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"Once upon a time...." Shun started

(A/N: Now we go into the story and I'm not going to write in past tense more like it's happening)

Shun sat on the staircase, trying to will the tears not to surface to his eyes. There would be no tears if she'd said simply said no...but then she'd been nice about it...and-

He felt the tears surface in his eyes and shook his head furiously, a guy in a leather jacket like himself shouldn't be wanting to cry like a baby. Especially not when he'd promised himself. NO TEARS! NO TEARS! NO-

"No tears?" He heard a voice say from behind him and immediately he stood up shocked and backed away but then he saw it was only Horikita-san. He hoped to god his eyes weren't red since he'd been rubbing them like crazy.

"What?" He said roughly starting to sit back down on the stairs. Her presence wasn't something which would make him go away from his brooding spot. Maki stopped him from sitting down though as she came down the stairs and stood right in front of him. He grumbled as she came closer, he didn't want to be tugged around by this girl right now. All he wanted to do was sit an wallow in self pity. That was what seemed really fun right now. Wallowing...and maybe a form of crying where there would be no tears, there'd be screaming and banging too.

Oh god he was pathetic. He realized and started rubbing the temples of his head with the force of the oncoming headache he'd been feeling before become stronger but quickly found that Maki was taking his hands away from his head.

He was even more annoyed.

"WHAT!?" He yelled loudly in her face and she flinched but stood strong.

"Shut up will you? I'm doing you a favour...so just close your eyes and enjoy it neh?" Oh god that sounded erted Maki chastised herself. Great now she was giving off an image of to the only man that would only matter to her for the rest of her life she was sure. She hadn't come here to massage his temples though. She'd come here to do something, she'd come here to confess!

But if he needed a head massage she could give him one too right? There wasn't anything wrong with that.

And she'd confess right after this. It was the perfect time! After she made him feel slightly better about all the stuff that had happened in the gym so he wouldn't throw back his karma at her. After all it would make sense. If she'd just been rejected she'd want to reject someone right after too. So she'd make him feel better about it before she spouted off about her feelings...via massage.

"You're good at this." She head him whisper grudgingly as he bit his lips and Maki gulped slowly. Great, she found this hot. Breathing in deeply herself she moved back from him but it was hard since she was supposed to be close in order to continue massaging his head.

She stared at his sunken figure, his slouched back and his shoulders which looked oh so defeated.

Then she looked at his face, his eyes shut tight as if he was afraid of what he would see if he opened them up, the embarassed blush still on his cheeks, and his mouth in what seemed to be like an everlasting frown. How could he look so perfect...even when he was so depressed? She mused as she moved closer to examine his features. There were absolutely no flaws in his features.

Perfectly shaped eyes with the perfect nose to accompany them, the perfect red hair waving about in the wind that god knew where it was coming from, the perfect lips shaped like something she could just bit-

" don't stare at them." He said immediately.

She jumped away from his head and towards the staircase but as she moved one more step trying to get up into the staircase she tripped and hit her on the hard granite material of the stairs.

She would have yelled loudly in pain but she was far too dumbfounded by Shun's discovery of her staring at, well...oh god she was so childish if she couldn't even think this, his lips to do anything right now.

"Oh, Oguri-kun...atashi-"

"Shut up Maki." He'd said her name an evil look in his eyes but a seemingly friendly smile on his face.

Maki knew she should have thought twice about his behaviour but she was far too overjoyed! HE'D SAID HER NAME!

Suddenly he closed the distance between them and leaned in closer to her face. Maki's eyes immediately started fluttering in shock as she looked to both sides as if she made sure that no one was looking. She closed her eyes delicately and Shun smirked. What a dumb , like he'd even want anything to do with her. Pushing himself away from her stupid waiting face he stared at her, fighting the urge to laugh at her rudely.

Did this stupid girl not know anything? He couldn't help thinking. You didn't come to stalk your crush when he was busy being depressed about the rejection he'd just faced courtesy of the girl he'd loved since childhood.

But as he slowly touched his temples he found himself a little thankful for Maki's presence. She had helped him in that way. Usually she'd just follow behind him, pausing only to talk to Kamenashi-senpai before running to catch up to him again.

He decided not to laugh at her and quickly his mean smile dropped from his face and became a blank look as he turned around away from her. He heard her gulp as she'd probably realized he wasn't going to be kissing her anytime soon. He turned his head in her direction and nodded. "Thanks Maki." He said and started walking away. He'd find another spot to wallow in self pity.

He remembered for a couple of seconds there near the stairs he'd been imagining that it had been Mao who'd been massaging his temples, but she'd never do that. She'd make him massage her shoulders before she'd even consider doing anything for him.

The thought brought a small smile on his face but he could feel the tears surfacing on his eyes again as he imagined her face in his thoughts again. It wasn't her fault she rejected him, he'd been a wimp. A complete and utter wimp in the first place. He should have said something sooner, not been bothered with the insults Megumi used to throw at her...he should have-

He was so pathetic.

"Pathetic? You're not." He suddenly heard a voice say behind him. He paused his steps for a moment staring at his feet. He turned around to see who it was and saw it was still Maki. Now they were near the lockers. Great...not only did he have a stalker but he had a stalker who could read his mind.

