Well guys, we're nearly at the end of this lovely journey. One more chapter to go after this... 
So, enjoy this chapter and thanks for reading! 
Chapter Five “Is it just me, or have you two gone awkward after I was away for just one day” Juri whispered into Yuka’s ear. “I mean I understand I’m the pillar of this trio, but come one” she praised herself in the process too.
Yuka just laughed. “No, we’re fine. She’s probably just not feeling it today”
“Whatever you say” Juri raised her eyebrows in question of Yuka’s comment.
“How was your visit to Kawaei’s place then?” Yuka asked.
Juri shrugged. “Alright, her parents were still getting used to our relationship but they’re opening up”
“That’s good”
“Wait” an idea popped into Juri’s head at that moment. “Could it be something happened between you and Karen? You did like her before, so…”
Yuka nearly choked on the water she was drinking. “No, not at all!”
“Okay then, whatever you say” Juri raised her eyebrows again in suspicion. “No matter what, this atmosphere is definitely off”
“I told you… There’s nothing going on,” Yuka repeated for the hundredth time.
“Yuka”
A very familiar voice called from behind. Yuka glanced over at Karen who seemed to have realized who it was too. Yuka gulped praying nothing too dramatic will happen, but she trusted that the two were mature enough. She turned around and smiled. “Tomu, what is it?”
Tomu gave a quick look at Karen who was staring right at her. “The teacher wants to see you in the staff room” she informed.
Yuka nodded. “Okay, cool”
“You have some nerve, still showing up” Karen hissed.
“I’m still a school representative” Tomu replied calm. “I have no intention of letting her go either. So, live with it”
Karen gave a smile. “That’s alright, I’ll make you give up then”
Yuka was stuck in the middle again. She didn’t what to do, she wanted to break their passive argument but the atmosphere was so heavy she couldn’t even step into their realm. All she did was watch, hoping they wouldn’t hit each other any time soon.
Tomu stayed mum for a while before turning back to Yuka. “Anyways, you better go now”
“Okay”
“And, don’t worry. I’m leaving” Tomu said to Karen who was definitely not in the most hospitable mood. But, she turned around and looked at Karen who was still glaring. “You know, you’re attitude is just going to stress her out. If you cared, you would stop or at least control yourself” her tone was harsh.
Karen clenched her jaws at the comment and watched the girl walk away from the table. She could feel the truth behind Tomu’s words, but didn’t want to admit to it. Yes, it’s childish of her but the thought of being the reason behind Yuka’s distress made her cower. She could feel herself scoff. How stupid, suffocating someone with forced love.
“Uh, you okay?” Juri inquired the silent friend who was lost in thought. “You still love her” she carried on, knowing Karen won’t respond anytime soon.
Karen snapped out of her little daze and sighed. “Something like that” she stood up and flashed a smile down at Juri. “I just remembered I needed to do something. See you around”
Juri nodded. “Sure”
~
“I’m sorry”
Yuka turned around. Tomu was still following her. “About what?” she asked as she turned back around continuing to make her way to the staff room. She knew why the girl was apologizing but she wanted to act uninformed.
“The kiss” Tomu breathed out ever so quietly.
Yuka could feel herself stiffen ever so slightly at the reply. It felt so odd hearing it. “It’s okay” she brushed off. “I was just surprised”
“I’ll give you time” Tomu spoke again. This time louder, her tone was much firmer. “I’ll wait for you”
Yuka stopped walking and pivoted her feet to turn herself around. Tomu stopped too and made sure to keep her distance, just in case. “What’s wrong?” Tomu asked.
“Since when did you realize your feelings for me?” Yuka’s sudden question not only took Tomu by surprise but also herself. She didn’t back down however, she wanted an answer.
“Since before I knew it” Tomu whispered. It seemed like a reluctant response but she was just unsure of herself. She didn’t know when it all happened. It just happened. Her eyes were on the floor as she carried on. “Somewhere along all the conversations, glances and laughs I found myself falling for you” Tomu looked up and smiled. “But, I know, you had feelings for Karen didn’t you?”
Yuka gulped at the rhetorical question. She felt the need to explain but at the time she thought, what for? There was no point. It’s not going to change anything so she just kept her mouth shut. Everything will be easier that way.
Tomu sighed. “I was out of line yesterday, I just wanted you to know that I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable or anything. And, I’ll wait” she turned away and left Yuka alone in the corridor.
Yuka felt hopeless as she watched the disappearing back of the girl. It made her feel sick; she’s never felt this before. A lump formed in her throat as she found it hard to swallow. Her muscles were paralyzed. It felt foreign, these emotions. It confused her. All she did was just stand there. Alone.
~
Karen waited outside the school building, hoping to bump into Yuka. But, it seems she was getting ahead of herself. There’s no one Yuka would just amble out casually, not after what happened. She felt disappoint engulf her system as she decided to return home by herself. Karen was scared; she wanted to mend things quickly. She didn’t want Yuka ignoring or acting fine around her. It wasn’t what she planned. She didn’t plan that kiss. She didn’t plan Tomu to barge in. She didn’t plan any of this. If only life had an undo button, she’d press it right now and undo everything that happened. She’d undo witnessing the bullies Yuka had to tolerate. She’d undo protecting Yuka. She’d undo opening herself up to Yuka. She’d undo loving Yuka.
“Karen”
This voice, it's familiar. Karen turned and immediately frowned at the sight. “What do you want?” it was Tomu, the last person she wanted to see today.
Tomu walked up to her and inhaled deeply. “I just wanted to apologize for what I said at the canteen”
Karen nodded. “Sure”
“And, for what I did to you in the past”
Karen scoffed. “That doesn’t even matter anymore”
“Still” Tomu sighed. “I’m sorry”
Silence filled the area and it was almost eerie. Tomu decided to leave, thinking they were done. But, Karen spoke and interrupted. “Yuka loves you,” she blurted out unable to hold it in anymore. “I knew and I denied it. I forced myself onto her, she didn’t deserve that” she spoke as if she was speaking to herself. “But, I need to accept it now because I can’t change her anymore. I can’t change her love for you, and I hate it”
Tomu stopped and remained still, she was right beside Karen facing the opposite direction. “Don’t worry, you’re not the only one in denial”
Karen noted the seemingly bitter tone in the latter and turned her head a bit to look at the profile of Tomu. “What do you mean?”
Tomu’s eyes looked down to the ground, smiling. “Yuka is as well” she looked back at Karen and gave a light chuckle. “It seems like we both found ourselves friend zoned. I wonder which is worse, not being loved or being ignored”
Topic: I Know... [TanoTomu] - COMPLETED (Read 11144 times)