Back at the main house, Yuta was doing his best to cheer Akito up, but nothing was working. It didn't help that he had no idea why she was upset in the first place. And with so many things kept from him regarding the Sohma family and Akito herself, what was he supposed to say?

"Akito, is there anything I can do to help you feel better? Or maybe you can tell me why you've had such a tough day?"

Akito avoided his eyes as she had done for the past hour. She couldn't believe Noa made her son come over now of all times. If there was ever a time she didn't want Yuta to see her, it was after she'd just cried her eyes out and looked like a complete and utter mess.

"It's just…hard to say good-bye," she said softly.

"Who did you say good-bye to?"

"People I've been very close to since birth. It was time to let them go."

Yuta recalled when she had mentioned that several members of her family would spend time with her forever. Did it have to do with that?

"That was a tough decision, I'm sure. But they can still come back if they want, right?"

"It's just…not the same. You wouldn't understand."

"I guess not."

He was getting nowhere like this. If she wanted to be vague about everything, he wouldn't force it out of her, but it also meant he didn't know what to say or do.

Finally, he stood up and went inside her closet.

"What are you doing?" Akito asked.

Yuta picked out a nice shirt with a pair of black pants. "Here, put these on."

"Why?"

"Because I think it will do you good to just get out of the house for a little while, so I'm going to take you to dinner."

"I don't feel like going out."

"Well, this is the only thing I can think of to help. Come on, what's the harm? You can't possibly turn down free food!"

"I just did."

"You are the most stubborn girl I have ever met."

"You're the one who won't take no for an answer. You're just like your mother."

"Only because I know you'll feel better once you get dressed and get something to eat. Don't you trust me?"

Akito didn't want to admit that she did. She yanked the shirt and pants out of his hands. "You're intolerable."

Yuta smiled. "But oh-so-loveable."

"In your dreams."

The young man left the room to leave Akito to change.

She finally stepped out in her new outfit, and he felt his breath catch for a moment.

Man, she was so freaking beautiful. It hurt him to know that she had been crying for so long which he only knew by her red eyes. All he wanted to do was hug her and assure her that he could make it so tears would never fall from her beautiful eyes ever again.

Yuta shook his head. Why was he thinking like this?

Ever since that day at the beach, Akito had always managed to throw him for a loop, and he found himself thinking very unusual thoughts about her beauty and how much he wanted to protect her.

But that was ridiculous. He only saw her as a friend.

The two of them went out to a nice restaurant within walking distance of the Sohma house.

They were seated quickly and ordered their desired meals when their waitress came by.

"Look…I don't know what's going on or why you're so upset today, but I truly am sorry you feel like this," Yuta said gently. "I wish there was something more I could do."

Akito wondered if Yuta would still want to spend time with her if he knew the full story. Noa had, so he probably would…but what if he didn't?

All the same…it was kind of nice to get out of Sohma house for now and give her time to forget about the awful feelings that had nearly consumed her.

The following conversation over dinner was pretty one-sided, but it sort of worked in a way. Akito didn't really want to talk much so she was perfectly content to listen to Yuta do most of the speaking.

Yuta was pleased to find that Akito was eating more than she had been while living with his mother. She finished almost the entire meal and even ate a little bit of the dessert he ordered.

"Pardon me for a moment, I'm going to the restroom," he told her.

"Take your time," she answered quietly.

He had never seen her like this before, and he hated it. He wished that there was something he could do to make her smile or at least not feel so upset.

Yuta was sure he hadn't been in the bathroom too long, but evidently, it was enough time for Akito to consume two drinks.

She turned to look at him, and he saw that her face was already really flushed.

"Hey, I got a couple drinks," she slurred. "Hope you don't mind."

"How did you possibly have enough time to drink both of these in the short amount of time I was gone?"

She laughed lightly, something he was sure he'd never seen her do, and got up from the chair. She stumbled a little, and he quickly moved to catch her before she fell.

"I can be quick if I want. You should have some too."

"Akito…are you drunk?"

"Maybe."

