Checkmate

10

"...So that's about it. I'm sorry I didn't tell you earlier, Yuigahama, but given that Miura has already told you about everything, I'm sure you understand why."

"Hmmm... Well... You could still have told me you two became friends, meanie! It makes me really happy to know two of my closest friends have also become friends. A-ah, but Yukinon, you're still more important to me than Hikki is! S-sorry Hikki, I mean... Um... Agh."

As Yuigahama tried to amend her statement as to not offend either of us, my gaze met Yukinoshita's at the other end of the table. A small smile of amusement appeared on the black-haired girl's face, and I could feel a similar smile on my own face. As soon as I felt my heartbeat rising, however, I had to avert my gaze again. ...I was a nervous wreck after what happened on Sunday, but actually spending time with Yukinoshita like that did make me more comfortable around her... Though only a little bit, as evidenced by my heart rate still skyrocketing when around her. Showing me such a cute expression doesn't help either!

"...But really, I wouldn't have guessed that you would help Yumiko with something like this, ahahaa..." Yuigahama's words brought my attention back to her, and I saw her playing with her hair bun. "I-I mean... You didn't really get along with her before, right, Hikki?" Yuigahama then asked from me.

"Yukinoshita asked the same thing. And I guess the best answer is that... We didn't get along because neither of us truly knew the other." I replied, briefly glancing at Yukinoshita, who quietly sipped her tea without looking back at me. "But when Miura... opened up to me, she turned out to be nothing like my initial impression had been, and it was very much the same for her." I awkwardly scratched my cheek as Yuigahama looked at me intently. Stop that, it's making recounting all this even more embarrassing than it already is.

"I... see." I found Yuigahama's lack of energy in her answer curious, and looked to see her with her gaze turned downwards, but she soon jerked her head back up and smiled. "B-but I really am glad you two could become friends! Maybe we could all hang out together sometime? You're welcome too, Yukinon!" Yuigahama was back to her usual self so quickly I questioned whether the look I had seen on her face just a moment ago was all but a dream. I can tell that she really is happy about Miura and I becoming... friendlier, but... Could she really be mad that I didn't tell her and is just keeping it in? Being honest with those close to you... Realizing that Yuigahama was glancing between Yukinoshita and I with an expectant look on her face, I met the blue eyes of the girl at the other end of the table again briefly.

"...Yeah, sorry, but no."

"I must respectfully decline your offer."

"Ehhhhh? Come on, guys! It will be fun! I think you should really become friends with Yumiko as well, Yukinon!" Yuigahama leaned closer to Yukinoshita, who in turn leaned away from her, sending me a pleading glance as she did. Looking to me for help, huh? Wait, stop looking at me with those eyes. You'll really make want to come over there and pry Yuigahama off you, then confess my feelings to you and get rejected. Holding back my true feelings (Yeah, that whole 'being honest' thing is going really well, I know – but it's still in the planning phase!), I instead gave her a shrug accompanied by a slight smile. But, now that I'm seeing Yuigahama again... She doesn't seem to have changed her behaviour much. She was acting just like before during classes today, talking mostly with Miura and Ebina, and Miura did say that she was going to help her...

"You talked with Miura on Friday, right, Yuigahama?" Hearing my question, the girl turned to me again, before her eyes widened and she averted her gaze again.

"Ah... yes, I did." Yuigahama moved away from Yukinoshita and fidgeted a little."She... told me everything, about what had happened and what she wanted to do. Well, apart from befriending you, Hikki."