Disclaimer: I don't own Suzuka, it belongs to Kouji Seo.

A/N: I want to point out that there will be no Yamato/Suzuka pairing in this fic, just in case and I'm not sure if I'll have Yamato join track, I'm still trying to decide on that.

Chapter 12

Yamato was looking at an apartment of the Hirugashi Apartment Complex with Honoka and Nana and the owner of the apartment complex, Mr. Hirugashi was with them explaining things. Yamato nodded as he liked what he was seeing and he figured the rate of the apartment was something he could afford very soon. Honoka was went outside the balcony of the apartment and looked at the view and Nana strolled looking through the kitchen and the bathroom of the place. Yamato and Mr. Hirugashi were discussing things in more details. After some time, Yamato left the complex with Nana and Yamato and they waved at Hirugashi and Hirugashi waved back. They began to take a walk.

"Thank you so much you two," Yamato said.

"It's no problem Yamato," Nana said.

"Happy to help Yamato," Honoka said with a smile.

"Let's stop somewhere and get something to eat," Yamato said with a smile, "my treat."

"All right!" Nana said excited.

"Is it okay?" Honoka asked, "You don't have to trouble yourself Yamato."

"It's no trouble Honoka," Yamato assured with a grin, "I want to."

"Honoka, you should know that when Yamato offers to treat us free food, you should just take it. Don't question him about it," Nana said with a grin.

"Uh, y-yeah, something like that," Yamato said rubbing his head.

"W-Well, okay sure," Honoka said.

"Great, let's go. What are you two in the mood for?"

Yamato, Nana, and Honoka continued on as they talked with each other catching on old times.

Asahiyu Heights

Suzuka had just arrived back and she felt miserable. She had just finished with the task that she was assigned with the case of energy drinks and when she got back, she started to sneeze.

"Uh, just my luck," Suzuka complained.

Suzuka remembered asking Yasunobu for help but Yasunobu sadly told her that he was not free even though he was willing to try to get out of what was going to do, Suzuka assured him that it was not necessary as she felt it was out of the blue and didn't want to cause him trouble. She was also reluctant but asked Yamato but that didn't go well as Yamato had made plans beforehand and it was also the time she met Honoka who was one of Yamato's best friends. Suzuka felt that Honoka was a kind person and wondered how someone like her could be friends with Yamato who she felt was a rude, arrogant, and insensitive jerk. Suzuka wanted Honoka to see Yamato as he really was and break off the friendship and then Suzuka would see that Yamato had to get of his high horse as she assumed. Suzuka sneezed again and hurried to get to her apartment. After some time, Yamato arrived back in the Asahiyu Heights.

"Welcome back Yamato," Miho greeted.

Yamato turned to see Miho and smiled, "Thanks, good to be back."

"So, how did it go?" Miho asked out of curiosity with her hands behind her back.

Yamato nodded with a smile, "I say that it went well. I think I may have found the apartment suitable for me. I just need to save up."

"Um…if there's anything I can do to help, just let me know, okay?"

Yamato looked at Miho and smiled, "Sure, thanks."

Miho was happy and blushed, "It's my pleasure."

After some time, Miho went in the common room and sat and had dinner prepared in front of her. Ayano and Suzuka were there and they had already begun to eat.

"Isn't Yamato coming down to eat?" Ayano asked.

"No, it seems that he already ate out with Honoka and their friend Nana," Miho answered as she ate her pickles.

"Oh, I see," Ayano replied.

Suzuka ate her meat in silence.

"By the way Suzuka," Ayano said.

"Hmm?" Suzuka replied.

"Did you have a tough time carrying that case of energy drinks that you had to get for your teammates?"

Suzuka nodded, "It wasn't easy but I managed."

"It would have been easier if you had someone to help you."

"Yes, it would have but there was no one available."

"Hmm, what about Yamato? Did you try to ask him?"

"…I did but he had already made other plans."

