I sent Koto-chan countless messages and called her numerous times, but never got a response. This made me decide to go to her house. It didn’t take a while for me to arrive at her place. I got out of my car and rang the doorbell. The door was opened by an old lady wearing a maid outfit. She greeted me with a smile and said, “Are you Fuyuki?”

  I nodded. “Yeah, I’m a friend of Kotone.”

  The old lady sighed in relief. “I’m actually quite worried about the young lady. Ever since she entered middle school, she’s not the same anymore. She used to be such a sweet girl but now, she’s changed so much. She locks herself in her room all day and barely goes out but she always had a smile on her face when she talked to me about you. She also won’t open up about anything. I’m just worried about her… I’ll lead you to her room.”

  There was an air of awkward tension as we approached Koto-chan’s room. So much what-ifs came to my mind as we walked towards her room. I knocked on the door….. There was no answer. I knocked on it again….. No answer once more. I knocked on it once more but before I could finish, she opened the door. Her normally soft and well-kept hair was messy and her eyes looked dead. I could see pills on her table. I stood there in horror.

  “Kotone?, D-Don’t tell me… No, don’t, PLEASE! I-I CAN’T LOSE YOU! I NEED YOU! I… I LOVE YOU!”

  I was surprised with what I said.

  I… love her… I probably have for quite some time now…

  Tears started flowing. “Koto-chan, don’t leave me…” I continued sobbing. Her eyes were wide open but it didn’t take a while for me to feel warm arms around me.

  “How could I when you’re crying like this? I can’t resist this…” Her hold on me got tighter. “I love you too…”

  “Please don’t ever think of doing that ever again,” I said in between sobs.

  “I won’t, I promise…”

  “You better do it!”

  I could feel her soft lips touching the corner of my eye. My cheeks instantly reddened. I looked at her and she gazed at me with a small hint of affection. I snuggled closer. We stayed like that for a while.

  ???

  I picked up Koto-chan from school and we went there together. When we arrived together, we could hear whispers from everyone.

  “Don’t tell me Yuki wasn’t being delulu at Furukawa-sama, that they-“ A girl whispered to her friend.

  “Shh, not too loud.” The friend whispered. “To be honest, I didn’t expect Furukawa-sama to be into her. I guess they’re both… you know but I’d rather not mess with the Furukawas.” Her friend continued.

  “Yeah, you’re right.”

  I looked at Koto-chan, who seemed to feel uneasy about the situation, as I held her hand tighter. Just as we were walking around the hallway, we bumped into Akane-chan and the others.

  “Well, who would’ve thought that the feeling is mutual, huh? I guess Yuki over here isn’t that delusional.” The brunette snickered.

  I could feel my blood boiling. “Stop it, Kaede-chan!”

  Haruka-chan and Kaede-chan laughed. Akane-chan just stood there.

  “If you have nothing good to say, then we’re leaving.”

  With that, we walked away from them. I could hear their laughter from afar. We then went to a more secluded spot. “Koto-chan, don’t let them get into you. I won’t let anyone hurt you, okay?”

  She looked at me like she was about to cry. “I just can’t take this anymore, and I don’t want them to mess with you too.”

  “Koto-chan, as much as the whole world is against us, I would never leave you.” I looked at her affectionately. It didn’t take her too long to break down in tears. This time, I was the one who held her. “Now, it’s my turn.” She chuckled at my comment. We stayed like that for quite some time.

  ???

  I was inside Koto-chan’s room and I saw a lot of manga on her shelf and drawing supplies scattered on her desk. We were in her bed, all cuddled up.

  “You know, it’s a good thing you didn’t stop being a mangaka.”

  She looked at me and said, “And why is that?”

  I smiled. “Because you’ve always enjoyed making manga and I won’t be able to make it with you…”

  She rolled her eyes. “And who would enjoy making manga with a pathetic shy girl like me…”

  I pulled away from her and said, “Don’t ever call yourself pathetic ever again! If I ever hear you call yourself names again, I’ll get mad because it’s not true!” I pouted.

  She looked down and sighed. “You’re just trying to make me feel better…”

  I looked at her pleading and gave her hands a gentle squeeze. “But seriously though, you shouldn’t say those things about yourself because it’s not true, you know. It hurts me to hear that you see yourself that way… In my eyes, you’re my sweet and cute little girlfriend. Actually can I squeeze your cheeks? It looks so soft…”

  She laughed. “That’s so random but I don’t mind…”

  I gently squeezed her cheeks. Her cheeks got a bit red.

