Hello, dear readers! Sorry for the delay. I was busy with final exams. But now I'm on summer break so I'll have more time to update! WOO HOO!

Enjoy!

Chapter 2

I pulled my shiny red sports car into the parking lot of the apartment complex where Takahiro and his brother lived. I had agreed to help the high school kid pass his college entrance exams, but I had never met him before. It just made sense to me to meet with him before I actually started to tutor him.

And, yes… I wanted to see Takahiro as well.

Honestly, I wasn't at all happy about tutoring his kid brother. The way Takahiro looked when he begged me and how he happy when he was when I agreed to do it almost made it all worth it. Almost… I should have told him that he'd have to go out on a date with him as payment rather than asking him for homemade soup.

Unfortunately, Takahiro is straight. He even has a girlfriend. As much as it hurts me, I know that he's very happy with her. He doesn't talk about her very often, but when he does, his dull eyes light up brighter than the sun. He smiles more genuinely and he laughs more as he does so. They've been together for quite a while now. I wonder if he thinks of her as The One.

At that thought, I cringed and finally got out of the car. I just wanted to see Takahiro. That would take my mind off his girlfriend. I just had this hunch that he wouldn't bring her up today. Today was set aside for his brother. His brother was definitely more important than his girlfriend.

I walked up the stairs and down the hall to their apartment. I didn't bother knocking on the door. I went right inside and made my way into the den. Takahiro was sitting on the couch reading a book. He looked up at me and smiled. It wasn't the same smile he had on whenever he talked about his girlfriend. It kind of broke my heart…

"Hello, Usagi! Good to see you." He patted the spot next to him, offering me the seat. "Misaki isn't home just yet, but he should be soon."

"Oh, I'm sorry, did I arrive too early?" I feigned ignorance. I came early on purpose. I wanted to spend some time alone with Takahiro. I would get enough time with his little brother later.

"It's quite alright! You're welcome in my home anytime!"

He smiled at me again. Still, the smile was not as beautiful as it was when he spoke of his girlfriend. My heart dropped into my stomach. I felt defeated. I hope he couldn't see the disappointment on my face. How would I explain to him that I was in love with him? He would never want to talk to me again. He is not interested in me.

Still… I can't just leave my love for him behind. Giving up on loving Takahiro would be like giving up a part of my own identity. Not having him as my friend would kill me inside. I've been in love with him for 10 years now. He's my best friend. In fact, I'd say that he's closer to me than my childhood friend Kamijou Hiroki.

Takahiro placed his book down on the coffee table in front of the couch and turned to give me his full attention. "So, Usagi, anything new in your life? Do you have a girlfriend yet?"

I almost rolled my eyes at him. "Takahiro, you know that I don't live that way."

He chuckled. "Yes, I know. Usagi the Loner."

I nodded and laughed with him. There was no way I was going to tell him that I was gay. That would completely change the way he looked at me. He might even stop being friends with me forever if he found that out. And God forbid he ever found out that I was in love with him of all people. That's one sure way to lose a friend.

He then sighed and looked at me with a serious face. "Usagi, are you sure you want to live like that? Finding your soul mate and being with her is a truly amazing experience. That's how I feel about Manami-san."

He smiled that genuine smile again and started talking about the girl. My heart thumped hard in my chest and I tried to tune it out as best as I could. Without listening, I smiled and laughed when he laughed. I nodded at time that seemed appropriate. Instead I thought of us being together instead.

This can't be real… I can't lose him to someone else.

His lips stopped moving and I opened my ears again. "Takahiro, I…"

A loud whistle erupted from another room. He jumped up and rushed into the kitchen, leaving me with my own thoughts again. Was I really about to tell him how I truly feel? Why would I be stupid enough to do that? I can't lose him as a friend. Losing him forever is worse than just not having him as a lover, right?
"The tea is ready!" he called.

