A/N: Yes it is me and I'm sure that you realized I'm back. I have to apologize for all those delayed posting. Actually to tell you the truth I have been keeping up on LOVE DECOY's plot line. I'm revising all of the rest of the chapters for your enjoyment. As for my new One-shots , please read them. I have tried to re-enact my writing style. I hope it's not a bothersome request though but still , if you truly love me I know you would right? Well , here is my next chapter and I know you will hate me for this but you'd have to trust me. and yeah , review please? (:

Disclaimer : I own nothing , demur the plot.

Chapter 21: Being selfless

Before I could blink, He had punched me on the cheek.

I stepped back and winced in pain.

"WHAT WAS THAT FOR?"

- - - x

"That,my friend, is for Rima." He smirked at me.

I breathed heavily and paid him my full attention.

"What did I do this time?" I bellowed.

"I love her man." He whispered. "So I'll set her free." His eyes were looking far away. Only his veins stood out,from his clenched fist.

"I'm warning you Shiki. You're my best friend. And it's hard for someone like me to just give it all up because I am tempted to be selfish and own her even if she doesn't like me that way."

I listened and waited for the rest. "I'm giving her to you Shiki, because she had always loved you. I'm giving her to you even if it would hurt and haunt me. So long as she's happy. I couldn't wish anymore than that."

Then he was glaring at me.

"I may sound like a fool now. But I'm giving you one chance. Break her heart and I'll break you. Forget Marie and love her instead. Make her happy and I'll be happy too. you got that?"

I didn't respond. I simply stared. I have never been more confused in my life.

Marie? or Rima? I love Marie. Marie.

But since when did Marie have orange blond hair? Since when did Marie wear baggy shirts and twin pigtails? That was Rima.

- - - - x

Rima's POV

I saw Marie sitting in the living room , back relaxed. I thought about how I would approach her , how she'd take it. would she fight me? I was afraid shit less. But standing there on the doorway looking at her silently wouldn't help me tell the outcome. I needed to do it. I have to.

So slowly I walked and sat beside her.

"Marie.." I started.

"Doofus , what do you want?" her sharp voice made me recoil a little.

I stared at my lap, not wanting to meet her eyes. We both just sat there for a while , I know she has no plan of talking to me and I sure as hell didn't want to open up this soul - wrenching conversation either.

But I have to make the move.

"You're engaged."

"Yes." was her brief response.

"So , congratulations."

"You really don't feel that way Touya , so don't give me that shitty response." She jabbed my chest with a long finger. "You know what's your problem? seriously , I wish you'd just go away and disappear into oblivion. You and your fake ways. Your problem is , that you have no idea who you're competing against. You , all high and mighty , are not queen. I am."

I scowled but bit my tongue.

"Marie , if there's one thing that I'd be desperate to do , I'd cut your hair and leave you bald while I'm happily doing it. But I won't. Because he loves you and I love him. So long as you're under his love , I wouldn't dare touch a single strand of your hair."

"So touching." She rolled her eyes. "I could cut your hair right now and I can do it."

I flashed my eyes. "Of course you can , but you won't."

"And why the fuck not?"

"Because I'm leaving." I stated. There , I let it out. That , was the moment where I felt I had let it all go , those bad negative feelings inside of you , finally escaped out and it felt good. saying it.

For a tiny fraction of a second , I saw her eyes widen but it was gone instantly , only to be replaced with more coldness.

"I presume that you have some plan on your sleeves." she said , quietly "You leave and you expect him to stop you. then it'll be happily ever after , huh?"

"NO." I yelled. "Why would I even stoop that low , That never came across my mind."

"You planned it." she accused. "You expect."

"I want you to be with him , love him" I replied , gazing out the window. "Since I won't be there , you will be and he'll be happy."

There was a tense silence.

"In plain English Touya : You're trying to say you give up and I can have him instead whole and without any of your foolish strings attached?"

There were many answers that I regretted answering , the greatest one , was saying YES to Shiki's contract but this one very question , I do not regret answering because I was sure.

"Yes."

"I'm glad that we figured that one out then." She gave me a wry smirk and left the room.

I sat there the whole afternoon , crying.

X X X

"Is this some kind of goddamn joke?" he yelled it on my face.

"No." I replied coldly , looking at him , was compared to looking at the sun.

"this isn't funny Rima. I swear to God , if you speak one more word about that I'm going to cut myself!" He raised his arms in protest.

"It's not funny because it isn't a joke." I closed my eyes. "Sometimes .. jokes aren't the only things that make you laugh , sometimes it's just because you want to , because you need to let it all out."

Then I laughed an empty laugh caused and meant for no one.

He shook me hard after I ended my stoic laugh. "You - are - crazy!"

"Let me go!" I yelled. "I said I want out. Out of this goddamn house , this goddamn contract , this goddamn situation!"

"Then , fine!" He yelled back at me. His own temper flaring. "Go out , tear yourself apart , burn the contract , it is all over , that's what you want. On the contrary that's what everyone fucking wants! You , Marie , Takuma!"

I set myself free and stared at him anxiously. "I want out , because I want to. For my dream." I noticed his eyes were flaming. "So that you and Marie could finally be together."

He inhaled a sharp breath. "Real marriage takes time. I can wait until it ends, the contract I mean."

"I don't want to wait." I almost whined.

"What do you want in order for you to stay?" He asked. "You want money?" He dropped a handful of bills on the floor.

That was when my temper sky-rocketed. I slapped him with all my might , not to feed him pain but to give him a clue.

"I - am - not - after - your - money!"

His cheek , had the red mark in it. He was looking furiously at the floor. Fists clenched beside him. "I - I'm sorry Rima."

"I accept , if only you accept my decision likewise."

I almost heard his thoughts. I know he is in agony , in confusion. But I felt more pain.

He finally exhaled a tormented breath. "I - I will let you go."

"Good." was my response. because that was all that I could manage. If I let out another word , I am sure my sobs could give it all away.

He nodded. He had sniffed and I hunched that there were tears on his face.

I turned to leave. But I felt the room spun , then I saw his azure eyes burning. I could almost too easily spot the red sparks on them. He held my wrist tight tightly.

"I.." he uttered. I knew then that there were many things he would've wanted to say to me. Unfortunately , all he had managed to do was give me and my ribs a serious pain. He hugged me as tight as he can.