Seven

Masato didn't know exactly why he was bombarded and basically snatched up from his own room. He was dragged down the hallway by an over-eager Natsuki. It all was made more confusing when they reached their destination. It looked like a game show set complete with a studio audience. Reiji stood on the stage and there were 3 chairs and a big banner that read "the Dating Game."

Just then the door opened behind him. He turned and saw Camus and Ren step in.

"What's all of this?" Ren said as soon as he stepped foot in the room.

Their appearance explained it all, or rather Masato was able to infer what was going on there. He did not want to hear it. He balled his fist, feeling anger welling inside of him and before Reiji or anyone could reply to the question he snapped, exploded.

"Is this all a joke to you!?"

He gestured to the things all around them from the set to the couple behind him.

"Am I a joke to you?" he gestured to himself. "I don't care what your intentions are but you never stopped to think about anyone's feelings!"

With that, Masato turned on his heels and fled the room. As he went his shoulders bumped as he pushed between Ren and Camus both to get through the door.

"Hijirikawa-" Ren's stupid voice called after him but he did not stop.

His heart was in his throat as he ran down the hallway hoping to whatever goodness was left in the universe that nobody pursued him. He wouldn't be able to show himself anymore after baring himself in that way to the group. He almost let it go, his true feelings about the person he cherished more than anyone else in the world.

As if by muscle memory, Masato ended up in the piano room. It was his place to escape. A refuge. To no surprise, Haruka was in there sitting behind the ivory keys. She looked up when he entered the room. Upon seeing who it was of course her face blossomed into a smile, but as soon as she saw Masato's pained expression, that smile wilted away.

"Hijirikawa san!" she stood.

Masato made his way to the piano bench and sat beside her.

"What's wrong?" she asked, taking his hand.

"Nanami-san, I was a fool," Masato said, voice shaky.

Haruka's soft hand reached up to caress Masato's hair. She looked at him with a sympathetic gaze. But she did not speak. She just listened.

"I am behaving selfishly, but I thought that I would be able to cope silently. I just want to live quietly in my agony."

"Why do you have to be in agony?" Haruka asked. "Don't you deserve your own happiness?"

"I will be able to quell this feeling if they just leave me alone," came Masato's bitter response.

Haruka nodded sympathetically, "What happened?"

"It's the others. They have this idea that I want to break Jinguji and Camus sempai apart."

"You would never do that!" Haruka gasped.

Masato frowned grimly, "You're right. Though would you think poorly of me if I confess that I've thought about it."

"But why? Tell me."

"I never expected to act on my feelings, content to just work closely with him. I thought that it was OK to be by his side. There was no way he'd be taken from me because just as he wasn't ever mine he would never truly belong to anyone. I was wrong."

"Who? Jing-"

And that set off Masato again, he gasped turning to Haruka.

"Is it so unbelievable for everyone to think that it isn't Jinguji-san that I'm in love with?"

The two twin spots of blush on Masato's cheek bloomed, his entire face turning red.

"The one I love... the one I love is- Camus sempai."

Haruka gasped, her hands covering her mouth in shock. Just then, before she could even reply, the door opened and both turned towards it. Masato's eyes widened to see it was Camus who had both chased after him and found him.

"I knew that I would find you here. Ren wanted us to split up to find you. He was very worried about his friend after all," Camus said, stepping into the room.

He approached the piano and Masato found himself scooting closer to Haruka, unsure how much Camus had heard of his confession.

"You do not have to cower from me, Hijirikawa," Camus assured him, though his tone still retained that lofty quality. "I also felt like the 'game' my groupmate proposed was a distasteful farce."

He frowned and looked away.

"I apologize," Masato said after a moment of hesitation. "I didn't mean to cause a scene. I was frustrated by it. You must feel the same to have your feelings for Jinguji questioned by so many."

Camus turned his head back to Masato again and when their eyes met Camus quickly averted his entire gaze, turning his back towards him.

'Did Camus sempai hear what I said to Nanami?' Masato wondered to himself.

Just then Ren came barging loudly in.

"I found you!" Ren exclaimed, seeing Masato, Camus, and Haruka all within the room. "Wait, what's going on?"

He sensed the tension in the room. Haruka and Masato were seated close together behind the piano and Camus though near them was looking pointedly away. Also, he noticed right away the telltale light blush on Camus cheeks that showed his embarrassment. It was faint but Ren definitely recognized it. What had caused his baron to blush like that?

"No need to worry further; we have found Hijirikawa and all is fine," Camus straightened his posture and looked at Masato. "Isn't it?"

Masato nodded at Camus and looked at Ren.

"He's right. I'm sorry about that, I just got irritated with everyone always pushing this whole 'MasaRen' agenda on us. I shouldn't have snapped like that," Masato apologized.

Ren walked over and leaned against the piano.

"Aw, that's what it is?" Ren asked, totally not seeing, or perhaps ignoring, the signs that it might have been a bit deeper. "Yeah it's annoying, isn't it. Hopefully, after today they'll quit it and see that it isn't what they think."

He laughed a bit.

"You scared me, you know," Ren continued.

"How so?" Masato asked, meeting his old friend's eyes.

"Well, despite everything, you know I do care about you. At the end of the day, I don't want you to be hurt," Ren said in a rare show of sincerity.

"It's true," Camus said, reaching out to take Ren's hand.

Masato stared at it but willed his heart not to break into pieces at the familiar way their digits melded together, as if their fingers belong that way, intertwined as one.

"As soon as you stormed out, Jinguuji told everyone off, that they should mind their business. He told everyone to leave you alone."

Masato smiled wryly, "Thank you, Jinguuji-san."

Ren seemed content with that and he clapped Masato firmly on the shoulder, just relieved that it wasn't going to go completely to hell in a handbasket right then. He had enough to worry about when it came to himself and Camus without throwing Masato in the mix.

"Well, since you're fine actually, the baron and I had dinner plans so we're going to go," Ren said, offering Masato a smile. "But we'll talk about it more later, OK."

Masato nodded. He replied in a still small voice,

"OK."

-to be continued-

AN: what a TWIST! Masato was in love with Camus all along! And YES i planned this from the beginning! MWAHAHHA but i wanted to keep the surprise xD

thanks everyone for your support! I really appreciate those who read this! Everyone! Of course, both comments and criticism are welcome! I am open to it all. Thanks again~