Hello everyone! I'm terribly sorry it took so long to update this. School has been absolutely crazy! Now that I'm back into the rhythm of things, updates will be much more consistent. Chapter 6, "Revelations," is already well under way. I hope to have it up in two weeks. In my opinion it's a better chapter than this, and a much shorter wait! Hopefully you enjoy reading both though! And without further ado, I present to you Chapter 5, "Interference."


Akaza residence, Akari's room; 8:52 pm

"It's time for 'Truth or Dare'!" Sakurako announced with one hand on her hips and the other in the air, signifying that it was time for her subjects to be entertained.

Himawari rubbed her temples in exasperation, the color drained from Chinatsu's face, and Akari simply smiled, oblivious to the situation.

Dinner had gone by without the truth being revealed to Akari, but Chinatsu owed that to Himawari. Sakurako spent dinner dropping hints and were it not for Himawari's many swift kicks under the table, Chinatsu's secret would have been exposed. Although at this point, Chinatsu almost would have preferred that Akari know, considering that trying to keep Sakurako's mouth shut was rather trying and Chinatsu was not enjoying the current state of torture she was in. That being said, Chinatsu did not know how she'd be able to get through a game of "Truth or Dare"…

Seriously, Sakurako-chan. I can't tell if you're doing this on purpose or not… Do you want Akari-chan to find out!?

Himawari had similar thoughts on the matter.

Sakurako, why are so meddling so much!? Perhaps you're trying to help in your own way, but can't you see that you're putting Yoshikawa-san through hell!? We're lucky Akaza-san is so unassuming, or else she would have caught on to the fact that Yoshikawa-san has fallen for her…

Akari, on the other hand, was rather excited for the game.

This is going to be so much fun! We can all learn about each other and bond. This game is like sleepover tradition! …But Chinatsu-chan and Himawari-chan seem rather worried… I wonder if something's the matter? They were acting rather odd throughout dinner too… Hopefully playing Truth or Dare will cheer them up!

"Alright!" Sakurako continued, ignoring the lack of enthusiasm from her companions. "I'm pretty sure we all know how this game works." Then with an imp-like smile added, "I'll start!"

Akari beamed and said, "That sounds like fun, Sakurako-chan!"

Himawari, who saw many ways this could end badly, was much more hesitant, "Are you sure this is the best idea, Sakurako?"

Chinatsu nodded vigorously in agreement, "Yeah, Sakurako-chan. Don't you think it would be a better idea to watch a movie or something?"

Sakurako merely shook her head at their protests. "No way! If someone mentions a sleep over, 'Truth or Dare' is a given! And if someone mentions 'Truth or Dare', it must be at a sleepover!"

Himawari stared at her, deadpanned, "What sort of logic is that, Sakurako?"

Sakurako laughed haughtily and replied, "You don't even know that much, Himawari? It's no wonder your boobs are so big."

Chinatsu watched the interaction with little interest.

Sakurako-chan must really like Himawari-chan's breasts…

Chinatsu then turned her attention to Akari, who to Chinatsu's surprise, was staring at her.

She's looking this way? Ah, she's turning red… I wonder if… No, that couldn't be it. Things aren't ever that simple. Ah, she's waving. Akari-chan is seriously too cute…

Chinatsu smiled and waved back at Akari, who was still blushing rather profusely.

Ah, this isn't good! Chinatsu-chan totally caught me staring at her… But she waved back and didn't look at me weird or anything… She's always so nice to me… I'm so lucky to have her, even if it's just as a friend…

"So," Sakurako said as she sat herself down, "let's get this party started!"

Himawari sat down across from her and sighed, "I suppose it can't be helped…"

Akari sat down to Himawari's left and bobbed up and down in excitement. Chinatsu sat down across from Akari and, seeing how giddy Akari looked, smiled in spite of herself.

"Alright," Sakurako said as she dramatically looked around the circle, "so who wants to go first?" Sakurako's gaze landed on Chinatsu, and the pinkette was somewhere between grimacing and rolling her eyes. After Sakurako's near constant implications at dinner, she should have expected this. Himawari, sensing her friend's distress, awkwardly raised her hand, sacrificing herself. Sakurako's eyebrow rose in surprise and the amber-eyed girl merely sighed; why even bother to imagine what Sakurako would come up with?

"Himawari, huh?" Sakurako said as she stroked her chin. "Truth or dare?"

Himawari shifted restlessly. I can't imagine Sakurako coming up with a merciful dare, so… "Truth." She answered rather hesitantly.

Sakurako smiled. She smiled devilishly. "So, Himawari, do you have someone you like?"

Himawari instantly stiffened. Her face grew increasingly red, as she looked away and spat out, "I-I do"

Sakurako immediately inquired, "Who!?"

