A/n: Thanks for the reviews.

This chapter is longer than the last one (2k words longer). I can't believe I'm producing long chapters lately. It's just that I want to end a certain chapter on a certain scene. And I guess I put too much scenes and info into these last two chapters. I did not get to go to school today since I caught a flu. So instead, I wrote to pass time. ^_^

Fools Rush In: Where Angels Fear To Tread

Chapter 6

I Really Hate You

"We always believe that our first love is our last, and our last love is our first."

Ritsu parked her yellow BMW F8005 motorbike at an empty spot on the furthest corner of the parking lot after a few minutes of contemplating whether to park at her designated spot or not. The 26-year-old brunette fixed her jacket collar before stealthily heading to the main door of the glass façade building. The facility was composed of two buildings. One building had white walls that were only decorated by the big black and blue logo of the company. The most noticeable feature of the facility was the contemporary office bridge that extended from the main office building.

Ritsu hurriedly strode over to the elevators, successfully evading the inquisitive receptionist on the main floor. She sighed in relief when she noticed that there were only few employees waiting for the lifts. It was obvious; after all, it was already ten in the morning and working hours started two hours ago. The brunette hopped on the very first elevator that opened, glad that nobody she knew was on it. After a few minutes of life-shuttering dullness inside the elevator, Ritsu got off at the 3rd floor. She immediately headed straight to the end of the hall, ignoring any people who might have noticed her presence inside the facility.

"Chizuru," Ritsu whispered, as she stood tall in front of the large desk just in front of the Chief designer's office. "Hey, Sanada-san," she repeated when the woman drowned on her work did not seem to hear her.

"Yes, how can I hel—" Sanada stopped when she noticed the woman standing in front of her. "Ritsu-san!"

"Shhh!" Ritsu silenced the diligent woman. "Is he here?" she whispered, looking around the office warily. Some of her men stopped to look at her suspiciously, before fending them off quietly.

"By 'he' you mean Tetsuro-sama? No, he's supposed to have a 10 o'clock meeting." Sanada answered as she scanned through the pile of paper in her desk.

Ritsu sighed in relief. "Whew. Anyway, here are the files that you'll need for the rest of the week." Ritsu handed a small flash drive to her secretary. "I better go now before the boss sees me." Ritsu spared another glance around her, making sure that nobody had informed the higher ups of her presence yet. "Oh! And if he asked, please don't tell him I dropped by." Ritsu pleaded.

"Don't tell who?" a very deep voice echoed throughout the room. The brunette jumped in reflex, her eyes widened for a second before squinting on Sanada.

"I thought you said he has a meeting?" Ritsu mouthed to the woman in front of her, still facing back towards the man who just voiced his inquiry.

Sanada shrugged before replying, loud enough for the man behind Ritsu to hear, "For all I know, I am not the vice president's secretary." Sanada sardonically said. "And I don't think knowing where Tetsuro-sama should be every minute is on my job description, Tainaka-san." Sanada smirked at Ritsu. "Knowing where on earth you are would be my job." Sanada playfully stuck her tongue out to Ritsu, making the young brunette glare at her.

Ritsu cleared her throat before turning around to face the vice president. "O-ojiisan!" She greeted nervously. "Fancy meeting you here! Aha ha ha haa." Ritsu laughed awkwardly. Amber eyes darted left and right, as if trying to find the non-existent escape route. She twitched inwardly when she noticed that some of the people are already snooping around them—people working under her. Ritsu dared to look straight to the man in front of her. She gulped hard when her eyes met those hard and intense ochre eyes.

Ooooh. I'm gonna get it.

"It's 'vice president' to you, Tainaka-san." Tetsuro replied nonchalantly.

Ritsu began to whine. "Eh? What's the deal? You never minded whe—"

"Tainaka-shuryou[1]!" Ritsu swore she almost felt the ground shake at that authoritative voice.

"Yes, vice president, sir!" Ritsu instinctively straightened her once slouchy position. Ritsu loved her grandfather dearly, but sometimes, the old man just gives him the bumps. Why can't he cu her some slack? They're relatives after all.

"I want to see you at my office." Tetsuro ordered before turning away from Ritsu and into the elevators. The employees immediately scampered away when Tetsuro looked at their way. "NOW!" Tetsuro barked acerbically, looking back at his granddaughter, when Ritsu made no move. Employees around them cringed at their boss's voice.

"Ha-hai! I'm coming now." Ritsu stiffly walked after her grandfather. She glared at one of her subordinates when she heard him say, "Good luck, chief!"

Ritsu fidgeted under the intense stare of her grandfather. Her grandfather's office was full of pictures and rough sketches of their company's works, in which Ritsu noticed that some were her team's works. Her eyes then looked down to where her grandfather was sitting. There was a glass nameplate sitting proudly on top of his desk.

Nogizaka Tetsuro, Senior Executive Vice President.

Ritsu cleared her throat before breaking the bloodcurdling silence between them. "So... uhmm.. you nee—"

"I heard you're going to see your parents this week." Tetsuro suddenly stated, not bothering to let Ritsu finish what she was about to say.

"Ye-yeah, mom's bugging me all week now." Ritsu bashfully admitted, finding the red carpet under her feet interesting.

"That's good, Ritsu. Is Nakata-kun driving you there?"

"No, I'll be taking the Shinkansen[2]. I'll be heading there after this. I just dropped some works that they would need." Ritsu replied.

Tetsuro leaned back on his chair. "How long will you be staying at your father's family house?"

"Until Sunday, I guess. I have... ah... work on Monday. School work I mean." Ritsu clarified.

"Ah, yes. I've heard of it from Sanada-san. That's good that you've been going out, though I've been wondering when you are returning to your office here." Tetsuro leaned forward, resting his chin on his right knuckle. "You're lucky the higher-ups from the headquarters like you that you're able to have these flexible working hours and place. You should stop being so carefree."

"Ye-yeah," Ritsu answered submissively, scratching the back of her head.

"Your father's not going to like what you are doing for the past months, Ritsu." Tetsuro warned his granddaughter. Ochre eyes stared at Ritsu intently. "Especially regarding your mar—"

"I know." Ritsu mumbled, immediately silencing Tetsuro, as she looked back at her grandfather's eyes.

