Disclaimer: I'm doubtful that I could come up with a character like Saionji; my own character developing skills are just that, developing. Therefore, I do not own SKU.

Saionji did admit that he was fascinated my Wakaba, if in an odd way. It wasn't the usual reason that boys his age took interest in girls. Suppose it was her lack of bitterness towards that Tenjou girl? Yes. That was it.

He knew he was considered by a great deal of people to be special., exalted by people like Wakaba. But above him, above the rest, was Touga. Always Touga Kiryu in the spotlight, charming girls and adult by turns. Saionji downed his tea. Earl Grey, dark and bitter just like himself.

Touga and Tenjou were the real special ones, Tenjou maybe even more so. Saionji bowed his head, the low evening sunlight leaving his face shadowed, green locks caressing his face. Violet eyes fell on the perfume bottles, the girlish bedspread, the shelf of romance novels. Threads of jealousy wove through his mind. How this girl seemed to revel so in her mundaneness!

How had she lasted all these years as second fiddle to Tenjou when Saionji had already wilted in his role as Touga's shade? Somewhere in her there was a hidden strength. A surety that allowed her to continue on, leaf to the rose that was Tenjou.

His solitude was interrupted too soon as the patter of footsteps pierced the air. The door opened, and Wakaba stepped inside. She slumped, letting the door click close. Tear sparkled on her cheeks, lit by the last snatches of sunlight.

"I'm home," she said softly, looking up. her pain and frustration filled the room, insecurity in her eyes, anger in the tremble of her lips, stubbornness in the furrow of her brow.

"Welcome back," Saionji greeted. He meant it. Wakaba smiled, and relief flooded him until he realized it was just as empty as the smiles Himemiya had given him. If only this leaf could succeed where he had failed. Surpassing the Chosen Ones.

Yet the ache of feeling inferior radiated off her. Suppose it was just that she had curled up dry, unnoticed as Tenjou took in all the light. No. That must not be it. That could not be it.

He nicked his finger on the carving knife, and the leaf fell to the ground.