Author's notes: Yatta! This is my final revision of the story! It was kind of tiring to do all these stuff with all the school work. It's really a pain! But since I care so much about my dear readers, I finished this chapter! I hope you all enjoy this chapter and I hope I didn't disappoint any of you (except for the super-long updating, that is)! Hehehe! Also, I made Rei and Yuuya schoolmates of the gang. Don't get confused!

Disclaimer: I don't own Chou GALS! Kotobuki Ran and if I did I swear I'm dead right now because of all the ReiXAya fans out there! Seriously, why are some of their fans so…aggressive? I'm going to repeat it for the sake of some peeps…

If you don't want the pairing, do not read.

...as simple as that.

(Warning: foul language, sexual implications, suicidal attempts, and others are present in this story.)

This fanfic is written for entertainment purpose only and maybe watching GALS! again isn't necessary. And the story plot is mine, okay?

Previously…

Unknown to Ran, Rei was smiling at the conversation they were having. It was not much, but it meant a lot.

The truth was that Rei heard what Ran had said. He was a bit confused, but he knew what she meant.

Maybe…Ran has feelings for him? Why would she say that if she doesn't feel anything? It was probably just his imagination….

Maybe.

Maybe not.

Give me a Chance, Chapter 4: Tell me everything

"Ow!"

Rei looked back in annoyance with an exasperated sigh. "That happened about 3 times now." He commented, walking ahead. "Why are you so fond of wearing high heels anyway?"

The two were in the middle of a park that was near Ran's home. They were supposed to be in each other's homes by then, but the clumsy chougal kept tripping that Rei was convinced (and forced) that he'd better walk her straight to her home.

"I like wearing them!" Ran glared at his back. "Aren't you going to help me get up!" she yelled.

"You're a chougal, aren't you? You don't need any help from me." Rei whispered, turning around to face Ran who was still lying on the floor. He eyed the broken strap of the high-heeled sandal.

Ran tried to get up with her arms. "…and you call yourself a man? That's such a shame!" she exclaimed. She was about to say more hurtful words when she saw Rei approaching her. "Ha! Did my words get at you? So now you want to prove you're a—"

"—at least keep your mouth shut for a while." Rei said, unperturbed, kneeling in front of Ran and taking the broken sandal.

Ran's eyes widened and she blinked confusedly. "Are you going to fix it?" she asked, ignoring what Rei had said.

The brunet looked at the girl in front of him and seemed to stare at her absently. "I don't want to sound rude but—"

"—you are rude." Ran interrupted.

Rei didn't falter. "—your house is just near. You can walk without your sandal if you want to." He held out a hand to the almost-annoyed girl.

"Why are gentlemen disappearing slowly nowadays?" Ran asked without looking at the brunet youth, slapping his hand and standing on her own. She brushed off imaginary dirt from her skirt and sat immediately on the bench beside them as if she wasn't able to stand up for long.

Rei didn't miss her soft wince when she stood up. He saw a nasty gash on her right knee. "What are you saying? If I tried to help you, you wouldn't let me anyway. Why waste my time if you're not going to comply?" he whispered, moving towards Ran, still on his knees.

Ran rolled her eyes. "Whatever."

"As expected."

"H-hey! What the heck are you doing, Otohata?" Ran asked nervously when she saw Rei's face nearly touching her wounded knee.

"Does it hurt?" Rei asked in a whisper that Ran barely heard.

"No it doesn't!" the bleached-blonde girl exclaimed, laughing loudly. "Why would such a small wound hurt me? You really are—"

Rei poked the gash with his finger.

"THAT REALLY HURTS, DAMMIT!"

The handsome youth hid an amused smile. "You said it didn't hurt. Quit acting so tough."

Ran gritted her teeth and waved her fist in front of Rei. "It's now my fault?"

Rei drew out a handkerchief from his pocket and started to rip it in half with his teeth. He wrapped the cloth around Ran's knees and tied it tightly. When he was sure that it was secured, he stood up and looked at her. He was surprised to see her looking back at him.

"T-thanks…even though I didn't need your help at all." Ran whispered, looking at her bandaged knee.

Rei wasn't able to say something until he saw her look up at him again. "I just didn't want you to complain. You're so loud." He replied, picking up the sandal he dropped a while ago. He sat next to Ran on the bench and observed the strap of the sandal.

