A/N: Greetings everyone! I'm back with the sequel! But this is just a trial though, I am yet to decide the fate of this story, depending on the number of responses this story will acquire. If it's plenty enough, worth continuing, then continue I will! But if not, well, I don't want to think about it lol…Anyways, feel free to drop comments, be it good or bad, as I have repeatedly told you people, I don't mind criticisms provided they are delivered nicely. In fact, I'd even welcome them since they further motivate me to strive harder in writing. Well, let's not prolong the chatter, scroll down and enjoy the first chapter! Oh and just to let you all know, I'm rather slow with the updates, what with my hectic schedule at school and other more I'd-rather-not-mention-them-factors affecting me and hindering me from updating faster stuffs. So there…

Disclaimer: I do not own Super Gals, or anything for that matter, save for my brain, my body, my soul, oh let's not get carried away. Onto the story!

Chapter 1: "Far from what I had imagined"

She blinked once. She blinked twice. But still, she found herself in the same surroundings, feeling the fast rate of her heartbeat, and almost picturing herself smiling from ear to ear as she was overflowing with happiness and…something else…was it contentment? Satisfaction? Or to be precise, was it love?

Love.

A couple of months ago, she felt a bitterness of some sort rising in her whenever thinking of that word that she can't even bring herself to speak it. All sorts of negative and terrifyingly painful things have been associated with that word what with her tragic personal experience of falling in love with the wrong person. Or more like, someone who can never love you back. But that was all in the past Now is a completely different story.

Yes, now, there was a humungous difference, a distinct change in her perception of that word. For once, Aya Hoshino can finally utter that word out loud no matter how many times she wishes to and there won't be anymore bitterness accompanying the mere thought of that word. Sweetness is more like it.

Lucky, fortunate, blessed.

If asked, that is how she'll describe her current life with Rei Otohata as her boyfriend. She couldn't ask for more. Life is just too perfect with him around. Especially once he starts wrapping his arms around her to show her his affections, and despite being seen on public, Aya couldn't bring herself to complain. She has to admit, she's loving every bit of it. Who cares about public displays of affection anyway?

Wow, she is so totally overwhelmed by the unexpected turn of events! And here she thought of spending the rest of her 16-year-old life locked up in her room sulking and brooding over her unbelievably huge misfortune in terms of love. Indeed, God works in mysterious ways. At least, that is what she had proven after going through with that experience.

Life is just too perfect for Aya Hoshino these days. Nothing could go wrong. Nothing could possibly spoil her good mood and the positive aura she has been carrying with her since that day. Yes, the greatest birthday ever. She could still remember that day, thanks to her friends Ran and Miyu, Aya eventually got what she had been longing for. Yes, if it weren't for them, she and Rei wouldn't be together basking in each other's love like they are now. And to think that she even thought her friends were only messing with her, especially with the belief that Ran has the hots for Rei and vice versa. But no use thinking of the past, it was all over and cleared now. Thank God the group was able to resolve their little misunderstandings and eventually, all were back to their rightful places. Miyu with Yamato, she with Rei and Ran with none other than Tatsuki. And Yuuya? Well, that one's a different story.

Humming cheerfully to herself, Aya continued to pack her 'made-with-love-lunchbox' for her beloved boyfriend. Yes, he is sure to get surprised with this one. Everyone knows Aya Hoshino can't cook, but her lack of knowledge in culinary arts won't hinder her from preparing a delicious lunch for Rei. After all, if there's a will, there's a way, or is there?

Upon finishing her packing, she hastily checked her reflection on the mirror while quickly running her fingers down her long dark blue hair. She then grabbed her back pack and her keys before proceeding outside and onto her next destination, the music store.

Smiling to her self, Aya Hoshino cheerfully locked the door then went on her way to see Rei. She can hardly wait to see him, to feel his soft fingers laced with hers, to feel his lips implanted on her cheeks. Oh how hopelessly romantic she had become! She sometimes wondered if she's going overboard with the whole thing. You can't blame her eagerness though, after all, life is indeed short, and definitely unpredictable. You never know when your happy moment or your fairy tale will end. But no, Aya doesn't want to think of her relationship with Rei that way! She won't allow for this happiness to be short lived. What with all the hardships she had undergone! It wouldn't be fair for her to lose Rei in an instant when it took her almost forever just to earn the guy's love. But even so, in the end, it all comes down to one thing, life is … unpredictable, and Aya Hoshino is soon to experience the authenticity of that statement.

--

"What's taking her so long?"

The ever impatient Ran Kotobuki threw her hands up in exasperation as she trudged back and forth. She and Miyu Yamazaki are currently standing in front of the Kotobuki residence, waiting for Aya Hoshino to turn up so they can start job-hunting for their 3-week semestral break. Apparently, Shibuya's number 1 gal is about to send out a search party for their missing friend.

"Relax Ran, just be a bit more patient. I'm sure she'll be here any minute now."

Miyu, known to be the one who possess a plethora of patience, continued to soothe Ran to prevent the latter from reaching her blood's boiling point.

"It's not that Miyu, everyone knows our Aya doesn't have punctuality issues. And the fact that she's been late now for 15 minutes already might be a sign that she's in trouble or something. My instincts tell me that."

