Yukari walked out of the library and placed the pile of books onto the desk.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyhckzvyo2n
“Thanks for your help, Miss Yuzuki,” IA said with a wink. Yukari gave her a deadpan stare, hoping no one noticed IA’s obvious facial gesture. IA wrote on a piece of paper and handed it to her. It was her number.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJ1AA0w2BO
The school bell rang. Yukari bowed and headed to class.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7OIwZPNiGz
The class was boring, so she kept staring at Roro as if doing so would send him a telepathic message to stop ignoring her. It naturally didn’t work.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFfV7gjZCvi
When school finished, she waited outside the Principal’s office for her parents.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQxMloyJHTJ
Her father didn’t show up, but her mother stormed into the room and dug her nails into her arm as she grabbed it.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCSlIMkJy30
“What did you do? What did you do?”733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDz7DaOunPg
Yukari said nothing, suddenly very interested in the patterns on the wooden floor. She tucked her lips in to prevent herself from crying.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4wHMXFKDL
“Speak to your mother. Are you listening to me?”733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHvK1hkBSv
Still nothing. 733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkAjk3uHLNQ
Her mother sat down with a huff. She let go of Yukari, cleaned her glasses with her turtleneck and crossed her arms and legs, tapping the air with her foot.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdkCDDvWa9m
The Principal opened the door, tightening his loose tie and pushing his toupee into place, and welcomed the two in. 733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXPcB8CoP46
The book was open and a few pages had creases on the corners. Yukari couldn’t help but glare at the Principal.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZEH9cUWU05
He shut the book and pushed it towards Yukari’s mother, who had one eyebrow up.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn4TQCHoIY1
“Your daughter was caught reading this in school.”733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU118a3CX0s
Her mother looked at her, the book and finally the Principal.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOrJQ1HmVjh
“You must be joking. Why would my daughter bring something like this? She’s a good child.”733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVymkAqxjI
The Principal shrugged. “Maybe you should ask your daughter.”
Yukari’s mother glared at her. Yukari bowed her head. 733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡES82U4C0cv
“I… I heard it was a good book and…”733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrGKasrG1r2
Her mother turned her gaze from Yukari to the Principal.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Ru57aTwem
“Will there be any punishment for this?”733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡonh7xaC1vf
The Principal shook his head. “I hesitate to give a first-time offender a punishment aside from confiscation, so long as their parents are able to discipline them. I’ll leave it up to you for now.”733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRlXXtjanu
Both Yukari and her mother stood up and bowed. As expected, Yukari’s mother dragged her out of the building and to the car. However, she didn’t start the car and simply sat, rubbing the bridge of her nose. She took off her glasses and stared into them as if an explanation would materialise in the lenses.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0fhvGBdVv4
She spoke in a haunting quiet voice. “I’m glad you’re reading but I don’t understand what appeal that book would have to you. You’re not a… homosexual. I don’t know how you could look at a cover like that and decide that book’s worth your time.”733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXIfFPxqGGH
Yukari snivelled as tears started creeping out of her eyes. She rubbed her eyes but that only made the crying worse. Her mother grabbed her arm and pushed it down.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFzcgsmdUvY
“Are you going to explain it to me?”733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRE87pEihU6
Yukari cried louder. “I’m sorry! I can’t help it. I didn’t want you to know.”733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqiTtC1ipju
Her mother leaned backwards. “Know what? Are you trying to tell me… I don’t remember raising a homosexual. And what about your boyfriend? What’s his name?”733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0oVq1CcKhp
“I’m not a ‘homosexual’. I’m… I-I’m… Oh God, I didn’t want to tell you this. I’m… bisexual. I… broke up with Roro because I...liked another girl.” She murmured the last part but her mother seemed to hear it.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR40T1RVlp7
He mother put her hands on the steering wheel with a tight grip. She licked her teeth with her mouth closed.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡldz7cKJ9U7
“Don’t go… telling other people, okay? I’m not against homosexuals but… it’s not exactly something you need to parade around. Does anyone else know?”733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡypeSLoxC26
“Roro.”733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0SKfn1pXD
Her mother’s face went lily-white. “I see.” The two were silent on the way home. Yukari looked out the window, saw a speed limit sign and noticed how slow the car was moving. She almost missed the speed at which IA drove.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa2Td81oBS1
At home, Yukari lied down in bed and rubbed her runny nose. After getting some tissues, she took out her phone and the piece of paper.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4myPqC7kcT
She was about to name the contact number ‘IA’ but remembered what IA said.
