I LOVE YOU GUYS! Please don't kill me. :( Good news is, however, that I've completed both Chapter 11 and Chapter 12! So I'll update with Chapter 12 tomorrow hopefully, after I run through it once again for error. If it isn't up by then, it's only because I couldn't get to a computer. I'm currently paying £1.50 an hour to get on this one.

I realised how stupid this story really was, so I basically wrote a new chapter instead of rewriting it. If something seems out of place, blame this website or Word. One of the two are acting up.

Hating You 11: Where's Rika?

"TK Takaishi, I demand to know what you're doing."

It was New Year's Eve and TK had caught a small cold. It was nowhere near serious, and the only part of TK that seemed affected was his voice and face colour, but Kari remained worried.

Especially since he felt he "needed" to go running.

"Imbroving my immyoo sysdem," TK answered from the floor, putting on his trainers.

He refused to be locked up in a small flat all day. He hadn't done much exercise over the holiday, and at this rate, he would be out of shape in no time. After all, nothing was more embarrassing than being captain of a basketball team while completely out of shape.

"It's cold outside! And wet! And you have a cold!" Kari grabbed his left trainer. "You aren't improving it; you're killing it! You can't go running."

"Bud I wand do go runnin'," he protested.

"You can run when you feel better, TK. Perhaps tomorrow."

He frowned. "I feel bedder! I'b been sleebin' all day!"

"You can't even talk properly, for Christ's sake!" Kari gently squatted next to him. "Come on, you can read a novel or something. I have some good ones."

TK groaned. He didn't want to stay home reading another boring novel or eating more dodgy, watery soup. He wanted to run.

Kari hugged his torso, trying futilely to calm her boyfriend's impatience. "You can run tomorrow, okay? If you feel better then, I'll let you run."

TK looked at her blankly, wondering if he should listen to her advice or go ahead and leave.

Deciding he was in no position to deny her opinions (that were surely more intelligent than his own), he untied his right trainer.

"Aw, good boy," Kari cooed, half-teasing him as she patted his chest several times. "Come on, I'll make you some more soup."

"I'm so bored," he whinged, leaning his back on the wall. "Id's New Year's, and I'm doin' nuddin'. Jus'—"

Suddenly, his voice ceased with his mouth still open. His eyes widened and almost began to water—

—as the door swung open and smacked against his leg mercilessly.

"Hell-o-o-o-o-o Takaishi family!" Tai Kamiya's head appeared, grinning happily at the two. "TK, what's wrong with you? Why are you staring at me so fondly? Only Matt can look at me like that."

"I brought drinks!" Matt announced before TK could reply.

Not that TK could, considering the severe trauma in his leg and all. It had temporarily killed him.

Matt held up a plastic bag, beaming with joy.

Tai's smile faded as he looked down at Kari. "You don't get any, Kari. I bought you Coke. A litre of it."

"My leg!" TK bellowed as soon as he realised what had happened.

"Oh, sorry kid. My bad." Matt nonchalantly tapped his brother's head, dropping the bag of liqueur bottles on TK's leg. "I thought you two would be bored, so we brought over a little party."

"As if six people would be considered a party," Tai muttered. "Seven at night."

Matt grinned. "I bought seven handles. One for everybody, except Tai and me. We get two. Sound good to you, TK? Or do you want to split the Jägermeister with me? Aren't I a good brother? Thinking of you and all?"

"You're crushing my leg," TK answered dryly.

"What?"

Rika was not happy.

She had just escaped dinner with her mum and friends.

She was in a dress.

The dress was an odd sort of purplish pink.

Ryo had just interrupted her by putting his hand on top of hers.

She was not happy.

To be more specific, Ryo was more interested in the object her hand was holding than her hand.

"Could I have one?" he asked, already sticking a cigarette in his mouth and opening the lighter.

Disgusted, she seized her box and lighter from his hands, stuffed the lighter into the box, threw it aside, and looked away.

After sleeping on it, she realised she could not control him. Even if he gave her his word, even if she gave him an order, he wouldn't do it.

If he did, it would be mediocre at the most.

