There was an awkward silence between Tomoya and Kumiko, the moment Shin left.

Tomoya, for his part, didn't know what to say. He wanted to ask her so many things. To talk to her. To see if there was any damage done, due to this minor altercation with Shin...or the time alone those two spent.

To see if he had completely lost, or if he was to be given a chance.

Kumiko, on the other hand, was speechless, because of a lot of reasons.

Tomoya had caught her alone with Shin.

Just the two of them...looking mighty suspicious.

Then that whole...uh...disagreement between them...over her. It was just too uncomfortable-if not unreal.

It seemed to stretch for an eternety, though it had only been a minute or two, and they stared at each other, unsure of what to say.

Tomoya took the initiative.

"I'm sorry. I'm not usually like this. To be honest, I've never really felt that comfortable with him." He said.

"I know." She admitted, humor creeping a little into her voice, as she remembered the disgusted face Shin would make, everytime she talked about the lawyer. "He's never really liked you. Gets all huffy and annoyed when we-" She slapped a hand over her mouth, shocked at what she almost said.

She almost told Tomoya that She talked to Shin about him!!!

"You what?" Tomoya asked, almost hesitant to hear what could be a much too interesting answer, yet curious, all the same.

"W-W-When the subject comes up. We-I-talk about you, sometimes." She admitted, uncharacteristically.

With this, (and a silent sigh of relief) Tomoya took her hand, and slowly pulled her in, putting his arms around her.

He held her. Pressed his cheek against her hair, and just held her.

"Hey. It's alright." He said. He could smell the wild berry scent of her shampoo, as he took a deep breath, and willed his jealousy away.

Slowly...slowly, she relaxed in his arms.

Kumiko, on the other hand, felt awkward at first. It just seemed so wrong for her to be in another man's arms when someone else had kissed her-someone she had kissed back.

What if it felt the same? What if she started feeling for Shinohara-sensei those conflicting feelings that Shin brought out of her?!?!?!

She felt his firm, warm arms envelop her and felt...

Nothing. Compared to the complex swirl of emotions she went through with Shin, this was just...pleasant.

It was familiar. It was warm. It was wonderful. It was comfortable...but her heart still beat in it's usual steady pace.

If she had to describe it, it was like an old, worn out blanket that she didn't want to let go of because she'd had it for so long, and she had been through so much with it.

The same way she had just been too used to the idea of being in love with Shinohara Tomoya, that she failed to understand what it really was that she felt for Shin.

This, with Shinohara Tomoya, was the kind of warmth you felt...for a family member.

Like a brother. Or a really close male friend. Or a favorite teddy bear.

And while she still felt a little happy-giddy-silly, when she saw him, she was okay now, when he wasn't around. She no longer felt the need to see him. To hear his voice. To feel his warmth.

The past 2 weeks flew by so fast, yet with a start, she realized that almost each day, in the past two weeks, the one person she couldn't wait to see, despite the more than adequate amount of time they spent together, had always been one person.

That same person who annoyed, harrased, pissed off, comforted, supported, made fun of, and helped her.

The only one who would provoke her, whatever mood she was in. The only person to bring her back, every single time.

Sawada Shin.

You belong to me. I'll be waiting.

And wasn't he damn presumptuous and smug about it.

Of course, it was true, too. Damn his arrogant hide.

She lifted her head from his shoulder, and raised her eyes to look at him.

And when he looked down to meet her gaze, something in Shinohara Tomoya twisted.

It stabbed him, and it squeezed his heart, till it wanted to explode.

And, with great effort he kept the gentle smile on his face, and betrayed nothing of what he now knew.

It wasn't him. He wasn't the one.

Her eyes were clear, and resolute. She finally understood what it was he really meant to her.

He wasn't surprised. One of the reasons's why he didn't want to get too close to her in the first place, before, was because he had always suspected that she was mistaking her fondness for him for love. It simply wouldn't do to take advantage of it, despite his growing attraction to her.

He played her fairytale prince. And now, she had woken up.

Just like Sleeping Beauty, who opened her eyes with a kiss from her true prince.

"Shinohara-sensei...Tomoya, I-"

He cut her off, pressing his lips lightly against hers.

At that moment, although he knew it was unlikely, Shinohara Tomoya wished she'd just look undecided. confused. something. any sign that there was still room for him in her heart.

