Becoming Her Lover

Chapter 20

Alone

Note: After this, there's only one chapter left. I'm so sad, but it had to come to this. This story had a great run and I'm excited to see it end as well as see your guys' reaction to it. Without further ado, here's the update. I hope you enjoy it and the finale to come. Thank you so much for all of your support. At the end of the finale, there will be a special announcement so be sure to stick around for it.

Breaking up with Umi was by far the hardest thing Kotori ever had to do. On her way home, it took her so long to get there since the pain in her heart was almost too much to go on. She shed so many tears. However, all of them were for Umi. She couldn't but rethink the idea that this was all of her fault, but it was all over now. She did the best thing for the two of them and she had to live with it. She didn't want to see Umi suffer or be sad anymore. Once she cleared this up in her head, she picked herself up off the ground and headed off with an empty heart.

…

The next week of school was such a struggle for Kotori. She wanted to forget about it all, but there were things going on that prevented her from doing so. There were posters of the Muse members all over the school and Umi was everywhere she looked. Seeing her with that smile made her feel even worse. Seeing it made her feel like it was just a fake smile for show. Unfortunately, this wasn't even the worst part.

The students held a poll to see who they thought was the cutest couple in school. Umi and Kotori won the vote. Everyone searched for the two of them, but could only find Kotori. When they asked her where Umi was, she had to tell them the truth. She told that they broke up. Telling everyone nearly tore her heart in two while everyone else was completely in shock. The two of them looked so perfect for each other and yet, they were now separated. They all wanted to know what happened between them, but because of how Kotori was reacting, they knew it was best to leave it alone.

Kotori had every intention of fighting through this pain and forgetting Umi, but it was just impossible. Everything about being at school made her remember Umi and how happy things were when they were together. Unfortunately, Kotori was quickly turning pessimistic about the whole thing. She started to believe that it was all fake just to make her feel good, regardless of how Umi felt about it.

All of her favorite memories were immediately torn down by the thought of it all being fake. This caused Kotori to shut down completely.

If only Umi was by her side.

…

Back at the hospital, Umi was having a slow recovery. The day after Kotori broke the news to her, nothing else happened. Umi's body had finally combated the disease and allowed her more control of her body. Of course, it wasn't that easy. The doctors kept in the hospital to make sure that it wasn't a fluke. However, her recovery allowed her family and friends to visit her. Her family was first and they were so relieved to see her healthy and smiling. She had to keep a strong front for them because this sight for a parent was devastating no matter what it was.

Once her family got their precious time with her, her friends started to file in. all of the members of Muse decided to come in on the same day to give Umi a little surprise. Unfortunately, the only person who didn't show up was Kotori. Umi took quick notice of this, but tried not to show it in front of the rest of the girls. However, this was very difficult when Honoka brought up their break-up. Eli and Maki smacked her on the head since they knew this topic was a little sensitive. It was sensitive that Umi had no words for it. Right after that, they switched topics to something happier.

After the Muse visit, things really started to die down which gave Umi some time to think to herself. There was a lot to think about and she was determined to examine everything. She wasn't going to let things go on like the way they were.

…

Why did she look sad? Why did she break up with me? I thought she was happy. I did everything I could to make her happy. Also, she always tried to make me happy even though her efforts weren't that great, but who cares about that? What went wrong?

Kotori's a very weak and fragile girl. Something had to have happened within her that made her do this. Never did she ever look sad or disappointed to be with you. Whenever you were with her, you calmed her down and gave her a sense of security. It almost as if she treasured you more than just a girlfriend.

Yeah, I have to agree with that. Kotori's heart is a fragile thing and you were the one that gave it a home. Without you, she was always alone and scared to be with anyone else. Even Honoka didn't make her feel good and she met her first.

I'm just so confused. Why did she break up with you? You didn't do anything wrong… At least, not to my knowledge.

So does this mean that she feels she did something wrong?

Why would she think that? Kotori never does anything wrong when it comes to Umi.

I don't know. She seemed really down the day she visited her.

Hm, that it very true.

Finally, Umi had an epiphany. This has to do with what Kotori was talking about that one time… It has to be. She mentioned how I always did whatever she wanted and when she asked what I wanted to do, I didn't really have an answer. This has to be about that. But then again, why would she be so mad about that? I was just being considerate. Kotori's happiness is the number one thing I care about. She comes before anything and everything in my life. I know family is a big part of my life, but she's definitely up there on that list.

Umi turned her head and saw her phone on the table next to her. She suddenly grabbed it and dialed Kotori's number as fast as she could.

"Oh please… Kotori, pick up the phone."

…

At Kotori's house, she was curled up in a ball in the corner of her room when the phone rang. It took her a few seconds to react as she contemplating on even checking to see who it was. Once she decided to check it out, she was immediately thrown onto the roller coaster of emotions. The sight of seeing Umi's name almost ripped her heart in half. Why was this girl calling her? She already broke up with her. She decided to end it there. Why doesn't Umi understand this?

"Kotori, please pick up." To prevent herself from breaking down anymore, she opened her phone and hung up. Immediately after she pressed the button, the phone slipped out of her hand as she realized what she did. "W-What… Did she just?"

"Oh my God. What did I just do?" She started to reach for the phone, but immediately pulled back. She already made her decision. It was better that the two of them be apart. By calling her back would just make things seem like it was a joke or something. Tears were rolling down her face as she walked towards the other room and motioned her eyes away from the phone. "Umi-chan, I'm sorry, but I just can't anymore."

"Kotori, no. Please! Answer the phone!" Her efforts were futile. The call had already ended, but she was still trying to get to her. Umi's arm suddenly lost strength as it fell onto her lap. She dropped her head and looked right at the phone.

"I love you Umi-chan. You're my Umi-chan forever and ever." She heard Kotori's voice in her head which made her start to tear up.

"Minami Kotori… I don't know why you're doing this, but I need to tell you something. I love you. I don't know how or why, but I've always loved you. Ever since the first moment we met to the day we walked out on the stage and performed our first show, I've always loved you. You are the person I can truly be myself around and you accept me for who I am regardless of what it is. I'm not good at showing my love, but the love you give me motivates me to give you the same love. You're beautiful, sweet, and everything that is perfect in this world. I'm just some average girl who thought she would never be any good in a relationship or even have a relationship. The only thing I can think of now is: Why did you ever date someone like me? I'm just surprised that you kept it going for so long. But, you did look like you were having the time of your life so…" At that moment, Umi's tears started to fall from her face. "Why did you leave me? I wanted to be there for everything. I wanted to be there when you cried, when you smiled… Everything. I wanted you to know that I could be your shoulder to cry on, your blanket whenever you got cold… A heart that could give you the same love you desperately deserve." There was so much more that Umi wanted to say, but the emotions were starting take over her entire body. You're… You're my Kotori. My sweet, little Kotori."

End of Chapter 20