Miyu sighed heavily as she laid a hand on her worried friend's shoulder, dismissing the thought that Aya might be in some sort of trouble.

"You're thinking too much. I'm sure she's fine. She has always been fine, especially since that incident Ran. You've witnessed it your self, Rei was able to make her happy so I tell you we have nothing to worry about."

"Yeah right, for all we know, the blockhead might be giving her death threats that Aya was forced to keep her mouth shut about that idiot being a bad and nasty two-timing scum—"

"Ran! What is wrong with you? I thought you have gotten over your feelings for him already? Then why are you still holding a grudge on him?"

"I'm not, okay? All I'm saying is that, you know Aya, she's weak-willed and she's head over heels in love with that moron I'll bet she'll do anything it takes just for him to stay with her even if it means enduring him and his bad treatment on her. And as Aya's best friend, we can't allow—"

"Ran! What are you really trying to get into? Haven't you had enough with what our meddling has done to her before? Ran, we made a promise to not interfere with her relationship with Rei anymore, didn't we? Don't me you already forgot that!"

"Miyu, I do remember that promise, but still, as her best friend, we can't just leave her on her own like that. What if one day Otohata bumps his head or something then falls out of love for Aya and decides to abandon her, which will then leave her all miserable and who knows? It might even drive her to be suicidal and all that. The point is, as her friend, it is also our duty to look out for her and—"

"Aya is not a little girl anymore that needs to be monitored every now and then. She's smart, intelligent, strong-willed, brave, and definitely completely opposite of what you thought of her now! She can very well handle her emotions contrary to your belief Ran. You know what I think? I think you should give her a chance to prove herself rather than be stuck forever with the thought that she is weak-willed, dependent, helpless and a crybaby!"

Silence.

The two, who got so caught up with their argument they didn't even notice the subject of their dispute already standing right in front of them, watching and listening to the whole exchange and hearing every word of it, now stopped to catch their breaths.

They only became aware of Aya's presence upon hearing her sob, as she was unable to control herself from shedding tears noisily, what with the drastic scene unfolding right there in front of her? But more so, from the distressing event that transpired earlier, which not only broke her heart, but her spirit as well. Gone were the cheerful black-haired lass to be replaced by the old gloomy and quiet girl, as she had once again experienced the pain, the dreaded pain of losing Rei Otohata. Yes, she had lost him, for good this time.

Finally, ever the sensitive one, Miyu noticed Aya's presence that she unintentionally gasped, which in turn, caught Ran's attention. And as the number 1 gal's fierce eyes crashed with the rather timid black-haired lass' watery eyes, Ran couldn't help but feel guilty with what she had said earlier and suddenly wished she could take back her words. While Ran remained frozen on the spot, brooding over her insensitivity and bluntness, Miyu wasted no time to comfort her friend in tears. In an instant, she was beside Aya, one arm draped over the weeping girl's shoulder to somehow soothe her.

"Aya, I'm sorry you have to hear that, but really, I'm sure Ran didn't mean those and she's sorry for it." Miyu paused, as she thought of how to comfort the still crying girl. But then, finding herself at a loss for words, she just sighed. "Oh Aya, please don't cry anymore. You're strong, aren't you? You're no longer that crybaby that we used to know, weren't you? You've changed now because you finally got what you deserved. Aya, you're supposed to be happy. This shouldn't have happened at all."

Meanwhile, Ran was finally made aware of the current situation and have felt Miyu's silent plea for help. She then approached the two and tried to give them both her brightest smile ever to somehow lighten up the mood.

"Ne Aya-chan, dry those tears now, will you? We're supposed to find a job today so that we could save money for your honey's upcoming birthday, remember? What are we waiting for then? Come on!"

But she received no response still from the crying girl, the latter only sobbed harder if that was any indication that she heard Ran's encouragements at all.

"H-Hey! What, did I say anything wrong again? I'm trying to be nice here!"

Ran said rather sharply as she was starting to lose her limited amount of patience, if ever she has any. But then, she received a glare from Miyu in turn as she was silently scolded for being harsh.

'Oh yeah, I should be apologizing.'

With a sigh of defeat, Ran tried again, this time, speaking as gently as she could.

"Aya-chan, I'm sorry okay? I didn't mean those things—"

"It's over."

Ran blinked as she was interrupted by Aya unexpectedly.

"What was that?"

Ran leaned closer to her friend as she did not clearly hear what the latter had suddenly muttered.

"What is over Aya-chan?"

Miyu voiced out the question for Ran's convenience and also, to clarify her distressed friend's ambiguous statement. She only hoped Aya wasn't pertaining to their friendship being over. That would indeed be disastrous.

"He…He broke up with me…"

For a moment there, the two dared not move, or even blink, or even breathe at all! As they had trouble accepting the grave and unthinkable news, neither believing it could actually happen, even so soon. When at last they have managed to recover from their shock, Ran stepped back to stare at Aya from head to toe, studying her closely, as if to verify the validity of the latter's statement. Miyu meanwhile, found her voice to ask what Ran wanted to ask, and well, that is…

"You're joking, right?"

But once again, they were met with nothing but sobs, and tears, pouring freely from Aya's swollen and sorrowful eyes.