Just the sight of Maki standing there, grinning widely at him made him want to beat out any feelings she might have had for him. Why the hell did she want him anyways? There was nothing that special about him. He was an arithmetic genius, an absolute wimp, and recently had become a bit of an alcoholic despite being underage.

"I know I'm not." He said scoffing as if she was being stupid even thinking that he'd thought that. He couldn't let her know she'd hit the bullseye when she'd guessed his thoughts.

"No you don't know." She said shaking her head as if she was talking to a little kid. She walked around him and ended up standing in front of him again and Shun realized how much taller he was than her. How short was she? 4"11'?

She stood there for a second muttering to herself. Shun looked away from her to hide his small grin. She was the weirdest stalker ever. He tucked his hands into his pockets and moved to the side so that he could walk away from her. He didn't need a lecture from this freak.

And just as Shun was about to walk around her and leave her standing there, Maki opened .

"I really really like Ogu-."

"I know." He interrupted her as he was right beside her and turned to look at her. Her face was priceless, he almost wanted to laugh at it! The most he'd allow himself right now would be a small smile.

"You're cute. That doesn't mean I can ever like you though Maki. Gomen. I can't even consider the possibility of going out with anyone right now."

"I can make you smile again." She said determined not to let him go without making him accept her. Ah yes, she was really strong willed, he could tell whenever she started arguing with Toma in Japanese History.

"Can you really?" He humored her as walked away from her, hoping that maybe she'd just stop and go away.

But of course that was not mean to be. Maki was not the type of girl who'd go away easily. Hence Shun had come up with the nickname for her in his head, stalker.

"I can. I promise." She said grinning widely and he couldn't help it. He ruffled her hair. She just seemed so cute and tiny compared to him now.

Kind of like Mao he realized as he remembered Mao glaring at him. She'd have to stand on her tippy toes every single time she'd even tried to hit him over the head.

"OH! Take me seriously eh? I'll put a smile on your face. In fact I'll even make you laugh more than you ever did with Mao! I know I'm her bestfriend and all but trust me she's not the perfect girl. I mean that's impossible for anyone..even for me! I mean sure she got the whole school following her now but I know for a fact that Mao-chan just- Oguri-kun daijoubu?" She said watching his eyes darken as he moved back to where she was standing.

She glanced down at his hands and saw that they'd turned into fists as if he was trying to control himself from doing something he'd regret later, she gulped nervously...uh oh.

"Shut up Maki. You really have no idea how to get the guy you like do you?" He growled and watched her shut up as he cornered her and this time he came closer to her face than she thought possible.

In fact he came so close up to her that she was sure that she'd pull an Erika and faint.

"Want some hints?" Shun asked her in a a biting tone.

But Maki didn't hear him really she was concentrating on the the scent of his leather jacket. Later on this would be the scent she'd always recognize with Shun.

He didn't wait for answer and continued on sarcastically. "Try not to insult the girl he likes first of all and then you come up close to him like this and lean into his ear and slowly whisper." He leaned into her ear and spoke softly the words she'd so yearned to hear come from his mouth.

But it seemed so obvious that they were not meant for her at all! He was too hurt. She'd been dumb in coming here but she'd thought like in those mangas Erika read maybe she'd be able to comfort him.

The sound of what he said was causing her heart to beat...even though it knew that what he'd said to her was a lie anyways.

The scene she'd seen minutes ago came up in her head and she remembered staying rooted to the spot as she saw him get rejected but after he'd left she'd immediately jumped from the bleachers and ran across the whole gym chasing after him. Mao had looked horribly angry, and Toma had seemed confused but she didn't need to explain herself to either of them. All she'd wanted was to go make him happy. She couldn't stand the look on his face. The one Mao had given him wrapped in a ribbon.

That look that he'd given up on love.

How heartless could Mao have been? Maki thought as she stared at the piece of perfection in front of her.

Here was one of the most popular guys in all of the school, yelling, screaming in front of so many people for her to accept him.

And then she'd shot him down giggling.

It just wasn't right. Maki especially hated it because she wanted to be in Mao's spot. She wanted to be in front of him and have him love her...and yet Mao didn't appreciate it one bit.

It just seemed so entirely unfair.

"Suki desu and then you go so close to him that he feels his heart stop." Why was her heart stopping? Maki wondered as she took a quick glimpse at his lips again and saw them quirk up into a mocking smirk as if he knew exactly what she was thinking.

"and then you-"

Then he did it. So quickly that she didn't even have time to realize it. He touched her lips with his own and she lost her breath and immediately she pushed him away with all her might and as she heard him bang against the opposite wall of the hallway she cracked open her eyes and saw him laughing.

He was laughing at her. Like Mao had been laughing at him. Maki felt the tears pool in her eyes. Her feelings for him weren't laughable! They were genuine...and deep. She just didn't want to kiss anyone who didn't love her. She touched her lips weakly and took a deep breath her body shaking as she turned away from his mocking stare. Well...she'd said she'd make him laugh right? She thought weakly trying to calm herself down. She'd accomplished that...so that was a good thing"Even if it's at me." She said softly her shoulders shuddering at the sudden coldness she felt around her.

He'd decided to leave she realized as she heard his footsteps go farther away from her she found herself wishing she hadn't pushed him away. If...it helped her get him...if it helped him to believe in love, that it could happen and feel great, then she'd do it.

