Ok, so here's another update as promised! I know that I said I'd update by Christmas but I got held up. Anyway, so I see that the last chapter got a good number of hits but very few reviews? Is that a bad thing? I'm not sure. I really hope I haven't lost any readers due to the long hiatus I took to update T_T.

Also, one thing I want some of the readers to remember- this is a story about change. Shouko is always looked at as being shy and under spoken. However, here she tries to change all that. I mean, none of are exactly how we were a month ago, or even a week ago! This includes modifications in behavior and perception and how we react to certain things. So try focusing on how this is happening instead of trying to picture Shouko the way Kure Yuki has portrayed her.

Also, I want to take a moment to thank NadNan for her/his suggestion. I hadn't even considered that Shouko is associated a lot of the other Corda characters and that someone might have seen her somewhere. I haven't done any other characters' reactions in this chapter but I most definitely will in an upcoming one. Thanks!

Happy New Year everyone! On with the story!
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Haruki swallowed and tried not to panic. In a way he had brought this onto himself. It was he who had ignored Shouko and now she had found him, although this dramatic change in her was deeply unsettling. Was this the reaction he had on girls? Had he forced Shouko to change into this? He had been trying to boost her confidence but now he barely recognized her. He liked her before; with her simple clothes and natural look. This new version of her wasn't exactly unappealing but it made her look so much like the girls in his college that he normally tried to avoid. It was one of the reasons he had broken up with Sakuragi.

Smart as a whip and as sassy as a cat, Sakuragi and Haruki had started to date in his freshman year. But it had taken a toll on him as he realized how high-maintenance she was and her demands were incessant. She was a strong confident woman but her attitude towards others, especially her opinionated views on everything, had driven him crazy. Ultimately, at the end of one long year, Haruki had told her it was over. He couldn't keep up with her way of life nor could he handle the way she expected him to be available whenever she needed him. He needed his space and sometimes, boys just needed to be boys, which was something she had failed to understand. The breakup had been messy. Sakuragi had cried and the mascara had left long black streaks on her pale cheeks as she told him she could change. The tears had then transitioned into a cold indifference and it was only recently that the two had managed to reestablish communication. Sakuragi's absence in his life for that short period wasn't exactly unpleasant but they were all adults and Sakuragi had gotten on well with most of his friends so he couldn't completely shut her off.

Shouko had been a welcome change and he loved having her around albeit her quiet nature. But he liked hearing her opinions instead of having it shoved at him like Sakuragi did. Shouko had charmed him in so many ways that he hadn't even realized he had fallen in love with her. It had crept slowly upon him and wrapped him up in a hug so light that he hadn't even been able to identify what it was. But yes, love was the only thing he could have called it. He had been so caught up in behaving like her oniisan that he had tried to squash out the fact that she wasn't related to him by blood and that she was also a second year in high school; not exactly an age that a girl wouldn't want a boyfriend. Haruki had been trying to convince himself that the age gap was too much for the relationship to be anything but brotherly and sisterly.

But Haruki hadn't been able to stop himself from admiring her in a most un-brotherly fashion. Like the way her bangs fell into her huge amethyst eyes and the sweet, soft way she laughed. That shy smile she had when she was happy, the way she smelled of sweet pea or the adorable way she blushed at things he said. She made him feel a punch of heat in his gut as she held onto him whenever they were on the Kawasaki and he missed having her ride with him. But he knew he had gone past the point where he couldn't just brush off the feeling anymore. He was in love with Shouko Fuyumi and had no idea what to do about it.

At first he had told himself it was crazy. Shouko was at least 5 years younger than him and he assumed that if she had ever dreamt of having a boyfriend then it would have been someone a little closer to her age than him. Also, there was the huge question that had shamed him when he had asked it to himself; would she accept him? Haruki had never been arrogant enough to consider himself the cream of the crop when it came to the dating game. He was a normal down-to-earth guy who liked simple girls. He could admit that he was a little more talented in sports than most people and he had enough wit for an intelligent conversation. People relied on him for help and his counsel and he was always happy to lend a hand. But in spite of these qualities who knew what sort of guy Shouko had in mind?

