As I was starting to drift off to sleep, I was interrupted yet again. The girl had skipped into the office rather loudly, ranting about some nonsense. Her words were cut off when she saw Naoi and I lying on the couch together. Naoi starting sitting up slowly and I realised what we must have looked like…oh

"Oh, I'm sorry. I had no idea you two were…" She said pointing between the two of us.

Even though I saw it coming, her words still shocked me. "W-W-What? N-N-No, it's not like that I swear," I stutter like a sheepish idiot. Naoi looks at me and rolls his eyes at my defensiveness. "It's not what you think, Otonashi and I are just friends," Naoi calmly explains.

Naoi's nonchalant explanation makes me mentally kick myself for my stupid reaction… I know I overreacted; I'm not really sure why I overreacted though. Honestly, I've only just realised how "couply" Naoi and I must look to other people. I guess I'd never realised because you just stop caring what people think of you when you're not around people anymore.

"Right…" the girl said ironically, obviously not believing us. "Anyway, can either of you help with the vending machines? They were so different at my old school." I volunteered myself by nodding and standing up. I followed behind her as she skipped to the vending machines. I have a feeling that Naoi also tagged along, but that's mainly because he hates being on his own. He says it's because it reminds him too much of what it was like before he joined SSS.

We walked to the vending machines with the girl leading the way. She hurried ahead whilst I walked closely behind listening to her natter on about something or another. I smiled and nodded whilst trying to keep up with what she was talking about but struggling to remember what the subject matter was.

I really was listening, but then my mind shifted to Naoi. Naoi was walking quite far behind us; distancing himself and staying hidden in shadows.

When we arrived at the vending machines, I showed her how to use it and which buttons to press. The girl consistently apologised for taking so long to figure it out, to which I would just laugh it off and tell her not to worry. I didn't mind. I really didn't. Some people just didn't get things as easily as other people and there's nothing wrong with that. I remember how frustrated I used to get when other people in my class understood the material better than me.

After she figured out how to use it, we decided to just hang around the vending machines for a while. She's changed a lot since we first met. Before she was cold and detached, now she's happy, kind, bubbly and even a little awkward. I definitely prefer her now. Her personality brings back so many memories of the past SSS members; it makes me oddly nostalgic.

I can't help but notice Naoi isn't here. I look around quizzically trying to find him and spot him hidden round a dark corner (somewhat similarly to how Shiina used to.) We exchanged a quick smile and I motioned for Naoi to come join us. Naoi shook his head to kindly decline. I sighed but decided not to pester him and turned my attention back to the excited girl in front of me.

We talked for a while longer until I was tired at which point I showed her to her dorm and returned to the office. I arrived back at the Principal's Office and laid down on the couch with my eyes closed. A moment later I heard the door open and Naoi entered; I could tell it was Naoi because I've memorised the sound his shoes make. I felt the couch shift as Naoi sat on it and adjusted himself so that he was lying on my chest again.

"She's excitable…" Naoi mumbled. I chuckled a little and mumbled "mmhmm" sleepily. We laid there in silence for a while and I was beginning to drift off to sleep. Then Naoi started using his fingers to trace circles into my chest, almost as if he had something to say but was too hesitant. I pretended that I hadn't noticed, yet I was secretly waiting for something to happen. I felt Naoi take a breath as if he was going to say something but it was cut short as if he changed his mind. I waited for a few more seconds but then, "She was flirting with you."

Okay… I was not expecting that.

"Wait, What!? What brought that on!?" I asked loudly; no longer feeling tired but rather very confused.

I moved my head slightly to see Naoi's face and I was about to say something to counter what he said. Then I realised something. When I saw his face, I realised he was sad. He really was honestly, genuinely and undeniably sad.

I sighed deeply. I had to know what was wrong, and this time I was not taking 'no reason' for an answer. I sat up using my arms to lift Naoi slightly. "What's wrong?" Naoi looked away from me and murmured "Nothing…"

I rolled my eyes out of frustration. No way is he getting away this time. I use my hand to move Naoi's face so that he's facing me and his eyes went downwards to avoid eye contact. "No, Naoi. It's not 'nothing.' You've been acting weird all day. Just tell me what's wrong." I said firmly.

Naoi sat there in silence and then slowly raised his head. I recoiled when Naoi looked up at me and I let go of Naoi's face. He looked me in the eyes with a scowl painted across the face. I'd seen him look at people like that before, only it was never me. And I won't lie; he was terrifying.

Then, he started shouting. "What's wrong!? Maybe it's that pretty little bitch! Or maybe it's that you're clearlin in love with her, or that you're clearly just using her to replace Kan-"

Naoi completely stopped talking and his eyes widened as he realised what he almost said. He put his hands over his mouth and even he was surprised by his words. I was angry… But not as angry as I think I should've been. It took me a few moments to realise what he had just said and I got more irritated by the second. How dare he bring up Kanade! Yet alone accuse me of replacing her. I would never replace anyone…Right?

