The person that I admired; never saw me as the real me. I was just another member of the group. How foolish of me, hoping to be someone special for her. What she saw was my talent, but only that. When I see how happy she was to be reunited with her younger sister, jealousy seeped into my heart. Right. The person that big sister Aone wanted was Mana Shikimiya, not me.

"Sango Misaki? What are you doing here?"

A voice interrupted my thoughts. I knew the owner of that voice. A girl with side-ponytail purple hair. Her annoyingly cute fang and face that could match mine. And, she was also Mana Shikimiya' self-proclaimed 'soulmate'.

"Sayu Tsukisaka..."

"What's wrong? It's not like you to be this gloomy. Usually you will go 'Hey you! Want another round against me?!' like that, right?"

Her question made my blood boil, but a calm side of me was confused as well. Why was I not reacting like usual?

"Ah. Sango won't start a childish fighting, unlike this so-called mature girl."

I tried to muster up a response to hide my real feelings.

"Ukh."

She clicked her tongue after hearing my response, but to be honest, I was not in the mood to argue with her at the moment.

"So what's up? It's strange to see you alone outside. Are Stellamaris not practicing today?"

I gulped and wished she didn't ask about that. Eventually, I could just come up with a lame excuse.

"They...have something to do..."

I tried to avert my gaze from her, but she suddenly grabbed my face and turned it around to face hers.

"What's wrong with you? It's not like you to act like this."

I gritted my teeth, and slapped her hands off.

"Then what's your problem with that? Leave Sango alone!"

I didn't realize I was shouting at her. She put up her hands over her mouth in surprise. I wanted to apologize, but my voice wouldn't come out.

"A...a..."

My tears felt like their about to fall. I quickly covered my face and dashed off from that place.

"Hey, wait!"

No. I cannot cry nor stop. I cannot let anyone see me cry. Especially her.

I stopped in a narrow alley. I tried to peek. No signs of her nearby.

"Not coming after me huh..."

Why? Why do I sound so disappointed? Wasn't it me who didn't want her to see me like this?

"Pathetic."

I mumbled that word while slowly leaning on the wall until my body slidded down. As I reached the ground, I hugged my knees tight. At that moment, sounds of footsteps drew closer to my hearings until they changed into gasping breaths.

"Found you."

Unseen by her, a small smirk crept out. Fool. Why are you doing?

"Look, I know we are not friends or anything, but I can't just let someone I know in trouble."

I don't need your pity. No need to be so kind to me.

"So tell me now, is there something bothering you? Are you having fights with your friends?"

I could only shook my head, not daring to speak. Suddenly, my pitch black vision became bright, but watery.

"Hey..."

Her soft voice called me. Then I realized that my cheeks were wet by tears, it streamed onto her hands which were holding mine. I couldn't take it anymore!

"A...aa...WAAAAAAAA!"

I sank my face onto her chest. It was not as soft as big sister Aone, but I didn't care. I just wanted to hid my embarrassing look from her.

"There there."

Rather than mocking me, she embraced me. I could hear her heartbeat softly. It was soothing and warm. I cried for a while, but she didn't say anything other than gently patting my head.

After I calmed down, I slowly lifted my face. She smiled. A look of relief was clear on her face. Still not letting me go, she pulled out a handkerchief.

"Good grief. Tears don't suit your cute face."

She said it while wiping my face. My face heated up and I quickly snatched her handkerchief.

"Shut up. Sango can do it on her own."

She didn't retort, and patiently waited for me.

"Feeling better."

I nodded. Her smile grew from my response.

"Listen, I was serious about what I said."

"So?"

Instead of replying, she offered her hand, like a prince asking for a dance to the princess.

"Mind going out for lunch together?"

We went to a family restaurant. I was not in the mood to eat, but she insisted on buying me an ice cream.

"It's on me, enjoy it."

"I told you no need for this."

"Hey, it's rare for me to treat someone. I mean, I'm returning the treat from seeing Sango Misaki cr-"

"I'm leaving."

This girl! Just when I thought she was being nice. Suddenly, she grabbed my wrist with an apologetic look.

"Sorry sorry. I was just joking. Don't leave yet, please?"

Kuuuuh, those puppy eyes. Even Sango couldn't resist those eyes. She even strengthened her grip.

"Fine fine! But release Sango's hand please. You're going to leave a mark."

Smiling victoriously, she released her grip.

"There you go. Now, eat the ice cream."

I sat back and ate the ice cream. It tasted sweet, but not enough to cover all the bitterness that I'd been feeling. Across of me, she was also eating the same flavor. Her eyes glittered like that one friend of her who likes to say '-mii' everytime. Also that smile of her was just like a cherry on the top; no pun intended. All of a sudden, she stopped eating and tilted her head.

"What's wrong? Doesn't suit your palate?"

"N-Nothing!"

I quickly ate my ice cream to avoid further question, but my head was hurt suddenly.

"Ouchie..."

Brain freeze. Ah, not good.

"I was just about to stop you..."

She tried to eased my pain, but I just suck it up. She continued eating for a bit before asking me again.

"Now can you tell me what happened back then?"

Her face was full of concern. I began to consider to tell her about big sister Aone, but I decided not to.

"Just...a small problem."

I replied before taking another spoon of ice cream. However, Sayu Tsukisaka dropped her spoon on the glass in a not quite way.

"Lies. You wouldn't cry like that for just a small problem."

She crossed her arm as she saw through me. Foolish Sango! Can you come up with a better excuse?

"I am sorry, I can't tell you. Not yet."

Despite I gave her an honest answer, she was still not satisfied. Eventually, she just shrugged it off.

"Fine then. I won't force you to tell me. Though I just want to tell you that Madam Sayu's confession house is open. She will lend her ears to listen to your sorrows."

She tried to speak in a cool tone, but I was trying to hold back my laughter.

"What?"

Giggling, I tried my best to answer without bursting into laughter.

"Madam Sayu...fufufu"

I kept giggling while trying to see if she was mad, but no. She was smiling again.

"Thank goodness. You really look cuter when you laugh and smile."

My heart skipped a beat after hearing it. Why? Why did it sound so different coming from her?

"St-Stupid! It's obvious that kind of image fits Sango the best."

"Yeah yeah."

She shook her head with a smirk on her face. Then, she continued eating. Unconsciously, my gaze was focusing on the ice cream. The way that spoon cleaved the round ice, picking it to a spoonful, before entering her mouth. Her rosy lips covered by chocolate moved along with her chewing of the smooth object inside her mouth. I gulped at the sight with my heartbeat racing.

"Oh you're still hungry?" she spooned some ice cream, then offered me as if feeding me. "Here, open wide." My eyes were shifting between the spoon and her smiling face. Did she not realize what she is doing? However, my mouth reached for the spoon and chewed the ice cream.

"How is it?"

She asked while putting her chin on top of her hand. I stopped chewing and my face temperature melted the ice quicker than my last running time.

"Delicious."

She nodded slightly and continued to finish the ice cream. I did the same. Eventually, we finished at the same time.

"Thanks for the food."

I put down my spoon.

"Thanks for the food. Oh?"

She stopped her eyes at the direction of the clock.

"Oh no! I have to go home!"

Just as she was getting out of her seat, I reached for her hand.

"Misaki?"

She stopped in her tracks and turned around. Meanwhile, my inner thoughts for having a fit because of my doings.

"Hey."

I tried to muster up every courage inside of me to say what I was about to say. I never asked this to anyone, and I certainly did not expect to ask this to her.

"Can Sango...sleep in your house?"

What followed were silence and permission. That was the first time I did not sleep at home. And I wondered what I might do once we reached her house.