Disclaimer: I have nothing to do with Suzuka, it belongs to Kouji Seo.

Chapter 10

In Ayano's room, Ayano gave an ice pack to Yasunobu who was still in pain from the kick Yamato gave him and Suzuka was in the room with them.

"Are you sure you don't want me to talk to Yamato?" Ayano asked out of concern.

"Yeah, I'm sure," Yasunobu said with a nod.

Ayano was upset when Yasunobu told her and Suzuka what had happened.

"Yamato is horrible," Ayano said to Suzuka, "after all this time, he's still picking on Yasunobu and he goes out of his way to come see him."

"It's fine, really," Yasunobu assured, "but thank you, I really appreciate it."

Yasunobu put on a genuine expression of gratitude and Ayano smiled and nodded.

"You're welcome," Ayano then stood up, "relax and just concentrate on getting better. I have to do something but let me know if you need anything."

"Sure, thank you," Yasunobu said with a smile.

Ayano left and it was just Yasunobu and Suzuka.

"How are you feeling?" Suzuka asked.

Yasunobu took a deep breath and nodded, "I'm feeling a bit better."

Suzuka nodded, "Okay. So what was that about between you and Yamato?"

"Just a…disagreement."

"A disagreement…it seems more than that. It looked to me that Yamato just hates you."

"Uh, well…" Yasunobu then sighed and nodded to the admission, "Yeah, he really does. He despised me for five years."

"Why though? From what Ayano was just saying, you really are a kind person and you try to be there for Yamato."

"It's complicated," Yasunobu said.

"How is it complicated?" Suzuka crossed her arms.

In the baths, Yamato was doing his duty and cleaning the baths. Yamato was still irritated that Yasunobu had showed up in his apartment. Yamato thought that Yasunobu had a lot of nerve to assume that they were friend when Yamato himself made it painstakingly cleared that they weren't and Yamato was unable to understand why Yasunobu insisted otherwise. Yamato thought about what had happened five years ago and the reason why he didn't like coming here anymore but he figured that he could deal with a little longer as he was working in finding a place of his own soon.

Yamato's Apartment

Yamato had just finished with cleaning the baths and he sat on his bed. He then suddenly hears his cell phone ringing and he picked it up to answer.

"Hello?" Yamato spoke.

"Hello Yamato," The voice of an old woman spoke with kindness.

Yamato smiled as he recognized the voice and it was his grandmother, Hatsuko Akitsuki.

"Hello Grandma, how are you?" Yamato responded with a smile.

"I'm fine dear, how are you? Are you hanging in there in your aunt's building?"

"Yeah, so far, thanks for asking Grandma."

"Glad to hear it. Tell me Yamato, are you still working in finding another place to live?"

"Yes I am," Yamato said with a nod, "I have a couple of buildings to consider."

"I see…well, just in case, there is a place in Tokyo that I know of that you can look into."

"Oh, really?"

"Yes, have a pen and paper so that I can tell you the address."

"Sure, thank you Grandma, I really appreciate it."

"Think nothing of it," Yamato's grandmother said happily.

Yamato got a paper and pencil and was writing the address that he was hearing. Yamato smiled and nodded as he said his thanks to his grandmother on the other line and Hatsuko appreciated it and reminded Yamato that if there was anything he needed and if she could do it that Yamato shouldn't hesitate to ask. Yamato was grateful to his grandmother and they both said their goodbyes.

Akitsuki Residence, Hiroshima

Hatsuko had just hung up the phone and felt glad talking to her older grandson.

"Mother, did you talk to Yamato and gave a suggesting on an apartment complex?" A voice asked.

Hatsuko turned and saw that it was her daughter-in-law and Yamato's mother, Kotono Akitsuki.

"Yes Kotono, I did," Hatsuko replied.

"Why?" Kotono asked, "Yamato is living in Ayano's apartment complex that should be enough."

"You know that Yamato doesn't like being there anymore besides, even if I didn't, he would still find a way to look for a place to live."

Hatsuko left and Kotono simply frowned as she thought about her son.

"I would bet that my sister now has a different opinion of Yamato," Kotono said in a low tone.

Asahiyu Heights, Tokyo

Yamato got ready and left his apartment. He was on his way out and he saw Suzuka and Suzuka herself saw him and decided to ask.

"Hey Yamato," Suzuka started, "what's up with you and that Yasunobu guy? Why did you kick him?"

"Because he annoyed me and wouldn't leave me alone when I told him to," Yamato answered.

"Did you really have to kick him?"

"Yes I did," Yamato said as he went pass Suzuka.

Suzuka was looked as Yamato continued on his way, "Where are you going?"

"To a place," Yamato answered.

