Masamune waited at the school gates for Ritsu as promised when the said girl spotted him with a smile when she exited the building. However, when Ritsu got close she saw he had a frown on his face and was talking to someone and heard the whispers

"Could that be Roxanna's now boy toy?"

"He's hot, I wouldn't be surprised"

"They look good together" Ritsu finally managed to see who he was talking to and felt like she wanted to cry when Roxanna seemed to step rather close to her boyfriend. Of course, he would prefer her, she's everything I'm not

Ritsu backed up only to back into Londyn "Ignore the whispers Ritsu" Londyn eased

"Masamune is clearly not enjoying himself" Myra added. Kohaku moved to stand in front of Ritsu

"I'm going to tell you something that Masamune asked me to keep secret ok? And I want you to know that he definitely loves you without question, do you trust me?" Kohaku asked. Ritsu nodded and was rewarded when the two girls hugged her close and Kohaku smiled

"Tell me"

"He knew Roxanna would try something like this so he said and I quote; 'make sure that if Ritsu does see it that she doesn't misunderstand, bitches like Roxanna will do anything to ruin relationship they can't have for a chance to have them herself. I intend to humiliate her but I need her to think she's won first. Can you look after Ritsu for me, make sure she doesn't cry'"

"He really loves you Rittie" Myra smiled

"When did…?" Ritsu asked

"Last night, he said you had been really depressed when you went to sleep" Kohaku shrugged "He was having problems with knowing how to deal with it and asked for help" Ritsu felt herself smile. Feeling much better than she had a few moments ago she peeked over on time to see Roxanna lean in for a kiss only for Masamune to dodge.

Ritsu snuck in closer and heard Masamune laughing "You really thought I would go for someone like you" Masamune laughed "You really thought you stood a chance against Ritsu? You would open your legs up for anyone, who knows what's going on down there"

"You jerk" Roxanna hissed

"And god knows women like you can be nasty cheaters. At least with Ritsu I know she has real loyalty to me. I know the difference"

"You were playing with me!?" Roxanna growled

"Of course, I don't you at the bar ages ago, sluts aren't my type. I prefer the innocent type that I know would never betray me" Masamune grinned. Roxanna noted that a crowd had started forming and looked around for Ritsu approaching them and thinking she didn't hear their conversation grinned wickedly before grasping Masamune and forcing a kiss.

Masamune shoved her away wiping his mouth as if it would get the nasty taste of Roxanna's lip stick. Roxanna grinned when she saw Ritsu next to them and Masamune froze seeing the dark look on Ritsu's face. "Ritsu it's-"

Ritsu kissed Masamune's cheek when he reached for her to assure him she wasn't mad at him and Masamune sighed in relief. Roxanna's grin fell and when Ritsu turned to Roxanna, the latter paled. Stalking forward Ritsu slapped Roxanna for all her worth shocking everyone and knocking Roxanna to the ground. "This has gotten out of hand, Roxanna"

"Ritsu, he's jerk he played me you saw it! He could be playing you for all you know!" Roxanna cried

"Don't start Roxanna this is a new low even for you. I looked the other way because you were never really doing any harm. Now I see that was a mistake"

"Ritsu, please, are you really going to believe a guy over me!"

"Shut up, Roxanna! I know what you're after, I've known from the start" Ritsu growled "This is my fault for not doing anything about it. You were helpful in keeping those guys that were interested away but now that you are trying to break up me and my boyfriend its gotten out of hand. I'm sorry Roxanna but I can't return your feelings"

Roxanna paled even more standing up "What – how did you figure it out?" Roxanna cried, her eyes watering

"I'm sorry Roxanna, but it wasn't exactly subtle" Ritsu didn't meet her eyes as she backed up into Masamune's arms and Roxanna's face twisted to rage

"I did it because those guys would use you, this one is no better, all men are pigs that use you and throw you away. Can't you see that I an spare you from that heart ache. I would never throw you away"

"You don't know that no one knows that, but what you don't realise is that in attempt to keep them away you were doing the same thing" Ritsu argued. Masamune hugged Ritsu possessively as Roxanna broke down in the middle of the crowd. Out of sympathy Ritsu asked the crowd to disperse with the help of Kohaku, Londyn and Myra.

Once they were clear Ritsu sat next to Roxanna. "Why? What did I do to earn this? Before when I had dated a guy I was like you but then he ruined everything for me, you were so sweet and kind I could never let someone destroy that too, so at first it was to protect you but then I really quickly fell in love with you"

"I'm sorry, Roxanna, I shouldn't have let this go on for as long as it did. You were a great friend, Roxanna, you always had my back, but I can never see you as anything more."

"Roxanna," Masamune groused "I'm saying this because I know what you're feeling. I had been left alone for so long not experiencing love and I will admit at first I wanted to break her because she was a pampered little princess that was loved by her parents, but when I got to know Ritsu," Masamune held out a hand to his girlfriend who took it and he tugged her up and tucked her under his side "She quickly became something I couldn't live without because she loved me no matter what" Masamune nuzzled Ritsu's head lovingly before turning back to Roxanna "So I'll protect her with everything I have"

Roxanna looked up shocked at the two of them then smiled "Then… I'm counting on you." Roxanna stood dusting off her jeans "I'm sorry for all this, I really am. Can we still be friends Ritsu?" Ritsu smiled at her walking over to hug her and Roxanna sobbed into Ritsu's shoulder. "You're way too nice, but you wouldn't be you if you weren't"

"Just you wait and see, someone will love you for everything that you are. I'm lucky, I met my someone early in my life, but it does take time, just you wait and see, you'll be just as happy as I am, all this pain will be worth it"

"I hope so"