Okay, so, I'm also changing up a few things in this chapter too, just like I did with chapter one. Hopefully, I didn't take out anything that anyone enjoyed in this chapter, and hopefully, I didn't add anything that someone would find distasteful. If I do, please review or pm me about it, so I don't make the same mistake, again. So, without farther ado, let us begin chapter three.

I don't own anything besides the plot, but I'm sure you guys know that by now.

~~~Rin's P.O.V~~~

I sighed as I continued to walk down the hallways, not having any particular destination, but I figured if I was going to waste time on my lunch period, I might as well do it with something I do when I need to think.

Walk.

Miku and Teto have been practically begging me for the last month to stay away from Len. He doesn't really seem that bad to me… well, yeah, he has sexual intercourse in public places like school, but I'm sure some people are just into that! And he's probably one of those people! And I've only seen it once, so it's not that much of a problem for me! I know they're trying to protect, but I'm an independent, fifteen year old girl! If I needed their help with anything I'll ask them.

Besides, for the past month, Len's been nothing but a sweetie pie. It was awkward that first day, yes, but then we found a lot in common with each other, and the friendship kinda bloomed from there. Although, he does try to keep making advances on me, much to my discomfort, but he'd never actually try to push himself onto me, and that's really sweet to me.

"Rin!" I heard a voice call from behind me. I turned to see it was Len, and I smiled and waved at him, almost surprised to see him. I waited for him to meet up with me and once he did he started to ask questions. "Hey, what are you doing wondering the halls?"

"Lunch." I said, his lips formed an 'o' before he nodded his head. "What class are you in now?"

"Same." He laughed. "Where were you headed?"

"I wasn't really headed anywhere. I was just wondering the halls like you said." I said as I scratched the back of my head. He nodded his head slowly. "Why?"

"Oh, well, it looked like you were headed to the art room, and I wanted to know if I could tag along." I tilted my head before examining my surroundings, noting that I was, in fact, heading in the direction of the art room.

"Oh." I said as Len chuckled. I rolled my eyes playfully, but turned my back on him, making him stop laughing. "Well, I was going to the art room, apparently, would you like to tag along?" I turned a bit to see him nodding with a goofy smile on his face. Once he realized I was looking, he coughed into his fist, walking by my side, mumbling a quick 'yeah', making me giggle.

"So, how are things?" Len asked awkwardly, holding his hands behind his back, making me raise my eyebrow and look at him funny. "This; on this day, how's life, Rin?"

I scoffed, rolling my eyes before bumping him on the shoulder, "Okay, what's wrong with you?" he groaned, throwing his head back, causing me to giggle some more.

"Is it really that obvious?"

"You asked me how was my life going? You know you don't care about anyone but you."

"Wow, how not selfish I sound, thank you, Rin, for that. It makes me feel like I'm breathing sunshine."

"You don't breathe sunshine—and before you start, you don't walk it either."

"Killjoy." I laughed, shrugging an arm over his shoulder, pulling his head on my shoulder as we turned into the art building. Heading for Ms. Fujioka's near empty class. I take my arm from around him to open the door, but he stays slumped on my shoulder, walking behind me with his head on my shoulder.

"Hello, Ms. Fujioka." I said as we entered, mild shock on my face when I see her heading out with her bag.

"Oh, Rin, Len, I'm sorry, I need to head out for a meeting now." She said, an apologetic smile on her face as she stops to adjust her things in front of Len and me.

"Oh, so should we go?" I asked, a little disappointment of my face as my shoulders slump, making Len stand up straight.

"Oh, no, course not, Rin." She said, placing a hand on my shoulder. "I trust you; you're a good student. You can stay in here as long as you don't touch anything that's not yours." My eyes brightened.

"Really?!"

"Yes, just lock the door after me, and put that sign that says 'Ms. Fujioka is out' on the door window, and don't let anyone in. Once you're out, you're out, okay?" I nodded as she continued telling me the rules. "Now, I'm off. Now, Rin, I'm trusting you." She says as she opens the door, heading out, and I wave her 'bye' even after the door's closed.

I locked the door, and put the sign in the window like said, looking as Len plops himself into one of the tables. I take a seat next to him, placing my hand on his back. "You wanna talk about it, buddy?"

"…I don't need your pity." He says to my teasing tone, glaring at me as I fold my arms over the table like he does, and lean on them instead of burying my face in them, like Len. "Rin, I'm in an actual dilemma here!" he screamed, throwing his hands into the air before face desking rather harshly, and I jolt as I hear his forehead collides with the smooth surface of the table. He's gonna be feeling that later, ouch.

"Wanna tell me about it?" I asked, rubbing his back with my hand, watching as he shook his head at me. "Well, why not? You don't trust me?"

"You'll laugh at me."

"You can't be too sure about that; I might not." I offered, and he looks up, glares at me then sighs, seeming to consider my offer before sitting up, looking me seriously in the eyes.

"I want to get a girl something for Christmas." I blink at him a few times.

"Seriously?"

Yes, seriously." His cheeks took on a hue of pink as I squealed; pinching his adorable cheeks while screaming little tidbits about how cute he was currently being. He swatted my hands away in annoyance, his cheeks getting a hue or two deeper. "Stop that!" he growled, only making me giggle a bit.

"But you're being such a cute shota right now!" he glares at me.

"Lolita."

"Yaoi boy."

"Yaoi boy?" I nodded my head, and shook his head in confusion. "How?"

"Oh, come on; don't tell me you don't have a man crush on Ted."

"I don't have a man crush on Ted."

"Don't lie."

