Author's Note

You actually stuck around to read the second chapter. :) I'm trying hard not to make the characters OOC.

Let the story continue!

Sakaki had P.E. that day. As she and her classmates were changing, Sakaki felt her eyes drift to Kaori.

"Not only is she cute, she's also good looking," Sakaki thought. "What if we were together? No, it's too early for that." Sakaki argued with herself. She had never really thought such thoughts before, of love, or lust, or maybe both.

"I can never tell Kaorin this," she finally concluded, "She'll never think of me the same."

To both Sakaki and Kaori's delight, they were both placed on the same team for volleyball.

"Let's play well together," Sakaki told Kaori in her calm voice, obscuring the turmoil of her inner thoughts.

Kaori smiled, her face a slight shade of red. "Hai!"

"On the other hand, maybe she does like me," continued Sakaki in her mind, who blushed a little at the thought.

"Sakaki-san's so awesome, I wish I could tell her how I feel," thought Kaori. "But as long as I'm with her, I'm happy."

"We kicked your butts," said Tomo excitedly as the girls changed back into their school uniforms.

"You had no part in that," Koyomi pointed out, exasperated with her friend's antics.

"What do you mean? I provided moral support!"

"Constantly yelling after me to hit the ball even when it is nowhere near me is not moral support."

The girls giggled. It was a normal day.

Sakaki took a drink of water from her bottle. She was parched.

"Oh no!" cried Kaori. "I didn't bring any water with me. I'm so thirsty."

"Do you want the rest of my water?" asked Sakaki.

"A-are you sure S-Sakaki-san?" replied Kaori. She could hardly believe her luck.

"Of course. I don't need any more," she said, handing her bottle of water to Kaori.

"Sakaki-san drank out of this," thought Kaori. "I could just die now!"

Sakaki smiled as she saw Kaori smile as she drank the water.

"She's so cute," said Sakaki to herself. "I wonder why I never noticed this about her."

"Thanks so much Sakaki-san!" said Kaori.

"Don't worry, it was nothing."

Both girls were blushing as they left the locker room and headed back to class.

As she walked home at the end of the day, Sakaki began to analyze her thoughts. Did she really like Kaori? It had only been a day, and she was a girl!

"But despite all this," she thought, "maybe there is something there. If only I were more cute."

She smiled as she arrived at her house. Despite all her uncertain thoughts, today had been a good day.

Kaori was practically on overload. She happily recounted the story of Sakaki and the water bottle to Chihiro, even though she was in her P.E. class.

"I know, Kaorin, I was there," said Chihiro, giggling.

"I just wish I could tell her how I feel," Kaori said in a more serious tone.

"Maybe that's just what you ought to do."

"But, Sakaki-san's so cool, I'm afraid I'd mess up," Kaori said, frowning.

"If she's the person you say she is, I'm sure you'll understand," Chihiro said. "Besides, you should at least try."

"Maybe you're right. If I were only better with my words."

"You only get a certain number of wishes, you know," said Chihiro playfully.

Kaori giggled. "I guess I'll try my best."