Last Chapter:

-'I didn't dare to look away either. I was scared even to blink and open my eyes to see her gone, to find that this was all a dream, that it was just something in my head… and before I knew, she had her arms around me.' –Kouichi

-' Has he changed? Does he remember me? Most importantly, does he feel the same way as I do? …The vision before me blurred. A hand came up to my face and a thumb gently rubbed away one of my tears.' -Izumi

-' Izumi sniffed and rubbed away her remaining tears. I wanted so much to rush forwards and hug her. But, I clenched my fist- I couldn't' –Kouji

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Chapter 6 : The Start of Something New

Junpei

I slowly walked to my place. Today was definitely not my day. Even my introduction didn't go well.

I looked around at my classmates. No one seemed like they wanted to have anything to do with me. I didn't even dare to talk to any of them.

"Hey, what's your name? I didn't catch it just now." A girl with short hair that was all the same length appeared in front of me. She had a cute face, but she didn't look cute at all. She felt more like a big sister to me.

"Shibayama Junpei." I replied her. What did she want with me?

"Junpei is it? I'm Nakashima Yukiko, the class monitor. Welcome to the class. You can find me if you need any help around here." She smiled at me and walked away.

I was shocked. Did someone just welcome me?

I felt warmness in my heart.

"Wait, er-Nakashima-san." I called her as she was about to walk far.

"Yes?" As she turned around, I swirled my hand in the air and doing my usual tricks, I pulled out a rose from in the air.

"For you, my lady" I offered her the rose. "Thanks for being my friend."

"You're welcome." Her smile widen. "Thank you for the rose too."

"Hey, how did you do that?" "Wow, that's awesome!" "Do it again!"

Voices sounded up from all around the class.

I smiled too. Somehow this day has become quite busy for me.

Thanks to her.

~*~*~

I grabbed my bag and rushed to the school gate as soon as the last bell rang. The twins were waiting for me to go home together. At least till the bus station where my dad was waiting for me.

Too bad that my classroom was so far away from the school gate. By the time I got there, it was crowded by students.

"Junpei, here!" I saw a voice calling me, and a hand waving in the air.

I tried hard to follow that hand, but I got pushed aside.

How was I going to find them now?

"Onii-san, what going on with this school of yours? It's so crowded here." A familiar voice sounded up behind me. I stopped walking.

"It's your school too now, Kouji, so cope with it." Kouichi could be heard now too. "Junpei, keep moving will ya?"

"I wonder how we're going to leave the school in a situation like this." This voice sounded so familiar. Have I heard it before?

"Izumi, we'll leave alright, but I might become a sardine in a sandwich when I do." Kouichi joked. What did he say? IZUMI?

I came to a halt. Kouji bumped into me, and so did all the people behind him. There were a lot of moans and cries of pain when I turned around.

The blonde girl was standing just in front of me.

"Hi, Junpei. Surprise?" Izumi waved a hand at me. She must have thought it was funny.

"What the-" I wanted to ask what the hell was she doing here when Kouji pulled my arm hard.

"Reunion can wait. We have to get out of school first. Come on, Junpei." Kouichi helped in pushing me from behind. Do I look like a broken car or what?

At last we got to somewhere where there weren't so many people.

"Whew. Now we're safe." Izumi wiped here forehead with her hand. "It sure was hot in there."

"It's nice to see you, Izumi. But I would rather prefer our reunion in somewhere that's not so crowded." I muttered. "I'm half in my mind to change schools already."

"Oh come on, it wasn't that bad was it?" Kouichi glanced at his watch. "It only took us 15 minutes to get out of that place."

GOD. It took so long?

"You're looking fitter, Junpei." Izumi reached up to pat my shoulder. "And getting taller too."

"You, my lady, is getting more beautiful by the day." I knelt down and grabbed her hand in mine. I was about to kiss it when-

Kouji smacked me. On the head.

"HEY, THAT HURTS!" I yelled at Kouji.

"Your dad's waiting for you, prince charming." Kouji pointed at the red car near the bus stop. "And your princess needs to catch her bus."

"Fine. See you guys tomorrow." I waved goodbye as I sat into my dad's car.

"How was your day, son?" Dad asked as the car started moving.

"I think I finally got my Christmas present, dad, after four years of waiting for Santa." Ya, that's way true.

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Kouichi

I stayed quiet throughout the whole way back home. I stayed quiet even when Kouji and I reached my home.

"Onii-san, are you okay?" Kouji asked. "You're rather quiet today."

I am not okay. But how could I tell my little brother about it?

"I m fine."

Silence fell between us. Then when sound was finally heard, it was Kouji that talked.

"It's about Izumi isn't it?"

I glanced at him. How did he know?

"I'm your brother, onii-san. I know what you're thinking." Sometimes I wonder if Kouji can read minds.

