Rebirth

by myloyaltiesliewithHP

A continuation of a deleted story with better understanding and rejuvenated will and desire. Try it out.

6. Chapter 6

New! I love Harada Sensei. Sorry I'm so late in the update. Thanks for reading. Leave a review if u have time.

Disclaimer: I do not own Chihayafuru. At all.

Pausing at the front doors, Chihaya frowned.

"How are we going back?"

"How did you get here?"

She shrugged. "We took the bus."

"Then we're going by car." He dangled the keys in front of her face. Chihaya's eyes focused on the metal glinting in the sunlight.

"B-but I can't drive!"

He snorted and began walking to the right, into the parking lot. She hurried to follow. "I know that. I'm the one who's driving, baka. Who in their right mind would give you a car...unless they want it trashed unrecognisably..."

"B-but you can't drive either..."

He shot her a glance, a little surprised at her lack of self defence. He had just thrown her an insult and here she sounded, well, a little distant. "Of course I can. I got my license just before leaving, remember?"

Realisation flickered on her face. She turned her gaze to the millions of cars parked in a row, and he got the feeling she was purposely avoiding his gaze. " Oh yeah... Sort of forgot..."

The truth was, she had furiously pushed away any memories of those days, so gloomy and dark and negative, making her feel so helpless and torn. She relied on that compartmentalisation to help her be enthusiastic till today, but now the box had tipped, its contents spilt.

Not knowing what to make of that, he lightly tugged her sleeve and steered her into a turn, going a few more steps before stopping at his father's car. Unlocking the doors, gesturing for her to get inside, he slid into the driver's seat of the Mitsubishi, wondering why the air was suddenly so thick.

Why it felt different, he didn't know. He had been confused on how he'd have to deal with her once they met up, which was inevitable, but then she had solved that problem for him easily with the attacking and totally Chihaya-like behaviour. All through his high school, he had been so used to being a tad weary and cautious and careful around her, never fully open no matter what everybody thought they saw. And now that things had changed so much, he didn't know what to do around her anymore.

He tried the old cautious way of dealing with her but he just couldn't summon that will. It was gone, long gone, just a memory now. His entire mind was tired of trying to hide everything and be so careful for her sake. The fuel was used up; he couldn't do it even if he wanted to now. And that little change was a huge difference.

Both of them, unknown to the other, felt that way. A heart that pounded noisily ever since that door opened, slightly trembling hands and dilated eyes and flushed skin that indicated increased blood flow. A faint roaring in the ears. Slightly quicker breaths.

Adrenaline, he mused. But he had never felt so reckless around her ever before. So careless, impulsive.

Alive.

And getting used to the feeling now, he knew there was no way he could go back to being a good boy who filtered his words and thoughts and pushed down his feelings to the point of physical pain. This was liberating. He could breathe freely, a weight off of his chest.

Of course that didn't mean he wouldn't be weary of her words. Only this time, he wold be protecting his own heart, not her feelings.

No matter what he said though, he also knew that if she ever actually needed him, he would always try to be there. Didn't matter if she belonged to someone else or not. All she had to do was call.

And with such mixed feelings swimming through his head, he pulled the car out of the slot and eased it into the road, switching on the air conditioning as he went. His father's cologne still hung in the air.

Sending his companion a fleeting look before focusing on the road, he bit back a sigh. She was staring at her hands clenched on her lap.

The stupid tension was too much. His filter less mind controlled his body.

"Oi." A hand poked her side and she jumped, swatting it away. "What's gotten into you?"

" Why didn't you tell me you were home?"

He chewed on his cheek. "I already told you, I was a little stressed out with...with Rika. It didn't exactly cross my mind..."

"You said the others knew."

Her tone was neutral, but there was no fooling him. Taichi sighed. "I ran into them accidentally, near Todai."

She looked up at him slowly, face brightening a tad. Her voice shook a little. "What were you doing near Todai?"

"I had to get my admission somewhere. Thankfully, they weren't too reluctant."

"WHAT?!"

"My ears, Chihaya. Be a little softer."

"No way!" the shift in her demeanour was so abrupt, he couldn't help the tiny grin. Chihaya was staring at him wide eyed. "You're enrolling here?"

"Isn't that what I just said?"

She gasped slightly, face flushed, beaming, eyes sparkling. The girl made to lunge at him again, but then drew back sharply when she realised he was driving. Her fists clenched tightly to keep her overflowing emotions to her self. "Damn, I can't believe it!"

"What's so unbelievable—?"

" Oh you don't get it, Taichi!" she threw her hands in the air, falling back against her seat with a large content smile and shiny eyes. "I thought you wouldn't— I was convinced you were going to leave for good! But you aren't and that means—" She stopped abruptly. Taichi spared her a look.

She was biting her lip to keep from grinning, and her eyes were fixed on the window. Shifting gears and easing into the designated lane, he nudged her. "Means what?"

She struggled to answer. There was a battle waging in her eyes, hopeful, optimistic decisions against insecurities. Eventually, hope won over because she was grinning brightly. They rolled into a stop in front of her house and the engine died.

"It means," she unbuckled her seatbelt, pausing to think over her words. Giving him one last incandescent smile, she reached over and threw her arms around his neck, making the car jerk forward a little in his surprise before his hand found the hand break, and planted her lips smack on his temple. Two hearts sputtered simultaneously at the impulsive action, but neither regretted it.

Releasing him and pushing open the door, she grinned gleefully and continued, " I have a chance at proving to you how stupid you are!"

Eyes narrowed, he leapt out after her to give her a piece of his mind. But then forgot about it when she threw open the door to the house and flew inside. The last time he had been here, well, it hadn't been the best of times...

Pausing at the door to remove his shoes, he glanced around. Nothing had changed much. The umbrella stand still had the pink polkadotted umbrella they had fought over once many years ago. And the shoe rack was a little dusty.

He hesitated to step in. Everything was different. He had no idea how to direct his mind or his heart; impulses and instinct was the only thing he had because his brain refused to work on this different Chihaya.

She walked back out enquiringly. "What are you still doing there?"

He shook his head. Shrugged. But didn't move.

Smiling slightly, a new, understanding light in her eyes, Chihaya stepped in front of him up on the threshold, and held out a hand.

There was bright smile on her face. An inviting, slightly hopeful smile. "Come on. We need to make new memories for this place."

Heart pounding in surprise at her insight, his eyes widened, but a hand reached out and took hers.

What she was pulling him into he had no idea. Whether he could trust her, he didn't know. But this was a new start of sorts, and he wanted to give it a try. Instinct told him it would be worth it.

It was up to her to try and convince him now.

" Oh thank the lord!"

That was Nishida's response when he saw Taichi and Chihaya at the homecoming party for the former. The duo had walked in together, and Chihaya had immediately made a dash for the chocolate fountain, and that was what elicited such a response from Nishida. Taichi didn't miss the way all his friends smiled in a relieved manner as well.

He sort of understood. But the thing is he didn't get why.

"That's because you don't know what she was like." The meat bun fan had exclaimed later when he voiced his thoughts. " Ayase was weird, Mashima. She acted—" he shuddered here, " mature."

"That's a bad thing?"

"No, Buchou." Kana chan sighed fondly. "What he means is, she was acting different. As in...a little dull. Off. She didn't have this enthusiasm in anything she did; not even Karuta after a while. It was like...a part of her had been switched off."

Confused, his head cocked to the side. "Why?"

And Kanade exchanged a glance with Nishida. He really did have no idea. Now who's the oblivious one, Buchou?"

"Because you were gone, Taichi."

The three school mates turned to stare at Wataya Arata, who was looking a little tired. "Can we talk please?"

Taichi fleetingly locked eyes with Kana chan before she dragged Nishida off to find her boyfriend and celebrate.