From what she had told him, he had gathered that her family was rich. They were famous musicians and though he had never been to a concert before, he had asked Kazuki for details. Haruki had seen her house before and knew it looked like a mansion. Shouko had told him there was even a badminton court within the premises. Haruki was from a middle-class family but they had never struggled for money. He had been happy with everything he had. He hated himself for developing this complex just because Shouko came from a rich family. She was too humble and an amazing person to hang out with. She had never spoken with an air of haughtiness that the rich sometimes developed. She was sweet, polite and courteous to everyone she came across. But the idea of asking her out had Haruki's insides coiling like slippery eels inside of him. How was it that it had been so easy to ask out Sakuragi who could have easily rejected him and it was so difficult to get out the words to sweet little Shouko?

Well, he hoped she was still sweet little Shouko, and he brought himself back to the present. Shouko hadn't moved and remained in front of him with her arms crossed and her lips fixed into a pout. Treading cautiously, he forced himself to speak.

"Hey Shouko chan. How've you been?"

Shouko almost caved in when he spoke. He didn't look like anything was wrong and bothering him at all. He hadn't even changed his expression at the sight of her metamorphosis. Perhaps he really didn't care about her at all anymore. But she had come this far and wasn't planning on leaving without getting an answer.

"I've been well. You look like you've been having fun." Shouko had to control herself from stuttering. Her tongue felt like a lump of useless Jell-O in her mouth but she somehow formed the words.

"Fun? Well, just me and the guys, you know, our usual basketball game…" Haruki replied rather lamely.

"Right. Haruki kun you know that thing you told me when we first hung out?"

Haruki felt his mouth go dry. What was she talking about?

"Ah…"

Shouko gave a mental push inside her head and fisted her hands at her sides. "You remember that line you said in this very park? The one about how if people don't give me respect I have the right to demand it?"

Haruki felt like someone had put a hook through his stomach and pulled it upwards. He remembered, but where was she going with this?

"I believe that you broke your own rule Haruki kun. Doesn't avoiding someone and attempting to ditch them count as a form of disrespect?"

Her words hit him like a punch and he found himself winded. There it was, the thing that had been nagging his conscience and he berated himself for not acting sooner. The green haired male knew that this would come around sooner or later and hurt him, just as he knew he had hurt Shouko. His companions had fallen silent around him and Haruki could see Kazuki's eyes flickering back and forth between him and Shouko. Deciding to take it like a man, Haruki looked her straight in the face.

"Yes Shouko chan, it does. I'm terribly sorry for disrespecting your feelings."

She looked taken aback at that and her eyes widened at his words, bearing semblance to her former self. He badly wanted to just pat her head and tell her everything. But not here, not in front of Tetsuya, Shin, Jun and Kyo. Had it been Kazuki alone, he might have bribed his brother with money for a scone and sent him away and fixed things right here and now.

Shouko felt her knees trembling and wondered what was keeping her up. She had not been expecting Haruki for admitting his mistake so openly. But there was something in his tone that suggested that he was not comfortable with saying it. Did that mean he was saying it to pacify her and end the conversation? Or was he just uncomfortable with the setting and people around them? Was it her?

Oh dear God, it was her!

Her brain immediately imagined the worst thing possible and went into panic mode when she realized that she was dressed terribly in front of Haruki. She felt her cheeks heat when she grasped how much of her he was actually seeing. Awkwardly, she tried to straighten herself a little more so that her chest wasn't in his direct line of sight. Was this over? He hadn't given her the answer that she wanted. All that was confirmed was that he might possibly be sorry. She bit down a nervous squeak when Haruki suddenly pushed himself to his feet.

