Chapter Twelve

Hearing the applause in the background Sei let out a breath of relief when he saw Jun and Ryo returned to the staff dressing room. "Looks like we managed to fool the audiences somehow."

Reaching his hand out to shake Ryo's Sei thanked with a grateful smile. "Thank you Ryo, you have no idea how much you have saved us with what you have just done."

"No, it's alright…" Ryo replied but there were no smile on his face. He knew it was also because of him this disaster happened.

"Sei," One of the staff approached them and whispered in concern. "The reporters are waiting and they want to interview Len regarding tonight's incidents…"

With a sigh Sei shrugged his shoulders. "I guess it's my job to make up some lie and deal with the media." Turning back to Ryo Sei thanked again and left quickly with the staff.

"Jun…" Finally when it was just Ryo and Jun left, Ryo called gently as his eyes looked to the girl next to him.

"Thank you Ryo!" Jun interrupted quickly and gave a bow. Squeezing out a smile Jun said with an abnormal cheerful tone. "You really did fool me, I didn't know you could play the violin so well like Len! Did you learn it since you were small as well?"

Knowing Jun was trying to change the topic and refusing to mention anything that happened between them before the concert, Ryo replied softly. "Yes, my mother made both Len and I learn violin since we were small. We always learnt the same things and did the same things…"

"Then how come you didn't continue like Len?" Jun asked again treating Ryo normally as they have always been…just like friends.

"Because the relationship between Len and I changed," Ryo replied as he looked away. "Ever since Len and I fell for the same girl."

That fake cheerful smile faded from Jun's face with Ryo's statement. Not knowing how to continue Jun bit her lower lip understanding what Ryo was referring to. It didn't matter whether it was Emi or it was her that Ryo was referring to, it was cruel that history had repeated itself.

Seeing the look on Jun's face Ryo smiled mockingly to himself and continued. "It is so ironic. Len and I have always done everything together, shared the same views and understood each other like no one else. At the same time because we are so alike, we could not prevent this…" Pausing Ryo finally turned to Jun and placing his hand on her soft cheek, Ryo asked sincerely looking straight into Jun's eyes. "Tell me Jun, I need to know. Do you love me?"

Jun felt her heart thumping hard with the look of such passion from Ryo's beautiful eyes. How many times had she dreamt about Ryo looking to her this way? How much had she hoped Ryo would speak this way to her? Unable to hide her emotions any longer, tears rolled off Jun's eyes.

"Why…why does it have to happen now…?" Jun sobbed feeling her heart tearing apart with pain. "I have hoped for this moment from the first day I met you, knowing this to be an ever impossible wish. But why…" Jun covered her face and wept bitterly. "Why am I in such torment now? Why do I feel no joy?"

"Jun…" Ryo whispered in bitterness knowing he had given Jun nothing but endless tormenting pain. From Jun's confession Ryo understood Jun had loved him from the first day they met. What kind of hell and melancholy would Jun have experienced when she watched him and Emi together? How many cheerful, happy smiles did Jun have to fake? Now seeing Jun's tears he knew Jun could no longer pretend to smile. She has now finally revealed her true feeling to him.

"I am so sorry Jun," Ryo placed Jun's soft trembling body in his arms and held her tight. Leaning down Ryo kissed Jun as tender and loving as possible. Ryo had long predicted this to be the outcome. Knowing how soft and gentle Jun's heart is, she would choose to sacrifice her own feeling to avoid hurting Len, although it was him that she loves. Ryo had originally decided to hide his own feelings too to prevent hurting Jun further since this was Jun's choice. However when he found Jun avoiding him, Ryo experienced a bitterness he had never experienced before. After losing Emi, Jun had become his new life support. Just being able to see her smile, hear her voice Ryo felt he was living again.

However when Jun avoided him and went to Len instead, Ryo felt as if the sunshine that once shone in his new world had again set. He had returned to night once more and he felt nothing but coldness. Most of all when he saw the engagement ring on Jun's finger tonight, Ryo's tolerance had come to an end. He can not bear to see Jun in another's arms, most of all he knew the person Jun loves is he!

