We stand here, lost in each other. I don't know what I expect to do, maybe I should run. I could probably get in the elevator before he could, then shut the door.

He suddenly reaches over and pinches my cheek. I fall backwards in shock.

"Oww that hurt." I say rubbing it. He looks down at me, then helps me up.

"Its really you." He whispers. I move his hands from my waist, and turn to face him. He touches my cheek gently, and I feel myself blushing. Damn.

"Where have you been? No one would tell me." He could go on and on with questions, but I don't know what to say, what to do. Its like being frozen, and I can't help but cry.

"What's wrong? If my mom said anything to you..."

"No, no it's not that, I...I don't...I can't.." I say crying harder and harder. "I don't want..."

I hear the elevator doors open, and Shinogu walks over to us. He sees my tears and starts yelling at Ryoki as if he has made me cry on purpose.

"You idiot! Baka, get away from her!" He screams.

"No don't Shinogu, please let's just go." I pull Shinogu's arms but he doesn't go. I turn and get in the elevator, then as it goes down I think of what to do.

I can't move again. No no I won't.

He only saw me, he didn't get my number, or my address. I just have to be careful when I visit mom.

That's it, he doesn't know anything. I'll just forget this happened.

As the doors open, Akane and Mizuku are standing there waiting.

"What happened Hatsumi? Your crying." Akane says shocked. "Where's Shingou?"

I step out and pick up Mizuku. "We have to go. Now."

She examines my eyes, and nods. We go to the train station, and board a train. I will really owe Shinogu when I see him.

"He was there Akane, and he saw me." I whisper to her weakly. "Oh I just stood there, and I couldn't move."

Mizuku stares up at me, just as Ryoki had. His eyes. I take a deep breath and stare at Akane.

"What did you do?" She asks.

"I couldn't do anything, I just stood there, then Shinogu came and saw me crying and jumped on Ryoki, I ran to the elevator." I think back. I'm such a coward.

"Its alright." That's all she says more about it really. She knows I am a coward. I wipe my eyes one more time, and laugh.

"Come on, we have shopping to do don't we?"

After a long shopping trip, Akane takes us home. Mizuku is asleep in my arms. I lay her down in her bed, then come into the living room.

"He loves you Hatsumi." Akane says staring at the picture on my table. "He's been looking for you so long."

"What would you have done Akane? Would you have told him, 'Ya I'm preggo, so you should quit being successful and all your studying was useless. You'll just have to marry me and we'll live in a crappy apartment.' Forget it." I was never this upset before, I'm filled with such shock and confusion.

"He deserves to know and you know it! The guy has a successful job, he's got more money then his father invested in that shop! Face it, your just scared for nothing."

I sigh, and rub the back of my head in thought. "What should I do?"

"You should talk to him, tell him, do something." She stands up and looks at her watch. "I have to meet Subaru at their shop. You want to come?"

I shake my head no. She nods and sighs. "I'll call you."

I watch as she leaves, then collapse on my couch. The picture stares at me, and I realize how little he's changed.

Its later in the evening. Mizuku is awake, playing with a Inuyasha doll of Kikyo, a present from Subaru. I smile as she sorts through our shopping bags with me.

"How's this look?" I say pulling out a shirt I bought her. It's green and blue striped, with a smiley face on the front.

"I wanna wear it!" She says smiling at it. "Can I put it on?"

"No, not tonight." I say folding it. "Tomorrow we're going somewhere."

"What did you get?" She asks looking through my stuff. She pulls out a black spaghetti strap top, then a black knee length skirt.

"Akane bought it for me. I'd look silly in it." I sigh standing up. I fill my cup with soda, and she looks up at me.

"You'll look pretty Mama. You always do." She smiles. I laugh and pick her up.

"You're too sweet sometimes Mizu, I bought you another present." I say with a sneaky grin.

"What? What? What?" She says her eyes widening. I hand her a bag, and she opens it. Inside she finds a dvd with Sailor Moon on the front. She jumps around excited, and I let her put it in and watch it.

While she sits quietly watching, I stare at the clothes Akane bought me. I know where I will wear them. I know where we'll go tomorrow.

Tomorrow, we're going to Subaru's anime store. Tomorrow, I will see Ryoki.

A/N Man I'm evil lol more cliffhangers! LoL