Hi again! It's me, JupiterHalo, back with the third chapter of "Dilemma!" With the way I'm writing this, it shouldn't take more than a week to finish it! But we'll see when the next chapter comes out, ne? Please enjoy this one! I think Ryousuke acts kind of OOC in the chapter; I apologize for that! However, I think that being/training to be a doctor is very stressful, and can take a lot out of a person. I'd imagine that he'd need to talk to someone about the problems he faces. So I don't think he's REALLY OOC, but just in case, you've been warned! Please read and review if you can; I love getting feedback. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own "Initial D," unfortunately. All of these characters belong to Shuichi Shigeno.

Thoughts are indicated by italics.

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Skidding to a halt in front of the diner, Mako checked the time. "Oh, no! Late again!" With a sigh, she opened the door. Waving to Minako, the waitress behind the counter, she plopped down into the now-familiar seat next to Ryousuke.

He gave her a quick glance as she started removing her coat. "Did something happen, Mako-chan?"

She shook her head. "No, not at all! Traffic was just slower than expected." After giving their orders to Minako, she leaned her head on her hand. "I guess it'll start snowing soon."

Ryousuke smiled as he sipped his usual cup of coffee. "Well, it is almost December."

She noticed his hand was trembling slightly as he held his cup. "Ryousuke-san? Is everything all right?" A shadow came into his eyes, and lines formed around his mouth. Stress lines… Mako thought.

"No, Mako-chan. Everything's not all right." He ran a hand through his hair. "I've been up for the past 36 hours, assisting in the care of a patient."

Mako glanced around; the diner was empty except for them and Minako. "Ryousuke-san, if you'd rather not talk about it, that's fine. But I do think I'm a pretty good listener." She smiled gently at him. "If you ever need to talk, I'm here."

Ryousuke took a long sip of coffee, closing his eyes. As he put the cup down, he started speaking so quietly Mako had to lean close to hear him. "The patient I was caring for… was a six-year old child who was the victim of a hit-and-run accident. The driver was talking on his cell phone and didn't notice that a child had run out into the middle of the road chasing a baseball. The driver swerved to avoid hitting him… but it was too late. The boy's friend saw the driver take one look at him, the back up and speed away from there. By the time an ambulance reached him, he had already suffered from severe trauma and blood loss." He took a breath while Mako laid a hand on his arm, trying to comfort him. "That was 30 hours ago. I assisted in his surgery, but he lapsed into a coma soon after. I had to tell his parents that there was a less than a one percent chance of their son ever waking up again. I couldn't sleep after my shift was over; I went back to the hospital and stayed by the kid's bed, holding his hand. A few hours ago, his parents decide to take him off of life support and have his organs donated after his death." Ryousuke buried his face in his hands. "Why does losing a patient have to be so tough; why does it hurt so much?"

Mako's heart ached for him. Moving over, she wrapped her arms around him, holding tightly to him, "It's all right; it's okay. I know that it's tough, losing someone like that." She stroked his hair gently, murmuring words of comfort. "You care a lot about people; that's why you're going to make such a great doctor."

Both of them sat that way for a while, both leaning on each other for support. Finally, Ryousuke pulled away and smoothed back his hair. "Forgive me, Mako-chan. I must apologize for my behavior. I didn't mean to tell you all of my problems with work."

They sat in silence for a long while, eating quietly. Finally, Mako looked over at him. "Ryousuke-san, I don't mind at all if you talk to me. We've known each other for what, four or five months now?" I believe that we're friends! So, as a friend, I will always be here to listen to you."

Ryousuke smiled gratefully. "Thank you, Mako-chan. I appreciate your kindness." As they got up to walk to the door after finishing their meal, he turned to her. "Mako, I have something to say to you." She turned and looked at him, puzzled. "You're smart, beautiful, kind and courageous. Any man I know would be more than honored to know you. In the time we've known each other, I feel a lot closer to you than I do with most people. And so, I'd like to know something. Would you like to go out on a date sometime?" He gave her a crooked smile. "I may not look like a chef, but I make a mean spaghetti sauce. So, would you let me cook you dinner sometime?"

Mako looked at him. Silently, she counted each time her heart beat. Softly, she said "Ryousuke-san, I am honored that you would think of me in such a way. You must have known that I had a crush on you for a very long time. However, there is someone I also care very much for. That is, until he dumped me." She looked at him. "He never even gave me an explanation why. I've tried to move on, but I've found that I can't. So, before I accept your invitation, I have to find out why he did what he did."

Ryousuke nodded. "I understand completely. It's hard not knowing why someone hurt you." He fished around in his pocket, pulling out a scrap of paper and a pen. After writing something on the paper, he handed it to her. "Here's my cell phone number. Call me any time you need me."

After they parted, Mako walked over to her Sil-Eighty. "I can't go on without knowing the truth," she whispered. Starting the car, she headed to the one place where she could find answers: Akina.

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Yay! Third chapter is finished! Next up is Iketani and Mako's confrontation! Please look forward to it! And as always, review if you can! Be safe, everyone, and I'll see you when the next chapter is finished! If you ever need me, please feel free to e-mail me; my address is in my profile.

-JupiterHalo