A/N: Finally! Chapter 4 is up! You know, writing this story is becoming weirder and weirder cuz it's just not normal to write a romance with Jinno-sensei involved haha But I wanted to try something different lolol. Then again it's very interesting at the same time. Maybe I'm just the weird one XD

Enjoy!

ChiyakoChan

He was such an irascible man.

Roughly, Jinno-sensei shoved Xy away, stumbling backwards and covering his lips as if their deed was a sin. But then again, it was her sin that tainted his skin, not his own.

At last the smitten girl found his flustered face for a second time. Slightly trembling, Xy remained there, fixated in his vision like a forever-haunting presence. She would not go away until she was given a response.

"A-Aitexu," he stammered, but she did not know if it was tremulous out of embarrassment or disgust.

Just as when he held out his hand in the rain, Xy reached out to him, unable to say a word. What she intended to do was done, and, perhaps in the back of her mind, she knew the tears were not so far away; they were the only outcome of this horribly planned rendezvous.

"Jinno-sensei," she responded, believing that what she thought and felt was real, and convincing herself that she was not acting incredibly infatuated.

This late-night serenade was almost romantic (in Xy's eyes at least). His momentary submission to silence and to her actions warped Xy's perception and she perceived it as a tie of fate. Since, with a kiss, the irascible man before her calmed the storm that was his anger just to stare at her with eyes the color of sapphires in the moon's gleam. Even if…even if it was only but a moment.

With a blunt composure, Jinno-sensei spoke, "…I see. So this is what you were hiding," he pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose with his finger, a manner of deep contemplation shrouding his intentions.

How long are you going to hide it?

Conflicted in her own mind, Xy held onto the doorframe for support, "Didn't you already know…?" what was this weakness he brought out in her? It was foreign, it was vivid, it was tormenting…

….it was all too real.

Jinno-sensei shook his head neither answering the question nor revealing his emotions. Was he angry? Was he disappointed? What was killing Xy was the fact that she could not tell.

"Stop this nonsense, Aitexu," low, but menacing. Calm, but fervent. Composed, but frightened, "You know that what you are feeling is not real. Quit being immature and forget this charade," he motioned to close his door.

"But-!" Xy took an impulsive step forward, hand to her heart and tears at the corners of her eyes.

Jinno-sensei shook his head, "Aitexu, you ill-minded girl…" at that epoch, he took his own step forward, and brushed a tear away from her skin so gently she thought she was imagining things, "Next time keep your dreams and reality separated."

With that, he shut his door not only to her, but the affection she so frantically wanted to give to him.

Xy fell to her knees, all adrenaline from her desperation drained like blood by a leech. He was the leech and he sucked everything from her- her heart, her sanity, her affection and consumed it like some gluttonous creature. She hated him for that and sobbed because of his despicable manipulation.

"He…he could have yelled at me…at least…"

In her sadness, she did not notice his shadow on the other side of the door.

next morning

"Get up, Xy! You're going to be late for first period!"

A lethargic figure stirred underneath the many blankets of a disheveled bed. Presumably, the groan issuing from the messy pile came from Xy, "Mm-no…I didn't do the math homework…"

Rolling her eyes, Rywmah kicked the lump under the blankets, "You're such a liar! I copied it last night, remember?"

"…oh…"

Like a frustrated parent, Rywmah put her hands on her hips, "Do I have to drag you out of there? Don't think you can escape Jinno-sensei's wrath just because you overslept!" she brought back her leg, prepared to strike again, but paused when she heard a stifled whimper.

She immediately dropped herself in front of her friend's form, "X-Xy…"

The bundle curled up further under the blankets, and it only took one more utterance for Rywmah to realize her friend was in pain. Perhaps she should have already known it was heartbreak.

"Oh, Xy…" she sighed, wrapping her arms around her sobbing friend. The heartbroken one hid her countenance, frightened that someone so dear to her would discover her secret infatuation. Deep in her heart, though, Xy fathomed that Rywmah knew it best.

"…How long did you know?"

Gazes met and recoiled, one full of shame, the other of sympathy. The owners could not bear to face the truth, nor could they lie to one another. It was a hopeless predicament.

The golden-haired girl ran her fingers through her limp curls, the prospect of styling it long forgotten, "…w-well, I suspected something was up at the Last Dance a few weeks ago…" she brought her knees up to her chin and hugged them. Though her companion was the one who needed comfort, that same companion wrapped a blanket around Rywmah's shoulders, "…y-you never seemed so happy."

Motionless after her kind gesture, Xy's monotonous reply was barely audible, "I'm sorry—"

"Why didn't you tell me?!" such a seemingly heartless apology did not calm Rywmah's tempestuous heart, "I could have helped you!" she looked down, "...it wouldn't have come to this…"

Xy's uncharacteristic sadness appeared as glossy tears on her cheek, "I knew it was wrong…I did not want you to worry over something so foolish—"

"That's what I'm here for," Rywmah's tone was almost chastising, "And something like this… it's something that you should talk about because…because—"

"Because it's not right," Xy finished for her, "I should get over it, is that what you're saying?"