"Ryo…" Smiling with tears in her eyes Jun moved away from Ryo's embrace. "Do not apologise to me. My heart is filled with thanks to you. Knowing you had been the best thing that has happened in my life." Pausing Jun gave Ryo a smile of loneliness that tore Ryo's heart. "But sometimes, things are just not meant to be…"

"Not meant to be?' Ryo frowned with Jun's statement.

Nodding Jun looked away and dried her tears, "Have you not wondered if we were meant to be there wouldn't be so much pain? I had thought there was nothing in this world that I wanted except this love but now…" Jun stopped as she looked afar. "I just feel so tried…"

"Jun…" Ryo placed his hands on Jun's shoulders and turned her to look at him again. "You are not happy because you could not stand hurting Len again. But do you think Len would be happy to know you chose him because of your sympathy for him?"

Jun felt as if lightning struck her with Ryo's words. It is true Len would be more hurt if she pitied him. But…but…was it really only sympathy Jun had for Len? Like she had mentioned before, if having Ryo's love was all she wanted, why did she not feel the joy and contentment she felt when she was with Len? Why did she not experience the indescribable joy and completeness she had when Len performed for her on her birthday? Why did she not sense heaven like how it felt when Len proposed?

"Ryo," Jun looked up at the man she loves with determination and told him her decision. "I have made a promise to accompany Len for the rest of his life. It may be my selfishness but I wish to keep to my promise."

"Keeping your promise?" Ryo disagreed immediately. "What about your heart? What about my heart?" Whispering in pain Ryo held onto Jun. "Are we not in love…?"

Hearing the tone of plead in Ryo's voice, Jun gripped onto Ryo's shirt tightly as she once again persuaded herself to stay strong. How much she wished to just respond to Ryo's love and forget everything else, but she just can't! Knowing her decision will hurt Ryo but it is the right thing to do, for her and Ryo were never meant to be…

"Ryo…" Finally hardening her heart, Jun placed her hand gently on Ryo's face, the countenance she loves. "Please forgive me, but now I know…" Caressing her beloved's face gently, Jun whispered. "Just as Emi was the person that completed you, I am the person that completes Len."

Ryo closed his eyes in hopelessness knowing Jun had made her decision and no one or anything could make her change her mind. Although it just seem so illogical since they have finally found out each other's true feelings but yet they could not be together. Just as Ryo had once told Len, all he wanted was to see her smile. If being with him really would only arouse more pain and hurt for Jun, Ryo must step aside for her.

"Jun," Finally giving Jun the smile she had always remembered of him, Ryo moved away from Jun. "I guess it is my turn now to do something for you. If this is your decision I shall honour it."

"Ryo, I am so sorry…" Jun covered her mouth and sobbed knowing the same tormenting ache she is experiencing now must be going through Ryo too, but sorry was all she could say.

"Do not apologise to me," Ryo replied as he turned to leave. However stopping by the door Ryo closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "I know I should smile for you like I always have but…" Unable to continue further, Ryo exit the room without looking back again.

"Ryo…" Jun collapsed finally as she wept and whispered the name again and again. What could she do? In order to protect Len she had destroyed Ryo. How come she could never do anything right?

Len stood up when he sensed someone approached him, however that frown appeared immediately when he saw the intruder's face. The face of the man he most did not want to see right now, the man that holds the same appearance as him, the man that once again took the girl he loves away from him.

"How did you know I am here?" Len asked coldly.

"I guess because we are twins so we think alike?" Ryo replied as he walked up to Len.

"Think alike?" Len repeated what Ryo said back to him with an icy cold and defensive look. "But I do not share the habit you have, take away what is not yours."

Ryo did not reply to Len's mocking, he knew already he was not going to receive a warm welcome from Len but for Jun, he knew he had to come. "Len, I am serious about Jun. I am in love with her and I hope you would understand I didn't do it to hurt you."

The gleam of anger and disturbance flashed pass Len's eyes with Ryo's statement. "Are you here to parade that you had once again won over me? That despite how much I have done, she still loves you?"

"No Len," Ryo let out a sigh. "I understand how much you would hate me right now, but can you not consider Jun's feeling over yours? What is it that she truly wanted?"