"Oh." She felt disappointed; she didn't know why. She clenched and unclenched her fists, wanting to open up a conversation. But with the stuck-up guy next to her, it was hard to do it. He wasn't very sociable, anyway. Poor guy—and she didn't even know why that thought entered in her mind.

With a soft cry of triumph, the stoic boy finished fixing the sandal and he laid it on the ground beside Ran's feet. He glanced at the bandaged knee afterwards and noticed that it was the same handkerchief that he used to wipe Aya's tears. She was crying because she wasn't happy doing all the things for her parents and because she separated herself from Ran's group. He didn't want to see her cry then. It broke his heart.

He didn't want to see anybody cry—especially in front of him. He didn't want them to look up at him and ask for his advice. He didn't want them to see him as their savior, their light. But it was different with Aya. She only silently asked for someone to listen and he was fine with that. But since she was a kind-hearted girl, he couldn't help but comfort her a little.

He couldn't help but take a quick look at Ran beside him. Images of Ran crying so much flooded his mind. What would he do if that happened? Will it happen? Would he only wipe her tears away? Would he hug her? Would he…?

"Why do you put up with me?" she asked suddenly, surprising Rei again and interrupting his trail of thoughts.

"Huh?" Rei asked absently.

"I mean," she paused, staring at brunet. "You said so yourself that you didn't want girls like me who are vain." She pointed an accusing and well-manicured finger at him.

Rei kept quiet for a moment. "I didn't say that."

"Yes you did!" Ran exclaimed. "I just figured that if you don't like girls like me, then why are you not pushing me away? Or just ignore me? Why are you still friends with me?" she asked.

Rei blinked. "I…guess you're different." He whispered, looking away. He was very aware that he was blushing with what he said.

"Different? How come?" Ran continued, making him blush more, seemingly unaware of Rei's current condition.

The handsome brunet stood up suddenly. "Don't ask useless questions. Let's go home now. Your parents will worry." He said.

Thankfully, Ran chose to drop the subject and she stood up slowly. "They're not at home. They're in a vacation trip and my sister's on a field trip. Yamato maybe working in nightshift. Nobody will worry." She said, wearing her sandal.

"Are you okay?" Rei asked.

Ran nodded. "As I said, this is nothing. I've experienced much more painful gashes than this one." She whispered and smiled widely. Rei didn't know if she was referring to a physical or emotional gash.

After a few walks, they were already on the doorstep of the Kotobuki home. "Since you did something nice to me for once, why don't you come in and have something to eat?" she said, opening the door.

Rei shook his head. "No, thanks. I need to do some homework. Do yours, too." He said and turned around to walk away.

"Yeah, yeah. Don't tell me what to do, genius." Ran muttered sheepishly. She watched as Rei walked slowly. "Hey Otohata!"

Rei looked back.

Ran smiled widely. "Thanks for everything, sarcastic monkey!" she exclaimed, sticking her tongue out.

"Hn." Rei smirked at her and started to walk away, disappearing slowly from Ran's vision.

Sarcastic, huh? Hell, I'm only sarcastic when I'm talking to her. She's the only one. Kotobuki Ran…very different indeed.

"Whoa!"

"Everyone, look! Ran's here already!" Satsuki exclaimed, pointing out the walking chougal out of the classroom window.

"What?" Miyu stood up from her seat and approached the window. "It is her! Aya, come take a look! Ran's early today…and she's even walking towards the school!" she exclaimed.

Aya blinked confusedly at Miyu. "Seriously?" she asked, standing up. She looked out of the window and saw Ran walking very slowly, as if she was thinking of something deeply.

"Maybe something happened to her…" Miyu whispered.

Aya nodded. "Just look at her face. She's thinking of something so seriously." she commented. "Let's ask her what's wrong when she gets here."

Miyu sat on the desk of Aya. "You're right. Anyway, how are things with Otohata-kun?" she asked, giggling when she saw her lovely friend blush.

"It's fine. He's still a bit shy when it comes to kissing and touching, I think. He won't take things to…that level." Aya murmured, playing with her pencil.

"Hmm…"

"But I'm fine with that. I'm willing to wait, even if it takes forever." Aya said, flashing a sweet smile.

Miyu smiled back and brushed a stray hair away from her face. "That's good. Good things come to people who wait."

