Siopao: (09/25/2013) Thanks for reviewing: guest, cherryblossomlee, Dana05, cold summer night, & Agataazura. You guys are the best.

Sorry for the delay. Still getting adjusted to my new university. This chapter is a bit longer than the others. Please do review. -bows-

Disclaimer: I don't own Gals! or its characters.

One Summer's Day

Chapter Eleven - Friendship & Forgiveness

By: Screaming Siopao

Yuuya looked at the lone piece of paper sitting atop his desk. It had been sitting there for some time now, untouched since he first read through it, which was about three weeks ago when it arrived unexpectedly in the mail. That was around the same time Rei had disappeared into a wealthier part of Tokyo to take up a job as a waiter in some five star Italian restaurant.

He picked up the letter again and reread its contents, still unable to take in the information. He looked at his calendar, which hung on his light blue walls. It would not be long until classes would be in session. He had to do it today. He wanted to put it off as long as possible, but time was running out. He had to tell her.

Hurting people was never easy for him. But hurting her was the last thing he ever wanted.

o0o0o0o

Mmm. He smells like spices and lavender. It's a soothing combination.

His arms are wrapped around my waist as he stands behind me. I adore his strong, protective arms. The arms that have and will always keep me safe. The arms that constantly pick me up when I stumble.

His soft blonde hair tickles my cheeks as he rests his chin on my shoulders. I'm much shorter than he is; he must not feel very comfortable in this position.

I feel his deep, warm breaths heaving onto my neck. It's such a calming sensation.

I feel like we're in unity; as if we're one person.

But when I turned around, it was not who I thought it to be. I was expecting fluid golden eyes, but found solid blue. The person who is holding me is none other than Rei Otohata. He looks at me with such calmness in his expression.

I cannot help but to embrace him. He's come back. Don't leave again, okay? My Rei...

"Ack!" Aya shouted as she shot up from her bed. There was a high-pitched bell ringing and a knocking in the distance. Someone was at the door. "Ugh," she groaned as she jumped from her comfortable covers. 'Why does he still show up in my dreams' she pondered as she tried patting down some misbehaved strands of her dark hair.

Aya swung the doors open only to find her corn-headed hero.

"Yuuya-kun. You're here early." Surprise was evident in her tone.

"Sorry," he goofily scratched the back of his head. Something felt strange about him today, Aya could feel it, but she didn't quite know what it was. "I couldn't wait for our date to start. Here, these are for you." From behind his back, he presented to her a wide variety of pink roses and white tulips gathered together in an elegant, yet simple, bouquet.

"Eh? W- What are these for?" It was unlike him to just get her flowers out of the blue.

"Just as a gift for you, Aya-chan. Why? Don't you like them?"

"Oh, they're so pretty. Thank you!" she happily took them and invited her companion into her home. "My parents are out of town so they won't be back for a while. Make yourself at home."

"Ah, thank you. Eh, so I was thinking, Aya-chan," Yuuya started while he was removing his shoes. "Maybe we could change up the date today? Maybe stay outside instead of seeing a movie. You know, since it's so nice out?"

"That sounds like a great idea!" she replied, placing the flowers in a vase. "Like a picnic?"

"Yes, exactly!" He smiled with enthusiasm. "At Yoyogi Koen Park, maybe? We could see the golden leaves of the ginko trees."

"And I could make bento! W- Well, if you think it isn't too detestable, that is." She recalled that time Yuuya ate the bento which was originally meant for Rei's lips to taste...

"Aya-chan," Yuuya embraced this lovely little angel before him. She could have sworn that she saw a glint of sadness in his eyes, but she quickly brushed it off. He released his hug and looked straight into her eyes, the sadness no longer apparent. She must have been imagining things. "I love your cooking. Don't doubt that."

She smiled shyly before him and bit her lower lip.

"Arigatou, Yuuya-kun." And she raised herself onto her tippy-toes and pecked him ever-so-lightly on his right cheek. This elicited a slight redness onto the lad's handsome face.

"Ah," he whispered, raising his hand up to touch the area that she'd kissed him. This wasn't the first time she had done this, but he did not know of the first time, since she secretly sneaked it when he had already fallen asleep on the sand, back at his beach house. Realizing her actions, Aya's face quickly grew ten shades redder and she turned away to hide her embarrassed disposition.

