Aftermath

Akira's head was spinning. With Nobuko still at their old school, he and Shuji had spent a lot more time together, one-on-one, and he was starting to second guess his feelings for Nobuko. Maybe he'd never really loved her, but he had gotten his feelings for her confused with his feelings for Shuji.

The school was silent. He wondered why that was until his memory caught up with him. Of course the school was silent. No one was there. It was the weekend. He shoved his hands in his pockets and escaped for the roof.

He leaned over the fence which lines the edge. Most people found him to be stupid and loud, but the silence comforted him. Everyone in the new school knew of his wealth, and it was nice to escape all the questions he'd managed to avoid at his previous school. And with Shuji gone, he was able to sort his mind.

He slammed his back against the chain fencing and allowed himself to slide to the floor. What was he going to do? He couldn't tell Shuji. He was so popular and he'd already found a girlfriend. Not to mention he was sure Shuji wasn't into guys. Despite their almost kiss a few months ago, Akira doubted he'd ever get close enough to do anything and be able to pass it off as an accident.

"Why did I even come here?" he asked himself. Nobuko had told him to, of course, but he felt all to relieved to hear her say it. Had he really wanted to see Shuji so bad that he would abandon such a good friend? She was all alone at that school, all because of his selfish desires.

He took the keychain from his back and held it gingerly in front of himself. "Nobuko, forgive me. I'm so selfish."

"What did you do this time?" a familiar voice asked from the doorway.

Shuji leaned against the framing. Akira had to force himself from tackling the boy to the ground. Instead, he held his hand up in it's usual, wolf-like pose. "Kon."

Shuji did the same, though it seeme3d almost foolish, and a little cute, shen he did it. He proceeded toward his friend. "You still have that old thing? I'd figured you lost it."

"How could I? I loved Nobuko." He lied. He couldn't tell Shuji the truth. He'd just have to endure the heartache for another year. "hey, what are you doing here anyway?"

"Just needed to get out, I guess. But what about you?"

Akira sighed. "Same."

"But you never talk to that woman you're living with. Who do you need to escape from?"

"No one, but being here… it brings back memories. Isn't that why we're always spending time here during school?"

"Yea, I guess your right. I miss her too. But, hey. We've got to get over it. We'll go visit her after we graduate. Just one more year and—"

"Those aren't the memories." He didn't mean to say it, but he couldn't stop the words.

"Then, what memories where you talking about?"

He hesitated, not sure of whether or not he should reply. "th—that one time… when we where teaching Nobuko about guys…"

"that's a good memory? But, you said you loved her… wouldn't that have pissed you off."

"I'm not talking about you and Nobuko! I'm talking about you and me… showing her."

Shuji raised an eyebrow, urging him on with his expressions. When that failed to work, pleaded for him to continue. "And…?"

"You almost kissed me that time."

Shuji relaxed a bit. "Oh, that? Yea, that was pretty funny. By the way, I never apologized for that. I guess I just got caught up in the moment, and then I was all close. It must have made you feel uncomfortable."

Akira sighed. Why did he have to be so oblivious? Then Akira would be forced to tell him straight. "Yea, we had some wild times producing Nobuko, didn't we?"

Shuji nodded. "You matured a lot more after meeting her. Even after we left, you've changed a lot."

Akira shrugged. He'd noticed it too, but he knew it wasn't Nobuko that sparked the change. She had just been the one to bring him closer to Shuji. He was the one that changed him. "Well, she wasn't the only one deserving credit. Besides, what about you? You used to cling to popularity with your life. Now you trail behind me all the time."

"You're popular here, so it helps me, right?"

"I'm only popular because I flew in on a helicopter the first day of school. admit it, you like hanging out with me."

"Ok, you're right. With you things are… never boring. You Always surprise me, Akira."

"I've got a bigger surprise for you later." Akira mumbled under his breath.

"what was that?" Shuji asked, confused by the solemn tone.

Akira stood and smiled falsly at him. "nothing, I'll see you tomorrow." He started to head out the door, but turned to Shuji before descending the steps. " by the way, meet me here for lunch. There's something I need to tell you.