A/N: Sorry for the long wait concerning updates. Been busy with papers, studying for quizzes, and all the academic stuff... And also, perhaps I got distracted by watching new anime. Lol.

Chapter 7: Unsaid Feelings

Throughout the entirety of the train ride back to Kamakura, Kanami could not stop thinking about what had happened with her father. Such was the case when she had also slept over. It felt weird being in her own bed again. How could such familiar surroundings feel so alien? Those scenes of anger and despair between her and her father just kept replaying over and over again in her head the entire night and the following morning. Frustrated and injured, the Minoseki Toji struggled to understand her father. But as before, during those many times over the years, she just couldn't. And neither could he understand her. Sighing, Kanami faced the fact that perhaps they just weren't meant to.

'If only Mother were here...we'd still be a happy family...'

Minato had been the bridge that tied them all together. Without her, there was nothing to stop the emotional tidal waves storming through Shigeru and his children.

Getting off at her station, Kanami looked up at the blue sky dotted with pearlescent white clouds. She watched a little plover bird fly across, its plaintive cry sounding like a call for help.

Her face becoming just as rueful, Kanami thought, 'There's no point in wishful thinking. Mother is gone.'

And without her, Kanami was powerless against her father's ambitions for her. Without her, she was...so, so alone...

Much as she didn't want to think about it, Kanami knew her father was right concerning the possibility of her and her friends splitting up over time. They would be forced to go their separate ways, and who knew if they'd get as many chances to hang out? Even among them, Kanami was painfully aware of how alone she still was, even though she'd put on a cheerful face.

'Sayaka-chan once told me that I stand in a lonely place because of how strong I am,' Kanami thought. 'But it's more than that...'

Though she was airheaded at times, Kanami was not oblivious to the growing feelings between her friends. And if luck was on their side, Mai and Sayaka would have each other and so would Ellen and Kaoru. They'd be happy together...

'...and I'll be alone. Hiyori-chan would never accept me. Father will eventually send me off to America. I'll have nobody...I'm pathetic, pathetic, pathetic—'

"Kanami?"

Blinded by her tears, Kanami wiped them away to clear her vision, seeing Ritsuko standing in front of her. The blue ponytailed girl was staring at her with a very worried look in her eyes.

"Ah, Ricchan! Funny bumping into you here," Kanami exclaimed, putting on the happy-go-to-façade she wore around almost everyone.

Not at all fooled, Ritsuko asked, "Are you okay? You were crying earlier."

"Yeah, I just had something in my eye. I'm fine, honestly. Anyway, what are you doing here?"

Although not deceived by the lie, Ritsuko nevertheless answered the question. "On my way to splurge and do some shopping. Wanna come?"

Having nothing better to do, and wanting anything but to work on her piling amount of homework, Kanami heartily agreed. It had been a while since she and Ritsuko actually spent time together. Although they had a fun time sparring before, it was nice to have some normal girl-bonding time too. Usually, the only person she shopped with was Mai. And besides, Kanami really needed something to distract her and take her mind off of her father and everything else.

The next couple of hours were spent in high spirits, making an abundance of purchases, both necessary and unnecessary. By the end of it, both girls were sitting down at a crêpe café, surrounded by colourful bags full of cute clothes, makeup, and tasteful trinkets.

"That was so much fun, Ricchan. Thank you for inviting me to accompany you."

"No problem. We should definitely do this again another time," Ritsuko said. Hesitating a moment, she then used her napkin to wipe off a bit of whipped cream near Kanami's lips.

"Ah, thanks, Ricchan," the Minoseki Toji giggled.

She was oblivious to the growing blush on her childhood friend's cheeks, too preoccupied with eating her strawberry crêpe. Ritsuko, on the other hand, had barely taken more than a couple of bites of hers.

What Kanami didn't know was that Ritsuko had gone shopping for the very same reason as her—to take her mind off of her own father. Last night, the Renpu Toji had been summoned by Akifumi to learn all the new information he had acquired. Having spied upon Hiyori during her dinner with the Origamis, Akifumi had been eager to gloat about how easy it would be to "manipulate the Juujou bitch". He even had the luck of Yukari introducing Hiyori to him after the dinner, the Origami woman having thought it necessary for her secretary to be acquainted with the new Chief Executive of Defence.

