Natsume insisted on having a date that weekend and I told her we would not be having sex. She canceled and we've barely talked sense. It's been a month sense then and in the original timeline she was dutiful about checking in for our anniversary every month, but this time she blew me off from the beginning. Then all the sudden she approached me and Fuuko on the stairs to the roof where we generally ate lunch.
"Miss. Girlfriend, you've been ghosting poor Yuni-Chan for almost over a month. What brings you here today?" Fuuko asked. She was enjoying the chance to poke Natsume, and I had to admit I loved her mischievous side.
"Is it only me not allowed to sleep with you or are we both playing by the same rules?" Nanase asked. Her directness and stern tone caught me off guard.
"I never said we couldn't have sex. I said we weren't going to have sex that night. In fact, I knew you wouldn't show up. That's why I said it. I told you; you don't want a girlfriend you want a booty call."
"That's not fair I pursued you for months before we started dating."
"For the record me and Fuuko still haven't. She wants to be sure before she accepts me feelings. She said it would be different if we were just fooling around but sense I want to stay by her side she doesn't want to lead me on. It's only been a little over a month, but she has never once ghosted me or hid me from anyone. Also, she doesn't want there to be misunderstandings, so she has boundaries with everyone."
"Sounds like you've already decided."
"I told you that on the video chat, but you wanted to prove you were good for me which you proved by ghosting me for over a month. What you proved is I mean even less to you then I thought I did."
"I'm jealous and confused. I thought you loved me, but you look right pass me now. You know I cut my hair twice sense we stopped talking. You used to always be the first to notice. You never even looked at it either time."
"I did. In fact, me and Fuuko talked about it both times. However, you asked me to give you a chance and then you ignored me, so I honored your decision. You don't want your friends to know about us. So why would I intrude in your personal space to say something that would make your friends question our relationship?"
"I see. I'm sorry Yuni. Please give me one more chance to be what you need."
"Real, best-case scenario I realize you matter to me and I don't want to hurt you and Fuuko doesn't mind sharing. When things are slow for club and I have time, we spend some time together. Is that really enough for you. You can't prioritize me, and I have no intention of prioritizing you and if Fuuko ever makes me chose I will pick her."
"Please Yuni! I need you. You're the only one I can be myself with."
"That's not the same as loving me, but we can give it one more try. Though I really wish you'd just date Yuki."
"Why do you keep pushing that. What do you even know about her?"
"I know you guys are in love, but too scared to admit it."
Her face went pale, and she walked away. Having finished our lunch, I gave Fuuko a passionate kiss before taking her hand and following Natsume back to class.
"Why don't you just cut ties with her? Maybe tell her the truth like you need me," Fuuko asked as we walked.
"She doesn't trust me like you do. She never did," I responded with certainty. More than anything it was the unconditional love and support from Fuuko that I loved most.
We went in and took our seats the day past quickly. Natsume caught up with us as we were headed for the train, "Yuni can we have a date tonight? No practice so it would be a perfect chance."
"Natsume, don't you get your schedule in advance? You can't expect me to drop everything on a whim."
"I didn't want to ask and then have them change the schedule."
"If you ask Fuuko she might let you come with us. We are going to the library and then dinner. She's going to read to me. I told her I don't like to read, but she loves books so much she came up with this idea to bring us together. Isn't she the sweetest?" I asked hoping to make it clear the difference between love and consideration and conveniently spending time with someone your attracted to. The point was lost on her.
"I could help you train. Like we could run in the morning together or something."
"That's just me doing what you want to do. Not the same thing."
"Ok, Fuuko, can I accompany you and my girlfriend on your date? This is truly humiliating," Natsume said no longer able to hide her displeasure.
"Sure. I would be with Yuni even if she preferred you. Though with everything you've done to her I don't know why she puts up with you," Fuuko responded her anger over the stories from my past life were pushing her.
"Fuuko, she didn't do that. I never let her. I'm with you, babe, calm down kay," I reminded her, and she nodded.
