I am so sorry for the extremely long wait! I really beg for your forgiveness, but I have promised, and now I deliver. Consider it as a delayed Christmas present to all of my faithful readers out there. Your reviews and encouragement kept me going.

As I've stated in my LJ, this is a re-write of the original that had gotten erased when my hard drive crashed. And I have to tell you, it was the worse. That computer suffered so many losses again, until we finally decided to buy a whole new CPU altogether. Not just that but something disastrous also happened to me right before Christmas. No, I wasn't in any accident but it sure gave me the feeling that the world came to an end. Check out my LJ again to know why. Hopefully though, this re-write of mine came out okay. Sorry if there are typos or any type of error. I haven't edited it since I thought you guys deserve an update after that really long wait.

Leave me a review and tell me what you guys think, okay? I have a surprise in store so please don't forget to review!

Disclaimer: ONLY THE RING FINGER KNOWS does not belong to me. All elements below belong to Kannagi Satoru and its proper copyrights. The only things I do own are my original characters.

Note: These are not, I repeat, these are NOT the actual events of the fourth novel. This is what I guess you could call an alternate storyline. Please do not rely on this fic for information about the fourth novel or on any of the books, although I will be borrowing some scenes and events that took place there.


He gulped. He didn't know why, but the air felt heavy like he was about to suffocate. His stomach began to churn, almost ready to throw up. He was feeling a sense of dread. Mizuho walked towards him, her approaching steps resonated like deafening echoes in his hears. In what seemed like an eternity, she finally reached him, and sat on the chair that was placed by his bed—the very same chair that Kazuki had sat on.

"Mizuho-sa…"

"Wataru-kun," she interrupted. The sternness in her voice was crisp and clear, but her hands were shaking as it clutched on to the pleats of her skirt. "There are things we need to discuss."


THE UNTOUCHED RING

Chapter Twenty-Four: Choice and Circumstance


Yuichi massaged his temples as he felt another headache coming, and rubbed his eyes to fight the drowsiness that was venturing within. "You look absolutely exhausted," Touko said as she studied her cousin's pale face against the slowly setting sun. "When was the last time you had a decent sleep?"

"Not since this trouble started," he snorted as he leaned back on the chair, raising his head upward so he was staring at the ceiling. "Would it have been better if I had just ignored it? The letter, I mean."

"Letter?" Touko echoed. "Oh, do you mean the one Mizuho sent you last Christmas?"

"It is the root cause of all of this," he mumbled as he straightened up again. "Why did I bother even keeping it?"

The older woman shrugged her shoulders and sat at the chair opposite him. "Maybe because a part of you still treasures Mizuho?"

"……"

"It's nothing really surprising. After all, we always treasure our first's. Our first kiss, first date, first love, first time… All those things are indeed very special. Mizuho gave you the feeling of 'first something', which is why you can't help but feel a special connection with her." She took Yuichi's face in her hands and had him look at her. "But that is not a reason for you to feel guilty over things. I'm sure even Wataru-kun understands that, which is why he has said nothing."

"But I nearly lost him," he stated plainly with a voice that seemed like he had died. "I nearly lost him and I am still on the verge of losing him, Touko. That feeling is so frightening. I don't want to go through it again. So what can I do to keep him mine? I keep asking myself those questions, but I never get the answers. This is much more so painful than when I had resigned myself."

Touko gave a small smile as she crossed her arms and leaned back on her chair. "You never resigned, Yuichi. Not once did you ever resign."

"What?" he asked her, puzzled. "I… I did… Rather than subject myself to a love that would never come to be, I resigned myself and accepted the reality. It has only been my good fortune that it became mutual."

"No," she shook her head. "Yuichi, if you had indeed resigned yourself then why on earth did you ask me to make a copy of his ring?"

"That was… That's because it was the fad in our school so I thought…"

"You were never one to follow fads. You could've just gone on with your life and kept that secret of yours locked away in your heart forever. Yet you came to me and requested this ring. Why?"

