WARNING:

This chapter has MATURED CONTENT. Naturally, no under 18 allowed, but who am I kidding? Read on your own discretion.

o~o~o~o~o

They traced the familiar pavement of the Samegawa Flood Plain. Shrouded by the cool night breeze of the early spring and the luminescent glow of the moon reflectively illuminated by the river down the plain, they walked side by side—too close for friends but quite shy for lovers.

The company of their silence haven't caused them discomfort. What with all the music from the crickets and the stray of fireflies flying about their bubble, they felt the togetherness, encouraged and nurtured by the starlit glittery night sky. Nothing more but serene and complete.

Yukiko could only blush and Souji could only sigh.

He knew it's a God-given chance again, with all of nature conspiring in his favor. But here, he just walked with his love, in utter irony of his silence, and about to ruin the chance again as they brought with their every step the nearness to the Amagi Inn.

"Let's go down the riverside." He suggested and she just smiled. He took her hand, in swift gentleness. So naturally, as if he's been used to it. Then he guided her down the steps closer to the river.

He rubbed his thumb once on her soft knuckle then he felt her squeeze his hand before both decided to part the contact. Letting go of her hold is disappointing but obligatory. She smiled the way she always does to him and he returned the gesture quite appreciatively.

"It's this kind of weather that the 'guardian' goes swimming within my fishing range." Souji smirked looking at the river and the reflected moon scattered by the sudden ripple of water, in a way that only a big fish could cause.

"You believe in that legend?" Yukiko said with a smile—that even he couldn't see, but could hear in the voice of her question.

"Of course." He snickered, "You're from Inaba. You should at least have faith in your legends, you know." Souji nudged her arm with his elbow, obviously amused by her gullibility.

"W-well yeah, but…nobody's ever seen that fish." Yukiko said in defense. She held her stare at the ripples, still believing it's just an Inaba Trout Party going under the sheets of water.

"I did." Souji claimed. Remembering that night he tried to retrieve the comb of an old lady. Yukiko turned to him in amazement if what he said is to be true. He turned to look at her too and he could see that her eyes need some more convincing—as if asking 'Are you sure about that?'

Souji did indulge her with more persuasion and laughed as he did. Feeling like a child trying to convince an adult that his imaginary friend is real, "Yeah I did catch it…!" Yukiko gave him one last doubtful look before finally softening up and inquired: where it is or what he did with it since it was his chance to make people believe such story. Souji's grin dissipated in to a smile. Not because she's doubting him but because his answer will be metaphorically relevant to his very own love story. He looked at her sincerely and continued, "…but I let it go."

"Well…" Yukiko started, with an apologetic look in her eyes. "Okay, I believe you now." She giggled, the innocent way she does. She agreed that the guardian should at least be set free and continue living on with that folk lore. She was going farther away from what he intended them to be discussing and he just couldn't let the moment slip for the hundredth time.

"Hey listen" He held her arm, and steered her and her thoughts back to him again. "You're not coming with us tomorrow, right?" He asked, just to make sure he'd never get this kind of moment tomorrow and to stray a little bit before divulging the meat of his affectionate words.

Yukiko could read a glint of sorrow in his eyes. She put a palm over his hand that held her arm and gave it a squeeze. "It seems that I won't. I'm sorry about that. Really. But I promise I'll be there to send you off your train." She traded submissively.

"That's fine, we're cool" He shook his head to convey understanding. It took him one more moment to build up the guts to say something. And when he did, he looked at her straight in the eye and said, "Uh…Yukiko, I know this is out of place and all of a sudden…but…there's something I really want to know."

"Yukiko? Hey! Yuki-chan! Is that you?"

An unfamiliar voice called out to their direction.

Seriously? Who's this deranged mental ruining my chance? Souji raised an eyebrow in confusion and both Yukiko and he turned their heads towards the steps.

"Aki-senpai?" Yukiko gazed inquisitively and as soon as her eyes adjusted and confirmed her senses, she let go of Souji's hand and slowly walked her way to greet the stranger back.