“It has to be secret, though.”
733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Qp6i6xFiT
It has to be secret.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRzbOzSNlJ
733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtGgZryp8gG
Secret.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUdvV1waoh8
She decided to name the contact ‘Ichiko’. She was the first girl she fell for and the name started with ‘I’.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCVxwyza8CM
She spent almost five minutes thinking of what her first message should be.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNge1bby0qE
Eventually, she settled on something simple.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv650ZMN1ug
Hey, it’s Yukari. Can’t wait to see you.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr3tWTrguzk
Yukari hugged her pillow to contain her giddiness. This feeling quickly gave way to worry. Did she sound too desperate?733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9TtzqykHH
IA responded later that night.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiNoKMetblL
Hey, beautiful. Same here. Btw, I just bought ‘ANOTHER’ lesbian romance novel and so far it’s ‘AMAZING’. I’ll lend it to you when I’m done with it. 733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAylqmre0v7
Yukari chuckled at the way IA used quotation marks. The couple chatted about books until Yukari felt her eyelids start to get heavier.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9SrtXQ86Ss
As the next day appeared, Yukari stood by Roro’s desk while waiting for him to arrive. No one else had entered the classroom yet.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK7fdS9kGFb
When he did, he ignored her and sat down.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5PuHB9Yir
“Um… Roro, can we talk?”733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV7Cqqj3g4F
“What’s there to talk about?”733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKaYy9mhcn
Yukari put her hand on his shoulder. “I want to be friends. You know, like we used to be.”733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwoTEGYPZU3
Roro said nothing, circling a dent in his desk with his finger. Yukari bit the inside of her cheek in thought.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbAiCCVuAgt
“I’m really sorry. I just thought It would have hurt more if I led you on and pretended to still like you.”733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNIb5RvT2x7
“You did lead me on, though. Do you know how it feels to know that someone you really like was thinking about someone else behind your back?”733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWdDOzR2vY
Yukari let go of him and looked at her hands as if they had blood on them.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJzGTix1tj
“I… didn’t think about it that way. Is there any way you can forgive me?”733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSN6aJ2YAN
Roro rubbed his face up and down repeatedly from his cheek to the side of his eye. He looked at Yukari’s frown and felt his heart twist.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqUrRKquuua
“Let me think about it. Just give me some time to grieve.”733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTCFAdZSFY
Yukari gave him a soft smile before sitting in her own seat.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8r7Mx0aVcJ
When Yukari told IA after school about Roro, a grin on her face, IA’s own smile was tiny. Deep lines appeared between her eyebrows, which were close together.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCeE2g4JYk
“Oh. Good. Great. Congratulations. Wonderful.”733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzEnVEf1AeH
Yukari’s smile dropped but she didn’t question those words.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAKlCiX7NiB
IA immediately snapped out of her mood and gave Yukari a hug. 733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVWw2cg1fas
“IA, remember…” Yukari hissed. IA let go and blushed.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg9KcCltw21
“Sorry,” she whispered. “I just couldn’t wait to see you.” She raised her voice to her normal volume. “Help me out with these books.”733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhfQ5oT8OSN
Thankfully, IA didn’t wink this time. Yukari followed her into the office.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDyWsrtOtXb
IA grabbed her hand. “So what do you want to do after I close the library?” She brushed her hand with her thumb. Yukari looked at their intertwining fingers with pink cheeks. The corners of her mouth rose.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDsS6sQTo8c
“Can we just hang out at your place? I like your apartment. It smells of books.”733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuIB0KJg2Zl
“Um… okay.” IA couldn’t help but giggle at the request. “We can watch TV. Uh, what time do you need to be back?”733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRfCEcKwMJ
“If I’m home by 7, I should be fine.”733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGR81dfmo9