She brushed her fingers ever so slightly on the silver ornament that was on Yuichi's right middle finger. Her action caused the young man to look at it with wonder. Why did he have this ring made? All he remembered was that he wanted to have something that would connect him to Wataru even in the most subtle ways. It's not like he had any intentions of confronting the boy and letting his emotions become known. But he wanted to share something with him. Even if it was he alone who knew about it, he at least wanted to have a place in that young boy's heart. He desired to become part of his world.

"Do you understand now, Yuichi?" his cousin spoke again. "It's not that you resigned yourself. No, you did nothing of the sort. Rather, you unconsciously pursued him. You opened the means of which the both of you could meet. Think about it: Had you not copied his ring, would the both of you still meet? Probably, but would it lead to love?"

"……"

"Whenever I look at you Yuichi, you seem much more dazzling than you ever were before. You've grown up in many ways and that I know is thanks to Wataru-kun. That's why I will support the both of you the utmost I can. Even if aunt and uncle oppose it, even if Shohei continues to meddle, I will still be here for you."

"Touko-san…" he uttered breathlessly. He had no idea of her conviction or even feelings of the matter. And now that he had heard it, he felt truly blessed to have a relative like her. The ring on his finger began to feel hot again, as if it was saying it didn't like where it currently is. It wanted to be removed from his middle finger and return to the place where it should be.

"Thank you, Touko-san," Yuichi said as he picked himself up from his seat. He went for the door and the moment he pulled on the handle, the clinging of the doorbell was heard. Touko smiled as she watched her young cousin's retreating back. "Really," she muttered at herself. "Rather than a jewelry shop, maybe I should turn this place to a relationships-counseling clinic."

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"You look so tensed," Mizuho spoke, her voice rather soft and gentle as opposed to the hard expression she had been wearing sheer moments ago. "Do you feel intimidated by me?"

"Um…" Wataru drawled.

"I heard you would be released by tomorrow. Isn't that wonderful?" she spoke again, not waiting for him to finish his response. "Yuichi didn't come to visit you today?"

"Uh… no…" he replied in a low voice. "He has part-time after school. It's very busy at the café. It's Christmas in just a couple of days, after all. I told him not to come if he's too busy."

"Hmph," Mizuho snorted in an amused manner. "The café? You think that Yuichi is at part-time? Is that what he told you?"

"……"

"Yuichi is at home straightening out a few things. In case you haven't heard, his parents already know about the two of you. And I don't need to tell you that they heavily oppose. Yuichi's been stressing himself out just trying to convince them about it."

Wataru bit his lip and tightened his grip on the silver locket he still held in his hands. Were things really that bad for Kazuki now? He knew that the time would eventually come that both their parents would find out about them. Naturally, he had already expected that things wouldn't turn out so good. But he never realized that even Kazuki himself would be placed in a pinch because of this. Come to think of it, Wataru did notice the heavy rings around the older man's eyes the last time they met. He had assumed that it was because of worry over the fact that he was in the hospital. Or perhaps that was already the reason and this opposition from Kazuki's parents contributed to it. Nevertheless, it still posed as a great problem.

"So you didn't know…" Mizuho repeated, probably with the intention of eliciting a response from the boy. "You really didn't know…."

"…So what…" he murmured, catching that slight amusement in her voice. "I didn't know, so what? What is it exactly that you are trying to say, Mizuho-san?"

Perhaps she wasn't expecting a comeback remark for him, because all too soon she stiffened. Her calm and composed expression shifted and gradually disappeared. "I just think," she said with a trembling voice. "I think it's quite amusing really. You are the person closest to his heart yet you didn't even realize that something was troubling him. Are you really the kind of person suited for Yuichi?"

Wataru frowned. "That's an uncalled for! Who are you to say such things?" The words slipped out of his mouth before he could stop them.

"…Then I suppose you find my situation even more amusing, don't you?"

"Pardon?"

"It must have been fun laughing at my own expense."

"I never laughed…" He didn't like where this conversation was leading.

"At a time when I had bared my soul to you, when I confessed my insecurity, you did nothing but take pity on me. Admit it!" She bolted out of her seat and glared accusing eyes at Wataru. Mizuho looked like she was about to break.

"……"

"Were you laughing at me? This old maid who stubbornly clings on to some amount of faith or belief that perhaps, just perhaps, I could be loved again. But instead, you just gave me unnecessary pity!"

