"Bits by bits…, little by little…, slowly but sure… onwards I go!"

Yoshiko would surely fiddled and looked at her right. She would surely stole a look at the beautiful girl beside her. The strangeness that she felt from that girl was nowhere to be found. Just where it did went out to? All that's detected from the girl was shyness and happiness. Nothing's out of place. Maybe her mind was just exhausted after that accessories hunting the other day.

After a few minutes of stealing glances from her part, suddenly the other girl was also trying to do the same. Their eyes met. Purple with gold. However, it was short lived, as the redhead suddenly drew her vision back to the front, and thus ended the awkward session between the two of them.

The first break arrived. This girl Riko was being surrounded by their classmates while Yoshiko looked from her seat. Surely she wanted to know about her cousin's girlfriend's little sister, especially since she herself felt that the beauty of that girl rivaled those of her beloved cousin. Unfortunately, when she looked with more focus, she could she a tomato right there, replacing the silky skin owned by the girl, seemingly really embarrassed right then? "No choice, then…" Yoshiko mumbled as she stood up.

Near the vending machine, two girls sat awkwardly. Yoshiko tried to maintain her cool approach, though she didn't really recall whether it was futile or not since Riko was there together with her the other day. Yoshiko with her cousin is just never a façade. Yoshiko would never be a liar when she's around Umi. And thus, she wanted to at least test the water first.

The other girl, however, after she said thanks to Yoshiko, was busy looking onto the ground. What was there, Yoshiko didn't know. One thing for sure is that the embarrassed face of this one cute girl didn't disappear at all. Maybe the move their classmates did earlier really troubled her that much? Maybe…

Bored with silence, Yoshiko started up a conversation "Hey, Nishikino-san…"

"Y-You can call me Riko, Yoshiko-chan…" answered the redhead as she finally directed her eyes at Yoshiko

"Ok-Okay then, Riko. So, we meet again…" awkwardness alright

"Y-Yes. I didn't think we would ended up in the same class." It continued

"Yeah, I was really surprised too. I supposed it had something to do with our class being the same as one attended by Umi-nee and Maki-san…" not so confident from Yoshiko

"I-Is that really true? So I'm in the same class as Maki-nee back then. Wow…" the cheerful expression from the redhead was too cute for Yoshiko to handle at the moment and so she avoided looking at that direction

After feeling that she's capable of bringing herself just fine, Yoshiko asked the redhead "So, how long have you known about Umi-nee and Maki-san's relationship, Riko?"

"Ah, I think it was from the last month or so? Maki-nee unintentionally blurted it out when we're having snacks in the kitchen"

"Lucky you! I only found out about it after we went back home from that day we both first met." Yoshiko still held a grudge for her cousin since she didn't even told her the truth at all (though Umi was never a good secret keeper in the first place)

"I think they're just too afraid of us finding out since both of them tried their hardest to let you find out that day…" Riko sheepishly laughed afterwards

"E-Eh…? No wonder Umi-nee seemed so out of place that day. You should've told me that time, Riko!" the awkward air slowly dissipated

"But I was sure you knew about it too, Yoshiko-chan… Sorry…" Seemed like both of them enjoyed each other's company

"It's fine, don't worry about it."

The chatter between the two of them continued smoothly until the bell rang, signaling the need to go back to class. The two stood up and went back together, content with how close they were already even though that was the first time they talked properly. At this point, Yoshiko felt a thump inside her heart, but she didn't know what that was at the moment.

When school's finally over, Yoshiko hurriedly put her belonging into her bag as she was sure she had a shopping she needed to do with her aunt. Ditching this one might result in her attending the traditional dance class owned by the Sonoda's for a month. That thought alone did made shivers went throughout her body. As fast as possible, she dashed out of the entrance gate, unaware of the small voice called out to her. Riko was there, seemingly waiting for her to go home together, maybe?

Umi had just finished taking a bath when she saw her phone lit up. She looked it up and saw that Yoshiko send her something. It was a video she took which show the scenery she felt nostalgic about. Not long afterwards, Maki went back home, knocking the door. Umi greeted the wannabe-pro pianist with a little peck as she went to the sofa. Sitting there, she looked around her new house. To be exact, an apartment. An apartment of her and Maki. Just the thought of it really did a number on Umi as her face suddenly became redder. "This is faster than I expected…" mumbled Umi as her mind started to drift into fantasy

After an hour or so, Maki visited her there, sitting together while holding a bunch of candies, grinning as if she held the most precious confetti in the world. Umi just laughed at the scenery of her girlfriend almost hastily gulping all the candies. Finished with the collections, Maki's phone lit up but since the redhead wanted to go to take another fill of the candies, she told Umi to open the message. There, Umi opened it to see that Riko send her sister a few questions regarding what she should do in her new school, together with asking about her older sister's well-being.

"It's from Riko. She asked about your life here, Maki…" Umi called out to the girl who didn't showed up for a moment now. Maybe that girl decided to just enjoy the candies back in the kitchen rather than went back there

Truly, the younger one shouted "Reply it for me I'm fine, how about her!"

"Okay~ but what if she asked anything else?"

