“It’s not good?” I asked as she was quiet as a mouse.

Hmm…?

“Ohh... But if you don’t want to–”

“No! I’ll stay. Yeah! That sounds good to me,” Kyashii said with a jolt.

“Really?!”

“Yes!” Her body language looks tight.

“Uhh… O-Okay. Then that’s it! I assume you don’t mind wearing my clothes, so feel free to use them.” This sleepover has me a little thrilled. It’s spontaneous, but I finally get to experience sleep over with a friend!

“Ermm... Okay.” Kyashii looks oddly quiet.

“Don’t worry, just like you said, I don’t snore loudly.” I grinned at her.

“Ehh? It’s fine even if you do.”

“So... How are we going to spend the night?”

“How about watching movies? But, you should still go to bed early. You just got out from a fever.”

“Yes, Mom!”

“Hmmph!”

“How about this one, then?” Kyashii asked when she tried to pick a movie from Nyanflixu.

“No.”

“Why not?! It looks interesting to me.”

“I know we agreed to watch a movie, but why do you keep looking at romantic movies?!” I protested.

We’ve already changed into pajamas and decided to watch a movie here in the living room. And yet, here we are, fighting over silly things again.

“You handed me the remote, and now you’re complaining?” She snarked back. “Besides, what’s wrong with romance movies? You watch them anyway.”

“Well, yeah. But I thought you’d put on a horror movie since we both like that kind of thing.”

“Fine! I have a good scary movie in mind. I haven’t seen it yet, but I’ve heard nice things about it online.”

“Alright, now we’re talking. That’s a lot better.”

“Let’s not hear any more whining from you since this is a horror movie.” She glared at me as the movie started.

“Yeesss, Ma’am...” I focused my attention on the TV screen.

A psycho killer in a shop seems like a creepy start. Yeah, this might be a good one. Then there’s the scene in which the girl protagonist talks to another girl in a dark alley. Friends in a spooky area having some serious conversation, huh? Some kind of scare might occur here, perhaps.

I was already expecting a jump scare, but all I got was a pleasant surprise when it turned out that the girls weren’t friends but used to be a couple.

“Heeh... I didn’t realize they were more than just friends. I didn’t see that coming.” I commented apathetically.

“What’s with that weak reaction?” Kyashii seemed to be staring at me for quite a while when I turned to her.

“Why? I’m pretty aware that kind of relationship exists.”

“Really?! T-Then, what’s your take on relationships like that?”

Ohh! I looked at her with surprise.

What’s this? Are we talking about romance now?

Hmm... However, this wasn’t what I was hoping for when I hoped she’d tell me about her romantic interest someday.

Oh well... I’m okay with this. The first step is to put her at ease about this topic.

“I’m perfectly fine with that. You love who you love anyway. Besides, from what I know, emotions are beyond your control. You can only accept and manage them. So, when someone feels that way about a person of the same gender, their feelings aren’t motivated by gender but rather by their emotions toward that person. Moreover, emotions aren’t good or bad, so that’s all right.” I shifted my focus back to the screen.

“Waah...”

“Hmm? Sounds weird, doesn’t it?”

“No! I totally agree with you, Yuyo. It doesn’t matter what gender someone is if you like them.”

“Well, I’m not so sure about that. Others seem to be sensitive to gender. It’s not a part of their thinking to explore strange emotions they might experience towards the same gender. And to think that the emotions we feel are clues to what the mind is trying to tell us. But if they overlook the clue, they will still come to the conclusion that they are straight.”

“Heeh... Just like you?”

“Haah?! What?!” I could almost hear my twitching eyebrows at that question. Why on earth would she ask me that?!

“I’m kidding!” Kyashii laughed at her dry humor.

I leveled a glare at her. “Is it just me, or are your jokes sometimes a bit off-putting?”

“Hmph! It’s just you. And that’s part of my charm.” She playfully sticks out her tongue at me.

I gave a chortle at her retort. “What charm is that? I had no idea you had one.”

“You sure are a jerk! Anyway, ermm… how come someone with no regard for gender could not figure out that they were into the same gender? I think I know someone who fits that description.”

