Chapter 5

Choices

Author's Note: Hello! I just realized that I've been getting the spelling of Kyouko's name wrong! Turns out that it's spelled with a "U" all this time, considering all the fanfics I read and reviews. Maybe it doesn't really matter how Kyouko's name is spelled, but no matter. I'm really glad that you guys are enjoying the story so far and thanks so much for the awesome reviews! XD

Why? I think to myself. Why wasn't I told they were together? I didn't have to confront Yui-san about this. It is right in front of me all along. I guess they were just hiding the fact that they were together just so that I wouldn't be upset. Tears were forming in my eyes as I look down at the ground, not wanting to see any more.

"Huh? Ayano?" Yui-san says.

I look up at her as she shows a concerned expression on her face with Kyouko Toshino turning towards me. I stand up and try to smile at them.

"Is there something you need?" Yui-san asks.

"No," I reply softly. "I'm sorry for bothering you two. And . . . I can see that you are together, so . . . I wish both of you the best of luck."

"Eh?" Kyouko Toshino raises an eyebrow and looks over at Yui-san and then back to me.

But I just turn away and run off, crying. There's no need to confess to Kyouko Toshino now. I was too late. Halfway down the hall, I stop to catch my breath and turn back to where I came from. The image of them kissing appears in my head again and a couple of tears fall freely from my eyes. Looks like I can't be with the one I love anymore. I . . . have failed.

"Ayano-chan?" Chitose says.

I look up at her, still having tears in my eyes, which makes her expression change. "Ayano-chan, did something happen?"

I say nothing as I quickly wrap my arms around her and just sob my heart out. Kyouko Toshino . . . why?

"Ayano-chan . . ." Chitose just gently hugs me back, making me cry even harder. I needed comfort from my best friend as much as I could since my chances of being with the one I love had been thwarted.

I keep on sobbing for a good 15 minutes, letting out everything I had been holding back and crying her name over and over again. Since she wants to be with Yui-san, I might as well accept it. Good-bye . . . Kyouko.

Chitose's P.O.V (Point of View)

My sister and I walk home in silence. After seeing Ayano-chan cry like that, I felt like crying, too. When she had calmed down, she told me everything. I was very surprised that she even saw Toshino-san kissing Funami-san. Could it be that they were together all along and they didn't even bother telling us? That's what Ayano-chan told me as well. She was totally devastated from seeing those two kissing that she had to go home to be alone for a while and I couldn't blame her. What will she do now?

Oh, yeah. I have to discuss things with my sister, too. Even though she's the one who made this mess, I still forgive her. It was her opinion for me to stay by Ayano-chan's side, yet I wanted her to stay by Toshino-san's side because Ayano-chan loves her. She had loved her ever since the start of middle school. She had laid eyes on her and thought she was cute, but wouldn't want to admit it. That's when I started my fantasy gig because of that. I always wanted those two together, no matter what situation we're in. Yet, my sister wants me to be with Ayano-chan since I became friends with her that one day when she was by herself at her desk. I could just remember it like it was yesterday.

**Flashback**

It was a day after the opening ceremony and I just happened to walk in the classroom when I saw her sitting by herself at her desk. No one seemed to talk to her, which seemed a little strange, but fine. She looked a little down as well, probably feeling a little lonely since no one wanted to talk to her, so I decided to try to have a talk with her. Being the kind and gentle person I am, I sat by Ayano-chan.

"Hey, there!" I said cheerfully.

"Hey," she said softly, turning to me.

"You looked a little lonely back there, so I decided to come and talk to you."

"Th-thanks." The tone in her voice seemed a little shy, but kind. Why wouldn't anyone want to talk with her? "Um, I'm Ayano Sugiura."

"And I'm Chitose Ikeda! It's a pleasure to meet you, Ayano-chan!" I shake her hand with a smile.

And then, Ayano-chan smiles as well as she shakes my hand.

