Author's note: Huzzah, the moment that we have all been waiting for! I'm so excited even though I was the one who wrote it. I have to say this is pretty much the center of my plot. What I mean is that when my muse came to me at twelve o'clock at night years ago; this was the scene she projected in my mind. I don't know if I captured it ok...But here it is!

Oh and Kals, you were right on. XD

.
The Kiss

"So, are you ready to tell me what happened?" After they finished lunch and did a little shopping on Akari's side, Shindou finally got to the point.

They were in their regular mall, wandering around aimlessly. It had been their hang out place ever since they were small, naïve eleven year olds. The food there was awesome, the merchandise was cheap, and the clothes were pretty. However, all that just doesn't really appeal to you when you got loads on your mind. In their case, it means both of them weren't paying any attention to what they ate and what they bought.

"Yeah, but it looks like I'm not the only one who is ready for useful advices. What's wrong with you? Fighting with your pro friends?" Akari always felt comfortable around her best friend. They just belong together.

"Hey, you invited me out to listen to you! I never invited you out to ask about me. So don't change the subject. What's with you?" Shindou said, annoyed. He had remained Touya-free for almost a week and a half; and like any kind of addict, he felt that his thin nerve is about to snap any second.

"It's Mitani!" She hung her head.

Oh great, another relationship equation. Why couldn't she just complain about her marks again? Or how her mother won't let her stay up past midnight... small trivial like that? Those I can handle. Why does she talk about love when I don't even know what it is? Especially, why now, when I'm so confused myself? Shindou screamed inwardly.

"It's just that all he does now is work! I mean, I liked him because he was so carefree and relaxed! Maybe a little rebellious…but that was why I loved him..." Akari murmured the last part. Shindou heard it nevertheless.

"And now, his hours are just inhuman! He works before and after school, starting from five in the morning to nine. And then continued from five in the afternoon to twelve! I mean, who works non-stop, if not a mere teenager? Does he need money that desperately?"

Even without fully understanding the situation, Shindou could still understand Mitani's intentions. Mitani had told Shindou during one of their conversations that he plans on giving up university and walk into society earlier than he is supposed to. Shindou could also tell that Mitani is very serious about this relationship, so chances are these two friends would get married and possibly have children.

Shindou shuddered at the mere thought of him being a slave to family, work and responsibility. However, he knew that loving someone deeply makes sacrifices worthwhile. So what's the problem with Mitani preparing for the hard future?

"I mean, we barely get to spend time together!" Shindou rolled his eyes at that. "And most importantly, he is exhausted! He never gets enough sleep now. You wouldn't believe it's him standing in front of you even with a name tag!"

By now, they had already left the mall, and Akari was heading towards Shindou's neighborhood with the boy in tow. She was still complaining and didn't even notice when she walked into the park with half melted snow. Shindou stiffen a little and then bravely followed. Beside the same bench he had sat on a week ago, Akari swiftly swept the snow off the wood and plopped down.

"Whenever I mentioned it to him, he would just say 'you won't understand. You never understands' and then he walks out on me! To work!" Akari screamed since no one was around.

She calmed down a little and lowered her head mournfully "I wish I have a boyfriend like you…it would make everything so easy."

"How so?" Shindou asked defensively. What does she mean by that? That I don't have to work?

"Well, you usually don't give a hoot about work, so that would be the last thing to separate you from the ones you love." She went on explaining; Shindou grunted indigantly at that.

"Besides, you understand me and would support me no matter what." she tried to stop the tears, but they had been ignored or suppressed for so many times this week that they were mad and they wanted out!

"Hey, don't cry…" Shindou soften his tone. He was so used to this. She would cry and he would hug her in his arm for comfort. "You know, free time isn't the only thing you need in a relationship. That isn't enough. You should have understanding, trust and communication. Believe me, I know." He petted her wavy long, reddish-brown hair.

As Akari cried contentedly in Shindou's embrace, he glanced around the park. To his right was a strong, yet lonely tree. Its spiky dark green leaves were covered in a thinning blanket of ice. That color... how can it be identical to the color of Akira's hair. I feel like he is in this park right now. Geez, I think I'm going crazy...

"You have changed a lot…" Akari looked up and smiled.

"You have too!" Shindou offered after returning from his daydream.

"Oh? How?" Akari asked curiously. And then, "Forget it, don't answer! You are just going to say I shrunk or something."

"Huh? Hahaha! You still remember!" Shindou commented. Remembering he did in fact say that before.

"That's more you! Laughing like that. I was really worried, but you are still the Hikaru I know. The one I remembered... that I loved." She shook her head slightly and laughed quietly at herself.

"Akari…" Shindou was shocked, but then he noticed she used 'loved', meaning not anymore…right?