It would be wrong. Wrong because he didn't want to kiss her, he wanted to kiss Mao...and probably do other things but she couldn't think about that. She couldn't break her resolve. She'd promised herself she wouldn't leave until he accepted her. She put her hand over her chest. She could feel her heartbeat it was fast and she touched her cheeks and felt the heat emenating from her blush and saw the goose bumps on her arms and legs.

Suddenly he spoke and her heart stopped beating again. Oh god she was really going to die at this rate wasn't she?

"If you can't even do that Maki don't expect anything in return." If only he'd said it sweeter perhaps it would have sounded like those words were helpful words but the way he said them now with the pain evident in his shaky voice she couldn't help but want to cry at what she was going to do for him.

She could give up her first kiss for a guy who didn't love her yet.

She raced in front of him and stopped him and grabbed his shoulders with both of her hands and pulled him downwards and pressed her lips tightly to his and let go off him.

"I didn't want to do it because you don't like me. If you want me to do it that bad then...I will...again and again and again! Don't challenge me Shun. Horikita Maki doesn't back down from a challenge." She said shakily taking her hands off his shoulders and grabbing fistfuls of the cloth of her skirt and turning around and she started running but hearing his footsteps behind her she felt him grasp her arm and stop her from moving any further.

She turned around and felt herself spin into Shun's arms and this would be the first time that Shun wrapped his arms around her waist and then as if there was nothing else to say he stared into her eyes, a dawning look on his face, and she gulped slowly.

She hoped to God he wouldn't do anything stupid. "Don't do anything stupid." She said out loud just to make sure he wouldn't act too rashly.

Then he kissed her. Maki saw for the first time what was the difference between the soft press of the lips he'd given her, the hard agressive kiss she'd offered him which really wasn't pleasant at all, and what they were doing right now. A kiss that was so surprisingly soft and warm and it made her feel safe in his arms, it was all so natural.

She thought that after ten seconds of kissing her, she was counting in her head, he would let go off her but he continued. He pushed her up against the lockers and she felt her body slack slightly letting go of the tension as she started returning the feelings he was pouring into her, the pain and the hurt from Mao’s rejection. She’d accept it because she accepted him.

She pulled him closer with her arms tightening around his neck and she slowly pushed her fingers through his hair as she’d often read novel heroines do in the middle when they get caught up in a passionate embrace with the man of their dreams.

Much like she was right now. She was kissing Oguri Shun.

After god knew how long, she lost count after 40 seconds because her thoughts just couldn’t remain coherent enough, he finally stopped kissing her and she stood there for a second realizing what had just happened and slowly she started edging away from him touching her somewhat bruised lips. Three kisses in twenty minutes. She gulped weakly he’d probably reacted stupidly.

“You didn't mean that dummy. I told you not to do anything stupid didn’t I?” She said jokingly as she started to walk away from him this time.

But he grasped onto her hand tightly and pulled her back beside him.

“I wouldn’t call that stupid.” He said slowly entwining his fingers with hers and slowly raising his head up.

“I’m not promising that I won’t like Mao, that I won't want to do things with her, I’m not promising that I will like you either…but…thanks Horikita Maki. You made me feel today. I’m not sure what it was. It wasn’t the same thing as I felt for Mao. It probably never will be, and I’m not going to lie to you about that, but if you want we can try. I guess I can try to learn to love you. You’re cute, and some weird form of sweet and a little stalkerish but-“ She cracked a small smile and let out a laugh.

He grinned down at her. “You have a cute laugh, and you seem pretty deserving of me. I think I'll be able to talk to you... and you look like an okay person besides the little lip you have. So...do you call this stupid?” He said finally leaving the actual question unasked but Maki knew why he wouldn’t say it.

It was too soon after the rejection of such a great love to spout out the question so soon. He was thinking she could be the rebound. But she couldn’t help but want to try to make him hers. Completely hers...so that she'd be the one...not the one he used for fun.

“Maybe…it’s not that stupid.” She said slowly after a while and stared up at him as he started walking with her down the hallway, not letting go of the tight hold on her hand.

-----

“What Mao? What is it?” He said concern coming through in his voice. Toma realized that perhaps he had said too much too quickly. Perhaps this was scaring Mao, he didn’t want to lose her. He didn’t want to lose Maki and her.

Maki he couldn’t help losing he realized as the image of the two in his head popped up again but this time he was able to push the image out and focus solely on the girl in front of him.Mao...he wanted to hold onto her he realized and he started towards her ready to wrap his arms around her keeping her to himself, like a precious treasure but as soon as he reached her she pushed him away.

"Enough Toma...you're confusing me! So...just answer this...why are you so ed up tonight?"

Somewhere above them the clouds parted to display a gorgeous full moon and the champagne flutes filled with ginger ale started shining with brilliance.

If only this date could shine with that same brilliance Mao wished. Their first real date and it utterly and completely . Toma had turned into a new person overnight and she'd probably just wrecked all chances of them going steady after tonight.

“Stay away from me." She said as he tried to wrap his arms around her again as she tripped a little in her small heeled sandals. Toma gulped nervously. After he’d admitted to himself that he did actually like two girls he'd decided to choose one. Obviously he'd chosen Mao since she loved him back and wasn't there some saying that said go with the one who loves you not the one you love?