Therefore, what was the point of telling him to be her slave? It was stupid. He would just fuck things up.

So she would ignore him.

That wasn't hard.

They only had a week left.

Easy.

"Any New Year's resolutions?" he asked, exhaling.

"No."

"What? Are you too perfect?" he teased.

She gave in.

"I don't believe in New Year's resolutions. If I want to change, I'll do it in my own time."

He exaggerated an inhale. "This is awful."

"Then throw it away."

"That's wasteful, Rika." He inhaled. "Want to know my resolution?"

She didn't answer him.

"Come on, ask me what my resolution is."

She remained indifferent.

"Fine, I'll tell you anyway. It's only for the next week, but I'm resolving to be nicer to you."

She laughed bitterly. "Let's see how long that lasts."

"A week, I told you," he replied, inhaling more smoke. "I left you some hot water in the shower."

"How thoughtful," she replied monotonously. "You seem to have forgotten that I get the shower first."

"Oops." He ran his fingers through his damp hair. "It's cold out here."

This was precisely why she chose not to torture Ryo. He wouldn't get tortured. He'd break it and nonchalantly say it isn't a big deal.

"Then go inside."

He hid his smile behind his cigarette. "But you're out here."

"I'm going to take a shower," she said, irritated, throwing her cigarette out of the balcony.

"This is Lily," Matt introduced as he set bottles of liqueur on the table. "Hope you don't mind I invited her."

Lily was pretty with soft brownish-red hair and azure eyes. She was rather short and clung to Matt's torso obsessively.

"Lily, this is TK, my brother, and Kari, his… girlfriend."

"Aw, you look just like your brother," Lily cooed at TK.

"Dank you," he replied politely.

If there was one compliment he was sick of, it had to be that.

It wasn't a bad thing, he decided. It was just annoying.

They were brothers. Of course they would look alike in some way.

Why was it that people thought it was their duty to confirm what he already knew?

Be appreciative. I'm the most attractive guy in Japan, Matt scolded the first time TK confronted him about it. At least they aren't saying you look like a jackass.

Matt withheld laughter. "Yurr welgub."

"I hab a code," TK defended.

"Aw, he's cute, Matt," Lily murmured to her boyfriend, stroking his shirt sleeve.

Another compliment he would rather have less of.

It wasn't that cute was a bad thing.

Actually, TK took it as a compliment.

It just made him feel as if he was eight-years-old, that's all.

"Yeah, he's a cutie," Matt half-agreed, leaning towards her so she could successfully nibble his neck.

TK knew Matt had a new girl on his arm every other day.

He knew Matt's favourite thing besides music was the female population.

He knew Matt appreciated girls to a certain extent.

He knew Matt knew he was attractive.

He knew Matt loved using that to his advantage.

Especially when it came to getting girls.

Yet it still was always awkward to see Matt and a girl getting somewhat intimate with each other. Matt never seemed to mind that his younger, underage brother watched him while he did things strictly meant for those eighteen-and-over. TK, on the other hand, would never do anything with a girl in Matt's presence. Perhaps because he always felt the need to be the classier, less wild one.

He turned his head to his fiancée, who was being thoroughly lectured about the dangers of drinking.

"Even if we all get drunk and vomit and pass out and you're all alone, don't you dare drink any of this stuff, okay Kari?"

"I know, Tai."

"Because you'll die."

"Tai, I know!"

"You'll die, Kari!"

"Tai!"

Sora gave her boyfriend a tight hug. "I think she gets it."

Tai, flustered, looked at her. "I'm just making sure. I don't know what the hell Matt was thinking, bringing alcohol here. They're underage. You might as well just hire a damn—" He sighed. "I'm just making sure."

"You made sure," she assured, giving him a light kiss on the cheek. "Just get on with it. She's responsible. And I'm not drinking, so I'll make sure she's fine, okay?"

Still nervous, he arbitrarily ran his fingers through her hair. "Okay, okay. But if you let Kari drink, I'll break up with you, and then I'll kill you."

Although Matt could get annoying, TK was glad Matt wasn't like Tai. Matt couldn't care less what TK did despite his age and maturity level, as long as TK didn't rat Matt out.