"I heard you moved out of your home, too." Ritsu's eyebrow twitched when she heard it. What's with the interrogation, anyways? Sure she hasn't told anyone yet, but was this really the right time and place for this?

"Ye-yeah," Ritsu looked to anywhere but her grandfather. "The-the house is too big for me, anyway."

"I see. That's logical. Just make sure you explain that carefully to your father, especially your actions of cutting your communications with them."There were a few minutes of silence before Testsuro's eyes softened when he noticed Ritsu's growing uncomfortable posture. "I hope your new neighbours are treating you well enough." Tetsuro changed the topic in convenience of Ritsu.

"Yes, they are very kind. There's also this on—" As if on cue, Tetsuro's assistant came knocking on the door.

"Nogizaka-sa—ah!" the young man pointed at Ritsu. "You're here, Ritsu-san? That's rare." He smiled kindly at Ritsu.

"What is it, Hiro-kun?" Tetsuro asked the young man, not much older than Ritsu.

"Oh! The representatives from MINI are here already." The young man, Hiro, answered. Ritsu looked at him then back to her grand father questioningly.

"I'll be right there." Tetsuro told Hiro. "I need to go now, Ritsu. Say hi to your mom from your grandmother and me. I'll see you at the meeting on Friday."

Ritsu watched her grandfather head to the doors. "Yeah, see you later." Ritsu waved.

"By the way," Tetsuro stopped walking to look back at her. "Make sure to visit your cousin before he visits you." Tetsuro uncharacteristically grinned at Ritsu's expression before disappearing around the corner of the hall.

Ritsu stared wide eyes at where her grandfather once stood, not knowing whether to laugh or be scared at the old man's last words.

That old man. Ritsu laughed as she headed to the hallway after her grandfather.

Ritsu stretched as soon as she stepped out of the bullet train. The travel was a roughly 2-hour long Shinkansen ride from Tokyo to Kyoto. She smiled widely when she saw a familiar boy waiting for her. The boy was leaning against the slick black sedan car, watching the passer-by quietly.

"Yo! Kento!" Ritsu called out to the young boy much younger than she is.

"Tainaka-san!" Kento greeted back taking the only bag Ritsu had brought with her. "How was the ride? I hope you were comfortable in it."

"Ee. It's been a while since I've ridden one. It feels nostalgic." Ritsu replied as she watched the young boy open the back passenger's door. "I'll sit here." Ritsu said curtly before making herself comfortable riding shotgun.

"It's been a while. I was really shocked when Yuki-san asked me to pick you up today." Kento continued the conversation casually as he started the car.

"You know how she is. She's been bitching me about visiting for quite sometime now." Ritsu laughed heartily. Her mother was a charm, but as Ritsu assumed, her old age must be catching up on her mood.

"You can't blame her though. The last time she saw you were a year ago." Kento said before turning right on the curve.

"I guess…" Ritsu trailed off as she watched the streets of Kyoto. "Oh, by the way, Kento, Do you mind if we make a little detour first?" she asked softly, her eyes not leaving the streets.

"Sure! Where do you wanna go?" Kento asked as he stepped on the breaks at the light.

"I think I'll go see Aoi-chan first." Kento looked at Ritsu for a while that he did not notice the changing light of the traffic lights. "It's already green, Ken." Ritsu pointed.

"Ah! Sorry. So, we're visiting Mayoi-san, huh." Kento mumbled as he took a turn to the right.

"Tadaima." Ritsu called out once she stepped inside her father's family home. Ritsu trudged through the halls and into the living room. Her perfectly shaped eyebrows rose when she did not see the woman she'd been expecting to see. Ritsu's lips curved upwards when she heard very excited footsteps behind her. "Oof!" She huffed when a long and slender pair of arms encircled her from behind.

"Ricchan!" a very eager voice greeted her. "So? How's my baby girl doing?"

"Mom, stop calling me that." Ritsu laughed before untangling herself away from her mother's bear hug.

"What? You just grew some inches and this old lady can't call you that anymore? You're so cold, Ricchan." Ritsu smiled down warmly at her mother. She was just a few inches taller than her mother, Tainaka Yuki. Ritsu mused that even though her mother was already on her late forties, the woman in front of her still radiated. Her long dark brown hair was void of any white hair and her skin was, as Ritsu remembered, still silky smooth.

"I missed you, mom." Ritsu admitted sweetly, embracing her mother back. She had always been a mother's girl, though the brunette would never admit it to anyone. Not like nobody does not know, anyways.

"Aw. I missed you too, sweetie. To be fair, I wouldn't miss you this much if you'd just visit from time to time. Ever since that day, you never showed yourself to us anymore. Ana-chan was also asking about you." Ritsu's eyebrow twitched at the mention of her mother's overly sweet best friend. "You did not even inform your mother, the one who risked her life to introduce you in this special world, that you moved out of your house. That's not good, Ricchan. Even if Mu—"

"Mom," Ritsu effectively cut off her mother's jabber. "I'm home." Ritsu smiled.

"Yes, welcome home." Yuki, on her tippy toes, tenderly kissed Ritsu on the cheek.

"By the way, where's dad?" Ritsu asked as she looked around the living room.

"Oh! You know how he is. He's out working." Yuki replied as she sat at the couch of their home.

"Well, I'm surprised you're here." Ritsu raised an eyebrow at her mother. Between her two parents, her mother was the most absorbed into working. "Not going to do that creepy habit of yours?" Ritsu playfully asked, earning a glare from her mother.

"Hush you. That 'creepy habit' of mine was the one that paid your school." Ritsu gulped. She would never win against her mother if Yuki would pull it out like that. "It's fun and I'm proud of it." Yuki stated, head held up high.

"Oh yeah, poking needles to the poor mice is your definition of fun." Ritsu smirked at her mother. Tainaka Yuki was a known name in her field. Pioneering the best research on genetic engineering, Yuki was well respected by doctors of her time and younger generations.

Yuki childishly stuck her tongue out on her daughter. "Well, tell dad I'll be staying by the lake."