"Juujou Hiyori seemed to be getting on fine with Origami Genshi—a promising start so far. Not so much compared to her passive-aggressiveness towards Origami Yukari and Akane's aunts," Akifumi had said, a glower on his face. "Use this new information to your advantage. With luck, you can feed doubt into that silly girl, Etou Kanami, the next time you see her. Make her see that the Juujou bitch she so loves is beyond her reach."

Ritsuko hadn't counted on bumping into Kanami so soon after that wearisome conversation with her father. She had to be careful though. One wrong slip of the tongue and all would be lost. Worst case scenario, Kanami might hate her.

"Ricchan, what's wrong?"

"E-Eh?"

"You look kind of unhappy."

"U-Um...I...I'm concerned because you were the one who seemed unhappy earlier," Ritsuko half-lied. "I know you weren't telling the truth when you said it was because you had something in your eye. You see, the main reason I asked you if you wanted to come shopping was because I wanted to cheer you up a bit."

"O-Oh...I see..." Kanami mumbled. "I'm sorry for making you worry, Ricchan—"

"No, you don't need to apologize. As your friend, it's the least I could do. But you know, if ever you need someone, I can hear you out. I may not understand or be able to help much, but I want to be your support, Kanami."

"Ricchan..." Kanami breathed.

"So...will you be willing to tell me what's going on?"

Kanami swallowed the last of her crêpe, taking an extra-long time with munching it down. But eventually, she swallowed and told her story, leaving out no detail.

"What do I do, Ricchan? I don't want to go to America," she moaned.

Elated though she was at Shigeru's disapproval towards Kanami's friendship with Hiyori, Ritsuko's stomach lost its bottom at the thought of the Minoseki Toji leaving the country. What if he actually sent Kanami away? All of her effort to be with Kanami would have been for nothing.

"I-I don't know," Ritsuko said—because honestly, she didn't know what she was going to do either. "I'm sorry that your relationship with your father isn't the best. Believe me, I know what you're going through. There are times when Dad and I also don't see eye-to-eye. But as I said before, I'm here for you, Kanami."

Not even seeming to hear Ritsuko in her frustration, Kanami said, "I'm just so upset at how he spoke about Hiyori-chan. He's never even met her, so how could he form such an unfair, baseless judgement of her?"

Ritsuko's fingers clenched together a little, squeezing a bit of chocolate syrup out of her crêpe. "It must have felt painful for you, hearing him talk about Juujou-senpai like that," she pretended to empathize. Still trying to keep an even tone, she added, "Speaking of Juujou-senpai, my good old pop met her last night!"

"Eh? Really?"

"Yeah, he was at the Origami Estate to deliver some documents on Director Maniwa's request. Yukari-sama introduced him to Juujou-senpai after they had their dinner. They all had tea together in one of the drawing rooms or something like that—adult chit-chat," Ritsuko said, making a face. With a lie on her lips, she added, "Dad seemed to really like Juujou-senpai. He even observed how well she was getting along with Yukari-sama and Akane-sama's cousin."

"Their cousin?"

"Yeah, Origami Genshi. Probably because he was the only one around her age," Ritsuko said, shrugging her shoulders.

"Hiyori-chan never told me this..." said Kanami.

In fact, the Heijou Toji had been rather tight-lipped about her dinner with the Origamis, both before and after. Kanami told herself that perhaps Hiyori was just uncomfortable about it. Even so, normally when Hiyori was upset, she'd voice her feelings to Kanami and in turn, Kanami would give her support and assurance. Ever since they became so close two years ago, they were always there for each other.

Liking the uncertain look on Kanami's face, Ritsuko kept her easygoing façade on. "Probably Juujou-senpai just was so bored last night that she didn't think it worth talking about. Now, come on! There are still a few more clothing stores I wanted to go to."

Looking at her watch, Kanami said, "Okay, but I have only two more hours because I have to be at Renpu Girls' School by then. Hiyori-chan and I will be having the spar which we were forced to postpone earlier."

Ritsuko hoped her smile didn't look too tight. "Sounds good!"

