It's been a while, (life got crazy :p) but I'm back with another chapter!

Chapter 10

She broke from Masaomi's grasp, the warmth of her hand still lingering in his palm. Her eyes were wide with desperation and her voice shook as she spoke. "Why?... Why did you do that?" He stayed mute, though his face showed he was rushing for explanation. She was beginning to stir impatiently and turned to leave.

"Wait." His hand reached out on its own accord catching her arm.

"I have to go." She refused to meet his kind eyes, though he still grasped her arm.

"Ema, look at me." He said in a soft, yet stern voice. "Please… Just for a moment."

Her deep chocolate eyes met his chestnut ones. The setting sun caught in her light brown hair and the slight wind set it fluttering into her face.

His eyes softened even more as he looked at the ground- this time it was his turn to dodge her eyes. He inhaled deeply before continuing, "I'm here for you because I like you very much… We're good friends, right? And there are all my brothers too. You're never alone..."

She bobbed her head, "Yeah… Good friends."

He paused and looked wistfully into her hesitant eyes, "Don't worry about losing friends- having gotten to know you- if you lose friends, then that'll make them the foolish ones." He paused, trying to read the look on her face. "Good friends lean on one another when they feel down. You can lean on me, Ema. When something troubles you, confide in me… I'm sorry if I scared you when I leaned in like that… I just hate to see you cry." He fiddled with his hands now that he'd released her arm, "I hate to see you hurting. I want to protect you from feeling that way, because you're dear to me." Masaomi clenched his fists at his sides, "I won't stand idle when I see you in pain."

She smiled though she kept turning to look at Makoto's back as it grew smaller in the distance.

Masaomi's lips never touched mine. He just pulled me in and held my face close to his. I could feel his slow exhale linger with my own breath for a second… It scared me but he didn't do anything-I was just surprised. He surprised my tears away. Masaomi really is a good friend. He respects our friendship, I can tell…We are good friends… Very good friends. "I really appreciate it, Masaomi, you are such a good person… I really need to go though. Mako's also my friend and very protective of me. I need to make sure you're not in trouble with him."

Before he could stop her, she was off at a trot down the pathway. Masaomi grimaced, He was meant to see that "kiss."

"Mako! Wait up!" Ema called as she neared him. He was nearly in front of the door to the apartment complex.

"Why?" Makoto asked without averting his gaze. "If you're so in love with Masaomi, just… just leave me alone..." He let himself in, and quickly shut the door to the apartment, forcing distance between her and himself.

Ema stopped outside the wooden door, and listened as he leaned against it before sliding down and allowing his body to sit. In love? "How can you say that?!" She cried out. "Mako, I haven't been able to stop thinking about you… Not ever! What we had- What we could've been- You won't let me forget! Why?!" She gasped for a breath, "Why are you so dear to me? So much so that I can't turn away?"

The door swung open as quick as lightning. The steel in his irises were molten as he pulled her inside. "Then why'd you kiss him?" He asked, frustratedly. He slammed his hands against the door just behind her shoulders sending an echo through the empty corridor. His fingertips dug into the wooden door as he looked for an answer in her eyes. It hurts so bad. To see her with him- why did she choose him over me? He gritted his teeth as he suppressed his emotion into a stoic face, "...It's none of my business, actually… I'm sorry.." He dropped his head to her shoulder. She could feel the sweat of his forehead seep through her blouse… or were they… his tears?

"Look, it wasn't like that, he didn't kiss me Mako. He just wanted to make me stop crying."

"What?" Makoto's reached to grasp her hands, "You mean… that was nothing?" His solemn expression changed as he raised his head to meet her eyes, his eyebrows furrowing, "You were… crying?... Why?" He pulled her into his own arms.

"It's fine. Don't worry anymore…" she said. She found her hand moving to wipe away the glistening tear trail that had escaped his right eye. He's the same as he was back then. He has feelings too. Vulnerable...

