"I mean seriously, what do you want the man to do?!" Atobe exclaimed, walking around the room. "He keeps telling you that he loves you and you keep pushing him away."

Fay stayed quiet on the couch. She sat there, hugging her knees and trying to calm her nerves down.

Atobe walked over to her and leaned down to stare into her face, "you pushed him to his limits," he said quietly. "It's these psychotic acts that you women pull that drives us men crazy." He said, making Fay glare at him.

"You're obviously in love with him." He rolled his eyes, "and when he confesses his undying love to you; what do you do? Reject him,' he muttered, shaking his head. ''And now... My head hurts," he stated, sitting on the couch next to her.

Fay still hugged her knees tighter in annoyance at Atobe's comment, "so you agree that what I said was stupid?"

"Really, ?! YOU THINK?!" he said sarcastically, looking up at her suddenly.

Fay glared at him, "what did you want me to say?!" she snapped.

"I LOVE YOU TOO, THAT'S WHAT! YOU STUPID WOMAN!"

"Don't call me stupid! ARGH! This is not what I had planned," she shrieked annoyed, shaking her head in frustration. "That's why I said I didn't want to go?! This is what happens when you put me and him in the same room."

Atobe glared back at her and hit her head lightly, "Idiot," he whispered, "Just call him and say that you do love him..."

Fay hesitated, "I can't," she said quietly.

Atobe turned his head around fast to look at her, "excuse me?" he asked, unsure if what he heard was correct.

If you really love me... then you will have to take the next step. Fay remembered his words clearly and felt sad. Did he have to say it so confidently?!

"Fay?"

"I don't want to." She crossed her arms, "he told me something that pissed me off! He can drop dead for all I care."

"You're being spoilt," he said.

"He told me that if I really did love him then I'll have to take the first step after him because he won't anymore!"

Atobe's eyes widened, 'seriously? He said that?" he asked, trying not to laugh. Way to go Sanada Genichirou, he laughed inwardly.

"Don't you dare laugh!" Fay said without looking at Atobe; she was certain that he agreed with the way Sanada reacted and responded to her.

"Well?"

Aya studied the blueprint in front of Yosuke and rubbed her chin, "I don't know... There's something off about this sketch," she admitted. "It looks a rather plain and gives me the feeling I am looking at a box instead of a building."

"Good answer," he answered, pulling the blueprint to his side of the table. "Let me show you the most important aspect of a building."

"Good answer?" she asked, puzzled and leaned forward to see what Yosuke was sketching. What is he doing? She thought as Yosuke picked his pencil and drew some stuff around. Looks like... Yosuke finished and showed the new sketch.

Aya looked at it curiously, "you drew windows," she remarked, "oh... To draw in the sun; since this is an open area, the sun's effect will make it look awesome."

"Awesome isn't the exact word I would use but yes, that's exactly the point of windows on a building." He smiled at her, "and you passed the test."

Aya pushed her tongue at him, "you seriously underestimate me at times," she said playfully.

He chuckled, shaking his head, "No, I'm just curious about how you would react to my drawings." He looked back at something, suddenly turning serious, "I don't hire people I underestimate."

Aya smiled, "that really sounded like Fay !"

"Do not compare me with her. Your friend is a slave driver," Yosuke admitted slouching on his chair. "That girl causes so much drama in her life," he sighed.

"Slave driver?" laughed ignoring the last comment. "Well, she is a perfectionist when it comes to work, but she totally sucks with men!" she sat on her chair and played with her phone for a bit and than looked up at Yosuke who was looking at her. "Do I want to know what you are thinking about?"

"Nope!" he answered crossing his hands behind his head. "Let's change subject now!"

"How come we're having lunch today?' Kirihara asked Yuuta and , "and in Fay-San''s office."

Fay looked up at him wryly from her salad, "you mean bonding?" she asked sarcastically. Is this even right? She thought munching on her salad. I am in such a bad mood today! She sighed inwardly and pushed her plate away. "I am full."

Kirihara blushed and rubbed the back of his head, "well, all we three do is fight so I was a bit curious," he admitted.

Yuuta sipped his drink not caring.

Fay sighed and looked at Kirihara, "We're a team, so we need to show the world that. Besides it's a nice change once in a while to have a decent quiet lunch." She picked up her phone and looked at her messages. Nothing... she placed in on the table again.

