"Girls, it's time to rest. You can't stay up too late" Celeste said
"Yes mother" Himeko said
"Are you sure you all want to sleep in the same room?" Celeste asked
"Yeah. I'll be sleeping with my cousin while Mei sleeps with Himeko. It's fine" Yuzu said
"Okay. If anything happens just come to my room" Celeste said and closed the door
"Are you two comfortable?" Himeko asked
"Yeah we're fine. Shai is already asleep" Yuzu said as she pointed at the girl who easily passed out
"I'll be joining her soon. I'm really tired. Sweet dreams everyone" Himeko said
"Hopefully everyone sleeps well" Yuzu said
"Goodnight" Mei said. Yuzu lied down and stared at the ceiling. She couldn't help but smile softly and closed her eyes
Please let me dream of Mei...
The clock ticked for hours and the girls seemed to be resting peacefully until one of them woke up fast
"Ha!" Mei gasped as she got up breathing heavily. She winced in pain feeling her head throb and looked around. Her eyes caught a glimpse of a light and looked up seeing the bathroom light on
"Huh?" Mei asked and got up. She spotted the two other girls sleeping still and walked towards the bathroom
"Yuzu?" Mei asked and heard a soft cry coming from the other side of the door
"Yuzu, what's wrong? Are you okay?" Mei asked as she tried opening the door but it was locked
"Yuzu, open up" Mei said and heard a click from the doorknob. The door opened revealing the girl who had tear stains and puffy eyes
"M-mei...uhm I-" Yuzu paused as Mei reached out hugging her. Yuzu pressed her lips together, feeling tears building up in her eyes again. She held onto Mei and let out soft whimpers trying to hold back her cries
"What happened?" Mei asked while holding her
"I-I don't...I-I don't know...i-it was dark a-and I-I..." Yuzu paused as she started crying again. Mei hugged her tightly feeling her heart ache hearing her cry
"Relax...I'm here for you" Mei said rubbing her back
"I-I woke up f-feeling really s-scared..." Yuzu said
"Why didn't you wake me up?" Mei asked
"I-I didn't w-want to bother you. I-I thought I could calm down" Yuzu said
"You should've woken me up" Mei said and pulled away to look at Yuzu's face. She held her cheeks and wiped off her tears
"Has this happened before?" Mei asked
"Th-this rarely happens..." Yuzu said
"...you're okay. I'm here" Mei said and Yuzu clinged onto her tightly
"Want to sleep together?" Mei asked
"R-really?" Yuzu asked
"You'll probably be able to sleep easier with me around. I mean I've been able to at least get some rest thanks to you" Mei said and Yuzu's face lit up
"O-okay" Yuzu said
"Come. Let's go to bed" Mei said and grabbed Yuzu's hand. The girls turned the bathroom lights off before going back
"A-ah wait uhm...where are we going to sleep?" Yuzu asked
"Tell your cousin to sleep with Himeko" Mei said
"Will it be okay for her?" Yuzu asked
"I'm sure she won't mind" Mei said
"Okay" Yuzu said and went to wake up Shai. She shook her gently before poking her cheek
"Hey Shai" Yuzu whispered and Shai jumped up startling Yuzu
"What the hell do you want?" Shai asked grabbing her wrist and Yuzu tensed up
"K-keep your voice down. Sorry I woke you up but I need you to do me a favor. Can you sleep with Himeko? I'd like to sleep with Mei" Yuzu whispered
"...were you crying or something?" Shai asked
"I had a nightmare. Now leave and just let me sleep with Mei" Yuzu said
"Okay fine" Shai mumbled and got up on her feet. She groaned softly and rubbed her head
"Thanks" Yuzu said
"Yeah..." Shai said and walked towards the bed to sleep
"Are you sure you want to sleep together?" Yuzu asked
"Yes. Now lie down" Mei said
"Okay" Yuzu said. The two girls got themselves in the futon. Yuzu felt her heart beating like crazy since she wasn't used to being close with Mei
AHHHH!!! WHY THE HELL AM I FREAKING OUT ABOUT THIS!?
