37. Friends and More Third Year

**I really need to go to bed.**

**I don't own anything.**

_But I'm in so deep..._

"Ah'm kinda nervous about college." Osaka admitted quietly, "Y'all aren't gonna be there."

Kagura and Tomo appeared on either side of her, "But we'll be there in spirit!" The athletic teen said

"Knuckleheads til the end!" Tomo yelled

Chiyo laughed happily with them, "Tomo, won't it feel weird not having Yomi with you?"

"Yeah, I guess it will be pretty odd." Tomo admitted with a pensive smile.

"I can't _wait_ until we can finally go our separate ways!" Yomi stretched her arms above her head. "Being in the same class as her for all these years has worm me out."

Kagura frowned because Tomo frowned.

"That's not very nice, Yomi." Kagura faked a laugh, "Even if she is annoying."

"Taking breaks from relationships tend not to work," Chiyo-chan said matter-of-factly. When the group stared down at her, she realized her mistake, "Or friendships! In this case! Yeah,"

Tomo gave a weak laugh. "I could always transfer to your university, don't tempt me!"

No one missed how overly loud her voice was. Kagura moved to walk between Yomi and Tomo. Then cleverly changed the subject, "Chiyo, have you decided what American university you're going to?"

I'm deciding between Berkley or Harvard..."

Everyone gaped at the genius girl.

Kagura and Tomo waved goodbye to the group as they took a walk through the park instead of heading home. The tan teen could tell her friend was still upset about earlier.

"Yo, cheer up kid."

"Who're you calling kid?!" Tomo grinned and shoved her athletic friend. "I'm older than you!"

Kagura lightly shoved her back, "Seriously though, seeing you not smiling is like... Like seeing the sun not shining!" She was pretty proud of her simile.

"I think Yomi's done with me." The hyper teen forced a smile. "I guess it's for the best.

"Don't say that man! It's gonna work out between you and Yomi." If her throat hadn't closed up, she would've added 'and if not, you've got me.'

Tomo kicked at the ground. "What would you do?" Her voice shook slightly, "She's too good for me anyway. Why not just let her go like she wants?"

"Cause you won't be happy..."

Kagura had thought Tomo would never figure out that she had a crush on her; even if she wrote a letter or had huge neon signs built. But Tomo's eyes flashed in surprise at her friend's almost too caring words. In that brief moment, the gears in her brain began to turn.

"Kagura..." Tomo gawked at the tomboy. Everything Kagura had done for her came flashing back in a new light. The caring words, the careful touches, her overprotective nature, the jealousy... "You-"

But, for once, her brain hit the pause button on her motormouth. Seeing the terrified and slightly ashamed expression on her friend's face made her reconsider calling her out. Maybe it was best to wait until Kagura could outright tell her. Maybe when she could figure out her situation with Yomi.

"You're such a dork." Tomo finished with a laugh.

Kagura almost let out a sigh of relief. Instead she launched herself at her 'rival' "What'd you call me, princess romance?!"

They continued to play wrestle and tease each other until the sun threatened to set over the horizon.