3rd World Amano Yukiteru

Tick.

Tock.

Tick.

Tock.

This class never seemed to end. I internally sighed as I watched the clock, trying to will the hands to move faster, but no such luck.

Only one more hour 'till I see Akise-kun..

It had been a few days after the k-k-k…

Kiss..

At first, I locked myself in my room, refusing to go out to school or work. I was desperately trying to convince myself that I was not gay, because I had always thought girls were cute. I even shamelessly included the fact that I had a hidden stash of straight porn, so that must count for something, right? I had decided that I would never go outside ever again, because that… was just so..

Embarrassing!

I had liked it at the time, but it all felt like it was just a dream. That was part of the reason of why I let myself continue with Akise-kun like that. I thought that maybe it wasn't real, but then I had woken up and found some of the cotton candy Akise-kun had given me lying on my table. I remembered placing a hand over my lips and freaking out badly. I definitely didn't want to go back out, ever again!

That plan only worked for a while because soon I had to go grocery shopping. At first, I considered starving myself, but my stomach disagreed strongly so I was forced to leave my safe haven.

When I went to the store, all seemed fine and dandy, but then I had run into the albino there at the register. After an awkward conversation and many hateful glares from his parents, he had pulled me aside long enough to write his phone number on my arm and give me another kiss.

Hopefully his parents didn't see that… They didn't seem to like me at all.

I entered the number on my phone but didn't text him. I wanted to send a quick 'How are you?' but I always chickened out before I could hit 'send'. I just felt that it would be so… awkward. Would I acknowledge the kiss? Was it ok to ask him if we were like.. a couple now? Or could I just ignore it and hope we could go back to being friends? I hoped he'd still want to be at least friends. But that kiss earlier meant that he still had the intention of getting together, right?

When I finally decided to venture out into the real world again, I discovered I had a test coming up and I had missed an entire unit! Asking my classmates for help was not an option. Before I knew what I was doing, I had texted Akise-kun for help. It wasn't until the message was sent that I realized what I'd done, and I had tried not to hyperventilate.

I noticed a pink flash reflect on my screen at the time, but when I turned around I had found no one there. Still, the thought of someone catching me in the act scared me so I hurried home as fast as I could.

… In the act of what, exactly? I was just asking someone to tutor me, and that was perfectly normal… right? Still, my short realization of it being okay was ruined when Akise-kun had knocked on my door.

We did nothing but study, and I was extremely grateful for Akise-kun's patience as I wasn't the brightest in calculus, but.. I almost wanted something to happen.

Argh, I hated myself for even thinking it! The idiot knew what he was doing, too! He'd hover a bit too closely when checking my work or his hands would linger just a bit more than what was necessary to hand over papers. And the looks he'd give me… I still get chills thinking about it now.

By the end of the session, he couldn't resist teasing me once more and gave me a peck on cheek. I watched his back recede into the night with a hand cradling the kissed cheek. I remember wanting to demand that he 'come back right this instant and kiss me!', but I bit my tongue and slipped back inside.

That night was the worst and best thing that ever happened to me. It was the best because I was finally able to talk to Akise-kun again, but the worst because I happened to have an…embarrassing and disturbing dream after he left…

I felt ashamed and just dirty. It didn't help that I had woken up to a text message that read,

Sleep well last night?

From Akise-kun. At least I had passed my test, but I only remembered anything because of what actions Akise-kun made while he spoke the words. I was most likely blushing during the whole thing.

Well. After that, we had started texting while we weren't working together in the studio. I had accidentally let an ambiguous desire to see the albino more slip out and Akise-kun had taken it upon himself to wait for me at the entrance of my school so he could walk me to the studio and start walking me home, too.

I was looking forward to it today. It has only been a couple of days since he started doing that. I wished I had asked him to do this sooner. It felt nice to come home to someone like Akise-kun. Well, not even come home to, I had him waiting outside for me.

