Disclaimer: I don't own Suzuka.

Chapter 7

Honoka was on her cell phone talking to Nana and the two were talking about Honoka spending the day with Yamato.

"That's wonderful Honoka," Nana said on the other line, "sounds like you two had a great time."

"We did," Honoka said with a smile, "Yamato was so considerate and kind. Just being with him is always a pleasure."

Nana chuckled with delight, "You really enjoyed yourself."

"Yes, I did," Honoka said with glee.

"So tell me Honoka…have you confessed to him yet?"

Honoka flinched as she was surprised by Nana's question, "N-N-Nana, what are you saying?"

"Don't act like you don't know what I'm asking. I'm asking you have you confessed to him yet?"

"Um…well…n-no, I haven't."

Honoka heard Nana sighed and Honoka shook her head.

"Why not Honoka, how long do you plan to keep quiet about it?" Nana asked, "Just tell him how you feel."

"It's not that easy Nana," Honoka replied, "I can't just tell him."

"Honoka, I don't understand why you're making it hard for yourself. You know I bet that Yamato feels the same way about you but he has trouble saying it so I think it falls to you to make the first move."

Honoka blushed and fidgeted a bit, "I just don't want things to be awkward if it doesn't work out."

Nana sighed again on the other line, "I'm sure it would never come to that. Just go and confess to him already!"

Honoka twitched with a gloomy expression.

Asahiyu Heights

Yamato was in his apartment reading a book as he lay on his bed. He was enjoying the book he was reading that he bought at the bookstore when he was hanging out with Honoka. He suddenly heard a knock on his door and he got to see who it was. Yamato opened and he found that it was Ayano who was still upset from what had happened during dinner.

"Aunt Ayano," Yamato spoke, "What brings you here?"

"Yamato," Ayano spoke and paused a bit before continuing, "Yamato, what you did at dinner time was cruel, disrespectful, and completely out of line. Aren't you ashamed of what you did?"

"I'd be ashamed if I just allowed myself to be pushed around and you're the one that was out of line," Yamato countered, "it's obvious that you're seriously bothered by what happened but I was not going to be silent about it. What you're trying to do is completely unjustified. Intending for me to pay you back for fixing my wall by working for free for a month and a half is not right. I wasn't the one who caused the damage and you put me in this apartment knowing about it and you believed that someone like me wouldn't mind, I mean really, what is up with that?"

Ayano was getting even more upset as she balled her fists.

"Did you really feel the need to threaten me with some sort of legal action against me?" Ayano asked.

"I told you that it's not a threat, but a promise and unfortunately, yes I did."

"Yamato, all you do is cause trouble and say things that make people upset and angry but even with all that, I still considered you to be a nice person deep down but now, I'm starting to rethink that."

"Whatever it is that you think I really am doesn't matter, that's your opinion and I'm not going to bother to say or do anything to change your mind."

Ayano sighed and shook her head with a frown, "I really hate to do this and I don't think it's right in how you're doing things my nephew but…I…I won't make you work for free, I'm cancelling that idea now."

"I see, well thank you Auntie," Yamato replied.

"Don't thank me; I don't want to hear it. I'm not happy with the things you said and what you intended on doing. I'm only doing it because I don't feel that I have a choice in the matter. It's only been two days and I've already lost patience with you and that's sad…but I know you probably don't care about that. I get it, you don't care about anything or anyone but yourself."

"Hmph, you're quite insulting Auntie, making such a despicable assumption but whatever since you never bother to care to know how it feels when you put me down even when you deny it and you seem to enjoy comparing me to your favorite tenant Suzuka. "

"I don't do that!" Ayano insisted, "I'm just happy that someone like Suzuka is around and," Ayano pointed at Yamato, "if you were like her, you wouldn't accuse me of playing favoritism."

"That's crap, but anyway since I won't be held responsible for the wall repair by working for free, that just leaves one more thing."