"Oh, I see."

Miho just looked at her mother and Suzuka suspiciously and just kept eating.

Back in Yamato's apartment, Yamato was reading a book and then a sudden knock on his door occurred.

"Hmm, I wonder who it is," Yamato said.

Yamato went and opened his door and found that it was his aunt, Ayano.

"Oh, Auntie," Yamato said.

"Hi Yamato, may I come in?" Ayano asked.

Yamato shrugged and let his aunt in his apartment. Yamato sat by his table and his aunt sat across him. Yamato offered anything to drink but Ayano declined but thanked him for the courtesy.

"Yamato, I heard that you were went looking for an apartment today," Ayano said.

"I did and I found one that's suitable for me," Yamato answered, "I just need to save up and I'll be able to move there."

"I see…you know Yamato, Suzuka had to carry a case of energy drinks for her track team."

Yamato had guessed where his aunt was going with this what she was telling him when she mentioned Suzuka.

"Oh, is that so?" Yamato replied.

"I'm just wondering Yamato, why didn't you help her?"

Yamato shrugged, "I had already made plans with Honoka with her helping me out."

"I understand that, but couldn't you help Suzuka with what she was doing while you were still looking for an apartment? It's not as though there's need to be a rush although I still think you're making a mistake of moving out in the first place."

Yamato shook his head, "Auntie, I made plans with Honoka and I had already made an appointment with to see the owner of the apartment complex for a specific time. Not only that, I wanted to get every detail of the apartment that I was looking for and I didn't want to feel rushed, that's what would have happened with Suzuka being with us. Besides, didn't she ask someone else?"

"She did but there was no else who could her."

"And yet you're asking me why I didn't put a hold on my plans to help Suzuka."

"Yamato…that's…"

"That's what you're really asking me Auntie, you're really asking me why I didn't sacrifice my time to help out Suzuka. Besides, Honoka was able to open her schedule to help me and it would have been rude to just cancel like that."

"Yamato, I'm just saying you could have spared a bit of your time to help Suzuka, also you don't really need to look for an apartment, this is your home now."

Yamato shook his head again, "I've already made plans to move out and I'm going forward with it. You know that."

"Is…is looking for an apartment really that more important to you?"

"Yes," Yamato said with a nod, "yes it is. I need to move out as soon as possible and I had made the plans of what I was going to do.

"You do this, it will be tough for you," Ayano pointed out.

"I can handle it," Yamato replied

Ayano frowned and then stood up, "Fine…"

Ayano left Yamato's apartment still upset and shook her head and she decided that she wanted to do something to convince Yamato to stay because she concluded that if she didn't, then she would feel like she failed.

Next day in High School

Yamato and Honoka were talking to each other in class and smiled at each other. Suzuka arrived in the classroom and just went to take her seat.

"Hey Suzuka," Yasunobu called.

Suzuka looked over seeing Yasunobu heading towards her.

"Good morning Yasunobu," Suzuka greeted.

"Morning," Yasunobu greeted back, "so were okay with what you had to do yesterday?"

"It was tough but I managed."

"I see, sorry I couldn't help out yesterday."

Suzuka shook her head, "Don't worry about it, it's not your fault."

The teacher came in and had all the students settle so that class could get started and class proceeded with the teacher lecturing. Hours later, it was time for lunch and Yamato went to the cafeteria and when he got there, he looked at the selection and was trying to decide which did he want to eat.

"Hmm, what should I get?" Yamato asked himself.

On the other side, a girl with long red hair that was tied to a ponytail was talking to some of her classmates and then when she saw Yamato, the girl raised an eyebrow as she recognized him. She excused herself from some of her classmates and walked over to Yamato.

"Yamato?" The girl said, "Yamato Akitsuki?"

"Huh?" Yamato replied and looked over and saw the red haired girl.

"Do you…recognize me?"

Yamato was surprised to see who it was.

"Miki?" Yamato said, "Miki Hashiba?"

