Thanks to the reviewers…

Luvinkiri,RaeCapello,team-switzerland-ivy, gizelle-chan, WatashiNoTenshi07

Thanks you guys for your review, I'm sorry it took me so long to update, but here it is, I hope you guys enjoy this chapter!


Chapter 9

Kai leaned back in the chair inside his dark room; he didn't bother moving the curtains to let the moonlight illuminate his room. "Hey, I'm sorry man," he said through the phone, he rubbed his temples with his free hand.

Pause. As he listened to the other end of the line.

"Yes, I know. She's confused, in pain, but I really can't help her. All I can do is comfort her. I think she needs time to think things through."

Another pause.

"Really?" Kai said in surprise, "But still, if she chooses him, then that's it, no matter what he says. If he won't accept her anymore, it's still Kaho's choice. And I'm sure you'll do what you can."

Kai nodded, agreeing with what the other end was saying.

"Yes, that's right. She'll come around, but I don't know how long it will take. So, I guess I'll see you around huh."

Kai nodded again, "Yeah, good luck Kaji." And then he hung up.

Kai sighed once again, "What are you doing Kahoko." He murmured.

"Knock knock." Harumi said, as she entered her older brother's room.

"Harumi."

"Yeah yeah, I know you're going to want answers about Kahoko's current boyfriend, well, maybe ex-boyfriend…" she said, switching on the lights.

Kai's face scrunched up as he was blinded by the light. "Not really," he said, shielding his eyes, he tried to get use to the light, "I can figure out as much," then he looked at Harumi, who had taken her seat on his bed, "So, are you going to tell Kahoko?"

"No." Harumi said instantly, "You know that would affect her choice, and I don't want that."

"You don't want her to get hurt?"

"Of course I don't."

"But with your choice, with the future, don't you think she'll still get hurt? Even if she choose someone else? She'll be looking into his eyes everyday, every moment of her life, and she'll know that she had hurt him badly…"

Harumi looked away, she knew what Kai was saying is right. "Love makes everything hard and unfair."

"You guys choose it to be."

"Oh, shut up," Harumi mock-punched him, "Just because yours is going so well."

"Does he have any idea about what's going on?"

"I…I called him a while ago."

"And?"

"He just said that things will go just fine and that I don't have to worry too much. What I have to worry about is telling mom about my choice."

Kai chuckled, "Well, he's definitely right."


"Aaaaah!" Harumi stretched on her seat, "Was that all of it?" she asked, eyeing the great stack of envelopes on top of their dining table. She rolled her neck to loosen it up.

"Yes," Kai grinned, tossing the last envelope onto the pile.

"Thanks for the help." Kahoko said in a low voice. "But why even bother?"

Kai and Harumi looked at their little sister, "Hey," Kai said softly, "It's for your 18th birthday. Mother wants you to be happy; you've made her worry so much. You should at least show some spirit. This is a great way to be with the world again." He nudged Kahoko in a joking manner.

Kahoko managed a smile, "And I shall be forever grateful to you?"

"Well, if it wasn't for Kai, who paid for your private tutor, you have to show your face at school one way or another. But anyway, Kai's right, you can't run away forever. Your other friends miss you already. This is a great way to tell them you're fine and for you to sort things out already." Harumi said, patting her sister's knee as she stood up.

Kahoko sighed. "It's not as easy as you make it sound like."

"You'll be fine," Kai smiled.

"We'll go deliver these already. We'll use your car Kai." Harumi said, gathering the stacks of invitations.

"Yes, yes." He said, pulling his keys out of his pocket. "My new profession. A driver." He winked at Kahoko before going out of the house to start up his car.

Harumi rolled her eyes as Kai left the room, "I have something to tell you," Harumi said, looking at Kahoko, "Here, we'll deliver the rest of the invitations, but I want you to hand these personally." she said, giving Kahoko two particular invitations.

Kahoko saw the names and looked at her sister questioningly.