Their brotherly bonding was rather eccentric, he had to admit, but it was more fun than what other families had to deal with. It would be terrible to have a brother who freaked out at the sight of alcohol.

In fact, Matt was the first one who introduced alcohol to him. He was fourteen. Matt was, that is.

TK looked curiously at Matt. He had to admit Matt was a pretty crappy brother if he really thought about it.

Cool, but crap.

"Drink!" Matt ordered, thrusting a small shot glass at TK. "It'll make you feel better. Alcohol cures everything, even colds."

TK felt like vomiting, and alcohol would surely make that happen, but he took it anyway.

After all, it was New Year's Eve.

"Smoking again?"

"Why do you think I'm always smoking?"

"Because you always are."

Rika gave him a nonchalant look before taking a cigarette out. Ryo took a step into the balcony, pulling on a light jacket despite the warm, summer wind. She watched him carefully, wondering why he was talking to her. He had said he would be nicer, yes, but did that have to involve talking to each other?

He ignored her looks, walking up beside her and leaning against the banister. "What are you doing? Staring at the beautiful view? I know you're a bit of a nature freak, but I didn't think you'd stare into the moonlight for fun."

His voice was mocking, and Rika wanted to punch the cocky smile off his face.

But she was tired.

"I'm going to bed," she said firmly.

"Wait a minute." He took a hold of her wrist. "It's New Year's. You aren't even going to stay awake until midnight?"

Rika stared at her hand. "You're touching me."

"Come on, don't be such a spoils sport. I can understand not wanting to make resolutions, but not staying up? That's inhuman!"

She looked up at his face. "You are touching me."

"Just wait a couple minutes, will you?" he asked, squeezing her wrist tighter. He brought his other hand to his face, examining his watch. "57 seconds, actually. 57 seconds with me. That isn't too bad."

"Let go of my fucking hand, Ryo."

"49 seconds."

"God, you aren't one of those people who start counting down, are you?"

"No, of course not."

"Good." She yanked her wrist, hurting herself more than Ryo, who merely tugged right back. "Let go!"

"38," he announced, still looking at his watch. He seemed completely oblivious to the fact that Rika was about to mutilate his hand.

"You are one of those people who count down!" Rika accused.

"34."

"Let me go, damnit! I won't go inside!"

He didn't appear to hear her. "29."

"Ryo!"

Giving up, she allowed her arm to go limp and used her free hand to fumble for a cigarette.

She successfully got one in her mouth—Ryo watching—and she took out the lighter and put it in front of Ryo's face.

"The least you could do is light me," she muttered, careful not to let her cigarette drop out of her mouth.

"And you wonder why I always ask if you're smoking," he taunted, not taking the lighter.

"Light me."

"Nah, smokers make terrible kissers. I'm helping you out." He muttered something under his breath as well, but she couldn't hear it.

Not that she cared. She was too annoyed to listen to him. She took her cigarette out of her mouth, positively glaring at Ryo. "And as I have said multiple times, you aren't kissing me anytime soon, so I don't see why me being a bad kisser affects you in any way."

He smiled. "8 seconds. 7… 6…"

Catching on as Ryo's grip tightened, Rika took her hand with the cigarette and lighter and tried to loosen his grip on her. "If you even try to kiss me, Ryo Akiyama, I swear I will hurt you so badly you'll—"

"But it's New Years," he said matter-of-factly, grabbing her waist with his free hand and bringing her up to him.

"Stop making out with my boyfriend!" Kari shrieked as Lily grabbed TK. TK, completely drunk, ran his hands hungrily through her hair, fully unaware that he was currently snogging his brother's girlfriend.

Matt, though even more drunk, somehow did. He seized TK by the shirt and threw him off. Too drunk to care that his little brother had just made a pass at his girlfriend, Matt grabbed Lily and continued where TK had left off. TK stumbled, laughed, and hit his shoulder against a wall.

Tai was passed out on the floor.

"Dear God! You people!" Sora exclaimed, frowning. "Honestly, they don't know when to stop."