I stood up and walked into the kitchen. He was pouring tea into mugs for all three of us. My brain was fuzzy with affection and I wanted nothing more than to love him. Deep in my heart I desperately wanted to tell him how I feel. In my mind, I knew I shouldn't if I wanted to keep him as a friend.

"Takahiro, I…" I started again. He looked up at me with those innocent eyes. I opened my mouth to speak, but nothing came out. "I-I…I'm happy for you and your girlfriend, by the way."

I felt my stomach tighten. What the hell was that? Why can't I just be a man and tell him how I truly feel? I'll never know what he truly thinks about me unless I tell him I really feel about him.

He smiled at me. "Thank you, Usagi. That's means a lot to me coming from you. I'm really glad you approve."

Approve… Takahiro, you have no idea how much I don't approve.

He looked at the clock on the wall and frowned. "Misaki should have been home by now. I wonder where he is."

He placed the tea pot down and walked out of the kitchen. I frantically followed him out. I didn't want Misaki to be home just yet. I still needed more time for my feelings to get across to the dimwit I fell in love with. I have to tell him now or else things will never go well for me.

We walked out into the hall and Takahiro started heading for the door. "Maybe I should go out and look for him," he said.

I reached out and grabbed his hand before he could go any farther. "Takahiro, wait!"

He looked at me, puzzled. "What is it, Usagi?"

Without thinking, I grabbed his slender, short body and moved towards him. My hands cupped his cheeks as I leaned close to him. My heart had stopped beating momentarily. I had to show him how I truly felt before things got too serious with that girl. He needed to be mine.

As I was about to lean closer and kiss him, the door suddenly popped open and a young voice called out. "I'm home."

I stopped short and both myself and Takahiro turned towards the boy in the entrance way. His bright emerald eyes were wide with surprise. His cheeks were a little flushed. He had come at the worst possible time.

Takahiro gasped in surprised. "Ah, welcome back, Misaki!"

This was the legendary Misaki?

Takahiro chuckled. "Come on, Usagi. Get off me!"

I realized I was still pressing up against him with my arms now around his neck. I couldn't believe his brother had found us like this. I'll never hear the end of it from Takahiro.

"So, this is your kid brother, Takahiro?" I said, not getting off of him like he asked me to.

"Yep! Misaki, this is my friend, Usami Akihiko."

The boy stared at me. He looked nothing like Takahiro. His hair was a light brown rather than a dark, almost black, color. His eyes were wide and bright green. He was short and slim like Takahiro though. I just couldn't see any resemblance in their faces.

"Hmm, so you two are nothing alike," I said.

The boy didn't say anything. He just stared at me, almost like he was furious with me. Why? I didn't do anything wrong. I didn't do anything to him. What a child…

Takahiro chuckled. "He inherited my mother's features while I got my father's."

The way he spoke about his parents so casually made me upset. Apparently it made Misaki upset as well. His eyes almost looked watery and the color had drained from his face. I had to change the subject fast.

I quickly pulled myself away from Takahiro and walked up to Misaki. He cringed away from me. My tall stature must have intimidated him. "So, I hear that you're in need of a tutor."

It took him a minute, but he finally nodded. "Y-yes, sir."

I frowned. "You don't have to be so formal. Usami-sensei will work just fine." He nodded again, but didn't say anything. "So, let's see your entrance exam scores."

He shakily lifted his hand that held a piece of paper. I gently snatched it from his fingers. Two D's and one C. Seriously? He'd never get into any school with scores like that! I couldn't help but cringe myself. How could someone related to Takahiro, who is sharp as a tack, be so dull and stupid?

"I see," was all I could say.

Takahiro stepped up and wrapped his arm around his younger brother. "Don't worry, Misaki! Usagi graduated at the top of his class at Teito University. He'll be able to help you for sure."

Takahiro looked at me with pleading eyes again. My heart burst with passion for that man. How could I say no to him? So I nodded.

I'm not sure if I can stand spending so much time with a person I hardly know. It will be even more difficult since he's 10 years younger than I am and definitely not as intelligent as me.

But for Takahiro, I must endure it.