Hi! Here's another version for the 8th volume. ^^ I hope you'll enjoy it.~

"Hey! Masaki!"

"Huh?"

"Leave him alone! He'll come back." said Souichi standing in doorway. "He likes to play this game. I'm not gonna fall for it again! You shouldn't either."

Masaki was already on the stairs. He turned back to face Souichi.

"You're a heartless…"

"Huh?"

"You really can't see farther than your own nose. I don't know what Tetsuhiro sees in you." He turned back, and stepped down the stairs. "You have to know something real good in bed or something." He said as a kind of goodbye.

"Shut the hell up! What the fuck do you know!" Souichi yelled after him. He was livid. "You're in no position to judge me! Leave him the fuck alone! He'll come back! It's his nature! He's doing this again, just to see how I react this time! He has to learn that he can't always get what he wants! I'm not playing his game anymore!"

"It was a waste of time trying to talk sense into you."

"What the hell are you talking about?" Then Masaki started to walk down the stairs. "Hey! Don't go after him! Leave him, you hear me? Argh!"

Souichi went back to the apartment kick the door shut.

...

Morinaga sat on the playground for almost an hour now. He was crying, shaking his head.

"This can't be happening… this can't be happening." he murmured desperate. "Why now? What did I do that I deserve all this?"

He laid down on the bench, his hands on his face. What now?

...

Masaki was walking up and down the streets, tried to find Morinaga, but he didn't know the city well. It was a total accident that he found him on the playground.

„Tetsuhiro!" He ran to him. "Thank God, I found you! Are you all right?"

Morinaga recognized his voice immediately; still it took a few moments to him to look up to the blond. He looked puzzled at him.

„Tetsuhiro, I'm so sorry. I tried to talk to him, but he…"

„Wait… What?" He sat up. "What did you say to him?" Morinaga apparently wasn't happy about what he'd just heard.

"That he shouldn't've said those things, and that he has to go after you and apologize, but…"

"No, no! Don't! Please! I'm sorry, I don't want to hear this." He stood up and walked away.

"Tetsuhiro…"

"Leave me alone! Please." He said it with so much pain in his words, Masaki didn't want to argue with him.

"Look, if you need a place, you know the hotel where I am, you can…"

"I have a place, thanks." The fuck I do… "Bye."

"Sure. Take care…"

Tetsuhiro could think of only one person who he can rely on right now, so he headed to the Adam Site.

"Look who's here! Angel-kun!"

"Hiroto-kun…" he passed the crowd and went to the bar.

"Dear God! What's wrong? You look terrible!" he asked worried. "What happened?"

"I don't know!" Morinaga burst out crying, attracting the guest's attention. "He said those awful things; I don't know how we ended up like this!"

"What? Who he? Oh my, poor boy, come sit down…"

Hiroto came out behind the counter, and set Morinaga down. He stood before him, gripping his shoulders, and looked at him with concern.

"I don't understand. Everything seemed okay, and in a few minutes all I had broke into pieces!" Hiroto sat down next to his friend, and listened to him.

Morinaga told Hiroto what'd happened, or at least tried to. He was crying constantly.

"I don't know what to do. I don't want to go home."

"Oh my… Angel-kun, you know you're always welcome at my house… though it would be nicer in other circumstances…"

"Sorry… and thanks." Morinaga sniffed.

"Anytime, sweetie. Look I work rather late, can you wait for me?"

"Sure. Hiroto-kun, thank you."

"Ah please, that's what friends for, aren't they?"

...

A few hours later, when Morinaga still hasn't come back, Souichi tried to calm down by doing some paperwork. But he couldn't concentrate.

Fuck, I'll just mess this up…

He put the papers aside, and started to thumb a book, but soon he realized that he just stared at the pages, but couldn't take his mind on the text.

I need a cigarette. I need a lot.

He took out a box, and lit a cigarette.

He'll come back. Yes, soon he'll come back. He has to come back.

It was rather late by then, and Souichi couldn't deny that he started to worry.

"Okay, that's enough…" He grabbed his cell phone and typed Morinaga's number. But before he hit the call button, he changed his mind.

The hell I will call him. He'll be back soon. He lit another cigarette. "You idiot, you better come home."

…

Around midnight Morinaga's cell phone rang. His heart skipped not only one beat, as he was afraid it might be Senpai who's calling, though at the same time he hoped, too, that it might be him. But it turned out, that it was Masaki.

"Hello?"

"Tetsuhiro, it's me…"

"Masaki-san, I'm sorry about before, I was very rude. I'm sorry…" he said, and he meant it.

"No, don't be. I'm sorry… I shouldn't've asked you to meet me again."

"No, it's not your fault, Masaki-san." He wanted someone to blame, but he couldn't blame Masaki. He knew it wasn't his fault. It would've happened anyway, if not that day, then a week or a month later.

