Life is Not Fair, But There's Always a Second Chance

Disclaimer: I don't own the characters.

Chapter 3

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A couple of years had passed since Ryou had made that life-alternating decision. Yet…nothing had changed at all. In fact, life has gotten worst for him.

"What do you think of this one?"

His head snapped up to the owner of the voice. He then remembered that currently, he was on a date with Lettuce for their two-year anniversary. Seeing the bright sparkles in her eyes and how it shone, Ryou felt an immerse guilt coursing through him. Nothing has changed. Including his feelings for Lettuce and Ichigo. But…is his delusional thinking worth the happiness of an another? Could he continue leading on Lettuce with misconceptions of his supposed feelings for her? Could he continue to delusion himself into thinking that perhaps someday, he will reciprocates those feelings back?

No…no he couldn't. That would be too cruel of him. Ryou sighed internally. This has gone far long enough. He…he can't keep this up any longer. As the saying goes, "Absence makes the heart grows fonder." He let out a chuckle. Now he knows that saying is true.

For the past two years, he had kept the pretence of the stingy boss who never gives her the raise. But somewhere along their playful teasing, there was a deep sense of connection. At least that was what he felt. Still…he knew now that he has fallen even deeper for Ichigo than he had two years ago.

He knows now what to do. He looked up and said,

"We need to talk…Lettuce."

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Ryou supposed he should have broken up with Lettuce on a day that was not their anniversary as he glanced around the basement. Faint mumblings from upstairs were barely heard, but thanks to the feline DNA, he was able to guess what those girls were talking about.

Well, there was nothing he could do about it. He felt bad enough to have already falsify Lettuce's hopes and dreams, but it was the right thing to do. Getting up from his chair, he locked the door. He doesn't need a feisty red-head badgering on him for his crime.

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It was several weeks later. Things had slightly calmed down at the café. He no longer receives hostile glances from his employees or hears that disappointing sigh coming from his friend slash brother. Twirling around his tea, Ryou placed his feet on the nearest seat. The café was empty. No one but him. Well, there's Keichrio. Earlier that day, Ryou had allowed the girls to take the rest of the afternoon off. Mainly because they won't stop gossiping about Ichigo's upcoming date.

Ryou leaned back on his recliner seat in the basement. Now that he thinks about it, Ichigo hasn't gotten up on his face about breaking Lettuce's heart.

The door suddenly opened. The sound of its impact echoed throughout the basement. A blur of pink and red nearly bowled over to where he was, but stopped within an inch distance. He felt himself picked up, though he could tell that his attacker was barely holding on to him.

"Why?! Why did you have to go do that to her?!" His attacker yelled. Tears were running down her face.

Ryou couldn't stand looking at those eyes. The way they were shining with grief. The pain he had caused to her—indirectly. He spoke softly. "I don't wish to lead her on…." 'Anymore…Ichigo'. Ryou thought, keeping that one to himself because he knows that if he had said this, things will become worst.

Ichigo was confused. "Lead her on?" Eyes slightly widen, mouth gaping. "LEAD. HER. ON.?!" Disbelief was truly shown on her face. "How could you lead her on? Didn't the years mean anything to you?" Ichigo took it further. "Anything at all."

His eyes pierced through her, though not as much as his next words did. "Nothing." Ichigo gasped, not understanding why. "Nothing at all Ichigo." There, he said it.

"Why?" Her voice wavered as raw emotions of sadness for her dear friend, whom she considered as her sister. "After all these years…why?"

'This is it,' Ryou told himself. 'It's now or never.' He stepped closer to Ichigo. "Because…I'm in love…," he watched her eyes grew wider and her hands shook. "with you."

Ichigo was petrified. And yet, a couple of words left her mouth. Words that want to know the truth to this madness. "Why me? Aren't we supposed to be pests to each other?"

He only smiled, though it was in sadness as he clearly saw the pain he inflicted upon her. "Think back to all those times where it would be just us. You'll find your answer there." He whispered to her. His gut instinct informed him that she would remember all those moments that they had spent together. His gut instincts had never failed him. "I'll be in my room if you need me." Ryou left her standing in her spot, never looking back.

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Sometime later, Ichigo did come back. Just like he knew she would. "So?" Ryou said to her from his bed.

Ichigo stormed up to him, her face flushed. "This doesn't mean anything Shirogane! I'm still with Masaya…but…," There she turned her face away from him. "…I'll give you a second chance." Ryou smirked at that. "Don't think this mean anything, but it's not!" Ichigo screamed.

"Don't worry, I'll steal him away from you if I have to," Ryou stood up from his bed and walked over her. Without warning, he hugged her. Dipping his mouth close to her eye, he whispered. "Thanks for giving me a second chance."

~Finis~

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AN: Ok, for clarification, Ichigo is not the type she would cheat on her boyfriend. All she is giving Ryou is a second chance at their relationship—meaning he can go from being a pest to actually being a friend. Now, whether Ryou woos Ichigo and cause her to change her feelings, it's another story. It's been so long since I write for this fandom honestly. Could anyone rec me a good Ryou/Ichigo story?