"G- Gomen!" she yelled as she tried walking away, eyes wide with horror for what she just did. She didn't know what had come over her to suddenly take the initiative like that. She just couldn't help it. "I... I have to flower the waters! I- I mean water the flowers!"

"Aya-chan." Yuuya gripped onto her wrist, pulled her towards him with her back still facing him, and gently wrapped his arms around her waist, allowing them to rest onto her smooth, flat stomach. This was all too familiar. He was hugging her from behind, just like in her dream from earlier.

"Mm." A muffled sigh escaped her lips. Having a man hold her like this was too much too handle. Rei never held her like this.

"Her hair, it smells like those flowers I got her..." He took in her scent and was absolutely mesmerized by it. It sent a charge throughout his body. He could hardly control himself any longer. He gently kissed her behind her ear, causing a surprised squeak to escape Aya's lips. He smiled, knowing that she had probably grown a few other shades deeper of tomato red.

He continued on down, planting one soft kiss onto her jawline, then another on her bare shoulder.

Her eyes were shut tight and she couldn't believe how much of a haze her mind was in. All she could think of was how good this felt to her. Never had a man touched her like this. Never had a man made her feel like such a fragile woman, knees shaking and all.

"Yuuya-kun," she mouthed his name, making it barely audible. Suddenly Yuuya's body stiffened and he finally realized what he was doing.

'Dammit,' he thought. 'I can't do this. Not to her. Not now.'

Aya noticed his stillness and turned to face him, concern apparent in her expression.

"Hm? What's wrong?" she asked innocently. She was making this so hard for him.

Everything, he wanted to say. But he reassuringly shook his head instead, faking a smile along with it. "It's nothing. I'm sorry, Aya-chan. I didn't realize what I was doing."

"I didn't hate it," she blushed.

"Yeah?" he smiled as he patted her head. She loved when he did that. "I'll remember that for next time. But you should get started on our picnic obento for our date."

"Oh! You're right," she said as her eyes lit up. She ran over to the kitchen and put on a pink apron with red and green apple designs printed all over it. Yuuya took note of how cute it was on her. "I almost forgot. It'll take me nearly an hour to prepare it all. Can you wait?"

He smiled at her reassuringly with the softest eyes.

"I'll wait as long as you need me to."

o0o0o0o

"Eh," Aya beamed in awe as she held onto the picnic basket. Around her were several gingko trees that were already beginning to transform into their golden color for the autumn season. Pretty golden leaves fluttered about her as she heard a nearby stream silently babbling. She took in a breath of air. "It's so refreshing here. The gingko sure are changing colors early. It's only the end of August."

"Yeah, but we're lucky to see them changing, huh?" Yuuya smiled.

"Un!" she replied with an ecstatic beam. Several fallen leaves danced around her in a spiral motion. 'I wouldn't want to spend today with anyone else.' It's what she wanted to say. Her heart longed to speak it but her head silenced her. She frowned at the inner war currently taking place within her.

"Are you alright, Aya-chan? Is the basket too heavy? I could carry it." He kindly held out his hand to her.

"No, I'm fine! Let's go eat, I'm starving," she chimed as she skipped onward toward the babbling stream. Yuuya smiled at her enthusiasm but it didn't last long, knowing he'd have to ruin such a gorgeous day. He sighed, following slowly behind the energetic girl.

When he reached her, she was already setting the red and white checkered blanket onto the soft grass. She chose a spot right underneath a majestic gingko tree which shaded them from the sun's intense summer rays. The stream beside them provided a comfortable and soothing background noise which seemed to ease his anxiety.

"About time, slow poke," Aya laughed as he finally approached the picnic area. He listened to her bell-like laughter. Come to think of it, it was her laugh that made him fall so hard for her in the first place. He smiled gently at her, recalling all the times she laughed at him, even when he wasn't trying to be funny.

'She worked so hard to make this day a good one. I'll do the same.'

"Come sit." Aya patted the spot right beside her. She sat on her legs, since she was wearing a flowy cream-colored skirt. The corn-haired lad sat beside her, in a crossed-legged manner.

