AN: I was so inspired from all the encouragement from the other forums, I crank this baby up faster than I thought possible. It looks like instead of one more chapter though to wrap certain things up and clarify others, there may be a few more chapters before end game. Don't know if you guys want to rejoice or head desk with this news. Please enjoy!

-Izumi's POV-

"You can't possibly allow this!?"

Turns out, Aoe wasn't fazed by his sudden outburst. In fact, he was even prepared with a reply," Of course I can. Takamiya has given me consent to deal with the property as I see fit. It is a prime peace of property you know, given the hundred or so acres of the surrounding orchard he purchased with it. I intend to tear down the current structure and build a high class retreat."

Izumi's reaction to hearing that was immediate.

"You can't be serious!? How could you? All of his memories, of his childhood, of his beloved uncle and father, his dreams and belongings, he cherishes that cottage! Why would he rid of the property? This must be a mistake!"

Aoe Reiji's smug grin should have been telling enough, but Izumi pressed onward for he truly wanted to know. He was desperate to know. While Izumi became more agitated, the B&B owner became more relaxed and even lean back on his chair. His expression clearly saying that the answer was something Izumi shouldn't have bothered to ask.

Izumi knew what that look meant. Certainly he has no cause to know, for Takamiya is no longer a concern of his. After all, he abdicated the role to Kuroda... But given that their relationship may be over, he still do love and care for his ex-lover. Thus Izumi reason, he still has a right to know.

His eyes were determined as he stared Aoe down to demand the other to explain. It would seem the man was more than happy to oblige as he leaned forward once more.

"In fact it is those exact memories you so pointed out, including many of yours with it, that has Takamiya urging me to rid of the property. What with Kuroda-kun insisting they build a new love nest to make new memories that is not tainted by you and all. And being the ever considerate lover that he is, Takamiya will concede happily. I'm sure you can empathize with that."

Izumi felt his heart sinking with pain once more. To what extent would his influence on his ex-lover's decisions end? He has already cost the man seven years of memories and now the lost of a childhood home too. He remembered the anguish shown in Takamiya's eyes when they parted. Did he hurt the man to that extent?

"Does Takamiya hate me that much now?"

Izumi didn't realize he spoke that question out loud until Aoe answered him in a definitive tone that was entirely different from his smug ones earlier.

"You don't understand do you? He deluded himself for seven years thinking he loves you and that you love him: a happy simple fairytale with an ever after. Only, you were never happy with your role were you? I wished you could have ended this charade sooner. If I had known the damage you have done now, I wouldn't have encouraged you to take him seriously six years ago."

Hearing such castigation from Aoe was unwarranted. The man had no right. Izumi shouted back without reservation for he had enough of the other belittling the love of his life. "I WAS happy, you jerk! It was never a game for me. Never! Only at the time, I didn't cherish him in return. He deserves better than what I gave him! He doesn't have to give up the cottage to realize that. He shouldn't have to! He can always build new memories with Kuroda there."

Izumi was standing up and leaning across the table, crying without even realizing it. Tears that had been supplanted with resolve days before broke through the restructured walls of his confidence. The resurgence only compounded the regret he now feels for the damage he has already done.

Aoe grimace at the sight of him. Yet, no sign of disgust or hatred showed from his eyes. Izumi tried to compose himself as he sniff and tried to dry his tears with his sleeves. Feeling childish once more.

A white handkerchief appeared before him, offered by his enemy. He searched the other's eyes, confusion shining through his blurred vision. Not able to read the other at all. Hesitant at first, he reached out and took it, nodding his thanks in return.

Aoe stubbed the rest of his cigarette in the ashtray before he moved out of his seat and stood before the windows overlooking the streets.

Izumi dried his tears and blew his nose, feeling embarrass of his outburst all of a sudden. A comfortable silence encompasses the room. The feeling felt out of place somehow. He was glad when Aoe spoke up once more.

"Kuroda wants to move. Takamiya will follow. If they both don't care, why should you?"

All this was spoken to the window, but Izumi knew it was address to him. There was no need to ponder the question. He knew the answer and spoke his words softly in reply.

"Because I know it is important to Takamiya. He will regret his decision and it will be too late."

When he finished, something surprising happened. Aoe Reiji, the troll demon turn towards him and smiled. Izumi felt off-kilter in seeing it. It was never directed at him before without malice. He didn't understand where in their exchange warranted such a rare gesture. He had to sit down. At the same time, he felt like a great weight has been taken off of his shoulders and didn't understand why. Aoe's next words confused him even further.

