"Italicized" = Signed

"Regular" = Spoken

Italicized = Yō typing

= Someone else typing

----- = A spoken word Yō can't understand (or at least not lip read)

...

Yō's POV:

Chika and Riko were having an intense stare off. I watched them from the side with a bit of worry. I don't think Chika is very happy with what Riko told me. I can understand why. Riko lied to her. Riko did kinda play her.

Chika started to yell at Riko. Riko seemed to be trying to respond calmly. It wasn't going well for her with that attempt. I wish I knew what they were saying. Maybe I could stop it if I could understand them.

Chika started crying as she kept yelling at Riko. She must be really hurt. I stepped in between them. I don't know what the outcome of their argument will be, but I don't want to risk a fight between them.

Chika ignored me and kept yelling. The tears were constantly falling down her face. She's really upset. Then she just ran off.

I looked at Riko, "What was that all about?"

"She's really mad. She knows the truth now." Riko replied.

"I'm going to find her." I signed, "I suggest you stay away from her for a bit."

Riko nodded. I turned around and went in the direction Chika had run off in. This is going to be an interesting search. I can't call her name and even if I could, I wouldn't be able to hear her reply. I have to rely on my vision to do this.

I searched around the school. I wasn't having much luck. Once again, even if I got close, I'd have no clue. She's probably still crying, but I can't hear her. This is harder than I thought it would be.

I left the school. Maybe she ran home? Apparently she didn't. She just ran outside. Chika was curled up by a tree. There was a tan-haired girl beside her. It looked like she was trying to comfort her. I don't know if I should interrupt them.

I slowly made my way to where they were. They looked up as I approached. I guess the ground is making noise when I step on it.

I walked over to them and sat in front of Chika. Chika looked at me with empty eyes. They were all red and puffy and tears were still falling out of them. I frowned and held out my arms.

Chika just looked at me for a while. Maybe she doesn't want me to comfort her? I was about to put my arms down when Chika finally accepted my offer. She hugged me tightly and I could feel her sobbing against my shirt.

I patted her back. The girl that had been comforting her before stared at us. She probably has no clue who I am. And with Chika taking up my arms, I can't even introduce myself to her.

After a few minutes, Chika pulled away from me. She looked up at me. I reached out and brushed away the tears at the edges of her eyes.

"Why did she do that to me?" Chika asked.

"Because she cares about you. She didn't want you getting hurt by someone." I did my best to explain it in simple terms.

"She doesn't love me?" Chika frowned.

"She loves you. Just, as a friend." I replied.

"But I don't. I love her more than that." Chika complained as tears started forming in her eyes again.

I don't what came over me, but I couldn't help but ask, "Do you still love me?"

Chika nodded as she started crying again. I guess I'm not the only one who ended up crying a lot today. The girl that was beside Chika was still just watching us.

"What's going on? Who are you?" She asked me.

At least she figured out that she needs to sign for me to understand her. That also means she's probably in the idol group. That would explain why she was the one comforting Chika.

"I'm Yō. To put it simply, she just found out that her 'girlfriend' wasn't really in love with her." I explained.

"You're the girl she kept going on about? Chika mentioned you a lot as the reason she wanted us to all learn JSL." The girl signed, "I'm Hanamaru, by the way."

Chika hugged me suddenly. I patted her head and pulled her closer. I don't know what I should do. Should I try and ask her out? I mean, it might make her happy and forget about Riko. But, would that be pushing my limits?

I didn't need to worry about that. Chika leaned up and pressed our lips together without any warning. I froze in place and stared at her with wide eyes. Couldn't she have at least told me what she wanted to do first?

Hanamaru was watching us with a confused and shocked expression. She seemed concerned by Chika's actions. I can't blame her. I'm a little concerned too.

Chika pulled back and then hesitantly looked at me. Her bottom lip was quivering and it looked like she was about to cry again. What happened now?

"I'm sorry... I shouldn't have..." Chika stood up and ran off after that.

Hananaru and I shared glances. She shrugged. I shrugged back. I have no idea what that all was about. Did she think I was mad at her for kissing me?

I stood up, "I have to go."

Hanamaru waved goodbye and left. It wasn't like they could practice with Chika gone. I went to see if I could find Riko. She was just coming out of the school. I ran over to her.

"Hey. Did you find her?" Riko asked.

I nodded, "I found her."

"Where is she now?" Riko looked around.

"She ran off... she was venting about you and then all of sudden she just kissed me. She got really upset that she did that and then ran off." I explained.

"She still loves you, doesn't she?" Riko asked.

I nodded, "She does."

"I guess she probably thinks she lost all chances of getting you back by doing that." Riko offered as an explanation.

I frowned at that answer. That's not what I want her to think. Riko placed a hand on my shoulder.

I shrugged her off, "I'm going after her."

"Alright. Text me if you need my help." Riko replied.

I nodded and then went off in the direction I saw Chika run in. I hope I can find her. I want to fix this. I don't want this to be awkward between us anymore. But, how exactly am I going to do that?

I don't really know. But, I want to try. Maybe I'll figure something out by the time I find her. Speaking of that, where would she have gone? I'm thinking she probably ran home. I guess I'll just follow this street and see where I end up.

After a bit of walking, I found her. She wasn't at her house. She had stopped and sat on a bench. She had her head in her hands. I bet she's probably crying again. I approached her slowly. I still don't know what exactly it is that I'm going to say to her.

I sat beside her and tapped her on the shoulder. Chika looked up at me. There were a lot of tears falling down her face. I pulled out an unused tissue that Yohane had given me this morning and handed it to her. Chika accepted the tissue and tried to clean up her face.

I pulled her into a hug. I don't know what else to do. I figure I should just comfort her until she calms down. That would help me get her to talk. I need to show her I still care. I don't want her to think I hate her now.

"I'm sorry." Chika signed before she buried her face back into my shirt.

I patted her on the head. There's nothing for her to be sorry about. I'm not mad at her for what happened. I might not really understand why she did that, but I won't get mad at her for it. She's already beating herself up over it. I don't need to make her worse.

After a while, we separated. Chika wiped away the tears that were staining her face. I sat there and waited patiently. I hope she'd be willing to talk now.

"You feeling better?" I asked.

Chika nodded. I pulled her close. She rested her head on my shoulder. We don't need to talk right away. It can wait a bit. I want her to feel better before we talk about sensitive things. I bet she'll start crying again once we start.

I hate this. I just want her to be happy. Now she's really upset and there's nothing I can do to stop it. There'll be more tears. I just know it. Talking about why she kissed me so suddenly will probably bring some out.