38 Chapter four, 2016, early resolutions: 4 (2/2)

She felt a new resolve building in her. With steady steps she approached Kuri-chan and stood facing her, looking up.

”You're in my way. I like Moron-sama, and I'm not giving up on him.”

The silence was absolute.

Kuri-chan let out a surprised laugh. It bounced in loneliness around the room. ”Oh my!” she said. ”Thank you for telling me, Noriko-chan, but don't you think that is for Ulf to decide?”

Noriko looked around. Urufu-kun stood, one hand on the table and his face in the other. ”I like you, Moron-sama. I'm not giving up on you.” She turned and looked at Kuri-chan again. ”There, better?”

”Is that what you call a declaration of war?” Kuri-chan asked weakly. ”I really like your guts. Could we be friends as well as rivals?”

Noriko sat down in a chair. Her legs were almost giving way under her. She needed to sit down if she was to keep her cool. ”I thought we were already friends. Did you have a differing opinion?”

”No, not at all.”

Thank gods for small victories! Now she could look at them both. She could even afford blushing at the sight of Urufu-kun, Moron-sama, whatever. It was all in the open anyway. And that was a relief. She wasn't about to copy her idiot brother and his refusal to come clear with his feelings.

She still hurt though. Nothing could make her not hurt. Well, maybe Urufu-kun having a change of heart, but she wasn't certain even that would be enough.

Behind her her brother had sat down as well. She could feel his disappointment oozing from his body.

”That was… intense,” Yu-kun offered from the other end of the table. He took a seat as well, and was comically joined by Kyoko-chan who sat down almost at the same time, but in a chair as far from Yu-kun as possible.

”Ulf, at least she deserves better,” Kuri-chan said and pointed at Noriko with her entire hand.

”They'll share secrets anyway,” Urufu-kun said as if he and Kuri-chan had just agreed upon something. ”But I don't know if he has deserved it,” he continued and pointed at Ryu with an equally exaggerated gesture.

Noriko frowned. Is that so? ”Ryu, confess!”

”What? Sis!”

”Just do it. I want in on that secret of theirs. Make your pick if you're telling Urufu-kun or Kuri-chan first, but make it quick!”

”Sis!”

He really was her idiot brother. ”Do I have to spell it out for you?”

He bowed his head and caved in.