"What is it?" Ayano asked with a raised eyebrow putting her finger down.

"I've been looking at other apartment buildings and with the rate that I'm going, in…I would say two months at the least, I'll be moving out of here and finally be able to live on my own."

Ayano was surprised a bit, "I see. We'll talk about this some other time but anyway, you have a good night, I suppose."

"Sure," Yamato said as he closed the door.

Ayano frowned thinking the things that Yamato had just said and then looked at the door to Suzuka's apartment. Ayano went in front of Suzuka's apartment and knocked on the door. A moment later, Suzuka answered the door and was surprised to see Ayano.

"Ayano, what brings you here?" Suzuka asked.

"Hi Suzuka, we need to talk," Ayano said, "I'll need to come in."

"Uh sure, go ahead," Suzuka said as she let Ayano in.

Suzuka and Ayano were sitting on the floor with a table in between them.

"So Ayano, what did you need to talk to me about?" Suzuka asked.

Ayano cleared her throat, "Suzuka, it's about last night when you stayed in the sauna longer than you were supposed and it resulted in you passing out."

Suzuka flinched and looked away a bit ashamed, "Oh, t-that…"

"Yes, I've been concerned that you broke one of my rules by staying in there longer than you were supposed to. Suzuka, why did you break one my rules and put yourself in danger like that?"

"I'm sorry Ayano, I just figured that if I lost some weight, that I would be able to jump higher," Suzuka explained.

"So that's why you were in the sauna longer than you were supposed to."

"Yes…"

"Suzuka listen, it's really great and admirable that you're taking your commitment very seriously…honestly, I wish Yamato would follow your example, he could learn a thing or two from you."

"Ayano…"

"But Suzuka, I and many other people would be sad if you got hurt and ended up in the hospital, it's fine that you're trying to find ways to better yourself but please, don't endanger yourself, okay?" Ayano requested as she had a kind smile towards Suzuka.

Suzuka felt ashamed that she made Ayano worry about her and she nodded.

"You're right," Suzuka said, "I just got scared and nervous that I needed to live up to the expectations that I didn't want to let others, including you Ayano, down but still, I'm sorry for worrying you."

Ayano put her hand on Suzuka's shoulder and smiled at her and Suzuka looked at Ayano.

"It's okay, in the end, I'm glad that you're okay," Ayano sighed for a moment, "I do admit that we have my nephew to thank for that."

Suzuka flinched and looked away.

Ayano continued, "Despite the fact that he broke the door the sauna door down, if he had not acted when he did, it would have been a lot worse. Oh Suzuka, did you thank Yamato for helping you at that time."

"N-No, I didn't."

"Oh, did you forget?" Ayano asked with a concerned look.

"I…I couldn't stand the fact that Yamato called me an idiot for what I was doing and I couldn't stand the fact that he doesn't understand or even tried to understand what I'm going through."

Ayano nodded, "I understand but Suzuka, just humor him and tell him thanks for what he did for you, if you do, Yamato will be forced to rethink of how he sees you."

"I seriously doubt that," Suzuka replied with a frown, "besides, he told me that he didn't care if I thanked him or not."

"Please Suzuka," Ayano pleaded with her hands together, "I know I'm asking a bit much from you but I want to prove Yamato wrong and show him that you are not what he accuses you of."

Suzuka just looked at her landlady and then looked at her side and breathed from her nose, "Okay, okay, I'll…I'll…thank him, I guess."

Suzuka was a bit annoyed in having to do it and Ayano took Suzuka's hand.

"You'll be a huge help Suzuka, thank you so much, I'm really grateful to you."

"Um s-sure, no problem," Suzuka replied.

The next day in the Asahiyu Heights' baths

Yamato was cleaning the baths and he had a lot to think about and one of those things was looking for the place where he could continue to practice kendo.