Arata had his hands in his pockets. There was a nervous vibe oozing from the usually stoic young man, and Taichi found it a little unnerving. He smiled anyway in invitation. Arata returned it grudgingly and he gestured for them to move outside, where they could probably have more privacy.

Crap. Taichi winced. Privacy means serious talking. As in serious topics. And all I wanted was a sandwich and some fun for now.

Stepping out into the cool balcony of Nishida's apartment, Arata faced the inky sky and twinkling lights of the city. A little apprehensive, Taichi followed, leaning with his back to the railing, eyes darting inside to where everyone was noisily lounging around. Coming back to rest on Arata, they found him looking serious. The ice breaker died in his throat, and Taichi waited for the words he would have to listen to.

It was always this uncomfortable when they talked about Chihaya, at least, initially. Otherwise, they got along extremely well.

"How was London?"

Thank God. "A little chilly." Taichi smiled. "But the dorms were warm enough."

"Ugh. I know about dorms now." Arata made a face at the sky. "Roommates can be disgusting sometimes."

Taichi grinned. "So I've heard. But I lucked out on that."

"Was he was English?"

"Oh, no...okay, partly. His father is." Taichi shrugged as Kazama's weird Japanese came to him. "He sort of has trouble with our language although I'm pretty sure he's just pretending."

Arata chuckled. "Sounds like a peculiar species."

"You could say that." Taichi laughed suddenly. "But he kept the room so sparkly, I bet my mother would've been jealous."

"Gah! That reminds me, how's your sister?" Arata snapped his head to look at his friend.

"Good." Taichi nodded slowly, his smile dying. "The cast will take longer to come off and the day before, they removed a few stitches...I hadn't known there were so many..."

" At least she's recovering, Taichi."

"But she's slow." Repressed frustration bubbled up in the familiarity of talking to a friend, and he blew locks of hair out of his eyes. Turning his back to the party, Taichi faced the sky too. "Rika wasn't very strong to begin with. Two months early and all that."

"Really?!"

"Yeah." He scowled. "Nearly gave my dad a heart attack, popping out when she wasn't supposed to." He softened at Arata's abrupt laugh. " And now she's giving us scares again. The idiot has crappy immunity..."

"Hey, she's in hood hands." Arata reassured smoothly. His eyes flicked back to the sky and there was a silence for a few minutes, with Taichi sort of preoccupied with his thoughts about back home. Slowly breaking out of that train, he realised they were going to enter the original reason for this private meeting.

Arata blew out a breath.

"Do you think...if this hadn't happened, would you have chosen London?"

Taichi didn't reply immediately. He turned back to the room again, arms crossed as he gazed inside, not really seeing anything.

"I don't know." He admitted finally. "Maybe. Maybe not." He thought of his sister and his mother and his father and the slowly but surely blooming warmth in the usually cold house they called their home. " But I know it would've been a mistake. Now I have a chance to set many things alright."

"Including Chihaya?"

He blinked. Amber pools tunnelled on the said girl, almost a woman now, who was talking animatedly to...Rin, wasn't it? He sighed again. "Arata..."

"We need to sort this out, you know..."

"Sort what out?" he shook his head. "I don't even know what's going on anymore."

"I do."

Taichi glanced at Arata for a beat. But he was still talking to the sky. "I know what's going on. She told me, after all."

"Told you?"

"We hung out a lot after you left." Arata admitted, shrugging. His eyes lowered to the lights of the city below. In the faint glow of the dusk, his face gleamed. Taichi kept his eyes on the boy, surprisingly apathetic. Calm.

"I sort of think she was giving me a chance, Taichi. " he smiled a little. "I wouldn't call them dates, but we did spend a lot of time together. I was bold enough to even hold her hand— wow, I sound like a grade schooler."

Taichi only laughed lightly.

"But it didn't...click. I mean, I was happy, almost glad you were gone, and I know I'm a douche for feeling that way but that's how it was." Arata shrugged a little. " Chihaya was trying. But she just couldn't do it. You heard everyone say that she was a little dull...truth is, you took a piece of her with you when you left. And when you came back, you returned it. Look at her now."

"Arata, that's not—"

"No, its the truth, even if you don't see it. But you will one day." The Meijin sighed, his breath misting slightly. Taichi had the strangest flashback of offering him his own scarf and mufflers one snowy day so may years ago. Softening, he tried to speak again, but Arata cut him off. "You know what she said to me one day? We were walking back to her house with drinks in out hands and I asked her why she was suddenly so obsessed with cold coffee, having a cup in her hand even then, when it was chilly outside."

Taichi frowned. "But she hates it."

" Really?" Arata grinned faintly, but it wasn't mirthful. The dark made it difficult for Taichi to decipher his expression. "Then it makes all the more sense."

"I don't get it."

"You will. I asked her why, and you know what she did? She started to cry." Arata sighed. "It wasn't uncontrollable or something. But there were little tears and she looked so apologetic, I knew something was wrong. I knew the pretending we were doing was ending."

Silent, contemplative, Taichi averted his eyes to the wooden floor. The chilly breeze bit at his nose, finger tips. But he didn't move. There was a little dread in his chest for some reason. He didn't want to hear the rest.

Arata's eyes glassed over, he was no longer standing in the balcony, but had moved to a different place, a different time . " And she told me straight out that she was sorry, that she had tried, even though it was unfair to both me and her. She told me...she told me she was in love with y—"

No.

"Okay, Stop."

Arata blinked out of his trance. His eyes flickered back on and he glanced at Taichi. The other boy was glaring at the glass of the door, fists clenched. Arata frowned confusedly. "This is hard for me, you know. Why did you want me to—?"

"Because you shouldn't believe her."

Taichi took a deep breath. There was a lot he had sorted out in his mind, a lot of things he had to think through and file away so that he could function properly. Revealing it or explaining the complexity of his head to someone else wasn't on his list of things to do but this was necessary. He wouldn't let Arata throw away potential happiness. If his hunch was right, and Arata listened to him, Chihaya would find what he knew her to want. She would find happiness.

And that was the first thing that he had sorted out. That was what mattered.

He could go the rest of his life with his unreciprocated feelings and the dull ache, but he'd be happy knowing she was happy. Taichi had finally reached that stage; ready to completely set out to help her find her happiness, wherever it was.

Be it with him, or with Arata. He didn't mind. All he knew was, whatever she decided, he would stand by it.

So then what happened to his dignity? His self preservation?

Of course that was there too. Taichi smiled a little at the twisted feelings he had. If she was still adamant about staying with him, then he would comply to her wishes gradually, slowly, testing her resilience and persistence. Hey he had been at this since forever. He couldn't just grab her at first sight because she felt a little something for him. Oh no, that's not how it would work.

Mashima Taichi would play it hard. In an attempt to salvage what little was left of himself.

And if she did succeed to make him bend to her wishes, he had already decided he wouldn't ever give her his heart.

As battered and pathetically taped up as it was, there was nothing left to give.

There were many loopholes to that plan. He didn't see how he couldn't not fall in love with her all over again if they ever did get together. He didn't see how it would end well for him either way...

But now, he had other things to focus on and devote himself to. These few weeks had made it clear enough.

Finding that new fire ever since London to become a doctor, save lives, help people; spending time with his family, people he hadn't paid much attention to because they had all never been on the same page until now. There were things he wanted to do with his life.

His heart mattered, of course. But it could wait. After all, all the years he had prioritised that above anything else. It was about time he grew up from teenage induced ideas and learned that life was more than just falling in love. Even if that slot remained empty, the others would be filled in with his efforts.

Maybe it would be incomplete but he wouldn't throw away everything just for the sake of trying to find a part of him that was hopelessly lost.