What the…

"I thought you'd arrive tomorrow." Yukiko giggled as he offered her a welcoming hug before he responded, "Well…surprise! I arrived earlier and was just walking around town." He bent his head down to touch his cheek against hers, then raised one hand to slide down her silky hair from the top of her head down to the tips of the strands. Souji could only flinch, almost hearing Izanagi say 'This is the punishment for your delay'.

Souji was not comfortable the way this stranger guy is so familiar with Yukiko. This Aki-senpai brushes her hair as if he always did the gesture. He hugs her so easily as if he's expected to. No bounds, no restraint. Just free, willing, and of course gratified—like any guy would, especially when it's Yukiko Amagi, of all.

It was the perfect amount to make Souji feel estranged and secluded, just like an outsider. He knew that both Yukiko and he had a fruitful year together, but then the years before that was not his…but this man's. Souji stopped thinking further before he could completely shatter his own feelings.

Gladly, Yukiko turned to walk his way again.

Finally, you remember that I exist.

"Souji-kun…this is…he's the senpai Chie had been talking about." Yukiko smiled, with a sway of her palm to make an appropriate presentation.

"Oh. Your friend?" The guy asked then turned to Souji, with the same genial smile. He reached out a hand for a shake "Sanada Akihiko. Nice meeting"

"Seta Souji." He smiled, returning the brief hand shake. Perfect. A fulfilled college dude. Good competition and a great way for me to lose the Amagi Challenge.

"He transferred to my class last year but he's transferring back to Tokyo next semester." Yukiko added an introduction as if explaining to Akihiko why Souji doesn't look familiar. But at the same time, even a deaf man could hear melancholy in her tone.

"Yeah. I'm moving back on Sunday." Souji supplied, unintentionally emphasizing the inevitable separation. "Our friends had this gathering at my place, and I was just escorting Yukiko-san home here."

Akihiko nodded his head then turned to face Yukiko, "Right. Your parents said you attended a party." He took his hand out of his pocket to glance at his watch. "I guess it's about time we head back to the Inn." Akihiko gave Souji that polite look of gaining consent. Genuine and respectful both at the same time. "I can take her from here. Thanks!"

Souji hummed in feigned agreement, and both men nodded in cue to part ways. The man started to walk away with Yukiko in tail. Souji could only stand and stare. So this is how it is. He really took her from here…and I can only agree.

He shook his head and stared back at the river. He didn't want to think more to it because he'd only explode. Jealousy kills a man after all. Souji knows he ought to do something but now he'd rather think of the calmness of the river than on how Akihiko Sanada just kicked his ass.

But before he could pick up his phone and maybe start calling Yosuke and Kanji to help drown him in booze, he heard a trail of light footsteps coming back down the riverside.

He turned to see Yukiko jogging her way towards him.

"I…forgot…something…" She said in between breaths as she stood right before him. "Souji…" Yukiko raised her body in tiptoes, then touched a palm on one side of his face as she tilted her head to the other side, and gave him a kiss on the cheek. "Good night." She whispered. Then the spring breeze blew a wave of her hair as she turned around, just enough for him to smell the goodness of lavender, before the long strands were no longer in his proximity.

And just as smoothly as she ran back to him, is how swiftly she turned to jog away again. Leaving Souji, stupefied but smiling. Then re-evaluating…maybe I am the winner.

o~o~o~o~o

Next Afternoon

The next day went quick as the group roamed around Okina City after lunch and checked a movie and ravaged all the shopping stores and amusement booths. Just an hour shy for dinner time when they've finally had enough and lounged at the coffee shop waiting for the next train. The sky had started to grow heavy as if announcing a gurgling rain.

The group sat at the largest table inside the Café and waited for Teddie, Yosuke and Naoto to get their drinks. (With Yosuke to pay, Naoto to remember orders and Teddie who excitedly want to participate carrying the tray)

Chie was strangely in tune with her phone, smiling and giggling at that, and finally she took one phone call then returned back to sit beside Rise.

"Who was that?" Rise asked, as she regarded Chie with the same questioning eyes as yesterday when the short-haired girl started acting strange and giddy.

"Nothing, just my brother" At first, Chie just grinned, but then she burst in a wicked laughter, unable to contain herself. "I knew it! This day has finally come! So the rumors are true after all!" She giggled again then pocketed her phone back to her bag as she started to restlessly shift her sitting angles, like a hyper-excited pre-schooler.

