Chapter 3

Chii-chan to Chii-chan

Chizuru walks down the halls that morning. She feels a bit…uneasy. Not because of Tamura-sensei. But everyone around her. She sweat drops as she keeps on walking, clutching the handle on her bag.

"They're staring…" she says to herself. "I wonder if there's something on me…"

Of course, Chizuru cannot forget what happened on that day. The day she saved Chisato from that menace uncle of hers. As for Chizuru, she hears some of the girls gossiping about how she was almost sexually assaulted by one of the teachers. They are literally showing concern for her, including that kind teacher, Tsukino-sensei

"Shiina…" Tsukino-sensei says as Chizuru sits at her desk. "How are you holding up?"

"Better," Chizuru replies, her voice diligent and reserved.

"You look worried about something," Tsukino-sensei says. "Is it about Tamura-sensei?"

"No, it's not that…" Chizuru replies. "Just….about a new friend I made. I hope she's okay."

Tsukino-sensei just smiles and pats her on the head, making her cat-like locks perk up. "I'm sure that your new friend will be fine. You DID save her, right?"

"Yeah…I did…" Chizuru says quietly.

The bell rings for first period.

"I hope she's doing well, too," Tsukino-sensei says as he turns to leave.

Chizuru just nods. After the incident, she is finally free from Tamura-sensei, as Tsukino-sensei immediately reported him to the police. He's been put behind bars soon after

Chisato sighs, putting her elbows on the desk and resting her chin on her palms. That day was just horrible. Good thing the problem was resolved after her uncle was put behind bars. Now she can finally live her life freely.

However…Chisato can feel some people's eyes on her and it's getting on her nerves.

"Why are you guys staring at me!?" Chisato squeaks with flailing arms at her two female classmates.

"B-because we're concerned,

Chisato," one classmate says.

"Yeah, you aren't usually this depressed," the second classmate says.

"I-I'm fine," Chisato assures her classmates. "Everything's…fine."

She looks down at her desk, clenching the hem of her skirt. Her classmates are nice to talk to, but in her mind, the only person she really wants to talk to is Chizuru. Both of them had similar problems they had to deal with and then…it was resolved in a heartbeat. So now that they are free…what do they do now?

Meanwhile*

Back at Chizuru's school, the honors student is at the library, doing her studies. However, she cannot concentrate because of the thought of Chisato. Would it be possible if Chisato was at the same exact location they met before? That has to be it, right? She has to see her before it gets dark.

She then remembers that she exchanged phone numbers with her and dials Chisato's number immediately.

"Hey, um…Chisato-san…." Chizuru says quietly. "Yeah I wanna talk to you right away. Eh? You were just about to call me? Ahaha. What a coincidence. Ah…you want me over at your house? Okay I'll be there. Tell me the directions."

After about 20 minutes of walking, Chizuru finally arrives at Chisato's home. She rings the doorbell and waits for an answer. Chizuru puts a fist to her chest. In all honesty, this is the first time she's been to someone else's home, more or less than an actual friend's house.

The door opens, startling the cute purplenette and Chisato's mom appears before her.

"Yes?" The mother asks. "Can I help you?"

"Ah!" Chizuru straightens up. "Um…my name is Chizuru Shiina! And I'm looking for Chisato-san!"

"You must be…that girl Chisato was talking about," Mrs. Masshiro says. "You were the one…who saved my daughter."

"Um….yes," Chizuru says truthfully. "I did save-Eh?"

All of a sudden, she gets hugged tightly by the mother, and hears a fit of sobs.

"Thank you! Thank you for saving my baby!" The mother cries. "It was a miracle that Chisato was saved at the right time!"

"Okaa-san!" Chisato hurries toward the front entrance to see what's going on. She then gasps at the sight of the person she is looking for. "Ch-Chizuru-chan!"

"Ack! So tight!" Chizuru says. "Can barely breathe!"

"Okaa-san! Give her some air will you!?" Chisato gently but firmy tugs on her mother's arm.

Mrs. Mashiro thankfully lets go and Chizuru takes the time to get her breath back.

"Well then, why don't I bring you two some tea?" The mother clasps her hands together and heads toward the kitchen.

Chizuru and Chisato sit on the couch while Mrs. Mashiro delivers the tea and some snacks to go along with it.

The three of them are now seated in the living room, enjoying their tea.

"You go to Wakasa Girl's School, Shiina-san?" Mrs. Mashiro asks.

"Yes, I do," Chizuru answers.

The mother cups a hand to her cheek. "Goodness, when I look at you, it's like you are my second daughter~"

"Okaa-san!" Chisato squeaks.

Chizuru blushes and buckles her thick legs together, looking down at the floor. Chisato's mother sounds very nice and can be a little silly too. All three of them drink tea and have a good time. They share some giggles as well. Chizuru casts glances at Chisato. She is smiling. Her smile is so cute it makes her heart beat. She puts a fist over her chest, feeling her heart pump. She is definitely in love with Chisato.

**Next Day**

Chizuru is having second or even third thoughts on having to confess to Chisato. They had just met, but after saving Chisato that day, she has begun to fall in love with her. How will she confess? When will she do it? And after they confess their love…how will they go when they have sex? These questions are far too difficult even for an honors student like herself to answer. All she can do is wait it out.

Classes come and go and Chizuru continues to be the good student she always is. Once school is over, she heads to the library to do her homework. She jots down things on her notebook, but then stops for a second. She thinks about how Chisato is smiling the day she was invited to her home. They were talking and laughing, having a great time. Chizuru knows that her life with her uncle has made her miserable, even though Chisato was the one who started this whole mess as a child. There was nothing wrong with changing, though. Still, Chizuru wants to protect that smile at all costs. Now that both of them are freed from their torturers, they can live their normal lives again.