"Reply them too for me. I-I'm a little bit busy here…" the voice was too clear that Maki really crunching down the candies there

"Fine. Hey Maki?"

"Yes?"

"Don't blame me if you have cavity later."

"… Yes, ma'am." Umi laughed at that before she refocused herself onto the message on Maki's phone

Deciding that via messages might not really enough contact, Umi called the little sister.

"Hello, Riko?" she started

"Yes, Ma- Umi-san?" there seemed to be doubt over the voice before it came out clear

"Wow, I thought we had similar voices, but you recognized me alright. Hello there, Riko, how's your school life? Maki is doing great here. She might've just finished the second bucket of the candies I brought yesterday." There was a protest audible from the kitchen but Umi paid it no mind

"I-I'm doing great here, too, Umi-san. I also met Yoshiko-chan today. She was really cool when she helped me avoiding the inquiry from our classmates." Riko herself didn't really realized she'd just praised the purple eyes

"That's good to know. Heee…, that Yoshiko-chan. Not bad. Did you find another friend there?"

"Not yet…, but I think just Yoshiko-chan alone is enough, Umi-san."

"Don't be like that, Riko. You should befriend anyone you could."

"Thanks for the advice, Umi-san. B-By the way, may I ask you something?" fidgeting Riko

"Yes, what it is?" firm answer

"Is Maki-nee still there?"

"Relax, she can't hear your voice. So, what is it about that you didn't want Maki to find out?" Umi's eyes got lit up

"U-Um… It's about Yoshiko-chan…"

"Yoshiko-chan? Continue." Heart thumping at the thought of the cute girl having a crush at her little cousin

"D-Does she have anyone special or alike, Umi-san?" at that, Umi's heart was really excited

"I-I don't think so, Riko. She would never hold a secret from me and she never tell me anything about having anyone special." Umi tried to hold down her excitement

"I-Is that so…, well, today, when I called out to her at the school gate, it seemed she didn't hear me and was hurriedly went outside. I thought she was having a date or something…"

"Hahahahahahahaha…" Umi couldn't hold it any longer "Riko."

"Y-Yes?"

"I think you're mistaken there."

"Mistaken?"

"Yes. That's without doubt Yoshiko-chan who ran as fast as she possible so she could accompanied my mother going somewhere because she's really afraid of attending the traditional class my family ran if she didn't obey my mother."

"E-E-E-Ehhhhhhhh? So i-i-i-it wasn't a date, then…? Stupid me…" Relief seemed to be filling the redhead's heart

"Yes, definitely not. So, Riko, what's about Yoshiko-chan did you like?" Umi grinned as she asked the question. However, someone tapped her shoulder and Umi was shrieking at that "M-M-Maki…?"

"Maki-nee?" Riko seemed flustered that her sister was there already

"Hello, Riko." Maki greeted her sister while her right hand hugged the lover. However, there was no answer. When Maki looked at her phone, seemed like it was already disconnected. "She hung up." And Umi laughed at that

"She's really cute, you know?" Umi inquired

"I know, she's my sister, after all!" Maki huffed her chest proudly and Umi just laughed at her again

"Never ask anything regarding Riko's past."

That was the first thing her parents said when she wanted to further inquiry about the sudden adoption. Maki didn't know anything nor that did she want to know either. It was not something she should peek on carelessly. Seeing those hollowed eyes were the first strangeness she felt towards her new sister. It was as if the heart of that girl was filled with nothingness. Maybe there's something more than it, but at that time, it was enough to listen and accept. Yes, it was enough…

Maybe the reason was dreadful since it did made her mother who usually seemed aloof to sternly warn her about it. Maki at least know her mother is not someone she would try to mess with when she talked like that. Though, she still wanted to know since Riko is finally become her family. At least she would try to share the burden with her together. Well, wishful thinking could wait for now…

The thumping in her heart wasn't stopping at all. Riko realized that it was the first time her heart felt so strange yet fulfilling like that. That last question from Umi made her heart almost going out bursting from her chest. And just the thought at the girl in question, the girl with beautiful lips and her trademark purple irises was enough to make Riko drown her face into her pillow. This feeling is something she might be loved in the future. That's what Riko's heart told at that moment…

It was slowly being healed. Slowly but sure, Riko knew how kindness finally came her way. This was the healing her heart needed, after all. Being treated like how a human should be, feeling something not inhumane alright. Not like some dangerous pet, kept hidden out from the light, fed with things which aren't exactly foods. The tragedy that hit her before must be forgotten as soon as possible, Riko vowed in her heart as she tried to suppress the one reason of the previous falldown she had with her previous family. She needed to maintain herself well, or…

It's not like she asked for it. She never wanted anything outrageously stupid like that. She didn't want it even a bit. All she wanted was the normality that could be found from a normal family. A loving normal family. However, if it kicked in, there will be nothing left. Everything would be destroyed and burned to the ground, surely would left Riko in helplessness. Once again. But this time, she is sure she would be able to hold it down for sure. "For the sake of my truest happiness…!" Riko looked at the moonlight outside her window, vowing the words with all her heart.