Yô minna (-o-)/

Here's the chap as promised, I will start writing the next one tomorrow pwp I've been wanting to write these two chaps for so so long… you have no idea! Since chapter 13 OAO can you believe it? Maa, finally I've reached them xD
AND… I've been warning you about the angsty drama for a long time now, so… angsty drama ahead :V (I've added a little tiny bit of comedy here and there but not sure if you'll have time to enjoy it ~v~)

As I said on the previous chap, NOT beta'ed ^-^ mistakes ahead!

Enjoy (?) ~v~

Chapter XXXIII

Ren looked at the time on his cell phone and cursed getting annoyed.

"That idiot... He just suddenly says he needs to do something here and for me to come first and wait for him, and now he's this late. Tsk" The blond smirked wickedly with the sudden idea that popped up in his head; and what a good idea! "I guess I will have to make him suffer a tiny bit tonight." He snickered softly, saving his cell phone in his pocket once more. The amazingly erotic idea he had just had was his torture now. His brain was sending him vivid images of what he wanted, and would of course, do to Hijirikawa. A sudden shiver forced him to distract himself with something else and soon, otherwise he would just attack the blue haired male once he arrived at the park.

Ren took a deep breath in order to relax his wild desire when he finally heard footsteps behind him. Putting a wide smirk on his lips, the blond turned around ready to tease the blue haired teen, and if he was lucky, see his crimson cheeks due to embarrassment; he loved to see the other male flushed. Hijirikawa was so damn adorable that he just wanted to attack him and not let go. However who stopped right behind him and looked as astonished as he was with the unexpected view was not Hijirikawa Masato. It wasn't the blue haired teen he had been waiting for more than half an hour. No; who stood a few steps away from him, looking at him wide eyed; too astonished to react just like him, was…

"Jinguji… Ren…?" The soft and sweet voice muttered insecure, as if trying to confirm its owner's suspicious.

Ren swallowed hard, feeling his throat too dry suddenly. He was too petrified. He blinked countless times as if he had just woken up and was trying to get used to the morning sunlight entering through the large window of his room. He thought he was dreaming after all. It just… He couldn't believe it! It couldn't be possible! How? When? Why now?

"Ah-..." Ren was unable to utter a coherent word even. The person, now in front of him, interrupted him with their still insecure tone of voice.

"R-Ren...? You are-" Before the insecure person could utter another single word, the blond ran the short five meters towards them as fast as his legs and feet allowed him, embracing their slim body so tightly as if the world would end at any moment and this was the last opportunity he had to hug this person.

"Sakura!" Ren shouted, finally, the girl's name. A frown was formed on his face as his blue eyes were softly shut together. "Sa...kura... Sakura. Sakura. Sakura." He repeated again, and again, and again the female's name, inhaling her foreign scent and tightening her between his arms more and more and more as the frown on his face deepened and tears began to gather on the corners of his closed eyes.

The first seconds of the embrace Sakura remained still, with her arms hanging in the air; the small bag she carried with her, fell weakly to the floor. She was unable to react to the impulsive act of the blond. But as soon as she heard Ren's trembling voice verbalizing her name, she returned the embrace with as much feeling as Ren. Yet, different from Ren, Sakura was unable to restrain her tears, sobs and whimpers. The strong turmoil of feelings was so overwhelming that she just broke down between Ren's arms.

"Ren... Ren I'm sorry." She cried aloud burying her face on Ren's chest and clutching his short-sleeved shirt tightly between her thin fingers. "I am so sorry Ren."

The blond couldn't restrain his feelings anymore either, thus the suppressed tears rolled down over his cheeks. He moved one of his hands to the female's head stroking her soft and long chocolate brown hair, while his other hand remained gently supported on her back pulling her closer to him. Ren wanted to make sure that this wasn't a dream. He still couldn't quite believe it. Even after hearing her sweet voice... Even after feeling her, this close to himself, Ren could not believe it.

Masato's arms slid down, slowly, to each side of his body. His dark blue eyes remained focused on the distant view of Jinguji embracing the person he considered the most important ever. His lips trembled as he tried to let out a sigh. Masato could feel his vision get blurry, thus he looked away and observed all the people passing by him on the street. He just wanted to see something different; something that could distract him and this way make him feel better; something that could bring him back to real life as he thought he was dreaming. But Masato was lost. He was so, so lost that nothing was helping him at the moment.

