Author's Note:

SORRY for the huge delay, guys! Here's the next bit! :)

Shoko Fuuyumi walked quietly around the rooftop. Satisfied that it was empty, she allowed herself a small smile. Miss Hino liked to practice up here fairly often, and Hihara as well. Shoko was glad for the opportunity to have it to herself.

She watched as the sun sank below the horizon. It would be getting dark soon, which meant that she had about forty minutes before her driver came to take her home. She stepped around the corner from the door and began assembling her clarinet.

Taking a deep breath, Shoko closed her eyes and began a few simple scales to warm-up. Frowning at the harsh tone, she squinted at her reed. Sure enough, there was a small chip near the right side. Sighing in frustration, she bent down to get a replacement from her case.

As she was loosening her ligature, she heard the door open and close. Panicking, she sat down on the ground, and pressed her back to the wall, hoping that whoever it was would leave soon so that she could practice.

The door swung open and shut again and Shoko held her breath, hoping that whoever it was had left. She froze when she heard the voices.

"Have you been avoiding me, Kahoko?"

"So informal, Yunoki! What if someone were to hear?"

"Nobody uses this rooftop this late except for Hihara and yourself. I said goodbye to him fifteen minutes ago. There's nobody here."

"I suppose."

"You didn't answer my question."

Shoko heard a sharp gasp and a whimper.

"No."

"No, what?"

"No, I haven't been avoiding you, Yunoki."

"I'm not entirely convinced. Perhaps you could persuade me, hmm?"

Shoko bit her lip. This was clearly something private, something that she shouldn't be overhearing. Her mind raced as she tried to think of any way of leaving the rooftop unnoticed. She froze when she heard Kahoko cry out.

"Yunoki, I-I can't."

"And why is that? We won't be interrupted. Everyone has left the school already."

"It…it's not that."

"Then what seems to be the matter?"

"I…" Shoko felt the heat rush to her face as she realized why Yunoki didn't want to be interrupted, why he felt secure that they were completely alone.

"Y-Yunoki, please, stop!"

"Name."

"Azuma, I can't."

"I'm still waiting for your excuse."

The next phrase was spoken too softly for Shoko to discern, but she clearly heard Yunoki's sharp laughter.

"Oh, so I've hurt you, have I? You need time to recover, hmm?" Shoko heard Kahoko cry out, and she clapped one hand over her mouth to stifle any sound of shock that she might have made. "Well then," he continued in the same calm voice, "we will just have to explore our other options, I suppose."

"Yuno—Azuma, please. May I just go home?"

"Let me think. No, I believe you said that your mother would be home today. I don't think that would be very suitable. Unless you don't think she would mind finding out…"

"No, that's not what I meant."

Shoko heard him sigh. "Yes, I know that's not what you meant. Unfortunately, I can't be swayed. On your knees."

"But—"

"Kahoko. Do you want to upset me? It has been a rather trying day already, and I would very much like you to provide me with some relief before I return home to my devil of a grandmother."

"No, of course not. I just, I don't think I can—"

"No more talking, please."

"Wait."

"We are running out of time, Kahoko."

"I just have one question."

Shoko heard him sigh heavily. "Okay. What?"

"Do…do you love me?"

Shoko held her breath as she waited for his response. She felt goosebumps form up and down her arms as Yunoki laughed.

"Well, that certainly wasn't a question I was expecting."

"Do you?"

"Hmm." Shoko heard the sound of fabric rustling. "No, I don't suppose that I do. Though, I will admit that you are quite the amusing little trifle, and that I don't plan on letting you out of my sight any time soon. Now, this idle chatter may be amusing to you, but I really am on a bit of a schedule here, so if you would be so kind…"

Shoko fought the urge to clap her hands over her ears. Her heart beat wildly in her chest, and she worried that Yunoki might be able to hear. She shivered as Kahoko's weak pleadings were muffled and eventually silenced. She heard Yunoki moaning encouragingly, and with shaking hands she disassembled her clarinet and returned it to its case. Finished, she pulled her knees to her chest and waited for her chance to escape.

Finally, she heard him cry out softly, and squeezed her eyes closed, hoping that Kahoko was okay. She waited as the minutes ticked by, listened to the rustling of fabric, the sound of a zipper being done, and at last, the click of the door latching shut.

Silently, Shoko picked up her case and peeked around the corner. Slumped against the wall was Kahoko Hino. Cautiously, Shoko approached her and laid a hand on her shoulder. "H-Hino?"

Kahoko's eyes widened as they focused on Shoko's face. "Fuuyumi? How did you...oh no! I'm sorry, I—I just…" She covered her face with her hands. "You heard, didn't you?"

Shoko nodded, but realizing that Kahoko wasn't looking at her, she cleared her throat. "Y-yes. I heard." Flushing, she reached into her jacket pocket and pulled out a large handkerchief.

"Here, Hino. Take this." She looked away shyly as Kahoko accepted the handkerchief and took the effort of making herself look presentable again.

Shoko saw that the sun was completely gone, and that stars were appearing in the sky. "You walk to school, don't you Hino?"

"Yes, I do."

"And he didn't offer you a ride, even though it's dark?"

"He? Oh, no." Kahoko paused for a moment. "Sometimes he does. He had plans tonight, he had to return home quickly."

"That's unacceptable." The words were out of her mouth before Shoko had time to process them, and she wished she could pull them back.

"Fuuyumi?"

"He…" Shoko didn't have much resolve usually, but she felt the need to speak her mind. "He isn't good, is he, Hino? He's not who people think he is, is he?"

Kahoko inhaled sharply. "No, I suppose not."

"So why…"

"Why do I let him?"

"Yes."

"I don't have a choice."

Shoko nodded. It wasn't fair. She admired Kahoko, everyone did. Nobody should be allowed to hurt her. "How long has it been?"

"I don't…a while. It's been quite a while."

Shoko felt anger building up inside of her, but she pushed it down, knowing that it would do her no good. "Come with me, I'll give you a ride home."

"Oh, no, it's okay."

"It's late. You shouldn't be alone. My driver should be here soon if he isn't already. Really, it's no problem."

"Oh, well, thank you."

The walk to the front of the school and the drive were carried out in silence. Shoko didn't trust her tongue, especially not after her remark earlier. It wasn't her place to interfere, but it just seemed so unfair. She glanced quickly at Kahoko, and her hands clenched into fists as she noticed that the other girl's eyes were filled with tears.

When they reached her house, Kahoko stepped out of the car quickly, gave a bow and a breathy thank you, and ran up the walkway to her front door. As the pulled away, Shoko couldn't help but worry.

No, she wouldn't interfere. It wasn't her place, and she never had the courage for confrontation of any sort, anyways. But still…

Shoko looked out the window and up at the stars. She wished with all of her heart that something would happen to make everything better.

I just want to give a big THANK YOU to everyone who's left reviews, comments, and suggestions on this story. I still haven't solidified the ending, so feel free to share your thoughts and ideas with me. You all are awesome, and your support keeps me writing. Much love to you all! 3