*********************

In the student canteen, Ino and Takuya were having their
lunch.

"..............why do you keep staring at me.......?" Ino
asked with his mouth full.

"err..........hmm............" 

"..............what? It feels so weird when you don't
talk."

"Ino.........are you........quitting school?"

Ino stopped eating and stared at Takuya.

"I saw the letter on your table.........the one from  St.
Dino Secondary School........." Takuya said hesitantly.

"......................"

"That is the school you were studying in before you came
here, right? Are you going back there?..........You can
tell me ma.........we are friends ma........." Takuya
looked hurt.

"......................" Ino sighed slightly. "I haven't
decided...........I talked to my old teacher there, she
said that I can go back anytime..........."

"But why?! What's wrong with here? You don't like it
here?" Takuya raised his voice without meaning to. "I
thought you seemed a bit strange recently already, but
then you are always so strange
anyway.........err........Is it the Student Council people
again? Are they bothering you again?"

"......................."

"Hey.............what about your brother? Is he going with
you?"

Ino frowned. "He doesn't know.........."

Since the fight last week, Ino hadn't seen his brother. He
didn't know what to say anymore. For the first time in his
life, he was annoyed by his own passiveness, and all that
he could do was to brood and brood. "Only if J and I could
leave this damn place.........", he thought darkly. Then
the simple desire of having everything back to the way it
was before they came to this school, that his brother and
him could live trouble-free together, and all the mo-liu
hentai idiotic people would leave them alone, and it was
that simple wish that had given him the idea of going back
to the old school.

"Ah? J doesn't know? You are not thinking of going back by
yourself, are you?"

Ino shook his head. "Tak............don't tell
anyone..........I will talk to J myself."

*********************************************

Ino turned his head around to search for J in the woods
along the stream, and regretted slightly that he didn't
bring a torch. He had gone to find J in his room after
dinner, but only found Franz who said that he saw J
heading for the woods a while earlier.

Suddenly a faint laughter broke his thought. Ino followed
the sound and saw the familiar blue short hair.

"J........." Ino stopped as he saw someone else whom he
had suspected might be present.

Sugi and J were lying on the grass, and they were kissing.

Ino hid behind a tree and peeped at the couple through the
leaves. The usual sick feeling rose in his stomach, and he
felt the heat on his face. For a moment, he wasn't sure if
he should go up and make them embarrassed, or leave the
place unnoticed.

"Hachu!!!!!" J sneezed loudly.

"Yuck~~~you so dirty~~~~" Sugi complained with a punch
into J's stomach.

"Ouch! But.....but it's cold out here~~~~~" J sniffed.

"Let's go to your room then."

"Franz is there........."

"Mine?"

"Hmm." J responded ambiguously.

Sugi looked at J for a long while. "You don't like going
to my room, do you? Afraid of being seen?"

"No, not really."

"Liar. It is okay for me to go and look for you, but not
okay the other way round, right? You think I don't know
that noble sense of guiltiness of yours? Oh, the poor
innocent victim of mine, yeah right!" Sugi sat abruptly.

"Hey hey hold it, hold it! Why you suddenly..........it
doesn't make sense at all. Why should I feel guilty?"

"Because your lovely little brother is not all too happy
about us being together."

Ino felt his heart beat quickly at that.

"......................"

"Your pathetic brother-complex!" Sugi groaned with
irritation.

"..............that's ridiculous. What Ino thinks of us
doesn't........matter........"

"J, your voice is getting smaller and smaller."

"Ino is Ino, we are we." J said loudly.

"Great! Then move into my mansion tomorrow."

"Huh?"

"My mansion in the Student Council dormitory.........you
can have your own room.........or my bed is big enough for
two.........." Sugi bent down and kissed J's lips gently.

"Wait.......wait!" J pushed Sugi back. "What do you mean?"

"I mean I want to live with you. It is troublesome to go
and look for you everyday."

"But.......but I'm not in the Student Council.......it is
against the school regulations......."

"What regulations?" Sugi tilted up an eyebrow. "Who do you
think you are talking to?"

"Ah..........but what about Franz?"

"He is more than happy to have the room all by himself,
rather than having intruder....." Sugi giggled,
"....kicking him out of his own room all the time."

"But..........but rumours........"

"It is too late, everyone in the school knows about us."
Sugi licked J's earlobe playfully.

