Standard disclaimers apply.

THEORY 101

By Cassandra's Destiny

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Theory No. 1: Understand

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"But why?"

"It's Sora. Yamato, please understand."

"There's nothing to understand, Mimi. You're not making sense.

A swirling gust of wind filled the atmosphere, carrying with it crisp leaves fallen from the lanky oak tree near the broken streetlight. Mimi pulled her coat closer to her body, aching for its warmth and comfort. This was turning out to be a pretty difficult and heart rendering night.

"Yamato." She began slowly, unsure of her next move.

"Please don't, Mimi. Please…"

"Yamato," she took in a deep breath. Much as it pained her to say this, she understood her position. A girl can find love in many parts of the world, but a strong friendship is something almost impossible to find anywhere else. "We have to stop seeing each other."

The distance between them proved to be a good thing, for if Yamato was any closer to her, he would have seen the tears forming on the corners of her eyes. She loved him too much to make him think of himself as the man who made Mimi Tachikawa cry.

"You're joking, right?"

Her love is not a matter to joke about. Moreover, her relationship with Sora is not something she would ever wish to make fun of, let alone put down the drain.

"I don't… I don't lo—I just…" She paused. It was becoming harder and harder for her to make out what she was thinking. Sora is my best friend. I can't do this to her. "I don't love you."

Yamato stood there. He just stood there, not knowing what to do or what to say next.

"Yamato, I—"

"I don't understand." His voice was only a little above a whisper, but Mimi heard him.

"You're a good friend, Yamato, but I want to keep it that way between us forever. I hope we can still continue to be… friends."

"You can't do this, Mimi. I love you."

Yes, I can't do this. I can't betray my best friend. She shut her eyes tight before bowing her head slightly. Mimi wanted to fight back the tears threatening to fall. She loves Sora too much to hook-up with her ex-boyfriend, especially when she still is in love with him. "I can't force you to take the friendship I offer, Yamato. But please understand you have no power to force me to take the love you offer either."

"Doesn't it feel wrong?"

Feel wrong? Yes. Yes, it does. But the feeling will eventually go away once you and Sora get back together, and once I see my loving best friend return to the happy person she used to be.

"I thought you loved me."

And I still do, but I love Sora more.

"Mimi…"

Silence.

She looked at him, stared at his beautiful blue eyes, which were now filled with hints of nothing but sorrow and regret.

There's nothing to regret, Yamato. I stand by my decision.

Offering him a sad smile, Mimi turned her back on him. She called his name with all the love in her heart, perhaps, for the last time. "Yamato…"

"I don't understand, Mimi…"

It's friendship, Yamato, and you, of all people, should understand.