Thank you everyone for reading and/or reviewing this story. I really wasn't expecting it to be this long! Just 5 more days of school!
Anyway, I don't know if I'll be updating next week because of exams, but I'll definitely be updating more after it's all over.
This chapter is pretty short, but I really like it and I hope you all do also.
This chapter is for you, Mew Foxy! I'm really glad you like this story enough to beg for updates that much.
Another chapter, Ch. 12!
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Ryou waited in the park. He looked at his watch. 12:13, Lettuce told him to meet her there at noon. He paced up and down the path several times until he sat down in a nearby bench. He looked at his watch again, but it was only 40 more seconds than the last time he checked it. "Maybe she got lost on the way here, I mean, she is Lettuce." He was still trying to plan out what he was going to say to her fearing that she might get the wrong idea because he had agreed to this date. "I could just tell her the truth about Ichigo and me," he said quietly to himself. He shook his head, "But then we would have to explain a whole lot to her." Once more he checked his watch, 12:19, "Where could she be?"
"Ryou!" Ryou looked toward the direction where he had heard the familiar voice. Lettuce was rushing toward him with a sack of food in her hand. She finally reached him. She took some time to try and catch her breath, "I'm so sorry...I'm late." She took a few more breaths before continuing, "I accidentally burned some of the food...and I had to cook some more."
Ryou smiled, "You really didn't have to do that, I'm sure the food would have tasted fine anyway, even if was burned." He took the bag from her hand and set it on the bench, "You had me worried, I thought you had gotten yourself lost."
Her cheeks turned red. She bowed repeatedly, "I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to worry you, I just wanted everything to be perfect."
He put his hand on her shoulder, "It's okay. I understand." He sat down and motioned for her to take a seat beside him "We should eat before the food you made gets cold."
Her cheeks turned several more shades of crimson as he removed his hand. She nodded shyly and sat down quietly as she fidgeted with the ruffles on her skirt trying not to make eye contact with the blonde boy sitting beside her.
He took her hand. Her whole face turned red as she rapidly turned her head to face him. "You should be more confident in yourself Lettuce, there's nothing to be nervous about." He released her hand and reached into the bag, pulling out two rice balls. He smiled and handed one to Lettuce, "Let's eat now, we can talk some more if you want later." Lettuce nodded and took the rice ball from him. Ryou took a bite from his.
Lettuce watched him nervously, I really hope he doesn't hate the food, maybe I shouldn't have put more salt, or maybe there's not enough, or...
"It's delicious!"
Lettuce blinked, "W-what?"
Ryou smiled, "It tastes great Lettuce!" He took another bite.
A big smile came across her face, "Really? You really like it?"
Ryou nodded, "Of course, you're a great cook!"
He swallowed the food in his mouth. He looked down with a concerned look on his face, She looks so happy, I don't know what I'm supposed to say, but I promised Ichigo I would talk to Lettuce, and I know I have too.
Lettuce stared at Ryou with concern. She knew that something was worrying him, but she didn't know if he would want her getting into his business. "Um, Ryou?"
Ryou looked over at her, "Yeah? What is it Lettuce?"
Lettuce hesitated, "Is-Is something wrong? You look like you're worried about something."
Ryou sighed, "Actually Lettuce, I need to talk to you about something."
She blinked, "Sure, what is it?"
"Lettuce, I know I agreed to go on this date with you, but the truth is, there's someone else I'm in love with right now. I wasn't thinking at the time I agreed and was more concerned about your feelings, but now I know that it would only turn out to be worse in the end." She sat there staring at him, Ryou didn't know what was going through her head. He continued, "You're really important to me Lettuce, and I always want us to stay friends. The girl is also really important to me, but you and I have a different relationship, but it's just as important." He waited for her response.
Lettuce lowered her head, "I...I knew."
Ryou stared at her blankly, "Knew what?"
Lettuce kept her eyes on the ground, "I knew that you were in love with someone else, but I've loved you for so long and I didn't want to give up. I knew that there wasn't a chance for me, but I couldn't accept it. It was a very selfish thing for me to do, but like you, I also wasn't thinking. I know that you don't share the same feelings for me as you do...for Ichigo." She lifted her head and looked into Ryou's eyes revealing the tears falling from her own, "I'm...sorry."
Ryou stared back into her eyes. He was speechless for a moment, but began talking to her again, "How did you know?"
"When you look at me, you always have a smile on your face, but I know that you're hiding your true feelings inside. It's the same look you give everyone else," her voice softened, "but not Ichigo. You look at Ichigo differently. You look at her with open eyes that she can easily read. You are not afraid to show your feelings to her." A tear dropped onto her hand, "Oh no, I'm crying." She removed her glasses. "I can't cry, I can't keep being like this." She set her glasses down beside her and wiped her tears away holding in the rest, "I can't cry anymore, I have to stop being such a baby."
Ryou pulled Lettuce to himself and held her in his arms, "It's okay to cry Lettuce. Sometimes, it's best to cry. I'm beginning to let out my feelings, and now it's time for you to do the same."
Lettuce's eyes widened with shock. They began to fill again with even more tears. She closed her eyes and buried her face in Ryou's shoulder as she let her tears out and cried loudly not able to reply to what Ryou had just told her.
He smiled and gently stroked her hair.
"Thank you Ryou."
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I love Lettuce. She is so sweet! I think her and Ryou would make a really nice couple.
I hope everyone liked this chapter as much as I did.
Until next chapter!