She was the one who could find it and bring it back. If she really tried, or really wanted. But for now, he was content to just see where things went, ready to let her take the reigns and direct this to wherever she wanted. He was ready for the hurt, or the light, whichever came.

He would find his dignity and pride again. But first, he needed to give his heart one last chance. Painfully slowly, but he had to try. If it didn't work out in the end...well, that was that. An empty slot. But he had others to look into for some sort of fulfilment, so eventually, everything would be alright. He wouldn't keep hurting forever.

He was growing up.

"She's confused." Taichi said firmly, quietly. "Confused because I've been there almost all her life and then I wasn't and she was surprised. Its only normal. You know how she is...so obsessed with Karuta, she's only just started paying attention to her feelings. Of course she's muddled up from lack of experience."

Arata gave him a very odd look. Then he snorted and turned back to the sky. His knuckles where white against the railing. "I don't know what to tell you. Taichi...have you ever considered that you might be a little miscalculated in your analysis?"

"What? Why?"

"Oh I don't know." He sighed. "There's the fact that Chihaya isn't entirely what you thought you knew her to be. Don't tell me she hasn't surprised you because we both know whatever comes from her is always genuine. Brutally honest."

Taichi chewed his cheek. That was true.

"So tell me you totally expected her to go that crazy when you threatened to leave."

"...I didn't. But maybe its because she was just taken so abruptly—"

"Again, you're only saying that because you hadn't seen her those days. Tell me, where you there every single moment of her high school life?"

"No." He said quickly, knowing it was futile to lie, because Arata knew about...well, that lousy three months he'd avoided her like the plague.

"See? Three plus three, six months is long enough for a person to change a little on the inside Taichi. You're only human, there must be developments in her you've missed...or changes your heart refuses to believe because you're scared of getting hurt again."

Heard that crash?

A truck just slammed straight into his chest. Taichi felt his eyes widen, stomach tighten. His eyes snapped to Arata as the truth in his statement became obvious and Taichi was swamped at how well the other boy had understood. The Meijin smiled a little at the stunned boy. "I used to call you a coward, Taichi. You remember? But now that I'm going through a sliver of what you've been dealing with, " he laughed dryly, eyes on the sky. "I know how hard it was. I now get how brave and strong you've been in a different way I didn't understand then. I don't know if I can do that."

"Arata, listen—"

"Wait. Let me say this." Taking a deep breath, Arata turned to face him. " I don't think I can be a martyr and keep my feelings in check, or have so much self control as you do. You said she was confused, but even though I don't think the same... I...I'm still going to keep trying for her."

Taichi felt his eyes widen and chest twist complicatedly. He was so thrown by that, though he didn't know why, he couldn't think straight for a second.

Midnight blue pools of hurt and yet, burning determination bored into his own subdued and calmer amber ones. Arata smiled a little. "I'm not giving up. Even though I know you have."

"I don't want to go through that again, Arata. I don't expect you to understand. " he heard himself murmur.

"No, I do. And I know I'm still pursuing her only because I haven't been as hurt as you have."

"Is that supposed to make me feel better?"

Arata laughed shortly. "No, sorry."

"I don't want to keep competing with you. I'm done with that. She can do what she wants with me, I just want her to be happy."

"And what about your happiness?"

"I've survived till today." He raised his eyes to the stars, praying for strength. "What's a few decades more?"

"You're crazy, Taichi. But I'm going to keep trying."

Taichi wet his lips. Swallowed. His eyes darted to the warm room as old familiar pain flooded his chest.

No matter how much he convinced himself, it still hurt bad to think she was going to completely slip away from him. It still hurt to let her go and find her happiness. But he would do it again. And again. And again. No more meaningless fighting, harsh thoughts about his friends. His feelings for Chihaya wasn't something that should be tainted by such negativities. It was pure, not the factor that made him bitter and resentful. He was leaving that side of things behind.

Permanently.

Whatever was supposed to happen would happen. Its just that he and his mangled heart would sit around in the backseat and wait it out. He had earned that, he thought.

Taichi sighed and slowly smiled at Arata. "Don't upset her."

"What—?"

"I may not exactly be running at you head on with a spear for her affections, but if you upset her, Arata..."

"Point duly noted." Midnight blue eyes twinkled in the light of the stars above. They looked like skies themselves, dusted with silver. "You really are Clark Kent, Taichi."

"I'm anything but." That's why I don't have the courage to put my sanity at risk again. Stupid Superman setting absurd standards.

"Shall we go back inside?" Arata, glanced in. His eyes lingered, and Taichi saw a ghost of hurt in them. Sympathetic was how he felt, to his surprise.

"Lets go."

"Taaaaaaaaaaaichiiiii!"

He jerked forward a little from the force of her throwing her arms around his neck from behind. Ready for this, he didn't take his eyes away from his textbook. "Still a no."

The rest of the group looked up from their books, and cracked grins at the familiar scene.

"Please?"

"Nuh-uh."

"But its been so looooong!" she dropped her forehead onto his shoulder.

"I'm not giving you the chocolates."

" I've been studying for hours!"

He scoffed a little, not once removing his gaze from his book. "You've been badgering me for quite some time now. Give up, my answer's the same."

" A yes?" she sounded hopeful.

"No."

"Is it in your bag?"

"No, Chihaya."

"In your other bag?"

His lips twitched. Taichi fleetingly raised his eyes and locked them with Kana chan's laughing ones. Everyone had their books abandoned, watching. "No."

"Inside Nikuman-kun's fridge!"

"Nope."

"But they'll melt!"

"Maybe. Its your fault though."

"Ugh. Now I'm anxious." She put her cheek on his head and pouted. "Please let me save them!"

"Finish your work and maybe I will."

"B-but I wan— wait!" she suddenly lurched back, only to lean down and put her chin on his shoulder. Wisps of her hair tickled his jaw. Chihaya murmured worriedly, "Did you hide them in N-Nikuman-kun's... unspeakables?"

Laughter escaped him immediately.

"Ayase!"

Shaking with uncontrollable laughter, Taichi leaned away from her grasp. Kazuto, who was sitting nearest had heard too, and was jerkily explaining though hysterical giggles to the rest of the team and soon, the whole room was filled with squeals and roaring laughter. Chihaya only tried to stop her own smiles and went back to tugging at Taichi's sleeve desperately.

"Tell me, Taichi!"

He shook his head, wiping at a tear. "Oh God. No, Chihaya. Its not in h-his—"

But the rest of his words were interrupted by abrupt laughter from his own mouth and everyone else's, and Nishida's groan.

Chihaya sighed as Taichi sobered at her sharp tug at his hand. "Please."

He looked away to his abandoned text, avoiding looking at her face to keep up his resolve. "No."

"You're impossible." She yanked his hair lightly and he spared her a glare as she stalked past. "If I die from over exhaustion, it's your fault."

"Baka. You're making a big deal out of nothing. " he snapped back, closing his book and straightening. "College students are supposed to study. I shouldn't have to bribe you into doing it!"

"I need incentive!"

"Isn't wanting to pass enough?"

"Not really."

Taichi's sigh was echoed by Kanade, Komano and Rin. "Chi-chan, just sit back down. You won't get anywhere with Lit if you keep this up."

Indecision swirled in her eyes, but then, as everyone returned to their books slowly with lingering grins, shaking her head and calming down pretty quickly, Chihaya walked back to her table with a small smile.

Things clicking into place, Taichi felt his eyes widen in silent admiration. He raised them, slightly bewildered, to Chihaya as she walked past and she grinned at him faintly, knowing he had caught on, patting his head as she walked past.

Taichi blinked. Then cracked a smile into his text book.