"Oh-oh! You mean, the rumor this morning a customer had shared to my grandmother?" This time, even Rise has flared her normal quirky impulse and grasped Chie's hands in both of hers. "O-M-G, O-M-G, O-M-G!" They both nodded in each other's understanding in a way you'd assume they won an all-expense-paid vacation.

Kanji just shook his head and rubbed a thumb to the tip of his nose. He found them both ridiculous, but at the same time, it got him a bit curious. "That rumor a yappin shopper had fed my Ma so early this mornin?"

The girls nodded his way this time, saying "Uh-huh" and smiled and wailed like there's no tomorrow.

Kanji just shook his head again, turning his gaze away from the girls. Souji did the same but took the moment to ask his blond-haired kouhai. "What rumor?"

Chie took the liberty to answer and stopped giggling for a moment as she turned to angle herself towards Souji. "That they saw Akihiko-Niichan and Yukiko kiss last night! Damn I always knew Niichan had his eyes on Yukiko ever since then! Yee haa!" she giggled profusely again.

I think a giant tiger just scratched me on the chest. Wait. W-what?!

Rise continued the moment of elation, "That the 'Amagi Heiress' has been swayed by her prince charming who surprised her last night!" she supplied her own share of scooped gossip.

What the hell did I just hear…

"That Yukiko-senpai is engaged." Kanji added the news that got in to the Tatsumi Textiles Shop, but with obvious disinterest as he slouched on his seat and leaned his face to his upheld hand.

The rest of the group looked at him in awe and rounded eyes. Even Rise and Chie paused to ridicule him, and even the trio who just came with their drinks fell silent with Kanji's sudden announcement.

"What?" Kanji raised a brow to diffuse their burning inquisitive stare.

"Now, that's just exaggeration." Chie finally snapped them back to practicality, and helped Teddie distribute the drinks and passed each item to each person.

"Yeah. Duh. I mean…she just got a boyfriend. Sheesh." Rise agreed as she sipped on her iced latte.

"Yup! That obviously isn't true. I mean, my brother even called me to convince Yukiko to go with Aki-niichan for dinner at my house. Seems like, she won't go with him later. I'm sure, with Yukiko's shyness overkill, she just doesn't want me to tease her." Chie said, but her serious notion suddenly faded back to a hyped delight, "…but I'll be scrutinizing Aki Nii-chan at dinner later! They'll never get away with hiding it from me!" She looked at Rise again who in turn encouraged her scheme.

"Oh so we're talking about that senpai again. No wonder Chie's back in schizzo mode." Yosuke said as he earned himself a threatening glare, still taking advantage of his sitting arrangement that's two people away from Chie. "But you know…what's your Senpai got to finally accomplish the Amagi Challenge?"

And the more that Souji listened to their discussion, the more dull and throbbing his headache has become. He didn't need to hear more of Chie's litany of how good Sanada is; nor Rise's equally lovesome side comments; Teddie's eager curiosity; Yosuke and Kanjii's exchange of how to woo a girl; and not even Naoto's critical calculation of this relationship's progress. He needed to get away from there. Maybe re-evaluate himself again. Maybe think things through and put sense to Yukiko's kissh last night. Anywhere but there, listening to his friends seeming so happy to pair Yukiko to some guy.

Souji just felt things are so unfair. Who'd have known that the moment he decides to ask the question, is the moment someone gets in between him and her. And right when he thought she meant something more by sealing their night with a kiss, that right when he thought they were in love…his heart gets shattered just so suddenly by a surprising news that flew within town in less than twenty-four hours. Chances are painfully unfair.

o~o~o~o~o

Their train boarded from Okina City without a word from Souji. Maybe they noticed or maybe they didn't. He couldn't care less what they think. They wouldn't understand. He couldn't even understand what he thinks. All he knew and needed was to get away.

When they arrived at Inaba, it started to pour rain. They all parted ways with some hailing a cab and some ran to their homes nearby and some lucky to have an umbrella with them. It was beyond his comprehension to check who was who or who got what or who goes where. Souji just ran, with the pretense of heavy rain to go as fast as he could without any intension of stopping.