IA looked at her watch and nodded. She moved her hand from Yukari’s hand to Yukari’s cheek, stroking it with her thumb. She only did this for a second before stepping back and pulling out several books for Yukari to carry.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5LA4ygc9dQ
At IA’s apartment, the couple sat on the couch and watched a few episodes of a TV show. Yukari couldn’t tell what the show was about. She was too busy feeling her skin heat up when IA grabbed her hand and rested her head on her shoulder.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTfFV7pJze5
A large part of Yukari’s mind screamed, ‘Kiss me!’ She almost kissed IA herself but the rest of her mind was reminded of a rule she read in a magazine when she was around 10.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKoxqCLBukw
If you try to kiss on the first date, you’re likely to scare your date off.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZuPqLn1T6
As Yukari stared at the bookshelves rather than the television, a question popped into her head.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4xxjDS6b5W
“IA, what made you decide to be a librarian?”733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtQ56ZVoVJ
IA rolled her shoulders back as if she was using them to turn back time or at least remember her past.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6utR19r9Mf
“Well, I always wanted to own my own little bookshop. It would be called ‘Cloudrider Book Emporium’. You know, since reading books is like entering a dream world.” She laughed nervously and rubbed the back of her neck with her free hand. “I was a stupid kid. I wanted it to focus on fantasy and science fiction books since those take you to another world,”733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzy6cMPlCtp
“Why didn’t you?”733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxueqdnwacN
“Do you really think I’m the kind of person who could handle a business? I chose the next best option, which was being a librarian. So, what do you want to do when you leave school?”733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNhA7g86WG
Yukari shrugged. She figured her parents would tell her which university they wanted her to attend. And what course she would study. And what job she would have.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoa22HegtPa
“I’m sure a smart girl like you’ll be able to get a job you want,” IA said, nuzzling her head into Yukari’s shoulder.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJRYLI1ZvcP
“Well, I’m sure if you found the right assistant, you could make your business a reality. It sounds really cute.”733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo91CJtbG2s
IA giggled again but, judging by her red cheeks, this was more out of embarrassment than amusement. Yukari tilted her head until it was touching IA’s. They watched the rest of the episode in comfortable silence.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB1Snd0jZEz
IA and Yukari made a routine out of this, watching television after school every day. Sometimes IA would put some popcorn in the microwave and put way too much salt in the bag. Whenever she did this, she would tell Yukari about her ideas for new popcorn flavours, ranging from steak to eggplant. Yukari always found herself laughing at each new idea.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx5JM1IcpPc
Two weeks later, Roro shuffled up to Yukari. With a closed mouth he licked down the inside of his cheek for a second, his eyes not meeting hers. He then sighed.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJqKkuss4N
“Look, I’ve been thinking about what you said earlier. It would be nice to go back to how things were. Is it too late for us to be friends?”733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhf8ZUhHEg6
Yukari shook her head and reached to give him a big hug, almost pouncing on him. He stepped back in shock.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubn6wV64ov
“Um, since when do you initiate a hug like that?” he asked in a voice that made it seem like he was about to laugh.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvuj9LpiuB3
Yukari’s eyes became the size of records. IA’s response to the question about her speeding habit played through her mind.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtfMdVjcXwW
She could come up with no reply for Roro. She just stood there, dumbfounded and with the colour pink splashed onto her cheeks.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUAHzZJ0dlx
Roro chuckled. “Geez, you see a ghost or something?” He noticed her cheeks. “Was it a sexy ghost?”733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLT2f6uW7dN
Yukari snapped out of her surprised state and lightly slapped him on the arm. The two joked around until class started.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWdpXqxYkq
A week later, Yukari brought Roro to the library, telling him about her new relationship along the way.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQdmsQNfqa
Roro’s stance was a little tenser than before, but he put on a smile. 733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3tkspsAjLv
So did IA when Yukari introduced her to Roro. Her eyebrows were furrowed, but a smile was technically on her face.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3PvL5y8Tpj
