This one also has been edited for the third time. Hope you enjoy it, and please R&R!

Tatsuya sighed. School. He did say to his bro that he wanted to become a detective, - in one of their long discussion, after he began to move to his place- but now he quickly regretted it. If it meant that he had to attend his schools like the other folks. His mind flew as he wore the jacket and pinned his emblem.

He has gotten better with his brother, Katsuya. He agreed to stay with him in apartment, even though he sometimes chose to spend time alone outside there by going to Zodiac or staying at the mechanics garage beside spending his time with his brother, Katsuya.

Sometimes he noticed that Katsuya has changed. He got to be a little more understanding now, and also, sometimes he noticed the dark glow at his eyes when he stared at him or when he's alone, that a bitter pain is engraved there. It's just like there's something that pained him a lot in the past, but he just shrugged it off of the thought.

He set to his motorcycle and rode to Sevens. He admitted he barely recognized the others except Yoshizaka and the girl who always tailing her off, Noriko. He never talked to the others though, since he often skipped the classes. He once heard about his junior who's a superstar though, but he didn't give a damn about it. Well – that's about his limited knowledge about his schoolmates.

He walked off through the crowd heading to his class, ignoring all the eyes the set on him.

So, he thought bitterly, everyone is wondering what the hell the school delinquent is doing here?

He sat in his chair and casually dumped his bag into the desk. Class will be started in another 10 minutes – and he didn't have anything to do. He already finished his homework –surprisingly- that it didn't even take 5 minutes to finish those works. So he stared into the windows, and spotted a woman standing in front of his school gate that still a little crowded by students, staring into the windows.

It's nothing like out of normality, but since he found nothing interesting to observe he decided to eye the woman. He has never seen her before – probably because of his lack of credits, but from her outfits and looks, she didn't look like a new teacher. She's maybe around her 20s, with brown set of skirt and jacket with 2 hearts around the chest, with hair length reaching her shoulder. He kept eyeing the woman until accidentally their eyes met. And they stunned for a second.

Suddenly he felt a familiar jolt through his body, and somehow a familiar pain crept to his back. In reflex, he broke the eye contact by looking to other way.

The bell rang and the rest of the students burst in the class, followed suit by the teacher. And when he looked again to the windows, she's gone.

Katsuya entered the Parabellum and look around at the sight. Looks like that he got the right time. Who knew that when he's in his thought whether going home or staying here, and he got her message. He looked around, and there, he spotted a woman that really, too familiar to him.

Amano Maya.

He didn't move from there for some seconds until she turned to look at him and paused for a second, until she broke off and waved at him.

He smiled and approached her.

"Katsuya, over here!" She threw him a wide smile, and he returned it.

"Ah, Amano-kun. Long time no see," He sat there beside her, "What are you doing here?" And suddenly he realized that's a stupid question.

She giggled, but she answered it. "Hmm? Did you get the message?" He nodded. "Sorry for the sudden. I hope we don't interrupt in your work or something?" she clasped her hand.

Maya. She's cheerful as usual, always smiling. He smiled a little.

"No, of course not. I've finished my portion for today. And it's already late tonight." He looked at his wristwatch. 11 PM. Huh.

She smiled playfully. "Well, I think it's a rare opportunity to see you here. We thought that because we had never hung out again since that day that we decided to spend some time visiting you. Is it okay? Maybe you have some business to attend?"

He quickly shook his head. "No problem. I was just thinking about going home before I receive the message…? Oh, how about visiting my new apartment after the others come…" Tatsuya!

But out of his expectation, she answered him nonchalantly, "Well, will it be okay with Tatsuya-kun? I mean, barging in this late?"

"Err, yeah, but I'm sure he'll agree. What I mean here is…" He paused a little. "Are…you alright... with that?" He asked with a worried tone.

She smiled, again. "It's okay," She chuckled, "Of course I'm alright… No matter what, I have to learn to face it that one day; hopefully, I'll get used by it, and then I can face this Tatsuya with healthy affection…maybe like he's my younger brother, or friend, perhaps?" She caught a doubt at his expression, but she decided to stop talking about it, "Really, visiting your new apartment will be fun! We never got the chance to visit your house since you lived in dormitory… ah, let's just wait for them then." She ordered some drinks for them, and they're in silence for a while.

Katsuya thought about the last conversation. She's cheerful as always - he knew that she's slowly recovering little by little, just like him, trying to build a new life.

Tatsuya. It's a pain to see them both, that he had forgotten all the experiences back then in an instance. Katsuya sometimes found himself grieving about it, that he had to build their relationship from the beginning. Just right when he and the other side Tatsuya had finally got an understanding between each other, he just disappeared like that. But he, did feel some happiness when Tatsuya asked him about being a detective, just when he started to smoke, wanted to forget about it for a moment. That's the pillars that supporting him to rebuild their relationship, beside their past experience, that they might be able to rebuild their siblings bond once again just like back then, and they may understand each other more like he and the other Tatsuya.