Time passes by and it's sunset by the time Chizuru is done with her homework. She straightens up the papers and looks up at the window to her right. She lets out a soft sigh and puts away her materials. Chisato is probably busy right now. She gets up from her seat and exits the school. She decides to take a nice walk before returning home for the day.

While outside, she looks up at the bright orange sky above her, admiring the beautiful colors and then looks straight ahead. She finds herself going up a hill and toward a place she has never been to before. On top of the large hill, there is a path and on the edge is a metal railing with a brilliant view of town below her. She is about to approach it when she sees two people already taking that spot. There is a girl with short violet hair and wearing a different school uniform than her while the person next to her is a boy with short dark hair and wearing his own uniform as well. Chizuru decides to go into hiding since they seem to be having an important conversation. She hides behind a bush and peeks out of it to hear what they are saying.

"Makoto!" the guy says as he shuts his eyes tightly and bows. "Please go out with me!"

The girl, Makoto, becomes flustered at this confession. It was sort of out of the blue, it would seem. Chizuru is quite shocked herself. This guy just mustered up the courage to confess his love to this girl.

"Sorry!" the guy bows his head. "Forget I said anything!" He takes off running.

But Makoto just grabs him by the collar, making him fall over.

"Geez, don't run away without even hearing my answer," the short haired girl says.

Chizuru takes a look at the girl. She seems pretty busty herself, how her curves are standing out. Her long, thick legs under that short skirt and wearing black knee high socks. She has to admit: this girl, Makoto, seems to be pretty cute. But Chizuru gasps at this and shakes her head roughly. No…the only one she admires most is Chisato. There is no way she will fall out of love with her this easily.

"I would love to be your girlfriend~" Makoto says with a cute smile on her face. Light wind blows after she says this. "Let's get along as lovers from now on, Kaoru~"

The guy Kaoru blushes and then nods. Chizuru peeks out from the bushes again. So that's how a confession goes? Well…it all depends if the latter also has feelings for the one who is confessing their love. But still…the honors student is amazed on how this confession went. She wonders if it would be the same way if she were to confess her love to Chisato. She can just imagine it right now:

**Fantasy**

"Ch-Chisato-san…!" Chizuru says, standing at the same exact place where there is the metal railing next to them and the great view of the town. "I….I love you! Please go out with me!"

Chisato cups a hand to her mouth, flustered by this confession.

"I…I…I'm so sorry!" Chizuru bows in shame. "I'm such an idiot! Forget I said anything!"

She turns to run, but is grabbed by the wrist by Chisato.

"Wait, wait, wait!" the older violet says. "Let me tell you my answer first before you run off!" Light wind blows as Chisato gives a soft, beautiful smile. "Yes…I would love to be your girlfriend. Let's get along as lovers from now on~"

Chizuru blushes as red as a tomato. She just nods.

**End of Fantasy**

Chizuru's head feels like it's frying right now. How will she even be able to replicate that scene? She cannot, can she? It's all based on luck.

"Haaaah…!" she lets out a loud sigh. "I'm such a fool! There is no way she will accept my feelings!"

"Who won't accept your feelings?" a girl's voice says in front of her.

Chizuru opens her eyes and sees the same exact girl with short hair staring at her. She jumps back and flails her arms.

"AHHHHHH! I'm sorry!" Chizuru squeaks. "I was just passing by and-"

"Hehehe! No worries," Makoto says. "Kaoru already left, feeling happy. As for you…do you want to see the view as well?"

"Uhhh…sort of," Chizuru picks herself up and dusts herself off.

"So…how much did you see?" Makoto asks.

"The whole thing," Chizuru replies truthfully.

"Ahhhh~" the short haired girl leads Chizuru by the railing and leans against it. "Yeah, me and Kaoru are childhood friends. He must have been in love with me for a long time. And…so am I."

"Is that what a confession looks like?" Chizuru asks.

"What's that?" Makoto questions, tilting her head.

"I'm asking…ummm…if that is a true love confession?" Chizuru says, her face going red.

"Well…if you see it like that, just a little bit," Makoto shrugs. "Confessions can go in all different ways. Not just using words."

Chizuru gasps and nods. "Th-that's right! I know that sometimes actions speak louder than words!"

Makoto raises an eyebrow. "Is there…someone in particular you want to confess your love to?"

"Uhhh…..ummm…" Chizuru thinks long and hard about this. Is it alright to be telling this to a stranger? "I…I was just wondering…that's all."

"Huh?" Makoto gives her a weird look.

"N-never mind about that," Chizuru waves her hands back and forth.

"Oooookay…" Makoto shrugs and turns back to see the view. "Well…if you'd like, I can help you."

"Wait, what?" Chizuru turns to the short haired girl. "But…we just met."

"I know," Makoto says as she takes out a small notebook and jots something down. "But just in case you need any help that is romance related, I'm only a call away." She hands Chizuru her paper that has her number on it. "Oh, by the way, I'm Makoto Himemiya. What's yours?"

"Chizuru Shiina," the violet haired girl says.

"Pleased to meet you…Chizuru-chan~" Makoto holds out her hand. "Let's get along from now on~"

"Y-yeah…same here," Chizuru nods and gently grips Makoto's hand.

The two let go and Makoto gives a soft smile.

"Well, I have to go now. I have to catch up with Kaoru," Makoto says. "Call me if you need anything~"

"Sure." Chizuru nods.

As soon as Makoto leaves, Chizuru looks down at the small paper with Makoto's name on it. She might give her a call some time when she has trouble trying to confess to Chisato. But for now, she decides to leave things alone.

Makoto Himemiya - Mako-chan Kaihatsu Nikki