A/N: Due to the reviews, I'll update as much as I can today. I can't bear making you guys wait anymore QwQ

Enjoy! ^^

Chapter 12: ... Hey...

"... You're mocking me, aren't you?"

Akaito's reaction shocked Mikuo speechless. He thought Akaito would be glad, but Akaito was nowhere near happy. "I..."

"If you're not okay with me liking you, you could've said so!"

That's not it... Mikuo shook his head. "I didn't-"

"And I thought you were kind!" Akaito grabbed his bag and turned to leave. "Sorry for not knowing that you hate me!"

Where did that come from?! "Akaito, listen, I-"

"Don't bother me anymore." Akaito left the classroom.

Mikuo didn't know what to do. He wanted to chase after Akaito to explain it all, but Akaito said to not bother him...

So Mikuo sat down and thought.

What was going through Akaito's mind? Why did he reach that conclusion?

It was quite obvious, actually. Akaito had always been bracing for rejection, so when something looked strange, Akaito assumed that rejection has finally come... Which means Akaito was never truly relaxed when he's with Mikuo, since Mikuo was the only one whom Akaito told.

Which means Akaito didn't trust Mikuo to accept him.

The thought made Mikuo shudder so he stopped thinking about it.

What should he do now? He needed someone to tell him what to do. He didn't know what's safe anymore. He didn't know what to say and what not to. He needed someone to help, but he couldn't tell on Akaito...

There are only two people he knew that can help.

Meito and Gumo.

It took a long time for Mikuo to decide, but finally he opted for Meito. Meito was closer to Akaito than Gumo was, anyway.

The next problem came. Where is Meito?

"I'm here." The door opened and Meito stepped in. "You two are too predictable for any fun, but you have potential for change."

Mikuo smiled in relief. "Thank you, Meito. Akaito is-"

"I know, I know." Meito lifted a hand to stop Mikuo from continuing. "No need to say anything. What do you suppose you do now?"

"I want to explain as soon as possible," Mikuo admitted, "But Akaito said not to bother him."

"He's just trying to calm down. If you want to explain, then do it fast. The longer you go without explaining, the harder it will be for you to do it," Meito said, "That's how I handle things like this."

"But you're not good with people..." Mikuo dared to say.

"Do you want to save this friendship or not?" Meito rolled his eyes.

"Alright, I'll go find him. Thank you, Meito." Mikuo smiled, then ran out the door, leaving Meito alone in the classroom.

"Although it might very well fail, it's still the only way if you want to save this friendship." Meito sighed. "Now, Akaito, if you don't change, you'll regret it forever."

Mikuo met Gumo while he was looking for Akaito. "Gumo, have you seen-"

"Akaito left school some time ago," Gumo answered without waiting for Mikuo to finish the question, "He was thinking all about you, though not quite positively."

"Thank you!" Mikuo nodded in thanks, then headed out.

"He just went past the convenience store!" Gumo managed to shout. He cannot see anymore beyond that, but it should be enough.

"Alright!" Mikuo rounded the corner. Past the convenience store... Akaito's heading home! He should be, anyway.

When Mikuo arrived at Akaito's home, the windows of the small apartment were glowing, indicating that someone's home. Mikuo didn't waste time to catch his breath.

Mikuo rang the doorbell, hoping it wasn't just Kaiko coming over to clean up.

Kaiko opened the door. "Mikuo! I was hoping you'd come! What happened?"

"Is Akaito home?" Mikuo asked in between breaths.

"Yes, but what's the matter?" Kaiko asked worriedly.

"I'm sorry, but I can't tell you right now." Mikuo took off his shoes. "May I enter?"

"Come in." Kaiko stepped aside. "Akaito's in his room."

"Thank you." Mikuo walked towards Akaito's room. He knocked on the door when he arrived.

"Leave me alone, Kaiko. I don't want dinner." Akaito's voice sounded on the other side. Mikuo was relieved Akaito was there.

"It's me," Mikuo said.

Silence.

"Akaito, it's me. Can you let me in?" Not now, Mikuo. Now is not the time to cry.

No response.

Mikuo couldn't hide his shaking voice anymore. "Hey... Akaito, please open up."

Nothing.

"Mikuo, maybe he needs to be alone for a while?" Kaiko patted Mikuo's shoulder.

"He can't be alone." Mikuo left the door. "I have to talk to him. It's important. He can't... I can't be alone."

"Whatever it is, he's not seeing you now," Kaiko said in her most comforting voice, "So why don't you go home for the day? Maybe tomorrow it'll all be okay again."

Mikuo wanted to ask Kaiko to return Akaito's charger to him so he could receive Mikuo's messages, but it seemed like too much, so he didn't. "Okay... Please take care of Akaito."

"I will." Kaiko was glad that Mikuo compromised. Mikuo looked too tired to do whatever he planned on doing.

"Sorry for disturbing." Mikuo went out the front door. "I'll be off."

"Take care," Kaiko said. And she meant it. Mikuo really needed some taking care of.

Kaiko then considered calling up Miku.

A/N: There... Next chapter will be posted within today! Please be patient~