Chapter 11 - Running Away From Feelings
The next morning Tsuki woke up at 6:00am to the sounds of her alarm clock. She sat up on her bed and stretched. But all her movements stopped when she saw their team's jacket on her bed.
She blinked thinking: How come my jacket's on my bed? I'm pretty sure that I wasn't wearing it last night.
She took the jacket into her hands and when she saw the name on it, she knew she was right about not wearing it last night. Also, at that moment, she remembered that she fell asleep in the library last night, so someone must've carried her to her room while she was asleep.
As that thought formed, she blushed. The thought of Rukawa carrying her to her room in his arms made she cheeks heat up.
She slapped herself mentally: What are you thinking about baka? Stop thinking nonsense! (Told you she's dense sometimes. *sighs*)
She got out of bed and pulled the curtains. Sunbeams poured into the room pushing the darkness away instantly. It was another beautiful but warm summer day.
Tsuki stretched herself some more in front of the large floor window before changing into her swimming trunks for her daily morning swim. Before she exited her room, she gathered Rukawa's jacket into her arms and took it with her. When she walked pass the guest room occupied by Rukawa, she knocked. But there was no reply, so she turned the knob and went into his room uninvited.
Amid the dimly lit room, she could make out the sleeping figure of Rukawa on the large bed. An evil grin crept its way up her face. She walked over to the bed and placed the now neatly folded jacket on the bedside table. Then she bent over Rukawa and shouted in his ears. "Ohayou Rukawa-kun! It's time to wake up! You're late for school!"
Rukawa shot up at the piercing noise, and glared at the perpetrator. Once he saw that it was Tsuki who was standing in front of him, he calmed his temper slowly before saying, "What time is it?"
"About 6:15 in the morning." She replied with a playful smile.
"Oh." And he slumped back into the bed.
Tsuki frown at him. "Oi, wake up! If you sleep anymore you're gonna be late for school, and I'm definitely not going to wait for you."
Rukawa growled with his face in the pillow.
"You can go and practice downstairs … … …" Before Tsuki finished her sentence; he shot up again and jumped to his feet.
Tsuki smirked: So, that's how to get him out of bed in the morning.
She went over to the floor window and pulled the curtains apart and the room was lighted instantly.
Rukawa saw her clearly then and gulped at her attire. Tsuki was wearing her bathers and a thin cotton robe, which didn't do a very good job in hiding her devilish figure.
"Hayaku Rukawa-kun, I'll go and wake Sakuragi-kun so you two can practice together. Ja matta ne." And, she dashed to the next guest room to wakeup the red head.
All Rukawa did was stood there for a while then finally snapping out of his reverie, he changed into t-shirt and shorts and headed for the basketball court downstairs. He met up with one grumpy looking red head in the hallway.
When Rukawa and Sakuragi came downstairs, they were greeted by one of the maids.
"Good morning sirs." The maid greeted them politely.
Rukawa being used to this type of treatments in his own house just nodded in gesture. But Sakuragi however felt rather awkward about the situation and mumbled, "Good morning."
The maid soon went on her way and continued with her duties. Rukawa headed in the direction of the backyard and the basketball court, with a flustered Sakuragi trying to catch up behind him.
Tsuki was already swimming the fourth lap in the pool when the two finally appeared in the backyard. When she finished the lap she was doing, she stopped and pulled herself up slightly leaning against the pool's wall.
She saw the two boys standing close to the pool and waved. "Hi guys."
"I thought nekos hate water?" Sakuragi loomed over Tsuki and commented smugly.
"Do'aho."
"Teme kitsune!" He turned and glared at the raven-haired boy.
Rukawa ignored him and walked towards the basketball court.
"Oi, matte yo Rukawa!" He shouted at the super rookie and rushed to follow him.
Tsuki just rolled her eyes at both of them and continued with her swimming.
Kenji was already at the court practicing when the two younger boys showed up.
"Ohayou, Rukawa, Sakuragi." Kenji said to them with a smile after his three-pointer went into the hoop.
"Ohayou." Replied the two younger players.
"You two woke up early. This should be rare for you ne, Rukawa?" Kenji commented teasingly.
Rukawa snorted and grabbed the ball Kenji was practicing with and stepped onto the court, dribbling it.
Kenji smiled: Now where has last night's gentle Rukawa disappeared to? Oh, never mind, he'll show up again sooner or later.
