35: The Question of Love

"Karin-san, Kanata-san, thank you for all you have done for us," I said, greeting the two as I entered the club room. It was the day of their graduation, and we had decided to gather here before the ceremony.

"You've done more than we ever had," Karin laughed.

"Yeah! Take care of the rest of them when we're gone, okay?" Kanata smiled.

"Sure thing! Though I'll be leaving pretty soon too…" I replied. I went over the couch and sat down, where Yu and Ayumu were chatting.

"So how did things go with Takeshi?" I asked Ayumu.

"Oh, we were just talking about that!" Yu answered, trying her best to be enthusiastic about it in front of her friend. "Ayumu and Takeshi is a thing now!"

"Y-you don't have to say it like that!" Ayumu shot, blushing.

"Why not? It's the truth, right? Tell him what happened!" Yu patted her on shoulder.

"W-well… Takeshi said that we could go to the theme park together…" Ayumu squealed and buried her face in Yu's arm.

"O-oh… yeah… congratulations…" I replied, trying to be happy for her. "S-so… when are you guys going?"

"Really soon! It's gonna be spring break after today, remember?"

"Oh, yeah! Wow, must be nice… what are the rest of us gonna do then?" I asked.

"Yeah, Ayumu-chan! What about us? While you're having your little date!?" Yu teased.

"I-I'm sorry! I dunno… maybe you guys could have a party?"

"Yeah, yeah, typical happy couples… so lucky…"

"I mean, I'm happy for you, Ayumu-chan," I said. "If he's the one you like, then we can't stop you, eh?"

"Heh… thanks…" Ayumu was really uncomfortable, but her plight was saved when Setsuna barged into the room. All of us looked up at her.

"Sorry for being late, everybody!" Setsuna apologized, bowing. "And I'm sorry for being such a downer at the competition! I'm glad we got second place, and I'm looking forward to spending a week with everyone in Okinawa!"

We all stared at her, then began applauding in unison.

"It's fine, Setsuna-chan! As long as you're happy!" Karin went over and hugged her.

"And I'm sorry for being so rude to you," Setsuna said, embracing her. "I was so caught up in my emotions… oh, I was so inconsiderate! You and Kanata are graduating, and I was being rude to the very end!"

"Well, it's not over yet," Kanata said, joining the hug. "We're so glad to have you as our leader, Setsuna-chan."

"Kanata…" Setsuna blushed. "I'm so sorry, everyone."

"Don't be," Ayumu said. "It's only natural that you would be depressed we didn't win… after all, you had the greatest potential to carry us to victory out of all of us."

"Yeah. And we're sorry we didn't practice enough during the bonus round," Yu added.

"No, that was fine! You three performed so well," Setsuna said, walking over to us on the couch. "It was amazing." Setsuna smiled at me, and I remembered our karaoke outing, blushing.

"Oh! By the way…" Setsuna pulled a custard bun out of her bag and handed it to me. "Here you go!"

"U-uhh…." I looked over at Yu. "Th-thanks, Setsuna."

"D-do you like it?" Setsuna asked shyly, brushing hair out of her face.

"Y-yeah! This is my favorite! H-how did you know…" I replied.

"Ehe… Y-Yu-chan said you loved these custard buns… so… I wanted to get one for you! Thanks for your encouragement the other day. I really needed it." Setsuna turned and scurried away.

"O-oh…" I stared at the bun in my hands.

"No wonder why she was asking me all those questions about you last night!" Yu remarked, laughing. "Hohoho! She told me about the whole karaoke thing…"

"Yeah, that's actually so cute," Ayumu squealed. "Setsuna said when you two were at the station, about to say goodbye, you suddenly stopped her and was like, 'hey, let's go to Akiba together sometime, okay?!' Kyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!"

"AHHHHHH don't say it so loud!" I shrieked, embarrassed, grabbing Ayumu and covering her mouth.

"Omg, you're blushing so hard," Yu commented.