His lips quivered one more time and he squeezed them together as his feet, finally, began to obey him and stepped slowly to the opposite direction where the blond and the brunette were. He didn't look back; he just stepped, one foot after the other, always at a slow pace that almost seemed hesitant and so insecure... afraid even. His eyes continued observing people around him; no one really paying him attention. But he wasn't paying them any type of attention either. He wanted... Masato really, really wanted to witness what was each one of them doing on the street, but his brain rejected any information that he tried to send to it. The only thing that kept replaying on his mind, over and over again, was Jinguji running towards Sakura and embracing her as if his life depended on it.

"He must have... really missed her." Masato murmured without realizing it, soon closing his mouth as the same scene passed on his mind like a movie. He frowned and his slow steps increased their speed, getting faster and faster on each time he walked. When he noticed, he was running between the multitude that engulfed him right away. Masato was running so fast that he was tired already, but he wouldn't stop. He couldn't. He wanted to run away. Masato just wanted to get rid of the vivid image of Jinguji embracing Sakura, and if running away helped him then he would not hesitate. Yet, not even that seemed to ease the pain in his heart. It hurt so, so much. It was too unbearable. Masato just wanted to stop the pain, but he didn't know what to do.

The desperate blue haired boy ran… and ran… and ran, to then stop suddenly yet softly with the feminine figure that had appeared in front of him. He panted, looking at her, and the girl smiled sadly yet with a slight sweetness at him. Although Masato was just passing by that street, he felt as if she had been right there waiting for him the whole time. And upon realizing this, Masato felt the strong whirlwind of feelings engulfing his entire being. He was unable to restrain each one of his feelings for longer, so he ran towards the petite brunette and hugged her tightly finally feeling comfortable enough to cry in front of her.

Nana, who had indeed been waiting for him for long enough, wasn't really surprised with Masato's reaction. She was expecting the tears and the desperate hug, so she returned the gesture, warmly caressing his back.

"I was about to ask you how you feel, but I guess I don't need anymore." The girl said with a gentle tone of voice. In return, Masato whimpered lowly and Nana tightened him on the embrace. "'Well done' is what I'd like to say, but I don't think you need me to scold you for your stupid mistakes."

"I..." Masato uttered unexpectedly and the girl seemed surprised for moments, yet she decided to listen to every single word he had to say carefully. However, Masato remained quiet for longer, trembling between her arms so Nana decided to wait for him to get calmer. The brunette moved her hand to the back of his head caressing his soft dark blue hair. She expected him to receive more courage; more strength through her gesture.

After long minutes of silence, the blue haired teen decided to speak his feelings. He would, definitely, expose his weaknesses to Nana but he didn't mind anymore. Somehow, he felt that she was there exclusively to comfort him, so she deserved his honesty.

"I... think this was the best thing I could have done." Such words surprised Nana more than she expected.

"They hugged. Jinguji did, and in such a way that I felt like I had lost him forever." His voice was calm; trembling but calm.

"To be honest, when I first saw him running I felt the urge to ran to him and stop him from hugging her. It was really hard to control myself." Nana knew he was crying; she could feel his warm tears falling over the exposed pale skin of her neck. Nevertheless she did not interrupt him; instead she stroked the back of his head warmly as a way of encouragement for him to continue.

And so Masato continued, "I am not jealous. I… feel empty."

"Yes." Nana simply said with one more caress over his blue locks of hair.

"I'm afraid."

"Hum." Followed by a gentler caress.

"I... I love him so much."

"Hum."

"I... love him more… much more than I thought it would ever be possible." Masato squeezed the girl unconsciously between his arms.

Much calmer now, Ren observed the long haired brunette in front of him and chuckled. Sakura stared at him lightly annoyed.

"What?" She asked with a small pout.

"No, nothing." The blond answered but chuckling harder now.

Sakura's eyebrow twitched in annoyance and she stepped on his right foot hard enough to make him wince. "You bastard... Do you want me to beat you up?"

Ren laughed unstoppably with Sakura's action and words, and seeing her frustrated expression he decided to apologize. "Sorry, sorry. It's just... It's strange. You're different. You're a bit taller and thinner, and your hair is so much longer... I don't know... You're more feminine. It really is strange but you are much more beautiful like this." The brunette flushed with the blond's words and looked away feeling too embarrassed to look him in the eye.

Ren grinned with her reaction and added, "And cute."

"Tsk, can't you stop?" She demanded without facing him.

The blond chuckled simply.

"You are an idiot." She retorted still too flustered to face the blond. However she wanted to break the awkward and embarrassing moment between them so she kept talking. "You're also different, your hair is longer."

"Hum..." Ren pondered for moments, grabbing a few strands of his hair and then smiling he said, "No, it's not."

