Another long chapter. Please bear with it.

Please take note that whenever I put a line it means 'next day' unless otherwise specified. This is to save me the trouble of writing them. lol

THREE DAYS AFTER

If it was really nothing, why are you then that confused and annoyed?

-Michiru-

It's miraculous how a mother's simple remark could get you awake all night and thinking. How that simple and innocent observation could get you questioning even your own conviction.

Because the truth is, I had.

Never in my entire life had I been so confused about a single thing… a single person.

Everything was simple and easy for me. Math problems are solved perfectly, art are all well crafted, and life has never been a worry. Budget might be tight, but I was always able to make up for it.

Yet, a simple, sudden, momentary action had put me out of proportion. And now, I don't even have a clue of what I think or feel.

Maybe there are moments in life where you find yourself not knowing anything at all, but you're certain that it's something different and definitely new. Maybe this is one of them. I don't hate her nor do I love her. It's somewhere in there. Unnoticed, but definitely in there. I can't say it properly what that feeling is. I can't even put a name on it. Just that, it's strange. And yet somehow, beyond this strangeness, I'm… happy?

I groaned.

Walking through this busy and bumpy corridor wasn't exactly what's troubling me. My confused, elusive and apparently unrelenting strain of thoughts and feelings are what's bothering me the most. And now, it just keeps getting even more confusing.

Happy… about what exactly?

"MIIICHIIRUUU!" a happy piercing voice echoed from ear to ear. I turned and saw Akane waving both hands.

"I've been looking everywhere for you!" hands on waist, eyes narrowing.

"Sorry." I muttered, smiling.

"Oh well." She waved then beamed, grabbing both my hands. "The girls and I are planning to go to the newly opened shop near the park. Would you like to come with us?"

I shyly removed my hands away and smiled. "Sorry, Akane. I'm in charge of cooking tonight."

She pouted, cutely before crossing her arms over her chest. "Mou! You should teach Koko-chan to cook already, Michiru."

"I will as soon as she grows above my waist." I giggled.

Akane squinted while I challenged it with a mocking smile. It is kind a relief to have her here. Her presence has stopped me from thinking anything related to that confusing blonde entity. As far as this day goes, I can't keep confusing myself more and more. And right now, her presence is what I needed to get by.

But fate, sometimes, likes to play a trick on us.

"Hey," she started, eyes darting on a figure behind me. "Isn't that Tenoh-san?"

Suddenly, I froze. I could practically feel my eyes bulging out and my neck cracking as I peered over my shoulder to look. And alas, the blonde entity was a few meters away from me.

With no idea of my nerve-wrecking feeling, Akane readied herself to call her out.

Much to my surprise, I was way faster and more skilled than I had in mind. Before Akane could even say a letter out, I covered her mouth and swiftly dragged her to the side, hiding under the stairs.

She removed my hand and asked, "What was that all about?"

"What?" I returned innocently.

Her brows furrowed. "Why are we here?"

"Hanging out?" I raised a brow.

I could feel her temper rising. I smiled, hoping to melt it away. Her eyes narrowed with arms over her chest. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing. I just feel like hanging out in here."

"Really?"

I sternly looked into her eyes and said with much needed confidence, "Nothing."

She sighed. "Fine."

"So, is she still there?"

"You won't tell me but you're making me a part of this." she said, irately rolling her eyes. I smiled, pleading.

She grumbled, taking an inch closer to the wall. "I don't see her anymore."

I sighed, resting my back on the wall. And for the first time of this day, I was genuinely happy and relieved. I couldn't begin to tell just how much, just that, I couldn't stop smiling.

Akane crouched in front of me. Tilting her head, she asked, "What are you doing?"

Deep round eyes curiously searched through mine, determinedly pulling an answer out. I dropped my gaze down the ground, breaking the intensity, and muttered,

"I'm not quite sure…"

I would like to ask myself the same question, Akane.

Really…

What am I doing?

