Date Her Instead Vol. 6

Chapter Fifteen: Just How Much Damage Can A Gal Take?

Things like falling in love with another girl?

Before their last encounter, Chiyo had started, just barely started, to believe in the idea that maybe Michi was beginning to come around to the idea. Their interactions with one another had been steadily getting more intimate, and even when Chiyo pushed a little too far, Michi usually came around again. But, after the last couple of times, Chiyo had begun to notice that Michi was getting distant and acting like she used to be when they first met. The gal had tried to just brush it off, but when they fought, Chiyo's hopes immediately got shattered.

Would a girl who was starting to come around to an idea she was originally against really act the way Michi had? Chiyo knew how stubborn Michi could be, but even for her it was a little far. Not knowing what to believe anymore, all Chiyo could hope for was mending their friendship and testing the waters again. After all, it hadn't been her who sent Michi over the edge. It had been the shock of finding out about Haruna and Kanako's relationship. Chiyo didn't put any blame on the two of them, but she was a little miffed that her slow-and-steady, chipping-away approach had been ruined.

"Chi," Chitose said, breaking Chiyo's train of thought. For a moment, it seemed like Chitose was going to say something, but then she changed her mind. "Ya want some tea?" she finally asked. "Sure," Chiyo said. So the older Wakabayashi sister got up, went to the kitchen, and a few minutes later returned with a kettle and some glasses. Pouring the piping hot liquid, she picked up one of the glasses and handed it to Chiyo. "Don't burn yourself," she warned. "Geez, I'm not a kid," Chiyo whined. "I know tea is- ouch! Hot!" Seeing her little sister burn herself, Chitose sighed. "I literally just told you." "Ughh..." Chiyo groaned.

While being handed the tea, Chiyo had gotten lost in thought again, leading to her forgetting to blow on the tea before drinking it. Taking the time to do just that before she took another sip, Chiyo blew steadily. Chitose watched her, partly just to double-check Chiyo wouldn't burn herself twice in a row, but also because she wanted Chiyo to open up more about what was bothering her.

Chiyo had told Chitose all the details about what had happened with Michi, but since that night, Chiyo had barely said a word about it. When she got really worked up, she'd pace around all over the house, but the moment Chitose tried to press the issue, Chiyo would wave it off and tell her it was no big deal. "No big deal, my ass," Chitose would always think. She had never seen Chiyo like this. Feeling like she was the one who had been raising Chiyo through her puberty years, the younger Wakabayashi's actions definitely caused the level of concern Chitose had to rise.

"Hey, Chi," she said. "About Mi-chan." "She'll come around," Chiyo said immediately. With how fast she had responded, it was clear she didn't really want to talk about it. This time though, Chitose wasn't going to let it go. "C"mon, Chi," she said. "Just go talk to her."

For a while, it was silent. A minute passed, then two. Chiyo sat still, holding her glass in both hands as she stared into the tea. It was almost as if she was hoping to find answers in it. Finally, she spoke. "...Do you think Mi-chan hates me?"

Truthfully, that wasn't the first question on Chiyo's mind. Nor was it the second. Or third. Or even fourth. It was far, far down the list, because really, Chiyo didn't want to ask that question. A part of her believed it could never be true. For as stubborn or angry as Michi could be, she was a good person. She wouldn't hate someone just because of one fight. And yet, a part of Chiyo thought the opposite. That because they had fought at a time when Michi seemed so desperate, the damage may be too great, and Chiyo would have no hope of saving her relationship with Michi.

Looking at Chiyo, Chitose did her best to find the right words. It was times like these were she was reminded that she wasn't a parent, only a sibling. How much help could she really be in this situation? Did she even have anything to say that would be helpful? Doubts like that pervaded her mind, but Chitose pushed them aside. Right now, she had to be the big sister Chiyo depended on.