Author's Note: Here's the next chapter as a birthday present…to me

Author's Note: Here's the next chapter as a birthday present…to me...since I adore the conflicts that happen in all loving relationships. Some fluff in here as this chapter explains what happened prior to the introduction of the gala. And of course I saw the continuing conflict between Sousuke and Tsubaki in FUMOFFU and it reminded me of Inu-Yasha and Kouga…only this time with Kaname as the prize. A big thanks to all the readers and especially those thoughtful enough to leave me a review, put the story on alert or made it a favorite.

SOUSUKE'S REAL DILEMMA….ENTER TSUBAKI

One week ago—the morning after…

It was a lousy day to begin with, rain falling copiously as dark clouds scudding across the sky added to the oppressive gloom Kaname had felt. As she went to school, her head was filled with what had happened last night…both good and bad. And she was absolutely stumped as to what to do next…

When she had awakened, Kaname tried several times to call or text Sousuke on his cell phone. Last night after he left so abruptly she had decided to let sleeping dogs lie and felt that emotionally challenged Urzu-7 needed space to allow himself to get used to sharing his emotions. But as she tried to contact Sousuke via voicemail or text messaging she was dismayed and disappointed when he did not respond. So she took the train to school by herself…

Because Sousuke was in Class Four with her, as it was set up initially by Mithril, he was in almost every class with her, the only exceptions being gym for obvious reasons and advanced calculus because he had no clue and was not a Whispered. However, his attitude toward her was strained and awkward, like he wanted to avoid a confrontation. It started in homeroom period when class was over and Kaname had turned around to leave the classroom. He got up and literally ran from her, causing much confusion not only in her but in their circle of friends.

OnoD, not the most tactful of the group, pointed it out. "Say Chidori what's with Sagara? Why'd he take off like that?"

Kyoko, in her naïveté echoed him, "Yeah Kana-chan…I know Sousuke was flustered when we all yelled at him for making you cry yesterday but it looks like something else happened between you two."

Kaname sighed as she inwardly wracked her brain to try to figure out her own answers to the same questions. So she shrugged as she replied diffidently, "I dunno…I'm not his keeper, you know."

"Yeah but you took off right after he left school," Kyoko declared. "And since he came to school, you've always been looking out for him and he's always following you and protecting you…so it is kinda strange for him to run away from you." She peered into Kaname's face, which was slightly flushed.

Geez, How'm I gonna keep what happened last night between Sousuke and me from Kyoko? She's my best friend and beside that she told me how Sousuke was so worried and had followed me when me and Fuwa had gone to Fumo-Fumo-Land…and I knew when he hijacked Bunta-kun to come to my rescue from those yakuza thugs that he had cared…which brings me right back to why he bailed on me last night…

"Uh…Kana-chan?" Kyoko waved a hand in front of Kaname and she shook her head to clear it. She smiled at her friend as she created a plausible answer…

"Well you know Sousuke…he's probably making sure that Jindai is safe for everyone…setting up security systems against terrorists and all."

Mizuki eyed her askance. "And you're not freaking over it?"

Again Kaname shrugged as she tried to appear blasé. "Look, he means well…he tries to help out but sometimes uses extreme means. And I admit I tend to overreact when he does…but it's only because he's so…"

"Psycho?" Mizuki quipped with a smirk, earning a steely glare from Kaname.

"Very funny. Actually, he's just so determined to do his best," she replied with a sniff as both Mizuki and Kyoko did a double take and peered at their friend. Kyoko, with her nose for news, studied Kaname's pretty face with a speculative gleam in her hazel eyes.

"Kana-chan, did something happen between you and Sousuke last night?"

Kyoko's sharp as ever…she knows something happened between me and Sousuke last night Kaname tittered nervously as she lied, "N-nothing happened…we just walked home together as always." She met Kyoko's direct gaze and asked, "Why do you think anything else happened?"

Kyoko answered blithely, "Because I know how you both feel about each other."

"Yeah, you two are inseparable…so tell us…what happened?" Mizuki probed.

Kaname was speechless as inside she frantically sought a way to stage an escape as she was not willing to reveal what truly had happened between her and the sullen Mithril sergeant. However, an electric ring echoed as the start of the next class was announced and everyone took their seats, causing her to sigh in relief Saved by the bell, literally…whew, that was close...