-x0x-

-Haruka-

Confused. Restless. Worried. A word list of emotions. Insistent emotions that kept pestering what used to be a worry-free life of mine.

How?

It's because I can't stop worrying over and over, tense up or even fidget as I walked through this clouded and raucous corridor. Fearing any possibility I would run into her. Dreading any chance that an awkward silence would be happening. There would definitely be an awkward silence. As much as I don't want to think about it, it's inevitable. She hates me. She hates me for taking advantage of her. For taking advantage of kissing her. Albeit I don't regret any single second of it, I can't make her think or feel the same way I do. And now, not only do I feel confused, restless or worried, but also frustrated and anxious.

-When a person reacts the way she did… then it's not meaningless for her.-

Even so, I still would want to believe in what Anna-nee had said.

"Hey are you even listening?" constant whining came flooding in my ears, shaking the living thing out of me.

I blinked twice then waved with a forceful smile, "Yeah sure."

She ran ahead of me and suddenly I was faced with a brow raised, a pout, and a dubious gaze leveled with mine.

"What?" I asked, stepping back.

"Are you really?"

I looked right at her. "Chizu, I told you I am." And walked pass her, continuing, "You've been going on and on about how-…"

Then something caught down my throat as strands of aquamarine hair surfaced among the pool of crowd. For a few several seconds, I was frozen. I had no idea what to do next. Suddenly, I became aware of a pair of black eyes on me and a whining voice from behind. Shit Akane!

"Going on about?" her hand shaking my arm.

Without even thinking, I pulled both arms and abruptly dragged her inside a vacant room. Once inside, Chizu angrily shook her arms out and demandingly asked,

"What was that all about?"

"Keep it down." I quickly shushed.

She frowned disappointedly, "What happened just now?"

"What?" inquiring innocently.

"Why are we here?"

"Hanging out?" I blurted the first alibi that crossed my stupid mind.

"Here?" a brow rose up as both arms crossed over her chest.

"What's wrong with that?"

"Since when did you hang out inside a classroom?"

I squinted. That was a great way to put it out. Waving a hand then turning around, "Ah well, whatever. Just do me a favor and keep quiet."

I glided my body towards the door and peeked outside. My face brightened in an instant as both Akane's and Michiru's back slowly faded from the distance. I sighed, sliding my back on the wall. I slumped down the floor and beamed up. And for the first time of this day, I never felt such happiness flourishing within me.

Chizu's brows creased as her face went sour. "What's with you?"

"Nothing." I chuckled.

It took a couple of seconds of skeptical staring before Chizu gave up "Alright." then crawled seductively towards me "Why don't we just do something that'll make us both feel good?" tracing my cheeks down my collarbone with her finger.

"Shall we?" she whispered.

Something in my mind screamed so loudly to do it, to get on with it, but something beside it was even more powerful. Without even realizing it, I had abruptly pushed Chizu away. She fell, leaving her landing on her butt onto the other side.

Her eyes fired up. "What's wrong with you?"

"Sorry." I said, shaking my head. "I'm not in the mood."

She stood up, brushing her skirt. "Just say it. Don't push me."

I honestly don't know what happened just now. It's just that, somehow, what seemed so perfectly okay for me, what felt so absolutely right before, seemed nothing but a mistake right now.

"Chizu…"

"What?"

"I'm no good anymore." I looked up, staring straight into her eyes. "I won't play with you anymore."

Her eyes wondered at me for couple of seconds. I'm very well certain she knew what I meant by that. Chizu is after all a very smart girl.

She sighed closing her eyes. "It's a shame… but," bending down, she smiled, ruffling my hair. "I'm happy for you."

I grinned. She stood up again, walking pass me.

"Well if it doesn't work, I'm always here to play with you." She said, winking.

I stayed in the room, alone, sitting on the floor and wondered. Wondering what just happened.

I turned down her offer. It never happened before. It never even crossed my mind that it could actually happen. Now that it did, I couldn't help but wonder…

Why?