He found himself at the riverside, standing, where they have been the previous night. With the moon that flourished heavenly upon them and the cool breeze to embrace them closer together. The scent of her hair, the light of her touch, and the sweet of her kiss, all coming back to him, then shattered right before he could bask in the glory of it again.

The memory of that lovely night is now nothing but a crying sky, soaking him with his own regrets, unanswered questions and confused resolve.

He could still ask her though. Sure, in Inaba, even the trees have ears and the soil has a big lying mouth. It's just a rumor anyway. Souji could always seek for a clarification directly from Yukiko. But what right does he have? If he's just a friend, what right does he have to barge in there and interrogate her about it? Maybe not in this condition, maybe he needs to cool his fume off in the rain.

He sat down by the shed of the Flood Plain, soaking wet, but he didn't care. Souji stayed still, until his clothes got all air dried with the river breeze. He started to go and walk it away again upon realizing his mind couldn't really connect the dots that's his relationship with Yukiko Amagi. Might as well make her happier with his departure tomorrow. Maybe Yukiko is just tired with him. Tired with all the confusing rally of sweet-then-cold gestures that even he can't determine what, and she's just waiting for Souji to go back to the city because she'd rather resume her life in peace and clarity with another man here in Inaba.

Maybe I already blew all the chances I got.

He started to jog away. The sky is still angry and the day has already sank down into night. It's cold but even the mere reaction of trembling, his body can't do. He thought he was jogging a bit too slowly but subconsciously his feet brought him to somewhere he thought he'd rather not be at the moment.

Souji reached up the steps to the hill that serves ground for the Amagi Inn. He thought he'd smile at the irony of his feet bringing him there, but he could only frown. Seeing the Inn surely reminds him of Yukiko and what they could never be. But his stride never stopped, maybe slow, but every step is bringing him closer to the sanctuary of his most adored princess.

But before he could get anywhere near the entrance, a sudden thud to his back almost knocked him down his stance.

"Oh I'm very sorry mister." The girl who had been covering her head with her hands from the rain as she ran towards the inn looked up to him in surprise. "Souji-kun?"

And just so to speak, there she is, standing before him.

"What are you doing here?" Yukiko asked but didn't bother to hear his answer. She just grabbed him by the arm and wheeled him inside to shed them from the downpour. "Come with me." Yukiko led him by the backdoor, maybe to avoid messing the floors of the front desk, and to a hallway that simply went straight to the backdoor of a room: Maybe hers, maybe not.

She raised him a towel, "Dry yourself up…" Though he didn't really need it so much. What with only his rain jacket that got soaked, and his pants almost air dried by the breeze when he sat by the shed of Samegawa, he may be better off having something warm to drink. But anyway, he said, "Thanks."

Souji just removed his jacket, his shirt have moistened up a bit but fine nevertheless. So he just dried his dripping hair with the helping Yukiko gave him and watch her slide inside her walk-in-closet. She slid close the shoji door only partially, and he could still hear her mumbles, "Oh dear, my underwear's soaked too"

He looked away as he hanged the towel on his shoulders and fiddled with its hem, still remorseful how he ended up seeing her after all. "The forecast said it would rain tonight. You should've known that. Where's your umbrella?" His voice is almost in reprimand, but concern is more descriptive of it. She really does seem to be more drenched than he is…like she's been running around town without seeking shelter, better yet swimming at the river with her clothes on.

"I forgot." Yukiko gave a muffled response. "I've just accompanied Akihiko-Senpai on his way to Chie's house earlier. When I went home it started raining hard-"

"Yukiko-san, tomorrow…" He cut her off, not wanting to picture anymore of what Yukiko did together with that man. It's like he's being kicked in the gut again, and the mention of the name didn't help Souji at all. "…when I go home, I may not come back for the future breaks and holidays." Souji looked down. He couldn't believe what he just said but he thinks it's the right way to go. He didn't want to see her. What he wants is to let her be happy on her own.