Len felt as if Ryo's word cut through his heart like a sharp knife. He knew from the beginning he was not the person Jun loves, it had always been Ryo. However he still hoped eventually she will turn to him because like Fuyumi said, if he could forget Emi and love again, so could Jun.

For the past month when Jun had finally accepted his love, Len felt he was in paradise. Her beautiful eyes looked only to him and she smiled only for him. He had never felt so connected and bonded with anyone in his entire life. Jun was everything he wanted and she made him complete. When Jun wept in joy on her birthday and held him tight, Len felt at that time he could die for her. He knew right at that moment he wanted to spend the rest of his life with no one else but Jun. Although it was faint but Len felt, maybe Jun no longer misses Ryo, her heart had finally turned to him.

However it was obviously not the case when he saw Jun and Ryo kissed. His biggest fear had come true, Ryo and Jun had finally found out about each other's feelings. What had made it worse for him was when he encountered the look in Jun's eyes when she saw him at the door. Jun did not look to him the way he had hoped, but he only found fear and guilt in her eyes. It was as if Jun had only remained beside him for the past few weeks because she feared him…most of all, she had only PITIED him…

"Since you have found out about Jun's feelings, why are you not by her side?" Len closed his eyes in pain and asked.

"Because I am not the person she needs right now…" Ryo replied with a mocking smile. His eyes looked to Len unable to believe either the things he is telling Len right now. "She is waiting, not for me but for you…"

Looking over to Ryo in disbelief, Len asked hearing his voice shaking, "What…what do you mean?"

"Jun had made the promise to stay by your side forever and she said she could not break that promise." Ryo replied and looked afar avoiding Len's eyes. "She is not as unworthy as you thought her to be."

Len did not know how to react to Ryo's shocking statement. Why? Why had Jun not left him for Ryo? Isn't Ryo the man she loves and wouldn't she be truly happy if she was with Ryo? Why would she continue to deny her own happiness for an unworthy promise he had requested? It is because of this unique stubbornness Jun has Len could not bear to lose her. He would hold onto her for as long as he could knowing he could use her soft self-sacrificing character. At the same time Len realised he was just adding more torture onto both him and Jun. The more Jun sacrificed, the more Len was forced to see that Jun had only pity and sympathy for him. She had not loved him and she never could.

Sensing the dilemma and predicament going inside Len's heart, Ryo gave a sigh and headed for the door. "Go to her, Len. Jun had made her decision already. But remember…" Looking back at Len again Ryo said firmly. "Do not trap her in your restraint of pride. If you really love her, you should endeavour to make her happy."

Len did not look back nor respond to Ryo, he knew already what Ryo said was true. He had long made up his mind to do everything he could to make Jun happy, he had thought if he tried hard enough Jun would be happy with him. But now Len found, he was not as strong and confident as he thought himself to be. If he could just let Jun go, Jun would be truly happy, but why couldn't he?

Len's heart bled even more when he saw just as Ryo had described, Jun really waited for him at the dressing room. Patiently and carefully Jun tried to replace the broken strings on Len's violin with new ones, but unfamiliar to the instrument Jun had found it rather difficult.

With a sigh Jun caressed the violin gently as she whispered softly to herself, "Sorry Len, I really didn't mean to…"

Len felt a lightning hit him when he saw the tears rolled down Jun's face like pearls. From the pale look on her face, he knew Jun had wept continuously for him. He really had not given her the happiness he had promised, but just sorrows and toils.

"…It's not the way to do it…" Finally Len spoke up and entered the room.

"Len?!" Jun turned around in joy, "You…you are back!"

Avoiding Jun's eyes, Len took the violin from Jun's hands and picked up the new string from the table. "To replace the new string, you put it through like this." Not mentioning anything regarding the storm they had before his disappearance, Len acted calm and cold as usual while he instructed Jun how to replace the violin strings.

Jun nodded in obedience while she watched Len work. However both her and Len knew this calm between them was pretentious. Yet neither has the strength to mention it. Unlike his outward appearance, Len sensed the chaos in his heart increased even more when he felt Jun right next him. The natural fragrance that came from her hair, her body was everything Len remembered.