So he'd chosen Mao. Sure his heart still freaked out whenever Maki was even remotely near him but he wanted to be with Mao, he'd convinced himself. He'd be with her for a long time after tonight, he'd said to himself, he didn’t know if it was forever but he knew he wanted her by his side.

He'd messed up though. The image of Maki wrapped in sheets with Shun beside her had just completely wrecked his mood, his thoughts, and his behaviours. He'd thought that being an actor he would have been able to act out the role of the guy Mao liked but obviously that Toma was far too hurt by the image of his Maki with someone else.

And now he'd lose Mao on top of losing Maki.

Seeing the worry on his face Mao almost cracked and ran back to his side to tell him she was joking about wanting an answer but she stopped herself. Just because she liked him didn't mean she wanted to be one of those girls who just did whatever their crushes wanted them to do. She wanted to know why he was so weird around her right now.

Why he was faking it.

“Toma…do you really want me?” She asked weakly, biting her lip as small tears surfaced in her eyes confirming her doubt.

“Mao. Of course I want you.” He said. He wasn't not really sure of this though as the image of Maki came up in his head again but this time she was laughing at him and shaking her finger as if saying 'Lying is bad.' before turning back to Shun.

He edged towards Mao but Mao held up her hands in front of herself again and she thanked god that Toma was a gentleman and wouldn’t push himself on her.

“Then why have you been so weird. You didn't talk...then you did...then you were so corny I almost wanted to barf." Toma winced at this. "And on top of all that...you haven't asked me yet. If you really wanted to and were looking forward to it...you'd have asked me or hinted at it by now." She said looking down unable to resist the urge to grab her headful of curls in frustration.

"Just ask me. Ask me if you want to. But be truthful Toma...I can't handle lies well. And if I find out later that you were faking your feelings for me...trust me I will be pissed. I’ll say yes if you ask me but Toma I’m telling you now if you're doing all this out of pity of the feelings I have for you. If you did it cause of that I’m gone. I don’t need this. I’m too strong for all this. I can’t be played with forever you know. You can’t tell me all these things, that I'm cute and you don't mind my lips on you anywhere whe-It just pisses me off.” She said and without realizing she stamped her foot on the cement roof and somewhere out there Mao almost heard Aki cheering in the background and Mao's shoulders squared themselves into a strong stance.

Tell that to be a true at least! Aki cheered in her head.

“Mao,” Toma said unable to say anything else. He couldn't tell her about what he was thinking...even now. She'd hate him. She'd said it herself that she'd go away.

“NO you aren’t allowed to say my name like that. Unless you ask and prove that you actually want to do this and that you're not being completely false about your feelings. I don't like the idea of being with someone who doesn't feel anything for me. I’m not forcing you Toma, just tell me you want to ask me I guess. It's just that...you seem so different today. Like you're acting like someone else today, someone who'd want to be my boyfriend. Someone who isn't anything like you.” Then in an effort to lighten the mood she grinned weakly and spoke. "Plus you know I can't handle being so weak in my knees everytime you compliment me."

“Won’t you still get weak after I ask you?” He replied a small smile on his face and Mao actually stumbled on her thoughts for a second and then slowly nodded.

“It’ll be different though. Cause…then I’ll have your word that you’ll stay by me too...because you want to.” She said and ducked her head down so that he wouldn’t see her red face. She probably resembled the bruschetta she saw resting on the table prepared for them.

She heard Toma’s footsteps move towards her and this time she made no move to stop him. She decided it was enough. If he wanted to prove his feelings for her he'd do it now. If he wanted to tell her that he loved someone else he'd do it now. She’d let him do whatever he wanted with her just for now.

He stopped in front of her and took a deep breath as he prepared himself. The words coming out of his words weren't lies but...he was afraid that he didn't mean them completely yet. 'Hell yeah you don't!' the Maki in his head shouted even though the Maki in real life would never do anything like that.

“I want you…I need you to stay by me. But I realize Mao…you need someone to stick by you, someone who wants to be by you. You need that promise. I…I’m sorry I didn’t say it before. Look up please,” He said and she obliged but as she stared into his gorgeous eyes she faltered again and she felt her knees weaken and she almost fell.

“Be mine.” He said and the Maki in his head cheered. 'That's right! You tell her ToTo! She can be rebound girl! I was rebound girl for Shun you know! And look how long we lasted!' The Maki in his thoughts spoke to him.

For about two seconds Mao knew her heart had stopped beating. This was what she had wanted right? So here it was. Why wasn’t she replying as quickly as lightening? Why wasn't she screaming for joy and patting Toma's back and nodding and saying it was all good now.

She summed up her courage and opened up to speak but found that no words were coming out.

WHAT? She'd bugged him for saying it and now she couldn't reply?!

After a minute had passed Toma looked doubtful and raised an eyebrow. "Mao...kind of waiting here...sorry about being weird and all but I want to be here with you...and be with you for like...a long time I suppose. So a little answer please? Yes or No will do." He said jokingly and Mao pointed her finger down as if saying she couldn't speak.

"You want to PUKE?!" Toma said depressed and Mao immediately realized she'd used the wrong symbol by accident and hit her head.

"That's fine don't worry. It's just really corny right? I'll try again later."

No she wanted him to do it now! Oh her stupid throat! Did it have to die on her right now?! Mao immediately started frowning and Toma looked at her confused.

This was one of the weirdest dates he'd ever been on.