"Then fight for it. For Takamiya."

Izumi could have sworn the man was laughing at him for how could one explain that weird smile reaching the other's eyes as well?

"That's what he said and left me with the documents."

Izumi pause in his retelling and took a sip from his can of beer. He then reach across the table, grab a handful of dried wasabi peas and pop them in his mouth before continuing.

"So what do I do now? I don't know what he means by that."

Izumi took another sip of his beer before he looks up at Konno for advice. His friend shook his head and rolls his eyes upwards. He seem to be contemplating something before he release a dramatic sigh and leans over the low table to tell him.

"Izumi, my friend, you can be really dense sometimes."

He felt insulted. He didn't invite Konno over again to his studio apartment to be told that. He really was conflicted by this morning's meeting with Aoe Reiji. He thought the guy was there to tease him but Izumi actually thought, towards the end, it felt more like the man was trying to goad him somehow. To do what?

Izumi opened his mouth to spat out his retort but didn't get a chance too. His friend cut in once more.

"Shush. Now hold on before you get your gay sensitivity all offended."

Izumi gave Konno his death glare. He regretted telling the man everything. His friend seems unaffected though, for he flashed his usual cocky smirk before he resume.

"Isn't it obvious?"

Izumi shook his head stupidly. Konno rolled his eyes once more.

"Dude. He means for you to go fight and win Takamiya back."

He was in the middle of taking another sip when he heard that and spat out the rest on Konno's face, "What!?"

His friend gave him a look of disgust as he wiped the liquid off his face with his hands.

"Sorry," Izumi peeped out and handed Konno a paper napkin from beneath the table. He really hadn't expected to hear that. He blustered out the rest of his response. "H— h— how d— did you get from that to THAT?"

The look on Konno's face seems to be a mixture of patience being lost and self-sacrifice. It was an odd mixture.

"Do you still love him?"

He hadn't expected the question spoken so bluntly. Izumi blushes and dips his head to hide his eyes behind his bangs before he answered quietly, "He's better off with Kuroda."

Konno shook his head and said, "Are you trying to convince me or yourself?"

His head flew up and glare at his friend for making him feel vulnerable again. "It's true!"

"Then sleep with me." His friend demanded.

"What!?" That was truly unexpected.

Konno pressed onwards. "Move on and sleep with me. Let me fuck you into the mattress. I'll wipe his touch off your skin and all you'll remember from then on will be me."

The flush he had on before was nothing compared to what his face and body was showing now. A pool of warmth collected below his naval and his member twitched in response to the heated and graphic words. Izumi did not want to go there.

"Konno~! I told you I need time. I just can't jump from one relationship to another."

"Why not?" His friend retorted. "All you have to do is lie back and let me do all the work. I'll take care of you."

"Konno~!" This was outrageous. Izumi couldn't hear more of it. On one hand he was responding to his friend's come-on more so than he would like and on the other hand, the idea of doing it with Konno didn't sit well with him. He just wasn't ready. "It's not right."

Instead of pressing further, Konno release another dramatic sigh and said despondently, "There. You see. You still do love him. So don't just sit there and give him up to this Kuroda fag, sorry present people excluded, without a fight. You want him still so go win this asshole back."

Izumi was at lost for words. He was both feeling insulted, wanting to laugh, and throwing his self over the table to hug and beat his friend all at once. But his fears made its presence known, quieting all other emotions.

"What if he hates me now for running away and hurting him? He said 'I love you' to Kuroda too… so what if he loves him more now and only has feelings for me because he feels guilty? What if he doesn't want me back? I'm sure he doesn't want a violent and bratty person like me back— Ow!!!"

He couldn't believe it. He got conked in the head. Izumi pouted and glared at his friend. Konno only shook his head at him once again.

"Stupid! That's all in the past. You know better now. It's not like you're gonna revert back to form, right? You don't know what the cheater feels or wants. Give the fucker a choice this time and don't run away. And if he chose the other asshole, then good for me. You give him up for good and let me fuck you."

Izumi felt better even though Konno's pep talk wasn't what exactly he had in mind. He smiled with joy for the first time in a long time. It felt good. And his friend had to ruin it.

"You know, since he cheated on you, it's only fair you get to do the same with me."

"Konno~!"

"I'm okay with having just strictly sex between us too, you know?"

"Konno!"

"Alright, alright." His friend was laughing by now and Izumi joined in.