Chapter 13 – The One-Eyed Girl's Birthday Reflection

Akari's POV

With the three of us working together, it took about 45 minutes to get everything ready. It was small stuff, though. Tomoko ordered the food while Chinatsu and I did the decorations.

…

W-Well, okay…I did the decorations. Chinatsu sat back and watched. Even if the decorations were pre-made, I still didn't trust her with decorating. I'm not getting traumatized on my birthday of all days.

Right now, Chinatsu and I were in the living room waiting for the others to show up. With me in particular, on my phone texting Rise. It took me a while to get used to texting with one eye…but I learned surprisingly fast.

"You still coming over?"

*BZZZT*

"Of course, I am, silly! Why would I skip my girlfriend's birthday party?"

"Yeah, that would be silly."

…

"So, uh…are we still going through with it? Confessing to everyone, I mean?"

*BZZZT*

"It's the right thing to do, Akari. We need to be honest with everyone. Especially Sakurako."

"I can only imagine how she's going to take it. I mean…she CRIED when she confessed to me."

*BZZZT*

"I know it's going to be tough…but we gotta do this. No more lying to our friends. We both agreed to start fresh starting with tonight."

We did promise that. But even then, it's easier said than done. Especially with what I've been through…

…

"You're right, Rise. We really should do this. See you soon."

*BZZZT*

"Glad you agree. Love you."

"Love you, too, Rise."

"Aw~! Your romantic texts are so sweet, Akari~!"

"GAH!" I frantically turned to see Chinastu hovering over me. Looking at my phone. "Ch-Chinastu! Were you reading my text messages?!"

"No! Of course, not! Well, okay maybe a little."

"G-Geez! Ever heard of privacy?! *sigh* The one thing I miss about not having a presence…"

"I'm sorry, okay? I was just curious. You've been texting Rise-senpai for so long that I wanted to see what was up. So, you two are dating, huh~?"

"W-Well…" I started blushing. "…Y-Yeah, we are. Today makes it a year, actually."

"A year? Wow~…to have your birthday and anniversary land on the same day is REALLY lucky of you, Akari."

"Q-Quit teasing me!" My blush grew even more.

"Alright, alright. I'll stop. But really…I'm glad you found someone to love, Akari."

"Thanks, Chinatsu. It's like a dream come true for me."

"I see. So, I guess this means you talked with Sakurako about it, right?"

And then from hearing that, my joy-filled face immediately turned into a pale one.

"H…H-How do you know about that?"

"Himawari kinda forced it out of her one day. We were all there, too. It was…rather uncomfortable."

"I-I see…"

This definitely just got harder…

"W-Well…n-no, I haven't. In fact, I haven't seen Sakurako since she confessed to me that night. I've already told Rise and we've both agreed to tell her and everyone else…that I don't feel the same way for her."

"Th-That's going to break her heart, Akari."

"I know, but…lying to her face is only make it worse."

"Yeah, that's true…"

"So…hopefully, she comes over tonight. Maybe then I could at least tell her in private."

"Telling her in private…that sounds like a good idea, Akari."

"Thanks, Chinastu." I said with a smile.

I can only hope that it works…

"But still…you're pretty lucky. Having two girls in love with you. Meanwhile, I'm still trying to get Yui to at least NOTICE my feelings."

"H-Hey, isn't it kinda weird that most of us are at least somewhat gay?" I asked. "I mean, that's not exactly normal."

"What do you mean? Of course, it's normal."

"Is it?"

"I mean…it's like what Chitose said. It's called Yuru Yuri for a reason. Why wouldn't all of us be into girls with a name like that?"

…

…

…

"That…actually makes sense." I said after giving that statement some thought.

"Right? I mean, why else would we have that ridiculous name?"

"It is kinda ridiculous. I couldn't even pronounce it when I first saw it."

"No one could. I don't know how we got such a tongue twister of a name."

"Well, we can't do anything about it now. We've stopped airing."

"We may have stopped airing, but we're somehow still relevant. Have you seen the spin-offs we've gotten? Hell, even Sakurako got her own series."

"It's strange how she never likes to talk about it, though."

"That's true…"

Both of us then started to think about all the times we would ask Sakurako about her spin-off series…only to either get no answer at all or she would intentionally change the subject.

The hell is she hiding over there?

*KNOCK* *KNOCK* *KNOCK*

"Sounds like the others are starting to show up. You ready?" Chinatsu asked me.

"Yeah. I'm ready." I replied. But before we went to answer the door, another thought came to mind. "H-Hey…Chinatsu."

"What's up, Akari?"

"I…I just wanna say thanks. For being there for me during my darkest moments. I'm really grateful to have a friend like you."

"Akari…" Chinatsu said with a small smile before coming over to hug me. "…I'm glad you feel that way, Akari. And I'm happy to have a friend like you. Don't be afraid to rely on me so much. I'll be here to support you all the way."

"Ch-Chinatsu…" I almost cried when I heard that. And coming from Chinatsu of all people, too. For the past month, I felt all alone…believed that the universe hated me and wanted me dead. Even accepting that as fact.

But to hear Chinatsu say that to me…and I'm pretty sure the others will say the same thing…it was like a relief for my soul.

Maybe things can get better from here…

*KNOCK* *KNOCK* *KNOCK*

"*sigh* Alright, they're getting impatient. How's about we let them in already?"

"*giggle* Sure thing, Chinatsu." I said with a smile.

