Student life passed with one class after the other, exams and studying. Everyone did their best while dealing each with their own private life.
Gii divided himself effortlessly between his studies in school and the work for his father. Akaike, Arata and the others kept their own relationships going and kept their roles in the committee at school. And Takumi concentrated on his violin; practicing improved his skills, not to mention it made him happy. When he could he spent time with his friends; lately he spent more time with Tanaka-kun who he had met the year before. They shared sometimes lunch break together. But not with just him. This time too, he was outside the cafeteria having lunch with Tanaka, and no other than Kamenashi and part of his group.
He didn't really plan to, but as he was with Tanaka, who was part of the group too, Takumi ended up there as well.
Kamenashi was monopolizing the conversation which was the usual with him. He always had something to say against Gii or about what he could do against him.
"How could it not matter to them?! Saki is doing his own business using the school grounds and for them it's just normal! Unbelievable." He still couldn't get over the rejection of Ishimura and kept on ranting about it after telling them about his latest attempt that day; his group gave him the satisfaction he now craved for, telling him that he was right and giving him the attention he didn't get from sensei.
Then, in that moment, aiming to get his lunch, Gii passed near the spot where they were all gathered. His gaze froze for an instant on Takumi. He really didn't expect him to be with them. His feelings were only shown from a step which he took slower than the others, no one noticed but Takumi who was now watching him as he walked away. It doesn't matter how things stand between them now; giving what they shared in the past, Takumi felt bad for him having to think he was socializing with such people. But still, there was nothing he could do now.
They never met since the year started, and those who thought they had a relationship years ago, knew that it was over, they've all forgotten about it.

-._.-.-._._.-.-._.

Gii and Akaike were sitting at one of the tables in the student area in the main building, concentrating on their job.
"And that was the last." Akaike said slumming his note book shut. He looked at Gii sideways as his friend was writing; when his work was over, Gii put down the pen and closed the book with an irritate sigh and posed his eyes on Akaike "You've been like that the whole time, it's quite irritating you know?"
Bull's eye. He was in fact eyeing him for a while now but he was hoping to be inconspicuous, Akaike faked ignorance but it was futile if the interlocutor was Gii.
Gii sighed again "I already know about it" he said as there was no need for Akaike to act that way, or be careful around him, and Gii read right through him. Akaike relaxed his body, sad for his friend; so he had heard the rumor..
"Don't mind about it" Gii said and looked around himself, then whispered "You know we're not together anymore"

-._.-.-._._.-.-._.

A knock on the door made Takumi drop his homework, when he opened Shingyouji almost pushed him away entering with force "Is it true? Did you join the Kamenashi group?" he worried about the latest rumor.
"Eh?" Takumi hurried to close the door "Shingyouji, first of all calm down, you almost knocked me over, there!"
"Sorry"
"What was it about joining what?"
"Well, people are talking about them and I heard your name being mentioned"
Takumi thought sadly of the morning when Gii saw him with them.
"Is it true then?"
"Calm down! I've got nothing to do with them"
"So you weren't together? Man, those rumors.." he sighed in relief
"We were.." Takumi stopped him and his friend looked speechless; Takumi hurried to explain "One of them is Tanaka's roommate, they meet in their room sometimes so he kind of joined them, since we were together we ended up with them too"
"Hayama-san.." Shingyouji seemed to scold
"Yeah I know, I'm not that oblivious about them. I don't like that kind of people and I'm not hanging out with them"
That calmed Shingyouji down at last and he sat down on Takumi's bed.
"I'm sorry for barging in like that"
"Don't mention it" Takumi said as he sat down next to him.
Both turned to face the other and smiled.
"Have lunch with us tomorrow. Arata-san said he misses you. I do too"
Takumi smiled happily "I'd love to, we're all too busy lately"
"Don't worry, if Arata-san tries to skip lunch again I'll drag him out. He works too much!"

-._.-.-._._.-.-._.

In his own room, Kamenashi was trying to come up with something that wouldn't turn out as a failure. Again.
Two of his group were there too.
"There has to be something we can use against him"
"We watched his every move. There isn't"
"He can't be that perfect, I mean-" he stopped as a thought struck him "He may be perfect and act according to the rules now, but what about before? We know nothing about the last years right?"
He looked at the others with an evil smile "We have to find out what he has been doing up until this year."