Chapter Inspiration:

It was a question I had worn on my lips for days—like a loose thread on my favorite sweater
I couldn't resist pulling—despite knowing it could all unravel around me.

"Do you love me?" I ask.

In your hesitation I found my answer.

- Lang Leav

Aya Hoshino had decided. She will ask him one last question - and everything will depend on his answer.

So here they are, ironically, in the same place where he rejected her before she could confess. In Odaiba. For some reason, Aya chose to have the conversation here. Maybe she was a masochist after all. Or maybe she just wanted closure for whatever began here. She herself didn't know. Maybe its a combination of both.

.:.:.

"Did you want to talk about something?" Rei Otohata asked as he looked at the beautiful raven haired woman in front of him.

He knew she was thinking of something. Although her confidence have improved, he can still tell whenever something is on her mind. Perhaps its because he had always been observing her, or the fact that she had always been so transparent, so innocent. And although he would never admit it, he missed this - just being Rei and Aya together. Because even if they were in the same university, their new life in college was demanding so much time that they barely met one another.

That is why he did his best to make time when she asked to meet. He wanted to see her.

He thought everything was alright. So when she asked,

"Do you love me?"

He was caught off-guard.

.:.:.

She was met with silence. 1, 2, 3... she counted - when she believed that she gave him enough time and still got nothing, she smiled. Thinking,how hard could it be to answer 'yes' or 'no'?

Maybe, she was being unfair after all.

.:.:.

"It's okay. You don't have to answer. I just want you to listen."

When he heard her say that, he let go of the breath he didn't even notice he was holding. But he could see it, the disappointment, the vulnerability in her eyes, the feeling of defeat painted in her face. He blamed himself for it cause he wasn't good with expressing his emotions.

Once again, he failed her. Just like every other time.

He couldn't answer because he himself wasn't even sure with his own emotions. His friends usually say that he's got it all - his looks, his intellect, his natural talent in music and modeling and even for advice. But when it comes to things like love, commitment, relationships... he's not good with those kind of things.

When it comes to her, he's just not good enough.

"Remember when you were in an interview and Ran told you and Yuuya to watch over Miyu? When she returned, she asked us to come with her. I was tired so I whined, then you asked me, why don't I stay? You said it was okay for me to stay and that you'll take me home..." she paused.

He observed how she smiled beautifully, as if remembering something so sweet, so sacred, something that makes her so happy.

"...that was the first time I felt my heart skipped a beat for you."

She took a moment, as if she was cherishing the memory. As if she is tucking that memory for safe keeping. After a while, she continued.

"Do you remember the time when I was all alone in the park, troubled because I had a fight with Ran and Miyu. I skipped cram-school then... you approached me, asked me what was wrong, you listened and gave me advice. You even lent me your handkerchief because I was crying, being the cry-baby that I am..."

She giggled at this, remembering how many times she cried, both for the good and the bad.

"...that was the time I realized how kind you were, Rei. You always listened and say the right things. And when we were in the water park, you noticed how scared I was of the big slide. You took care of me. You also took the cookies I made, even if you hated sweets..." she sighed, as if finally resigning to a realization, "...you were always so kind Rei. I guess, it really was my fault you had to show you indifferent side. When I tried to confess to you here and you rejected me, that was the first time you showed the 'ice prince' that everyone was talking about."

Finally, he found his voice, and asked, "Aya, Where is this going?"

To be honest, he didn't like it. He didn't like wherever this conversation was heading. He thought, all this time, that everything was fine. That they were fine - past all these issues and have moved on from the past. He couldn't help but wonder, what triggered this.

She looked at him with those big brown eyes, "I guess, my point is, thank you. Thank you for everything you did... or didn't do. For entertaining my selfishness. For giving me a chance because I was so stubborn and refused to listen. For dating me or for trying, even if its out of pity or sense of obligation... even if you liked Ran. So, let me have one last selfish request, Rei. Let's stop with the pretends."

And unlike the first time they were here, it was Aya Hoshino who stood up.

With the words, "I'll see you tomorrow." She left him.

All Rei Otohata could do was watch her back slowly fade away. He wasn't done processing things. Wasn't she just confessing to him awhile ago the first time she fell in love with him? How did it come from that to her saying for them to stop pretending?What were they pretending?

And even when she said she'll see him tomorrow... he wondered when this tomorrow will be.

AN: I hope it doesn't seem like I'm repeating TST. If ever, just say so. T-T
One of my constant fears is that this won't be on par with TST.

Anyways, if you have prompts, ideas or suggestions, just review! :)