A/N: (i) Standard disclaimers apply.

(ii) Re-vamping Ch 20 and 21. The previous pace seem too...abrupt, y'know? 3 months as close friends and confessing already? I don't think so. But correct me if I'm wrong (review button over there; throw your 2 cents in) since I've never experienced bf-gf love.

28.

"Each caterpillar has 4 legs," the brunette told him.

"No, they don't." Frankly speaking, he does not know how many legs caterpillars have, but Aoi does know how many caterpillars not have.

The brunette across him repeated her earlier sentence. Her eyes bore into his own sapphire ones, as if daring him to deny her claim. At his puzzled appearance, Suzuna shook her head and finally explains, "This is a method onee-chan uses to remember when drawing structural formulae of organic compounds."

Suzuna further explains by using an example from their Chemistry textbook. When the brunette noticed the gleam of understanding in his sapphire eyes, she returned both text and pen to her companion, opting to silently watch him work.

Hazel eyes drifted to the simple clock mounted on the wall directly facing her. 7.54, it reads. Onee-chan should be back by now, and mum would have prepared dinner, and… no wonder my stomach hurts. Suzuna turned her attention to Aoi, wanting to tell him to stop and have dinner with us. But when she saw the look of intense concentration pasted on his face, the brunette remained silent.

Maybe later, Suzuna thinks, dinner can wait. Unabashedly, she stared at her companion, noticing how his eyes seem more lavender purple than sapphire, how flawlessly smooth his skin was when the late noon sunlight spilled into her room and its inhabitants. Suzuna took the time to admire his androgynous features, and understood why Aoi was termed 'pretty boy' in Seika.

"Suzuna? Aoi-chan? I'm coming in," a familiar voice caught Suzuna's attention.

Impassively, the younger Ayuzawa sister glanced at her onee-chan while murmuring softly, "You should knock, onee-chan."

(Moments before…)

"Tadaima," a familiar voice echoed from the hallway, loud enough to be heard even from inside a locked door. However, both freshmen were too focused on their respective revision (if studying Aoi's face considers as 'revision') to notice the on-goings occurring just outside the door, earning a proud smile from the elder of the two Ayuzawa sisters.

"Ah, Misaki-chan, Ōjamashimasu." Minako returned, silently padding down to meet her daughter with a pair of slippers.

"They're studying hard," Misaki noted to her mother.

In reply, her mother nodded, then concernedly spoke, "They've been studying for more than 2 hours now. Frankly, I'm concerned for them. Dinner's ready and they haven't eaten." Her mother confides to her eldest daughter in hushed whispers, anxiety marring her features while glancing at the closed door.

"I'll tell them to take a break then," Misaki informs her mother, subtly reassuring the sickly mother in her own way –with actions instead of words. It's better to see that those two are fine, instead of having to listen from me.

"The customers at Maid Latte are missing the two of you already," Misaki tells both freshmen whom were enjoying the bunny-shaped apple slices.

"Of course! With my refreshing cuteness, no one can resist the superior Net Idol Aoi!" Aoi haughtily announces.

By now, Suzuna had tuned out of his self-praising. Bishounen he may be, but once his man's pride gets in the way… He is male after all. "I won't be working tomorrow, unlike Aoi, onee-chan." She turns to notify her sister, grabbing another apple slice before retreating into her room. To Suzuna, her break is over.

"Enjoy yourselves," with that final parting, the brunette left.

"Forgive Suzuna-chan. She's a creature of habit, so she'll get edgy when her daily schedule is not met." The elder Ayuzawa sister apologised, explaining her sibling's slightly rude behaviour as they parted at the station.

Only when Aoi left did she frown.

"Suzuna is getting flighty when it comes to Aoi now."

"Misa-chan~ What about Aoi and that sister of yours that had you speaking out loud, in the middle of the street, at this time of night? It's dangerous, you know?" a teasing voice that could have only belonged to her boyfriend murmured in her ear, startling her.

Apparently, she had unknowingly said that out loud.

Misaki balled up her hands into fists and gave a blow to his stomach. "Usui! What do you think you are doing!" Then more calmly afterwards, "Those two aren't your concern."

"They aren't yours either," the blond replied as he straightened up –all traces of pain earlier gone, replaced by seriousness.

"I know…" the elder sister answered reluctantly.

"You know, you're cute when you do that. Can I—"

"Baka Usui!" a blow landed on his shin as she distanced herself and mutter, "Pervert outer-space alien."

Buckets of gratitude to my dear reviewers: krissy2lip & priyanka (Thanks to both for the review! Hope you two enjoy the future updates too!), aira2889 (I understand, studies should always be first priority. As long as you come back and visit when you're free, I'll be happy!), missmori (Yeah, you're right. OOC-ness kills me. Wonder what you think of this compared to the previous one. Oh, I love reading your opinions and suggestions most; thanks for helping me improve this fic with your voice ^_^), Luna9327 (Thanks for the reassurances! As you can see, I don't trust myself very much, that's why I prefer to listen to reviewers' voices on how to improve this fic), perfect pen (Exactly because you said turning point, that is why I'm changing Ch20-Read A/N #2. I'm curious of what you think fo this compared to the previous too. Thanks for the review!)