So yeah, new chapter already. I'm getting quite sleepy, but I think that it's about time that there was more action in this story, so why the hell not? This is shorter than the previous one, but there are a lot of significant parts here.

Outside Yuu's bedroom, Ijuuin felt curious and decided to check out Yuu's bookshelf. He found that Yuu had collected all the volumes of The Kan so far.

"Wow, he wasn't kidding when he said he loved my manga," Ijuuin said to himself. Then he saw a few sketchbooks in the same bookshelf.

"Oh, what's this?" he wondered as he took one and opened it up. A lot of those sketches were of Chiaki. He was perplexed, yet impressed by Yuu's art skills. Not to mention also a little bit jealous.

"So, Yoshino-san's the guy Yuu used to love, huh?" Ijuuin grunted a bit sardonically.

Meanwhile, Yuu found Chiaki's number and called it. He tapped his fingers on his lap as it was ringing. Finally, Chiaki picked up.

"Ah, Yuu! Nice to hear from you! What's up?"

"Listen, Chiaki…this is hard to say, but it needs to be said."

"Why? What's wrong?" Chiaki asked.

"Well, I don't think we should work together anymore."

This was hard for Yuu to say, but he knew it had to be done, no matter how painful it would be. Then again, just seeing Chiaki for work reasons was painful enough; he didn't want to feel that anymore. The incident involving himself, Chiaki, and Hatori was a wake-up call and now he accepted it.

Chiaki was confused, "Huh? Why?"

"It's just…after the whole thing with you and Tori, I don't think it's right for us hang out a lot right now, work or personal. I know what I tried to do to you was wrong and so that won't happen again, I'll have to stay clear from you, at least for now. I got some stuff to think about."

Though Chiaki was overwhelmed about this, he still understood what Yuu wanted and respected it.

"Oh. Well, if you think that's the best way, then I understand. It'll be weird not working with you though."

"I know, but it's for the best. Goodbye, Chiaki."

"Goodbye, Yuu. I'll see you when I when I see you."

Yuu hung up and sprawled himself on his bed.

"There. I guess the hard part's done," Yuu told himself. He then felt thirsty and got up to get something to drink. When he got out of his room, he saw Ijuuin looking at one of his sketchbooks. Yuu's face turned blue with shock.

"Sensei, what are you doing?" Yuu asked as Ijuuin looked up.

"I'm looking at your drawings," Ijuuin answered bluntly, "Very angled and detailed from what I've seen. Nice."

"Thank you, Sensei. But those drawings are pretty personal…it feels uncomfortable for me to watch you flip through them."

"If I'm not mistaken…this is Yoshino-san, isn't it?"

Yuu gulped as soon as Ijuuin mentioned it. Imagine how awkward it would be when the guy you have a crush on look at drawings of a guy you're trying to get over. Totally awkward. But Yuu wasn't about to lie to the darker-haired man's face. It was better to be honest about it.

"…Yeah. That's Chiaki."

When Yuu gave his answer, Ijuuin closed the sketchbook and requested the younger man to sit down on the sofa by patting the spot next to him.

"Could you tell me more about this 'Chiaki', if you don't mind?"

Yuu hesitated a bit, but he was starting to feel that he could trust the older man, as being with him felt like a comfort that he didn't feel with anyone else. He sat down and started to open this mouth.

"I've have known Chiaki since junior high. We were in the same class. We shared a lot of common interests, especially manga. The more we spent time together, the more I fell for him. Little did I know his best friend from childhood and now editor, Yoshiyuki Hatori, was in love with him, too. Hatori and Chiaki got even closer since they went to the same college. I went to another one, but I managed to keep in touch with them. Around the time we were done studying, I became Chiaki's chief assistant and the torch I carried for him kept on flaming. It came to the point where Hatori and I were rivals for Chiaki's love."

As Yuu's story progressed, Ijuuin felt like he was beginning to understand and fall for him even more. He discovered that Yuu's sarcastic side was a cover-up for his unrequited feelings for Chiaki. He kept on listening as Yuu continued the story.

"But Chiaki was so dim and naïve, he had no clue that both of us were in love with him. Chiaki soon realized he loved Hatori, so they became lovers. I was mad Chiaki for a long time since he ditched me on his birthday to spend it with Hatori. Some time later, I came back to work with him on his manga. And then he and Hatori had an argument, so he came over to my place. We were drinking and I wanted to draw him. Later, Hatori called if Chiaki was there and I lied to him, saying he wasn't. After the call, I tried to force myself on Chiaki and then he punched me in the face. Hatori soon came running and pushed me against a wall. Before something could happen, Chiaki put a stop to it and they left together. I could feel the entire pain rolling throughout my body. I came to the conclusion that Chiaki doesn't love me and never will."

Ijuuin suddenly noticed that Yuu was beginning to shed tears from his eyes. Without hesitation, he embraced the younger man tightly, as if he did not want to let go. Yuu cried a little bit more and reciprocated the hug.

"Sensei…what are you doing?"

"You've suffered enough, Yuu. I truly understand now. I wish I could tell you that things were just as bad for me when I loved Takahashi-kun before. I wish. But that's not supposed to matter. What does is what's happening now…"

"What are you trying to say, Ijuuin-sensei?" the younger man breathed.

"I'm saying that I think I'm falling in love with you. Ever since I met you, I found it hard to keep you out of my thoughts. Everything about you about is worth knowing about. I want to keep on knowing about you."

Upon hearing Ijuuin's confession, Yuu was frozen. He wasn't sure how to respond. But what he did know is that he couldn't stop the wonderful feeling inside of him.

"I-I don't know what to think about this, Sensei…"

"This is all so sudden, I know. But please…just let me love you, Yuu Yanase."

The older man looked at Yuu's red, teary-eyed face and leaned in closer. He pressed his lips against Yuu's and slowly deepened it, letting their tongues touch. Yuu wanted to try and hold back, but his heart wouldn't let him. He kept on receiving the kiss and placed his hands on Ijuuin face, increasing the intimacy between them.

Author's note:

- There will be a sex scene, which means the rating will most likely change.

- Chiaki and Yuu's friendship is not ending, they're just not going to work together anymore. I'll work on that later.