Chapter 4
So close, yet so far away
Back at school, I am feeling very fatigued today. I had trouble sleeping last night because of one thing: Kyoko Toshino and Yui-san. I jus can't get these two out of my head, for what they seemed to be like a couple or something. Now, I don't really know for sure, but to me they are. If Kyoko Toshino likes Yui-san, then I'm done for. There's no way to confess to her if it's like this. But according to Chitose, she believes that I might still have a chance, which probably won't happen, but I'll never know. Back at the park, she only wanted me to be happy. She didn't want me to give up, even if Kyoko Toshino is hanging out with Yui-san. But even if she wants to make me happy, I couldn't help but wonder how she would feel if I told her how I felt about her. Chizuru-san wanted me to be with her instead. So . . . why is it so hard to just stick with Chitose?
I had spent the whole hour thinking about this as Chitose and I were at the student council room, sorting out papers.
"Ayano-chan?" my best friend says. "Are you okay?"
"I've been thinking,' I say as I look up at her. "Is it really possible that Kyoko Toshino and Yui-san like each other?"
The short silver haired girl just smiles sadly. "I'm afraid I don't know the answer to that. Lately, I've seen Toshino-san with Funami-san most of the time, but I don't think it's possible that they are a couple." She stacks the papers on the table. "But I'm sure you can still confess to Toshino-san, right?"
"I guess . . ."
"Don't worry, Ayano-chan. You'll still get your chance! I know it! Remember what I told you at the park? Never give up on your wish to be with Toshino-san." She takes off her glasses and goes off into her fantasy again, followed by a stream of blood pouring out from her nose seconds later.
Chitose's right about one thing. But what about Chizuru-san? What will she say when she finds out that I'm still thinking about Kyoko Toshino?
"All done!" Chitose says as she observes our fine work. "Now then, wanna go and grab some ice cream?"
"Alright," I reply as I grab my bag.
Both of us exit the student council room, lock the door and head out when I notice Kyoko Toshino and Yui-san walking in the hallway. Just my luck.
"Hey, you two!" Kyoko Toshino says, happily. "What's happening?"
"Oh, we're just going to grab some ice cream," Chitose replies. "Want to come with us?"
"No thank you," Yui-san says. "Kyoko and I have a lot of studying to do. Thanks for the offer though."
"Aww!" the blonde pouts her lips. "Can't we go get ice cream now? I'm desperate to have rum raisin!"
"That's not happening," Yui-san says.
"Boo!" Kyoko Toshino turns away while still pouting her lips. "You're no fair!"
"You can have it after you study," Yui-san says.
Kyoko nods reluctantly and turns to me with a bright smile on her face. "Ayano~! How about we study together?"
"Eh!?" I never expected to hear her say that before. "L-like I'd study with you!" I shout, reverting to my hot-headed state.
"Now, now," Chitose says. "If we all want to study together, why don't we go to Ayano-chan's place?"
I flinch as I jump back in shock. "Ch-Chitose!? Y-you can't be serious!"
"Acutally," Kyoko Toshino says, rubbing her chin. "That's not such a bad idea."
"What in the heck are you going at this!?" I shout at her.
The blonde just shrugs. "Nothing special. Just thought that it would be fun to have all of us study together, especially with you, Ayano."
I blush harder. "T-there's no way I could study with you."
"Oh, don't worry!" Chitose says as she takes off her glasses again, going off into her fantasy world. Shortly after, blood pours out from her nose. "Ahh, yes! That's it!"
I sigh as I face palm myself. "What will I ever do with you?" I decide to go out for some air for a bit since this is getting too rowdy. "Um, I have to use the bathroom for a second. Could you excuse me for a moment?"
"Oh, no problem," Yui-san says as she helps Chistose wipe out the blood from her nose. "Take your time."
"Thanks."
With that, I take my leave and head down to the restroom. Man, that was very surprising when Kyoko Toshino suddenly said that she would study with me. What will I do when we study together? I'll just have to be calm and help her with whatever she needs help with. However, as I was about to enter the bathroom, I notice Chizuru-san walking from the corner.
"Hey," she says, quietly. "Do you have a moment?"
"Um," I hastily look around to see if anyone's watching. "Okay, but make it quick. My friends are waiting for me."
"It'll be a moment," Chizuru-san says as she walks up to me and pulls me aside. "How are things going with you and my sister?"
"Um, it's going pretty well," I reply. I can say that it's an "honest" answer. "Nothing really special happened."
"Alright. And are you keeping away from that Toshino girl?"
"I'm trying to."
"Trying is not good enough. Sugiura-san, you still hold feelings for her, don't you?"
"I . . . I do." I just can't hide it from her anymore. Nothing ever takes my mind of Kyoko Toshino, even if I hang out with Chitose.