"Since I've already been here practicing for the last hour or so, you two can have the court to yourselves, I'll just stay here and watch." Kenji said as he walked to the bench on the sidelines grabbing his towel and wiped off his perspiration.
"Oi kitsune, one on one?" Sakuragi asked invitingly.
"Do'aho, you start." Rukawa threw the ball over to Sakuragi.
Sakuragi grabbed the ball, started dribbling and assumed an offence position. "First one to fifteen wins ne?"
"Hn." And Rukawa assumed his defence position.
Kenji walking over to the pair and said, "I'll umpire your game."
The two younger players glanced at Kenji and nodded. So the game began, and ended half an hour later with Rukawa winning 15 – 10.
At this time, Tsuki had finished her swim and paced over to the court leisurely. She sat herself down on the bench next to Kenji's towel and water bottle, and watched the last couple minutes of the game between her team mates.
"Good game you guys." She commented cheerily and encouragingly, giving them the thumb's up.
Hearing her voice, all three boys turned to look at her.
Kenji instantly pulled her hair and said solemnly, "You should know better than to hang around in your wet swim suit! Now get inside and have a hot shower before you catch a cold."
Tsuki yelped a little. "Itee, don't pull my hair Kenji-nii chan."
Kenji now started to glare at her.
"Ok, ok, I'm going now." With that she scrammed inside the house and ran to her en suite for that hot shower while the boys looked on flabbergasted with her speed.
"She's fast." Blurted Sakuragi.
Kenji looked at him oddly, "Ano, she's your team mate Sakuragi, thought you've noticed her speed ages ago?"
"Do'aho."
"Kitsune! Teme kono yarou!" Sakuragi headed for Rukawa all puffed up, and within a split second, the two were ensued in one of their pointless fights again.
Kenji drooped his shoulders and let out a mushroom sigh. "Some things will never change."
However, he decided not to let the two younger boys overdid their little exercise since it might resulted in them being late for school, he took the basketball from where it was resting on the ground and threw it at the two boys. The ball hit the sides of the two boy's face. "Bull's eye." Smirked Kenji.
Before the two infuriated Shohoku players had a chance at getting even with Shoyo's coach, he's already out of the court and into the house. So the two so called rivals sneered at each other and went back to their rooms to freshen up and got ready for breakfast and school.
At practice that day, everyone was itching with curiosity about their star players' study camp over at the Fujimas'. Unable to contain their curiosities further, Ayako and Haruko pulled Tsuki away from the practice routine and asked her about it in one corner of the gym.
"How did it go, Tsuki-chan?" Ayako asked the question while Haruko looked at Tsuki with zeal.
Tsuki smiled at them, "It was ok I guess. Rukawa's not as bad as we thought he was, he caught on really fast with the things I taught him. As for Sakuragi, he's a bit of a concern. But luckily I dragged Kenji-nii chan into the tuition session and he can deal with Sakuragi easily, so guess there shouldn't be too much problem with Sakuragi either."
"Sou ka." Haruko let out a relieved sigh, followed by Ayako.
"So the two idiots of the team are learning huh? Good for them then." Smiled Ayako.
Tsuki nodded. "Hope they can go through the deferred exams smoothly." She paused and her expression changed devilry, "If they fail again, I'm gonna to see to it personally that they're pounded into thin pulps!"
The three girls exploded into laughter after Tsuki's comment, then grinned at the thought among themselves. In the meantime, everyone on court turned to look at the girls with huge sweat drops hanging from their temples.
When practice finished that day, Tsuki was waiting for Rukawa and Sakuragi outside like the day before. However, the two boys did not come out together that day. Rukawa was the one who came out first with the red head falling behind because of cleaning duties.
Tsuki who was leaning against the N1's hood smiled up at Rukawa when he approached her.
"Mou Rukawa-kun, thanks for last night." She said softly, blushing a little as she lowered her head when the picture of her in Rukawa's arm flashed across her mind again.
"Iie, don't mention it." Rukawa said with his features softened slightly at hearing this. He thought she'd never mention it to him … … …
For the next few minutes, the two of them just stayed the way they were in total silence. There was a certain something in the air that felt like electrical sparks. But this soon ended when Sakuragi entered the scene crooning his 'ore wa tensai' song (^_^;).
"Yosh, let's go then, we've got a lot to cover in tonight's study session." Tsuki said enthusiastically as she climbed into the driver's seat.
