I'm B-A-C-K! YAY FOR rice pudding *pumps fist in air before pulling out a bag of popcorn* so here we are…at chapter ONE of Yame-Chan 3. The final installment of the three part saga—man I hope you guys are enjoying thus far!

Random Dude: but nothing's happened yet

Sierra: *right brow twitches* who asked you? *kicks guy in shin before grinning broadly* anyway…while I make sure this guys makes it to the hospital safely *glances nonchalantly at guy before looking back up grinning innocently* I hope that you guys continue to enjoy the story!

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: Enter: Ayame Souma :

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GROANING, Yame tossed things carelessly out of her closet as she seemed to be trying to make it to the back of the closet. Tokono and Ai floated about close by, staring curiously as the fourteen year old. "What are you looking for Yame-chan?" Tokono probed eyes wide but the redhead didn't answer. "She's going on a date with Hinta-kun so she has to look absolutely kawaii!" Ai exclaimed clasping her hands together, eyes wide.

"Ah ha!"

Grinning broadly, Yame clambered out of her closet holding a pair of cute white sandals by their straps in her left hand. "I thought I'd never find these!" She exclaimed and both Tokono and Ai grinned as Yame moved towards her bed just as the doorbell rung throughout the entire house. Face paling, Yame dropped the shoes and jumping over discarded items; she ripped her bedroom door opened and pressed her thin frame against it. "Can someone get that please? I'm not dressed yet—and by someone I mean anyone besides daddy!" She yelled downstairs before slipping back into her room.

Moving back towards her bed, Yame plopped down on it and strapped her small feet into her shoes before getting up and examining herself in her life-sized mirror. She was wearing a cute white sleeveless top with a hood and frills at the bottom, black knee-length leggings, her white sandals and her shoulder length ginger hair was in two braids with black and white ribbons at the end. Grinning, Yame twirled around satisfied before looking for her mini knapsack.

"Kukai, can you get the door please!" Yaya shouted her voice slipping into the house through the opened backdoor.

Yawning, Kukai scratched his messy auburn hair as he slunk towards the front door, his mini clone; four year old Iori following behind clutching tightly onto an old teddy bear and not wearing any pants. Kukai didn't need to glance through the window's glass pane or through the peephole to know who was on his front porch. It would be the same fourteen year old boy who had plagued him for the last year. Unlocking the door, Kukai ripped the door opened and stared into the innocently smiling face of Hinta Moshi. "Good afternoon Souma-san!" Hinta exclaimed brightly and frowning, Kukai took in Hinta's attire.

"Going to the beach are we?" He asked crossing his arms over his chest and Hinta nodded exuberantly, a tinge of pink spreading over his cheeks. "Er…yes Sir…I thought it would be nice." He replied slightly flustered and Kukai nodded as Eli came running down the hall dressed in a purple one piece bathing suit and her stringy brown hair in one big braid with loose strands hanging around her face. "Hiya Hinta-kun!" She exclaimed at the sight of the older boy who smiled and ruffled her hair. "Hi there Eli-chan," he replied and cheeks flushing, Eli grinned much to Kukai's dismay. "Hinta-chan, Hinta-chan!" Iori called and smiling, Hinta ruffled the preschooler's auburn hair and the boy's cheeks became rosy as he grinned and Eli placed an arm around her younger brother's shoulders and rested her head on top of his. "Sorry about that Hinta-kun…Iori-chan only knows how to add chan at the end of everyone's name." She apologized and Hinta laughed.

"It's alright Eli-chan."

"Hinta-kun!"

The sound of Yame's voice caught everyone's attention, and glancing back they watched as she hurried down the staircase, Tokono and Ai floated behind but only Hinta couldn't see them. Squeezing between her dad and siblings, Yame grinned broadly at Hinta whose cheeks flushed considerably. "Ayame-chan," he breathed and giggling Yame interlaced her thin fingers with Hinta's. "Bye daddy," she squeaked running down the front steps and frowning Kukai shouted after them.

"Have her back by six-thirty, Moshi!"

"He's so perfect," Eli sighed cheeks red and frown deepening, Kukai ushered both kids inside.

"You're not getting a boyfriend until I'm dead," he deadpanned closing the door behind them.

