A/N: Well, hello there! :)

I know I should be updating my stories but yeah- I've been suffering from a terrible, terrible block.

I wrote this piece a long time ago and so I decided to post it. This is actually a part of one of the stories of mine (All The Things That We Could Be)- more of like a future-take on that one.

Tell me guys what you think about it.

Disclaimer: I do not own PoT.

ThirdTimeIsTheCharm

-December 16, present year Thursday 5:15 p.m.—

The room suddenly became too stifling; the air is choking her, making it harder to breathe.

Amika stared at the guy—no, man—in front of her, smile frozen, words stuck in her throat. Everything around her seemed to disappear, the people she had been greeting and talking to earlier became distant, fuzzy memories in her mind. She can only see him, hear him, feel him. Only him: Tezuka Kunimitsu.

"Amika." He called out to her, his voice is strangely silky. Warm. Reminiscing.

And her whole world came crashing back to her; the impact is too strong that she felt she was drowning. Falling into a deep abyss of what she calls her memories.

.

-13 years ago, February 14, Valentine's Day—

Amika nervously fidgeted with the hem of her skirt as her light-brown eyes flickered to the gates of Seishun Gakuen, or Seigaku, every five seconds or so. School ended hours ago, but she knows that the person she's been waiting for has club duties so he most probably stayed to fulfill them. A soft smile formed in her lips. Tezuka Kunimitsu, the captain of Seigaku tennis club, the one who brought pride and honor to their school, the Student Council president, a nationally-ranked tennis player, a born-leader, and the keeper of her heart.

She met him not a year ago, when she first came to Seigaku for her junior high school with her twin sister, Choharu. She was excited to try-out for the female tennis team that was headed by her older sister Kisana, and so she didn't wait for Choharu and instead head down to the tennis courts on her own.

She ended up apologizing while bowing her head repeatedly as she entered the male tennis courts (nobody was there when she arrived, so she didn't know). And while the other males were looking at her with blushes on their faces and saying that it was okay, Tezuka Kunimitsu ordered her to leave the courts immediately, as she was disrupting their practice. She remembered blushing and stammering a nervous apology.

She was elected the freshman representative, and as she found out later, she has to work closely with the President. She started looking forward to their weekend meetings. Her heart would always beat a little faster and her face would grow a little warmer every time she sits across him on meetings.

She fell for him completely when he complimented her tennis.

"Are you giving chocolates tomorrow?" Kisana asked her and Choharu yesterday. Choharu scoffed and continued doing her home works. She blushed, making Kisana smile, but she detected a worried glint in her sister's dark-brown eyes.

"Do you plan on giving Tezuka-san some chocolates tomorrow Amika?"

She mumbled something under her breath. Kisana smiled; Choharu ignored both of them.

So now, she's waiting patiently for him to walk out of the gates, as her hand twitched nervously behind her; the wrapped package clutched tightly between them.

She jumped a little when the sound of footsteps neared her; her wide eyes stared at the three approaching figures. Her heart beat quickened when Fuji-senpai trained his open azure-blue eyes at her, his smile grew a tad wider.

"Amika-chan," the Tensai called out to her softly, but enough to catch Tezuka's attention, "are you waiting for someone?"

She felt her face grew warmer, and Fuji-senpai's smile turned into a knowing smirk. He turned to Oishi-senpai.

"Saa…Oishi, I think I forgot something in the clubroom. Will you come with me to retrieve it?" he didn't wait for a response as he dragged the bewildered vice-captain with him. Tezuka merely looked at the two blankly.

And then he was suddenly looking at her.

She willed herself not to wilt under his scrutiny. "Tezuka-san."

"Hn. Kurosu-san, is there something you need?"

She gulped, mentally debating on whether she should give it to him or not.

He waited patiently, for her or for his team mates, she isn't sure. But as they stood there face to face, she reminded herself of her purpose, of why she refused to tag along her other team mates and spend the rest of the day together, and of why she stayed late last night crafting a simple piece of candy to be given to this magnificent person standing in front of her. She lifted her eyes to look at him. Drawing a deep breath, she smiled at him and thrusted her hands towards him, offering the simple gift.

"Happy Valentine's Tezuka-san!"

She waited for a reply, rejection or acceptance, a grunt, anything.

But nothing came.

She always knew that Tezuka Kunimitsu is way out of her league. He is perfect, in every single way. And a simple girl like her couldn't possibly be worthy of his affection, or even attention.

"I'm sorry."

It was only two words, two simple words, uttered in a perfectly calm voice meant to lighten its effect.