Finally after the work was done, Len placed the violin back into its case still not looking to Jun for he did not know how to face her. He knew very well Jun was waiting for her "verdict" from him, whether he would be angry at her, or he would hate her. However he knew Jun would never understand what is truly going through his heart.

When he returned and saw Jun again, he realised his love for her was stronger than he had thought it to be. When he saw her tears he wanted to hold her in his arms and comfort her, but his boring stubborn pride and untrue personality prevented him from doing so.

"Oh here," Jun quickly took the first-aid box out and treated the wound on Len's face that he had already forgotten about.

Sensing such gentle touch and care from Jun, Len felt his heart in turmoil as he moved quickly away from her.

"Sorry," Jun apologised quickly. "Did it hurt?"

However not answering Jun's question as expected his pride took over when Len heard himself asked. "Why are you not with Ryo?"

Jun's beautiful soft face turned white immediately with the question, stuttering in fear she replied. "No, Len…I, I…am not…"

No, he did not want to cast terror on her! He does not want Jun to fear him! However secretly clenching his fists Len asked again hearing his voice most unfriendly. "Isn't your kindness something you should save for Ryo?"

Shaking her head quickly Jun replied, "No, Len, I…I am not going to Ryo. I want to stay here beside you…"

"Why?" Len's eyes finally looked to Jun, but he knew it must have only appeared cold and defensive to Jun. "Because you need to keep your promise?"

"Len, please…" Jun pleaded feeling her heart beating with fear and anxiety.

"Don't you understand?!" Len grabbed onto Jun's shoulders and whispered in pain. "Am I a man so pathetic that I need you to pity me?!"

Shaking her head again Jun disagreed immediately, "No Len, I am not pitying you…"

"Then do you love me?!" Len interrupted.

Jun felt her heart thumped hard with Len's question, looking away Jun did not know what to say. Seeing Jun's reaction Len felt his world entered into darkness and despair. Finally he let go of Jun and turned away.

"I didn't think so." Len concluded hearing his voice so dark and hopeless.

"Len…" Jun sobbed when she saw the hopelessness in Len's eyes. She could not explain it, she's not pitying Len but at the same time she could not answer Len's simple question.

"Anyway, it's getting late. We should go home now." Len replied coldly and without looking to Jun again he picked up his violin case and headed for the door.

Lowering her head, Jun bit her lip and followed Len out. She knew although Len could not forgive her, she had made up her mind to stay beside him for as long as he needs her.

Len frowned with unpleasantness when he heard the impatient visitor buzzing the high pitched doorbell continuously. Looking up he saw Jun rushed quickly out from the kitchen and head for the door in haste.

"Where is Len?!" The moment Jun opened the door Sei entered and asked in anger. "Why has he turned his phone off?! He is home isn't he?"

"Len is…" Jun replied and took a look toward the lounge room where she last remembered seeing Len.

Not waiting for Jun to finish her sentence, Sei headed straight for the lounge and found as Jun had remembered, Len sitting on the sofa reading.

"Disaster has come upon us!!" Sei called and grabbed the book from Len's hand. "Why have you turned your phone off, and why aren't you giving me an explanation?! You think your silent treatment is going to work on me?!"

Unmoved by Sei's bullets of endless questions, Len calmly looked up at Sei. "What have you got to exaggerate now?"

"Alright, let's see if you can still act so calm after you see this…" Picking up the TV remote control Sei turned on the television and showed both Jun and Len what was being reported on the news.

"Your majesty, how have you enjoyed the visit to our country?" The reporter asked the Queen of England politely.

"I love this country, and have indeed enjoyed my trip here." The Queen smiled and replied. "Unfortunately," The Queen continued with an unpleasant frown. "My experience at Len Tsukimori's concert would be the least favourable memory of my time here in this country."

"What made you speak so negatively of Len Tsukimori's concert, your majesty? Len Tsukimori's concerts have always been well appraised and respected for his professional and extraordinary performance." The reporter asked a little surprised with the Queen's statement.

