Daydreamer: Alright, this is a really important chapter. i mean REALLY important. and i did work pretty hard on it so i hope it was worth it. so here we go.

Chapter 10: We Were All Lying

Another week passed and there hasn't been much change between Horohoro and Tamao. They still saw each other and spent time a lot, neither aware of the rumors and gossip about the two. And because of all the time they spent, Tamao looked forward to everyday. She even began to forget her worries of what happened between Horohoro and Ren. And the bluenette always enjoyed her company since they were best friends to begin with. That was probably the only reason he didn't feel uncomfortable spending all this time with her. Things seemed to be going nicely between them.

Ren on the other hand, changed a great deal. He no longer made any effort to create distance between himself and Hao, but rather let the bruenette stay as close as he please. And although Hao did agree to give space, the Chinese didn't really make his own plans besides training or studying alone. And he'd agree to go wherever with Hao if invited. Things were shifting into Hao's direction as Ren went with however he was steered. Even his golden eyes didn't seem to flicker anymore with the flame of malice and determination of resistance. But as they went on, Horohoro and Tamao were observed by keen eyes.

"You guys have been spending a lot of time together lately."

"Eh?" Tamao looked up at Anna who suddenly spoke up while her eyes were still on the tv. Yoh went grocery shopping so her and Tamao were the only ones in the room.

"You and Horohoro. I know you guys have been close friends and all, but I can't say you guys have been this close ever before. All of a sudden too."

"Um, yes well, I'm not quite sure myself." Tamao answered sheepishly as blush was crossing her face. But Anna took no notice and shrugged.

"Hm, not that I care. But isn't he spending a lot of time with you when he has Ren?"

"Well you see...they broke up. And Ren-kun's with Hao now..."

"With Hao?" Not even Anna was able to hide her surprise at this and she finally looked away from the tv now that her show was over. She suspiciously eyed Tamao as the pink haired girl shifted her eyes away. She frowned as the guilt she once forgot slowly returned.

"That's...too weird. Do you know why?" Tamao shook her head and Anna raised a brow. She stared at Tamao more intently as if drilling through her mind.

"So you've been having all this quality time with Horohoro after he broke up with Ren, and Ren went to Hao. But we both know Hao. There's probably something up. But you've been going on with this without knowing what. Are you ok with that?" Anna asked sternly and waited for Tamao to answer. Tears began to fill in the girl's eyes as shame rushed down on her. She knew what Anna was trying to say and she didn't know how she was able to let it go so far. She knew how Horohoro really felt, she knew she's just playing along with what he's really doing, she knew she's just pretending too. It made her feel so foolish, so selfish, she looked down at her lap unable to show her face. Her lips trembled and she spoke up in a quivered voice.

"Gomen-nasai...I-It shouldn't be o-ok..." Anna's expression softened and she wiped away Tamao's tears.

"Don't apologize. It's Hao's fault, not yours."

THE NEXT DAY

The bell rang to end the last class and students exited out the building. Tamao walked out of her class, sighing for the umpteenth time that day. It's not like she's really tired. The conversation she had with Anna the day before was just bothering her so much. All the worry returned along with the bitter taste of guilt. Her head hung low but then she looked up and gasped. From a small distance, walking towards her was Ren. But...what's wrong with him? She thought as she clearly noticed something was different. No, it wasn't just one small thing, but all of him was different. For one, he seemed to be drifting than walking. He wasn't noticable like he usually is, more like he's blending with the crowd and surroundings. Like he lost that "Tao Ren" aura. And his eyes, they look nothing like they used to. If they weren't gold and were to be a color matching how they seem, they should be a hollow black. Yes, hollow. Ren seemed hollow. In fact, Ren didn't seem like Ren, it's like he's a completely different person. Tamao didn't really know how to put it but this just wasn't Ren. He's so faded, so hollow, so...not Ren. The Ren she knew was just gone. Not a trace of him was there, this was just a ghost.

"Ren-kun..." Tamao said but the boy walked right passed her. She turned to look at him again. She knew he didn't notice or hear her but that's not what hurt. He went right to Hao and walked off with him. Tamao shook her head, unable to believe it. What did he do to him! ...What have I done...? Tamao asked herself and bit down on her lip. She stood there until they were out of sight. She knew what she needed to do, and it had to be done now.