"I knew telling you would be a mistake." I rolled my eyes as he slumped back down, groaning into his arms. "Urg, never mind; just leave me here to wallow in my own self-pity."

"Okay, look, Len, I'm sorry, okay? I take it back; I wanna help." I said, shaking his shoulders as he continued to look sad. In an attempt to get him to make any other expression besides the one currently on his face, I laid my cheek on his head, nearly standing in my seat to do so. It was quiet of a moment before Len decided to speak.

"Rin…"

"… yes, Len?"

"Could you get your sorry excuse for a boob off the back of my neck?"

"Len, can I cut off this girly, shota ass ponytail off the back of your head?" he scoffed. "I rock flat chestiness by the way, you asshat."

"Pretty sure that's not a real curse word."

"Pretty sure I don't care." He chuckled as a smile came on my lips, "What's so funny?"

"You."

"Explain?"

"When I first met you, I thought you were going to be this nice, sweet, and quiet girl that never talked back and was polite to everyone."

"I am nice to everyone—!"

"Not Nera…" oh yeah, her…

"She's an exception…"

"Keep telling yourself that, sure."

"Wait, is the girl you want to buy the present for that girl?" I asked, a frown falling on my face as the image of Len giving her a present for Christmas crossed my mind, and I almost gagged. "If so, I'm totally not helping you with that."

"Rin, I don't know where you've lived to develop this sick, twisted mind that you have, but it's sick, and you really need some help." I giggled a bit as I moved down, putting my head on his shoulder while sitting back in my chair, snuggling my head into the crook of his neck. "So, since you know it's not Nera, do you think you'll be able to go to the mall with me Friday to scout for a gift?"

I nodded, "Sure, maybe I could buy something for someone too." For another moment, we sat in comfortable silence before I, without thinking, wrapped my arm around one of Len's. He stiffened for a second before relaxing into it, leaning on his hand against the table while I closed my eyes, enjoying the warmth from his body heat. "You know, for someone who can't stand the cold, you're really warm."

He hummed, "It's only because I'm inside; once I get outside, I'll be as cold as a winter day." I giggled before falling silent again, once again enjoying each other's presence. I opened my eyes to look at Len, seeing that his eyes were already on me, and our eyes connected and held each other.

Looking at Len's eyes from this close, his eyes were a dark blue with little silver specks in them, resembling the night sky, clear and beautiful. After staring at each other for about ten seconds, he blinked, causing me to blink not long after, and a blush came to my cheeks as I looked away from him. He captured my chin gently, tilting my head up to look back at him, and I was looking back into those beautiful blue orbs, one of my hands falling from arm, but the other holding on tightly to his sweater so it wouldn't.

My eyes tore away from his and scaled his face before falling on his lips, and I licked mine, they suddenly felt dry. The action didn't go unnoticed by Len, he eyes followed my tongue as it ran across my lips before his eyelids slowly fell, and he leaned closer to me. My eyes closed as well, and I grabbed the front of his shirt as his nose brushed against mine. I whispered his name quietly, almost just a brush of wind against his lips, most likely, and his hand moves up to cup the back of my head, gently threading his hand through my hair as his lips brush just the tiniest bit against my lips, so gently, in fact, it was almost as if I'd imagined it. I tugged at his shirt, basically telling him to hurry, and he chuckled at me, making me whimper impatiently as his other hand moves to the smalls of my back.

I pull him towards me again, tilting myself out of the my seat, pressing my lips against his, finally getting the satisfaction of having his lips on mine, I tilted my head a bit to the side, feeling a smile come on to Len's face before he continued to mold his lips into mine, his other hand moves my hand off the front of his shirt, and entangle his fingers with mine. Len pulled away, and I was left trailing after him, my eyes dazed as I tried to connect our lips again, causing Len to chuckle a bit before a small smile lands on his face as he leans his forehead against mine.

He lightly kissed my forehead then my nose. "Should I apologize?" he asked, and I laughed, shaking my head before kissing him on the cheek.

"I'd rather you didn't." I told him, releasing his sweater sleeve, reaching for his other hand and entangling our fingers together. I nuzzled my nose against the side of his neck, letting out a sigh of relief. We stayed in that position for a minute before the bell rang, and I sighed in irritation. "Stupid schooling schedules." I groaned, separating from Len, pouting as he chuckled a bit before kissing my forehead.

"It's alright; I still get to see you later." He said, nuzzling the side of my head, smiling against my hair. "So be patient, okay?"

"Whatever." I said, kissing his chin as the door knob twisted a few times before a key was jammed in the keyhole. Len and I stood, pushing in our chairs and then pushing them back in as Ms. Fujioka walked in, smiling and asking how our lunch was. It was then that I realized neither Len nor I have eaten at all.

Len told me his next class wasn't very far from mine, so he'd walk me. I smiled gently as our shoulders continued to brush against each other, and his fingers wrapped around mine and I lay my head on his shoulder. We made it to my class, and I stood just outside of the door for a moment, looking into Len's eyes before speaking.

"Hey, Len, are either of your parents an astronaut?" I asked, making him tilt his head slightly, shaking not long after.

"Why would they be astronauts?"

I took a deep breath, beckoning him closer, my lips lightly brushed his before I whispered, "Because I was sure they stole the stars and put them in your eyes." He backed up, a shocked look on his face before he started to laugh silently, putting his face in his hands, giving me a shaky 'thanks' before running off to his class.

Did I just… make him flustered?

…

Win.