“Um… nice to meet you, Mister Yuma.”733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9uaek5ltHo
Yukari patted Roro’s back. “I need to find a book for class. I’ll be back.” She left the two, who stared at each other in silence. IA eventually dropped the smile.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmD5AJaHkF
“So you’re the guy who made her cry, huh?”733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdnSpgR902
Roro took a step back and averted her stone-cold gaze. 733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfcNBqwPleG
“You don’t think I cried too?”733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzesSlb6u5C
“Oh, I’m not saying you didn’t. It’s great that you finally came around and became her friend again.”733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKluplEzxsf
Roro looked like he just ate a lemon. “Yes. I ‘finally’ did.”733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUVWQzrssg
“Are you over her yet?”733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnFi6mmX828
“I… don’t see how that’s important.”733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JBqP8PWoD
IA saw Yukari turn around and wave. She put the smile back on.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡekUG2mXC9p
“Well, you seem like a nice guy. I’d hate for you to live with unrequited feelings. I know how that feels.” As she continued speaking, she took a few books from the returns box and slammed them on top of each other to create a stack. “Just… don’t do anything to make her cry again, okay? I’m sure you’re smart enough to not make the same mistake twice.”733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxujlWzDwds
Roro finally allowed himself to look at her, and he did so with flames in his eyes. Their gazes were fierce enough to make it seem like there should be a spark of lightning worthy of scaring Zeus appearing between them.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqoMAUqsLXf
“Well, since you’re a librarian, I’m guessing you’re smart enough to learn from others’ mistakes.”733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPsqwXzzQpD
Yukari headed back to them. Before she could greet them again, Roro stormed out of the library. Yukari looked at the IA, then the door, then IA again.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJ0YzDqLn6
IA sat by her desk and began scanning students’ borrowed books, forgetting to muster up a smile. Her jaw was clenched and her eyes were narrow as they looked down.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZOseh45VGB
“I-IA?” was all Yukari could say. Who was this person in front of her?733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYm8uNSt50W
IA was back to normal that night and every night for the next few weeks. One night, IA asked Yukari what her parents were like. It took a while for Yukari to figure out the answer.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡit8I8okylR
“Well, they’re the kind of parents who are around you when they want you to do well in school but don’t care about anything else so they leave you to do whatever you want outside of study time. I don’t really talk to them much.”733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSF3FG2FRzG
IA instinctively gave her a hug. Yukari didn’t cry, but a big grin crept onto her face as she heard IA’s heartbeat speed up.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTM7wrivNE
The two looked at each other and inched closer. IA caressed Yukari’s cheek.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt12fDM9aim
“Can I… kiss you?”733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNtLakwZfLQ
Yukari nodded and closed her eyes. IA’s lips were as soft as feathers, almost tickling Yukari’s own lips.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1VGlUwenK
The couple chuckled. “That was our first kiss, wasn’t it?” IA asked. 733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX0g6FwOttJ
A later night, Yukari asked if they could hang out with Roro one day. IA nodded her head with creased eyes and the smile of a lemon sucker.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY3mOAMJrle
Roro grimaced at the offer but agreed to join them, and the three went to a park on a Sunday afternoon. IA brought a picnic basket and a blanket, or rather she bought a picnic basket and blanket for the occasion. Roro brought three store-bought bento boxes.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYpyJ3fsjmG
Together they chatted and ate like there was no animosity between them. However, when Yukari left the blanket to pat a dog, the glares returned.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgRfF1KUtqr
“She’s changed since dating you,” Roro remarked.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeK2gOAUWVT
IA ripped the tail off a fried prawn. “Is that a bad thing?”733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0phyqaOq0p
“Not bad. Just… different.”733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTpIHn89AeI
Silence.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ67vXgtvAu
Roro eventually continued. “You didn’t try to change her, did you?”733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSOfxzJMT5f
