AN: Ah, it's been a while, but here I am! Another update! A miracle! Having no school is a miracle because I can just focus on updating...hopefully.

Anyways, I hope you enjoy. Thanks for reading and sticking with me.

Ciao. c:

The next big event was during the last couple of days of their elementary school life. Chika and You were going to Chika's house. They took their usual route, which meant they had to pass the park where they first met in order to reach the ryokan. Whenever it came into sight, the both of them would pause for a moment and gaze at the park, basking in nostalgic silence. You always felt old whenever they stopped, despite knowing that their life was just beginning in the long run. It was weird, and, truthfully, the thought scared her a bit.

And whenever You was scared, she always felt the urge to reach out for Chika's hand.

Today was no different—except for the fact that it was Chika who reached out, not You.

At first, You was taken aback, but she recovered quickly enough to give a faint squeeze. Chika never took her eyes off the empty playground, but reciprocated the gesture, tightening their hold. You was able to feel the faint beat of their shared pulse.

"Is something the matter?" You asked as she glanced over to her friend. Chika's face was mostly blank, save for the wrinkle in between her eyebrows.

"No, I'm just thinking," Chika said. Her voice sounded distant despite their proximity, and You gripped onto Chika just a little stronger. The continued beating they held in their hands gave You something to find solace in.

"Thinking about what?"

"The day we met," Chika turned to You, and a smile cracked open her mask. "It feels like a long time ago, doesn't it?"

You couldn't help her own crooked smile, either. "Yeah. I always feel old whenever we walk by the park."

Chika laughed an airy laugh, but You could sense the hidden weight underneath its gaiety. "You do?"

"Yeah, why? Do you get it?"

Chika nodded, that rambunctious strand of hair of hers bobbing up and down with her movement. "It's weird. I feel like a grandpa."

"Why a grandpa? Why not a grandma?"

Chika's smile grew just a little larger. "Mom says that grandpas always talk about the past."

You didn't get it, but chose to laugh anyways—she made a mental note to ask her mom to see if it's true.

"Can you believe that we're going to middle school?" Chika asked, averting her gaze back to the playground.

"You keep saying that," You said with a chuckle, peeking over Chika's shoulder to see what held her attention so raptly. However, the playground was desolate as usual, and You could feel confusion bubbling in her chest.

"I mean, think about it," Chika continued, "Elementary's done, middle school is going to be over in a flash, and then we'll be in highschool, and then after that, we'll be going to universities. And they might be different ones too. And the thought of us being separated makes me really, really sad, you know?" She tightened her hold on You's hand once again, up to the point where You felt the dull prickle of pain. "I really want to do something that'll last forever. So that when we look back on it, we can get happy memories. Like when we look at the park."

It took a long, long time for You to respond. She tossed and turned Chika's words in her mind, trying to digest her friend's words. She tasted the flavors of nostalgia and sentimentality, and tried her best to find the words to she wanted to say to Chika. However, nothing was good enough, and You opted to squeeze Chika's hand once more; it was only during times like these that this side of Chika came out, and You always worried for her.

And whenever You was worried, she always felt the urge to reach out for Chika's hand.

"Hey Chika-chan," You began, putting on a smile as she leaned forward to enter Chika's line of sight, "do you want to go on the slide?"

Chika's adorable smile, the one that never failed to bring light to any room, was all the confirmation You needed.

So hand-in-hand, they walked towards the slide, whose gleam was dimmer than You remembered, but still shined with childlike excitement. Walking on the tanbark was a familiar sensation as well; You found a strange sense of comfort whenever she heard the crunching of wooden bits under her feet. Coupled that with a whimper-

Wait, what?

You stopped first, and it took a moment for Chika to stop as well.

"What is it, You-chan?" Chika asked as she looked over to her friend.

You frowned and tilted her head to the side. "Didn't you hear it?"

Chika tilted her head in the opposite direction. "Hear what?"

"It was like a whine or something," You said, keeping her voice low so that she would be able to pick up something, anything, that resembled the noise from earlier.

Chika did the same, and the both of them fell into a concentrated silence. After a minute or two, Chika huffed out of her nose. "I don't hear anything, You-chan. Maybe it's just your—ah!" With lightning-fast reflexes, she quickly pointed at a cluster of bushes. You whipped her head to see what it is.

