Yuzu sighed for what felt like the nth time that day. Everyone other than the delinquent duo had left the classroom already. She casually took her medication before packing up her bag.

Noticing the girl's gloomy demeanor Harumi asked, "What's wrong Yuzucchi? You were so excited for Christmas yesterday"

"Mei can't make it to our Christmas party tonight… she said she has to do student council work", the blonde answered with another sigh. "Plus, she's been acting weird"

"How so?"

"She suggested that I go out with Matsuri today…", she trailed off. They started making their way out of the school.

"But you want to help the student council out so that the pres can go home early and celebrate with you and your mom", the brunette finished.

Harumi had guessed exactly right. Yuzu was about to remark how she'd hit the nail on the head before a cheery voice interrupted that thought. Waiting in front of the school gates was a pink haired middle schooler. "Yuzu-chan~ Let's go on a date today!"

Seeing her best friend's troubled expression Harumi spoke up, "Sorry but mind if I tag along? No? Thanks!"

After revealing Mei's whereabouts, Matsuri would have expected Yuzu to cry. (She was trying to break her heart after all). Maybe some denial as well since Yuzu seems to admire anything that the snobby student council did. Anger would also have been a probable expectation. But she didn't expect that the blonde would actually get angry at her.

"I'm going after her"

Yuzu stormed out, leaving Harumi and Matsuri behind. They sat there in silence for a while until the younger girl spoke up. "I don't get it. Why would-", her question caught in her throat. She didn't know which question to ask. Why does Yuzu care so much about that arrogant student council president? 'The one who told me to go out with you today was Mei' Why did she even care about her, especially since she literally blackmailed her into going on a date with some guy?

As the questions increased in her mind the girl sitting across from her sighed, "Beats me". Somehow, she knew the basics of what Matsuri was trying (and failing) to articulate.

"She doesn't deserve Yuzu", she mumbled through gritted teeth.

"Maybe, maybe not. But it's not really up to you, is it?"

She was taken aback by Harumi's words. 'What does she know? I've known Yuzu longer than any of you'. Seeing Mei living healthily yet so unhappily pissed her off. Furthermore, her cold and impulsive nature was not good for Yuzu's heart. "Don't you care that she's hurting her? Mei's words and actions… they'll just end up hurting Yuzu!"

Harumi shook her head, "Aren't your actions hurting Yuzucchi as well? If you know your oneechan so well then you should know that something as minimal as a sickness isn't enough to keep her from doing what she wants".

The older girl's words hit Matsuri like a ton of bricks. Though she hated to admit it, she was right. Her actions were selfish and hypocritical, in short, she was acting like a child.

Seeing the young girl realizing her mistake Harumi tried to take a gentler approach, "Look, I can see that you care a lot about Yuzucchi. You look up to her right? And you only wanted to protect her. But doing it like this is wrong. The most important thing now is that you apologize"

The pink haired girl chuckled bitterly, "Even if I apologize now, I'm sure that Yuzu hates me now…"

"Don't be ridiculous", Harumi practically rolled her eyes. "Yuzucchi isn't the type of person to hate someone for that"

After another moment of hesitating the younger girl finally stood up from her seat and wordlessly left. 'Ugh', she thought, 'How lame. Getting scolded by an upperclassman…'. Even though she was ashamed of her actions she couldn't help but smile. It was the first time that someone, other than Yuzu, scolded her for her misbehaviour. Matsuri rubbed the spot on her forehead where the blonde head butted her earlier. 'Talk about being hard headed…'

The train ride home was quiet, the atmosphere heavy. Matsuri managed to catch up to Yuzu and found that Mei had not, in fact, gone through with the blind date. She knew that she had to apologize (that's why she ran after Yuzu in the first place) but she found herself unable to find the right words. Still, she followed both girls to the train and now they sat there in silence. Mei had fallen asleep shortly after they got on. A lump had formed in her throat and she couldn't meet her eyes, somehow sensing the blonde's anger. Instead, she kept her eyes locked on her phone, mindlessly tapping and texting.

"You know, the two of you aren't so different", Yuzu suddenly started. "You and Mei… you both closed your heart off and started feeling empty inside. That's why you both manage to look so aloof and detached, just like the face you're wearing right now"

Matsuri's thumb froze. She stopped doing whatever she was doing on her phone but she still kept her eyes down.

"You're uninterested in others because you feel bitter towards the people around you. But you see, meddlesome people like me will be there to give you the love you need", the older girl smiled fondly at Mei, who was currently sleeping peacefully, her head falling on her shoulder which earned a blush from Yuzu. "Even if she hurts and rejects me…"

The middle schooler stared at her as she trailed off. She was reminded of Yuzu's selflessness and determination and why she looked up to her so much. But it also left Matsuri frustrated. Why didn't she just tell everyone that she was sick? Why didn't she just take the easy way to life?

