Fujiwara Chika crouched to look the blooming flowers closer. A patch of whites gardenias, growing between calliopsis and buttercups, the colors meshing and melding until it was hard to tell which belonged to which.

"Gardenias in my garden!" she giggled.

Caressing the white flower closest to her, she stood to look around to her garden, expanding beyond the blue horizon. Coltsfoots, Forget me nots, Jamines, Hippeastrum, Lisianthus, Purple Carnations, those and others where the flowers that usually filled her garden, but odd patches of Gardenias were bursting in odd places, contrasting, or perhaps highlighting the colors of the other flowers. Which was odd, cuz she didn't remember planting them.

As she wondered what stray breeze has carried the seeds, she noticed a small growth of a flower, not even blooming. There were two, in fact, planted one besides the other in a small patch, apart from all other flowers.

She crouched again to look at it better, but she felt a hand on her shoulder and her world was replaced with the face of President Shirogane.

"Ah, you woke up. I'm sorry for bothering you, but it's bad to sleep sitting like that on the couch." He said as he took a step back. The afternoon summer light, entering from the window behind his desk, shined as he went around the table and sat in the opposite couch.

"Preshhhhiiident, wacha doing here?" Chika asked, groggily stifling a yawn.

"I could ask the same to you, Fujiwara-San. I was taking care of some papers, and I had to step out for a break. I was surprised to find you here, already asleep, once I returned. I thought today was a Gaming Club meeting day?"

"Both Megako-chan and Makki-sen called sick today. I'd be madder, but maybe they got lucky this time. The game I had planned for today was a little more complicated that I thought, and I wouldn't want to Megako to become Kiloko unfairly."

"Oh? What game do you refer?"

"It's a western one, Dragons and Dungeons, I think? I looked it up online after I heard Ishigami-kun mentioning it, but it has too many rules!" She said, pointing to the encyclopedia-sized book in the table. "At some point, I got bored reading."

"Ah, so that's what it was."

"In the end, I went here to spend the extra free hours doing student council work, but I guess I fell asleep... These couches are very nice, don't you think?" she said as she melted a little more with the furniture.

"Have you been doing alright? You look tired. I thought you had recovered since that day."

Chika's eyes fleeted to the side at the mention of that day. Still, she blustered through. "Geez, Prez, I'm mad it's you of all people telling me that. I'm fine, I just... Yaaaaaaahhhh don't know, sleep hasn't been coming around during the night." she waved the question off, covering a third yawn under her hand. This however made the President frown.

"That's not good. Sporadic sleep and insomnia reflect negatively on both your health and your studies."

"President, again, I'm feeling a bit insulted that it's you who's telling me this."

"Think what you will, but I sleep 5 to 6 hours consistently." he affirmed. But then he looked to the side and scratched his cheek. "And besides, it suits me better..." he muttered.

What? "What was that?"

"N-nothing. It doesn't matter. What does is that you get enough rest for someone as yourself. If it's insomnia, it's said than tea or warm milk can help you. Speaking of, I realize that maybe it's not the right time, but I found that I'm not good making coffee, and I wanted to... ask you... tips... " he trailed off as he noticed that Chika had fallen asleep again. With the light falling over her from behind, she looked cuter than usual. She even looked beau-

Sharply shaking his head, Miyuki Shirogane dismissed the stray thought and got up.

For Chika, time went as fast as a second, but when she woke up, she realized she was laying down on the couch, her head resting on the armrest. As she sat back up, shrugging the sleep of her eyes, she noticed a folded school jacket that had served as a pillow against the harder armrest.

"Ah, I was just about to wake you up again." Chika turned to look at the President, jacketless and with his golden chain hanging from his white shirt. He was sitting in his desk, eyes focused on the paper before him. "The clubs will wrap up soon and the school will close. I have work afterward, and I couldn't leave my jacket behind."

Chika turned to the jacket again. It was rumpled and wrinkled from sleeping on top of it.

...

Quickly, she unfolded it, smoothed it, and folded it again. She stood up, left it on the desk, and left with a blank face and a barely audible 'thank you'.

Before she could exit through the door, Shirogane spoke again. "The Student Council Room is not for napping, Fujiwara, and I trust you'll resolve this issue." She knew she shouldn't, she really did, but she couldn't stop herself from turning a glancing back at him from the corner of his eyes.