Suddenly it dawned to me… that perhaps this feeling may not be something brief, fleeting or mere fascination… but something deep, serious and definitely real.

Is it?

"What are you doing?"

I looked up and saw Ikuko's questioning gaze flashed right up.

"You're smiling..." She mused, her still curious eyes watching. "What are you doing?"

"I… don't know exactly." I muttered, wondering and questioning myself as well.

-x0x-

-Michiru-

The day quickly passed by and my confusion rises as fast as the evening spreads. It built up, regardless of how hard I try to sort it out and analyze.

I'm confused. Plain and simple. I don't even know why I should be. I don't even know why I can't face her, why I can't even have the nerve to talk to her, why my heart even skipped a beat when I saw her and… why I'm even thinking too much about it.

Again and again, I asked myself why…

Why am I even feeling like this?

Laughter and loud voices suddenly filled the quiet night, breaking me off from my trance. I looked around and saw a group of friends exiting a convenient store. I stood there and watched. Watched them as they happily stroll down the street with a hot nikuman on their hands.

A nikuman…

Unexpectedly, memories started flashing before my eyes.

-x-

"What's that?"

"Ah this? Well something that could make you smile."

"Nikuman? Seriously?"

"Hai. The old lady gave me a great discount for that. Something to smile about,ne?"

-x-

And without even realizing it, I already found myself inside the store, standing in front of an old lady. She has gray hair, a thick round eyeglass and has her back hunched.

"Anything I could do for you, young lady?" She asked, smiling.

I snapped and finally realized what was happening.

"I got a really hot and tasty nikuman here. I'll give you a great discount if you buy two or more."

She was smiling so kindly. How could I refuse to that?

I sighed, and smiled as well. Feeling way depressed than before. "I'll have three nikuman then."

"Very well, young miss."

What am I doing? I sighed.

At this rate, I won't stop thinking about her. But back then, I found a difficulty in refusing the old lady's smile and kindness. And now I'm feeling really impatient from waiting. I just want to get out of here as fast as possible, to clear my mind and to be as far as I can from anything that could remind me of her.

Couple of seconds passed when a chime rang twice. I glanced at the door and saw the person I've been running and hiding all this time a few feet away from me. Our gaze connected in an instant. Her messy blonde hair, sweat running down her pale cheeks, and reminiscent emerald eyes all mirrored my blue eyes. I was surprised to see her face and she was nothing but equally surprised as well. I could feel my heart racing. I was nervous. I couldn't hide it. It was the first time in my life that I didn't know what to do.

But, I had to do something.

I had to say something.

Michiru, say something.

"Hi." I greeted, forcing a smile out.

"Hey." She returned, walking a few feet towards me.

And then we were silent again. It was awkward. And I absolutely hated it. I couldn't think of anything to say and I couldn't dare to walk out of here in a flash. As much as I want to…

We stood there, not uttering a single word with me trying so hard not to turn away from her gaze.

"Here's your nikuman, miss." I never thought I would be so happy hearing the old lady's voice again.

I turned to her and smiled, grabbing the plastic bag. "Thank you."

"Hmmm…" her appraising murmur caught my attention.

"What?"

"You and a nikuman." She mused with a sly smile. "A sight to see."

I snorted, fully facing her. "It had a great recommendation from someone I know."

"I must praise thee." She said nobly.

I giggled and then asked, "So, what brings you here?"

"Me? I'm just getting myself a drink." She replied coolly, swinging her keys.

And when I thought it was going back to normal, we became silent again. I breathed deeply, thinking topics to talk about. But nothing came to mind.

This is what I've been running away from. The awkward scene. The scene where a silent atmosphere erupt then both feels agitated, eyes roam around then forceful smiles are released. That scene is right now actually happening in my reality. And it is tremendously nerve-wrecking.

"I should be going now." I said

"Yeah. Take care then."

I walked pass her…. strangely feeling disappointed.

