Six

After a few days, Hayato calls Ryuu by his first name but for Ryuu, Hayato still goes by 'Kamitani'.

It makes him notice about how the kids in the daycare call Hayato. Each of the toddler has a unique nickname for the cool-looking teen.

'Hayato-niichan isn't here today?' Kirin asks

The way Kirin calls his name so causally caught Ryuu off guard. He is a bit shocked that a three-year-old girl can do it without any difficulties. After all, Hayato definitely doesn't look like the type that can get friendly with easily.

'Um...he has practice today.'

'I hope Kami will come sooner,' Takuma chirps brightly, holding Kazuma's hand and runs towards them 'Then we can play lifting!'

Kazuma, who is hiding behind his elder brother, gives them a small smile through his tears and says, 'Kami-ni… hide-and-seek…'

Kotaro nods in agreement with a loud 'Ugh! Kami-ni chaa!'

Happy to be agreed with the usually quiet toddler, Takuma starts giggling while pulling him with his free hand (ignoring Taka, who is shouting 'That's my Anikiii! Kotaro is MINE!' in the background). With Kazuma holding his left hand while Kotaro on his right, the cheerful little kid feels extra content. They form a circle and start dancing.

Ryuu smiles, sweat-dropped. Somehow they recently like to do this dancing-circle a lot. Last time they did it until they were too dizzy to continue, so Ryuu quickly puts a hand on Takuma and Kotaro's shoulders to stop them from spinning.

The kids continue to chat about how exciting it is to be lifted and where they should hide if they play hide-and-seek, now sitting in a little circle. After a while, Takuma stands up and begins to mimic Hayato with two stuffed dolls, the other two become his willing audience. Feeling grumpy and neglected, Taka tries to catch other's attention by picking up two other dolls and challenging Takuma. Kirin throws the boys a bored glance and continues to scribble on a piece of paper.

When the "competitors" are on their tenth lift, the door is slid open.

'Excuse me...'behind the door comes a sweet, girly voice.

Ryuu turns around and sees a familiar-looking girl with lovely hairstyle standing near the door. She glances around the room, as if looking for something. It is four-thirty in the afternoon and she is still in her school uniform. She must have come here straight after school.

'Er... you're Inui-senpai's sister right?'Ryuu asks, slowly approaching her. He can't really recall what her name is.

'Ah! You're here!' her eyes are practically shinning once she spots Ryuu. When he walks close enough, she grabs him by his arm. 'I'm glad that you remember me! By the way, my name is Mika. Please bring me to where Hayato-senpai is.'

Of course she is looking for Kamitani.

The kids are gathering around the two of them.

'Who's this big sister?'

'I think I saw her before.'

'Ugh! Lunchbox!'

'Forget the lunchbox, would you?' she tells Kotaro with a red face 'Now, let's go.'She demands as she drags Ryuu away.

'Sorry, I can't,' he says, withdrawing his arm 'You see, I have to take care of these kids...'

Five pairs of wide, lovely eyes look up at her. Mika steps back a bit because of all those adorable stares attack.

'Ryuu-chan, just go with her,' Usaida yawns, apparently has woken up at some point. As always, he is here the whole time but no one notices his existence. 'I can handle these little monsters.'

Getting bored with the uneventful day, the older babysitter is obviously looking for something interesting to happen, which usually at the expense of Ryuu.

'Hey, you are the monster!' Taka yells.

'Let's defeat him!'

The kids rush to attack Usaida, who pretends to be in great pain. Mika takes the chance and drags Ryuu out of the room. He managed to tell Kotaro (the only one who doesn't join the fight) that he will be back soon before he was pulled out of the threshold. Though she looks really small and weak, the energy she has is unexpectedly strong.

Mika is dragging him straight towards the baseball field without a trace of hesitation. She appears to know the way very well.

'Um… you actually know the way, don't you?'Ryuu asks, trying his best to ignore the looks he gets from the students. He frowns when the thought of people getting the wrong idea comes to his mind.

'Yes, I sometimes come and see the baseball practice,'she giggles in a dreamy expression, even drools a little 'Hayato-senpai is just so cool! No, he is cool and hot at the same time. Exactly the right man in my dream.'

Hayato-senpai

Strangely, Ryuu tastes something bitter at the back of his throat, and he suddenly really wishes that he is able to call Hayato's name too. 'Why do you ask me to lead the way if you know where to go?'

Mika rolls her eyes and splutters, can't believe his thickness, 'Are… are you telling me to go and confess to him alone?'

Ryuu's brain goes blank at that moment.

This girl is going to tell Kamitani that she likes him.

'Hey! Are you listening?' Mika waves her hand in front of him.

Waves of panic hit him like a bucket of icy cold water is being poured just right above his head.

'I think it's better you do it on your own!' Ryuu exclaims, the words came out much louder and harsher than he intended to, which is an odd thing. Ryuu almost never yells at anyone, let alone when he talks to a girl. He doesn't have the time to think about his strange reaction. At that moment, he just wants to turn and leave. Away from this girl whom he barely knows, away from the baseball field where Hayato is at… He doesn't want to see any of this. He finds himself feeling weird. Breathing becomes difficult and energy-consuming and his heart is hurting, it is like someone is clenching it hard from the inside.

'No, please,' she begs 'Please ask him to come here for me, so that I can give this letter to him.'

A love letter

Ryuu has received one a few months ago. Though he didn't really know the girl, couldn't recall her face and he would't even recognize her if she is in a crowd, he kept thinking about her for those few days before he decided to reject her. A depressing thought comes to his mind.

Kamitani is going to think about Mika all the time after he gets it

Ryuu shakes his head frantically. He has no clue why he feels this way but he doesn't want it to happen.

He doesn't want Hayato to think about anyone else at all.

Anyone else?

'Ryuuichi? Why are you here?'

Ryuu doesn't even realize they have already reached the field before he wants to leave. Observant as Hayato is, he must have noticed them approaching and decided to find out what is going on.

'Hayato-senpai!' Mika squeals and covers her mouth, face turning a deep shade of red. This time she just moves a bit towards Ryuu's side but not running straight away. She steals a glance at the prince in her dream, hoping that he will finally notice her presence.

Staring at Ryuu for a while but gets no response from him, Hayato then reluctantly looks down at her and narrows his eyes.

Kamitani is angry

Ryuu's face goes pale once he imagined those cold, hostile gazes are directed at him .Not being able to bring himself to stay here any longer, he steps backward and stutters, 'Sor… sorry! I have to go!'

And he starts running quickly, as if he is escaping from something really really horrible. It is a miracle that he doesn't trip and fall on his way. He is panting and sweating when he reaches the special building of the school. Wiping his forehead with his uniform sleeve, Ryuu eventually calms down a bit and his breathing becomes normal once again. Taking a few long, deep breaths to steady himself, he slowing walks back to the daycare room.

To be continued