After that night at Shino's apartment, things started to change. Well, after something like that, I guess a shift of some kind is inevitable, right?

The next day at school, she blushed when she saw me, but otherwise managed to keep things strictly professional. I, on the other hand, couldn't stop thinking about what we did. In fact, I couldn't help feeling a bit disappointed by Shino's impersonal approach now, even though I was the one who stopped her last night.

I really am a piece of work.

I talked to Saki-chan like normal, though. We had finally managed to get back to something resembling a functioning friendship (though I wouldn't dream of telling her what me and Shino did), and the memory of her biting rejection didn't hold quite as much power any longer. I didn't really want to consider why that was, but I probably already knew.

It was definitely Shino. She was changing me.

I never intended to seek comfort in the arms of another girl after Saki-chan's rejection, but somehow that was the way things had turned out. No matter how much I tried to deny it, the facts were there.

I kissed Shino in the dark at her apartment. I held her close as my heart yearned for her. And if I hadn't slammed on the breaks, I probably wouldn't be a virgin right now.

Stop thinking about it, damn it!

For the rest of the day, I couldn't help but think that Saki-chan and Shino were acting weird. Did Saki-chan already find out somehow? Nah, I would have taken some physical abuse if she had, surely.

Wait, why would she abuse me though? We aren't dating.

Anyway, I remained in my seat as class came to a close. Shino daintily packed her things beside me, which was really cute. I decided to say something to her before we left for the day.

"Hey Shino, when is the next basketball game?"

"Hm? It's two days from now. Thinking of coming?"

"Y-Yeah…" I blushed at her unintentional double entendre.

I must have been making a stupid face, because Shino seemed to read my mind after a few seconds. Her eyes got wide, her ears turned red, and she quickly looked away from me.

"G-Good. Me and Sakisaki will be looking forward to it. Right?"

She turned towards Saki, who was strolling over to the two of us. Saki looked a bit suspicious.

"Naoya… you haven't come to a basketball game in a while, why now?"

"I had a few traumas I had to work out, sorry."

"Ah, yeah. Something like that did happen, didn't it…?" Saki trailed off, looking guilty.

Shino raised an eyebrow at her friend, but didn't pursue it any further.

"Anyway, we'll have to play our best, right Shino?" Saki smiled at her friend.

"O-Of course. I always play my best, though," Shino crossed her arms and looked away.

I'm pretty sure I detected another blush on her pale cheeks just then.

"Ahaha! So confident! That's what I love about you, Shino!"

"S-Stop rubbing me there!"

It seems that today was a blessed day for me. I got to see something nice just then, but why does it taste so bittersweet?

I held back tears and packed my things, as Saki-chan ran out of the classroom like a little kid. That girl, she never changes, does she?

By the time I left the classroom, Shino and Saki were nowhere to be seen. Just like I did every day, I strolled through the mostly-quiet hallways, headed for the shoe lockers. When I stepped onto the bottom floor, though, I saw something unexpected.

Shino was standing there by the front door, holding her bag in front of her with both hands. Her posture was so refined it felt like I was watching a real-life princess.

"Yo."

She looked up as I greeted her, and smiled sweetly.

"Naoya-kun. There you are."

"Were you waiting for me?"

"Y-Yeah. I wanted to discuss something on the way home."

"Roger that," I affirmed as I slipped my outdoor shoes on.

Leaving school with Shino was a routine I wouldn't mind getting used to. We headed through the front gate side by side, and she spoke up soon after.

"Naoya-kun, I haven't told Sakisaki anything yet. But… I don't know how much longer I can keep it a secret. She already seems suspicious of me…"

"I see. So that's why you were looking all flustered today."

"I-I wasn't flustered!"

"Right. But Shino, if you tell her the truth, things might get pretty bad, right? Plus, it's not like we're… dating or anything."

"…I know that… but if things keep going like this…"

"Good point! We almost did something crazy last night!"

"Hey! Don't say that out loud!"

"Sorry! Anyway, you're right, we probably need to figure something out pretty soon."