"Eh~ You're not staying here?" Yuki whined as she took her daughter's hand.

"Nah, maybe on my last night. I don't really think it's smart to stay here." Ritsu smiled sadly at her mother. Yuki instinctively squeezed her daughter's hand lightly, assuring the young woman that she is not alone.

"Did you visit…" Yuki trailed off as she looked at her daughter in the eyes.

"Yes, I saw Aoi-chan too. I dropped by before heading here." Ritsu answered her mother's unfinished question.

"I see. That's good." Yuki smiled tenderly at Ritsu as she watched her daughter sat on one of the bar stools by the island table. "I'm sure Mayoi-chan missed you a lot." Yuki poured out tea for herself and her oldest child. She watched her daughter joyfully as Ritsu took a sip of the tea, reminding her of old days where they would spend the afternoon idling just like this. The two sat in comfortable silence before she spoke. "Perhaps you could also visit Ana-chan and Kenzo before heading to the lake house." Yuki suggested, trying her luck on her stubborn daughter.

Ritsu squeezed the half-empty cup in her hands lightly. "I… I don't know… It's just…" Ritsu paused, finding the cups in her hand interesting. "It's hard to meet them under these circumstances. There are just so many things going on." She took a sip at her tea. "It's just so… awkward and difficult."

"Maa, you know Ana-chan loves you. She would be ecstatic to see you." Yuki smiled at her daughter before taking a sip on her own tea. "I just don't know about Kenzo. You might find yourself greeted by a shotgun if he sees you." Yuki playfully added as she smirked at her daughter.

"Mom! That's very reassuring." Ritsu answered sarcastically before looking at her wrist watch. "I better go now. I'll drop by again later when Satoshi arrive. Tell dad I'm home." Ritsu gave her mother a quick peck on the cheek before heading for the doors. "Let's go Kento." Ritsu directed to the young boy standing by the hallway.

"Yes, I'll tell your father that you're home. Ricchan, don't forget to visit the Kotobuki's, okay?" Yuki urged earning a small nod from Ritsu before the younger Tainaka disappeared behind the closed doors.

"Ah! It's you." Mio's guardian was the first to break the silence.

Mio instinctively looked at her guardian. "Sawako-san, you know her?" Mio asked her brunette guardian who nodded.

"Ara, Sawa-chan?" the intruder looked directly Mio's guardian.

"Hey there. Long time no see." Sawako smiled at the stranger warmly.

"Yeah… It's been a while." her voice was slightly hoarser than normal but the longing tone was evident.

"Wow. Look at you." Sawako gaped. "You look so different than before." Sawako inched closer to the bed. "You kept on looking good, huh?

"Iyaa! Such flattery, Sawa-chan! You're not bad yourself. Though I have to admit, I almost did not recognize you. You look so… What's the right word?" there was a slight pause. "Sophisticated and calmer than during our school days." playful laughter echoed throughout the whole room.

"Right?" Sawako laughed. It was true. She was a wild girl during high school, and then it toned down bit by bit as she escalated the years of University. "I guess we all changed throughout the years. And the one who underwent the biggest metamorphosis was Yui-chan." Sawako smiled at her before taking a sit on the small beanbag near the foot of the bed. "So, how are you…" Sawako trailed off, fairly sure the other woman understood what she meant. Her lips that was one curved up was now forming a fine thin line. The brunette composer spared a side-glance when she received no response, only to find that the other woman was looking at her cousin's daughter.

Mio just stood there quietly despite the intrigued urge to butt in at the adult's conversation. She looked down at her guardian, then to the woman sitting in the middle of the bed. She blushed slightly when their eyes met. Mio's face heat up when she heard the woman snicker.

"You've heard, huh?" she addressed Sawako's question. In all honesty, she wasn't surprised that her former senpai knows. It downed to her that the brunette must have had heard the details from Yui.

It came to her ironically, that despite being the closest to Sawako during their high school days, they were the ones who drifted furthest apart. "So, what are you going to do about it?" she asked, not meaning to offend or to be rude.

"What?" Sawako laughed dryly, looking up at the ceiling. "Nothing. What's there to do about it?" She looked at her straight in the eyes.

"'Nothing?' I thought… Never mind. It's been a while since we talked. It feels like there's so much to catch up."

"We had a chat when we last met, didn't we? At your father's office." Sawako glanced at Mio, smiling at the high school girl.

"You call that a chat? We just exchanged greetings since you were meeting up with the big men." She grinned at Sawako before her expressions turn extremely neutral, void of any emotions as she looked directly at Sawako's brown eyes. "The last time we talked was 5 years ago. During the wedding, Yamanaka Sawako." Amber eyes studied Sawako's reaction down to the very last minute detail.

Sawako held the gaze long enough as she tried to prevent any of her emotions slip up. She was well aware of the amber eyes that were intently watching her. Sawako inwardly twitched at the mention of the wedding and the use of her full name. She was all too used to the affectionate "Sawa-chan" her kouhai had been calling her. After holding the gaze as long as she could, Sawako averted her eyes to Mio before sighing and looking down at the carpeted floor.

"Yes, that's right. It was during the wedding."

There were an intense couple of minutes of silence before the amber-eyed woman directed her attention to the silent 15-year-old girl standing in front of the opened door. "Yo! Based on your reaction, you must be wondering how we know each other, right?" Mio looked at her, not really sure if she should interrupt, what she assumed, an important and serious conversation. Mio meekly nodded.

"Yamanaka Sawako!" Sawako and Mio faintly jumped on their positions when she suddenly bellowed. "Went and graduated to the same school as me, Sakuragaoka Girl's High School. In the same light music club during high school. We're not in the same band, though, she has her own. Uhm... we also went to the same University. Hmmm. Oh! By the way, did you know that Sawa-chan looked like th—"

"Tha-that's enough, Ricchan!" Sawako jumped at Ritsu to stop the woman from blurting more of her, as she described, embarrassing past. It had been a running gag since they started University. Ritsu laughed when she got the same reaction as back then. It relieved her that some things never really completely changes.

