(Mkay here's a little fix since last time was so short)

*Risa's POV*

Man, what is Otani's problem? I mean, yeah I didn't tell him I was going over to Kohori-kun's today, but Otani is NOT my babysitter. He's my boyfriend. And not a very trusting one at that.

Kohori's cheek was swelling up when I left, but he'd managed to convince his mother that he had fallen and hit it on his desk or whatever. The story was stupid. It sounded more like something I would do, but she bought it so whatever.

I was on my bike on my way to the train station. The whole thing had gone down about an hour ago so I felt secure I wouldn't run into Otani. I wasn't sure what I would do or say when it came time to confront the issue, but I needed time to think.

But no solution was coming to mind. I needed Nobu.

I hurried home as quickly as I could, and once I was safely in my room, whipped out my cell phone and dialed her number. I hadn't seen her in person since last summer, and with this term coming to a close, I had started to anticipate the next group outing.

Nobu picked up on the second ring.

"Risa-chan!" She said excitedly. I could tell she was excited to see me as well. Too bad that wasn't what I was calling about.

"Hey Nobu," I said, trying to sound as normal as I could. Of course it didn't work.

"What's wrong? Is it Otani?"

Right on the nose.

"Well…" I began to relate to her everything that had happened in the past month. I'd been missing Otani, and Kohori was good company. I didn't have feelings for him, but he was a good friend and I needed someone to talk to.

Then the date with Otani came, and I got my fix. But I still felt the need to hang out with Kohori, so I knew I was actually beginning to see him as a friend independent of what I felt for Otani. So when he invited me over to his house on our day off I saw no problem with it, especially seeing as I knew how psyched he'd be for the new Omibozu CD.

I wasn't expecting for Otani to burst in like that…I was so angry…and poor Kohori, too…

"Risa…" Nobu said in her reproachful tone. I sighed as I realized what I was about to hear. "I know you don't want to hear this, but Otani is right. You have been together for such a long time, now..you shouldn't be going off to be in other boys' rooms alone. Especially behind his back."

"But we're just friends, Nobu. Otani knows that."

"Does he? I seem to remember the slight issue of Kohori kissing you last time something like this happened…."

I knew she was right. But I didn't want to have to say it.

"Fine. But what am I supposed to do?"

"I think you need to leave Otani alone for awhile. You two probably just need some space…"

"I guess…thanks, Nobu.."

"Anytime, Risa-chan! See you soon!"

The line went dead, and I flipped my phone closed. Space? Me and Otani have had plenty of that…that was probably the issue in the first place. I heaved a dramatic sigh and collapsed backwards onto my bed. I was out instantly.

Man, that girl. There was just no end to the grief she gave me…

So why am I still with her? All she does is cause me worry, stress, jealousy…

Why should I have to deal with that?

But why would I choose not to, is probably the more appropriate question. I've been through this stuff with her before, and it's never stopped me before. This specific incident wasn't any worse.

Then again, I never see her anymore. Between school and work, we never have any time for each other. This might just be the tip of the iceberg, and it's only freshman year…I don't know if I can handle it anymore.

This might be it, then. It might be time to end things with Risa Koizumi.