Suddenly Mao got an idea and nodded. Yes this would work.

She quickly pecked him on the lips and ducked down. Not a millisecond after she regretted it. Knowing wasn't working she opened it to say.

"Baka."

she could speak now too.

It was a stupid move probably, and a horrible decision but she'd been left with no choice! Still...no one kisses without permission of the other party! He probably thought she was rude now.

Toma stood there in shock his eyes open as wide as they could possibly be and then he made a soft sound with his throat and grinned widely like a fool but looking down at Mao he saw that she was looking extremely regretful of her actions. Shaking himself out of the reverie he was forced into by Mao’s impulsive moves he decided that he would be just as bold as her. Yes it was time he was as brave as her. He’d always admired her courageous behavior so- now it was time he tried to act like her.

He put his hand under her chin and Mao looked up at him, tears almost welling up in her eyes. He found that his chest started aching at the sight of her like this and he bent down to speak into her ear..

“Don’t cry…” He said huskily and she sniffled a little nodding.

“I kissed you out of nowhere. Without your permission! I'm rude I'm so sorry...I made you say it too you know. You didn’t say it of your-“ She paused to choke on one of her sobs. “out of your own free will did you?” She said and Toma looked shocked and shook his head.

“You just made it come out faster. You didn’t make me do this.” He said suddenly and bent down so that his lips would rest on hers and he shut his own eyes. Mao stood there watching him.

She wasn't really sure what was happening until Toma bit on her lip to let her know he was still there and waiting for a response of some sort. Like a push away or a deepening of the kiss.

That was when she realized she was actually kissing someone! Hahaaa and Jun had before that this day would never come. But just as quickly as Jun had popped into her head she chucked her out.

This was her first kiss! She couldn't be thinking about her stupid roomate!

Her eyes slowly fell shut and she allowed him to kiss her properly almost like in those old Hollywood movies just before the 'The End' sign flashed on the screen.

Her foot even popped up like Anna in Princess Diaries had wanted for her first kiss.

Mao couldn’t believe it. She’d never kissed anyone before. She, Mao, was kissing someone. It was just unbelievable...and unbelievably good too! Toma’s lips were soft and pleasant and he’d obviously had gum before, like herself, just in case this had happened. His was strawberry oddly enough and her's had just been plain old mint.

Next time I'll have peach! She promised and giggled midway during the kiss and he pulled apart from her for a second laughing himself.

She found herself pushing her body closer to his and he accepted it and pulled her tighter. She wrapped her arms around his neck and wrapped his own arms around her waist but far above her . He really was a gentleman. She smiled as she kissed him again. She felt happy and Toma felt full, as if there was nothing else that would make him this complete. For a second Maki's face had popped into his head when they'd first started kissing but just as quickly it had gone away. Mao herself had been enough for him this time.

They were finally together Mao thought. Finally like they'd always meant to be she thought as their lips moved with each other, dancing a tango that they were sure no one else could master.

Finally they pulled apart from each other's tight embraces and parted with sorrow, each wanting to jump back into the kiss but they both knew that they should probably relax with that. Both of them stared at each other’s shoes and giggled foolishly on what had just happened. Toma grinned happily, the inner Maki in his head had been vanquished. The moment he'd felt his lips touch Mao's she'd been gone. He still felt the anger but he could concentrate on Mao now.

So that was the medicine he'd have to keep taking to forget Maki!

And Mao was his loveee doctor. Toma thought foolishly as he stared at her and opened his mouth to tell her that but then realized she'd probably think it was corny and decided to keep it shut again. He grinned at her and bit his lip as he raked his fingers through his hair, mussing it up a little.

Mao grinned back playing with her dress nervously as she spoke. “That was my first time, I hope I wasn’t bad” Realizing what she'd just said she clapped her hand over . Maki had told her specifically not to say that!

“It's okay Mao-chan. That was the first time I ever felt anything while kissing anyone! The other kisses I've ever had were always in front of 500 other people and we had to keep doing it like it was a chore because the scene would never be perfect on take one.” Toma said shyly blushing but suddenly he got some guts and decided to say the next bit without fear of being found corny. "We can perfect your skills though...I'd like to give it another try." He said winking at her and Mao couldn’t help herself from giggling foolishly again. She'd been kissed! BY TOMA!

KYAAAAAA!! She yelled inside her head and she lunged Toma for a big bear hug and felt him hug her back.

“I’m glad I’m with you right now Mao.” He said and she nodded back. On the cold roof with Toma, hugging him felt better than ever. Or maybe it was after kiss effects or something. It just felt completely perfect.

“Me too,” She said opening to make a big speech on how she loved him and she was so sorry about being weird before too and she knew he was sorry too and now they could be the perfect couple and make the perfect babies, okay she'd omit that part, but it would be perfect.

But before a word of that could get out of her stomach spoke before her. Her stomach grumbled.

"Mao. Way to go ruin the mood." Toma said laughing as he pulled apart from her and grabbed her hand and led her to the table where all the food was laid out waiting for them.

"Stupid stomach." Mao grumbled bending down to glare at her tummy before lifting her head to grin widely at Toma.

"Yeah yeah. Show me where the foods at Toma-kun. There better not be any onions in there. I don't fancy kissing anyone with onion breath." She said pointedly laughing.

