentative, thoughtful and delicate. For once, there were no traces of hesitation, no fear of rejection, in Mahiru's actions.

And to Sumireko, it was as if right now, they had all the time they wanted, or needed. It was as if she too wanted to languish over the act, in case it wasn't real.

Sharply exhaling, Mahiru pulled back and looked at Sumireko.

"H-how..was that?"

Sumireko finally opened her eyes, which looked unfocused and distant.

"…Warm."

She looked down at the girl before her and began to feel overwhelmed with emotion at the raw look in Mahiru's eyes.

"Banba-san really is the bold one here." She laughed, still feeling slightly panicked. Sumireko then felt herself beginning to blush; the sensation burned her cheeks.

This was honestly not the type of reaction she had expected from Mahiru. Not that there was anything wrong with it.

Its just that she had been so worried about it since day one, that it was a little frustrating, yet relieving, to know that it had all been in vain.

"Is it truly okay?" She finally whispered, pressing her forehead against Banba's. "Even if I'm like this?"

The warmth and sweetness of her breath grazed Mahiru, inviting her to indulge in its flavor.

And she accepted.

Without any further hesitating, Mahiru grabbed Sumireko's face and pulled her in, for what Sumireko considered to be a very fierce and urgent kiss. It was filled with anger and passion for the brief second it lasted.

But before Mahiru could pull away Sumireko pressed her body further against that of the white haired girl, deepening the kiss.

When they released their hold on one another, Sumireko stumbled backwards. Causing Mahiru to instinctively wrap her arms around Sumireko's waist. Securely keeping her in place, and preventing her from falling back.

This caught Sumireko off-guard.

Mahiru's arms were strong, confident and unwavering.

"Why should it bother me?" Mahiru complained, and the tone had taken Sumireko by surprise.

"S-sorry."

The fact that Sumireko had kept her prosthetics a secret from her because she thought it would 'bother' her actually 'bothered' Mahiru.

Sumireko glanced at her, taking this moment to just look at her. Her usually neat white hair was slightly messy, and her eyes looked bright, and a little wild.

And she considered the way Mahiru actually looked, agitated at her for once, to be adorably endearing, and refreshing.

Mahiru's voice brought Sumireko back.

"I have always wanted to hold you." Her voice was low, and her eyes were attentive, locking Sumireko's in place. "To kiss you…to make you…happy. Just being with you everyday used to be enough for me…but now it's…it's killing me.

"Sometimes…I stay up at night..wondering if I'll ever be good enough. Your world seems so far away from mine. I could never catch up.."

Sumireko's eyes softened at her words, and she brought Mahiru in for a warm embrace.

"You are more than enough." She confirmed, closing her eyes and smiling. "Can't you see?" She picked up Mahiru's hand, which rested on her waist, and brought it up all the way up. Neatly placing it on top of her chest.

Mahiru's eyes widened.

Sumireko's heart was racing, unevenly thumbing in a disoriented rhythm under Mahiru's hand.

"I love you." Sumireko whispered. "And you are, and always will be, the only person who will hold my heart like this. You are the only person who can bring me true happiness."

Lifting her hand off, Mahiru brought it all the way up to Sumireko's face, cupping her cheek once more.

She looked entirely confused and desperate.

She didn't have to say anything for Sumireko to understand that Mahiru doubted her words, because it was written all over her face.

Even though Mahiru knew very well that Sumireko was not the type of person to lie, especially about these types of things, she couldn't help but question her words.

Because she couldn't understand how in the world someone like Sumireko could take interest, much less love, someone as useless as herself.

Sumireko warmly smiled, tilting her head and kissing Mahiru's palm.

"You will always be the one for me."

Being too afraid to say anything, Mahiru acted on impulse and let her lips find their way back to Sumireko's. This time around the kiss was gentle and sweet, filled with emotion.

At that moment Sumireko felt as if something inside her had burst, and all the emotions she had been accumulating over time finally found their way out.

"Mahiru." She breathlessly gasped. Running her fingers, tangling and untangling, what she assumed to be, soft strands. "I love you."

At that moment, all the want and need Mahiru had been suppressing began to take a toll.

Mahiru smiled within their kiss, and to Sumireko, it felt like a sun's ray. And she wanted to stand there a little longer, basking in the warmth of it.

It was clear as day, that to Mahiru, Sumireko being the way she was was no problem at all.

"Wait."

Sumireko pulled back and shot a look to a slightly disappointed Mahiru.

"How did you figure it out in the first place?"

"Shinya told me…"

"…Ofcourse.."

Back in their room both Mahiru and Sumireko were quietly sitting in their living room couch.

Originally, once they had arrived, they had simply sat at an extremely close proximity, acknowledging each other's presence, and individually reviewed what had happened.

But one way another, Mahiru ended up sitting between Sumireko's legs, comfortably leaning her head back, and resting it between Sumireko's neck and shoulder.

Sumireko held Mahiru, and every now and again breathing in the other girls scent. Making sure that this was, in fact, reality.

