Disclaimer: I do not own NANA.

Ripples

I knew it that it was bound to happen someday, one fine day when I least expected it. I just didn't know it would be today.

One, two, three… I counted to ten silently. Nothing happened. He didn't let go of my hand. Was it relief, shock or joy? Or perhaps a mixture of all three feelings? I wasn't sure. I was never good at describing my own feelings anyway and probably never will.

I looked up to him slowly and my gaze met his angular jaw. His eyes remained unreadable behind his dark glasses. Sometimes I wished to tear it down and smash it to pieces especially at times like this.

He looked as if he wasn't surprised at all but the way his muscle tensed in my palm for a second told me otherwise. He recovered his calmness fast enough though, so fast that I wondered if I had been imagining things. I hate it with a passion when he did that – when he acted as if nothing in the world can shock him.

I should have known better.

Have you ever watched an over-used scene in movies where the crowds blurred in the background while the main characters stood in the middle, too stunned to move or flinch? I felt as if I was acting in one. And I must admit that Osaki Nana still looked hauntingly beautiful even when she just stood there, frozen like a statue. Her expression was… priceless, one could say. Her big, expressive eyes were widened in shock and her cigarette was tipping dangerously between her slightly parted lips yet no voice came out from her mouth.

I suddenly felt sorry for her. And then he did something unexpected – he squeezed my hand lightly. Knowing that was his way of saying everything will be fine, I allowed myself to relax slightly.

"Yo." He smiled and raised a hand to greet her casually. Like a wizard, he waved his magic wand and dispelled the spell effortlessly. Not quite. Nana flinched visibly and murmured something about forgetting to get something before excusing herself to leave soon after.

"Maybe you should go after her," I said. It must have been awful for her.

"No, it's better this way. She will learn to accept it someday."

I opened my mouth, wanting to say something back but closed again when I realized he was right.

"Thank you (for keeping your promise)."

It took him an instant to realize why I thanked him. Then he smirked that infamous half-hearted smirk of his and asked, "Were you jealous?"

"No way!"

"Well, if you say so."

I smiled when I was sure he wasn't looking. Perhaps he knew but it doesn't matter. After all, it is what matters that counts.

A/N: I don't know why but I like the interaction between Miu and Yasu immensely in Nana. Hope to read more about this couple in coming updates of the manga.