Chapter 24

[cowering vs face it]

Rin's P.O.V.

"Because I love you." Said Len.

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I glanced at his head that was leaning on my shoulder. He's not moving. Her golden silky hair that was tied up into a ponytail was kind of loose. He suddenly snuggled his face on my shoulder. I felt something was moving. It was his hand. He was about to hug me but, he stopped halfway and lifted his head. Wait. What should I do? I mean. This is a joke…. , right? Ha ha ha. He loves me as a friend. Of course. That's what it is. What am I expecting?

"Hey, say something." Said Len looking straight into my eyes. His gaze was too serious that I could not handle it. His face was a bit pink. Was he blushing? His eyes was very, very, I don't know but I'm scared of it. I avert my gaze and TRIED as much as possible to laugh at his 'joke but nothing came out of my mouth. His gaze was like piercing through me. It was too fierce. My heart was thumping wildly as if I was chased by a dog.

Suddenly, his pair of cerulean blue eyes was fixated at the door. He pushed my shoulder and said, "Just forget what I said. It's just a joke. Finally, you're not avoiding me." I froze and he smiled. I don't know how his face really looked like because of the tears that made my sight blurry but I was sure he smiled because of the visible curve on his lip.

"You know what? I hate you! I really do! I never ever want to love someone like you!" I yelled at him. He only stared at me and it became silent for a while. He really is one heartless man. How could he do this to a girl? As the pain seeped through my chest, my eyes started to be teary and that was when I lead my steps to a place where there's going to be many people around. The rooftop.

Third person's P.O.V

After saying such a hateful thing, Len lean his weakened body on the wall. His left hand wiped his face for about two times. He moved his arms and put it on his face covering his eyes. "What should I o now?" said Len. To his surprise, there was a voice replied on his idiotic question that sounds like, "What the hell are you asking? You know it yourself don't you."

"Huh? W-what are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be with," before Len finished his words, Rinto gave a strike on Len's cheeks with his own hands. In his head how he prayed that the fangirls would not hunt him for his doing as he is doing this for a good deed. Yup. Beating Len for now is a good deed indeed.

"Aughhh!" Len grunted as the pain that was felt by that punch. "What was that for, Mr. Boyfriend?" Len said looking at Rinto. "You're asking me? You sure is one problematic fellow. No wonder Rin was always troubled. That whacking just now, is for me to get back at ya for punching me the other day and also," Rinto paused for he wanted to sit down for a bit. It was tiring to stand up for the whole time. This is the first time he get to sit down after that damn theatre thingy.

"For making Rin cry." Continued Rinto. Len looked at the floor. "Yeah. It was my fault this time. I troubled her, huh? I guess you are right. Me pushing my feelings to her is a big trouble, right?" said Len not even looking at Rinto. Guess what? His words successfully ticked Rinto off.

"Hey! Don't you think it's weird for me not to be by her side at the moment she's in big trouble?" said Rinto in a voice that was more calm than before. "Yeah. You should be chasing her right. You've done your revenge so just go." Said Len in a very tiny voice.

"You- urgh! Listen carefully to what I am going to say, you brat! I am not his boyfriend. You get it?" said Rinto trying to convince Len but yeah, he failed. "Stop talking nonsense Mr. Boyfriend. I saw you kissing her this morning. Rin should have killed you if you did it without her concern or she could be sulking all day about the kiss but, she didn't." said Len again.

"Are you asking me to beat you up to pulp dude?" said Rinto with a dark expression. "W-What did I do wrong? O-oh I'm sorry to have been staring at your sweetheart longingly on the stage. My bad." Said Len with his tiny voice again. "Dude, are you frickin' drunk? 'Cause you've been talking nonsense. Okay, I'm not doing this for you but I'm doing it for Rin. You didn't even know what she really feel, right? Then, go and ask her yourself. Get your ass of the floor and get movin'! Ask her yourself if you didn't believe what I said just now." Said Rinto nut Len remained silent.

"You know the most that she always kept her pain to herself, right. At times, she'll just joke around to seal her feelings and she easily burst into tears. The reason I am not by her side now is because I knew it was not my place from the start. It's your turn to know if you are really compatible to stand side by side with that peculiar girl." Said Rinto.

Len stood up and looked at Rinto. He smiled. "Thanks. I owe you one. Not bad from someone who doesn't speak much, ea?" said Len before he ran to wherever his heart was taking him too. "Never thought that someone like me could be doing such nice thing, huh?" said Rinto to himself. He took his bag on his seat and went outside of the classroom. He went to music room and sat on the stool. Letting his fingers feel each key, he started to travel in his own memories. Never did he know that there was a beauty staring at him.

Len's P.O.V

I walked and walked but there were no sign of Rin. Her shoes and bag is still in the school. Okay. When she had a mental breakdown, where would she go? Somewhere that she could be alone? So, where could she be? The music room? But, she went to the left just now. The music room is to the right. I don't think so. If it is Rin we're talking about, she must be seeking for attention and affection by now. I walked and walked.

