I am back to be the Dying Alive again. If I could write how sorry I am for not updating for so long there wouldn't be a chapter update but instead a lengthily sigh with rants here and there to fill the space… And so I can only express my immense my guilt by saying little…ish…

Anyways while I wasn't be proactive for the new chapters I was re-editing previous ones since there were some points I really needed to change to make the story better. For specific changes and such please scroll to the end of the chapter for details!

Another quick note this chapter begins on the weekend that was hinted in the last chap!

Without further ado…

Chapter 5: Null Hypothesis

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Null Hypothesis: A hypothesis which the researcher tries to disprove or nullify. Null often states the commonly viewed accept. A type of prediction that negates all that is stated in the alternate hypothesis.

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Yuzuki held the long red fabric in front of the ovular mirror. To scarf or not to scarf… She grumbled. With the scarf she wouldn't have a neck thanks to her hair sharing its color. She could always risk it and go a few days without a voice and downing down cough drops continuously. Yuzuki put the scarf close to her grey toggle jacket that her older sister had said went well with the red fabric.

I wonder if sis would be down for hot pot or maybe noodles since it would be more practical… Yuzuki juggled the ideas and leaned closer to the mirror to finish the final knot on the scarf. Spaghetti is a good idea too, it'll last us for a week lunch wise. But only she can take having that for lunch every day. She dabbed the bloated parts of her eyes gently in hopes that her fingers were cold enough to shrink them more.

Yawning as she shut the door, she turned the doorknob out of habit to check its security. Yuzuki slipped her house key into the small black side bag and hopped down the metal steps of the second floor apartment. Ahhh… let's just have the supermarket sales decide it. Yuzuki stretched walking through the narrow streets towards the train station.

XXX

Yamaguchi stepped of the train drifting along with the crowd that was only slightly smaller than that on weekdays. The cold breeze swayed his tall frame. He drove his hands deeper into the beige pockets of his jacket and hid behind his muffler.

It was way too cold for running an errand to the bakery. But at least he would be in the vicinity of the café he wanted to try right? Should he run by Tsukki's later and bring him something? There was something he wanted to ask Tsukki about this week's math problems anyways. What was he doing right now? Maybe he should get a few more desserts so the rest of Tsukki's family could have some too!

Ah that's only if the place turns out to be good. Yamaguchi grinned hopefully to himself. I wonder what Tsukki is doing right now? Yamaguchi sighed pensively breathing a cloud of visible breath to the sky until the buzzing of his phone distracted him and was caught up replying to a text.

XXX

Perching up an arm, he skimmed through another page of nicely posed wing spikers as background music looped. Tsukishima looked up from the magazine and stared at his room's white walls, blinking passively. Pushing away from his desk, he leaned on the back rest of the computer chair to stretch. He tilted his head side to side hearing the muffled chinks of his neck release. Standing up, he crossed over to his bed in one step. Black hoodie, grey sweats and all, he laid himself on the covers with his feet sticking all the way to the mattress' edge. The white headphones he wore shifted in the motion so that they were pressing against his glasses uncomfortably. Frowning a little he fixed them.

He intertwined his thin long fingers behind his blond hair. Without anyone home he was completely undisturbed. There were no little sounds around that would seep into his headphones and interfere with the music. All of Yamaguchi's questions were taken care of and his phone lied on the night stand switched to silent. There was no possibility of a sudden intrusion. There was no better weekend he could ask for.

But in the corner if his eye he noticed the long list of songs and their respective bands sticking from his organized stack of homework.

On it, he could see the scribbled name of a band he had wanted to try printed in messy writing. After much contemplation, Tsukishima detached himself from the bed and snatched the song list he got from the Broadcasting Club at school.

XXX

Yuzuki quickly apologized to the sandy haired mother and her equally sandy haired tall son she had ran into while reciting biology terms in her head down the long groceries leaving the house, she realized that she had blissfully forgotten about the biology test that was circled, stared, and highlighted on her calendar.

Crouching down to find the right brand of pasta, she felt her right coat pocket vibrate. Quickly she flipped out the device expecting a message. Instead her phone told her there was an extra 10% off on any tomato related products today at the supermarket she was squatting down in the middle of. It was good news but not the exact one she wanted. Yuzuki was expecting a text message from Yamaguchi.

The current topic was favorite food to help Yuzuki find inspiration on what to cook tonight and what to do for lunch for the rest of the coming week.

