Keisuke Yamato was fixing his things on his locker. The game ended, 3 to 1, with him scoring the final goal that ensured their team's win. His teammates were really proud to call him their ace.

"Keisuke, just wanted to tell you, good job! You managed to pull up your grades in time for this exhibition! That was a close one, man." The team captain gave their ace a noogie causing the other man to laugh.

"Luckily, my warning was lifted just a week before the game." Keisuke said once he was out of their captain's hold.

"With all that effort you put it, we had no doubt that you'll ace it. Who helped you anyway? Your girl?" The other man teased.

Keisuke chuckled and answered, "I wish. Nah. I don't have a girl, cap."

"If I don't know you any better, I'd say it's time to give up. But, well, it's you. You never back down on a challenge. That's why you're our ace! Never give up, man." The captain said giving one last pat on the ace's shoulder before leaving to commend the other team members.

Keisuke sat on the bench in front of his locker with a solemn smile. He covered his face with his hands to avoid showing his vulnerability. Right, he never backs down on a challenge. But, he was beginning to think that maybe, this time, he might admit his defeat. Because no matter how much effort he shows her, she's still stuck in the past.

Miyu Yamazaki had always been the conscience of the group. That's why when she reached out, Aya Hoshino had no reservations with meeting up with her alone at Palm Tree. It was only then that Aya was able to tell Miyu everything.

"Ah, so you were tutoring Keisuke-san so he can continue playing soccer?" Miyu said, finally realizing why it was so important that Aya was there to watch Keisuke's game.

"Yeah. Jinnie was the one who suggested it. She said it might also help me figure things out, you know, some time away from everything can actually give a fresh perspective. You didn't think me and Keisuke were…" Aya said, finally realizing what it could have looked like to someone who didn't know the full story.

"Miyu knows you well enough that you wouldn't do that. After the incident with Katase, Miyu thinks you know better." Miyu said, reassuring her friend, then continued, "But Aya, what's really happening with you?"

.:.:.

Aya Hoshino never thought that she'll admit to herself that she was indeed selfish and unfair.

"If I'm being honest with myself, I'll admit that it feels nice to be the one receiving the attention. It's only now I realized how tiring it is to be the one who always makes the effort. Keisuke is a great guy. I mean, I know we're just friends but… he seems so sincere with everything. Even so, I still feel that something is lacking."

"Is it because he's not Otohata-kun?"

Aya sighed. She could see that question coming up from a mile away. "Maybe... although I know I'm being unfair."

Aya paused and traced the rim of her glass with her finger as if contemplating really hard on what she was about to say next. After a moment, she continued, "I guess, at first I confessed to Rei because I only wanted to be honest with myself. I wanted to put it out there that I like him because I don't want to regret never telling him that. But as time went on, he kept being kind, he kept making me feel special. Maybe it was an illusion on my part, but it felt nice. That's when I began to lose sight of my true intentions."

Aya took a moment to sip of her drink, "I became blinded by the feeling of being loved in return. I realized that I wanted that too. What you and Yamato have and even what Ran had with Tatsuki. I got tired of being the only one telling their feelings, that's why I wanted to know his. I kept on pushing myself to him thinking that one day, he'll feel the same... or should feel the same. It's like I made myself entitled to his feelings because he had mine."

"And now, I'm at the point where I want to give up on our relationship because not only did I realize my mistake... but also because I'm once again tired. I got tired of telling him what everyone already knew."

"That you love him? Even now? Even after everything?" Miyu decided to continue for her friend.

"Mmmhmm. That's why I asked him. I asked him, Miyu! And, he didn't say anything. But now I know that although I can't make him love me, I also cannot force myself to stop loving him." Aya concluded, bitterly.

Miyu looked at her friend, who was now on the verge of breaking down, she held Aya's hand, looked her in the eye and said, "Miyu thinks that, in his way, he's told you he loves you many times. You were just too insecure and distracted to listen. Aya, we all have different ways of saying how we feel. So ask yourself, are you running away because you feel like he doesn't love you or because you're not satisfied with how much love he can give you?"