"Really?" Suzuka asked in a suspicious tone, "What kind of place?"

"I don't see how that's any of your business."

Suzuka flinched a bit and was a bit annoyed at Yamato's response and Yamato left the grounds to go where he was headed to.

Streets of Tokyo

Yamato was crossing the street and he looked at the paper that was given to him by Megumi. Yamato continued to move on and then he saw a long stairway and when he looked up, he saw a dojo and he looked at the paper and saw that it was the dojo that Megumi told him about.

"Great, this is it," Yamato said as he walked up the long stairs.

Yamato got to the top of the stairs and got to the entrance of the dojo. He opened the door and looked around as he got inside. A moment later, a young looking lean man with short slick back hair and glasses who also wore a white gi and a black hakama appeared and saw Yamato.

"Hello," The young man greeted, "Are you interesting in taking kendo?"

"Yes," Yamato responded, "I'm looking for someone name Rokuro, Rokuro Akagi."

"That would be me," The young man responded.

"Oh, great," Yamato said with a smile, "hi, I'm Yamato Akitsuki; I was referred here by Megumi Matsumoto."

"Oh," Rokuro replied and then he smiled, "so you're Yamato. Yes, Megumi told me about you. I was hoping you would come in today. I understand you want to continue practice with kendo."

"Yes, I would like to practice here."

"Well, let's talk," Rokuro suggested.

"Yes," Yamato replied.

Yamato and Rokuro went somewhere within the dojo to discuss things.

Asahiyu Heights

Miho had come back from school and was walking up the stairs. One of the doors opened and Miho was shocked to see her mother with Yasunobu. When Miho saw Yasunobu, she got upset.

"Are you sure you don't want to stick around a bit longer Yasunobu?" Ayano asked.

"No, I should get going," Yasunobu said.

"Again I apologize for Yamato's uncalled action against you."

"Oh, it's okay, don't worry about it," Yasunobu said with a smile.

Ayano and Yasunobu saw Miho.

"Oh Miho, welcome home," Ayano greeted her daughter.

"Oh, hi Miho," Yasunobu said with a grin.

Miho turned head away from Yasunobu with disgust.

"Miho?" Ayano spoke, not liking Miho's reaction towards Yasunobu.

"Uh, it's fine, really," Yasunobu assured Ayano.

"Oh…"

The phone suddenly rang and Ayano excused herself to answer the phone. Miho took the opportunity and stomp her way to Yasunobu.

"Yasunobu, why are you here?" Miho asked with a glare.

"Well…I came to see Yamato," Yasunobu answered.

"Why, so you can set him up again like you did five years ago?" Miho said with anger and a glare, "I told you to leave him alone."

"Miho, c-c'mon…"

"If only I knew the truth beforehand and actually trust Yamato, he wouldn't be what he is now towards me," Miho looked at Yasunobu with hatred, "you're mostly the reason why Yamato doesn't like coming here anymore."

Yasunobu was about to say something but he didn't and just looked at Miho.

"I hate you Yasunobu," Miho said, "and I'll tell you this. As long as I'm around, I'll protect Yamato from you. I won't give you the chance to use him and hurt him emotionally again like you did five years ago."

"…I see, that's how's it going to be," Yasunobu said.

"That's right," Miho pointed her finger at Yasunobu, "I used to think you were cool and I used to think that Yamato could be as cool as you but now, I'm glad Yamato is not like you, he's way better than you , he's not a pervert and he doesn't tells lies and set up people for his own amusement."

"Miho!" Ayano spoke.

Miho and Yasunobu saw Ayano who had a shocked expression.

"Miho, you shouldn't say things like that to Yasunobu," Ayano said.

"But it's true," Miho replied, "Yasunobu is a horrible person. Mom, please don't let Yasunobu stick around here, he's just going to make Yamato want to leave here even quicker."

Miho left to and Ayano called out to her but had no response.

"That Miho," Ayano said, "I can't understand why she's acting like that."

Yasunobu didn't say anything and just looked away with his thoughts, "I just…I just can't…"

Ayano turned to look at Yasunobu, "Yasunobu, don't let what Miho said get to you."

"No, it's fine. Um, I guess I should go."

"Sure, sorry things didn't work out."

"It's okay."

"I'll talk to Yamato later on tonight and maybe things will work out when you start class together."

"Maybe…"

Yasunobu said his goodbyes and left the Asahiyu Heights and Ayano went to go talk to her daughter.

A Kendo Dojo

Yamato had just finished discussing things with Rokuro and now Yamato had things set for himself and then he walked out of the dojo and then he turned and bowed to Rokuro and Rokuro bowed back. Yamato turned and left and Rokuro waved his goodbye to Yamato.