"Has he called?" Masaki asked cautiously.

"No…"

"I'm so sorry, Tetsuhiro. Look, I'm glad that we could meet and talk again, after all these years, and thank you again for accepting my apology… I'm really sorry what happed. I honestly hope you two can make thing clear, and make up."

"I don't think there's anything left to clear up, he was pretty clear, you heard him."

"If it means anything… when I talked to him, I had the impression that he regretted what he'd said. He looked… I don't know, kind of strange. Though I don't know him, but…" Morinaga cut his words.

"Senpai isn't the type who regrets things. But thanks."

"If you say so… I'm going back home tomorrow, but if you want me to stay…"

"No. No, I mean, you don't have to worry about me. I'll be fine. But thank you."

"If you need anything, you know where to find me, you have my number."

"Yes, thank you, Masaki-san. I'm glad, too, that we could talk again. It was really nice to see you."

"You too. Well then, take care. I wish you the best."

"Thank you, Masaki-san. Bye." Morinaga shut his cell and put it in his pocket. Hiroto looked at him questioningly.

"It was Masaki-san. He goes home. I guess it's the best. I don't want to piss off Senpai even more."

"Oh you can't still thinking about this!"

"But…"

"No! Can't you think about yourself for a change? Oh please, honey, you deserve much better than that! If you can't see after tonight that he's a jerk who doesn't deserve you - or anyone else if you ask me - then I don't know what have to happen to open your eyes." Morinaga gazed at Hiroto, then he continued. "Stand up for yourself!" Morinaga nodded reluctantly, then with a sigh he placed his arms on the counter and put his head on them.

"Hey, why don't you just take my keys and go home. You really don't have to wait for me till 3, you know."

Morinaga looked up. "You don't mind?"

"Of course I don't."

Hiroto went back to the locker room, and came back with his keys. He handed them to Morinaga, and told him that he can just go to sleep, and leave the door open. Morinaga thanked him, and walked out the bar.

…

Morinaga arrived at Hiroto's place, he looked around; he hasn't there for almost a year now. The place was even more colorful than he remembered. He put down the keys on the kitchen table, then went into the little but very inviting living room, and sat down.

"I have to figure out what to do…" he murmured, and stared at the ceiling. He thought about the things Senpai had said to him, "He didn't mean it, right? It can't be that he meant all those things… right?" he said to himself so desperate. "Yeah, that's right, I'm sure he didn't mean it, he just can't express himself very well…"

He curled himself up to the couch, his arms around his legs, his head between his knees.

…

Hiroto arrived home around half past three. He found Morinaga sitting on the couch, still in fetal posture.

Oh my, how can he sleep like this.

When he stepped closer to him, Morinaga looked up at him.

"I thought you were sleeping…" He smiled down at him. "How are you feeling?" he asked. "Have you eaten anything yet? I think I have something eatable."

"No, thanks, I'm not hungry at all."

"I can guess… I'm so sorry. You didn't deserve a treat like this. According to that karma thing, you should be the happiest man in the whole wide world!"

"Thanks."

Hiroto gave him an encouraging grip on the shoulder.

"You'll be okay. I know it seems impossible to forget him, but you'll get over him."

"I don't know. You know, I thought about it, and I'm sure he didn't mean all those things; he couldn't. Maybe I should go home, or at least call him to tell him that…"

"Sure, give me your phone."

"Why?" Morinaga asked, but he took out his cell from his pocket, and handed it to him.

"Just make sure you won't, Angel-kun. Are you sane? There," he said as he switched off the cell, and took out the battery from it.

"Hey, no! What are you doing, Hiroto-kun! Why can't I call him?"

"Because! If he meant those thing then that's why, if he didn't then that's why! Honey, don't make a total fool of yourself. Now… I bring a futon for you, okay? You can't sleep like that." He walked to his room, and came back with the futon. He set it on the floor, near the couch. Morinaga looked at him a bit sulky, but didn't argue with him.

Hiroto stood there for a minute, watched his friend, then sat back next to him. He placed his arm around Morinaga, and he laid his head on Hiroto's shoulder. His breathing was very uneven as he tried to hold back his tears. Slowly Morinaga calmed down and pulled himself together, straightened his back and his legs, and rubbed his eyes.

"Do you need anything else?"Hiroto asked.

"No. Thank you everything." He tried to smile.

"Anytime. Now try to sleep. You need it."

Hiroto went into his room. Morinaga stayed on the couch for a few minutes, then got rid of his clothes, except his underpants, and laid down on the futon. He tried not to think of Souichi, but it was a hard task. When he finally fell asleep it was already the crack of dawn.

…

Souichi woke up around 5 am. He found himself on the couch, still in his clothes. He looked around, stood up, and went to the door to see if Morinaga's keys and shoes were there, but he didn't find them.

