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Chapter 2: The Rejected

The sound of dark skies' rumbling was heard by Yukino as she stepped out of the taxi in front of Chifuyu's pet shop. She couldn't help but look up and ponder why she was feeling a bit weird about tonight and what was about to unfold.

"Are you going to wait for the rain or get inside?" she was a bit surprised when she heard a deep husky voice from behind. She turned and saw a handsome black-haired man with undercut.

"Chifuyu..." was all she uttered.

"Long time no see, Doc. You've been so busy I thought you might've forgotten about me." he spoke while grinning lightly. What he said was correct though, he has not seen the gray-eyed girl for weeks—no for months now.

"Sorry, I've been busy at the clinic and day shifts at the hospital." she slowly walked towards the entrance where Chifuyu was.

"You shouldn't overwork yourself. Baji-san wouldn't want that." As he said that, she almost stopped in her tracks and looked at Chifuyu with a slight gape. She didn't know what to react.

Chifuyu, on the other hand, slightly felt awkward with the way she just looked at him. 12 years and he still can't fully understand the girl...who turned into the woman in front of him. He cleared his throat and looked away for a bit.

"I mean, he will haunt both Kazutora and I if you get sick or something." he slightly scratched the back of his head. He doesn't change much, Yukino couldn't help but giggle quietly which made Chifuyu gape at her once again.

"Kei-kun would surely haunt me first if I abuse my health. Don't worry. I'm fine, Chifuyu." she smiled to the boy...who used to be her high school enemy.

"It's been a while. Why don't we chat for a bit?" she took her seat at the long bench by the entrance of the pet shop. This surprised Chifuyu because the Yukino he knew in high school was so awkward and weird to even open a conversation.

"Why do you sound like you're talking to a patient just now?" the green-eyed man asked as he took his seat beside her while maintaining respectful distance, of course.

"Probably some force of habit." she replied and took a glance to the guy who just smiled wider while looking at her.

"You know, you used to give me a weird vibe when we were in high school." the black-haired man initiated a topic.

"Hmm? Well, the feeling is mutual then." the girl smiled teasingly which made Chifuyu scoff and chuckled.

"Wow, who taught you to speak that way?"

"I wonder who I spent my high school days with?" once again, Chifuyu doesn't know what to reply to the girl's teasing remarks.

"If you roast me some more, I will not serve you dinner later." he jokingly warned the girl which only made her smile.

"Alright, alright. Since I'm hungry, I'm gonna stop." she giggled. For a moment, Chifuyu couldn't help but stare at her.

How can he forget? The feeling she gave him in high school. The fun. The confusion. The regret. She was a whole rollercoaster. The strange girl...he admired and loved from afar.

That's right. He loved her for more than 12 years now. Has he tried to confess and tell her how he felt all those regretful years? No. He hasn't. Why?

"I missed talking with you like this, Chifuyu." he heard her blurt out which shocked the man. He is sure, that his heart skipped a beat. For a moment, he doesn't know what to reply.

No, cross that. He doesn't know what to say every time Yukino becomes like this. As far as the raven-haired male remembers, this is the fourth time that she has said something like this. And every time, Chifuyu would be quiet, contemplating hard on what to say.

"I wonder...what we would be like if things turned out differently." he heard the brunette added. He looked at her. She was looking down while swinging her feet back and forth, a habit she has when she's feeling awkward.

Chifuyu may not notice it, but he understands Yukino. Her habits. Her gestures. A sign that he likes to look at her. However, he denied everything and still continues to do so.

"By now, you're probably married to Baji-san." was what all he could reply to what she just said.

That's right.

He is in love with her. But he denies his feelings because of Baji. He, of all people, know how Baji felt toward his best friend, Yukino. Chifuyu knows how much Baji cared for her. How could he ever dare to like the same girl that Baji, the man he admired, has loved so much?

Although, there were times that Yukino seemed like she wanted to express her feelings for him as well. Chifuyu didn't accept it. He COULDN'T.

"You're...probably right. He probably owns a pet shop by now like you are. Kazutora-kun would be helping him, too. You would probably be flying a plane. Everyone would be doing what they wanted to do." he heard her say. He turned to look at her, only to see her smiling while looking at him. However, he saw how watery her eyes have become.

"I'm getting hungry, Chifuyu. I'll go inside and-" she said as she stood up. To be honest, she wants to cry right then and there. What just happened was like dropping a bomb to her torn heart and she almost cannot take it anymore. Chifuyu has rejected her many times. But, as she was about to leave, Chifuyu held her hand.

He moved impulsively. Chifuyu probably just moved out of reflex. Deep in his heart, he couldn't take it to see her cry... because of him AGAIN.

"Chifuyu...?" she muttered while looking at their hands.

"Uhh... I..." he stuttered when suddenly...

"What are the two of you doing out here?" As if on cue, they turned their heads to the smiling Kaori.