I opened my mouth to say something, then shut it. I didn't retaliate. I didn't scream back or lash out. Not yet anyway. Instead, I stood up and started to turn around. I suddenly didn't want to be around people; I was exhausted and I was angry. I didn't want to have to think.

I started walking away and Naoi realised I was leaving. He hastily jumped up and ran up me; I can only assume he was scared about being left behind. He hugged the back of my coat tightly to stop me leaving and I just stood there motionless.

"W-W-Wait! Please don't leave me! I'm sorry! I'm so, so sorry! I shouldn't have brought her up, it was a terrible thing to do! I'm so sorry! Please don't go! You can yell at me if it will make you feel better. You can even hit me if you want!" Naoi was practically screaming for forgiveness. Trying so, so hard to make me stay… So why did it make me so angry?

I shove Naoi off of me ready to shout at him. I don't really know what I want to say. Maybe warn him, tell him to never mention Kanade's name again. Maybe call him a nasty name or tell him to not speak to me. But when I turn around with my mouth open ready to spew something horrid at him, I see him truly distraught. I could tell whatever the problem was, it was bigger than him just getting pissed at our new 'recruit.' He's blaming her, but I think he's just trying to deflect his own feelings. I've heard about people doing that before. I think one of my old friends referred to it as 'projecting' or something like that.

He was standing there sobbing; practically shaking. I couldn't hold back a slight sigh. Am I never going to get any sleep? "Come here…" I mutter and pull him into a hug. He sobbed a little more and placed his head in the crook of my neck. "I'm sorry…" He muttered in a voice that was barely audible. I replied by shushing him as a silent way of saying 'don't worry about it.'

When he calmed down, I pulled him away lightly and lightly tugged on his wrist to bring him to the couch. We sat down again and I stroked his hair lightly a few times to calm him down. When his breathing returned to normal I removed my hand to give him some space.

"What's wrong?" I ask him again. This time quieter and more sincerely. Naoi played with his hands in his lap and only mumbled "I don't know…"

I'm frustrated by his answer, but make an effort to not show it as I can tell he's telling the truth. Instead I just rub his back to try and comfort him. "I really am sorry about bringing her up… I know you're not trying to replace her, I don't know why I said that."

"I know…" I said in reply. I paused for a couple of seconds before continuing. "I dunno, it's just weird… What you said annoyed me, but… I just feel like…" I couldn't think of a way to describe it.

"Like it should've hurt more?" Naoi guessed. I nodded meekly if not a little guiltily. "It… It's just…" I try to find my words but they're once again lost to me.

I try to explain, however the only way of explaining it that I can think of is, "It feels… over." Naoi nods in a way to try and show understanding, but I can tell he's confused. I can't blame him; I'm confused too.

"It's like…. When she first disappeared, something felt missing. No matter what I did, I felt like there was something that should be here, but wasn't. But I don't feel that way anymore. Now she's just… a distant memory. Honestly, I can barely even remember what it's like to be around her. I haven't thought about her for so long, I feel like we're over. It feels like…" I pause trying to think of the word.

"Closure." Naoi finishes. I smile sadly but feel oddly complete, "Is this closure?" Naoi shrugs, "It sounds like it."

We sit there in silence for a short while and I try to not become a wreck. And I don't really know what to think anymore… "Do you think I'm totally horrible for getting over her so quickly?"

Naoi shakes his head, "No, it makes you human." Naoi opens his mouth to say something else but pauses for a moment. "Can I ask you something?" I nod. "Do you… Do you like that girl?" He asks innocently, probably to emphasise that despite his earlier actions he won't be mad if I say yes.

I smile but shake my head. "No, I don't like her." I answer simply. He smiles and looks suspiciously happy. But I think nothing of it. He then laughs and shakes his head a little, "I'm sorry, I guess I'm… I guess I'm just a little jealous."

Okay, Now I'm confused.

I blink a couple of times. "W-what? Why would you be jealous? She doesn't even like me. And I thought you said you wer- I-I mean not that it's a problem if you aren't but I thought you said you wer- well I just thought you were kinda gay. N-N-Not that it's a problem if…" I trail off as I realise my words are no longer making any sense and knowing I'd probably say something offensive if I kept talking...

Naoi laughed. "I didn't mean it like that. I don't like her." His voice is completely calm, and leaves no room for extra meaning. I blink a couple of times.

Okay… Now I'm even more confused.

"Wait. I don't get it. If you don't like her then why are you jealous?" Naoi smiles sincerely and hesitates, opening his mouth a couple of times like he's going to say something. Eventually he takes a deep breath and looks me strait in the eyes. "Because she's the one I'm jealous of."

Notes:
*Gasp* I've finally rewritten it all. I'm not sure if this chapter is as good as the original version that I lost, but regardless, this is what I have.

So despite my insistance that this isn't good, people keep saying it is. So clearly I'm doing something right!:D But in all seriousness, I really do love everyone who has taken the time to read this story and I honestly can't express how much I apreciate you all. The comments are so motivational, really want to thank you all so much for sticking with me.

I'll start the next chapter soon but I can't promise when it'll be finished as school starts again soon. Hopefully it won't take too long though. Love you all!