"Oh, boy. If Mom finds out about this, she just might kill me for real. Not to mention the things your family will do to me."

"Don't worry so much," she laughed as she lightly tapped him on the chest. "It's not like they can do anything without my say-so." She touched his chest again. "Ooh, that feels nice."

Yuta felt his face get hot but was silently thankful he had continued going to the gym frequently while attending university. "Okay, it's time to go."

"Wait, you need a drink too."

"Oh, no, one of us had better stay sober. Come on."

He left some money on the table to pay for their meals and then took Akito's hand before leaving the restaurant.

The tiny girl clearly couldn't hold her alcohol very well because she could barely walk once they were outside.

With a sigh, he knelt down a little. "Get on."

"Hm?"

"Get on my back, and I'll carry you home."

"I am perfectly capable…of walking back myself. I am Sohma, head of the Akito!"

Yuta pressed his lips together, trying not to bust out laughing. "Okay, Sohma, head of the Akito. There's no way you are getting home without help. Just get on. The quicker we get home, the quicker we can get that alcohol out of your system."

"No, I'm fine!"

Just seconds after the words left her lips, she fell against Yuta's back, most likely not of her own accord.

"Thank you."

Yuta put her arms around his neck before hooking his own arms under her legs and hefting her up.

She quietly moaned as he started walking, and he just hoped she didn't throw up on him.

Though the circumstances weren't ideal, he was pleasantly surprised to feel that she wasn't as stick-thin as the last time he had carried her.

She may feel depressed today, but at least her overall health had improved considerably.

Yuta banged on the Sohma main doors with his foot, prepared to bribe the answering servant into silence.

Fortune smiled upon him because it was Rina who opened the door.

"Hey, Rina," he smiled awkwardly.

Rina's eyes widened. "What on earth did you do to her?"

"Shh! Look, it wasn't my fault! She drank while I wasn't looking. I'm just going to put her to bed. Please, please don't tell anyone about this. Especially not my mother."

Rina laughed. "Your secret's safe with me. I'll help you get her to her room without any seeing you two."

"Bless you."

Rina stayed on guard and snuck the both of them back to Akito's room without any Sohmas or the servants noticing the head of the family passed out on a guy's back.

Yuta carefully set her down on her feet. "Akito, I need you to change out of your clothes, okay?"

Akito laughed. "Okay, but you first."

Rina snorted behind them.

Yuta's face got hot again at her implication. "No, I just mean you have to change into the yukata you usually sleep in. Rina will help you. I'm going to go get you some water."

Rina smirked as he started to leave and went to help the drunken Akito of her clothes.

Yuta returned with a glass of water and knocked on the shoji. "Is she decent?"

"Yeah, come in," Rina replied.

Yuta slid open the shoji and stepped inside. "Thanks a ton, Rina. I owe you one. I've got it from here."

"Okay, if you say so." She started to leave and leaned in close to his ear. "Don't think I am ever letting you forget this."

Yuta rolled his eyes as she left the room. He walked over to Akito and gently led her to her bed. "Here you go. Drink some water for me."

Akito took the glass and started sipping from it. "Water tastes so good."

Yuta smiled again. "I'm glad."

Once she finished the glass, he took it from her and set it aside.

"Now lie down and get some rest."

Akito lay down on the bed and patted the space beside her. "Aren't you getting in too?"

For the hundredth time that evening, Yuta's face warmed once again. "No. Just go to sleep, okay?"

"Will you stay with me until then?"

"Sure."

Akito closed her eyes.

Yuta gently slipped the blanket over her.

"You're nice to me," Akito mumbled half-asleep. "I like it."

He stayed for a little while longer until he was sure she had fallen asleep.

She looked so cute when she was sleeping.

As he looked at her slightly parted lips, he suddenly had an overwhelming urge to kiss her.

But they were just friends, weren't they? Friends didn't randomly want to kiss one another.

Who was he kidding?

He gently ran his hand through her jet-black hair several times. She moaned in her sleep and unconsciously moved closer to him. Yuta knelt down and placed a soft kiss on her forehead.

"Sleep well, Miss Sohma."