A shaggy puppy with white fur and a tint of beige whimpered again as it stood on three of its legs, raising its fourth to keep its paw off the ground.

"A dog," You said, stating the very obvious.

"It looks hurt," Chika turned to You, eyebrows knitted with concern and worry. "You can do something, right?"

You blinked several times. "Do something? Like first-aid?"

Chika nodded. "Yeah. Like when you put those bandages on my face when we first met."

You frowned; her father never taught her how to treat sprains, let alone on an animal. "Well, uh," You flickered her gaze between the puppy and Chika as she desperately tried to find something to do—after all, she didn't want to let down Chika, of all people. "I guess I can try…."

Chika's blinding grin turned on at max brightness. "Really?!"

You returned it with a weak one of her own. "R-really."

"You're the best, You-chan! You really can do anything!"

You could feel her weak smile tremble in the wind; she certainly didn't feel like the best, that was for sure. But she gathered herself, taking a breath when she deemed necessary, before approaching the injured pup cautiously. The crunch of the tanbark made You cringe for once. One wrong step and the dog would bolt before she would even have a chance to examine it.

But the dog stayed where it was (because, honestly, how far can an injured puppy go?), and You slowly crouched down.

"Hey," she cooed with a smile, "mind if I look at your paw?" She outstretched her hand. The dog tilted its head to the side, panting and whimpering, before getting the message and extended it as far as it could. The paw hung limply in the air and, from this distance, You was able to spot the faintest splotch of red tainting its white fur.

You chewed the inside of her cheek. She didn't know what to do. After all, she didn't work with animals. She didn't know if mending a paw was the same as treating a cut, or if it was something else entirely. She knew she should take it to a vet, or at least someone who worked with animals….

But what would she tell Chika? Chika was counting on her, after all. If You admitted she couldn't do something, then what would Chika think—

"You-chan?"

You jolted when she felt someone squeeze her shoulder. Looking up, she saw Chika staring at her with a small, sympathetic smile. "It's okay if you can't do anything," Chika began. "We can just take it to a doctor or something."

You could only nod her head once. "Sorry I couldn't do it," she mumbled quietly, a sinking feeling of disappointment drowning her gut.

"No, don't be," Chika said as she bent down to scoop the puppy in her arms, "because in the end, I still think you're the best." She gave You that beautiful smile of hers, the one that shone like the sun. You could only reply with a weak smile, one that flickered like a candle.

You didn't deserve to be called the best—she should be calling Chika that.

-X-

Soon, summer rolled around again as it always did, bringing with it fun and shenanigans with Chika and Kanan. During this time, the dog they had saved was adopted by Chika and her family, and they fondly named him Shiitake because the shaggy bangs that covered his eyes reminded them of a mushroom's cap (You didn't see how, but she decided to roll with it). And as usual, the vacation ended as soon as it began, and the both of them entered middle school. They had ended up in different classes, but that didn't stop them from seeing each other during their breaks. Even when they joined different clubs, You going to the Swimming Club and Chika being left undecided, they always made time for one another, with Chika waiting and watching You during her club activities.

You loved it when Chika came to her practices; she always did her best every time Chika was there to support her.

However, there was a time when Chika's attendance began to dwindle. It started off with viable excuses, like Chika had to go watch over the ryokan for the day or she needed to study for a make-up exam, but eventually her excuse boiled down to something You thought she would never hear.

"I…just gotta go."

You would have been lying if she said those words didn't hurt.

From then on, Chika's absence was beginning to get to You. During school hours, Chika was absolutely fine—she was still the dimwitted, loveable, mikan-obsessed friend that You knew. But once the final bell of the day rang, Chika would gather her things quickly before walking out the door without another word in You's direction.

To say that You was concerned about this sudden change of behavior would be an understatement.

So, of course, You decided to confront her precious friend about it one day after school. That is, if she could catch up to her.

"Chika-chan!"

Chika didn't stop. In fact, it seemed like she picked up her pace.

"Chika-chan, wait!"

It was only when You grabbed Chika's wrist did she stop.

"Chika-chan," You began, "what's wrong…?"

Chika turned around slowly. She wore a smile that she didn't have the strength to hold up; the corners of her lips were wavering.

