Tomorrow turned into days. Days turned into a week; or two. Messages were left unanswered and calls remained ignored. Rei Otohata still wasn't sure about what happened that day. He had a lot of things going on in his mind, he wanted to ask her, talk to her or at least see her. But when he finally did, when they coincidentally met along the hallway, all he could say was,

"Hey."

.:.:.

Aya Hoshino was walking quitely, her mind flying on overdrive - thinking of academics, her relationship and even what to cook for dinner, when she looked up when a familiar voice called to her. She saw him; the man she's been avoiding secretly the past two weeks - or so she tried. His indifferent hazel eyes staring at her. She had convinced herself that she would act normal - as normal as she could. So, she stared back, breathed in and out - in that short second, she gave herself a pep talk: 'Be strong, Aya'.

She then smiled, and greeted him,

"Hi."

.:.:.

They stayed like that, standing in front of each other. He was studying her; was she about to cry? Was she going to walk away from him again? He was waiting on what she would do, how she would act because maybe, with those she'll give a hint, a clue or something, that would give him an idea on what their talk really meant.

But all she did was stand there and smile at him. As if waiting for him to say something. He did want to talk, he just didn't know where to start, how to begin. After all, Rei Otohata never really considered himself good with relationships.

As much as Rei wanted to talk, all Aya Hoshino could think of was how to escape - without getting caught.

.:.:.

Keisuke Yamato was walking along the corridors. He was getting greetings and smile here and there, mostly from girls. All he could do was return them politely along with his so called 'dashing smile' - he was, after all, the the GL Star Player of Tokyo University Soccer Varsity Team.

One could say that his looks could rival Meisho's Number 1, Rei Otohata. The only difference is that his charm is more of the pretty-boy-next-door-type along with his approachable and friendly aura. Unlike the ice prince's perfectly cool and untouchable vibe.

Usually, Keisuke wouldn't mind the attention, he actually handles it well. Although whenever Jinnie was with him, her death glares and 'don't-come-near-us' vibe was enough to mellow down his fan girls. He smiled, thinking how his childhood friend, although quite small in height can have such a strong impact to other people - making her a good defense from all the craze - especially on his bad days.

Which he was kind of having right now.

He sighed, flashed another smile at a girl who was looking at him, then he saw her. He smiled, noting that even with her back turned to him, he still knew that figure anywhere...

"Aya!"

.:.:.

Aya heard someone call her name, but before she could locate the familiar voice, a brown blur was heading right at her. Now, she's face to face with her hyperactive friend, his hands both on her shoulders, shaking her a little.

"Keisuke! What's the matter?" she asked her friend who looked like he was really relieved to see her.

"I had a bad day. Er, scratch that... I'm in trouble! Do you know where Jinnie is? I'll tell you when we're all together."

That was when Keisuke decided to look around and saw Rei Otohata. He then turned Aya around, so that she was facing Rei once again, but his hand never left her shoulder.

"Ah! I apologize! Otohata, right? We're you guys talking?" Keisuke asked, a hand pointing to Rei and Aya back and forth.

.:.:.

"Rei, did you want to talk?" Aya asked, looking at him straight in the eyes, not minding the Keisuke's hand that was resting on her shoulder.

Yes. That was what Rei wanted to say - he wanted to talk to her, alone. But what escaped his lips were,

"It's fine."

"Alright then. I'll see you?" Aya said, smiling at him.

With his signatured "Hn." and a slight nod, they went their separate ways.

And escape, she did.

Jinnie Suzuki was working - her hair in a high bun, nerdy glasses and comfortable hoodie on; she had her laptop, tablet and sketchpad out and prepared, she had listed her ideas in her handy notebook, her music was steadily playing, not to disturb her, but to add to her groove. She was ready to start on her project - her mind was in her creative zone.

Until, "JIN! I need you!", crashed her zone out the window.

Jinnie banged her head in the table and cursed silently, "Ah shit. Not again, Kei."