"So, what's for lunch?" he asked eagerly. "You wouldn't let me into the kitchen to help, after all."

"I couldn't do that! I have to polish up on my cooking skills." She pointed her index finger into the air as-a-matter-of-factly. "Don't you want to taste my obento as they progress?"

"Yeah," he smiled a bit bitterly. "I wouldn't want to miss it for the world."

"Great! I'm glad that it's you, Yuuya-kun," Aya smiled happily. "Now, let's eat."

Aya took the brown picnic basket and opened up the lid, only to release numerous scents that reached Yuuya's nostrils. One by one, she took out a total of three obento boxes.

"This one has rolled omelet and octo-weiners," she said while opening the first box with a smile. He chuckled when he noticed that she had decorated the octo-weiners with smiling faces. She picked up the second one beside it, propping open its lid. "This has all kinds of vegetables and some rolls of sushi. And this last one," she said revealing the contents of the third box. "Has all sorts of hand-made musubi and rice balls. Ume is your favorite, ne, Yuuya-kun?"

"Ah... Yes," he eyed the various foods before him. He couldn't believe she had made this all. No wonder she was in the kitchen for some time.

"Well, I made plenty of that!" she chimed. "It took me a little while but I didn't waste any ingredients, like the first time."

"That's great, Aya-chan," he smiled as he patted her head. Her cheeks turned a rosy pink at his gentle touch. "I'm proud of you."

"Thanks!" she beamed, handing Yuuya some chopsticks. They looked at each other with pure bliss and peace.

"Itadakimasu!" they both said in unison. Yuuya went for the ume rice ball first and took a big bite.

"Ehh," he said in awe. "It's even more delicious than your first time."

"Hontou?" she exclaimed as she swallowed some omelet.

"Yeah, no lie!" He ate the rest in no time.

"You mean it? That's so great." She smiled happily at his compliment.

"At this rate, you could compete with Miyuu-rin."

"Huh? No way!" she laughed as she playfully hit his arm. "Don't joke like that. Miyuu is on a totally different level!"

"I'm serious," he said, taking another rice ball, this time it was eel. "You could put a convenience store out of business." Aya blushed just a tad bit at his statements. She was glad all her hard work and effort didn't go in vain.

"Arigatou," she meekly said. Then, she grabbed one little roll of sushi with her chopsticks. "Ne, Yuuya-kun. Try this sushi. I'm not very good at making it but please let me know how it tastes."

"Eh?" he was shocked when she held the food up to his lips. She was so close to him. Without hesitation, he parted his lips and allowed Aya to feed him. He chewed on the seaweed wrapped sushi and immediately made an "okay" symbol with his fingers.

"Really?" Her eyes lit up.

"It's tasty," he said after a few seconds of chewing. Aya laughed at his childish form.

"Oh, Yuuya-kun. You're a bit of a messy eater, aren't you?" she said as grains of rice fell onto his shirt. Suddenly, she approached him once again, even closer, this time. She held a napkin in her hands and held it up to his face. "You have some rice here. May I?"

"Ah, s- sure," he stammered. Her face was right in front of his. He could practically feel her warm, sweet breath on his skin. Her cherry-blossom scent flustered him a bit. He felt her slender fingers brush off the rice on his cheek and was a bit saddened when she sat back down after a few seconds. There was a smile on her face but they did not reach her eyes. It was as if her body was happy but her soul was secretly weeping. "Is everything okay, Aya-chan?"

"Eh?" she snapped out of her reverie. "Y- Yes. I was just thinking..."

"Of what?"

"Its just," she paused a bit before continuing, playing with the grass beside her. "I never got the chance to do anything like this with Rei-kun."

Ah, that was it. Yuuya knew that as long as his best friend was on Aya's mind, she would always be mentally transported to a parallel universe. He occupied a whole part of her heart and mind that he had never even come close to venturing to. He didn't even know if she would let him into that exclusive crevice of her soul.

"Do you..." Yuuya hesitated at what he was about to say next. He took in a breath and went on. "Do you still love him?"

"Eh? What are you saying?" She blinked innocently.

"You heard me, Aya-chan," he said firmly. "Do you still love Rei?"