… All of a sudden I felt guilty for making him wait outside, as if he were some sort of lap dog. That didn't feel right. As soon as the bell rang I sprinted out the front doors, for the first time not caring about the stares I got from my classmates around me. I spotted my target and catapulted myself into him, almost knocking him over. I had an apology on the tip of my tongue; to beg for forgiveness, but I instantly forgot how to speak when I looked up into his fiery eyes.

They seemed to be doing that more often; melting into hot lava and radiating a sense of heat. I felt something tug at my heart, something coil in my gut. I was completely content to keep staring like that for a while longer, but it was at that moment that I heard a familiar voice draw my attention.

"Oi Akise- Hey you know this loser?"

Kousaka. Kousaka stood in front of us. I hadn't seen him since he decided to leave the school to enroll in a different one because it had 'better athletic opportunities'. He had never outright bullied me, but he had never stood up for either. He wasn't necessarily my favorite person in the world right now, as he had also interrupted a moment with my Akise-kun.

… Wait he's not really 'mine'; what am I thinking? Oh wait, I'm still holding onto him.. This is awkward.

I slowly detached myself from the warm embrace and fully turned to look at Kousaka. I noticed that he changed a lot since I last saw him. He grew a few inches and filled out, while I had stayed mostly the same. His black t-shirt stretched a bit around his shoulders, causing him to look slightly more intimidating than I remember from when we were just kids. He also let his hair grow out and become slightly shaggy, but he exuded so much self-confidence that he managed to make it look good.

His golden, scrutinizing eyes roamed over me, then became warmer once they passed over Akise-kun. Kousaka walked over to him and clapped his shoulder; and they exchanged warm greetings. It was strange to see this. My crush talking enthusiastically chatting with my former 'bully'.

They were friends? But how did they know each other? As if Akise-kun could hear my thoughts, he turned to me and explained that they went to the same school, or at least tried to when Kousaka butt in.

"We went to the same school, but not anymore. I have to go to this dump now, 'cause my house got bombed. Can you believe that?! I managed to save my cat, too! I looked so cool! Anyways, some terrorist lady did it, I know she did! You'll help me, right Akise-kun? I know you like doing this kinda stuff!" The athlete had swung an arm around Akise-kuns' shoulders and grinned. The latter smiled back and nodded. I observed quietly, noting how at ease they both seemed to be with each other. I tried to follow along with their conversation, but it usually consisted of inside jokes and subjects I knew nothing about. Like sports. I had started to tune them out when a voice brought me back to reality.

"Yo, answer the question already!" A can hit the side of my head and I felt left-over drops of sticky juice paint my face and stain my jacket. I winced but bent over to pick it up and dispose of it in its corresponding bin. When I looked back at them, Kousaka looked displeased but I wasn't surprised about that.

What I was surprised about was that Akise-kun looked slightly irritated. He clucked his tongue as he crossed his arms, imitating the part at the pool where he'd gotten mad at me. I felt the same urgent need to apologize, to seek his forgiveness. I managed to squeak out a small, "Yes?" and hope that it would suffice for now.

It seemed like it worked because as I searched the floor with my eyes, I felt a warm hand caress my head. "It's okay, Yukiteru-kun," I shivered as I heard my name be called in a deep voice. "Kousaka here just wanted to know how we met, so I told him to ask you,"

At the mention of Kousaka my brain crawled back from its holiday and began to process the fact that there were still people here, watching us. I tentatively pulled away but stayed close to Akise-kun, giving him my full attention after I took a glance at the prince's disapproving expression.

"But you didn't seem to be listening, am I right?" He continued with a hint of annoyance in his tone. I shook my head vigorously as I offered up my apology. I searched his face with pleading eyes, praying I wouldn't find the fire in his eyes to be extinguished. Luckily, it was still there.

"Yeah yeah, we get it. You guys are all buddy-buddy now! So tell me how a guy like you met the amazing detective Akise-kun?" He jutted his chin out at me.

It took a moment for my tongue to start working, but I was finally able to respond. "W-well.. we met at the studios when we were given our r-roles-" I left out the part where I bumped into Akise-kun earlier, because that was not cool at all! I was going to include the fact that we went to the festival together, just to rub it in Kousaka's face, but he seemed to love interrupting people.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, hold up! You guys work in a studio?" He grabbed Akise-kuns' shoulders and shook him violently, though the detective didn't seem to mind and only laughed.