Rukawa and Sakuragi groaned a little at hearing that then got into the car. But without the red head's knowing, Rukawa glared icicles at him for a split second when he crashed in on him and Tsuki. (:P)
* * * * *
The week flew by quickly and it was time for the two boys to take their deferred exams. Throughout the exam week, all the Shohoku players were enveloped in an overcastted mood worrying for their team mates. When the exams were finally over, they all held their breath as the sensei announced the results.
"They passed with flying colours." Yamada sensei declared cheerfully in place of the now vein-popping Koike sensei.
Koike sensei's thought: How did these two ahos do so well in the deferred exams!? Looks like Fujima did her assigned job very well, too well in fact.
(Anyone who feel like bashing up Koike sensei… … … be my guest! \_/)
All the players who were waiting outside the staffroom (which was every single player of the team) jumped for joy upon hearing the announcement. It was like a piece of lead was lifted from their chest!
"We're going to the IH as a completed team!" One of the freshmen shouted happily.
Rukawa let out a silent sigh of relieve when no one noticed.
"Yes!" Sakuragi exclaimed. "What did I tell you guys? The tensai will have no problem with the exams! Nyhahahaha … … …"
In a split second, Sakuragi was swatted on the head by Ayako's trusty paper fan.
"Itai!"
"Who was it that put all of us through that cliff-hanger dilemma?" Ayako glared at Sakuragi with her hands on her waist.
"But the kitsune has a share in this too. How come you only hit me and not him as well?" Pouted Sakuragi.
Ayako moved a hand to her temple and started massaging it; she could feel a headache coming on. The others sweat-dropped at Sakuragi.
"Everything is settled. Now, let's go practice and put everything we've got into it! We're going to win the IH competition and come out as number one this year!" Miyagi hollered.
"Hai!" Everyone replied in unison, followed by, "Shohoku FIGHT!"
This rowdiness soon earned the basketball team sideway glances filled with irritation from the senseis in the staffroom and surrounding areas. They all turned chibi and hurried out of the administrative area, heading for the gym.
Now that everyone was back at practice in full swing, the day ended with every player huffing and panting for air. But Tsuki was still as cool and calm as usual amidst all the exhausted players. The reason being, she was coaching the freshmen throughout practice, so she didn't break a sweat.
Before everyone went to the lockers to get change and home bounded, Tsuki announced a welcomed event.
"Before you go, I have something to announce." She paused to see if she's got everyone's attention before she continued further. "We are holding a BBQ party for our teams at my house tomorrow evening. And by teams, I mean Kainan, Shoyo, Ryonan and us. So, tomorrow's practice will be held in the morning at my house, and then you guys can stay on for the BBQ."
Everyone cheered at the news. They'd been practicing hard to ready themselves for the IH, so a little fun was just what they needed to eased the tensions a bit.
Ayako stepped in and took over. "Also, next we'll be heading to Sendai for the practice match with Kyomura high school, who came first in their prefecture. So don't forget to bring in your travel fees to me tomorrow, ok?"
"Hai!" They answered with voices filled with joy.
"OK, Ayako sempai will hand out a slip to everyone with my address on it, so don't be late tomorrow." Tsuki ended cheekily with a wink. "Also, we've got a pool so bring along your swimming gears if you wish to swim tomorrow."
All the players exploded into jovial laughter, and hence the end of another day … … …
* * * * *
The next morning was just like any other morning at the Fujima residence. The maids and butlers were busy about with their duties, whilst Kenji and Tsuki did their daily morning exercises. The only difference was that the skilfully crafted steel gates that close the Fujima mansion from the public was wide opened for the welcoming of its young masters' guests.
Tsuki had set the team's practice at ten that morning and since it was not even nine yet, she slipped into her work suit, popped the hood of her N1 open, and started to work on the modifications she had been dying to make on the N1. She set her laptop on a small work worktable next to the N1 and switched it on. She opened the necessary softwares to aid her in tuning her car and worked happily away on the N1 while humming the tune she loved.
Time sure flies when you're happy. Before she knew it, the Shohoku players had arrived and were shown in by the butler. The butler showed the players to the garage where Tsuki was working on her car rather than taking them inside because Tsuki had asked the maids/butlers to bring her team mates to her when they'd arrived.
"Miss Tsuki," the butler said respectfully, "Your guests are here."
Tsuki stunned by the sudden intrusion knocked her head on the N1's hood as she straightened herself. "Itai!" She yelped rubbing her head. Rukawa frowned mentally at her actions while remained silent and expressionless.
"Daijoubu Tsuki-chan?" Haruko quickly went over and held Tsuki checking her for any nasty injuries.