"Yeah, that's right," The girl named Miki said with a smile, "thank goodness you remembered me."

"Of course I would, it's good to see you again Miki," Yamato said happily.

"It's good to see you again Yamato," Miki replied.

Flashback: Five years ago

Yamato had just left his aunt's building angrily after the incident when Yasunobu framed him and neither Ayano, nor Miho, nor any of the guests there believed Yamato. Yamato was walking and traveling from place to place by himself. After a while, Yamato stopped and decided to take a break. He arrived at a park and just sat on a bench.

"Stupid Yasunobu," Yamato said angrily, "stupid Auntie, calling me a liar," Yamato had a death glare, "stupid brainless women falling for Yasunobu's obvious lie…I hate them…" Yamato looked around and he wondered, "Where am I? Am I even in Tokyo anymore…" Yamato sighed, "Well, I guess it really doesn't matter."

Yamato brought out a piece of paper from his pocket and then he opened his bag and looked at his plastic bag that had money and he was counting them.

"This should be fine," Yamato said, "I'm sure I can make it back home on my own this time."

Yamato closed his bag and then just sat on the bench. Yamato suddenly saw someone approaching him and it was a girl with red hair tied to twin pigtails and it was ten-year-old Miki.

"Hi," Miki greeted.

"Uh, hi," Yamato replied.

"What are you doing by yourself?"

"…Just sitting."

Miki looked around, "Anyone with you?"

"No, it's just me."

"Really? That's sounds lonely."

"…I guess it is."

"Where's your Mom and Dad?"

"In Hiroshima."

"How come you're here by yourself?"

Yamato looked away with a frown, "I get in trouble for something I didn't do and it was by someone I thought I could call a friend."

"You seem lonely."

Yamato was surprised and he saw Miki giving him a sympathetic expression and Yamato didn't know how to handle it. Miki brought her hand out towards Yamato.

"Do you want to spend some time with me?" Miki asked.

"Huh?" Yamato asked surprised.

"It's very lonely to be by yourself, if you want to talk, I'd be willing to listen."

"But why?" Yamato asked feeling a bit sad, "You don't even know me."

"That's true but you seem depressed," Miki then pointed a direction for Yamato, "I'm with my parents right now, so maybe after some time, you might feel better, what do you say?"

"Are you sure? I don't want to be a bother."

Miki smiled as she shook her head, "You won't be," Miki grinned, "How about it?"

Yamato felt better hearing what Miki said and smiled, "Okay."

"Great," Miki said with excitement, "I'm Miki Hashiba, what's your name?"

"I'm Yamato Akitsuki, it's nice to meet you Miki," Yamato said with a smile.

"It's nice to meet you too Yamato," Miki said happily, "Yah, I made a new friend."

"Friend…yeah, I like that," Yamato said feeling very happy.

Flashback End

"You haven't change," Miki said happily.

"Yeah, you too," Yamato said happily.

"The last time we saw each other was that race you had in your hometown."

"Indeed…so how are things fairing with you these day."

"Busy, I have track practice later on today."

"Oh, so you're still doing track."

"Yeah, you know me," Miki said with a grin, "what about you Yamato?"

"Nothing much, just keeping myself busy," Yamato said with a shrug.

"You know I think you should join track as well, you're very fast."

"I don't know...me in track…"

Yamato and Miki were walking together in the hall after Yamato bought himself a yakisoba bread.

"So you're staying in your aunt's building for free while working there," Miki said.

"Yeah but it's only temporarily until I move out to my own place," Yamato said.

"Do you have a plan about that?"

"Well, I already met with an owner of an apartment complex yesterday and I was there checking the place and getting information."

"I see, what's the timeframe you set for yourself?"

"At the most, a month."

"Really," Miki smiled, "so when you do that, will you invite me over?"

"Sure, absolutely," Yamato said with a smile.

"All right, I'm looking forward to it. I'm holding you to that."