"Um, should we stop them?" Kari asked as Lily frantically began to rip off Matt's shirt. "Oh, my God. Sora! Sora!"

Her virgin eyes couldn't stand it, and yet she stared.

"Bloody hell, stop it!" Sora yelled, grabbing Matt as Kari took Lily.

"She slapped me!" Kari squealed as Lily smacked her eye and grabbed Matt's hair.

"Matt!" Sora yelled. "Matt!"

"Thirty minutes," Matt muttered.

"Sora!" Kari shrieked.

"Matt!" Sora said firmly.

Matt pushed Sora out of the way and scrambled towards Lily.

Kari let go, accordingly.

"Go to a room!" Kari screamed as Lily began to unzip Matt's pants. "Go to a room!"

Grabbing onto Matt's torso, Sora pulled them to a room.

"No! Not my room! Put them in TK's room!" Kari screeched.

"Wha?" TK slurred at the mention of his name. "Ay-m 'ere!"

"Shut up," Kari ordered, brushing him aside.

Groaning, Sora pulled them into TK's room, shoved them in, and closed the door.

"God," Sora said, frowning at the room. "I can't believe I dated that guy."

Kari laughed nervously. She had always wondered if she and Matt had… done stuff, but was far too embarrassed to ask.

Awkward silence followed.

TK's shoulder ran into another counter. "Ow."

He began laughing.

"TK," Kari said gently, taking his arm. "God, you're so drunk…"

He began to kiss her neck.

"TK, stop.. .TK!" Kari couldn't help but flush. Sora was staring at her. And even if her brother was passed out on the floor, she still felt his third eye was staring at them, glowering. She pushed TK off.

He laughed and continued to pursue. "Come ahn, Kahlee…"

"TK, stop!" Kari said frantically, pushing him off again. Sora, concerned, walked towards them as well.

"Stahp playeeeng, Hina," he murmured.

Sora and Kari froze. TK laughed and continued to kiss Kari's neck.

"Did he just call me Hina?"

"No," Sora said quickly. She had dated Matt around the same time TK dated Hina, and therefore knew about her. She also knew Kari was not a fan of hers.

"He did."

"No, I think he said…"

"He said Hina. As in Hina Itou."

"He's drunk…" Sora reasoned. "He's probably just…"

TK cupped Kari's frozen face in his hands. "Wha's long? Do I look funny to you?"

"Rika, let me in! It was supposed to be funny. Funny! Don't you have a sense of humour?"

Ryo lightly hit the glass doors of the balcony, trying to get the attention of Rika inside, piercing him with her icy glare.

"I personally don't find anything funny about it."

"Well, then your sense of humour sucks."

"Or maybe what you consider to be humorous isn't."

Ryo gave the balcony window a hard knock. "Let me in!"

"You've got a key, haven't you?"

"No, I haven't got a key. Let me in."

"It's your own fault for not carrying your key around, isn't it?" Rika smirked, looking quite pleased with herself.

Ryo scowled again. She probably thought she was so clever, so brilliant. "Come on, it's cold. Let me in."

"I do care deeply about your physical well-being after all," Rika said, giving him a come-on look. "Jump off the balcony if you're that desperate to get inside. I'm sure the nice people in the front desk will more than enjoy picking up pieces of your dismantled body."

Yes, he hated her.

He had actually planned to be nicer to her, he had actually considered keeping to a resolution.

Did this girl not understand the meaning of this?

"Rika, stop walking away! Let me in!"

Rika turned her shoulder to face him. She then gave him the tightest, oh-I'm-so-much-better-than-you look, and turned around once again.

"Rika!" Knowing Rika, she actually would leave him in the cold until he froze to death. "It was ajoke!"

"Funny joke," Rika said loudly, picking up a jacket from the bed. She examined it for a second and realised it was his. "I'm taking this."

He could care less about his jacket.

He was, after all, trapped on a balcony on the eighteenth floor of a hotel.

"Rika, this isn't funny."

"Odd," she said, throwing the jacket over her shoulders. "I find it hilarious."

Kari was a mess.

After Sora smacked TK's back, he vomited, coughed, vomited again, and passed out.