Unfortunately, Yukiko came rushing out from the door to face him, "HUH? WHY?" She fumbled on her way out, Souji could hear. And when he looked at her, her brows are pulled together in a frown, but her eyes are not angry…just dismal, cheerless and depressed. She wanted to hear his answer so much that she rushed out from the closet, without even being fully dressed.

The kimono she's supposed to wear had lain by the shoji door, stepped on as she ran to him. Her dried body and new pair of underwear is all she had on her, and the obi she'd been gripping in her hand. Yukiko obviously panicked hearing Souji saying he's not going to come back. And now, she demands his reason.

"WHY NOT?" She asked again, stepping closer to him, almost tearful. Souji could only flinch away. It seems like she didn't even realized she's not exactly dressed and there's complications with her sudden action. By reflex he turned his head away but he saw Yukiko's hand about to reach his face and make him look back, so before she could lay a touch, Souji just gave in, looked at her, and said a stupid answer, "'Cause I'd need to adjust in a new environment."

"But isn't that your old school?" She asked almost right away, still insistent. She offensively stepped close again and the grip to her obi became tighter.

Souji had to actively move his eyes and thoughts away from her body, her breast, her waist, and her hips and further down! The velvety red of her lacy bra that cupped her so tightly and the silken black and red of her panty which made her slender legs and flat navel even whiter! Crap. What the hell?! He focused on her face but all he sees is Yukiko's tearful eyes, soft expression, her luscious lips and her long hair that's still soaking wet—the strands still dripping to her neck then to her cleavageous chest then STOP! He needs to stop looking!

"Yeah but I might need to catch up with homework during breaks" thus, another lame-ass response from Souji.

"Then here. WE CAN DO IT TOGETHER! The others will help as well." Yukiko pleaded, almost desperate but sincere. "Why won't you come back? Why are you leaving for good?" A clatter of emotions gushed from Yukiko's voice. You would've expected her to tremble but she didn't. As if there was a tone of reprimand holding her voice together as she spoke almost nearly in anger.

Souji could only look away this time and scratched his forehead. He can't take seeing Yukiko hurt and raged by him (Wet and stripped at that). He didn't even have a good reason, only: I want you to be happy with your new man without me in the picture. He can't say that of course, so he just opened his mouth and stuttered, still in search of a good excuse.

"W-why…are you…leaving?" Yukiko demanded but still no response from him. It doesn't matter though, because she would ask it again and again and she'd never let him out of the room until he did reason out. She can wait for him to put it into words. Yukiko looked at his befuddled face with her eyes that are still sad and disappointed.

"Souji…" This time, he met her gaze with the intimate way of calling his name. Yukiko reached her palm out to cup his flushed cheek, "I want to…be with you more."

Souji paused. His brain stopped looking for excuses. His focus narrowed down to the last words she have just told him.

She wants to be with me?

He thought he felt a spark of happiness, but then the reason why he stood there at the first place had become apparent. A rewind of the earlier events flashed in his mind: from their love-hate confusing romance through the year, from his and her small jealousies, from their friendly get-togethers turned in to sweet memories, from their lazy walks until the kiss she gave him under the moon light, and straight right back to this sudden stranger—her new boyfriend that everybody in town knew she's so lovey-dovey with.

Souji felt a cold sweat drop. His mouth turned into a frown.

She just said she wants to be with me.

"How can you tell me that?!" Souji demanded. His brow tightened together, his nose wrinkled and his hands grabbed Yukiko in both shoulders as he pushed her down the red and white futon that had lain open right beside them.

Yukiko splayed there in shock but without any hint of anger towards him. Innocence may be, but never displeased. Souji held her still in both her wrists this time. He was over her top, his knees straddled her left leg.

"H-how can you say that?" Souji asked again. His eyes are full of questions and she can tell it's hungry for an answer. But she herself did not know what to give him. She didn't understand what was so wrong with what she said.

"I love you Yukiko." Souji's eyes are still pierced to hers. His cheeks may be flushed red with a sheepish blush but it didn't matter. He is serious, and he demands. "I have loved you ever since then…!"

"S-s-souji…?"

"I LOVE YOU MUCH MORE THAN THAT GUY WILL!"

"W-wait! W-what are you…?