Downloading the coupon as she stood up, she moved over to the next isle with her basket that contained the new addition of a bag of spaghetti which hopefully wouldn't be the only carbs for the week. With phone still in hand, she searched for the perfect brand of tomato paste or really which ever label caught her eye first on the shelves.

Being in the isle of tomato products, Yuzuki joked to herself about bringing a box of ketchup to Yamaguchi's place if she was ever to go there. According to previous text messages, his whole family was big on potatoes or fries like foods. Yamaguchi's mother liked them crispy, his father liked potato wedges and he himself preferred soft floppy fries which was credited to being lazy at chewing his food when he was young.

Yuzuki chuckled behind her phone seeing the tiny version of Yamaguchi with more concentrated freckles on each cheek and almost completely toothless smile in the picture he had sent her.

No wonder he would've liked eating soft fries. Yuzuki snickered. Walking around still, she grabbed a random box of strawberries and a couple of other fruits within reach. He seemed liked he would be the type of kid with a billion of questions to ask. But knowing him he probably apologize a lot for them… Yuzuki's thoughts continued. Just like how he would to his tall counter-part.

Yuzuki's imagination expanded.

I guess he… would also be very cute as a kid…

Yuzuki ran away to the cash register to check out her items. Spaghetti week it is.

XXX

Tousling his blond hair with one hand and the other swiping through the newly added songs on his ipod he made quiet even steps over to the kitchen.

Opening the fridge out of habit he was met with the chilly emptiness of its interior. Having predicted the results before, he didn't muster up any reaction except to turn and find a short note left on the counter by his mother and brother to tell him they were out groceries shopping.

The new playlist hummed in the background as he mused leaning against the granite counter. He felt a craving rise on his tongue on this slow afternoon.

Closing his eyes, he decided it was better that he went to get what he wanted instead of waiting and relying on someone else. Plus, it was a good chance to test out the playlist while he walked.

Fixing his white headphones he strutted back to his room to change.

XXX

Sitting daintily at one of the chic teal chair and table set for two Yamaguchi welcomed the shortcake placed in front of him. The presentation was so nice it took him a minute to decide from where he should destroy first. Taking up the silver dessert fork he put it down again and flipped his phone out to send a picture to Yuzuki and Tsuki.

XXX

Another message bubble popped up on the screen with a picture a pretty strawberry shortcake. In the caption he asked if cakes like this was hard to make and if she did it before in her Home-Ed class.

'Baking cakes usually range from simple and straight forward to what-in-the-world-is-this-it-looks-good-but-tastes-like-a-curse-to-humanity bad. Usually it just takes a lot of practice instead.' Yuzuki typed out replying to Yamaguchi.

Rereading her message, she deleted several adjectives and settled with the descriptor of "really difficult to perfect" instead. Before sending it, she rewrote it.

'Nope they're not. Do you like them?' She quickly typed back and stuffed her hand back to her warm pocket. Yamaguchi's reply was quick.

'I'm glad. I actually like eating fruit cakes. Tsukki is the one that really likes eating strawberry shortcakes did you know? What kind of dessert do you like?'

Yuzuki replied back with a fruit tart sticker.

Pressing send, she returned the device and her hand into the pocket of her toggle jacket. She hid behind the red scarf and pondered about Yamaguchi's sudden interest in Home-Economics instead of the impeding Biology test. It seemed to match his personality and at the same it didn't. After a short contemplation she flipped out her phone and revealed her dry hand to the cold again.

Swiping up to the previous message bubbles, Yuzuki noticed that their direction of previous conversations had a specific trend. The screen lit up again as she walked past a classic black lamppost beside a red bench.

'Ah maybe I'll try that at the café I'm at right now~ Maybe I'll take Tsukki and you here sometime!'

She smiled reading the text but it also confirmed her suspicion. Yuzuki pouted a little for not noticing it before and even slightly embarrassment too for following the flow of their conversation that always drifted back to a certain tall blond.

Yuzuki's expression was passive with the same unease plaguing her from before. Was she really right? She had that knowing feeling again just like whenever she watched Yamaguchi run to Tsukishima.

Another message bubble popped up from Yamaguchi that made her pause her steps in a jolt.

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Yamaguchi waved through the glass with a wide grin at Yuzuki. The gloom disappeared from her face instantly. He pointed towards the café's entrance.

She was quick to sit across from him on the dainty café table despite the bags of groceries trailing behind her the whole time. Her rustling display of the plastic bags caught the attention of the server who greeted her warmly.

After the usual procedures of settling in and ordering, Yuzuki sat happily across from Yamaguchi who was emulating the same aurora.