"Yeah…"

Shino looked a bit dejected. She watched her feet as we walked on for a while, then spoke up again.

"I'm prepared to lose Sakisaki if it means being with you."

Her voice came out clear and true. There was no hint of hesitation as she uttered those painful words.

"Shino…"

"I'm not trying to upset you. Just know that I'm serious about this."

"…I know. I've known you were serious since we… ʷᵉ ᵏᶦˢˢᵉᵈ…" I trailed off, holding my face in my hand.

"Why are you getting all flustered now?!"

"Who wouldn't?! I'm a healthy young man! Plus, that was my first kiss! You took it from meeeee!"

"S-Stop that! People are staring! ᴵᵗ ʷᵃˢ ᵐʸ ᶠᶦʳˢᵗ ᵏᶦˢˢ, ᵗᵒᵒ, ᵈᵘᵐᵐʸ."

Shino was blushing up to her ears yet again. I couldn't help but smile at how cute that was. She still kept up her perfect posture even when she was flustered like this, and her cute purple bow danced around with every step.

Wait, now that I look at it, isn't that bow…

"Shino, is that the same bow I gave you back then…?"

"Why are you asking that all of a sudden? You really didn't notice all this time?"

"Nope! I've been kinda distracted since then."

"Of course you have, you simp."

"S-Simp?!"

Shino sighed, then continued in a softer tone.

"I haven't stopped wearing it since then. It's so precious to me… because it came from you."

She went full dere-dere?!

"Shino… I'm so touched…"

"Don't cry in public!"

I instantly dried my tears.

"Seriously, though, it means a lot to know you kept it all this time."

"I'm glad you feel that way."

Shino's gentle, ladylike smile was radiant as she said that.

"Ah, I have to go this way now," I said, ruefully interrupting our peaceful moment together.

"Okay. See you tomorrow, Naoya-kun."

"Mm. Take care."

For the rest of the walk home, I mulled over our conversation.

I know things can't stay the way they are now. As it is, there's a very precarious balance that could fall over at any minute, destroying everything. I wasn't sure how Saki really felt about me, but I was sure that monkey-branching straight to Shino would piss her off greatly. Not that Saki was my only concern. I wouldn't want to start a relationship with Shino on that foot. Her feelings for me demanded a more serious approach.

Then there's the problem of those two's friendship. I wouldn't want to break them apart, especially since I've never really seen Shino hanging out with anyone else. When she said that earlier… that she would give up her best friend for me… I won't lie, it made me very happy. But at the same time, it felt so wrong.

I know Shino would be sad if Saki hated her, and that makes me hate that idea. I really just want to see her smile, from the bottom of my heart.

I… I'm really starting to fall for her, aren't I?

Like that, the chilly winter days droned on. It was now almost mid December, and people everywhere were starting to get into the Christmas spirit. Not that it makes sense for a country like Japan to celebrate a foreign religion's holiday, but I digress.

Every day, the walk home from school seemed to get a little colder, and I started wearing my heavy jacket to school. It might seem odd to say this, but those chilly early-winter days were some of the most precious ones I can recall. Even though I had just been on the verge of depression, that all-too-familiar sadness had waned.

It was replaced by a sense of anticipation. For the first time in a while, I looked forward to class every day. Of course, the reason for that was obvious.

Two days after me and Shino had walked home together, I stood up at the end of class, stretching my stiff muscles.

"Don't forget about our game tonight, Naoya-kun."

A graceful voice blessed my ears.

"Don't worry, I wouldn't miss it even if I was sick!"

"Well, I'd hope you wouldn't come if you were really sick, but…"

"Don't worry, I take good care of myself! In a lot of ways!"

"I-I see… that's good… I guess."

Shino looked confused and slightly disturbed.

"Anyway, it starts at 19:00. Don't be late!"

"Yeah, Naoya. Don't disappoint Shino!"

Said girl was already turning red as Saki appeared behind her, massaging her shoulders.

"W-What the hell?! Saki-chan?!" my voice rose by almost two octaves.

"Huh? Did I say something wrong?"

"N-Not at all! I just… wasn't expecting to see you today!"