"So tell us, Kana-chan…what happened?" Kyoko persisted in a whisper as she and Mizuki both turned in their chairs to get the lowdown.

"Class is beginning now, you guys." Chidori Kaname, the dutiful class representative hissed as Kagurazaka-sensei entered to bring the class to order. As she reached for her Japanese Classics notebook, the rear classroom door opened. A body deposited itself in the seat behind her and she immediately knew whose body it was as she turned her head slightly and saw Sousuke, who having spotted her quickly hid behind his textbook.

Turning around to face the front Kaname sighed as she again wondered What the hell is going on..?

From his seat Sousuke saw Kaname half turning so to avoid her he grabbed the first book from his bag. But instead of the tome of classical Japanese literature of the Kamakura period that the class was using, he had his well-worn edition of Sun-Tsu's The Art of War and had opened up to chapter 7. As he buried himself in the tactics of maneuvering, he picked up the faint yet potent scent of vanilla orchid… Kaname's perfume and his mind became foggy as he closed his eyes and savored her fragrance…

Why does she always smell like a rain-washed garden? he mused, completely absorbed by the scent, so much so that he neglected to hear his name being called by Kagurazaka-sensei…

"Sagara? Sagara? Sagara!" Kagurazaka-sensei called to Sousuke. Annoyed, the teacher came down the aisle and stood right in front of his desk. She addressed him crossly, "Did you hear me?"

He gazed blankly at the teacher. "Ma'am?"

She sighed, "I asked if you would recite from Takamura Monogatari the poem Ono no Takamura wrote about his dead half sister who he loved."

Sousuke nodded and said, "Understood." He then picked up the book he had been reading and read from the text…

"In war, the general receives his commands from the sovereign. Having collected an army and concentrated his forces, he must blend and harmonize the different elements thereof before pitching his camp..."

The class tittered as Kagurazaka-sensei interrupted Sousuke. "Sagara, that is not from Takamura Monogatari…just what book are you reading from?"

He closed the book and read the cover. "The classic work 'Art of War' by Sun-Tsu…a must read for every professional soldier."

The class erupted with laughter as Kagurazaka-sensei became exasperated. "That's not the book we are reading in this class." She sighed and addressed another student. "Chidori Kaname, will you read the poem Ono no Takamura wrote to his beloved sister for Sagara's benefit?"

Kaname sighed and replied woodenly, "Yes ma'am." She cleared her throat and began…

"Composed upon the death of my sister: May my tears that I weep fall as rain, should the river rise my sister may return to me...e-excuse me."

Whether it was the profound tragedy of a love lost or the tragedy of her own situation her emotions in turmoil, Kaname dropped the book and bursting in tears she fled the classroom, leaving Kagurazaka-sensei and the class dumbfounded. However, Sousuke jumped to his feet…

"Please excuse me," he apologized as he ran after her…

In the hallway Kaname was leaning at the window, the deluge outside mirroring her own anguish, sobbing, angrily berating herself for losing it. "Stupid, stupid…I'm so stupid!" It was this Sousuke heard as he hesitantly came to her.

"Kaname?"

She remained turned around. "What do you want?"

"Are you alright?"

She sniffed, "Why should you care?"

"I do care…I'm concerned about you," he said softly.

"Are you really?"

"Of course."

"You sure have a funny way of showing it...after running out on me, ignoring my messages and avoiding me all day."

Sousuke swallowed hard and he stated, "Nevertheless, I'm still concerned about you."

Kaname laughed bitterly, "Is that so?" She then whirled and faced him with the full brunt of her fury. "Then do you mind telling me…WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?"

Sousuke broke into a cold sweat as he faced her. "Kaname, you deserve a proper answer to that question." Nervously he ran a hand through his unruly hair as he tried to explain himself…

"To begin with, I am so sorry about last night…"

Kaname interrupted him bluntly as she pinned him with her steady coffee eyes, "Sorry you bailed or sorry you kissed me?"

Averting that scrutiny Sousuke said, "Actually…both."

She lowered her head and said glumly, "Thanks a lot."

Sousuke sighed as he felt his already shaky position sinking fast so he moved rapidly to rectify the situation. Coming closer to grasp her shoulders, he pleaded his case…

"Kaname, please hear me out…this is very difficult for me."

She sighed and said, "I'm listening."

He took a deep breath and plunged in….