They were all lounging in Nishida's apartment, which had become their unofficial hang out place, and each one of them was using that free Saturday to get as much work into them as they could. Exams approached slowly. Pop quizzes, well, popped at the most unexpected of times and all eight teens were feeling the pressure. Taichi was going through what Harada Sensei had deemed, 'The headless chicken phase' where learning every word became a necessity because 'this is someone's life we're talking about!' The old doctor promised Arata and Chihaya that it would pass. Just give him a few months.

They had all been at it for hours, and frustrations from so many sessions of sitting cooped up was showing on everyone's face. Taichi had expected Chihaya to crack first, and she did.

But he saw now it was all just pretence, a game she played to make the room lighter, and divert everyone's attention to a much needed quick break with her antics. Why else would she have given up so easilyon chocolates he'd hidden from her?

Three years of playing together as a team had certainly honed her awareness to her teammates needs and moods. She had become attuned to them, and Taichi knew that this connection, these interwoven threads between the five of them wouldn't go anywhere.

A little thrown, but more proud and silently admiring her now exposed inner thoughtfulness, he turned back to his text and focused on Human Anatomy. Chihaya had continually been throwing little surprises like this, and each one made him...well, his affections only grew, if that was even possible.

On a different note, two months into med school, and he was sure as hell that this was what he wanted to do.

In another corner of the room, Arata watched his two closest friends interact, and something did sink inside. Just a little.

But he didn't let it bother him too much. Then why do I feel like I'm trying for nothing? Why does it seem like...like I'm doing this just for the sake of pushing Taichi in the right direction? I can't be over her already...

Kazama was coming back to Japan.

Taichi had been sort of surprised when he'd gotten that call. With his own preoccupations here, he hadn't given much thought to how his friends there were doing.

Sasako had called him once or twice and she seemed happy over there, getting on well. She did sort of accuse him of ditching her but their situations were different. She had her family relocate to London, after all.

And Kazama had sprung the news on him last week. Taichi was really looking forward to having the git around.

He had wanted to offer to pick him up from the airport but there was Rika's check up that he had already promised to drive her to. Kazama had waved it away, and landed safely at his own house without much trouble.

It was only on Monday that Taichi saw the devil, at campus. And during break time too. The first thing Kazama had done was leap at him. Taichi was faintly reminded of someone else.

"You gave me a shock, Mashima." The boy brushed his wavy hair out of his eyes and frowned at Taichi. The tray of lunch in front of him remained half full—he was only getting used to Japanese food again. " I never actually expected you to completely decide to return."

"A lot of things changed." He shrugged. "What made you come back though?"

" Mom."

Sensing a little private area ahead, Taichi didn't push. But Kazama sighed and put his chin in one hand, dropping his chopsticks. "She's sick. Weak heart and everything. Dad's been...worried. He figured what she needed was some fresh native air, you know?"

Taichi nodded, soothingly calm. "I get it. Are you not happy with the decision or...?"

"I just want her to get better."

"She will." He patted him on the shoulder. "You're fretting for nothing. When was her last attack?"

"Last month or so...its okay though, we've got a home nurse staying so she's not alone...and I can get on with my studies. But...its different from back there..."

"You've had too much London air." Taichi sighed, smiling lightly.

"And you've had very little." He rolled his grey eyes. "Are you done? I'm not very hungry."

Taichi nodded, putting away his bento, and got up. "Do you plan to starve yourself for the rest of your college days?"

Kazama shrugged, pushing his chair back into the table with his legs, tray in hand. "I'll just have to find a burger joint soon."

"Ah. Fastfood. Healthy."

"Ah. Sarcasm. Lowest form of wit."

"At least I have some form of it." Taichi grinned, following him to the counter to return his tray, and then walking back out the door.

Kazama scoffed. "What are you talking about?! I'm the wittiest person ever!"

"Like your joke about the Windmill and the Cow?"

"That was a miscalculated attempt!"

Snickering, Taichi held open the door, letting a woman pass before stepping out himself. Listening to Kazama mutter under his breath felt nice, he thought. With the warm air outside, wishing he could shed his coat already, Taichi pushed back the sleeves in slight frustration. The next two hours were Biochem and he wasn't a very big fan.

Joined by a few other batch mates, and discussing the fate that awaited them soon enough, they boys slowly moved towards the front of their building, wanting to grab a patch of sunlight before more slides and illuminated presentations in dark rooms. Two of them had already slung their coats over their shoulders instead of wearing it. But Taichi preferred not to; it would be dreary to put it back on once he felt the relief. After all, he was a good boy who stayed away from temptation. And then he snorted at his own thoughts.

Yeah. Right.

Turning back to look at Kazama, he wondered whether he should've gotten the poor boy a chocolate bar or something.

"Kazama."

"Hmm?"

"I think I hear your stomach growling."

The boy sighed, patting his flat tummy. "Maybe it is." He looked up mournfully. "I wish I could've— Holy Moly!"

Eyebrows shooting up, Taichi followed his companion's wide eyed gaze on something behind his shoulder, a little hesitantly.

A low whistle escaped one of their companions, and on cue, annoyance flared in his chest at that, and the probably crude comments that would follow.

They were all fixated on the gorgeous chestnut haired woman, who was clearly from the neighbouring department, walking briskly towards the doors of their main building, hair softly billowing behind her. The tall frame and complementary clothes were attracting quite a bit of attention. But she was chewing on her lip and her eyes were darting around, a nervous energy as she moved.

Probably to find him.

Curtesy the first day of Literature Week festivities in their department, Chihaya had her hair wavy today, pulled back on one side, actually wearing a little make up with lip gloss and mascara and whatever it was that girls did to their faces. Only, it looked good on her. Artificial slightly, but good. And with the jeans and fancy off shoulder top, she did look a little nice...

Okay, she looked freaking gorgeous but he wasn't in a mood to admit that.

He rather preferred the messy, lately paint splattered Chihaya with a pencil in her hair and a card in her hand anyway.

"Now that's a catch." Someone hummed. "Is she coming this way?"

Taichi crossed his arms, trying not to frown.

"Oh-oh she is!" Kazama hissed. "Tell me my hair is okay."

"I don't think she's coming for you." The guy who had whistled snickered. "Maybe she's here to see someone worth seeing. Like me."

" I think she's here for Mashima." Someone else clapped him on the back. "They always are."

Shooting him a look, Taichi watched slightly apprehensively as she came into better view. Stepping into the sunlight, her hair shone lightly, features became clearer.

And his apprehension vanished to pave way for worry.

Completely forgetting about the discussion that had just happened, he stepped forward a little.

"Chihaya!"

Ignoring the incredulous exclamations from behind him, Taichi watched her head snap in his direction, and the worried crease between her brows relaxed for a second as her shoulders sagged. She must've been looking for him for a long time.

Legs working faster, she half walked, half jogged her way over and he only went forward to take their imminent conversation away from prying ears.

Chihaya stopped in front of him. And he saw a pale face, eyes that were obscured cruelly by anxiety.

"Taichi." Her breath shook. A hand clenched his coat. "T-Taichi, Harada Sensei—"

Eyes widening, he felt his hands tingle with incoming frost. "What happened!?"

"H-he's okay now—Tsuboguchi-san was there, thankfully—but the society—they can't—"

He held up a finger and she snapped her mouth shut. "Start from the beginning."

"Okay, j-just give me a second." She blew out a breath. A shaky hand pushed away the hair falling into her eyes from the hurried run. The other fingers were still clenched on his coat, and they were holding tight. "Tsuboguchi-San called me a few minutes ago. He said he'd been trying to reach you but you weren't answering..."

"My phone's dead."

"Ugh. I tried you too, but you didn't pick up. Taichi, Harada Sensei fainted."

"Fainted?"

