Hello everyone here is a very short update. I am not sure if I whip another chapter to make up for this short one. Well time will tell. Thanks for supporting this story. And hopefully I continue to hear from you all. Until the next chapter.

"Chapter 13: I Concede"

Sakuno hummed as she prepared four bento boxes. The girl managed to put in some extra natto for the player to eat up. "You seem to be in a good mood," Sato commented, " You had lots of fun with them sightseeing last weekend?" The lady nodded there was a different glow in her eyes. "Sakuno you have been wearing hair down lately too busy to tie it up?"

"You don't like it?" The lass timidly asked. It seems her roommate has a different opinion on her hairstyle.

"I like it in whatever way you choose to have." Her companion replied and sighed. " You have been happier ever since those guys moved next door. You have to spend all your weekends with them. " The male accusingly stated.

"You have been busy playing with your band." The female explained. "They were keeping me company."

"Then why don't you come and see me play music?" Sato questioned once again. There was a hint of remorse in his voice. " You manage to watch him play be it practice or an official match." The man stated with bitterness. "And you spare him hours of your time treating me. Sakuno you like touching him don't you?"

The lady gasped at the accusation. "What are you saying? Don't make me appear like I am some pervert!" The girl called out defensively. "You know the reason I am here is because of him." The woman took a deep breath to compose herself. "I have to make sure he gets back in shape."

"So what if he gets back at tennis? You want to grovel at his feet once more like in middle school?" The male begrudgingly stated. "He decided to leave you and achieved all his dreams. What more can he want?" The man frustratingly expressed. "Now he suddenly meets up with you and tries every single trick in the book to win you back."

"Sato please, I am with you not with him," Sakuno spoke softly to calm the male musician. "Please don't see him as a threat or anything."

"Not a threat? He hogs most of your time!" The lad spoke loudly. "He even dares to move next door and asks you to cook for him." Sato was fuming. " And you just give in to his whims like a sick puppy."

Sakuno knew she had been paying too much attention to Ryoma and her senpais. But she just could not help it. Guilt rose to her chest thinking how much she has wronged Sato. After all that he has done to her, how could she be so cruel? "Sato, I am sorry. Starting today, I will lessen my time with them."

"Do you want that?" The male questioned. "Will you be fine doing that?" He asked again. Once again Sakuno could not reply. Sato ran a hand through his hair in frustration. " You can't right? Ever since day one, I have had your body with me but your mind and heart are somewhere else." The remorse in his voice is so thick and heavy. "Now that he is so tangible you just can't help it."

"Sato please stop.." Sakuna began to sob. She tried hard, really hard to make things work. The lady could not understand it herself, why would she prioritize someone who never cared over a person who did nothing but love her. "Sato, I am trying. Believe me, I am."

"It is not enough Sakuno." The man rebutted. "No matter how the two of us try it will never be enough." Sato sighed and closed his eyes. He knew that a decision should be made. They should stop deluding themselves. It was time for him to let go. If by chance she tries to reach out and choose him, he will welcome it gladly. But if she doesn't? A strong pang began to stab his chest, has all his efforts been for nothing? However, staying together knowing he is on the losing end is too much. He might just self-destruct and resent her. The male would never want that to happen. So before things get out of hand he has to stop. This is as far as they go.

"Sakuno, I will be moving out. You can keep this space. In the meantime, I'll just stay with Dad."

"Sato no! Please we can talk this over." The girl in tears reasoned. "I will stop cooking for them. I will no longer spend leisure weekends with them. We can work this out."

"Sakuno.." Sato reached out to hold the lady's face with both hands. He ushered her to look at him. She was crying and yes he could see love in her eyes. But it was not the passionate love he always dreamed to see in her orbs. The male then decided to ask a daring question. "If I tell you to stop seeing and treating Ryoma can you do that?" He whispered with a challenging voice. "Can you give him up?"

Sakuno choked at the request. She could not find her voice to answer. How can she answer that? Tears continued to flow from her eyes. If she does not speak, losing Sato is inevitable. Is losing her security worth the risk with the prince who never acknowledged her? Sure professionally they have a connection now. But is Ryoma interested in her as a woman?

Sato gently released his hold on her face. Even without words, the man knew the answer. He decided not to push anymore. Both of them are tired, they stirred it as far as they could go. Now it's time to let go. She would never commit to him. That is the reason why they are still not a couple until now. They both need space and time to think things over. "Tonight, I will be spending the night at Dad's make sure to lock up securely."

The male then withdrew and started to walk away. Sakuno was too shocked to respond but tried to call out to him. "Sato I am so sorry." The woman bitterly stated as tears continued to stain her face. "I tried, I really, really tried." She sobbed once again. "I wish, I could say what you want to hear. But unfortunately, I can't." The auburn lady confessed, her legs gave in and she collapsed on the floor. "It was wrong to give you false hope. And it was selfish to keep you here for convenience "

"Sakuno, those times, the happy times. Tell me, you enjoyed my company right?" The girl with her lovely eyes stared back at him. It was apologetic and full of platonic affection. " Never regretted spending all that time with you. I want you to know that." Sato tried to put on a brave face. "Whatever life takes us after this remember, you were part of the happiest moments in my life." The male shrugged. " I got greedy and wanted you for a lifetime. But my luck has run out, so I have to let you chose once again where you want to spend your life." A bitter smile began to appear on his lips. "I thought I could change your mind. But I guess the heart is not easily swayed." Suddenly a tear began to fall from his eyes. "I concede." With those words finally uttered, he turned his back and walked away.

Sakuno could not find the energy to stand up and chase after Sato. When he said the words " I concede." She felt grief but the heaviness of her heart seems to have lifted. For some reason, she felt that the situation is consensual. The selfish thought was reprimanded by her mind. But her heart seems to be treacherously celebrating as if it was released from bondage. " I am such a bad person for toying with Sato's heart." The lady muttered to herself. "After this do I still deserve to be happy?"