Sweatdropping, the convenience store cashier tried to keep a straight face as usual, as he scanned the barcodes of the numerous mint-chocolate ice cream tubs. The scowling Toji in front of him had probably bought the entire supply. No sooner had she left, Hiyori went off to the side of the street and opened the first tub, angrily chowing down. She didn't care how much of a pig she looked right now. Since last night, she had been stress-eating whatever mint-chocolate ice cream she could get her hands on.

Tossing away the empty tub and opening the next, Hiyori nearly dropped it when she caught two familiar figures in the crowd. Holding more bags than they could carry, laughing without a care in the world, were Kanami and Ritsuko. The latter had their arms linked together, snuggling her cheek against the Minoseki Toji's shoulder. The way Kanami smiled, a rosy blush across her face, playfully rubbing Ritsuko's head, made Hiyori feel a pang in her chest.

'Why am I getting so jealous and bothered about Kanami having another friend?' Hiyori scolded herself. 'It's not as though Ritsuko is any different from Mai, Sayaka, Ellen, and Kaoru. This...this is stupid...'

She didn't know how to describe the entire myriad of emotions in her. Jealousy, sadness, loneliness, and anger all at the same time. Why was she feeling so possessive? She just felt like she wanted to wrench Kanami away from Ritsuko and tell the blue ponytailed girl to back off. Every cell in Hiyori screamed at her to just run at the two of them, but she resisted the urge. After all, Hiyori had learned her lesson that recklessness in the heat of her emotions never ended well.

Not wanting to see anymore, Hiyori tore her eyes away from the two and quietly walked away.

Chidori and Kogarasumaru seemed just as uneasy as their owners, giving off a low reverberating hum each time they clashed against each other. As if taking out their frustration with each strike, Kanami and Hiyori traded blow after blow, neither showing any sign of faltering. At the speed of lightning, the two Tojis chased each other about the training centre. Throughout their duel, Kanami noticed how Hiyori seemed more aggressive than usual. She could read the Heijou Toji's feelings through every strike of their weapons.

Both with frowns on their faces, the two girls shot forward, prepared to deal the final blow. The match eventually ended up as a stalemate with Kanami and Hiyori's faces millimetres away from each other, their okatanas locked and dangerously close to each other's necks. Panting heavily with beads of sweat dripping down their brows, the two Tojis did not break eye contact and stayed in that position for a long time.

Never before had Kanami seen such resentment directed at her in Hiyori's burgundy eyes. Part of the Minoseki Toji couldn't help being turned on by it. With angry passion blazing in her glare, Hiyori looked somehow more intoxicatingly beautiful at that moment.

'Stop it!' Kanami scolded herself. 'Stop thinking like that! J-Just what is she so upset about anyway?'

Feeling her cheeks burn, the Minoseki Toji was the one to step back first and sheathe her okatana. "G-Good game..."

"Good game..." was the mumbled reply. Hiyori was certain she was not mistaking the crimson blush on Kanami's face. Just the sight of it made the Heijou Toji's own cheeks turn pink a little.

An uncomfortable silence fell between them that grew longer and longer. It was like an invisible wall stood between them, thick and impenetrable. And for the first time, Kanami didn't know how she could tear that wall down.

"Um...so, Hiyori-chan...um...how was your dinner last night with the Origami Family?" she asked. She was still shaken about what Ritsuko had told her earlier, hoping Hiyori would provide some hint about this Genshi boy. Hiyori was just making easy conversation with him, right? It was normal for girls to have friends who were guys, after all. And Hiyori and Genshi just met. Kanami knew it was silly of her to overthink about it, but her heart wouldn't stop aching.

"Dinner was...fine," Hiyori replied.

"What about Yukari-sama and Akane-sama's relatives? What was it like meeting them?"

"Okay, I guess," Hiyori lied.

"What did you think about them?"

"Nothing much."

Starting to get frustrated at receiving only vague answers, Kanami snapped, "Hiyori-chan!"

"What?" Hiyori snapped back.

"I can tell something isn't right. What's wrong?"

"Nothing. It's none of your concern."

The way Hiyori sounded so dismissive towards her made Kanami feel like she got slashed with her own okatana. Didn't Hiyori trust her? What had changed in their friendship to make Hiyori start hiding the truth?