"Ah......oh......ah.........but what about all
those......ouch......those lovers of yours? I end up being
kicked out of your room whenever they come to visit you?"

Sugi bit J's ear hardly and made him scream. "What
lovers?!!! I am xxx-ing with you 7 times a week already!
You think I am sex maniac or what?!"

"......................"

Sugi sighed. "It is okay. You don't have to find so many
excuses. I know what you are thinking."

"Sugi..........."

"I know I can never compete with your brother, right?"
Sugi sat up and turned his back to J.

"Oh come on............"

"........................"

"Are you jealous of my brother or something?"

Sugi sighed. "..........a little bit........."

"......................." J sat up and put his arms around
Sugi's waist.

"But I know you love me." Sugi said softly. "Don't worry,
I won't do anything to your brother."

J looked at Sugi's side face fixedly. "You.........you are
so weird recently........were you ever this.......this
frank?"

"...........what do you mean?"

"You became so.......so true..........hmm.......don't know
how to explain.......I mean you are still an arrogant
brat........"

"Arrogant brat?!!!"

"Ouch! Wait wait wait! I haven't finished........" Sugi
pulled down J's shirt and started biting him with a
vengeance, and J struggled to crawl away for his life.
When the two finally stopped wrestling, they were both
gasping and giggling.

"J........." Sugi whispered softly as he looked up into
the sky. "When I am with you, I feel completely at ease. I
don't need to pretend anything........."

J listened silently.

"It is true that at the beginning, I was just having fun
playing with you, feeling superior making you my slave.
But then you are always so honest, so true. I feel so
stupid when I pretend in front of you."

"Because I am completely harmless, right?"

With a puzzled look, Sugi turned to J.

"Sugi, I love you." J kissed Sugi.

"Hm. I know." Sugi's answer was not what J wanted to hear,
but he let it pass cos he'd decided that it didn't really
matter.

"Let's go to my room?" Sugi invited with a soft whisper.

"Okay."

After Sugi and J left the woods, Ino stayed where he was
under the shade of the tree. So the answer to Ino's
question was clear, even though he had not the chance to
ask it after all. Finally he realized the fact that he had
lost the most important thing to him, and that had left a
big big hole in his heart, a emptiness that he didn't
quite know how to deal with. Folding himself up against
the cold, Ino stared blankly at the sky which was turning
bright, and finally made up his mind.

*********************************************

In the Student Council Room. Ryu stared at Sugi in
disbelief.

"It would be appreciated if you can hand in the
resignation letter by tomorrow." Sugi said coldly and went
back to his paper work.

"Wait.....wait a second!! What do you mean you want me to
quit the Student Council? What did I do wrong?" Ryu said
angrily.

"An alcoholic like you is incompetent for the task of the
Vice President, don't you agree?"

"I have already stopped drinking......" Ryu argued.

"But who knows when you are gonna start again?" Sugi cut
it.

Ryu glared at Sugi. "That's bullshit......that's just an
excuse to get rid of me."

Sugi breathed out a sigh. "You are absolutely right. Why
don't you just act a bit more smartly and don't make a
fuss out of it? That way at least you can save some
dignity."

Ryu gritted is teeth. "Why do you do this? Sugi."

Sugi ignored him.

Ryu knew it was because of the fight last week. "You are
mixing up private life with work. You are abusing your
right........"

"And you are dismissed."

"You can't do this!! That's unfair!" Ryu burst out.

Sugi cast him a look of scorn. "What is unfair?!! You
bloody deserve this!! You dare to fuck with me, that's
what you get!" Sugi hissed. He stood up and walked to the
window.

Ryu's eyes followed him. "It is what I said, isn't it? You
think I was playing tricks on you when I said I
love......"

"Shut up. I don't want to hear it."

Ryu bit his lips hard. "It was not a lie. I meant what I
said......"

"You expect me to buy that kind of crap?" Sugi sneered.

"What do I gain in lying about that? You think I am so
naive to expect you to feel anything about what I said? I
gain nothing except your insults!!" Ryu's hands trembled
with anger.

"Then what was all that for? Are you a masochist or what?"

Ryu walked up to Sugi and grabbed his arms. "You know it
already, don't you? I know you know it. Why are you
denying it?"

"I don't know what you are talking about."

"I love you........."

