Chapter 5

Advice

A/N: Sorry for taking so long to update. I've been having writer's block for a while, but never fear! Here's another chapter for you all! By the way, thanks for the awesome reviews. It got me motivated to keep going with this story. :)

**Mai's Point of View**

I sit at a coffee shop, waiting for Yuuna-san and Kaede-san to arrive. Last night, I couldn't stop thinking about what Matsuri did to Reo. Reo never deserved any of this and she had no idea that Matsuri had her eyes on her since second year. After Reo told me everything about Matsuri, I just couldn't get my head straight. I needed help and I think Yuuna-san and Kaede-san could be of use. After all, we were considered class representatives from St. Michaels and probably popular with most of the girls.

The bell rings as the door opens and my two friends from St. Michaels arrive. I wave them over to come sit by me. Once that's done, we are all in a triangle in this circular table.

"So, what's up?" Yuuna-san asks.

"I want to tell you guys something," I reply. "It has to do with me and Reo."

"What about you two?" Kaede-san asks.

I glance at the ground while nervously fidgeting with my blue skirt. "Well, you see, we have a bit of a problem. There's this girl who wants to interfere with our relationship and we didn't know about it until she told us."

"Who is this girl?" Yuuna-san asks.

"Her name is Matsuri Tojo, a girl that used to be in mine and Reo's class back in third year. She's in love with Reo the same time I had laid eyes on her."

Yuuna-san and Kaede-san gasp at the same time. "No way!" they say in unison.

"I know," I say, slamming my fist on the table. "And I didn't freaking know about it until now! Now she wants her hands on Reo and I don't know how to stop her!"

Yuuna-san puts her index finger on her chin and cocks her head to one side. "So, Matsuri-san is your rival, right?"

"Apparently," I reply. "That's why I called you two here. To help me assess the situation, so that we never have to deal with her again."

Both of my friends think for a moment before exchanging glances and looks at me sadly.

"Sorry, Mai-san," Kaede-san says. "For now, we got nothing."

"Unless you two find a way to spend some time alone together without Matsuri-san finding out," Yuuna-san says, holding one finger up. "I mean, it's been two years since you two got engaged."

"Yes, but she really wants Reo all to herself," I say. "She said so herself. She will do anything to spend her day with Reo, no matter how long it's been."

"Where is she now?"

"Back at the apartment," I reply. "Matsuri doesn't even know her address, so Reo should be safe for now."

"I see," Yuuna-san puts her finger on her chin again. "Hmm . . . Matsuri-san seems very determined then. If anything, I'd say prove to her that you're a better girlfriend to Reo-san than her. Besides, you two have been together longer than her."

"Excuse me," Kaede-san says softly. "But could you tell us what happened when you first met Matsuri-san?"

It takes me a few minutes to remember what happened. "Well, I was getting cotton candy and milkshakes for Reo and me after an exhausting, but fun time at the amusement park. Then, I come back to see Matsuri on top of Reo, looking like she's going to rape her. I was so shocked and mad that some other girl would do that to Reo. Then, she told me everything about her being in love with Reo and all. And then, I knew that I have a rival trying to take my lover from me."

"Oh, my," Yuuna-san says. "That's terrible."

"Is Reo-san alright?" Kaede-san asks.

"She's fine," I reply. "She's just . . . shaken from what happened yesterday, so she and I are taking a break from each other for a while." She told me that she needed to rest up when I asked her to go for a walk earlier today, so that's why I came here. She sounded a little sad as well, so that made me feel a little bad for her.

"I see," Yuuna-san says. "Well, don't let that Matsuri girl get to you. Spend as much time with Reo-san as possible."

"May we wish you two the best of luck," Kaede-san says with a smile. "We know you can do it."

I smile back at both of my friends. "Thanks, you guys. I feel a lot better now."

Then, all three of us serve ourselves some drinks and go onto another topic that seems uneventful, but enjoyable. It's been so long since I spent time with them like this.

Getting advice from Yuuna-san and Kaede-san helped a little, to be honest, but I'm still worried about Reo. What would Matsuri do to her if she ever saw her again? I better keep my eyes open for her in case she pops up again and tries to steal Reo away from me.

