Ryouma glared at everyone else. All were having fun. Talking. Laughing. This was beginning to get on his nerves, maybe because he did not have a Valentine. ....Of course this had never bothered him before, why now? Maybe if Taichi were here....

Echizen shook his head and mentally scolded himself for even thinking such a thing.

Sighing, he slipped outside. For once, everyone was too busy having fun to notice. He began walking down the side walk, there were plenty people, couples up and about. There was those in the restaraunts eating together. He could see others in store buying things for their sweet hearts. There was a boy walking down the street by himself..... Wait a minute, that boy wouldn't happen to be...

Ryouma stared at the person, who seemed quite lost at the moment...

Taichi's POV:

This sushi place is so hard to find! I can't see it anywhere! ....Aw, I feel a bit... out of place here, being by myself like I don't have a date.... Well, I don't... But I don't want everyone else to know that!

Ok, maybe it's to the right... Now how about straight a head, I'll turn this corner! .....No, oh, I give up.... Hey, there's a park not too far away. Maybe I'll go there, since it's probably too late even if I did make it to the party....

I manage to find an empty bench. The park is a bit empty, maybe people only like coming during evening time when the scenery is "romantic." Or maybe it's because of the drizzling rain? ......Oh great, rain? At least it's not too bad. Now I can be in the park by myself. I liked being by myself whenever I felt like thinking of him. Hm, I think of him a lot, lately...

"Why are you out in the rain?"

Ah, I think about him so much I'm hearing his voice... What if I am in love?

"Are you there?"

That's strange... I look up, and through the thick downpour, I make out a figure. Holy tennis balls! Is that really Echizen Ryouma-kun?! Can't be, why'd he be out here, in weather like this?! I should be asking myself the same question...

General POV:

The rain was pouring hard, slightly blurring their vision. "Ryouma-kun, desu.." The boy on the bench uttered upon seeing his favorite tennis player before him. Echizen looked down upon Taichi, not seeming to mind being soaken wet. "Hi," was the only response which was almost drained out by the rain.

"Sorry, desu..."

"...For what?"

"Ano... I couldn't find where the restaraunt was..."

"It doesn't really matter." Actually, Echizen very much prefered it out in the rain rather than at the crowded party sight. Taichi's company was more welcome, too. Plus, he got to smile and Taichi would not see... Or maybe he could see, it did not matter. "Why are you here?"

"....I came to think..."

"You do know that it's raining."

"Hai, desu. It's just... I was thinking of something..."

Echizen listened intently, it probably was none of his business, but this sounded interesting.

"It feels so strange, to be alone on Valentine's Day..."

Hm, Ryouma is feeling the same way, so far. Echizen frowned at the boy, he should have had someone today! Why can't someone make him feel better? .......Well, maybe he could... Ryouma stiffened a bit, not really listening to Taichi's babblings, he knew he was not good at love.... Wow, Taichi pouring his heart out, here...

"....And I thought maybe Ryouma-kun--" Taichi clamped up and Echizen's ears perked. Nothing was heard but the pounding rain until Taichi spoke again, "Ano... Uhh, I...."

"You wanted me to be your valentine?"

'Does he always have to be so blunt about it?' "Uh, I was just thinking.... Gomen ne, I..." Taichi's head overflowed with things he wanted to say but he couldn't, and his heart pounded almost as loud as the rain.

"I don't mind..."

Did he just hear what he thought he heard? Did Ryouma just say, "ok"? Surprisingly, the rain let up, slightly.

"I hope a crush.... from.... another g-guy doesn't.... freak you out or......"

"It's ok, you aren't bad...."

"N-nani, desu?"

Ryouma's wet cheeks went pink. Taichi's were for a long time rosey red. "I.... Like you.... Somewhat...."

The rain became a light drizzle, and slowly, their depression and loneliness was beginning to let up a lot as well.

"R-ryouma-kun....."

".......T...Taichi..."

For a minute, their was silence. The drizzling rain steady, as if waiting for them to let up, first.

Then as if reading each other's mind, both confessed in unison, "I love you." Both boys smiled, relieved to have finally got the burden off their shoulders, as well as the last of the rain! The rain had completely cleared, and sunlight lit up their features.

Such a troublesome event, this Valentine's Day!

~*~*~*~

YAY! I'm finished! So happy! Once again, I wish you all had had a great Valentine's Day! I didn't have a date, but it was fun anywayz. ^__^