— in which Yashiro makes another mistake, but this time, there isn't a good aftermath; and Amane realized that maybe he was too blind to believe he'd have a happy ending

- - -

His friends definitely hate me. . .

Yashiro repeated those thoughts all over again — twice, thrice, it became frantic the more she imprinted it in her mind, until it's all she could think about, eating her heart away with 5 simple words.

Sulking, she glanced back to see the warm grin of Fuji, and the discreet sneers and glares of the people from his group. Yashiro turned away, trying to rid of the image of their mouths curled into a snarl.

Yashiro went home with a frown that day, her usually cheery face twisted into an unattractive pout, feeling dejected. No one asked about it, though, and somehow, it made Yashiro feel worse.

Of course she would be — no one cares about people's thoughts on her more than Yashiro did, and for Fuji's friends to dislike her. . .was disheartening, to say the least. And the fact that no one bothered to even ask her what's wrong just made everything worse. She didn't want to go to school anymore and see their faces ever again.

Deciding that it would be best to get her mind off of things, she checked her phone (no notifications), and checked all her social media apps (no notifications). But, of course, (because the universe pitied her) there was this one app that had the notification—

Yashiro smiled and typed in a greeting, instantly forgetting all of her worries. Insane how a simple text made her feel better, but that just shows how much words have an impact — Yashiro was able to make a friend with that.

RadishLegs: hi, Hanako-kun

HANAKO-KUN_7: Ah!!!!

HANAKO-KUN_7: If it isn't our lady of the evening, Yashiro Nene!

RadishLegs: how come I'm suddenly the lady of the evening now??

HANAKO-KUN_7: Forgive me,

HANAKO-KUN_7: You're always the lady of the evening

Yashiro couldn't stop the laugh that bubbled from her, suddenly feeling giddy with Hanako's antics. Yashiro could never get bored when it comes to talking with him; however, he is a complete stranger and Yashiro shouldn't trust easily too much.

But there's something. . . inexplicable about him. He's making her feel all kinds of emotion: happiness, anger, worry, and even sadness. Yet somehow, despite the fact that he is the epitome of "rollercoaster of emotions", Yashiro could never stop grinning when talking to him. No one else can really make her feel this way.

Even Fuji?

Yashiro's face fell. Right.

She talked with Hanako for a while, before she typed out an apology and forced herself to go to sleep.

- - -

HANAKO-KUN_7: Yashirooo, do you prefer donuts with frosting or normal ones?

RadishLegs: normal? Don't you mean plain or something?

HANAKO-KUN_7: Normal, plain— who cares!

HANAKO-KUN_7: Just tell me which one!

RadishLegs: I like donuts with frosting better, to be honest

RadishLegs: but if you're asking me about my favorite food, it's strawberry-filled rice cakes!

HANAKO-KUN_7: Didn't really ask, but sure

RadishLegs: (｀Д´)

HANAKO-KUN_7: Why do a lot of people prefer flavored ones than normal ones?

RadishLegs: plain*

HANAKO-KUN_7: Whatever

RadishLegs: doesn't it taste better?

RadishLegs: donuts with chocolate frosting, or strawberry, it makes it taste 100% better!

HANAKO-KUN_7: HmmMM

RadishLegs: why do you prefer plain?

HANAKO-KUN_7: Because... I prefer it like that.

HANAKO-KUN_7: Maybe because I'm used to it? Plain and boring and all. Because he steals the donuts with frosting and leaved me with the plain ones

HANAKO-KUN_7: But then again

RadishLegs: ?

HANAKO-KUN_7: It's always been like that so I can't really help but get used to it

HANAKO-KUN_7: Whoa, I feel like we aren't talking about donuts anymore

HANAKO-KUN_7: >_<

HANAKO-KUN_7 set his name as DonutLover!

DonutLover: I don't feel like changing your name, though

DonutLover: hehe

DonutLover: Yashiro??

"Who are you talking to?"

Yashiro couldn't help but flinch. She glanced up and saw Fuji peering curiously on her phone. Yashiro panicked and hid it quickly, away from his sight, all the while mentally cursing.

She still hadn't introduced Fuji to Hanako (and she doesn't really want to) for some reason. Yashiro didn't know why she kept her friendship with Hanako as a secret — call it gut instinct. And. . .it failed miserably.