Sakura looked at him, finally able to do so, and grinned, "Yeah you're right, it's not."

The mood changed suddenly between them. Ren smiled gently at her and said honestly, "It's good to know that you're still the same Sakura."

Sakura seemed surprised for instants, but then she returned the gentle smile that lasted a moment, since then she decided to replace it by a teasing grin. "And it's good to know that you're as idiot as before. You won't ever change. Tché"

"I will have to agree with you; I won't ever change. But I did change. I am not the Jinguji Ren you knew once." He said looking at her seriously, the gentle smile never abandoning his features, yet Sakura could understand that although his light blue eyes were looking at her at the moment, they were not seeing her; they were seeing someone else. And somehow, that saddened the long haired brunette a bit.

"Né Ren..." She muttered softly and Ren faced her the way she wanted, finally.

"Yeah?"

"C-Can I make you a self request?" She stuttered a bit feeling insecure and nervous.

"Sure, as long as I can help." The blond said looking worried.

Sakura bit her lip and squeezed her beige bag, now between her fingers. She was looking down at the green grass under their feet, trying to organize her words inside her head.

Decided to finally break the silence, Sakura looked up at the blond and asked him determined with lightly flushed cheeks, "Can you kiss me..." She hesitated biting on her bottom lip for a brief moment and then she finished, "... one more time?"

At this point Nana felt tears gather in the corner of her green eyes. However, she wanted to restrain them because she knew that Masato was suffering much more than her. But, with the blue haired teen's next words and his whimpers and sobs, she was unable to control herself for longer; and so, Nana cried along with Masato.

"I don't want to lose him!"

Nana tightened him more; much more between her arms, feeling almost all Masato's emotions; each one of his feelings overflowing from him to her through his sincere and deep confession.

"Hum. Hum, I know. I know." She said softly as a way to reassure him, even though she knew it wouldn't work but she wanted to try.

"Jinguji!" The blond's name rolled out of his mouth so naturally and painfully louder that Nana felt the need to reassure him louder as well.

"I know!" She sobbed in his ear and it was then that Masato finally realized that, just like him, Nana was also suffering. Nana, just like him, also loved Jinguji. And he was being so selfish, and so stupid for increasing the pain in her heart by forcing her to give him comfort. But he couldn't apologize, because even though he was being selfish and hated himself for it, Masato wanted her to comfort him. He wanted his friend to give him all the comfort he needed. Nana was a special person to him after all, and he knew it couldn't be anyone else besides her comforting him.

Ren remained quiet for long, long minutes. The shock on his face hadn't vanished, not even a single bit. He stared at Sakura the whole time, seeing her more nervous second after second, but even so she remained quiet as well, patiently waiting for Ren's answer. She was, indeed, the Sakura he knew once. She hadn't changed not even a bit; despite from her looks, her personality, fortunately, was the same. Ren was really, truly glad for that. Sakura was someone so, so special to him; so important and so unique in his life that the simple fact of witnessing all that, and of seeing her made him much happier. Ren felt realized.

However, and upon realizing all this, Ren had also realized something else; something that occupied his mind the whole time; something that until now seemed so confusing but that it was in truth so simple. How could have he been so stupid and so blind this whole time? The signs were all there, in every single gesture; in every single word; in every single smile and frown and stare... How could he ignore all this for so long? Well, in a way he knew it; he just didn't want to admit it… No; he was not ready to admit it. He was afraid. He had been always afraid of the possible answers and reactions. He didn't want to lose the one he loved once again. If he could he would treasure them for as long as he was allowed; maybe longer.

Ren smiled so gently that Sakura felt hopeful. But she was also afraid. Ren had never smiled in such a way at her. Not with such a pure kindness.

The blond looked her in the eyes and answered her, finally, "If you had appeared in front of me a couple of months ago, and if you had asked me the same thing, I would have definitely kissed you. I will go further even and say that I would have definitely not let you go again. I would have treasured you forever." Ren paused expecting that she would understand his confession. It was all the pure truth. Before knowing Hijirikawa, Ren had been living his life the way he thought it would help him forget his unrequited first love. Before knowing Hijirikawa, Ren still remembered Sakura, every single day, before falling asleep at night. Before knowing Hijirikawa, Ren felt empty. However after knowing him and living with him, Ren had been able to change his way of living and of seeing life. Hijirikawa had been able to help him to live freely and better than ever. Hijirikawa Masato had changed him for a better person. He had been able to make Ren feel things he had once forgotten. Ren had learned how to love once again, because Hijirikawa had taught him unconsciously how to do it. And now, Jinguji Ren felt ready to admit it: he was in love with Hijirikawa Masato. He wanted him and no one else.