"Don't worry, I'm just being stupid!" Akari smiled cheekily.

"…."

"Hikaru, can I…kiss you?" Akari's starry eyes looked deep into the bright green ones.

"…. What are you talking about...? " Shindou asked incredulously.

"Nothing." Akari turned red and flustered, "It's alright if you don't want to. It's just that... I had been wishing it for as long as I dare to remember…so, the idea is not very easy to chase away."

"Akari... we are friends, remember? Best friends, childhood friends, lifetime friends, right? You have Mitani now..." Shindou cleared his throat. Not like it would make a difference without Mitani. I love Akari like a real sister. This was definitely more than he asked for; he hates being awkward.

"I love Yuki! I love him more than anyone in the world. The thing is... when you can't have something that you have wanted all your life, when it's a desire that's not fulfilled, chances are you keep on wanting. For me, that is the case. I'm so sorry, Hikaru, for even thinking that for a second." Akari sounded tormented and embarrassed.

"Alright then…"

"Huh?"

"Well, " Shindou scratched his head clumsily. "You said if it's fulfilled, you will stop thinking that, right? I can't have you thinking about me when you are with someone who clearly deserves you more. As your friend, I won't allow that."

"Hikaru…"

"Well? Are you going to do it or not?" Shindou felt so uncomfortable…his first friend, his closest friend, a girl, someone-not-Akira, them, kissing…

When their lips were touching, Shindou noticed that it wasn't so bad…if he focused hard enough, he could almost imagine that the lips belong to Touya. But almost is an almost; it could never be real. When Touya kissed him, he couldn't even think let alone imagine. Then it was over.

"Um…it wasn't that bad, I thought I was going to die. Maybe struck by lightning or buried in an avalanche." Since it was over, Shindou found himself joking out of relief.

"Hikaru!" Akari screamed. And then Hikaru's roar of laughter followed. They were clearly louder than they should be in the deserted park.

And then Shindou heard a thump, something falling onto the snow. It was from the direction of that big, lonely tree. He stood up instinctively and started to walk towards it.

Something, something about that tree was yelling for attention. The tree was spreading some aura that was so familiar and so intense.

When he reached the large pine tree, he took into view an image that cooled his blood instantly. A frail body dressed in a thin black overcoat was revealed, kneeling with hands outstretches in front of it for support. The head was facing down, body trembling.

"Touya…"

Fijisaki-chan. I liked her…I always liked her. She was polite and nice and she respected me too. Touya was trembling not from the cold of his fingers on the ground, but the cold spreading inside him. And Hikaru, he laughed… They were really kissing then.

It's over after all, Hikaru doesn't want me anymore… Fijisaki-chan wouldn't be ashamed to be seen with Hikaru, she wouldn't think he would ruin her… Touya continued his thoughts resignedly.

Then he heard his name, far away, faintly, and different. He waited for himself to get ready, and then he look up into the face that he missed greatly in such a short departure. The sun behind Shindou shined past his body and the gold rays attacked Touya's eyes. Touya struggled hard to catch a glimpse of Shindou's expression, but all he got was a rough outline of the shadowed figure standing inches away from him. He panicked. Feeling his vision shimmering, he quickly looked down again, grasping the snow in his hands.

A hand extended to him and he looked up again. Shindou's expression must be aloof, even without seeing it; he knew that the face was showing signs of annoyance. The eyes were dark; even if the whole face was dark, Shindou's eyes should never be dark, because his eyes glows in the dark like the ones of a cat. His eyes melts snow like the ones with X-ray.

Only when he chooses to be distant, his eyes would be dark.

I got my answer. Touya struggled to stand, completely ignoring the hand. No more cowering before him... He stood and started to stagger away.

"Touya…" Shindou plead.

"I…I will make this right, I won't let it end like this. Just wait, Shindou." The voice that came out was colder than snow, harder than ice and scarier than death.

To Be Continued…

oXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXo

Previews for the next chapter:

-"No, Shindou-san, I will go up. Please don't come until we finish talking. Please… I mean no disrespect, but I have to talk to Hikaru privately." Akari pleaded.

-"Oh sure, I just have to tell him about the kiss, and then he would fire himself from all his jobs. That is if he cares enough about me." Akari winked.

- She swallowed her questions and complaints and said quietly, "Go find him, Shindou-kun. I'm counting on you."

-"Huh, how rude… We haven't seen your Akira. Why? He ran away from home?" Waya glared.

oXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXo

Author's notes: Well, there it is. Akari might seem stupid here, but trust me when I say I don't hate her… She will get better, I promise. Hmm... I think I didn't do such a good job with this chapter after all. Quite sad because it seems unnatural. I still hope you liked it though. It will get better from here, really. So any comments before we head for the finale?