Chapter 22: Should we sing Together?

Yukino stood up and reached out under the bed to grab a guitar. It was a bit dusty. If my guess is right, it's been under there for a while now considering how it gathered this amount of dust. Yukino blew away the dust causing her to sneeze and handed it to me.

"Play it! I'll sing." Said Yukino.

"Are you sure you can? Aren't you sick? Your uncle would kill me if your cold worsened." 

"Aww don't think about it. A little singing won't make that much of a difference." 

She insisted on me playing it so I did. As I finished the intro, I signaled her to start singing. She inhaled and started singing softly. I was mesmerized at her singing abilities and how she sang while her eyes were closed. I started singing softly as well to accompany hers and she looked at me surprised. We continued singing as the both of us were smiling at each other. We finished the song and did a high five. 

"You're a good singer, Yukino. I can't believe you have a cold." 

"You as well! I was surprised for a moment! Aren't you a little too talented in music?" 

"I guess it's the perks of having two musicians as parents." 

"Then I'm guessing that Aoi's parents are very talented musicians. I'm curious, why don't you live with them? " 

Ah, I never expected to be asked this question by Yukino but I guess it was bound to happen since the two of us are getting closer. She noticed how I got silent for a few seconds.

"If it's confidential you don't have to answer it. I'm sorry." Yukino added with a sad face.

I think I want her to know every bit of me so I'll answer her question honestly. 

"They got divorced before I entered high school. I chose to live alone instead of living under the same roof with one of them. I think that'll be unfair." 

"I see. Did I upset you Aoi? Sorry for overstepping my boundaries."

"Don't be. Aren't we partners in night adventures? We should at least be this much open to each other." I laughed and smiled to ease up Yukino's sad face.

Yukino started to smile again after I said those words. I guess she really did think that she upset me. That's almost impossible, Yukino. This won't bother me. I want you to know everything about me. Including the things I myself don't know. 

The night passed as she fell asleep on her bed. I covered her in her blanket and whispered the words "Goodnight Yukino" before making my way out of her room. 

I went downstairs and saw her uncle watching TV on the living room's couch. He looked up at me as he heard my footsteps going down the stairs. 

"Done?" 

"Yes, Yukino already went back to sleep uncle." 

Her uncle signaled me to sit beside him so I simply followed. The sound of the TV was all you could hear as neither of us said a word for a few minutes. I wonder why he asked me to sit, I think he has something to tell me. 

"Aoi" 

I looked at him as he muttered those words whilst still looking at the TV. 

"I can see that Yukino has been the brightest lately. I'm sorry that I asked you to make her happy when I should be the one doing that. Is it too much?" 

"I think she made me even more happier. To think that life can be so much fun and something to look forward to. I think that's something that she made me realize. Even if you didn't ask me to, I probably would've stuck to her." 

Uncle never said a word after that. The movie ended and he asked me if I wanted to stay the night. But I refused considering that I have an early final exam tomorrow. Uncle showed me the way out and waved me goodbye. 

"Quit smoking kid." As he smiled before closing the door.

I was glad that Yukino only came down with a cold. I was worried that something worse had happened considering that she hasn't contacted me for a while. 

I got home by midnight and slept like a log. The very next day, I woke up and went to the university with Haruto as I picked him up by the station near my apartment. 

"So? Do you think you'll do well today Aoi?" Asked Haruto in a loud voice as if I couldn't hear him.

"Probably, I think I'll be able to pass thanks to Shin." 

"Yeah me too. Shin's pretty cool." 

I think I already know where this conversation is going. 

"Do you mind if I ask a question about Shin?" Said Haruto in a gentle voice compared to earlier as if he's all embarrassed. 

"Go ahead."

"Does she have a boyfriend? I think I like her." 

Just as I thought. Well, I think Shin likes him too. Considering how Shin's acting around Haruto. I think they're a perfect fit for each other to be completely honest.

"She doesn't. Just make sure you can handle her." 

The two of us laughed. 

We arrived at the university and we separated.

I took the exam and surprisingly, the exam wasn't too hard compared to yesterday. Was it easier or is it because of Shin's tutoring? I guess I'll thank her later when she has the time. I quickly finished, passed the exam paper and left the lecture hall leaving the other students who looked like they were in distress. 

I went home and spent the time writing and taking breaks by smoking cigarettes. 

Christmas was fast approaching but I decided to work through those days until the evening of 23rd. During the days between the last day of the semester leading up to the present, Yukino and I were only able to meet up once for a night walk. That is because as soon as she recovered, she studied and took the makeup exams. The 24th of December came and I was woken up by my phone ringing. I ignored it for a while until I got annoyed so I woke up and decided to answer it. I knew it was Haruto.

"What? Aren't you a bit too early to disturb my sleep?" 

"Early? It's already afternoon bro! Yo! Don't tell me you forgot that the group will meet up at the usual diner an hour from now. All of us promised to spend Christmas eve together at the karaoke! Even Yukino." 

I agreed and hung up. Yukino? Why did she even mention her? I bet Shin already told Haruto about me liking Yukino.