IA dropped her prawn and curled her hands into fists.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJMh0K92QaR
“Why would I want to do that? She’s wonderful. As much as I’d like to grow alongside her, I still want the core of her to remain. A good relationship won’t completely alter you, only improve you.” She picked up her prawn again and took a bite. “But that’s something adults figure out, so it’s not surprising if you don’t know that yet,” she said with the food still in her mouth.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtcmSSj4sOG
Roro stood up. “If you’re so much more mature than me, then you’re clearly too mature for Yukari.”733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxN3dONhmXQ
IA stood up as well. “She’s certainly more mature than you. What’s your problem?”733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCOirNHEky
“What’s your problem?” Roro shouted.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYg55EsriWJ
Yukari ran back after hearing this. “What’s going on?”733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3lXfItokZn
The other two ignored her. “Well sorry for thinking it’s a little strange that my girlfriend wants to spend time with both me and her ex!”733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSs7ke5bPK
“Well sorry for being ‘mature’ enough to stay friends with people after a breakup!”733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJYbPqtpHMR
“So you can worm your way back into her heart.”733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKlomUOTqMI
“You’re pathetic. Calm your tits before throwing around accusations!”733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHfLml3uKz6
“Enough!” Yukari yelled. She turned to IA. “I thought you trusted me.”733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINScrkTWjp
IA gestured to Roro. “How can I trust you around this guy when I know you’re bisexual?”733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCuH36Ae58
That last word caused a few people in the park to stare at them, including a teacher from Yukari’s school. Yukari froze, her eyes wide and her mouth open.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPgqsWudpW9
She eventually closed her eyes as they started to spit out tear after tear. IA felt as if someone had grabbed her heart and treated it like playdough, but before she could apologise, Yukari picked up her handbag and ran away.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaVHYEgBXhx
IA tried to apologise over text that night but Yukari refused to reply, instead choosing to cry into her pillow.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjg0Ya1M2Cp
The next day, the teacher from the park told IA that the Principal wanted to speak to her.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM0LttpunDA
The Principal showed her security footage showing her taking Yukari to her car. She was told to pack her things. That night she ended up staining her pillow with tears as well.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQPmPhSXQ2
However, the image of Yukari’s smile made her feel bittersweet, which she considered an improvement over the soul-crushing sadness of the situation. 733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRz4g1fFpYx
She abruptly sat up. Yukari’s words played over and over.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUS2ypYLV0e
“You could make your business a reality.”733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZYKbnQ4RAw
The next morning she headed to a bookstore and headed to the economics section.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVgaOqsYzp
Yukari still hung out with Roro, but it just wasn’t the same as before. The jokes started becoming less and less frequent. It remained this way until exams.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRycWRBS525
Just before the final exams, IA spotted Roro heading home from school and stopped her car, rolling down the window a little.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuvdOvOEdq2
“Mister Yuma, can I speak to you for a sec?”733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4gh7d7tFgh
Roro continued walking for a bit and IA followed him. “Please. You deserve an apology.”733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWo8FmA7PeM
Roro stopped and glared at her. “And what about Yukari?”733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG73Dj8XDR2
“I just haven’t built up the courage for that yet.”733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrShPNYaaxw
“So I’m supposed to be your guinea pig so you can know how to get her back on your side?”733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiDmhcLkfOW
IA looked down at the concrete next to the car, her hand folded over the top of the remaining glass window. 733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeIV2wq6yxG
“I don’t think she’s going to be on my side. I don’t think she’s going to forgive me and even if she did, she probably won’t forget. If I can make myself say sorry and let her know how much I mean that apology, that’s enough.”733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4kbqQNbLts
Roro saw IA’s expression and felt as if a hole in his heart has been patched up. He felt freed from some mysterious force as soon as he realised that he would not have worn that expression if he was in her shoes.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfzHfSCKr0Z
