Disclaimer: "Only the Ring Finger Knows" and all its related elements belong to Satoru Kannagi-sensei. The original concept for this story is NOT mine either. It is Kasumi Hayashibara-san's concept for the "Empty White Canvas" story (see her author's note on the last chapter of "The Untouched Ring"), and hence, it naturally belongs to her. She has generously granted me permission to use her idea to write this story. However, it does NOT mean that she will drop "Empty White Canvas". She will definitely return to it after she finishes "Endless Summer", the sequel to "The Untouched Ring". Therefore, this story should not be confused with Kasumi-san's story and vice versa.

Having had some time to read my own writing carefully one more time, I agree with the criticisms that the ending was too rushed. This is a poor excuse but my priority was really speed over quality. There was a deadline I set for myself because I was afraid that I would never be able to finish it. I have very limited patience, and I was over-paranoid about my first research project, so I did not think further over my first idea. Instead I chose to type everything in my head down and upload it without even reading it the second time (yes, I´m that kind of irresponsible writer). Now I kind of regret it. Seeing that I still have some time left, I have decided to revise the ending by setting it to a more relaxed and hopefully more logical course of events. Truth be told, I need to be occupied with something before I kill myself with my paranoid. I can´t sit still thought I´m supposed to be in break. I apologize for this messy style of working.

What I have done is cut down on chapter 10 to the point Kazuki fell asleep again in the infirmary room and rewrite the ending into the current chapter 11.

**********

--Hope--

When Yuichi woke up again, it was already late as the sun was half hidden after the horizon. The rest totally restored strength in his body and sharpness in his mind. But the choice he made still stood. He was determined to put his luck to test by making clear to the boy what he felt. The rest was Heaven´s will. But at least in the future, he could look back and say to himself that he had gave it his best shot. However, given the lateness, all actions probably had to wait for the day after. Yuichi signed. Despite his appearance, his patience was not in surplus, especially when he had made his decision.

When he was coming down the stairs, his eyes caught a slender figure sitting on the handrail. His heart nearly jumped out of his chest because of joy. It seemed that all his wishes were about to come true. But that hope was quickly extinguished when all he got was a ¨thank you¨. The boy hurriedly left as soon as the message was delivered. In a fit of desperation, Yuichi caught the kid´s hand but quickly released at the stare he received. It was discouraging. Was his judgment influenced by his wish and he misinterpreted the boy´s emotions?

It was easier said than done. The road to happiness was indeed long and stony. Was he expecting too much and overestimating what he could do? It seemed that the business ran in circle. He started with deadlock, then all the puzzles were answered, and now he was in a deadlock again. Added to the difficulty was the drastic development. Yuichi was already able to accept that boy as his lover, but he had no ready strategy to win the boy over. Perhaps things could not be rushed. It took time for the boy to accept him and his feelings. Though it did not go as he wished, Yuichi felt unusually excited. Never before had he faced such a great challenge, and he determined not to look back. The only course of action for him was ¨forward¨.

***

The day of the exhibition came, and Ryokuyo was bustling with guests. Considered the best student representative of the school, Yuichi was enlisted for the reception. It was one of the most taxing experiences he had undergone in his life. He had to deal with ostentatious adults and girls not only from his own school but also from virtually all of Tokyo. Most of them were reasonable and even likeable, but the rest were simply horrid. They were pretentious with the obvious intention of wooing him. Even if his heart had not already been occupied, he would not spare any attention to them. On the contrary, he was dying to let them taste his trademark sarcasm. However, his position as a representative for the host school did not allow him to indulge himself with that. His annoyance found the outlet in making fun of himself, when he suddenly remembered his behaviour to the dark-eyed boy the other day. It was indeed a bitter comedy. Why was it that the only person he was truly cruel to happened to be the one he loved? What he was suffering was perhaps his payment.

Nevertheless, like the dark-eyed boy said, the exhibition was an interesting event. Yuichi was not an expert, but he could tell the quality of the artworks were high. Within the limited time he could manage to sneak off his task, he tried to seek for the boy´s painting but found none. He did not even see much of the boy himself. It was puzzling considering how the boy was so enthusiastically looking forward to this. But he was too busy with the guests to ponder on that.

***

Words could not describe how relieved Yuichi was when lunch break arrived. His nerves were too strained that they would snap any moment. Practically forcing Ninomiya to replace him, he dashed off despite all the president´s protests. He headed straight for the clock tower, where he knew he would not be disturbed. When he reached the place, how wide his eyes were when he saw that the place was already occupied by none other than the dark-eyed boy. The kid was sitting at his habitual place on the window frame and dreamily looking into the sky. It was the third time he saw this scene but the image had already burnt into his mind. Why was he not an artist? This would make a beautiful painting! Thankfully there was technology. He took out his cell phone and took a shot. The picture was nearly perfect and he would probably be staring at it all day.

He could have standing there watching forever, but the boy already detected his presence, and was completely taken aback by his appearance, but luckily not to the point of falling off. He hurriedly got off the frame and was about to leave, but Yuichi reacted fast enough.

¨Please don´t leave because of me. If I annoy you, then I´ll leave!¨ He paused, and continued almost shyly. ¨The truth is, there is something I wish to say to you.¨

He was sincere, even a little desperate. After his repeated blunder, he was eager to amend his standing in the kid´s eyes. Perhaps that was shown in his voice, for the large dark eyes were filled with surprise. The boy was visibly hesitant as if he did not know how to react. In the end, the boy opted to stay. He sat down on a trunk, and gazed into Yuichi´s grey eyes.

¨What do you want to talk to me about?¨ The kid asked. There was no hostility in his voice, but no warmth in it either.

