Confessions

"We're just friends?" Arata was uncertain about this sudden confrontation. Why were they so concerned about his relationship with her? Why should they even care anyway, the two of them were leaving tomorrow.

"I really doubt friends act like that, bud." Still with the odd pet names from Rakuyoshi. Arata figured that he must not really be that angry with him if he was calling him that. Or more accurately, that he's not a mean guy. "You really think we're that dumb?" The younger brother was doing a lot of talking, while the older one was staying strangely silent.

That was interesting, he thought. There had to be a reason for that, but it he kept denying them. There would be no way of finding out. If anything they wouldn't let him leave this room. That was when Arata hatched a plan to handle this delicate situation.

"And what if we were closer than that?" He put on his best sly smile. Even though he was nervous on the inside, his bravado was going to have to be tested today. "There wouldn't be anything wrong with that, right?"

"Uh." Arata's sudden change in attitude caught them off guard. "I mean what does she even see in you anyway?" Rakuyoshi was stammering. Meanwhile Rukaya was appearing rather anxious. So they did take issue with the idea of him being with her. Well, they hardly knew him. In face, it was Rukaya that believed him best for the job. So having a dislike of him was not probable. There was only one reason he could think of then.

"Well, if we're done here." He acted smugly against them. Though it made him feel rather scummy for the words coming from his mouth. "I'll be joining the girls back at the table. Maybe I might even give Misei a-"

"Please don't!" Rukaya broke his silence, grabbing Arata by the collar. "I just don't want you to do that. At least… Not in front of me." He let go, hanging his head down.

"So that's it, huh?" Arata's plan worked, getting them flustered enough to slip up. "You… Like her, don't you."

"I… Do." Rukaya stood straight up again, gathering his composure once more. "I'm sorry, that was rather disrespectful to you, as an upperclassmen."

"It's no problem." After all, that's what Arata wanted to happen anyway. "And to tell the truth, I really am just her friend. I hold no romantic feelings for that girl."

"I guess that's fine." Clearly from the tone of voice, it wasn't all fine.

Of course, it didn't take much to know what the problem here was. The two of them were moving away soon, this would be the last time they'd see her ever again. That must be pretty bad from Rukaya's point-of-view.

"We should return back before they think we're taking too long." The brother were about to leave, but Arata had a different idea in mind.

"Have you considered... Confessing to her?" He asked.

"Confessing?" The look on his face showed that he hadn't done that yet. "I just… Don't have the courage for it." He admitted.

"Yeah, my brother. He's always been a little shy." Well that explains the odd interrogation he received from the two. Still though, he wasn't going to back down.

"But, you'll be moving away soon. Shouldn't she at least know how you feel?" This was odd advice for Arata to be giving. Especially if he never told any of the girls to confess to Yogi. However, this was different. For once, there was a time limit involved.

"I really don't know about it." Rukaya tried dancing around the subject. His body was even more tense than before.

"I think that you should do it. After all, you never know." That was a complete lie, and Arata knew it. However, there was no way that eh would want the boy to continue like this. That feeling of regret, even with the outcome already determined.

"You know bro, I think he's right." Luckily Rakuyoshi was on his side. "Plus, we won't be here forever. You should do it." Rukaya took one deep breath, attempting to calm his nerves.

"Okay, I'll do it." The three left the bathroom. With a little prodding, they were able to get Rukaya to ask Misei to talk in private. Except it wouldn't be that private, as they were going to keep watch of her. Unfortunately, that also meant telling Misao of their plans and having her join them in hiding.

"This is a stupid idea that you've come up with." She scolded him, as they listened just in range of the conversation. As well as staying quiet enough to not be heard. "You know it'll fail."

"Hmm? You don't have any faith in this?" Rakuyoshi asked.

"The truth is." Arata admitted, rather meekly at that. "Misei is… In love with someone else." The boy gasped, covering his mouth to mask the sound before rapidly regaining his composure.

"What? Then why would you tell us to-"

"Because, I know what it's like to be held back by my feelings." Of course, his wasn't about romance. Rather more of his decision of how he lived his life for so long. "I think that Rukaya needs to be rejected, so that he can properly move on to wherever the two of you are going to." It was obviously going to be painful for him.

"I see." Rakuyoshi gave it some thought, before speaking again. "Then, I'll do my best. To help him get through this." That was his resolution. "Oh, and by the way. I just wanted to apologize about the whole bathroom ordeal."

"Like I said, it's not a problem." Arata smiled at him, as proof. "I have an older sister myself, so I understand that you want to help him out."

"And so, Misei." It was time for the final conclusion to this confession. One that they all saw coming. "I want to tell you. That I'm in love with you, and even if I can't ask for a date. Perhaps, you might consider… A potential relationship?"

"…" She was quiet at first, as if mulling over it. Though the answer was already made. "I'm sorry." those words pierced hard, even if Arata knew what she was going to say. "But, I'm in love with someone else." Rukaya did his best, to not seem disappointed in the news.

"I… understand." So that was that. Together they finished their lunch, and were about to head back home. The two brother went their own way, understandable, seeing as what had happened. Misao also separated from them, as she lived elsewhere from them.

"So, would you like to walk me home?" Misei asked him. It was daytime, and Arata still had his babysitting duties to attend to. Though checking on the time, he had enough to accept her request.

"Sure." He said, and the two began the walk to her house. Standing right by her side, it was a little awkward considering what he say from her. Even if he barely knew the guy, it was kind of sad to see this rejection. This wasn't even the first time he saw one, but it had a different feel to it.

Judging by the way she was walking, it was clear she didn't see it coming. How long did those two know each other? Or even how long had Rukaya like her in that way? Those were questions that Arata had no way of knowing without asking, but at the same time. They weren't things he should be prying on, nor did they matter anymore.

"So, it's a shame you had to reject him." He told her. "It's probably not how you wanted your last time with him to be like."

"It wasn't, but I suppose that's just the nature of things." She said. "Still though, I'm glad that he was honest about his feelings. He's still a dear friend, so it would pain me if he decided to suffer in silence."

"You and me both." They passed by a water fountain, marking how close they were getting to her house.

"Arata." She stopped walking for a moment. "Could we possibly stop here for a moment? There's something I'd like to talk to you about." Without waiting for his answer, she went and sat down at the fountain.

"Sure." It was probably important if she wanted to keep this conversation private. Otherwise she'd probably tell him back at lunch. He didn't take a seat with her, instead choosing to stand and face her. "What's up?"

"Arata, you know why I rejected him, correct?"

"Yeah, because you love someone else." That was obvious to him, what's even the point of asking? "I mean, it's unfortunate. Maybe things might be different if you weren't in love with Yogi, but that's just wishful thinking."

"What you said is only mostly true." She responded, smiling softly to him. That caused Arata to really tilt his head in confusion.

"Mostly? What did I say that was false?"

"You see, Arata." She got up and looked him right in the eye. "The truth is, the boy I like… Is you."