'Even if we fight?" Kirihara asked.

"Yes," Yuuta answered, "if people see us fighting all the time, then they will take advantage of the situation."

Fay nodded. "Not only that, but they won't think much of us. Anyway, a healthy relationship has its ups and downs, that's exactly the situation with us!"

Kirihara thought about it while he continued digging into his fries. After a few minutes, he remembered something else, 'Oh... Fay-san, erm... Can I ask about your best friend, ?"

"No," Fay answered automatically flipping her phone open again.

"But, she's extremely cute and I..."

Yuuta laughed, "Forget it, Akaya. That woman is way out of your league." He patted his colleague on the shoulder.

Fay looked amused at the younger man who was frowning, obviously not happy about the outcome of his request, "and do you seriously want to start hitting on one of your senpais' ex? That's suicide," she said, chuckling.

He sighed, but I want to learn more about her! "I never said I was going to start hitting on her. I only want to know a few things about her." He got up and left the office.

"Will he be okay?" Fay asked looking at Yuuta.

"Yep!"

I've been talking to myself all morning, I'm seriously losing it, Sanada thought, rubbing his temples on his desk. "But it's her own fault! Stupid woman!" he muttered, "She's always confused!" he banged his head on the desk and kept it there. I haven't slept all day out of guilt! Damn it, why do I always lose control when I am around her? He sighed. She really drives me crazy!

'Are you... Are you talking to yourself?"

Sanada looked up and found Niou staring at him in amused shock. "Can I help you?" Sanada asked annoyed at being caught.

Niou leaned against the door frame, crossing his arms, "were you talking to yourself?"

Sanada looked at him grimly, stood up and walked towards him, "tell me something, Masaharu, how the hell did you keep your sanity with that woman?!" he asked feeling exhausted from all the self-accusing dialogue with his inner self.

Niou laughed out loud and then patted Sanada on his shoulder. "Luck, my friend, you'll need all the luck and patience you possess."

Sanada scowled leaving the room "I am going to get a coffee."

If you really love me... then you will have to take the next step.

Whatever possessed me to say such a thing? Sanada thought wearily, rubbing his face. I'm not sure who was the one who was shocked more? Me? Or her for making her hear such a thing? He poured some black coffee in his mug and took a sip.

He walked back to his office and he took a peak at Niou´s office from the open door. He wasn't in the mood to be alone so he wanted some company and the only one available at the moment was "Masaharu do you have a few minutes available?"

Niou looked up at his friend and gestured for him to sit. "You want to talk to Dr. Love don't you?" he teased.

Sanada got up from the chair again. "Forget it,"

"Okay okay. I was joking." Niou laughed and gestured again to Sanada to sit back in the chair. "What do you want to talk about?" he asked untying his necktie.

"Nothing really. I'm in a bad mood and I want something to do to keep my mind occupied." Sanada answered sincerely.

"I see. So, what happened this time with Miss uptight?" Niou asked ignoring what Sanada just said.

"So did you ever wear the gift Fay got you at Genichirou's birthday?" Yosuke asked innocently.

[Smack]

"Oy!" he said, rubbing his head. "I'm not allowed to ask?" he demanded, annoyed.

"Of course not!" Aya hissed, feeling her cheeks go red. "I don't share underwear stories with anyone!"

He rolled his eyes, picking up the pencil that he dropped when smacked him. 'Like, whatever... it's a normal question that perks my curiosity."

Aya glared at him.

Yosuke resumed to his drawing when he looked at again who was busy sketching, "tell me something on a serious note... How is she?"

"Sulking." She busied herself shading an area with a colored pencil.

"Oh?"

Aya glanced at him, still coloring; "come on, you should know better than that. She not only threw Haru's girl out, but your brother was there to witness it."

Yosuke rolled his chair next to , "I know, I was there!" he said and pointed something on the paper, "you missed a spot." He grinned.

"Are you sure you're Gennichirou´s brother?" Aya asked coloring the spot she had missed. "Anyway, those two have issues I can't even be bothered with them anymore." She sighed.

"True and true."

Aya looked sideways, "could you behave like a grownup if you want to have a decent conversation?" she asked leaving the pencil on the desk. "All I want to know is what they talked about when they where left alone."

