ChApTeR 6

"There are things you love to hear that you would never hear from anyone else, but don't be so deaf as not to hear it from the ones who says it straight from their heart."

The next day was Aya's last day with them. They did every single thing they could think of and had fun the whole time. Rei wasn't with them though. In fact he wasn't with them for the past few days. She tried her best to cheer up, but his absence was bringing her grief. Ran knew about this and was always by her side trying to take her mind away from matters.

" Aya…?" Ran said trying yet again to capture her attention. She was staring into the empty space she'd been staring for a long time now. "Aya…" Ran repeated only a little loud.

She finally jolt up to her wake. She gazed at Ran and looked apologetic. "I'm so sorry Ran, I didn't ca-catch that," she politely said. Ran shook her head a little bit and smiled at her. "No, Aya. I wasn't saying anything. Just calling you."

"Oh, yeah, right." Aya got tinges of pink from embarrassment and looked back to where she was staring lately. Her eyes showed again the sadness and longing dwelling inside her. Ran knew just what to do.

"Obviously, Aya, you're up to something again." Ran whispered and got a shook from her blue-black haired friend. "It's nothing… just… just thinking…" she whispered back.

Ran tilted her head and blocked her view of the sunset. Her friend gave her a quizzical look and a sad smile. "Really, Ran… It's nothing." She said reassuringly.

Ran smiled back at her finally deciding to reveal to her friend her weapon. Ran knew it was something that'll make Aya feel better. "Aya, tomorrow I promise you, he'd be the last person left out." Aya smiled at this and and Ran knew she'd succeeded. It was so easy to predict she was obviously thinking of him, of course. He was the last person she wanted to leave, even as only a friend. "He has to be there to watch you follow your dreams tomorrow. So cheer up… Come what may, I'll drag him there with us, …with you"

She stared at Ran almost teary eyed again. Aya always wonder how she knows just when to catch her. She always wonders how she knew just what to do. But then again, friends can hear what you don't say. She wrapped her arms around her for a hug and was thankful she had a friend like her. "Thank you, Ran. I needed that." She smiled.

Ran hugged her back and smiled too. At least she was doing something to help her.

" Ran, What's taking you so long? You might miss her." Miyu's voiced boomed out of her phone. Ran rolled her eyes. She doesn't need to be told twice. She was frustrated enough just trying to get him to open up even without the time pressure left for her to do her promise.

"I k-know Miyu… I just need to…" Ran's voice sounded so mad at that point. She was holding on tight to the knob, trying to budge it open. "Oh hell, OTOHATA, WHY CAN'T JUST OPEN UP!" she finally screamed out of frustration. Ran turned her cell phone off, cutting Miyu's line, and threw it away in a sofa. Now both her fist were clenched and dangerously knocking on the door, which was equally shaking from the contact.

"REI! OPEN UP, YOU IDIOT! YOU'RE GOING TO MISS HER!" Ran shouted out, but got nothing for an answer. She was getting more and more mad. She doesn't want to break a promise but she doesn't want to miss her friend too. Ran was hitting the door harder and harder. She was getting tired and was by now thinking with her guts. She just spilled the only thing she could.

"I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU, REI, BUT WE SURELY ARE NOT AS OBLIVIOUS AS YOU ARE! WELL, IF YOU CAN'T SEE IT, LET ME SHOVE IT ON YOUR FACE. DO YOU THINK SHE WANTS THIS SHT WHOLE-HEARTEDLY. IF IT WEREN'T FOR HER DREAMS, SHE WOULDN'T LEAVE US. CAUSE IT MEANS LEAVING THE ONES SHE LOVES BEHIND. YOU DON'T KNOW HOW IT IS KILLING HER. YOU DON'T KNOW HOW SHE CRIES. YOU DON'T KNOW HOW IT FEELS LIKE WHEN SHE HAD TO MAKE A DECISION AND … leave you behind. I told her to let go of you. I tried, Rei, I tried. But know what she told me? … Wish she could, it means she can't… " Ran's shrieks gradually turned to her unusual concerned tone. She found herself near to tears and knew she had done her best. It was the least she could do. She'd tried. 'Is he really that hard.' Ran thought 'of all the guys in the world, why did she have to choose this cold-hearted twerp. She really does deserve better.'

Ran picked her things up and decided she wouldn't pass the chance to see her just because of this waste of time. But before she left, she gave him her last words…

"Rei, if so you just want to know, Aya's last wish is to see you even for the final time. You have turned her down for so many times; please grant her even just this one. It means a lot to her. She was serious when she told you she loves you." With that she finally left.

Rei heard the last of her walk away. He was lying on his bed staring absentmindedly at the ceiling. Her words hit like a sharp dagger, and left him wishing he was really deaf so as not to hear a word. He felt pain like he never did before. Something only she made him feel. His eyes were starting to threaten him of bursting what he felt…

'Why? Why? Am I feeling like this?' He thought and shut his eyes tightly, sending his first tears to fall.

He sighed yet again, feeling the warm waters flow out from his blue-gray orbs.

…I love her.