"A-anyway," Sawako cleared her throat before smoothing her skirt. She walked towards Mio who was amused at how the adults were acting, especially her always composed aunt. "This is Tainaka Ritsu. She's the boss' daughter I was talking about last night." She introduced the shorthaired brunette. "Ricchan, this is my cousin's daughter, Akiyama Mio." Sawako looked back at Mio. "I'm sorry Mio-chan, I didn't know that this child would be here." Sawako playfully added, earning a mock-glare from Ritsu. Mio looked at Ritsu then to Sawako before looking back again to her supposed teacher. Ritsu smirked at Mio's confused look.

Must've been the lack of sleep.

"Hello," Ritsu stood up from the bed before slowly walking towards the bewildered girl. "Nice to meet you, Mio-chan." Ritsu smirked as she offered her hand to Mio, in which the girl automatically shook. Ritsu's grin widened when a certain event crossed her mind. "'You've got pretty big hands, don't you,' Akiyama-sa—" Ritsu did not get to finish her sentence as she found herself cradling her sore head. The poor brunette did not even know what hit her.

"U-Urusai." Mio huffed; her left hand was balled into a fist as she glared at Ritsu.

"Tha-that hurt Mio-san!" Ritsu cried, still holding her head, despite the small smile on her face. She really liked pushing Mio's button. Well, who wouldn't? She looked at Mio's flushed face. I guess red really suits her.

"Mio-chan! Why-why did you do that?" Sawako panicked. She was shocked that her normally well-behaved and well-mannered niece just blew off like that, to a stranger nonetheless.

"It's fine, Sawako-san. I know her." Mio glanced back at Ritsu, feeling slightly guilty that she might have hit her a little too hard. However, the guiltiness slowly faded and Mio squinted at Ritsu. "You're not following me, are you?" As absurd and incongruous as it sound, Mio just had to ask and make sure that her, a little too spontaneous, teacher did not do so. Or maybe, Mio, just a little, had hoped that Ritsu did follow her all the way to Kyoto.

"Huh? You know her, Mio-chan?" Sawako looked at Mio then to Ritsu. "You're not following her are you?"

"What? No! Sawa-chan!" Ritsu cried as she baby her bump on the head.

"Okay… If you say so," Mio looked from Ritsu to Sawako. "Remember the teacher I told you about? She's the one." Mio pointed at Ritsu. There was a few second of silence before Sawako burst laughing like there was no tomorrow. Mio innocently blinked at Sawako, not getting what was funny while Ritsu just glared at the laughing woman.

"Oh, wait." Sawako stopped when she noticed the straight look on Mio and Ritsu's glare. "You were serious?" Mio slowly nodded. "Pfft—sorry. Just. Really?" Sawako looked at Ritsu suspiciously.

"Yes!" Ritsu replied irritably at the laughing long-haired brunette. "Is there something wrong with it, Sawako-san?"

"Nothing!" Sawako shook her head as she tried to stifle another laugh. "Just wow." Sawako gaped at Ritsu. "So, you're a teacher now?"

"She's just a substitute." Mio answered for Ritsu.

"Yup, still work there." Ritsu added.

"Heh~" Sawako mused. "You've been working there for a while and I have yet to—" Sawako was interrupted when her phone suddenly rang. She fished for her peach slide up phone before excusing herself. "Sorry, I need to go for now. Since, you two already know each other; it would be all right, right? I might eat out tonight as well." Sawako looked at Mio to see if the youngest girl was okay with the arrangements before looking to her side. "Ricchan, accompany Mio-chan will you? It's her first time here at Kyoto. Please don't to something that would get you two in trouble."

Ritsu looked at Mio before responding, "Roger!"

"I would've never thought that you knew Sawako-san." Mio started. The two were preparing food after Ritsu's stomach decided to growl while they were at the comfy of Ritsu's bed. Well, in all fairness, Mio was cooking while Ritsu watched the younger girl busy herself in the kitchen.

"Well, didn't it occur to you that we came from the same school?" Ritsu asked, childishly balancing a chopstick on her philtrum while eyeing Mio as she chopped the onions. "We're really close back then, you know."

Mio stopped chopping. "I-I totally forgot that Sawako-san went to the same school as you." Mio mumbled shyly before continuing her chore. Mio paused once more when she heard her teacher giggled behind her. "What's so funny?" Mio asked as she looked at Ritsu.

"Hm? Nothing. It's just that this would be the second time I'll be eating something you cooked." Ritsu fondly replied as she held the chopsticks on her right hand.

"Second time?"

"Yeah," Ritsu nodded. "The first was back in my apartment when I got sick." The brunette rested her head on her right hand.

"Sensei," Mio humorously squinted at Ritsu. "Pouring hot water in an instant ramen is not the definition of cooking." A perfectly shaped eyebrow arched. "You should really stop stacking instant foods in your pantry. It's not good for you." Mio turned back to the chopping board, placing the chopped onions to the pan beside her. "You should eat real, healthy foods."

"Aw! How cute!" Ritsu mock-squealed. "Mio-chuan cares about me." Ritsu teased the young girl, expecting a course of stuttering and a beet red face.

"Of course I do." Mio answered absentmindedly without stammering. "I care about Ritsu 'cause I—!" Mio immediately shut her mouth as soon as she realized the words that had come out of her mouth. Her back was still facing the astounded teacher as she felt her face heat up.

Ritsu gaped at Mio, completely caught off guard by the younger girl's honest answer. Slowly, the corner of her lips tugged upwards. "Thank you." Ritsu mumbled sincerely. Her smile widened when she saw Mio nodded meekly.

The two spent the next couple of minutes in contented silence albeit the sizzling sound coming from the stove and. Ritsu's eyes never left Mio's backside until she noticed the touch screen phone in front of her, lying atop the marble counter. Ritsu looked at the illuminating screen of the phone, then to the oblivious Mio. Ritsu looked back at the phone only to notice that they already missed the call. After a few seconds, the phone started to vibrate once again, muffled by the sound of the sizzling pan.

Megumi?

