A/N: Wow, 150 views in a week? You guys are crazy, but regardless, thanks for your time! Hopefully you'll enjoy the future chapters!

A little girl is walking to somebody's house, with a ball in her hand. With short brown hair and warm caramel eyes, her lips form into a smile when she thinks of the big day ahead of her.

Oh boy, a nine year old Tsubaki thought. Today's the day when I'm gonna rescue Kousei from his house so we can play together all day! I can't wait to see the look on his face!

She walked up to his house and knocked on the door, giddy with excitement.

"Hey Kousei! Want to play today?"

"Ah, I can't right now. I'm kinda in the middle of a piano lesson..."

"Kousei! What's taking you so long? Are you planning to go out? You know that you can't leave until you play this piece the exact way the score is written! Get back here right now!"

A scared nine year old Kousei flinched at the sound of his mother's voice.

"Sorry, maybe next time...

"Oh...ok. See you later."

As Tsubaki gloomily walked away, she heard someone's voice from inside the house.

"...honestly Kousei, why do you even talk to her? She's nothing more than a distraction to you..."

Growing up, that's pretty much the way things were between Tsubaki and I. Every time she came to my house to ask if I was available, the result was the same. I had a piano lesson going on, and, with heavy guilt, rejected her invitation to play outside. But despite all the declines, Tsubaki was still always there for me, just like Watari. Some of my fondest memories involve me and Tsubaki hanging out with some of our other friends. Especially like the time when I jumped off Courage Bridge for the first time. She's always been by my side, no matter how whiny I was or how annoyed she was. Just like how Watari was like the big brother I never had, Tsubaki treated me like I was a helpless kid and she felt it as her responsibility to look after me. She was one of the closest friends I could ever hope to have. Even when I wasn't there for her, she was still supportive to me. She's been to almost every single one of my piano recitals, yet I've only been to a couple of her softball games. When I hurt my ankle, Tsubaki literally carried me back all the way home, while I was crying the whole time. When I saw no hope for myself, when I lost my mother, when I broke during one of my concerts, when both me and my rep were at an all time low, Tsubaki was still there, reassurance and warmth glowing in her eyes. She knew that she would see me back on the stage performing one day, whether I wanted to or not. She kept me from falling into a deep abyss of tragedy and sorrow.

I took our friendship for granted. Friends don't get more loyal than Tsubaki. I wish I had realized that sooner, before our friendship became complicated. I wish I could've spent more time with her and be by her side more often. Our friendship gradually began to drift away, and it would attempt to move on the the next stage. Or rather, Tsubaki would attempt to do it. Maybe it was obvious from the start that Tsubaki had developed feelings for me, it must've been if Kaori noticed and was wise enough to not approach me directly, but neither of us really saw it coming. Can't speak for Tsubaki, but I love her as a friend. She's so reliable and I don't know where I would be without her, but I just don't see her in that way. I don't know what exactly triggered the emotions inside of her, but it all just seemed to happen so quickly.

"And you...have no choice but to love me!"

Sometimes, I wish I did. We would've been the perfect match. We had the trust, the bond, and we could tell each other anything. You were like a dog, begging for attention, but you were just too lovable to ignore. You were there for me during my times of joy and grief. We saw each other grow up and we supported each other, through thick and thin. No matter how many times I chose the piano over you, you didn't let that affect us. You just kept trying more and more until one day, you would see through.

But...I don't love you like that. Maybe it's because you were like an older sister, not the girl whom I would fall for. Or maybe it's because our friendship was so strong, that I didn't want to move forward, I was content with where we were. Maybe...maybe it was because of Kaori. Maybe she was the one who made my heart flutter, so much to the point where I never noticed you in that same way. Maybe it's because I was so selfish and only had eyes on Kaori, I never really thought about Tsubaki. But now, it's too late. What's been said has been said. I know how I feel about you, and how you feel about me. It's just like Watari said. Love is a crazy roller coaster ride that you can't control. Sometimes you'll end up falling for someone, or someone will end up falling for you. It just happens without explanation. It can leave you happy and excited, or dizzy and nauseating. You just don't know what'll happen until after the ride is over.

Hopefully, you'll find the guy right for you one day. Someone who can provide you more happiness than I ever did and ever will. He'd be willing to do all the things that you were willing to do for me. Thank you for our friendship, and thank you for being there every step of the way. No matter how different things get between us, I hope that our bond and trust will still always be there, never to break. You'll always have a special place in my heart, Tsubaki Sawabe.

"Aw Mom, she's not a distraction to me. She's one of the few people that I can just hang out with, without a care in the world. After all, we've beem best friends for our whole lives, and I'm gonna make sure that it stays that way!"