She swallowed, looking worn down, the crease permanent between her eyes. "I don't know what it's about. He said something like a pain in his chest a-and high blood pressure—" her voice cracked.

"Damn."

"Is it bad?!" she yelped, taking a step back in alarm. Her hand flew from his coat to his fingers. "But he said he'll be alright!"

"Calm down, he is. He will be." Taichi sighed, chiding himself on the inside for not being careful with his reactions. Letting her fingers fall into his palm lightly and seeing her visibly relax a little at the touch, he absently wondered what was happening to them. But focusing on the matter at hand, Taichi put on a smooth face. "Chihaya, high blood pressure is something Harada Sensei has always dealt with."

Judging by the way her eyes had widened, she didn't know that. He continued calmly, "It can sometimes get serious, but I don't think he's coming to that. Sensei's been watching it carefully for a long time."

But her shoulders didn't loosen enough. "So if it's coming out now, then there's something wrong."

"Yes, there is." He chewed on his lip absently, eyes drifting from her face to the trees behind her, but not seeing it at all. He visualised crinkly eyes behind glasses, and a kind smile and equally striking words that always came from that mouth. Worry erupted in his chest, but he kept it from his face for her sake. "We'll head to the hospital if you want. What did Tsuboguchi San say?"

She shook her head, and mumbled, eyes on their hands. "He told me to stay in college. But they're bringing him back home today evening. Maybe we can visit him there...?"

"Alright. Have you told the others?"

"Kana-chan was with me when he called." She shrugged. "So Tsukue-kun knows by now. Others...I don't know. I was gonna call and ask them to go over, but that's not okay...? He'll be bothered right...?"

"Yeah, maybe you shouldn't. Let everyone know, but just ask Komano and Kana-chan and Nishida to show up. And Arata. Call him." He smiled a little. " That was awfully thoughtful of you."

There was a faint flush on her face, but she looked exasperated. "Why are you so surprised?!"

He put up his hands, letting go of hers unconsciously. "Just an observation."

She pouted a little. The lingering crease between her eyes and pale face sort of dampened her usual playfulness. Abruptly, he had the sharp tug in his gut to touch her face and pull those lips between his to see what they would taste like.

Harada Sensei is in the HOSPITAL, Hormones!

He fisted his hands for a beat before releasing it. "So I'll see you at there? Make sure you go with Kana-chan."

"She gets off early today. But you have class till five on Mondays, don't you?"

"I do." He sighed. " But when they say five, they mean six. That's why I thought—"

"Don't make me go there alone." She mumbled, arms crossed now, blinking rather rapidly as she stared at his collar. "I have to help clean up today anyway, I'll wait around here."

"Chihaya..."

"Don't argue. Please?"

He chewed on his cheek. Under more private circumstances, he would've give her a hug or something, lately seeing how painfully obvious it was that she really relaxed at his touch, but for now, he settled for a flick to her forehead.

" You have to be stronger that that for their sake..." He began to say.

Her jaw clenched and so did her fists. In a flash, he recognised the reactions, the physical indications that she was holding back intense emotions from overflowing. He knew that body language very well. Feeling a little proud of how she had been collected for so long, he patted her head instead.

Her fingers unclenched immediately and she peeked up at him.

"...but you're trying hard, aren't you?"

She shrugged lightly and sighed, a tiny, desolate sound that matched her downcast eyes and dimmed aura. "Its not easy, keeping my feelings inside."

"I know." He murmured. Messing up her hair terribly, ignoring her sudden protests, he smiled, swallowing his own worry like a pro, and projecting a false brightness at her. "You're doing really well, Chihaya."

"That's a huge complement, coming from the master himself." She snapped, trying to set her hair back to normal.

Taichi froze for a beat. So she knew. He watched her carefully, eyes sharp. "Chihaya."

"Hm?"

" You don't have to pretend for me you know..."

Surprisingly, her eyes rolled. "I know that. Why else would I come running to you each time, my personal Kleenex box?"

"Oh, you make me feel so special." He said dryly.

Cracking a small smile, she cocked her head to the side a little. "You don't have to pretend for me either."

Blinking, ignoring the rapid galloping his heart had done, Taichi flicked her forehead again. " I know that. And I'm not."

"Then I'll see you here at five?" She rubbed her injured spot with a finger. Taichi nodded, quietly muttering ,"Stick to the campus if I'm late. Stay inside, with the watchman."

She smiled a little, warming slightly more than usual. " I will."

He glanced back at his companions, who all immediately pretended to be talking amongst themselves and he suppressed a snort. Turning back to a curious Chihaya, he smiled wearily. "See you in the evening then."

She nodded, hands behind her back as she retreated slowly, walking backwards with her eyes on his face. "Plug your phone into the power bank."

He saluted.

Spinning around gracefully, Chihaya took off towards the gate to her own department, and he watched her for a second before turning back to his friends.

Shaking his head at their grins, he suppressed a sigh and jogged back over, ready to listen to tons of enquiries, but he was saved by the bell. Even as they rushed inside, there was weight in his chest, a crease between his own brows that kept coming back.

In the evening, all eighty students of the Todai Med department filed out of the doors slowly, rubbing their eyes and chattering uneasily among themselves. Back in the lecture hall, a few kids lingered, packing up slowly.

And that's another pop quiz in my pocket. Taichi ruffled his hair exasperatedly. Third one today. This is just not my day is it?

"I messed it up." Kazama growled, stuffing his coat into his bag, and stalking over to Taichi. His hair was wildly dishevelled from the exam. "Can you believe it? Its only Monday and they've..."

"It'll tone down." Another boy mumbled next to Taichi, stifling a yawn. "Well, I'm beat. Who wants a drink?"

"You can drink already?" Kazama frowned confusedly.

"I meant a cold drink. Cola or something. Sheesh."

"Well you should've specified." Kazama rolled his eyes. Turning to look at a silent Taichi who was snapping his phone shut, with an air of urgency about him, the grey-eyed boy frowned. "Are you coming, Mashima?"

"No I have somewhere I need to be." He shook his head. Watching him frown deeply in worry with eyes clouded as he swung his coat over his shoulder, Kazama nudged him. Three more of companions from earlier were all gathered around them. "Where are you—oh wait. You're not going to meet up with that mystery woman?"

Taichi looked at him strangely. "Her name is Ayase Chihaya and I've known her since forever. There's no mystery."

There were exclamations from the rest of them but Kazama rubbed a finger against his chin, eyes on the ceiling. " Hmmmmmm? Now where have I heard that name before?"

Taichi shouldered his bag, putting his free hand in his pocket, grudgingly admitting, "That's the half-alien."

Sharp realization flickered across Kazama's face and Taichi knew he remembered that fateful night in London. It wasn't something he would forget any time soon. Or anytime ever.

Eyes on his watch, which read exactly 5:55, Taichi ushered them all towards the doors. Walking along the white corridor, Kazama slung an arm around his shoulder. "Mashima-kun."

"Hm?"

"She doesn't look much like an alien."

"I never said she did."

"In fact, she looked like a model."

"Her sister is one..." he admitted that too. Abruptly, one of the boys in front of him stopped and spun around excitedly.

"I knew it! I knew her face looked familiar! And the name! Ayase! You're friends with Ayase Chitose's sister?!"

Taichi only nodded hesitantly as the rest of his friends paused to stare at him too.

"Damn, you really are lucky, Mashima."

Laughing lightly, he pushed them all forward. "Move it. It's getting late." Chihaya must be waiting outside alone.

"Where are the two of you going?" Kazama wiggled his eyebrows. "Is it a date?"

Immediately, his mood darkened as he was reminded of where he was off to. Taichi quickened his step. "Not at all. Our Karuta sensei is hospitalised."

