This is a short chapter I've had written up last month. Sadly I hadn't gotten around to editing it till now, and even then it probably could have used a little refinement, but overall I think it's good. Sadly the last month has allotted me little writing type. Working in retail during the holidays is always hectic, not to mention we now have a full house with my sister and her two young kids staying with us. Hopefully I'll be able to get some more done soon with Christmas nearly here. If I don't post anything for Christmas, I'll just say it here. I hope all my readers have a wonderful Christmas, and a happy new year.

Life Together

Chapter Five:

Gray eyes stared out at the city from the roof of Kisaragi Academy. The sun was in the midst of its slow descent, casting the buildings in soft orange hues. Yoshiki sighed before scratching the side of his head, as of late he had been thinking. Earlier today had watched the culture festival for his final year of Kisaragi pass by. In half a year's time he would be out of school and firmly in the adult world. It was a somewhat sobering thought.

Two years ago the thought of finishing high school, much less being able to further his education, hadn't crossed his mind. A year ago it had seemed possible, and now it was within arms reach. However he still had absolutely no idea what he wanted to do after leaving Kisaragi. Yoshiki had deliberated his options, he imagined going to university so he could continue his education and be able to find better employment. Though he had absolutely no idea what he would study, much less what career he would be content with.

Playing music was something he considered for all of a second. Yoshiki had no illusions when it came to his enjoyment of music. He liked to think he was relatively good at playing guitar, the blond allowed a tiny smile as he remembered the first time he ever played for Ayumi. However that wasn't something he could afford to do, playing in small clubs for a few years before maybe getting noticed. That just wouldn't cut it if he wanted to do well by Ayumi, and scraping by as a starving musician would not cut it.

So here he was, currently undecided and thinking. The festival had ended a few hours ago and he knew the rest of his friends were stuck with cleaning up. Though something told Yoshiki that they had probably gotten distracted. 'Ayumi's probably telling a ghost story.' He thought to himself with an amused chuckle as he imagined his girlfriend's bright smile. "And I'm missing out on that." Yoshiki muttered to himself with a self-depreciating smile.

"Missing out on what?" Shinozaki Ayumi's voice sounded from behind him. In response he glanced over his shoulder to see the owner of the voice. Yoshiki noted the look of mischief in Ayumi's eyes. "Shinohara-san said that you had come up here to get away from clean up duty, I didn't want to believe her." She told him in mock sternness, though the slight twitch of her shoulders gave away her amusement.

Rubbing the back of his head Yoshiki chuckled and walked over to her. "I just came up to get some fresh air." He told her, purposely ignoring his earlier thoughts. Even if talking to Ayumi about his worries would help he didn't want to discuss it right now, today had been a fun day and he didn't want to dampen it with his problems. He would wait until tomorrow to tell Ayumi his concerns.

However something in his expression must have given him away, if the furrow of her brow was anything to go by. Ayumi's blue eyes narrowed in, as if trying to see if she could discern Yoshiki's problem by trying to look through him. "What's wrong, Yoshiki?" She eventually asked when she couldn't figure the puzzle her had presented her with on her own.

Yoshiki inwardly frowned before offering a simple smile. "Nothing's wrong." He told her in what he hoped was a convincing voice.

Ayumi's concerned look turned into a displeased glare, over the last year she had gotten really good at picking up on when Yoshiki was hiding something. She crossed her arms over her chest and huffed. "If you don't want to tell me that's fine, but at least be honest about it." Ayumi said with a pout.

Not wanting to see the hurt in her eyes he averted his gaze. "Sorry." He said for lack of having anything better to say. Even after dating for the past year he was still doing things to annoy her.

Ayumi looked at him for a moment before sighing and moving to look out at the city. It wasn't often that she came to the roof, during her first year the roof had once been a hangout spot for delinquents. Although thanks to the reputation Yoshiki had earned during his first year that quickly changed. Even if Yoshiki had been a delinquent himself, he never really cared much for the other delinquents. Ayumi's mouth curved into a rueful smile as she remembered the first time Satoshi convinced the group into joining Yoshiki on the roof for lunch.

At the time she had been somewhat wary of the blond delinquent. Yes she had stepped in to stop him from hitting that teacher, and had even encouraged him to get through school, but he had been infamous at their school. As the first semester of their second year went on and Yoshiki became more intergraded into their group, Ayumi found herself scolding him quite often. Former delinquent or not, as long as Ayumi was his Class-rep she was going to make sure he passed.

Allowing a small smile to grace her features Ayumi silently applauded her boyfriend's efforts over the last year and a half. Ever since he had come to stay at her house, and even afterwards, he had excelled at school. Not to sound egotistical, but Ayumi knew that she played a large role in Yoshiki's improvement. Outside of her group of friends she rarely received much praise for her efforts, (Not that she ever sought it.) but when Yoshiki thanked her...Ayumi's cheeks heated with warmth as she imagined the grateful look he often sent her. Whether it be after a test, or late in the even when she helped him through a tricky equation, he always gave her that warm half smirk-smile.

Chasing her thoughts away Ayumi turned away from the city to look back at Yoshiki, to her surprise her blue eyes met gray. A year ago she would have averted her head and been embarrassed by this, instead she remained undaunted and held his gaze. "I love you." She told him. It wasn't the first time she had said the words, and it wouldn't be the last. "I understand if you don't want to talk about it now, but please don't forget that even outside of school I'm always ready to hear my classmate's troubles." Watery eyed Ayumi smiled as she did her best to use her Class-rep voice.

Yoshiki's lips parted for an instant before curving into an appreciative smile. Reaching forward he took one of her hands into his and laced their fingers together. "Thanks, Ayumi." Ayumi's unshed tears give way to a warm smile as she squeezed his hand back.

The couple stared at the sunset for a little while longer, before heading back down to help the rest of their friends clean up. Tomorrow Yoshiki would tell her about his thoughts, and she would promise to encourage him to do his best in whatever he chose to do.

That's all I have for now. Like I said, hopefully I'll have something else soon. Merry Christmas everyone.