But it darkened her world, dangerously tittering out of its axis; like powerful waves crashing her and drowning her.

She almost chokes on her own words when she tried to speak, and she kicked herself mentally for it.

"It's okay Tezuka-san!" she tried, tried to smile, hiding the tears that are threatening to spill out of her eyes, "You don't have to say sorry!"

She can see Fuji-senpai and Oishi-senpai walking back towards them, and she realizes that it is time to leave.

"So, I guess I'll see you at the next meeting?" he nodded slowly at her. Her smile stayed. "Right. See you then!" she bowed and turned on her heel. She walked in a normal pace, but it gradually quicken when she turned a corner. She broke into a run as tears came falling down like rain in her cheeks.

That night, Kisana held her and patted her back until she was asleep, and Choharu answered all of her home works.

.

-10 years ago, February 14, Monday afternoon-

The bell rung and the students all broke into happy grins and giggles, as girls whispered among themselves and the guys threw hopeful looks to some of the girls.

She heard her sister sigh beside her. "Stupid Valentine and stupid chocolates."

Amika smiled, her fingers brushing the wrapped package in her bag. She has given the male regulars their chocolates, along with some of her classmates. She smiled when she remembered Eiji-kun's and Momo-senpai's expressions when she and Choharu gave them their chocolates earlier this morning. They said that it was one of the best things that the merging of their clubs had brought them. Resha rolled her eyes at them, while Kisana joked about them hurting her feelings. The two male regulars yelped and quickly apologized.

As the tournament season came closer, the two teams have also become closer. They practiced together, played games after school and on weekends, ate lunch with the rest of their teams (mostly on Fuji-senpai's insistence), and even help each other when they have difficult home works (mostly Momo-senpai and Eiji-senpai with their English, Math or Physics lessons). They grew closer, and her feelings from years ago for one stoic captain resurfaced.

"Let's go." Choharu suddenly said beside her.

She followed her sister out of the classroom. She kept her head down while the two of them were walking in the hallways, she can feel the male students looking at them, waiting hopefully for them to give them chocolates. Choharu glared at half of them.

"I have to attend a meeting," she told Choharu, "so you can go ahead of me."

Choharu stared at her, and she felt like a specimen under a microscope. Her sister shrugged and went on her way after throwing her a wave.

She walked briskly towards the clubroom. Tezuka-san asked to meet her to discuss the possibility of her running for the Student Council Vice-Presidency next year. He had chosen her to fill his post.

And she has never been happier.

…"So what is your decision, Amika-san?"

She blinked her eyes at him, as her brain tried to process everything that he had spoken from the time they met at the clubroom.

"Ah…Can I think about it Mitsu-kun?" she asked softly, "this is too much for me as of now." She smiled at him, her eyes searching for any sign of annoyance.

She found none.

He merely sighed and run his fingers in his hair. "Alright. But can you give me your answer at the end of this week?"

She nodded. "I will."

Tezuka nodded. As he moved to gather the papers on the table, she contemplated on whether to give him the chocolates. She remembered his rejection three years ago. She didn't want to experience the same thing again.

"Of course he'll accept it Amika!" she remembered Rin-senpai assuring her last week, "I mean, amongst us girls, you're the only one he plays tennis with outside the school. And he lets you call him by his name, and he chose you to be his mixed doubles partner! If he didn't have feelings for you too, I don't know what those mean!"

Her team mates nodded their heads encouragingly. But still, Kisana's eyes were doubtful, though she didn't say anything.

"Are you ready to go?" she heard him ask. She nodded mutely and followed him out of the room.

They walked in silence, and their footsteps echoed along the deserted hallway. The students have obviously gone home, eager to enjoy the holiday afternoon. She wondered if the guy beside her has any plans, or perhaps, a date. She quelled the pain that struck her chest at the thought.

They reached the gates of their school in no time, silence still wrapped around them, but it was comfortable; the one she had gotten used to whenever she is with this man.

She wondered if he feels the same way too around her.

One can only wonder.

"Where are your sisters?" she heard him ask beside her.

She tilted her head to look at him, answering his question. "Choharu went home already. I am not sure about Kisana though, I think she went out with Fuji-senpai. I heard him ask her to play a game today." She smiled at the thought. Fuji-senpai is clearly determined to reclaim Kisana, and is having a little bit of a hard time about it. But she couldn't really blame him. After all, her sister is a hard person to crack.

"Ah." Another silence.

She gulped harder this time. Her heart is thumping wildly within her, her palms felt clammy. It's now or never.

"Ah, Mitsu-kun…" her voice trailed, and she cursed silently.

