Am I in a Harem?

Chapter 21

Harem Comes to an End

Note: This is the final chapter of the story. I hope you all enjoyed the story and I'm sorry that the tail end of this story got a little scarce. Anyway, enjoy the finale to another one of my stories.

Maki ran across town to Umi's house. it was a bit of distance away so when she arrived, she was completely out of breath. She knocked on the door and waited until someone answered. Unfortunately, it was her mother.

"Hi. How can I help you?"

"I'm looking for Sonoda-san. Is she here?"

"She's not home right now, but she is at the dojo little ways down that way. I'm sure you'll find her there."

"Okay. Thank you." Maki suddenly turned around and headed in the direction she was told. It only took her a second to find it, but when she did, she poked her head through the gate and saw Umi standing alone. She was dressed in her archery outfit and practicing her shots. As she watched, she couldn't help but be entranced by this sight. Umi just looked so calm that she didn't want to disturb that peace.

"Maki? Is that you?"

At that moment, Maki suddenly cowered behind the door, hoping she avoided real eye contact with Umi. She closed her eyes and clenched her fists, hoping that that method would protect her from being revealed.

"Maki? What are you doing here?"

"Hyah!" The sound of Umi's voice right next to her face caused her to jump a little. "Huh? I'm not doing anything. Why would you think I'm doing something? Aren't you doing something?"

"Maki, I didn't ask that. I was wondering what you were doing here."

"Oh haha. Yeah…" Maki was struggling to find the words she wanted to say. She was there for a reason, but now that Umi was right in front of her, her brain just wouldn't work.

"Maki, are you okay? You've been avoiding for some time and then you suddenly show up here. Is there something wrong?"

"Yes, there is. I don't know why I'm like this whenever I talk to you. I always seem to plan out what I want to say, but whenever I'm with you, my brain just stops working. My heart starts pounding and I don't know why. It's all just…"

"Maki, calm down." Umi placed her hands on Maki's shoulders and looked her right in the eye. "All you have to do is say what you want to say. It's not that hard, trust me."

"Okay, alright. I think I can do it now." Maki took another deep breath and did her best to calm herself down. "Okay, the reason I'm here is because of something a little awkward for me to talk about. I don't really know how to go about telling you which is why I'm acting a little strange, but it's just so difficult to talk about."

"Maki, do you like me?"

Maki's eyes suddenly shot wide open. "I… I do. I really do. How did you know?"

"Because I've actually developed some feelings for you too."

"Really?"

"Yeah. Ever since we started playing together in the music room, I knew that there was something special about you."

"Really? I feel the same way about you. When we started hanging out, I just felt very comfortable and myself around you. maybe not so much when I actually talk to you, but…"

"Haha." Umi started to giggle to herself.

"Umi… I would really like to go out with you." Maki's face shot bright red as she bowed her head to Umi.

"I would love to go out with as well, Maki."

"Huh?" She suddenly brought her head back up to look at Umi.

"I'll go out with you," she said with a smile.

…

The next day, Umi and Maki decided to walk home together. They looked so happy together as they walked onto campus. One of the people who spotted them walking together was Kotori. She was too afraid to show her face so she remained in the shadows. It wasn't until Honoka made it onto campus when she noticed Kotori's strange behavior.

"Kotori-chan, what's wrong?"

"Nothing."

"No, I'm pretty sure there's something wrong. Usually you're always so happy this early in the morning. Does this have something to do with Umi-chan?"

"Y-Yes." She bowed her head in shame.

"Well, what is it?"

"It's Umi-chan and that girl."

"Oohhh." It was all starting to make more sense to her.

"I'm told myself that I would let Umi-chan go, but as I watch those two together, it just brings pain to my chest. Why?"

"Have you ever told Umi-chan about how you feel?"

"Yes. It's just that I didn't really do it at the right time."

"Well, just go tell her now."

"I can't do that! She's with that girl now. What kind of person would that make me if I confess my feelings to her when she's obviously taken now?"

"Kotori-chan, I know it may seem bad, but it'll only get worse if you don't tell Umi-chan how you feel. I'm sure it'll make both of you feel better."

…

When class started, Umi quickly realized that Kotori wasn't there. She asked Honoka if she knew anything, but she was playing hard to get. Throughout the entire class period, she kept pestering Honoka until she finally gave in and told her that she was on the roof. Once lunch came around, Umi made her way up to the roof where Kotori was waiting. She was looking out into the distance, not caring about anything else around her.

"Kotori, what are you doing up here?"

"Umi-chan," she said as she turned around slowly. "I need to tell you something."

"Okay. What's up?"

"I timed this horribly the last time and I really need you to know even though it doesn't mean anything anymore." She took a deep breath and looked right at Umi. "I love you Umi-chan. I've loved you for so long, but I just haven't been confident enough to tell you. I told Maki what I did to her and then apologized to her. Now, I know you're probably already dating her, but I just think that I can take care of you more than she can. I can love you more than she can. Unfortunately, because of what I did, you'd never give me a chance. You'd want us to keep this friendship. I just… Not being with me hurts me." Tears started to roll down her face as she starts to grow weak at the knees. "I'm sorry for doing this to you. I just love you so much, Umi-chan."

"Kotori." Umi walked up to her and put her hand on her cheek. This caused Kotori to look up at her with red, puffy eyes. "You are my most cherished friend. I know it may not seem like it, but I love you too. You've done so much for me which I'm grateful for. I just can't be that kind of person to you. I know that's not what you want to hear, but it's the truth."

"I understand."

"But after everything you've done, I'll give you this." Umi suddenly leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. "Just know that I will always care about you no matter what. I promise."

"O-Okay," Kotori whispered weakly.

In her heart, she knew that that was the most she would ever get from Umi. However, it was all that she could possibly ask for. Umi was her bestest friend so nothing could possibly separate the two of them, not even love, and this was what was going to keep Kotori staying afloat… That slight chance of Umi coming back to her was now her everything.

The End