Hours into the party and we were all having fun. Everyone was glad to see that I was doing better. Some were even glad to see me after a whole month. All and all…it made me happy that so many people were concerned about me this whole time.

I finally feel like the main character of this series! YES!

But as happy as I was about my new social status, there was still one thing I had to do. Despite the fact that I was still a little uncomfortable about the idea.

"Hey, Himawari. Have you seen Sakurako around?"

"Sakurako? Oh, yeah…she said something about needing some fresh air. Well, in her words, she said "I'm going to sniff the Earth's insides"…but I at least knew what she meant by that."

"I-I see…" I said with a sweatdrop. Not really wanting to question that phrase. "…Thanks for the help."

I went outside to the backyard and, sure enough, there was Sakurako. Sitting by herself on one of the chairs we had. From where I was at, I couldn't what exactly she was doing.

But it looked like…she was scratching something. Really really rough.

"Gah! Damn thing! Why'd it had to show up NOW of all days?!"

Is she…okay?

"Um…Sakurako?"

"GAH! A-Akari!" Sakurako panicked after I called out her name. Even fell off of the chair she was sitting on. "S-Sorry. Didn't see you there. H-Happy Birthday, by the way."

"Uh…thanks." Was all I said.

What was she doing just now?

"A-Anyway, Sakurako…I was hoping I could talk to you. A-About…what happened the last time we saw each other."

"O-Oh…that." Sakurako then gained a gloomy look on her face. "L-Look, Akari…I'm sorry for creeping you out like that. It's just…seeing you so depressed and suffering…my emotions couldn't take it anymore and…w-well…th-they just came out."

"I…see."

Man…my depression made Sakurako confess to me. Now I feel even worse by doing this!

"W-Well, Sakurako…it was rather courageous of you to confess like that. And what you said was really sweet. Really, it was. B…B-But…"

*moan* I hate this so bad! But…I really gotta do it, don't I?

"B-But…I-I CAN'T RETURN YOUR FEELINGS!"

…

…

…

I opened my eyes after shouting that at the top of my lungs…to see Sakurako staring at me with tears beginning to form in her eyes.

Crap! She's crying! I've really done it now!

"Y-You…c-can't return them?"

"S-Sakurako, I can explain!" I began to panic. "Y-You see…th-there's someone else."

"S-Someone else? Wh-Who?"

I went silent for a bit as I looked away from Sakurako's teary face.

"It…I-It's Rise."

"R-Rise-senpai?"

…

…

…

"H-How long…h-has it been? Y-You know…s-since you two became a couple?" Sakurako asked after going silent for a while.

"T-Today makes it a year."

"I-I see…"

…

…

…

"Well, good for you, Akari!" Sakurako suddenly cheered as she slapped my back hard. "Glad to hear that you managed to rope up a good one, ya hear?!"

"Wh-Wha…w-wait, you mean you're OKAY with this?!" I asked in complete shock. "You're not sad in any way?!"

"Oh, no. Don't get me wrong. I'm absolutely crushed. And will probably be crying alone in my room for the next couple of days. Maybe even a week."

"Uh…"

I-Is she really okay?

"But in all seriousness, which is rare coming from me…I'm truly happy that you found someone to love, Akari. And if Rise-senpai is going to keep you as your usually happy and cheery self…then I can accept it. As long as the two of us can still be friends."

"That's a no-brainer, Sakurako. Of course, we can still be friends. Best friends forever, even."

"B-Best friends forever…" Sakurako gained a light blush as she went silent for a bit. "Y-Yeah…yeah, I'll like that very much. BEST FRIENDS FOREVER, BABY! HAHAHAHAHA!"

"*giggle* Glad you're feeling better." I said with a smile. "Now…what do you say we go and join the others? It's still my birthday, after all."

"Right! I'm gonna party so damn hard! Watch me, bitches! Woooo~!"

I then watched as Sakurako charged back inside my house. Super excited to have fun at my birthday party.

…

Even after she just had her feelings rejected.

Either she's really good at hiding her feelings or she's emotionally strong…

The rest of the party was fun. I really enjoyed being around all my friends and my girlfriend. The fact that all of them were so concerned for me that they planned this party/sleepover for me is…really heartwarming. To say the least.

I can't really say I'm COMPLETELY cured of my depression, though. Because of what I've experienced, I'm no doubt a little insecure about my looks. And will always have this feeling that people are making fun of my missing eye behind my back.

But…I can say I'm a lot happier now than when I was a month ago. And I truly believe that I'm finally rid of that "no presence" gag! A dream I've had since this series began!

…

I just wish I didn't have to lose an eye for that to happen. It's like that "eye for an eye" quote Grandma keeps talking about but taken WAY too literally.

And now I'm dreading my next visit over there…

Point is…because of that, my life has changed. From the worst to the absolute best! And I can't wait for what new fate awaits me in the future!

Watch me now, Universe! Akarin!

Author's Note: And as her birthday party is slowly winding down, Akari begins to accept the fact that losing her eye is a weird but special little gift. And she plans to use this "gift" to spend a now happier life with her dear friends and family. Challenging the universe's plans for her.

This chapter marks the end of Akari's story arc. But there will be two more chapters before we shift into Kyoko's. Which is honestly…probably the darkest story of the entire series. So, it'll be interesting as to how I rewrite THAT one.

Thanks for reading. Later.