"Why?" Yosuke asked curiously.

"Is your brother acting okay? Because Fay is always sulking and talking to her self and that started after the party."

Yosuke lay his head on the desk sighing. "I don't live with my brother so I don't know if he acts different now but I do remember that he hung up on me the other day for no reason."

"I see... Well, I do hope they resolve things soon because they are driving me crazy!" Aya smiled and pushed Yosuke away from her desk. "Let me work now!"

"Oh, so that was final?" Yagyuu asked Niou on the phone.

Niou looked outside the window of his office and exhaled, "I guess," he admitted.

"And you don't feel anything?"

Niou shrugged, "not really," I guess he was right; I was seriously wasting my time with Junko. "Actually I feel like a weight was lifted off my back." He leaned in his chair crossing his feet on the desk.

Yagyuu chuckled. "It was about time you sorted that out. I seriously wonder what you saw in that annoying woman?" he asked out of curiosity.

"Let's not get into that now. Besides I am free again and there are lots of ladies out there for me, so..."

Yagyuu sighed.

"What now?" Niou asked feeling as if his friend did not approve of his style of life. "You want me to take a sabbatical from women!" he said, sarcasm obvious in his tone.

"I didn't say that Masaharu, but you do have the worst taste in women. Why don't you take the time to find someone that would suit you more." Yagyuu explained patiently. "You always jump from relationship to relationship, don't you get tired of that lifestyle? When was the last time a woman appreciated being in your company?"

Niou didn't say anything to what Yagyuu was saying, because he knew it was true.

Yagyuu paused for a moment too waiting for his friend to react at something but nothing was heard. "Masaharu, when was the last time you had fun with a woman? And I don't mean sex necessarily."

"I don't know," Niou answered honestly. "I guess Ayanonly enjoys my company and of course I love to hang out with her." He leaned a bit more into his chair to make himself more comfortable.

"That should tell you enough!" Yagyuu said seriously trying to finish going through some documents while he was on the phone with Niou.

Niou sighed. "You like Aya, don't you? Its obvious Hiroshi because you have never hinted anything about any other women before." He chuckled.

Yagyuu paused for a moment. "Well, she is a nice person and she treats you nice. She is the only one that sees you for who you are, so why wouldn't I want her to be a possible girlfriend for you?" he asked closing the file he was working on.

"Well, Aya is a friend so that's out of the question."

La Boheme restaurant, Shinjuku Gyoen-mae

"Vodka please," Sanada ordered at the bar. "You don't look good, Genichirou,"

Sanada looked at him grimly as he pulled a chair and sat next to Yukimura at the bar, "I'm just tired," he lied. He looked around the restaurant, " its crowed today!" he mumbled as he waited for his drink.

Yukimura raised an eyebrow, "are you sure you're fine?" he asked taking a sip from his own drink as they both waited for a table to eat.

"Yes," Sanada replied twirling his glass before he downed the liquor.

"Geninchirou, you're not fine. Not when you order Vodka at your lunch-break," Yukimura pointed out. "Should I dare guess what's troubling you?"

Sanada looked at him wryly and then sighed, making his head drop onto the bar. "I think I messed up," he admitted. "I totally screwed... and damn it, she drives me crazy! Confused and selfish woman."

Yukimura looked surprised, "Fay ?"

Sanada groaned pushing the empty glassaway from him. "One more," he ordered, looking at the bartender. "You mean what she did to me," he muttered.

"What did she do?" Yukimura asked looking at his friend gulping down his second glass of vodka. Sanada requested a third glass, "I believe you had enough Genichirou!" he said and paid for the drinks before pulling Sanada away from the bar. "I seriously don't understand you two. You love each other but don't want to be together," he sighed.

Sanada sat at the appointed table and picked up the menu. He skimmed through it quickly, "I do want to be with her, but she is the one that is hesitating for god knows what reason." He closed the menu and left on the side, he looked straight into his friends eyes, "I told her flatly that I will not bother her anymore, if she wants to be with me she is the one to take the first step."

Yukimura stared blankly listening carefully at his friend's explanation. He lowered his head down almost reaching the table.

"Seiichi, are you alright?" Sanada inquired puzzled over his friend reaction.