And it was.

"What are you thinking about?" Sumireko asked, in a low almost monotone voice.

"Inukai-san." Mahiru replied in the same tired, but contempt tone.

Sumireko pulled back to get a better look at the other girls face.

"You're thinking about somebody else, while you're snuggling with me?" She asked, raising a thin brow, perplexed.

And with that remark, childish and lame even to her own ears, Sumireko felt a bit embarrassed with herself for a split second.

I mean, thinking about somebody else is bad enough.

But out of all people, it had to be Isuke?

Still, it was somewhat amusing how panicked Mahiru suddenly looked.

"N-n-n-o, it's not like that!" Mahiru exclaimed, turning around, until she was completely facing Sumireko.

Giving the sudden position they were now in, Sumireko couldn't help but blush a bit at how oblivious and sly Mahiru could sometimes be.

Especially oblivious.

Very oblivious.

"I was just thinking how she must feel, being in her room all alone...now that Sagae-san isn't around."

Mahiru's eyes fell, expressing genuine sadness.

A helpless sigh escaped Sumireko's lips and she gently moved Mahiru's bangs away from her face, getting a better look at the shy and reserved eyes she loved so much.

Which looked more open now.

"The concept of what Sagae-san did, is not exactly flattering. But she must have had her reasons for doing what she did, wouldn't you agree?"

Mahiru nodded in response.

"I can't help but feel bad for her..." She quietly uttered. "Inukai-san..she had encouraged me once."

Mahiru looked up, meeting Sumireko's soft gaze.

"If it hadn't been for her, I wouldn't have attended you wedding party back then."

Sumireko blinked, feeling slightly taken aback.

Inukai?

She had actually 'encouraged' Mahiru in some inexplicable way?

The idea alone seemed preposterous enough, truthfully.

Well.

Not entirely.

That very night, it had been both Sagae and Inukai who had assisted in 'distracting' the guards.

If it hadn't been for them...well, who knows how things might have turned out.

Sumireko sighed.

"Mahiru...can I trust you to take care of yourself?"

Mahiru looked confused and unsure of Sumireko's random request.

"Don't misunderstand, I'm not doing this for Inukai-san. I owe Sagae-san a favor is all." Sumireko explained, reaching for her phone and once again texting with one hand.

The other stayed neatly wrapped around Mahiru.

Understanding, Mahiru's expression lit up in relief and satisfaction.

"Hanabusa-san.." She said, brightly smiling.

Sumireko's eyes violently darted to Mahiru, and an unfamiliar malicious glow, which Mahiru did not completely understand, emerged.

"Ma-hi-ru." Sumireko sang, bluntly dropping her phone and using both hands to pull the girl closer.

Finally acknowledging the questionable position they were in, Mahiru began to blush, bright red.

"Y-y-yes?" She stuttered, leaning back, and looking for an escape.

She always felt safe with Sumireko; there was no doubt about it.

But right now.

Her sanity was being tested.

By the same person she was suppose to feel at ease with.

Smirking, Sumireko locked her prosthetics in place, un-allowing Mahiru a chance to escape.

Noticing this, Mahiru placed her hands on the strong, solid arms and anxiously laughed.

For some reason, she felt like a sheep in the presence of a hungry wolf.

Sumireko closed her eyes and tilted her head, still giving off a 'dangerous' aura.

"What's my name?"

Mahiru felt a cold sweat drop from the back of her neck and gave out a nervous laugh.

"H-Hanabusa..san?"

Sumireko narrowed her eyes, and pouted a bit.

"Wrong." She stated. "Try again."

"H-H-Hanabusa...s-"

Sumireko gave Mahiru a brief squeeze, cutting her off."

"Wrong again." She repeated, beginning to lean in. "Try again." She commanded, with a devilish smile.

For some reason, she was enjoying this a little too much. And after mentally apologizing to Mahiru, she opted to continue.

"H-Hanabusa?"

Mahiru was brightly blushing due to embarrassment, and Sumireko's closeness.

A small grunt came out of Sumireko's throat, and she disapprovingly furrowed her brows.

Mahiru swallowed.

She new what Sumireko's game was right now. And for some reason, she was having a hard time playing along.

She had never had any close relationships. In the past, the thought of ever being this close to someone was practically taboo to Mahiru.

Much less calling someone by name...

With a deep breath, Mahiru tightly shut her eyes.

"S-Su-"

Sumireko's eyes lit up with glee and she warmly smiled.

"Yes?"

"S-S-Sumi-"

Sumireko then leaned in, closer than she already had been, teasing Mahiru by letting her lips graze her neck.

"Almost." She whispered.

In response, Mahiru shivered and placed her hands on her vicious roommates shoulders, trying to push her back.

Her heart was not ready for this.

Yet she had been so bold earlier..

If only Shinya...

"No." Sumireko complained, closing her eyes, knowing very well were Mahiru's train of thought was going at the moment.

She wasn't going to let her run away from this.