"I'm sure I remember a dojo where I can continue to practice kendo," Yamato said to himself, "I haven't practiced ever since I arrived here," Yamato shook his head as he continued to clean the baths, "I don't like the fact that I haven't practiced, I can't stand that. I need to make sure I practice."

A few hours later

The baths were being used by the women and it was lively in the baths of the Asahiyu Heights. On one side of the baths, Megumi and Yuka were about to use the baths as well and Yuka looked at Megumi, specifically, she was looking at Megumi's breasts and raised an eyebrow.

"Hey Megumi," Yuka spoke, "your boobs got bigger again, didn't they?"

Megumi was surprised to what Yuka was saying.

"N-No, they didn't," Megumi replied shaking her head embarrassed.

"Yeah they did," Yuka said as she quickly fondled Megumi's breasts, "you must have let someone squeeze them."

"Kyaaa! Yuka, stop!"

Yuka was grinning in glee as she continued to fondle Megumi's breasts.

"How about that Missy," Yuka said with a devious grin, "you like that?"

"Stop it Yuka, leave me alone, please!" Megumi pleaded feeling very uncomfortable.

Yamato was in the fuel and heating room and he sighed and he was hearing what was going on and felt bad that Megumi was being harassed by Yuka.

"That Yuka, it seems that personal space means nothing to her," Yamato said in a low tone, "poor Megumi…I wonder…should I…?"

"Yamato," Miho spoke.

Yamato turned to see Miho, "Miho, why are you here?"

"I just wanted to see you," Miho said.

"See me?" Yamato responded a bit confused, "Miho, you've seen me more often since I've been here."

"I know, but…well, I just felt like coming here to see you here," Miho responded and then turned to her right side.

"Aaaaaahhhh!" Megumi screeched.

Yamato and Miho were surprised and then suddenly the door opened and a naked Megumi landed on the floor which surprised Yamato and Miho. Megumi recovered and looked up and saw Yamato and suddenly went behind Yamato surprising him and Miho.

"Save me!" Megumi pleaded.

"M-Megumi!" Yamato spoke shocked and he blushed profusely.

"Megumi, where are you?" Yuka asked, "C'mon, you didn't need to run away."

Yuka poked her head in the fuel and heating room and was surprised to find Megumi hiding behind Yamato who looked confused and shocked and Miho shocked with what had had just occurred. Yuka was looking and she had a grin.

"What's this?" Yuka asked deviously, "Why Megumi, I'm amazed that you ran to Yamato in your birthday suit."

"Just leave me alone Yuka!" Megumi demanded as she was blushing.

Megumi had realized how she was and what she was doing but she was desperate to get Yuka away from her and she didn't know why but she figured that being behind Yamato was a solution for her.

"Um, Megumi," Yamato spoke blushing and feeling Megumi's breasts on his back, "Megumi, do you realize that—"

"I know and I'm sorry, it just that…" Megumi looked at Yuka, "Yamato, Yuka won't listen to me. I want her to leave me alone for a while but she won't stop and she won't…" Megumi was shaking, "she won't stop fondling my breasts."

Yamato sighed, "Okay Megumi, I get it," Yamato turned to Yuka, "Hey Yuka, you heard Megumi, she doesn't appreciate you harassing her so why don't you stop the harassment and just take your bath in peace."

"Oh I see," Yuka said and then had a look of hurt, "Oh Yamato, you're so cruel. I'm just having fun with my friend," Yuka then had her hands on her own breasts, "or maybe you would like it if I did that too?"

"Did what?" Yamato asked twitching his eyebrow annoyed still blushing.

Yuka came in the room naked and went to Yamato seductively and placed her hand on his chin and Miho was even more shocked and wondered what the hell was going on demanding Yuka to stop and leave calling her and Megumi perverts. Yamato was not amused and grabbed Yuka's wrist.

"Yuka, I'm telling you that you need to stop," Yamato said still blushing and making sure he didn't stare at Yuka's breasts, "your seductive approach is not going to fly with me."