Yukimura started laughing loud. "You actually told her that?" he asked laughing hysterically ignoring Sanada´s question. "I can't believe you said that to her!" he continued still laughing his heart out.

Sanada frowned and glared at Yukimura. "Its not funny Seiichi, I had enough of her confusion and her hesitation. I mean it!" he said sighing while Yukimura was still laughing.

"I can't even imagine you saying such a thing to her," Yukimura coughed trying hard to maintain a serious facade. "You know you won't hold much on that statement!"

Sanada´s frown deepened knowing that what his friend was telling him was true.

"You heard what?!" Aya exclaimed, as she cut the vegetables while Yosuke stirred the mushrooms in the frying pot. "Why didn't you tell me this earlier?!"

'Because we were working and you said not to bother you anymore with gossip," Yosuke answered playing with the spoon, "what an idiot my brother is," he muttered, "I can't believe that he told Fay that?" he took the pot of the fire.

Aya turned around and glared at him, "do you seriously blame him? Don't you think that 's played enough with his head?" she sighed turning around again to finish her chore. "I mean, seriously, what else does that girl want so she could be with him?"

"Aren't you supposed to be on your best friend's side?" Yosuke asked, picking up another pot.

Aya looked at him, "There are no sides here. I don't understand her behavior. She's being stubborn and stupid. She keeps saying redemption!" she moved from the counter to the sink and rinsed the vegetables. "She will lose your brother from her own stupidity!" Aya sighed placing her hands on the side of sink. "I know I reacted like an idiot when I found out about them, I wish I hadn't. I do want them to be together and I am being completely honest with you. Yosuke." She turned and looked at him.

Yosuke pulled another plate from the cupboard and placed it on the counter, "Aya, your best friend is staying away from the man she loves because she feels guilty about you. Have you ever shown her that you didn't give a damn about Genichirou?"

"I have told her a million times that I want them to be together!" said, still leaning against the sink. "I don't know what else to do to get through to her. I considered getting a boyfriend but she would feel even guiltier if I had done something like that."

"Oh, she's being stupid then," he muttered, picking up the salt shaker, "Seriously, I don't blame Genichirou then, no wonder he's going crazy." He looked at with a grin, "ready to eat partner?"

Welcome to my world, Ayanthought smiling back at Yosuke.. "Yep!" she nodded picking up the food. "Anyway, I will talk to her again and we'll see what happens."

Yosuke nodded, "Good, we have to figure out a way to get them together." He said sitting in his chair opposite . "What?" he asked when he noticed she was staring at him intensely.

"There is no way we are interfering with their relationship, I only said I would talk to Fay, so don't get too excited about nothing." She answered automatically.

"Oh, come on , you know they need our help too..."

"NO!" said annoyed. "Don't you dare get any ideas in that head of yours!" she threatened glaring at him. "Leave them alone, we have already given them enough trouble."

Yosuke lower his head. "Okay okay."

At Oshitari's home

"Oh my god!" Aya squealed, "You're so fat?!" she said, hugging Arisa.

Oshitari smacked his forehead.

"Yuushi, from all people to show me love and consideration; you just had to bring Aya for a visit..." Arisa said sarcastically.

"Hey..." Aya complained.

Arisa looked at her, "yes, I'm fat. Do you have to tell me that to my face? I see it every day in the mirror! My clothes don't fit. My face looks..."

"Arisa," Oshitari interrupted.

"That's true," Aya said, making Arisa and Oshitari look shocked at her, "However... It's all worth it, no?"

Arisa blinked, not comprehending what she said, but then smiled and patted her tummy, "Indeed it is."

"You give all that fat you earned to that brat of yours," said delightfully, making Arisa laugh.

Oshitari looked at grimly at them; I so don't want a fat baby...

At Yukimura's apartment

"At least you're sober now," Yukimura told Sanada as his friend held onto his head on the couch. "So, are you still firm on your decision?" he asked leaning in the armchair he was sitting.

"I wasn't drunk," Sanada stated, "and yes, I am firm on that!" he said grimly. "Would you get me an aspirin or something? I have a terrible headache," he groaned annoyed.

Yukimura laughed as he got up to fetch his friend some medicine for his migraine. "You're such a lousy drinker Genichirou," he mused handing him a glass of water with the pill. "By the way, how is Masaharu these days?"

