Warning! There's a little spoiler for people that haven't read vol. 8 of Hot Gimmick! So if you don't like spoilers, don't read it! Or just go read the 8th volume first, then come!

Oh, I hope he's not mad! Hatsumi thought to herself as she waited for train. I'm sure he'll understand.

Back at the alley, same time.

Maybe I shouldn't think about it too much. I'm thinking too much here, also a bit overreacting. But I can't stand it when she keeps on talking about her brother! It's getting annoying. Well, whatever, she better call soon, as Ryoki leaned against the wall trying to sort things out, trying to calm down. But seriously, something's not right about her lately, what is it? She seems more…hesitant and…tense lately. I mean, on the last date, she totally ignored half of what I was trying to talk to her about. The more he thought about it, the more he became uncomfortable. I've gotta see her, now. And get this whole thing out of her, or else, its no different than when we just started! As he thought this, he went towards the station, walking. She's probably not there anymore, no point in running.

"I better call Akane and tell her to pick up Hikaru! I probably don't have time to." Hatsumi mumbled to herself in the train. But later, once I get out of the train. There's no signal here.

SCREEEECH! Hatsumi stepped out of it. She quickly called Akane to let her know without telling her why. Then she ran to her brother's house. The sun was already starting set. 5:30. Well, at least the weather's not that cold today. She ran faster hoping to get there as soon as possible. Finally reaching her destination, she paused at the door, panting non-stop. She tried her best to reach the door bell, but it seemed to take forever. As she was almost about to touch it, 'click, click', the door opened.

"Hatsumi! What are you doing here?"

"Shinogu! Are you alright? Where's mom? Didn't she come over? You're up? Oh My Gosh! You look pale! Are you going out like that?" Hatsumi said, suddenly recovering all of her energy.

"Oh yea, I'm fine. Been working too hard again, I guess. Yea, mom's here, she's cooking. And yea, I woke up about half an hour ago. I was just going to get some medicine."

"Oh! Well, let me get them ok? You really don't look good." Hatsumi said pushing him in the door. "Mom! I'm here!"

"Hatsumi? You're supposed to be at home to pick up Hikaru! Not here!" Her mother looked old, and more pale than Shinogu. This made Hatsumi worry more.

"Akane's picking him up. You don't look so well your self, maybe you should get going. I can take care of it from here. Hikaru and Akane will need you at home."

"Well, I'm still worried about your brother, he fainted for the entire afternoon! And no one here to take care of him either!"

"I'll take care of it, really, it's alright, you should rest more." Hatsumi pleaded.

"Mom, Hatsumi, it's really nice that you guys are worried, but I can really take care of myself. Really! 'cough, cough'"

"No you can't! Now, mom, go home, take care of hikaru, ok?" Hatsumi asked in the most pleading voice ever.

'Sigh'. "Well, I suppose that can be more efficient. Take care, both of you, ok? Hatsumi, I tend to be more worried about you than your brother now. Well, if anything else happens just call, ok? Oh, and the food's ready, it's exactly for 2 people, so eat up!" her mom turned off the stove and got her jacket.

"K! Thanks mom! Bye, and be careful!" Hatsumi said closing the door. Turning to Shinogu, who's still kind of dazed out: "What medicine do you need? I'll go get it."

"Huh? Oh, it's ok., just need some pain killers. I'll get it my self." Shinogu answered.

"No way! Look, you even seem a pit feverish! I'll be right back." She said, rushing out the door so Shinogu can't go out before her, but also leaving him to be a bit guilty.

Ok, ok, pain killers, here it is! Hasumi thought while at the convenent store. She quickly bought it and went back to her bother's place to help out.

Ugh! Where's she? Can't get to her in any way possible, she doesn't have a cell, and her sister said that she's out, but don't know where! What is wrong with her? She could have called a bit more! God, she's so dense! Ryoki starting to get really frustrated while walking to the apartment building.

"Ryoki? Ryoki Tachibana?" A girl voice suddenly called from behind him. He quickly turned around to see one person that will really not help the situation now. "Heya! Its me! Ruri! Don't tell me that you can't recognize your own class mate!"

"Right now, I just wish that I don't recognize you at all." Ryoki mumbled to himself, half hoping Ruri will hear it.

"Huh? What's that? Couldn't hear you there."

'Sigh' not saying a thing, he turned and started walking again.

What? Cold shoulders again? I don't get it! Why can't he just give a decent conversation for once! What's so bad about me? I can't believe that he's even comparing me to that low class bakazono high girl! Now it's war girl! I'll get Ryoki Tachinbana by any means possible!

"Phew! I can go home now. Well, bye Shinogu, take care alright? And stop taking so much late shifts! You'll collapse again!" Hatsumi said while getting herself ready to go.

"Don't worry, I've just been a bit too loose on myself lately, it's ok. It won't happen again, I promise. Now be careful, alright? ... Are you sure you don't want me to walk you to the station?" Shinogu asked, seeming a bit better.

"No, no, it's ok. I'll go now, take care. Bye!"

"Well, ok. See yah."

That took a while. Well, he seems better. He'll be fine, I hope. 'Yawn'. Wow, I guess I'm more tired out than I thought. Better get home fast. Oh! I still have to apologize more for leaving Ryoki out like that! At the thought of that, she sped up her walking pace, almost about to run.

"Ryoki! Wait up! Where are you going now?" Ruri asked while trying to walk beside Ryoki. "Don't walk so fast, let's talk."

"I have no interest in talking with you." Ryoki shot back. Annoyance.

"Oh, but I certainly have. Ok, if you don't want to talk calmly. We'll just talk while walking to your apartment.

Ryoki was getting mad. First, he doesn't know where Hatsumi is, and now, Ruri has to show up to annoy him more.

For the whole time, Ryoki ignored Ruri's nonsense talking, but she kept on talking non stop. They had already walked to a corner of the apartment, when … "I LIKE YOU!"

Ryoki turned around, not even moving an eyebrow. "So?"

"Why? Why don't you care? I really, really, really, like you!"

"That has nothing to do with me, it's your business." He said, turning again to walk. But a grab at his waist made him stop. Not that he wanted to, just he couldn't move.

"It's not fair! It's just not fair!" Ruri yelled out.

Well, it's not too late. Good. I still have time to find Ryoki and apologize. Hatsumi thought while walking into the apartment grounds. Maybe he's here. She turned towards a corner. But then she suddenly heard:

"I can't take it anymore! Why are you going out with such a low class person? She's not worth it! Dump her! Compared to her, I have a high academic skill that's practically no difference from yours! Dump her, Ryoki!" Ruris yelled, louder than she intended, but every word of it shot into Hatsumi's ears like just sharpened knifes. What came to her most hurtful and shocking wasn't Ruri, but…

"You're probably right."

Ryoki? Ryoki! I can't believe it!