Song: Foolish

And I'm mad because I love you

"Hi, Seiya! How are you?" chirped the voice that I've been slightly dreading to hear nowadays.

Swallowing my urge to run off and act like I didn't hear her, I forced a smile as I gave a wave. "Hey, Odango! Pleasant to see you here! I didn't expect to see you here," I called to her with a smile.

I wanted to kick myself right then and there for my last comment. That was a fucking lie! I should've remembered that this place was her most favorite place to come to.

After a few minutes of scolding myself for my stupidity, I felt a hand grasp mine from across the table that I was sitting at. I looked up to meet the eyes of the one who I wish was here with me on a date instead of it being a chance encounter.

"Are you ok, Seiya?" her sweet voice echoing her concern for me, me of all people. If only it were like that all the time, but that's cruel of me to wish for something such as that.

I forced a smile across my face. "I'm okay. Just had a moment of thought is all, " I lied to her, hoping that she won't see pass my deceit. I almost felt sick to my stomach at how easily that lie slipped from my lips like honey on a leaf.

"Are you sure that you're ok? It's rare for you to zone out for so long, " she mused to me, her baby blue eyes searching my face for any sign as to why I was being distant with her.

Odango … If only you knew that I just can't bare to be near you anymore … Not after losing you to him …

Still holding onto my fake happy façade, I took both of her hands in mine and stroked the tops of them with my thumbs.

"I'm okay, Odango. I assure you of this. I've just had a lot on my mind lately with how I've been trying to be a cop, Kakyuu moving out, and then that one company wanting me to sign with them. It's just too much!"

Her gaze softened some more as she reached her hand up to move my bangs away from my face. "Seiya, I'm sure that Kakyuu-chan will change her mind. You guys' love is unbreakable, like mine with Mamo-chan, " she traced my right cheekbone with her thumb, sending flutters into my stomach. "You two are like puzzle pieces; you complete each other."

I resist the urge to lean into her touch, but still allowed myself to lose myself with the sky-like depths that she called eyes. Biting my bottom lip subconsciously at the recollection of her mentioning her lover and my ex-girlfriend.

"Yeah, I'm sure she'll change her mind eventually, " I muttered, taking a moment to take another bite out of my hamburger to keep from screaming about how I didn't care about getting Kakyuu back and how I wanted her instead.

"So what is bothering you, Odango?" I forced myself to ask, hoping that it wasn't the same thing as last time.

But it looked as if the gods didn't like me today from how she suddenly blushed and started nibbling on her bottom lip …

Why am I such a masochist?

Odango finally stopped gnawing at her bottom lip to start sheepishly, "Well … I've been thinking about doing it with Mamo-chan for our 7th month anniversary of dating."

I almost choked on some of my milkshake (I was drinking it while she was talking) at what she was talking about.

I can handle listening to her gush about how 'cool' and 'charming' he is! Hell, let her go on and on about how he got her some shoes again, but please, please don't make me listen to her talk about fucking the dude! I'd rather beat myself silly with a -.

"Seiya?" her sweet voice chimed through my thoughts, causing me to look up at her to see her looking back at me with her head tilted; worry and mild embarrassment shining within her eyes.

Forcing myself to take one more sip of my milkshake (to give me false courage), I cleared my throat, "It's mostly up to you, Odango, it's not my decision to make even though I think it'll be better if you waited a bit longer."

Odango bit her bottom lip once more. "I think that I am ready for it and that he's the one I want to give my virginity to. I just love him so much and I want to show him in every way I can."

I felt sick to my stomach after hearing this. I wanted nothing more than to run away and never look back, but …

Looking into her eyes and seeing how much she wanted to hear my thoughts on the matter based on my status as her … best friend … I pulled on my big girl panties, ripped the Band-Aid off of my screaming heart, and buried my emotions inside a cold, dark freezer for later because she needed me.

So I swallowed one more gulp of my milkshake and said, "Well, Odango, if you really want to … make love to him, then go for it. Just make sure that you really do want it and that you aren't rushing into this in order to satisfy his needs."

She shook her head rapidly. "No, oh, no! It's nothing like that at all! He's been the most perfect gentleman that I've ever known!"