"Xy, that's not fair," the emerald eyes once turned to the floor laid upon Xy's troubled expression. The girl's brow furrowed and her rebellious nature caused her to look away from the pristine kindness, "I am not saying that what you're feeling is wrong. I would help you forget it," with those words, Xy looked at her again, this time with a flare of anger, "But I would also help you rekindle your affection," the frustration softened and it made Rywmah smile, "Whatever you wish. I am your friend. I will do anything to help."

A serene silence was shared between the two girls, one that brought the tears back to Xy's eyes. Bringing the lamenting girl into her arms, Rywmah remained calm, close, and open-minded. It was no one's fault that the girl before her had a 'crush' on her teacher, and a violent one at that. It was not wrong that Rywmah hadn't asked Xy about it the moment she came to her realization. It was not right to admonish her for it now, either. Rywmah was trying not to be presumptuous, but she did know that this 'infatuation' might have actually been taken to the next level. It was not a mere crush. But it was not true love either. Being Xy's closest friend was a tricky position in this situation. Should she draw her away from 'loving' Jinno-sensei? Or should she let her friend continue chasing a love that wasn't there? Either path would lead to pain.

Abruptly, Xy left her friend's arms, kicked off the blanket, and jumped off the bed. She exhaled deeply, and stretched, "Well, you were right, Rywmah!"

Surprised, Rywmah stared at her friend with wide eyes. Wasn't she just crying? Why was she so full of energy all of a sudden? She shook her head lightly to herself and said, "What, Xy?"

"I can't miss math just because I overslept!" her companion laughed, sliding back the curtains and opening the window. She took in a refreshing breath, "If we hurry, we can get there before he starts the lesson!"

'Are you truly ready to see him?' Rywmah kept her questions to herself, knowing that Xy was stronger that one would think. The blonde stood up as well, "All right then. But how about we get there really late?" she giggled, "His angry face is the most amusing after all."

There was no sign of pain or regret anywhere on Xy's face. There was no apprehension, no nervousness. Perhaps the real Xy had returned. It was unexpectedly quick, but Rywmah accepted it as the girl smiled and nodded, "Yeah. Let's do it!"

Perhaps neither of them knew how dangerous it was to charge ahead without thinking.

In front of the classroom door, the two girls glanced at each other with momentarily doubtful stares. The taller one laughed, and said, "I'll get over it, Rywmah, don't worry. It's the best thing to do after all."

The girl beside her did nothing but smile, "It is your decision, Xy. I'll follow it to no end."

The blue-eyed female laughed again, "You make it sound more serious than it is."

"Do I? Maybe because it is- to me, at least."

Xy dragged her friend into the least graceful hug conceivable, "Well great, that makes me feel special."

Though muffled by Xy's chest, Rywmah's laugh was high in volume and in pitch as she attempted to separate herself from the constriction, "Just don't let it get to your head!"

Abruptly, the door flew open with a clatter, "What are you students-!!"

The storm that was his anger didn't stop, it seemed to be completely scattered when he set his eyes upon Xy's visage. It was too obvious- the way she had affected him by just one gesticulation…

…Just one kiss could deteriorate this man.

An eternity of silence seemed to paralyze the two at eye contact; Rywmah did not know whether she should be glad, or disgusted. Praying over everything else, Rywmah just hoped that Xy wouldn't do anything foolish.

The smitten girl lifted her hand. In just one second, Rywmah went from composed, to alarmed as Xy reached forward, fingers outstretched towards Jinno-sensei's heart. Aghast, but utterly immobile, she could do nothing but watch in horror as Xy's fingers drew closer and closer and closer to Jinno-sensei's body, his skin, his warmth. Nodding to herself, Rywmah finally drew the conclusion…

Xy was insane.

Time rushed forward, and all Xy did was flick him in his throat, "Hey JinJin," and she brushed passed him and into the classroom.

w-w-WHAT?!

"Aitexu!" Jinno-sensei shouted, swiveling on his heel to face the rebellious youth.

Rywmah did not even seem to breath in a long moment's time. What she just witnessed was nothing out of the ordinary…

It was like nothing happened at all.

Running her fingers through her hair, Rywmah sighed and laughed, following the fervent teacher and student into the classroom, "Back to normal, eh?" Perhaps both of them were stronger than she had imagined. Perhaps the ordeal was over. Perhaps both of them could move on.

Perhaps it just really wasn't meant to be.

A/N: Awww look at all these ups and downs! This chapter ends kinda like chapter 2. Well…not really. Idk, I just suck at life XD I can't seem to stray from this cliché plotline! Oh well. Anyway, chapter 5 will be up someday….in the meantime, review!!!! :)

Thankies as always for reading!