Tsuki turned to face everyone waving her hand and smiling clumsily, "Iie, daijoubu, daijoubu."
"You sure? That was quite a bump you had." Ayako voiced with concern.
"Don't worry, I'm fine." She beamed at everyone. "Ohayou minna."
"Ohayou." They replied together and then they all laughed at Tsuki, except Rukawa, but his lips did curve a smidgen.
Tsuki's face went blank as she was clueless about why they were laughing.
"Ano, what are you guys laughing about? What's so funny?" She asked her team mates in bewilderment.
Haruko who was standing beside her held a hand up to cover her mouth as to control her laughter giggled as she spoke, "It's … … … hehe … … … it's your face, Tsuki-chan … … … hehe … … …"
"Naze?" Tsuki continued to ask blurrily blinking her eyes.
Rukawa smiled silently to himself and thought: She looks so cute with that expression on her.
Haruko wiped a finger across Tsuki's face lightly and showed the result to her. "This."
Tsuki looked at Haruko's grease smudged finger and shrugged, sticking her tongue out cutely at the same time. "Guess I've got grease all over my face huh?"
Everyone nodded. This time when the players erupted into laughter again, Tsuki joined them.
After everyone regained their composure, Tsuki stepped around her car to the back of the garage and grabbed some tissue from one of the shelves to clean her face. With her face still slightly dirtied by grease, she looked at Sakuragi and Rukawa.
"Ne, Rukawa-kun, Sakuragi-kun, since you two know where the court is, can you bring the team there? I need to go clean up first."
Rukawa nodded. Sakuragi however, immediately spoke boisterously, "Leave it to the tensai neko-chan! Nyhahahaha … … …"
Everyone sweat dropped. Tsuki smiled at the red head friendlily while shaking her head a little.
"Everyone follow the tensai!" Sakuragi shouted and led the way with the other players following behind him.
"Do'aho." Rukawa stated flatly.
Amazingly, Sakuragi didn't rebut Rukawa. He ignored the raven-haired boy and walked on.
Tsuki quickly cleaned the gears up and got out of her work suit. She was only a few steps behind the group.
Rukawa suddenly looked back to check on Tsuki, but what he saw almost gave him a blood nose. Tsuki was wearing a spaghetti strap top and a pair of faded jeans shorts that was very short. He could see her belly button! And that figure of hers was such a killer! He quickly reverted his eyes back to the group in front of him and pushed any 'impure' thoughts that were bubbling up in his mind away as fast as possible (:P).
His heart raced like it never had before, not even a frustrating and tiring game could make his heart raced like that. Taking in deep breaths silently, he finally managed to his heart's normal beating rhythm. With that, he decided not to look back at her anymore to save himself from getting a blood nose or worse, a heart attack. (Poor Rukawa? Hahaha~ :P)
When Tsuki joined the others on the basketball court after she'd cleaned up, she's wearing a loose t-shirt and a pair of biking shorts, which were what she always wore to practice. Therefore, Rukawa didn't end up with having any blood noses or heart attacks (*grins* :P).
Renshu went by quickly and the team gulped down the appetizing lunch the Fujima's cook prepared. After lunch, the team were commanded by Kenji about how to set up the things for the BBQ later that afternoon. So, all the boys were busy at work whilst the three girls sat under the shaded gazebo watching them (favouritism … … … I know, but Kenji was extremely protective of his cousin, so Tsuki didn't have to work and together with her, Ayako and Haruko got away too. Hehehe…).
"Ne Haruko-chan, how come Akagi sempai didn't come with you this morning?" Tsuki asked as she took a sip of her cooling ice tea.
"Onii-chan said he'd come together with Kogure sempai and Mitsui sempai later. Besides, he had a tuition class to attend to this morning." Haruko explained.
"Sou."
"Hey Tsuki, last time you mentioned that you have a collection of crystal figurines right? Can we take a look at them?" Ayako asked curiously.
"Sure," Tsuki jumped up from her seat and gestured them to follow her. "Iko, it's in my room."
The three girls thus left the backyard and went up to Tsuki's bedroom.
"Kirei!" Gasped Ayako and Haruko as they looked at the gleaming rocks.
"They must be expensive." Ayako said with a marvelled tone.
Tsuki smiled. "Crystal is the love of my life! I don't know why, but I've love them ever since I was a young child. So, every time I see a piece that I like, I'll buy it regardless of its price."