"Your what, now?"

Taichi blinked, then bit back a sigh. "Karuta. You know, the traditional card game. "

"No we don't, exactly." One of the gentler boys, Renji, looked back with a small smile. "But I might've heard it somewhere."

Something is better than nothing, Taichi thought, shooting him a smile. "I'll explain later. Right now, I have to find her."

Kazama poked his shoulder to get his attention. "You seem really close."

You can say that. "I told you, I've known her my whole life."

"Nah, not that. Like, close-close." Kazama nudged his ribs with playfully.

"I'm sorry, I don't speak Grade schooler." Taichi said dryly and Renji laughed. "But I'm sure I'll learn if I keep hanging around you."

Kazama opened his mouth to protest, but one of the others twisted to look at Taichi, a little hopefully. "You think you can introduce us?"

"Intro—I would've but like I said, hospitalised Sensei."

"Your next train is half an hour later, Mashima. Share a little."

"She's not property." Taichi snapped, annoyed with the earlier whistling and now the comments. Swallowing a huge gulp of air to regain some calm, he amended, " But fine. I'll introduce you... here's a warning though: I don't call her a half alien for nothing."

"I don't mind if she's half kraken." The boy turned back front with a happy sigh.

You'll probably eat your words.

Now slightly worried about the time, and the gloom of dusk outside, he half jogged over to the doors, telling the others to follow. Students still loitered in the lawns and the benches, and he was grateful for that. Eyes scanning the ground, he found the mop of brown hair leaning dutifully against the Security's chamber.

Sighing in slight relief, Taichi broke into a brisk walk towards the slouched figure, watching her straighten as he neared.

Chihaya looked bleak. She shot him a tiny smile as he stopped in front of her, but didn't offer any other words. For a good long second, he drank in how genuinely upset she was, with the pallor and the dull eyes and barely smiling face. It was such a contrast to her usual enthusiasm, that his own spirits sank quickly, and the need to make her feel better was bubbling inside, reaching his chest. Chihaya had that face on, the one that clearly screamed she needed a hug, and he was a little surprised that she wasn't taking it from him like she used to before. Nowadays she waited until they were alone before acting on her whims.

Reminding himself that they were outside so that he wouldn't pull her in and offer comfort the way she liked, Taichi stuck his hands inside his pockets. "Good girl. Only, I had told you to stay by the watchman, not the empty cabin."

Her mood seemed to lift slightly as she scowled playfully. She punched his arm. "Baka, Taichi. When's the train?"

"We have half an hour to kill."

"Kana-chan and the others are already there at the society, waiting for us. Arata too."

"That's good." He tilted his head to the side then. "Did you tell your mother?"

Chihaya nodded. "Called yours too."

"Thanks." He blinked. "I had forgotten."

Shooting him a weary smile, the expression still foreign on her, her eyes shifted to their feet, aura sinking again. Her composure came crashing down bit by bit and Taichi watched her blink rapidly at their feet. Forgetting about his previous worries of their surroundings, his fingers moved to tip her chin back up, hands and face working on autopilot as his expression softened into a reassuring one.

"He'll be okay." He said softly, hands dropping. Chihaya caught them on the way down and their fingers twined, unknown to the two of them. "Harada Sensei is a fighter, you know that."

She blinked, lashes wet. "I can't help it. I just have that feeling again, that something's wrong."

His own gut had been uneasy ever since that afternoon. But Taichi brushed away a tear from her jaw and smiled. "Whatever it is, we'll find a solution."

She tightened her fingers around his, looking so lost and helpless and confused, and also like she was holding back the impulse to bury her face in his chest...and then settled for his shoulder instead. Loosely wrapping her in a one-armed hug, Taichi sighed into her hair as she pressed her forehead onto his shoulder. "Are you hungry?"

Laughing slightly at the out of context question, Chihaya nodded into his shirt. "Always."

"Then we'll stop by the Donut place on the way."... And then picking up on the sounds of approaching footsteps, he sighed apologetically. "Or maybe that will have to wait."

Chihaya looked up enquiringly. Pulling away, suddenly jolting into reality, but keeping and arm around her shoulder to sustain her relaxation, he turned them both around to face his approaching friends.

"A few people want to meet you." He smiled at her fondly when her eyes widened up at him in innocence. "Chitose is really popular, apparently."

"That she is." Chihaya sniffed, a hint of pride in her voice. She tried for a smile as the boys came closer, each of them smiling, but Taichi felt her shift into his side even more, and something akin to sharp longing, for that sort of possessiveness, flared in his chest.

But he stamped it out before it spread and caused more trouble.

"Ahoy!" Kazama grinned. " Nice to meet you, Ayase sa—"

"Can we get an autograph?!"

Chihaya blinked and shrank into him slightly. "M-my autograph?"

"Your sister's." One of them said impatiently. Two of the boys from that morning, the Chitose fans, were now peering closely at Chihaya's face. "Sugooooiiiii! You look really alike from here!"

A little flush erupted on her cheek. The fans grinned wider.

Raising his eyes to the heavens, Taichi probed one of them on the forehead. "Stop scaring her with your creepy smile."

Renji helped, dragging the pouting boys back by their collars. "Don't being so rude to her. I apologise, Ayase-san."

Chihaya quickly waved her hands, frenzied. "I-Its okay! I knew my sister was popular but I never thought—" she lifted her head to look at her best friend curiously. "Wait this means she's gotten more famous."

"She has been busy."

For a second, her bright enthusiasm flickered back on and Taichi smiled at her own tiny grin. Releasing herself reluctantly from his hold, Chihaya bowed to the boys. "Hajimemashite. Thank you for supporting my sister."

Judging by the way the fans sported wide eyes and open mouths and flushes, Taichi sort of suspected their loyalties were slowly shifting from the elder Ayase sibling to the younger one. Chihaya was very appealing like this, with the subdued aura and the calm and polite gestures and that smile. Just wait till you see her when she's normal. But hey, maybe they'd like that side of her too. He had fallen in love with every bit of her after all, so of course not everybody would find her weird. Yes, but I'm the biggest idiot on the planet.

Snapping out of his reverie, Taichi glanced at his watch as they introduced themselves to each other. Chihaya was smiling now, seemingly distracted for a few minutes. But they needed to get a move on if they wanted to be on time.

"Taichi..."

His head snapped up to look at her. "Huh?"

"I said, shouldn't we leave?" Shifting back closer into him, Chihaya dropped her smile again, frowning. "What if we miss the train...?"

There were groans from the fans, but Taichi only shot them a look. "We can still make it. But let's start walking. Are you guys going the same way?"

"Hai!" the Chitose fans chorused.

Renji rolled his eyes. "No we're not. You two go ahead. It was nice meeting you, Ayase-san." He smiled sympathetically. "I hope your Sensei gets better soon."

She glanced at Taichi quickly before managing a smile back. "Arigatou. It was nice meeting you too. I don't usually get to see Taichi's friends a lot."

"And that's my fault?"

She grinned a little. "Never said it was. You should let me finish talking."

Narrowing his eyes at her, but looking back at his friends, Taichi ran a hand through his hair. "See you guys tomorrow then? We'd better get going."

"Yeah, see you."

"Good bye, Ayase-saaaan!"

" Matane, Mashima! Nice meeting you, Chihaya-chan!"

Taichi raised a brow at Kazama who grinned back angelically. Chihaya waved, smiling her usual smile again. They began to exit the campus, throwing a last wave at the four young men, three of them still waving. Stepping into the sidewalk, Taichi shook his head. "Sorry about that. I didn't think they'd go this weird on you."

Chihaya grinned faintly at the ground. "But I like them. And here I expected all med students to be like you."

"Like me...?"