"I want you to give that first invitation to that person first. Kai likes him." Harumi shrugged.

"I…"

"Well, you two haven't been talking for ages. Not even going to school together—well, you're not going to school anyway. I know Kazuki's your boyfriend, well, okay, he broke up with you, just stating the facts," she said defensively seeing Kahoko's pained expression, "but Aoi-kun is your childhood BEST friend. You better be nice to him, he's been there by your side during your rough days. He hasn't come to this house in a while, and it's getting pretty boring." Harumi said. "Kai was looking forward to some bonding time with Aoi-kun…"

Kahoko felt like Harumi was making her feel guilty on purpose. "Oh, so now it's my fault." Kahoko pouted.

She raised both her hands, "Well all I'm saying is, you better fix up your love triangle." Harumi said.

Kahoko blushed. "Hey! It's not like I'm the only one doing the ignoring. Aoi hasn't even made an effort to talk to me. Kazuki…" her next words were in a whisper, "I'm sure he hates me."

Harumi sighed. "Kahoko, I doubt that's true, you have to patch things up already. You're actually the one doing the pushing away, you know. Anyway, Aoi-kun and Kazuki are already cool with each other. I heard they're in good terms again."

"How can you have so much information, you're not even going to school?"

Harumi tapped her forehead, "I have this, and I have my sources. Now go." She pushed her little sister out the door, as soon as she opened it, Aoi was unexpectedly about to ring the bell.

"Hey," Harumi smiled at him.

"Uh…good afternoon." He said, surprised.

A car honked from behind him, "Harumi, let's go!" Kai shouted, "Hey Kaji! Haven't seen you in a while!" he grinned.

Aoi turned around and grinned back at Kai, "Hey."

"Bye then, you two!" Harumi said, looking at Kahoko then Aoi, and then ran to Kai's car.

"Um…" Kahoko began as soon as her siblings left.

"Sorry, it must be bad timing to come here, I better leave." Aoi said, sensing her discomfort.

"No, wait." Kahoko said, holding his arm.

The two were surprised with the contact. Kahoko flinched, pulling her hand back to her side. The two were silent in front of Kahoko's house. Then Aoi suddenly shivered. Kahoko took note of the temperature, it was getting cold, and for the weather, Aoi wasn't even wearing any jacket.

"Um, do you want to come in? Mother just made hot chocolate before she left, I could just reheat it." Kahoko offered, opening the door widely for Aoi to enter.

"Thank you," Aoi said, stepping into the house and following Kahoko into the kitchen.


"Was that a good idea?" Kai asked, shifting gears, he glanced at Harumi who sank into her seat.

"I think it is."

"He's got great timing I'll give you that." He sighed worriedly.

"Oh, shut up Kai. Now, you're the one who's getting worried? Where did all your confidence go?"

"It's just that, I've been talking to Kaji for a while, and I can tell he's ready to drop everything…" he trailed off.

"Isn't that how things are suppose to work out? Anyway, Kahoko has decided already, she just doesn't realize it herself. I'm not telling her, nor you."

"That's mean." Kai grinned.

Harumi laughed. "You can be a spoiler sometimes, so I'm keeping it to myself."


"So…" Aoi began as he sipped into his hot cup of hot chocolate.

"I…" Kahoko said the same time Aoi spoke.

"Let me start." Aoi said softly, "I want to ask how you're doing. I heard you're having private lessons now. Kazuki and I are getting worried about you."

"Kazuki? I doubt that." Kahoko said in a monotonous voice.

"Kahoko, that's not true."

"That's what everyone is saying."

"Because that's the truth."

Kahoko looked at Aoi, tears threatening to fall. "I'm sorry, I guess being here was really a mistake," Aoi murmured, standing up.

Kahoko felt like stopping Aoi from leaving, but she froze on her place, she couldn't move. What was she suppose to tell him anyway? That she was glad he was here? But doesn't that make things…final? That she has really chosen him? But she hasn't made up her mind yet…

"But Aoi-kun is your childhood BEST friend. You better be nice to him, he's been there by your side during your rough days."