Yuka smiled, "Hmph, you say that but your blushing beet red, you little virgin boy."

"Yeah, I'm blushing with what's going on and yes I'm a virgin, so what? I'm telling to stop the harassment on Megumi. I say that your seductive approach won't fly with me as in I won't give in to what you're doing. If you still consider yourself as her friend, you'll stop bothering her when she ask you to."

"Like you have the right to tell me what to do," Yuka said with a frown.

"Okay Yuka, if you insist then how about this? I go report this to my aunt and we'll see what she says about this."

"L-Like she would bother with what you say after you were so disrespectful to her last night," Yuka countered.

"Oh, do you want to test that should Aunt Ayano ask Megumi herself?"

Yuka flinched and saw that Megumi nodded and she figured that Megumi would tell Ayano what was going on and then she was upset.

"Fine, I'll stop," Yuka turned around with her hands on her hips and sighed, "You're such a killjoy."

Yuka left to take her bath and Megumi felt relieved.

"Thank you Yamato," Megumi said, "I appreciate what you did."

"Uh, y-yeah," Yamato said looking up at the ceiling.

Megumi moved away from Yamato and Yamato was avoiding looking at Megumi's nakedness.

"Sorry about this Yamato, I really am," Megumi said as she was blushing.

"Don't worry about it, oh and just so that you know, I won't be telling anyone about this. I figured this isn't something that you want this blabbed about," Yamato said and he cleared his throat.

Megumi nodded as she smiled and blushed, "T-Thank you Yamato, thank you so much," Megumi turned to Miho, who was still shocked throughout the whole thing, and smiled at Miho, "Miho, you're right, your cousin really is a nice person."

Megumi left the room to continue with her bath. Yamato saw Miho in shocked and he knew what his cousin was going to say and he pointed his finger at her with a frown.

"Miho, don't," Yamato said, "I know what you're about to say and I suggest that you stop right there."

Miho was shaking her fists, embarrassed and feeling red, "I…I know you weren't being a pervert through this…but it's just that…couldn't you get Yuka and Megumi to simply leave. You didn't need to let Megumi hide behind you in her nakedness."

"I admit that it's unusual but are you saying that I should just do nothing if someone is being harassed? Besides, it's no different with how I helped you out when you were being harassed in the past…or maybe you feel that I should only do that kind thing for you only."

"I…well…"

Yamato sighed, "I have work to do. We'll talk later Miho."

Miho pouted and then sighed I defeat, "Fine, I'll leave."

Miho left the heating and fuel room and on the other side through the hall of the apartment building, Suzuka heard what had occurred and she frowned.

"Tch, whatever," Suzuka said as she left.

Later on in the evening

It was dinner time in the Asahiyu Heights and dinner was served in the common room with Yamato, Miho, Suzuka, and Ayano at the table having their meals. Yuka and Megumi were not present as they both had prior plans. During dinner, Suzuka was looking at Yamato and trying to figure the guy out. Ayano realized something and decided to have everyone's attention.

"That reminds me," Ayano said, "Yamato and Suzuka, you two have school very soon and I've forgotten that we need to celebrate."

"Celebrate?" Yamato asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Yes, let's throw a party to welcome both of you here and to celebrate a new school year."

"I see, that's a nice gesture and all but you don't need to do that for me," Yamato said, "I'll be leaving this place soon so there's no need to trouble yourself for any celebration for me."

"Come now Yamato, no need to say that and who knows you'll actually like being here and have the desire to actually stay here," Ayano said trying to be cheerful.

"Um, I don't know about Yamato but you don't need to trouble yourself for me," Suzuka said.

"It's no trouble," Ayano assured, "I did the same things for Yuka and Megumi when they moved here," Ayano then had a disappointed expression, "the problem is that I really have a busy day tomorrow and I won't have the time to buy the things I need," Ayano paused a bit, "I really hate to ask the two of you this but…could you two go shopping for me tomorrow?"

