Asami hadn't intended on Suzuna figuring them out. She thought she was acting completely normal, taking special care not to treat Riku any different than she had before… too bad she'd always had that crush on him.

"So… who confessed first?" She had chirped happily, resulting in the older college student to spit out her coffee onto the grass.

When the brunette had hounded her for any giveaways to her new relationship, Suzuna had merely laughed and stated, "Oh sometimes a girl can just tell… maybe when your posture stiffened when the fangirls flocked around him or it could be the times Mizumachi got just a bit too touchy feely that Rikkun frowned in just the most careful way… Coulda been the dreamy looks or perhaps the…"

Asami had stopped her there. Okay maybe she could be a bit more transparent than she had first thought… and apparently their company was just as oblivious.

Too bad in the cheery crowd of American Football players, there was always one man too perceptive for his own good from the beginning…

"Leaving early to catch your boyfriend again? Fucking priss?"

She froze dead in her tracks, slowly turning to where Hiruma was stripping off his padding from practice but he hadn't returned the look.

A part of her knew he always had a good idea what she was up to so she truly wasn't too surprised… but he'd never bother commenting about it until now.

"You knew all this time but didn't bother torturing me about it?" She asked, skeptical.

He blew a bubble with his gum, "Why would I give a damn about your personal life? Maybe when you fucking slack off to do it's when I get pissed."

Her mouth became set in a hard frown, the first time she'd shirked off her manager duties technically for the reason of seeing Riku would be the time he'd actually acknowledge it?! Asami would have preferred him just teasing her about it instead.

"Well since you just stated that you don't care, than I won't bore you with the details," She scoffed, shrugging her school bag onto her shoulder to make way to the door.

"Fine, Anezaki can cover for you as usual."

She stiffened, recognizing the jab for what it was; something set on hurting her. Well she had just about had enough.

"She'll be covering for me full time as a matter of fact… I'm transferring to Enma." She locked eyes with him, dead set on trying to make him feel something for her again.

Asami wanted to hurt him like he was doing to her… punishing her for making Riku a priority. Maybe it was selfish timing… defiantly not the way she'd wanted to ask but it was too late now.

Hiruma didn't so much as flinch, lazily keeping his sharp green gaze on her own icy blue. He shrugged, heading into the locker room's office, "I told you to do that from the fucking beginning but it's good to see after two whole years you figured it out."

Asami stood there, heart hammering painfully in her chest as the deadened expression she wore welled up with helpless tears. He'd hardly even reacted… It was an awful thing to do, undoubtedly selfish to tell him right then but… he'd only stated that he'd been right and walked out.

She burst out the door, feeling an ache so severe it reminded her of that last day of classes when she'd been overwhelmed by trying to choose her college choice.

Back then he'd said things that made her hope that things would change between them… but their college careers had only ever set them further apart. He became more focused than ever, and why wouldn't he be? These years would be the very last chance he had to get into the world of the professionals and he aimed for that dream with his very being.

Asami had wanted to accept that, she liked that life and had chosen it over everything else but… was she at fault for wanting more from this? From him?

She hated thinking about it, but she had defiantly fallen in love with Youichi Hiruma, supposed devil of Deimon that worsened in his sinister charm at Saikyoudai. He made her heart feel light as air when she was on his side, thrilled to catch his gaze and itching to do things she knew he'd enjoy.

He'd been the one to give her the best high school years she could have asked for, and she knew him like the back of her hand. She saw and loved him for his strength, the compassion he insisted on hiding from everyone and the effort he put into life that was so addicting to be a part of.

She'd loved him… so much and she had wanted to be happy with him, but how could she do that when he only ever kept pushing her away since they entered college?

Asami had tried to keep their momentum going, treating him more affectionately and only getting the cold shoulder for it. He was focused on American Football… and it hurt more than it should have to keep playing second fiddle all the time.

