Kotaro had decided.

Today was the day he would tell Koyuki how he felt.

"You can do it!" Hina said as soon as he told her on their customary walk to school together. "Kotaro, fight!"

Kotaro didn't really know who or what he was fighting, but he appreciated the sentiment.

~

Kotaro took a deep, steadying breath, then stepped towards the garden. "Um, Ayase-sen-"

He froze. Ah, Koyuki was talking to someone else. And, where Koyuki would normally notice him before he'd even spoken, this time, he didn't even glance in Kotaro's direction.

He took a step back. That was... Sota. Mochizuki Sota. A third year. A childhood friend of his sister.

Kotaro hesitated a moment, then steeled his nerves and walked towards the pair once more.

Koyuki finally lifted his gaze from the flowers he was showing to Sota. That familiar smile lit up his face, and he stood up. "Enomoto-kun!"

"Huh?" Sota said. He turned, and beamed. "Oh! Kotaro! You and Yukki know each other?"

...Yukki?

Before Kotaro could respond, Koyuki spoke, "Enomoto-kun, you didn't need to come by the garden today. Mocchi offered to help me!"

Mocchi...

Koyuki's gaze shifted before Kotaro even talked. He was...

He was smiling at Sota. Softly. Sweetly.

Kotaro's nerves went from steel to jelly. His shoulders slumped, and he let out a soft sigh.

"I understand," he said.

And he turned on his heel, leaving the two to their garden.

He hoped...

He hoped that Sota would treat Koyuki right.