Aya nodded in agreement then stared at the girl in front of her. "So did you and Yamato-san…you know…took it to the next level?" the dark-haired girl asked.

Miyu laughed. "It's a secret!" she exclaimed, her cheeks flushing. "Anyway, why don't you dye your hair red now that you have a boyfriend?"

"Oh yeah. I forgot. I will when I remember." Aya said, laughing. She suddenly saw in the corner of her eye the classroom door open. She stood up to greet Ran. "Ohayou, Ran-chan!" she said together with Miyu.

Ran looked at them. "Ou." She just said and plopped down on her seat. She rested her chin on her palm and looked at the board blankly.

"Hey Ran! Why the hell are you early today?" Satsuki asked, smiling. Unfortunately for her, Ran's stare made her feel so uneasy.

Miyu looked at Ran, then at Satsuki, then back at Ran. "Um…can you leave us for a while? We're going to talk." she requested, looking at their classmates that crowded around Ran's desk. She smiled widely when they obeyed and left the three of them.

"What's wrong? You're early today and that's bizarre." Aya commented.

"You can tell us." Miyu said, placing a hand on Ran's shoulder.

Ran looked at Aya and then looked away. She couldn't look at her straight in the eye. She felt so guilty—and she didn't know why. "It's just about the rumor going around our neighborhood. It's nothing much. I'm just pissed off because it's false."

"Rumor? What rumor?" Miyu asked, sitting on Ran's desk.

"It's nothing. Do you have something to eat?" Ran asked the two girls while biting the end of her pencil. "I forgot to eat breakfast. I'm really hungry!" she whined.

Fortunately, Aya seemed to forget what they were talking about and rushed towards her desk. "You can have my sandwich. Will that do?" she asked, holding up her lunch bag.

Ran nodded eagerly. "Yes! Anything! Just as long it's food, that is." She said and took the lunch bag. "Wait. What about your lunch?"

"It's okay. I can buy something in the cafeteria." Aya reassured her. "Just eat!"

Ran smiled and took a bite. Her face lightened up. "This is so good! Did you make this yourself, Aya?" she asked, her mouth still full.

"Yes. I learned it from a television show. I'm glad you liked it!" Aya smiled widely. She was so grateful that she made Ran happy.

"You need something to drink? I can get it for you." Miyu said to Ran, preparing to stand up.

"Um… I'll just get it for her. Anyways, I might meet Rei on my way there." Aya proposed. Ran flinched when she heard Rei's name.

"Uh…okay? Why are you doing all these things?" Miyu asked confusedly.

"Yeah. It's okay. I can get it." Ran nodded, swallowing a large lump of food. "You don't have to do things for me."

"No particular reason. It's just that I might meet Rei there, since his class is just near. I need to tell him something." Aya said, walking towards the door. "I'll be back in a flash!" And in an instant, she was gone. She also left the door open.

Ran and Miyu stared at each other confusedly. They both shrugged.

"So what was the rumor about?" Miyu whispered suddenly.

The hyper bleached-blonde girl blinked. "Wha-what?"

Miyu smiled slyly. "It's about Otohata Rei, huh?" she said, nudging Ran with her elbow.

Ran froze. "W-w-what are you talking about! You ask foolish questions! Hahaha!" she exclaimed. She was so shocked! Why did Miyu suddenly bring up Otohata Rei? Does she know about…?

"And look! He's even here!" Miyu exclaimed, looking at the door.

Ran followed her gaze and indeed saw Rei in front of their classroom, talking to a senior. He was also surrounded by a couple of girls and boys.

"He really is a devil huh? He keeps popping out whenever we talk about him." Miyu commented, muffling her laughs with her hand, showing the well-manicured, colored-green nails.

Ran couldn't help but laugh at what Miyu said. She was right though. Rei was like a mushroom (or devil, there's not much difference) that keeps popping out of nowhere. They laughed for a while and Ran seemed to feel even better despite about the crazy rumors going around her neighborhood.

Rei is cheating on Aya? What nonsense! They don't know what they're talking about.

When they finally stopped laughing, Ran shook her head and got back to her sandwich. However, as she bit the sandwich, her eyes gravitated to where Rei was and lo and behold, her eyes met his deep brown, very sexy eyes.

He was looking at her.