She looked off to the side at the glistening stream. She was silent for a few moments but Yuuya could have sworn that he saw a glint of renewed joy in her eyes. Whatever was going on in her head seemed to have restored some sort of renewed hope in her to calm her weeping soul. Her formerly frowning lips transformed into the slightest, most subtle, smile. To the inattentive person, it simply would have gone unnoticed.

"Yes, I do." It was but a whisper in the air.

And that was all Yuuya needed to hear.

o0o0o0o

So the seasons have changed and now things are not the same.

I don't see you in this scenery anymore.

"This is how time passes by."

There's someone pretending.

o0o0o0o

Aya flipped to the next page of her newest book, Norweigan Wood, by Murakami Haruki. She had been sitting on her sofa reading for the past hour or so now. It was about six o' clock in the evening and her outing with Yuuya had ended with them strolling along the streets of Shibuya— the city of their hearts. They had no aim or destination in particular; all they needed was the company of each other the thousands of others that surrounded them on the streets. It was nice to just lazily walk about without a care in the world.

She was quite engrossed with the first few chapters that she hadn't even noticed that the corn-haired boy beside her had drifted into a light slumber on her shoulder. That is, until she heard a soft snore coming from deep within his chest. She sighed with contentment as she closed her book and looked to him, endearment and curiosity in her eyes. A giggle escaped her lips as she brushed some stray strands of his blonde hair out of his face. He must have really been worn out from the day's events. She was actually feeling quite tired herself.

"Yuuya-kun," she whispered. Darkness was befalling her living room as the sun outside began to disappear below the horizon. "Thank you for everything." She looked at the vase of white tulips and pink roses sitting on the coffee table and felt a strange feeling brewing up inside of her, though she didn't quite know what it was. Longing, perhaps?

Then, before she could ponder on it any longer, a groan came from Yuuya's lips as he rubbed the sleepiness from his eyes. He stretched for a bit, until he realized that he had fallen asleep in Aya's home.

"Gah!" he shot up from his formerly slouching position. "How long was I asleep? What time is it?"

"It's only six in the evening." She laughed her bellish laugh at his initial panic.

"Ah, I'm sorry I fell asleep. You should have waken me." He was a bit embarrassed about dozing off.

"How could I wake you when you looked so peaceful?"

Yuuya furrowed his eyes. In truth, he was not at peace at all. Even after his sleep, he wasn't well-rested. He bit his bottom lip and looked down at his lap.

"Ne, Aya-chan," he whispered.

"Hm? What is it?" Her eyes were filled with curiosity.

"I have something I've been meaning to show you." Yuuya reached into his back pocket and pulled out the piece of paper that had been clouding his mind for the past few weeks. "Here, read this."

"Huh? Sure." She unfolded the sheet and began reading its contents. "Asou Yuuya," she started out. "We are pleased to inform you of our interest to induct you amongst one of the select few who are eligible for our institution. You have displayed a great sense of leadership, values, and charisma that we so desire in each of our students. You will be a valuable addition to our campus, if you so decide to take up this once in a lifetime offer. With your outstanding grades, we are also pleased to present unto you the Dean's Scholarship. Congratulations, and we hope to hear from you soon. Signed Souichiro Kamiya, President of..." Aya's eyes lit up at the last segment of the letter. "Okinawa International University?"

"Yeah," he simply nodded at her astonishment.

"Yuuya-kun, I—" She was speechless.

"It kind of came as a surprise," he sighed. "It's a really good opportunity for me."

"This... This is so great!" she beamed with excitement. She smiled but at the same time, her heart ached just a bit.

"Yeah," he timidly scratched the back of his head. "Their business program is really amazing. They sent me the notification quite late. I didn't think I was going to be accepted."

"Eh? Wait," she tilted her head in thought. "What about... Rikkyo University?"

"I can't go there, after all," he grunted with a sense of bitterness in his voice. He recalled his initial plans to stay in Ikebukuro to be closer to Mami. It was such a waste to base your life and future off of one sole person. Look where that got him. He didn't want to restrict himself again and repeat his past mistake. "'Bukuro has... too many memories."

They sat in silence for a few moments. It was a bit awkward and the atmosphere was tense. It was a happy moment and a sad one as well. There were many things that need to be contemplated about.