"I did nothing of the sort!" Wataru snapped, unable to hold back his anger. He would not deny that he felt sorry for her, but he will not admit to something he didn't do. He never sneered or laughed at the woman's predicament. If anything, he empathized with her. He was the one jealous of her. "Mizuho-san, you're the one who doesn't realize how lucky you are," he continued, expressing his true thoughts. "The time that I didn't know Kazuki…. The time that is known only to you…. Those are things about him that I don't know of. And I can never replace those. No matter what happens, you are still and always will be Kazuki's first love."

Those words left a nasty taste in his mouth, but it was the truth. Everyone holds a special place in a person's heart. Mizuho is someone irreplaceable to Kazuki. That was something he had accepted ever since he had first learned of this "strictly speaking" partner. It had always boiled him and scorched his heart, but he had accepted it. What else could he do but accept it?

Mizuho looked at him wordlessly, her eyelashes batting every now and then. Her eyes sparkled with sadness as her expression dropped once again. She let out a sigh as sorrow began to paint her face. "You're the naïve fool here, Fujii-kun," she uttered. "You had always been Yuichi's first love. Always…

You just don't know it."

"Eh…?"

She lowered her head and her shoulders began to tremble. Wataru noticed how her breathing became hoarse, and her voice came out in broken verses. She was crying. "I really…" she rasped. "…hate you now…" She buried her face in her hands to stop the tears from falling, but the glittering beads streaming down her cheeks betrayed her.

Wataru was once again left speechless. It was the first time someone had said "I hate you" to him in person and in such a manner that made him swell with guilty emotions. But what was he guilty for? He didn't even understand what Mizuho was talking about. Certainly she had been someone very important to Kazuki. She was the only girl whom Kazuki had come to love and share a private part of his life with. She is his first love. So why…?

"Mizuho-san…" he uttered and stretched out his hand to gently touch her. But her soft sobs brought pain once again to his chest. He never really did like seeing girls cry.

"Please," she said in-between hoarse sobs. "I'm not asking for much. I'm not even telling you to leave him, but please… please…" She paused as she took in a big, deep breath of air. Wataru waited patiently and strained his ears to listen. When the words finally came out, he thought he had seen the end.

"…Please do the right thing."

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Asaka idly sat by the porch, staring at his grandmother's most prized traditional Japanese garden. The ground that had once been covered with luscious green grass had been replaced with a thin layer of snow. Icicles formed at the roof's edges, and there was definitely a cold chill in the air. "The longer you stay there, the more you'll catch cold," said the old woman as she gently whisked at the tea cup she had laid before her. "Instead of idling there all day long, why not have tea with me here?"

Asaka smiled ever so faintly and picked himself up, dragged his feet to the tatami mat where he sat seiza-style, facing the old woman. "What's wrong Masanobu?" Shiori asked. Her motherly instincts kicked in. "Why the long face? I believe the last time I saw you incredibly sad was when Yuina died."

"You exaggerate," he snorted. "I don't look that horrible, do I?"

Shiori chuckled and slid the cup of tea in front of her grandson. "Drink," she softly commanded him. He silently obeyed and held the ceramic cup close to his lips. He took in tiny sips but nevertheless felt the hot liquid go down his throat. Shiori observed him as he did so; all the while her eyes sparkled brightly.

"Really," she muttered no sooner had Asaka finished downing the drink. "I must thank Fujii-kun for this."

"Hm?"

"Masanobu, you've got that sparkle again. To be honest, I have never seen you much more alive than I ever had these past few months. You seem to shine again. All of this… Can I attribute it all to Fujii-kun?"

"To Wataru-kun?" Asaka sputtered, turning slightly red at the cheeks.

Shiori laughed at her grandson's embarrassment. It is truly a rare thing for someone like Masanobu to act like a young schoolboy. "How is Fujii-kun, by the way?" she asked.

"I… I haven't gone to see him yet."

"Why?" she wrinkled her nose. "What hinders you so?" Asaka shifted uncomfortably and averted his eyes. It all became clear to the old woman soon enough. "Oh dear… Such uncertainty…"

"Wataru-kun…" he murmured. "He… I wonder why it isn't me… The same with Yuina… why isn't it me? What do I have to offer to make him mine?"

