A/N
Didn't have the heart to keep you waiting. :/

"I'm sorry no." She looked up at him. "The fact I kept thinking and thinking isn't good enough for you. Neko kun you need to be with someone who'll just answer automatically or at least really really want to be with you. I still want to be friends though." She silently looked at him.

He looked at the ground. "Okay." He sighed as they pulled up to her street.

"Thank you for today. I had a lot of fun." She smiled. "It was a great first date." She hugged him before she exited the limo.

As much as she felt bad she knew it was the right decision. She'd just be dragging him along. She needed to wait for someone she knew positively she wanted to be with. Till then she would wait.

"Mae you got more letters." Her father sat at the table sliding the pile over.

"Great!" She smiled as she looked down at the envelopes. The whole time since she returned Haruhi kept staring at her wondering what happened on the first date. They would soon find themselves discussing the day in their side by side beds.

"Takashi said that?" Mae turned over to face her sister.

"Yup. The twins said something weird too..."

"What?"

"They said-"

"Girls go to bed." Their father banged on the wall.

Knowing Haruhi she most likely rolled her eyes and shut up. Only reason being she cared too much for her fathers well being and health.

*^*

"Heard you told Akane off." Glasses girl next to her seemed to have a slight grin on.

"Oh yeah." Mae chuckled a little but noticed Akane glare at her from across the room.

"I hate her kind." The girl furrowed her brows. "She-."

"Just because someone's pretty doesn't mean they're mean. My friend Emma she was gorgeous but the nicest person I ever met."

"That's just cause you're like them."

"M-me. I'm not pretty. I'm a lot of things but that's something I lack."

The girl seems to give her a 'really' look. "Whatever." She turned away.

Mae felt a bit confused. Did this girl just call her pretty? Sadly that might be the first time anyone other than her family and friends had told her that yet she didn't even know her name.

After class Mae followed the girls out. She noticed no one seemed to even see her. She began to feel like such s heartless person. Mae felt terrible thinking about how she got all upset just cause a group of snobby girls bothered her.

"Hey." She called out but still didn't get her attention. "Hey." She called out again now caught up to her.

The girl turned her head then blinked a few times. "What are you doing."

"I just felt like we could talk." Mae gently smiled.

"I get it." The girl hugged through her nose. "No friends makes for desperate times... so you hang out with the weirdo."

"W-what?!"

"When will you people get over yourselves." The girl glared before stomping off.

Mae ran up now feeling slightly annoyed. "I just wanted to be nice. After all I know all too well what it feels like being alone. I can tell you right now it's a lonely place."

The girl lamely looked at her as she stopped. "Being alone is a lonely place? Really do explain." She said before scoffing loudly and walking faster.

"What's your deal?!" Mae hollered making the girl turn around again.

"I'd rather not be a pity case." She turned on her heels and headed away.

'So much for making a friend.' She thought to herself as she she started walking once more.

*^*

While looking for a place to eat lunch Mae realized the girl from before was sitting alone again. Taking a breath in Mae found her way standing in front of her.

"Hey." She looked at the seat. "Can I sit here?" The girl shrugged and looked at her tray. "Listen...I'm sorry if I made it seem like it was out of pity. I just-I know what it's like be alone and acting like it's okay. Honestly I guess I am not much better than those girls. I don't even know your name."

The girl stared at her and proceeded to sigh with her eyes closed then opened them. "I never said my name." Mae could see her try out a smile which came out weird.

"What is it?" Mae beamed.

"I'm Yuri Mura." She began eating some more food.

"Mae-"

"You don't need to say your name." She rolled her eyes.

"Oh." Mae rested her hands on her lap. "So do you think we could be friends?" Mae looked up.

"Yeah...I guess." The girl bowed her head hiding part of her face with her messy black hair. Mae began smiling widely and happily started eating. It reminded her of Hoshi the way the girl sometimes acted.

*^*

Mae sat back into the couch and say her backpack on her lap. She hadn't stopped smiling. It was the first time she had gone out of her way to make a friend. They usual were the ones that started the friendship.

"What made you so happy?" Kaoru sat down with Hikaru standing behind.

"I think I made a friend!" She began unzipping a pocket to her bag.

Kaoru and Hikaru seemed to stare at her. "What?" She looked between the two.

"What happened on the date?" Hikaru spoke up.

Mae stiffened. "Uh it was nice. We had a really good time."

"He's asking if you guys are together." Kaoru stared at the ground.

Mae looked at him feeling somewhat guilty but then saw all the hosts were looking at her. "I-I told him it'd be best if we stay friends."

Honey looked up at Mori and then stared at a more lively Kaoru.

Flash back-

"Takashi." Honey tugged on his jacket.

"Hm." Mori looked down.

"Do you like Mae chan?"

Mori seemed uncomfortable with the confrontation. He hadn't ever thought about it before. Did he? He began to really wonder. "I don't know." He said slowly and quietly.

Honey looked at his feet. "It's okay Takashi. Sorry if I made you uncomfortable."

"Uhm." Mori nodded but kept thinking about what Honey had asked. When he had first heard Mae was going on a date he felt a pain or sadness deep within him. Could that be what people call jealousy? He wondered. It couldn't be, but could it?

Honey stared at him. He had just realized his best friend and cousin might have a crush. He also could tell he had yet to come to terms with the fact. Now, he needed to know Mae's stance on everything.

End of Flash back-

"How's Nekozawa?" Hikaru asked seeing his brother at a lost for words. They had their own little conversation the day before.

Flash back-

"Whats with you?!" Hikaru explained as he saw his brother laying on the bed.

"It's just...Mae she was the first person to tell me it was okay to not be the same as you." He stared at the ceiling.

"So?" Hikaru crossed his arms. "We just mess around with her whys it so different this time?"

"You can't tell?" Kaoru sat up. "I like her just like you like Haruhi!"

"I-I d-don't like H-Haruhi." Hikaru stepped back.

"Really? Then why do you always want to mess around with her?"

"Kaoru..."

"Hikaru...it's not just us anymore." Kaoru hugged his brother.

End of Flash back-

Things were heating up around the hosts but they had yet to notice. Little did they know one envelope that would soon be open would effect Mae largely.

*^*
A/N
I'm so evil! Well hope you look forward to the next chapter;)