He tilted his head at her; his glasses caught the last rays of the sun, highlighting the many shades of lemon brown of his eyes. "Hn?"

She smiled softly as she stuck her right hand inside her bag, and pulled out a small deep-brown rectangular box. "Here…Happy Valentine's Day, Mitsu-kun." she mumbled softly as she thrusted the box towards the silent male.

She watched as the male stared at the box, then to her, and back again. His face remained stoic, eyes blank, lips stretched thinly.

She refused to drop her eyes to the ground.

This will be the last time that she'll be able to do this. Her older sister told her that Tezuka will be studying in Germany, and there will be no guarantees that he will go back to Japan, for his father has been promoted to head the branch of the company he was working at there. The tennis team was actually planning on holding a party for him and for the other seniors who will be graduating next month.

Finally, his lips moved, and her heart shattered. Moisture gathered in her eyes, and her throat suddenly felt as if a tube was forced down on it.

"I'm sorry, Kurosu-san. I can't accept that."

His voice is perfectly calm, devoid of any emotion, like the way it was the first time.

She nodded, as her eyes dropped to the ground at the same time her hand did. She balled her fist on her side, and stubbornly held the tears at bay. She was half-expecting his rejection, but why does it has to hurt like this?

She knew she should have listened to Choharu.

Was it something that she lacked? She knew she isn't as beautiful as Kisana, or Miyuki-senpai.

Was it because she is not as smart as Choharu?

Or maybe because she is not as interesting as Sairi-chan or Hina-chan?

Or maybe…

She lifted her eyes and studied him. He was staring at her with unblinking eyes. She stared back imploringly, eyes silently asking a question.

"Do you have someone you like Mitsu-kun?" she just has to know.

He blinked, and his face showed a hint of surprise, as if he wasn't expecting the question.

And at that moment, she knew.

It's not her. It's not her.

She smiled at him, heart shattering into million tiny pieces.

"I see." She nodded to herself. Noticing his still a-little-bit-surprised expression, she offered him a half-grin; eyes closed to hide the tears, and took his hand in hers. She put the box in them.

"Well, this chocolate is for you, and I've already given the others their chocolate, so…" she trailed off, and closed his rather cold and stiff fingers over the box, "please accept this as a token of my friendship."

Her trembling fingers lingered for a few seconds there…just a little bit more.

He has always been unreachable, for her, that is. He is that distant star she would always seek out at night.

Shining brightly, out of her reach.

Maybe, maybe it's time to let go of him. It's just sad, she mused. She's letting go of him though he's never been hers to start with.

She let go of his hand after a few seconds, stepping back, she bowed her head.

"Arigatou, Tezuka-san." Straightening up, she smiled at him once again and turned on her heel.

It was inevitable, she thought wryly. There will never be a love story between the two of them.

He's leaving, and she's staying.

He's that star in the night sky; she has always been referred to as the sun shining brightly.

He's Tezuka Kunimitsu, the one the world is waiting to stake his claim.

She's Amika Kurosu, the one who has never figured out where she fits in this world.

There has never been a more imperfect pair.

.

And that was ten years ago.

Ten long years.

She was supposed to be over him. But standing here, seeing his face once again, hearing his voice…

Everything that she has done for the last ten years just seemed to vanish. The promises of not remembering, the telling herself not to let a single memory of him deter her. They're all coming back to her now, with the force of a million tidal waves, destroying her resolve.

She smiled at him. She felt like running away and hiding.

"Tezuka-san," her voice came out a little too breathy for her own liking, "it has been a long time."

He nodded at her, his eyes staring unabashedly at her. "Ah, it has. How have you been Amika?"

She smiled rather wryly. It is a little bit funny, she supposed. He's calling her by her name; she calls him by his last name. Oh, how the times has changed things.

"I've been great, Tezuka-san." She tilted her head to look at the others behind him; all were looking at the two of them with curious eyes. "Hello there, Shusuke-nii!" she waved at the brunette, pasting a bright smile in her face.

She can feel his eyes on her, along with the familiar tingles she felt in her skin whenever he would glance at her. Her eyes returned to him.

He has changed a lot, but yet, some things remained.

Like the line of his shoulders; or his strong jaws, the angles of his face, the strong, aristocratic nose.

Or the hints of lemon-brown and light gold in his eyes, still protected by the same oval-shaped glasses with thin rims.

But…looking at him now and remembering the senior high school student from those years, she felt like she's looking at a different person.

"Amika," her sister's soft voice brought her back to the present. She turned to see Kisana with a smile in her lips, though not reaching her eyes. "Rin-chan and Aki-chan were looking for you. They said something about a promise?"