"I thought so," Chizuru says. "You should know that Toshino is nothing but a trouble maker and Funami-san is also holding feelings for her. What will you do when she finds out your love interest is that Toshino girl?"
I just look down at the floor, knowing exactly what might happen. "I just . . . can't let go of her."
"You have to!" Chizuru presses. "Think about Funami-san. Don't you want her to be happy? Then, be with my sister!"
"I can't!" I cry feeling tears forming in my eyes. "You have no idea how I would feel if I forget about her!"
Chizuru-san steps closer to me. "I'm very sorry, Sugiura-san. But there's no other way. Either forget about Toshino and be with my sister so she can be happy, or make Funami-san suffer."
I shake my head as I turn away. Now this is very confusing. Chizuru-san is just making my head spin from all this decision making. Why should I have to decide? "Chitose only wants me to be happy. She totally supports me in being with Kyoko Toshino, so you telling me to be with her is just lame."
Chizuru-san shakes her head. "Even so, Toshino is with Funami-san right now. It's impossible for you to be with that blonde girl since you waited too long. So, your only option is to be with my sister. I'm sorry." She turns to leave when she slightly turns her head. "I just . . . want both of you to be happy." She then walks away, leaving me standing here, wide eyed. Now she's going on with making me happy?
Clenching my fists in anger, I hang down my head, making my long bangs hide my expression. I don't know what to do anymore. If I confess to Kyoko Toshino, Yui-san will be devastated, so I should stick with Chitose. If I do that, then both Yui-san and I will be happy. If that's the case, then Chizuru-san might have a point. But . . . these feelings for Kyoko Toshino . . . they will never go away. I will be the one who will be devastated.
Late that night, the four of us are almost done with our studying. I sit next to Chitose while Yui-san is sitting next to Kyoko Toshino. As I look up at them, Yui-san is showing the blonde some problems that she's stuck on. Kyoko Toshino nods as she writes down what she's saying and smiles at her. Yui-san smiles back at her as she keeps on showing her how to do the problems. I, however, keep on staring at them, feeling jealous that the two are having fun together. With a sigh, I finish the last problem and close my textbook. Chitose looks up at me, seeing that I'm finished.
"You're finished already?" she asks.
"Yes. Want something to drink?"
"I'll have some juice, please."
"Same here," Yui-san says.
"Me too!" Kyoko Toshino says, raising her hand up. "Oh, bring me some rum raisin while you're at it."
"I don't have any," I reply, frowning.
"Aw, maaaaan!" Kyoko Toshino groans.
"Just go get the juice," Yui-san says, being slightly annoyed.
"Alright." I say as I leave the room. Walking down the stairs, I try to keep my composure as I try to figure out how to hand Kyoko Toshino her drink properly without any mistakes.
It took only about 5 minutes to get the drinks prepared and I arrive in my room to find that everyone is finished with their work.
"Sorry to keep you waiting," I say as I put the tray down. I hand Yui-san and Chitose the drinks. But with the last drink, I slowly hand Kyoko Toshino the juice. "H-here you go."
"Thanks, Ayano!" She reaches in to grab the drink, but touches my hand by accident.
I quickly flinch by the touch, making the drink tip over and spill on my clothing. "AAAHHHH! WHAT THE HECK WERE YOU THINKING!?"
"It wasn't me!" the blonde argues. "You were the one who leapt back!"
"You . . . are . . . an idiot!"
"You guys, there's no time to argue!" Yui-san says. "We need to get Ayano cleaned up!"
"I'll do it!" Kyoko Toshino volunteers, immediately standing up. She runs out of the room, probably going to get napkins.
I look down at my wet clothing, feeling that the blonde is right. I was the one who flinched in the first place. It's just that . . . her touch was so unexpected that I was surprised to be touched by her again. Loud footsteps were heard from the stairs and up to my room with Kyoko Toshino with a handful of paper towels. She begins to wipe some of the wet spots on my clothing to dry it off a little. It might have been too late, but at least it can repair some of the damage. When it wasn't working, Kyoko Toshino looks at my clothing with a sad look on her face.
"I'm afraid that you have to change your clothes," she says.
"I guess you're right," I reply with a sigh. I grab some dry clothes and go into the bathroom to change. Ah, what an embarrassment! Me reacting to Kyoko Toshino's touch like that. I felt like not showing my face anymore. I changed into a plain green shirt with blue jeans and come out of the bathroom.
Kyoko Toshino immediately runs up to me. "Are you alright?"
I gently push her away, while looking away hiding my blush. "I'm fine."
"Goodie!" Chitose says happily. "Now that it's over, what should we do now?"
"Well, Kyoko and I should probably get home," Yui-san says, standing up. "Besides, we have a big test tomorrow, so thank you for studying with us."