Sakura took a deep breath and smiled weakly; staring at the blond waiting for the answer she already knew he would speak.

"But...?" She said letting him know that he could continue because she had understood the meaning of his previous confession.

"But, right now, I cannot kiss you or anyone else anymore. At least the way you expect me to."

"Hum... I understand now. You aren't the Jinguji Ren I knew once indeed. You are too innocent now." Sakura said teasing him. She wanted to show Ren that she had understood his feelings well enough and thus she would not insist anymore. She loved him still, of course, but it was because of this that she wanted him to be happy. He had suffered more than enough in the past, and if he was happy now then that was all Sakura needed to go on.

"Yeah, the person I'm in love with is too pure indeed and maybe he passed me a bit of his purity. But that's one of the things that make me love him." Ren admitted chuckling.

On the other hand Sakura was surprised but she quickly recovered and grinned, decided to tease him a bit more, "Ooh I see, so it's 'him' huh?"

Ren's eyes widened but before he could say something, Sakura continued, "Now I understand even better why you had that dazzled and I'm-so-in-love glow in your eyes. Ah~ love is such a beautiful thing. I want to fall in love too."

Ren blushed and complained as much as Sakura allowed him and then she interrupted him to tease him some more; she had found out interesting reactions that she did not know Ren possessed after all.

"Né, here between the two of us..." She got closer to him a bit more and finished whispering in his ear, "You bottom, don't you?" Ren's blush darkened and he was more than ready to argue back but it seemed that Sakura had taken the day to mock him.

"Aah I knew it! I mean that cute confession plus the way you react to my questions are evidence enough."

"Can you shut the hell up?" Ren was so embarrassed that he just wanted to hide himself somewhere. "You should go and change your fucking personality for once! How annoying!" Ren complained glaring at her too ashamed and annoyed.

"How rude né?! You should be pleasant to ladies." Sakura retorted.

"A lady? Where is she?" Ren looked around as if searching for someone, and then he decided to tease her some more, "I cannot see anyone."

"Hahaha so funny that I forgot to laugh. Jerk." The long haired girl stated turning around to be able to hide the smile on her mouth. How she missed these moments. Now she felt more than ready to face her future without regretting her past. However she wanted one more thing from Ren. She was insecure; afraid but she was hopeful.

"Let's talk some more in the future, Ren." She looked over her shoulder at him expecting him to understand the meaning behind her words.

Ren's eyes widened for a brief instant but his surprise vanished being replaced by a warm expression, and so he said, "Sure. Let's talk some more Sakura. And I would like to present you to my cute neko."

She almost sighed in relief, but somehow Sakura managed to control herself. The girl smirked mischievously and teased, unable to resist, "Sure, you can keep denying it if that makes you feel better. But I know that you are the neko in the relationship Ren. But, yes please I want to meet him and make him so many questions..." She winked to make him understand her speech better.

Ren gritted his teeth, feeling more and more irritated. However he decided to not argue back.

"I don't think you will receive the answers you're expecting, but sure go ahead and ask him whatever you want."

"We will see, Ren. We will see." Sakura simply said winking one more time. "Then, see you again Ren." She smiled softly.

"Hum, see you Sakura."

With the farewell done, Ren observed the girl until she disappeared between people and then, smiling kindly one more time, he decided to head home. He couldn't wait to see and to be with Hijirikawa again anymore. After finally admitting his feelings for the blue haired teen, Ren felt the need to see his face; to hear his kind voice; to kiss his thin but appetizing lips; to embrace his erotic body tightly between his arms... The blond was dying to possess him from head to toe without letting him go. But Ren's cell phone forced him to stop. The damn thing had started to vibrate in his pocket. Whoever was interrupting him now would regret it later! He was desperate for Hijirikawa after all.

New message from Hijirikawa

Something happened and I cannot go to the park. Sorry. Please go buy some fresh vegetables before returning. Don't you dare to buy instant food!

Oh it's true; Hijirikawa was the one telling him to come to the park first. Ren had totally forgotten about it. Well, it seemed that wasn't a problem anyways. Ren chuckled reading the message. It seemed that Hijirikawa was moody. But even like this he could drive Ren crazy. He was too adorable to resist.

"Well, I was right; someone is going to be punished today. I'll have to think very well in different ways of punishment."

Saving the cell phone in his pocket, Ren headed home ignoring Hijirikawa's request. He didn't need vegetables; he just needed Hijirikawa Masato.

"Why did you text him?" Nana inquired looking at the much calmer blue haired male.