He had that smile again. "Until then, it'll be our secret."

Chika left, barely stopping herself from slamming the door.

Her rule book was left forgotten on the table.

'The nerve of him!' she thought angrily as she stomped through the empty hallways 'He must be doing it on purpose. There just no other way. There's no way he doesn't realize how charming he is being! Who does he think he is, a manga protagonist?'

He is.

'How can be this charming, anyways!? He is sometimes too clumsy and hopeless and talks like a little girl, but then he turns around and...! Ughhhhhh, it should be illegal for him. Definitely illegal. Iino should arrest him already!'

'How can he not see it, with his oooh sooooo great intelligence that... that...!'

"Uuuuuuuuuugggghhhhh" Chika felt like tugging her hair, but her hands were busy covering her red face.

'How can he not see... Not see...'

"Chika?" the girl flinched at being called. "What are you doing here?" asked Kaguya Shinomiya standing in front of her.

Oh no.

"A-ah, hi, Kaguya. Are you coming from the archery club?" she said while still covering her face.

"Yes. I was just going to get something from the Student Council... Is something the matter? Why are you keeping your face hidden?"

"I-I... Hide and Seek! I'm playing Hide and Seek with Megako-chan and Makki-sen." Fujiwara lied as naturally as she coughed from bad flu "You made me lose my concentration, Kaguya! I have to start counting again!"

"Is that so...?" the silence stretched for a long moment.

"Ready or not here I go!" shouted Chika as she dropped her arms, her face blush-less and glistening with cold sweat. Kaguya was dressed in her summer attire, pretty as ever, and her head was slightly tilted to the side.

A wall cast shadows over her, but then she took a step forward into the light that passed through the window, and the only thing that Chika could think of was 'She's beautiful'

The blush returned with a vengeance.

Oh nooooo...

She took a step backward, barely stopping herself from fiddling with her hands.

"I'll get going now, have to find my friends!" she tried to pass by her, eyes firmly planted on the ground, but suddenly Kaguya sidestepped, blocking her way.

Eh?

"Oh, sorry, I'll just-" she tried going the other way, but the ruby-eyed girl mimicked her moves again.

Hmm?

What followed was an odd dance that was more fitting for a DDR machine, mirrored between the two girls.

A truly unique sound erupted from Chika's throat, similar to a laser beam of all things and Kaguya was momentarily thrown off by it. Seeing her chance, Chika bypassed the 'Shinomiya walking wall' with a, "See you tomorrow."

"Chika," Kaguya spoke and Chika was frozen in her tracks. "Is there something you're not telling me? Are you hiding something from me?"

She turned back to her sharply. "What? No!" Yes.

Her eyes were boring into hers, and it took all of Chika's will not to cower and break I contact. "Is something bothering you? Am I bothering you?" The black-haired girl continued with her interrogation.

"No! Never!" Yes, all day, all night. "Is something bothering you!? You know me, I'm fine! But you're asking all these questions..."

"I am worried, yes." Kaguya admitted easily. "After that day you've been acting oddly, and it worries me as your friend."

Oh...

Chika dropped her face as she fiddled with her bow. "I'm... a little under the weather today." Then, she recomposed herself, her million-watt smile coming easily to her face. "But I'm better now because you are such a great friend!" My greatest, dearest, friend.

She hugged Kaguya and rested her head on the girl's shoulder. 'My friend, my best friend.'

She felt Kaguya's hands crossing on her back, resting on Chika's own shoulders as she returned the hug.

My friend, who I fell in love with.

Slowly, she detached herself. "I better go, Megako-chan and Makki-sen are probably bored by now. See you tomorrow!" Chika said as she turned the corner.

She left the building with a smile on her face and without looking back.

Miyuki was finishing the last paper for the day when the door opened and Kaguya crossed in.

"Ah, Kaguya," he gathered his papers as he stood. "did you finish what you had to do?".

"...Mostly, I'll tell you later, but at least Kashiwagi left satisfied. I crossed by Chika on the way back" she commented as she got closer to the desk.

"Oh? Did she tell you anything?"

"No, unfortunately. She was red on her face and was very... dodgy. It was a struggle to even make her meet my eyes. I think... that you said something embarrassing to her."