It's a mystery why…

A minute passed before I heard my name called out in the open. "Michiru I-…"

And about the same time I swung around and called her out. "Haruka I-..."

We paused and laughed lightly at the coincidence.

"You go ahead."

-x0x-

-Haruka-

She walked pass by me while I stood there, looking at her back and breathing in her scent. There was a heavy feeling around my chest, insistent protest going on in my head and a hard kick on my stomach as I let her go without even saying a word. I don't know why I find it hard to watch her go. It's weird really. Since this morning I've been running and hiding from her, and yet now, somewhere in the back of my mind, there was this strong feeling of wanting to pull Michiru closer, hug her and never let go.

I smiled, realizing bit by bit everything now.

This may sound corny, but I do believe that there is this one moment in life when you're with someone and you feel like the happiest person you could possibly ever thought of being. That someone makes you want to be the best you could ever be… and with that someone it feels like you don't have anything left to ask… and that life seems so perfect. Right now, I think...

Actually, I know…

I know that 'someone' is right in front of me.

"Michiru I-…"

"Haruka I-…"

Coincidentally, we said the other's name all at the same time. She giggled and I chuckled along with her.

I smiled, "You go ahead."

"About what happened… I mean, about the kiss… Haruka I-…"

My smile slowly faded. There was something about the look in Michiru's eyes. Worry, discomfort, sandness? I wasn't quite sure what it was, but I had a gut feeling that it wasn't anything near what I wanted.

"Yeah, I know." I cut her off, taking a step closer. She stopped and stared at me.

"It was completely stupid of me. I wasn't really thinking at all. It was something, out of impulse. Stupid and unexpected. And so, I'm really sorry if I crossed over the line. I didn't mean to." I said, trying my best to mask the disappointment away from my voice and act as normal as possible.

I was scared, honestly. I got scared looking at her translucent eyes. Her feelings were just out there for me to see and so I panicked, saying things I didn't even mean or wanted. And as soon as I realized what I had said, it was already too late to take it all back.

She stared at me for a while, pursing her lips. She then shook her head, laughing lightly.

"Don't worry about it. It's fine. I meant to tell you that actually. So don't think too much about it." She waved, laughing. I forced a laugh out as well. "Honestly, I shouldn't have reacted the way I had. Like you said, it was stupid and unexpected. It obviously meant nothing at all. So why bother ourselves over something that meant nothing."

"Right. It meant absolutely nothing…" I faked a smile, adding with uncertainty "Because what happened was a mistake... A simple stupid mistake."

"Yes. Just a stupid mistake. It could happen to anyone."

"Apparently, that happens to a lot of stupid people." I laughed half-heartedly, and then blabbered randomly, "A kiss means nothing unless you want it to mean something. Obviously for us, it really meant nothing, unless you want it to mean something. Not that I'm saying you want to or I want to because we both know and agreed that it was a big mistake that meant nothing at all. Nothing but a simple stupid mistake. And I-…"

"I get it." She quickly intervened; her tone was different that I usually hear from her. "I get it. I completely understand what you mean."

"Ah Well," I sighed, raising both brows. She did likewise. "I got to go grab a nikuman-… a drink. I mean a drink, then." I stuttered, mentally slapping myself across the cheek.

"I also have to go home. Koko's waiting for these nikuman." She said, smiling. "I guess we'll see each other in school, then."

"Absolutely..." I waved. She turned around and walked away.

As I watched her back slowly fading from my sight, the feeling around my chest ached a little more and more with each heartbeat.

-Michiru-

-It was something, out of impulse. Stupid and unexpected-

- It meant absolutely nothing...-

Her words kept slipping through my mind from time to time. When did a kiss started meaning nothing? Because the last time I did it, it meant everything. To be completely honest, this is the first time I've been too preoccupied about what a person said to me. I didn't want it to bother me, but somehow; those words managed to get into me, riled me up and confused my feelings even more.

