Date Her Instead Vol. 7 (Final Volume)

Chapter Twenty-Six: Let's Talk

The final days of summer soon came, sending plenty of students around the country into a frenzy as they tried to finish up the homework they had put off all break. Considering the mood she had been in, one would've thought Chiyo would be among those unfortunate crowds, but thanks to her decision to simply stay home, the gal just ended up doing the homework to kill time. However, having it done did little to lift her spirits.

"Haaah..."

"Chi, if ya sigh one more time like that, I'm gonna throw ya outta here."

Chitose, having returned from her vacation, had truly reached the end of her rope with Chiyo. Coming back and seeing absolutely nothing had changed, she had gone on another lecture about how Chiyo just needed to suck it up and take responsibility. Alas, those words fell on deaf ears, as Chiyo ended up just shrugging and mumbling.

Ever since Chitose had found out what was going on, she had thought it would be best to let the two girls work things out themselves. After all, it was their problem to solve, so forcing them to do something about it could easily just make things worse. But, with the ways things were going, Chitose was starting to change her mind.

"Don't you two sit next to each other in class?" Chitose had asked. "What're ya gonna do if ya haven't talked by then? There's no way you can just sit in silence." In response, all Chiyo had done was make a bothered face before marching back to her room. "She's just pouting at this point," Chitose thought. "That's pretty rare. Haven't seen her do that since she was little. Although, it was cute back then. Now it's just annoying."

".....haah..."

"Alright, that's it!" Chitose exclaimed, standing up immediately. Chiyo looked up at her, startled. "G-God, is it that big of a deal if I sigh?!" "It is when it's a bunch of times a day!" Chitose shot back. "Now c'mon!" Reaching down, Chitose put an iron grip on Chiyo's arm. "Ow!" the gal cried. "That hurts, big sis!" "So does my head from listening to you moaning every day!" Chitose yelled. "I'm tired of it, so we're going to Mi-chan's place! You two are gonna sit in that damn apartment and talk it out like actual human beings instead of depressin' lumps, and ya ain't leavin' until it's all cleared up!"

"But-"

"No buts! Today! Now, Chi!" Giving no room to debate, Chitose used all her strength to drag the unwilling gal out to the car. Once she was inside, it seemed she had no plans of trying to make a grand escape, so Chitose relaxed a little after clicking her own seatbelt in place. "Chi, if ya actually give a damn about this girl, then it shouldn't have to come to this." "I do give a damn!" Chiyo exclaimed. "Then act like it," Chitose said sternly. "Love ain't just about sunshine and roses, y'know? Shit like this happens, and it's up to at least one of ya to do somethin' about it. If neither person moves, then... well, I really doubt you could call that love."

Chiyo glared at Chitose for a moment, but soon her gaze dropped. "Like I'd know... it's not like I've ever been in love before..." "Everybody has to go through their crash course," Chitose said more gently. "And if anybody says they crossed the finish line without a dent, they're a liar. The course is full of twists and turns and obstacles that'll put ya through hell sometimes. But, if ya stick with it, you can come out of it all with somethin' pretty nice at the end."

It felt like advice Chiyo needed to hear more than she wanted to hear, but she still listened all the same. The gal took in her sister's words, trying to fit them to her own situation. Although, she still felt hesitant. Everything Chitose was saying was true, and yet...

The question was, could Chiyo find the words? "Will I be able to get through to Mi-chan?" she wondered aloud as the car headed down the road. "Just give it a shot, Chi," Chitose said. "It's better than moping around, ain't it?" Yet another thing that was true, and as Chitose drove, Chiyo thought about everything that had happened between herself and Michi.