"Stop, or she's gonna hear!" I shouted. The room fell silent, and everyone stared at us. Setsuna was in mid-conversation with the others when she stopped and looked at me with wide eyes. Oh, no, it's all over!

I sat there, trying to act nonchalant, and began nibbling away at the bun.

"D-does it taste good, senpai?" Setsuna asked from across the room.

"Y-yeah, it's great! Haha!" I replied, and everyone just stood there awkwardly.

"Oh! That's good to hear! Anyway, isn't it almost time for the ceremony? Let's go, everyone!"

We watched the graduation ceremony, and once it had concluded, we stood outside in the courtyard, amidst the swirling sakura petals.

I stood to the side as I watched Karin and Kanata surrounded by the other girls, laughing and crying in a sea of sentimentality.

How nice it must be, to have friends so close that they would care so much to say goodbye. It's not something I've ever had.

"Why don't you go join them?" I turned around to see Shizuku, hands behind her back, smiling up at me.

"Oh, it's fine… I'm not as close to Karin and Kanata as the rest are, so I'll let them have their time together…" I replied.

"Yeah, I understand. It's not easy to make everyone your close friend. Especially when you graduate, senpai. I heard that it'll be harder to make friends in college, and even more so when you go to work… everyones' going to be so busy, and they always have their own things to worry about. You don't get a lot of time to spend with the same people, so it's harder to make close relationships." Shizuku giggled. "That's what I've heard, anyway."

"Well… I was never really one to have many close relationships, anyway."

"What do you mean? I think you're pretty close to most of us, though!"

"Then it'll be the first time for me. And the last."

"All the more reason to make the most out of it, right?" Shizuku placed a hand on my back. "Come, let's go congratulate the graduates!"

"Come here, Derrick-kun!" Karin called out, and gave me a big hug. "I'll miss you!"

"Thanks, Karin. You get out there and make it big, okay? I better see you on the cover of a fashion magazine soon!" I said, laughing.

"And NOT on the cover of one of Derrick-senpai's magazines, eh?!" Yu added, and we all erupted into laughter.

"Of course not! That's more suited to someone like Kasumi-chan, right?!"

"Wh-what are you talking about!? I'm a cute, pure maiden, okay!?" Kasumi protested, and we all shook our heads in pity.

I turned to Kanata, and gave her a hug.

"Take care of yourself, Kanata. Don't forget to take a break sometime, okay?" I said.

"Okay, Derrick," she replied. "And don't forget to do the same yourself!"

"I won't!"

And just like that, the Nijisaki Academy School Idol Club lost two members.

"Wow… club's gonna feel so different with those two gone," Yu said, as we boarded the train.

"Yeah… but I think it's gonna be the most different when senpai's gone," Ayumu said, smiling at me and hoisting her handbag.

"Haha, but that's fine for you, because you already have someone you love!" I joked, punching her in the shoulder.

"That doesn't mean you're any less important as a friend, senpai," Ayumu objected, linking her arm in mine.

It was early in the morning, and Yu and I decided to send Ayumu off to meet Takeshi, before their amusement park date. After graduation, we had a giant feast, and now it was spring break.

"You better prepare everything you need for today's date," Yu lectured, pulling out a handheld mirror and holding it up to Ayumu. "Fashionable cutesy pink dress? Check. Natural makeup and perfume? Check. Classic Ayumu bun? Check! You'll steal my stupi- steal my brother's heart in no time!"

"Condoms, check?" I piped.

"What the hell!?" Yu slapped me in the face, and Ayumu did so as well, causing everyone in the train to grimace at us.

"Owwww! Sorry… hehe…"

We got off the train and decided to eat breakfast at a popular hippie joint.

"What the hell is this roast kale avocado toast with non gmo wheat bread?" I said, staring at the menu.

"It's really good, you should try it," Ayumu said. "Seriously!"

"Umm, it's not really my thing," I replied.

"Yeah, me too…" Yu agreed, scanning the menu. "Do they have anything meaty here?"

"Uh, I've got meat down here!" I joked, pointing at my crotch.

