Notes: Wah! I'm sorry it took so god damn long. The reason is…well…okay, I confess! I've been just enjoying my vacation, playing videogames and watching anime with my cousin. But now he went back home so I can continue writing. This is the third part. It was supposed to be the last one but turned out it isn't. The next one is. Probably. Anyway, thank you so much for your reviews! They make me happy! I hope you like this chapter as well!

Chapter 3 - Practicing

Rukawa stood in front of a mirror. The curtains of his room were closed and his door was firmly locked. He had made sure no one would be able to come in or see him. The reason was that he was butt naked.

Rukawa stared at his well shaped legs. He turned a little to look at them from a different angle and then turned again, crooked his neck to see more clearly.

"Nothing wrong with my legs", he mumbled. His inspecting gaze moved to his arms. After some swinging and stretching he decided that there was nothing wrong with them either. There is absolutely nothing wrong with my whole body. Nothing I can think of, anyway. He leaned closer to the mirror and stared at his own face. The face is fine, too. He continued staring at his reflection. There's nothing wrong. Nothing wrong… He sighed heavily and dropped onto the bed, crossing his arms behind his head. Nothing wrong. So where's your self confidence, Kaede? Just tell him. How hard can it be? Only three words, 'I like you'. Nothing to it. "I like you", Rukawa whispered aloud. And suddenly the words seemed to gain more meaning and a light shade of red creeped up his cheeks. He quickly covered his face with his hands to hide it. Oh shit. It is hard. How can it be?… Must be because I don't talk much. I don't have experience in socialising. Yes, that must be it. A sudden knock on the door woke him from his musings.

"Kaede, the dinner's ready", his mother said from behind the door.

"Uh, okay. Be there in a bit." Rukawa got up and grabbed his clothes. If I practice a little then it won't be so hard. Once dressed he got downstairs and joined his parents at the table. Got to practice. "So…hm…"

His parents turned to look at him, surprised that he had spoken. They had gotten used to their son's silence a long time ago. Rukawa wasn't the kind to blab about his stuff or ask advice. He wanted to do everything himself and excluding some events when his parents had thought it better to interfere, they had let him be what he was.

Practice, practice. "Hm…So how was your day, Mom?"

His mother blinked and then a frowned a little. She was starting to get worried but she quickly hid it. "It was quite nice, actually. I finally finished a work that had been prolonged."

"And you, Dad?"

"It was okay." His father watched as Rukawa fell silent again, apparently deep in thought. He glanced at his wife who looked as puzzled as he felt. He shrugged, his son would tell if there was a need. Perhaps.

Rukawa finished eating and stormed back into his room. As soon as the door was shut he breathed out: "I like you." A blush once again flared on his cheeks. As I thought, that was insufficient practice. Got to practice more.

After a week of vigorous training with his parents, some shopkeepers and a librarian Rukawa was able to say 'I like you' aloud without blushing. He felt a bit more sure of himself and was starting to think that he could try 'the confessing thing', as he called it. He was now considering which method of confessing he should choose. After being at the receiving end of dozens of confessions he knew quite a few ways to do it. Should he write a letter or give Sakuragi chocolate or perhaps a flower? Should he be subtle or should he be blunt? He grimaced. He's so dumb that he won't know my meaning if I don't punch him in the face with it. So I definetely have to be blunt. No dropping hints every now and then. I have to grab him by the collar and tell him straight. He stopped to think about it. Hmm…seems like I have decided to talk to him instead of writing a letter. It's probably the only way to make the do'aho understand.

The next morning found Rukawa sitting under a tree near the school gate. It was so early that no one else had arriver yet. Rukawa wanted to be sure he didn't miss Sakuragi's arrival. Although he's probably late.

He had practiced his short sentence in front of his mirror this morning. He had planned it all. He would tell Sakuragi that he wanted to talk with him. After getting to some secluded corner he would say 'I like you' and smile the loving smile version two, and then Sakuragi would say…he would say… A sudden fear clenched Rukawa's heart. Damn it! I wasn't supposed to think that far. Just telling him is enough. Don't think what happens afterwards, you stupid idiot! His shoulders slumped. But I don't want to lose him. Gah! What am I thinking? I don't have him so I can't lose him. But what if he starts to avoid me?…It's possible that that's going to happen. So perhaps I should just… He sat there, staring into distance and suddenly he slapped himself. What a hell!!? Get a grip, Kaede. You're not a coward. And with a fierce determination on his face he continued to sit and watched as the students started to come.