"Mio, who's Megumi?" Ritsu asked curiously, as she held the vibrating phone in her hands. Amber eyes twinkled playfully when Mio jumped slightly at her inquisition. "Hello?" Ritsu answered the call without the owner's permission. "Megumi-san?" Mio turned around to look at Ritsu after hearing the name once again. Her eyes widened hastily as soon as she saw what the playful brunette was doing. "This is Mio's mistre—"

"Aaah!" Mio screamed as she jumped at Ritsu, one hand reaching for her phone and the other holding a wooden spoon. "What are you doing, sensei?" Mio's face was slightly coloured as she tried to reach for her phone.

"Mi-Mio!" Ritsu said in huff as she tried to pry Mio's hands away from the phone. "Don't do that when I'm on the phone." Ritsu scolded the freshman with a straight face before chuckling. They battled for the phone while the girl on the other end of the line was completely forgotten.

"Sensei!" Mio sternly looked at Ritsu who had a huge grin on her face. "That's my phone and that call is for me, Ritsu!"

"Reach for it." Ritsu challenged with a smirk as she stretched her right hand towards the ceiling and away from Mio's reach.

"Just give it to me." Mio ordered through her gritted teeth as she glared at Ritsu. Mio sighed when the older woman did not give in. Mio trudged over to Ritsu, successfully trapping the later between her and the wall. "Please, Ritsu." Mio pleaded once more in her tippy toes as she tried to get hold of her phone.

"Come on, Mio-chan. You can do better than that." Ritsu smirked down at her student as she herself stood on her toes.

Mio looked at Ritsu with great determination before clutching onto Ritsu's shirt as she tried to pull the taller brunette down. Ritsu defensively clasp Mio's hand as she tried to escape the younger girl's iron hold.

"Ritsuuu~ I'm gonna miss the call from senpai." Mio whimpered. Tears were starting to swell on the corner of her eyes.

"What do you want, Mio-chan?" Ritsu satirized as she tried her best to maintain her height. She smirked in victory after she got a good hold of Mio's hand that was grasping her shirt. Her victorious grin, however, was soon replaced by a small frown as she found her back against the cold floor. With a loud thud, the two fell shortly after Ritsu tried to sidestep and Mio accidentally steeped on her left foot.

"I-itai," Ritsu moaned. "Look what happe—" Ritsu immediately gasped when she found a teary-eyed Mio looking at her. No, wait—looking a little past her. Ritsu slowly followed Mio's gaze. Her lips ajar as she stared wide eye at the phone that fell on the floor. The once illuminating screen of the phone was now dark lit that showed no sign of life. Ritsu looked back at Mio who ended up straddling her. Ritsu gulped under the intense gaze of be obsidian eyes above her. "Mi-Mio, I'm so—"

"Stupid Ritsu!" Mio hissed, cutting off Ritsu, as she closed her fuming face into Ritsu's own. Mio looked into the amber eyes fixedly as it darted to the side in sign of guilt. The two stayed liked that for a few more seconds until Mio's phone started to vibrate once again, indicating it's still working. Mio hurriedly got off from Ritsu and crawled towards the vibrating phone.

Ritsu eyed the phone irately. "Why are you so adamant into taking it right now, anyway?" Ritsu mumbled earning a glare from Mio before the girl disappeared into the foyer. "What about my food?" Ritsu conceitedly murmured as she watched the obsidian girl go further away from earshot.

"He-hello?" Mio caught her breath after the little scene they had back in the kitchen. "Senpai?"

"Mio-chan? Are you okay? What was that noise all about?" the other girl on the line asked thoughtfully.

"Ye-yeah! I'm fine. It's just some kid," Mio paused to spare another glance at Ritsu in the kitchen. Mio glared at Ritsu when the brunette childishly stuck her tongue out. "Some kid was messing with me." Mio looked away from Ritsu.

"Messing with you? Are you sure you're okay?"

"I'm fine, really, Megumi senpai." Mio assured the other girl on the line. A small smile formed on her porcelain face. It always amused her at how Megumi would be always all over her well-being. "Why'd you call?"

"Heh?" Megumi paused. "I just—They're already showing the movie you wanted to watch. And I was just wondering if you wanna watch it after you've got back here in Tokyo."

"Sure!" Mio agreed without hesitation. "I would love to."

"That's great!" Megumi beamed from the other end of the line. "Oh! Before I forget, your favourite café just put out their limited strawberry cake today."

"What? You got me one, right? Senpai?" Mio asked hopefully. It was rarer than a blue moon that that certain café would sell her favourite cake. And they were the best at it.

Megumi chuckled. "Of course I did! And I haven't eaten mine yet. I feel like I would be hated if I ate without you." Megumi jokingly added making Mio laugh heartily.

"Thank you!" Mio replied gratifyingly.

"No problem at all. Anyway, I have to go now. I can't wait to see you later, Mio-chan. Bye!"

"Yeah, bye. Thanks again." Mio mumbled blissfully before hanging up. She looked at Ritsu who was still smirking at her.

Gah! I hate her.

Ritsu looked at Mio annoyingly, as the girl answered the phone excitedly. "What's up with her? Getting all giddy on one phone call." Ritsu said to no one, shaking her head. "Teenagers."

She tore her eyes off from Mio's back then to food sitting on the stove, then back to Mio once again. Ritsu jumped on her place when Mio suddenly looked back at her. Ritsu, being Ritsu stuck her tongue out to the 15-year-old girl on the foyer, earning a rightful glare from the later. Ritsu smirked to herself after, feeling proud of the effect she can have on Mio's usually composed self.

Ritsu tapped her finger against the cold marble finishing of the counter, looking around the familiar kitchen and living room in boredom. A small nostalgic smile slowly formed on her face as memories after memories of her younger years flooded in her mind.

"Ricchan~ Come on~!" an 18-year-old Hirasawa Yui called out from the kitchen of the Tainaka's lakeside villa. "It's breakfast time."

"Argh," Ritsu groaned as she languidly sprawled, face down, on the brown sofa. "Why do we have to get up so early?" her voice was muffled by the pillow.

"Well, you were the one who suggested we go to the beach. And it's a long way from here." Azusa answered from the seat adjacent to Ritsu.

"Guys! Food, let's eat! Let's eat~!" Yui beamed once more as she comfortably sat at the dining area.