"Matsuri", the serious tone interrupted her thoughts. "Back when I first learned about my heart I knew from then on that I was going to be different to the other kids. They always looked at me with curious and pitying eyes", she grit her teeth at the memories. Curiosity did not necessarily mean concern. "But you were the only one who didn't change, that's why I didn't hesitate telling you. You always saw me as your older sister but, funnily enough, it was always you who protected me". Yuzu paused to look at the younger girl, "I wanted to say thank you and that I know that you did this because you care about me. But I've changed. I can do this, so this time, as your older sister, it's my turn to protect you"

'Damn it', Matsuri couldn't hold the tears back, 'Why does she have to act so cool?'. "I'm sorry…", she sniffed as she wiped away her tears.

When they arrived at the station Yuzu made sure to scold her a bit more. "Make sure to delete that app and not to text strangers"

"Mhm"

"If you want money then you should get a proper job that's more suitable for your age"

"'Kay"

"Oh, and stop skipping school- hey! Are you even listening?"

"I am", she said while rolling her eyes.

"You still haven't apologized to Mei", Yuzu crossed her arms. Mei was surprised at the sisterly display.

Matsuri looked up from her phone and slipped off her headphones. "I caused you quite some trouble so as an apology please lend me your ear, Mei-san". She suddenly caught the older girl in an embrace. Before Yuzu could tell her off again the pink haired girl had separated herself from Mei and ran into the train. She put her finger against her lips and winked at Mei before the doors to the train closed.

"What did she say to you?", the blonde asked anxiously. 'Did she tell her?'

Mei started walking away, "Nothing. Just something about having a… 3p?"

Yuzu blushed furiously at that, "That kid…!"

"Mei-san, my oneechan is a quite stubborn and a bit dense so you should be more open about your feelings…"

As much as she was looking forward to their christmas party, Yuzu had no more energy left. Dealing with Matsuri and running after Mei who could have been hurt by some stranger today took a lot out of her mentally more than physically. Plus, the nurse did tell her not to overwork herself again, at least not so soon after her last fainting spell. So, after the eventful christmas day she had, Yuzu was about ready to collapse anywhere remotely comfortable enough to sleep on. She was not, however, ready for this.

"Well?", Mei pressed the older girl's hand against her chest. "Can you hear the sound of my heart?"

Yuzu focused on the quick beating she felt through her palm. If it wasn't for her hand against Mei's chest then there would have been no way she could hear anything through the sound of her own heart thumping loudly in her ears. But there it was. Mei's heart beat pounding against her chest as fast as her own.

"You've not only helped my grandfather, but you've also helped me settle my issues with my father", Mei began unbuttoning her shirt. "I should repay you with what you desire"

'What I desire?' Was this really happening? Yuzu was so happy at the thought of Mei finally accepting her feelings. "Can I really…?"

"Yes"

Her heart soared at her answer. Finally, she could be with Mei. As Yuzu leaned in to kiss her she froze when she saw the lavender eyes which reflected her own, emerald orbs. She realized that the detached look in her eyes were devoid of any love. Mei clearly had abandonment issues and she had no notion of what being in a real family felt like. 'If she was unable to love family, how can I expect her to love me?' Doubt and guilt crept up in Yuzu's mind.

She felt like she was taking advantage of the younger girl. Mei was so deprived and desperate for love that she probably would have been fine with anyone as long as she felt wanted, right? No, even if Mei's feelings towards her were genuine, Yuzu wouldn't be able to truly give her the happiness she deserved. She remembered memories of her mother crying alone in her room, her father's death leaving the woman in a depressed state for a long time. There was no way she would put Mei through the same pain.

That's right, the raven haired beauty would only suffer more if Yuzu decided to become more than a sister to her. She would forever be a burden to Mei. It would simply be too selfish of her to ask Mei to love her.

"I'm sorry. I can't"

Yuzu's heart clenched when Mei wordlessly left. You'd think after living with this condition for the past few years that she'd be used to the pain by now, maybe even numb to it. The blonde couldn't help but chuckle bitterly at the thought.

Remember when Sabu-sensei did THE ANGST and left us frustrated and annoyed? Yeah, sorry that I did that too with this chapter… But it's okay cuz I'm definitely planning on a happy ending with this fic!

I changed a few things from the manga to suit the story. For example, instead of Yuzu falling asleep on the train it's Mei this time so Matsuri and her oneechan could have a little chat.

I may not be able to post next week as I will be going somewhere remote for easter break with no wifi. Nevertheless I will still continue working on the chapter so that I can post it as soon as I have wifi.

(Next chapter will be the of the start Kyoto trip arc so expect the Tachibana twins!)