A very short chapter this time but hopefully enjoyble too. A big thanks as usual to everyone who reviewed.

Yet the rain sings

- Misaki -

XX

After managing to bandage up Shinobu-kun, I quickly retreat to the safety of the kitchen. Thankfully, we've put both Shinobu-kun and Kamijou-sensei in another room but I'm not sure how safe it would be to leave them alone for too long. The last I saw, they were glaring daggers at each other.

"So he saved you, huh?" Usagi-san lights a cigarette and deeply inhales. I thought I told him to cut down!

"Yeah, I was in a really big pinch that time," I reply, staring at those cigarettes.

He catches and follows the line of my gaze to his lit cigarette. Taking an ashtray from the counter, obediently for once, he snuffs out the half smoked cigarette…only to light another one. Now what was the point of that?

"Hmmm? So I guess I should thank him, huh?"

"I guess so." Put it out, damn it! Put it out! Ever head of passive smoking, Usagi-san? "I wonder how Shinobu-kun and Kamijou-sensei know each other though."

"Don't know," Usagi-san shrugs simply. Jeez, he could take a little more interest in what's going on around him, particularly when his questionably crazy friend with violent tendencies - A.K.A Kamijou-sensei - is involved.

Ah, but no, Usagi-san is never interested in anything for too long. Honestly, he has the attention span of a child! I decide not to give him the lecture about smoking today in favour of stacking chocolates onto a plate for our 'guests.' If I don't hurry, who knows what they'll do to each other!

"You don't like me very much, do you, Takatsuki?" I overhear Kamijou-sensei talking as I approach the room.

"It's not a matter of like or dislike. You're my rival," Shinobu-kun replies.

Ehhh? The rival Shinobu-kun was talking about was Kamijou-sensei? I know I shouldn't eavesdrop but I can't help but be a little curious. If I don't listen for too long it's okay, right?

"I don't think you're much of a threat though," he continues.

"…Why thank you, Takatsuki."

Shinobu-kun then asks; "What do you like about Miyagi?"

Miyagi?! As in that Miyagi? No way! Well, Shinobu-kun did say the guy was seriously old.

The sound of something clattering almost makes me jump. Fortunately, I think it's just Shinobu-kun getting to his feet because everything appears to be calm.

"I know you don't really love him! You're always so nonchalant about him. If that's the case you should just let him go and give him to me!" he yells.

"Listen, Takatsuki, don't you think that's something you should talk to Miyagi about?" Kamijou-sensei is trying to reasonable. This is probably a first for him.

"Why? You're involved too, aren't you?"

"So what do you like about Miyagi?"

"Everything!" he shouts in an instant. The kid is so full of passion! I could never say anything like that about Usagi-san…maybe because there isn't really anything good about that lewd, molesting, perverted novelist.

"Everything huh?" the tone of Kamijou-sensei's voice goes from sceptical to amused. I'm sure it must annoy Shinobu-kun a lot.

"Yes, everything!" he repeats and I'm amazed by such conviction.

Kamijou-sensei, however, is not. "Isn't that just the same as saying 'nothing in particular'?" he snorts. "Look, I don't know what Miyagi's thinking but don't get me involved. I have enough headaches as it is."

"How can you say that?" Shinobu-kun demands. "If you're with him then of course you'll be naturally involved!"

"Takatsuki, when you're an adult…"

"I'm sick of hearing people say that! I'm sick of people saying using that as an excuse for their cowardice! Things like 'There's no helping it. We're both adults' or 'Be reasonable, you're an adult' or 'You must understand, you're an adult after all' I hate things like that!"

"I guess you can say that because you're still a kid."

Even though there's silence, I can imagine Shinobu glaring at Kamijou-sensei. When the silence finally break, it's Kamijou-sensei who speaks.

"You know, about Miyagi, I don't - "

"Um, Shinobu-kun, Kamijou-sensei, I brought snacks," I decide to interrupt before things get messy. Only, suddenly Shinobu-kun is storming out of the room. "Shinobu-kun?" I leave the chocolate with Kamijou-sensei and hurry after him.

"Shinobu-kun, where are you going?"

"What do you think Misaki?" he corners me as we reach the outside of Usagi's apartment, though we're still inside the condo as a whole.

"What do I think? What do I think about what?"

His eyes narrow. "Could you be in a relationship with someone you didn't love?"

"Well, I…" I try to think about Usagi-san. I think about Sumi-sempai who Usagi-san keeps insisting has the hots for me, even though it's totally ridiculous. I try to picture myself in a relationship with Sumi-sempai but it's too embarrassing and I don't like the idea anyway.

Forgive me Sumi-sempai for using your image in such a way!