~~~Len's P.O.V~~~

"Okay, what's wrong with your face this time?" Nero said as he sat down in front of the piano next to me. "I've been hearing you were all cheery since lunch; actually seeing it is creeping me out." He said, pointing my face. I swat his hand away, placing my own hands on my cheeks, feeling the corners of my mouth pulled up into a smile. I hadn't even noticed my face was like this. "I'd ask if you got laid, but you're usually not this cheeky after."

"No reason, actually." I finally said, trying to flatten the corners of my lips, chuckling a little bit before trying to distract myself with the keys of the piano. "Today's just a good day… y'know, I'm living… and all." The smile came back on my lips before I could stop them. Just thinking about how eager Rin was to kiss me earlier was just… wow.

"Len, your face's creepy again." I pushed him away as the substitute teacher sat at the desk, reading a book. I looked around, only about half of the class is here, and the half that was here was goofing off more than usual. "Seriously, Len, what's going on with you?"

I glared at him, but there was actually no heat behind it. "I'm not telling you." He seemed a bit hurt by my comment, rolling his eyes while folding his arms over his shoulder.

"I'm your friend."

"A friend that'll make fun of me." Nero started making a face before moving his hand to his chest, most likely sitting on his heart in a way that said 'trust me'.

"You seem generally intrigued in this; I'm not going to make fun of you." He looked as if he was telling the truth, so I nodded to him, looking around to see if someone was listening in on his before smiling and leaning in when no one was.

I took a deep breath through my nose, "Rin kissed me." I said, trying to keep my face straight as butterflies started to flutter in my stomach, and I had the urge to breakdance down the hallways. Nero blinked a couple of times before a smile tugged his lips.

"Is that it?" I nodded, "Is that so?" he asked, and I nodded again. "I'm happy for you, guy." He leaned back against his chair, kicking his legs out, his arms behind his head as if he was pleased with himself.

"Are making fun of me—?"

"—No, no, don't think of it like that. I said I wouldn't make fun of you, didn't I?" I nodded slowly, watching as he looked over at me with a small smile on his face. "I just wanted to know when was the last time you got this excited over a kiss from a girl?" I opened my mouth to answer him when I finally noticed what was going on. I groaned, holding my face in my hands in embarrassment. I'd gotten all giddy just because Rin kissed me. "I warned you. Ted warned you. Gumo warned you, but your sense of pride is your downfall; you poor, out-of-business playboy, you."

"Shut up."

"To be honest, you don't seem all that upset about it." He said, seriousness laced in his voice, making me look at him, seeing a small smile on his face. "I'm glad." I raised an eyebrow at him, telling him to explain himself. "Well, I'm all for the whole 'do-whatever-you-want-to-make-you-happy' rule, but it was actually starting to get a little unhealthy. Ted and I were beginning to worry about you."

I scratched the back of my head, not really saying anything about the statement. I mean, I knew Ted didn't like it when I play with whoever, whenever, but I didn't know he was worried about me, per say. "I didn't mean to worry you guys." I saw him smile out of the corner of my eye.