"First of all I want to say this…beside the night you cut my hair, last night was one of the best nights of my life…holding you…kissing you…was amazing, like nothing I ever thought could happen to me…and that's the problem…"

Sousuke then released Kaname's shoulders and turned to stare stonily out the window at the pouring rain. "Kaname, I've been a professional soldier, fighting battles since I was eight, almost ten years…and as such I've been trained to bury all my emotions…because as you've heard me say before, showing emotions in the midst of battle…can get you killed. And so since joining Mithril every mission I've completed up to now…I've done just that, wiping myself free of emotions, enabling me to do my job without the burden of feeling anything…then I was assigned to shadow and protect you a Whispered…and everything changed…"

He heaved a deep sigh and continued, "So Mithril plants me here under cover as a civilian and for the first time in my entire life, I am living…a normal life of a teenager, with classes, studies, sports, friends…"

Sousuke paused and turned back to face Kaname, reaching to lay his hand on her cheek as she smiled at the gesture, "…and someone nice who understands me, has helped me with my schoolwork and other things…a girl who's as sweet as she is lovely...who I'd like nothing better than to be with and claim as mine…but can't."

Her smile fading Kaname's pretty face showed her dismay. "But Sousuke, why? When we flew back from Hong Kong you told me you renegotiated your contract so you could have a normal life and a future outside of Mithril…so why can't you and me…? "

He removed his hand and replied, "Because I've renegotiated my service contract with Mithril, but I still work for them…and part of that renegotiation included to continue in my mission protecting you as a Whispered…even though the Intelligence Division has Wraith watching over you…but in my personal opinion they've done an abysmal job, I told the Captain as much…I don't trust them to keep you safe. So after I met with the leadership of Mithril I told Lieutenant Commander Kalinin that I intended to continue to protect you…and he agreed."

"I still don't see why we can't have a real relationship now," Kaname insisted.

Sousuke answered, "Because it would be a conflict of interest." He leaned close and elaborated, "Kaname, I-I'm having a hard time dealing with the very intense personal feelings I have for you… I admit I can't look at you as just my mission objective any more…and that creates a conflict of interest." He added, "I feel it's best to maintain a certain distance between us…and that was breached last night."

"I see." Kaname said as she turned from him and stared out the window at the rain. She sighed softly and then requested, "Can I ask you something?"

"Of course."

She turned and pinned him with her unwavering gaze. "When Mithril had told you to not guard me anymore…and you left…how did it make you feel?"

Sousuke closed his eyes and remembered the cryptic e-mail message he received, right after he had spent a wonderful evening with Kaname…and how the rage he had felt drove him to first slam his fist in the laptop destroying it…then had him spilling all the top secret mission data as he yelled on the balcony to call out Wraith…

He opened his eyes and met Kaname's gaze with his own silver one. "Honestly…I became enraged…with Mithril, and with that smug bastard Wraith who called me third rate…but I had orders to leave so that is what I did…"

Placing his hands on her shoulders Sousuke continued, "I hated abandoning you… I hated Mithril for making me abandon you…and inside I felt dead…because I couldn't be with you."

Kaname said softly, "But you can be with me now…so again I'm asking why you think we can't be together…why, Sousuke?"

Her question hung in the air like the ominous clouds outside, pouring rain down on Senakawa prefecture. And he saw no real reason why he could not be with her either… the truth was pathetic and made him feel like a basket case. However, he decided to come clean.

"Kaname, the truth is…I have no idea how to have a relationship with a woman," he admitted as he turned away, ashamed. He then continued, "Remember that silly contest that we had to get the social science club room and how that was? I couldn't even approach a woman without scaring her away…and you had to bail me out of a potentially humiliating situation…again."

Kaname nodded as she agreed, "Yeah, you're right." She moved closer and took hold of his face as she went on…

"But it takes two to make a relationship work, Sousuke…you're just trying to take all of it on your shoulders again…and you don't have to." Then she said something completely unexpected…

"But I understand how you feel…and knowing you like I do, you need to find your own way…so I'm gonna step back and give you your space,"

Sousuke's eyes widened as he sputtered, "K-Kaname, what are you saying?"

She smiled a sad little smile as she replied, "I don't want to complicate things for you…you're trying to live a normal life after living as a mercenary…so you need to figure things out. And I won't add to your burden."

"B-but Kaname I told you once before…you're not a burden to me…and besides-," Sousuke insisted but she laid a gentle finger on his lips.