  Her cheeks are so soft! I can do this all day and never get tired of it. She’s like a cute little kitten… Well, my cute little kitten now… I was an idiot for letting them mess with her. I should’ve stopped them way earlier! Why did I have to be such a coward about this! Well, the damage has been done… Kaede-chan and Haruka-chan aren’t worth it anyways…

  She looked at me, worried. She cupped my cheek before she spoke with her usual soft voice laced with concern. “You look like you’re about to cry… Did I do something wrong?”

  I blinked, trying to stop the tears from rolling. “It’s just that, I… I should’ve stopped them way earlier and it took me more than a year. You even almost ended your life because of my cowardice!”

  Her gaze at me never faltered. “Fuyuki, even if you never directly interfered, you’d always be there for me. Remember when you bought me a new set of our uniform when they ruined mine? Remember when you bought me food when they spilled mine? You’d even ask me how I’m feeling almost every single day. You’ve always looked out for me. All of those mean a lot to me. Please don’t blame yourself over this.”

  I couldn’t hold back anymore. “How could I not blame myself when they’ve affected you so much!” I said in between sobs.

  A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  She wiped my tears and said, “The important part is that they’ve stopped. They haven’t even spoken to me in months… It’s all over now…”

  “But-“

  “Didn’t you say earlier that I shouldn’t call myself names? Then why are you calling yourself a coward?”

  “But-“ I was interrupted by her index finger on my lips.

  “Shhh…”

  I sobbed on her chest.

  I should be the one comforting her, not the other way around… I should stop self-pitying and actually start being there for her.

  ???

  4 Years Later

  It was a couple of months since school started. Leaves started to fall, and the weather was getting colder. Akane-chan, Koto-chan, and I were at a nearby cafe. After Akane-chan took a sip of her frappuccino, she said, “It’s really impressive that you have been together for 4 years! If you’re still together even after uni, I would love to be a part of your wedding.”

  I looked at Koto-chan before chuckling. “Same-sex marriage isn’t exactly allowed here in Japan, and you know that my father and I have never spoken to each other. I mean, he’s always busy...”

  Akane-chan sighed. “Right… I’m actually quite impressed with Prime Minister Furukawa, whom I guess also happens to be your father. Not once has he ever dared to talk to you. I never thought that a parent could ever do this to their own child.”

  “I don’t really mind it by this point. If he doesn’t want to be my life, then so be it. Besides, there are other ways for same-sex couples to be recognized. We could get a partnership certificate. As long as we have each other, everything will work out.” I said as I squeezed Koto-chan’s hand.

  Koto-chan’s cheeks were as red as a tomato. “F-Fuyuki, we’re still at high school and you’ve already thought of those things!?”

  Akane-chan took another sip of her frappuccino. “I’m actually pretty surprised that you’ve thought about it that far.”

  I couldn’t help but pout as a joke. “Do I look like I’m not serious about Koto-chan?”

  “Fuyuki-chan, it’s quite obvious that you’re very much serious about your relationship.” Akane-chan deadpanned.

  Koto-chan started laughing.

  “Even Kotone-san agrees with me…”

  I started playing with my hair. “Am I really that clingy…?

  “Even if you are, I actually find it cute…”

  I snuggled against Koto-chan’s shoulder and smiled. “I just like being close to her…”

  I’ll never get tired of Koto-chan…

  Akane-chan had a peaceful expression. “They say that couples are only like that at the start, but in your case, I think that you are still as infatuated with one another when you’ve started dating. Now, I’m actually getting rather envious.”

  I chuckled. “You know, everyone has been shipping you and Tanaka-kun. He seems to be pretty into you, girl.”

  “Oh yeah, they’ve been calling you the princess and prince of the school… Everyone thinks that you’re perfect together, but I think someone else has captured your heart, Akane-san.”

  Akane-chan’s cheeks were slightly red from Koto-chan’s remark. “So you’ve noticed…”

  My eyes widened. “You’re really into Takahashi-san!?”

  Koto-chan was the one who deadpanned this time. “She’s not even trying to hide it. It’s just that everyone’s too busy shipping Akane-san and Tanaka-kun.”

  I bursted out in laughter when I remembered. “Oh yeah, Akane-chan was like, would Takahashi-san like my little gift for her.” I imitated Akane-chan’s voice.