.:.:.

Keisuke Yamato screamed as he opened the door of his childhood friend's and Aya's condominium. He pushed a teary-eyed Aya inside the room.

"KEI! What did you do to her?!" Jinnie screamed as she walked out of her room and saw Aya's face.

"I didn't do anything! I swear!" Keisuke said, raising both his hands up, then continued, "She did all that on her own!" pointing at Aya's crying face. This earned him a smack on the head from Jinnie and a giggle from the teary eyed Aya.

"Idiot! Now tell me what really happened." Jinnie said, saying goodbye to the chance on working on her project anytime soon, and pushed both her friends in the dining area, sat them down and prepared snacks for them.

Aya talked. Jinnie listened to Aya. Keisuke ate whatever Jinnie served them.

.:.:.

One may say that Aya Hoshino used to be runner - when faced with problems and complicated feelings, her first instinct is to avoid confrontation. To run away.

But when it comes to Rei Otohata - she chased. No matter how hard he pushed her away or how many times he hurt her - she faced it and took it all. She didn't run away. Thus, the image of the devoted, unselfish and loving Aya Hoshino. What changed her?

Was it him? Her feelings? After all, they did say love was a powerful emotion, right? Maybe we're forgetting something...

What if it was her high school friends that changed her direction? What would happen when the sad truth is, they are not here now.

.:.:.

"I just... I feel like we've been going on circles. Ever since high school, when I realize that I loved him, the cycle began - me chasing after him, at one point he'll acknowledge me... then right around the corner, he'll do something that hurts me. For so many times, I've thought about giving up but my friends in high school, they kept on encouraging me. They always had my back when it comes to him. Whenever I got tired of what's happening... when I'm about to give up, he does something that reels me in. It can be as simple as a smile or a call, but he does something... and I was contented with that so, the chase continues."

Aya paused. Jinnie took this moment to ask one question. Keisuke stood up, went to the refrigerator and looked for something to eat.

"Do you still feel like you're chasing him... even now?"

'Even if you're together' was the unspoken question.

Aya sighed, smiled bitterly.

"Now? Hah... if I'm being honest with myself, I'd say I've always felt like I had to chase him. I sometimes wish I can read his mind, you know? I just want to know how he feels... to get things straight. Because, you don't know how many times I've been amazed and confused at the same time by his actions. It's like he has this switch, making him kind and considerate at one moment, then cold and indifferent the next. I just wanted him to level with me. To at least meet me halfway. I needed to ease my mind whether or not I'm being selfish... that's why I asked him that question. It wasn't just for me. It was for the both of us."

That question. Do you love me?

Jinnie propped her arm on the table and rested her head on her hand, she looked at Aya, continued to observe her as if digesting everything she heard. Basing everything from what she heard and the implications of Aya's actions, Jinnie finally spoke, "The talk we had... it didn't mean that you should end things with him."

This caught Aya's attention. "I... what? I didn't... I don't think I did. I mean, it's not like I broke up with him. I just thought that we needed time apart. I needed time apart... I made things complicated, didn't I?"

Jinnie couldn't help but give Aya a helpless look, "What are you talking about? We all are complicated."

Aya smiled, "Yeah. You're right."

Sensing that their conversation is almost over, Keisuke went back to his seat, "Is it my turn now?"

With a groan, Jinnie answered him, "You know, maybe I should just shift to psychology. I'll be a shrink and you'll have to pay me before you get to say your problems."

"Aw, Jinnie. That's not fair..." Keisuke whined, moping how his best friend now prefers her roommate.

"I'm kidding, Kei. What's up with you?" Jinnie said as she turned her attention to her childhood friend.

"I'm in trouble, Jin. Save me!" Keisuke whined.

AN: It's been a while. I was actually thinking of deleting this story since the draft is still... a draft. HAHAHA. I mean seriously. For some reason I still haven't finished it after 123456789 years. So sorry for the very very very slow progress T-T Bear with me.