"Yeah yeah. Little buta."

"Ohhh look who's talking Mr.I-eat-atleast-12-meals-a-day."

"I have a fast metabolism!"

"The principal told me once that they almost didn't accept you into dorming cause they didn't want to feed you that much."

"Liar. They told me they didn't want to accept you cause they thought you'd take over their office."

"Almost did didn't I?" Mao said laughing and she grinned widely thinking that her official induction into the ‘females-with-boyfriends’ club was now complete.

-----

And this was how Shun became her Shun.” He finished the story and stared at Maki who had turned around slowly throughout the story to stare at him. She couldn’t help but think what a confusing man Shun was. Hadn’t he wanted to break up? So why was he making them seem so inviting and warm and comfortable right now? It just felt like he wanted her to jump back into the relationship wholeheartedly.

This just made it harder for her to let go of someone like him. Someone so utterly perfect for her, other than the fact of course she couldn't a)let him under her shirt, and b) love him anymore...not after Pi anyways.

But Pi was unavailable wasn't he?

“We were really cute neh?” She said silently adding the were to enforce the break up and she looked up to see Shun nod.

Yup they were officially broken up. She stared at his grinning face and then averted her eyes to the ceiling. He'd probably go chase after Mao again now. It was expected.

She'd never wanted to be rebound girl. But somehow she'd ended up being her anyways. It didn't matter now though because Shun and her were done. They'd been done a long time ago really...when they'd first gotten boring. Perhaps they had gotten together with such fervor that they'd lost all the magic from the relationship right then.

God only knew.

When had they gotten so boring? Had it become so utterly boring to be with Shun that she’d ended up liking the guy who she’d hated from the moment she laid eyes on his nonchalant way of dressing up and that cocky smart look in his eyes? It didn't make sense for her to pick him. Toma would have been an amazing choice but Mao clearly had had claim over him from that day that they'd walked into the cafeteria with linked arms.

So maybe that's why Maki had chosen that stupid cocky idiot.

She looked in her heart for a second and touched the same way she had when she'd first realized she loved Shun. When had that cocky arse taken over the little space she’d always reserved for Shun?

He'd snuck into her heart...how utterly depressing.

“Don’t cry Maki.” He said softly shocked as he saw the smallest trail of a tear. Maki realized that it was the old one, she didn’t really feel like crying anymore than that one tear but the trail was still there. She'd lost Shun...and on top of that replaced him with the one guy that would never ever be perfect for her. There were too many obstacles for them to overcome. They might as well not even try even if they wanted to.

“Oh that…don’t worry about it. I just got a little emotional.” She said laughing a little fakely as she wasn’t sure what else to do. She couldn’t deny the tear's existence but neither could she yell out that she was crying because she wanted Shun back but at the same time it was for convenience. It wouldn't be out of the pure intentions she'd had last year.

“Is it time to tickle Maki?” Shun said mischeviously and Maki opened her eyes wide and shook her head furiously saying no. How on earth had the weirdo come up with this?! He knew she hated tickling!

Shun edged closer and closer to her sensitive tickling spots, that he knew oh so well.

And then there was laughter. The laughter rang loudly through the halls and the room, reverberating loudly.

So loudly that the neighboring rooms resident, Koike Teppei peeked out of the room to look into the halls and then went back into his room after seeing no one there.

“I can make you laugh! Neh?” Shun said mocking her words and Maki grinned back at him and then he started tickling her again. She grinned widely and laughed. It was impossible not to...literally. Still somehow she tried to snake her arms around him so that she could tickle him back.

It didn't work. Shun was too strong.

As she continued laughing the door suddenly slammed open with Megumi and Yamapi stepping in kissing passionately and Maki stopped laughing taking in the sight in front of her.

His hands were wrapped so tightly around Megumi that she could see that the tips of his fingers were completely white.

Shun wondered why Maki had stopped laughing so suddenly? His hands were still tickling but he couldn't hear her cute laughter anymore. He turned around to view what was in her line of vision and saw what she was staring at and gave a nervous laugh.

"You guys you're disturbing us." He said interrupting the two and immediately Yamapi and Megumi who broke apart from their embrace and Megumi grinned shyly at Maki. While Yamapi simply stared at the floor. He'd done this so he could see what the two were taking so long doing in the room. He couldn't let Maki just stay there with Shun for so long he realized. Though he couldn't come in himself like that so he'd brought along Megumi so that it would hide his true intentions.

Maki couldn't help but feel defeated as she looked at Megumi's happy face as she glanced up at Yamapi and fiddled with the black shirt he was wearing over his usual black wife beater.

Yamapi took in what the two were doing in the room with displeasure. Maki was lying on the bed her shirt lifted, her stomach exposed and Shun's hands were near her waist, his fingers curled as if he was ready to pounce onto Maki at anytime, Yamapi thought as his breaths got ragged and rough sounding. Maki's own hands were wrapped around his neck...great she was inviting him to it. Then again...he shouldn't have bothered to care at all. Thank god he hadn't come in by himself. He might have ripped them off each other if he didn't have Megumi beside him. Instinctively he pulled Megumi even closer than he'd had her previously.

Poor Yamapi didn't know that Shun was just tickling her tummy and Maki was trying to do so with the back of his neck.

Poor Maki didn't know of Yamapi's true intentions either.

