[h1][center][color=f49ac2]Asuka Koizumi[/color] and [color=A9A9A9]Kanon Nakamura[/color][/center][/h1]

The young Koizumi stood outside the building, leaning against the wall as she gazed up at the darkening sky. She inhaled and exhaled, her face finally returning to it's usual colour; pale and ghost-like.

[i][color=f49ac2]Just… Just how did it end up like that? This whole day has just been an entire mess…[/color][/i]

[b]"Kanon-san seems to be back at one hundred and ten percent, eh? She really must want to be at the center of the group if she's drawing that much attention."[/b]

Looking to her left, the blonde haired Shingetsu appeared, standing tall amongst the other coming and going customers. The two made eye contact with each other for a moment, until the blonde decided to hide herself behind her jacket's collar, sighing.

[b]"She didn't mean anything by it, Asuka-san. You know how she is, always speaking before she thinks it through."[/b]

Asuka remained silent. Of course Kanon didn't mean it. They had been friends for as long as she could remember, so why had she gotten so flustered and frustrated that time? Not that she didn't usually get flustered and frustrated during those type of moments, but yelling at her to shut up when she was merely teasing was something pretty old and unheard of. Kanon was definitely one of those people, and Asuka had already learned how to cope with her at times. This event, however, was an abnormal exception.

[color=f49ac2]"I know that fully well, Shingetsu-san. It's just that… I'm not exactly in good shape today, "[/color] Asuka responded, clutching her injured arm. [color=f49ac2]"I don't want to go back inside either just yet… I'm actually extremely embarrassed right now. Not because of Kanon, rather my own reactions towards her… Jeez, what sort of person am I to just walk out on my teammates like that?"[/color]

Mumbling the last few words so Shingetsu wouldn't hear, Asuka shuffled away a bit, concealing herself with her curtain of hair. This wasn't a side Asuka would show very often; she would go from a 'scary sister' type of girl to a girl that can't handle her own social awkwardness. Of course, talking to people wasn't a big problem for Asuka, but after what had just happened, her paranoia levels shot up way over nine thousand.

[i][color=f49ac2]If I keep letting my embarrassment get the better of me, what could happen on future missions? Or when I'm talking to everyone else and something slips from Kanon's mouth? Why is it that I wasn't able to control myself then? A Koizumi shouldn't – no – I shouldn't be acting like this. It was a joke. I know it was.[/color][/i]

[color=A9A9A9]"Asu-chan? Asu-chan, c'mere!"[/color]

Out of nowhere, Kanon shot towards Asuka, half of her face shadowed by her oversized hoodie. Grasping the smaller girl's shoulders, Kanon stared into Asuka's bright amber eyes, breathing heavily.

[color=A9A9A9]"Asuka, can I… talk to you in private for a sec?"[/color]

[hr]
[color=f49ac2]"I'm fine, Kanon, just let me calm down for a bit, please."[/color]

[color=A9A9A9]"Seriously, Asu-chan, what's gotten into you lately?"[/color]

The two were now arguing with each other face to face at the back of the restaurant, hiding in the darkness of the alleyway. Asuka stood there silently, taking her eyes off her red faced friend.

[color=A9A9A9]"Asuka Koizumi! You're not the kid I gave hearing problems all those years ago, right? Quit ignoring me!"[/color]

Realising that her friend might not be as talkative with her at the moment, Kanon silenced her self for bit, actually thinking over what she was going to say next. She didn't want to anger Asuka, nor sadden her, so a revision of suitable word choices was a definite yes.

[color=A9A9A9]"Look... I'm sorry. I just thought that… you know… you wouldn't take it as seriously. But then you just went and apparently screamed at me to shut up.  Is there anything wrong at all? I'm your friend, Asuka, I don't want to see you all sad like this! This isn't like you!"[/color]

[color=f49ac2]"Kanon… I'm very sorry as well, especially for shouting at you earlier on. Please, don't let yourself get dragged into my own problems."[/color]

[color=A9A9A9]"Asuka, quit mumbling! You know I can't hear properly and that you don't know sign language, so at least make it visible to me whilst you're talking. I'm trying to speak with you properly, you know?"[/color]

Asuka repeated her sentence, this time a bit slower, and much clearer. Kanon shook her head.
 
[color=A9A9A9]"That's not what I want to hear! I don't want a sorry, I just want to know why you're acting all grumpy all if a sudden! Does it look like I'm joking around here?"[/color]

[color=f49ac2]"Kanon, please… I've just been a bit stressed lately, all right? I've been training nonstop for the past week, and I barely got any sleep today too-"[/color]

[color=A9A9A9]"This is why I've been telling you over and over again to give yourself a break! I bet you there isn't anyone out there who can train nonstop for hours on end without resting. Just look at yourself, Asuka. You're only fifteen years old. You've still got your whole life ahead of you before things actually get really, really serious. I don't know what's been going on with your clan, but I don't want you working yourself to death. I'm supposed to be your friend, Asuka. I'm supposed to be there for you. No one's going to get all pissy at you for not letting yourself slowly deteriorate."[/color]

The two were drowned in their own silence once again, staring each other down. With a big wide smile plastered on her face, Kanon tugged on Asuka's arm, pulling her out into the moonlight. Face blank and oblivious, the young Koizumi stared at Kanon. Those words had likely sparked Asuka with thought and relief.

[color=A9A9A9]"Well, looks like we better get back in! Can't miss the famous Mikaboshi sushi I've been dying to eat for ages! C'mon, don't want to miss it while the others start gobbling it all down, right?"[/color]

Asuka smiled. A simple, gentle smile. This was why they were friends in the first place. They were each other's everything. One with a strict and firm personality and another with a playful and big heart. Although they seemed vastly different from one another, there was now doubt Asuka and Kanon were the best of friends. Sure, they had their ups and downs, but in the end, everything was guaranteed to work out.

[color=f49ac2]"Kanon?"[/color] Asuka whispered, tapping the girl on the shoulder as she was dragged back to the entrance.

[color=A9A9A9]"Hm? Is there something wrong, Asu-chan?"[/color]

[color=f49ac2]"Thank you… very much."[/color]

Giggling, the girl beamed at Asuka, eyes glittering with joy. [color=A9A9A9]"Heh, no problem. At least I know never to use the word 'harem' in your presence ever again."[/color]

[color=f49ac2]"Hmph, I sure do hope you better remember that."[/color]

And just like that, the negativity that had cloaked them previously was completely gone. Now wasn't the time to get all sulky and mad. This was a time for smiles of joy, a time to finally let out bursts of laughter and random jokes about random things. This was a time to finally relax.

[i][color=f49ac2]Of course… It's not like I'll get a final result in only a few weeks. This technique takes a while to perfect… But still, I must get stronger. Not just for the squad, but for my clan's sake as well.

After all, it's only going to get tougher from here.[/color][/i]