AN: Hi guys! Author here. So sorry this fic hadn't been updated in a while, I didn't know people were still reading it lol. But don't worry. From now on, this fic will be updated weekly. Anyway, I tried to give you guys a more "meaty" chapter this time. Anyway, enjoy! Don't forget to review who Kotoko should end up with :)

Irie punched Watanabe, much to everyone's shock. His fist swung out and landed thwack in the other man's chest. The manager looked angry, but Kotoko apologized quickly and told him it wasn't going to be a problem, and so the manager went back to the kitchen.

"Brother, what are you doing?" Yuuki asked, shocked that his hero did something so wrong. One arm was around Konomi, protectively. Even though this situation really didn't call for it, Kotoko couldn't help thinking that the two teenagers really were a very cute couple.

"Listen, Irie, I don't know why you're here and being really aggressive to Akio-kun, but cut it out! We are on a date, and I don't want it to be ruined!" Kotoko said strictly, one hand on her hip, wedging herself in between the two men.

"Gosh, you sound like my mom," Watanabe muttered, laughing lightly.

"Now is not the time, Akio-kun! Shush." Kotoko berated, and then looked at Irie. He stood his ground, like he had no intention of leaving.

Kotoko sighed. There really was only one thing left to do.

"You know what, Watanabe? Take the kids home, okay?" Kotoko said. "I'll stay, and talk to Irie about whatever's bothering him, and why he felt the need to disrupt our really awesome double date-"

"Super awesome double date!" Konomi interrupted.

"SUPER AWESOME DOUBLE DATE," Kotoko continued. "I'm really sorry, Akio-kun. We'll make it up another day, promise!"

"Should I be worried? Should I leave you alone?" Watanabe asked worriedly, glancing imperceptibly at Irie.

"Oye, we used to be best friends, Watanabe," Irie drawled. "You know I would never punch a girl. I won't do anything to harm Kotoko."

"No, he won't. You don't have to be worried." Kotoko said to Watanabe, and gave him a hug.

"Alright," Watanabe whispered just to Kotoko, "but the first sign of trouble, you call me. Okay?"

"Sure," Kotoko said back.

"We're leaving now. Come on, lovebirds!" Watanabe said to Yuuki and Konomi.

"Huh? Don't call us that!" Yuuki scowled.

"Yuuki-kun, you're literally dating her and you can't even acknowledge that? Poor Konomi," Kotoko laughed, and unexpectedly, Watanabe and Irie laughed too. It reminded her of the old days with a pang of her gut, back when she was the lovesick girl chasing after Irie, while Watanabe watched from Irie's side.

"Shut up, baka-Kotoko!" Yuuki muttered as the three exited the door.

"Alright, sit down," Kotoko said in a much more serious tone to Irie now that they two were alone.

"Why? Why are you doing this, huh, Irie? Is it because you're still in love with me?" Kotoko asked directly. She was tired, and more than a little annoyed that the double date had been so rudely interrupted.

"Hmm?" Irie looked up at her, his eyes calculating. "Am I in love with you? I don't think so. To be in love with you? Pathetic," he drawled seemingly uncaringly, but it sounded a bit...rehearsed.

"Are you sure?" Kotoko asked tiredly. "You're acting really jealous. I mean really. So if you're not in love with me the only plausible explanation is that you're in love with...Watanabe?"

"What? NO! No. I'm not gay, Kotoko!"

"Then just admit it. You're jealous. You love me, I know you do. But it's too late. You were so cruel to me and now that I'm in a relationship with Watanabe, of course you would pine after me and make my life difficult. You need to get over me."

Instead of being angry this time, Irie just looked...sad. "Listen, I'm sorry that I was cruel to you, but I literally know nothing about girls and expressing my feelings. My being mean to you wasn't intentional...just that's how I communicated with you, I guess. Just like Yuuki, I guess. Even he's doing better than me. What a weird time, huh?" Irie laughed, a small laugh, at the end, and Kotoko joined in. "But listen...I..."

"You...what?" Kotoko asked, confused.

"Well, never mind. Are you happy with Watanabe, truly happy? Are you in love with him?"

"Of course I am, I don't love him yet but I think I'm going to, slowly. He really does care about me."

Irie shrugged brokenly, dejected. "What's a man to do?" He said in English, and Kotoko said, "what did you say?"

"Nothing. You know what? I'll apologize to Watanabe tomorrow. For right now, I'll take you home. Let's go."

"Whatever you say, Irie. Hey, that rhymed!" Kotoko tried to make a joke to break the heavy atmosphere.

Irie offered a small smile, and then the two set out of the restaurant back to the Irie household.

TBC