The timing couldn't have been any worse. Of all the days for Kyousuke and Rin to be caught and their scandalous secret exposed, it had to be the day before Kyousuke was to graduate. He had no choice but to go on and graduate, even while the news of the two siblings committing incest was spreading through the school like wildfire.

Every day, Rin had to put up with the ridicule. People were looking at her, whispering all sorts of things and laughing. She even found notes in her locker, telling her what a sick brocon she was. No matter where she went, people stared and made comments.

Things had gotten awkward between her and the rest of the group. While they weren't completely ignoring her, there was an awkwardness that had definitely not been there before. Riki had barely spoken to her ever since the secret was out and that was the worst thing of all. No matter how much she apologised, he never seemed to want to hear it.

Never before had Rin just felt so utterly and completely lone.

One lunch break, she went to the roof, knowing that hardly anyone went there. Rin wasn't surprised to find Komari in her usual spot.

"Oh, Rin-chan." Komari saw the tears on her face. "What's wrong?"

"Is it okay if I eat here?" Rin asked in a choked voice.

"Of course it is!" Komari beamed. "Come and sit." She patted the spot next to her, and Rin seated herself down. "So, what's the matter?"

"Everything," Rin said dully, staring at the bread roll in her hands. She barely even felt like eating. "Riki hates me. Everyone thinks I'm a freak."

"I'm sure Riki-kun doesn't hate you." Komari gazed up at the sky with a pensive expression. "He's just very hurt right now, isn't he? He couldn't believe that you and Kyousuke-san had been doing all that behind our backs. I'm sure he will come round in time. You are his precious friend after all."

"Really?" Rin sniffed, a fresh tear streaking from her eye. "I don't get it. Why does he have to be like this? Why is everyone being so cruel? I couldn't help it. My feelings for Kyousuke just changed out of nowhere. I wanted it. He wanted it. So we..."

"Love is a funny thing, isn't it?" Komari smiled sadly. "You can't always choose who you fall in love with, I suppose. I think as long as you are happy, then that's all that matters. You were happy with Kyousuke-san, weren't you?"

"Mmm." Rin nodded. "It was nice." She turned her luminous eyes toward Komari. "Komari-chan... you don't think I'm weird, do you?"

"Of course not." Komari placed her hands on Rin's, gently squeezing them, and she put on the biggest smile. "Rin-chan, you are my precious best friend and nothing would ever change that. I don't think you're weird at all. You just happened to fall in love with your brother, that was all."

"Komari-chan..." Rin's voice cracked and she hung her head. "Thank you..." she gasped out, bursting into sobs. "I'm so glad. Someone doesn't think I'm a freak."

"Rin-chan." Komari flung her arms around her in a tight hug. "Hang in there. I'm sure things will look up eventually. You just have to be strong. I'm sure you can do it, and just remember, I'm on your side, no matter what, okay? So do your best to smile, Rin-chan."

As they broke apart, Rin was smiling shakily even as tears continued to pour down her face. "Thanks. I feel a bit better now." She reached up to wipe her eyes.

"Good. Would you like a sweet bun?" Komari held one out to her.

Rin gratefully took the bun and chewed, gazing out at the horizon. Maybe Komari was right, if she waited, things would begin to look up. She just had to believe.