Shiori tilted her head and smiled brightly. "You must find out on your own. Indeed, I truly have to thank Fujii-kun. He has brought my Masanobu back to life." She stretched out her pale hand and gently stroke her grandson's face. "I am sure that Fujii-kun has special feelings for you. They may not be about love or romance, but rest assured, you are special to him. I can tell just by looking at him." She withdrew her hand and patted her kimono lightly. "Now then," she continued. "You've wasted enough time here. Go. You have other business to attend to, am I right?"

Asaka smiled back at her and bowed his head in respect. "Thank you, obaasan."

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"The right thing… I'm not sure I understand what you're saying, Mizuho-san," Wataru said, shaking his head in uncertainty.

"I'm begging you…" she continued, speaking in a low whisper. "Please do think about it. This kind of relationship is too scandalous for Yuichi. It's worse than when he was with me. Please, if you really do love him then you'll do what is right. I know you will."

"Mizuho-san…" Wataru looked at the older woman with pity. What could he do or say that would ease her pain? What could he possibly do for her? All this may have been a terrible misunderstanding, but the feelings are true and genuine. In the end, someone will surely get hurt.

"I gave him up because I wanted to protect him," she spoke. "No matter how much it pained me or no matter how much I loved him, I kept his best interests at heart. I chose to protect him. To give that person's happiness rather than take it away… is that not the ultimate expression of love? Don't you agree, Wataru-kun?"

Wataru bit his lip as he hung his head low. "Yes," he admitted. "I, too, want to give Kazuki all the happiness there could possibly be. And I also might not be the person to do that. I know… Mizuho-san will always be special to Kazuki." He clenched his fists tightly so much so that he nearly bled. "Is Kazuki truly in love with me? Or am I just a replacement for Mizuho-san? There are times when I ask myself that question. But I love him. I love him so much it hurts."

"Wataru-kun…"

"That day when he told me he loved me too. That he had fallen in love with my smile. I thought, 'is that for real'? But something inside me felt indescribably happy. Do you understand that feeling, Mizuho-san?"

"……"

"I'm not really anyone special. I'm just a regular student trying to pass his exams. I don't get high grades, I'm not that fantastic in sports, and I'm not popular with anyone. What could I have possibly done to get his attention? Why would someone so… perfect, so… amazing like Kazuki Yuichi want to do anything with me?" He closed his eyes and remembered the swirl of emotions he had felt the day he realized he was in love with Kazuki. It was a feeling unlike any other—like there was a heavy throbbing in his chest that he couldn't tell what it was. But at the same time, it was a painful feeling. "Why would he choose to fall in love with me?"

"Wataru-kun…" Mizuho murmured. She stretched out her hand to touch the boy but stopped mid-way.

"…Because I fell hopelessly and madly in love with you." The voice from the door startled the two. Mizuho instantly jumped to her feet and spun around to look at the sudden visitor, while Wataru kept his head low. His heart began to pound loudly again. He knew that voice. There's no way he could mistake that voice. The very instant he heard it, he felt something inside him melt away, and he couldn't find the strength to look up.

"Y-Yuichi!" Mizuho stammered. "Weren't you at Touko's…?"

"Mizuho," he interrupted with a very solemn voice; his eyes fixated alone on Wataru. "I'm sorry, but could you give me some time alone with him?"

"Yuichi, I…"

"Please…"

It was one simple word, but the meaning sounded harsh to her ears. She turned her face away as more tears began to fall. A crying face is something that no man could resist, but of course, Yuichi was different. He knows the tactics of love-struck women and how to avoid it. If there were any tears he would pay focus to, it would be the tears of the person he so loves very much. "I…I'll be off then," she said, and excused herself.

Once left alone, Kazuki finally turned to the awe-struck boy. "What were you telling her?" he asked. "You can't bring me happiness?"

"Kazuki…" Wataru whispered, disbelieving the sight of the older boy actually standing in the room. He wanted to look up; he really did. But as each second ticked by, he felt ashamed of himself. His heart clenched painfully at this realization. He was too in love with Kazuki.

"What's gotten in with you?" the older boy asked. He strode over to Wataru's bedside and sat on the white mattress next to him. "Do you doubt me so much now?"