  “And then she was so busy trying to wrap the gift for her perfectly that she wasn’t able to sleep.” I couldn’t stop laughing.

  Akane-chan was so red that she looked like she was about to pass out. “A-Am I-I really that o-obvious?”

  I grinned. “Yes.”

  Akane-chan looked like she was going to die from embarrassment.

  “Fuyuki, I think you went a little too far on Akane-san…” Her voice was laced with a bit of worry.

  I scratched my nape. “Yeah, I definitely did…”

  Crap, I went too far… Now how do I make it up to Akane-chan?? OH, I have an idea!

  “Hmm, what if we help you get together with Takahashi-san?”

  Akane-chan gleamed in joy. “Really? You would do that for me?”

  “Of course, we will, right Koto-chan?” I looked at her.

  She smiled. “Of course, we’d be happy to help you, Akane-san!”

  “Why not write her a love letter, Akane-chan.”

  Ah, this brings me back to a time when Akane-chan would help me read all the love letters I received because there was way too much to read in one sitting… Well, they stopped right after I started dating Koto-chan, which is understandable…

  “And slip it inside her shoe locker too!” I enthusiastically said.

  Akane-chan’s cheeks reddened once again. “Won’t that be too embarrassing?”

  “I think Tanaka-kun’s hilarious declarations of love are way more embarrassing.”

  “The important part is that you were able to confess your feelings to her sincerely, Akane-san.”

  Akane-san took a deep breath. “I really do hope that everything will work out like I’m hoping for…”

  ???

  The sun had set for quite some time now. I was lying in Koto-chan’s bed while she was drawing another chapter of her manga. “I hope everything goes well with Akane-chan’s confession.”

  “I don’t think she’ll reject Akane-san though. She seems to also be into her…”

  I sighed in relief. “That’s a good thing. I just want Akane-chan to be happy. Takahashi-san seems like a sweet girl too.”

  “Don’t worry about it too much,” said Koto-chan.

  A LINE notification appeared in my phone. It was a picture of Akane-chan and Takahashi-san in a cafe.

  “She said yes!” I squealed in excitement.

  “See, there’s nothing to worry about. I’m finally done!” She sighed in relief.

  It didn’t take a while for me to feel my arms wrapped around me. I turned around to face her. “They say that I’m the clingy one but when we’re alone…”

  She pretended to pout. “Is it a bad thing?”

  “Nope, please continue using me as your body pillow!” I said, puffing out my chest.

  Her cheeks reddened. “Th-There are better ways to word that, you know?”

  “What’s wrong with a body pillow, not unless… you’re thinking about something lewd…” I smirked.

  Her cheeks were now as red as a tomato. “N-No, you’re just making me sound like some kind of pervert.”

  “Don’t tell me you’re thinking of those anime body pillows.” I struggled to suppress my laughter.

  She shyly nodded as I couldn’t hold it anymore and burst into laughter.

  “There are body pillows with no print on them, you know.”

  Her eyes slightly widened. “Oh…”

  I laughed even harder. “Now where did you hide your body pillows?”

  She glared at me. “You know what, if you don’t want to cuddle, then I’ll stop!”

  She turned around, facing away from me.

  “Pwease?”

  She didn’t budge.

  “I need to recharge my Koto-chan batteries…” I whined.

  She turned to face me and started laughing. “Leave it to you when it comes to saying the most absurd things.”

  I smirked. “But it worked, now I need more cuddles!”

  She happily obliged as we continued chatting until I fell asleep in her arms.

  ???

  We were walking around at the arcade. I also made Koto-chan wear matching Lolita dresses, with me wearing the white one, while Koto-chan wore the pink one. Afterwards, we proceeded to stumble upon a photo booth. “Koto-chan, we should try out the photo booth!”

  She averted her gaze and muttered, “B-But I’m not pretty like you…”

  “Oh it’s fine, we’re just gonna have some fun. Besides, you’re so adorable, you know.”

  “F-Fine…”

  As we went into the photo booth, her cheeks were as red as a tomato but somehow, she was kinda getting used to it. We were trying all sorts of fun poses until we reached last pose where I felt a soft sensation as I opened my eyes. We awkwardly looked each other in the eye for a few seconds.

  “K- Koto-chan!? Now you need to give me more~”

  “N-not here!”

  “Okay, I’ll wait for that later~”

  After that, we played as many games as we could until the sun went down.