She pat his head as he burrowed his face into her shirt, "I was so afraid that you'd give me up." He mumbled into her shoulder. "I want to make you the happiest… If you had chosen him… I don't know what I would've done."

For an instant she remembered this feeling- of touching the soft raven locks of a much shorter college boy… Is he really the same boy? Her fingers ruffled through the still soft tendrils of hair.

He looked up suddenly, catching her off guard. "Don't treat me like a child. I don't want you to protect me any longer… all of this trouble is because of me… let me protect you for once." A new resolve filled his posture. "I'll fight for you on equal ground with Masaomi." He looked into her eyes, "I'm not the coward I was before."

He neared, closing the remaining distance that had separated them. She was against the wall now. "W-wait, what-" She found her hands on his solid abdomen, but she couldn't find the force to push him away. The sweltering heat of the apartment without air conditioning had made his tank top stick to his chiseled body. She could feel his muscle beneath the palm of her hand, and her own racing heartbeat coursing through her fingertips.

She blushed, "I-I'm sorr-" Her mouth raced for an explanation. Why did his body change from that college freshman that had walked me to school everyday? Why didn't he change though? He's still the sweet and thoughtful guy from back then. If he wasn't, it would be easier to give up on our relationship… Her mind continued to race…

"Don't be sorry," His eyes had grown wild with a flare she'd never seen before. Now, his own hand was on top of hers guiding it beneath the fabric of his shirt and along his chiseled flesh. A charming grin washed over his face, "I've longed for your touch for so long now," he whispered. "I would have never imagined your hands would feel so wonderful against my body."

"W-why- when-when did you become so dominant?" She squeaked softly to herself as he grasped her hand tighter against his chest.

"Dominant?" He asked at full volume. He laughed a short, but heartwarming laugh, "I've never thought of myself that way." He paused, and looked away, embarrassedly, as he seemed to realize what he was doing. "I'm sorry, I'll stop… I don't mean to make you feel uncomfortable. Not all at once… but… this is how I really feel." He distanced himself. "I know I've changed… I've never approached you like this… but it feels right." He reluctantly stepped away, shoving his hands into the back pockets of his cargo pants. "But it's okay… If you don't like me like… like that." A slight blush crept onto his cheeks. "I'll respect you." His expression grew taut before he unleashed his most charming smile, "That doesn't mean I'll give up easily! Who knows, you might just end up liking me after all!" He swung his heel heading to his room. "...Who knows.." He sighed.

A Few Days Later

"Subaru, did you do well on the math exam?" Ema chimed as the trio walked across the campus to the library.

"Errrm, yeah, I guess I did okay." The athlete said shoving the paper in his bag, a little too hurriedly.

"How about you, Makoto?" Ema asked, turning her attention to the taller man. "You've have some exams too, right?"

He looked dazed as he glanced toward the late afternoon sun, a lollipop stick poking out of his lips. "Mmm, yeah…" He continued looking towards the sky, the clouds reflected on his irises, "I wish I hadn't signed up for Summer term courses though."

"Why's that?" Ema asked.

"It'd give me more time to just be with you." He smiled one of his carefree smiles.

Doesn't he have any idea what he's saying? How can he say that so easily? She thought, her cheeks turning a shade of pink.

"H-Hey, why don't we go have a karaoke night tonight?" Subaru asked, changing the subject and trying to get rid of his awkward third-wheel-vibe. "In celebration of completing exams-" he stuttered.

"Oh? You didn't strike me as a karaoke type of guy," Ema commented.

Yeah. I'm not. Subaru thought. But anything's better than leaving you two alone… Lately… Something's been different with Mr. Princely Makoto over there. He's been acting… Different… Lately, even more girls follow behind us. He turned to catch a glimpse of the flock of girls whispering while looking at Makoto. Sheesh… popular as always...

I hope you enjoyed reading this! Please let me know what you think- reviews,comments, and suggestions are always welcome!