"I guess I couldn't," I reply, though I'm sure it lacks the kind of conviction Shinobu-kun has.

"I don't understand how adults can do it! How can they be with someone they don't really love with all their heart?" he growls to himself. It's like a puzzle he can't solve no matter how hard he tries.

"Relationships don't always require love. Sometimes loneliness, fear and dependency is all that is needed to drive two people together."

"Usagi-san!" I turn back to see Usagi-san leaning against the doorway, another cigarette hanging between his lips.

Shinobu-kun frowns at him. "That's wrong. There's no way a relationship like that can be happy, don't you think?" he states as if it's so obvious anyone should be able to see it.

Usagi-san looks thoughtful, the way he looks when he's having a meeting with Aikawa-san. "I'd like to think so too, though it's a little idealistic," he finally replies.

It seems Shinobu-kun doesn't like that answer because he shouts back; "It's not, it's reality! Look!"

Suddenly, he grabs Usagi-san by the collar. Does he want to strangle him? No, he's stepping forward, he lifts himself onto his toes and presses his lips against Usagi-san's. Ahhh! Shinobu-kun what the hell are you doing? What the hell are you thinking kissing Usagi-san like that!?

As suddenly as the kiss came, Shinobu-kun pulls back looking pleased with himself. "See? All that time whilst I was kissing you I could only think how disgusting it was!" he declares proudly. Why should he be proud of something like that?

"Gee, thanks," Usagi-san mutters dryly. Shinobu-kun sure can be blunt.

"It's obvious I would think that way if I wasn't in love. So really the only person I would be happy kissing is the one I love. The only person I would be happy with is the person I love too!"

"W - well, I wish you luck anyway. I'm on your side, Shinobu-kun," I give him a thumbs up even though I'm still slightly shocked from that kiss. Honestly, I really am on his side. I also want Kusama-san to be happy too so I'll definitely support Shinobu-kun!

Just, please, don't kiss Usagi-san again. Not that I'm jealous or anything! No, no no! It's just scary, that's all.

He brightens a little at this. Ah, that's good. Shinobu-kun looks much better with a smile. "Thanks. I'll see you again, Misaki!"

As soon as he's out of sight I turn back to Usagi-san. Honestly, he could be a little bit more upset about that kiss. Stupid Usagi-san, he has no shame, does he?

I would berate him but right now there are more important things at hand.

"Oh, that's right!"

I suddenly remember that I still have my usual bag with me and that in said bag is something which belongs to Kusama-san. Or to Kamijou-sensei if you prefer. I can feel myself smiling. This is such a great opportunity.

"The letter, Usagi-san, the letter!" I turn to him. My heart is pounding with excitement. Oh, I think I'm going to burst! "I accidentally took one of Kusama-san's letters to Kamijou-sensei with me that other time!"

"So you've resorted to petty theft." He does not look impressed.

"That's not it! The point is, if we show it to Kamijou-sensei, I'm sure he'll be touched and return to Kusama-san! Then Shinobu-kun can be with Miyagi-sensei and everything will work out. Happy ending, right?" I cry. Anticipation wells up in my chest. Yes, I'm sure that everything will work out if we do that!

"You're so cute," Usagi-san smiles in that creepy 'I want to do you now' way. Well sorry, Usagi-san, this is more important! He ruffles my hair as I push aside all my textbooks.

Eh? That's strange. I would swear…

"It's not here!" Throwing down my bag, I kneel down and begin tipping out its contents. Books, pads, pens, but no letter. I never took it out; it has to be here!

"Oh," Usagi-san squats besides me, still smoking. "I think I remember now. If you're talking about that letter. I already sent it."

"You went through my things?" I cry incredulously. Usagi-san has no sense of privacy!

"I didn't go through them. Your bag was open and some of the books had fallen out. When I tried to put them back in I noticed the letter," he explains calmly. "It had Hiroki's name on it so I sent it to his new address."

"Even so you shouldn't - Wait, what do you mean you sent it?!" I must be screaming but what else am I supposed to do? The letter! Kusama-san's hopes! No wait, maybe this will actually work out for the best. All Kamijou-sensei has to do is read it.

"He should get it by the time he goes home," Usagi-san muses. I wish he would understand the gravity of what he has done a little better. "Now, let's clear Hiroki out so we can have the place to ourselves, shall we?" he nips at my earlobe.

Ugh, I can tell he's thinking about doing perverted things with - no, to - me.

I can barely stifle a sigh. Usagi-san really is hopeless. But I guess that's why I can't leave him alone.

This was the last Misaki chapter, though certainly not the last we'll see of Misaki. It's Hiroki's turn next, followed by another Nowaki chapter. Please look forward to it!