"YOU'RE IN A MOVIE AND DIDN'T INVITE ME FOR THE TRY-OUTS?! That could've been my amazing début! You've ruined my chance, you idiot! I could've been rubbing it in Mao-chan's face right about now!" Kousaka's voice leveled out a bit towards the end of his rant, and he stopped shaking Akise-kun but still held onto him strongly.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry! They seemed to just be scouting out people on the streets and one happened to pick me. It was pure luck," Akise-kun gave Kousaka the kind of smile you give to a child that can only win second-place. He grabbed the athlete's hands from their position on his shoulders.

"But if it helps any, I'll recommend you to the director. If that doesn't work, you can have my role. Being in the spotlight just doesn't suit me."

"ARE YOU SERIOUS!? Thankyouthankyouthankyou! You're the best!" I could practically see the stars in Kousakas' eyes when he strangled Akise-kun half-way to death in a hug.

I shifted uncomfortably in my boots as I tried to make up my mind on whether I should voice my concerns or not. If Akise-kun wasn't going to be in the movie anymore, then what's my excuse to go see him anymore?

Luckily Akise-kun has this thing where he can hear my thoughts so I don't have to say anything to him. He handles everything himself. I feel extremely grateful when he directs his words over Kousaka's shoulder towards me and says,

"We can still see each other after school, of course. It just means I'll have to wait for you to get out of work is all. Gives me time to catch up on my schoolwork, too."

Suddenly the gracious feeling I had devolves into guilt as I imagine Akise-kun scrambling around at home, trying to do his assignment at the last minute because he wasted his time walking me home. My emotions are all over the place and Akise-kun can see it, too. He pulls free from Kousaka's vice-like grip and heads over to me. He wraps an arm around my waist and I get goose bumps when I hear his low voice tickle my ear.

"I can't seem to make you happy, can I?" I can already imagine the smirk on his face, so I don't need to turn my head to look at him. I just keep looking at my shoes and pout, knowing I can get him to shut up if I look upset. He thinks he can manipulate me, but he doesn't know the half of it.

I look up and fully expect his gaze to be softer, which it is, but what I don't expect is a kiss.

It was just a small peck on the lips, but-

We're out in public! Kousaka is standing right there! There are people here! Doesn't he understand?! Oh god, what if my bullies saw us?! What if Wakaba-san saw us?! I'm going to get picked on for days! I'm trying not to hyperventilate as I push at Akise-kun through my now cloudy vision.

I have to go. Now. Before anyone starts to laugh at me.

I vaguely hear my name being called twice; one in an incredulous tone and the other in a more worried tone. I blindly push students out of the way as I feel tears streak down my face. I'm barely aware of putting my bus card in the slot, sitting between a pack of hyped-up girls and getting off at my stop. I don't even take a step towards my house when a hand clamps down on my shoulder.

"I saw that back there, y'know," A strangely squeaky voice pipes up behind me. A bit weird for a bully, but I don't let that faze me as I struggle against their grip.

"Hey, wait," Dainty but callused hands slip around my middle, dragging me in closer. I can feel that it's a girl's body and blush a little. She leans forward to whisper in my ear, and her hair cascades over me in shiny, pink strands. The strong scent of candy wafted over me in waves and intoxicated me. All of a sudden, I can't move.

"I know that guy. Aru Akise. He's a real lady's man. Really smooth," She switches over to my other ear. "Does he tell you sweet things? Give you gifts? Make you feel like you're worth something?" I open my mouth to say something, to defend him, but she clasps her hand over my mouth. I don't like where this is going. I mentally kick myself for not checking my phone earlier. I had heard the diary change again, but I ignored it like I usually did.

I had tried to turn it off before, but it would still buzz regardless. The whole future thing left me feeling confused and apprehensive; I wasn't sure if I really trusted the thing. But that was a whole different thing and it wasn't important at the moment. What was important was my safety at hand.