The Queen's eyebrow lifted a little in disagreement. "It was obviously an exaggeration, I have attended better concerts at my grandchildren's school performances."

Jun couldn't believe the harsh statement the Queen was making on the news. Looking over to Len, she found coldness remained on Len's handsome face not showing how he felt about the Queen's attacks.

Turning off the television again Sei groaned, "That crazy old woman! We have managed to complete the concert despite the disasters that happened! What more is she asking from us?!"

"Completed the concert…?" Len caught Sei's words and asked, however immediately with realisation his eyes looked to Jun and mocked. "I see my brother had managed to replace me successfully in everything."

"Len…" Jun did not know what to say understanding Len's inside meaning.

However unlike Jun, Sei pointed to Len in anger and scolded. "What do you expect?! If it were not for Ryo, the Queen would have made worse statements than that! Don't forget it was you that walked out on your own concert and left Ryo and Jun to clean up the mess for you!"

Knowing Sei's words were only causing more disturbances in Len's heart, Jun interrupted quickly, "Even if the Queen had made such a statement it wouldn't really matter right? Those who genuinely admire Len's music would understand that her words were not true."

"Life is not that simple, Jun." Sei gave a sigh. "It's unbelievable how much damage the media could do to Len's long respected reputation." Turning to Len in despair Sei finally spoke the bad news. "I just received a call from our contracted record company this morning that our schedule to record the next album has been cancelled."

"Cancelled?" Jun asked in shock. "Can they do that?!"

"Of course they can," Sei shook his head in pain. "Since Len's reputation had gone down the drain with the Queen's statement, the record companies are afraid no one will buy the album any more once they produced it."

"Then what…what should we do…?" Jun asked cautiously taking another peek at Len who still remained silent to all these disasters. Jun felt her heart ached even more in guilt knowing it was her that had destroyed Len's career. She should have known, she could never be of any help to him, she had brought him nothing but endless bad luck and torment.

"I am endeavouring to come up with a new marketing idea to rescue Len's reputation." Sei explained and sat down on the sofa. "As long as we can get a record company to sponsor us, or start again in Europe or something. As long as we can remind all Len's fans how wonderful his music was it should be alright."

Jun nodded in agreement, yes, those who truly know Len's music would still support Len despite what attacks he had received from the media. However like Sei had said before, all the record companies have declined sponsoring Len further, how are they going to broadcast Len's music?

When at this time Sei's phone rang to bring Jun's thoughts back, Sei quickly picked up the phone and answered. "Yes, it's Sei here…"

Sei stood up from the sofa in surprise and called in excitement. "Hi, Mia Dresner! What a pleasant surprise!"

Mia Dresner? Hearing that name Jun felt her heart warmed up a little when she was reminded of her best friend Melissa. After Melissa left for Europe to seek further training from Mia Dresner, Melissa had nothing but positive comments and endless complements on Mia Dresner. Apparently she is not only a world class colleague to Len, but she is also the daughter of Len's violin teacher in Munich. Melissa had mentioned over and over again how beautiful Mia is and how elegant and kind she had been to her. Knowing Melissa is truly happy having Mia Dresner as her new violin teacher, deep inside Jun also developed a respect and positive impression on Mia Dresner.

"Yes, it's true. The news sure travel fast…" Jun heard Sei laughed dryly as obviously Mia had already heard of the outcome of the concert.

"Really?! You are willing to do that?!" Sei called in joy with some sort of good news, secretly giving Jun the victory sign Sei nodded and replied. "Yes, I am sure it would be a great honour to Len. Most of all, this would be the one opportunity to rescue Len's reputation."

Not knowing what Sei was saying, but from the sound of it, Jun knew Mia Dresner must have called to offer some kind of help. However Jun was a little puzzled when she noticed the uneasy look on Len's face.

"Yes, Len had switched his phone off, but I will get him to turn it on right now and you can discuss with him further regarding the details." Sei continued to converse with Mia on the phone, with a big smile Sei said good bye to Mia and turned to Len and Jun finally.

"Len, go and turn you phone on." Sei ordered Len. "Don't say no because this would be the best opportunity for you to redeem yourself."