"You've already seen me all day long, you idiot."

"True! Well then, I'll be going home now. See you two tonight!"

"See you later, Naoya-kun."

I stumbled out the door in a hurry. Damn, it seems like I default back to my idiot act when things get awkward. I really need to work on that. Now, to get home and change into something more casual before the game tonight.

Saki and Shino packed their things, then left the classroom together.

"What was that about? Naoya has been acting weird lately."

"H-He seemed pretty normal to me," Shino said, not able to prevent a stutter.

"Hmmm~? Did you always know Naoya this well, Shino?"

"I don't really know him that well!"

"No need to shout, I'm right here," Saki complained.

The two girls headed to the locker room, getting ready to change into their practice clothes for pre-game warmups.

Upon arriving, the pair began taking off their uniforms. Saki eyed Shino as the white-haired beauty pulled down her skirt, showing off her slim, yet soft-looking thighs.

"Shinoooo, why are you so pretty?!"

Saki whined like a dog, and Shino sighed, quite used to this routine.

"I can't help the genetics my parents gave me."

"So matter-of-fact!"

"Anyway, stop ogling me like that. I'm very much straight, Sakisaki."

"W-Who's not straight?! Also, Shino… you're interested in guys?"

"O-Of course I am! Any girl our age would be."

"…Hmmmmm… I see…"

Shino shook her head as she pulled up her practice shorts with a *pop*. But Saki wasn't quite done yet.

"So Shino, do you have someone you like?"

"Huh?! What are you saying, Sakisaki?" Shino yelped.

"Just a little girl talk. It isn't time for practice just yet, don't worry."

"I'm very worried!"

"What is there to be worried about? It's not like it'd be anything that would upset me, right?"

"S-Sakisaki…"

Saki stared at the ground, her hands balled up into fists. It seemed like a storm was brewing.

"Hey, Shino. How do you feel about Naoya…?"

Shino's eyes went wide instantly. Saki's voice was strangely serious. She stared at Shino, burning a hole through her with those fiery red eyes. This was much sooner than Shino had hoped, but it was either "lie to her" or "be honest." Those were the only two choices she had.

"I… I think he's a nice person. Why?"

"What else?"

"W-What do you mean, Sakisaki?"

"Is that really all? Isn't there something else?"

This girl was oddly perceptive at the worst times. She had Shino backed into a corner already.

"T-That's all-"

"Don't lie to me!"

Saki's strained yell shocked Shino to the core. She then lowered her voice to a tone Shino had never heard from her before.

"Shino… I've seen how you two act together… and… I saw you that day… when Naoya gave me those roses… I saw everything… so why? Why else would you do something like that…? Why are you lying to me?"

Shino just stood there in shock. Her eyes were wide open, and her mouth hung limply. Her hands were at her sides, slightly shaking. She didn't speak for a long time, and when she finally did, her voice was quiet.

"I didn't want to hurt you, Sakisaki."

"Hurt me? Why would it hurt me?! Me and Naoya aren't even dating!"

"But you've always liked him! You're just too fucking stubborn to admit it!"

Saki shrunk back, shocked by the course language Shino had spat out. It was so incredibly unlike her to talk like that. But Shino wasn't finished, and she raised her voice even more.

"Why did I lie to you? Because the truth is so hideous! I've liked Naoya for YEARS now!"

"S-Shino…?"

Saki stared uncomprehendingly as Shino continued her rant.

"I love him so much! But I kept quiet about it all this time! Because YOU have loved him for much longer than me! Or at least, that's what I thought! But then, you rejected him so harshly, and I started to wonder if maybe I had a chance!"

Tears began flowing from Shino's lavender eyes as she earnestly poured her heart out. Everything that she had kept inside was rushing to the surface, like an uncapped oil well that couldn't stop overflowing.

"Wh-What…? But that's…"

"Don't try to deny it! You've been so cruel to Naoya-kun! He loves you so much, yet all you ever do is hurt him!"

Saki fell to the bench behind her, taking an abrupt seat. Her eyes just stared straight ahead.

