"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 I sat silently for a while. I didn't know how to proceed. I don't want to upset her more.

After a while, I decided it was now or never, "Why did you do that?"

Chika looked down. She shook her head. I guess she still doesn't want to talk about it. Maybe that was too forceful? I tapped Chika on the shoulder. She hesitantly looked up at me.

"I'm not mad. I just want to know." I signed.

"I don't know why I did that." Chika explained.

She looked like she was going to cry again. I don't know what came over me, but I found myself cupping Chika's face with my hands and leaning closer to her. Chika's eyes widened, before she closed them. Our lips connected.

After a few seconds, we pulled away. I can't believe I just did that. Why did I kiss her so suddenly? I'm no better than her now.

Chika grabbed me by the collar of my shirt and smashed our lips together again. This time, the kiss turned into a makeout session. I'm not complaining. I'm fine with this.

After what felt like ages, we pulled away, gasping for breath. Both of our faces were red.

"I love you." Chika signed.

I smiled at her, "I love you too."

"Will you go out with me again?" Chika asked shyly.

I nodded. She smiled and hugged me tightly. I hugged her back. We stayed like that for a while. Eventually, we pulled away.

"Do you wanna come over to my house?" Chika asked me.

"Sure." I nodded.

We got up and started walking. Chika led the way. I kind of remember her house's location, but not enough that I think I could find it myself. I pulled out my phone as we walked and texted Mari to let her know I'd be home late. I also texted Riko to tell her that everything is good now.

It didn't take too long before we made it to Chika's house. She led me inside and up to her room. We sat on the floor. For a while, we just stared at each other and didn't do anything.

"I'm glad to have you back." Chika smiled at me.

"I'm glad to be back." I returned a smile.

We ended up discussing the idol group. Chika was very excited to tell me about everything they've been up to. I'm glad she found something that makes her really happy. If only I could find something...

After a while, Chika spoke something toward the door. I guess someone is asking her something ot telling her something. Chika looked at me.

"I have to work..." She pouted.

"Oh. Alright. I guess I should go then?" I asked.

Chika nodded. She hugged me. I guess she doesn't want me to go. I wish I could stay with her, but I'd be no help. I can't offer to work. I can't do it.

I kissed Chika on the head and then packed up my things. I waved goodbye and then left the house. I looked at the time. It had only been an hour.

I texted Mari to ask what she was doing. She replied saying she was doing work. I guess that means she's too busy right now to hang out. I don't want to go back to the hotel and be alone.

I asked Riko what she was doing. She said she was shopping. So, she's out of the question as well. Who else could I go see if I could hang out with?

Now I wish I would've asked for Yohane's phone number. Maybe she wasn't busy and would be willing to hang out? But now I won't know.

I started walking nowhere in particular. Maybe I'll see someone I know? That would be nice.

As I walked, I saw no one I recognized. I don't seem to have very good luck right now. Why can't I find at least one person to talk to? I just want to be with someone. I don't like being alone.

I felt someone tap my shoulder. I turned around. Right as I did, I was punched in the face. I stumbled backward and tried not to fall. I looked up at who had done that. It was the girl from earlier. The one that had been with Dia.

She looked absolutely pissed at me. I guess she was just waiting until after school to teach me a lesson. This has to be about my stopping her before.

What do I do to get away? I could probably just run for it, but I don't know my way around town that well. I'd end up running into a dead end and getting cornered. What can I do?

The girl was glaring daggers at me. She started closing the distance between us. I kept backing up. She didn't seem to like that and sped up. It wasn't long before she had managed to get me cornered into a wall. I was stuck.

She smirked and punched me in the face again. I cried out in pain. I could feel something dripping down my face. She must've broken my nose or cut me. It's blood.

I guess the only thing I can do is fight her. There's no other way I can get out. I managed to catch her fist as it tried to connect with my face again. I brought my knee up and kicked her away from me.

I wasted no time and just ran. I don't know if she's chasing me, but I'm not turning around to find out. I dodged through the people on the streets. I have no clue where I'm going.

I managed to make it to the beach somehow. I slowed down and looked behind me. She was gone. I guess she gave up trying to follow me. I grabbed a tissue from my pocket and dabbed my nose with it. There was blood on it. Fresh blood.

I looked down and saw blood had dropped onto my uniform. Great. I'm a mess. I felt a tap on my shoulder again. I hesitantly turned to look.

This time, it wasn't that girl. It was Kanan. She was staring at me. Her eyes widened as she saw my face. She grabbed my arm and started tugging me along.

She drug me into the diving shop and to the back. Kanan sat me in a chair and then grabbed a first aid kit. She got to work cleaning up my face.

"What happened?" Kanan asked me as she handed me her phone.

I typed out my response and gave it back to her. I explained about what happened starting from this morning. Kanan didn't seem to know how to respond to that.

I also asked her if anything was broken. She signed "no" to me. Thank god nothing is broken. I took my bag and pulled out my gym clothes. I excused myself to the bathroom and changed. I don't want to stay in my bloody uniform.

I came back out after a few minutes. I sat back down. Kanan and I didn't do anything for a bit. Kanan typed something on her phone and handed it to me.

I guess she's trying to make small talk. Sitting around motionlessly isn't that nice. It was getting tense.

It was okay. Besides all the issues this morning. Chika and I made up and we're dating again.

I rolled my eyes. Chika wouldn't figure something out so easily. She was so stupidly oblivious to things that were right in her face.

Yeah. You should've seen how pissed off she got. Then she wouldn't stop crying.

I nodded in agreement. I wonder if I should say more. Should I talk about how we ended up dating again? What would she think? I don't think I should tell her that.

What are you going to do today?

I wonder if maybe I could hang out with her. Even if she's working, maybe I could be helpful? This job seems like something I could actually do if I need to.

Do you need any help? I have nothing better to do.

Kanan thought over my offer. I hope that even if she doesn't need me to work, she'll let me hang out with her. I don't know who else to hang out with.

I nodded. Kanan led me to the front of the shop. She gave me a little tour so I knew where everything was.

I think I can manage that.

Kanan explained the order of each shelf. I saved the directions on my phone incase I needed to refer back to them. By the time we were done, it was time for the shop to open up.

Not too many people came in at one time. That was good for me. I don't know what I'd do if someone tried to talk to me. I would just smile at the customers and then get back to doing whatever I was doing.

I honestly thought this would be harder than it was. No one even tried to talk to me throughout the entire day. When we got a break, Kanan and I would stand behind the counter and talk through the notes app. I taught her a few signs for some of the items she was selling.

It was just starting to get dark out when the shop closed. Kanan explained that since they did diving, they had to close at dusk because it was too dangerous to go diving after night fell. I can see the reasoning.

Kanan offered to walk me home. I tried to decline, but she insisted. I eventually relented. The two of us set out. I'm nervous. What will Kanan think of where I'm living? What if she knows who Mari is?

Those thoughts kept playing in my head as we walked. I wish we could talk to each other. Maybe soon we'll be able to. It seems like Kanan is trying to learn. I guess she did go and ask Dia to teach her. Or she might've found online videos. It seems more likely it was Dia, though.

Soon enough, we made it. Kanan stared at me in surprise as she eyed the hotel. I can't blame her. Normally people don't live in giant hotels like this. I pulled out my key and opened the door.

Kanan followed me inside. I set down my bag and took out my uniform. I tossed it into the washer. Kanan was looking around the place.

After a few minutes, Mari showed herself. Kanan and her locked eyes. Looks like they do know each other. I hope they were friends and not enemies.