"No, I…" the younger boy muttered in response. "It's not… It's me… I…"

"Wataru… please look at me…"

"…You're mad…" he replied, still refusing to look up. "I can tell you're mad. I'm sorry. I have no idea why I said those things. They just came out and…"

"Wataru," Kazuki's voice was low and gentle; almost like a whisper. "I want to see you."

Wataru's eyes widened at the response, and then began to gleam with tears. He kept still until he felt the older boy's hand upon his cheek, brushing away the single drop of tear that formed at the rim of his eye. "Ah," he muttered with astonishment. He wasn't even aware that he had begun crying. "S-Sorry," he rubbed his eyes in an effort to get rid of it, but Kazuki stopped him, and instead lifted his face so that their gazes met. "Kazuki…"

Was it just him or were Kazuki's eyes much clearer than usual? There was a bit of a sparkle inside them, and the way they were staring at him made him melt to the knees. He felt his temperature rise, and something inside his belly began to churn. He brought his hands to touch the older boy's chest, feeling the rough fabric of his jacket. But even so, he could still feel the rising temperature of the other man's body. Kazuki leaned forward, brushing their noses together, and Wataru was filled with his scent. The smell of his cologne along with his own unique scent was enough to drive Wataru insane.

Before he knew it, he had lost his balance and fell back on the bed with Kazuki hovering above him—their faces only millimeters apart. "Kazuki…" he breathed deeply, not knowing what else to say. He felt Kazuki shift and familiar weight settled on him. Moist lips pressed against his neck, his skin instantly flaring up like it was on fire. Kazuki's hands traveled across the sheets to touch him areas that made him flinch with bitter anticipation. He trailed his lips upward, tracing the young boy's jaw, before finally claiming his lips.

It was a shy and innocent kiss. Wataru was bedazzled, suddenly remembering the many other kisses they had. When he had expected Kazuki to kiss him roughly, the man would do it gently. And when he expected to be kissed, he would be held tightly. Kazuki always did the opposite of things he had expected, but he never disliked it. He was always treated so preciously; he didn't know of a time when the older boy had ever been cruel to him. This kiss reinforced that belief. He closed his eyes tightly and felt something warm and moist roll down his cheek. He reached out and pulled Kazuki closer to him, deepening their kiss. He held on tightly like a lifeline. If he could trap him forever in an embrace like this, he would do so. He felt that if he let go, they might lose each other.

"Didn't I tell you before?" Kazuki whispered, momentarily breaking off the kiss but still keeping a hairpin's distance from him. "Believe in me. Believe in me no matter what." He leaned down again and resumed to claim those lips—those lips that should know no other but him.

Wataru felt dizzy like the room was spinning; consumed by the kiss—intoxicated by it. When did he hear those words? Was it that day? The day when he had discovered Mizuho's postcard amid Kazuki's possessions? He couldn't remember exactly, but the words spoken to him were filled with longing and belief.

For a moment, he thought he had heard the doorknob click, or perhaps there were footsteps pacing outside in the corridor. He couldn't tell, not with his breath held back and something foreign exploring his mouth. "Ha…" he wheezed as Kazuki once again released the kiss. A string of saliva that didn't belong to him trickled down the corner of his mouth. As he continued to gasp for air, he felt the older boy descend on him again, this time, kissing his eyes and licking the tears that had fallen during their session.

"I love you," Kazuki whispered into his ear. "What other reason would you want from me? I fell in love with your smile and I fell in love with you as a person. Isn't that enough?" He brushed away strands of hair from Wataru's face, gazing deep into those black eyes that were much more captivating than the night sky. "And as each day passes, I become more and more in love with you than I ever did. When I'm not with you, it hurts. I want to see you, hear you, taste you, feel you every passing second of my life. That is how selfish I am."

Wataru stared back at Kazuki's eyes and took note of all the emotions swirling in there. He's in just as much pain as I am, he thought.

"…If I thought of you as a replacement," the older boy continued, opening a topic that had smoldered in a dark corner of Wataru's heart. "If I had wanted nothing but a replacement, then I never would have looked at you. I would've gone after girls or maybe even your sister."