“Really?”

“Yeah.” She grinned. “Any thoughts on why they’re not aware in that sense?”

 “Hmmm... They probably can’t recognize what their emotions are trying to tell them, so they ignore them instead. Unless the situation becomes too overwhelming for them, that’s when they start paying attention.”

“Ohh... Hopefully, that someone I know will eventually crack those clues.” Kyashii nodded steadily.

I couldn’t wipe the glaze from my eyes. “So, what’s going on here? Is that why you made me talk about sexuality here because you’re concerned about someone? Are there people you know who don’t even know that they’re gay?”

“Eeh?! Aha-ha-ha! Mmm... I-I’m not so sure, but it seems that way. That’s why I was curious about y-your thoughts.”

“You should let them realize it for themselves. People need to acknowledge their emotions as clues to what is happening, without judging themselves, so they can decide what to do about it.”

“I have no intention of bringing up the subject with them. It wouldn’t do any good to sway them. And, I’m confident they’ll come to terms with that sooner or later.” There was a strange glance from her. “But you’re really smart, Yuyo. You taught me something that I truly needed to know.”

“Not really. I’m just sharing what I learned. Glad it helped you.”

“But you got me curious. Does it mean that you don’t mind if someone of your own gender likes you in that way?”

My eyes traced across Kyashii’s face. I find that question fascinating. “Uhmm... Thinking about it now, I don’t mind at all.”

“Why?”

 “One thing about that love, per se, is it’s free. Someone can love whoever they want. I have no control over their emotions. Although you can’t control what emotions you feel, you can control how you act. Just because someone likes me doesn’t mean she will force me to say yes to her as well. So as long as their feelings aren’t bothersome, I don’t mind if a girl feels that way about me.”

“Ohh… Yeah. That makes perfect sense.” Kyashii’s smile seems a little strange.

“But I gotta say, I find the romance between girls quite intriguing. A girl’s attraction to another girl is hard to figure out when she’s as stunning as the leading lady in the movie.”

“Yeah. Girls are always assumed to be straight when they’re pretty. That can put some pressure on them. Making it a little nerve-wracking to admit that they like girls too.”

“I get what you mean... For instance, if I don’t know you personally and you like girls, I’ll assume you’re straight as a stick.”

“How would you feel about it if I’m not straight?” Kyashii asked earnestly.

“Huh?” What a strange question. She has to be straight if she likes Ezaki-san, right? “It’s all right. Your sexuality has no bearing on our friendship. I’ve already told you I will stand by you no matter what.” I smiled.

A soft sigh followed her chuckle. “You know, Yuyo, it might affect our friendship if I happen to be a lesbian.”

“Uhm? How so?”

“Because if I’m not straight, I’ll be into you.” She grinned.

“Ooh... That? It’s the same for me, though.” I replied in a carefree tone.

“R-Really?! “Kyashii blatted.

“What... I mean, you’re sweet, caring, kind, lovely, and a fantastic cook, to name a few. That’s why, if I’m into girls, I would be interested in you too. Wouldn’t you be an amazing girlfriend to any girl?” I stared hard at her.

I’m as serious as a heart attack, though. You can’t go wrong with Kyashii as a girlfriend, no matter what your gender is.

“Stop this! My heart can’t take this anymore!” Kyashii is practically shrieking as she covers her mouth with her hands. Her gaze is fixed on the TV screen.

“Huh? But it isn’t even that scary!”

“. . .Yeah. Sure… The movie… Arrggh! Gosh!” She grunted in frustration, flapping her palms in front of her face.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. Let’s just keep watching...” she heaved a sigh.

“Anyway, how should I put this?” I have something to say to her. “Uhmm… Kyashii, please let me know how things are going with the person you like or if you run into problems with them. I may not be able to provide much advice since I don’t know much about it, but I will support and cheer you on, okay?”

There you go. I’ve said it.

I’m hoping she’ll feel more at ease talking with me about that if she needs to.

“I don’t know if I should,” she replied in a solemn and unwavering tone without even looking at me.