"Oh!" she exclaimed softly, "that." She laughed despite herself, "I almost forgot. Gomen, I have to go now before those two went berserk." She threw a smile at him, and then waved at the others before turning and walking towards where the other girls were.

Lemon-brown eyes followed the girl—no, woman—until she disappeared from his sight.

Tezuka can still feel that distinct hum in his chest, the pounding of blood in his ears, the shiver down his spine at the sound of her voice.

It has been years, ten long years, to be exact, but she still has the same effect on her. He wondered idly if she still feels the same.

The moment he knew that she would be here tonight, he cancelled every single appointment he had previously and asked (demanded) Fuji to give him the address and an excuse.

The brunette, instead of chuckling at him, only stared at him with those damned piercing eyes of his.

"Why?"

The Tensai had asked him. Why would he want to attend the party so bad? Is it because of her? Why?

He remembered not answering.

He also remembered two pairs of dark-brown eyes staring at him ten years ago.

One was looking at him as if he was the most hated person of its owner.

The other one looked at him imploringly, as if reaching down to his very soul, wanting to know the answer to an unasked question. He remembered feeling so vulnerable, and wanting to escape.

And escape he did.

Now, standing at the middle of the room, he can feel the same pair of eyes at his back. But this time, there is no question. Only challenge.

And a promise of a lifetime of regret if he made even a sliver of mistake.

He squared his shoulders, and schooled his features so he at least looks sure of himself, which is the opposite of what he is feeling.

"You know, I never believed her when she told me she was over you."

He turned to look at the one who spoke. Kisana gave him a half-smile, her eyes painfully blank.

"She has never been good at lying." She chuckled, "That has always been her weakness, and strength."

He found himself agreeing.

Dark eyes stilled themselves at him, and he felt that familiar fear once again.

"I don't like it when she cries, Tezuka. You know that, don't you?" it was not a question. It is a threat.

He opened his mouth to answer, but Kisana is already walking towards Fuji.

He watched as his friend brought Kisana to his side in an almost possessive manner: left hand pulling her to his side, the other hand curling around her waist. Like him, Fuji also let Kisana go at one time.

But unlike him, Fuji told her. And Kisana understood, like she always does. There has never been a secret between the two. They never gave promises to each other, but they still ended up together.

Looking around him, he can see his friends with content looks in their faces.

Eiji is talking loudly with Oishi, his arms around his fiancée of two years. Oishi is blissfully happy with his girlfriend. Kaidoh and Momo were the same, while Echizen is slowly but surely re-claiming his place at the young Ryuzaki's heart and life. His friends from the other teams were the same, with either girlfriends or fiancées of their own.

He wondered if he made a mistake from all those years ago.

He never meant to reject her. At that time, all he was thinking was his future, and how his decisions would affect hers. She had a bright future ahead of her, and he didn't want to be the one to obstruct her from fulfilling her dreams. He convinced himself that it was for the best.

And maybe it was, at that time.

She became one of the prominent names in the fashion industry. She has travelled all over the world, charming each and every one in her way. She made the whole world fall in love with her creations, so easily that it scared him.

It scared him in the sense that maybe in one of her travels; she'll find someone who will make her fall in love. The thought robbed him of his sleep for the first few years. But when she remained unattached, his worries were washed away. He hoped that maybe, just maybe, she still loves him.

He is still hoping.

He sighed. The night is still early, maybe he'd find the courage to talk to her later.

The party has wind down, the gifts were given, messages to the newly engaged couple were relayed, and numerous teasing were done.

Some of the guests were already thinking of leaving, to call it a night.

Amika swirled the glass in her glass, watching as the bubbles popped. She has never been fond of alcohol, but for the sake of the occasion, she caved in.

And considering the circumstances, she decided she needed the alcohol to keep her emotions on check.

She watched as Choharu and Atobe waved at some of the leaving guests. She smiled at the thought of creating her twin sister's wedding dress. She already has the design, but she kept it a secret up until now, only Kisana and Ann knew of the basic design. The two promised to keep the secret.

She sighed deeply. Choharu's and Atobe's engagement has long been overdue, in her opinion. The two should have been married ages ago. She was actually expecting for Atobe to pop the question after their graduation in high school, but the Hyotei king had let Choharu finish her college degree, to establish herself in her chosen field, and to enjoy life to her heart's content.

She never thought Atobe to be as patient. But as Yuushi-san had commented, Atobe can be anything and everything if only to make Choharu happy.

She couldn't help but feel a tiny, little twinge of envy.