"I know…but I feel that I need to step back for me too." Kaname sighed as she added, "Look, if it's meant to be for us…this will only make us stronger."

Sousuke was stunned…Kaname was doing it again, proving her resiliency and magnifying why he fell so hard for her. She…is…incredible…how did fortune smile on me so much to bring her into my life? Sousuke mused as he comprehended what she was presenting to him…a way of escape…yet another time she was helping him out. But instead of relief there was a cold chill in his gut with a growing emptiness…

He sighed and said resignedly, "Understood." He added, "But it's still my duty to protect you…so I'll still be near enough to keep you safe…we just won't spend extra time together."

"Okay," Kaname agreed. "So outside of school…we'll just go our separate ways…until you can figure things out…and when you do…I'll be there waiting."

She then planted a soft kiss on his cheek and trailed her lips down to his jaw where the cross shaped scar was…a sweetly sensual action. She then turned quickly away and headed back into the classroom, leaving him there staring after her with his hand over where her lips left a warm path on his cheek…

And for the next several days that was exactly how Kaname and Sousuke approached their circumstance…in school they acted like amiable classmates but did not socialize in homeroom or free periods…they even ate their lunches sitting apart from each other. The one thing that remained as a sign of their continuing relationship was after school they still walked to the Senakawa station together and then once in Chofu, walked to their homes separating with a short closing salutation, emphasizing the fact that Sousuke was still officially guarding her. However their obvious distance was raising questions in the minds of their immediate circle of friends. And as time passed they decided to find out just what was going on.

It was study period and the girls, all hovering around Kaname were curious as to why the "Class Four Couple" seemed to be on the outs with each other, with Kyoko relentless in her usual persistent probing…

"C'mon Kana-chan…what happened between you and Sousuke, huh? 'Cause you two are acting awfully strange since that day you both ran out of our Japanese classic lit class."

Kaname shrugged as she replied, "I don't see what you're talking about…Sousuke and I aren't acting strange."

Mizuki peered at her dubiously as she remarked, "Yeah you are…Sagara used to be around you all the time but lately you seem to be totally avoiding each other…you guys don't even eat lunch together any more."

Kaname lowered her eyes and then said almost defensively, "So what? We don't have to spend every moment together." She frowned and stared at her nails as her friends continued to speculate…

"Well, it seems really weird that he's not right next to you," Kyoko said. She continued nostalgically, "Remember when he first came to class and risked his life to save you from a speeding truck." She sighed as she added, "It was so romantic."

Yeah romantic…he was just doing his job as Sergeant Sagara from Mithril protecting me, a Whispered…Kaname brooded as she saw the realism of their bond. Then she thought but he has done a lot of things to protect me…and there was what happened between us in the woods of Khanka…the sub…Hong Kong…

Murada Shiori tossed her light brown mane as she leaned forward in a conspirator's manner and commented, "I know Sagara's a strange one but you have to admit…he is kinda hot."

Mizuki nodded and said in a smug manner, "Yeah…and once he kissed me."

Kaname's eyes narrowed as she recalled the incident and jealousy tickled her insides…however, also remembering her part in making Sousuke pose as Mizuki's boyfriend for her friends' benefit; she stayed quiet as the conversation continued…

"Shut up!" Ogata Maya said in amazement. "How was it? Is he a good kisser?"

Mizuki opened her mouth to answer but Kaname spoke instead, a smile curving her pink lips. "Actually, he's…incredible…gentle yet firm and I just melted in his arms…"

"You…kissed Sagara, Chidori?" Shiori asked. "Really?"

"Really…and he kissed me," Kaname replied with an air of superiority as she glanced at Mizuki from the corner of her eye. "In my kitchen one night."

All the girls stared at her as Kyoko exploded, grabbing Kaname and squealing, "Kana-chan, you'd better tell me EVERYTHING! When did Sousuke kiss you?"

"Yeah and give us details!" Maya demanded as she, Mizuki, and Shiori all gathered around, their eyes glued to Kaname as inside she chastised herself Man, why did I say anything? Now if I back out, they'll think I was making it up…

"Uh, well…it was when we…," she began but was interrupted when the door slid open and everyone else came into study hall, filing in and taking their seats including Sousuke, who took his seat right behind her.