"Guys, I'll be back in five." He tossed the words over his shoulder and beckoned Shouko to follow him to the opposite corner of the court. Shouko's heart tightened as he she watched him walk. This was it; he was going to tell her he was fed up of her and that he never wanted to see her anymore. Probably he was calling her away from his friends to spare her from her own humiliation. Apprehensively, she forced herself to move; it was not easy when her legs were as supportive as wax and her feet were stuffed into these ridiculous sandals! Trying her best not to trip over her own feet she made her way towards him. She had forgotten how tall he was. In the sun, his hair had a royal sheen to it and his eyes were gold flecked with emerald dust. Had she really been friends with this man? He certainly was not a boy; he behaved too maturely and had an air about him that told people he had left boyhood a couple years ago. A lump formed in her throat. This might be goodbye. She might never be able to talk to him again and the thought had her eyes filling.

No. I won't do it. Not in front of him. I am not a child anymore. I'm going to handle the pain like an adult.

With nerves of steel, Shouko faced him and waited his response.

Haruki swallowed and rubbed his clammy palms against his thighs. He had not expected that talking to Shouko would be such a challenge. How did he begin this? Should he just apologize and confess his feelings? He somehow felt that wasn't the best way to go. Shouko might run away from him if he stated his feelings so boldly. Scratching his head, Haruki looked at the young girl in front of him. Her face was expressing curiosity and a slight look of anxiety which brought an unknown sense of relief to him; she hadn't changed that much yet.

"Haruki kun?" she prompted him when he didn't say anything. The seconds ticked by painfully and seemed to last for hours. Shouko could feel herself losing spirit and the lump in her throat throb as she breathed. She didn't know how much longer she could fend off the tears and maintain this look of cool composure. When he still failed to say anything, Shouko felt the ground give away beneath her, swallowing her into a dark bottomless pit.

"So it's true…" she whispered as her tears finally made their appearance in her eyes.

Haruki's face changed completely as he saw the tears coming and knew he had pushed things a little too long. He hated himself for it. But what he didn't get was her words. Praying that he couldn't possibly worsen the situation anymore he softly asked, "What's true Shouko Chan?"

"Don't call me that!" Her words were so soft that even a megaphone couldn't have amplified it but her tone was enough to cut him like a blade. "I should have known it! You never want to see me anymore do you Haruki kun?" Shouko's tears broke loose and streamed down her face.

"What? No! That's not it at all!"

Ok, now you can panic, his brain permitted.

"Shouko chan I never meant for things to turn out like this! I know I've been avoiding you but trust me, I don't want to stop seeing you."

"That's exactly the kind of thing you say! Then you'll shorten the time we spend and cut me off! Sakuragi san told me so!" The last part slipped out before she knew it and Shouko brushed furiously at her tears. It took so much effort to act like she didn't care, and all it took was Haruki's silence to crumble her into bits.

Now Haruki's expression changed from panic to confusion followed by one of annoyance. The transition scared Shouko. She had just talked about his girlfriend. She knew it had been a poor move and he was probably angry at her for it now. Boy, this was just not a good day.

"When did you talk to Sakuragi?" he asked her in a voice laced with irritance.

Shouko's voice trembled as she spoke. "I…I came near your…univ-university last week. I wanted to talk to you and came near the main gate. And I r-ran into your girlfriend there."

"Girlfriend?" Haruki repeated darkly. A kind of cold anger washed over him and at the same time he felt a small burst of admiration for Shouko. She had come down to his university to talk to him and judging by what she had told him, he had missed her by a few minutes. To top it all, Sakuragi had found her first, sunk in her fangs like a she-wolf and lied to Shouko about being his girlfriend. He made a mental note to call her and end this once and for all.

"Sakuragi told you I didn't want to see you anymore?" Shouko nodded her head helplessly, now seeming too scared to speak anymore. "Did she say it was because the siblings program was over?" Another nod. "And she told you I'm her boyfriend?" Another tilt of head and Shouko's messy bangs fell into her teary eyes. Haruki rubbed his temples in exasperation. The situation had gone out of its limits. He arranged his features into what he hoped was his normal look.

"Shouko chan. Sakuragi is not my girlfriend." Her large eyes flicked to him and scanned his face as though checking for the truth. "She and I dated a while ago. We're not together anymore. I promise you that."

