Konnichiwa minna-san! It's been a long time! Hope the ending won't disappoint you!

Author's Note: The Author does not own "Lovely Complex". Aya Nakahara-san owns it.

Warning: OOC-ness on characters :P

Chapter 5: Coincide

"I am stupid.." Koizumi whimpered, catching her breath. "Why I made an outburst like that?" She found a bench and sat there. She relived what happened earlier. Words of Otani were thrown back to her like a whirlwind..

".. I thought we are friends.."

".. You used to be my side.."

"And now, you start to drift away.."

Why did Otani say that? What else, Risa? He sees you as a friend. A friend only. Why can't you put that thought in your brain? Are you that stupid? You can't understand simple language? Truthfully, although Otani's presence in the goukon annoyed her, she was relieved he was there. She thought maybe, there's a hope for them. That maybe, Otani's feelings for her is morphed to become what she felt for him. Turns out, she realized with a frown, he considered her as someone he is familiar with. Someone labeled as a 'habit'.

"Now, he will think I am a loser," as she said those words, tears were sliding off her cheeks.

On the other side of spectrum, Otani was left there standing outside the Karaoke bar. The recent events kept on rewinding in his mind like a movie reel.

Why did I say that? What's going in with me? Am I getting crazy? It was like I don't want her to be taken away from me! It was as if I am her boyfriend! What's going on with you, Atsushi? Getting no answers, he started walking..

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Monday came and everything was okay. Well, that's an understatement. Although no fights ensued between Otani and Risa, lunch among them was awkward. Although they are conversing, it looks robotic. . and restraint. Unlike before they were bickering even in most non-sensible things, now they were conversing in one-question-one-answer manner. Their friends were thinking that the issue between them is still fresh, so they let it slide for a meantime. Moreover, they are adults, they are bestfriends! Surely, they can do something about it. They don't want to meddle, for now. Friday came, and Nobu-chan can no longer bear it. They, including Chiharu-chan, were walking towards the gym. She snapped at Koizumi.

"Risa! Let's talk! What's with you and Otani? It's been almost a week! Surely you two could fix whatever's happening between the two of you!"

"But, Nobu-chan it's complicated.."

"Yes, I know, from the begining it's complicated! Falling in love with your bestfriend and this bestfriend like another? Yes, it is complicated."

"Urgh Nobu-chan, don't rub it on my face."

Nobu-chan snapped at her once again. "Grr... Risa!" she growled, growing as if she gains 5 feet. Chiharu on the other hand, tried to pacify the sandy-haired friend. "If you have time to be like that, you must have time to fix this! Putting aside this love thing, we are all friends at first place! Don't compromise friendship because of love. We, your friends, are affected, you know. We are all worried on both of you. We don't want to break our friendship. We both love you, you know that, right?"

"You don't know anything, Nobu-chan! You did not experience this kind of set-up! You never fell in love to someone, and he is your bestfriend!" Tears were starting to fall, that made Nobu calmed down and comforted her. Chiharu ran to her side, too, rubbing her back, easing her. "You didn't know how hard it was, seeing him looking to another, trying to convince yourself that one day, he will finally look at you that way... Someday... Soon... Someday..."

"Gomen, Risa, gomen..." Nobu apologized, sobbing. "It is just hard, seeing you like this. Maybe it's my fault too. I cheered for you since we discovered your feelings for him. I thought it's only a matter of time Otani will realized his feelings for you. Can't you see? You are very much suitable, you know? I thought it would make you happy. But seeing you like this... I guess, it's not..." The three girls cried, hugging each other. Sharing your sadness with your friends, Koizumi thought, eases the pain.

" No, no. It's not your fault. Really, I am just an idiot loving another idiot," Koizumi said, cracking a laugh between sobs.

"Yes, you are, you are.." Nobu confirmed, and the trio shared a sobbing laugh. "I do not know anything about what are having now, Risa. Yes, I haven't experienced that. But one thing is for sure: I experienced yours and Otani's friendship. It's beautiful and enjoyable friendship. I don't want that to be broken..." Nobu stated firmly.

"Risa-chan," Chiharu said, facing her, "We treasured the friendship we shared. We all love you.." that statement sent Koizumi to another set of tears.

"Nobu-chan, Chiharu-chan, I love you too." They hugged. They stayed there for a long time, and decided to have fun without the boys around.

