As soon as I step foot off school grounds I begin to sprint in the direction of my home. I have never, in all my life, been so...so let down. It feels like my heart is breaking in two and it makes me feel what I've always feared: Vulnerable.

Silent tears stream down my face and my pace slows until I stop completely under a random light pole. I lean against it, exhaustion of today's events kicking in. I look to the rapidly darkening sky with a sigh as I wipe away my tears.

"It's no use crying over that bastard. Should've known he would pull something like this." I smile grimly.

"And yet I wasn't prepared even the slightest."

"You know, pretty girls like you shouldn't be out alone at a time like this." says a voice. I turn to see a very handsome boy with chestnut brown hair and beautiful hazel eyes. I assume he's 2 years older than me, judging by the Jundai High school uniform (made up) he's wearing.

"Or crying." he adds after a closer inspection. I quickly wipe away the rest of my tears.
"Who are you?" I question with a slightly trembling voice. He gives a sincere smile that lights up his face. I blush.

'Well he is cute.' I mumble mentally.

"Oh, gomen, I'm Urasaki Kashikoi. You go to Seigaku right? You probably know my sisters."

"Urasaki, Urasaki...It sounds familiar but--oh you're Meeky-chan's brother! Wait...you're also that whore's brother too!" I glare just saying it. He laughs.

"I assume you mean Umeko and Sukai. Yeah, and I will admit Sukai is a little whore, but what I want to know is why you were crying?" he inquires. It kinda catches me off guard with his agreement of me calling his little sister a whore, but that just makes him cool.

"It's kinda a long story." I state simply not planning on reliving the experience so soon.

"That bad huh? Well, I'm in a listening mood, how about some good ol' green tea? I know this awesome tea house!" he suggests. I stare at him blankly.

'Is he really that eager to know?' I sigh.

"Sure, why not? Telling someone might help, seeing as my supposed 'best friend', "I gesture using air quotes, "went to a film fest in California without telling me." he smiles happily.

"Great, let's go!" he says grabbing my wrist and pulling me along.

"Cho-chotto matte!!"

-Kunimitsu-

I mask my anger as I instruct the teams to run, although it seems everyone can sense it as if it were seeping out of my skin, keeping their distance. Not wanting to seem the bad guy I cut practice short, by 30 minutes, to give us all some rest.

I dress quickly and begin to walk out of the locker room, though I don't make it far.

"Tezuka, matte!" I stop and turn to see Fuji and Oishi making their way over to me. Once they catch up I start moving again

"Daijoubu deska? You seemed angry during practice." asks Oishi his motherly side showing. I tilt my head a bit allowing my glasses to catch the glare from the setting sun, but I don't reply.

"It has to do with Kizu-chan, doesn't it? I figured since she wasn't at practice although she said she would be."comments Fuji with eyes closed and his usually eerie smile turned into a frown.

"What happened?"

As my best friends I feel that it is only right to inform them of the situation. The story, in truth, is longer than I thought it would be. Well, telling it was.

"Saa...maybe you should listen to her side. There's always two sides to a story." suggest the Tensai thoughtfully.

"And you should apologize for what you said. She was more than likely hurt by your words." adds Oishi, imagining Kizuka crying. I sigh.

"I'll talk to her tomorrow at lunch." I finalize before we break off to go our separate ways.

-Kizuka-

My eye now has a horrible twitch and my cheeks hurt from giving my best fake smile. Indeed Kashikoi, who insists me call him Koi-kun, led me toward a tea house, but the real fact is that it is a Karaoke/Tea House. And to top it all off is the painful fact, for me anyway, is that he is a frequent customer. It's sad and I have taken the liberty of creating a list as to why that fact is.

TOP 5 REASONS WHY IT IS SAD TO GO TO A KARAOKE/TEA HOUSE WITH URASAKI KASHIKOI:


5. Because he's Sukai's brother. (In fact I shouldn't be with him)
4. He's singing to me.
3. He works here and knows all the songs.
2. He can't sing and won't stop.
1. MY EARS ARE BLEEDING!...But I'm enjoying it.

At the moment he is singing, and dancing, to a song I never thought would reach such a refined culture as the Japanese. Yes, he's singing Sexy Back by Justin Timberlake.

And my pain has only begun.

"I'm bringin' Sexy Back..."

'God kill me.'

"Them other boys don't know how to act."

'I'm going to be sick.'

"Koi-kun, please..." I trail not wanting to offend him but at the same time want him to get his ass off the stage. He stops, looks at my pleading eyes, shrugs and steps off the stage.

"So, since singing doesn't help explain the situation to me." he says taking a sip of his tea. I give a confused look.

"Situation?"

"With you and Tezuka-kun."

"How'd you know it was him?" I ask narrowing my eyes suspiciously. Who is this guy really?

"You'd be surprised how much Umeko-chan talks about you two." he chuckles. I flush, surprised but the expression is immediately replaced by a look of complete and utter hopelessness.

"I was tutoring this guy after school, 30 minute session, right, and he kissed me. Unfortunately that was the moment Kunimitsu walked in." I explain, my gaze held on my oh-so-interesting hands.

"And who is this 'guy', per say?"

"Narumi Shouji. He's the president of my fan club. But I didn't think he would force himself on me!"

