The four students separated their paths as they went back to their homes. Hinako and Ayase walked side by side as they proceed on the way to the station. “Say, Hinako…” Ayase called.

Tilting her head, Hinako looks at Ayase. “Hmm?”

“Let’s make a detour first before going home? What do you think?”

“I’m down for it.” she smiles. “Where should we go?”

Ayase ponders as she looks around. There are some stalls around, but she can’t choose which to go. “If you want, let’s get some Tapioca tea?”

“Sure, let’s go.” Hinako answered. The two girls proceeds on the stall of Tapioca Tea store and bought two cups, each one for them.

“This is kind of sweet…” Hinako utter after she took a sip from the cup she both. Sitting at the chair near the window of the store, both girls enjoy the drink they bought.

“Really?” Ayase asked. “Yeah, want to take a sip?” Hinako replied as she offers the cup. That made Ayase twitched, having a thought that she might get an indirect kiss.

“Ahm…” she mumbled.

“What’s wrong…?” Hinako asked, looking at Ayase.

“Well, don’t you think… it may be an indirect kiss?”

Ayase’s voice show wonder and anxiousness as she asked the question. Hinako, seemed not bothered to the words Ayase asked, answered an honest reply. “I think it’s fine if it’s you, though…”

“Huh?”

That nonchalant rebut made Ayase’s eyebrows furrowed with curiosity and surprise. She didn’t expect what Hinako said. “We’re friends. More of like, sisters…. so sharing something isn’t I mind much.”

Right, that justified their relationship. Hinako, for Ayase, is like a sister. She’s an irreplaceable someone in her life. More of like, a half piece of hers.

Yet, the thought that they’re just like that somewhat made her feel tingly.

“Why…? Why do I feel like this?”

“Ayase?”

Hinako suddenly called her name. Ayase then responded quickly, like someone splashed a cold water to her. “Huh?” she asked.

“The music in the store.” Hinako rendered. Though, it’s kind of faint, enough to make a relaxing vibe, they still heard it.

“It’s the song Kira and Senior Sakagami sang in the Karaoke.”

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The song played in the background made Ayase recalled that day. “Yeah, it’s that song…” she smiles. The melody and rhythm entangled through the whole surroundings, giving a vibrant sensation to everyone.

“That’s a kind of special song, don’t you think?” Hinako added.

“Definitely.” Ayase replied. “♪ 君の片割れに　私がなるよ ♪” (I’ll be your missing piece…)

She sangs the almost ending part of the song, with a smile on her lips. That made Hinako looked at her with passion, and smiles as well. “I am, too. I want to be your missing piece.”

Ayase petrified from what her friend conveyed. “Huh?”

“Don’t pretend you didn’t heard what I said.” Hinako narrowed her eyes. “No, it’s not that… I mean….”

Hinako left a soft giggle and taps Ayase’s shoulder. “I’m just kidding! Come on! Let’s finish this and go home.”

Although, Ayase doesn’t truly convinced about what Hinako told she’s joking, she chose to feigned to those words. Yet, the tangling feeling only keep lingers in her chest.

Why does she need to feel like this? Hinako is a good friend, and someone she can lean on. A person that can understand her. And the girl she loves.

“Love…” Ayase mumbled. Through that word conveyed out made her perceive something uncertain. Uncertain that she does want to know about, and the answer relies in front of her.

The answer if she really likes Hinako, not as a friend, but as a woman.

“Hmmm?” Hinako utter. She catches the eyes of Ayase, whose seriously glaring at her.

“No, uhm…” Ayase utter as her eyes avert off from the girl.

“No, stop this… Ayase! You’re not in love with your friend. You’re still at the stage of moving on from Senior Sakagami!”

Ayase clenched her fist, trying to bury the thoughts she has to Hinako. This isn’t right. Even if Hinako knows her gender preference when it comes to romance, that doesn’t mean she’s also go with it.

“Something the matter, Ayase?” Hinako asked, showing concern to her friend.

“Huh? No… it’s nothing.” Ayase replied, giving a wry smile.

Hinako just nods as a response. They both become quiet right after.

****

Arriving at the train station platform, Hinako and Ayase both boarded on the same platform. Along the journey way back home, the two girls just remain silent to each other.

Off and on-boarding passengers passed on each station. In a few minutes, they both arrived at the station to get off. The two of them got off and walked side by side again.

But none of them cracked the silence in between. Ayase feels conflicted to her feelings for Hinako, while Hinako just kept her silence while stealing glance at the girl.

“I’m getting off here.” Hinako breaks the eerie silence between them as they passed the crossed street. “Ah, yeah… see you, Hinako.” Ayase waves as she faces her.

“See you, Ayase…” Hinako waves back and smiles. The sunset rays reclined on the empty road towards their way home. Their shadows both lengthening through the way.

They walk in each path they destined to take. Their respective ways, towards home.

“What am I doing…?” Ayase mumbled as she walks. The clacking sound of loafers heard in the asphalt road halted. All this time they’re both quiet, she’s trying to understand everything.

She wants to understand these tingling feelings hanging inside her. The reason why Hinako said those words.

Ayase, showing hesitation to turn, gritted her teeth. “I want to understand these feelings!”

She doesn’t know what will happen if these feelings starts to grow. But all she wants is to see that smile of Hinako. Each and everyday… to the point that she wants to protect it.

In her mind is the image of Hinako with that sweet smile. That smile making her feel fluttered. And she wants to see that every single day.

“All right,” Ayase grunted, and takes a deep breath. She then turns to face the road where Hinako is. With a might build on her, she dashed towards where the girl is.

She runs, filled with anxiousness and determination to clarify these feelings inside her.

“HINAKOOO!!” at the top of her lungs, she shouts the girl’s name. Reaching her in a few distance, Ayase halted. Hinako then face her with wonder, and amusement.

“Hinako…” Ayase grunts, catching her breath.

“What…?” she asked. As Ayase lifts her face and their eyes meet, she was sure these uncertain feelings is the real deal. Though, she still thinking that there are rendered feelings for Senior Sakagami, that won’t be matter anymore.

Grabbing both of her hands, Ayase gripped it tightly as she directly looks into her eyes. “I think,” she started.

Her heart thumps fast; she thinks that the next words she’s going to say will make their friendship collapsed. Even so, there’s nothing matter to those thoughts anymore.

Yes, the thoughts on her mind doesn’t really matter. Because she wants now is the person in front, looking eye-to-eye. And from there…

“I think I’m in love with you…”