In the duration that Sora helped TK, Kari had found a half-drunken glass of caramel vodka.

Technically, it wasn't her fault that she drank it.

It was in a cup, for Christ's sakes. Who poured vodka into a bloody cup!

But the point was that she drank it.

After she nearly died of the foul taste, she realised something: TK had called her Hina. As in his ex-girlfriend. As in not her.

She began bawling, and now was unable to stop.

Sora was trying to calm her in her room, praying Tai wouldn't wake up and see his baby sister drunk.

"He still likes her." Humiliated, she buried her head in her hands, sobbing. "How could anybody like her? Especially TK! TK! He's mine, and he's too good for her."

"Kari, he's drunk. People—"

"Are more honest when they're drunk," Kari finished.

There was silence, as Sora didn't know how to respond.

"I can't believe I thought I could change him."

"Kari, you're taking this too seriously. Tai forgets my name all the time, and—"

"Tai is an idiot. He's allowed to." Kari didn't seem affected that she had just insulted her favourite person in the world. "TK… He's smart. He doesn't just forget that he isn't—"

"Kari, the boy was drunk out of his mind. On top of that, he was sick. He's just—"

"I can't believe I thought I could change him," Kari repeated, hot streams of tears falling.

"What do you mean, 'change him'?" Sora asked a little loudly. "I don't know what TK you're talking about, Kari, but the one I know never was… was… whatever you're accusing him of being."

Kari laughed bitterly. "You don't go to school with him."

"People act differently around people, especially in school. TK's still a very sweet person—"

"He referred to me as his ex-girlfriend." Kari sobbed. "That's why he was being so aggressive. TK's never aggressive with me. He and Hina were probably always—oh, God!"

Sora, realising whatever she said would not change Kari's mind, instead handed her a glass of water. One thing was for certain: TK was a dead man tomorrow.

"Ryo Akiyama, where is Rika?"

Ryo stared with disbelief.

He was dreaming.

His mother had just found him locked in a balcony. She opened the door, yelled at him for being stupid, and was now accusing him of making Rika go away.

"I said I don't know, Mother," he said angrily. "As I have said multiple times, she locked me in here and left."

"Well, go find her! It's one o'clock in the morning!" His mother smacked his head with quite a bit of force. "I cannot believe you're that irresponsible! If Rika's gone, you obviously should tell one of us! Imagine Rumiko's face when we tell her that her daughter has gone missing!"

"Exactly. It's one. I'm tired." Ryo feigned a yawn as he flopped on the bed. "Besides, she isn't missing. She's just gone."

She smacked his head again. "Don't act smarmy with me, Ryo."

"Ow!" Ryo grabbed his head. "I'm your son, damnit! I demand more affection!"

She took him by the ear and dragged him up. "Find Rika. Right. Now!"

"Hey, it's Rika. Leave a message. Beep!"

Fucking Rika, Ryo thought angrily, walking around aimlessly through the streets. That stupid, ugly, foul—

He dialled Rika's number again. It rang several times before the same message came up.

She knows I'm calling, he thought. She knows, but she isn't picking up just to spite me. I swear, Rika, when I find you. I'll kill you. I don't care if you're a girl; I'll beat you up until—

"Hey, it's Rika. Leave a message. Beep!"

To be completely honest, this was not going the way she had hoped.

Was she lost?

No.

She knew exactly how to get back.

But she didn't want to.

She had hoped Ryo to have cared even the littlest bit by chasing after her.

If not for her, for his own safety. Her mother would kill him. And from what she could tell so far, his parents seemed to favour her over their own son.

Fucking Ryo, she thought angrily, walking as slowly as she possibly could without attracting attention.What a fucking gentleman. It's a wonder whyheisn't known for his charming personality.

"TK!"

Sora quietly shook his body. Kari had fallen asleep on the couch, and Sora was hoping to relieve TK some of the shock he would have to face tomorrow.

Sadly, he wasn't waking up.

"TK!"

"I'm sleeping," he mumbled, rolling over on Kari's bed. He was clearly half-awake, so her job was halfway done.

"Wake up!"

