. . . . . . .

Two weeks later I still hadn't figured things out fully with Rena. She was M.I.A. most of the time and I thought maybe I shouldn't bother her. I didn't even know if she was my girlfriend anymore! And honestly, I kinda think I don't want her to be my girlfriend anymore. The conversation Mariko and I had 2 weeks ago still left me confused and lost. But after thinking to the best of my ability, perhaps it was right that I left Rena. But I had seen Rena from time to time. Somehow, I managed to get a Rena an ACTUAL job! From now on she was working as a cashier at a Lawson. It didn't pay much, but it was better than nothing. This way, now she had a valid reason to quit prostitution. You gotta start somewhere, right? Other than that, I didn't talk to Rena much about anything else. It wasn't my place to judge. I thought the whole Jon incident was too much of a sensitive area to touch so I refrained. Also, I hadn't seen Jon like I promised. Only a few days after the freakout I called him. We caught up on a few things here and there. I told him that I was leaving for New York in a few days. In addition, it turns out that the company Jon works for is in collaboration with Warner Music Japan, which is one of the talent agencies who will be partaking in the New York production. There was a chance that Jon would go with my school.

I only have 5 days until we leave for New York and I have made my final decision.

. . . . . .

Right now I've made a 30 minute monorail ride into the deeper areas of the city. In these areas were the ghettos, which was where Rena lived. Although I had seen Rena from time to time, I still haven't had the chance or mustered the courage to tell her my thoughts and future plans. I detest coming to these areas and really wished I had some company because walking through this place gave me the creeps. All the yakuza were here, druggies, perverts and such. With each step I took it seemed to echo throughout the still streets. I could feel peering eyes coming from every crack. Finally, before my death, I was able to reach Rena's apartment. I didn't think whether she was home or not, but I took my chances and came anyway. I had stopped by the Lawson where she worked but she wasn't scheduled for today. Hopefully, she would be here. I knock on the door a couple of times and wait. No answer so I knock again. At last, some woman opened up: Rena's mother.

"Who the hell are you?" she said with a slur, almost falling down on me. She smelled like Johnny Walker.

"Anoo . . . is Rena here?"

"Rena?! Haha! Yeah, right!" she laughed in my face. "That girl's never home!"

"Do you know where she could be?"

"How the hell should I know!" She quickly said and slammed the door in my face before I could question her further.

Defeated, I turn around and exit the building. As I'm walking out, I hear someone screaming for help. It was hard to tell since there was screaming coming from all directions, but this certain one sounded familiar. I spun around and looked all about for the source. It would appear that I look high. Suddenly, I hear a door bang open and pounding footsteps. I turn to my right to see a familiar figure running, squinting my eyes to get a better look.

"JURINA!" Rena's high pitched and cracked scream reached me. I spread my arms out full length to catch her before she falls.

"Rena! Rena, what's wrong?! What happened?!~"

"OI!" a tall man yelled at us. "The job's not done yet, you bitch!" He stopped to pull his half-on pants. If my eyes were correct, I would say he had a boner. "You ain't done yet."

"Hold up, bro!" I intervened so he couldn't grab her back.

"Move your ass, barbie. I'm talkin' to the cheatin' whore." That was it. His words snapped in me. Anger shot up my meter and I blew a fuse. In a fit of rage, I somehow accumulated all the strength I had and knocked him down with one punch. His heavily-built body thumped like a tree. I was muscular but still smaller so I knew he could get back up. I grabbed Rena by the arm and ran for our lives. Luckily he was still getting up by the time we ran to some alleyway. I didn't stop running until we found an abandoned warehouse and slipped inside. We sat down by an old rusty bench, trying to catch our breaths.

"R-R-Rena . . . are you alright? Are you hurt?" I asked out of pure concern.

"No." her chest heaved up and down. "I'm good. Oh god. . . . thanks Jurina. I was so scared!" Rena got up and pulled me in for a hug. Her unexpected gesture made me breath even harder. It wasn't just a hug. It was like she was a lost child who had finally found her mommy. There was gratitude and love in her hug. It was a rare occurrence.

"Rena-chan . . . are you sure you're okay?" I bent us down and looked her in the eyes. She shook her head from left to right, indicating that something was wrong.

"Jurina-chan . . ." Rena started, but didn't finish; instead, our foreheads touched. She wanted a kiss. "I lied to you. I'm so sorry. I know I promised that I would stop the prostitution, but . . . but . . . but I just needed money! My mom's hospital bill came in and I couldn't pay it!" She sobbed so much that she could've drained all the water in her body. Instinctively, I took my jacket off and covered.

"But you have a job to pay for it!"

