A/N: Sorry it took so for the update everyone. I just wanted to say thank you to everybody that subscribed. Also, PurpleMacaw, Imogen. love , and narugirl14: thanks so much for reviewing. It really means a lot. Here's the next chapter… :)

That night…

Mikoto had avoided Akira all throughout the rest of the party. She had been confused about what had happened, and while everyone else brushed it off as a freak accident, Mikoto couldn't help but think that there was something more.

When she went to bed that night, Mikoto tried to push the event out of her head, but her thoughts just kept drifting back to Akira, and the sensation of Takano's lips on hers. They were much softer than she imagined. 'Although, Akira has always been quite feminine, she just doesn't really show it…' Mikoto mused, 'Wait! What am I thinking?' Mikoto quickly pushed the offending thoughts away.

"Ugh! What's wrong with me?" she cried out in exasperation.

Akira leaned in, "It's okay Mikoto, there's no need to worry. Everything will be just fine. Trust me."

Mikoto met Akira's lips with passion and want driving her every move; desire and confusion swirling around inside her head—

Mikoto sat up quickly in bed, drenched in sweat and wondering what had just occurred. "Oh… It was just a dream…" she thought aloud. "That's it, I'm being paranoid. I have to talk to her. This is just too weird," Sûo resolved.

Mikoto decided to confront Akira about the kiss. She slowly peeled back the covers and rose out of bed, then trudged to the bathroom, where she gingerly removed her sticky pajamas and stepped into the shower, not bothering to let the water warm first.

While standing under the cold stream, Mikoto closed her eyes and, as the water pounded against her skin, thought about what she would say.

Mikoto sighed as she stepped up to the school gate. She could see Tenma-chan standing with the others, waving at her. Akira was standing with them.

Sûo moved through the gate with the throng of people entering the school grounds.

Though her mood was far from it, Mikoto plastered a cheery smile to her face and enthusiastically greeted her friends as she approached the group of four. Tenma engulfed Mikoto in a crushing hug as soon as she got near.

"Good morning, Miko-chan! Where were you?" inquired Tenma, a smile on her face, "We didn't see you on the way to school!"

"Oh, sorry about that, guys. I was doing some last minute studying for English last night and lost track of time," she explained, "I just overslept."

The lie was apparent, but she hoped they didn't see through it. However, Sûo thought she saw Akira's eyes narrow at this, as though she knew Mikoto hadn't been honest. This made Mikoto a bit nervous, and she panicked a little before reasoning with herself that she would be talking to Akira later, and that all of this would blow over.

The bell rang just then, so they all made their way into the building after first removing their shoes and depositing them in their respective shoe cubbies.

Mikoto made it through her morning classes without really paying attention. She was constantly distracted by her thoughts, despite continually telling herself to focus and not to worry. Despite all of this, however, she kept becoming more and more agitated as the minutes ticked on. By the time the bell signaling lunch rang, Mikoto had worked herself into such a state of panic, that she let out an immense sigh of relief.

She noticed Akira sitting in the corner with her lunch, and glimpsed Tenma and Sawachika exiting the room.

'It's now or never,' thought Mikoto.

She maneuvered past the other students toward Akira, but when she got there, she seemed to lose any resolve she might have had. She stood awkwardly at the edge of Takano's desk and fidgeted.

"Um… Akir—"

"Not now," Akira cut off sharply, "Later. We can talk after school. I'll meet you at the dojo."

"But—," Mikoto sighed, " Okay. I'll talk to you then."

At this moment, Eri and Tenma returned, demanding that Mikoto eat lunch with them.

She gave in and sat down, not paying much attention to anything as she ate, just giving the occasional "Yep" or "Uh-huh" when necessary.

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