"I just don't know what you're worried about." Kouji sat down on the mattress I had as a bed and pulled me to sit beside him. "Want to talk about it?"

I looked in to his dark blue eyes. They were so dark that they were almost black.

"If you don't want to talk about it, then never mind." Kouji sighed and stood up. "I'll go prepare lunch."

I watched him walk out of my room. Should I tell him?

The door closed with an odd creak. That instance, I made a decision.

Running out of my room, I called Kouji.

"Kouji, do you- do you like Izumi?" There, I said it.

The pan Kouji was holding fell to the floor. He was standing with his back facing me, and I couldn't see his face.

I dreaded the answer, but I needed one.

I don't want to fight with my own brother.

Even if it's for a girl I've loved for 4 years.

"What are you talking about, Kouichi?" Kouji laughed as he picked up the pan. "Why would I like her? We're just friends."

"But-today you-" I was lost of words. The scene of him wiping away Izumi's tears just kept appearing in my mind.

"I did that because we were friends. And you know I hate seeing girls crying." Kouji propped an egg on the pan. The egg frizzled. "Don't worry. I won't steal your girl."

"Kouji-I-" I suddenly felt guilty. We were brothers, and brothers shouldn't suspect each other. I was thinking of how to apologize, but the words just wouldn't come out.

"Onii-san, how do I turn over the egg???" Kouji suddenly yelled. He must have burnt his egg again.

"You better let me cook, Kouji. Go put out the plates or something." I walked over to the stove and Kouji handed over the pan to me.

"Okay."

"I'm sorry, Kouji." I said, not too loud, but loud enough for Kouji to hear.

"It's okay, onii-san, its okay."

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Kouji

"Do you like Izumi?" I dropped the pan I was holding onto the floor. I was expecting something like this, but I was still shocked when Kouichi rushed out of his room and just asked the question.

I racked my mind. I knew Kouichi liked her for ages already.

I thought of Izumi. Her blonde hair, green eyes, the way her hair swayed as she walked…

Then I thought of Kouichi. I thought of just how much he suffered before I met him, and how much he still suffered after meeting me.

He was my brother, while she was just a girl.

"What are you talking about, Kouichi?" I faked a laughter. "Why would I like her? We're just friends." I wish we weren't.

"But-today you-" The scene where I brushed away Izumi's tears flashed through my head. I know I shouldn't have done that today. I'd let my feelings take over my mind.

"I did that because we were friends. And you know I hate seeing girls crying. Don't worry. I won't steal your girl." I tried to assure him, but that didn't sound very assuring at all.

Sayonara Izumi. Sayonara.

"Kouji-I-" I could hear guiltiness in Kouichi's voice. My brother was always the one to think too much.

Finding a lame excuse to leave the kitchen, I walked out to the living room. But not before hearing Kouichi apologize to me.

I'm the one that should be saying sorry. I'm the one that lied to him.

And I will have to continue these lies. No one will know at all.

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Takuya

I walked into the principle's room. The old man was in his chair, playing with his long white beard.

"What did you find me for?" I sat down without being asked to. I've came in this room thousands of times already. No need for any manners any more.

"Takuya, I'm sure you have some good reason for what happened this afternoon." The old man said.

What reason do I have?

My old gang came to my school today, in search of me. I think it was lucky that they only threatened a few students and splashed the school wall with red paint. No one was hurt, thank god.

"Am I correct to say that those people were friends of yours?"

"Ex-friends." I crossed my arms. I had nothing to do with them anymore.

"I will advise you, Takuya that beating them up wasn't a very good decision." The old man handed me a pile of papers. "If you didn't do so, you might have had the chance to stay."

"What do you mean?" I looked through the papers. They were all my exam results and forms and things like that.

"The school governors have made the decision to remove your name from our school list." The old man said, standing up and walking next to me.

"It wasn't my fault." I half-shouted even though I knew it wouldn't help at all. I could feel d anger building up inside me.

"I know, Takuya." The old man placed a hand on my shoulder while handing me an envelope. "So that's why I have arranged to have you transfer to another school. Maybe you can start a new life there, and leave this entire behind."

I slammed a fist on the old man's table. Where ever I go, they just kept following me. My past life haunted me. Could I really start a new life?

I looked at the address on the envelope. Jiyuugaoka High.

Maybe I could.

I stood up, shaking the old man's hand off me.

"Well, bye, old man." I grabbed the envelope and the papers, walking straight towards the exit.

I was opening the door when I stopped.

"Thank you." I muttered before closing the door behind me.

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Author Note: Finally I've updated this story. I actually have up till chapter 10 saved in my laptop, but I need to straighten out a lot of things before I can post them. Sorry and thank you all for your patience. English is not my main language, but I'll try my best to improve it =)

Thanks for all the reviews.