Is It Already too Late?

" -chan! It's fate that I love you!" cried the oh-so-familiar voice as the long, raven-haired girl felt herself being tightly embraced.

"Kiyo…" muttered with a twitch as her foot impulsively landed on male's stomach. "What are you saying this early in the morning?!"

Sengoku Kiyosumi and have known each other ever since the first day they stepped into Yamabuki Chuu. Since then, the bright-haired tennis boy claimed numerous times to have fallen in love with and confessed to her at least twice a day. As annoying as it may seem, often questioned whether he was really serious. Knowing that he flirts with every girl he sees, he's probably just kidding around.

"Great kick, -chan," Sengoku gave his usual grin and rubbed his assaulted abdomen, which made almost roll her eyes. After all, Sengoku must have six pack abs from all the boxing he's been doing.

"Ah! And once again, Sengoku Kiyosumi gets turned down by ! When will he give up?" giggled the short-haired girl beside . "Isn't it romantic though? And he's so handsome!"

"Then you take him, ," blinked at her friend with a careless shrug, ignoring Sengoku.

"Nah, wouldn't even dream of taking him away from ya…"

"Good morning, -senpai!" shouted a bunch of freshmen girls behind the trio. turned to greet them in return.

"Thank you so much for yesterday, -senpai!" said one of the freshmen girls passionately. "I would like someone like -senpai to be my boyfriend! So reliable…"

gave a few blinks and parted her lips to rebut but before she found her words, Sengoku interjected, "Yup, that's just like you, -chan! But she's mine."

"Anou…" began a quiet voice next to Sengoku which surprisingly silenced everyone and became the center of attention. "Sengoku-senpai, are you and -senpai dating?" had to admit, the freshmen girl was pretty. Her loose hair fell freely around her pale face that reflected only innocent cuteness.

Silence fell upon the group as Sengoku flashed a sheepish smile, while rubbing the back of his head, "Hehe…"

But before the tennis vice-captain could elaborate on his love affair, shook her head decisively and gave a clear, "No, we're not."

**********

Lunchtime came quickly and uneventfully for , whose mind kept wondering back to what happened in the morning, especially that tint in Sengoku"s usually bright indigo orbs when she denied their relationship.

"-chan, -chan and her friend are here to ask if they can eat lunch with us…"

Pretending not to hear Sengoku, winced at the cheerfulness of his voice while he said the other girl's name.

Putting her head on her desk, let out a soft groan before interrupted. ", that freshmen girl this morning, , is aiming for Sengoku. I suggest you better watch out, or she'll steal him away."

The somewhat depressed girl glanced at the group of freshmen giggling with Sengoku by the door and jumped from her chair, scaring a little. "Yooooshi!! Let's eat lunch!"

Then she turned to her best friend and smiled as she walked past, "Arigatou, . Getting depressed won't help… and although it hurts to see him with her, I"m still not sure if the feeling I have for him is love…"

Perhaps was thinking too hard, because she didn't notice 's foot in front of her as she tripped over and fell onto the freshmen girl.

"Itai… ah, gomen!"

"!!"

Almost immediately, Sengoku was by her side, and with no other words exchanged, he picked her up, bridal-style, and ran towards the infirmary.

Nearly busting down the door, Sengoku promptly apologized to the school doctor, whom he startled. Silence dominated the three's presence, but it wasn't long before the doctor confirmed that had no broken bones, only a bruise on her arm which took the impact of her fall.

"Kiyo, you idiot! You didn't have to bring me to the health room!"

"Sorry, but I'm glad you're unharmed," Sengoku flashed a smile at , despite her harshness.

Instantly, looked away, hoping to hide her blushing cheeks. "Well… thanks."

It seemed as if everything in the world paused before Sengoku hugged tightly, "-chan, I love you!!"

"Let go of me-"

And needless to say, Sengoku would be really thanking his boxing practices now, since they saved him from having a few snapped ribs as glared daggers at the happy-go-lucky boy.

**********

glanced over at her friend frequently while paid no attention, pretending to be busy. , no longer able hold back her thoughts, finally broke the silence. "... is that girl okay?"

Although it was after school, the two girls sat at their desks with no notions of leaving. dropped her act and looked over at .

"Huh? What are you talking about, ?"

