Note: Hey guys. Okay. This chapter is super long for me. And a lot happen. Maybe a bit more than what usually happens in my chapter. I'm actually not fond of it. It's lyk I jumped wayy ahead of myself when I did the ending. What do you think? Well read and enjoy!

Chapter 14: Can't stay away.

"Risa! Risa! I love you!" Those words kept repeating like an echo in her head. It wouldn't stop. It wouldn't leave. No matter how much she tried to erase her memory of it, it wouldn't go away. It was haunting her. "Risa! Risa! I love you!"

Did he truly lover her like he said? She let out a bitter smile. No, he never loved her. People in love don't cheat. People in love don't betray. They don't lie. Otani was not in love with her.

And the mere thought made her hear clench in agony. She wanted to burst into tears once again. It reduced her into such a pathetic state. That kind of pathetic state that she tired vainly to run away from. The one she had just pulled herself from. She wiped away her tears. Why did he have to come and ruin it all?!

Why!? Why did he have to barge in and destroy all the confidence she had built for the past two weeks?! Why did he have to confront her now!? She wasn't al all ready just yet! Why did he have to say those words!? Why now...?!

She bit back a sob trying to disclose the fact that she was crying yet again. She didn't want the kids to worry about her anymore. They worried about her just too much. She knew that they were trying to be strong just for her. She knew that Kohori worked hard just for them.

So...she had to suck it up. Face the facts. Face reality. Otani doesn't love her. Tat was that. But yet...she found it more painful than before. He had said it...but he was lying wasn't he? Still...what if...he was telling the truth? She can't just ignore it. She can't. But...

The sound of the door bell shook her into reality. Wearily she answered and found, to her relief, little Kaori beaming back at her. "Hi Auntie Risa!" She greeted giving her cheeky smile. So cute...

"Ah Kaori! Come in!" she ushered the little girl in and continued, "What are you doing here?"

Kaori grinned back at her and asked, "May I stay here till mama picks me up?" Risa blinked looking down at the girl. She walled all the way from school to here? Kazuki and Tenshi came home awhile ago but never hinted company. But who was she to refuse her? She had voluntarily said she would transfer to the same school as Kazuki and Tenshi. That way they wouldn't feel so alone. She was such an angel and a cutie too.

"I don't know, did you're mom agree to this?" Kaori nodded quickly. "Yeah! Mommy said she'll pick me up after her examination!" Risa smiled back at her. Well if it was fine, then why not? However she will make a note to call Nobu about this.

"Okay then," Kaori gave her a small hug before proceeding to put down her backpack. Risa took a good look at her. She seemed rather anxious about something. Tired too. She couldn't help but think everyone was tired about everything now. 'Neh, Kaori. Why did you want to come?"

Kaori flashed her a mega-watt grin. "I want to see Kazuki! But I had a club meeting so we couldn't walk together." She was so cute. Good for her too. She decided to join a club already. She could only wish that the boys will join clubs soon.

"Oh I see then. Well...I'll make snacks. You can go ahead up!"

"Okay! Thank you!" With that she proceeded to go upstairs to the boys room. Risa smiled to herself. Kaori's little crush on Kazuki was certainly adorable. She certainly could pull a smile from someone too.

But...it reminded her of how she use to be. When she was crushing on someone. Maybe less violent though. She sighed. She was glad Kaori came. Usually she could get the boys more pumped. They also needed a distraction right now. Especially her.

--LINE BREAK--

Kaori made her way up the stairs, her cheerful demeanor gone and replaced with an anxious facade. She knocked on the door cautiously before pushing it open. She caught sight of the two boys she had come to visit.

Tenshi was curled on the floor, leaning on the their bean bag as he played video games. At first glance he seemed like your normal little boy playing harmless games. However she saw a little boy seemingly lost in his thoughts.

Kazuki sat on the desk, probably doing his homework. She found it odd since Kazuki barely does his homework. "Kazuki? Tenshi?" she said giving each a small smile. Usually Tenshi would flash her a grin and come running up to hug her. Now he barely spared her a glance and continued his game.

She looked back to Kazuki who gave her a small wave. He glanced at Tenshi and growled, "Tenshi say hi." She bit her lip. The brothers seemed to have been fighting for a while now. Each were troubled and angered at everything. Especially at each other.

Kazuki seemed to push away his childish and grew up over night. He began to do all his work and tired to fix all the problems by himself. Tenshi completely shunned everything away and doesn't seem to care about anything anymore. Her, being one of the closest girls in their lives, was thoroughly confused by the sudden change.

"No," Tenshi answered avoiding both their gazes. Kazuki's eyes narrowed and he turned around to his own work. She seemed like a complete stranger right now. She didn't know what was going on. She didn't know what to say. She just stood there trying her hardest to comprehend the situation.