Souji docked his head nearer to her face this time—lips tilted closer to her ear. His hand gripped her never too strongly as to hurt her but just enough to keep her in place and let him have his word first. Yukiko could see the sincerity in his eyes, let alone the sorrow in there, more clearly now. "Do you hate me, Yukiko?" he asked in a hushed whisper.

She panicked again, of course not! Why would you think that way? "W-what? T-that's not…" she stuttered, struggling to give him the right words. "I don't ha-"

But she didn't have to finish talking for him to get her point. Souji's lips stopped her own from uttering anything more. He pressed down to her mouth in gentle aggression, strong but restrained, mad but in love.

Yukiko had to admit she was caught off guard. She had to blink her eyes three times to convince herself that it's her favorite silver-haired boy whose lips laid planted on hers. When she felt his tongue push between their kiss, she had not known what to do but close her eyes.

Souji carried on for a couple more minutes, and as he did, his kisses grew more intense and needier. What with Yukiko not doing anything but moan in his mouth. One of his hand slowly untangled its grip from Yukiko's wrists and his fingers crawled to the base of her neck instead, tickling and holding her in place to receive his fervor. When he figured Yukiko won't wrestle back with his tongue, he traced a path of wet kisses from her mouth, down to her chin and the sides of her jaw, to her neck where the small of her hairs perked up with the tingling sensation, then down to her chest, between the mounds of her plump breasts where there were beads of water transferred by her wet long hair.

Yukiko moaned a little audibly now that Souji's lips busied its way to her chest. She gasped upon feeling his warm hand gently raising one cup of her lacy bra and expose the hidden breast. "W-wait…Souji…" She called in between pants but Souji's touch is talentedly swift, and together with his tongue, Yukiko can only bite her lower lip and silence her moans while Souji successfully raised her bra up and licked on one nipple while a finger traced circles to the other. "No…w-wait! S-s-top…"

He chose not to hear her breathy whispers and trailed back up to silence her mouth with a strong, hungry kiss again. The hand that still held her other wrist unwound itself to caress her black locks, massaging the roots then combing it down to the tips. This time, Yukiko moved her slick tongue along with him. He moaned appreciatively with her return of gesture. Souji took it as a sign of encouragement. Now, the hand that fondled her breast, slowly, gently, strayed down to the waistband of her panty. Yukiko broke the kiss and gasped, "S-souji…"

Souji kissed her again and she complied. His hand decided to snake inside of her silky undergarment but in contrary with her engaged tongue, one of her freed hand trembled in a weak hold of Souji's sliding arm. It's firm enough to convey her hesitatiom but weak enough not to stop him from feeling her slit. And when Souji's fingers met with the sticky wetness in between Yukiko's legs, she instinctively squeezed her thighs closed to bar him from discovering more. But it's too late when he couldn't help it. He withdrew his hand only to slide her panty down until mid-thigh then resumed to find the perfect bean to rub. He could've sworn that it got wetter than before and with her constant moans, he's got no choice but to set free his own bulging member that had been tightening in between his pants ever since he saw her rush to him with only her bra and panties.

The pause gave Yukiko a chance to arch a little and as soon as she focused on Souji's hand and saw his big length glistening on the tip, she gasped again "Y-you…" Souji moved back to her, completely striping her panty, spread her legs, and sat on his knees while he positioned himself in between her with his elbows straddling her chest. It happened so swiftly, before Yukiko could even stop anything, "Y-you can't!"

Nevertheless, Souji rubbed the head of his member to Yukiko's slick slit. He trailed the wetness one, two, or more times with the hand that grips his member that's also trembling in unknown fear. Yukiko arched again, it only gave her a better view of what Souji is doing to her body and she moaned, squeezing his broad shoulder with her warm hand.

They shared slickness with his pre-cum and her own juices mixed together as Souji rubbed and rubbed while she pumped his shoulder and pleaded, "You can't do this…!"

"IF YOU DON'T WANT TO THEN TELL ME SO…!" Souji cried out. His eyes clouded with fear and fervor in a way that she never saw before. His pace slowed down in concession to her plea but it's still there, gliding but like a dying heartbeat. "IF YOU DO…THEN I'LL GIVE UP."