But while she looked surprised at his actions, the answer remained the same. She never was one to disappoint.

She stared at him, surprised yet silent, as he slowly drew back and let her go.

How should she tell him?

And for a change, it wasn't Shin who solved this problem. Not Shin who saved her from this situation. Not Shin who gave her the graceful 'out'.

"It's okay. I know." He whispered. "Now, isn't there somewhere you want to be?"

It hurt. He wasn't going to pretend it didn't. It tasted bitter and vile, and it made him want to gag, but to spare her feelings, he kept it in, bravely, and kept his smile in place.

He could no longer fight, because, knowing Kumiko, when she had decided something, it was final. There were no doubts, no questions.

The woman who stared back at him, did not belong to him.

The finality in that realization was quite depressing. It ate at his heart slowly. But he lost. And he wasn't the kind of man who forced their feelings onto others.

After all, he might've wanted to be happy with her, as well...but it was just as Shin said.

It was her happiness that was important. And he wasn't the one.

So he let go. And he went back to just watching her from a distance.

He watched her, as she returned his smile with one that asked for apology and understanding, as she nodded, and turned away. Just like this. Taking quick, brisk strides as she made her way out of the garden, to look for the one she chose.

He touched his own lips, as they tingled, with the memory of even such a brief contact. The way she said his name. He had kissed her before she continued, because he didn't want to ruin the memory of the kiss he wanted (no. not really the kiss he wanted, but the only kind he could push himself to give her).

A memory he would never forget.

0o0o0

PS: If anyone wants to read a funny version of the Sleeping Beauty remake-Gokusen style, please check out my other story, Sleeping Prince handsome. (Shameless plugging, I know.)

I just noticed that the two times I wrote intimate moments for Tomoya and Kumiko, (the one where he takes her to school for the first time, and this chapter) they actually work.

This is disturbing me. I was only supposed to give an appearance of equality between shinkumi and tomoya, but...ugh. it's actually a little heartwrenching and cute.

i hate it.

anyway, on to the review replies!!!

to Tsunami: Thanks! hehehe. glad you're still reading ! -

to WindyLea: Thanks for being interested enough to spend that much time, just to read and review!!! Stuff like that really makes me happy!!!

to Sakura Taichou: Thanks for reviewing so enthusiastically! What can i say? It catches!!!

to ilovetivo: thanks for the support! i'm pretty amused at the hidden meaning, too!!!

to LadySafire: Your comment is too funny. I can see that gravestone, too!!! Thanks for the review!!!

to velvetwilight: thanks! although it's ooc for Shin to talk like that, i figured, if he was planning to confuse her anyway, to make her doubt it was him, it could be fun.

it made him seem more like Ootori Kyouya from Ouran. Ehehehe. Glad you liked it, anyway.

to Faith Slays: Don't worry. The lawyer just let go. but he'll be skulking around, though will have very little if almost zero chance for WAFF moments, i promise. Thanks for the reviews!

to Green.on.Black: i've been wondering how to get around to it, and this is how it turned out. i'm glad you're still enjoying the story! thanks for the support!

to AuburnAutumn: an extremely belated HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you!!! Thanks for the support and encouragement! I really appreciate it.

to blueprincess16: yeah!!! Shin/Kumiko is like one of my 4 favorite pairings. way up there with Xelloss/Lina from Slayers, and Elle/Gau from Shadow Skill, and Kyouya/Haruhi from Ouran High School Host Club. When it comes to those pairings, i've got a one track mind!!!! Thanks for reviewing!

to Khitten: Thanks for the review! It really encourages people to hear that others love their stories. For future reference...i am a girl. obvious, huh?

to FS.Rain: yup. We're exploiting that anklet for all it's worh!!! OHOHOHOHOHO!!!! And yes. it was Kumiko he was referring to. It's my favorite part of that chapter. That, and that minor lq they were having, while Tomoya was looking for them. Thanks for the support. it really matters!

to Nimeway: i will have to agree, 100. Hence this chapter. ehehehehe. Thanks for reviewing!!!

to Crazy-Fairy: if his jealous moments in the anime/manga/dorama are anything to go by, I get the feeling Shin is really possessive.

Isn't it just cuuuuute? Thanks for the review!

Well then, people. I'm sorry I took so long before I updated, but here it is, and I hope you enjoyed it.

Thank you for always reading and reviewing!!!

And Stay Tuned for more!!!