"No I don't! . . . . I lost it." She sobbed even harder and slammed her fists to the ground. "They caught me stealing food."

. . . . . . .

Hours after our wild goose chase I brought Rena to a ramen shop near my place. On account of what she told me I thought it would be the right thing to at least treat her to a meal. And it was definitely a good idea. I don't when was the last time Rena ate, but she chowed down bowl after bowl. I couldn't even finish my food as I stared on at her voracious eating. She kept thanking me over and over again with her mouth full. It was a pleasant sight to see her so happy and satisfied. Finishing her 3 bowl, Rena finally slowed down for a few minutes. The chance good, I broke the silence.

"Rena . . . w-we, I. Umm . . . " I struggled to find the words to say.

"Don't say it. I'll say it for you. You're going to New York, aren't you?" She hit it right on the spot in one shot. It's like she read my mind.

"How'd you know?"

"There's only one thing you would've came to find me about. Besides, sometimes I can read right through you." There it was. Now with her stomach full, she was back to her normal self. Her glare was the same glare of pure sex appeal. It's been weeks since we had sex, but now the thought of it sounds actually pretty good right now.

"Your place?"

"Sure."

"Ahh! More please, more!" She demanded for my full and undivided attention. Forget sweet, sensual, and thoughtful. Tonight my room was filled with lust and kinky tension. As soon as we got in she ripped the clothes right off me and I did the same. From the last time, her bruises had somewhat faded, a few lingering here and there. Other than that, it was great to see the body that always drove me crazy again. Tonight, since this would me the last time, for now, that we would have sex, the puppy in me turned into a wolf and ravished her body. I was being pretty rough, but she didn't reject it. Instead she egged me on! Like a magnet, my touch flew straight to her hardened nipples and my hands to her soaking core. Returning the favor, she copied my every move. I pounced on her and we landed on the bed with a thump. Her perfectly shaped breasts hung over my face and I couldn't help but suck like a baby. She moaned and groaned with every breath. The hotter is got, the louder we were, not caring if we were disturbing those next door. My patience was being tested while she crawled down and gave my thighs a long lick. With every lick, she intentionally missed the place where I wanted it the most. While she teased, I gave it up and moved my own hand to touch myself.

"No no no. Being patient." She cooed.

"What the fuck is patient?" I said with a brute voice and kissed her like a freak, sucking on her tongue. Enough with her tongue, I move downwards without having to stop kissing her succulent skin. Before I could taste her dripping core, she stopped me in the process.

"Hold up there, you dog. I have a better idea."

She had plans on changing it up a bit and I followed forth. I was excited to see what she wanted to do next. She lifted herself up from underneath me and signaled me to lie down. With my back flat, my eyes widened when she mover her lower half above my face. Our bodies were now introverted in a 69 position.

"Like the new position?" she asked me. As an answer, the intoxicating scent of her core overpowered me and I went in with no hesitation. She groaned at the tenacity of my actions. Not wanting to be the only one with all the fun, she moved her head down and began to eat me out as well. My reaction to the sudden sensation wasn't the best. Once she licked my core I couldn't help but slightly bite down on her little pink button. Fortunately for me she liked the pain. I combined the two techniques and was able to speed things up. Rena felt what I was doing and copied me again.

Sooner or later, it was lights out.

. . . . . . . .

"That was great." Rena abruptly whispered in my ear.

"It sure was." I responded and cuddled her tighter. This too was also a rare occurrence. This is the first time that we had cuddled in bed together after rigorous sex like a real couple. The feeling of complete bliss hovered over us like a cloud. It was a great feeling.

But unfortunately, we both knew that this was our last night as a couple. I didn't have to say it; we both knew somehow.

. . . . . . . .

"Do great out there, kiddo." Mariko patted me on the head.

"Mouu, stop calling me that! I'm an adult too, yah know."

~flight U509 to New York, please begin for boarding. once again, flight U509 to New please begin boarding.~

"Get out there, champ! We'll be cheering for yah!" My friends wished me off. I gave my final hugs and goodbyes before Rena showed up.

"Hold up there." Rena said. I was surprised to see her here.

"What are you doing here?"

"What? I can't wish my friend luck?" Whoa, did she say friend? I'm still considered a friend? This is great! "Thanks Jurina. Thanks for everything." Those were words of pure thankfulness. I couldn't utter a proper response and hugged her tight instead. She reciprocated and clung to me.

"Take care of yourself please, Rena." I said with tears brimming at the edge of my eyes.

"I will. And thanks for caring."

As I turned and passed through security, I began to wonder.

Will Rena truly be okay without me here?

One part of me still wanted Rena back, but I knew couldn't have her.