"Hmm...well there seems to be a hidden factor here. All in all it's very suspicious for him to walk in that exact moment." he stands grabbing his things, I follow suit.

"But I think you should talk it out with him. I can tell you love him, or really like him. Those feelings can't be easily forgotten." he smiles, I give my own small smile back.

"Arigatou. I feel a bit better." I thank, he shrugs.

"It's a gift." I sweat drop.

'Conceited much?'

"Well it's getting late and I should get home. Maybe we can hangout again sometime. Under better circumstances."

"Of course. Ja!" he waves running off in the direction of his home. I sigh.

"Their whole family has issues but only 2 of them have made my friends list."

The next day I put on a determined front to make things up with Kunimitsu. I guess my courage isn't enough because as soon as I see him my resolve dissolves. I then spend the rest of the morning ignoring him.

At lunch my resolve returns and I quickly set out to find my, hopefully, still boyfriend. I guess luck is on my side today because as I turn the corner I bump into the very person I want to see.

"Kizuka."

"Kunimitsu!"

'Shit! It left again!"

"Ano..." I trail. I forgot what I wanted to say, but an angel is watching me closely because right then my phone rings 'Girl' by Destiny's Child.

"I should take this." I say and begin to walk away but he grabs my wrist.

"I...want to talk to you."

"I want to talk to you too. But I can't right now."

"I can wait until the call is over."

"I have something to do afterward." he sighs frustrated. In an attempt to solve this small problem I opt for a place to meet.

"Meet me by the tennis courts right after school, before practice." I say. He smiles, brightening both our moods considerably.

"So you're going to practice today?" he says teasingly.

I grin. "Yeah, I can't continuously miss practice. What kind of captain would I be?"

After the brief encounter I find a secluded spot on the roof before calling Hazumi back. It rings 3 times before she picks up.

"Yo! Hazumi speaking."

"You finally call. Why didn't you tell me you were going to a film fest?! It was weird not knowing where you were." I scold. She scoffs.

"I sent you an email."

"Like I actual check it!"

"Not my fault."

"You know I don't check it."

"Then maybe you should." I growl at her response but sigh.

"You're coming back tomorrow right?"

"Yeah. What's the matter? Your life falling apart 'cuz I'm not there?" she mocks but I didn't have the heart to tell her how close to the truth she was. Plus, she'd just laugh in my face.

"Iie!" I yell just as the bell rings.

"Got to go Hazu-hime, call ya later."

"Right-o. Have fun and remember you're still too young to lose your virginity." I hang up without a good-bye.

'Typical, even though she's across the ocean.'

It took forever for time to pass and school to let out, but it did eventually. I practically bum rush everybody just to get down to the tennis courts first. I quickly change and get ready for practice.
Not long after the underclassmen begin showing up, starting to set up and all that other stuff they do. Ryoma walks to the court in his cool way, you know, hands in his pockets, eyes closed, hat pulled slightly down, and racket held between his arm loosely but tight enough so that it won't fall. I roll my eyes and when he's close enough I punch him on the head.

"I-itai!"

"You're so lucky otherwise you'd be just like your little friends." I smirk. He brushes off my hand.

"I know."

"How about a little warm-up until the teams get here." I suggest, he nods but then his golden eyes shine in confusion.

"Nee-chan, what happened to the ribbon you were wearing earlier." he asks. At first it doesn't click but then I remember.

"Oh, that, well I believe someone took it. I left it on my desk for a moment to get a rubber band and the next minute it was gone. And it was my favorite black ribbon too!" I pout. Ryoma sighs before getting into position on one side of the court.
The game is haulted before it can even begin by Ryuzaki. I make a face.

"What do you want baa-chan?" I inquire hand on my hip. She gives me a stern look.

"Can I talk to you for a minute in my office Kizuka? It's important." she questions. I shrug and follow without much protest. When we arrive to the office I am surprised to see Kunimitsu there, Ryuzaki closes the door behind me.

"Kizuka I've never known you, in all my years, to pull something like this." mutters the old hag sitting at her desk. Kunimitsu stands and takes something out of his pocket. Fortunately for me it is my ribbon.

"Hey! My ribbon! Where did you find it? I've been looking for it since lunch." I say taking the ribbon from his hand.

"He found it by his locker. Do you know what happened to it?" says Ryuzaki, I shake my head.

"No, what happened?"

"It was trashed. We found your ribbon there. Why did you do it? I thought we were going to talk things over." replies Kunimistu. I narrow my eyes.

"I hope you're not accusing me of doing it! I told you earlier I had a call to take!" I defend.

"What about that 'something to do afterward'?"

"I had to help organize library books! What benefit is it to me to trash your fucking locker!!" I yell. Ryuzaki stands idly watching the argument sadly knowing she could do nothing.

"Maybe it's to get revenge for your new boyfriend!" he retorts. I want to cry, but instead I back down, pissed as hell.

"Fine! I can't take this, it's over Kuni--I mean Tezuka. There's no need for a relationship with someone who doesn't trust you." I hiss going for the door. I open it but before I walk out I turn and glare at him.

"And for your information that BASTARD is NOT my boyfriend. Only one person can fill that role and I'm just angry it was an asshole like you!" I slam the door shut walking, more like stomping, back to the courts to channel my rage.

Like they say: Hell Hath No Fury Like A Woman Scorned.