"What is it?" Len asked coldly.

With a big hooray Sei replied in excitement. "Mia Dresner has decided to produce a new album as well, and it was not just any album, she would like to produce a violin duet album with Len Tsukimori."

"Wow! Violin duet!" Jun called in astonishment. It would be the kind of album to die for, with the combination of the world's two best violinists! Indeed like Sei said, it is an opportunity to best recover Len's reputation! Mia's fans will buy the album anyway, at the same time they will once again be reminded of Len Tsukimori's magical performance too! It is certainly the best marketing idea ever!

Although knowing as well this would be one of the best opportunity ever, unlike Jun and Sei, Len was not as excited and to Jun's surprise she sensed some kind of reluctance from Len as his eyes looked away. "I am not sure if it is such a good idea."

"Don't be ridiculous!" Sei called immediately. "You are a professional right? Right now another professional has invited you, you should accept it! Most of all, do you wish to drag Jun's career down with you?!"

"No, Sei, I am fine…" Jun waved her hands quickly in shock. Knowing it was not her career that has gone down with Len, it is more because of her Len had to face this kind of disaster.

With a frown, Len finally took out his phone and turned it on. As expected not long after Mia Dresner's call came through.

"Hi Mia," Jun heard Len replied. For some reason she sensed an uneasiness in Len's voice. Most of all Jun noticed a kind of gentleness in Len's tone when he was conversing with Mia. Len had always acted cold to everyone around him, however different to the tenderness Len had for her, it was a sort of respect and mildness Jun had never heard from Len before.

Noticing the puzzled look on Jun's face, Len walked out of the room to continue the conversation elsewhere as if he did not want her to hear him talking to Mia. Seeing that Jun felt kind of lost not knowing why Len acted the way he did. Immediately Melissa's words appeared in Jun's head, "What is the relationship between Len and Mia?"

Sei watched with an understanding smile when he saw the look on Jun's face. Clearing his throat Sei came up to Jun, "Well, luckily we have Mia Dresner to help us out."

"Indeed," Jun replied with a smile too. "It was so kind of Mia to rush to Len's aid so soon. They must have been good friends."

"Friends?" Sei grinned. "They were more than friends."

"More than friends?"

Knowing something was happening inside Jun's heart, Sei added on purpose. "Mia was Len's girlfriend. They were together for three years, and as you can see although it is over between them, the mutual respect and appreciation still remains."

"Oh…okay…" Jun nodded although unable to hide the shock on her face. She had known there was a strong friendship between Len and Mia, but never had she expected Mia to be Len's girlfriend. Well, to be exact, ex-girlfriend. Immediately Jun started to picture Len and Mia together, Len speaking so tenderly to her and Len holding her hands.

To Jun's total bewilderment, she sensed jealousy arousing in her with the scenes, but why would she feel this way? When she saw Ryo and Emi together, she was just hurt and sad, but not once did she feel the sour jealous feeling!!

"But, don't worry." Sei patted Jun's shoulder looking through her heart. "You are the person Len loves now, so what's in the past let it remain in the past."

"I…I am not worried!" Jun blushed and denied immediately.

"Don't deny it Jun, you got the sour look on your face already." Sei laughed and teased. "It's normal, I too would be worried if my girlfriend's ex called."

Before Jun could deny further, Len had returned to the lounge room. When his eyes met up with Jun's, that uncomfortable feeling increased more inside Jun when Len turned away avoiding Jun's eyes.

"Sei, book tickets for three to Rome, Mia will be there to record her new album." Len instructed.

"For three? So Jun will be coming along too?" Sei took out his diary and asked happy to return to his work again.

"Mia had particularly requested for Jun to be our piano accompaniment for the album." Len replied with a frown. Mia had mentioned again and again on the phone that she wanted Len to bring Jun along. For some reason Len could understand why Mia requested so, like she had mentioned, she wanted to meet the woman that could change him.

"Me?" Jun was obviously stunned with Len's words. "Doesn't Mia Dresner have her own piano accompany? A more professional pianist than me!"