"……"

"But I didn't. I chose you. It's not something I had complete control over. You have no idea how much I despaired over this fact." He settled his weight against Wataru's chest, hearing the young boy's heartbeat resonating against his own. "A man in love with another man… How many nights did I torture myself over this fact? But the more I thought about it, the more I became so in love with you."

"Kazu…ki…" he couldn't find his voice at the moment.

"You… without realizing it, you had made someone like me weak to his knees. Every single day, I had gone to school with even the slightest bit of hope of seeing you. And when I did, I would always follow you with my eyes. You probably never noticed it, but I was always watching from a distance. You have no idea how much I yearned for your eyes to be on me. To look at me… see only me…"

Wataru closed his eyes again and took in the man's words. For sure, his heart had begun to pound like crazy. Surely Kazuki could hear it like a tidal wave crashing against a rocky shore. In his clenched hand, there was still the silver locket—it's metal body turning hot alongside Wataru's body.

"Kazuki, I… I'm sorry…" he murmured, not knowing what else to say. He felt the older boy grunt and gently lift himself up from the bed with his elbows. "Don't," he heard him speak; those blue eyes shimmering like sapphire stones. "Don't say 'I'm sorry'. Don't apologize for ever falling in love with me." Kazuki straightened himself up into a sitting position as did Wataru. He took the silver band around his middle finger and pulled it off. He gently grabbed hold of the young boy's hand that did not hold the locket, spread it open like a maple leaf and settled the ring on the middle of his palm.

"Kazuki, this…" Wataru gasped knowing full well that this was the ring that he had returned.

"I know," the older boy spoke. "I know that it's no longer simple. I also know that you're a bit unsettled right now. That's why I'm willing to wait. But I at least ask you to keep this."

"Kazuki…"

"I'm not asking you to get into a commitment with me again. I simply want you to keep it. You may do with it whatever you want. Whether you wear it, hide it, or throw it away, you can do whatever you want. It is yours, Wataru, just as my heart is. This is just a reminder that I will always be waiting."

He gently closed Wataru's hand, trapping the ring into the young boy's fist. He slowly pulled that hand to his lips and kissed the knuckles in a soothing manner. "I want you more than anything," he continued after releasing Wataru's hand. "I have never wanted anything more than I want you. Believe me when I say it."

Wataru looked at Kazuki's face, searching for any signs of a lie, but he found none. But he did discover the pain hidden within those eyes. Why is he hesitating? What was holding him back? Asaka? Mizuho? What was it? The very thought that he seemed unworthy to have Kazuki? Where did all of his confidence disappear to?

He kept silent, staring at his balled up fist that held the precious silver band. He felt the bed shift as Kazuki got up. Then light footsteps were heard followed by the slight click of the door. "I will always wait. I'd rather wait a lifetime than lose you altogether," the older boy said before finally leaving the room.

Kazuki closed the door behind him and leaned against the wooden fixture for a while. When he had gone to visit Wataru, he hadn't expected for things to turn out this way. But somehow, he knew it would. Sometimes, when the damage becomes irreparable, there's nothing left to do but merely start over. "I'll wait," he murmured to no one in particular. "Even if the choice and the circumstance had been different, I'd still wait. Because that is how much you mean to me."

After that, he clicked his heels together and walked away, embracing the enveloping night sky outside.

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"Rather than stalk by the door, shouldn't you go in?" Sayuri asked as she observed Asaka pacing by Wataru's door. "I'm sure he would be happy to see you."

Asaka looked at the young girl and noticed the petite winter dress she wore. In her hands was a small bouquet of flowers wrapped with white ribbons and a small velvet box attached to it. He raised his brows in slight curiosity and amusement. "And what's all this, Sayuri?" he asked. "Going to propose to him?"

Sayuri blushed at the notion. "O-Of course not!" she retorted. "I just thought it would be nice of me to visit him. After all, he is my savior." She turned her eyes away for a brief moment before murmuring to herself that it had been a long time since she last heard him call her by her name alone. "Wataru-kun is doing okay, isn't he?"

"Hm? Oh, he's fine," it still made Asaka flinch to hear Sayuri refer to Wataru by his name. It was contrary to how she had initially treated him. But he supposed this was bound to happen. Spending the night alone with someone in a cave does wonders.