It wasn't what I expected to hear from her. Actually, I expected something different. I should be happy about it though. That kiss, it wouldn't complicate anything between us anymore then, right? We're back to being normal, regular friends, just like before. I should be pleased about that fact…. That's what I wanted. That's what I had been hoping to happen…

-Because what happened was a mistake... A simple stupid mistake.-

Like she said, it was a mistake…

That's what it was… A simple stupid mistake.

But if it truly was,

Then why…

Why can't I help but to feel sad, disappointed and hurt all at the same time?

I can't believe I'm still at this.

What is happening to me? I don't understand a thing anymore. I don't even know myself right now. Happy or sad, disappointed or pleased, I just don't know what I should feel anymore. Should I be feeling anything? Should I even be feeling something for her? Is there even a feeling?

I don't know… I'm not sure if there is…

I guess a little… Maybe there is a little.

Somehow, there is this slowly growing fascination... a questionable attraction lurking inside.

I'm not quite sure yet… so I think it's better to keep it this way.

"Ne," I snapped and looked ahead. "Is there something troubling you?"

"What made you say that?" I asked, glancing at the other students entering the room.

Akane moved from her seat and adjusted her arm. "You've been spacing out since this morning."

"I am not."

"Really?" She cocked an eyebrow. "Okay then, what happened just now?"

"It's… the… something… you know…"

"Sensei said she has an urgent meeting to attend to." her smile just went cheekier.

"Fine. I don't know. Don't just assume I know everything." I said, fuming.

"Why are you so angry?" Akane scoffed. "I just told you that you've been acting weird lately."

I shrugged and went on looking at the view outside the window.

"Is this about Tenoh-san?

"NO!" I quickly said out loud, louder than what I had in mind… so much for being convincing. I gulped as I shy away from the inquisitive stares of the other students. "This doesn't concern her."

Akane smiled knowingly.

"Not at all." I added.

"Then is it about Mikoto?"

I became silent.

It's been a while since I've thought about Miko. I've been too preoccupied about what happened the other night that I've forgotten all about her. To be perfectly honest, I haven't been worrying about that at all. It's not because I learned to stop loving her. I still love Miko, that wouldn't change drastically. It's just that, why?

Why is it so easy to forget about those feelings whenever I think about Haruka?

"It's okay if you don't want to tell me." She sighed, propping herself from the seat. "I just wish you talk to me more."

A smile grazed my lips. "Thank you for worrying about me. But I'm really okay, Akane."

"Kaioh-san." We stopped and turned to look at the board. "Please bring these papers in the faculty."

I stepped out of the table and headed directly towards sensei. She tapped her hand on the sheets of paper and directed me where to place it. Then sensei finally ran out the room and left for an urgent meeting. I grabbed the pile of papers on the desk and waved at Akane before finally leaving the room.

It didn't take me much time delivering the papers back to the faculty. I slid the door and bowed at the other teachers inside the room. I quickly roamed the area and stopped just in front of Sensei's table. If I had to describe what sensie's desk looked like, I'd say in a word, messy. It was surprising to find someone as strict as her to be this disorganized.

I set the papers down on the chair, and started arranging her desk. I piled the folders on one side while I placed the remaining ones on the other. Finally, I placed the papers I brought right next to the others. As I walked myself back to the door, a familiar name had caught my attention. Instead, I stopped at Tachibana-sensei's desk and surprised to see a paper with Haruka's name printed on it. Without giving it much thought, I pulled it out and read it.

Much to my dismay, though, Tachibana-sensei suddenly entered the room and called me out. "Kaioh-san."

I jerked up and quickly shoved the papers back, "Hai?"

"What are you doing?"

"Miura-sensei asked me to put the papers on her desk."

"I see. Have you?"

"Hai, sensei."

"Well then, you should get back to class now."

"Ah, hai hai." I bid, nervously letting out a smile.