But…isn't it selfish? While he's trying to get all the happiness, on the other side someone that's dear to him was struggling to move on.

Someone that's dear to him.

Even after that time – even though he never really admitted his feelings to her in direct words to her – and she also never mention about it to him, but certainly his feelings to her was still, and kept growing – even after he tried to distance himself from her.

Maya, in her silence, somehow was thinking not too different from him. The events back then reminded her again.

She hurried up. Well, she's gotten up late again – Ulala forgot to wake her up, thanks to her job with Baofu - , and besides, she had a promise with Ulala to meet at a restaurant at break. If she didn't finish some of her jobs before break….

She tried to found a cab, but after 5 minutes waiting, she decided that running is much faster. She ran, didn't minding that her hair and her clothes were all messy, as she passed Sevens, she stopped. She didn't know what has gotten through her, so besides, she stared at the 3rd Floor windows and their eyes met. His and hers. Tatsuya's.

They stunned for a bit, until Tatsuya turned around and looked at the other way. Maya, that has coming back to herself, quickly shook her head and continued running.

Their thoughts are interrupted by a familiar voice.

"Hey! Ma-ya! Suou-nii!"

They turned around. Well, it's Ulala who was waving to them while her other hand's dragging Baofu who had slightly annoyed expression.

Maya smiled. "Ulala! Here!" She patted 2 chairs at her right. They approached her and sat.

"I'm sorry we were late, I have a hard time dragging him," she pointed to Baofu, "And beside, you're already here too, Suou!" Katsuya gave her a smile.

"And then woman, you better give some good REASON to be hanging here." He lit his cigarette. "If you have the time to play around, better use your time to finish the piles on you desk, for goodness. Hhh…such a secretary I got…"

"What the hell?! I'm not playing around! And to make you know, oh-so-busy-'milord', I already finished my works!" She slapped his arm, causing him to flinch," Dammit Bao, you always make me doing all the hard parts, you bastard!"

"Whatever. So Suou, any interesting cases?" He showed his usual 'criminal-glint in his eyes.

Katsuya shrugged, "Well, nothing much. There's a strange case in my file about the huge damage near Club Zodiac, the culprit is unknown, only 2 victims with light wounds, something like that."

"Hmm…that case huh…My recent cases also involve somewhere near there… I guess it kind of worth investigating."

Maya clasped her hands, "Now, now, you guys still discussing about work?" Ulala added in low voice, Well Ma-ya, you yourself are also discussing about work.

" So how about the plan Katsuya? To your apartment?"

Baofu and Ulala paused a little, and gave a little glare to Katsuya. Maya; noticing that, tried to her best to clear the situation, "Hey, don't be like that. Besides, it's a great idea though; we never visit his home before! So how about it?"

Ulala eased a little and Katsuya finally spoke, "Well, if it's okay for everyone, after we'd finished this drink, we can go directly." Could Tatsuya were home?

Ulala gave a meaningful look to Katsuya. You know the risk, don't you?

He averted his gaze. Let's just see.

"Fine, we go after we finished this." Ulala sighed, pointing to their drinks.

And 15 minutes later, they sat at Katsuya's car and chatting like usual.

Tatsuya stopped in front of his apartment door. Dark. Looks like Katsuya hasn't home yet.

Should I just sleep at the garage? He shrugged that idea. He didn't want to spend this cold night in the cold floor, no thank you. He's already tired now, and an extra weigh to go to other place just didn't suit him that night. Sighing, he put his hand into his pocket and searching for keys. He opened the door.

As he turned on the lights, he analyzed their apartment. It's messy as always; magazines at the sofa, some of his trousers at the floor, and others. Partly it's his fault, though. Actually, it's not that messy –in his point of view- Katsuya always at least cleaned up the apartment once a week. But, it all remained the same, magazines spread at the floor, used cups lying in the floor. He sighed. Looks like all Katsuya efforts didn't really have a meaning.

He cleaned it up a little bit; at least making the floor had a spare for walking. After 5 minutes, he gave up, throwing his jacket and belongings into the sofa, and fallen asleep there.

Katsuya parked off the car as Maya, who sat in the front sit yawned. Their trip turned out to be uneventful, because the traffic and they didn't feel to talk about something in particular. Ulala who's really loud at first now's just quiet like Baofu.

"Well, we're here." Katsuya announced, as he hooked off the seatbelt. Maya and the others observed the building.

It's not too huge, but nice. The surroundings are fresh, with some little parks at it. Ulala give an awe, as Maya dropped a comment, "Looks nice! I wonder about the inside?" Katsuya nodded.

"Well, even though the outside is tidy, it's not with mine. Be prepared. "

Ulala replied, "If you worrying about it, well, you can compare with ours."

They walked off as they finally reached out his apartment at 3rd floor.

Baofu finally speaks, "Seems you didn't like heights, Suou."