"Just an online friend of mine," Yashiro explained, watching the way Fuji's face turn dark. Yashiro didn't like it when he acted like that, because she suddenly felt afraid that she would make him mad and ruin everything.

She felt trapped whenever Fuji is around, and it's not in a good way. There used to be butterflies, but now their wings wilted like flowers that were never watered and placed under the sunshine — now she only felt empty. It worried her because it's only been a few days since she accepted Fuji's confession, a few days since she was so excited over her first relationship. Is this healthy? Am I just forcing myself?

"Oh," he said. "Are they a boy?" The question sort of threw Yashiro off guard, especially from the way he gritted the question out as if it was poison.

Yashiro felt her mouth dry at the question. "Yeah. A boy," she confirmed. Her heart pounded when Fuji glared at her phone for a split second, before he stared back at her, his eyes softening.

Fuji frowned. "You've been talking to him a lot, can't you lay it off for a while and hang out with me more?" He propped his elbows on top of the school desk and tilted his head; Yashiro knew it was a habit of his when he wants to interrogate someone. It used to make Yashiro's heart race, but now her stomach dropped.

It was Yashiro's turn to frown. Why is he acting like this? Then realization dawned upon her that. . . Fuji's jealous? She studied Fuji's eyes, and sure enough, there was a glint in his eyes that matched his bitter expression.

"Oh. Okay." Yashiro brought out her phone again. "I'll just. . . tell him I'll be hanging out with you for today."

Fuji smiled. "Good."

Yashiro forced a smile back.

Sure. She would've been all over for Fuji acting like a cute, jealous boy, but it didn't feel right because Hanako was just a friend. It's not like Hanako's harming their relationship or anything, but Yashiro didn't want to upset Fuji — call her a people-pleaser, but she can't really help it. She didn't want to upset her first, even if it meant upsetting her friends.

Fuji might not be her soulmate, but. . .he is Yashiro's boyfriend. And that's better than nothing.

RadishLegs: hi

HANAKO-KUN_7: Oh thank God

HANAKO-KUN_7: I thought something happened to you!

RadishLegs: sorry Hanako-kun, but I'm going to have to leave

RadishLegs: we probably shouldn't talk around this time anyway, sorry

HANAKO-KUN_7: What? But this is usually the time we chat!??

HANAKO-KUN_7: Are schedules changing again?

RadishLegs: no

RadishLegs: Fuji-kun just told me he wanted to hang out without any disturbances

HANAKO-KUN_7: Disturbances??

HANAKO-KUN_7: But don't you two already facetime each other at night?

HANAKO-KUN_7: I can't talk to you anymore if that's the case

RadishLegs: then that's okay

RadishLegs: we're just two strangers in the end after all

HANAKO-KUN_7: Why are you suddenly cold?

HANAKO-KUN_7: It's that boyfriend of yours, huh?

HANAKO-KUN_7: Yashiro, I noticed you rarely talk to me anymore and even if you do, your texts are getting shorter and shorter

RadishLegs: stop being mad, please

RadishLegs: I don't see why you'd get angry about that? You act like you crave my attention or something

RadishLegs: I just don't want to make Fuji-kun upset

RadishLegs: you understand, right?

HANAKO-KUN_7 has left the chatroom!

- - -

Amane huffed and threw his phone away, tears pricking in his eyes. It was a horrible day for him because Tsukasa was feeling sadistic the whole week and had done nothing but sabotage his day.

He thought that chatting with Yashiro would make him feel better.

He thought that Yashiro would laugh at his jokes as always and make him feel giddy inside.

Until he was cruelly reminded that there's a person, a boy, an obstacle: Fuji. Yashiro, even after being Fuji's girlfriend, didn't really go all Fuji this, Fuji that (to Amane's relief). But, when Fuji is there, which is happening more and more often (to Amane's displeasure), he always managed to ruin everything.

Amane isn't stupid.

He knew that Fuji was cautious of him.

Amane isn't blind.

He knew that Fuji is slowly drifting Yashiro away from him.

Amane groaned and buried his face on his bandaged hands in frustration. "I messed up, didn't I? Right after I just realized that I really like her, too."

Amane hated that of all the people in the world (his real soulmate could be out there!), he fell in love with someone he can never be with.