Harumi's words rang in her ears. "Wait," Kahoko called.

Aoi stopped immediately; he turned around and was surprised when Kahoko's weight slammed into him. His reflex was to wrap his arms around her.

"I missed you," Kahoko cried on his chest, her arms wrapped around his neck. "I'm so sorry for pushing you away. I'm just so scared. I'm scared that if I made the wrong choice, I'd lose both of you, I'm scared of hurting both of you…"

"Hey," Aoi murmured, though his face was already in pain, which he couldn't hide. He secretly thanked that Kahoko didn't see his face right now. "Kaho, everything will be alright," he lied. Even he, himself, didn't know if things will be alright. If he could bear the pain if she chooses Kazuki even if Kazuki gave up on her already.

"I don't deserve any one of you." She whimpered.

"To us, you're worth everything." He murmured.

But that just made Kahoko cry even harder, "Don't be so cruel Aoi. That will just hurt me even more. I know I'll have to choose one of you, does that mean the one I don't choose will lose everything? I want things to be the way it was before. I want to tell you everything. I want to confide in you. I want my best friend." She cried.

Aoi took a deep breath. "I…" he said, gently stroking her hair, "I'll be your best friend…for today. I'll listen to you and I won't judge you badly for it. I'll just be Aoi Kaji, your childhood friend." Even though his words pained him, he had to say them. Kahoko has to be better. Her suffering should lessen. He'd be anything for her. If he just wants this from him, and no more, then he'll have to deal with it. He can live in eternal hell for all he cares. He can burn forever as long as Kahoko will be happy. He continued to stroke her hair gently.

"I'm sorry," Kahoko started.

"What for?" Aoi asked gently.

"I'm hurting the two of you. I'm sorry. I heard you and Kazuki are in good terms now, and that's great to hear. I don't want to be the cause why your friendship will be ruined." She said, slowly pushing herself away from Aoi's chest. She looked up into his eyes and her face fell, "I hurt you so much, didn't I." she murmured.

Aoi flinched, he was sure his face was already clear of his pain, "What are you saying? What made you say that?" he asked.

"Your eyes. We've been together since we could barely walk, I know you well enough. Your face, your expression can hide it, but your eyes can't lie to me…"

"I…I'm sorry."

"Don't apologize. That's my job." Kahoko said, looking away.

"I just don't want you to hurt,"

"Then, don't lie to me." Kahoko said, when she looked at Aoi, her eyes were full of pleading.

Instantly, he began to regret his words. Not lie to her. Then he has to pour everything out, doesn't he? He will hurt her in doing so, but this is what she wants. Aoi couldn't do anything anymore, "I...I love you. I want you to choose me."

Kahoko backed away a step at Aoi's intense words.

"I want you to choose me, because I'm sure I'm the one who could make you happy. Kazuki is my best friend, but I know our limits and I know I'll be better for you."

"Aoi..." Kahoko said softly, she knows how much it hurts him to be honest with her, but she needs to hear everything, "Does...Kazuki still love me?" I'm sorry...

Aoi looked at Kahoko longingly, at the same time, the sadness inside his chest was pulling him into darkness, the pain was getting too much. "Yes," he whispered, "He still loves you, but he's giving up on you."

Kahoko was silent.

Aoi saw her frozen. He clenched his hands. What did this mean? That she has chosen Kazuki? He turned, about to leave. He can't bear to be here anymore. It was getting too much. Then he remembered Kazuki's words before he came here. "When you come back, I want to hear that Kahoko is okay now. If you don't, I won't forgive you." He turned to face Kahoko again. He took to steps to reach her, and without thinking twice, he kissed her.

It took time for Kahoko to unfreeze. Aoi's lips were soft and warm. She didn't know what to do. Why is Aoi even doing this to her? Didn't he want to give her time to think things over? Why is he doing this? It's like he was taking away all her choices...she tried to push him, but he wouldn't budge. Soon, she gave up, she kissed him back.

