Chapter 12

(Hikoichi)

I smiled, "Mitsui-san."

"Hm?" he asked.

"I heard you'll be residing here for an undetermined period of time, right?"

"Yes."

I smiled, "That's great. Why are you stay here?"

He looked at me, I had my hand posed over my notepad prepare to write it down word for word, verbatim is after all very important.

"Do you know about Kogure and Rukawa's relationship?"

"Relationship?" I asked excitedly, "what relationship?"

He sighed, "Never mind."

"No, no. Please tell me. I insist."

"Hikoichi are you here pestering people again?"

"Iie, Koshino," I protested, "I'm just asking Mitsui-san some questions. I'm not pestering anyone, right Mitsui-san?"

"That's precisely what I mean by pestering," he said dragging me off.

"Kosh, I haven't finished my interview yet," I whined.

.

(Ayako)

I looked at Sendoh and Kogure sitting on either side of Rukawa, 'Things sure feel tense.'

Then Mitsui came in and sat across from Rukawa.

'And now it's just gotten tenser…'

"Ohayou Ayako. Why are you standing here?"

"Hey Jin," I said, "nothing. Just observing…"

He smiled, "Something's going down, don't you think?"

"Why would you say that Jin-san?" Hikoichi asked.

"Mitsui, Rukawa, Sendoh, and Kogure sitting together," Jin said, "don't you feel something's off with that?"

"No," Koshino said, "Mitsui's here because of Kogure. It's obvious from how he acted the last time he was here. He plans on joining us. I know it."

Jin smiled, "Care to bet on that?"

Koshino frowned.

I think I know his logic behind always asking people to bet. I smiled, "I'm in. Mitsui is here because of Kogure but no way he'll ever join us."

"How come no one told me Kogure and Mitsui are a thing?!" Hikoichi asked, "since when?!"

"Quiet. It's obvious. You got to be blind to not know," Koshino said, "probably began in the three years he's gone. Fine, I'm in. He'll join us for Kogure."

Jin smiled, "You're so wrong. Kogure is only half the reason he's here. Ok, maybe more than half, two-third. The remaining one-third is for Davenport. And there is no way he'll join us."

"Crap. I forgot all about Davenport," I said.

"Mitsui likes Davenport too?!" Hikoichi asked.

I laughed.

.

(Rukawa)

"You really shouldn't drink your coffee plain. Black coffee taste so icky. I'll help you add some cream, ok?" Sendoh said.

I covered up my coffee cup, "No."

"Why are you always saying no to me?" he asked.

"Kaede, Sendoh's right. Black coffee isn't good for your stomach," Kogure said softly.

"…" I let go of the coffee cup.

He smiled.

"…" I frowned, 'there's something off with Kogure-san. But what?'

Mitsui was glaring at me. I sighed, 'Troublesome.'

.

(Sendoh)

I looked at the basketball sign-up form, 'Should I join? It'll give me something to do and take my mind-'

"Maki-san, you're back."

'Maki?!' I turned and spotted the man go into his office.

'Is that who I think it is? I can't be sure, but he does seem like him from behind…'

.

(Jin)

Mitsui came in.

I smiled, "Hello. Can I help you?"

"If I didn't think so I wouldn't be here, now would I?"

"That's an interesting question. I guess you wouldn't…so what do you need my assistance in?"

"The whereabouts of Davenport would be appreciated."

I smiled, "I'd love to help you, but I don't know. I created the security plans but Rukawa-sama is the only one that knows the location. We kind of suspected that you with your mind reading abilities may come after us. So for safety measures, Rukawa-sama didn't tell us where he is."

He frowned, "What's going on between Rukawa and Kogure?"

"I have no clue. Why would I know if you, who understand Kogure so well, can't figure it out?"

.

(Rukawa)

"Where are you going?" Ayako asked.

I sighed, "For a stroll."

"You seem troubled. What's wrong?" she asked.

"Kogure's acting weird, plus I'm wary about Mitsui," I admitted to her, "what if he reads Jin or your mind? He'll find out where Davenport is."

"Jin and I are great liars. No problem, he won't call our buff, because it's too mentally straining to read people's minds especially if the person hides it. And it's also very emotional," she said, "don't worry about so many things. I'm tired. Going to sleep. Night."

"Night," I echoed.

.

(Mitsui)

'What is Kogure doing out here? Isn't he cold?' I wonder.

I would go over and off him my jacket or warm embrace but he'll probably start avoiding me again. I really don't understand why he's doing this.

Then I spotted Rukawa walking into the garden, 'Is he waiting for Rukawa?!'

.

(Rukawa)

"Kogure-san…" I said, "why are you here?"

"There's something I wanted to tell you."

I looked at him, "What?"

He stared at me, "I like you, Kaede-kun."

"…" I looked away, 'why is he saying this? Impossible, I still remember when he told me about his feelings for Mitsui…'

~Flashback~

I spotted Kogure-san with that zoned out look again. Recently he was constantly like so. I sat beside him.

He looked at me, "Oh, it's you Rukawa."

"You looked troubled."

"Can you keep a secret?"

I nodded.

"I've fallen for someone."

"That's good."

"No it's not. The person I've fallen for is Mitsui Hisashi, Evo's leader."

"Oh."

"I know I shouldn't have fallen for him. But…"

I looked at him.

"He's really nice to me, yet to other humans…he's so cruel. I want to be with him, but I can't. Nor can I oppose him. Why must I have met him?"

I shrugged.

"Do you believe in soul mates or fate?"

I shook my head.

"Neither did I, until I met him. There's no other way to explain it. How else could anyone explain his reasoning for loving me? And why would I love him back? We both know it's wrong. What should I do?" he asked sounding very confused and in tormented.

I decided it was time to answer, "I can not tell you want to do. Everyone must make their own decisions, their own choices."

"You're right Rukawa. I can't bring myself to be with him unless he changes. But I also know he won't change, not for me or anyone. His views will remain the same, as will mine. There's only one thing I can do," he said sighing.

~End of Flashback~

"But you love Mitsui. He's your soul mate…"

"I believed that, three years ago and continued to believe that, until most recently. When I saw him again…that feeling was gone. But I found it within you…"

'Me? That's no-'

Before I knew what happened his lips were on mine.

.

(Sendoh)

I stared out the window at Kogure and Kaede in lip lock. Then transferred my gaze to Mitsui, 'Does your heart hurt as much as mine?'

I looked at his balled-up fist and turned away from the window, 'Kogure likes Kaede and Kaede doesn't appear repulsed by him, Kaede cares about him…but me… Kogure's good for Kaede, he'll take good care of Kaede.'

I went and plop down onto my bed, 'I hope Mitsui doesn't get into a fight with Kaede. But if he does Kaede should be able to win, no problem. He doesn't need me to worry about him anymore, maybe he never needed me and it's always me…the one that's been needing him…'

~TBC