“What?! Why?! I’m your best friend! You’ve been saying that all along!” I can’t help but feel offended. I was just trying to be a supportive friend here.

“That’s not something you’re interested in.”

“If it has something to do with you, then I’m there!” I was almost yelling at her, much to my surprise.

Even Kyashii was startled at how loud I got.

“…Heeh??” She’s staring at me with wide eyes.

“Ehh? Ahh... Aha-ha… Uhm... I’m sorry!” I awkwardly bowed to apologize. “Fo- Forget it. I won’t press you if you don’t want to.” I’m embarrassed by myself now.

Gaah... I must be crazy!

What’s up with me?! It’s really beyond me why I’m so worked up about it.

And what did I just say?!

Argh!

Am I really that interested in Kyashii’s romantic life?! I’m not even sure I am, to be honest.

“N-No. It’s fine. Alright. I will definitely tell you about the one I’m in love with.” Kyashii stared at me with serious eyes.

In that instant, my words ceased to come.

Okay, so it’s love now, not just an attraction?

She rarely gets in touch with Ezaki-san, yet she casually says she loves him? How is that even possible?

Jeez! This is driving me up a wall.

Sigh...

But anyway, let’s get that out of the way for now. We’ll get to Ezaki-san later.

“Then, that’s a promise, right?” I gestured a pinky promise.

She chuckled softly as she entwined her pinky finger around mine. “Of course, that’s my promise.” Kyashii’s face was tinged with a mysterious smile.

Now that’s an enthralling smile.

“Yuyo…”

“Hmm?”

“I knew it. This doesn’t feel right.” Kyashii mumbled.

“It’s fine….” I replied in a hushed tone.

“It isn’t... This isn’t what I want. Let’s switch.”

“It’s fine, Kyashii. It’s my first time sleeping with someone, so this should be fine.”

“Gaahh!” Kyashii’s loud voice surprised me. “Could you please use more appropriate words than that?! There are better ways to express yourself! You’re making me nervous all over!”

Huh??

“What’s up with that? I’m just telling it like it is. And don’t make too much noise at night. You’ll disturb the neighborhood.”

“Sorry… Yeah. But it’s…. Oh my gosh, this is annoying! I’ll ask you again. Let’s switch, please!”

“I’ve already told you this is fine. This will be my first sleepover with a friend, so I’d like to try sleeping on a futon while someone else sleeps in my bed. I have never done anything like this before, so I shouldn’t have any problems.”

I offered Kyashii my bed for the night. And to round out the sleepover experience, I decided to sleep on a futon.

It took me some time to get to this setup since Kyashii was fussing over it. When she insisted that I sleep in my bed since I had just recovered from being sick, I flopped on the futon as fast as I could before she could take it.

And yet, we’re still arguing about it when I’m already sleepy. 

“I don’t feel at ease knowing you just got over a cold, and I’m taking your bed.”

“I told you I’m fine. Let me get a taste of what it’s like to have a sleepover like this. Just go to sleep. Goodnight, Kyashii….”

I could hear her sigh. “F-Fine… Then thank you again for having me and letting me sleep in your bed. Good night, Yuyo.”

“I should be thanking you instead. Thanks a lot for everything you’ve done for me today, Kyashii.” My snoozing gaze met hers as I gave her a half-smile. “I’m really glad I have someone like you in my life. I can’t thank you enough.”

 “N-No... It’s fine, Yuyo. I’m glad you’re feeling better. Besides, t-this is what a b-best friend should do.” Kyashii gave me an awkward smile.

Heh... That smile doesn’t take away her cuteness.

“Yeah... I think you’re right. So, if you happen to get sick, too, let me know. I will do my best to take care of you as well.” I keep my smile on my lips.

“Really? Yuyo, promise to do that?” Kyashii smiled and put out her left arm toward me as if to seal a deal.

I reached for her hand and gently squeezed it. “I promise. I’ll take care of you....” I remember saying it just before my eyes closed as sleepiness took over my consciousness.

~End of Chapter Two~