Miyuki winced. "I realized as soon as the words left my mouth, but it's not like I could take them back anyhow."

"I also think… that you're too smooth for your own good."

"Me, smooth? Don't joke like that" His ego was highly inflated by that praise. But… "If it were true it wouldn't have scared off Fujiwara." He saved the papers in the archive. Shinomiya didn't think the same, but her opinions lacked solid objectivity.

"Fujiwara…" Shirogane muttered. "I feel a bit lost. She, with actual problems affecting her? That's new. Then again, you have to expect the unexpected with her."

"And insomnia of all things. If she were anyone else, I would expect it to be some sort of hobby or game, like Ishigami-kun's. Playing games alone is not as fun, she'd said..." Kaguya trailed off.

"Hmmm. Insomnia... it's troublesome, and it could affect her health and studies, as I told her."

Shinomiya smiled coyly "I'm sorry, President, but that's a bit... insulting coming from you."

"Oh? If you both agree, then perhaps you must be right. I should be able to find time in my schedule to sleep extra hours" he grinned.

"On second thought..."

Both of them smiled, openly but playful, before their thoughts returned to the matter at hand.

A while back.

Shinomiya Kaguya's cold eyes quickly assessed the situation.

'The defendant, Subject F; AKA The Cow, has been found in illicit possession of The President's jacket. The defendant was also found sleeping, using the aforementioned cloth article as a pillow. This is a clear violation of the Organic Law Of Love over Friendship article number 337, granting rights to me, the injured party, to demand a low to mid-price gift from the co-perpetrator, The President, AKA Miyuki Shirogane, AKA 'The Boyfriend', as well guilt-tripping rights against the defendant. Moreover, article 67 of the School's Laws and Regulations prohibits the use of school inmobiliaria for activities such as napping.

'And thus, finding both individuals guilty, demands a low price gift from The President, as a strain in his wallet would be counterproductive for any future plans, and a swift execution for Subject F. The prosecution rests her case.' Ice Kaguya declared.

'No objections' agreed Main Kaguya, standing beside Ice in the prosecution stand.

'Objection! The defense has many objections!' argued Stupid Kaguya, standing as the defense.

'Not this again. So be it, let's listen to it. What objections do you propose.'

'The defendant Subject F has only committed a minor infraction! An execution is a punishment far too heavy! Even more, according to the Common Law of Friendship, exception n° 89 grants the defendant the opportunity to redeem herself. The defendant is currently asleep, and such cannot defend herself! Also, exception n° 14 of the Organic Law Of Love over Friendship, grants the defendant President Shirogane a single hearing to explain himself to me.'

'... sustained.' said Child Kaguya, the judge of this trial, after a brief moment of deliberation.

'...Tch, of course, now of all times is when you actually decided to pull your weight here. Well, if the President fails to provide a convincing reason and doesn't beg on his knees for mercy, then the law provides me 'One Over Him', as said in the common.'

'Agreed, but the defense believes it won't turn out to be the case. Besides, doesn't Miyuki look nice in white?'

'Hmph! While I agree to the sentiment, a bluff as weak as that won't work against me.'

"He does look good. The shirt hugs his body quite nicely. Maybe we should push for a jacket ban during the summer?" admitted Main, blushing

'Oi, don't fall for it. Instead, let's hurry along and wake her up so she can defend herself.'

'Objection! On grounds that Chika seems to be having trouble sleeping. The evidence, the bags under her eyes, as well as the incident from 'that day' backs my argument.'

"... I'm hesitant over sustaining or overruling the objection. Fujiwara-san, having trouble sleeping? It sounds ridiculous, and yet the evidence is clearly there. I will come to a decision after hearing President Miyuki's testimony."

'You're both far too soft with Subject F.'

'Chika is my friend, me. It stands to reason we can be more lenient.'

'Ha? Lenient? Argument? And where did you learn those words, Stupid me?'

'Hey, you said it, not me.'

'Why you-!'

'Stop, both of you, President Miyuki will now take a stand before the court.' Child Kaguya stopped their bickering, returning their attention to reality

Five seconds ago, Kaguya had gone to the Student Council room early, due to archery club finishing quickly, and had come across the sleeping Chika and the jacketless President. The mental conversation just witnessed took place in five seconds of real-time. During which, her eyes had gained a murderous glint, which prompted Shirogane to intercede.

