Ok. Time for apology. I really don't have many excuses, at least not ones that are permanent. So, thanks to you guys who are still paying attention to this story, and to those who are just beginning to read. So, here's the chapter, after like six months, but no worries, it wont take me as long to do more chapters.

Disclaimer: I don't own Hot Gimmick

BTW, I just wanted to clear up some things. I don't like bad reviews, but I will accept critiques. And that's just what it is, a critique. Don't come bitching to me about how you want me to make little saluting paragraphs and how to write my story. If you have something reasonable to say, I will consider your opinion, but know this, I wont just change my story on a childish whim. If you want to change my story so badly, write one yourself. Now, please, enjoy the chappy. XD

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"I asked you a question. Where were you?"

Jeez, what the hell got into him? I walked silently towards him and pointed a finger towards down the hall. If he woke up my parents then there would really be hell to pay. After all, Azusa isn't even my boyfriend, so how could I even explain why I was out with him until late.

Shinogu grabbed my arm, pulling me into the kitchen. " You're acting more like Akane these days than yourself. Once again, where were you? I'm not going to ask again."

" I just went out with some friends…. You know…"

" Actually I don't know. I'm worried about you. Mom mentioned that you looked worn out. What's wrong?" His eyes attempted to seek out the truth from my lips but there would be none of that going on.

" Oh god, she's only having a stupid breakup, no biggie." I practically jumped out of my skin. There in the shadows was Akane, looking grumpy and sleepy.

" I heard Shinogu all the way from the room. I'm surprised that no one else woke up. To think that you could respect someone else's beauty sleep, what a novel idea." She poured some water out of the fridge and drank. " Hatsu, if you're going to have like an emotional breakdown, not to be rude, but do it outside. Anyways, what are you still doing here?" Looking after Hatsumi, how typical. More like annoying.

" I just crashed here for the night. The last train was gone by the time I was gonna leave, so mom just told me to stay here until morning. But stop avoiding the question, Hatsumi, who were you with?"

Ugh, not this again, I'm really not in the mood to give stupid explanations. After all, its my life. Who says that I cant be as outgoing as Akane? He never asks about Akane, so why should he care about me? Why do I get the special treatment?

" Stop it Shinogu. I don't owe anyone, particularly you, any explanation of where I was or whom I was with. Mind your own business!" With that said, I stormed out of the room. I felt elated that I had fended for myself for once, but I felt sick nonetheless. This was not me. I never talked like that to my brother. He was just concerned. Either way, all of it would have to be settled tomorrow. Shinogu will be there in the morning. Probably.

I shut my eyes, thinking that sleep would never come. To my surprise, when I opened them, it was morning.

OOOOOOOOOO

It felt as if I hadn't slept a wink, but surprisingly it was eleven. I looked at my cellphone, no missed calls. Good. Ryoki might have actually given up on me. Its all better that way. Anyways, there really wasn't any time to mope around, since today I go job hunting. And Azusa was the perfect guy to help me find one.

"Ah, my little Hatsumi has finally grown up, she's even looking for a job. Its so touching, it just makes my heart bleed a little bit." Azusa stood with his back towards the stairs, smirking evilly. " Don't make fun of me. I need to start acting like an adult soon, I cant rely on my mother for everything. Plus, I need to clear my mind for a while."

"You mean clear your mind from Ryoki." I flinched. His tone was joking but it seemed a bit harsh. His face softened and he put his arm around me. "Lets go. I agree, the last thing you should think about is that bastard Ryoki, after all the shit he did to you."

OOOOOOO

" NO! Mariko-San, you may NOT follow me." God, this bitch is annoying. She always buts in when im with Hatsumi, and she still wont leave me alone even though im not with her anymore. He walked outside into the street, taking several turns around the streets so that Mariko-San wouldn't be able to follow him. He could practically feel her piercing eyes on his back, but after a couple of minutes, the felt calmer, and the world was back to its normality. It was like walking in a video game, knowing that the boss was right behind you and the only thing you could do was run to escape.

"What the hell!" He saw Hatsumi and Azusa walking through the streets, arm in arm and with a bunch of papers. They weren't very far away, and he would be damned if he was gonna let Azusa grab his girlfriend and parade her all around Tokyo. On the other hand, though, she's no longer your girlfriend.

OOOOOOOO

"Ow, ow, ow. It burns" The coffee scalded my tongue. We had stopped in this coffee shop to rest for a while. Id already gone to apply for serving jobs, cashier jobs at mini marts, and to other types. None of them really interested me, but I needed to get out of the house. " Clumsy as ever. Are you okay? Ill go get you some water. Be right back."

Clumsy as ever, yeah. I guess being a waitress is not for me either, if im so clumsy.

OOOOOOOO

Ryoki walked across the street parallel to the coffee shop. He saw her face turn red and Azusa stand up. You idiot, don't you know that helping her is just going to help her feel even worse. He stopped short. As if she felt his eyes upon her, she turned to look at him. She stood up an went towards the door.

At last, she wasn't running away, and neither was he. "We need to talk." This is the only way to end this, she thought. Ryoki began to walk towards Hatsumi when suddenly, Asuza came out. " You want her, then come and get her!"

He shoved Hatsumi into oncoming traffic, and out of reflex, Ryoki ran towards her. He pushed her backwards back onto the street, when he saw the car it was too late.

All went in slow motion, and the only thing that he could hear was Hatsumi's ear shattering scream.

And suddenly all went black.

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no, this is not the end. Don't worry. Or it might be, if noone reviews. I will thank properly in the next chapter all of my readers. Hope you liked it, and (wow it feels so long since I've written this) remember to review!

Comeback Jenbo LOL