Sayo wasn't sure how she had ended up in her current situation. She had just been walking home when someone had called out her name. She had turned around to find that Tsugumi had been the one to call out to her.

Sayo hadn't been expecting that. She was even more unprepared for what happened next. Tsugumi had asked if she would come over to talk. Sayo wasn't sure what there was to talk about, but she had agreed.

She had agreed because Tsugumi looked like she was ready to burst into tears if the answer was no. Sayo was a bit concerned. It was obvious Tsugumi really wanted to talk to her. But, the nervousness and this panic was concerning. Was this talk going to be important?

That was how Sayo found herself in Tsugumi's room. The younger was nervously sitting on her bed, playing with her fingers. She hadn't said a word since they got to her house. Sayo went and took a seat beside her.

"What is it that you wanted to talk about?" Sayo asked, hoping to get the conversation started.

"U-um... it's just... I um...the pin you're wearing..." Tsugumi went quite.

"Hmm?" Sayo looked down, "Oh. Hina gave it to me."

"W-why?"

"I don't know. Just said she wanted me to wear it." Sayo shrugged, "I know what it means. I don't have any connecting to it."

"I... I see..." Tsugumi seemed a little disappointed.

Sayo wasnt sure why at first. Then, she thought about the meaning of the pin. It was the trans flag. Hina had bought some pins online one day and gave Sayo this one. She didn't say why that one was what she wanted her to wear. Sayo was starting to piece it together a little bit.

"Did you think I was? Is that why you wanted to talk?" Sayo asked, "Because you want to know someone who's like you?"

Sayo hoped she was right. Otherwise this would turn into a very awkward situation. She knew Hina and Tsugumi talked at school. Maybe Hina had found out? But, why make her wear it? Was it because she had been pestering her to be more friendly to Tsugumi? Was this her way of achieving that? Sayo wasn't too sure.

Tsugumi hesitantly nodded, "Y-yeah..."

"I see. I'm sorry to disappoint you. However, I'm here if you ever need to talk. I understand it can be a very stressful thing to go through." Sayo wasn't too sure how to continue this conversation now.

"Um... you said Hina gave you the pin?" Tsugumi asked.

Sayo nodded, "Yes. I have a feeling it was on purpose that she did."

"I... I told her a few months ago..." Tsugumi mumbled, "She's the only one other than Afterglow that knows. Well, now you know too..."

"Did you tell her or did she figure it out?" Sayo questioned.

"Both. She started catching on so I just told her." Tsugumi replied, "She's really good at reading these type of things."

"Sometimes I feel it's too much." Sayo sighed.

They sat in silence for a while. Sayo didn't know what to say. She didn't think it was her place to ask any personal questions, as curious as she was. She wanted to know a bit more about how Tsugumi came to realize she was a girl.

"Sayo-san?" Tsugumi hesitantly said, "Um... would you ever date someone like me?"

"Why do you ask?" Sayo glanced at her, a little bit of suspicion in her gaze.

"Well... I'm just curious?" Tsugumi offered.

Sayo knew there was more to it. Was this a confession? She couldn't help but think so. Tsugumi was probably asking to know if it was safe to ask. She wouldn't want to be hurt.

"I don't see why not." Sayo said, "It doesn't really matter to me."

"R-really?" It was faint, but Sayo caught a little sparkle in Tsugumi's eyes as she spoke.

Sayo nodded, "Yes. So, you should really work on your lying. I know why you asked that."

Tsugumi gulped, "Sorry..."

Sayo raised an eyebrow at her, "I'm not mad."

"W-would y-you... g-go out with m-me?" Tsugumi closed her eyes shut tight as she barely managed to stammer out her question, "I like you a lot!"

"No."

"I... I..." Tsugumi didn't know how to respond.

"I'm not going to rush into a relationship. I don't feel like I know you well enough yet." Sayo quickly added, "First, let's just get to know each other better."

"O-okay..." Tsugumi was relieved it wasn't a harsh rejection.

"Perhaps after a while you can ask again." Sayo said, "But, I don't believe it is proper to date so suddenly."

"I... I see." Tsugumi mumbled, "S-sorry..."

Sayo made Tsugumi look at her, "Don't be sorry. I just can't return your feelings. But, I'm open to that changing over time."

"S-Sayo?"

"Yes?"

"Um... Hina told me to confess my feelings the next time we talked. T-that's why I did this..."

"She is so dead."