He isn't back? Perhaps he's with that guy… Fine! Be with him! You love him so much anyway, don't you!

He took a shower, and packed his things up, getting ready to school. He into the kitchen, made coffee, and sat down while he drank it.

"Just a few minutes, then I'll go. He might show up, and then I can give him a piece of my mind!"

The few minutes turned out to be more than two hours. It was almost 8, he was already late. He was still sitting in the kitchen, with his third coffee and a cigarette.

Maybe I should call him now…

He took out his cell phone, and dialed; this time he didn't change his mind. But the call went right to voicemail.

"Oh, screw you then! What do I care, anyway! I have work to do! That idiot is probably at the University already!" He stood up, grabbed his pack and left the apartment.

…

He arrived at the university, went to his lab, and find Morinaga nowhere. He was kind of surprised. He really did think Morinaga will be there.

I'm not playing his game! He'll show up.

...

Morinaga woke up to a noise he couldn't recognize at first. He sat up, rubbed his eyes, and looked around.

Ah, right… I'm at Hiroto's.

As he came to his senses, he figured that the noise was a hairdryer. He got up, and put on his cloths. Then he went to the kitchen, and poured coffee for himself. Hiroto finished in the bathroom, and came out to the kitchen.

"Sorry, did I wake you?"

"Nah, it's okay."

They sat down to the table, and Hiroto asked:

"So, how are you today?"

"Better… I guess. Are you sure I shouldn't call him?"

"Definitely."

"I don't know how to not bump into him at the uni though… I know his schedule, but… what time is it, anyway?"

Hiroto looked at his cell phone. "It's quarter past one."

"Huh? Dear god! Why didn't I notice that it's that late? I have to go!" he stood up turned to go, but Hiroto stopped him.

"Hey, wait! Where are you going?"

"To the uni of course."

"I don't see the point in going there this late, you know. It'll cause only administrative problems."

"No, I can't do that, Senpai expects me in the lab, and…"

"Okay, we have to do something about the Senpai-infected parts of your brain."

"That wasn't very nice."

"Neither was he."

Morinaga sat back, looking at Hiroto desperate for some advice.

"What should I do?"

"First, take a shower, then go home for some clothes as long as your senpai isn't there; then come back. Second, steer clear of him. At least for a while."

Morinaga nodded, though he wasn't sure he can do the latter.

"Okay… but later I really have to go to the uni, I have to talk with my professor."

"About the job offer?"

"Yes, about that. I have a lot of questions, I still haven't decided if I should accept it."

"I don't see why is it even a question. Honey, it's the best opportunity for you to move on." Morinaga looked down, he was about to cry again. "Angel-kun, I know it's hard, but you can't stuck in this situation."

"I know." He sighed. "I have to forget him, don't I…"

"That would be the best, I guess."

Morinaga sighed again, rubbed his face and stood up.

"Okay. I'll do as you said. After that I go to the uni, and talk to the prof."

So with that, Morinaga headed to the bathroom, and then when he finished he went home for his things.

…

By the time he got home, it was past two. He looked around in the kitchen, then in the living room.

I can't believe he can't pack his things up. I have to tidy it up a bit; I can't leave this apartment with this sight in my memory. Ew…

He washed the few dishes that were left there, then he emptied the ashtray on the table in the living room, and wiped the table clean. He went into Senpai's room and picked up his laundry.

How will he manage without me? How did he manage in Canada, I wonder… Maybe I shouldn't leave… he can't really take care of himself…Well, I pack my things in case I don't change my mind.

When he was ready with the tidying, he went into his room and packed his clothes and a toiletry kit into a bag, and some of his books that he needed every day into another bag.

Shit, I should've bought a notebook instead of a desktop pc. Whatever…Do I need anything else?

He looked around, and thought it over if he packed everything that was necessary.

…

Souichi was sitting in the lab. He was fidgeting with a few test tubes, and thought about Morinaga; tried to figure where he could be. He had a feeling, and he decided to go home to see if he's back.

…

Souichi arrived at home. He opened the door, stepped in the apartment. As he toed off his shoes, he noticed Morinaga's.

I so knew he'll be back!

He heard some rustling from Morinaga's room, so he headed there to see what was he so busy with at the moment. And of course to release his fury in one way or another.

He opened the door without any noise, and Morinaga jumped when Souichi said:

"Have you ever heard of the very useful little gadget, called cell phone?"

"Christ! Senpai! You scared the hell out of me!"

"Good then." he leaned against the doorpost with folded arms. "Why is your cell switched off?"

"Huh? Oh, I just switched it off… actually I kind of lost its battery."

"Huh?"

"Senpai, I really didn't expect you at home at this time. Why aren't you at the lab?"