Asahiyu Heights

Later on in the evening, it was dinner time in the common room and Yamato, Miho, and Suzuka were sitting at the table eating their dinner that Ayano had cooked for them. Ayano came out of the kitchen and looked at Yamato who was still eating in peace.

"Yamato," Ayano called.

"Yes Auntie?" Yamato replied.

"Yasunobu came to visit you."

Yamato scoffed at the mention of Yasunobu, "Yeah."

"Yamato, don't have anything to say?"

"I just wonder why he had to annoy me with his presence."

"Yamato, that's cruel."

Miho was upset that Ayano mentioned Yasunobu, "Mom, please."

"Miho," Ayano said, "I'm disappointed with you as well."

Miho frowned and Yamato looked at Miho surprised as he was sure that Miho was going jump to her mother and Yasunobu's side.

"Yamato, you did something bad to Yasunobu," Ayano pointed out, "Don't you feel bad for what you did?"

Yamato acted like he gave some thought a bit and then shook his head, "No, not really."

Ayano was surprised, "Wow, unbelievable," Ayano shook her head, "okay, I admit that I don't know you as I thought I did Yamato, but honestly, you should be ashamed of yourself."

"Mom, please stop picking on Yamato," Miho said, "it was Yasunobu's own fault anyway."

"Miho, I'm shocked," Ayano said.

Miho wasn't sorry for what she said and Yamato was surprised again at Miho and he was actually feeling glad that Miho was saying the things she was saying. He wondered if Miho had understood why Yamato despised Yasunobu and hoped that was the case.

Suzuka looked at Yamato and then decided to say something as she put her utensils down.

"Yamato, don't you think you're being a jerk about this?" Suzuka said.

Yamato just looked at Suzuka, "Seriously?"

"Suzuka?" Miho spoke surprised.

"Look, whatever issue you have with Yasunobu, you went too far. What you did was not right."

"Are you serious?" Yamato asked just looking at Suzuka.

"I am," Suzuka replied and then sighed, "look, I talked to Yasunobu and he doesn't seem like a bad person and he just wants to make peace with you. Aren't you being stubborn and a bit childish about it Yamato?"

"Suzuka, how could you say that?" Miho said.

"And you Miho, you are not helping things right now," Ayano said, "You were very rude to Yasunobu as well."

"M-Mom, but…"

"Next time you see Yasunobu, you should apologize."

Miho frowned and looked away, "I won't because I know I didn't do anything wrong by telling the truth."

Yamato was surprised and then he had a thought, "Miho, could it be that she actually see Yasunobu the same way that I do? I wonder when…"

Suzuka turned her attention to Yamato, "Anyway Yamato, I think you should talk to him and try to make peace with him."

Yamato just looked at Suzuka and made a huge sigh.

"That's quite a sigh," Suzuka commented.

"Suzuka, if only you knew the truth about Yasunobu."

"Before you go any further, your aunt told me what happened five years."

"She did, did she?"

"And I agree with your aunt, you were the one that was wrong so you had no business in beating up Yasunobu and you definitely shouldn't have insulted people for nothing."

"I wonder if you would say that if you knew the kind of person Yasunobu Hattori really is," Yamato said, "besides, you're not really one to talk."

"What does that mean?"

Yamato finished his meal and then got and was ready to head back to his apartment.

"Wait Yamato, I'm not done talking to you," Suzuka said.

"Well, I'm done listening to you. I'm out."

Yamato left the common room and Ayano and Suzuka were upset with Yamato. Miho decided to get and go after her cousin.

"Miho," Ayano spoke, "you haven't finished your dinner."

"I'm going to talk to Yamato," Miho said.

"Miho…" Suzuka said.

Miho stopped, "Suzuka, right now, I would appreciate it if you didn't talk to me."

Miho left and left both Ayano and Suzuka shocked.

"I don't," Suzuka said, "I don't understand."

Ayano had her hands on her head and was didn't know what to do. Meanwhile, Yamato was about to open the door to his apartment.

"Yamato," Miho said.

Yamato saw Miho running towards him and stopped next to him.

"Miho," Yamato spoke.

"I'm sorry Yamato."

"Miho?" Yamato raised his eyebrow.

"I ran into Yasunobu yesterday and he asked me about you. I did tell him that came to stay with us but I also told him that he should you alone."

"Really?"

"Yes," Miho looked away feeling upset, "last year, you came to Tokyo but you had spent that time staying with Honoka and her family."

"That's right," Yamato said.

"I did feel hurt that you chose to stay with her and not even contact us and we had only learned about right before you left and getting ready to start your final year in middle school."

"Yeah…"

Flashback: Last year in a park

Miho was walking and thought about Yamato with a sad expression.