"Do you miss Mami-rin?"

Yuuya was taken back just a bit by this question.

"Quite honestly, I don't know." And that was the truth. He actually didn't know. He hadn't thought of her in a while, quite frankly. Aya had kept his mind occupied over the past few months.

There was another pause. Aya was finding it quite difficult to speak. It was as if a rock was lodged into her throat.

"So you... are definitely going then?" she finally was able to choke out a coherent sentence.

"Yeah." A pause. "I'm going to leave soon."

"Why didn't you tell me sooner?" she said sadly. She could feel her eyes stinging.

"I really wanted to but it was so difficult. You were going through such a tough time with Rei and I didn't want to make things worse," he admitted. "I'm sorry."

"I... understand." She really did. He was just looking out for her. "I'm happy for you." A silent tear rolled down her cheek but it was dark, so it went unnoticed. "Really, I am."

"Thank you, Aya-chan, it means a lot." He smiled sadly as he stroked her hair.

"I - I'll go with you," she said impulsively. "I want to go, too."

"Don't be silly." He gripped onto her hand. "You've got to go your own path. You've already chosen, right?"

"Y- Yes, but," she sobbed silently, unable to bear it any longer. She knew it was stupid for her to have said that she'd go along too. She knew she couldn't leave Tokyo and go to Okinawa. But she would do anything to make him stay. "Please. Don't leave me alone."

"You're never alone, Aya-chan. You've got so many people who love you. Like Ran, Miyuu, Tatsuki... Rei."

"Don't say that!" she cried as she clung onto his shirt. "I chose you, didn't I? I want you."

"Is that what your heart is saying or what your head is saying?"

"W- What?" she sniffed. She was a bit flustered by this question. "What do you—"

"You love Rei. Without a doubt, he loves you too," he explained softly, playing with some strands of her soft hair. "He's changed, I can see it. I think it's about time you forgave him."

"But, I..." she sobbed. "Please, don't do this to me."

Aya knew she could never escape her love for Rei. She knew from all the dreams, all the memories that would randomly flash into her head. She had been trying so hard to bury her feelings for that ice prince these past few weeks. And now, her feelings were resurfacing just because of a few words that Yuuya was saying.

She clung onto tightly his shirt and cried in his arms. He tried soothing her by running his hand up and down her slender back. He didn't care that his shirt was slowly getting soaked by her bitter tears. He figured it would just be best to let her cry. He knew it was the only thing that would make her feel any better.

"It's not good to hide your feelings. Especially since I know you so well. In fact," Yuuya chuckled as he continued to stroke her back, noticing that she had somewhat calmed down. "I probably know you best. It's because we're so alike. You and I always were on the same page, weren't we, Aya-chan? Always getting hurt by the people who we love..."

Without so much as a warning, Aya had fallen fast asleep in his arms. He smiled sadly at her.

"Poor Aya-chan. She took the news better than I thought, but it was still a big shock to her." He softly ran his fingers through her dark locks. "I'm so sorry."

He got up from his position and gently laid her down onto her side on the sofa, careful not to wake her up. He got a blanket and placed it on her body and removed some hair from her tear-struck face. He kissed her forehead and softly took her hand, rubbing onto it with his thumb.

"Ne, Aya-chan," he breathed into the darkness, savoring the way her name sounded on his lips. "Aya-chan, I love you."

He got up and walked towards the door to leave. He looked back one last time and noticed the flowers he got her on the table right beside her. Aya was still oblivious to their meaning, naturally. Pink roses symbolized friendship, which is what she and him would always remain— nothing more and nothing less. Fate had already run its course and his was to fly a thousand miles to another life, away from his past, away from her. The white tulips symbolized forgiveness, which he hoped she would give to him, though he was going to put her through so much hurt once again. He looked at her sleeping face, which seemed to be troubled and scared. He thought about staying but knew he couldn't. It was time to take his leave at last.

"I need to leave Tokyo. I need to pursue my dreams. I've realized what's most important to me right now." It was just a light whisper in the air. Then, an image of his best friend came into mind. He sighed. "And, Aya-chan, I hope you do, too."

One Summer's Day

Chapter Eleven - Friendship & Forgiveness: End.