Lonely No More
by Cyberchao X

Chapter 19

Disclaimer: Some characters and one song are not mine, but most characters are.

…wait, song?

*early to mid-August*

"Once again I think you might be the prettiest one here," Suzuka said. "You really do look like a little princess when you get dressed up like this."

Miki laughed. "Thanks, but I'm still going to be wishing for the same thing I've wished for for the past three years."

"Yeah, I figured as much."

"What are you going to wish for?"

"That's a secret. You're not supposed to tell. …Don't worry, it's okay that I know your wish because it's pretty easy to predict."

"Aw, you're no fun."

"I think I have an idea what Suzuka might wish for," Arisa said. "Perhaps something involving a certain crush of hers returning her feelings?"

"Do you really think I'm that shallow?" Suzuka shot back, though Arisa wasn't all that far off.

"Yeah, I'm not seeing it. The Suzuka-chan I know isn't the type to obsess over boys, in spite of her popularity with them."

"How is it that a friend I've only known for a few months already knows me better than one I've known for most of my life?" Suzuka teased.

"Yeah, right. I seriously doubt Ichirei-san knows you the way I know you."

"Too true, but she's not supposed to know that," Suzuka said under her breath, as the fact that Arisa knew her in the biblical sense was very much on her mind. After all, Arisa's only error was thinking that it was Kokuro who was on Suzuka's mind…

"I want Arisa to be mine forever."

When you wish upon a star
Makes no difference who you are
Anything your heart desires
Will come to you

Suki's jaw dropped. "Wow, Katsu-tan, you look…incredible. You really do look like a china doll." Katsura blushed. "…And now, perhaps not quite as much."

"Me too?" Natsume asked eagerly.

Suki laughed. "Yes, you're very lovely too, Natsu-tan."

"Thank you, oneesama," Katsura said. "That means a lot, coming from you."

"Yeah. It's going to be tough for any Tanabata wish to compare to what Katsu-chan's already received," Hanna said.

"Hanna-chan!" Katsura and Mayu both yelled.

"…Sorry."

"It's… okay…" Suki said.

"…Thanks." Hanna knew better. It wasn't okay, because it was the truth. Hanna knew what Katsura would wish for, and thanks to her conversation with Suki at the solstice festival, Suki probably knew also. Katsura's wish would no doubt involve Suki somehow. "You're too kind." The implication was obvious to Suki. "You're killing her with kindness. Either tone it down or tell her the truth."

"What's got you in such a bad mood, Hanna-chan?" Mayu asked.

"I'm not in a bad mood," Hanna replied.

"Don't give me that," Katsura said. "I know you better than that, Hanna. Something's wrong."

"…No it isn't."

Katsura pulled Hanna aside. "…I'm sorry."

"…What? What are you apologizing for?"

"This is my fault, isn't it?" She put her arms around Hanna. "You know you're still my best friend, right?"

"Of course. Nothing's ever going to come between us, right?"

"…But that's exactly what's happened. My…love, for ne—Sempai, is getting in the way of our friendship."

"Katsu-chan, you know that's not the case at all. Yes, I realized that your feelings for Suki-sempai go beyond what the rest of us feel, and I'm okay with that. If she's what will make you happy, then I support that. But…you're not."

"Not what?"

"Happy."

"Well, of course not. My best friend is unhappy, and it's my fault. How could I be happy knowing that?"

Hanna laughed. "It's not your fault. Not directly, anyway. It's hers. Like I said…she's too kind. Saying such sweet things to you, who are in love with her… Doesn't it hurt?"

"Of course it does. I want to confess to her, even though she's not interested in girls that way." A jolt went through Hanna's chest, knowing the inaccuracy of this statement. "But just being with her, receiving her praise, makes me happy enough that I just keep moving on. I know how wrong it is, but I was never as strong as you."

"Um, Katsu-chan?"

"…Don't get me wrong. I know that after admitting that I might like girls, saying such things about you could be taken the wrong way. It's not like that. I've just always admired your strength of character. You're the type of person I wish I could be. …Knowing how you've always fought for me, I'm surprised you haven't called Sempai out on her behavior."

"What would you say if I told you I had?"

"…Well, you obviously didn't do a good enough job, because she's still saying those things."

"I've probably already said too much, since I promised I wouldn't say anything…but then again, your feelings were part of what helped me figure it out. So I can't help it if you figured out the truth on your own."