**End of Flashback**

It was then, after school, I had told Chizuru about Ayano-chan and how I was able to talk to her. Chizuru seemed very surprised, but happy that I made a new friend here at school. However, it wasn't until I had found out that my own sister is starting to have fantasies of her own. I didn't know what it was until it was hinted that I was with Ayano-chan every single day. Pretty soon, I had accepted her opinion on Ayano-chan's relationship and she unfortunately didn't accept mine. She sort of dislikes Toshino-san for some reason, but maybe it was because Toshino-san was annoying her back at the library one time she first met her. Whatever it was, I always try to encourage her to get along with Toshino-san.

When Chizuru and I are starting to eat dinner together, I decide to pop the question.

"Hey, Chizuru?"

"Hm?"

"Ayano-chan told me about you trying to have me be by her side," I explain to her.

She stops eating right when I say that.

"I know that you're trying to help, but you should think about Ayano-chan's feelings," I continue. "Right now, she's pretty devastated because of what she saw earlier that afternoon. I love you, Chizuru, but sometimes, you should think about someone else's feelings before trying to manipulate them into having someone else."

It is then that Chizuru's eye begin to fill with tears. "Nee-san . . ." She jumps into my chest and starts crying for some reason.

"Ch-Chizuru?" I'm confused to why she's crying like that.

"I just . . . I just wanted to make you both happy!" she sobs. "Because if Toshino is with Sugiura-san, then what will you do? How will Funami-san feel? There's just no other way!"

I smile gently as I stroke her hair. "I know how you feel, but I actually wouldn't mind Ayano-chan being with Toshino-san. Sure I'll be lonely without her, but I have you, right? That will never change."

Chizuru looks up at me, still having tears in her eyes. "Nee-san . . ."

"I'm glad you're thinking of my feelings and Funami-san's," I say softly. "But right now, Ayano-chan needs some cheering up. We can't have her looking depressed forever, do we?"

Chizuru sniffles. "No."

"Then, let's try tomorrow," I suggest. "I'll go talk with Fuanmi-san to see what's up and why she was kissing Tohsino-san and then probably Ayano-chan soon after. She might want to know why they were kissing and stuff."

Both of us let go and Chizuru wipes the tears from her eyes.

"I'm sorry." She says, softly.

"It's alright." I reply. "I forgive you."

With that, both of us embrace each other.

Back at school, I don't see Ayano-chan anywhere. Not even in the classroom. Could she be late or something? Or maybe she didn't want to come to school to face Toshino-san? I guess she's still depressed over yesterday that she can't come to school today. Then, I'll have to talk to her after school. As I walk in the halls, I notice Toshino-san and Funami-san walking by, so I wave to them.

"Hi," Funami-san says. "Where's Ayano?"

"Oh, she's not feeling well," I lie. "So, she can't come to school today."

"I see," Toshino-san says. "Can we go see her after school?"

"Um, I don't think it's such a good idea," I say, waving my hands. "She's, uh, has the flu, so no one is supposed to see her today!"

"Boo!" Toshino-san pouts her lips. "I want to make her feel better!"

"Please," Funami-san scoffs. "All you ever do is annoy her."

"Aw!"

The warning bell rings, which makes everyone scramble to their classes.

"Oh, we'd better get going," Funami-san says. "We'll see you later, Chitose-san."

"Bye," I wave at them as they walk past me.

Now that I think about, I'll probably try to talk to Toshino-san first and see what's going on. Funami-san can wait. I just want to see how Toshino-san feels about Funami-san before doing anything else. I'm thinking that the kiss might have to do something with it.

By lunch time, I try to look for Toshino-san down the halls since they are on their way to the cafeteria. If I can get information from her, then maybe Ayano-chan might still have a chance to be with her and tell her that it was an all misunderstanding. I look around everywhere, but there is no sign of Toshino-san. However, right as I turn around, in a blink of an eye, there she is, telling Funami-san something and then happily walking off. This is my chance to talk with her. Gathering some confidence, I casually walk up to her with a smile on my face.