"During lunch, you hurt your arm! She tripped you on purpose!!"

"You think she's untrustworthy?"

"I'm just worried about you and Sengoku! You know how flirtatious he can get. Geez… I'll give the teacher the student log, so wait a second okay?"

turned away and nodded as ran out of the room, knowing her friend was right. "There's nothing to worry about since we're not going out in the first place… besides, I'm the one getting too attached…" her voice was soft and the statement itself seemed to be directed toward her own self.

She ruffled her hair as the image of and Sengoku Kiyosumi laughing together invaded her mind. What's wrong with me…? What am I feeling? Ugh, I'm losing my mind!!

" -chan, good, you're still here!" the source of 's headache shouted as he walked into the room. "My practice ended early, so do you want to go grab something to eat? Ah, we can get -chan to come too! Lately, every day ends with this cute girl calling me."

"Ah, sou? You two seem like you're having a good relationship," swallowed the horrible feelings as she glared up at the boy's messy orange hair.

Sengoku watched for a second before showing his sheepish grin again, "Perhaps -chan is jealous?"

felt her face growing hot before all her anger exploded and she jumped out of her chair. "Is that what you're getting at? Because if you haven't noticed, I don't have any feelings for you! You think that girl is cute, right? She likes you, so isn't that great?"

As soon as the words left her mouth, she regretted saying them. Guilt filled her to her guts as she watched his expression change.

"It's not what it looks like…" he replied, voice barely above a whisper while he turned and left.

sank back into her chair, no longer able to hold back her tears…

**********

Why…? He always comes back and jokes around and I… I… I guess it"s too late for me to realize my feelings right?

"This is the first time, Sengoku hasn't come, what happened?" asked with a heavy sigh, but there was no need for an answer, for the girl knew what would say. "I hate to tell you, but I told you so… . You need to be more open about your feelings."

"But--"

"Enough with your excuses! You need to tell him how you really feel about him. Don't you think he feels the same about you? Even if he flirts around, I never saw him annoy anyone as much as he annoys you," said as she grabbed her friend's arm and beamed a reassuring smile. "Don't worry so much!"

couldn't even respond before she was pushed further into the hall. Clearly, she had no idea where the tennis star was… or how she was going to confess her feelings. At that thought, her face turned red, but she quickly shook it off. I just hope he doesn't hate me now…

"Did you have a fight with -senpai?"

immediately stopped in her tracks and hid in the shadows of the wall. She had found him, but somehow it wasn't a surprise to her to have found him with . "It's not what it looks like…" bit her lips while remembering his words, well this certainly looks like something.

"Huh? Oh, haha, is it that obvious?"

"Sengoku-senpai, I always wanted to tell you how I feel… That is, I have always…"

Suddenly, felt drained of energy. She leaned against the wall behind her as if she were holding onto her life.

"Wait a minute… I'm grateful for your feelings, but I already have feelings for someone else. Sorry…."

"I see. I've said something strange. Sorry. I'm going back to class now."

blinked slowly as she heard footsteps leaving Sengoku. I won't hold back anymore… I… It's now or never. Ah… . Ganbare yo!

Gathering all the courage she could muster, ran over toward Sengoku, "Kiyo!"

"Eh? … chan..."

"I"m sorry!" Her eyes lingered at both of their feet. Suddenly finding herself choking at her words, she inhaled deeply and continued. "I have always thought of you as a friend, you made me feel at ease. But I disliked it… when that girl came and you told me she was cute. I want you to stay by my side!"

Within seconds, she felt her shoulders tightly held by a somewhat bewildered Sengoku, "-chan, is what you saying true?"

"It… it's all a joke…" wanted to say, but Sengoku cut her off.

"Did you forget that you are my most important person?"

"…." A streak of redness danced around 's cheeks. "Do... do you like me?"

"I love you, -chan!"

Again, found herself in the embrace of Yamabuki's number one flirt. "You…!"

Instantly, Sengoku released her and took a step back with hands in a defensive position in front of him, waiting for his long awaited kick. Seemingly, eternity passed before he looked at with a questionable glance. "You're not going to kick me…?"

shook her head, her long raven hair flying freely behind her. She smiled happily and jumped on him. "I'll accept your feelings!"

##########

October 19, 2007
Written by: Yuriko
Edited by: Aoku