"Shut up!" Yu slapped me again. "Why are you so… so… horny!? What's gotten into you?!"

"Sorry! I just thought it was funny, that's all!"

"It's not," Yu replied. "I guess we could get this… jam sandwich…"

"Yeah, looks… not good, but, okay."

"You guys are so picky," Ayumu chastised, shaking her head. "That's why you two will never get a boyfriend or girlfriend!"

"I don't even want one, after seeing you and Takeshi mooch around all the time," Yu rolled her eyes. "Do you know how often Takeshi talks about you?! And your thighs!?"

"Wh-what!? Takeshi isn't like that!"

"Oh yeah he is! And he always has a stupid smile on his face when he's looking at his phone during dinner. I can tell whenever he's texting you!"

"Well… he's a nice guy! And he's funny, tooo!" Ayumu shrugged, then suddenly perked up as she got a text, presumably from the man in question, and quickly took to tapping away at her phone.

"Gosh, look at what love does to someone," Yu said in disapproval.

"Well, I don't think I'm really interfering with the rest of you guys," Ayumu defended. "I try to keep our stuff as private as possible so it won't get in the way of our friendships."

"I mean, when you put it that way, I guess it's fine." Yu sighed. "Like when I think of Derrick-senpai over here getting a girlfriend, that's hilarious and amazing! I would love to see that. But when it's you, it's like…"

"I think I know what you're talking about," I suggested. "You'd be happy for me if I found a girlfriend because I'm the loser type, like the underdog. But Ayumu here is super cute and angelic, so it's like… it's just a matter of time before someone gets with her. And the fact that your best friend can belong to someone else just like that is kinda depressing."

Yu thought for a moment.

"I… I can't say you didn't just state that perfectly…"

"Oh, Yu-chan… you don't need to feel that way though. Just think of me as another Derrick-senpai, then! After all, I'm not 'super cute and angelic', so I don't think it's 'just a matter of time' before someone 'takes me'. Remember? I never had any guy friends other than Takeshi and Derrick! So you can't really consider me one of those popular girls." Ayumu took a munch of her sandwich.

"I guess you're right… but wow, it seems only a few months ago we were both part of the single girls squad, and now, it's like you live in a whole 'nother world…" Yu looked down at her untouched basic jam sandwich.

"Yu-chan, I love you, and nothing can ever change that! I love you, I love Derrick, and I love Takeshi too!" Ayumu grabbed Yu by the hand. "After this date, I'll go somewhere with you guys too! I promise, okay?!"

"Okay." Yu smiled.

"By the way, Ayumu, is there a reason you love Takeshi?" I asked.

"What? Well… it just… kind of happened…" Ayumu replied, blushing.

"What does that mean?"

"I- I don't know. When it comes to the question of love, things aren't really black and white…"

"What about you, Derrick-senpai? Do you love anyone right now, and why?" Yu questioned, smiling slyly.

I thought for a moment.

"Isn't it almost time for you to meet up with Takeshi?"

"Oh, yeah," Ayumu said, checking her phone. "Let's go wait outside! He's gonna drive over."

We went outside and sat on a bench at a tiny little park.

"You didn't answer my question," Yu said.

"Oh… heh…" I stuttered.

"But you don't have to." She smiled and turned to Ayumu. "Why are you guys meeting up over here?" Yu asked. "Can't he just drive to your house?"

"Well…" Ayumu turned to us and grinned. "Because I wanted to spend the morning with you guys."

"Ayumu-chan! You're so caring," Yu said, touched. She gave Ayumu a big hug, still holding her jam sandwich. "You can go out with my brother as much as you like! I support it 100 percent!"

"Haha, thank you," Ayumu replied, laughing. "But you're gonna get crumbs on my hair!"

"Oh, sorry!" Yu said, pulling back. "I should actually eat this… thank you so much for being with me, Ayumu-chan. I think I've been with you for so long, I've started to forget all the little things you do every day. How much you care."