Yamato, Miho, and Suzuka were shocked at Ayano's request.

"I don't want to go anywhere with him," Suzuka complained pointing at Yamato.

"Why the hell should I go anywhere with her?" Yamato complained pointing at Suzuka.

"I want to go too!" Miho complained.

"Miho, you can't, you have school tomorrow," Ayano pointed out, "we'll need a lot of stuff for the celebration tomorrow and I figured that if the two of you worked together, it'll be a lot easier and faster to get it done."

Yamato was annoyed with what his aunt was asking of him all he did at the moment was twitching his eyebrow.

Ayano put her hands together, "Please, I don't have any other option. I can't ask Yuka or Megumi to do it as they have to go to their college tomorrow and since you two are the only ones available, well, you two are my last hope and I promise, the celebration for you two will be worth it. Please, I'm begging the both of you."

Suzuka was looking at how her landlady was pleading and decided to give in.

"Okay Ayano, I guess it can't be helped, if it means that much to you, I'll do it," Suzuka said.

Ayano was grateful to Suzuka, "Thank you so much Suzuka and think of it this way, this is also a perfect opportunity for you to buy the things that you need."

"Yeah, you're right, I do need to buy some things," Suzuka agreed, "okay…I'll definitely do it."

Ayano turned to Yamato, "Yamato?"

Yamato just looked at his aunt and sighed, "If you're that desperate then I don't mind getting the things that you need for this celebration you plan to have."

Ayano was happy, "Thank you Yamato and it will help with Suzuka with you since we'll need a lot of stuff and I'm not sure if you'll be able to remember."

"Mom!" Miho spoke.

"That was so uncalled for…you know what, maybe I should forget it and not do it at all," Yamato countered glaring at his aunt.

"Uh, no, no, no, no, no, no, no," Ayano pleaded desperately, "no need for that…okay, I'm sorry about what I said, no need to get so upset."

Ayano saw that Yamato was still glaring at her and put her hands together again.

"Please Yamato, I'm really sorry for what I just said, please, I really would like your help, please," Ayano pleaded.

Yamato looked at Ayano who was in a desperate mood and Miho went to Yamato.

"Yamato, I know Mom tends to say things that are unfair," Miho said, "could you help her out on this, please?"

Yamato puffed through his nostrils and he looked at Miho and Ayano who still had a pleading look.

"Fine, I'll do it," Yamato said.

"Thank you Yamato," Ayano said with glee.

"Thanks Yamato, I owe you one," Miho said happily.

"No need for you to owe me anything Miho," Yamato said.

Suzuka simply sighed as she was still didn't like the idea of going anywhere with Yamato but she decided not to complain about it as she reminded herself that it was for Ayano.

The next day

Suzuka and Yamato both got out of their apartments at the same time and they both had scarves around their necks for shopping today.

"You ready?" Suzuka asked.

"…Yeah, I'm ready," Yamato responded.

"Okay, let's move."

Yamato and Suzuka left the complex and headed out into the city. Moments later, they were crossing the street with other people.

"You better lead the way Yamato," Suzuka commented, "I don't know this town very well."

"You can ask without that stuck-up attitude of yours," Yamato said.

Suzuka glared at Yamato and Yamato just didn't care.

"Glare at me all you want," Yamato said, "I don't care."

Suzuka sighed as she and Yamato both crossed the street.

"Listen, let's make this clear," Suzuka said, "I really hate your guts Yamato…and I know you feel the same way about me so let's bear with this for now and do what we need to do since your aunt turned to us for help."

"Fine, let's get this over with." Yamato said.

Yamato and Suzuka continued walking in the city.

"Man, I guess this city hasn't changed much," Yamato commented.

"…Is that so?" Suzuka asked.

"Yeah and it's cool, it's got this 'Old Tokyo' feeling."

"There's so many people running around everywhere," Suzuka said with a frown, "it's too crowded for me."