"Oh, hello, Chitose," Toshino-san says. "What's up?"

"I just want to have a talk with you," I reply. "Here, want to go to the student council room?"

"Sure, but why?"

"Uh, it's just our little private talk. Don't let Funami-san know, okay?"

"Uh, s-sure . . . " Her expression tells me that she didn't want to do it, but decides to do it anyway since she knows that there's some rum raisin in the fridge waiting for her.

Happy that she accepted my request, both of us go into the student council room, lock the door so that no one comes in and sit down at the table while Toshino-san grabs some rum raisin to eat. I just giggle softly at this, thinking that Ayano-chan might be surprised once she notices that the ice cream is gone. While Toshino-san is enjoying her rum raisin, I get right into the topic.

"Toshino-san," I say with a serious expression. "Tell me: do you recall when you were kissing Funami-san yesterday?"

"Yes, why?" She puts some ice cream in her mouth when she says this.

"I was wondering: do you love Funami-san?"

There is silence for a moment, except her digging into the ice cream. When she swallows, she thinks about it for a moment.

"Technically, no, but Yui does seem to love me."

"Ah, so that explains why she's kissing you."

Toshino-san nods and looks down at the ground. "Although, I never returned my feelings to her."

I raise an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

She gives me a sad smile. "To be honest, Yui was the one who confessed to me that afternoon. I was so shocked and surprised that she would even confess to me and before I could answer, Ayano came into the scene. I did't get a chance to respond to Yui's confession since then."

"I see . . ." So it was all a big misunderstanding. Ayano-chan just didn't see it very clearly as though she thought they were a couple. She was depressed for nothing this whole time!

"Where's Ayano now?" Toshino-san asks, wearing a serious expression on her face.

"She's in her room, moping," I reply sadly. "Seeing you and Funami-san kissing hit her really hard."

"Then we must go to her!" Toshino-san says, standing up from the table.

"Wait, what are you doing?" I cannot understand Toshino-san's determination.

"We have to let Ayano know about this right away, otherwise . . ." She looks down at the ground, probably knowing what might happen if a person who is super depressed might do to solve their problems.

"Oh, no!" I quickly stand up as well. "We must hurry before it's too late!"

As quick as a flash, both of us sprint out of the student council room and exit the school to go to Ayano-chan's house, hoping that we're not too late.

**Ayano's P.O.V**

It's dark. Dark and cold in here. And . . . I like that feeling. There's no one else to bother me, nothing to fear and nothing to think about. I'm just alone in this dark, dark room, hugging my knees while on my bed. I want to be away from this horrible world, let go of those painful memories and just shut myself from the rest of the world. I'm nothing to this world now. I might as well . . . go away. I look over at a sharp object on my nightstand, a pair of scissors. I slowly start to pick it up and examine it for a bit. Maybe . . . if I go away, everyone else would be happy with their lovers. Maybe . . . they would even find a better student council president other than me. Maybe . . . Yui-san will be happy with the one she loves now. Kyouko Toshino . . . Oh, how I loved you right until the end. I point the scissors right at the center, making sure that I won't miss an inch. This is my choice to live my life. My choice to love someone that is now been taken away from me. And now . . . maybe I can finally rest in peace. It's . . . my choice . . .

"AYANO-CHAN, NOOOO!"

My door slams open and out comes my best friend, panting from probably running up here.

"Ch-Chitose!?" I gasp as I glance down at where I'm about to take my life.

"Oh, my gosh! Do have any idea how devastated I would be if you had done that!?"