"Oh, no problem!" Chitose replies. "We're very glad you could come over to Ayano-chan's house!"
"Yeah!" Kyoko Toshino says as she turns to me. "Although, nothing could be more fun if Ayano was the one helping me with the problems!"
I flinch again as I revert to my hot-headed state again. "L-Like I would teach a lazy brat like you!"
The blonde just giggles. "Sometimes, you just satisfy me, Ayano. You haven't changed a bit."
"W-well, of course I haven't changed!" I stutter while averting my eyes back and forth. "Wh-what are you trying to say?"
Kyoko Toshino giggles again and stands up to join Yui-san.
"I'll see you both tomorrow," Yui-san says.
"Bye," Chitose and I reply in unison as we wave to them
When both of them leave, I close the door and let out a sigh.
"Well, that was fun, wasn't it?" Chitose says.
"Yes, it was," I reply, softly. "Say . . . do you want to sleepover tonight?"
"Sure, but I'll have to check with my family to make sure. Why?"
"I just . . . want you to sleep with me." I decided to go with Chizuru-san's advice and see how it goes. Because I don't think it will be the same as being with Kyoko Toshino.
"Alright. I'll call my sister to let her know." She takes out her phone and dials the number. While doing that, I just sit on my bed, thinking again and again if that's the right thing to do.
Late that night, while Chitose and I get in bed, I get the feeling that this isn't really that much fun. I mean, she's my best friend, yes, but having her sleepover with me just isn't feeling right. I keep tossing and turning as I think about this.
"What's wrong, Ayano-chan?" Chitose asks. "Can't get to sleep?"
"No," I reply honestly as I sit up. "Chitose, I'm kind of not feeling right with this."
"Why? Because you're not with Toshino-san?"
I just nod my head.
"You know, I've been wondering for a long time . . . how long are you going to keep at it? Don't you want to be with Toshino-san?"
"Chitose . . . I don't think it's really possible anymore."
The short silver haired girl frowns as she sits up as well. "What do you mean?"
"You sister . . . just asked me a favor: to forget about Kyoko Toshino and rather hang out with you instead."
"What!?" Chitose gasps.
"It's true. She thinks it's best if I fell in love with you, Yui-san will be happy with Kyoko Toshino."
"Ayano-chan, I can't believe Chizuru would even tell you this. When did she talk to you?"
"Two days ago. I'm so sorry for hiding it from you."
Silence fills the room for a minute. Then, Chitose looks up at me with a serious expression.
"Ayano-chan, even if my sister has a different opinion on your relationship, I don't care. You decide what's best for you. I can't decide for you, even if my sister wants you to be with someone else, you decide whether or not it's an option." She takes hold of my hands. "I love you, Ayano-chan and I'd be more than happy to be by your side if you want, but like I said earlier, I want you to be happy. Funami-san might not like it, but she will probably understand. Besides, Yoshikawa-san will have a chance with her if she wants to."
"No, she's in a different high school, remember?" I remind my best friend.
"Oh, yeah. That's right."
It's true. Akari-san, Chinatsu-san, Himawari-san and Sakurako-san attended a different high school for some reason. Not that I minded them to be away from us, but since I had moved after graduating from middle school, I came to this high school along with Chitose, Yui-san and Kyoko Toshino. Since then, we found out that the four of them had attended another high school near their homes. We rarely hang out with them since we're so far away from them, but it's not too bad. Still, I would kind of feel bad for Yui-san if I were to be with Kyoko Toshino.
"I'll . . . just try my best," I say to my best friend. "I mean, it' now or never, right?"
"Yes, go for it!" Chitose says. "Let me know how it goes, okay? I will be rooting for you!"
I smile at her. "Thanks, Chitose." I had decided to give it one last shot. I can't back down now! I just need to gather my strength and courage to confess.
With that, both of us go to sleep, praying and hoping that this will work.
Back at the school that afternoon, I had passed the test and thought about what I'm going to say to Kyoko Toshino. I had thought long and hard about this and I'm finally going to tell her! There's no turning back! Walking down the halls, I search for Kyoko Toshino. She should be out of class by now, so she should be coming by soon. So . . . why isn't she showing up? It's right down this hallway by the student council. I look around for that blonde girl, but she's nowhere to be found. I decide to check upstairs and see if she's there. There's no time to lose! As quick as light, I sprint down the hall to the stairs to find her up there. Yes! Now for the moment of truth.
"Kyoko Toshi-" But as I'm about to walk up there, I find her and Yui . . . kissing? In an instant, my heart sinks down like a boat drowning in the water as I drop on my knees, trembling at this horrible sight.
A/N: Wow! What will Ayano do now? Are Yui and Kyoko really a couple? Will she ever get the one she loves? Stay tuned to find out!
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