"You're shaking. Is something wrong?" Mei asked and held her hand
"A-ah uhm...n-no just uhm...y-you I...I l-like you" Yuzu said and Mei couldn't help but giggle a bit
"I'm not going to bite you or anything like that" Mei said
"I-I just...seriously like you. Being this close to you is really comfortable...and it makes me feel safe" Yuzu said as she hugged her. Mei blushed and stroked her hair softly
"...I think...I understand how you feel. It's a soft warm feeling everytime our eyes meet. When I feel exhausted...I think of you to make myself feel better. Although it's better when I'm face to face with you..." Mei said and Yuzu couldn't help but get flustered. She held onto Mei and hid her face against her chest
"Yuzu" Mei said
"Y-yes Mei?" Yuzu asked
"...your heart is really loud, you know. I don't think I could sleep" Mei said
"S-sorry I can't seem to calm down. Heh I think I love you too much" Yuzu said
"I love you too" Mei whispered softly and Yuzu reached for her hand
"I really can't wait until we graduate. Hopefully time goes by fast so we can get to be together. Maybe even go to the same university" Yuzu said
"That'll only be possible if you study and work hard" Mei said
"I'll make sure to do my best. I have your help and support so I'll most likely be able to do it" Yuzu said
"I hope so...because it would be nice to have you by my side" Mei said and flinched as Yuzu cuddled her
"We could be roommates if we get a dorm together. It'd be nice living together. Oh! I could cook for you too. I know how to make many things. Although I'm not really good at baking and I'm still trying-"
"Yuzu" Mei said
"O-oh uhm yes?" Yuzu asked
"You're being loud" Mei said
"S-sorry. My bad heh" Yuzu said
"Now go back to sleep" Mei said
"Yeah. I'll shut up now" Yuzu said getting comfortable
"...it would be nice" Mei mumbled softly
"Eh?" Yuzu asked
"Goodnight" Mei said
"Uhm goodnight" Yuzu said

One month later
"G-grandfather...listen I just-"
"Mei, that's enough. I've made up my mind" Her grandfather said
"...it's just rumors that they started. You know they probably did that because they're-"
"Even if those rumors aren't true. You still have a reputation. I said to help that girl not end up falling in love. Do you realize how much damage you'll cause to the family name?" Her grandfather asked
"...but is it necessary for me to go far away?" Mei asked as she looked down
"Do you have a problem with that? I thought you'd be happy since you want to take care of the Academy so much. Or is it because you can't leave that girl?" Her grandfather asked. Mei gritted her teeth as she clenched onto her shirt and remained silent
"Don't end up like your pathetic father. He gave up everything including you. He never once cared for the family and I keep hoping that you would succeed. I want everyone to see how amazing and talented my granddaughter is. I'll make sure to give you a great future and find a perfect partner. Hopefully you could provide future successors for the Aihara family. I'm sure they'll be as great as you" Her grandfather said
"...yes grandfather" Mei replied
"Now hurry up and get your things ready. We're leaving" Her grandfather said
"...mhm" Mei said and walked away going to her room. She closed the door and clenched her chest tightly feeling a throbbing pain
"Nhh...ngh..mm..." Mei whimpered and covered her mouth as tears built up in her eyes. She shut her eyes tightly and started to cry softly
...I'm sorry...I can't...I won't be able to see you...I'm sorry...
While Mei was still home, the other girl was looking at herself through her phone
"Ah...do I look good? My hair isn't messy right? Yeah! I look great!" Yuzu said and looked at the sky seeing the clouds
"Hopefully it won't rain. I don't want the weather to ruin our date. Haaah...it's been a while since we've hung out. It hasn't been easy getting in touch with her all because of those rumors..." Yuzu said leaning against the wall
I really hope we can shut them up about those rumors. I bet I know who started them...
"I'll make sure she pays for-"
THROB!
"H-huh? Ah...what was...that just now?" Yuzu asked, rubbing her chest feeling a slight pain. She flinched as her mind thought about Mei and looked around
"M-mei? I-is Mei here?" Yuzu asked as she looked around. Mixed emotions started building up inside her feeling confused and nervous because of what happened
"...did someone happen to her? This...feeling...it's bugging me. Agh! Damnit I have to see her now!" Yuzu said as she was about to head to her place but paused seeing someone approach her
"Ah hey Himeko! What a surprise. I didn't think I'd bump into you. What are you doing here?" Yuzu asked
"...I was passing by. What...about you?" Himeko asked
"Oh I'm waiting for Mei. We agreed to meet up today. I know she's been busy having to deal with those rumors and we haven't had time to talk about it since she didn't want to get close to me. Hopefully we can come up with a solution to end those rumors so I asked her to come" Yuzu said and Himeko trembled a bit feeling slightly nervous
"Hm? Hey, you feeling alright?" Yuzu asked
"...she isn't coming" Himeko said
"Huh? What?" Yuzu asked
"Mei...isn't going to show up" Himeko said
"But...she said we'll see each other. I...I need to look for her. I have to talk to her. Is she home right now? Do you know?" Yuzu asked
"You won't find her there..." Himeko said
"Is she staying with you then?" Yuzu asked
"...she's moving away" Himeko said
"...wh-what? What do...what do you mean by that?" Yuzu asked
"Mei will be studying abroad...and...I'm not sure if she is coming back" Himeko said
THROB!