"Sawa-chan's not even here yet." Ritsu voiced, still slumped on the couch, when she noticed no wacko rock girl at the kitchen.

"She already ate before you woke up. She's by the lake right now, finishing her song." Azusa answered once again before standing up to help in the kitchen.

"Heh~" Ritsu mused. "Sawa-chan's been working real hard lately."

"Of course, end of term is just around the corner. Are you ready for it, senpai?" Azusa asked making the brunette in the living room groan once more.

Ritsu shifted in her comfortable position as she was now lying face up. "I'm too lazy to get up. Carry me Yui~~" the pillow she was hugging once again stifled her voice.

"I'll carry you." A voice full of humour echoed throughout the living room. Ritsu did not dare to look who it was when she felt warm arms hug her from the other side of the pillow.

"Mu-Mugi! I can't breathe!" Ritsu flailed playfully, earning a soft giggle from her childhood friend.

"Ah! Mugi-chan, don't kill Ricchan. We still need her to drive us to the beach." Yui humorously informed.

"My! Yui-chan's right." Mugi giggled once more before releasing the still slightly struggling brunette.

"Gee, thanks Yui." Ritsu sardonically glared at the grinning musician. "And you." Ritsu's glare then drifted to Mugi. "Stop laughing."

"Maa, maa, maa, Ricchan." Mugi stood up from her position. "Let's eat?" Mugi offered her hand to Ritsu. She giggled once more when the drummer timidly took it.

"I can't wait to eat Mugi-chan's sweets." Yui sing-sang with a pair of chopsticks in her right hand. "By the way, Ricchan? Are they coming along too?" Two pairs of eyes looked at Ritsu.

"Hm?" Ritsu looked from her left hand to Yui. "You mean Seiji? I don't know... Is he even here at Kyoto?" Ritsu's eyes averted from Yui to Mugi's blue eyes. Mugi shrugged curtly before slowly letting go of Ritsu's hand. Ritsu watched Mugi as the young Kotobuki sat elegantly beside Yui. "Ah! Yui, you got rice on your cheek." Ritsu pointed out after sitting in across Mugi and Yui.

"Eh? Where?" yui asked to no one as she felt around her mouth.

"Fufufu. Here, Yui-chan." Mugi giggled softly as she helped Yui in the process.

"Azusa, feed me. Ahhhnn~" Ritsu childishly opened her mouth as she turned to her left where Azusa was sitting.

Azusa blushed slightly but nonetheless fed Ritsu with a piece of her egg.

"Ah! That's unfair, Ricchan!" Yui yelped. "I want Azu-nyan to feed me too!" Yui childishly added as laughter filled the room.

Ritsu snapped out of her thoughts when she heard an angelic laughter coming from the foyer. She watched as Mio animatedly talk on the phone. She could not help but smile herself too, finding Mio's contentment contagious.

"Hm? So you could make that face too." Ritsu commented to no one when she saw Mio smile genuinely.

*knock*

Ritsu's knuckle was already sore and the girl inside the room made no signs of acknowledging her efforts to reconcile. Ritsu had thought that all was good after Mio finished her phone call happily. But no. The obsidian girl was as stubborn as she is and the two spent eating lunch with an eerie atmosphere. Immediately after the two finished eating, barely, Mio

"Mio," Ritsu called out to her sulking student.

"…" Ritsu sighed when she received no response.

"I'm sorry about your phone. I was just playing around. I didn't mean to—"

"Sensei should know when to stop." Mio said behind closed doors, leaving Ritsu speechless for a few seconds.

"We-well.. I-ah-I'm sorry. That was my bad." Ritsu paused as she leaned against the door. "So? Who's Megumi?" Ritsu urged her unanswered question—the start of their little squabble.

"…" Why won't she answer?

"Could you come out now?" Ritsu asked softly. "Let's go somewhere. I don't wanna be stuck inside the house."

"Why don't you go by yourself?" Ritsu heard ruffling noise from the other side of the door.

"Eh? But it would be no fun by myself. Come with me~!" Ritsu tried to soothe Mio until she felt her own phone vibrating inside her pocket. A smirk formed on her face as soon as she read the message. "Ne, Mio? Wanna go eat dessert? There's this café I know and they serve really good strawberry cake." Ritsu cajoled. Sweets were always a good bribing material to everyone she knew, so why not a teenage girl? Ritsu's ears perked when she heard soft footsteps inside the room. Her smirk widened when she saw the door creaked open. "So? Are you coming with me?" Ritsu asked, looking at the shorter girl in front of her.

Mio nodded timidly. "I-if you insist," Mio agreed softly as she meekly hid behind the door.

Tsuntsun?[3]

"There's quite a lot of people in here." Mio pondered as she looked around the very busy street, Ritsu's previous offence were completely forgotten.

"Well, it's the golden week after all." Ritsu casually replied as she shoved her hands into her pocket. "Where do you want to go after?" Ritsu asked while walking past the numerous busy shoppers and tourists at Kamigyou-ku. Ritsu stopped on her tracks when she heard no response from the younger girl. She looked back and stifled a laugh when she realized that the crowd had drowned Mio.

"Se-sensei!" Mio called out as she extended her arms towards Ritsu.

Ritsu looked at Mio amusingly before helping the young girl. "What are you doing, Mio-chan?" Ritsu laughed as she pulled Mio away from the mob of sightseers.

"Tha-thank you." Mio said in between pants.

"Let's go, then." Ritsu started to walk, still holding Mio's right hand.

"U-uhm, Ritsu?" Mio stammered as she tried to calm herself. Her obsidian orbs were not leaving their holding hands as they trudged against the flow of people coming onto them.

"What?" Ritsu paused momentarily to look at Mio. Her perfectly shaped eyebrows arched when she realized Mio's flushed face. Must be the heat.

"I-ah. My hand."

Ritsu followed Mio's gaze. "Oh? It's fine this way, right? Or do you want to get lost among those people again?" Ritsu asked innocently as she cocked her head to the right. She laughed when she saw Mio vigorously shook her head. "I thought so." Ritsu smiled at Mio before continuing to walk away from the busy walkway.