However Len did not reply Jun, for he was not going to let Jun know Mia's true intention. He knew not why but he did not want Jun to find out about his past history with Mia. Although he had never loved Mia, but he had felt somehow it would be best if Jun did not know about it.

"Of course Mia would love to meet you," Unfortunately Sei did not cooperate and replied for Len. "You are after all the only pianist that can match Len, most of all his fiancée, the woman he loves, Mia would…"

"Sei." Len looked to Sei coldly threatening him to stop.

Poking out his tongue Sei shrugged his shoulders and picked up his things. "Alright, ticket for three it is."

Finally after Sei left the house, Jun's eyes looked to Len. "It's wonderful that we could receive such help from Mia Dresner. She…" Jun paused and quickly squeezing out a smile she added. "She must be a great friend to help out so soon."

"She is." However not wanting to talk to Jun further about Mia, Len returned to his room leaving Jun that short and simple answer.

"So, as I will be accompanying Len to Europe for a month with the duet album, can you take care of the house while we are away?" Jun asked cautiously as she looked to the man sitting before her.

"Of course," As usual, Ryo replied with a warm smile. "I have always looked after this house while Len and my mother were away on their trips."

With a grateful smile Jun looked to Ryo. Although Jun had made the decision to reject Ryo in order to protect Len, Ryo did as he promised. He continued to treat Jun with respect and friendliness like how they were before. At the same time to prevent awkwardness, Ryo avoided times when Jun and Len were together. He went to work earlier than usual, return home just after Len returned to his room.

However Ryo's heart ached when he noticed Jun was always alone when he returned home. Although she chose to remain with Len but they were obviously no longer like before. He knew Len acted the way he did because he was hurt more by Jun's choice. Knowing how proud his brother is, the last thing he wanted from Jun was her sympathy.

"Mia Dresner…" Ryo repeated that name to himself, he remembered Fuyumi secretly telling him how Len has finally met a girl when he was in Europe. Ryo was sure the name was Mia Dresner. "Wasn't Mia Len's…?" Ryo stopped immediately remembering Jun was still here.

"Yes, she was." Understanding what Ryo was referring to Jun continued for him with a smile. "I wouldn't be surprised really," Jun added quickly. "Mia Dresner is also a world class musician, and a most beautiful elegant lady. Most of all for her to come to Len's aid immediately proved what a wonderful person she must be. I couldn't understand why they broke up."

Ryo made no reply to Jun's words as he observed her reaction. He noticed once again that fake cheerful smile on Jun's face. Although Jun made it sounds like it was nothing, but Ryo could sense that Jun was somehow bothered by it.

"Are you jealous of Mia?" Finally with the discovery Ryo asked.

Jun felt her body jumped with Ryo's question, blood rushed to her face immediately as she justified immediately. "I am not jealous, why is everyone saying that?" Lowering her head in slight embarrassment Jun added complaining a little. "Why would I be jealous anyway? Like Sei said it is in the past."

With a sigh Ryo replied, "Maybe because you are actually in love with Len?"

Blood rushed once again to her cheeks and ears when Jun heard the statement from Ryo. Stuttering in embarrassment Jun looked away unable to face Ryo's eyes. "What…what do you mean?"

"Jun," Ryo called gently and his hands held onto Jun's. "I have wondered why you made the choice to remain beside Len sacrificing your own feelings. It was not just because you wanted to keep your promise, but somehow deep inside you had hoped to remain with Len because that was what truly made you happy."

"Ryo…I…" Jun did not know what to say to Ryo's words, most of all she was shocked to find that it was somewhat true. It was what puzzled her in the beginning when she first found out Ryo's feeling for her. Why was she not happy with the news? Why did she not experience the same joy she had when she was with Len?

Fondling Jun's hair softly and warmly, Ryo gave her a bitter smile. "Although I hate to admit this, but maybe you have been in love with Len longer than you thought you have. Go to Europe with Len, find out how you truly feel inside." Giving Jun the tender smile she had always remembered of him, Ryo concluded. "Even if this means I will definitely lose you forever, but I still hoped you have made the right choice."

"Ryo…" Tears once again formed in Jun's eyes with Ryo's tender understanding words. "Thank you…"