¨I haven´t had a chance to apologize for my behaviour the other day.¨ Yuichi solemnly replied. ¨I tried to do that when you came to talk to me after the accident but you left before I could say anything.¨ Realizing that he was accusing the kid, he hurriedly amended. ¨I mean I was really cruel, and I´m sorry for that.¨

The boy lightly shook his head and smiled reservedly. ¨The fault was mine. I can understand you. If I were deceived like that, I would have been angry too.¨ It could be easily seen that the boy was sincere, and Yuichi was relieved that the boy did not hold a grudge against him. The kid was indeed as gentle as an angel. But he did not particularly like that self-blaming speech. He interrupted.

¨But I was out of line. It must have been hard for you to be forced into such an act. And I ridiculed you about that. It wasn´t fair to do so and I do regret it.¨ He hesitated but decided to rectify every crooked thing between them. ¨I should apologize about the kiss in the park too. You don´t like being forced, do you?¨ He smiled gently at the person opposite him, remembering how the kid enthusiastically argued against him about mutual consent.

¨No.¨ A faint blush coloured the boy´s cheeks. He looked so sweet that Yuichi wanted to hug him tightly. Fortunately he resisted the temptation. The atmosphere had relaxed a bit and he did not want to mess up their fragile connection one more time.

However, Yuichi did not intend to stop with that. He was given another chance and this time, he would properly use it. He carefully opened an attack. ¨But I was serious about that kiss. I mean I truly like Fujii-san who was on that date with me, and I was anxious to win over that person.¨

The boy looked down ruefully. ¨I´m sorry. I did not know it would go that far. I´m sorry that I hurt you.¨

¨No,¨ Yuichi hastily broke in. That was not the effect he wanted. ¨I don´t mean to blame you. What I want to say is that it is important for me that you understand why I acted so. I don´t want you to have ill opinion about me because of either that kiss or my remarks the other day.¨ He took a breath and said the final word. ¨I want to be on good terms with you.¨ That was a heavily watered-down version of what he really wanted to tell the boy. But at that moment, it was more important to thaw the ice between them than to throw a volley of ¨I love you¨ at the boy, which might freak the kid out.

A soft smile bloomed on the boy´s rose-like lips. He remarked ¨You are a very nice person, Kazuki-san.¨

Until then, Yuichi had heard many compliments, but none of them could make his heart swell like those simple words. Beyond his expectation, everything had been in his favour so far. While he was still thinking of the next move, the boy changed the topic.

´How do you like the exhibition so far?¨

¨I don´t like having to work for it. I don´t know if it´s only me, but there are really pretentious people.¨ Imitating some ostentatious gestures of the distinguished guests, Yuichi said mischievously, and both of them laughed. Only that dark-eyed boy could manage to bring out that more childish side of him. Then he continued more seriously. ¨But the artworks are nice! I really like them.¨ Seeing that the boy was smiling, Yuichi innocently asked. ¨Where is your painting? I´d like to see it.¨

The smile on the boy´s lips died down a little, which made Yuichi afraid that he had stepped on a landmine. Probably sensing Yuichi´s thought, the kid smiled again and lightly shook his head.

¨I did not submit one. I could not think of something worthy to paint, so I decided not to force myself.¨

¨I´m sorry...¨ This bit of information worried Yuichi. Was he the cause of that artistic slump?

¨Well, it´s already fine. Such thing happens.¨ The boy dismissed Yuichi´s feeling of guilt.

¨But the exhibition was important for you, wasn´t it? Please be honest!¨ Yuichi gazed straight into the boy´s eyes. He was trying not to freak out at the possibility that he was the spoiler of the boy´s important event.

The boy did not respond. Seeing the clear signal that the topic was off-limit, Yuichi did not press it further. Instead he chose to change the topic.

¨You seemed to have stolen my niece Takako´s heart.¨ He said teasingly. And mine, he added inwardly. The boy was completely perplexed, the expression of which was priceless. With a more serious tone, he elaborated. ¨After meeting you in the park, she had been asking me non-stop about ¨oni-chan¨. How about you coming by some time to play with her? She would be happy. I´m sure my parents and her parents would like that too.¨ The invitation was indeed for Takako´s sake, but there was other motive at work.

¨You are making fun of me again!¨ The boy said sullenly, which made Yuichi laughed. ¨See? You´re laughing.¨

¨You´re refusing to help a little princess in need?¨ Now that tensions had been more or less resolved, Yuichi felt it safe enough to indulge himself in his favourite pastimes.

¨I will help her. But I also think that unfortunately, her uncle is a jerk!¨ The boy rose up to the challenge. He was trying to sound high-and-mighty, but that just showed his childishness off, which delighted Yuichi to no end.

Thus they bantered until the end of the break.

***

The meeting at the clock tower was a significant improvement for Yuichi. In the next two days of the exhibition, the boy nodded and smiled to him whenever they met. They also often talked in break time, in which the kid explained and commented for him about the art pieces. It seemed the problems between them had been completely sorted out, and he must admit that the kid himself was a big help, for he was totally cooperative, even eager to straighten their relationship.

He was torn by this development. Part of him was glad that they could be on cordial terms, the other part was unsatisfied and craved for more intimacy. In addition, now that he had gained something, he was afraid to jeopardize it. How should he proceed? Continue to play the friendship game or declare his feelings? The latter was the more honest thing to do, but that meant gambling on the newly amended relation between him and the boy. On the other hand, a mere ¨friendship¨ was not his goal in the first place. When the exhibition was over, it would be more difficult to find reasons to meet the boy. So he did not have time for indecision.

In his room, Yuichi took out the handkerchief with his love´s initials, which was ever in his pocket. He intentionally ¨forgot¨ to return it. It had helped him find the person he wanted to meet. Would it help him again to win that person over?