Shouko couldn't believe her ears. Then Sakuragi had lied to her?

"Also, yes I agree, I have been really rude to you of late. It was wrong of me to stop talking to you. It's just that…" Haruki stopped himself before he said anything stupid. This was neither the time nor the place for his confession. He had to make it up to her first.

"A lot has happened Shouko chan. I can't even begin to explain most of it. I want to though, in time." He watched her sweet face carefully then rubbed a thumb against her cheek to brush away the tears. He had promised he would not be the one to hurt her. Yet here she stood, tears in her eyes because he had been a moron and hadn't called her. "I want to tell you everything. But not here," he added quickly and chanced a glance at his group. They were all watching him closely from the other side of the basketball court.

"I want to take you out somewhere where can talk in private. I promise to tell you everything."

Did he really mean it? Shouko felt like a giant fist had squeezed her heart. She was confused but on top of that, she felt relief flood her. She was not a bother to him. He wanted to hang out with her. He still wanted to be her friend. "Haruki kun…"

"I'm so sorry that things happened this way. And once again, Sakuragi is not my girlfriend. I think she was just jealous of you Shouko chan. That I like your company more than her's."

His last words had Shouko blushing and she stared at her feet. He liked her company over Sakuragi's! And she was his ex! Happiness bubbled through her like lava pouring from a volcano.

"I'll call you. I swear it. By this weekend. We'll go out somewhere and I'll update you on everything. Sound fair?"

Shouko nodded vigorously, too ecstatic for words. Haruki smiled at her. "This weekend then."

"Sure thing," Shouko finally managed to reply.

"I'll see you later then." Haruki made to leave but before he did he added, "And though you look charming dressed like this, I liked the old Shouko better. Can you dress like before or is this your new wardrobe now?"

Shouko shook her head no, blushing. It pleased her to know that he was thinking the same way as her. "I still have my old clothes."

"That'll be perfect. Ok, I gotta jet. I'll text you today evening. Don't cry anymore Shouko chan. I told you I'm going to be there for you. Don't stop trusting me so easily. Got it?"

"Yes," Shouko said softly.

Haruki nodded towards her. "I'd better get back. You take care."

With that he began to walk back towards his group. Shouko felt light headed. He wanted to talk to her! He was going to call today! To think she had over-dressed herself and bothered with all this flair when he liked her old style. The clarinetist felt a little silly that she had overreacted so much. All of a sudden she felt exactly as she had after the first time she had hung out with Haruki; slightly shy but with a smidge of confidence that he wasn't bored with her. She couldn't even believe that she had allowed her mind to take what Sakuragi had said seriously. It didn't matter anymore. Haruki was still her friend. Shouko fought down the urge to squeal with happiness as she had so often seen other girls her age doing when something good had happened.

I'd better get home.

Shouko in her moment of happiness forgot about her unfortunate choice of footwear and spun on her heel like she normally did and before she knew it, the precariously tipped heel of the sandal had snapped and she tumbled to the ground like a pile of bricks. It all happened so fast that she didn't even clearly register how it occurred. Her face filled with red heat as embarrassment flooded through her. People nearby were staring at her curiously. Carefully avoiding everyone's eyes she sheepishly checked her sandals. One was still intact but the other had a broken heel. It had splintered clear off from the base. Just why did these things happen to her? Shouko hid her face in hands. Why today of all days? When she had been so happy? There was no way she could walk home like this; she'd probably have to make the trip barefoot. She felt her just dried eyes begin to fill again.

Great Shouko. You tried not to cry in front of Haruki but you did. Now you're crying because you damaged a sandal you spent a quarter of your allowance on which you didn't really like in the first place. Your public image just keeps getting better and better.

"Woah!" Before Shouko had any time to react Haruki's face was suddenly in front of her's. The close proximity added to her bashfulness and she felt a small rush run down her spine.

"What happened there?"

"Ah…the heel of my sandal just broke…" Shouko felt her face heat even more and knew she probably looked like a siren. It sounded so ridiculous. What sort of a girl managed to break the heel of her shoes? Someone with the grace of The Hulk. Could she not manage to be graceful even once? Especially when a handsome college youth was around her?