"I'm sleeping."

"Shut up, and wake up!"

TK opened his eyes slowly, looking quite grumpy. "Sora?"

He realised his pink surroundings—not his own room.

And the fact that he didn't have a shirt on.

And Sora was hovering over him…

His eyes widened, and he pulled the blanket towards him.

"Sora! I… I…"

"What?"

TK coughed nervously.

Realising what TK was thinking, she rolled her eyes. "TK, you're seventeen. I'm twenty. I dated your brother. I've seen you buck-naked since you were three. The last thing I'll do is take advantage of your drunken state. This is Kari's room, because your brother is having sex in yours. You vomited all over your shirt, so I took it off. No, I didn't feel you up."

Embarrassed, he slowly let his blanket down. "I know… I was just…"

"TK," she said seriously. "Now that you're awake, I have to tell you something."

Still embarrassed, he shrugged shyly.

She groaned. "TK!"

"I'm listening!"

"You called Kari Hina."

He looked at her.

She looked at him.

"No, I didn't," he said finally.

"Yes, you did. You were drunk and called her Hina."

"Don't be stupid," he said, scanning the room for his girlfriend. "Sora, where's Kari?"

"She got drunk and fell asleep."

His eyes widened. "Kari drinks?" He sat upright. "Kari doesn't drink. No. You're crazy. You're the drunken one. Kari doesn't believe in breaking laws. She doesn't believe in—"

"She got drunk, TK. That isn't the point. The point is that—"

"Look, Sora, Kari's my fiancée. I've known her since we were born, damn it! She doesn't get drunk!" He looked genuinely offended, as if Sora had just insulted him in the worst way possible. "And I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't fabricate stories to get my attention."

"TK, get over it. Fine, she didn't get drunk. Whatever. The point is that you called her Hina, and she's—"

"Why would I call her Hina?"

"I don't know. But Kari thinks it's because you still like Hina—"

"Why would I still like Hina?"

"I don't know. But Kari's really hurt and—"

"Why would Kari think I still like Hina?"

Sora felt a pang of annoyance. "TK, you called her Hina while trying to make out with her. I think it's only reasonable that—"

"I tried to make out with Kari?" TK asked, eyes widening. "But Kari thinks making out is sacrilegious!"

"TK, shut up."

"No, I couldn't have. I wouldn't have." TK threw the covers aside. "I'm not that stupid."

TK stared at Kari. He could smell the light scent of alcohol from her breath, and even in sleep, her eyebrows were furrowed with disturbance.

"Tai is going to kill me."

"He isn't going to kill you. Tai… he's misunderstood."

"Says you," TK scoffed. "You're his damn girlfriend. I'm…" He gulped. "Kari's fiancé and Matt's brother."

Sora shrugged.

"Once when I was eight, I was playing conkers with Kari. Her conker broke up, and Tai pushed me to the ground. And I cried. Conkers, Sora! The object of the game is to break—"

"Did Kari cry?"

"No, she congratulated me."

"Did you try to let her win?"

"No, I was eight. I didn't care about being a gentle—"

"That's why he pushed you."

"He pushed me because I won a game!"

"TK, stop screaming. You're going to wake them both up."

TK immediately shut his mouth.

He looked at Kari.

Then at Sora.

"Did I really call her Hina?" he whispered loudly.

"Yes, you did." Sora gave him a hug that he did not return. "TK, it's fine. I'm sure if you explain to her that you were… er…"

She released her hug, realising there was nothing he could say that would change Kari's mind.

"TK, it'll be okay."

"Why am I such a jackass?" TK asked, staring at the wall. "I'm a jackass, aren't I, Sora?"

"No, of course not. TK, you're one of the nicest guys I have ever—"

"Nice guys don't get drunk and call their fiancée's by their ex-girlfriend's name."

"TK—"

"Maybe if I find Hina and kill her, Kari will realise I hate her."

"TK, you cannot kill her."

"Why not? I don't like her much."

"TK!"

"God," he said, still staring at the wall.

"You aren't going to cry, are you?"

He finally blinked and glared at Sora. "No, why would I cry? I don't cry."