Yamapi tried to stop his odd breaths by taking a breath. He pretended to be breathless from the kissing and saw Maki turn a deep red. Was she embarassed at being caught with someone? By him? On his own bed on top of that? He grinned widely at the two of them and winked at Shun as if he supported his actions.

Though really all he wanted to do was choke him.

"You two...naughty kids." Megumi said winking at Maki and as Yamapi stared at the people in front of him and the position they were in and he found himself feeling disgusted by the mere sight of it.

Maki felt likewise. With Yamapi's arms entwined around Megumi's waist and Megumi leaning into him in such a loving manner all she wanted to do was puke on the two of them.

"You guys are interrupting us. Could you go somewhere else?" Shun asked Yamapi and Megumi as Maki kept her eyes fixed on Yamapi. As he turned to look to her for some input he saw that the glazed look was back in her eyes.

Not a year ago it had been directed at him. He let out a annoyed sigh and looked back at the couple who had interrupted them...the couple that was obviously hurting Maki right now.

"Can you guys go?" He said once again more loudly and clearly this time.

"Can we borrow your room Maki?" Yamapi said right after he heard Shun.

Shun stared at Yamapi with wide eyes. Was Yamapi actually so bitter about finding Shun with Maki that he was testing her like this? Shun grinned amused at the two and looked at Maki. This was almost as much fun as watching Mao fight with Hiro's girlfriend.

How can he ask me that?! Maki thought in her head as her jaw dropped to the floor. She felt an extremely strong urge to go slap him like she'd just slapped Shun. Maybe even do him some more damage than that. Like a kick...yeah...a really painful kick...where did kicks hurt the most for guys? She thought furiously.

"It's just Haruka's studying for her test. You know she has Ichimura-sensei..so it's bound to be hard. We just didn't want to interrupt her you know...onegai Maki!" Megumi pleaded bouncing on her knees.

Shun wanted to laugh looking at oblivious Megumi. Ahh at least he hadn't been a victim of be-oblivious-to-the-chemistry-Yamapi-and-Maki-have scenario that poor Megumi was going through. It was crazy how obvious it was...it was even crazier how Megumi didn't notice it.

How had Shun himself not noticed it until now?!

With a bitter look on his face Yamapi pulled apart from Megumi and bounced on his knees as well pouting. "Yeahh onegai Maki!"

Maki gulped looking away. This was unbelievable. They were unbelievable! They weren't actually asking her if they could go make out in her room!

Especially that jackass! How could he ask her such things! She'd told him she liked him hadn't she? How could he even pretend that her feelings didn't exist by asking her such a completely insensitive thing?!

She really really wanted to slap him now.

But they were waiting for an answer. So feeling evil Maki took a deep breath as she said her next words and looked up at the two smiling. If he did this to her she could try and play with him too.

At least this way she'd find out if there was anything for her there!

"Fine." It had come out easier than she'd thought it would.

Yamapi's eyes opened wide with shock at her words. He'd been expecting her to yell at him or come slap him...anything but say yes. What girl told the boy she liked to go make out with her best friend in her own room!? She really was mad.

"Now," Maki said leaning back into the bed in a manner that showed she was pissed off and would like to get back to what Yamapi thought her and Shun were "doing". "Can you guys leave us alone?" She sighed and fanned herself as if she was too hot from something she'd been doing previously. Shun almost started laughing at how utterly y Maki was managing to be. He flicked his gaze over at Yamapi and saw the hidden anger lying beneath the surface ready to come out at any moment. He was obviously shocked at her words.

This was becoming funner than Mao's girl fight.

"Fine. I guess we'll go to your room and lie on your bed and-" Yamapi said grinning at Megumi as if telling her that he was just trying to tease Maki. Megumi grinned back not arguing with the silent message.

Yamapi himself knew that he was doing it to see Maki's reaction to what he was about to say.

"Go do whatever you want. You obviously won't stop if I tell you to. You guys barely stopped kissing when you entered the room." She said remembering the sight and grabbed her skirt in frustration, pulling her arms over her eyes in a tired manner. This was what she'd meant before. Not only would he not admit his feelings for her, he'd go around flaunting Megumi and giving her hope he knew he'd feel guilty about dashing, and it wasn't like she was going to be able to date him after they broke up either. Megumi would get mad at her if she did and that would lead to a fight and Maki really didn't want to get involved in them. There were too many obstacles. It wasn't even worth trying.

"Pi...let's go. We're wasting time! Erika might be there anyways so it'll take some time convincing her to leave." Megumi said yanking on his arm but Yamapi didn't want to leave...he didn't want to leave Maki alone with Shun again.

"She went to go stalk Kamenashi-senpai so don't you worry Megumi! You guys will be all alone! Do whatever you'd like. Just make sure to clean the she-" But before Maki could finish her sentence Yamapi, unable to hear more of it, grabbed Megumi's wrist and pulled her out of the room with him.

A couple of seconds later Shun was on the floor, tears of laughter coming down his eyes.

"OI! Don't laugh. That made me pretty sad and depressed you know." Maki said looking down at the floor.

"So why didn't you say no dummy? We could have easily gone to your room and left them in here." Shun said laughing. Maki immediately growled at her stupidness as she lifted herself off the bed and grabbed the pillow and smacked Shun on the head with it.