Himawari could feel her eye twitch in annoyance. You, you idiot… But rather than call her beloved rival an idiot, she merely hmph-ed as she replied, "I already answered my question. It's someone else's turn."

Sakurako angrily pouted as she glared at the girl. Himawari, already wary of the game, sighed and asked, "So, how do we decide who goes next?"

Sakurako, still half-pouting, answered, "Let's just go in a circle." With that she smirked at Chinatsu, who by that order, was next.

"Truth or dare, Chinatsu-chan?" asked Sakurako, a devilish grin on her face.

"Sakurako, since we're going in a circle now and Yoshikawa-san is to my right, shouldn't it be my turn to ask?" Himawari spoke up, hoping she could spare her friend some trouble.

Chinatsu breathed in relief as Sakurako pouted and said, "Fine…"

Himawari straightened up and smiled slightly as she asked, "Truth or dare, Yoshikawa-san?"

"Dare, I guess…" Chinatsu responded as she quickly glanced at Akari. There's no way I'm letting anyone ask me who I like…

Himawari tapped her chin for a few moments, trying to come up with a dare that was safe, yet fun.

"Um… I dare you to turn your skirt inside out and wear it like that for the rest of the game…?

Chinatsu let out a breath of relief as she stood up to remove her skirt. She mouthed a quick thank you to Himawari and then turned to a corner of Akari's room. From the corner of her eyes, she could see Akari glancing at her, the redhead's face growing redder all the while. They had changed in front of each other countless times, yet under Akari's gaze Chinatsu suddenly felt more self-conscious than she could ever recall.

Once her skirt was back on, albeit inside out, Chinatsu sat down again and looked at the others briefly. Sakurako seemed to be mulling something over, which filled Chinatsu with dread. Himawari was smiling somewhat nervously, but it was obvious she wanted this game to be over. Still, the pinkette couldn't thank her enough for her "saves" throughout the night.

Finally, Chinatsu glanced at Akari. For some reason her face was flushed, but the redhead was smiling; the same quiet smile as usual, but it took Chinatsu's breath away. She took Chinatsu's breath away. As Akari gleefully looked around at their friends, Chinatsu couldn't help but wonder how it had taken her so long to realize just how beautiful the girl sitting across from her is.

Clearing her throat, Chinatsu asked, "So, Sakurako-chan, truth or dare?"

Sakurako puffed her chest out as she proudly proclaimed, "Dare!"

Chinatsu grinned. Time to bring this to a close.

"Alright, Sakurako-chan. I dare you… to sit on Himawari-chan's lap."

Sakurako's face lit up with a thousand shades of red as she stood up, feigning offense.

"You expect me to sit on the lap of that…that booby monster!?"

Himawari's face, also a breathtaking shade of red, held an expression of immense anger.

"Who're you calling a booby monster!? And it's not like I want you to sit on my lap anyway!"

Before a fight could erupt, Chinatsu coyly interjected, "Well, Sakurako-chan, a dare's a dare. Unless you don't want to play anymore?"

Sakurako's mouth hung open as she glanced between Chinatsu and Himawari, whose face was still red. Chinatsu smirked. There's no way she'll do it. She'll call it quits and we can finally just watch a movie or something.

Himawari looked over at Chinatsu with an expression that was both impressed and wary.

I see… You're trying to make her quit the game. I suppose it's clever; Sakurako won't want this game to stop unless she is the one who decides to stop it… But I'm not sure if this was the best way to make her stop, Yoshikawa-san…

Sakurako gulped. She would not back down. With a rather exaggerated hmph, Sakurako marched over to Himawari and sat herself down in the lap of her arch-foe and best friend.

From underneath her, Sakurako heard, "Watch it! Why would you sit down so hard!?"

Sakurako crossed her arms as she huffed, "Consider yourself lucky that the beautiful Sakurako-sama has agreed to sit on you."

Himawari rolled her eyes and slurred, "I would consider myself lucky if Sakurako-sama wasn't quite so heavy."

"I don't want to hear that from you, booby monster! Do you have any idea how much those weigh!?"

Himawari deftly raised a hand and brought it down on Sakurako's head. She then wrapped her arms around the girl's waist and sighed.

Sakurako looked at the arms of her rival and nearly shouted, "What do you think you're doing!?"

Himawari lightly shrugged, "This is the most comfortable way to leave my arms. Unless you'd prefer I dig them into your back…"

Sakurako shook her head and in an out of character calmness she hushed, "No, that's alright. Just leave them where they are."

Sakurako looked up to see Chinatsu smirking at her. Sakurako quickly looked away, her cheeks burning. It's payback time.

Ignoring the muffled ow that came from her seat cushion as she shifted, Sakurako turned to look at the redhead, "Akari-chan, truth or dare?"

Akari looked around nervously, weighing the options. After a few moments, Akari meekly raised her voice as she said, "Dare."