"Wha—!Why did you suddenly stopped walking?" Ritsu asked Mio when the latter suddenly stopped on her tracks, effectively yanking Ritsu back. "Oi? Mio?" Ritsu called out to the spaced out girl, shaking their joined hands to get her attention.

"The-they have a lefty fair!" Mio beamed as she pointed at the music store. Ritsu raised an amused eyebrow at Mio's display. "Let's go inside!" Mio did not even bother to wait for Ritsu's response as she walked towards, dragging Ritsu in the process.

"Wait! But that is—! I can't go the—" Ritsu sighed when she realized that her words fell upon deaf ears as she lost Mio to the world of lefty fair.

Ritsu looked around the familiar store warily as Mio blissfully enjoyed the different types of left-handed bass guitar. Ritsu smiled when she saw Mio's blissful face but soon stiffened when someone called her.

"Tainaka-san!" Ritsu looked to her left. An employee of the music store jogged towards her. "I didn't know you're in town." The woman in her early twenties smiled at Ritsu.

"I didn't know you still work here, Kisaki." Ritsu asked the black-haired woman.

The woman named Kisaki nodded. "Just part time to suffice my school fees," Kisaki paused as she took another good look at Ritsu. "Are you here alone? Oh! You just missed Ana-sama. She was here moments ago."

Ritsu's right eye cringed at the mention of the very familiar owner of the store. "Yeah. I haven't seen her yet. I guess I'll visit her sometime this week."

"I see. Is there something you're looking for?" Kisaki offered.

"Kisaki~!" another employee called out to the woman in front of Ritsu.

Ritsu looked at the caller before turning her attention to Kisaki. "Nah. I'm all good. Just looking around."

"Kisaki!"

"Hai! I'm coming!" Kisaki addressed the high school part timer. "I have to go now, Tainaka-san. It was nice seeing you again." Kisaki started to walk away from Ritsu. "Oh, by the way, there's a fireworks display later. Please come and watch!"

"I'll see." Ritsu watched the younger woman as she accommodate other buyers.

"Gah!" Ritsu plopped on the floor at the foyer. It was already seven in the evening and they just spent the good half of their day walking around the busy streets of Kyoto. "I can't believe we spent hours at that music store." Ritsu groaned as she tried to take off her shoes by her feet. She rolled to her side and watched Mio neatly put her own shoes away.

"Ne, Mio?"

"Hmm?" Mio looked at the brunette who was lazily lying down on the floor.

"Do you wanna go to the festival tonight? I heard they're having fireworks display." Ritsu informed as she successfully kicked her shoes.

Mio's gaze followed Ritsu's scattered shoes. "Ritsu, please put away your shoes neatly." Mio said as she automatically clean after Ritsu. "Festival? I thought you're tired?"

"Eh~" Ritsu whined, sluggishly sitting on the couch properly. "It's fun!"

"Fi—"

"I'm home!" A drunkenly Yamanaka Sawako suddenly opened the door, slightly startling Mio. "Gah!" Ritsu chuckled Sawako's sudden entrance.

"Sawako-san! Are you all right?" Mio asked as she tried to support her woozy guardian.

"Souichiro-san got me. And I told him I can't drink today too." Sawako pouted as she sat on the foyer.

Ritsu laughed. "You're wasted, Sawa-chan."

Sawako glared at Ritsu. "It's your father's fault. Help me up stairs, Ricchan~" Sawako extended her arms.

"Honestly, you can't hold your liquor even now." Ritsu walked over to Sawako.

"I'll bring her to her room. You go prepare, Mio. There's a bunch of yukata in the room you're staying. Just choose whatever." Ritsu said before heading up the stairs.

"You're going out?" Sawako asked as she rolled on the fluffy bed.

"Yeah. I'll be taking Mio, okay?" Ritsu asked as she helped Sawako to fully rest on the bed.

"Sure," Sawako shifted further to the center of the bed. "I can't believe I let your father talk me into this."

"Hahaha. Dad sure likes you a lot." Ritsu laughed heartily.

"Well, as long as I'm making them money, of course he will!" Sawako lightheartedly added. "Kotobuki-sans' there too." Brown eyes met amber eyes. Silence filled the room.

"Mugi's dad?" Ritsu asked softly, earning a nod from Sawako. "How was it? That's your second time meeting him, right?"

"Yeah. The first time was back in college." Sawako looked at the ceiling as another round of silence filled the room.

"Ne, Sawa-chan?" the younger brunette sat on the bed.

"Hmmm?"

"Why did you break up with Mugi? You still love her, right?" Ritsu bluntly asked. Sawako's eyes widened a little as she looked at Ritsu then back to the ceiling. "Is it because of the wedding?" Ritsu urged even though she knew the topic was taboo on Sawako.

"Maybe?" Sawako closed her eyes. "Or maybe because she loves someone else?" She opened an eye to look at Ritsu.

"She really loves you, though."

"Loved, maybe. But what can I do? First love's hard to beat." Sawako grinned at Ritsu. "Right?"

"Ha! Why are you asking me?" Ritsu feigned innocently. "But you know, I was really expecting you to stop the wedding that day." Ritsu admitted softly. Her eyelids lowered. "You know, like a dramatic 'I won't let you take her away from me!" or something." Ritsu added seriously.

"What are you saying?" Sawako looked at Ritsu. The bed shifted as Ritsu stood up. "Isn't it better that way? And it's not like Mugi-chan would appreciate it if I were to do that."

"You'll never know. You'll never know." Ritsu shook her head. The shorthaired brunette walked over to the small desk, pulling out a sticky note.

Sawako rested her right arm over her eyes. "What's up with you? You know Mugi loves—" Sawako jerked up when Ritsu suddenly slapped her lightly on the face. "What the? Ricchan?"

"Hahaha. Why don't you call her?" Ritsu pointed at the blue sticky note she just smacked on Sawako's cheek. "She might need someone to talk to."

"Why don't you comfort her, then?" Sawako raised an eyebrow at Ritsu, taking the note that stuck on her cheek. Brown eyes watched silently as Ritsu headed towards the door.