"You're not hurt are you?" Haruki took her ankle in his hands and began gently checking for and signs of injury. His warm broad hand on her skin sent tingles radiating from the point he touched her. Instinctively, Shouko pulled back her leg.

"I'm fine. But I don't know how I'll get home like this." She leaned forward to remove the buckle fastened around her ankle only to be caught dumbstruck as Haruki's nimble fingers got to it before she did. Deftly he removed the defective footwear and in a few seconds had pulled off the other one as well.

"I'll drop you home."

"What? No! It's fine Haruki kun! I'll get a cab or something! I can't just pull you out in the middle of your game! I already interrupted you for a good amount of time!" Feeling a little breathless, Shouko drew her knees up to her chest, balling up her body into a protective position. There was no way that she was going to let Haruki once again come to the rescue like her hero. She had already bothered him enough today. Shyly she stood up and gazed at her bare feet.

"Shouko chan, this is ridiculous. I already told you to stop being like this! Your shoes didn't break because you willed them to, it was an accident. I understand that we are currently trying to work out a rough spot but don't behave like I'm a stranger to you! I'm taking you home. Don't over think it." He stood, a tough looking person holding her delicate strappy sandals in one hand. The scene looked so funny, with broad rugged Haruki looking a little vexed at her reaction and a pair of Mochi heels grasped firmly in his fist but Shouko didn't dare laugh.

"How will you walk through the park like that?" he asked, gesturing at her bare feet.

"It's ok…I can walk without shoes…we can just stay on the grass the whole way, I promise I'll be fine …"

To which Haruki just shook his head no. Shouko stood still and waited to see what he would say, then, to her bewilderment, Haruki quickly toed off his sneakers and pushed them towards her with a socked foot. "Put these on."

The sneakers were clearly old and scuffed from their continuous use from various sports and athletic activities. They might have been a shade of black when first purchased, now faded to a weak charcoal. They were big enough to fit both of Shouko's feet comfortably into one. "I couldn't possibly do that Haruki kun! Then how will you walk?"

Haruki wriggled his socked toes. "The socks will hold me."

"But…" Shouko felt her argument die in her throat and more waves of embarrassment washed over her. Haruki expected her to wear his shoes. The gesture was so unexpectedly sweet but she found herself too self-conscious to fully appreciate the weight of it. How could he possibly walk around in socks while she took his shoes? Would they even stay on her feet?

Haruki watched Shouko's face as her conscience struggled through various conflicts with slight amusement. She had gone all out trying to behave like a girl with an attitude but underneath she really was the same humble girl he had fallen in love with. Behind them, he could see his friends making teasing gestures at them and he hated the fact that he was dangerously close to blushing. Shouko's indecisiveness was not helping the fact that a considerable amount of people were now looking inquisitively at them.

"Shouko, if you don't wear my shoes I swear I'm going to toss you over my shoulder and carry you out of the park."

"EH?!" Shouko's eyes widened to the size of saucers as she looked at him. He knew she didn't want to consider the probability of that happening, but the odds were stacked against her. She was a small lithe female and he was a broad tall athlete. He allowed himself a moment of satisfaction as he took in how flustered she looked; it only added to her cuteness. Finally he saw her mind take a resolution. Not looking at him, Shouko humbly slipped a foot into each shoe. Haruki bit down a chuckle as she bent down to tighten the laces. How did she manage to always make him feel so protective and weak in the knees at the same time? When she looked up at him, her face was a glowing sun with two amethyst orbs embedded in it.

"Let's go." With that Haruki softly took her hand and pulled her out of the basketball court. A string of whistles and a cacophony of hoots broke out from behind him. Shouko looked straight ahead, not daring to glance back but Haruki could differentiate each individual sound; the short blasts were Kazuki, the long shrill ones were Tetsuya's, and the whoo's were Kyo, Shin and Jun.

He smiled to himself. Boys would always be boys.