She nodded, shooting him a dimmed version of her mischievous smile that broke his heart a little at the lack of lustre. "Fat brained, sober prunes— Eep! Taichi!" she giggled hysterically, squirming in his sudden grip, with skilful slender fingers tickling her middle. "S-stop! Lemme g-g—AAAAH! Stop stop stop, I'm sorry!"

"Who's a fat brained sober prune?"

"N-not you, not you!" she laughed, struggling, "P-please stop, I'll d-do anythin—"

"What an interesting proposition." He mused, hands ceasing the bittersweet torture. "How about, you buy me my coffee?"

"O-okay. Anything!"

He released her, revelling in the brimming enthusiastic aura she was emanating once again, his lips curving into a smile, spirits lifting correspondingly.

And Chihaya skipped away from him and spun around and stuck her tongue out. "Fat brained, gullible, sober—"

"Oi!"

But she had taken off running with a squeal.

Sighing lightly at his own persisting lack of filter for his actions and words around her, Taichi followed at a slower pace.

Listening to the familiar laugh was very soothing. But as she sped away, he knew it wouldn't last long. By the time he caught up with her, she would be down in the dumps again.

The matter was a grave one anyway.

He walked at a leisurely pace, always making sure the mop of chestnut hair was within his line of sight, and when she paused at a crossing, he slipped away to a nearby little croquette shop, before returning just in time to catch her glance behind with a frown and suspicious gazes all around. Keeping out of sight for now, they walked together, but apart.

Seeing her again, at the turning to the station, he smiled at her scowl. The crease was already there between her brows. Chihaya stomped over. "Where did you disappear to?!"

"I was right behind you." He caught her incoming light punch in his palm. "You're really violent today."

"But you just vanished!"

He rolled his eyes and tugged her towards the platform, swiping their cards and stepping down to wait for the train. "Of course not, baka. I was always right there. Not my fault you're observation skills are below par..."

"Hah." She crossed her arms smugly. "That's what you think. I knew you were right there. I even saw you a few times when you weren't paying attention." Then she frowned. "I was talking about the crossing, Taichi. Where'd you go then?"

In response, he pulled out the warm packet of croquettes from his bag and waved it in her face. Chihaya's eyes widened and he saw her inhale deeply at the faint mouth-watering smell from the fried food. "I was busy saving what was left at the shop. They're not very shapely, we were late, but they're one of the best there is."

"Thank you!" eyes sparkling, she lunged for the packet, but he stepped out of the way deftly, making her stumble forward and clutch at air.

"What makes you think I'm just giving it away now? You tried to punch me."

"Sorry?" she jumped at the croquettes again, but he held it out of her reach.

"Saying sorry now won't work, Chihaya. Its too late."

And for a second, time froze in her head as her mind, for no reason at all, replayed their conversation, and she only just paid attention to...to their seemingly innocent words.

Going through it again, her blood chilled at the completely different meaningthe words could have had, in an unrelated context. Maybe in an other conversation.

Silly, to have noticed something as absurd as that, but she did.

Blinking slightly, but heart beat faster, she leapt up for the packet again, a different fire fuelling her jump. Taichi stumbled back in response, surprised at her vigour, but managed to save the target.

"It's never too late!" she jumped, but failed. " I. Will." She spat out between jumps. " Have. Those. Croquettes."

Taichi only held them up higher, swinging out of her reach when she got too close. "Nope. You're not getting them until I decide on it. Give up."

"Never!" she hopped again. "Gimme that! Taichi, I need them!"

"That hungry?"

"I'm— nhhh—starving." She grabbed his shirt to keep him in place and leapt up for the packet. "Ughhhhhhh. Taichiiiiii you're being an idiot."

"I already told you, not until I decide to give them to you." He grinned at her failed attempts, and then at her blowing away unruly strands of hair from her face. Chihaya was bright and brimming once again, passionate even about something like eating a snack.

Only, he didn't know that she wasn't talking about the food anymore.

She jumped again. "Then give me already!"

"No way. I worked hard to save these few pieces and I'm not just going to toss them to you."

She paused, freezing, a million thoughts in her suddenly bright eyes as they shifted from the ground, to his face. Searching. He faltered, hand lowering uneasily at her silence. "...Chihaya..?"

She took in a breath, swallowed, and then crossed her arms across her chest. "I'm not giving up." Chihaya shook her head, as if to clear it and her eyes burned with determination when they locked with his. "You can decide when to give, but I won't stop trying."

Being a sensitive human being, he paused. His head cocked to the side confusingly. "Are you even still talking about the food?"

Chihaya smiled wearily. "I don't know, Taichi."

Eyebrows shooting up, now a little uncomfortable, he relented, handing the packet to her slowly, unsure amber eyes on her face.

The train whizzed by, slowly coming to a stop, but Chihaya was staring at the packet of innocent croquettes he was holding out to her. Her lips curved, lungs burned a little.

"They're not donuts, but they were the best I could do." He rubbed the back of her neck uncomfortably, fidgeting at the gravity surrounding her now. "Er...we should get on the train."

But Chihaya only gingerly took the packet from him and gave him that softest smile and molten eyes he was still not used to receiving from her, something that made his pulse race, as he banished all thoughts of what the tender expression usually meant when exchanged.

This wasn't a usual girl. At least, that was his excuse each time he caught her shining this look on him exclusively.

"I'll take good care of them." She promised.

Alarmed, something picking at his consciousness, Taichi frowned. "Chihaya, you're supposed to eat them."

"I know." She grinned, eyes sparkling. She grabbed his collar and dragged him into the train easily, watching as the doors closed just in time. "I like croquettes better than donuts anyway."

"Since when?" he gave her a surprised look.

"Oh, its always been that way." Chihaya shrugged. Her eyes fixed on the warm packet of innocent fried food on her hands and her stomach grumbled, but she continued to grin at it fondly, heart beat racing and growling in hunger itself when he caught her as she stumbled with the lurching train. " Just took me a while to figure it out."

Harada Sensei's wan smile was like a stab to the chest.

Chihaya was seated on his bed, brows furrowed and hands wrapped around his larger ones. Kanade, Komano, Nishida and Arata were all there in the bedroom, standing to the side as Taichi and Chihaya had their fill.

Arms crossed, Taichi was chewing on his lip absently. Tsuboguchi- san was standing right next to them with a sombre face. "Its not too serious."

"I don't know." Taichi sighed. "A chest pain, sensei?"

"Ahh...its just a little false alarm." Harada sensei chortled. "I'm as fit as a fiddle!"

"Fit people don't just faint..."

"It was just a little too much stress, Matsuge-kun." The old doctor sighed, patting Chihaya's hand when it tightened around his. " I didn't expect the visit from them so soon."

"You should've told us earlier!" Chihaya cried, tugging at her sensei's hand. "Why were you so secretive about—"

"You all had enough on your plates." Harada sensei said firmly. His eyes flickered between Taichi and Chihaya for a second, before darting to the others. He smiled kindly. "You were all pressured enough with college and everything. I didn't want to burden you."

"You should've told us anyway, Sensei." Taichi ran a hand through his hair, "You'd think we would want to know if there's danger to the place that's as good as home to us..."

Chihaya winced, and exchanged a glance with him. Then she nodded in agreement. "That wasn't fair, Sensei. You don't have to shoulder everything by yourself."

"That's what I keep telling him." Tsuboguchi-san sighed wearily, cutting off Harada sensei who had begun to speak. "But at least now it's in the open."

"But what are we going to do about it...?"Kana chan piped in meekly, and all eyes shifted to her. "I mean...how do we just...?"

A thick silence hung in the room, as each brain whirred to find an answer. Taichi leaned back against the wall, thinking hard bout the perfect way to sort this out. His eyes lifted, only to catch Chihaya's blank glance at him, and his neurons pushed harder to find a solution.

