On behalf of my entire soul, I thank everyone who read until now! xD Special special hugs who gave me a minute more or two by telling me their thoughts! I LOVE YOU ALL~ xDDD

Anyways, enjoy and please don't hesitate to leave some feedback! :)

DISCLAIMER: I WISH I own Initial D

…

CHAPTER XXIV: Recovery

NATSUKI RESIDENCE

Shou and Ryosuke just stared at each other in silence for quite some time. He was blushing both in surprise and flattery. For he had a lot of admirers before, so if what he was saying was true… then how could Maya feelings gone past his radar?

Then again… since he fell for Takako, he could barely notice anyone's existence. But why would he say such a thing? What was his cousin trying to do?

He scoffed. "You can be so selfish at times."

"I know." He nodded. "But it's not like I'm asking you to do something about it. It will just be very helpful for both Takako and I if you open your mind that you could fall for her, too."

"You know… the Ryosuke-aniki I knew all those years ago probably would never utter those words."

"Indeed…" he smiled. "I will go now…"

"Already? You didn't even go in."

"Time passed by faster than I expected. I don't want to be here when Maya comes by."

"Ah." He paused and looked at his right, Ryosuke followed immediately. They frowned.

"Ara…? Ryosuke-sama is here early, too…" She smiled and made a polite greeting to Shou. But there was something awkward with that smile- and it told them that she was probably told of his backing-out of the wedding. Looking at her… she probably didn't believe it. And this fact made them both very worried.

Ryosuke approached Maya, and Maya gave him a peck. Maya felt him flinch at this but she ignored it- he must have been shy. That's right. His father was just teasing her… probably testing how much she loved her Ryosuke. If so, then she will not fail this one particular test.

Unfortunately, the events turned for the worse when the door to the room opened revealing the oblivious Takako. Ryosuke had his full attention on Maya until he heard a syllable of Takako's voice. She was calling him, asking him why he hadn't come in yet.

Maya would not have made much of it. If only Ryosuke didn't whip his head towards her direction as soon as he heard her voice. For that instant, he wore that vulnerable expression that someone like Maya- -who watched every single one of his actions when he was in the vicinity- -could not miss.

"She would rather have someone else be there with her." Those were Shou's words. Could that person be her Ryosuke? No that couldn't be. But when Ryosuke turned to Takako- -completely forgetting Maya was there right beside him something strong boiled her insides and she couldn't hold back herself.

She quickly walked passed her 'fiancée' and raised her arms. But before Maya could slap Takako another huge pair of hands stopped her. It was Shou's and he looked so shocked.

She could not contain herself any longer, and she poured every single emotion she hampered when she found out the engagement was cancelled.

"H-How could YOU!? I TRUSTED you-"

"She and Ryosuke were in love before you came to the picture." Shou said firmly, thinking maybe she would calm down and ponder. But she didn't.

"What? You knew I was his fiancé didn't you. How could you ruin my dreams? We were going to get married. Y-You Bitc-" she was stopped when Shou placed his lips on hers. Takako and Ryosuke froze and their eyes widened in shock. Maya's, too, until she found out why he did that.

"Please don't disrupt Mogi's funeral."

She stepped back immediately and whipped her head towards Ryosuke, who to her despair, looked away. She did not even dare see Takako and she immediately walked towards her car.

"I hate you."

And her car was out of their sight. Ryosuke immediately gestured to go to Takako after that but she was a lot more shocked than he had anticipated. She was holding her head again, and Shou was right beside her patting her back. He did not look surprised, just… guilty.

"Not this again, Shou…" she uttered in despair. She was shaking so much and he wanted to be there, and that he did.

"I'm so sorry."

"It seemed like we owe her the same type of sin." Shou said. "…mine is so much more selfish, though. I'm sorry Takako my family seemed to have a knack complicating your life."

Ryosuke held her shoulder firmly. "I promise nothing will happen to you." But she shook her head. That wasn't the issue- -not at all.

"Maya… she was in pain. What if she becomes like Mogi? Why do I ruin eve-"

"You do the opposite." Ryosuke cut her off holding her cheek. "Please don't blame yourself for anything bad that happened. You were an angel to most of us."

"I… can't believe that."

"I'll take care of Maya. I won't let her do anything that will ruin anybody."

"What did she mean by… me ruining your… engagement?" she asked nervously and he smiled, kissing her forehead.

"I told you at the balcony, didn't I?" he said, and headed out the gates as well to do what he could. But Shou stopped him, and walked ahead..., telling them what he was planning to do.

"Ryosuke-aniki." He stated. "I think it's time I do something useful."

Ryosuke's eyes widened slightly before smiling and held Takako's hand. Takako, taking a few more seconds to absorb what he wanted, let out a weak but altogether genuine smile.

"Good luck."

...

YAMATO RESIDENCE

Maya locked herself up in her room, refusing to answer anyone. She felt so mad at the world right now.

Knock Knock

"Go away." She said for the nth time that hour.

