So, I've rewritten this chapter a few times, but not majorly, and that's kinda all I have to say about this chapter at the moment, so let's get to the reviews.

dapper64: Thank you, I really hope you feel the same way about this next chapter.

Guest: Bueno, tendrás la oportunidad porque está más o menos terminado, solo me tomo mi tiempo para publicarlo para poder escribir el siguiente sin tener que preocuparme por comenzar algo que no se terminará ... lo cual ha sucedido varias veces antes.

SpiralNemesis: Glad to have you on board.

The school-day had continued much the same as it usually does, and it was finally time for the students to head home. "So, are you ready?" Takagi-san asked as she turned to Nishikata, who was still putting his things into his bag.

"Ready for what?" He asked.

"You promised to hang out with me today, don't tell me you forgot."

"Uh, no, I didn't forget, I just … didn't understand what you were saying."

"Well, then, shall we?"

"Y-yeah."

They began walking out of the classroom and down the hall. 'Relax Nishikata, you're just hanging out, it's not a date or anything … is it?' They continued walking, stopping to change their shoes before making their way out of the school where Takagi-san retrieved her bike. "So, do you have any requests?"

"None really." Nishikata replied. "I'm fine with wherever you want to go."

"Okay then, let's go to the park."

Nishikata followed Takagi-san as she began making her way down the road, to the park, feeling a little confused. "Say, why do you want to go to the park anyway?"

"Well to be honest, I was hoping that we could do some tandem riding."

"HUH?!" Nishikata exclaimed with a blush. "But … we said we'd only do that at the abandoned lot."

"It's not like it's more dangerous to do it at the park."

"But … won't there be people there? We'll get in trouble."

"I've seen other couples ride together there all of the time."

Nishikata began to blush. "Couples?"

"But, if you'd rather go to the abandoned lot, then we can change our direction."

"Wha- I mean … the park is … fine … but why tandem riding?"

"Because it's been a while since we've rode together."

"Yeah, I guess it has." He replied before staring at the sky. "It has been a long time."

They continued until they reached the park, where it appeared as if only a few other people were sitting there, none of which seemed interested in the two of them. "So, are you ready?" Takagi-san asked.

"I … yeah." Nishikata took the handlebar of Takagi-san's bike and sat in the main seat as Takagi-san got on the back seat. "Okay, so … are you ready?"

"All set." Takagi-san replied as she wrapped her arms around Nishikata's stomach.

"Okay then." Nishikata stared down at the bike and began to feel a little nervous. 'It's no big deal, we did this loads of times in the past … it's literally riding a bike.' He placed his feet on the pedals and began peddling. It all came back to him rather easily, and they began moving without much difficulty.

They began moving through the park, keeping to the sides and out of the way of the few other people who were there. "Ah, that breeze feels nice." Takagi-san said as she closed her eyes.

"Yeah, it is kinda nice." Nishikata added.

"And you've gotten a lot better at keeping balanced."

"Have I?"

"Yeah, have you been practicing?"

"I … no, I haven't even ridden a bike in a long time."

"Well, you haven't lost your touch."

"Thanks."

They continued riding in silence, but there was a strange awkwardness in the air. "Say, Takagi-san." Nishikata began. "Earlier, you said you saw … other couples here."

"Yeah, but I don't see any of them now."

"Yeah but … what did you mean by other couples?"

Takagi-san looked at him a little confused. "I meant what I said, a boy and a girl riding together. Though I guess it was kinda presumptuous to assume they were dating." Nishikata almost lost his balance, causing Takagi-san to grab onto him tighter. "Though, I guess the way I said it kinda made it sound like we are a couple, didn't it."

"N-Not … really."

"But I know that's what you were thinking."

Nishikata paused for a good moment. "Well … yeah, that's why I asked."

"So then … do you want us to be?"

Nishikata felt his heart begin to speed up as he resisted the urge to look back at Takagi-san. "D-do I want to? Do I want to what?"

"Become a couple."

Nishikata brought the bike to a stop as his face turned redder than ever. 'Did she just ask me … if I want to become a couple with her? No, this is a trick, that's way too good to be true.' "Okay, what trick are you trying to pull?"

"Trick?"

"Yeah, you're trying to tease me somehow, I know it. I'm just missing something because you're being vague about … something that I'm not noticing"

"I'm not trying to trick you, Nishikata, I'm asking you if you want to be boyfriend and girlfriend with me."

Nishikata began to blush again and resumed peddling. "I've never really thought about it."

"You've never thought about it?"

"Yeah, the idea of … us actually … being together like that never crossed my mind."

"Why do I feel like you're lying?"

"Because … why do you ask?"

"Why do I ask? Isn't that obvious?" She pulled herself closer. "Because … I want to."

"You …"

"I want us to become a couple."

Nishikata's heart stopped for a moment before his mind worked out an excuse. "Because you can think up new ways to tease me?"

"Seriously? Nishikata, do I need to spell it out for you?"

"I'm not going to let you tease me this time."

"I'm in love with you." Takagi-san felt her heart racing as the bike slowly drifted to a stop, as it appeared that Nishikata had frozen completely. 'Well, I did it.' Takagi-san thought to herself. 'At least he can't-'

"You tried this one before." He stated bluntly.

"I what?"

"You thought I was going to forget about the only time you lied, didn't you?"

"I …"

"Don't you think that's going a little too far?"

"I … what makes you think that I don't like you?"

"Because it's impossible for you to be in love with me."

Takagi-san didn't respond, and the two of them remained quiet, as Nishikata continued to pettle.

As she sat there, Takagi-san began to feel an emptiness in her chest, as she tried to hide the fact that she had started crying. 'Is this what I get for teasing him? He can't even believe me when I say I love him?' "Hey, Nishikata?" Takagi began. "I … need to head home soon."

"Huh?" Nishikata looked back at her as she tried her best to smile. "I … okay …" He made his way to the front, where he got off the bike and turned to her. "So …"

"I'll see you tomorrow." Takagi-san said as she got to the front of the bike and started pelting.

Nishikata watched her ride off, as he felt a coldness inside him. "Is she … upset?" Nishikata asked himself. "I mean … she was trying to tease me … right? That's what she always does."

As Takagi-san rode away, she began letting the tears flow as she tried her best to stay on the road. "DAMN IT! Why does it have to be like this." She slowed down to a stop and took a deep breath. "Did I … make him lose his self-esteem? I sure haven't made things easier for him." She managed to somewhat relax as she regained her train of thought. "But … I did learn one thing. He's not picking up on my hints because he refuses to believe it … the only question … is how do I fix this?"