Okay. On account of me being lazy (well, not quite, but it might seem that way…) after this chapter we are jumping straight to the events of college, namely Ayane making it there. Of course, the events previously will still be referred to and gone over, but these first few chapters were intended solely as prologues for the main three characters. Hope that's alright. :)

Without further ado, onto the chapter, and hope you enjoy!


A cool breeze tousled his hair as he sat, motionless, staring into the distance. The sun was slowly yet surely disappearing, bathing the area in a golden hue.

Such a simple sight it was; the sun setting. Yet, this time, it provoked such a sense of contentment and sheer… happiness.

He turned to face the beautiful young woman seated beside him. He hadn't, on reflection, known her for that long… but yet again, it seemed as though he had known her all his life.

She smiled; a beautiful warm smile that warmed his heart. "I love doing this sort of thing with you, Ryu. You don't look at me oddly when I say I enjoy this sort of thing before excusing yourself to go in and watch the cricket on television or something."

He couldn't stop himself from smiling at the sound of her voice. So warm, poignant. Touching to listen to, like music to his ears.

So positively beautiful.

Her smile morphed into a full-fledged grin. "Or go inside and watch porn movies, instead."

"I don't like watching cricket. Or pornography."

Grin morphed into laughter. "I know."

Sudden silence fell between the two, each lost in their own thoughts.

The gentlest touch on his arm startled him. She suddenly looked serious, almost… hurt…?

"Ryu… just one thing. Why… why won't you…"

He hadn't even realised he had done it. All he knew was that suddenly her hand was off his arm and she was suddenly looking hurt. "What are you talking about?"

She pulled her hand back, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear, an act of nervousness. He mentally chastised himself upon viewing the echoing of hurt her visage betrayed. "Never mind, Ryu. I… shouldn't have mentioned anything. I'm sorry."

"No… what… what were you going to say…?"

The smallest upturn of lips in a false, forced smile. "No, don't worry. I didn't mean to say anything of the sort… it doesn't matter. Don't worry about it."

Before he could protest again, she had broken eye contact, her gaze drifting to the sky.

"Isn't it beautiful?"

He opted to ignore the tactless change in subject matter; despite the struggle it was to do so.

"Yes, it is. But… you're beautiful too, you know."

The words came out in an almost clumsy manner. He looked determinedly away so that she wouldn't notice the slight flush he could feel on his cheeks.

A gentle hand on his chin. Suddenly, he was staring into her eyes, those beautiful orbs of blue.

"I'll cherish those words forever. It's the first time you ever told me that."

Before he could say anything, she broke eye contact abruptly, staring down at the tiles. Her fingers were flittering about in movements of nervousness.

"I wish you would talk to me more about how you feel. It makes me feel as though you don't trust me, and that makes me… that makes me sad."

She laid a hand on his arm again, and he didn't have the heart to push it away.

"What do you want me to tell you?"

A soft sigh escaped her lips, just visible as vapour in the cool air. "Everything, instead of nothing."

He stood up abruptly, steadying himself on the damp tiles. "I'm sorry to anger you so."

"Ryu, please. Don't be like that." She stood up too, not so much shorter then he. "I… I just… I just worry about you. Surely you realise that."

"Then you should know that you don't have to worry about me."

"Don't you want me to worry about you?" Her eyes were dark with unshed tears, much to his surprise.

"I don't want you to worry about me."

"Ryu, if that is what you want, then so be it."

Before he could say anything else, she had gone. As abruptly as that.

He sat down again, staring out at where the sun had been moments ago. The wind suddenly felt a lot colder then it had previously.

"I'm sorry," he said finally to the trees, to the wind. "I'm sorry that I can't be who and what you want me to be."

No response, other then the wind picking up pace. It definitely had a bite to it now. He shivered, curling up in an effort to regain some warmth.

"I don't know what you want from me… Irene…"