Chapter 3

Can You Shout Out Your Love?

Weeks pass. Sumika still isn't sure about her love for Ushio. It's just so complicated whether or not she should confess her feelings. Ushio loves cute girls, so it should be obvious that she wouldn't be into her. But her heart beats for her so much that it drives Sumika to try and win her heart. After all, Sumika has saved her from a molester and in return, Ushio made her yummy desserts. Each and every dessert is so delicious that Ushio is more than happy to make it for Sumika and Kiyori every day if she wants to.

However, another week passes and Sumika is stumped. Despite enjoying Ushio's desserts and spending time with her in general, she has been thinking hard about confessing her love. And Sumika isn't the only one who is having difficulty. Kiyori is noticing Sumika's struggle. This isn't good. She has to step it up and make Sumika see this or else it'll go on forever.

After class that day, Sumika is getting ready to leave when Kiyori taps the glasses wearing girl on the shoulder and asks her to talk in private. Sumika nods and they head over toward the stairs where no one is around.

"What is it?" Sumika asks.

"I want to be straightforward," Kiyori says. "Ushio-chan...she has eyes for you."

Sumika takes a long pause, blinking twice. "Er...come again."

"Ushio-chan...has eyes...for you..." Kiyori points her finger at the martial artist. "Come on. It's been weeks and all you two ever do is act like silly teenage girls. Why haven't you guys made a move yet?"

"I..." Sumika looks to the side. "You know why."

"The cute girls thing?" Kiyori says. "Hey, you saw how she reacted when you saved her. You saw how thankful she was. Why can't you see that?"

"I still cannot get over the fact that she's into these types of girls," Sumika says. "Even if I tried, I won't be able to win her heart."

Kiyori frowns and crosses her arms. "Not with that kind of attitude. I am positive Ushio-chan is in love with you."

Sumika bites her lip. "It's..probably for the best..."

Kiyori sighs. "If you can't see it, then I'll MAKE you see."

"What are you going to do?" Sumika asks.

"Just going to talk to someone," Kiyori says. "I'll see you later."

Kiyori turns and walks away, leaving Sumika stunned. What is Kiyori planning?

**Later**

Sumika is at her home studying when she hears some knocking at the door. Noe answers and then she calls out, "You have a guest, Sumika-san!"

The martial artist quickly gets up and opens the door to find Kiyori at the door of her bedroom. "Kiyori-chan? What the?"

"Hide," Kiyori says. "Ushio-chan is coming in a second, so you need to hide somewhere."

"What for?"

"Just do it."

"Ah!" Sumika hops toward her closet and hides there.

Kiyori turns her head and signals someone to come in. Sumika's eyes widen as she sees Ushio enter her room. Her heart beats and her face turns red.

Kazama...inside my room...!? she thinks. Please don't wake me up from this dream!

"So...why are we in Sumi-chan's room?" Ushio asks. "What's going on?"

"Don't worry about that," Kiyori says. "I need to ask you some questions. Sit down."

Ushio sits on Sumika's bed, making the martial artist blush even harder.

Kazama sitting on my bed...! she squeals mentally. She's sitting on my bed! This is heaven!

"What do you think of Sumika-chan?" Kiyori asks. "How do you feel about her?"

"H-how do I feel...about her?" Ushio says. She looks down at her lap. "I...I'm...not sure how to feel..." She clenches her fists. "Sumi-chan...Sumi-chan's been acting a bit strangely lately. It's almost as if she was distancing herself from me. She's...she's so cool and awesome. But...I don't know what she feels about me. I make her excellent dessert and she loves it. Does she love me for my cooking? Or...is it more than that...?"

"You should be honest," Kiyori says. "How do you REALLY feel about her?"

"I...I just...I just want her to know...!" Ushio is nearly crying. "I just want her to know how much I love her. How much she means to me...! She saved me and it made my heart race...!"

Sumika's eyes widen and listens carefully.

"I've been in love with her ever since that day...!" Ushio sobs. "I...I love Sumi-chan...! I love her with all my heart...!"

Kiyori grins a secret grin. "I'm sorry, can you be a little louder~?"

"I love...Sumi-chan...!" Ushio says.

"Louder~" Kiyori says. "Scream to the heavens~"

"i...LOVE...SUMI-CHAN...!" Ushio shuts her eyes tightly as she yells it out.

Kiyori giggles. "Did you hear that~? Now do you believe me~?"

"What...what is going on!?" Ushio says.

Sumika comes out of the closet and takes a few steps forward. Ushio blushes heavily.

"Y-you...heard all that...?" the light brunette says.

"Yes," Sumika says. "And...I love you, too. I'm sorry I wasn't strong enough to admit my feelings to you." She turns to Kiyori. "Thank you. You helped us both."

"Ehehe! What are friends for~" Kiyori replies.

Sumika and Ushio turn toward each other, gazing into each other's eyes. They gently take each other's hands, intertwine them and start to lean in closer. Their eyes flutter shut. And then...they touch lips. Kiyori witnesses this lovely moment in front of her. The two girls kissing. It's so wonderful it brings a tear to Kiyori's eye. Ushio and Sumika pull away and gaze lovingly at each other once more.

"Sumi-chan..." Ushio whispers.

"Kazama...my dear Kazama..." Sumika says.

They lean in again, but only to hear Noe at the door.

"Ah~" she says. "Sorry for the interruption but would you like some-Ara, ara~"

"N-Noe-san!?" Sumika says. "What are you doing here!?"

"Ufufu~" Noe cups her hand to her cheek. "Seems like our darling Sumika-san has a girlfriend. Well isn't that lovely~?"

"Noe-saaaaan!" Sumika blushes heavily.