"Hush. You don't know him at all. Did you know that we used to date? No, he hasn't told you of his ex-girlfriends yet, has he? Well guess what? Five weeks into it and he dumps me because I came crying to him one day and he declares I'm getting 'too serious about this'," I feel the hot air against my cheek as she sneers. She finally releases me and I swivel around to look at my attacker. It's one of my classmates. I can't quite recall her name, but I recognize the pink hair and blue outfit.

"Oh, he still talks to me sometimes, but only when it's convenient to him. Other than that, it's like I'm just another stranger," She barks out a high-pitched laugh. "It's funny, really. I didn't know he rolls that way. And what's funnier is that he picked someone like you."

Someone like you. It was the same thing Kousaka said. What was wrong with 'someone like me'? I felt anger start to boil inside my gut, but the girl must've noticed because she quickly raised her hands in surrender and laughed.

"Hey, hey, calm down now, Amano-kun~. I'm only trying to help. I just think you deserve someone.. better. If I were you, I'd break it off before I get heart-broken and find myself a cute girl. Oh, and if you don't believe me, take a look at this," She held up a small photo of what looked like the girl in question and Akise-kun kissing. The shot was a bit far-away and there were crowds of people, but the couple could be easily seen from the side.

My nostrils flared and my eyes began to tear up, but I bravely fought back. "Y-yeah? So what? This could've been years ago for all I know!" I was proud of myself for not letting my voice crack.

"True, but do you notice anything? Like the location? And those posters on the wall?"

I squinted and I picked out the small bushes in the background. It seemed like it was the entrance of my school….

Okay, so what? Wait, but she mentioned the posters.. Class 2-B had made some motivational posters about the up-coming tests today and had stapled them to the wall in the entrance today…

This happened earlier today?! I gasped and dropped the photo like it had burned me. My head whipped up to glare at my classmate. I opened my mouth to start yelling at her, but she quickly intervened with,

"Whoa now, he just up and grabbed me. He does that sometimes to his ex-girlfriends 'cause he knows they won't do much more than slap him afterwards," The girl checks her phone and smiles, then leans forwards to give me a small kiss on the cheek. I feel my face heat up and scowl at her.

"Well, it was fun talking to you, Amano-kun! If you ever want to talk to me again just ask, ok? Byeee~!"

I watch her leave and stumble towards my house, heart pounding and thoughts bouncing off the walls of my head. I nervously bite my fingernails when I'm safely inside and slink down a wall in my living room. My mom isn't home yet, and I'm grateful for the silence. Everything that the girl has said or implied finally hits me and I hug myself tightly. I feel my nails cut into my skin but the pain doesn't register, really.

I don't know what to think. If what this girl said was true then… Well there's not much room for 'if', is there? She seemed to know what she was talking about and she even gave me proof… Besides, she looked too sweet to lie about something like that. And she had no reason to lie, right? Even if she was a stranger, she'd never bullied me. I also remember now that she has stood up for me a couple of times before. That's a trust-worthy person in my book.

…. That still doesn't solve anything though… If Akise-kun is just playing with me… But it all seemed real-! He- he.. He always made sure to take care of me and make sure I was safe! And he never asked me for anything I didn't want to do. That would be an easy sign of him just playing with me if he just pushed for what he wanted and didn't consider how I felt, so…

Then again, I had only known Akise-kun for about a month.. that wasn't enough time to really get to know someone.. What if that girl was right..?

But, if she was right about Akise-kun, and he was just toying with me.. Where did that leave me? When was he going to stop the charade and break it off with me? How much longer did he plan on hurting me..?

I didn't remember lying on the floor, nor soaking in my own tears and shivering when I heard my front door open. Great, my mom's going to lecture me for leaving the door unlocked. I couldn't be bothered to stand up and face her, so I just stayed where I was and hoped she wouldn't see me in the dark and go straight up to bed.

"Yuiteru-kun?"

Today was not my lucky day. The voice that spoke wasn't a feminine voice, no. It was the voice of someone I definitely didn't want to talk to right now. Upon hearing this voice, I instantly felt betrayal twist my heart and heat coil in my gut. Two completely different things which I did not welcome at all.