"But Sou-"

"I'LL TAKE RESPONSIBILITY ON THIS!" Souji narrowed his eyes attuned with his furious yelp. And like he always is with Yukiko, he's never scary, gentle in fact, sincere and true with his claim. "Yukiko…please…"

"Souji…" she breathed out a soft whisper of his name. Yukiko has gotten caught up with the look on his eyes, the sweat on his face and the flush across his nose and cheeks—knowing she must have looked the same in his view. She could feel even the littlest sensation of the beads of sweat falling down on her forehead, but not long after Souji finally made his push inside her.

"Aaahh….AAHHHH!" Yukiko yelped in pain. It was something sudden, sharp and burning in her sex, making her eyes narrow down and start to well up. She could see Souji with his vision shut and his hands trembling while pushing the back of her thighs to point her bent knees towards her head. Her legs are acutely angled to squeeze each of Souji's hands that latch on both of her thighs. It doesn't get any better only more uncomfortable with him moving just too fast."Hnnggg…O-oww!"

Souji heard her moans, straddled her shoulders with his elbows and cushioned the back of her head with both his palms. He expected it to be tight but then again he wasn't ready on how overwhelmingly good it is to be inside Yukiko. It's borderline hot, and it's slippery enough that he could glide in and out so lusciously as the walls inside her kept on gripping him like it wouldn't let him go. Every time he slides his way out of her, he could feel Yukiko's sex sucking him back in. And fuck it just feels so good. Souji could only curse in his mind while her breathy moans are tickling his brain.

"Yukiko….! Yukiko…!" Souji buried his head on the crook of her neck, moaning into her sweaty skin, he just couldn't keep it in anymore. He can't control how his hips are thrusting desperately inside her either.

"It hurts…! Souji! It hurts!" Yukiko's voice quivered. Must be the tears that had lumped inside her throat, and the pain and discomfort that Souji has just now realized: the reason of her moaning.

He pulled out right away, and looked down. He kept his low kneel before her crouched body and both of them wheezed for air.

Souji looked back at her again, sweating profusely, and just realizing the high he'd been in to. "I-I'm Sorry, Yukiko-chan…"

"It's fine." She said blatantly but Souji could only narrow his eyes to the sight of her, lying on her side and curling her body to the center and away from him. Yukiko's palms are covering both of her eyes as she sobbed and continued sobbing until her lungs are drowning with the lack of air. Her knees pointed up to her belly, her buttocks pointing out on view and her legs are still shaking. The silken panty is still dangling on her ankle, moist and crumpled. And when Souji traced his eyes to the slit of her butt, he saw bloody streaks—some had dried and settled on the white of her futon and some streaks are still fresh, bright red and dripping from her sex.

Souji was terrified to what he did.

He thought that facing a god and almost losing his friends along the process was something that scared the heart of his being…but right now, he felt that his actions just burned down his own person. It was as if he was his own shadow—and it's not even like being helpless in facing an exaggeration of lies or he was forced against his will. In fact, he did it himself. He defiled his one love and nobody, not even himself had saved Yukiko from his inexcusable wrong-doing.

Souji rose to his feet, trembling, and backed away. It was the sight of terror: his Yukiko, scared, hurt, bleeding and used. And it was he, Souji Seta, to do it with his own hands. He stepped away, wishing this was just a nightmare that he could run away from and erase forever.

He punished himself for the last time, with the view that he sculpted in his mind: How horrible the situation is and how despicable a man could become. His eyes dilated once again before he turned and ran away as fast as he could. Through the pouring rain, and muddy road. Until he passed the flood plain, the river, the houses, the shrine, and up until he's blinded in the darkness of the forest and Yukiko's crying has toned down into hushed sobbing that kept lingering in his ears. Until it would all fade away, just like a nightmare that he can shut off in the darkness.

Crying he's sorry, Souji hoped that when he wakes up…Yukiko will never forgive him.

Author's note: Neh, is this successfully gloomy? Is this dark enough?

Just tell me what you think so I can fix it and make it better.

BTW, how is Chie all giddy? She's fine, right?

Next Chapter: Current time (four years later) when Souji finally returns to Inaba! ^_^