"The…truth?"

"I've said too much."

"I want Katsura-chan to find true happiness."

If your heart is in your dream
No request is too extreme
When you wish upon a star
As dreamers do

Arisa greeted Suki with a kiss. "There's my perfect girl. I can't imagine how you even have anything to wish for."

"You're one to talk. You've got it all."

"Bullshit. There are still a few…things missing from my life."

"You hesitated."

"…Okay, a few people."

"You're still holding a candle?"

"I think you mean 'carrying a torch'. And no, it's…not about that, although I won't deny that I had feelings for some of them."

"Arisa, whatever it is, you can tell me."

"…No, I don't think I can. There are some things that just have to remain a secret to everyone."

"…'A secret to everyone'?"

"…Yeah."

"Have they…not been keeping in touch?"

"It's…kind of tough for them to do so."

"Well, then, I guess I'll wish for them on your behalf as well."

"So I was right. You don't have anything to wish for for yourself."

"…Well, okay, maybe."

"Oneesama." Katsura's voice was calm and even.

"Katsu-tan?"

"…How do you really see me? Am I…just an admirer? Or is there a chance that I could be something more someday?" Suki didn't respond. "Don't blame Hanna-chan. She just wants what's best for me…and she didn't actually say anything, just that there was something that she wasn't saying and that it was something that I'd probably already realized myself. And I wasn't sure what it was until I came back over to see you, and felt that familiar feeling, the one I always get when Bannings-san is around. It's jealousy; I realize that now. I thought it was just because I wanted to be the one who was closest to you and didn't like seeing another close friend, but that was never it, was it? Rather, it was that she represented what I'd always longed for. That you could love a girl that way…the way that I love you."

"…Katsu-tan…"

Katsura was in tears. "I'm sorry…please, forget I said anything."

"I can't do that." Suki pulled Katsura close and kissed the top of her head. "You mean too much to me." Arisa silently walked away. "Wait, Ari-chan, don't go!" Suki started after her. She made it all of about three steps before turning around and heading back to Katsura. "…Well, I'm sure things will be fine between us. Right now, I think maybe I should stay with you."

Katsura nodded, hoping that Suki would embrace her again. That gentle touch, that pleasant scent…and of course, the softness of her chest. Katsura had spent so much time looking up at Suki that she'd never realized how perfect their height difference was. Little did she know that Suki had figured that out a long time ago—seven chapters, to be precise. "Best Tanabata ever."

"I want Suki-neesama to see me as more than just an admirer."

Fate is kind
She brings to those who love
The sweet fulfillment of
Their secret longing

"What's got you looking so down?" Suzuka asked.

"Himiya-chan finally confessed to Suki-tan. We both knew it would happen eventually, but…it still hurts."

"You know Suki-tan still loves you," Suzuka said.

"Yeah…she did call after me when I left her, but…she stayed with Himiya-chan."

"…I'm here for you."

"I know." Suzuka put her arms around Arisa. "You're not worried about being seen like this?"

"What? Comforting a friend? No, not at all."

"…Of course. A…friend."

"Well, of course you mean more to me than that, but it's definitely a plausible enough public explanation if anyone questions our closeness."

"…Of course. So, your wish really wasn't about your secret crush?"

"It really wasn't about my secret crush," Suzuka said. "After all, you already know how I feel about you…more or less."

"Maybe it was the same one I made, then."

Suzuka smiled. "You're not supposed to tell, remember?"

"Yeah, well, it's not like I'd tell mine to anyone else."

"…I guess that's one thing we have in common. Though I doubt we made the same wish."

"What makes you think that?"

"Just a hunch."

"…Wanna go to the Midoriya tomorrow?"

Suzuka smiled, the apparent change of topics bolstering her suspicions. "Sure. I'd love to."

"My wish is for Nanoha, Fate, and Hayate to remain safe and for them to be able to return to Earth one day, alive and well."

Like a bolt out of the blue
Fate steps in and sees you through
When you wish upon a star
Your dreams come true

CCX: The idea to integrate this song into the fic just sort of came to me as I was waking up in the morning a few days ago, and since Tanabata would be coming up soon in the story anyway, it really was a perfect fit. And really, that's the iconic Disney song, which makes it appropriate in almost anything related to anime because the first anime were largely inspired by Disney's work. This is Cyberchao X, signing off.