...

'After hearing the testimony, it comes to light we must approach this case differently. This will no longer be a trial for Fujiwara's actions. Instead, in lieu of being our friend, and our interests in caring for her well being, we will move resources towards aiding her. Any objections?' said Child after considering the new facts.

'None!'

'... None.'

'You do care.'

'Another word and I will not hesitate.'

As the trial adjourned for the moment, Kaguya went to prepare some tea for Fujiwara once she woke up. Before she could, however, someone knocked at the room's door. Nagisa Kashiwagi poked her head in. Her eyes zeroed on Kaguya, and the girl felt like she was below crosshairs. Nagisa boldly barged in and started dragging Shinomiya out of the room.

"I'm sorry, but I need to borrow you for five to thirty minutes, you don't have a problem, right? Great, it'll be quick, promise!" she said as she kidnapped the shocked girl, not even giving her time to answer.

"I'll message you after she wakes up!" The President called after them, as shocked and confused as Shinomiya.

Nearing the end of Nagisa's... rant, as it could best be described, Kaguya received a message from Shirogane, telling her that Fujiwara had left and didn't know Shinomiya knew about her situation.

"You should have told her I knew." she scolded him.

"I know that, but she was leaving so quickly it slipped my mind and instead I blurted out some embarrassing lines. Ugh, I wanna die."

He had said it to reassure her she could trust him, but it seems he drew too much trust onto himself, locking himself in a dangerous situation.

"I'll have to make her open herself to me, but that should be no problem. " Kaguya said as she grabbed her bag.

"In any case, are you ready to go?" he said as he interlocked his fingers with hers.

She squeezed his hand in affirmation and they left.

...

"By the way, what did Kashiwagi ask you?"

"O-oh. Well, she came to some... realizations, and I was the only one she felt confident she could ask. Unfortunately, it was completely out of my capability, and I do not say this lightly. Still, talking with someone else apparently did more than enough to help her."

"Oh, will Tsubasa get dumped, then?"

"I don't think so, not really. There is a marginally higher chance he will end the relationship, but that's still very unlikely."

"What did she ask you, anyways?"

"Sorry, Miyuki, but she asked me to keep it a secret, if nothing else but for her own comfort. Soon you'll know, I think."

"Hmm."

The third time Chika Fujiwara woke up was in her own bed as the images a boy with an icy gaze and a girl with burning eyes faded from her eyes. She was already forgetting, but the image of the boy and the girl, one hand of each locked with the other's but the other held open towards her was burned in her mind.

She shook her head and went to fetch her Tarot deck, suddenly not feeling like sleeping.

As she made reading after reading, she kept asking what was wrong with her. What is wrong with her that made her fall in love with not one, but both parts of one couple, the Miyuki Shirogane and Kaguya Shinomiya, her dear friends.

Maybe Ishigami-kun was right, and she was greedy and selfish.

...

Admitting- no, even thinking Ishigami-kun could be right was as embarrassing as it was sad. She banished the thought away.

Sitting by her bed, she asked and asked the cards, and in them, she read her past, present, and future.

The Tower upright promised shifts and chaos. Soon, everything would change, for better or worse.

The reversed Lovers warned her of choices and inner conflict. She already feels the second and dreads the moment when that choice will present itself.

She held The Sun close to her heart. Reversed, it gently reminds her that a cloud was hanging over her head. And so she had to smile, smile so everything would turn out alright.

And with The Sun held in her hands, she nodded off and woke up again to find the morning rays passing through her windows and her alarm gently beeping.

She decided to take the card with her today and left to enjoy another day in her favorite place in the world, a smile on her face. Because, even when rain clouds cover the sky, Chika Fujiwara shall never stop smiling. The storm will pass, and she shall greet the sun again with a beaming smile.

.

.

.

Her back and neck felt uncomfortably stiff from her awkward sleeping position.

Player three has entered the game.

Results of today's match: Chika Fujiwara, for falling in love.

Some ANs: I got a beta! Trust me when I say, the next few chapters wouldn't have been possible without him. I'll present him to you all next chapter.

The one year anniversary approaches, huh?

A little retcon, here. Only a few people of choice know of the President's and Kaguya's relationship. And the explanation of the incident of that day will come soon, don't worry.

...

FF swallowed all my double white lines, for some reason.