Ran nearly choked on the sandwich and all the while she heard Rei's clear laugh ringing throughout the establishment, presumably because of a joke someone told. By the time she recovered with a bit of coughing and clawing for air, Rei was no longer looking at her. If she hadn't been so damned flustered, she would've thought she imagined the whole thing. But it was no accident. He had to crane his body like a hundred eighty degrees to do that.

Strange, but awesome.

Ran glowed, she knew it, and Miyu probably felt the force of it, but said nothing because Satsuki distracted her immediately with a fashion magazine. Ran stood up to go to the window before Miyu could inquire about her near death experience with the sandwich. She looked back again, and she didn't saw Rei anymore.

"Is that all?" a high-pitched girly voice asked.

Aya nodded and handed the needed money to the cashier of the cafeteria. "Thank you very much." she said and went out, holding the bottle of water. She looked around the nearly-filled-with-people quadrangle, hoping to see a certain brunet. She didn't see him around, unfortunately, so she decided to go back to the classroom. However, while she was walking in the hallway, she saw Rei by the staircase.

Rei stared at her without saying anything.

Aya blinked confusedly, but she shrugged it off. "Ohayou gozaimasu, Rei!" she exclaimed excitedly, running towards Rei and hugging him tight.

"Ohayou." Rei whispered, but he didn't return the hug. He really didn't want the people to see them displaying their affections in public.

Before Rei could say something to her, Aya withdrew from the hug and looked up at the brunet's face. "Something wrong?" she asked worriedly.

Rei looked at Aya's eyes, recalling what just happened a while ago. He used all his will power not to show a wide grin. "Nothing's wrong. Aren't you supposed to be in your class?"

"Well yes, but it's still early and I needed to buy some water for Ran-chan." Aya paused, looking at the bottled water on her hands. "You know, something's bothering her. I…just feel there's something wrong going on."

Rei blinked. "What happened?" he asked, wanting to know.

"I don't know if it's normal, but she came in here early and she didn't even have her breakfast. Plus, she was frowning when she entered the classroom. She isn't like that. I kind of figured that something happened that made her like that." Aya explained slowly, worrying.

Rei stared at the bulletin board in front of them, equally worried. She had been fine just yesterday…but what happened after? Was it because of something concerning him?

...or someone else?

He was unconsciously clenching and unclenching his fists. Just thinking about someone hurting her both physically and emotionally angered him. He didn't know why.

"Um…Rei?"

Rei looked at Aya immediately when his thoughts were interrupted. "What?"

"I was just wondering…" Aya was playing with the lid of the bottle, the droplets of water streaming down on her hands. "…if you could accompany me to the bookstore just around the block to buy a certain book. Then after that, we could go out, like, eat or something…" she trailed off. She looked up at him with eyes that sparked with hope.

Rei kept quiet. He had a sudden urge to say something, and he did nothing to stop it. "Sorry." He whispered.

Aya looked down on the floor almost immediately.

Rei felt guilty when he saw that look on Aya's face. "I have a pictorial later for a magazine… I'm sorry I can't go with you." he continued, placing both of his hand on Aya's shoulders.

Aya seemed to be comforted by Rei's touch. She looked up at him again with a small smile. "That's okay… I guess we'll just go out next time. Oh, we have to get to class." Aya said while looking at her watch. She leaned in to place a kiss on Rei's lips, but the stoic boy pulled back slightly.

"I…better go. I'm sorry." Rei murmured and quickly walked away before Aya could get a word in.

The beautiful dark-haired girl was left standing alone in the hallway, utterly puzzled. "I wonder what's wrong with him…" she said to no one in particular, the school bell ringing.

To be continued…

Author's notes: If you already noticedI got some lines in this chapter from a Naruto fanfiction called, "I fell in love with a boy" (you can find it in my favorites). It's really funny and well-written! It's unfortunate that the author is not updating anymore. Oh yeah, please wait for the next chapter! It'll come out soon, I promise!

All kinds of reviews are welcome! Even flamers too can leave a review (please do XD)! You will receive a super special howalon if you do (refer to Gakuen Alice manga chapter 12)! Thank you very much for reading all the way!

Koharu-hime (Nyahahaha! I really should stop daydreaming XD)

P.S. Whenever I want to type "Rei", I type "Ran". You may find my mistake somewhere in this chapter if ever I missed it when I was checking it. It's really confusing!

Hit that button! No, not the "back" button! The "submit a review" button! Yes! Right there! Thank you very much!