"We know you didn't." he patted my shoulder, shaking me side to side a bit before a mischievous smile creeped on his face. "So, what was it like?"

"What was what—oh, the kiss." I said blushing, the butterflies springing back to life as Nero nodded his head. "Well, it was a kiss."

"Obviously, it was a kiss, but how was it?"

"It was… nice… well—"

"It was amazing wasn't it?" he smirked as my cheeks took on a color of red. Yes, in a sense, the kiss was amazing. Even though there was no tongue or anything, it was… the sensation of have her lips against mine, her lips pressed against mine in the gentlest way, yet was enough to knock me on my back three times.

"Well, I wouldn't say—it's not like it was—it was… yeah, it was." I said, pushing him off me as he laughed, saying I was acting like a little schoolgirl. I laughed along with him, feeling lighter than I ever remembered being. We spent the rest of the period talking about our bad 'schoolgirl crushes' on girls, occasionally making fun of each other. Once the bell rang, we exited the class talking about our plans for Christmas. "So, you're taking her out a day after Christmas?" I asked as we headed for the stairs.

He nodded. "I figured she'd want to spend Christmas with her family; it'd be wrong of me to just be like, 'I got tickets to that amusement park downtown, I want you to spend a family holiday with some guy who you may or may not like.' It just seems like an asshole thing to do." He shrugged his shoulders. "What about you? Any plans for the holiday?"

"Well, my parents were invited to a holiday party by some friends from high school. It starts at about six, so we were going to go to that after regular eating, and present opening."

"Regular eating; what is that even?" he said, not noticing he was copying his beloved Neru, making me roll my eyes. I was about to explain when he cut me off, maybe thinking the question was rhetorical. "So, you don't have anything planned for Rin?" I blushed, looking around to make sure no one heard him; he was talking pretty loudly.

I hushed him harshly and he laughed as we stopped in front of my locker. "Can you be any louder." I whispered, watching him lean against the locker next to me with a smug look on his face. "Anyways, I do. I was going to take her out to eat on the thirtieth. You know, take her somewhere nice."

"Somewhere nice? Oh man, you do have it bad! How is it that you didn't notice until now?"

"Shut up." I squeaked quietly, shaking my lock out of the hole and putting my music binder in nicely so the sticker Rin put on it was face up. He laughed some more before stopping to think of something.

"Wait, why're you taking her out on the thirtieth?" he said, counting on his fingers. "It's like five days away from Christmas."

"Mental math not your thing?"

"I find it better to see my problem." I nodded, closing the locker before seeing the familiar reddish head walking pass us to the classroom. Fine, forget you too, Ted, better not be asking me for no more favors.

"Anyways, to answer your question, I didn't want her to be expecting me to get her a present for Christmas."

"And why's that?"

"… I may or may not have invited her to the mall to help me shop of a gift for her."

"…That's so undeniably cheesy that it might actually be sweet."

"I'm just hoping she goes for it… I was… hoping to ask her to…"

"To…?"

"To be my girlfriend." I said quietly, hoping that Nero didn't actually hear me, but groaned quietly when he sent me one of those 'aren't-you-the-cutest' looks. I closed my locker, jumping in shock when I saw Gumo leaning against the locker, going totally unseen with the door in the way.

"See you in class, Len, this looks like private biz." Nero said, sending a small salute to both Gumo and I before heading off to class. I glared as he left, leaving me here to face this alone.

I was silence for a moment, my heart going up my throat as he folded his arms standing straight instead of slumping against the locker. I swallowed the lungs I damn near coughed up before straining to talk. "H-how much… d-did you hear?"

"Enough to know you're losing." He grinned. I looked at the ground in front of my shoes, scratching the back of my head before sighing, gripping my bang tightly in my hand.

"I'd say I already lost…" I mumbled, defeated, knowing that I couldn't hide the truth when all of the proof was already in the pudding. "I mean, it all happened before I knew it… I hadn't even realized she'd become so important to me until it was too later." I explained, and Gumo nodded, agreeing with me, having already known the experience himself. The grin left his face to be replaced with a serious look.

"You know, now you'll have to be responsible for your actions from now on, right?" I nodded, "Good, take care of her, Kagane." I nodded again, watching him nod once and make his way through the halls, silently thanking him for his (somewhat) blessings. After walking and entering class, I spotted Miku, and almost ran over to her and hugged the living everything out of her.

It was because of her that I decided to chase after Rin.

It was because of her that Rin became somewhat of my best friend.

It was because of her that I was feeling these butterflies in my stomach each time I thought about Rin, saw Rin, and heard Rin.

And I was so grateful to her that I could die.

~~~CHAPTER: END~~~