Satsuki, jealous of Manaka's budding relationship with Aya-chan, will stop at nothing to win; even dragging Nishino into it. Will Nishino fight with her or tell Manaka-kun the truth? Continuation of The End or the Beginning?

Author's Notes – Please R&R, Thanks to the people who reviewed The End or the Beginning. You guys inspired this with your thoughtful words.

Love Trial Chronicles

Chapter 1 - Jealous Women

Satsuki stood behind the door ears trained on the conversation out on the roof. Glancing through the crack in the door she was horrified to see Junpei-kun kissing Aya-chan.

Why that little gaki, how dare she steal my love interest. I will not stand for this, sneaking behind my back and stealing my Manaka.

Hearing footsteps she jumped back ducking around the corner out of sight. Peeking around the corner carefully she watched a blush tinted Toujou walking on clouds. The anger in her grew to dangerous proportions as she thought about what she had seen. Moments later she heard footsteps again. Peeking around the corner she spied Junpei whistling as he left.

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Junpei hurried toward the Movie Club's room, thoughts of Aya-chan running through his mind. He loved the way her hair smelled of strawberry shampoo and her lip gloss was flavored the same.

How can she smell so good? What do women do coordinate all their personal hygiene products? His eyes widened as he realized that might be the case. How funny, he found himself chuckling.

Nishino always smelled of fresh air just after a rain. Strawberries are much more pleasurable. He found his face heating up when he realized where his thoughts had gone.

Reaching the club room door he took a moment, praying his face would cool down quickly. Trying to help he put his hands up and began fanning his face. Please work…please work, he was mid-plea when the door crashed open banging him in the face. He toppled backwards and landed against the opposite wall. Why does this stuff always happen to me? Gloomily he held up a hand, "I'm all right."

His cousin Yui stood laughing. "Manaka-kun you always end up with accidents. How is it possible one young man could do so much damage?" She moved out of the doorway and into the hall.

Aya hearing a commotion ran to the door. "Junpei-kun, are you all right?" Seeing him with a big knot on his forehead sprawled against the wall she quickly moved to his side.

He glanced up at her and seeing her concern he decided to make the most of it. "My head is throbbing and the room won't quit spinning." He weakened his voice and formed puppy dog eyes.

Yui stood off to the right smirking. "Manaka-kun it sure is funny, a few seconds ago you were all right and now you are in a relapse? Perhaps it has something to do with Toujou-chan's tender concern." She laughed at the now dejected Manaka-kun as Toujou-chan lightly smacked him while blushing. Offering him her hand, Aya helped pull him up and the three friends left the building.

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Satsuki walked up the street, lost in thought. How can I help Manaka-kun see the real me? Maybe I could ask him to shop with me? She thought about taking him to the lingerie store and smiled. It would be even better if that little gaki could see Manaka-kun with me buying special things. I wonder if Nishino knows about Manaka-kun and Toujou-san. I need to let her know, that might help.

Heading for the bakery where Nishino worked she thought about how to win Tsukasa-san's help. She opened the glass door and was assaulted with the smell of fresh baked goods, her mouth watering instantly. Walking slowly up towards the counter she eyed the employees looking for Nishino.

Waiting behind the only other customers she began trying to decide what to order. Finally the people in front of her cleared out and moved to a small table. Stepping forward she was happily surprised to see Nishino step towards the guy behind the counter.

"Hazumu-kun, I'll take this one, could you please put another tray of muffins in the oven?" The kid's eyes widened and he smiled blushing.

"Okay Tsukasa-kami-san right away," He sighed dreamily as he walked away to do kami's bidding.

Nishino shook her head with a helpless look as if to ask why me. "Hello Satsuki-chan, what would you like?"

Satsuki's eyes wandered over the display case as she thought about what to choose. "Oh I don't care…just give me one of those muffins. Waving a hand in the general direction of the display case she remembered her reason for coming. Hey, Nishino-chan do you have a minute? Can you take a break?"

Nishino glanced at Satsuki with surprise. Why would she want to visit me at work, it must be very important. "Hazumu-kun can you cover the counter if customers come in, I am going to take a ten minute break."

A muffled reply came from the back area, "Of course, Tsukasa-kami-san." Nishino grabbed a plate and set a muffin on it before grabbing herself a pop. Coming out from behind the counter she handed Satsuki the plate before following her to a booth in the corner.

Satsuki sat on one side of the booth and Nishino flopped down on the other side. Watching Satsuki quietly she waited, letting the other girl open the conversation.

"I am glad you could take a break. You see you and I have a problem. It concerns Manaka-kun."

Nishino's eyes widened at the mention of her ex's name but she held her silence waiting.

"Toujou-san made her move and I saw them kissing!" She picked up the muffin and tore off a bite, waiting for Nishino's curiosity to pique.

"Really, and you are telling me this because?" Nishino stared at Satsuki surprised wondering if Satsuki enjoyed torturing her.

"Because you are my rival for Manaka-kun's affection, but that little gaki was never a consideration." She waited a moment, chewing thoughtfully wondering how much to reveal. "I know you and Junpei-kun broke up, but that you still have feelings for him. You are my competition, but I think you and I need to work together to bring Manaka-kun back to us and away from Toujou-san." Satsuki took another bite letting her words hang in the air for Nishino to ponder.

Nishino stared thoughtfully at the brunette across from her before replying. "Have you spoken to Manaka-kun about any of this?" Sucking in her breath she was afraid of Satsuki's answer.

"Of course not, that would spoil everything and I would appear as a jealous hag." Satsuki glanced at Nishino with an aggravated look. "I have a plan and it does not include making my self look stupid. Here is the deal, together I think we could draw those two apart and bring Manaka-kun's attention back to us."

Nishino remained silent pondering her options before speaking. "I will think about it, but for now I have to return to work." She left Satsuki who was wrapped up in plotting, smiling over a half eaten muffin.

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"Junpei-kun I really like your idea for the movie. I think I will incorporate some of it into the end of the scene in chapter twelve. Aya glanced up at him smiling softly.

Junpei smiled down at her as they walked along the lake's edge.

"I am glad to hear that you liked it. I still have not decided on where that scene should take place though. What do you think of a moonlit area like this?" He held out a hand waving at the area currently in front of them.

"Ah I see the possibilities. It would be kind of romantic." She blushed softly staring out over the water. She smiled softly as his arms came around her his hands meeting somewhere around her middle. He rested his chin on her shoulders trying to see it from her view.

"I think it could work?" He spoke softly into her ear and smiled when he felt a tremor climb up her spine. "What do you think?"

"Um…" Think, think, what do I say? "I think it would be very special." Her voice came out soft and breathless and he could see the rising stain on her cheeks. Turning her around in his arms he leaned down gazing into her eyes.

"What do you say we try it out?" His warm breath tickled her face as she glanced up at him. Everything disappeared in that moment. There was only the two of them in their own world. The lake was forgotten even the movie was not on their minds as their mouths met in a loving kiss.

End of Chapter 1, I hope you have enjoyed it please review and let me know what you think.