That surprised her.
"What's this all of a sudden?"
"Isn't kissing what a couple does? And won't that couple end up marrying each other?"
"Yes, it is. Nao! Will you marry me then?"
"Will you? Take someone like me, who can't understand these emotions properly? Won't that be a burden?"
"Will it?"
We didn't speak much after this. Weeks went by where we were close but knew our boundaries.
But one day Yuki-nee caught us in the act. She was heartbroken.
"What are you doing?"
We both didn't know how to answer her.
"I can explain!"
I responded to her after the silence.
"Nao. Stay out of this. I'm asking her."
STATUE.
"What were you doing Sakura? Why? You know about my feelings, don't you, and yet...!"
Yuki-nee fell on her knees, crying...
Sakura felt guilty and couldn't face her.
Yuki-nee continued.
"Please don't take him away from me. I already lost him once. I can't lose him again."
I understood that she hasn't fully recovered yet and I don't think she can.
Sakura responded.
"I know what I did is wrong but that was not my inten..."
"Sakura was hurt. I couldn't help her. So that's why I did that. It was never her intention to do that, it was all my doing. Please, don't blame her."
I interrupted them and confessed to her.
"Hurt? Why was she hurt? Why didn't I know about this?"
"Sakura-nee!"
I stared at her.
"You have to tell her."
She understood it and let out a sigh.
"I was feeling lonely, ever since the start of the term. I wasn't there at the start of the term and by the time I started attending, everyone already split and different groups, and I was given the cold shoulder. Even though you would be there for me and would always put me first over others, I noticed that others didn't like that....."
"Wait! Is that the reason why everyone was bullying you? I asked you about it, but you said they were only rumors."
She moved towards her and pulled her sleeve up.
There were some wounds on her arm.
Yuki-nee realized something and suddenly got up and headed towards Sakura's bag.
"Yukiko, stop! Don't."
She didn't even respond and took a few books out.
She didn't move from her place after she opened every book.
I got up to check on her.
Sakura grabbed onto my arm and stopped me.
"Please don't!"
Was there something she didn't want me to see?
I patted her head gently and brushed my hand through her hair.
"What's in there won't change my opinion on who you are, nor will I pity you. Don't worry."
I comforted her and went towards the open books.
"What is this?"
I couldn't believe what was in front of my eyes.
"You're just a bitch who wants attention. Stay away from her."
"Can't you see that no one likes you? Stop hanging out with her already!"
"Just die!"
"Die!"
"I thought you were a nice girl. I'm happy I didn't ask you out. Disgusting!"
There was more stuff with whore and slut, but I didn't understand them.
That wasn't the case for Yuki-nee.
She understood every word of it.
A shadow cast in front of us and picked up the book.
"What happened? I heard some noises and came over to check it out."
Rinko-san showed up and picked the book.
"What's this?"
Yuki-nee's mom was looking for words to describe what she's seen in front of her.
"Auntie, that's..."
Sakura tried to explain.
"Mom, why?..."
Yuki-nee interrupted her.
"Why can't I protect the people closed to me? Am I the reason that they always get hurt?"
She was filled with guilt, as cried out with despair.
"I couldn't protect her, even though I was the closest to her... Why?..."
"Yuki-chan, it's not your fault. Calm down, please. Look, you're making Sakura cry."
Yuki-nee turned towards Sakura.
"I'm sorry, it's my fault. I didn't know this..."
"Yukiko, stop! Please, don't cry..."
Yuki-nee got up and ran towards her and hugged her and started crying out.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry...."
Rinko-san hugged them both and consoled them, and dragged me out along with her.
The two of them were letting out their pain together in their room. Meanwhile.
"I'm proud of you!"
Rinko-san told me as we were going down the stairs.
"I didn't do much."
"No, you just think that. If you didn't interfere and sat quiet, their friendship would have crumbled."
"Ohh! I guess it's a good thing then!"
"Why did you interfere?"
"Why did I interfere?"
"Is it because you wanted to tell her the truth or you wanted to protect them both?"
Why did I do that?
I wonder.
"Good! That means you're making progress."
"I hope so."
"Let me reward you with a kiss!"
She kissed me on the cheek.
"But I'm not sure if that will be enough."
"Huh?"
"I mean it's not the one you get from Sakura-chan right?"
I stopped dead in my track.
"So, you knew?"
"Yes. I worked so hard to keep Yukiko-chan away for the past few weeks. Well, today's different. I was out shopping, so I couldn't help it. Ahhh! I'm tired."
This woman...She's dangerous.
"What will you do now? About Sakura-nee."
"Well, you have to wait and see. Anyway, I'm tired, so I could use a massage. "
"You definitely should."
"Then, will you help me? I'll think of a reward."
"Sure!"
"How does a kiss to the lip sound?"
"Huh? Wait!"
"Though that would mean we are a couple and would end up marrying right? Nao, will you take me?"
She's acting all cute as a teenage girl. This is beyond danger. Must be vigilant at all times.
"So, you were present then! Rejected! I'm not massaging you."
"Naoooo!..."
Days passed by, as I found out that both Rinko-san and Sakura's parents complained about this to the school and applied for their ' transfer. Unfortunately, both went to different schools and would meet on the weekends from then on.
The last I met Sakura was on my birthday.
"Happy Birthday!"
It was Yuki-nee's family, a couple of my school friends, and Sakura.
The party went well.
Everyone left for their home.
I went to walk Sakura back home since her home wasn't far away.
"The night sky is pretty nice."
"Yeah, it is now that you mention it."
We didn't talk much and walked at a pace slower than usual.
A few minutes later, we were near her place when...
"I might not meet you for some time. So, this is the last one."
"Huh?"
She hugged me tightly and kissed me with intense passion.
She separated from me and then pushed me away and ran into her home.
That was the last time I saw her.
.....
All of that from just a kiss? I sighed.
We paused after a while and slowly separated from each other.
"Why?"
I looked away and responded.
"Do I need to have a reason?"
"Yes."
"Hmmm...Can't think of any. How about we consider this as your welcome back gift?
Punch to the gut.
"You'll never learn, will you? How about we go on a date? That'll be my gift."
"Right!"
"So! What's the plan?"
"Hmmm...Let's see. Go to the books store and get the latest manga and finish it, relax a little, and a skype call with an Egyptian mummy. I'm busy today."
She was getting annoyed.
We suddenly heard the noise of footsteps fading away in the staircase.
"Looks like we were spotted."
"Will that be a problem?"
"Nope. What about you?"
"I wouldn't mind getting spotted with a beautiful senpai! Actually, I would like to be seen more with you."
"Why am I not surprised?"
"Shall we get down to business?"
"Where do you want to start?"
"Hirafuki High School!"