"H-huh? Not...coming back? N-no...that...no. W-wait hold on...I-I need to talk to her! I have to talk to her! She can't leave! She's going to come back right?! She's just st-studying for a while right? Right?!" Yuzu exclaimed, grabbing Himeko by her shoulders. Himeko only looked at her with a soft expression and looked away
"...she...she didn't say if she was coming back. She just said she was leaving...and she left today. You won't find her at home..." Himeko said
"N-no...you're...you're lying...uh..mgh..nhh..." Yuzu struggled to say a word as tears started building up in her eyes and pressed her lips together
"Listen I think it's-"
"You're lying! That's not true! M-mei said...Mei said she loved me and we'll be together! We're soulmates! We're connected! We're meant to be!" Yuzu said and ran away
"Yuzu! Wait!" Himeko said and watched the girl run away. Yuzu ran down the street running through the people. Her body didn't seem to stop while her mind was filled with thoughts
Mei! You can't leave! We're meant to be! Please! You have to stay by my side! You can't leave!
"DON'T YOU KNOW HOW MUCH YOU MEAN TO ME!" Yuzu shouted and gasped as she tripped. She fell down on the ground scraping her hands as she caught herself. The people stopped by whispering a few things and Yuzu got herself back up
"MEI! YOU CAN'T LEAVE ME!" Yuzu said as she still ran. The clouds started getting dark on her way to the mansion and small raindrops started falling
"H-haah...haaa...M-mei...Mei! Hey! Mei! Our date! You forgot our date!" Yuzu said and coughed trying to catch her breathe
"H-haah...haa! Haah! Mei! Mei, you there!? I have to talk to you!" Yuzu said and started banging on the door
"Mei! Mei please! Come out! You have to come out! Mei!" Yuzu said and banged on the door
"MEI!" Yuzu shouted as she hit the door. She looked at her hand seeing the red string and her eyes widened seeing the direction the string was going
"..sh-she...she is here...no...she's here...no..." Yuzu mumbled and fell on her knees. She clenched her hands into fists while tears streamed down her cheeks. The intense pain in her chest was unbearable for the young girl making it hard for her to be able to breathe
"H-haa...wh-what...ack! Haa!" Yuzu coughed and breathed heavily. Her head throbbed and she shut her eyes tightly
"N-no...please...Mei...open up...I have to see you" Yuzu mumbled and gently hit the door with her fist. Minutes later the sound of a car engine pulled up by the mansion and Himeko stepped out of the car with an umbrella. She walked up to the front door where the girl was sitting
"Yuzu..." Himeko spoke softly
"..." Yuzu remained silent and slowly turned her head to look at the girl
"It's going to get cold. You'll get sick. Let me take you home" Himeko said
"..." Yuzu got up on her feet, trembling a bit and walked up to Himeko. Himeko held the umbrella towards her to keep her from the rain and the driver allowed the girl to step inside. The ride home was pretty silent since Yuzu remained quiet and Himeko didn't know what to say to her. Once the car arrived at Yuzu's place, that's when she decided to break the silence
"Hey Himeko..." Yuzu said
"Y-yes?" Himeko asked
"...did you know about Mei moving away?" Yuzu asked, not even looking at her direction. Himeko tensed up for a bit and clenched her shirt
"...yes. I'm sorry I didn't-"
"It's fine. Don't apologize...and thanks for taking me home" Yuzu said and the car door was opened by the driver holding the umbrella out
"Let's stay in touch. If you need anything...I'm here for you" Himeko said
"Yeah...okay" Yuzu said. The driver went ahead and dropped her by the front entrance leaving her there. Yuzu stepped inside the building and went to her apartment room
Knock Knock
"Y-yuzu? You're back? Wait what what happened?" Ume asked as she answered the door and Yuzu walked in
"W-wait sweetie you're drenched" Ume said and Yuzu's eyes widened seeing two people seated on the couch
"Good thing you're here, Yuzuko. Your grandmother and I have things to discuss with you" The old man said
"Why are you wet? Were you going to meet up with that girlfriend of yours?" The old woman asked
"What...the hell?" Yuzu asked