Hiyori said, "There are just some things I want to keep to myself, okay? You have things you keep private yourself, so at least respect mine."

"Like what?" Kanami scoffed. "What do I keep from you?"

Another pause came between them, before Hiyori barely choked out, "You never told me about Ritsuko before in the past."

"Ricchan? What does she have to do with this?"

"Nothing. I-I just..." Hiyori swallowed, not even understanding herself. Why was she being so petty from jealousy? "Kanami, just what is Ritsuko to you?"

"Huh? She's a close friend; we grew up together," the Minoseki Toji answered. She wasn't even that angry anymore, just incredibly confused at the direction their conversation was going. "Hiyori-chan...are you...upset about my friendship with Ricchan? Is that why you've been so distant lately?"

Everything slowly started to add up in Kanami's mind and she asked, "Hiyori-chan...you don't think I'm replacing you with Ricchan, do you?"

Hiyori was full of spite—not because of how Kanami dared make such a suggestion, but because of how true those words were. Yet, that hate was not directed at Kanami but at herself. How could Kanami always read her so easily? A thick feeling continued to tighten more and more in her stomach. She didn't like Kanami seeing how rattled she was because honestly, Hiyori herself didn't know why it bothered her to no end. But still, that thought of Ritsuko replacing her...

'Ritsuko will eventually take my place for missions once I assume my duties as Chief Executive of Defence. Ritsuko will spend more time with the girls. Ritsuko will be the one by Kanami's side. And...I'll be alone...'

Had she been in her right mind, Hiyori would have known that Kanami would never do such a thing as abandoning her. And if she and the Minoseki Toji knew they shared the same fear of being alone, perhaps they would have reached a more mutual understanding. But there was nothing but unspoken words between them, making that invisible wall all the less easy to penetrate.

Clearing her throat, Hiyori straightened her shoulders, still with her back to Kanami. "I don't think anything of the kind. I understand Ritsuko is an important friend to you. I was...just curious about her."

Kanami let out a sigh, having accepted the fact that the girl she loved just would never tell her the truth. Hiyori wouldn't even look at her! She was unaware that the reason why was because silent tears were starting to gather at the corners of the Heijou Toji's burgundy eyes.

Hurt and estranged, they almost didn't notice the buzzing of their Spectrum Finders alerting them of a new mission. In normal circumstances, Kanami and Hiyori would have been more than willing to work together. They'd fight in unison, protecting each other's backs. Just being in each other's company was enough. It was as if they were as one, Chidori and Kogarasumaru resonating with light and perpetual support, obeying their wielders' every command.

But now, their painful situation becoming prolonged was an uncomfortable thought for Kanami and Hiyori. Wordlessly, both blinking away tears first, the girls gave a simultaneous terse nod before exiting the training center.

Popular amongst the young crowd was a cozy café in Harajuku, rather small but with a pleasing aesthetic. Most of the customers were girls taking a break from shopping and couples enjoying a casual date. They prattled on in lively conversation, oblivious to the four girls sitting in near-dead silence at a table off to the corner.

In celebration of her being discharged, Ellen had sent a text on their group chat suggesting that they all get together for desserts. Kanami and Hiyori, having been called away on a mission, were unable to come. But after five minutes of just sitting and watching each other eat and drink, Ellen was starting to second-guess whether her café recommendation was a good choice for Mai, Sayaka, and Kaoru. They had only exchanged polite greetings and then after that, barely looked at each other. Whenever Mai and Sayaka's eyes met, they quickly looked away, their faces bright red. And Kaoru...the pink-haired Elite Guard only gave her a sad expression before also looking away.

'What is bothering the three of them?' Ellen thought, playing with the strawberry on her cake.

Four girls, all outwardly self-possessed and simply concentrating on their food. And within? Thoughts that ran around in circles...

'Sayaka-chan and I are dating now. That means...we'll have to kiss, right? No, no, no, Mai! This is just temporary. It'll only last a while and then we shall have to split. Sayaka-chan and I agreed this can't last forever. But why does that thought hurt me?'

'She agreed...Mai actually agreed to date me. We'll hold hands and hug. But that isn't really any different from what we usually do. What makes a good date anyway? I just wish I knew what Mai is thinking! What if she's uncomfortable about this? What if she's only going out with me out of pity? I don't want that...'