"Come on Miki, you know that I always keep my promises," Yamato grinned.

"I know, I know," Miki said as she wrapped her arms around Yamato's shoulders and Yamato chuckled in response.

Suzuka came out from a corner and saw Yamato and Miki and was surprised in what she was seeing.

"Do…do Miki and Yamato actually know each other?" Suzuka asked herself surprised.

Yasunobu was at the other side and when he saw Yamato and Miki talking to each other with smiles, he was surprised.

"What's this?" Yasunobu asked himself, "First Honoka now this girl. I wonder who she is," Yasunobu arched an eyebrow, "What's going on…is Yamato building his own harem or something?"

Asahiyu Heights

Yamato arrived back with Miho and they were having conversation while Yamato was carrying two bags. Ayano came out and saw them.

"Welcome back you two," Ayano said.

"We're back," Miho said.

"Yes," Yamato said.

"Yamato, what's with the blue bag you have?"

"Just stuff for Kendo practice," Yamato answered.

"I see, so you're really taking up Kendo again."

"I never quit Auntie," Yamato corrected.

"Oh right, you just quit the junior high Kendo team…but you know, I never even seen you practice since then."

"Just because you don't see something happening, doesn't mean that it not happening."

"Oh, is that so?" Ayano said giving Yamato a suspicious look.

"That's right," Yamato said not being concern of how his aunt was looking at him, "anyway, I'll do some practice and then check on the baths for any repairs. I'll give the details if I find any."

Yamato walked passed his aunt and his aunt just looked at Yamato as he continued to leave.

"Miho, you'll be sad should Yamato move out, right?" Ayano asked.

"Yes I will but it will be okay," Miho replied, "Yamato said I can visit him anytime I want."

Ayano was shocked and looked at Miho, "He said that to you?"

"Yep, sure did and I'm sure I handle it…I'm just happy for Yamato right now," Miho said with a smile, "Yamato even said it was okay for Megumi to see him any time she wanted as well."

"Funny, he didn't say anything like to me," Ayano said, "and yet he extended that to Megumi?"

"Well Yamato is very fond of Megumi now," Miho said and then had her thoughts, "even if it bugs me a bit, but that's okay…I won't lose to anyone."

"I see…" Ayano said and had a sad expression.

"Mom?"

"Hmm?"

"You okay?"

"I'm fine, really…"

Ayano left and Miho just stood and sighed as she followed her mother.

Next Day, High School's Gymnasium

The students in the class were wearing their PE uniforms and were ready to do their fitness tests.

"Once you're done calculating your partner's time, move on to the next activity," The gym teacher instructed, "and don't dawdle."

"A fitness test," Yamato said as he was doing stretches for his arms and he smiled, "all right."

"You seem happy about it Yamato," Yasunobu said.

Yamato looked at Yasunobu, "Do I know you?"

"Oh come on, don't be like that."

"No seriously, who are you? I don't think I actually know you."

"That's a cruel prank Yamato, giving me the cold shoulder, anyway let's do the side jump first. I doubt there's no line."

"You go ahead and do that if you want, I'm going to do the standing jump."

"Huh, screw that," Yasunobu said and then he noticed Suzuka helping Honoka stretch, "oh…"

"You're shoulders are really tense Honoka," Suzuka said.

Honoka continued to stretch, "Really?"

"Oh I see," Yasunobu said with a smile standing next to Yamato, "okay, okay…"

"I know what you're thinking and you better stop you damn pervert," Yamato warned, "get your mind out of the damn gutter."

"Hey Suzuka and Honoka, you two have teamed up, right?" Yasunobu said, "Why don't the four of us go through the events together?"

"Hey…" Yamato said.

"I don't mind," Suzuka said, "it's fine with me."

"I really don't mind either," Honoka said, "Yamato, you'll stick with us, right?"

Yamato just looked and then he sighed and rubbed his head.