I curled up tighter hoping I would simply disappear, but no such luck. I heard the hurried scuffles of someone taking off their shoes and quick footsteps getting higher in volume. I saw a shadow appear in front of me and I squeezed my eyes shut as I felt two strong arms pick me up. If I wasn't feeling so depressed right now I'd be completely mortified.

"Yukiteru-kun, I am soooo sorry! I didn't think you would react that way, I just-! You know you can't look at me like that, not without the expectation of getting attacked. You don't know what you do to me, Yukiteru-kun!" I heard his voice crack as he walked upstairs to my room. I numbly looked to the side, not wanting to see those red eyes.

He set me down on my bed and kneeled beside me, taking my hand.

It's almost as if he cares.

I felt so hurt, but I didn't want him to see me crying. I placed my forearm over my eyes.

"Yukiteru-kun?"

"Don't call me that."

I surprised even myself as I heard absolutely no emotion in my voice. I pulled out the wadded photo from my pocket and blindly threw it at him. I had kept the photo just so he wouldn't be able to bull-shit his way through anything. It was good of me to do that because I heard him make a small choked noise from the back of his throat.

I bet he didn't expect to be caught.

"I know. One of your ex-girlfriends told me. There's no need to explain. So just g-" My voice betrayed me and cracked here. "Get out." There was a pause and then a small puff of air; something that could've been a short laugh.

"Yukiteru-kun, who gave you this? What did they tell you? That I was a player?"

"So you admit it?"

"Was the person who gave you this, the same person in this picture?"

"I-.. yes? But what does that have to do with-" Akise-kun placed a finger over my lips.

"Doesn't that mean that she asked someone else to take this picture for her, since she obviously didn't do it herself? In her asking that someone else, doesn't that mean she planned it? It just doesn't make any sense as to why she'd have a picture of herself and not another girl she would've 'oh-so-conveniently' caught," He smiled softly as he shook his head.

"I wasn't going to tell you about this because it was simply irrelevant and I didn't want to worry you, but I see that I should have. This girl in the photo simply walked up to me, kissed me, and left. It's never happened to me before, but the whole thing happened so fast that no one else seemed to notice. I was debating on if I simply imagined it or not. I see now that I didn't."

My brain was taking a moment to catch up to everything, but when it finally did, I felt relieved.

Still… He could be lying… I wasn't sure if I wanted to trust him..

"I-… I don't know Akise-kun… She said you lied a lot and that you just wanted to toy around with me…" I looked up imploringly and searched for any ticks, sweat or anything that might point to lying. The only thing that registered was that Akise-kun looked good when the moonlight was on him.

… Ack, no! Don't do this to me, stupid brain! Don't get fooled by his good looks!

Akise-kun chuckled darkly and smiled at me, and all of a sudden I couldn't think clearly anymore. He removed my beanie and swept my hair out of the way as he kissed my forehead. That sent shivers down my spine.

"If you think I just want you for.. carnal uses, then think again, Yukiteru-kun. I won't degrade you like that, so no need to worry," He pulled away slightly to stare down at me, moonlight bouncing off his perfect teeth and shining in his pupils. If I looked closely, I could see the faintest of blushes.

"In fact, if you don't believe me still, let me stay with you tonight. If you make it out un-molested by the morning, then you have to agree to stay my boyfriend, ok"

I blushed insanely, that I could feel. "I'm your b-boyfriend?"

Wow. That was dumb of me to ask.

Akise-kun just laughed warmly and nodded. I thought my heart wanted to claw out of my chest at that point. Well… It would serve as a good test.. and it wasn't just because I didn't want Akise-kun to leave yet! I-it was because I didn't fully trust him yet, so I had to make sure!

Yes, I had to be positive that he wasn't going to back-stab me…

So I agreed.

AN: I am sooooo sorry for the lack of updates guys! It's just that I've been trying to catch up to certain mangas and school-related stuff, I haven't had the time! But now, I do! So, hopefully, this'll make up for it…? Please don't hate me! *hides*