'Ellen likes John. Simple as that. She's found someone else to be happy with. And now, I have to support him and her. What utter torture. Even all the missions that damn director sends me on aren't as hard as this. Oh God, I hate being here. I'd rather have my ears talked off by Kanami's blabbering about swords than this awkward silence...'

Before the situation could get any more uncomfortable, their saviour came waltzing in, a broad grin on her face and her arms full of shopping bags. Ritsuko, who just happened to be passing by, self-invited herself to their table and took her seat, launching into conversation right away. But quite honestly, the other four were glad about her presence as it effectively rescued them from further awkwardness. Normally, they'd be chatting without a care in the world, laughing and sharing whatever was on their minds. But now they were as mute as fish and telling their thoughts seemed impossible. The four girls would only interject a few polite words in response to Ritsuko when the situation called for it. They could barely even listen to the blue-haired girl, too distracted by their own thoughts.

"Oh! And Kanami and I each bought these matching friendship bracelets," Ritsuko continued, showing off the gleaming band on her wrist. "Isn't it so cute? I really wanted to shop more with her, but she said that she had a scheduled spar with Juujou-senpai. I'm guessing that's why they aren't here with you guys?"

"They were planning to join us, but got called on a mission together earlier," Ellen explained. "But I'm sure they'll be done in a jiffy!"

"Yeah, when those two lovebirds are together, they're practically in sync," Kaoru muttered.

Ritsuko froze and murmured, "Lovebirds?"

"Just a silly term we've been calling them for the past two years," the pink-haired loli said.

"But I thought Kanami and Juujou-senpai weren't dating..." Ritsuko said. All the bubbly excitement she had earlier deflated like a balloon. Everyone raised an eyebrow at such a change in the girl.

"They aren't," Sayaka said.

"Though we sometimes like joking that they secretly are," Kaoru snickered. "Honestly, the way Kanami makes googly-eyes at Pancake Chest...ugh. She's so obvious."

"Ritsuko-chan, are you alright?" Mai asked, seeing big fat tears starting to fall down the Renpu Toji's cheeks.

Ritsuko sniffled, trying to rub her tears away. "No...I'm not..."

"Ritchii, what's the matter? Are you not feeling well?" Ellen asked. She pulled a handkerchief out of her pocket, helping wipe the ponytailed girl's face. "It wasn't something we said, was it?"

"...like her..."

"Hm?"

"I like her. I like Kanami," Ritsuko confessed. "I always have since we were younger. Just the thought of her being with someone else...hurts me..."

They had been wrong in thinking their situation was alleviated. Things had only become all the more uncomfortable. Mai, Sayaka, Ellen, and Kaoru looked at each other before taking their turns comforting the crying girl. By some unspoken rule, they mentally agreed that this was a topic they shouldn't tell Kanami and Hiyori—at least, not without Ritsuko's permission.

"Do you...think it's weird?" Ritsuko asked.

"No!" Sayaka said, right away. Her stoic face broke into a smile, recalling a few certain words Mai told her that brightened her entire world up. She repeated, "There's nothing wrong with liking a girl."

"I don't think any of us can blame you for falling for Kanami-chan. She is a rather extraordinary girl," Mai said. "Does she know?"

"No, she doesn't," Ritsuko said. "J-Just please promise you won't tell her—and Juujou-senpai too. I don't know what I'd do if Kanami gets disgusted by it. A-And besides...i-if ever I do work up the courage...I want to tell her myself."

"I don't think Kanamin could ever be disgusted by you, Ritchii. But we give you our word," Ellen vowed. "Right, everyone?"

Three nodding heads followed though one was more uncertain than the rest.

'Pancake Chest will not be happy if she ever finds out about this,' Kaoru thought.

A/N: What will happen now that Mai, Sayaka, Ellen, and Kaoru know about Ritsuko's feelings for Kanami? And what about Kanami and Hiyori themselves? How will they get themselves out of this mess? As always, feel free to leave your thoughts and questions about this chapter in the reviews or PM me. I'll probably update "Bloody Crown" next.

Updates will still be slow, just for your information. I have a ton of essays due this upcoming month, so I'll be busy with them.