"Ah what the hell?" Yamato said, "I suppose it doesn't make much difference this time."

"This time?" Suzuka asked.

"Never mind…"

"All right, this will be awesome," Yasunobu said with excitement.

"I wouldn't get so excited if I was you," Yamato said, "I know what you're trying to do you damn pervert."

"C'mon man, don't be a killjoy," Yasunobu whispered to Yamato.

"I can't help it; it's just the way I am. I won't just let you be disrespectful right in front of me."

Honoka just looked at Yamato talking to Yasunobu and she knew what was going and was thankful to Yamato for being vigilant and she also wished that Suzuka would see Yasunobu's obvious tactics. The four of them were ready to do the standing jump first.

"Well go ahead Suzuka," Yasunobu suggested, "we'll just sit down and watch."

"No, I think it would be best to stay standing," Yamato said.

"Oh I agree," Honoka said with a smile, "it would be bad if your eyes wandered to places where they shouldn't be."

"Exactly, we can't have that," Yamato added.

"Hey—" Yasunobu spoke.

Honoka and Yamato got close to Yasunobu.

"It's obvious what you're doing Yasunobu," Honoka whispered, "looking for a free look under my and Suzuka's shirts, well forget it."

"Not going to happen," Yamato said.

Yasunobu clicked his teeth with what he was just told.

"Uh, what's going on?" Suzuka asked confused seeing the three of them.

"Oh, it's nothing Suzuka," Honoka said, "go ahead."

"Okay…"

Suzuka did her jump, slamming her hand on the board.

"Eighty-four centimeters," Honoka said, "impressive."

"Yeah, it is," Yamato said.

Yasunobu was feeling grumpy and when Yamato saw Yasunobu's mood, he had an evil smile and Yasunobu was even more upset.

"Honoka, your turn," Suzuka said.

"Um actually, I feel self conscious going right after you Suzuka," Honoka said and then turned to Yamato, "Yamato, why don't you go next."

"Really," Yamato replied and then shrugged, "well okay…I guess I'll give it my best shot."

"What's the matter?" Suzuka asked, "You don't sound confident."

"I don't know about that," Yamato stood by and was ready, "here we go."

Yamato did his jump, slamming his hand on the board and he looked at his mark.

"Oh, eighty-two centimeters," Yamato said.

"Wow, that's amazing Yamato," Honoka said.

"Just two centimeters short of Suzuka's jump," Yasunobu said patting Yamato's shoulder, "thought you would have tied."

"Really?" Yamato said raising an eyebrow.

"Yep."

"Well I suppose it's amazing for you," Suzuka commented.

Yamato raised his eyebrow at Suzuka.

"My turn, my turn," Yasunobu said.

Yasunobu did his jump, slamming his hand on the board.

"Eighty-four centimeters…" Yamato said.

"Yes, I tied with Suzuka," Yasunobu said happily.

"Oh, that's amazing," Suzuka said being impressed.

"Well Honoka, your turn," Yamato said.

"Uh, right," Honoka said as she went and did her jump, slamming her hand on the board.

"Okay, seventy-eight centimeters," Yamato said with a smile, "not bad at all."

"Yeah," Honoka said with a smile, "well, shall we move on the next one?"

"Sure," Yamato said with a smile.

They went through different activities and recorded their scores on their sheets. They were soon outside and Yamato sat down with Honoka sitting next to him while Yasunobu and Suzuka stood up.

"You're really something Yamato," Honoka said, "you have such impressive scores."

"Really?" Yamato replied, "Well it's no big deal."

"I admit that there were things you beat me in," Yasunobu said and then he shrugged, "of course there were things that I beat you in."

"Makes no difference to me," Yamato said rolling his eyes.

"Hmph, the athletic department in this school is well known so it would be really pathetic if you didn't keep up," Suzuka commented, "so you did well in not being average."

"Hearing that from you doesn't make me happy at all," Yamato replied.

