The walk home was agonizing to Fakir. After he first left the school he still thought he defended himself properly, but every step after he knew that he was in over his head.
Why did what Femio did bug him so much? Before everyone forgot Ahiru, Femio did it all the time. Admit his "love" to Ahiru that is. Fakir stopped walking. Admit his love.
When Fakir got home he went to Charon's storage shed instead of the house. Fakir always liked to lie down on top of the hay when he had a serious problem, or just needed to think.
I wasn't in love with her then, that's probably why. Fakir wasn't surprised that he didn't deny this thought right away. Because it's true.
Fakir covered his face with his hands out of frustration. He knew why he punched Femio. Because Femio could express his love, no matter how false it was. I on the other hand can't. Even when it's true! Fakir still wasn't satisfied. Why?! Fakir was convinced there was a reason, he just had to figure out why.
As Ahiru was walking home she was trying to get her thoughts in order. It was particularly difficult however, with Pike and Lillie walking along with her. And offering suggestions to her every second. It was just like before Fakir finished the story.
"Ahiru-chan!!! Why don't you demand Fakir to love you again?" "Hai, hai, and then we can dry your tears when he of course refuses it!" Ahiru gave up on telling them she didn't love Fakir a long time ago. Every time I would say I didn't, they would of course say I'm "hiding my true emotions." Ahiru sighed and looked down at the street. And all because Femio signed love. Ahiru made a face. Wait! I'm siding with Fakir now! He's the one who overreacted. Ahiru was still puzzled. She still couldn't come up with any reasonable explanation.
Ahiru tried her luck with her friends. "Uhh. Pike, Lillie?"
The pair stopped discussing Ahiru's shattered love life and turned toward her.
"Do you know why Fakir punched Femio?"
Pike and Lillie seemed to enjoy Ahiru having no clue.
Pike grabbed Ahiru's cheek like she was two. "Oh! Isn't our little Ahiru so cute?" Lillie raised her hands to her chin. "Not knowing anything!" I knew this was a lost cause.
"Ahiru, Fakir punched Femio because- He was mad that Femio didn't mean it?" Ahiru tried to give Fakir's reason to see if it worked. Ahiru realized suddenly this was the wrong thing to say.
"Aeeeeiii! That's right! Fakir did say that!" Pike tried to explain. "Ahiru, Fakir was jealous!" "Oh."
"Uhhh. Ahiru-chan? Where do you live anyways?" Ahiru stopped in her tracks. "Umm. Well." She turned to the pair. "It's getting late, I could walk myself home now! I know the way!" Lillie put on a hurt expression. "And not let us give you more support?" "In your hour of need?!"
"Ahiru!" Great. Charon saw me. "Where have you been?"
Pike came to her defense. "She was just hurt so we decided to walk with her." "Hai, we needed to explain to our little Ahiru."
Charon gave Ahiru a puzzled expression, but let the girls inside. He whispered to Ahiru. "Fakir's in the storage shed." Ahiru just walked past him into the kitchen. Why would I want to know that?!
Ahiru sighed. Charon was right, she did want to know that. For what reason Ahiru still didn't know.
The whisper wasn't quiet enough, because Pike and Lillie heard this, with an evil glint in their eyes. Lillie's eyes only actually. Pike's just had a mischievous look.