Chapter 2

Why her?

It feels as if someone had shot me with an arrow. Right in the heart. "I-I don't understand."

"Like I said earlier, you've been with Chitose almost every day," Chizuru says. "So, that's why I'm asking you to confess your feelings to her than that Toshino blonde girl."

"But, why Chitose?" I manage to get out. "I know she's my best friend and all, but . . . why do I have to be with her?"

Chizuru just looks down at the floor with a frown. "It seems like you were never honest with your feelings with Toshino. You couldn't tell her throughout middle school and now that you're in high school, you still can't tell her your feelings. So, just forget about her and go out with my sister."

I start to tremble while slowly putting my hand on my chest. Forget about . . . Kyoko Toshino?

"I'm very sorry," Chizuru says. "But sometimes, waiting too long can be a bad thing. She's with Funami-san, right? I've seen her with that quiet girl for quite some time, so maybe she has feelings for her, too."

"I . . . I see," I whisper while still trembling.

Chizuru starts to turn away to leave when she slightly turns her head. "Good luck, Sugiura-san. I hope you and my sister will do well as a couple."

As she walks off, I lower my head so that my long bangs hide my facial expression. Though she does have a point, I still can't let go of my feelings towards Kyoko Toshino. She's the only one I love, yet Chizuru is telling me to be with Chitose? What do I do?

I hear the bathroom door open and my best friend comes out. "Sorry it took so long. Huh?" She takes notice of my expression. "What happened? Why do you look so down all of a sudden?"

I shake my head and try to smile at her. "It's nothing, Chitose. I'm perfectly fine." Though, honestly, I'm not. I can't tell her that her sister had showed up and told me to forget about Kyoko Toshino. "Let's go."

"Okay," Chitose says, not sounding convinced, but decides to not ask any further.

Both of us exit the school and walk all the way to my home without a word. The words Chizuru had said to me still plays in my head. Forget about Toshino and go out with my sister. I shake my head at the thought, for I know that it wouldn't be possible. I just can't let her go. I can't.

"Ayano-chan?" I hear Chitose say. "Is something the matter?"

Again with the question? "No, I'm alright." I lie.

"You look so down again. I have the feeling that something's really wrong."

I turn and look down at the ground. Is it really necessary to hide it from her? "I'm fine, Chitose. You don't have to worry about me." I can't tell her. It might be too risky even for her. I don't want to hurt anyone.

When we arrive at my home, I enter the house followed by my best friend and head up to my room to study. We sit there in silence for quite a while. As I keep my eyes on my work, I keep glancing at my best friend, who is staring at me in worry, not even writing one single thing on her paper. Now this is gonna be much more difficult to hide.

"Do you need any help?" I ask with a sigh.

"Actually, I do," Chitose says as she drops her pencil and scoots closer to me with a serious expression on her face. "What's gotten you so down in the dumps today?"

I gasp and just try to avoid contact with her. "W-what do you mean? I told you I'm perfectly fine!"

"Don't lie to me!" Chitose says. "You've had that look ever since we've been walking home the whole time. Can you please tell me what's going on?"

I look down at the floor, wondering if it's really necessary to tell her about her sister. Feeling that it might be too risky, I ask her, "How . . . do you feel about me?"

Chitose raises an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

"D-do you have . . . any interest in me or a-anything?"

Chitose sits back and thinks about it for a moment before saying, "Well, I know you're my best friend. You're mature, strong-willed, study super hard because of Toshino-san and always willing to support others. That's what I like about you. And, um, I don't know what else I like besides those things."

"I see," I say softly.

"Where are you going at this, anyway?"

"I just . . . wanted to ask. That's all."

The short silver haired girl hesitates before slowly nodding. "Okay." She gets back to work without another word. Good. Keep it that way. I just need some time to think this through and try to decide if I'm really able to do this. Because right now, I'm in a pinch. From what Chizuru said to me earlier, I don't really know if I have feelings for my best friend. Kyoko Toshino is the only one my heart is set on. Not any other girl. Maybe when I hang out with her and Yui-san, I'll try talking to her. This is all too confusing for me. I need more time.

A/N: (Sigh) Another short chapter, but don't worry! I will expand it in the next chapter! I promise! Pinky swear, okay! Okay.

Anyway, feel free to give out any suggestions, questions or concerns and don't forget to review! ;)