"I… haven't visited him yet," he answered honestly, almost shamefully.

"What?" Sayuri gasped in surprise. "Why? I thought you had gone to visit him the first day he was brought in here."

It was true that it was his intention to visit. When both Sayuri and Wataru were checked in the hospital but in separate rooms, he had stayed with Sayuri. He had informed her parents of her condition and was asked by them to stay by her side until they were able to get there. He sat in the dim-lit room staring at her sleeping face for hours. He wanted to leave, check up on Wataru, but couldn't. What if she woke up and no one was around? Worse, what if her parents suddenly come and find that she's alone? Because of that, he was unable to leave her side. When Sayuri finally regained consciousness, the first thing she asked for was Wataru. To which, he had to honestly admit that he didn't know how he was doing, although he heard his life wasn't in any danger.

Sayuri's parents did eventually arrive and what ensued was a tearful reunion. Sensing that it was a family gathering he was not meant to be involved in, Asaka excused himself and proceeded over to Wataru's room. He was at the door when he stopped his hand from reaching for the knob. He knew Kazuki was inside, and so was Wataru's family. So why did he hesitate?

Because he was also scared. He was afraid of losing something but he didn't know what it was. And even now, that fear continued to eat away his mind. He tried to visit again for two more times, and for two times he's overheard Wataru and Kazuki's conversation. And he wished he hadn't.

"Masanobu-sama?" Sayuri asked, breaking him from his reverie. "Is everything okay?"

"You know, Sayuri," he answered. "Now is not really the time for Wataru-kun to have visitors."

"Eh?"

"There are some things he needs to think over. And I think our presence would be a great distraction for him."

"…You really love him, don't you?" she asked again. "You look so sad right now. You're feeling sad for Wataru-kun. I'm sure the old you would've gone in that room and immediately held him. But now, you're acting a bit unsure."

"……"

"If you stay away, he might break. But if you approach, he might still break. That's what you're thinking, right?"

"Wataru-kun…" he regarded sadly. "I wonder what I have to do exactly to make him mine…"

"You know, sometimes, we don't get the thing we want the most. But we get points for trying and it pays off someday. That is what I've learned."

"Oh?" Asaka cocked an eyebrow. "And when exactly did you learn this? Next thing you know, you'll be telling me you've fallen for him."

"……"

"Sayuri…?"

"Wataru-kun… is indeed special… far more than he realizes… The person whom he will give his heart to; will be the luckiest person alive."

"……"

"It's a shame it can only be one…"

Asaka once again peeked through the slight gap in the door. He saw Wataru on the bed curled up like a cat. Something sad and painful crept in his chest. "Why isn't it me?" he muttered to himself in a low voice so that no one would hear. "If it were me… If it were only me…"

The next day, Wataru was released from the hospital.


To be continued…

Thank Titanic for this chapter. I was watching it on Cable and then My Heart Will Go On began playing. As it did the first time I watched it, it brought me to tears again, and I suddenly became inspired to write.

I probably should take the opportunity to tell everyone that the re-write is completely different from the original. In the original version, which was lost due to the aneurism my computer suffered, Wataru and Mizuho's discussion was supposed to go on much longer than that. Mizuho never broke down in tears and Kazuki never walked in on them. Mizuho was able to tell Wataru everything and leave with the final word. The scene with Kazuki and Wataru making out never happened. And Asaka was supposed to make a slightly aggressive approach on Wataru. Plus, Shiori's scene was supposed to be different, and Sayuri never appeared in the chapter.

Oh well. When I was writing it again, I lost the momentum to take everything that had happened in the original. Instead, I ended up writing a completely new chapter. I hope this came out good.

Allow me to apologize again to everyone for the extremely long wait. This story should've been wrapped up by Christmas since that's where the pacing is headed. I'm still writing the next chapter, and I am trying to have it finished in time for New Year. I'm really sorry if there were any errors in this chapter since I didn't edit it. Like I said, I'm trying to wrap it all up while it's still 2008.

The next chapter will be the last chapter of the Untouched Ring. Thanks for the support from everyone. As for the surprise, I'll reveal it in the next chapter.