"It's okay to cry."

"I never said it wasn't, but I don't cry."

She smiled. "You used to cry when you were little…"

"So did everybody else. I bet you did… And… and Tony Blair… And… and Hitler."

She laughed and hugged him. "TK, you are too cute."

He frowned.

Why would he cry over this?

Big boys didn't cry, and despite what his mum and brother thought, he was one.

"Rika! Hey, Rika!"

Rika smirked, pretending not to hear Ryo's voice.

"RIKA MAKINO!"

She turned her head. He was running after her, looking very much like a fool.

"I… you… I'll kill you."

He was panting, and he clutched her sleeve for support.

"Oh, Ryo, I didn't hear you."

"Yeah, I bet," he muttered. He straightened up. "I ran six blocks for you."

"Aw, you do like me!" she said fakely, putting her hand on his shoulder. "Ryo, I'm touched."

He looked at her face. He could punch it. It was within distance. It would be easy. Like punching a stuffed animal. All he had to do was…

"Let's go," he said dryly, deciding it wouldn't be worth it. Come to think of it, Rika didn't seem weak. She could potentially win in a fight with him with the help of outside objects.

That would be far too embarrassing.

"No, I don't think so."

"Rika," he said warningly.

"Ryo," she said with amusement.

"Rika."

She smiled. "I want some fresh air."

"Enjoy fresh air on the way back then," he said through clenched teeth.

"No, I think I want to stroll some more."

"Rika…"

"I'm not asking you to follow me."

"Good, because that's the furthest thing from my mind."

"You're following me."

Ryo, walking slowly several steps behind Rika, glared at the back of her head. "Just because you're going the same direction as me doesn't mean I'm following you, Rika."

She stopped.

Not knowing what to do, he stopped.

"Well? You go first then," she said, still not turning to face him.

He stood there.

What was he to do?

Being the kind of girl she was, the second he couldn't see her, she would probably disappear.

Which meant he would have to search for her all over again.

Which meant he would have to tire his tired body even more.

"I'm following you," he admitted, swallowing his pride.

She turned around, her striking eyes piercing him even in the middle of the night. They almost were doubling over laughter at them. They teased him. They told him that he looked like her slave.

Shame followed.

If the people at school who admired him for his confidence could see him now. Belittling himself to please a girl. A girl he didn't even like.

She gave him a pleased smile, turned around, and started walking off again.

Not knowing what to say, he did only what he could: follow her.

"Dearest Kari, in my quest for better understanding and an impartial perspective of an amorphous ex-relationship that was with Hina, I am constantly subjected to trials and tribulations that hinder my growth as a better boyfriend that facilitate a deep impression upon you that I indeed am a jackass. But through this adversity rises the future, reminding myself that there is some functionality as well as potential to a disillusioned and often hazy line that skews the boundaries of past and present. Therefore, I ask of nothing but simple acceptance to my humble note of apology as I can do nothing but pledge loyalty and fidelity. Fondly, TK."

TK smiled.

Sora gawked.

He smiled.

"TK, you cannot say that to Kari."

"Why not?" TK's face fell, the letter he had written dangling limply from his hand.

"It sounds too…" Sora searched for the correct words. "TK, just don't. I didn't even know you knew half those words."

He frowned. "I'm not stupid."

"I know that. I just didn't realise you… had such an extensive vocabulary."

He grinned. "It sounds impressive, doesn't it?"

"It sounds fake."

"Well, I have to think of a way to somehow apologise to her."

"Why not be less… robotic about it? You know, be…"

TK stared, waiting for her to finish her aposiopesis.

"Warmer," she said finally.

"Should I write a different letter?" he asked.

"No, don't rehearse anything. Just tell her you're sorry. Tell her you love her, and you were wrong."

TK's face fell. "How crap is this? I don't even remember doing this, and I have to apologise for it."

Sora watched him sympathetically as he ripped his letter into pieces.

I can't believe it; I'm done! I don't know how long Chapter 12 will take, but you can always contact me at my new email on my profile page.

Again, apologies for any weirdness. It looked fine on Microsoft Word.