"But-" Mahiru breathed out.

"No." Sumireko mumbled. "Not this time."

Swallowing once again, Mahiru looked down and pushed Sumireko back a bit, letting their eyes meet.

"I.."

Sumireko lifted her head a little, and brushed her nose against her roommate, who looked as if she was about to faint.

"Please." She whispered, cupping Mahiru's neck. Her eyes looked desperate and moist. And after what seemed to be a minute, Mahiru exaggeratedly inhaled and in one swift movement clasped Sumireko's face between her hands.

"Sumireko!"

Mahiru loudly called, unintentionally pinching Sumireko's cheeks in the process.

Looking a bit startled, Sumireko blinked, and began to uncontrollably laugh, hugging Mahiru a little tighter.

"That's right." She gasped between her laughing fit. "You got it!"

Pouting Mahiru turned her head away.

"You're..a bit of a bully."

But Sumireko was too busy laughing to properly reply.

She was happy.

The girl she loved finally acknowledged her, and accepted her faults.

She felt as if there had been a major development between them.

Mahiru was still a little bashful, but it seemed different.

It felt more open now.

More playful.

And the same went for Sumireko.

She didn't know she was actually capable of doing what she just did. She had never dreamed of it. But right now, she felt way too comfortable with Mahiru to care anymore.

They loved eachother.

Maybe that's why Sumireko had been acting like an idiotic child just now.

And maybe that's why Mahiru had not felt the slightest bit bothered by it.

They were both experiencing complete bliss at the moment, and nothing could cause them to think otherwise-

The loud sound of crashing glass came from the bathroom, completely startling both of them.

"What was that?" Mahiru asked, craning her head to the side, and trying to get a better view.

The mirror…

"N-nothing.." Sumireko stuttered. "Um- You had said that my prosthetics didn't bother you at all, right?"

Mahiru looked confused, but nodded.

"Good. Just…making sure we were still on the same page."

That night, they slept in the same bed.

Because Mahiru promised Sumireko that she would always give her warmth.

After Sumireko promised to get a new mirror.

The following day came just like any other, and everybody had already made it to class. All but Sumireko, whose enormous, attention-grabbing desk, sat empty.

As always, Sensei was the last to arrive. And when he did, it had been all but explosive.

"Everyone!" He yelled from the hallway, slamming the door open. He was frantically panting, and held a few crumpled papers in hand.

"Han-"

He wheezed.

"Hana-"

"Sensei?" Haru called, looking concerned for her breathless teacher.

"Hanabusa-san is taking a short leave?!" He practically yelled, waving what appeared to be, Sumireko's crumpled documents, in his hand.

Mizorogi looked as if he was about to cry.

Instinctively, all eyes fell on Haru, who anxiously laughed at the stares.

Then to Nio, who simply shrugged, feeling as confused as everybody else looked.

But Isuke's eyes, hinting actual concern, fell on Mahiru, who quietly sat in her chair. Unstartled by the news.

"Guys…isn't this getting a little old? Suzu sighed, rubbing her temples in impatience and exhaustion.

"No pun intended?" Nio happily remarked from her chair.

Isuke, for once, disapprovingly glared at Nio.

"W-what?"

Tokaku audibly sighed from her desk, she was begging to grow tired of this as well.

Mizorogi then took a moment to get himself together, and directed his attention to Banba, who seemed a little distracted. Even with the small commotion that was going on.

"Banba-san...do you know anything?"

Mahiru snapped out of whatever trance she was in and looked around.

All eyes were on her, thirsty for an answer.

"...She'll be back." Mahiru softly confirmed.

"That's all you have to say?" Shiena complained. "Well, whatever." She mumbled, turning her attention back to some papers she had on her desk. From the looks of things, Shiena still wasn't completely over her first experience in Myōjō

"She'll be back." Mahiru repeated, this time a little louder.

Isuke a scoffed from her desk, resting her head on one of her hands, and examined her nails.

"Let's hope you're right."

Putting aside new problems, Haru couldn't help but smile.

Atleast Isuke's sarcasm seemed to be back.

Authors Note: Eh, what can I say? College finals. I had been particularly busy lately and kinda kept postponing this. Sorry guys. And this may not be much (because I wrote it last minute) but it's something, and actually very crucial for future reference. As many have pointed out, I'm a huge fan of foreshadowing and random development.

"If you have time to post shit on tumblr, you have time to update your goddamn story!"

–Random Anon.

That's when it hit me, Anon-san had a point. So I began to write…and ended up writing chapters 16-17 instead.. Whoops.

Huh, it seems as if Sumireko and Mahiru have had a faster development than our main idiots. But that's just because so many of you asked of this, so here ya go.

For the impatient 'Where is Haruki? Give me my Pocky Baby back!' ones: If you really want to know, let me know and I'll let you which chapter she'll be back in. That way, nobody loses his or her sanity and we're all happy.

It's extremely late, and I'll fix the many errors in the morning.

Happy reading~