Disclaimer : I do not own GALS nor any characters from its Manga/Anime.

Chapter 1

"You like Ran, don't you?" I waited for his response. Praying he'll say the opposite of what I'm thinking.

"Why are you asking me that?"

"Don't hide it," I am a fool for pushing to say something he's not comfortable of. "It's harder for me if you pretend. I hate this constant nagging doubt. Being honest would finally let me-"

"Yeah, I really like her," he said cutting my litany. "There, satisfied? Do you feel better now that you know I like Kotobuki?"

I was left with no words. I just let myself tear up.

"That wounded look says 'No'. Just don't blame me for your hurt feelings, okay?" He turned his back from me and said before finally walking away. "You know, it's not a good idea to set yourself up this way."

That was our last conversation a week ago. He never called me or sent me a message after that, neither did I. It was my sign that it was over. Otohata Rei and I are over.

Then this happens.

I am seating inside the dining area of one of our villas, just opposite him. I could see him twirling his food as if with no interest at it at all. While me, I tried my best to wear that poker face.

"Rei, is the food not your liking?" my mom asked him. She may have noticed his action. "I could ask the chef to cook something more suitable for your taste, darling." Yeah, that's my mom calling him with endearment.

"Oh no, no. It's not like that." He quickly answered. Somehow I sensed him panicked. That's the first time. "The food is great, my lady. Thank you."

"Aya, sweetheart, why don't you take Rei for a tour around the villa?" I heard my mom called me. Taking him for a tour? Are you for real? The last thing I want right now is to be alone with him.

His mom clapped her hand and said, "That's a great idea. Why don't you give the adults some privacy as we discuss on some important matters?" I saw him rolled his eyes.

Moms, they always have that secret agenda.

I nodded at them and stood up. "Otohata-san?" I called him. His brow raised because of the formality but he stood up anyways. We bowed to the adults before exiting the dining area.

I was walking ahead of him, keeping that small distance as much as possible. But heck, the clothes are not that comfortable to walk at. I was so focused on not tripping, and then… I closed my eyes as I waited to land on the hard surface of rocks but none of that came. Instead I felt his arm around me.

"Do you really have to wear that?" he said as he helped me stood up and as I regain my composure.

"It's a tradition for the women of our family to wear this type of clothes for this kind of occasion." I said.

"This kind of occasion you say. Are you even okay with this?" Finally. There I thought I was the only once concerned.

"It's not like I have any say on this. If ever you or your family refuses, they'd still find another one." I continued walking directing him to my favorite spot in the garden.

It is what I call as the secret garden. Only my lady in waiting know about this place and helps me tend to it. Planting those colorful flowers on the side and leaving the center for the cherry blossom tree. At this time of the year, the tree blooms at its finest.

"I didn't thought that this kind of place would exist here," he said. It seems he also took a liking of the place.

"It's my secret garden." I took the seat near the fountain.

The wind blew causing for the petals from the tree to fall. The next thing I knew he was looking at he straight to the eyes. I blushed at his stare.

"Why do you have to act so distant?" a question I never thought I'd hear from him.

"They never knew about you, about us."

"Really? For a year?" he sounded amused. I just nodded. "I'm glad that somehow you were somewhat rebellious."

"You were my escape, you know." He took the vacant seat beside me, still keeping a reasonable distance. When I'm with you, I feel like I can do anything without worrying about my responsibilities. Even if I know it won't last." He didn't say another thing. It was my turn to ask."How about you? Are you okay with this? You have a choice anyway." Giving him a hint that he could always turn his back from this arrangement.

No response. What am I even hoping for? I knew from the start, the moment we learned that we are being set up, he'd reject me.

"You could always go to Ra-"

"So we're back to that topic, aren't we?" he said. His tone had changed to irritated. "Did you ever knew this was coming? I mean, me and you?"

"No. I never thought it would be you. We both kept our identities well. Neither of us knew that the other was a noble. We never said a thing to the gang. It was all a surprise. "We were free to do things until today. I tried to live a normal life but I never would have thought that we have the same fate.

"So those days that you never called or sent me an email…"

"I was giving up. I can't keep you, Rei, even if I want to. When you told me your feelings about Ran, you made it easier for me to let go."

"And now?" Why the sudden interest anyway?

"I told you. You have a choice. You can reject this and find someone else and I'll accept whoever they would choose next to you." Rei is not the type to follow orders. I know that his mom just asked him to attend this meeting and see for himself if the lady he was bound to me is worthy or not. He could accept or reject anytime.

But I myself, would just have to wait for his decision. Sitting still like a Japanese doll and keeping my composure. Trying to be that perfect lady for my future husband.

He took another look at me then sighed. "Trying not to be a burden makes it even more harder for the people around you, Aya." He stood up and said "I'm going back."

Author's Note: Another fanfic on its way! I'm hoping to finish this. Changed the setting to their college years in order to make their age appropriate to the story.Reviews please!