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Walking alongside Hinta, Yame glanced up at him grinning broadly. "What are we gonna do at the beach today Hinta-kun?" She asked brightly and smiling, Hinta squeezed her hand reassuringly. "You'll see," he replied and the two made their way towards the bus stop.

It was an absolutely perfect afternoon! Hinta had surprised Yame with an elaborate beach picnic and then they went on a long walk down the beach. Yame smiled softly as her small bare feet trailed through the cold water and a few loose tresses blew in the wind. "This was a really nice day Hinta-kun," Yame stated as she walked alongside of him, her fingers laced together behind her. "Huh? Oh yea…thanks Ayame-chan," he replied slightly sidetracked and brows furrowing, Yame placed a hand on his arm.

"Is something wrong?"

"I wanna ask you something!"

They both said at the same time and cheeks flushing, Yame's arm fell limply at her side as they both averted the other's gaze. Releasing a frustrated sigh, Hinta ran a hand through his shaggy brown hair before he took both of Yame's hands in his own; catching her off-guard. Staring into his blue/green eyes, Yame was completely quiet, lips parted slightly. "We've been dating for awhile now and I really really like you and I wanted to know if you felt the same way and for you to be my girlfriend." His voice was confident but his cheeks were red and Yame stared at him with wide eyes. "Eh? Your girlfriend?" She squeaked and Hinta nodded fervently, his shaggy hair bobbing about. "What do you think?" He urged and both Tokono and Ai were clutching one another due to the suspense. "I think that I—" Yame stopped as she averted Hinta's gaze, her cheeks crimson.

Why was this so hard?

She liked Hinta right?

But then…why couldn't she answer such a simple question with such a simple "yes"?

"I-I can't…I'm sorry."

Her voice was soft and barely audible but Hinta heard and stood there completely shocked and rather dejected. Tokono and Ai were flabbergasted as their large eyes bulged slightly. "Eh?" Hinta croaked and smiling sadly, Yame slipped her small hands out of his grasp. "I'm so sorry," she breathed and eyes shaking terribly, Hinta nodded. "I'd better get you home now," he replied in a strangely calm voice. Looking up, Yame stared sadly at him before nodding slowly.

"Hai."

The bus ride back to Yame's was more than uncomfortable. During the entire ride, neither of them spoke or even looked at one another. Chewing on her lower lip, Yame wrenched her thin fingers together and when Hinta walked her home from the bus stop the only sound between the two was their footsteps against the cemented sidewalk. Tokono and Ai held their breath as they followed behind the two.

"What do you think—"

"Shh!" Tokono snapped, smashing one small hand over Ai's mouth who smiled apologetically. Yame stared straight ahead, her hands clasped together in front of her as she walked alongside Hinta. Her house was coming up and biting her lip, she stared down at her toes. "Here we are," Hinta said softly as he came to a stop and blinking, Yame looked up and noticed that they had in fact already arrived in front of her house. Crickets chirped in the distance, before Hinta sighed and cupped the side of Yame's face, he tilted her chin and she stared up at him with wide eyes.

Leaning forward, Hinta kissed Yame's cheek before pulling back. "Good night Ayame," he whispered before turning on his heels and ran down the sidewalk. Yame watched him go from where she stood under the unlit lamppost. "Yame-chi?" Ai called softly and clutching a handful of her shirt, Yame turned on her heels swiftly and ran through the white picket fence's entrance and into the house quickly. Her dad and siblings were probably in the kitchen eating dinner but Yame paid them no mind and vice versa. Running upstairs, Yame locked herself in her bedroom and collapsed onto the bed. Pulling a pillow against her chest, she curled up into a tight ball, tears seeping from her tightly sealed lids.

She didn't understand why she hadn't just said "yes" to Hinta. She wanted to but she couldn't seem to explain that why at the moment Hinta had asked the question the only thing she thought about was Daisuke and Sora. It was as if she would be betraying them both by agreeing to be Hinta's girlfriend. And yet, why would it matter whether or not she was Hinta's girlfriend? If Daisuke or Sora felt anything towards her other than friendship wouldn't at least one of them had told her by now? Allowing a soft sigh to slip through her lips, Yame allowed the humming of the air conditioning to lull her into a steady dreamless sleep.

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I hate myself for doing this to my characters. Breaking everyone up…hurting everyone's feelings damn it's sinful and yet—I can't get enough of the drama…my boring life and short attention span call for it!! Until next time dudes and dudettes!~