Alluring Secret [TechiNeru]

The Decision

"Looks like our baby Techi is in a good mood," Manaka remarks as she eyes Yurina, "I believe the time you spent with the Nagahama heiress has paid off."

Yurina stares back at Manaka who had a smirk plastered on her face. "It's not what you think it is," she answers with a blank expression on her face.

Manaka frowns, "Don't tell me you didn't tell her..."

Yurina shakes her head, "she doesn't need to know."

"Then, you're giving up on her?" Manaka questions, frustration evident on her voice.

Yurina answers with a nod, "I think being friends is a much better choice. Besides, she's engaged with your buddy, Fuyuka, remember?"

"Did you even know that Fuuchan is devastated that Neru doesn't love her at all?" Manaka asks, "She says Neru's in love with someone else but because of her, Neru can't love that person anymore. You know what this means, right?"

"I know, but it's inappropriate." Yurina answers back stubbornly.

"Don't tell me you'll keep meeting up with Neru as Techi?" Manaka asks exasperatedly. She couldn't believe Yurina at all. She could've snatched Neru right under Fuyuka's nose if she just told the former of her identity.

Yurina smiles awkwardly at Manaka. "I don't know if I should meet her again. She's engaged, Pippi... I.. I don't want to cause her trouble."

"You're totally unbelievable!" Manaka exclaims, "Risa?! Please tell this baby otter what a fool she is!" Manaka yells at her lover who has just emerged from their room after changing into comfortable clothes.

"Mona, just leave her be." Risa tells her girlfriend sternly. "She'll decide the course of her actions, I thought you said we should support her decisions?" She reminds Manaka of her own words.

Manaka sighs as she gets off the couch, "Make up your mind, Techi."

******

Laying on the bed, Techi recalls the time she spent with Neru at her engagement party.

Indeed they sneaked out into the maze garden even though they knew that people would question them specially Neru since she's already engaged and the very same party they ditched was Neru's engagement party but Yurina had felt that she needed to get them away from the prying eyes of the society.

The time they spent together was brief yet somewhat peaceful. Neru had opened up about the unwanted engagement, the break-up with her secret lover, and her being a huge coward for not being honest about them and hurting her lover for her family's sake.

"Thank you for listening to my rants, Tecchan. I find your presence comforting and soothing. You really remind me of her."

These were Neru's words after she let out all of her pent up frustration regarding her engagement with Fuyuka. Yurina did want to tell Neru it was her, that she understood her decision, that she was sorry for being childish, but she had to keep up her facade. She had to pretend for Neru's sake. She knows how much Neru loves and cares for her family.

"You'll be coming with the Shida-Watanabe couple on the upcoming party our family will hold, right? " Neru asked her, eyes sparkling in anticipation.

"Uhn! We'll come." She replied to the girl with a smile.

She is now unsure if she should be attending as she told the girl. She just told her that just so the girl would stop clinging onto her. She had already gotten herself a glare from Fuyuka when they came back to the party. Neru then had linked arms with her, a smile plastered on her face as they were greeted by the trio. She was actually glad that Manaka had decided to excuse themselves telling Fuyuka that it was getting late.