He always forced her into that insecurity as she'd feel she'd never be as important as the sport he loved or never be as useful as Mamori Anezaki… he knew she felt that way and yet he'd use her, knowing that she'd stay… knowing that she'd hurt every time she thought about it, or at least that's what she assumed he was thinking. Even if it was just some cruel way to push her into being better, it was really only pushing her away.

Even if he'd tried to assure her that he liked her for who she was, how could she feel that if he kept her at arm's length? He was in love with his ambition… and there was no room for her there, not any more. Perhaps there used to be that sparked that small bit of hope she held once, but that flame had long died.

She'd return to her dorm room to cry her heart out in the safety of her single suite, feeling more alone than she had in a long time.

Kaitani Riku was different. She'd watch him out on the field and smile, instantly recognizing that spark in him as it was in each of them… ambition… enjoyment… It reminded her why she'd fallen in love with the sport as well.

However, there was more to him than just American Football. It wasn't the only way he could have fun… he didn't need to take every little step or devote all of his energy to assuring his future career or the win. Riku was normal and easy to be around; he enjoyed a lot of things in life.

He'd called her beautiful so effortlessly that it took her breath away, no secondary motive to get something from her. He would skip a practice every once in a blue moon to surprise her with a visit, bringing her some small token of affection along the way. He would put her first; knowing she supported what he enjoyed doing and wanted the best for him.

Riku was… everything she had wanted from love but never had experienced herself and Asami was happy.

"You just have to make it these two more weeks, and that's it. You don't have to keep pretending for them," Riku tried to assure her, visiting her in her dorm room for the fourth time this week.

She'd been going about her routine as normal, desperately waiting for the semester to end so she could get out of practices. Asami wasn't going to transfer mid-semester but once finals were over, she'd already finished all the proper paperwork and gotten the approval.

No one else knew, just like they didn't know about Riku and she wanted to keep it that way until the very end. She'd tell them the day before and thank them all for everything, but she refused to have a drawn-out goodbye.

Hiruma had made it harder on her as well; doing exactly the same in pretending nothing had changed except that she wasn't even there. He never asked her for jobs to be done or anything, proving just how little a void she would leave behind.

Not only that, but within this last week Mamori seemed to glow and everyone noticed and given her congratulations. Apparently she and Hiruma had finally gotten together as Coach Doburoku had predicted all that time ago in Deimon. She'd be the girl he wanted… everyone was so happy for them, saying the saw it coming all along.

"He's a fucking scumbag you know." Riku jerked her free from her thoughts, sometimes having a foul mouth when someone really pissed him off.

"Hush, he finally realized his feelings is all…"

"Bullshit, he was looking for ways to make it worse for you and you damn well know it Asami."

She had revealed to him her crush on Youichi within the first few dates, admitting she enjoyed his crazy whims and that he had been there for her during difficult times and helped her overcome them. However, she wouldn't say 'I love you' to him as she would to Riku and slowly but surly she was learning how to get over that stubborn affection she held for the blonde that grew during high school and died while in university.

"Even if he did, that's not something I can afford to be angry about… so please don't worry yourself over it either," She sighed, resting her head on his lap as she studied for an important final.

"It's not fine; he doesn't deserve to be able to make you miserable like that."

"I gave him that power, him using it isn't necessarily wrong… or cause for me to be upset."

"But I sure as hell can be." Riku made a face; hated seeing her like this as if something was broken that he couldn't fix no matter how much he tried.

She gave him a teasing pinch on the cheek to change that dreary expression he wore, "Then beat them this time… the big game isn't that far away now."

Enma had played against the Wizards earlier in the season and hadn't fared as well against the more experienced team. It had been a hard battle but in the upcoming tournament they would have a second chance to bring them down and claim a spot at the Rice Bowl this winter like they'd been aiming for.

"Oh I plan on it, if they think about using the dragonfly I'm not going to let that bastard go without a few bruises for stepping past our line." He chuckled, trapping her hand against his cheek. "Cheer for us this time…?"

Asami sighed, not liking that pained expression he wore when she sat on the opposite team's bench for that game. "Of course."