Shiranami society was in danger.

It wasn't sudden, apparently. Being so busy with...well, many things, none of them had noticed anything, and Harada Sensei had opted to keep shut about it. The problem was, the society had not many active members.

Offensive Karuta was the style Harada sensei lived for. And his handful of students were all in love with the game but even among them, not everyone was able to show up regularly. On a large scale, their numbers were too small, and when students didn't come over everyday, it looked like the place was empty. Of course, Harada sensei knew it wasn't that way, but the management wanted a wider margin, more people, or the aid from them would be...cut off. And the senior doctor wouldn't be able to manage everything on his own, no matter how much he wished to.

The thought of losing his second home was unbearable to the old man, no matter how stoic he endeavoured to remain. And the predicament had slowly but surely eaten at what Taichi had guessed earlier to be his slightly weak heart.

There weren't many ways to solve this. People needed to have a passion for the game, something about it they liked. They wouldn't be able to just walk in and be blown away by the game just like that. He would understand. However, people like Chihaya and Arata wouldn't probably be able to digest why people were uninterested. But they had to do something to attract more members.

Nishida cleared his throat, ripping through the heavy silence. "How about a little twist in what we did in high school? Dress Mashima up and—"

"No."

Eight pairs of eyes snapped to the source of the sound. Chihaya felt a slow flush work up her neck at her own exclamation. Strictly avoiding everyone's eyes, she kept her face neutral, but the tips of her ears burned. " I—I mean...people should come and join because they like the game, not..not—"

"The poster boy?" Tsuboguchi San smiled, a tad slyly.

Chihaya furiously kept a blush from her face. That wasn't the main reason she had refused... In fact, it was the sick green coloured twist in her stomach that made her blurt out. This was difficult, keeping her feelings to herself. "E-Exactly. That sort of thing won't last."

"She has a point." Taichi mused, straightening, completely oblivious to her flustered state for once, too lost in whirring thoughts. "No more of that...but a demo is a good idea."

"What if people don't appreciate it?" Komano questioned, locking eyes with Taichi's unfocused ones. "What makes you think people will just stay and watch?"

"No, I don't mean a simple usual demo. That won't work." Taichi shook his head.

Out of habit, the original Mizusawa club leaned forward and their ears tunnelled, concentration hooked onto the words from their former President, as his words took the familiar calmly reassuring tone, which made it believable.

Harada Sensei smiled when Taichi leaned back against the wall, arms crossed, eyes sparkling as the vibes from his teammates reached him and he stepped back out from the shadows. Confident.

"I'm talking something much bigger." He said. "Like a cultural fair."

He paused to let them consider it before beginning again. "Karuta is a big part of Japan's tradition, after all. So if we expand our vision just a little bit, maybe we can rope people in. I was thinking...maybe a whole festival themed The Hyakunin Isshu. Stalls, a demo, little games."

"But that's not competitive Karuta..." Nishida scratched his chin.

Taichi nodded easily. "I know...and that's where you're going to have to make a little dent in your style, Sensei."

Harada Sensei considered him seriously, hands in his sleeves. "Go on..."

"You're going to have to expand the society to include other forms of Karuta." Taichi straightened again and began pacing, head whirling rapidly, eyes bright and alert.

Chihaya ignored the little dance in her chest for no apparent reason

"Competitive Karuta isn't the only form we can introduce. The Hyakunin Isshu is actually very relaxing. We can introduce people to poems by holding...say, a form of meditation. Not as intense as Competitive Karuta, but a little subtler. People might be attracted to that." He paused in front of Kana chan. "We have an expert right here. Kana-chan, how about an introduction to the poems for the general public?"

The change was immediate. Kanade gasped softly, a flush on her face. "That would be wonderful."

"Good idea, Taichi." Arata smiled. "And we can hold demonstrations for the calmer type of Karuta, simply getting to know the cards as you said."

"I'll do that." Nishida offered. "Lets round up Hanano and Tsukuba."

"They're in third year, Nishida." Taichi reminded, frowning because he too had only just remembered that fact. "But let's ask them anyway." He muttered something to himself before looking at Tsuboguchi San. "Can we have people come up for stalls and such?"

"What do you have in mind?"

Taichi paused. Now there he was a little empty. Wracking his brains, he came up blank. Instantly, he turned to Chihaya.

She caught his gaze with a customary skip in her heartbeat, before grinning. "Karuta card shaped buiscuts. Cakes. Stalls selling card sets, Tapes. Oooh, chibi stickers and keychains of Shinobu-chan and Arata."

"W-wha—"

"Its an idea." Taichi agreed, laughing at Arata's sputtering. "That the basic theme. Let's talk to the rest of the Society members... can we get them all together for a day?" he asked Tsuboguchi san.

The older guy shot him a wide smile and a thumbs up. "Consider it done. I'm going to drag them all over this Sunday."

He smiled back. " Then that's that. Let's try our best, everyone."

There were choruses of agreement all around the room. Harada Sensei smiled warmly as Komano and Kana chan immediately began talking rapidly to Tsuboguchi-san, with Nishida nodding and taking down something in his phone. His eyes slid over to the other three who were engaged in a similar conversation, with Chihaya jabbering away and Taichi trying to get her to slow down.

The ache in his chest seemed silly now. Harada sensei chuckled at the warm buzz in the room, comforted, reassured beyond belief. He sighed and sank into his pillows, just as Chihaya flew at him, with the boys in tow and he felt a little sting in his eyes as he took them in.

Three kids of his own.

A little while later, full of tea and biscuits, Kana chan and Taichi proceeded to shoo everyone away so that their Sensei could get some rest. Tsuboguchi San was staying back, to keep an eye on the exasperated old doctor.

As Nishida too walked out of the room, followed by Tsuboguchi-san and Kana chan, who waved at Harada Sensei, Taichi lingered back, heart pounding, uneasy.

Fainted. That was a big fat lie. He knew it.

"Matsuge-kun?"

Taichi swallowed, throat tight suddenly. He was having trouble breathing.

Amber eyes bored into brown, piercing, rooting.

"Tell me that wasn't a heart attack."

All he got was a long look, and then a resigned sigh.

His lungs burned as he took in a sharp breath of air.

"Should've known better than to hide it from you, ne?" The old sensei chortled softly. There was a little sadness in his voice. But lots of fire. Fight.

He turned those eyes upon the suddenly lost young man with wide eyes that stung but refused to relent.

"I'm not done yet, Matsuge-kun. I still have to see you become Meijin—"

"Sensei." His face was marred with anguish. A few faltering steps later, he was kneeling by the bed, blood roaring in his ears and making everything just a buzz. "Don't put that on me. I can't take it."

"Of course you can." He smiled. A hand ruffled the salmon pink messy hair, eyes crinkling through the smile that lit up his face. "I never said Meijin in Karuta, Taichi. There are other fields you have to excel at."

Taichi blinked. Harda sensei chuckled. "Make sure Chihaya-chan gets to the top."

He nodded immediately.

The old man shook his head sternly. "No, I mean it. You may not know it, but she does need you to get there." And then he flicked his forehead. Taichi rubbed the spot, hissing. "Go now. And don't let her out of your sight. I mean it, Matsuge-kun."

Collecting himself so he didn't look as crushed as he felt, Taichi managed a smile at his teacher. "You need to stay out of my love-life and get another hobby, old man.

Leaving behind a chuckling Harada Sensei, Taichi swallowed a whole lot of worry and pain and distress. I'm going to get an ulcer. Shaking himself out of it, he plastered a smile on his face and moved toward his friends, trying for optimism.

Sadly, with everything that was going on, he was running a little low.