I walked and walked and ended up on the rooftop. The moment I opened the door, I could hear sounds of couple making out. Gross. Why would Rin ever be here? What am I thinking? Ah, I should just give it a try. I won't want any regrets on not searching for her here. I looked around and the couples that saw me ignored me and kept on kissing and hugging. There were also people that was drawing the scenery of the sun going dawn. Oh! It's getting late right now! Might as well search for her as soon as possible.

Nope. Not her. Not her. O-oh. The fangirls are coming. Shit. "I'm sorry but could you let me go. I have something urgent to do." I said while trying to shake them off. These girls were sticking on me like flies surrounding some kind of food. Should I give up on looking for her here?

As I was thinking about leaving that place, I saw a familiar figure passing through my crowds to the exit. I tried to do the same but the girls kept on clinging to me. I can't stand it and shouted to reach that figure as my last resort. "Rin! That's you right?" I shouted. All the girls around me were confused and started to give me way. The figure turned around and her face was just the same as the day she was leaving me with Gumi. Her eyes were swollen that it made her eyes looked rather small. Cute.

As if nothing happened, she turned around and walked downstairs. I ran and grabbed her wrist. She jolted and gave me a glare. She totally hate me now, huh? "Look! Err, listen! I need to talk to you." She walked and walked as if my existence was the same as air.

"Now, you're getting on my nerves, girl." I said and hugged her from her back. She froze and with letting my guard down, she punched me on the stomach. I fell on my knees and hold my stomach. She suddenly panicked and said, "Are you okay? I thought I was hitting you lightly. Len!" She knelt in front of me and put her left hand on my shoulder. This is my chance.

"Caught you!" I said as I lift her on my arm bridal style. She didn't even struggle to have me release her as she actually have problem with heights. Inside her tummies must be a mess right now. It was always amusing to look at her scared face. "Be a good girl." I said and brought her to a classroom. I put her on the table. The fangirls were still spying on us. Do I care? No! I locked the door preventing from any creature to escape or to enter the classroom. Now, Devil-Len mode on!

"Now, listen! Hm, how should I say it," I said and was immediately cut off by her harsh words. "If you don't know how to say it than don't say it, you stupid banana-freak." Said Rin. "Ouch! That hurts." I said jokingly. She must be totally annoyed with me by now. Who cares? The more I like it.

"You're mad? Why? Care to tell me, princess?" I said trying to mock her more. Let's see her reaction. "Sniff, sniff, urgh, sob, sob." That's the only thing that came out of her. Her tear glands seems to be out of control. Tear kept on rolling down her soft cheeks. I instinctively wiped her tears. She didn't dare to move. She looked at me and we stared at each other for a long time.

"Want to let out your anger on me?" I said to her. She didn't answer me. Want to play silent treatment, I see. "I'm offering you something good. Hit this bad guy as much as you want until you're fully satisfied." I said without knowing that I will regret this offer on the moment she started to hit me. She was awfully strong but as the number of her hitting increases her strength weakened. She kept on saying 'I hate you!' while beating me. The fangirls were all gasping outside. Don't know, don't care.

I took her hand and put it on my chest. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. It must hurt like hell. Please forgive me." I said while wiping her tears. "Stop crying. Your eye was awfully swollen. You might not be able to open it tomorrow." I said. I know what this girl need. A hug. It might make her cry uncontrollably but at the very least, she know that I'm there for her and that's the best way to make her stop crying faster. I hugged her tightly and yup. She was crying as if the world is going to end.

I pat on her back. I glanced outside the window. It's getting darker. Her tears were starting to stop. My heartbeat was too loud that I couldn't hear hers. To make this tense surrounding lighter, I said, "Hey, did you hear my heartbeat? It was too loud as I am hugging someone so dear to me."

She lifted her head that was leaning on my chest and said, "Mine was loud as well that I couldn't even hear yours." Her voice were sluggish and very slow that I almost didn't hear what she said. Her face right now, how should I describe it? Never mind that.

"It was no joke. My heart that beats fast is the best proof. Now, I want to confirm something. Rin, do you have someone you like?" I said rather formally. "Urgh! Are you reading a script? You didn't sound real." Said Rin before she inhales.

"Are you stupid? Of course I do. After all the sobbing and all. I must have been longing for you." Said Rin in one breath. Her hands that was on my back were freezing cold and it was shaking too. She must be nervous. I took her hand and hold it tight in mine and said, "Can I consider that we're dating?" I said trailed by a kiss on her fingers. I looked at her and she averted her gaze.

"Whatever you sweet-talker playboy." She said while trying to push me. "Yeah! I love you too." I said and let her go. Half of the fangirls were squealing because they were excited but half of them were crying and stumping on the floor not agreeing with what just happened. Feel yourself lucky to have seen a live confession of a star.

We held hand, took our bag and walked home together. The fan girls did not follow us. That's a relief. If ever my fans were to attack Rin, I'll be there to protect her.

The next chapter is going to be the 2nd last chappy.

Keep on reading and enjoy!~