"Shino… please tell me this is a joke…"

"I'm dead serious."

"NOO! STOP IT!" Saki screamed, lunging at Shino.

"Wha-" Shino gasped as Saki pushed her to the floor, landing on top of her.

"Saki, what the hell are you-"

"Shino, I thought you were my friend?" Saki moaned, with tears in her eyes. "Friends don't tell cruel jokes like this. Please… just stop…"

Shino was silent. She just looked up at her best friend, feeling incredibly guilty. It was too late to turn back now, though.

"It's because you're my friend that I'm coming clean. I can't keep up this lie any longer, Sakisaki."

Shino's voice was soft and full of finality.

Saki's forehead crashed into Shino's chest, and the redhead started crying even more. She slammed her fist into the floor, causing Shino to nearly jump out of her skin.

"Dammit! I want to hate you so much, but I can't!"

"Huh…?"

"You were right, I was too cruel to Naoya! But I just couldn't bring myself to take that final step! I was too scared! And now…!"

Saki sniffed, wiping the tears from her face with her sleeve.

"Shino… have you two… done anything…?"

"Hwah?!"

"YOU HAVE!"

"N-No, I… we haven't had s-sex yet!"

"Y-Y-Y-YET?!"

"That's not what I meant!" Shino squealed.

"Shino… please tell me the truth…" Saki pleaded, looking rather desperate.

Shino took a deep, deep breath, and prepared herself.

"I… I kissed him."

Saki's soul looked like it was on the verge of leaving her body.

"But I didn't intend to! Really! I just got caught up in the moment and did something stupid!"

Saki sat back, and pushed herself to her feet. Her eyes were hollow, and her posture was that of a neglected houseplant.

"Shino… I… I don't know if we can stay friends."

There it was. That dreaded declaration that Shino had hoped would never come. From the moment she fell for Naoya, she had tried to steel her heart for such a day, but this was too soon. Saki's words really, really hurt. Shino was quiet for a few seconds, mulling over her response before finally offering it.

"I… understand, if that's how you really feel, Sakisaki."

Saki looked back at her best friend, and her eyes wavered.

"I just… don't know. I don't know anything anymore…"

Shino sat there for a long time in silence. Saki kept opening and closing her fists, looking like she wanted to say something, but always coming up short.

Finally, Shino had enough of the awkwardness. She sat straight upright, then fell forward face first. Her hands slapped the tiled floor of the locker room, and her forehead came to rest between them.

"Sakisaki, I'm so sorry!"

"Eh?" Saki mumbled in confusion at the scene she saw before her.

"I never wanted to hurt you! I care about you dearly… you might be my only true friend. I can't stand the thought of losing you… but now that I've come this far… I don't think I can turn back!"

"Wha-?! I thought this was an apology?! Also, you sound way too much like Naoya right now!"

"It is an apology… but I can't give up on him after all… If you can still accept me, even knowing that… then please… don't leave me, Sakisaki…"

"…F-For now, just get up," Saki glared, looking incredibly frustrated.

Shino sat up, then stood to her feet again.

"Shit! Look at the time! We're late!" Saki shouted, suddenly glancing at the clock above the lockers.

"You really didn't notice everyone staring at us, then leaving like 10 minutes ago?" Shino sighed, straightening her rumpled practice shirt.

"Obviously not! Dammit, I'm out of here!"

Saki ran for the door, then stopped before pushing it open.

"This isn't over. But I… I'll think about what you said."

Then, with an audible "Hmph", Saki left the room

As soon as Saki left, Shino collapsed to the floor. Her hands were still shaking, and her legs were too weak to stand.

I thought she was going to kill meeeeee! she yelled in her mind, with tears in the corners of her eyes.

The sun had already long set by the time I left my house, headed back to the school where I already spent most of my time. There was something mysterious about heading to school in the dark, though. The night was quiet, and above, a few stray stars twinkled away through the haze of city lights.

I exhaled, watching my breath float away like a miniature cloud. Then, I set off into the city of the night.