Plopping herself to bed, Koizumi wandered her thoughts to her current problem. "It's been almost a week.. I must fix this just what Nobu-chan and Chiharu-chan said. Friendship must not be broken. Urgh. Falling in love with Otani? I know since middle school that I let myself into trouble, yet I didn't stop myself. " She remembered their childhood. They were fighting, playing, mocking, laughing, sharing, crying. She had shared different emotions with Otani. He is a friend. They shared secrets. They protected each other. They helped each other. They supported each other. Then and now, they still do those, nothing changes. Then her feelings blossomed for him. She began hurting as he tries to pursue Kanzaki. She began crying when Otani looks at Kanzaki with those loving eyes.. not her. She began wishing..that her feelings for him could be reciprocated..

"No!" Koizumi mentally interjected, abruptly sitting on her bed, "I began losing myself, I...I.. let myself to be hurt.. " On that note, she realized, being friend with Otani is all she must want. "Otani is hurting too! He only wanted friendship, he can't give more than that! It's not his fault.. This is not my fault too. We are victims of twisted fate.. If.. If friendship is better, then I must be happy with friendship.. I must give up.. for better.. for both of us.. for my friends.. for everything.. I must want friendship! But why am I still hurt? No! The tears, it's unnecessary! Yes, being friend is good! Oh, I want to love him..from afar.. Could that be possible? I've done this before, so this might be okay? Before, I love him with hopes of him loving me back, but now, it's different. I will love him from afar, but with no hopes of him loving me, too. Is that okay? Am I doing an acceptable decision? Will it work out?" Finding no answers, she plopped herself to bed, closing her eyes, hoping the future will be okay.

Next evening, Koizumi was standing at her balcony, waiting for Otani. Oftentimes, they are watching the night sky together. Koizumi was hoping he was going to. She stood abrupl as she heard Otani's door opened. "At last," she whispered. Otani was surprised to see Koizumi standing there, looking at him. He made an awkward smile and directed his gaze to the sky. Koizumi did the same.

After a few moments of sensing each other's presence, Koizumi decided to break the ice. "Otani?", she inquired.

"Yes?" Otani questioned.

Koizumi leaned closer to the edge of her balcony, looking at him intently, "I'm very sorry.. for everything.."

Otani took a sharp breath. "Why is she apologizing? I must be doing that!" He stared back at her, questionibg her actions in his head. "Why? Why?"

Finally, he spoke, "I'm sorry too, Koizumi.. for everything.." A flash of sadness broke Koizumi's face, but Otani thought he imagined it. |"I forgive you, if you forgive me too.." she answered. Otani raised his eyebrow heavenwards, "I forgive you, if you forgive me too," he parroted back.

And there it was, Koizumi's smile. Her warm, beautiful smile. They laughed. "Okay," she replied.

"Okay," he answered, smiling.

The night is indeed better.

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Everything went to normal. The gang was chilling out at Ikebe cafe. All Hanshin Kyojin was quarreling again. It must annoyed their friends but today is an exception. They are very happy for them. They had finally fixed their problem. As they are leaving the cafe, Nobu asked Koizumi, "Is everything okay?" Koizumi flashed a smile, " Yes." Nobu smiled back. She wanted to ask more, but thought better of it. She was plainly happy for them. They went back the way it was before. But something puzzled her. Once in a while, she saw Otani looking at Koizumi.. with longing eyes. But she let it go. That is why she was utterly surprised when Otani asked her if she knew a store that sells 'girly stuffs'. She gave suggested and he thanked her. Nobu found it odd. 'Meh, maybe for her sister..." Then Nobu realized, Koizumi's birthday is coming... and everything gets clearer to her.. She has a plan, that's for sure.

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"What is this?" Koizumi asked him, completely baffled.

"A birthday gift," he shyly replied.

"Really? Can I open it? Well, I'm opening it now," she said absentmindedly. Otani kept looking anywhere but her. He heard Koizumi gasped. "Ho-how did you get this?" she asked, her voice strained.

One week after their reconciliation, he was still puzzled what is going on in his mind. Sure, he was really happy they were friends again, but still he is not completely happy. Like something is missing. He tried to ignore it, but still it is like an itch that keeps on nagging him. He kept on thinking on it, most especially when he found himself looking at her. He kept on looking.. at her when she was sleeping in the class, or when she talks to their friends, or while they are playing in the gym (he was hit by basketball once), or when they were looking at the sky at night in their balcony. There he was, looking at her like she was a scenery. Many times, Nobu caught him looking at her. It was so embarrassing! But he cannot help it. And the time comes when Nobu confronted him a day after he asked her where to buy 'girly stuffs'.

"Hey, Otani! You kept looking at Risa like a stalker," she said jokingly. Otani blushed furiously.

"I'm not looking at her!" he denied.

"Yeah, yeah," Nobu replied dismissingly, like she knew he will not admit it. "You aren't looking at her. You were staring at her."

"Stop that!" he spat.