"But some of them must've cost you a fortune." Haruko said disbelievingly.
"That is why I am always grateful that I have the ability to purchase them when I wanted." Tsuki said softly with a smile that was somehow painful when looked at.
"Tsuki-chan … … …" Ayako trying to say something to ease Tsuki of her heart's burden knowing the accident Tsuki went through.
Tsuki shook her head and smiled brightly at Ayako and Haruko. "Daijoubu desu ka! I'll be fine."
The return of the familiar Tsuki who was always cheerful and optimistic lifted the spirits of Ayako and Haruko. The three girls sat in Tsuki's room and chatted until the boys had readied the backyard for the party. They had to be 'invited' out of the room by a rather irked Kenji after all the guests had arrived.
* * * * *
"Sakuragi sempai!" Hashima Senko practically threw herself at the red head when she saw him and she followed him around throughout the duration of the party.
When he finally shook her off his tail for five minutes, he was trapped by Tsuki and got teased.
"Looks like you've got a big fan out there Sakuragi-kun." Tsuki smiled cattishly.
The red head snorted and boomed, "I never asked for one!"
Tsuki covered her ears exaggeratingly. "Ok, ok, no need to get all hyped about it."
"Neko-chan," He peered at her dangerously through half opened eyes, "be a nice little neko and skip back to whatever you were doing and don't mess in my personal matters! Especially my love life!"
Tsuki burst out laughing at him disregarding his hazardous gaze. When she stopped, he was still death-glaring her, but she turned to look at him with solemnity that overwhelmed Sakuragi, making him silent.
"You really are the do'aho Rukawa said you are, Sakuragi. You're always so tight up around Haruko-chan, witless to tell her your feelings. Yet with a girl who shows her feeling for you through her loud actions, screaming out: 'I'm in love with Sakuragi Hanamichi!'; you snubbed at her. Have you really thought about your feelings for Haruko? Is that feeling for her genuine love or is it just a silly infatuation? Think about it Sakuragi, if not, you'll be hurting both girls and yourself, especially yourself."
Tsuki walked away from the dumbfounded Sakuragi after she finished her sentence, leaving him to think about what she had told him. Unknown to both of them, behind them hidden in the shadow was Haruko. Haruko gasped in disbelief when she heard the conversation between Sakuragi and Tsuki. After calming herself, she decided to have a talk with Sakuragi.
Stepping out of the shadow, Haruko called Sakuragi softly, "Sakuragi-kun."
Sakuragi swished around quickly and stared at Haruko with shock. "Haruko-san! You … … … you've heard us?" He said in a dull monotone similar to Rukawa's.
Haruko nodded. "Let's talk shall we, Sakuragi-kun?"
Sakuragi let out an audible sigh. "Hai … … …"
Off they went to sit down at the bench by the miniature golf-driving ranch, where no one could disturb them. They talked … … …
Meanwhile, Rukawa was looking for Tsuki. He was itching to tell her about his feelings for her. Then he saw her as a Latin tune began to play over the speakers. She was dancing with Kenji, they were dancing Lambada! Almost everyone present at the party, i.e. ex and current players from Kainan, Shoyo, Shohoku and Ryonan were gawking at the dancing pair! Rukawa's pale face paled a few shades further and his sapphire eyes darken with rage. In fact he was fuming as he watched the cousins danced.
Kenji and Tsuki moved in beat with the music, their bodies touching. It was a fast beat dance which was sexy and hot, expressing the lusts of the dancers. Therefore, making everyone swallowed hard and gawking with eyes as wide as barrels.
(Ano… … … does everyone know what Lambada is? I hope you do :P If not, guess you'll just have to go look it up if you're interested or just be satisfied with what I described here, hehehe… ^_^;)
When the music ended, the dancing pair also stopped. Everyone whistled and cheered, actually, it was more like 'howled'. Kiyota shouted above everyone, "En core! En core!"
Others joined in with Kiyota's shouting once he began. But Tsuki and Kenji just smiled at their audience and shook their heads. They were too tired to dance another. But before the cousins could say anything to the crowd, Tsuki was pulled backward by a strong hand. She stumbled a few steps before regaining her balance. Looking up to see who that rude person was, she was startled and allowed him to pull her away.
Rukawa felt like someone's hand was gripping his heart so tightly that he couldn't breath. At that instant he realised and knew how being jealous felt like. Yes, he was jealous. Jealous of Kenji because he was dancing with Tsuki, even though he knew that Kenji only loved her like a little sister. But he just couldn't control himself and his emotions. So he dashed over and pulled her away quite forcefully as soon as the dance ended.
