---I do not own Ayashi no Ceres—

-oOo-

You guess? Okay? I don't see you for a whole week and that's all you have to say? Aya thought as she pondered to what Tooya has said earlier in dinner. She couldn't care less about who just appeared in the door. She just nodded automatically upon hearing their greetings to her and stared blankly as everyone else started eating again.

Apparently Chidori has noticed Aya's silence and tried to shake it out of her. "Huh? Huh? What do you say Aya? Double date with Yuuhi and me! Come on I'm sure Tooya will love it too!" Chidori almost yelled at her, annoyed for making her repeat it for another time. "What? Oh…yeah sure…no problem…okay…" Aya blurted suddenly, surprised at Chidori's sudden attack.

"Suzumi? Can we talk? Somewhere private?" Yuuhi's father insisted after drinking his last cup of tea for the night. "Yes, of course father" Suzumi said as she got up and started to prepare her office. "And Tooya…why don't you come too?"

Aya was more surprised than Tooya in hearing Yuuhi's father requesting Tooya to join him. On the contrary, Yuuhi had been waiting for something like this and was very disappointed that his predictions were true. But both of them wasn't expecting what was about to happen next.

Tooya, as if this was his cue, beamed at Suzumi and unobjectionably followed Yuuhi's father to the office.

-oOo-

I'm so tired…I don't want to think about Tooya right now… Aya was getting a headache trying to sort everything in her head. It has been only a day since Tooya has arrived but many things have already happened. I can't take it anymore…

"Aya? What's up with Tooya?" Chidori asked in a close whisper, trying to not let anyone hear their conversation. She didn't need to; everyone else went to the living room anyway.

Why did you have to ask about him? Please just for a little while give me some air… "What about Tooya?" Aya answered trying to sound as if she didn't notice. That's right. What about him?

"He's a bit different. Something happened?" Chidori looked at her, with a puzzled look on her face. You never miss anything Chidori…you noticed too…I thought I was the only one… you're such a good friend Chidori. Aya answered truthfully, "I'm not sure…he's been like that ever since he came back…"

"Really? You must be happy then?" Chidori cut her off. Aya couldn't understand why Chidori was excited over this. "I mean, you two must be really miss each other! I've never seen him this shy… " What Chidori? I don't understand. Are we still talking about the same Tooya? "…you heard what his answer was when Shouta asked him earlier…it's sooo cute! I wish Yuuhi could be that sweet to me!" Chidori told her.

From then on, Chidori rambled on about Yuuhi and her having their share of sweet nothings. Aya tried her hardest to listen to her, but her headache became worse by the minute.

-oOo-

"So Tooya? Will you do it? I must have your answer by tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?"

"I know it's too soon, but please consider it. I realize Aya may not approve, I asked Suzumi if she could persuade her but Suzumi has respectfully said she wouldn't meddle in this business."

"That won't be necessary, I'll tell Aya about it tonight."

"Very well Tooya, I'll be at my house all day tomorrow. I'll be waiting for your answer."

Yuuhi had just heard while passing by the door to the office. His father and Tooya had been there for about half an hour now. Yuuhi had just lost to Tonomori in poker so he sent him to go fetch their father because the limo was already in front of the house. "If I had just arrived earlier…I would've known what they were talking about." Yuuhi thought.

"Uhhmm…" He cleared his throat as he spoke. "You're car is ready father…it's already midnight…you need to rest…Tonomori is already outside."

At this words the door opened and his father went out. "Thank you Yuuhi." His father said, "That was a very nice meal Yuuhi…just like what you're mother used to cook for me." He smiled at Yuuhi. Yuuhi smiled back.

-oOo-

"Hey!" Yuuhi called out just when Tooya passed by him in the hallway. He was slightly annoyed being ignored. "What happened out there Tooya? What have you been doing in these adventures of yours?" He meant to sound interested, friendly even, but it just came out in a sort of angry voice.

"There my missions Yuuhi. I just complete missions."

It struck a nerve in Yuuhi.

"Missions? You've been gone for a week again. Don't you know Aya comes here almost everyday when you're out. She's depressed. And I'm sick of cleaning up after you."

"Thank you for taking care of Aya, Yuuhi. And yes, I know how she feels, I feel it too. But Aya herself told me to do this. Besides, it looks as though I don't have any choice."

"Oh yeah right! How could you have let this happen? These missions you have make Aya miserable! Would you just quit or something. That girl needs you, that should be enough reason for you to quit those missions!"

"Yuuhi, would you rather let Aya see me in prison?"

The government arrested everyone that formed the C-project. Tooya was among the few others to receive a special pardon for a lifetime in prison in the condition that he work for the government for ten years. Because of his fighting skills, he was assigned in the armed forces and sent to confidential missions all over Japan.

Yuuhi was surprised at Tooya's reply. "Well… No! But--"

"Aya? Are you feeling ill?" They heard Chidori in the dining room. The two of them, both alarmed, hurriedly went to check.