"Italicized" = Signed

"Regular" = Spoken

Italicized = Yō typing

= Someone else typing

----- = A spoken word Yō can't understand (or at least not lip read)

...

Yō's POV:

I couldn't do anything more than just stare at Dia with a blank, but obviously shocked, expression. Chika and Riko started dating only two weeks after I broke up with Chika. Was I just a joke? Did Chika not really love me? Does she not like me at all? Was I just a standin until she found someone better?

I don't know what to think. Should I be mad at Chika? Riko? Both of them? Did they think I was gone forever?

"I know what you're thinking. I can't say it's not true, but I would suggest being civil with them. Ask them about it. Maybe there's a reason?" Dia told me. It looked like she knew something more about this than she was letting on. I doubt she'll tell me. I have to ask them for the truth.

I took a deep breath and nodded, "Fine. I'll talk to them civilly first."

We sat there for a few minutes not doing anything. I couldn't think of anything else. I felt horrible. What did I do to deserve this? Am I not allowed to be happy? I can't help but wonder if Dia isn't telling me because she knows the answer will hurt me more. That would make a lot of sense.

I glanced at the clock to see that it was almost time for lunch. This is just great. I'm going to have to face them again. I am nowhere near ready to talk to them right now. I might accidentally do something I'll regret.

I probably don't have a choice, though. They'll probably be coming here the moment they get out of class. I'll have to go eat with them. Unless, maybe I can convince them otherwise?

I glanced over at Dia, who had decided to lie back down on the bed. I wonder if I could use her as an excuse to not eat with them. Would I be able to get them to believe me? What if they decided to just stay with us then? What if Dia didn't want me hiding from them?

There is no way I can avoid them, is there? They're dead set on me joining them. They'll want to know everything about what's been going on with me. What do I do?

The clock showed it was time for lunch. They'll be here soon. I need to think of something fast. Do I want to try and eat with them? Speaking of that...

I looked over at Dia again. She met my gaze.

"It's lunch time now, right?" I asked.

Dia nodded, "I'm assuming that you're supposed to eat with them."

I nodded back, "Yeah. I don't know if I'm ready to face them, though."

"Knowing them, I doubt any lie will get them to leave you alone. You're going to have to be ready whether or not you like it." Dia told me.

I hated the fact that she was right. They won't let me go. I'm stuck.

"Are you going to eat something?" I asked her.

Dia shook her head, "No. I'm not sure it'll stay down right now."

I was going to reply, when I saw them in the corner of my eye. I hesitantly turned and looked at them. They gave us confused glances. I looked back at Dia to see she was talking. I guess she's probably saying why she's here.

Chika came over to me. She grabbed my hand and pulled me up. I guess I'm leaving. Chika started to tug me toward the door. I gave one last look at Dia. She motioned for me to go.

I took a deep breath and let Chika guide me out of the room. Riko led the way as we went to a spot to eat. I really don't want to eat with them.

We sat down. I glanced between them. How long until they start asking things? It didn't take long. Chika very quickly started to sign to me.

"Why'd you come back?" She asked me.

Why did she have to ask the one question I really didn't want to answer?

"I came back because I had the chance to." I decided to reply with. It's not technically a lie.

"You and your mom moved back?" Riko asked.

I shook my head, "My interpreter went here and then transferred to the school in America. She was coming back this year and offered to let me come with her."

"I'm glad you're back." Chika smiled at me.

I guess now is the time. I can't push it off forever. I need to know why.

"You guys are dating, right?" I asked.

Chika and Riko glanced at each other. They hesitantly looked at me and nodded. Why do they seem so hesitant to admit it?

"I'm happy for you." I signed, despite the fact I was not.

I want Chika back. But, I won't try and make them break up or anything. I gave up my chance. I'll just have to live with this.

"Why didn't you tell us you were coming back?" Chika asked.

"I wanted it to be a surprise." I replied. That was true. I had wanted to surprise them all. It just didn't turn out as I had planned it.

"Yō, can we talk in private after school?" Riko asked me.

I nodded. I wonder what she wants to talk about. Maybe it has to do with her and Chika? I don't know what to expect.

We didn't talk that much after that. I guess that question made everything awkward between us. Maybe I shouldn't have asked that yet.

...

School was a struggle. Without an interpreter, I couldn't understand anything at all. Thankfully, Chika or Riko were always there to help me. If I ever got called on, they'd defend me from having to answer since I was deaf.

After school had ended, Riko led me to an empty hallway. We stood there for a while. She didn't do anything and neither did I. We both couldn't seem to figure out what to say.

"How are you really with us dating?" Riko eventually signed something to me.

"I'm fine." I replied. I don't want to get into detail with her.

"You are not. It's obvious." Riko gave me a hard look.

"It's not that I don't like you guys dating. It's just that you guys started so soon after we broke up." I guess I should just tell her.

"How'd you know that?" Riko gave me a confused look.

"Dia told me." I replied.

"I guess it is true that we started really soon. I promise it isn't anything bad. I think Chika was just rushing into trying another relationship. She was really upset, no matter how much I tried to tell her why you guys broke up. She was trying to heal her wound." Riko explained, "I only asked her out so she wouldn't get hurt with someone else. I don't feel that way about her."

"You don't?" I couldn't believe it. Riko was only doing that to keep Chika safe. She didn't actually love her. I might have a chance still.

Riko looked behind me. She had a nervous look on her face. She started speaking to someone. I turned around to see who it was. It was Chika. She had just seen everything. She looks hurt and betrayed.

This is going to be an ugly confrontation.