Tsuki saw the fire of anger flashing in Rukawa's eyes. It was the first time she'd seen such strong emotions in those usually serene sapphires. In fact, it was the first time that she'd seen Rukawa with feelings! Therefore, when he pulled her away, she was too stunned by the fact that 'Rukawa's not emotionless' to fight his grip.
Rukawa didn't stop until he and Tsuki reached the back of the pool house. Although everyone saw him pulling her away, they did not dare to follow since they all felt Rukawa's anger and warning when he stepped in front of them. His body language shouted don't-come-near-or-try-to-follow-me-or-else. So everyone remained rooted at their places.
When Rukawa released Tsuki's hand, she gasped. "What was that about, Rukawa-kun?"
'Kaede." Rukawa said in a soft yet still anger-filled tone.
"Huh? Nani shiterunde?" Tsuki thought she heard wrong.
Rukawa's lips twitched in slight impatience. "I said, call me Kaede."
"Ano," Tsuki looked up at him confused, "Nan de?"
"Because I want you to." He replied as calmly as he could.
"But why?" Tsuki continued naively.
With that, she blew Rukawa off his cool (guess anyone would've exploded under this situation, hehehe :P). He suddenly grabbed Tsuki arm and pulled her to him, and before she had time to react to what was happening, Rukawa kissed her hard on the lips, as if by doing so he could get rid of all his jealousy and frustration.
Tsuki's eyes widen to the sudden shock. When her brain started to function again, she tried to push Rukawa away with all her strength but to no avail. At that moment she felt helpless but not disgusted. Rukawa's kiss softened with time and crystal tears dropped from Tsuki's eyes as fear began to form in her heart.
At that moment, an anxious thought flew across her mind: Please kami-sama, don't let this turn out to be what I'm afraid of the most.
Tasting the saltiness of Tsuki's tears, Rukawa quickly lifted his head up and held Tsuki's face in his hands while whispering words of comfort to her softly.
"Shh, don't cry my angel. Crying doesn't suit you." He said with a voice so tender that Tsuki felt herself melting in them as he ran a finger under her eyes to wipe the tears away. "I know you're angry with me for what I did, and I am sorry, I didn't mean for it to be like that."
Tsuki blinked at him. The Rukawa in front of her now is nothing like the Rukawa she knew. It was a person who's not cold or icy at all, he was a person full of warmth and love.
"I…I…" Tsuki was lost for words. She lowered her head so she won't be looking into Rukawa's eyes and thus avoiding the tendency to drown in the softness of those dark blue sapphires.
"Shh, you don't have to say anything, but will you please hear me out?" Still holding her, Rukawa said with utter softness.
Tsuki did not budge from her current position and remained quiet. Rukawa took that as a yes from her, so he continued, pouring his heart out to her.
"I know this has come as a shock to you," he said with slight self mockery, "But, the truth is the truth. I have feelings for you, feelings that I have not felt for anyone or anything before. It even surpasses the passion I have for basketball." He paused a little to see Tsuki's reaction.
Tsuki looked up at him slowly. "But, why me?" She asked confusingly.
Rukawa smiled. "Have you ever heard of any reasons for why a person loves another?"
Tsuki shook her head.
"Then, why are you asking me why? There is no explanation or rationale to it. I fell for you and that's that, nothing more, nothing less. So, can you give me a chance to be your knight in shining armour?" When he finally asked the question he set out to ask her that night, his smile brightened, making his eyes sparkled under the starry night. To him, it felt like a large weight had been lifted from his chest.
Tsuki's heart knotted at Rukawa's words. The fear she felt from the beginning finally took form. She set out to be everyone's friend from the beginning and she never thought that one of her friends would eventually fall for her. She never wanted this to happen!
She turned her head away from him and mumbled ruefully, "Sorry, but I can't."
She ran away from Rukawa who was left stricken by her words. She didn't dare to look at Rukawa because she was afraid she'd see how much she'd hurt him. She didn't stop until she was safely inside her room, not even when Kenji called out to her when he saw her running towards the house.
Leaning on the closed door of her bedroom, two strings of silent tears fell from Tsuki's crystal blue eyes. "Gomen ne Rukawa-kun. I can't, I really can't. I don't want to feel the heartbreak again, not again … … …"
She finally broke into tears and fell to the floor hugging her knees, trying to cry away the pain she felt in her heart.