Taking her chances, she went to Tenshi and dropped down next to him. She examined the game he was playing. While being a complete idiot about games, she asked innocently, "What game is this?"

Tenshi continued his swift actions with his fingers and muttered, "Nothing you would know." She bit her lip again. He definitely changed. Tenshi would have answered sweetly and asked her if she wanted to play. However he gave a direct hit on the face instead. Oh Tenshi...

"Oh," she murmured. There was a pregnant pause for a few moments before she broke it with yet another question, "Well will you teach me how to play?" She gave him her sweetest smile, hoping she had broken through his barricade.

"No, it's too complicated for you." The statement shocked her. While it was completely not Tenshi-like, she focused more on what he was saying. Did he think she was an idiot!? By now she would have been screaming, giving him a taste of his own medicine. However she didn't exactly know how they'll react now, and she wasn't willing to figure out either.

It was rather sad. The two boys she had grown up with was no longer there with her. They just changed into strangers she didn't know or like. But can she blame them at all? Considering all of the things that happened, it's almost ordinary to have this change. But...she missed the old them a lot.

"Here! I bought the snacks!" She watched her Auntie Risa come in with a tray full of food and drinks. She seemed cheerful enough. Or tried to be at least. She hoped that Kazuki and Tenshi would act like that. It's not good to do what they're doing.

"Thank you Auntie," she said getting up and receiving the tray. She watched her Auntie scan the room. It was like she could sense the tension in it. However, she gave a smile and turned around. She looked back and waved, "Call me if you need anything." With that she closed the door and left them alone.

While a part of her was happy she left, another screamed for her to come back. She wasn't at all use to the atmosphere in the room. She gave a little sigh. If she couldn't reach Tenshi at all, than she could take a whack at Kazuki. She could almost laugh at herself. She couldn't break through Tenshi, how was she going to persuade the hard-headed Kazuki?

She slowly approached him with the tray, almost afraid he would knock the tray away. However she softly put it down and drew a seat next to him. He pointedly ignored her till she said, "Kazu-kun, are you done with homework yet?"

"No."

"O-oh. Well...maybe you could take a break?" she asked gently giving him a smile. He needed a break after all. Then perhaps they could talk about this. Her hopes were crushed with a straight, cold, "No."

She sighed. Of course. Kazuki may have changed but certainly was still stubborn. Well they needed to talk about this too. She wasn't taking a stupid no was an answer either. She gently took his arm and asked once again, "Please Kazu-kun?"

He looked at her coldly which made her flinch. Although she knew that Kazuki wasn't fond of her doting, he had never looked at her like that before. "No."

"B-but," she protested. She came here with a purpose and she wasn't backing down on it! As much as change was needed, they were effecting everyone they knew badly because of it. There has to be to intervene, and she was it.

"I said no. Go over there and stay quiet."

"Kazuki! We have to talk!"

Kazuki let his pencil fall and turned to face her. All week she kept on saying that to him. All week she kept on bothering him. As much as he could stand her bubbly and stubborn attitude, this was the point. He couldn't take any more of her babbling! He couldn't take her annoying voice, constantly breaking his concentration! She was now just a hindrance to him! "About what?!" he urged letting his anger flare, "About our relationship?! We don't have one! Meaning there's nothing to talk about! Now shut up and leave me alone!"

The words cut her deep. It did hurt. She still did have a crush on him after all. She gulped trying to find her voice, "Yes we do! I-it's about how you'd been acting!"

"I haven't been acting like anything! Why do you keep saying that?! All week you kept on bothering me! If I ignore you, you should get the hint and leave me alone!" She stifled a whimper. He didn't have to shout at her. She could have done without the harsh words too. She was just trying to help. However she couldn't exactly get him to talk till now. Though she wasn't expecting this reaction.

She bit her lip, trying hard not to cry. Why did Kazuki have to be so mean? She sniffed. She was just trying to help. She wanted them back. They were affecting everyone so badly with their change. "Yes you have!" she shouted wiping away her falling tears.

She let out small little sobs till the only sound in the room was her crying. Even Tenshi stopped his game. However he just sat there and was unwilling to look at them. Kazuki stared at her, almost taunting her. It almost seemed like he wanted her to cry. To see her suffer for once. But...why would Kazuki do that to her?

Kazuki actually did want to see her suffer. She just had to be so happy al the time. She just had to be make everyone happy with her little smiles. Why did she have to try and make everyone happy? Why did she have to be the lucky one? Why wasn't she the one with no father? Why does she even bother with him at all? Why can't she leave him alone? Why does she always have to act like that? He was fed up with her attitude. So damn happy all the time. She was too cheerful for him. Let her get hurt for once in her life. Let her taste pain. Not like she was ever hurt before. He didn't care anymore. He just wanted to leave him alone.