Ritsu paused by the closed door, her right hand clenched the handle. "Sawa-chan," Ritsu opened the door. "You're best suited for that role during this time." Ritsu crookedly smiled at her before closing the door.

Sawako gaped at the closed door. "Just during this time, huh?" She said before plopping back down on the bed. She raised the note in the air.

Mugi, huh?

Just what the hell am I doing?

Ritsu took in a large breath as she looked back at Sawako's room.

Whatever. It's fine if it's Sawa-chan. Ritsu smiled tenderly.

"Yukata?" Mio opened the two-door closet in the room she's staying. "She wants me to wear yukata?" Mio mumbled to herself and soon felt her face heat up. Mio shook her head to clear her thoughts as she browse through five yukata.

"I wonder if she's gonna wear one too."

Ritsu was humming along with the song on her music player when Mio cleared her throat. "Ritsu?"

Ritsu slowly looked up from her iPod to Mio. She shook her head once when a specific picture of another longhaired girl flashed in her mind. "Wh-Why are you wearing that?" Ritsu asked her voice slightly cracked as she looked at Mio.

"You told me to," Mio stared back at Ritsu. "Why? Am I not supposed to wear this yukata?" Mio asked as she inspected the said clothing. She was wearing a snow-white yukata that had intricate floral details and purple obi belt that complimented her obsidian eyes.

"What? No! No!" It's just—" Ritsu paused to spare another glance at Mio's yukata. "Come on. We don't wanna miss the firework." Ritsu curtly stated before heading towards the main door with Mio trailing closely behind her.

The night was still young and festive music could be heard all over the place. Vendors popped out to every space along the streets as children ran around with their festival masks on. Mio was walking slightly ahead of Ritsu, oblivious of the amber eyes that were intently watching her. Ritsu smiled when she noticed the sparkled on Mio's eyes. What's this? She's like a kid inside Willy Wonka's factory. Ritsu chuckled as she watched Mio got engrossed over the different stalls.

Ritsu's eyes sparkle on its own, albeit slightly different that Mio's, when she spotted a specific festival mask. Mio was so absorbed watching the dancing kids when Ritsu crept behind her.

"Mio," Ritsu poked Mio's shoulder.

Mio looked to her right, ignorant of Ritsu's mischievous plans. Her obsidian eyes slowly widened as she looked at the close-up face of the tengu. "Wh-who?" Mio yelped as she backed away from the unknown stranger in tengu mask.

"It's me!" Ritsu beamed, lifting out her mask to her side.

"Wha-what are you doing, Ritsu?"

"Hahaha. Sorry. But you just knew it was coming."

"Sometimes I wonder who the kid is between us." Mio huffed, walking away from Ritsu.

"Mio-chan! Wait for me!" Ritsu laughed as she jogged after the girl.

Mio was once again absorbed by the street performers while Ritsu had gone off somewhere. It was only a few minutes until the firework starts and the older brunette told Mio to find a spot for them. Mio was enjoyably watching a mime when she felt someone tug on her yukata. Mio looked down to meet big brown eyes that were staring right at her.

Mio smiled as she crouched down to the kid's height. "What's wrong?" She asked the little girl tenderly. Her eyebrows crunched upwards when the little girl happily extended her right hand that was holding a strawberry flavoured snow cone. "For me?" Mio asked. Her head tilted innocently to the right.

The girl nodded before giving Mio a toothy grin. "But isn't this yours?" Mio asked.

The little girl shook her head and pointed to her left. "It's from her." Mio followed the girl's finger and smiled when she saw the all too familiar grin.

"Why, thank you." She said and soon the little girl was already off to play with her friends.

"So?" Ritsu approached Mio. "Are you still sulking from the mask incident?" she sat down beside Mio.

"Maybe," Mio mumbled with a smile. "Where's yours?" Ritsu shrugged, her arms supporting her body as she leaned back.

"Aaaahhn?" Ritsu opened her mouth.

"Honestly," Mio laughed as she fed Ritsu a spoonful of her snow cone. "You're quite stingy aren't yo—" Mio did not get to finish her sentence when the fireworks suddenly started. Mio instinctively looked up at the sky. "Wow. It's beautiful." Mio's eyes twinkled, vividly showing the reflection of the fireworks in her eyes.

Ritsu gaped at Mio in awe. "Yeah," Ritsu agreed under her breath. "Really beautiful."

Mio instinctively looked to Ritsu. She felt another blush coming when she realised at how close their face had gotten. Ritsu was staring deeply right into her eyes. Their faces were barely inches away. Just how did they gotten so close? "Wh-what?" Mio stammered.

Ritsu inwardly jerked when she realised what she had just said. "The fireworks." Ritsu pointed to the sky with her head, her eyes did not leave Mio's visage. Tha-that was close.

"O-oh!" Mio uncharacteristically grinned at Ritsu before looking back at the sky. "It really is, huh?" Mio agreed with a huge genuine smile on her face.

"You should smile like that more often." Ritsu commented, making Mio look back at her. "You look really beautiful when you smile." Ritsu smiled, candidly complimenting the girl in front of her. "But of course, I like your red and flustered face too." Ritsu smirked at Mio who immediately turned red.

"Wha-Why-Huh?" Mio agitatedly muttered.

"Look. Jut like that." Ritsu pointed at Mio before laughing wholeheartedly. Mio gaped at her laughing teacher. Completely astounded to what Ritsu was trying to say.

I really, really hate her. Mio thought as she tried to calm her rapidly pounding heart.

I hate her.

[1] Shuryou: chief

[2] Shinkansen: Bullet train

[3] Tsuntsun: "Tsun" from tsundere

CHARACTER PROFILE

Name: Kotobuki Tsumugi "Mugi"

Birthday: July 2 (25 y/o)

Height: 173 cm

Blood Type: O

A/N: So, Sawako and Mugi had a past during their college days. I bet you expected that as soon as I introduced Sawako last chapter though. Hahaha. It's a pretty long chapter like I said. ^_^ Did I confuse some of you? I think this chapter was kind of all over the place. But nah. I think it's passable. HAHAHA

Comments and suggestions are most welcome. ^^