Sugi flashed out his hand and slapped Ryu hard across the
face. He snarled in digust. "I am so disappointed in you.
Everything was perfect but you just have to upset the
balance in our relationship! You just have to mess
everything up! What do you want from me, huh? You want me
to love you back?"

Ryu's eyes watered.

"Oh please! Give me a break! Don't show me your pitiful
face for god's sake! Get out of here!"

Ryu winced but didn't move.

Sugi grabbed Ryu's face roughly. "What? Don't want to
leave? Your tears won't work on me, they just annoy me
even more. Go find some other pricks for comfort, would
you?"

Ryu's face contorted as he met the biting gaze.

"What?!!" Sugi exploded in frustration. He grabbed Ryu's
hair and pulled it hard. "Where has your pride gone? Huh?
When have you become so shameless and pathetic? Or your
head has become so thick that you can't understand my
words?"

Sugi pressed his mouth to Ryu's ear and shouted right into
it, "Get out of my life!!!"

Suddenly Ryu put his arms around Sugi and buried his face
in his chest.

"I don't believe this......" Sugi spat.

"......................."

"Get off me......." Sugi wanted to use force but
hesitated.

"........................"

The moment of awkward silence stretched, getting
unbearable. Sugi felt frustrated and deeply exhausted.

Suddenly Ryu started to chuckle. Then it turned into a
laugh that shook his body.

Sugi stared at Ryu. "Have you gone nuts?"

"I understand now.........Sugi, you are afraid......."

"Huh?"

"All those anger in your are just to hide your fear....."

c

"You think if you insult me, hurt me, I will leave you
alone, and never find out how afraid you are."

"Afraid of what?!"

"Afraid of falling in love with me! Because I said I love
you! You are afraid if you fall in love, you'll become a
loser whom you despise!"

Sugi burst out laughing. "Oh stop flattering yourself,
please. 3 hundred people have said they love me. J said he
loves me. Who do you think you are?"

"Yes, everyone says he loves you, but you only get mad
when I say so. "

"........................"

"You are mad because you are afraid, you are afraid
because I am dangerous. I am the only one who can pull you
down and make you lose the game."

"........................"

"Admit it, Sugi. I am special to you."

".............that's absurd. I don't give a damn about
you."

"If you don't give a damn about me, why did you go all
hysterical and try to get rid of me? Don't you get
flattered when other people fall for you? Then why did you
look at me with that twisted face of yours as if I were
some blood-sucking leech when I confessed to you? Why do
you care what I say, how I feel, if you don't even care
about me?"

Sugi rolled his eyes. "That's enough. I don't need to hear
this boring crap."

"Ha! The president doesn't even have the courage to admit
his feelings."

"Yeah, whatever. I have no mood to debate with you about
such worthless things."

"......................"

"Gave me all those blah blah blah just for gathering back
your shattered pride."

"But I don't want my pride back! I just want you to throw
away yours!" Ryu's hands clutched Sugi's shirt.

"Not in a million years." Sugi shook off.

"Sugi. Admit it." Ryu hugged Sugi.

"There is nothing to admit."

"Admit that you love me!"

"I don't love you!!" 

"Yes you do!!"

"I don't!!"

"Yes you do!!!"

"No I do not!!!"

"Sugi!!!!"

"Goddamnit!!!" Sugi jerked up Ryu's chin roughly and shut
him up with his mouth.

Ryu shuddered and staggered backward.

"Ryu, I don't love you." Sugi wiped his mouth with the
back of his hand. "In fact, I hate you. I hate so much
that I wish I don't ever have to see your face again. I
wish you would just die." 

Leaving Ryu a last look of venom, Sugi slammed the door
shut and left.

*********************************************

"Ino, hurry up. Let's go for dinner." Takuya said as he
put on his jacket.

"...............I am not hungry.........." Ino answered
from his bed.

"You said that in lunch time too. Come on! You will be
hungry later. Let's go. Let's go."

"......................"

Takuya dragged Ino out of the room.

"Hey.............isn't that the Vice President?" Takuya
tugged at Ino and pointed to the corner of the corridor.

Ino looked up and saw Ryu standing in the shade, looking
back at him.

"............Tak............you go to the canteen first, I
will catch up with you later."

Takuya sighed. "Okay."

Ino walked up to Ryu and gave him a doubtful look.

"Am I bothering you..........?" Ryu asked, voice hoarse
and unsteady.