"My question is why you weren't?"

"I-I kind of overslept."

"Oh, I hope you rested enough, because I need you at the lab. Come on, move your ass."

"Senpai! I'm not going to the lab anymore." he said as he stood up with his bags and faced Souichi.

"What are you talking about? And what are you doing with your books and clothes anyway?"

"Senpai, I'm leaving."

"What?"

"Ah, I think I have déjà vu…"

"So do I. You can't leave. Don't be ridiculous!"

"I have to. I can't stay here." Morinaga stepped to the door, but Souichi was still in his way. "I hope you'll be okay by yourself. Now, please let me pass."

"The hell I do! You're not leaving!" he yelled, "You wanted to live together so much, remember? Why would you leave now?"

"I thought we were just sharing the apartment." he said cynically.

"That's not the point! I asked why the hell would you leave now?"

"If you don't even realize why I'm leaving, then there really isn't any reason for me to stay." he pushed his way through Souichi, and headed to the entrance door.

"And where are you going?" asked Souichi.

"To a friend."

"To him?" Morinaga stopped and turned back.

"What do you care if I go to him?"

"I can't understand how can you even talk to him after all that shit he put you through."

"I talk to you."

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing. I'm not going to him. In case you forgot, he doesn't even live in Nagoya; he went home this morning."

That's right, he doesn't live here. Why did I even come up with that? - thought Souichi a bit confused.

"Is it because of yesterday?" he asked.

"Yes, and because of the past 4 years, full of suffering with you."

"You wanted it that much, don't complain!" Souichi was yelling again.

"Senpai… you stupid…" Morinaga turned and went to the door; Souichi after him.

"What did you call me?"

"You're stupid! A five-year-old is more matured emotionally than you are! I'm leaving."

"Fine! Then leave! At least I get rid of your constant molestations!"

Morinaga was out, and Souichi shut the door behind him.

"Idiot!"

…

Morinaga went back to Hiroto's place. He put his two bags next to his futon, and sat down onto the couch, drumming his fingers on his knees. Hiroto came out of his room.

"You're back? What's wrong, you look rather nervous."

"He came home while I was there! Can you believe it?"

"Nice timing. Oh wait, I think I already heard that story." Morinaga glanced up at him nervy. "So what'd he said?"

"It doesn't really matter. But he made me angry now."

"Poor baby…"

"Anyway, I brought my stuff that I need. Then… I don't know. I look for a place, and move my other stuffs there."

"Oh you really don't have to bother with that now. It's okay if you stay for a while."

"I'm really grateful. Thank you, Hiroto-kun. I go to the uni, and talk with the professor."

"Do that. Look, I'm home 'till six, if it goes long, then come to the bar. I'll get a matching key made for you, then you can come back home."

"Thank you."

"Anything for my Angel."

Morinaga went to the University. He could only hope that Senpai won't come back while he's there. He met Yamaguchi.

"Morinaga, where have you been? You didn't show up today at all. Even your senpai looked after you."

"He did? Well, never mind, I talked to him already. I just wasn't feeling well, is all."

"Okay then. Look, Professor Fukushima was looking for you again."

"I came to him; do you know where can I find him?"

Yamaguchi told him, where the professor was, and Morinaga headed there.

…

Morinaga came out from the professor Fukushima's room, with a lot of papers in his hands. It was rather late by then.

Hiroto must be at the Adam Site by now. I'm going there. I could use some drink anyway.

He arrived at Adam Site, headed to the bar, sat down and ordered a drink. Few minutes later Hiroto was there with him.

"Hey, Angel-kun!"

"Hey! I talked to the professor, and told him that I accept the job offer."

"Hurray! I'm happy for you, Angel-kun!"

"Yes, well there's some time left until I start. I'm so nervous already. But I'm really looking forward to it!"

"Ah, it's so exciting! I'm sure it will be fantastic, believe me! Oh, excuse me for a sec…"

Yeah, it'll be good, won't it? I practically leave behind my everything. It has to be good. It has to worth it.

"I'm here, honey, here's your key. So, now tell me everything!"

…

In the evening Souichi were home, sitting by the table in the living room. He was chewing some snack that he didn't even like. Morinaga did, and that was the only eatable thing at home.

I don't care. Just be wherever you want.

Anyway, he still have a lot of his stuff here, he'll come back sooner or later. He can't stay at a 'friend's' forever. Right?

He did some paperwork, or at least tried to. He couldn't really concentrate.

Fuck this, it can wait.

He leaned back in his seat, and stared at the ceiling. His thoughts were full of yesterday's events. He replayed the whole conversation again and again.

He shouldn't have left just like that.

He was sitting there for a while, then stood up. He looked around the apartment with a sigh.

He should be here.

Then with that thought he went to take a shower.