Knock Knock

She frowned. "Like I said go away or else you'll get fired."

Knock Knock

She frowned. She would keep her word. This pest would be fired. "Who's there?" She asked and she did not expect she would not be able to fire the person after all.

"It's me." It was Shou. And when she blushed at the recollection of the kiss, she mentally slapped herself and grimaced. He did it for his friends... for Takako. He just wanted to shut her up.

And who the heck allowed him to go so deep in the house, anyway?

Knock Knock

She let out a deep breath and covered her ears. For several minutes, there was silence and she thought he had given up. Something clenched her chest. What was she hoping for?

She stood up and was about to hold the knob when-

Knock Knock

Her heart skipped a beat and she instinctively opened the door. He was right there gesturing to knock again. And she realized that he was uncomfortably close already, making her shut the door to his face by instinct.

She gulped and could only stare at the wooden leaf until he spoke on the other side of the door. "That was very rude, Maya-san." He said, but even the thickness of door didn't hamper Maya from hearing his words.

"Oh, and stealing a girl's lips just to shut her up isn't?"

"Hm… I thought you'd be concerned for something else altogether."

"I-I am, you jerk. But obviously it isn't something I'd yell at you about."

"Actually you can. I understand what it feels like to be rejected for someone else after all."

"That's beside the point." She said, tiredly placing her forehead to the door hoping he was also touching that area.

"I'm sorry for kissing you. It was very inconsiderate of me. I just panicked, I suppose." She flinched, but decided not to give in.

"You better." She said as firmly as she could, she wanted to return to her old self and show him that she doesn't care. "Maya's lips only belong to the person she chooses."

"Of course… but, that person must also choose you. A spoiled girl like you should understand that."

"How is this conversation helpful?"

The doorknob turned and she quickly gestured to lock it. Unfortunately it was already turned to a point where she couldn't anymore. She winced. "Don't you dare enter. Maya will call the guards immediately."

She had mixed emotions when he let go, and she was free to lock it again. Her heart skipped a beat again when she felt a thump on the other side of the door. As if he had his back on it.

She flushed and unconsciously placed her cheeks on the door as if she could feel his warmth. She stepped back as soon as she realized what she was doing, and forced a deep deep frown. "Just go away."

"I can't. Not until I know of what you're planning." She wanted to cry. So this was about them again?!

How seriously annoying!

"This is about my friends." He admitted as if he just heard her thoughts. Then she heard a sneer making her want to stab him with a katana. But then… it felt like she was stabbed, instead.

"But, unfortunately, you're one of them."

…

Takako stared at the road where the two used a minute prior. And Ryosuke, on the other hand, watched her. He was still holding her hand and it felt wonderful that he could do it again. He was uncertain if it was just the situation- -that was, she was in an especially vulnerable state, and he felt quite guilty in taking advantage of that.

Soon enough a few people looked out to check what the shouting was about. One of them was Bunta and his eyes narrowed (even more) at the sight of the two together. "Causing trouble again, Takahashi?"

"Ah… I apologize. Action had been taken to avoid further conflict."

"Oh. Doesn't that include you letting go of my daughter?" He asked irritably, and the watchers got the cue that they should head back inside and let the three alone. It was an interesting sight if seen in any other place that was not a funeral. However, one of Takako's friend was not able to shut up.

"WHA-"

They had to tie Itsuki up to shut him up and keep him from prying.

Ryosuke started speaking again once he was sure they were alone. "With all due respect sir, I tried letting her go once as you said. And it didn't reap anything good."

"For?"

"My sanity."

Bunta crossed his arms. "And that was an issue for us because…?"

"If I had lost all logic, then I could have kidnapped your daughter."

"*Cough* Oi." Takako breathed out surprised at the sudden statement. She simply couldn't imagine something like that from happening, and yet… seeing him smile at her like that made her think otherwise.

"Very interesting." Her father smiled, and it was an odd type of amusement. "Somehow that way of speaking reminds me annoyingly of your father."

The young couple blinked simultaneously. "You knew his father personally?"

"Oh yes." He stated. "He was the reason I had to move out to the states, really."

"Well, at least I met your mother." The Fujiwaras' expression changed immediately. If he hadn't went to the states, then could her mother still be well?

"So that could imply I'm blaming your father for my Kate's predicament." He said in his usual apathetic tone of voice that told him he was nothing but serious. "So you can expect that getting my blessing would be extremely difficult."

And with that, Bunta went back in... leaving them alone to ponder.

...

And so the two of them were alone again. They looked at each other and smiled.

"From now on," Takako initiated. "We will really be encountering the obstacles normally encountered by normal couples."

He laughed. "But your dad owns a shotgun."

"Many fathers do."

"I'm intrigued at how he knew your father, though, like us… they seemed to be in different worlds."

"Yet we met."

"Uh-hm." She mumbled and gave him a gentle looked at the door her father just used and faced him again, soon holding his warm cheek.