Katsuya nodded, "But it's better though, since the higher ones are quite expensive. This one is good enough."

Suddenly Katsuya noticed the light from inside. Tatsuya…he's home?

Katsuya gave a look to Ulala, and Ulala nodded. He opened the door only to found Tatsuya's sleeping at the sofa.

Tatsuya.

They stood still for a time until Maya tried to say something, "Should we wake him up? He might catch a cold if he sleeps there." Katsuya, who has been the second to recover, nodded slowly.

They approach him and Maya knelt. She poked his chin lightly.

"Tatsuya-kun?" She said it in low voice.

No response.

Katsuya sighed, "I'm sorry, Amano-kun. He is like a dead when he's sleeping."

She tried it once again, now she shook his body a little. How long since we're been face to face?

"Tatsuya-kun? You might catch a cold if you sleep here." He nudged a little.

Baofu gave a suggestion, "Amano, just slap him across the face and he'll wake up."

Ulala, being impatient, finally tried to take control.

"Hey, wake up!" No response.

They sighed. If he really is sleeping of dead? Ulala said, "Looks like he's a dead sleeper. Should we throw him a water or such?"

"What about tickling him?"

"Poke him with his blade. Or how about gunshot? That should be loud enough to wake the brat. "

"I won't let you do that, Baofu! What if he got hurt when.."

"Aaah, stop the crap rite' now Amae-chan, so you got another solution?"

"In any case, the using of any gun or blades is not allowed without supervision…"

"Like I said, throwing water is the best solution…"

Ignoring all the discussion that going nowhere between the three, Maya tried it once again, harder. "Tatsuya-kun, wake up." She shook his body a little harder.

Finally, he opened his eyes, -fortunately- only to find out a familiar woman holding his arm.

That woman.

…Who?

Maya tried her best to control her emotion. She forced a smile to him. She was prepared for this kind of situation, but still…

Tatsuya stared at her, that she did the same. Finally he spoke, "You are…"

Maya immediately replied, "Ah, I'm Katsuya's friend, Amano Maya. Nice to meet you."

Tatsuya ignored the statement, since it's not what he's inquiring, "…I remembered you stood in front of Sevens gate this morning. Was it you?"

Maya paused for a moment, finally nodded, "Ah…yes. I just wandering around, hahaha…" she let out a nervous laugh.

Ulala and the others didn't get what did they mean, but decided to leave it be. They could question either him or her later.

Finally Katsuya greeted his brother, "Well, little brother, these are my friends," he stood beside Maya, "This is Miss Amano, she's a journalist. Her assistance has helped me many times," Tatsuya gave him a look, Yeah, right. "And they're Miss Serizawa and Baofu, man searchers. We have been comrades in the past." Along with you too.

As he observed Ulala and Baofu, he couldn't help but wondered. He's been friends with some weird guys. Nah.

He finally introduced himself, "Tatsuya, Suou Tatsuya. I guess aniki has told you about me."

They stood in awkward, until Baofu who feel bored said, "Well, Suou, what are we gonna do here?"

An idea just popped up at Maya's mind, "How about cards? I brought a set with me."

Baofu cannot help but be suspicious with her. Well, she always has weird ideas and carries weird things with her in weird times though…

Ulala –who already accustomed with her habits of giving strange impromptu ideas, just nodded, "Fine, sounds a good idea. How about we use a bet?" She added the challenge grinned, "And alcohol?"

Katsuya quickly was against it. "I think we shouldn't, Miss Serizawa. Tatsuya still was underage to drink it. We wouldn't want to wake his delinquent side… Besides…" That caused Tatsuya to give him a sharp elbow at his rib and an addition of stomping at Katsuya's foot.

Baofu lit his cigarette, "Hey officer, Please, as I said before right now I don't want to hear crap from you. Sheesh."

Maya quickly eased the circumstances. "Well, how about juices? It's safer, actually."

Before the two alcohol lovers, who wanted to confirm that Maya's really crazy, and before they could shout anything, Maya winked at them.

"Ch, I'm outta here." Baofu started to leave the room but stopped by Maya.

"Aww, came on Baofu, please? Besides, we have already had a drink." Baofu grunted. Maya then turned to Tatsuya.

"Do you want to join? It'll be fun!"

Tatsuya paused for a little, and then despite his tiredness, he nodded. "Fine, since tomorrow is Saturday." He could sleep all day long tomorrow. Even though the truth is not just that, he somehow felt strange to the woman.

"Hope you don't mind for your apartment to get messier."

So after they settled everything, they played the entire night, and enjoying the first night where they finally been together again, although they're missing a supposed to be person. But at least, they're content with that. It's a good beginning.

Glossary :

Amae-chan : In the USA version, Baofu called Katsuya either as 'clumsy' or something like that, while in JP vers, amae-chan is the nickname from Baofu.

-aniki : the same meaning as older brother, but less respectful then nii-san.

Please R&R!