I lied. I lied so hardcore. "I'll update in two days," I said. I'm sorry. It's been a number of months and I suck.

I finally finished writing this chapter in a time of boredom at my grandparent's house.

So, please read and pretty please review. Check out my profile too.

Dear Hayato,

Happy Birthday!

Did you remember, or did one of my goons tell you?

I mean, I know it won't be your birthday when you get this, but you can pretend.

Always been good at that anyway.

So you're seventeen now, correct?

Great observation.

Do you feel closer to being an adult than you did when you were sixteen?

Being I am closer to being an adult than when I turned sixteen, yes. In a more emotional sense, not really. As they say, age is but a number.

I wished Ryuu a happy birthday earlier, and I asked him to pass on a happy birthday wish to you for me. Did he?

Surprisingly, he did, though begrudgingly. I don't believe he's over you yet. Aoi, you heartbreaker, you. Although, it may just be to get to me. Ryuu's a crafty bastard.

I won't turn seventeen for roughly three more months. My birthday is on January sixth, so I often get my birthday presents for Christmas.

Is that a good thing or a bad thing?

So how've you been during this past month?

Bored and slightly regretful, same as ever. Not everyone can be as entertaining as you.

Nothing eventful has happened to me (specifically) at all.

Must be boring without us around to run you ragged.

My sister's past month, though, has not been so boring.

Please, tell me more.

She got to be in a local fashion show a few weeks ago, and an agent from a modeling agency approached her about a contract! We were so excited.

Aren't you unhappy that your little sister's life is more exciting than yours?

She signed her contract last Thursday, and now she's officially a model of Starshine Modeling Agency.

Cute.

I've never been so proud of her.

You sound like such a mom.

You'd probably be a great mom, actually.

I'm running out of things to say.

That's a first, I always thought you were a loudmouth.

Are you even getting these? Ryuu said you've never mentioned me or my letters.

Why would I tell my brother (who I hate) about my personal relationship with a girl he used to pursue?

(By the way, I'm sorry I keep mentioning him. He's the closest link I have to you)

I don't even know how to respond to that. Sad? Or perhaps angry? I'll go with indifferent, it suits me best anyway.

Have you stopped caring about me?

How… what?

Did you ever?

Shit, are you serious? Is she serious?

You're such a great actor. Or am I just really bad at reading people?

I hate to say it but… probably both. You thought Ryuu was pretty great, and look how that ended up. God, just thinking about that picture he took makes me want to punch him in the face.

You pretended not to recognize me when I asked you about that ridiculous mechanical pencil and you acted cold and harsh all the time (which I assume you aren't by nature, although right now I feel like I don't know anything about you).

Honestly Aoi, you don't. You clung to the image of me, some kid who lent you a pencil during a test, as your dream boy for three years. You're extremely naïve, to be frank.

I wouldn't be surprised if you'd lead me on that entire time.

I may've been a total ass back then, but I would never do that. I guess I never made the best impression.

Are there tear stains on this page?

What a sense of déjà vu. Me, clinging to something childish and stupid while you move on, not ever looking back on. You embrace the future in a much more sensible way than I do, Hayato.

I'm relieved to know you're not as naïve as I thought anymore. Just a bit more pessimistic.

Damn, it's my fault, isn't it?

I'm sorry I keep rambling. I never know when to stop talking. It felt like you were always there to shut me up before.

Jesus Aoi, we knew each other for like six months.

Goodbye for now, Aoi.

(P.S. I hope you like your present.)