"Forgot Yuni-Chan."
"What are you guys talking about?" Natsume asked and Fuuko got that devilish grin on her face.
"It's a secret for those who have proven how much they love, trust, and respect Yuni," Fuuko said and I chuckled.
"Don't be to mean, Fuuko, I said I'd give her a chance. After dinner me and Fuuko don't have any plans if you come with us, we can hang out after. No sex, but we can get to know each other better. You can tell me why you've never mentioned me to your mother even though we've been friends since junior high. Stuff like that."
With that the three of us got on the train and headed for the library. Natsume barely engaged while I laid my head against Fuuko and listened to her read softly. Then we went to dinner. It was a lovely meal, and I couldn't help, but wonder if not for the competitive nature of their relationship maybe they'd be friends. Natsume did constantly go off on tangents about the team, and she brought up Yuki six times. I knew she was in love with Yuki, but still it hurt. I for my part tried to engage both girls in conversation, but Natsume got upset whenever I let Fuuko change the topic, and I quickly had enough.
"Look your cute and we were close, so I've been trying to let you work through this at your own pace, but you have to be nicer to Fuuko. Otherwise, we can't hang out anymore. When we hang out tonight, I'll explain everything to you. You don't have much trust in me though so I doubt it will do much good."
She looked truly hurt, but I couldn't just ignore everything I knew about our relationship. So, I just went outside for air and let them eat.
"Yuni-Chan, I'm leaving now and for the record I think you're doing the right thing. What happens after is on her."
"Thanks babe. Love you," I responded giving her a peck on the cheek before she left. I then guided Natsume to a karaoke room and paid for an hour of quiet.
"So, what do you want to tell me that will change our relationship forever?"
"I've lived our life before. Well parts of it anyways. I know you'll forget our six-moth anniversary because you'll be on the starting lineup. Then you'll push me into going to the game even though it's in Osaka. I know you'll always prioritize your team, then Yuki, then yourself, family including your dogs, then if there's any energy left me. Which there rarely is. You'll schedule dates and let your friends crash them, you'll by us matching outfits only to let your whole team copy it. You will constantly make me think we're getting closer just to make me feel like a fool. This is why I will never pick you, because every time you discarded me, forgot me, or made a fool of me Fuuko is the one who picked me back up. These things haven't happened, so I don't expect you to believe me, but regardless of what you think I will never trust you with my heart again. Also, I know for a fact you love Yuki, and she loves you. I've heard you both say it before. Ugh you both frustrate me so much," I raddled off everything that was on the top of my mind. Not thinking about it at all. because I knew if I did it would never come out. I couldn't expect everyone to trust me like Fuuko did.
"So, this is what you told Fuuko? You say you're giving me a chance, but if you're judging me for things I haven't even done what kind of chance is that?"
"First no this is not what I told Fuuko. I told Fuuko about mine and her relationship and how I knew I was in love with her and even though I wasn't the same I hoped she could love me too."
"What do you mean not the same?"
"Knowing things changes things. I didn't even know Fuuko until we were together for five months and I was so blindly loyal to you I pushed her away. It wasn't until you pushed me to go on a trip, I couldn't afford that me and Fuuko became involved. Even then I loved her, but I left her for you, and you still never gave me anything I needed. So, why would I be that person again? As far as giving you a chance I have and will continue to do so, but you aren't doing great. You started by ghosting me because I said we couldn't have sex and now your more interested in why I want a relationship with Fuuko instead of why our relationship didn't work. You're not apologizing or overing to change in anyway and I'm not saying you should, but if you want to stay who you were last time I don't want to go through all that hurt again."
Natsume looked genuinely confused about what to say next and we just sat there for a little bit then she stood up, brushed off her pants and said, "I'm gonna call it a night. I care about you and I'm not giving up, but I need to think about things. Can I have a hug?"
I nodded and leaned in to hug her. She snuck a quick peck on my cheek, and I blushed.
"Ok, have a goodnight see you at school."
With that we went our separate ways.