Finally! Free of exams and lectures for two weeks or so, and that means only one thing! I'm updating Every day, or every other day! YAY! After all, there's just like, five or so more chapters!

And so, to get on with the fun, here's Chapter 15!

Chapter 15-Selfish

Natsume tried to focus on his driving, but he couldn't. He simply just had so many things going on in his mind. He just hoped that he would get to his destination unharmed.

"No more excuses, Natsume."

He shook his head, trying to get those words out of his mind. He succeeded, but another sentence came up to haunt him.

"Natsume, I think we need to talk."

He would be lying if he said that he doesn't know what those words meant. And it made the dread he was feeling grow worse. Because Miku never said those words in such a sad tone.

He shook his head once more, and finally, he was able to focus. He realized that he was not so far from Miku's apartment.

He pressed down the accelerator.

Miku paced back and forth. She knew that what she was about to do was the right thing, but she couldn't help but feel nervous and confused. Even if she always replayed her conversation with Koko.

"If…if I don't break up with Natsume, what will happen?" She asked him. She tried to stop the shaking of her hands, but she didn't succeed, so the cup of tea, which she was holding, rattled against the table. Koko watched her with pity.

He placed his hand on hers, steadying them, and replied, "Will you be happy?"

The tears she was trying to hold back spilled over. Through her sobs she heard him say, "It's you who should decide. And if you decide, I only have one advice: be selfish. Think only of your happiness. Listen only to your heart."

She let out a sigh. She did want to be selfish; she did want only to be happy. But she couldn't hear what her heart wants. She couldn't stop from thinking of other people's feelings, especially those two's feelings.

Well, she decided, she would just go along with her instincts.

The ring of the doorbell woke her up from her thoughts. She composed herself, and walked to the door to let him in. she gave him a smile, and said, "Hey. Glad you came."

He returned her smile with a tentative one, and replied, "Why, you thought I won't?"

She shook her head, and then asked, "Would you like some tea? Or coffee?"

"I'll go for coffee," he answered. She went to the kitchen, and as she prepared their drinks, she organized her thoughts. Soon, she returned with the drinks, and laid them on the center table. Then silence fell on them.

Natsume decided to break it. "What is it that you wanted to talk about?"

"You haven't touched your coffee," Miku said, trying to put off the conversation as much as possible. She just wanted the tension in the air disappear, but when she noticed that he wasn't moving, she decided to go straight to the point.

"I already know what's going on between you and Mikan."

A frown immediately formed on his lips. He opened his mouth to speak, but she cut him off. She said, "It wasn't Mikan who told me. In fact, she tried to hide it too. She said that you were just close friends, when the truth is, your relationship was very much more than friends."

"That was the past, Miku," he said, after he let out a sigh. Then he got his cup and took a sip, trying to avoid her eyes. When he looked up, he was surprised by the expression she held.

She was smiling, albeit sadly. Her eyes were calm, and there was something else he couldn't recognize. It was the last expression he ever thought she would have at that moment. Then he heard her say softly, "Now I understand."

"Understand what?"

She raised an eyebrow, and then she realized that she spoke out loud. But she didn't reply immediately. Instead she just leaned on the chair's arm rest, resting her cheek on her hand. She waited for a few moments, obviously choosing her words carefully, before breaking the silence.

"Someone once told me that I should be selfish. That I should only think about my happiness," she paused, as she looked at him straight in the eye. Then she continued, "And that made me reevaluate. Rethink. Surely, never letting you go is selfish of me, right?"

He looked back at her through confused eyes. He couldn't see where she was going, and so he just waited for her to continue.

"Now I understand. This," she replied, emphasis on every word, as she showed the engagement ring held between her thumb and forefinger, "Understand that this is not for me. Understand that you are not for me. Understand that I cannot make this mistake."

Silence followed her words. He stared at her, shock evident on his face. Then slowly, his gaze laid on the ring.

"So…you're letting go," he whispered. She sighed, and gave him a sad smile. "Yes, I am."

A tear fell down her cheek. Then some more followed. He clenched his fists as he watched those tears fall down her porcelain cheeks. He hung his head in shame; for, once again, he hurt another woman.

She knew exactly what he was thinking. So she stood up, walked towards him, and hugged him. Then she said, "Just because I'm not letting you go doesn't mean I'm selfish. In fact, it would be a sacrifice if I continue. I want to be selfish. I want to be happy. And I know I can never be that if I'm with you, Natsume."

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, Miku," he said softly, as he hugged her back. "I'm so sorry."

"There is no need to say that," she replied, "Nobody is to blame."

Because in their situation, everybody was at fault.

I wanted to make this longer, but my mind's still drained from my summer classes. I wanted it to be more...hmmm...tearful? I think Miku's so...perfect, being so understanding and all, but maybe she just really loves Natsume so much that she'd rather let him go. =))

Please review!