"Is that so?" Suzuka replied back with a shrug.

"Now now, let's all take it easy," Honoka said.

"I will say this, you and Yasunobu have amazing scores, you two should join some clubs."

"Oh me?" Yasunobu said with a grin, "No way, there are plenty people that are better than me. If I joined, I'd make a fool of myself."

"Not to mention that you wouldn't have much time pick up on girls," Yamato commented, "oh what an inconvenience it would be for you."

"Shut it Yamato," Yasunobu responded upset and glared at Yamato.

"Yamato, don't be a jerk," Suzuka berated.

"Don't act so big just because you're picking up girls," Yasunobu added.

"I'm not picking up anyone," Yamato said.

"Hah, don't give me that when I saw you hitting it off with some girl in the hall during lunch yesterday, that girl with red hair."

"Oh yeah, I wanted to ask since I saw you talking to her," Suzuka said, "do you actually know Miki?"

"I met her five years ago," Yamato then glared at Yasunobu, "and we're just friends."

"Oh right, you know Miki since you're both in track, right?" Honoka commented.

"Uh right, you know Miki as well Honoka?" Suzuka asked.

"Yes, Yamato introduced me to her five years ago," Honoka smiled.

"Oh, I see…"

"Five years ago?" Yasunobu asked.

"That's right," Yamato said, "I'm sure you would know since at that time I left after the unfortunate circumstances that happened."

Yasunobu looked away as he knew that Yamato was referring to what happened in the baths that resulted in Yamato beating him up and abruptly leaving the Asahiyu Heights. He recalled how upset and sad Ayano and Miho were when Yamato left and they had no way of finding him.

"All right anyway, next is the 50 meter dash," Suzuka said.

"The 50 meter dash," Yamato said and then he slumped, "oh man."

"What's wrong? Are you losing confidence?"

"Actually, yes I am."

"Yamato…" Honoka said with sympathy.

"Well this is a surprise," Yasunobu said.

"Well I did okay in sprinting since fifth grade but that changed when I was in middle school," Yamato explained, "when I was in middle school, I entered a live broadcasted track and field event. We didn't have a track and field club in my middle school so I got together with three of my buddies to participate."

"And what happened next?" Suzuka asked.

"It was a disaster for us," Yamato said feeling ashamed, "we came in dead last and we were the laughing stock of the entire town," Yamato sighed sadly, "my three friends took the worse and cursed themselves that they were slowed and believed that they were slowing me down, I told them that wasn't the case but…"

"You guys did your best," Honoka said trying to cheer Yamato up.

"We decided to do something else since then but sadly my three friends still haven't been able to get over it and it didn't help that people were laughing at us…damn them…"

Suzuka didn't say anything and just had her thoughts of what she just heard.

"Oh, is that why you decided to do Kendo?" Yasunobu asked.

"Well, it wasn't the only reason…" Yamato replied.

The students participating in the 50 meter dash were getting ready and Yamato was getting ready as well and still wasn't feeling confident.

"I don't know if I even want to watch," Suzuka said.

"Yamato will do just fine," Honoka said.

"I'm sure he will," Yasunobu said.

"Are you being sarcastic?" Honoka glared at Yasunobu.

"No, I'm really sincere when I'm saying that," Yasunobu assured and then looked over seeing who Yamato was running against, "and he's taking on Kenji Kobayakawa, he's on a track and field scholarship."

"Runners, are you set?" The gym teacher asked.

"Yes," Kobayakawa said with confidence.

"Yes," Yamato simply answered.

They both got in their position to launch themselves and the gym teacher had the starter pistol and pointed in the air.

"Good luck Yamato!" Honoka cheered on.

Yamato smiled and nodded and got in position.

"Set," The teacher said.

The teacher fired the starter pistol and both of them began their run and something happened that surprised most of the other students that were watching.

That's it for this chapter. Next chapter: Yamato spends some time with Miki and works harder to be able to move out.