Oh boy what am I gonna do now? Kaname thought frantically as her heart fluttered with the fear of Sousuke discovering that she had told the girls about what had happened between them. Knowing her classmates and especially Kyoko she imagined the looks on their faces as they no doubt were studying him. She mused I wonder if he suspects…

Kaname's prophecy was correct as all the girls immediately were turned in their seats staring at Sousuke as he got himself settled with his study materials. When he looked up, he was surprised to see Shiori, Maya, Kyoko, and Mizuki all gazing at him with funny smiles on their faces so he tapped Kaname on her shoulder…

"Say, Chidori?"

Here it comes…

"Yeah?"

Sousuke's eyes were glancing at the girls as he leaned up to whisper, "Do you have any idea why Tokiwa and the other girls keep staring at me?"

She glanced around and asked, "Staring at you?"

"Affirmative."

Kaname blushed and stammered, "H-how should I know?"

"I just wondered--,"

"Well don't," she hissed. "Because you're just imagining things as usual." And before he could respond Kaname whirled around, presenting her back to him while she inwardly sighed in relief…

At the end of school there was a student council planning meeting for the upcoming Culture Festival and Sousuke was making his way to the activities building. As he trudged along, he was wracking his brain to figure out what had happened in study hall…and why Kaname had been so testy when all he asked was why the girls were acting so strange…

I don't get it he brooded. Why was Kaname so mad at me? I thought she understood why we decided to step back from each other…is she regretting her decision? But lately I admit I've been having second thoughts myself…

Sousuke then thought about his own feelings since he and Kaname decided to temporarily separate and as each day passed it was becoming clearer to him that they might have made a mistake, making him miss her like he did when Mithril had ordered him to withdraw from her. He found that since then, he had been inundated with a vast loneliness, as his waking thoughts were filled with memories of her and their relationship…how it had grown and deepened into a friendship he treasured. And there was no release at night for his dreams were all of her as well…many a night he would wake up in the wee hours after such a dream and would need a cold shower to ease the pent up heat in his body. It was reminiscent of the trip they had taken to the hot spring, when constant thoughts of Kaname in her birthday suit enjoying the spring had sent him to the X-box, vibrating chair or ping-pong table to work off the sexual tension.

Since I don't really have much furniture in my place maybe I should get a ping-pong table…it would beat hell out having to take a cold shower at 3 AM…

"Hey Sagara!" a belligerent male voice called out and Sousuke inwardly groaned as he stopped and turned to see one Tsubaki Issei, the captain of the amateur karate club, and his own personal antagonist here at Jindai High striding over to him.

Remaining coolly indifferent as he always did when facing an enemy, Sousuke responded, "What do you want, Tsubaki?"

Tsubaki came right into Sousuke's face and demanded, "I want to know why you keep ignoring my challenges…are you ignoring me deliberately or are you just a coward….afraid of the inevitable defeat and beating you'll get?"

Anger at the insult rose in Sousuke but as a seasoned and hardened professional soldier he refused to allow Tsubaki's barb to goad him. Instead he displayed the attitude of one dealing with an annoying gnat that would not go away…

"Look, I don't have the time or the inclination to deal with you right now; I have to get to a student council meeting…so why don't you just get out of my way…" He made to pass by, with a slight but firm push.

Enraged Tsubaki roared, "Why you arrogant bastard you'll answer me now or I'm gonna destroy you!" He leapt back and got into a kyokushin and Sousuke reached in his jacket for his Glock 26 9mm when a strident female voice railed at them…

"That's enough!" Kaname rushed over and got between the two combatants, her ire raised as she addressed the young men.

"Geez, at it again? You two are pathetic…honestly give it a rest."

Sousuke stated, "Tsubaki was provoking me…as usual…"

Kaname turned to the karate captain who answered hotly, "That's because we have a score to settle…and Sagara keeps ignoring my challenges…typical coward."

Sousuke's gunmetal eyes narrowed as he glowered at Tsubaki and Kaname, who knew that even the consummate cool soldier had a boiling point saw the storm gathering and rushed to alleviate the situation. With a sweet smile she placed her hand on Tsubaki's shoulder, causing the youth to blush…

"Listen Issei…you're a pretty reasonable guy…can't you see that we have to get to the resident council meeting to finalize the plans for the Culture Festival? And you and the amateur karate club need to get ready for your exhibition." She leaned closer and purred, "I'm sure you'll do a great job."

His blush deepening, Tsubaki rubbed the back of his head as he stammered, "Y-you r-really think so, Chidori?"