Her eyes went to her older sister, who is currently talking to Fuji-nii in low tones, as if sharing a secret. Another example of a perfect love story.

Why couldn't she have that? Why couldn't she have someone who would hold her as if she's the most precious thing in the world? Someone who will gaze at her as if she's the only one in the world whom he can see? Someone who would be anything and everything for her happiness?

She let a chuckle escape her. The alcohol is already making her think of things that she has long given up.

"Is there something funny over there Amika?"

Startled, she turned her head towards the deep voice. Her eyes widened a little.

"You were chuckling," he added at her surprised look. He stood awkwardly at the railing, a little too close for her comfort. She can feel his warmth.

Rubbing her arms unconsciously, she tugged at her hair and looked somewhere below. "It was just a thought, Tezuka-san." She murmured.

"Hn."

A silence enveloped them. In the far corner of her mind, she remembered all those times when she enjoyed being this near to him. Does he remember them too?

"Congratulations by the way."

"Huh?" she asked him.

"On your fashion show. I heard it was a huge success." I was there.

She smiled. "Ah. Thank you." I wish you were there.

He let his eyes linger on her face. She is beautiful, as she'd always been.

"How long will you be staying here?" Can you stay here forever?

She shrugged. "I'm not sure." I wish I can stay here forever. "I'll be busy for the wedding, and I wanted to spend time with Syaoran." I wonder if I can spend some time with you. She shook her head mentally at the thought.

"I see." He looked below him, his eyes catching Fuji's from below. He knows why the Tensai is looking at him like that.

Amika sighed deeply. The night is almost over. She promised herself that after tonight, she will go out of her way to avoid him as much as possible. She couldn't bear to let herself fall once again. Twice is enough.

She was about to turn and walk back to the room when she felt him move. Her breath hitched when he brushed some strands of her hair away from her face. She trembled at the touch.

Tezuka couldn't help himself. Her hair looked so soft that he has just to touch it. He felt her tremble when he brushed them aside, his fingers lingering on her cheeks a tad longer than he had intended. Her eyes widened, and then fluttered close. She drew a sharp breath.

Amika opened her eyes, her chest constricting painfully. Why does he have to do that? And why is she reacting to him like that?

"Tezuka-san…" her voice trailed off, a lump forming in her throat. "I have to go now." She refused to look in his eyes. It's just too much.

Tezuka dropped his hand, but didn't move from where he is standing, effectively blocking her way. He probably shouldn't be doing this, but he knows that after tonight, he may not find the appropriate time and reason to see her once again. If he fails tonight, then so be it. But he will not let go of this opportunity. He has waited long enough.

They both have waited long enough.

"Are you free tomorrow?" The first step is always the hardest.

She blinked her eyes at him. "Huh?"

"Are you free tomorrow?"

No answer. He felt his heart drop a little. "Do you have any free time this week?" Maybe a different approach is better suited.

Amika felt her heart give a lurch. "I…" Her heart has been broken twice by him. Can she trust him once more?

He may have lost his chance long time ago. He tugged at his collar nervously.

Her eyes followed his movements, and then widened when she saw the chain hanging from his neck. He kept it?

Her heart started beating faster; she can feel her face growing warm. Is it too much to hope once more? What if she got hurt once again? Can she bear getting her heart broken by the same person who did before?

"Amika." His voice was warm, like a promise. Can she trust him?

Her eyes stilled at him, swirling with emotions. Pain. Distrust. Questions.

He stared at her. His eyes desperately conveying what he feels. Honesty. Sincerity. Asking for another chance. Answers. Trust me once again.

Maybe, maybe it wouldn't be like it was before. Maybe this time it would be better. Maybe…

Taking a deep breath, she lets go of her doubts. She loves him still, that she couldn't deny. And if loving him means getting hurt more than once or twice, she is ready to accept it. After all, how painful it would be? She has survived before, she can do it again. No matter how many times.

She may have been the biggest masochist who has ever lived.

She smiled at him, and with trembling voice, answered "Hai. I'm free, Tezuka-kun."

His eyes widened a little, as if what he heard wasn't what he was expecting.

He was about to open his mouth to say something when a semi-frantic voice called out to them. He didn't want to go; he wanted to stay and listen to her voice. But as he stared in her eyes, he can see the same look she would always give him ten years ago—the one that always takes his breath away and make his heart hammer in his chest.

The one saying that she's not going anywhere. It was enough for him—for now.

"Ah. I'm glad."

Well. Good? Bad? Leave a Review, perhaps? Hahahaha

Hopefully I can recover from this massive block so I can update The Complex and my other stories. Here's to hoping!

XXD YUNA