"I didn't realize it was this café that you were talking about. The fruit tarts here are the best!" Yuzuki commented as her order of the infamous fruit tarts came with a side of hot tea.

"Yeah, I should've texted the exact address to you." Yamaguchi chuckled. "Do you think the strawberry shortcakes here are good?"

Yuzuki stopped her first bite of the dessert to answer.

"I've tried them a few times and they were pretty good…" Her eyes panned over to the shortcake with a bite in it Yamaguchi had ordered. "Do you not like them or something…?"

"Ah, no! That's not it!" His hands flailed. "I just thought I would get an expert opinion..." Yuzuki immediately laughed at the outrageous comment.

"I'm not a good standard, get that Tsukishima to try it instead!" She froze as if she showed her imaginary tail to the public. Seeing Yamaguchi's expression change to a redder tone a coolness came over her neck as the knowing feeling inside increased. She felt like a scientist, one on the brink of discovery. Yamaguchi held his head down.

"P-pff-pff-hahaha" He broke into a fit of giggles. Yuzuki flinched and her brain hurt a little snapping from the glum it was in a moment ago to the brightness of his laughs. "S-sorry I was just remembering Tsukki's face when we discovered a café dedicated to strawberry related desserts a long time ago."

She put loose fist close to her mouth to cover the growing grin she had while watching him.

"Hopefully his tastes aren't too picky though. Strawberry shortcakes aren't really hard to make at home you know." Yuzuki remembering their earlier conversation. "I could teach you sometime if you want?"

"Of course I do! But the taste is another thing" Yamaguchi stated finally trying the shortcake in front of him.

"Don't worry, I'll be there to be preliminary taste checker." She took a bite of her dessert.

"I'm glad at least some damage will be wavered." He chuckled. "I just hope he'll like it."

"Geez, what godly deed did Tsukishima-kun ever do to deserve such a nice friend that purposely goes out and tries out their favorite dessert just to recommend places to them. Even trying to make it for them now too…You must really treasure this friend of yours." Yuzuki's tone rose and fell as she went, twirling her fork in mid-air.

"Yeah I guess I do." He laughed.

"You must really like Tsukki. He's lucky."

"Hahaha yeah I do."

"Quite a lot too if I must say, with all you're doing." She nodded.

"Yeah I really like Tsukki lots." Yamaguchi continued to smile bashfully.

"Right-"

They stared at one another, wide eyed, pale faces that were burning up, and wearing equally dumbfounded expressions.

Servers and customers that passed by their table glanced over worriedly as the two had a meltdown over the conversation.

XXX

"I-it's gross isn't it…" Yamaguchi uttered when they finally settled again. A server came with the excuse of refilling their drinks to check on them.

"Of course not! I just didn't think that you would ever tell me about all this." She said in all honesty as soon as the server left them. She was still digesting everything Yamaguchi had unloaded.

"To be honest I don't really know myself. I guess it just went along with the flow since I've holding it in for a while." Yamaguchi smiled meekly. "But you really aren't grossed out? You don't even look that surprised."

"Well you can't say I'm not surprised…" Yuzuki began. "Like you know, in science you have a null hypothesis where it's the commonly accepted like to, um, to you know like the opposite gender in this case but then there's your alternative hypothesis where it isn't like that! When you accept the alternative hypothesis it's like you made a sudden new discovery! Like um a researcher! That's all! Do you… get what I mean?" Yuzuki's hands gestured every 'like' and stutter until they hung awkwardly in the air when she finished.

"Oh… Okay, don't worry I know what you mean." Yamaguchi nodded and smiled after.

"I'm sorry I've having a lot of troubles in Biology and it's really been hanging in my mind…" Yuzuki looked down at the table cloth.

"It's okay! I should be thanking you for spending time to hear me out when you could be studying."

"Not at all! But to like someone for 7 years is really something…" Yuzuki praised. But why Tsukishima though? That thought still hung in her head. Yamaguchi you have to promise me if things get rough or you need help you have to tell me alright." She added.

"I don't know really, maybe I like the way he speaks." The skin on Yamaguchi's cheeks reddened again.

"You mean that condescending, sarcastic criticism he spews all the time." Yuzuki muttered.

"I guess it's something like that if you put it that way." He giggled slightly. With a perched arm, Yuzuki watched helplessly at the gentle boy across from her.

"Well if anything does happen be sure to tell me so that it wouldn't be a surprise when Tsukishima's nice headphones break." Yuzuki went back to her fruit tart. She had to think to swallow.