"I don't believe this," Miho said, "how could Yamato be in Tokyo and not stop by to see me and Mom," Miho frowned, "instead, he'd rather spend time with Honoka and her family?"

Miho got really upset and continue to move in the park and then she hearing voices. Miho got curious and saw Yasunobu talking to three other boys and she knew that they were his friends.

"Is that really true?" One of Yasunobu's friends asked, "You really got to peek in the baths of the Asahiyu Heights?"

Yasunobu grinned, "Yeah, it's true, it was a sight to see."

"And you know the nephew of the owner of that place?" The second boy asked.

"Yeah, it was tough since Yamato was insistent of not letting me see but when you have a goal to look at beautiful women; you just have to go for it. As young healthy males, you can't let any obstacle get in the way."

The other boys were in awe and clapped for Yasunobu while Miho stood in shocked in what she was hearing.

"I got say," The third boy said, "I'm impressed that you were able to convince the women there at the time that you were innocent when you put on that act that you were a victim," The third boy grinned, "I tried that and I still got in trouble."

"The key is that you have to look very sincere and convincing," Yasunobu said with his finger up, "look remorseful and give them the puppy eye looks. Women just eat that up."

"But didn't Yamato get in trouble for it?" The second boy asked.

"Uh, y-yeah," Yasunobu said, "Yamato's sacrifice was for the greater good and he understood that. It's thanks to him that I witness paradise."

"Um, didn't he also leave pissed off that day and he didn't he beat the crap of you as well at that time as well?"

"He was upset," Yasunobu sighed, "I did try to help him then but he didn't want to hear anything that I wanted to say but it's been four years and surely Yamato is not still holding a grudge over something like this."

"So, it's true," Miho said.

Yasunobu and his three friends were shocked and surprised to hear Miho's voice and then they saw Miho who was standing there looking at them in total disbelief.

"M-Miho," Yasunobu spoke, "when did you get here?"

"So all this time, what Yamato said what happened was true," Miho said gradually getting upset, "Yamato was telling the truth and you were the one that was telling the lies," Miho gritted her teeth with her head down, "I believed you over Yamato who would never lie to me, I believed you like my mom and those women did and all this time, you got Yamato in trouble and you were," Miho looked at Yasunobu with hate, "you were laughing at him."

"Miho, just wait a minute," Yasunobu tried to reason.

Miho responded by looking at Yasunobu and slapped him hard and surprised him and his friends. Yasunobu was shocked and looked at Miho.

"I can't believe how stupid I was!" Miho said with tears, "Yamato was telling the truth about you and tried to warn me but I…didn't listen to him. You're horrible Yasunobu Hattori, disgusting back-stabbing pervert!"

Miho ran away with tears streaming from her eyes and Yasunobu tried to call her back but had no luck.

Flashback End

Yamato was surprised and Miho had her head down in tears.

"Miho," Yamato said with tone of concern, "so, that's what happened."

"I'm so sorry Yamato," Miho said, "if I hadn't believed Yasunobu over you, you wouldn't have felt betrayed. It all made sense to me as to why you don't like coming here anymore."

Yamato pulled something out of his pocket and it was a small packet of tissue and offered it to Miho. Miho took the small packet and wiped the tears from her eyes with one of the tissues.

"I told my mom what happened when I came home," Miho said.

"And what did she say?" Yamato asked.

"She said she would talk to him and she did eventually but…"

"But…"

"Yasunobu twisted things around and Mom took it like he was just someone that made a simple mistake with it seemed like it was still your idea."

"I see…" Yamato responded disappointed.

"I'm so sorry Yamato," Miho said, "not just what happened five years but being a bit of a pain when you came here. I know for sure that you're not a pervert at all and I know that you're someone who got betrayed. I'm so sorry Yamato," Miho was in tears again, "please forgive me."

Yamato just looked at Miho and then had a relaxed expression and had his hand on Miho's shoulder.

"It's okay," Yamato said in a kind voice, "it's okay Miho. Thank you for believing me and for the things you said and I forgive you."

"Thank you, I should have believed you in the first place," Miho replied, "it should have been obvious since you're someone who would never lie to me and my mom. I'm sorry that Mom still doesn't realize that."

Miho went to hug Yamato and Yamato hugged back while comforting his cousin with kind words while patted her head.

Streets of Tokyo

Yasunobu was walking on the sidewalk with his hands in his pockets. He stopped at a crossed street and waited for the sign to light up 'Walk'. Yasunobu sighed and was not in a cheery mood.

"I really messed up," Yasunobu said to himself, "things didn't go as I planned."

That's it for this chapter. Next chapter: The first year in high school begins for Yamato, Suzuka, Honoka, and Yasunobu.