Unbeknownst to them, they failed to noticed the shadow that could be seen through the crack of the door. Risa still stood there, as a small witness to the situation. At that point she wanted to barge in there and correct it. However she was stopped when she heard Kaori yell, "You two have been such arrogant jerks these past couple of weeks! I don't care if you don't mean it! D-do you have any idea how it's affecting everyone!?" She let out a small sigh. Perhaps she should just leave this to Kaori's hands. If she acquired more than Nobu's looks, then she could sort this out. The boys need to learn fast about this. Kaori would be the great teacher that could teach them. And she'll be rooting for her.

--LINE BREAK--

Risa groaned dropping down on the couch. Everything was messed up right now. So messed up. Why was life always have to be messed up? She buried her face in her hands. Somehow the burden she felt about her boys was lifted just a little bit. While the boys were completely attached to her. They did act fuzzy around the others. But she can't exactly fix all their mistakes right? They needed to learn to. But...Kaori was there to support them and help. Thank god she was here. Now though...she had time to think about other things. She sighed. What was she going to do now?

"Risa?" She jumped and snapped her head up to the direction of the voice. Kohori stood before her, leaning down to examine her face. He seemed sleepy. She could tell he was in desperate need of sleep right about now. Though his condition was certainly not anywhere as close to what she had witnessed with Otani. Concern was etched on his face as he continued to say, "What's wrong?"

So she was an open book as they say. She let out a small sigh. As much as she needed a vent for her problems, she wasn't dumb enough to burden Kohori with them. He's done enough for them. He gave them a house, provided their needs, and has been there since the start. "I'm alright! Really!" she said earnestly and continued before he could say anything, "I'll go make dinner now."

However Kohori got up along with her and said, "I'll help you then." She could only nod and there was an akward silence as they scurried around the kitchen gathering supplies. Risa bit her lip. She had to be careful with talking to him. She could spill anything unnecessary to him at any time. She almost dropped the knife when he spoke, "So what's bothering you?"

She answered back simply, "Nothing. Don't worry, I'm fine." With that she contuined to chop the onions, secretly glad that onions had to power to make one cry. At least if she burst into tears, she had an excuse. However she was shocked when Kohori reached over and made her stop chopping. "Risa," he said gently, "tell me what's wrong."

She bit her tongue. She wasn't getting out of this was she? Oh why does have to be so stubborn? He was stubborn like...like...Otani. She could see her vision blurring as tears began to well up. The whole situation was getting to her and finally she burst into tears. All the tears she held finally came out, and it actually didn't make her feel relieved at all. It made her feel worst.

Her eyes widened when she felt Kohori envelop her into a tight hug. Although he had remained short, he was tall enough for her to bury her face in the crook of his neck. "Risa...tell me what happened."

Trying to regain composure, she kept muttering, "O-Otani...he..Otani did..." With that she clung into him, sobbing even harder. Her memory of the event burned in her mind and Otani's words kept echoing in her mind, "Risa! Risa! I love you!"

"No..." she sobbed out, "you don't l-love me..." She clung hard against Kohori who was trying to soothe her with comforting words. She let out a choking sob. She want so much to forget about the whole thing. To forget what he had said. To forget how he begged. His pained expression. The urgency in his voice. His voice..."Risa! Risa! I love you!" It kept on haunting her. She wanted to push it away. No...Otani never cared about them. He never cared about them. He doesn't love...her. That's what it was. That's what she wanted to believe. That's what she wanted to believe.

She felt Kohori pull back to wipe her tears away. His face was so close. Just five inces away. So filled with concern, sorrow, and...love. "Risa," he whispered as he tucked a piece of hair behind her ear, "I love you." Before she could react her closed that gap between them, giving her a soft kiss on the lips. She blinked. Kohori was...he was...kissing her.

He pulled back and gave her a smile. "I'll protect you." She bit her lip. How was she going to react to this. However Kohori gathered her up in his arms and gently put her down on the couch. "I'll make dinner this time. You stay here okay?" Then he went back to the kitchen, but not before giving her one of his signature grins.

She just stared after him before bringing a hand up to her lips. The kiss...it...he kissed her. Kohori kissed her. And she felt emotion he felt for her through the kiss. The yearning. The craving. The love...her eyes watered again. But...it didn't feel right to her at all. It felt mismatched. It felt so wrong.