I raised my hands up in defense. "Hey, I was just looking out for you, is all. Don't want anyone messing with my cute Odango, "I exclaimed, enjoying how she giggled afterwards.

"I understand, Seiya, but he's a great guy; trust me on this, " she pleaded with me, her eyes giving me that look that always make me melt into a puddle of mush.

I sighed, giving her a smile and slid my fries over to her. "Ok, I'll take your word for it."

Odango squealed and flew out of her chair to embrace me. "Oh, Seiya! You're the best! I'm so glad to have a friend like you!" she cried with glee.

Even though my heart cringed at the sound of the 'f' word again, I held onto my smile and returned her embrace. "You should already know that a cool person like myself is the greatest friend that you'd could ever ask for, " I cooed into her hair, subtly tightening my embrace to feel her against me some more.

Odango giggled and pulled away from me to start fiddling with her fingers, a nervous look on her face. "You don't happen to know some real good sex tips, do you?"

Did she just seriously ask me about sex?

I gaped at her, my eyes widening as I internally swoon and vomited at what she just asked of me. Then I pushed my emotions aside once more to respond to her, "Odango, I'm the very last person you need to ask for advice about sex."

She gave me the most cutest scowl that almost made me pinch her cheeks. "Why is that?"

I smirked and licked my lips at her suggestively, "'Cause I'm gay, remember?"

Her entire face became tomato red as she recalled my sexual orientation and let out a slight squeak. "Oh my gosh! I'm so sorry! I forgot for a moment! It's just that you're so attractive and-."

"Usako?" called a deep, masculine voice; his voice.

I wanted nothing more to melt away into the earth after seeing how she instantly brightened up at the sound of his voice.

She spun around, a brilliant smile across her face. "Mamo-chan!" she squealed with glee, throwing herself into his arms.

"I just got off on my lunch break for the day. Just figured I'd come here to hang out with you and Motoki, " he explained, giving her a kiss that almost made me sick.

Odango, still smiling up at him with the same smile as before, hugged him tighter. "That is so great! I've missed you most of the day!" she gushed, kissing his cheek.

I could just die from how much love she's pouring out to him. I wanted nothing more than to go to a dark alley and cry. I just hated seeing them together, knowing that …

"Oh, Seiya-san! It's nice to see you again! How's it going with the police academy and your girlfriend?" he clamored on, noticing me still sitting at my spot.

I faked a smile to greet him, "It's nice seeing you too, Mamoru-san. I haven't started the academy yet, and Kakyuu and I are no longer together."

His face changed to one of pity. "Aww, that is tough. I thought you and her were going to tie the knot soon. I'm sorry that you two didn't work out, " he offered me his condolences.

I shrugged, "It's nothing. It was bound to happen eventually. There wasn't love anymore."

There never was now that I think about it.

"Well, I wish you the best of luck on finding love again and becoming a cop, " he smiled at me.

I nodded, "Thank you for your wishes. I'll sort myself out sooner or later." I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear.

Mamoru nodded back at me before turning his attention onto Odango. "Now, what would you like for lunch?" he asked, earning a delighted look from my … his odango head.

"I'd like some cookies, a milkshake, some cake, and oh! Some brownies too if you don't mind!" she chirped back to him happily, stars in her bright eyes.

He turned his attention onto me. "Would you like anything, Seiya-san?"

I shook my head, waving my hand at him as I brought my previously offered fries back to my side of the table. "Nah, I'm good, " I breathed breezily and proceeded to eat once more.

"You sure?"

"Yes, I am. Go ahead and get Odango something to eat."

He nodded at me once more and walked away with Odango, who chattered away in his ear.

I finally exhaled since his arrival and watched them as they talked to Motoki.

My eyes softened as I watched Odango laugh and smile at something Mamoru had said.

I wish that it was me that she smiled at like that, but this love is doomed to be a unrequited one …

I steadily drunk my milkshake, not noticing that I've already had the last drop seconds later for I was lost within the eyes of the one who'll never be mine. Wishing that I was able to be by her side in the way only Mamoru Chiba will ever be.