I walked out and headed directly back to my room. I didn't read much of it. Sensei showed up out of nowhere and just in time. Most of what I read, I had forgotten. I was too nervous. I panicked. And the only line I remembered was the one that touched me the most…

'I've never been crazy about fate or anything related for that matter. Family members can and will attest to that. But meeting Michiru, somehow, somewhere, not only did I start believing, but I started hoping that it was all because of fate...'

Somehow, beyond the constant protest bubbling in the back of my head, telling me over and over again that it meant nothing, I started feeling differently. And for some odd reason, I felt it… the sincerity and truthfulness of it actually meaning something…

I ran across the hallway and up the stairs as fast as my feet could carry me. I don't know why I'm in a hurry. It wouldn't matter if I walk she would still be here by then. Yet I'm running. Running with this great urgency in my heart to see her.

I slowly came to a halt when I saw a couple of students from Haruka's class. I walked closer and approached them. "Excuse me."

They turned and asked with a soft "Hmmm?"

"Have you seen Tenoh-san?"

"Ah, Haruka-san you mean?" I nodded. She smiled. "She skipped gym class today. She said she wasn't feeling good."

"Do you know where she is?"

"She refused to go to the clinic but I do think she's still inside the classroom resting." The other girl quickly replied.

I bowed with much appreciation and hurriedly went there.

Haruka really is lot of things. You won't know a real thing about her just by looking or listening to the rumors. If you just take time to look through that façade of hers, you'll see something great, genuine and worthwhile. There are so many sides of her, either you'll hate or like. But whatever those sides are, eventually, you'll come to accept and embrace it, love it in fact.

I finally reached the room. I took slow, delicate steps towards the door. There were a lot of things going on in my head right now, some were telling me to stop and head back while the other were telling me otherwise. But one clear thing I know was, I have to do this. I need to clear my mind, I want to know why. I have to know if whether it was just simply convenient for me with Haruka being there or if I really do feel so strongly about her. I have to know. I need to know.

I breathed deeply, calming my anxiety down. With one hand over my chest, I moved forward. But never did I prepare myself for what I had seen next.

There she was, closely standing next to my friend… leaning… kissing.

My hand dropped to the sides. There was a heavy feeling around my chest as I watched them closely to each other. Suddenly, I felt a fresh sense of betrayal crawling its way into me. And before it consume what's left, I turned to my heel and left, letting my feet take me somewhere far.

Yet no matter how fast or far you ran away from a problem, sometimes you end up running into another.

I felt firm hands suddenly grabbed mine, taking me by complete surprise. "Michiru!"

I turned and looked straight into those longing eyes.

"Miko…"

-x0x-

-Haruka-

How did it end up into something like that?

I've been going on and on about the scene that transpired last night. And I couldn't quite understand why it happened that way. I admit getting afraid when I saw clearly in her eyes the emotions she was hiding. But if I continue on like this, it'll be harder for me to tell her how I feel. Soon, I'll just be where I first started.

"Tenoh-san?"

I quickly sat back up from the neatly arranged tables and looked around. She took a step inside and continued walking closer.

"Akane-san, what are you doing here?"

"I was on my way back from the clinic until I saw you lying on top of these tables." She beamed up and sat next to me, "Skipping gym class?"

"I got headache." I said, rubbing my nape.

"Well I've been meaning to tell you this for some time now." She paused. Grabbing my hands, she continued with a smile. "Thank you. I don't know what happened to her and Mikoto. Still thank you for taking care of her."

"Well I do badly need to pass math." I retorted. She faked a pout.

"Whatever the reason was, still thank you."

"I'm glad I could help." I said, grinning.

The silent atmosphere took in the nearly empty room. Akane and I were never really close. So we really had nothing to talk about nor do we have something in common –aside a common friend that is. Truth be told, this was the longest I've talked to her. So when I thought she was preparing to leave was just her adjusting herself and moving closer.

"Ne…" She muttered. I leaned my cheek on my palm and looked sideways. "Can I ask you something?"

"Alright."

"What happened between you and Michiru?" her question was direct, so direct I almost lost my balance.

"What made you say that?" I managed to blurt out.