I was feeling strangely nervous, for some reason. Going to an event that a girl had invited me to… specifically that girl…

My feet sped up, and soon I was outside the school gates. I took the dimly-lit covered path towards the gymnasium, and all too soon I was standing outside the open door.

I could hear the chatter of spectators inside, as they slowly filed up to their seats. Apparently, our girls' basketball team is pretty good, so there's a decent crowd here tonight.

I stepped inside, where it was much warmer than out in the elements. I scanned the bleachers, looking for a seat. I settled on one near the front, and made my way there.

Once I took my seat, my eyes took in the scene in front of me. The hardwood court was shiny, reflecting the large lights hanging from the ceiling. More importantly, though, there was a gaggle of girls in sporty outfits near the benches on both sides, preparing for the start of the game. Ah, now this is youth.

I wasn't particularly interested in the other team, so I checked out the girls on the near side - our team. My eyes quickly settled on one particular girl that stood apart from the rest: a white-haired, slender beauty with a large purple bow dangling from her pulled-up hair.

Of course I had to spot her first. Sorry, Saki-chan.

Despite my slight feeling of guilt, the warm feeling in my chest was winning out at that moment.

I gazed at Shino absentmindedly, wondering what my true feelings for this girl actually were. After our conversation the other day, I knew I wouldn't be able to face her without getting serious, and yet here I am, spending my evening watching her. I came here to see her.

I guess that could be seen as an answer, huh?

I noticed something white moving in my vision, and focused back in on what my eyes were seeing. Ah, Shino is looking this way, and she's waving at me.

Ever polite and graceful, she smiled and waved as if she didn't have a care in the world, even though Saki was standing right next to her. Of course, I waved back, feeling a bit awkward. Saki saw me too, and waved as well, but something seemed off about her. I guess things are still uncomfortable between us after all.

The coach called the girls together, and soon, the referee's whistle signaled the beginning of the game. Shino and Saki were both starters, and I was honestly impressed right away. They both played very skillfully. Saki was a force to be reckoned with, driving to the basket time and time again with little resistance. Shino played as gracefully as I would have expected, smoothly handling the ball with finesse that was seldom seen. Her shooting was incredible, too.

I found myself totally engrossed in the game. When the halftime buzzer sounded, we were up by 6 points. Only then did I sit back, realizing how much the game had sucked me in.

After a short break, the game resumed. At first, I expected more of the same from our girls, but the opposing coach had apparently made some adjustments. Saki was already having a harder time driving into the lane, and we were forcing up more contested jump shots than before. Because of this, our lead dwindled, and the other team began to pull ahead.

Heading into the final minute, we were down by 4 points. The other team called timeout, and our girls huddled up with the coach. I watched Shino's face as the coach called out the final plan. Her purple eyes looked intense and focused. This was another side of her, huh?

I couldn't help but think this made her even cuter.

The girls took the court again, and Shino brought the ball up court. She evaded one defender and took a jumper from the top of the key, swishing it. On defense, our girls got a stop. Now, we could go for the tie. The clock was already under 30 seconds, though. I was incredibly nervous.

It seemed like we were going for a 2-for-1 situation here. Saki drove down the lane, but had to force up a contested layup that was off the mark. The other team took the ball down court slowly, chewing up as much clock as they could. One of their girls took a three as the shot clock expired, and I held my breath. Thankfully, it missed, and Saki grabbed the rebound, quickly calling timeout.

Only 4 seconds remained, and we were still down 2.

In the huddle, Saki and Shino were discussing the coach's play call. It was a flexible play, ending with either Saki laying it up, or Shino taking a three from the corner. Such a plan clearly showed how much trust the coach had in those two.

"They're preventing you from getting close, Saki. They haven't been guarding the three as much, so that's probably our best chance.

"But what if I can draw a foul?"

"I doubt the referee would call a foul on the last play of the game."

"Hmph," Saki looked perturbed.

She was still angry from earlier, which might have contributed to her selfish play tonight. Something about giving Shino the last shot irritated her.

"Sakisaki," Shino said softly, putting her hand on the redhead's shoulder. "Please, trust me."

Saki turned to look at Shino, meeting her eyes.