Tears form in my eyes as I look down at the floor. "You don't understand. The one I love is with someone else and I have nothing left. All I can do is-"

"NO! DON'T YOU DARE SAY THAT!" Chitose cries, having tears fall freely from her eyes. She rushes in, takes away the scissors and grabs hold of my hands in her own. "Ayano-chan, if you had done that, you would lose everything! Everything and everyone you cared about! Not only I would be devastated, but everyone else, Funami-san, Toshino-san, even Furutani-san and Ohmuro-san! And let's not forget Akaza-san and Yoshikawa-san!"

"Chitose . . ."

"So, don't do that anymore! Not ever! Please!" She is crying her heart out, for my sake. I didn't even think she would be here during the school day. But . . . I guess I'm glad she came here, otherwise I would've taken my life beforehand. "I love you, Ayano-chan! I don't want you gone nor does anyone else! So, please stay, Ayano-chan! Please!" She grips on my shirt as she buries her head on my chest.

I sniffle as I stroke her hair, trying my best to smile at her. "Okay, Chitose. I won't leave you guys." I got to hand it to her: she's really a good friend, even if she's a little crazy about her fantasies and all. She's very supportive, always by my side and is even willing to help me out whenever I need it. I'm glad I have her. Otherwise, I would've made a really bad choice like I was doing right now. She came to my rescue and I'm really grateful for that.

When both of us pull away, I look at her with a confused expression. "By the way, what are you doing here when school is still going?"

"Oh, I brought someone along with me," Chitose says with a smile. "You can come in now."

When that person steps in the room, my heart skips a beat.

"K-Kyouko Toshino!?" Wait, what is she doing here? Isn't she supposed to be with Yui-san?

"Hello," she says, shyly.

"Wh-what are you doing here?"

"She came here to clear things up," Chitose explains. "She and I talked it over at lunch today."

"Clear things up?" I ask, raising an eyebrow.

She walks up to me and puts her hand on my shoulder with a smile on her face. "Ayano, what you witnessed yesterday wasn't what you thought it would be. You see, Yui had confessed to me and I was so speechless I couldn't even say anything for a bit."

"Eh?" I gasp.

"However, before I could respond, you came into the scene, thinking that we are already a couple. I couldn't say anything because you were so shocked at this sight and ran off without giving either of us a chance to explain." She wipes a tear that's falling from my eye. "I'm sorry I caused you such agony."

Am I dreaming or something? Please tell me that this is all a dream and Kyouko Toshino isn't actually saying the stuff she's saying right now! I can't believe this is happening at this very moment! This has to be an illusion!

"Also," Kyouko Toshino says as she pulls me closer to her. "Since it's all water under the bridge, I have something to tell you." She takes my hand in her own. "Even though Yui and I might know each other from the past, my mind is on someone else. Someone who is strong willed, hot-headed at times and always comes in to lecture me on my studies. That person . . . is you."

I gasp again at her explanation. "M-me?"

"Yes. Ayano, I love you. I love you ever since middle school and I couldn't stop missing the opportunity of spending time with you. You're cute, smart and even have a nice smile on your face when you're not angry. Yui might not like my decision, but it's my choice to decide who I should be with."

A major blush comes over my face, not wanting to go away. Kyouko Toshino . . . loves me? When all this time she's not really in love with Yui-san? I stare at her blue eyes for what it seems like minutes, maybe hours as I try to think of a way to respond. While part of me feels the need to accept her feelings, another part of me feels the need to reject her. There's no way in oblivion that this could happen. Kyouko Toshino might be lying and tried to confess to me just to make me feel better. Tears form in my eyes as my mind makes its final decision.

"I . . ."

A/N: Uh, oh! What will happen now? Will Ayano be willing to be by Kyouko's side? Or will she reject her? Stay tuned you guys!

I know. You guys are tired of the suspense, but that's what I love about stories. It makes you keep on reading, you know? Haha! And I read some of the reviews recently and it seems that we have a winner. Ayano x Kyouko is definitely a number one relationship, even for me. I mean, Ayano is in love with Kyouko in the first place, so why not ship them? Thanks so much for your votes. It really helped me make my final decision as well.

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