"Nothing," she said, her tone surprisingly clear. You had to admit it—Chika was good at hiding what she truly felt.

"No, it's not nothing," You asserted as she shook her head. "You've been acting weird lately, Chika-chan, and it's starting to worry me a bit."

At this, Chika's smile crumbled like a pastry. Her sparkling red eyes dulled as she looked off to the side.

"Really, it's nothing," she mumbled.

Now You was getting irritated. "What do you mean—"

"Let's have a sleepover."

The suggestion was so out-of-the-blue that You's irritation melted away, and her thought process froze over. Her mouth hung agape like a fish, her question half-dead on her tongue.

"W-what?" She stammered.

"A sleepover," Chika looked back at her, a grin etched on her face as if nothing ever happened. "It's been awhile since we last had one, right?"

"W-well yeah, but—"

"Come on, You-chan," Chika's expression hardened just a bit, but her smile was still in tact. "Just once!"

"Chika-chan, you're avoiding the question—"

Chika's smile melted away completely this time. "You-chan," she mumbled. Her tone made it sound like a plea, her eyes practically begging for a simple "Yes." You could feel her will wavering, especially when Chika quirked her lips up in the tiniest of smiles.

"…Fine," You reluctantly agreed. "But—"

"Great!" Chika broke into another grin. If anyone else were in her position, You knew that the return of Chika's energy would fool anyone into thinking that her friend was happy to get a confirmation for their last-minute plans.

But You knew Chika well enough to know that she was only happy to change the subject.

Before she knew it, You was exchanging her reluctant goodbyes with Chika's energetic ones. Before she knew it, You was watching Chika walk down the hallway, her back growing smaller and smaller until she disappeared from sight as she turned a corner. Before she knew it, You felt something digging into her chest, carving out a hole in her heart that filled her with emptiness.

When she finally had the energy to shuffle to the pool, You had the feeling that something was up.

Practice went horribly that day.

-X-

You stared at the dark ceiling above her.

She was lying in Chika's bed. As she had promised earlier, You was spending the night over at Chika's home. She had walked from school, the scent of chlorine clinging to her, and when she approached the ryokan, there was Chika waiting beside a growing Shiitake, grins on their faces.

Despite all that happened earlier, You had had to admit that the sight was very endearing to see.

Their day together went, well, normally. They had done their homework (or rather, had attempted to—Chika decided to take a "break" to the ocean that lasted for more than three hours), had eaten dinner, and had talked the night away until they were too tired to hold a conversation.

Or rather, until Chika was too tired to hold a conversation.

You sighed through her nose. She had been meaning to ask about Chika's strange behavior, but couldn't find the right opportunity to do so; she didn't want to ruin the mood, after all.

A loud inhale compelled You to look over at her side. In the faint moonlight streaking through the window, Chika's sleeping face greeted her.

You smiled. "How cute," she muttered, reaching over to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. Chika didn't stir at all; she had always been a deep sleeper.

"No, wait," Chika murmured in her sleep, "stop."

You bit her tongue to stifle a giggle. She recalled Chika sleep talking when they were younger, and if she remembered correctly, such musings would be about mikans out of all things. You began to wonder if Chika's obsession with mikan was starting to grow unhealthy.

"Wait, wait," Chika's voice was louder this time, and You caught the sharp edge of sadness in her tone. You's amusement died in her throat as dread began to build in her chest.

"Chika-chan?" You didn't even try to hide the concern in her voice as she shook Chika's shoulder gently. "Chika-chan, are you okay?"

"No, no!" Chika flinched away from You's hand as if she had been struck. "Don't, don't—"

"Chika-chan!"

Chika woke up with a jolt, her eyes wide as she looked side to side frantically. Her chest heaved as she tried to gather her breath, tears beading in the corner of her eyes.

"Wha…what…?" Her voice was meek like a child's as she slowly looked up at You with frantic confusion.

You felt her heart jolt in her chest; it was the first time she saw Chika like this.

"You're fine," You mumbled as she pulled Chika to her, resting her chin on the top of Chika's head. Chika trembled despite the layers of duvets they're buried under, and You tightened her hold on her in an effort to get her to calm down. "You're fine," she cooed, rubbing circles on the small of Chika's back. "I'm here…."

You felt Chika grab onto her, balling parts of her shirt into fists. "I thought it was real…" Chika whispered to You's chest.