"Tamao!" The called girl turned to see Horohoro running over to her. She forced her lips to curve to a smile as he beamed.

"Let's walk home together!" He said and took her hand. But Tamao quickly pulled it away. Horohoro looked at her oddly as she wasn't smiling anymore.

"Horohoro-kun...this needs to stop."

"What?"

"All this."

"What'd you mean?" Tamao sighed and gestured for him to follow. They sat at a bench at a nearby park, Tamao finding the school to be an unsuitable place. When they sat, she looked into Horohoro's onyx eyes and spoke again.

"You'r being too dishonest. Not just to me but to yourself too. I know you still love Ren." Horohoro frowned and narrowed his eyes. Not in anger or harm, but of defense. But she could see he was strained by the truth she pointed out. He shifted his eyes to the ground.

"I'm over him, Tamao. I'm moving on."

"You call this moving on? You're not even over him, you're just lying and pretending."

"Well what'd you know!"
"I don't know anytihng! You won't tell me!"

"..."

"Horohoro-kun, what you're trying to do is stupid. Look at me." Horohoro slightly turned his head. She could see he was lost, unable to figure out what to do now. She made a consoling smile.

"Can you say you love me?"

"What?"

"Would you be able to say those three words without thinking of him instead of me? Would you be able to kiss me without picturing his face instead of mine? Could you do any of that without thiking of Ren?" Tamao tilted her head, waiting patiently. Horohoro stared at her lips as he knew what she was waiting for, but then looked away. He couldn't even say those words and he knew why. He bit down on his lip and his head hung low. She was right, he couldn't. But Horohoro knew. He shook his head in answer to her questions and held back tears. Tamao reached out and held him close.

"Then don't go on like this. Take him back."

"I tried..." Horohoro whispered as his face was burried in Tamao's shoulder. Yes, he tried. Horohoro tried to take Ren back, he tried to believe in the love he thought they had. But he got so tired of getting hurt and Ren seemed to make it so clear that it was all gone. The Ainu thought he can shut out the pain, thought he can move on. But no matter how much he tried to deny the hurt, no matter how much he tried to block it out...he knew he couldn't. He tried not to admit to himself of his awareness, but then that hurt even more and he tried to shut out that pain too. He made himself believe he was fine with all the fun he thought he had with Tamao. But despite what he's been doing with her, he knew what was hurting the most. It was that deep down, deep within where he tried not to look at, he knew he still loved Ren. That Ren hasn't and won't ever leave his heart, while he may be nothing to the Chinese.

"Then try again. He needs you too. I know he does. You both need each other." Tamao spoke up as if to counter what he was thinking. She pulled away and smiled at Horohoro. He returned it with a small, weak smile himself, though his eyes threatened to let tears fall. Out of every girl he knew, he was closest to her. Along with being able to cook great food, she was cute and sweet. And out of all the girls he knew, he was able to be himself the most around her without shame. He probably would've gone out with her...if he hadn't met or known Ren. But he'll never regret knowing Ren, not ever again.

"So...you're ok?"

"Of course, but I should be asking you that. Besides...I've gotten over you."

"Really?"

"Yeah, and I'm interested in this boy who sits behind me in French."

"Well good luck with him." Horohoro said and they got up to head home. They said their good byes when they reached the place to separate. Horohoro first said his thank you, and Tamao said it was nothing. She watched him for a while, not able to help but to feel a bit hurt. She wasn't over him, she lied too. But she's worn this facade before. She knows how to hide herself like this, this was even her second time. And unlike Horohoro, she also knew when someone else wore the mask. She knew it hurt and that's why she wore hers and had him remove his. If only what she said was true. If only she really was interested in the boy who sat behind her in French. But that couldn't be possible. Because she sits in the very back and the only thing behind her is the wall. But she's used to it, and it felt nice to be cupid.

TUSZUKU

Daydreamer: Aw, poor Tamao, she's so sweet. So this was mostly about Anna to the rescue, which led to Tamao to the rescue. And I also wanted to point out what really went through Horohoro while he was with Tamao. All in all, this is where things start to fall in place again. Next chapter is all about Horohoro and Ren, so stay tuned. I'll do my best to update.