"What should I do now?" I ask no one in particular while still walking in the streets. Reo might still be resting, so I shouldn't wake her up for a while. Until then, there's nothing else I can do other than taking a very long walk to think this through with Matsuri.

I enter the mall to have a look around for a bit just to keep my mind off of that fiend. It's pretty crowded for a Sunday morning. Smiling, I continue to walk down the long halls until a candy store catches my eye. Hmm . . . maybe giving Reo a little sweets might cheer her up and keep her mind off of Matsuri. Rushing into the store, I pick out several different kinds, including Carmel apples and lollipops and pay for the items. Once that's done, I exit the store with a smile on my face. This will surely cheer Reo up, I know it!

When arriving at Reo's apartment, I knock on her door and waited for an answer. I hear a moan coming from her and tiny footsteps toward the door. Soon, the door opens and out comes a tired Reo with bedhead hair.

"Mm . . . Mai?"

"Good morning, Sleepy Head," I tease.

"What are you doing here? I was asleep, you know?"

"Yes, but I thought I might buy a little something to cheer you up." I hold up the bag of candy. "See? You can only take a few though. The rest are for later, got it?"

"Fine," she says as she lets me in, closes the door and digs into the bag I'm holding.

She pulls out one carmel apple, a chocolate bar and a huge lollipop. I then tie up the bag so that Reo wouldn't get into any more, drop it off on the table next to the door so I wouldn't forget it and sit next to her on the bed.

"I thought we were taking a break from each other," Reo reminds me, taking a bite out of her chocolate bar. "You know how much it affected me after what Matsuri did."

"I know, but I'm worried about you," I reply, giving her a sad look. "Besides, who knows if Matsuri gets your address and sneaks in here to steal you away from me?"

Reo's eyes widen. "Would she really do that?"

"No. And she never will know your address as long as your safe in this apartment."

"But I can't stay in here forever. I need some fresh air, you know?"

I nod. "I understand that, but all I'm saying is that if Matsuri doesn't know your address, she won't get to you. Besides, I'm living with you in this apartment anyway, so it's even better."

Reo slowly nods as she finishes up her chocolate bar. Her face turns bright red as she lays her head on my lap, which surprises me a little.

"R-Reo!" I say.

"I-I'm still tired, that's all," she mutters. "A girl like me needs her sleep, right?"

I can't help but giggle. Reo sleeping on my lap is the most adorable thing I've ever seen. So adorable that I makes me want to tease her. Stroking her hair, I whisper in her ear, "You just want me to stay with you isn't it?"

"N-no, that's not it at all!"

"Ohhh, your expression says so. Hehe!"

"Shut up, you idiot! I told you I was still tired!"

"You know I can always tell. Don't hide it from me . . ." I start to lean in to kiss her.

Then, all of a sudden, Reo's eyes widen and quickly pushes me away as she sits up. I don't know what was going on, but I'm having the feeling I must have triggered her memory.

"R-Reo?" I stutter, feeling scared right now.

"I'm sorry," she whispers, her head staring at the ground while quietly trembling. "Matsuri must have came in my mind once you started doing that."

I knew it. "I should be the one who's sorry. I just wasn't thinking until that happened. Please forgive me."

Reo's eyes fill with tears. "Mai . . . I'm scared. What if Matsuri shows up again?"

I caress her cheek. "Don't worry. Remember yesterday, I said that I would still be by your side. We're going to show that girl that we're a much better couple than she thinks. I'll be there to protect you."

All Reo could do is nod and wrap her arms around me. I hug her back tenderly as I think about what to do to keep Matsuri away from my darling Reo.

A/N: To be honest, this is probably a boring chapter, but who knows? Again, sorry for the late update and I promise to finish this story soon. Your reviews keep me motivated to write more, so kudos to you guys! :)

Oh, and most of you wanted me to write about Mai getting jealous. Well it's happening in the next chapter, so thanks so much for the suggestion.

In the meantime, feel free to give out any more suggestions, some questions or concerns and don't forget to review. ;)