She remembered her kisses with Otani. When she kissed Otani...it just felt right. Like it was a match made in heaven. She felt their love through the passion of the kiss. Before Otani would give such passion. Such craving just for her. God she loved it. It made her feel like it was heaven. Her legs felt like jelly. Her arms went limp as she circled them around her neck. It really felt like the one. The perfect match. She let out a silent whimper. She didn't fell that? What was she going to do now?

--LINE BREAK--

Otani sighed as he stepped out of the shower. He had just taken a cold shower, trying to numb himself so he wouldn't feel the pin he felt now. He couldn't help it. Everything hurts. And he couldn't find salvation anymore. What was he suppose to do?

He ran his hand through his wet hair. He screwed up. He just screwed up. He lost it all. He lost everything. He tried to fix things but it certainly made it worst for him. He couldn't even approach her anymore. She had made it clear that she wanted to forget him and move on.

And he wouldn't even hate her for it. He knew she deserved it. She deserved better than scum like him. She deserved better than the life he threw at her. His boys deserved a better life. A better father. They deserved more than what he could offer them.

But it hurt. He felt unbearable pain. It was like feeling pain for knowing that someone out there could give them better. That someone out there could give them what they wanted. That someone out there could provide what he couldn't. That someone was better for him when it came to his family. Were they even family at this point?

He pulled some boxers and pants on and looked at his reflection in the glass. He was crap. A pathetic piece of crap. Full of shit. He deserved to go to hell. He gritted his teeth. He has done so many mistakes. And yet this is his worst mistake. To let them go. To push them away. With an angry growl he punched at the mirror, sending shards to shatter around him. He withdrew his hand and stared at the bits of glass stuck in his knuckles. The crimson liquid slowly dripped out till it trickled down his hand. He didn't think anything of it. If anything, he completely deserved it. He was scum after all.

He emerged out of the bathroom and proceeded to the living room. Each day, he sat there listlessly watching TV. He hadn't bothered to go back to work after what had happen tow days previous. He was sure his mother took care of it though. Not that he cared any longer.

He sighed looking back at the situation. "Risa! Risa! I love you!' He had shouted it vainly though the door. Yes he did love her. He desperately wanted her and his children to be with him.

He could almost laugh at himself for being such an idiot. He seriously doubt that would happen now. But he was stubborn. However it hadn't changed the fact that he still wanted them back with him. He wanted his family back.

The doorbell drew him back to the world and he pointedly ignored it. There have been countless visits from Nakao and Suzuki. Several from his mother or father. He wasn't in the mood to associate with them. He didn't want to talk at all. He didn't want them to say anything. He damn didn't even need pity either. None of their words was important to him.

Then came the knocking. Each minute it became more persistent. He become more agitated ever second. He glared hard at the door. He had better things to do than think about the jackass knocking up a storm at the door. It caused him to swear under his breath and get up for the door.. He would curse that dumbass out of here for al he cared. He just wanted them gone.

"What do-" A blur of orange came barging in and then before he knew it he was pushed to the ground. His eyes widened once he felt someone's lips on his. Soft luscious lips that seemed so familiar.

The kiss was filled with so much desperation. So much need. So much passion. So much love. She pulled away catching her breath and whispered his name, "Otani..." Her voice was like a chorus for him.

"R-risa..." he breathed out. He was in complete shock. Why was she here? Yet alone kissing him? Even now when she was crying she looked so beautiful. She looked down at him. So much pain. Oh god, it was really her. It was really Risa. He pushed his face up to meet her cherry lips once again. He did the only thing he could do now. To kiss her back with more need. More passion. So much more love.

He could taste her. She was like strawberries but more satisfying and delicious. He couldn't get enough. He knew this is his new drug. No...his old drug. And he'll never tire of it. Never. Never again. He ran his hands through her silky hair. He missed it so much. Her hair. Her lips. Her face. Her touch. Her small. Everything about her.

They drew apart, lost in breath. Risa bit back a sob. She couldn't stay away. She couldn't. She couldn't. She love him. Just too much. "I-I...I hate you," she whispered, "I hate you so much."

Otani grinned giving her a peck on the lips. He wiped away the falling tears and said softly, "I love you too."

--LINE BREAK--

Note: The end! Ahahaha. I'm kidding. I think I pushed too much for one chapter. Too much happened. Plus wow...i guess. Too much. What do you think? Er...was someone expecting this. I guess soo...ahahaa. I couldn't help it. I'm getting bad at this. I'm loosing my touch! Nooo!! Hahaha. Urgh. Uhm enjoy. Tell me what you think. Er..excuse the mistakes as always. ;P

But please give me a break. I stayed up till two in the morning writing all of this. Be happy it makes sense. Well i think it makes sense...ugh. I need to stop the whole writing at night now...OMG!! I just figured out school starts soon. Well I'll be in deep depression. I'm sorry but I don't want to go back to school.