I couldn't tell her, not then, the thoughts in my mind mixed with feelings for her, concerns about my life, and that concerned caring face of Nao. I had met Nao the other night in the park. I tossed her a cold drink and stretched upon the park bench. She caught it and sat beside me. Shizuru would be asleep by now. It was ok for two friends to meet here. Friends? I didn't know what to think. Nao was… a comrade. We hated each other, but somehow that hate was without merit, without reason or purpose, but that distaste we shared was becoming something far less discernable.

I could see it in her face that she agreed. I took to seeing her mother more often. I even stopped by without her. She had a mother for that I envied her, but I also pitied her. No, it wasn't that she was some person of lesser caliber than me. She was a part of me I once despised, but it felt right sharing our time together, whatever that meant.

"Natsuki, you and Shizuru dating or something?"

"Dating? No, we don't call it that. I mean we hit the mall a couple times, maybe a restaurant."

"I see."

"Why?"

"Nothing, I just don't get what's going on no between us, between anyone really."

"Heh, we're growing up, Nao. You'll graduate in a few months, life will get better but much tougher from then on."

"I know, but, tell me, is it wrong to enjoy being with someone of the same sex so much?"

"I don't think so, I mean, I'm not sure what its like to love, what it's like to have a real relationship, but if you find yourself smiling or distracted by someone often then… well, he or she must be important to you."

"Yeah, I guess you're right. Love isn't that hard of a thing is it?"

"Well, it is hard, but I guess if you let it be simple it can be."

"You think, maybe… I could…" she blushed and quickly jumped to her feet. I watched her as she looked around the empty park. She walked over and stood before me with her hands in fists. I watched her expression, she was determined, but nervous as hell. I had to smile at her. She took a breath and sat upon my lap. She took the back of my neck with her hand and brought her lips close to mine, she sighed for a moment and kissed me. I didn't react. Her eyes went wide and her teeth clenched. She became enraged and grabbed my hair where she held me. I laughed a bit with a smile and wrapped my arms around her. I held her tight and kissed her back before she could yell at me in her embarrassment.

We sat there for hours as the moon drifted across the sky. I couldn't say what our relationship meant to us, but it was there and for the time being we content in each other's arms.