"I know that something is bothering you," she pointed out. "I know, there's something that makes you confused. I know it's all about Risa. Do not deny it."

Otani was stunned. Is he really that obvious? When he didn't answered back, Nobu added, "All of us know, except Risa."

Oh really? But he was relieved Koizumi didn't know. He sighed deeply before he replied, "Yes, you are right. It is about that amazon."

"You know, Otani? You are overthinking things. 'What is this?' 'I can't understand what I feel?' 'What is this?' 'What is that?' 'We are just friends' 'It's impossible for us to be more than friends.' Sometimes Otani, you must think simply and let your feelings tell you what you want." She started to walk away then she said over her shoulder, "I don't think Risa likes 'girly stuffs' as gifts from you. Just think why she likes you.." She left Otani who was utterly shocked. "Did she read my mind?" He found it creepy, but he heed for the sandy-haired advice. He was lying down on his bed contemplating what Nobu had said. He enjoys her company. They both share same interest. They are childhood friends. They protected each other. They are honest if the other does something wrong. She cheers him up if he is sad because of Kanzaki. (He realized how hurt she was when he asked her for advice regarding Kanzaki). How thankful he was (though he never tells her), when she come up with something so he cannot think of Kanzaki's 'rejection'. How simple it was when they were just the two of them. How happy it was when everything seems normal when Nobu, Nakao, Chiharu and Suzuki were added to his 'circle'. How Koizumi makes his life simple and happy. How she becomes a part of his life. How she became his life.

He stood abruptly. Realization hit him! He sat on his study table. Opening his laptop, he made an order on an online store…

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There he was, wondering if his gift was best gift to give to her. To portray his feelings through the gift. He was kicking himself internally for taking Nobu's advice.

"At online store.. I was browsing once looking for stuffs like that, and found that. I know it is not a common gift for girls but Nobu said -"

"I really love it! Thank you Otani!" she interrupted, tears almost welling in her eyes. She picked the gift and admired it. She inserted the circular band in her wrist, raising it up, with the blanket of stars in the sky as her background. They were on the roof top of the school. They were celebrating her birthday downstairs. As their other friends were cleaning, they suggested that Otani and Koizumi must go ahead first on the rooftop (like they know what Otani is planning or what?). They are going to watch the firework display. Otani seized the opportunity to give the gift to her. It was a bracelet. The name of their favorite artist, 'Umibozou' and his chibi version were engraved on it. It was not a usual gift for girls, Koizumi knew it. But this gift meant he really know her deeply. That she knows what she really want.. that sharing her interest with him means a lot to him, too.

She sat on her knees and Otani mimicked her. She kept on staring at Otani's gift. It was the best gift ever! "Hey Otani how muc-"

Her eyes were as big as saucers when Otani does the inthinkable. He kissed her—on the lips.

"Otani, what are you doing?"

"To send a message." He replied shyly.

"What message?"

"Grr. Koizumi! Are you out of your mind? What do you think it means when a boy kisses a girl?" he asked annoyingly.

She just stared at him with large eyes and with her jaw dropped. She can't think straight!

Otani tussled his hair. "Listen, Koizumi because I may say this only once!" He composed himself and looked at her eyes deeply. "I love you and I want to be with you, Koizumi."

Koizumi Risa gasped audibly. 'Is he serious?' her mind rattled. Instead of jumping at him and kissing him senseless (Otani presumed), she asked dumbly, "What about Kanzaki? You loved her the first place what about her. You love her right? You were hugging and so sweet and I am just your friend, right? What I'm saying is I'm trying to move on and here you are -" she babbled non-stop and was interrupted by Otani.

"First, I liked Kanzaki. Second, feelings changed. Third, what hugging with Kanzaki and we were so sweet?" he asked, "Oh that thing?" he remembered that incident when he saw Kanzaki and gave her advice that ended up hugging her, "You were there? I will tell you later." He looked at her very seriously, "And about you trying to move on, you don't need for that. Because… because.. I share the same feelings with you. Koizumi Risa." With that said, Otani leaned forward giving her a kiss that sealed their fates, forever.

With so many things happened to them:

Ups and downs.

Bumps and humps.

Twists and turns.

His asymptote.

Her asymptote.

At the end of the day,

at the end of her birthday,

their lives finally coincide.

Thank you for reading! Gomen for the long wait (more than a year!)! I'm sorry! I also share the same sentiment of waiting a story to update and found it wasn't updating for long! Like you are wondering whether the author will update, or will the author continue the story! Gomen! I'm going to finish my other story, "Destined?" Writer's block got me!

Thanks for reading!

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by

green-ninja05
March 2016