"No problem!" Ayumu took out her phone, but this time, not to text Takeshi. "Come here, Yu-chan!"

Ayumu opened up her camera and held it up; the two girls pressed their shoulders together.

"Cheese!" Ayumu said, holding her fingers up in a peace sign.

"You mean, jam," Yu replied, holding up her jam sandwich.

They took the picture, and Yu quickly started scarfing down the sandwich.

"Hey, you guys literally just took the photo cover for this fanfic!" I announced, realizing that they had just taken the photo cover for this fanfic.

They stared at me in confusion for a moment, then laughed.

"Ayumu-chan! I'm here!" Takeshi called out, pulling up to the sidewalk in his car. He stepped out.

"H-hey, bro," Yu said, trying her best to smile.

"Good morning, Takeshi," I stated, bowing.

"Morning, kiddos!" He turned to Ayumu. "You ready for today?" He held out his hand like a prince.

"Y-yes!" Ayumu said giddy, taking his hand.

"By the way, I invited someone to come with us," Takeshi said, pointing over at his car.

A girl came strutting out of the passenger seat.

I recognized her as his college friend, the one that had called Ayumu "Takeshi's little bitch" at the Love Live Festival. She went to Takeshi's side, her high heels clacking, and she intertwined her fingers in his free hand, smiling devilishly.

"Hey, girl," she said, waving.

Ayumu suddenly stepped back, eyes wide. Yu and I also gaped in disbelief.

"So you're gonna tag along as our third wheel today?" the girl said.

"T-Takeshi-nii-chan! Wh-what?!" Ayumu was absolutely petrified.

"Hmm? I thought it would be more fun if I invited my friend over! You know, the more the merrier! Haha!" Takeshi laughed.

"I- I thought this was supposed to be… a date for the two of us!" Ayumu said, hurt. I could see the tears forming in her eyes.

"Well, it is a date! I love you, Ayumu-chan!"

"So… why- why is she here!?"

"Oh, this is my other girl! You'll get used to her!"

"I thought you said you didn't have a girlfriend!" Ayumu shouted, balling her fists.

"I don't," Takeshi said casually. "What do you mean?"

"Th-then why is she holding your hand!?"

"Hmm? She's just a friend," Takeshi replied.

The girl laughed and grabbed Takeshi by the neck, sticking her tongue into his mouth. She wiped her lips and looked at Ayumu.

"Haha, you think this world is that pure? Are you still living in your fairy tale shoujo manga world?!" the girl leaned on Takeshi. "Get with the times, little bitch, or you'll be forever alone!"

"Hehe, you don't have to say it like that," Takeshi said, grinning awkwardly. "Ayumu-chan-"

Ayumu slapped Takeshi in the face, her tears flying.

"You lied to me!" She screamed. "I… I thought I knew you!" She turned to the girl and tried her best not to attack her. "I don't care about the times! I can live my fairy tale world as long as I want! If I'll be forever alone, then fine!" She fought between screams and sobs. "And Takeshi, I'm not your little bitch! I… I hate you!"

Ayumu turned away with force, and began running, hands over her crying face. Her handbag flew to the floor and burst open, revealing a box of chocolates, which spilled all over the sidewalk, sending truffles rolling out onto the asphalt.

The rest of us stood in silence.

Yu reached down and tried to clean up the mess, finding a letter inside the box.

"To Takeshi-nii-chan. I love you," she read, then slowly, seething with anger, she turned to face her brother. "Takeshi… y-you're the worst."

Takeshi tried to maintain his cool kid stature, chuckling and running his hand through his hair.

"W-well, some things can't be helped, eh?" he said, putting an arm around his girl. "I guess we'll have the whole day to ourselves, then!"

"Teehee!" The girl stuck her tongue out at us and got into the car. After a few seconds, the engine fired up, loud music could be heard, and they sped away.

Yu and I looked at each other with burning anger and passion.

"Ayumu-chan!" We both screamed, running after her.

Ayumu was right. When it comes to the question of love, things aren't black and white. Sometimes, they're just black.