"Uh-huh, I have a lot of faith in you," she said warmly and Tsubaki giggled as he grinned at her, wearing the look of one completely smitten.

All during this exchange Sousuke watched with a rising level of disgust, his hand on still on his gun and fighting the urge to blow Tsubaki to hell. He found himself resenting how Kaname seemed to be plying Tsubaki, using the same manner she had used with him the night she cut his hair…a time he remembered fondly…and envy was simmering inside…

Why is she acting like this? What does she hope to accomplish with that fool? I don't get it Sousuke wondered and a general unease settled in his belly does Chidori actually have feelings for him? Like the time he staked out Kaname and Fuwa at the amusement park, the sight of her seemingly getting close to another man caused his thoughts to became jumbled…

Does she what see in him? Why jerk is he she can't see the? Scowling Sousuke was immersed in a maelstrom of emotion… totally flustered and dismayed then what he heard next made him also feel both miserable and furious…but once again he viciously quashed his feelings and stood aside listening…

Tsubaki, still nervously rubbing the back of his head blurted out, "Listen Chidori I'm not working at the restaurant today so after the meeting…can I walk you to the Senakawa station? I-I know that's where you take the train to go home."

She asked in slight surprise, "But isn't that out of your way, Issei?"

Tsubaki assured her, "Yeah but I don't mind."

Sneaking a sideway glance at Sousuke Kaname said hesitantly, "Well…I.."

She was interrupted by the sergeant from Mithril saying, "I think that's a good idea…as it is likely I will be detained indefinitely at the conclusion and by the time the meeting adjourns it will be sunset. This way she won't have to wait for me since I don't know when I'll be free to leave. Tsubaki, if you would in fact escort Chidori safely all the way home I would consider it a favor."

"You mean he should take the train with me all the way to Chofu?" Kaname asked with eyes wide coffee saucers.

"Affirmative."

Both Kaname and Tsubaki both stared in shock as Sousuke went even further when he reached in his pocket for a 10,000 yen bill. He handed the money to Tsubaki…

"Here's something to compensate you for your trouble, Tsubaki…and if that isn't sufficient, let me know and I'll pay you back."

He then turned and headed to the student council room leaving both Kaname and Tsubaki open-mouthed and speechless…

Once inside the student council room Sousuke heaved a heavy sigh as he was enveloped in misery; anguish he had brought on himself as it was his hesitation and uncertainty that had led to this whole mess to begin with. And what a mess it was with his action just now making him feel even worse…

Why the hell did I just do that? I practically handed Kaname to Tsubaki on a silver platter and judging by the way he constantly drools over her he's been waiting for a golden opportunity to go after her…well I just gave it to him…idiot!

He groaned audibly …and was startled to find he was not alone…

Class president Hayashimizu and Secretary Mikihara both seated at the front of the room were turned toward him with quizzical expressions on their faces.

"Sagara-san, is everything alright?" Mikihara Rem asked.

Snapping to attention Sousuke immediately responded, "No problem, ma'am…everything is fine."

"With all due respect Sagara-kun, I beg to differ," Sempai Hayashimizu stated calmly as he snapped open his fan, this time with kanji on it reading "Distress". "For the last week there has been a very noticeable change in the relationship between you and Chidori-san…so naturally we are troubled."

Sousuke saw genuine feelings of concern in Hayashimizu's clear gentian eyes and wondered should I bother His Excellency with my problems? He's got enough to deal with…like the Culture Festival…

"No…well maybe," he admitted. Then an idea came to him…

"Your Excellency, I wonder if at the conclusion of the meeting I may speak with you privately…regarding a…personal matter?" Sousuke added hastily, "If you're too busy, I understand."

Hayashimizu scoffed, "Don't be silly…of course I'm not too busy to assist you with whatever problem you are having, Sagara-kun…after the meeting we'll talk."

For the first time in a while Sousuke felt a modicum of peace. "Thank you, sir."

Any further discussion was halted as the rest of the student council filed in and took their seats around the long table. Sousuke did the same, taking his place as Chief Security Officer then the door slid open to admit Vice President Chidori, who slid into her place sandwiched between Sempai Hayashimizu and Sousuke. As she settled in, he looked over at her and his heart constricted at the sadness on her lovely face…that he had caused.

I hope I can undo the damage…before it's too late…

NEXT….WHEN A MAN LOVES A WOMAN