All I have to say this chapter is that Lexy is a tool. A nice tool, but still a tool. Oh, and thanks for reviewing ^_^

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No… it was supposed to be special!

She couldn't stop the tears from painfully flowing, as she started running. Out, and…

Her running was halted by arms encircling her. Not caring whose they were, she collapsed into the unexpected solace, sobbing, as they embraced her, holding her close.

I'm sorry, Hayabusa, Hayate, I didn't mean to hurt you! I just wanted to do something special… for you, and my best friend…

"Please, Kasumi, don't cry,"

She pulled away instantly from Hayabusa's arms. What was it, the second time she had been embraced by him like this, in these circumstances? She felt like such a fool. Her good intentions had backfired in the most unpleasant way possible. And it was then… maybe then, she realised what she had perhaps known all along.

Hayabusa and I… we can really never be. Sure, friends, no denying that. But we're too different and always will be. He's more… grown up then I'll ever be. Always sees things in a confusing light. I think he will always be my first love. But he wants to move on. Perhaps… perhaps, hopefully, it's just a crush on his good looks.

She looked up. Regardless, they certainly were good looks.

"Kasumi, I owe you an apology,"

That certainly surprised her. If anything, it should be her giving him the apology, not the other way around.

"You look beautiful. I was just… too shocked to say anything. I know you had the purest of intentions, and you look stunning,"

"No… I don't," the tears had stopped now. "I shouldn't have done it. It was wrong. I thought it would be a nice thing to do for Irene, but now I realise that just being happy is all she would have wanted from me,"

Behind her, a short snigger broke out. "What is this, cliché city? Who writes your scripts?"

She turned around to see Ayane, clad in a short black mini-dress which accentuated her shapely hips. "Ayane… you look beautiful," she said sincerely.

"Whoa," Ayane looked slightly scared now, if nothing else. "Don't go all homo-ish on me. I already told this guy-" she stabbed a finger at Hayabusa, "that I wouldn't go to the formal with him if he was. No chance for him whatsoever,"

"You're… gay?" she looked back at Hayabusa, who blinked in response. "Really? No wonder you were so good at clothes critiquing. You wear this sort of thing all the time, right?"

"No!" he exclaimed loudly, much to her amusement. "Ayane's just… getting carried away,"

"He's lying…" Ayane said in a sing-song voice. Is she drunk? She's being… hospitable!

Hayabusa shook his head, further amusing her. "I don't know why I even bother. Would it make you two happier if I say I am, so you can stop harassing me about it?"

"You are!" Ayane looked triumphant.

"No, I'm not," That was something she had never heard from Hayabusa. Stubbornness.

"Look, Hayabusa, I'm sorry too," she said finally, now that the foreboding mood was lifted to a more light-hearted atmosphere. "For wearing this. I thought you'd like it, but I can see that it was a mistake. That said… I'm glad you've forgiven me, and thanks for taking me tonight. Not quite what I was expecting, but nice nonetheless,"

He obviously wants it to be over. So… anything for him…

"You're going already?" Back to the cool, no-nonsense tone she was so used to hearing. "Well, in that case, let me escort you home, Miss Kasumi,"

"Making me feel like royalty!" she exclaimed happily. "An escort and everything! You certainly know how to make a girl feel special,"

"Make sure you don't get side-tracked by Hayate on the way!" Ayane retorted, before ducking inside. She couldn't help but laugh at the sight, brushing a curly red lock away from her face. Hayabusa shook his head, before offering her his arm.

"Shall we, princess Kasumi?"

She smiled.

"Of course, my prince,"