"What was?" You's voice was quiet and patient as she pulled Chika even closer to her body.

"The dream," Chika let out a shaky sigh, "I thought it was real…it felt so real…."

"But it isn't," You assured. Despite her good intentions, You knew that her words sounded superficial and lame. She wasn't someone who was good at comforting; Chika was the one who did that sort of thing. But what can anyone do when the comforter is the one who needs the comforting? You was at a complete loss on what to do.

So, she opted to say nothing more and rub Chika's back, lest she said something that would only make Chika's situation worse. But You couldn't help but wonder….

Just what was Chika's dream about?

Curiosity got the better of her, and slowly, she relaxed her hold around Chika so that she could properly look Chika in the eye.

"Wanna talk?" You offered gently.

With the way Chika was looking at her, You was positive she was going to say no. But then, Chika's lip twitched up, resembling some sort of smile. You felt comforted at the sight; at least she knew that Chika was willing to speak.

"I, mm," Chika began, her short-lived smile fading away, "I had a dream you were being taken away from me, a-and,"—she paused to clear her throat—"I got super scared. Because I couldn't move. And you just kept getting farther a-and farther away a-and—"

"But I'm here, aren't I?" You asked, running a her fingers through Chika's hair. Chika relaxed considerably, as if melting into her touch, but You could still feel how tense Chika really was.

"I know that, but with you joining the swimming club and all…." Chika trailed off and shied away from You's hand.

Something clicked in You's mind.

"You…don't want me to join the swimming club?"

Chika's eyes widened and she shook her head. "No, of course not! I completely support your decision, it's just that I, mm…kind of feel, you know…."

"Left behind?"

"Y-yeah…." A sad smile tugged at Chika's lips. "It's the first thing we aren't doing together. It's selfish of me, but watching you swim and, well, be good at it makes me wish I was good enough to do it, too. So that we would be able to be together, you know?" She gave a short laugh, one so short that You could have described it as an audible sigh. "It sounds so trivial now that I say it out loud."

You shook her head. "I don't think it is."

"But—"

"Chika-chan," You began, scooting closer to Chika's warmth. The comforting, yet faint smell of mikan was stronger now. "No matter what, I'll always be by your side. So you don't have to worry about a thing, because whatever happens, I'll be right behind you, supporting you. And I know you'll do the same to me. So, please," she pressed her forehead against Chika's, and smiled when she felt a light pressure pushing back, "don't feel like I'm leaving you behind, okay? We'll always be together, full steam ahead."

Chika broke into a beautiful smile as she teared up once again, this time out of happiness. Her trembling returned, but You knew that it was because she was trying her hardest to hold back her bubbling mirth.

"I'm an idiot," Chika croaked out. "You should call me Chibaka from now on."

You laughed. "I think Chika's much cuter."

Chika made a noise that was between a laugh and a choked sob, and it was only then that You noticed the tears spilling from Chika's eyes.

"So now you cry?" You asked with a tint of humor in her voice. She reached up and gently brushed away a tear mid-fall.

Chika made the noise again. "I can't help it—sometimes I don't think I deserve to have someone like you."

"I should be the one saying that, not you," You chuckled and moved even closer so that their noses brushed against one another. Her head grew lighter and lighter, and she felt herself growing dizzier and dizzier; something about Chika's warmth was intoxicating.

If You ever wanted to get drunk, all she needed to do was pull Chika close to her.

"I really love you, you know?" Chika's voice was softer now, and her words began to slur together. She yawned and You tried to stifle one of her own; fatigue really was contagious.

"I love you too," You mumbled quietly, tilting her head up in order to place the softest of kisses on Chika's forehead.

"I'm really glad I met my amazing bestfriend that day," Chika whispered, her voice carrying all the sincerity in the world.

"Same here." You's response was quieter than Chika's. Her eyelids flutter closed as Chika moved up rather clumsily to give a peck on the forehead in return. Chika's lips were slightly chapped, but nonetheless soft. You's heart began to race in her chest, its beat abnormally loud. She thought she was going to have a heart attack, especially when she felt Chika press against her forehead, noses grazing, warm breath buffeting her lips.

"Good night, You-chan."

"Good night, Chika-chan."

That night, the both of them fell into a blissful slumber.