Masato saved his cell phone and replied "I don't want him to get suspicious about his sudden encounter with Sakura-san. It's a bit suspicious that today, after asking him to wait for me at the park, he was able to see your sister right?" The blue haired teen looked at the brunette with a soft smile on his lips. Honestly, Nana was astonished. He did not seem the Hijirikawa Masato from before. He was so much more composed and calm, as if his previous outburst had not happened at all.

"Tsk" It was all the girl was able to mutter. She was lightly irritated with his current behavior.

Masato's cell phone suddenly rang. His eyebrow began to twitch in irritation.

"Can't that idiot do something as easy as buy vegetables without bothering me?" He grabbed his phone and looked at the screen being caught by surprise right away.

The phone rang a few more times, and before the person calling him could get tired of waiting, he decided to answer.

"Petra?"

"Ah young master! How long... How have you been lately? And Jinguju-sama? Have you both been eating properly? You cannot skip your meals, young master!"

"P-Petra!" Masato whined on the phone. If he didn't stop her soon then she would keep asking him this kind of things. She worried too much with him. But Masato did not dislike it. In truth, he appreciated it a lot since his mother hadn't ever given him the love he deserved. Petra was more than a simple maid to him. But he would never get used to her overprotective side.

The old woman chuckled softly on the phone which made Masato smile.

"I apologize, young master. I just felt nostalgic when I heard your voice after so long."

"I apologize too Petra. I just... I couldn't visit you knowing that I could run into my father at any time." He said sincerely, hoping that she would understand him like always.

"I know young master."

"H-How is he?" Masato asked hesitating. And Petra answered him right away. By the gentle tone of her voice, he could perceive that she was probably smiling with his question.

"Hijirikawa-sama is well. But I think he misses you more than you think it would ever be possible, young master."

"Eh? Why do you think that Petra?" He asked astonished.

"You see; your father has been coming home earlier than usual since young master left. At first he just came home and went to his office to work more, but then, a few weeks after young master's absence, your father has been going inside the room where your piano used to be and stays there for hours. Ah, now that I think well about it, it began to happen around the time that Jinguji-sama took your piano away."

Masato felt a sudden strong urge to cry, but he doubted that he had any more tears to shed today. Hearing those words made him strangely nostalgic and happy. It was really strange but so good to know that his cold father was missing him this much.

"I... see." It was all he could say. "But why did you call me Petra?" He decided to change the subject of their conversation. "Did… Did something happen?" Masato asked clearly worried.

"Oh no, no young master! Not at all! It is everything alright. You do not need to worry."

"I see. It's a relief to know that. Then why did you call me?" He inquired curious.

"..."

The woman remained silent which made Masato's curiosity increase.

"Petra?"

"Well, in truth young master, something happened…"

Masato paled with Petra's explanation feeling his heart beating faster and faster. Shock; happiness; anxiety; nervousness; excitement... A strong whirlwind of feelings was invading his being bit by bit but at such a fast speed that he thought he would faint at any moment.

"I... I..." The blue haired boy stuttered unable to form a coherent sentence. Suddenly everything seemed so perfect but so heartbreaking at the same time that he did not know what to say or do.

"Young master?"

"Give me some time to think." He said slowly and too shocked yet.

"I understand. Then I will expect your answer young master."

"Hum. Thank you, Petra. I will call you once I take a decision. Bye."

Masato saved his phone again and Nana took the opportunity to ask, "Are you okay? You're kinda pale."

"I... Yes, I'm fine." He answered with the same shocked expression on his face. His dark blue eyes were looking at the floor as Masato organized Petra's speech in his head.

"Are you sure?"

With Nana's voice the blue haired teen faced the girl and said determined, "Nana-san, I think I took my decision."

"Eh? You mean about your conversation on the phone?"

"Yes."

"But you just said-"

"I know but I already decided." Masato said trying to seem sure but Nana wasn't convinced at all. It was the contrary; whatever the blue haired teen had just decided, she knew he had taken the decision without much thinking. And somehow Nana had the feeling that Masato's decision would only make him suffer more. She just expected to be proven wrong.

Next chap will be even more angsty :V *runs away before someone kills her* xD

TWO MORE CHAPS AND WE ARE DONE OAO !

Bye~Bye, ヽ(*'､^*)chuu*

PS:. I want to apologize about all the typos you've read on the previous chap. For some reason ff just loves to join words or to erase them -.-'' *sigh* I will never understand ff :v well I've fixed them, but of course a lot of people read chapter 32 with all those typos and it made me feel bad ~~ gomenasai!