Sakura smiled. Alright, Chinatsu-chan. Two can play at this game…

"I dare you to kiss Chinatsu-chan."

Akari gaped at Sakurako, unsure of what to say. Chinatsu, on the other hand, seemed more than able to find words – words of protest.

"Sakurako-chan, that dare's a bit much, don't you think? I mean… making us kiss is already bad enough, but doing it here, in front of you guys? That's embarrassing…"

Sakurako-chan merely smiled as she said in an overly-sweet voice, "Well, a dare's a dare, Chinatsu-chan. But since Sakurako-sama in feeling gracious today, you two can go out of the room to kiss."

"I mean, that's better, but still…"

Akari, who had been observing up until this point, wordlessly got up and went for the door. Sakurako took it for enthusiasm, but Chinatsu caught a glisten of a tear forming in her eyes. Akari pulled open the door and-

"Ara, hello, everyone." As Akari opened the door, Akane just about fell into the room. Chinatsu almost jumped at the sight of Akari's older sister as Sakurako, less than gracefully, leaped from Himawari's lap.

"Onee-chan? What are you doing here?"

Akane smiled affectionately as she looked down at her dear sister, "Well, I was going to say that I picked up some movies earlier today, so if you girls would like, please feel free to watch them."

"That sounds like a great idea, Onee-chan! Thank you so much!"

With a loving pat on the head, Akane handed a small bag of DVDs to her sister and made her exit. Only Chinatsu seemed to notice a shadow of a glare on the beautiful girl's face.

Akari turned to the other girls and said, "Since my sister went through the trouble of getting these, I think it would be nice to watch one! Unless you all really want to keep playing, in which case, we definitely can!"

Himawari stood up, wiping invisible dust off her lap, "No, I think that's a great idea, Akaza-san. I would hate to waste your sister's kindness."

Chinatsu agreed, "Yeah, I think now's a great time for a movie." Chinatsu could have sworn she saw a look of hurt flash on the redhead's face, but brushed the thought aside as she turned to look at Sakurako.

"...Fine. I guess we can watch a movie. I'm getting snacks!"

And with that, Sakurako rushed out of the room, racing for the kitchen. Himawari, foreseeing the havoc her rival would bring to the unsuspecting kitchen, ran out of the room while calling after her, "Sakurako, wait! You can't just ransack another person's kitchen!"

Akari made to leave the room but was stopped by Chinatsu's voice.

"Akari-chan, wait! Um, I just wanted to ask if everything's okay?"

Akari hesitated for the briefest of moments before smiling and saying, "Of course. Why wouldn't it be?"

Chinatsu bit her cheek. "Well, I don't know… You just… You seemed upset earlier?"

Akari turned to face Chinatsu and smiled again, "Oh, I was just surprised is all. I know it's just a game."

Chinatsu sighed, "I'm sorry. Sakurako's dare was over the top. She only did that to get back at me."

Akari shook her head. "You have nothing to be sorry for, Chinatsu-chan. I'm the one who's sorry. I didn't realizing kissing me was so bad to you. That's why I encouraged everyone to watch a movie. Now you don't have to worry about it!"

Although the redhead was smiling, Chinatsu was absolutely positive that sadness and hurt were clouding the violet eyes she had grown to love. Taking a step towards Akari, Chinatsu took a deep breath and nervously started, "Akari-chan, you should know, I didn't mean-"

"Akari-chan! Chinatsu-chan! What's taking you two so long!? Don't make me start a movie without you!" Sakurako's voice rang from the living room.

Akari looked away and said, "Well, I don't want to keep Sakurako-chan and Himawari-chan waiting…"

Chinatsu looked down, swallowing the ever-growing lump in her throat. Was it really okay to leave things like this? The pinkette walked past the redhead and over to the doorway.

As Chinatsu reached the hallway, she stopped. Without looking back she said, her voice barely above a whisper, "I really wanted to kiss you." With that, she took off to the living room, leaving Akari to think about the evening they had had so far and everything to come.


And there you have it! Feel free to PM me with questions, comments, or concerns. I always make an effort to fix any discrepancies.

And now for a few notes!

The first is that I purposefully left out a dinner scene. I imagine Sakurako making implication upon implication, but considering dinner would basically be [Sakurako says something obvious - Chinatsu blushes - Himawari kicks Sakurako - Akarin], I felt the repetition would be boring to read (and less than amusing to write).

Also, for anyone who didn't get Akane's entrance, the implication is that she was standing by the door, listening in the entire time. Next chapter will touch a little more on that.

Finally! Next chapter will be the final chapter of this story. Depending on where it goes, I may or may not do an epilogue of sorts, but the way chapter 6 is looking so far, there is currently a 99% chance it will be the final chapter.

That's it for now! Thank you to everyone who takes the time to read this story. Reviews are never required, but always welcome!

Love always,

RuriLali