"BAKA! Couldn't you say that on my behalf!" She yelled and Shun sniffled.

"But it was sooo funny! You know what makes it even funnier? The fact that Megumi's so damn oblivious." Shun said starting to laugh again but Maki's sad eyes stopped him.

"What's wrong?" He asked concerned

"They're going to do stuff.. on my bed over Erika's probably." She said lifting herself up and burying her face in her arms.

"Why do you say that?" Shun asked blankly.

"Do you see where we are Shun?" She said and lent back down into the pillow and felt his familiar scent embrace her.

"We're on Yama- oh." He said realizing and saw another small trail of a tear go down Maki's face and kissed her on the cheek like a brother would a sister.

He looked on at her kindly as she turned to face him. "Look we didn't do anything right? So don't worry I'll go talk to him later and tell him that you didn't let me do anything and then we had a fight and broke up. It'll make him feel good cause then he'll know he'd pissed you of-"

"Don't." She said suddenly stopping him and Shun stared at her confused. Wasn't what he'd said what Maki wanted?

"Let's see how bugged he gets. I'm done with him yanking me around! Dancing with me in the club when he really wasn't supposed to. When I tried to go away he pulled me back again. When I tried to let go of his hand he just held onto it tighter. I made the first move but ugggghh that idiot just leads me on!" She said lifting herself off his pillow and she punched it.

"Does that really help?" Shun asked her

"Yes! Loads actually feels like I'm punching the only soft area of his body."

"OOOOO harsh Maki." Shun teased grinning. He was actually kind of glad now that he'd be able to see the scene play out without really being a participant.

He wondered how long it would take for Yamapi to burst with jealousy...or let go of all restraints and just do something completely foolish.

Only time could tell he decided as he saw Maki mutter some incoherent things as she continued punching the pillow.
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A/N: FINALLY FINISHED! I started editing this chapter at like 6 and seriously it took me that long to finish, with a dinner break in between, cause I changed it a lot. Lots of stuff happens in this chapter. Some things end, somethings begin and somethings continue on as they were.

I told myself I'd leave Yamapi and his thoughts out but then he came in and I couldn't help it. I had to make him think! I think it turned out okay but seriously this chapter I'm a little doubtful about.

I haven't really written this many kissing scenes right after another T.T

So it may lack creativity. Forgive me!

Thanks to my commenters again you guys rock: Sara, Zing, Deppfan, discoteque, gl, Ichigokut3, biniBningPunkista, anddd makitear-chan!

THANK YOU ALL FOR WAITING FOR THIS CHAPTER. So sorry I couldn't put it up on Friday but now you can see why. It was rather hard to write and even harder to edit.

And now without further ado...THE ACTORS CONFERENCE!

Aya: I'm back in the story tomorrow ladies and gentlemen...and on this note I'd like to sing something.

Jun: Please don't.

Aya: I rock at singing don't I?

Jun: According to who?

Aya: The poll...they conducted a poll on who's the best singer in Third Time's The Charm and I won.

Yamapi: *gets pissed off* WHAT? SINCE WHEN ARE YOU THE BEST SINGER?

Aya: Oh...since Kame-kun stopped coming to these! Where is he anyways?

Yamapi: What number am I? I better be number two.

Aya: I obviously meant Kame-kun was number two..you're like number 8. Even Maki-chan beat you and no one wanted her to sing the theme song remember?

Yamapi: WHATTT?? *dies of depression in corner*

Aya: *turns to Shun secretly* I love being evil. He's number three on the list. Don't tell him neh?

Shun: *yells to Pi* You're number three Aya's a cheater and a liar and all those other things that cheaters and liars are.

Aya: BAKA! *starts hitting Shun and runs away as Pi nears her with dangerous look on his face*

Toma: It's okay Pi...don't beat people up come on. *has just returned from the location where the roof scene took place*

Mao: Ohh where's Kame-kun? *same for her*

Aya: *peeks out of her hiding spot* That's exactly what I was saying! *spots Pi glaring at her* Uh oh...peace guys. I'd just like to thank my mom for giving birth to me...and now I'll go get murdered by Pi.

Megumi: This is kind of amusing to watch. Oh Aya come hide here! *points to beside her*

Aya: I'm not a . I'm obviously not going to hide beside his girlfriend who would totally sell me out for a kiss.

Megumi: Suit yourself and get caught.

Pi: *evil look*

Maki: Scary....

Pi: *immediately looks eviler and heads towards Maki*

Maki: *is not afraid*

Pi: *nears Maki*

Maki: *grins widely cause she's still not afraid*

Pi: *is annoyed as he finally reaches Maki*

Maki: You know why I wasn't scared?

Pi: Why? *evil look*

Maki: *slaps him* That's why! This whole chapter I really wanted to slap you!

Pi: *clutches his cheek sadly* And here I was all sweet trying to save you from Shun by kissing another girl.

Maki: *creeped out look* That's a weird way to save someone.

Pi: Well I couldn't come in on a white horse now could I?

Maki: There are other ways.

Pi: Like?

Maki: Like the normal method of pulling the fire alarm! DUH!

Pi: *bangs his head on being such a and not thinking of that*

/END.

I'm sorry about the lame ending this time. Couldn't think of anything else. It's done though! Thanks for reading you all!

Commenttt =D Cause commenters are completely love <3

Lillith.

P.S. Did you g