"Well, I won't argue about that, Tokyo does tend to get crowded most of the time."

Suzuka looked at Yamato surprised and Yamato noticed.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Yamato asked.

"I'm surprised; I didn't think you actually agree with me on something," Suzuka responded.

"I don't see how that's a surprise. I've been here many times in the past and yeah, it's gets crowded most of the time."

Suzuka turned to her front, "All right fine."

Suzuka and Yamato arrived at a department store and went inside.

"She wanted us to get some things for the house as well so let's do that first," Suzuka suggested.

Suzuka and Yamato went on the escalator going up and while Suzuka was enjoying the view, Yamato was just thinking of other things and Suzuka saw that Yamato was just thinking and she wondered what was up with the guy. They went to the household aisle and Suzuka showed Yamato two different toilet seat covers.

"Huh, a toilet seat cover?" Yamato asked.

"Yeah," Suzuka responded, "which one do you think would fit Ayano's toilet?"

"I don't know, I never looked at my aunt's own toilet."

"Well, can you at least take a guess?"

"Nope, I really don't care about that kind of thing."

Suzuka huffed in frustration, "You're no help at all."

Yamato gave an uncaring response and Suzuka continued to look through toilet seat covers.

"She probably has a Size U just like all the others in the complex."

"Okay then," Yamato said as he picked up a Size U toilet and tossed it to Suzuka and Suzuka caught it and looked at the design and she had a disgusted look towards it.

"Okay, that's one down, let's go to the next one and—"

"Hang on," Suzuka interrupted, "we can't take this one."

"Why?" Yamato replied annoyed.

"Why? Because it's too ugly!"

"Too ugly?"

"Yes, you are so clueless. What are you thinking?" Suzuka said as she tossed the toilet seat cover back to Yamato who caught it.

There were a couple of middle aged women giggling watching the exchange between Yamato and Suzuka and Yamato was annoyed as he saw them whispering to each other.

"Gossiping hens…" Yamato said in a low tone and then turned to Suzuka, "I don't see what the problem is and besides, it's not like you're going to use it."

"No way, I can't come home with that…thing!" Suzuka argued, "What's that going to say about my sense of style? Well?"

Yamato was getting more annoyed real fast, "What the hell? You're not making any sense, the toilet seat cover is for my aunt, not you and I'm pretty sure she won't care what design it is and if she does, she can just exchange it for another one."

Suzuka twitched her eyebrow and decided to go look for another one and she picked up another and showed to Yamato narrowing her eyes at him.

"How about this one?" Suzuka asked.

"Who cares, let's just get one and get the other things we need to get on the list," Yamato said losing his patience.

"Can you at least, at least put some effort to deciding on this?"

"No…look I'm going on ahead with the seat cover, if you want to spend time looking for one that you actually want, you do that on your own time…in fact you can go ahead and do that now while I get back with the matter at hand and get the rest of the things on the list."

"Hey, wait a minute, are you serious?" Suzuka asked shocked, "If you buy that one, Ayano will not be pleased."

"Don't care, I just want get this shopping thing over with. I don't want to spend hours on one thing."

"You just don't understand how things look for women," Suzuka deduced.

"I think the real problem is that your damn standards are too high. It hasn't been long but already I feel that shopping with you is a real pain in the ass. Geez, shopping with my best friends Honoka and Nana isn't so irritating and you are making it such unnecessary headache. Anyway, I'm going on ahead with the toilet seat cover that I picked. If you don't decide very soon on the one you want to buy, I'm leaving you and do the shopping myself, end of discussion."

Yamato walked off and Suzuka was stunned and annoyed as she balled her fists and was red. Suzuka also heard the two middle aged women giggling and gossiping about the exchange between herself and Yamato and she looked at them with a glare.

That's it for this chapter. Next chapter: Yamato and Suzuka visit a shrine and the celebration commences in the Asahiyu Heights and then Yasunobu Hattori visits Yamato.