It was the night after an Aqours concert. Everyone was hanging out in one of the hotel rooms.

"Hey! I know what we should do! Let's go to the bathhouse together!" Chika suddenly declared.

Everyone started talking amongst themselves about the offer. Most were in favor of it. It would be nice to relax after the show. It had been a pretty difficult one.

Everyone slowly agreed to it. All except one. Ruby wasn't in agreement. She didn't want to go. But, she just nodded along. She was too afraid to say anything to them about it.

As they were walking, Ruby hung toward the back. She tugged on Dia's arm to get her attention.

"Onee-chan, I don't know about this..." Ruby whispered.

"It'll be alright." Dia reassured her, "Just keep a towel on."

"But... what about everyone else?"

"Don't worry about what they do." Dia replied.

Ruby still wasn't convinced. She was debating on just asking to go back to the room, but she didn't want to go alone. Ruby knew Dia would come with her, but it made her feel guilty about taking this away from Dia.

"I can't do it." Ruby stopped walking.

Dia pulled her into a hug, "Would you like to go back? I'm sure they'll understand."

Ruby hesitantly nodded. Dia called to the others and said her and Ruby wouldn't be joining them. She lied and said that Ruby wasn't feeling well. That was enough for them to back off.

Dia took Ruby by her hand and led her to their room. Ruby felt bad about making Dia stay with her and miss out. She was just too afraid to face her fears. She couldn't stop worrying that somehow they'd see that she wasn't exactly the girl they thought she was.

"Are you alright? I know it's tough to deal with this." Dia asked as she pulled Ruby to sit on the bed with her.

"Y-yeah... sorry I made you stay with me..." Ruby mumbled.

"There's no need to apologize. You come first, Ruby." Dia kissed her on the head.

"Onee-chan? Do you... do you think I should tell them?" Ruby whispered. That was her biggest fear. She didn't know how they'd react to her coming out.

"Only if you feel ready to. I'm positive they wouldn't hate you." Dia reassured her, "If anyone did, I'd make sure they'd never be able to hurt you. Don't worry about anything."

Ruby felt bad again. Dia was always there to protect her. She never stood up for herself. Dia always did it for her. Ruby felt bad about making her do so.

"I... I'm not ready."

"I understand. Take as long as you need. How about you get a bath? That could help ease your nerves a little." Dia suggested.

"Okay." Ruby agreed.

They entered the bathroom. Dia helped Ruby figure out the bathtub and then left her alone. Ruby sighed as she sat in the bath. She didn't deserve a sister like Dia. She was so kind, so willing to do anything for her. Ruby felt she never repaid her enough for everything.

This was just another thing to add to the list. Dia was immediately willing to lie to the others for her sake. Lying wasn't something Dia did very often. This was one of the few lies Dia could tell and not feel bad about it.

Ruby finished the bath and dressed. She entered back into the bedroom. Dia was laying on the bed reading a book. Ruby crawled in beside her. Dia smiled at her and set down the book.

"Feeling better?" Dia asked as she pulled Ruby into a hug.

"A little bit." Ruby replied.

"That's good."

"Onee-chan? Um... I wanna try and tell them tomorrow." Ruby stated.

"You sure?" Dia was surprised.

Ruby nodded, "I... I want to get it over with. I don't want to keep hiding from them."

"Alright. I'll be right by your side when you do, I promise." Dia gently kissed her on the forehead.

Ruby snuggled closer, "I'm tired..."

"Then get some rest." Dia replied, "Sweet dreams, Ruby."

"Goodnight, onee-chan..." Ruby yawned.

Tomorrow she'd do it. She'd tell everyone what was going on. And, she wasn't going to hide behind Dia. She'd tell them herself. She would.