Yuzu was awoken by Mei's soft yet stern voice as usual, "Yuzu, wake up".

Usually the blonde would whine before lazily getting up but today she wasn't feeling like herself. She hadn't been feeling like herself since two days ago, when Mei rejected her. It was then that Yuzu decided to give up her feelings for the student council president. That's why she hadn't been feeling like herself lately, because it felt like she gave up a part of herself.

"I promised Harumin I'd walk to school with her on my first day back…", she said, not even turning around to look at the other girl.

Mei replied with a quiet, "I see..", before leaving the room and closing the door softly behind her.

When Mei left, Yuzu sat up and looked in the direction of the door. She wanted to chase after her. But she already decided to give up her 'unrequited' feelings for Mei. Yuzu heard the front door close. She sighed as she got out of bed and carefully put on her uniform.

At the school gates

When Harumi and Yuzu arrived at the school gates they were greeted with whispering and stares from the other students. Sure they always whispered behind their backs because of their reputation but this time it was different.

Yuzu tried make out what the students were whispering.

"Hey, isn't that…?"

"No way, really?!"

"I heard that...happened and that...!"

Before they could investigate the rumours the students were telling, a familiar face confronted Yuzu.

"Ah! Shirapon-senpai, how are you?"

"Aihara Yuzu, I am happy that you have recovered from the hospital!"

"Oh, thanks?", Yuzu didn't expect such a formal greeting so early in the morning.

"I know that you are still recovering but I would be a failure as the martial arts president if I didn't ask you… Aihara Yuzu-no, Hayato Yuzu please join the Martial Arts club!", Yuzu was surprised to see a senior, who was well known and respected throughout the school, bowing deeply at her.

All students stood gaping at the respected club president of the martial arts club who was bowing and even begging the infamous blonde delinquent to join their club.

The third year was eagerly awaiting the girl's answer when she heard a sigh. "I'm sorry senpai but.. I'm not interested in joining a club at the moment...", Yuzu declined.

Shiraho sighed in annoyance, "I know that we have just become friends recently and I hold no grudges against Harumi Taniguchi but it would be a waste for you to spend your time doing… whatever it is that you do, rather than honing your skills in our club", she explained calmly. "Please, at least think about it first!", she declared before leaving.

Mei's POV

Mei was on her way to the student council room with Himeko following suit, when she noticed a large number of students looking out the window. Mei ordered everyone to their classrooms with only a glance before curiously looking out the window as well.

Her widened as she saw an upperclassman bowing at Yuzu. 'A confession?', Mei thought worriedly. 'No, Yuzu wouldn't accept her feelings...right?' Mei's stomach dropped and she felt sick at the idea of Yuzu being with someone else.

She let out a sigh of relief when she saw the other girl leave and Yuzu's expression contort to an annoyed one. She realized that they must have been discussing something else as the upperclassman was lacking the blush and nervousness of a girl confessing her love.

'It wasn't a confession after all... What was I thinking? It's not like it matters anyway if Yuzu accepted her feelings. I already decided that we shouldn't become more than sisters and Yuzu being with someone else is inevitable...' With that Mei shook her head to get rid of her thoughts and walked on with Himeko clumsily following behind.

After school

Yuzu and Harumin were both left at the centre of attention for the rest of the day. Even the teachers couldn't help but act overly friendly in the presence of Aihara Academy's latest celebrity.

"Wait… are you going to join that club?", the brunette asked nervously.

'I do need the practise…'. Yuzu sighed to herself and scratched her hair in annoyance, "I'm thinking of joining but the paperwork's gonna be such a pain to do, she whined.

"So you really are thinking of joining that club! Then… who's gonna hang out with me after school?", Harumi comically hung onto Yuzu's arm.

Mei's POV

"Aihara Yuzu has become quite popular. I wonder why?", Himeko thoughtlessly said as she looked out the window. Yuzu was being followed by a group of girls while leaving through the school gates.

Mei's hand twitched as she was signing some papers.

"I heard that her family are yakuza!", a spectacled girl said. "Well...before her mother remarried-"

"I would appreciate you not encouraging these types of rumours...", Mei interrupted.

Both girls stiffened and immediately shut up. They noticed that their president had been in a particularly bad mood today so they didn't dare press her more on the matter.

After a few hours

Himeko was standing by the door, "President you should really go home now. It's already dark"

"Thank you Himeko, I'll go home in a bit", Mei answered.

"Okay…", she reluctantly said before leaving.

After a few minutes Mei decided that there was not much point in staying any longer as she would have to face her sister soon. She got up and made her way home.

While on her way home her thoughts were interrupted by a familiar voice.

"Why if it isn't the student council president!", a long-haired brunette called out.

Mei turned around to see Harumin. She scowled and walked on. Mei didn't have the energy to deal with her right now.

"Tell me, why has Yuzu-chi been acting so weird?", Harumin inquired.

Mei stopped in her tracks at hearing Yuzu's name. "What do you mean?"

"Well, she's been acting...different. Like today, I asked her if she wanted to go to the bookstore to buy the latest chapter of that manga she's always reading. But she refused! Said that she had something to do…"

Mei didn't say anything and continued to walk on.

"You know, Yuzu's not going to be there at your every beck and call. You're gonna have to make up your mind soon...before it's too late!"

Mei froze in place once again as she was processing the brunette's words before regaining her composure and walking on.

'Make up my mind…?'

But she was doing this to protect Yuzu. No one would accept them if they started dating. Society would be disgusted by them and their mother wouldn't possibly accept them.

'But you'll have each other', a voice spoke from the corner of her mind.

'I'm an idiot. All this time I thought that I should deny these feelings. I didn't mind hurting but… once again I ended up hurting Yuzu in the process as well'

Mei started running. She was certain about her feelings now and she was going to tell Yuzu!

At home

Yuzu was just on her way out to buy some groceries when she found a letter on the floor.

'The postman must've slid it in through the mail slot this morning', she bent down to pick it up.

Yuzu was surprised to see that it was addressed to her. She slowly opened it and read its contents.

To Yuzuko,

I have decided to let you return to my home and prove yourself. If you succeed in proving your worth, I shall accept you into this family once more. Please be ready to leave before noon. You will be picked up tomorrow morning.

That is all.

Yuzu reread the words carefully. Even though there was no name signed she knew exactly who sent the letter. 'What should I do?'

Just then the front door opened. Mei walked in and Yuzu fumbled to hide the letter behind her back.

"Yuzu! I-", Mei started but was interrupted by Yuzu.

"I-I gotta go! I- groceries...for dinner!", she stumbled her words and ran out the door.

Mei was surprised at the blonde's strange behaviour and though she wanted to chase after her, she decided that she could wait.

She was dead set on making Yuzu hers today, she could wait a few more minutes. So she sat down on the couch and waited for the blonde's arrival.