"I caught you hiding yesterday." She said plainly, raising a brow.

I squinted which she evenly matched with her own. I sighed, shaking my head. Narrowing my gaze, I surprisingly found Akane blinking repeatedly.

My brows furrowed in an instant. "I don't think blinking your eyes would work on me."

"I'm not.." She paused, blinking a few more. "Ite-te-te!" She yelped

I stood up, panicking. "What's wrong?"

"Something caught in my eye." She managed to blurt out, cringing. Her hand made their way onto her eyes and started rubbing them ferociously.

"Don't rub it." I chided, taking her hands.

"Ite..te..te!"

"Here let me check it." cradling her cheeks with both hands. "Open your eyes Akane."

She did open her eyes as told. Unfortunately though, only for a split second.

I sighed and reached for her eyes. I stretched it open and blew onto it. She flinched but I kept a tight hold onto her. A few seconds later, I let go and she was feeling much better.

I quickly peered over my shoulder and took a glimpse at the open door. I couldn't quite explain it, but I felt someone was standing there watching us.

"What's wrong?"

I looked back, shaking my head "Nothing. I just thought someone was standing there."

"That would be funny and somewhat scary." She mused with a lopsided smile. "At that angle, I'm sure they must've mistaken it for a kiss."

I chuckled lightly. "That would be. We don't want any rumors now do we?"

"Well it's about time for me to be controversial."

I laughed.

"So..." she started, smiling cheekier than before. I raised a brow in reply. "What happened between you two?"

"You really want to know?"

"I did ask."

"I kissed Michiru." I said in full honesty.

She back a few inches and glared, "Are you out of your mind?"

I laughed bitterly, "Probably." I sighed and looked straight into those heated eyes. "But would you believe me if I say I meant every single second of it?"

She was about to launch herself into brigade of protest yet held it all back. She purses her lips and sighed, "I should be hitting you over and over again right about now."

"Shouldn't you?"

"I should but… would you believe me if I told you I felt sincerity in there?"

"and Aozawa-san?"

"I don't know what happened between them but I do know that Michiru wouldn't act that way towards her if she didn't do anything wrong." She said truthfully. "And since when have you thought about other people?"

A genuine smile finally crawled its way onto my lips. "And here I thought you're some childish girl in a teenager's body."

"And here I thought you're just some old lecherous man in a girl's body." She retorted, mimicking the tone of my voice.

"Aren't you late for a class?"

"Nope." She said proudly, standing up from the table. "Sensei's out in a meeting."

"That explains it." I teased.

"Shouldn't you be out there talking to her?" She remarked. "Like I said, sensei's out. Everyone's pretty much free in our class right about now."

I smiled and stood up as well. "So where are you going now?"

"I think I'll stay in the clinic for a while."

She finally waved a hand as she jogged her way back. I, on the other hand, felt the relentless plea my heart kept doing. Without even realizing it, I already found myself running through the hallway and down the stairs.

I'm not confused about what I feel about her. I'm very well certain what this is. It's not yet love though but it's also more than just a friendly feeling. It's there though, budding. I sense it because it's different. And though I can't say that I love her now, I have a feeling that it won't take me that much time to say it.

As I made my way down the stairs, I heard two familiar voices conversing in the hallway. I stopped at the edge and hid myself behind the walls as I finally able to recognize the owners.

"Michiru…" Aozawa called out with such pain in her voice. I continued listening, anticipating her reply.

"Okay…"

My heart suddenly felt heavier than it usually was as I heard Michiru's response. I don't know why, but I had a feeling I wouldn't like what would come next.

And the feeling was undoubtedly right.

In her placid voice, Michiru said with no traces of hesitation,

"Okay… Let's get back together."

Thanks for reading! Sorry for not having much Haruka/Michiru interaction but I do hope you still liked this chap.

I decided to make 'Three Days' longer and slowly develop Haruka/Michiru's relationship. Sorry.

Thanks for those who reviewed!