With her finger on Azusa's lips, Jun continued, "Azusa, I don't really know how to say this, so I'll just say it as simply as possible: I like you." Jun could see Azusa's eyes grow larger and her blush deepen; was she doing the right thing? Nevertheless, she kept speaking. "And I don't mean how I like the bass or you like the guitar or Ritsu-senpai likes drumsticks..." she trailed off, "Well, maybe a little like that..." No, now wasn't the time to think about her hatred of that crass woman; she couldn't let herself get distracted while she poured her heart out! "Anyway, the point is that I want to go out with you," she finished, removing her finger from Azusa's lips. After a momentary and awkward silence, she added, "Whaddaya say?"
Azusa looked like she was about to cry. "So you were serious, earlier," she muttered, eyes anchored to Jun's feet. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, I can't. I just don't...I can't...it wouldn't be fair to you." What a goddamn cliche, Jun thought to herself as Azusa started sobbing. I should be the one crying, dammit! But she wasn't. Oh, she felt sad, but she also felt light, like a balloon escaping into the ionosphere. Sure, it would explode, but at least it was free.
Jun wrapped Azusa in a hug and began to stroke the weeping girl's head. "Hush now, it's alright," she said gently, "I know, I know. It's okay." Azusa, her eyes wet with tears and her lip quivering, looked up at Jun. "This is what I love about you, Jun," Azusa replied, the irony apparently lost on her. "As a friend, right?" Jun added in an attempt to salvage their relationship, but not without a hint of anger. Azusa didn't answer. She slipped out of Jun's embrace and took a seat on her bed.
"So, uh, how do you know that you wouldn't be into it?" Jun inquired.
"...Not now," Azusa replied flatly.
"Oh, so you need time to get in the mood? I'll light some candles," Jun asked playfully.
"This isn't funny," Azusa responded, "You know it doesn't work like that."
"Yeah, joke's on me," Jun muttered.
"I'm a crappy friend who breaks her best friend's heart," Azusa stated.
"Nah, I'm tougher than that," Jun answered, "Besides, I'm a crappy friend who comes on to her best friend like a dirty old man."
"So we're both crappy," Azusa said, slumping her shoulders in defeat.
"Crappy friends," Jun emphasized, "That's the important part." Jun got up and hugged Azusa again. "This is not a sexual hug," she clarified, "This is a friendship hug!"
Azusa laughed. It looked like things were going to be okay, but, still, Jun felt a little unsatisfied. "Hey, uh, this is probably not the best time to ask this, but do you know anyone who's maybe looking for the same thing I'm looking for?"
Azusa grinned. "Oh yeah," she nodded enthusiastically, "I've got you covered. I even have enough names to make a list." The two girls suddenly leapt into the air and executed a thunderous, aerial high five.
GOOD END
I've brought my ps3 down, so we may move onto playing TTT2 shortly.