"That would definitely do some considerable damage." Yamaguchi laughed. Yuzuki grinned back at the freckled boy. "Then Tsukki and I will be in your care. Although I'm probably going to need more though..." Yamaguchi bowed.

"Eh..? Why- I mean I get it for you but why Tsukishima too?" She made a face.

"Well it's because Yuzuki-san has a really strong opinion on him." Yamaguchi laughed.

"No I don't…" She uttered.

"He can be a little mean sometimes..." He recollected.

"I can't help him if he carries salt around all day." Yuzuki replied back.

"Please try your best to give us both pointers!" Yamaguchi bowed again.

"I'll try with the little knowledge I have from one-sided love." She smiled, a little crookedly.

"Thanks you so much again for hearing me out Yuzuki-san!" He beamed.

"Just try not to skip home too happily."

Eventually, Yamaguchi still bounced out of the restaurant.

Yuzuki felt her neck for her pulse. It was still racing from the sudden eureka. She slumped onto the café table exhausted and in gloom. What to do, her instincts were right. Really, all this really wasn't good for her heart.

7 years is really hard to beat…

She jolted up again to tapping on the window. Yamaguchi waved happily to her before he pranced off. She smiled and waved back but also in time to catch the glimpse of a certain tall blond crossing the intersection and coming in this direction. Just as Yamaguchi left her sight Tsukishima was here at the crossroad near the café.

Wow, that is some serious messed up faith they have… Yuzuki stared as the supposed star crossed lovers miss each completely as one came and the other went.

Smothering any of the last small burn she had for him in her chest. Yuzuki got up to pay for her bill and scram.

At the cashier, her eyes wandered over to the mass display of sweets. As per usual the most colorful thing there, fruit tarts, caught her eye.

"Excuse me, how much for one of the tarts?" She pointed.

"300 yen (about $3 ish)"

Hmm… What would sis like? Yuzuki mused bending lower to see the other options.

Behind her she heard bells rings as the café door opened. The servers greeted as usual and she heard a few mutter in buzz about his height.

What would sis like? What would sis like? What would sis like? What would sis like? What would sis like? What would sis like? What would sis like? What would sis like? What would sis like? What would sis like? She focus was unreal.

Unavoidably, Yuzuki bumped into his arm.

"Ah sorry, even with that bullseye red hair it's still a little too easy to overlook you." A condescending smile was casted over her. Tsukishima stood tall beside her in front of the display cases.

With one sentence he managed to hit two sensitive topics to perfection. Yuzuki wasn't sure if her pulse was racing from anger or from pure astonishment at this blondy appearing beside her suddenly.

She smoothed over her expression.

"Ahahaha that's fine accidents happen right? Miss give me that last strawberry shortcake you have please." Yuzuki said pointing through the glass with a serious expression. Tsukishima watched in mortification as the server completed the task and the purpose of him going out get obliterated.

"The shortcakes here are just so good you know. Gotta take one home for the family am I right?" A wide grin spread over Yuzuki face. Touching a hand to her mouth, her expression was nothing short of mockery and malice.

Receiving the white box, Yuzuki was out of the café in no time. She would've done a cricket hop outside too if she wasn't carrying her prize and a heavy chest.

Tsukishima glared the whole time she was still visible. Seething would be a good word to describe it.

"Um sir is there anything you would like today?" The bakery girl asked lightly.

"Just give half a dozen of whatever cake you have." He snapped back still watching the red blob in the large windows.

XXX

Remembering the bad part of his weekend, Tsukishima's mood slipped back into an unimpressed state. He turned away from the purple-red hair standing in the hallway. What she did wasn't something that couldn't be equated he thought to himself.

Coming back to earth again, Yuzuki began to walk down the hallway to chemistry class for the combustion lab. If she were to break down her problem into lab basics Tsukishima would be responding variable while his interactions with everyone else would be manipulated variables trying to make him respond. The hypothesis would be that he like the opposite gender. Where sense of freedom that she was supposed to feel after accepting her null hypothesis?

Ha. Even dating the best friend to sooth the burn is out the window and into the sea.

"Yuzuki~!"

Her head snapped up to see a black short haired boy waving her over.

"Ah Tsukiji-senpai, did you guys finish with the broadcast?" She asked running away from the two behind her.

And that's the end for chapter 5!

Thank you guys so, soo, sooo much for supporting this fic, and man, reaching 50+ followers with 4 (now 5) chapters is a great feat for me. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!

Until the next chapter!

~Vince