A/N1: Still don't own Itakiss.

A/N2: An anonymous reviewer requested that I write a Konomi/Yuuki fanfic. At first I didn't care much for the idea, because Konomi has always appeared to me as a bland, "Kotoko-lite" figure. However, by creating a bit of back history, I believe I was able to make her a more interesting character and liven up the story. I hope you agree and enjoy it!

Kirihara Konomi knew that her family was not like the happy ones featured on children's television shows. There were no jolly vacations, playful meals, or even tearful advice. Instead, the tense atmosphere of resentful silence was occasionally broken with loud shouts, curses and sobs.

The only constant in her world was her older brother Hiroto. He could be depended upon to cover her ears when the sounds battered the walls of his bedroom, where she always ended up on those nights, huddled with him, trembling. Her big brother told her that it was possible that Mother and Father wouldn't live together soon, but she felt that nothing could be too bad as long as he was there with her.

School was not particularly fun for her, especially once her parents' relationship began to deteriorate. While not exactly shy, she hesitated to bring friends home in case the situation grew tense; as a result, she had no one particularly close. At least school was made bearable by Hiroto being there also, even though he was a lofty sixth-year and she was only in third grade. She often caught glimpses of him on the playground, showing off his athletic ability to the other boys and girls around. His name was usually mentioned as an example to follow, as he regularly topped the scores at exam times. Several girls in Konomi's class had hearts in their eyes when they joined her to watch him, and her chest almost burst with pride at being his sister.

As their parents made their steady way to dissolution of their marriage—their father moved out after the New Year—Hiroto seemed to be moving in love's opposite direction. He had begun talking about a girl in the classroom next to his, Sugimoto Naomi, the Madonna of the sixth year. Konomi, accustomed to being the first girl in his heart, felt troubled and threatened that he would forget her.

He laughed at her when she finally managed to tell him. "Don't be silly, sis! Naomi-chan won't mind your company, I'm sure!" He talked so often of "Naomi-chan" that it came as a surprise to Konomi when he admitted that he hadn't yet told her that he liked her. "But I will soon!" he averred. "Right after your birthday next week!" He hugged his younger sister and frowned. "I wish Mom and Dad would hurry up and decide to end it. Living apart like this isn't good."

The day after her birthday was the fateful evening that Hiroto had come home, sullen and silent, and retreated to his room without greeting either Konomi or his mother, quietly preparing a meal for three. When the confused Konomi opened his door to call him to the table, she was surprised to catch him wiping his eyes with the long sleeve of his shirt.

"Onii-chan—?!" she began alarmed.

He gruffly told her to be quiet and shoved her out of his room. "I'm not hungry!" he called through the door.

After a week of dealing with a grim-faced older brother, Konomi finally forced her way into his room. "Onii-chan!" she cried. "What's wrong with you?"

"Nothing," he growled, his back to her.

She advanced on him and beat him on the shoulders. "Don't tell me that! You're quiet and mean and strange! I want my old Onii-chan back!"

He turned to her, no smile on his face. "That's too bad. You need to get over leaning on me. I've decided to move with Dad when the divorce is final."

Konomi stared, her arms limp at her sides. "With Otosan? Why? When did you choose him? You said you would always be here for me, so Mama and I wouldn't get lonely."

His eyes bright, he patted one of her shoulders gently. "Don't you think Dad might get lonely, too?"

She narrowed her eyes, and he shifted his gaze. "That's not the only reason, is it?"

"No." Hiroto took a deep breath. "I confessed to Naomi-san last week. She turned me down."

Konomi's hands flew to her mouth. No! How could this be? Her big brother was the greatest! Maybe it was because she had held so many fears about being neglected that his confession had been cursed? She quickly sent up a quick prayer to whatever deity was on on duty. "No, Onii-chan! You must try again. I'm sure she will say 'yes' then!"

Her brother sadly shook his head. "No. She told me that she had another in her heart and that it would be no use." He pounded a fist on his knee. "I had told everyone in my class, and now they are all laughing at me! Plus, we were accepted to the same middle school. No," he shook his head again, "I'm going with Dad—he has been asking me. And we're moving to Kyoto, near Jiisan's farm. At least there I will be far from the teasing."

Tears spurted from her eyes. "But you'll be far from me too!" she wailed. "What am I supposed to do? Who will help me with my assignments?" She sniffed dramatically. "You know I'm not as smart as you are."

His hand ruffled her hair. "You'll be all right, Nomi-chan. You're a good kid. You've been relying too much on me. Just listen well, and take notes in class. You can do it! And smile like you do for me. You'll make friends in no time and won't need me at all."

But I will! she cried silently. However, realizing that his mind was made up, she tried to stifle her audible sobs. "When do you leave?"

"The day after the term ends," he told her. "We'll walk home together after the graduation ceremony, okay?"

She nodded. She was losing both her father and her brother in one fell swoop. At least she needed to have someone to blame for the latter. "Onii-chan, who did Naomi-san turn you down for?"

Her brother flinched. "Why do you want to know?" He turned and saw that she had on her stubborn face, so he relented. "Some guy named Irie."

Irie! She stowed the information away in her brain. Now she knew who her enemy was.

The remainder of the school year Konomi haunted the sixth year hall. That is, she did so in a way that her brother could not see. Knowing his schedule so well made it easy to keep herself out of his sight. She screwed up her courage and asked questions of strangers, but no one knew of an Irie in that grade. On the off chance that he was younger, she even did the same to the fifth grade classrooms. Again striking out, she concluded that her brother's successful rival attended another school.

"Must be a neighborhood friend," she muttered to herself as she watched the third grade boys run laps. She and the other girls were involved in stretching activities, and her head was almost touching the ground when she heard the coach shout, "Irie! Are you all right?"

She whipped her body upright so quickly that she almost lost her balance. The coach was assisting a slightly chubby boy to his feet and helping him dust off his track suit. Once the inspection was complete, he was waved on and followed the rest of the boys at a slower pace.

Irie? she thought. Naomi-san turned down Onii-chan for that?! What an idiot! She shook her fist and set her jaw. I don't know what kind of revenge I'm going to bring down on you, but rest assured, you will eventually feel the wrath of Konomi!

The leavetaking of her brother distracted Konomi for the rest of the school year. Walking home with him on the last day, she kept turning her face to the side to wipe away the stubborn tears that insisted on filling her eyes. Hiroto sighed and eventually handed her his crumpled handkerchief.

"It's not as if I'm dying, Nomi-chan," he tried to assure her. "We can email and video chat whenever you want."

"Won't be the same," she sniffed. "That mean old Naomi and Irie! I'll make them pay for this!"

He managed a laugh. "And how will you do that? Don't worry about them. Concentrate on your school work." He used an arm to hug her to him briefly. "I'm sorry I won't be there to help you with it any more. Maybe if you make a friend who is a little smarter than you, she can help."

"No one can replace you, Onii-chan."

He ruffled her hair. "Of course not! And no one could replace you either."

Then why are you leaving me? she thought. Why did you let me think that you would always be here for me?