"Fine."

The girls took the court again, inbounding the ball from the side near me. The ball went to Saki almost instantly, and she changed direction with surprising nimbleness, avoiding one defender. However, she was met with a clogged lane as she headed to the basket. No way, is she going to try and force it up like this?!

My heart was in my throat as Saki jumped towards the basket, with two girls blocking her advance. At the last second, though, Saki pulled the ball down, swinging it outside to a wide-open Shino!

Even from the stands, I could see Shino's dead-serious expression as she caught Saki's bullet pass. Her toes slipped behind the three-point line, and like some sort of angelic being, she rose up into the air. The ball left her hands smoothly, arcing high above the reach of any defenders. Everyone held their breaths, and as the final buzzer sounded, the ball splashed through the net.

I looked up at the scoreboard in disbelief. The score read 59-58… and we were ahead, with zero time on the clock!

"YEEAAAHHHHHHH!" I yelled, jumping up from my seat.

On the court, Saki ran up to Shino, and picked her up, hugging her wildly. The rest of the team joined the two, joyfully celebrating the last-second heroics from Shino.

"Shino, you did it! That was so good!" Saki yelled, squeezing her a bit too tight.

Shino was grinning like a fool, holding both hands up in a victory pose. As Saki put her down, she looked at her red-headed friend and gently smiled. Saki stared back at her, feeling incredibly conflicted as the memories from earlier blended with the joy of their victory. As the raucous team celebration died down a bit, Saki spoke.

"Maybe I should trust you, after all."

"Hm?" Shino cocked her head to the side, then picked up Saki's subtext. "Ah… I guess that's up to you."

Shino smiled reservedly at her best friend, leaving her with those ambiguous words.

As the crowd started to leave the stands, I made my way down onto the court where the girls were. The celebration was dying down now, but I could see Saki and Shino talking to one another underneath the basket.

"Shino! Saki! You did it!" I shouted as I approached, unable to hide my excitement.

Shino turned around first, and her face lit up when she spotted me.

"Naoya-kun!"

Next thing I knew, she was jogging towards me. She met me at full speed as I walked toward them, then leaped up…

Wait, what the hell is happening?!

By the time I managed to comprehend my present circumstances, Shino's thin arms were wrapped around my neck, and her chin was on my shoulder. I rushed to grab her in case she pulled us both down, and in the process, I ended up holding her butt, with her legs wrapped around me - a rather lewd position.

"Did you see me, Naoya-kun?" she asked, her sweetly-innocent voice very close to my ear.

"Mm. I saw you, Shino. You were incredible."

In response, she just laid her head further down on my shoulder and hugged me tighter, rubbing my back with her small fingers.

"I'm so happy you came."

For a daring few seconds I completely forgot about where we were, and the outside world grew distant. My grip on her tightened, and my chest was so warm it felt like a furnace was lit inside. A certain set of words came to mind, and I had to slam on the breaks before actually vocalizing them.

Then I was viciously yanked back to reality.

My eyes met Saki's as she stood there looking completely bumfuzzled. My hand was still firmly planted on Shino's butt, and that girl was still embracing me like the world might end tomorrow.

"Uh… great job too, Saki-chan… that was an awesome game…"

My voice got quieter as I went, and perhaps taking my cue, Shino let go of me, bouncing to the floor.

"N-Naoya… Shino…"

Saki looked like she had no clue how to respond to this absurd situation. I didn't either, to be fair. I half expected Saki to hit me with a flying kick or something.

"Sakisaki… sorry about that… I lost control of myself…" Shino muttered, looking sheepish, but not overly apologetic.

Saki stood there with her fists balled up for a few seconds, and then muttered something I really didn't expect to hear.

"…I-It's fine. But Naoya… we need to talk! Emergency meeting tonight! Wait for me at the usual place, and don't you dare go home."

Saki's eyes had the gleam of a murderer's, so I hastily agreed.

"Now… Shino," Saki continued in a low tone.

"Y-Yes?!" Shino squeaked, her eyebrow twitching.

"Let's go to the locker room, shall we?"

"Yes!"