“So I noticed you’re not in the library anymore,” Roro said. “What happened?”733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIU9Wai97Pk
“Oh, I’m making plans for a bookstore business I want to create.”733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX97QmcaN6b
“How’s that going for you?”733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBEhPWGk0Kx
IA laughed. “Not super great, to be honest. I really need some people to help me since I hardly know anything about budgeting or planning. I don’t have any employers. I want to make an international online store but my English is a little rusty.”733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgW39KFTkaW
Roro stroked his chin. “Huh. Have you thought about hiring some people who are good at different languages?”733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsaJpPQ78UG
IA rubbed the back of her neck. “I didn’t think to do that. Thanks for the tip. Um, goodbye, and once again I’m sorry.” She drove off. When Roro arrived home, instead of procrastinating like he expected to do he went straight into studying for the exams.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46n1D19L7L
Graduation rolled around, and after the ceremony, Yukari and her parents passed a building available for lease. IA was standing in front of it and tapping her chin. When she saw Yukari she beamed at her.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzfYgAXKg3j
“Yukari! Can I speak to you?”733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtX53HAV7rM
Yukari continued walking. Her mother asked her who it was and Yukari didn’t answer.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb6wMI6Ha5M
“I won’t ask for anything, I just think you deserve to hear me say sorry,” IA pleaded her.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwIpy0a8TnL
Yukari stopped and turned around. She told her parents to wait there as she walked back to IA.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiF5VA1NcQC
She crossed her arms. “I must say it was unexpected. That day it was like you were a completely different person.”733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUDktwqpm5
“It was the same me, just a crappy side of me. I was just…” IA began to tear up. “I was so scared that you’d leave me for someone else like you did to Roro.” She shook her head. “No, I shouldn’t give excuses. I was an insecure idiot and I ruined everything. I love you and someone who’s in love with someone shouldn’t treat the other person like that. So, um, goodbye. I hope you find someone wonderful who doesn’t have a terrible side to them.”733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMpPw9Gwc7
Yukari rubbed her lips together in thought. IA waited patiently for Yukari to return to her parents. Yukari remembered a message she received before exams.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nzOSdB8hq
The other day IA apologised to me. Has she said sorry to you yet? She said she was going to- Roro row your boat733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmljr5T1PCx
She grabbed IA’s hand, causing her to stare at her like she’d grown a second head.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZBbVpMBFPH
“I doubt anyone is perfect and has no terrible side to them. They just learn to keep it in check. Just… don’t use my sexuality as an insult ever again.”733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUi62ge8QyQ
“Roger that. I’m such as idiot.”733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKX4F2plxYy
“I’ll… I’ll message you tonight. You have one more shot. No third strikes. I’m only giving you two.”733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Ba92NUUuR
IA nodded. “I look forward to redeeming myself.” She almost gave her a kiss but then she remembered that Yukari’s parents were standing there.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWbfbgORwTH
Yukari managed to get into university and, with the permission of her parents, changed her course to Business. IA had told her about the bookstore and Yukari jumped at the idea.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBk72QiBSBY
Roro got a high score in English for the first time in a while and used that knowledge to help with the building of the bookstore website.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYqB1sbWsf
IA still felt jealous whenever Yukari was hanging out with someone else, but she learned to control her feelings by reminding herself that Yukari loved her. The store took a while to gain customers, so IA was by herself a lot of the time and she used that time to reflect on her previous mistakes.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS7YOEX3Yox
About a month into Yukari’s first year at university, she introduced IA to her parents. They were a little worried until they saw the way IA’s eyes sparkled whenever she talked about their daughter.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡez7zSXxua8
After classes, Yukari helped out at the store, so sometimes it wasn’t just IA and the books. Sometimes it was her, the books and the adorable bookworm she fell in love with.
ns18.119.122.86da2