Sanada gulped down the water, "he is doing alright I suppose, he was in a good mood today!" he sighed and lied down on the couch again. "I believe he broke up with that woman."

"That's good," Yukimura said with a smile. "he really should find a nice girl to settle down."

"Yeah, well its Masaharu we are talking about Seiichi, he only dates easy women." Sanada respond grimly. "It's as if he has a label on his forehead that invites troublesome women," he sighed.

Yukimura laughed. "You are so right Genichirou, he has a tendency to date wild women, just like Fay!" he said placing his feet on the coffee table in front of him.

"What do you mean by wild?" Sanada coughed.

"Well, I was only hinting the obvious Genichirou. I wonder how Fay's true personality will react to your statement." Yukimura explained. "By nature that woman is spoiled, wild and dominating, but for the past few months its as if she is someone else." He leaned his head back to rest in the armchairs back. "I might not know her as well as her friend does but from what I have experienced is that right now her true self is in a dormant state."

Sanada looked at Yukimura puzzled. "What the hell are you mumbling about?" he asked laying his head back on the pillow.

Yukimura's lips formed a grin as his eyes were focused on Sanada. I think he will be in big trouble from now on, he thought. "So do you want to talk about her a bit more?" Yukimura asked teasingly.

"No," Sanada answered stiffly.

At the office,

"You look like shit," Niou commented, looking at Sanada as he walked in the apartment. "Not to mention you ditched work and are very late!"

Sanada just grunted.

"I see. Bad mood huh? Maybe some gossip would cheer you up, no?" Niou said, getting into the passenger seat of Sanada's car.

Sanada didn't look the least bit interested as he drove off.

Niou ignored his 'uninterested' look, "apparently, one of your youngsters has taken a liking to your ex-girlfriend."

Sanada now looked inquisitively at him, "what?"

"Akaya is obsessed with Aya , it's not even a crush. The boy is genuinely infatuated with her," Niou said with a chuckle. "To the point where he was worried that you'd get upset if he made a move on her when he found out that she was your ex...'

"Who cares what he thinks?" he muttered.

Niou turned his head to look at Sanada, "You're way grumpier than usual, whats the matter? Did Yukimura annoy you again?" he asked in a serious maner.

"Not in the mood." Sanada answered indiferent.

Something is seriously bothering him, Niou thought looking outside the window. "You know, that's exactly the way I used to feel around . She always frustrated me to the point that I wanted to hit her."

Sanada looked at Niou from the corner of his eye. "How did you cope with her?" he asked suddenly.

Niou smiled, "we were always fighting Genichirou. You know that, I never coped with her personality, but around you she is different," he sighed. "You, she really loves and what annoys her is that you dated Aya first."

"Well, that is something that can't change, is it?"

"I know!" Niou whispered.

At the girls apartment

Fay blinked...

Aya grinned...

Fay felt her cheeks heat up and she jumped up from the sofa, 'absolutely not!"

Aya jumped up with her, "why freaking not!? He loves you and so do you? Why can't you swallow that stubborn pride of yours and ask him out yourself?" she argued back.

"Because..." Fay hesitated. I don't want to get in to my wild self again, she thought.

"Because what?" Yosuke asked, walking in with a grin, "hello, ladies. I let myself in." he stood by the doorframe, "What's up?" he asked looking at both girls.

"Nothing," Fay muttered, annoyed.

Aya stayed quiet for a second, but decided to tell him. "I was just telling her that she needs to ask your brother out." She sat back on the couch. "I'm not interfering so don't say anything." She pointed her finger at Yosuke. "It's just a friendly advise."

"Aya?!" gasped.

Aya smirked, "don't Aya me! I think you're being stubborn not mention that you are acting like a spoilt brat." She pulled her tongue out.

"True about the stubbornness," Yosuke agreed, "but I don't agree with asking him out," He said as he ploped on the sofa next to .

"Oy! You're supposed to be on my side," Aya pointed out annoyed flicking him on the arm.

Fay grinned triumphantly.

'I am on your side," Yosuke told , moving to hug her. "I just don't think that approach would work on him."

Aya raised an eyebrow, "then..."

Fay scowled.

Yosuke looked at Fay straight in the eyes, "the only way to get Genichirou now is to seduce him. Direct approach is the best way."