"Now..., it is time you officially meet my best friends."

YAMATO RESIDENCE

An indefinite number of balls of hay passed by…

"And so, an indefinite number of figurative balls of hay passed by." Shou uttered after waiting there for who knew how long to get some sort of reaction. Maybe he should have omitted the 'unfortunately' part, especially since he didn't mean it. It was meant to add comic relief to their tension-filled conversation, but it seemed to have backfired.

"Go away." She uttered and so, many would think they were back to square one.

"Let me in. We'll talk properly. You know if I'm on this other side I could ask you very embarrassing things they could hear across the hall."

"…that's a lie."

"Really?" he cleared his throat. "Maya-chan, I didn't know you-"

THUMP!

And he was on the floor. Head first. And it was very painful.

"GOMENASAI!" She yelled and a number of attendants ran to them for assistance. Shou sweat-dropped, and told them he was fine before asking them to go away.

He sat by the couch similar to where Takako fell asleep all that time ago, and he felt nostalgia already. He shook the thoughts away immediately, though, at the sight of Maya. The least he could do right now was to give her his full attention.

"So what embarrassing secret did you know about Maya and how did you find out?"

"You had one?"

Her eyes widened. She had just been had! "Why y-"

But once again, her arms were stopped halfway before she could hit his face. By instinct she recalled what happened after and she closed her eyes.

And it happened again.

She opened her eyes in surprise, and pushed him away.

"I'm sorry. I thought you wanted it."

She flushed. "There was no way Maya would-"

Then a mirror was held in front of her. She had no idea how he got a hold of it so quickly but it was right there- her expression. All flustered and embarrassed- but very different from the face she would have anticipated. She quickly went to cover her face with her hands.

Shou looked at her affectionately. What his cousin said was true after all. Somehow this beautiful girl had fallen for him, too. He didn't know how she could have affections for him and Ryosuke at the same time, but she definitely did it. But even if the situation commanded him to… he would not commit the same mistake again.

"Why did you fall for me?" He asked bluntly. He was not going to use this girl's feelings to go to his goal. He was going to get to know her and her emotions better, and will take action keeping her and her whole being intact… and aware of what was happening.

"Wha- You are hallucinating."

"Okay." He nodded at her lie. "Why did you fall for Ryosuke-aniki, then?"

"Because he's perfect… someone who fit Maya perfectly."

"Somehow you sound like a spoiled brat who wanted the best toy that was a challenge to have."

She glared at him, thoroughly offended. "I do not think of him as a toy! He… If I did then my heart won't go all flattery when he looked at me so lovingly?"

"Are you sure he was really seeing you, though." He added bluntly and many of those memories flooded her eyes. It was so painful that she somehow knew that it wasn't really her he was looking for.

"Shut up." She uttered, and held her stance. "Maya will call security if you don't get out of Maya's sight right now."

"Answer my question first, though."

"Maya is not. Maya only loves Ryosuke-sama."

"And Shou only loves Takako." He paused, and grinned. "See? You're jealous."

She blushed and immediately pushed the button. "Maya is not. Maya's just annoyed that you're copying her speech patterns!"

But then to her surprise, he smiled at her. She knew it was really directed to her and it made her really happy. He stood up and patted her head.

"I'll be eager to place you in my heart and get over Takako soon."

"How… rude."

"So to be fair… feel free to use me to get over my cousin." He said, and he smiled at the guards ready to escort him out.

Doki

"See you soon...

"Maya."

.
.

END OF CHAPTER XXIV

Coming Soon:
CHAPTER XXV: Fathers

REPLIES TO ANGELS

DragonFire Princess- Hehe. Hopefully they do! xD *cough* And thank you for the comment~!

xDarklightx- Thank you for the review~! And I'm very happy that you still like it at this point. xD

Aralaiqualasse- lol I thought so too! But in the second stage (I think) it was shown that her ex-boyfriend's dad was the sugar daddy. At least that was how I understood it. xD And yes~ Ludwig's an OC. Gomen nasai for the confusion and thank you for the review! ;)

kawaiishiella- Ahahahah. Yes, he did finally make a move! Banzai! And thank you for the review, kabayan~ xD

natasya ivashkov- (ch7) Awww. You're so kind. xD Thanks for giving this a chance~! (ch8) And yes! I am fond of reverse harems. ehehehhe (ch10) hahaha. Vote for SHou noted. lol (ch11) Aww. xD Well, as you may know... she'd get a few more Shou moments before the pairing becomes impossible. xD (ch12) lololol. You don't really need to log in. xD I know you very well already. *hugs* (ch13) Indeed! Nice quote there. hehehe (ch22) lolol. Yes~ But when you're humiliated and angry... you brain dies. LOL. Unfortunately, so did Mogi. haha (ch24) Yes, her mum's family is rich. I'll dwell on that more. Thank you for the reviews~

...

Thank you for reading!

It would be great if you pause for a little while
and write your thoughts on this pretty lil' box below. XD