As soon as Kahoko responded to his kiss, Aoi pushed himself away before things could get out of hand.

Kahoko was panting, she didn't meet his eyes.

"I'm sorry." Aoi said, he turned around and quickly walked towards the door and out of the house. As soon as he closed the door behind him, he looked back regretfully. "I'm sorry," he murmured, "I'm sorry for not being your best friend. I'm such a liar..."


"So basically..." Kazuki said, sitting on Aoi's bed.

"What a way with the ladies." Etou grinned at his cousin as he leaned on his door.

"I couldn't help myself." Aoi said in a half-whisper, he looked at Kazuki, who was staring at his hands. When Kazuki began to look up, he began to dread for the worst. But Kazuki's face was grinning at him.

"Way to go." he said.

"What?" Aoi asked, unable to belief himself.

"While yes, I am jealous, but that's great. You didn't lie about your feelings or anything. You showed her, alright." Kazuki grinned, punching Aoi's shoulder.

"Hey." Aoi said, rubbing it, "And here I was thinking I'll see death before I even die."

"Oh come on. Anyway, at least you made progress. Her birthday's just a few days away."

"Speaking of which," Etou said, raising an envelope, "I've got a feeling you guys haven't gotten anything yet."

Aoi reached his hand out and Etou gave him the envelope. It was an invitation to Kahoko's birthday.

"It was sent here a while ago when you were gone, apparently it was addressed to me. Seems like she invited me. And I guess you guys haven't received yours yet since you guys aren't launching your next plan." Etou said in a bored manner.

"Harumi-san said something about it to Kahoko." Aoi said.

"And what might that be?" Etou asked, folding his arms.

"Kahoko is suppose to give to us personally." he said, pointing to himself and then to Kazuki.

Etou whistled. "What a sister." he laughed. "So, this might give you guys a slim chance of going to her birthday party." Etou grinned.

"Well, it's going to be her choice," Kazuki said.

"The noble stuff again," Etou sighed, sliding to the carpeted floor of Aoi's room, but he suddenly stood up when there was a light knock on the door.

"Yes?" Aoi called, the door slowly opened, and their family butler entered the room.

Suddenly there was a ring at the doorbell. Neither of them bothered to get to the door, knowing the door would be opened by the butler. "Aoi-sama, Kahoko-sama came by."

"What?" Aoi asked, standing up from his bed beside Kazuki.

"Where is she?" Kazuki asked, standing beside his best friend.

"She...left. If I knew you wanted to have a word with her, I would've..."

"No, it's okay." Aoi sighed.

"And here comes your entrance to the ball." Etou said, taking to envelopes from the butler's hand. He turned the invitations and gave out theirs. AS Etou handed them out, the butler silently excused himself.

"Okay, so, does that mean she's ready to talk to both of us?" Kazuki asked, not bothering to open the envelope.

"With what I just did? I doubt it." Aoi said glumly.

Etou and Kazuki slapped Aoi's back at the same time, causing him to fall forward.

"Sorry, but I hate it when you sulk." Etou said, but his huge grin clearly stated that he wasn't sorry.

Kazuki looked at him sheepishly. "She'll want you when we're done with you."

"Stop acting like those scary chicks." Aoi groaned.

"Hai hai, Cinderella." Kazuki and Etou said together.

Aoi rolled his eyes.


"What do you think..." Kahoko murmured beside her brother as he drove the car going back home.

"I guess if you can't face them, then it's alright. You shouldn't rush things."

"Because things will just get worse." Kahoko finished for him.

"Exactly. It's like being faced with a deadline. If you try to hurry, the more you will make a mess of things."

"What if I made the wrong choice?" Kahoko asked.

"There's no turning back. If you've decided on that person after this heartache and drama, then I guess one way or another, you'll still yearn for him."

"I hope you're right..."


A/N: Next chapter's the last! :D Please look forward to it.