"No..............how long have you been standing here?"

".........................."

"What is wrong?" Ino noticed the swollen eyes.

"...............can we go for a walk?"

Ino nodded, and they left the dormitory.

"I am quitting the Student Council." Ryu said suddenly
after they have walked about 20 minutes into the forest in
silence.

Ino glanced at him in surprise.

"Or rather.........I am forced to quit." Ryu laughed
bitterly.

"..........................."

"I..........I am quitting school too..........." Ryu
sighed.

"...............why?" Ino stopped walking and stared at
Ryu.

"I...........I can't stand it anymore.........I am
tired........." Ryu cupped his face with his hands. "I
just want to run away........." 

"..........from Sugi?"

Ryu shivered. "............I don't know how to face
him.........."

Ino hesitated, but his arms finally stretched out and pull
the shaking shoulders to him.

"How stupid I was to make a fool of myself in front of him
and then ask him to become a fool just like me." Ryu
laughed. "Look at me now........sad and pathetic just as
he said."

"........................"

"I will be okay..............really..............I just
need to be away.........." Ryu gave Ino a smile.

"................can I do anything?" Ino asked softly.

"................hmm............how about a tender
comforting kiss?"

"......................."

Ryu smiled. "I am just joking."

Suddenly Ino put his hand on Ryu's face and kissed his
lips.

Ryu blinked in disbelief. "Ino?"

Face blushed, Ino walked ahead.

"Wait..........." Ryu followed. "........wow.........I
didn't expect you actually do it......."

"......................."

"Are you alright?"

"..............I feel sick.............."

"Excuse me???"

".................... ." Ino covered his mouth and did
look sick.

"......................" Ryu sighed finally. "You are the
weirdest person I have ever met, Ino..........."

Suddenly a loud scream was heard. "My arm~~~~sensei~~~~my
arm~~~~ah~~~!!!!"

"You little hentai, let me send you to Imai-sensei. The
discipline teacher was just saying he needs some 'test
objects' for his new 'lecturing' device." It was the voice
of the school doctor Atsushi-sensei.

Ryu dragged Ino to follow the sound, and found
Atsushi-sensei gripping at Kiyoharu who was all naked, and
another naked boy blind-folded and tied up and sitting on
the ground who appeared to be Hyde, and Yukihiro was
squatting besides him. Ryu pulled Ino to hide behind the
bush despite of Ino's unwilling face.

"Oh no~~~not Imai-sensei~~~he turned a student into jelly
fish last week~~~~~please have mercy~~~~~" Kiyoharu
begged.

"You have the gut to rape your student fellow like that,
huh? How dare you!" Atsushi gave Kiyoharu's arm a harsh
twist.

"Ah~~~~!!! Not rape ah~~~~it is SM game~~~~~"

"Ah???? Hmm........that sure looks
fun.........*cough*cough*..........but there is no
excuse!! Only 'adults' like me can be hentai without being
punished......err......*cough*cough*.....You little
pervert, now come with me to Imai-sensei!"

"Wait!!" Suddenly Hyde shouted.

The two looked at Hyde who was free from the rope and had
the blind-fold removed with the help of Yukihiro.

"Hyde.........." Kiyoharu whispered.

Hyde ignored him and turned to Yukihiro. "You told
Atsushi-sensei about this?"

"Yes..........I..........I saw you and
him.......err.......doing.........and he seemed to be
black-mailing you.......so........so I asked sensei for
help......." Yukihiro stammered.

Suddenly Hyde slapped him loudly on the face. "Who said I
was being black-mailed?!"

Yukihiro gaped in shock. "But......but......."

"We are lovers!! You thick-headed moron!! It's none of
your business anyway! Get out of my sight, you wimpy dry
fish!!"

Yukihiro gave out a cry, covered his face and ran away.

"Oi!! Oi!! Yukihiro!!" Atsushi was stunned and didn't know
what to do.

Hyde flashed a lovely smile at Atsushi. "Sensei, it is all
misunderstanding. Would you please let go of
Kiyoharu-kun?"

"Oh.....err......" Atsushi released Kiyoharu.
"Well.......anyway, you two shouldn't over-do
it......*cough*cough*.......it is late already, go back to
your dormitory." Atsushi left to chase after Yukihiro.

"..............you knew it was me all along.....?"
Kiyoharu approached Hyde.

"Yeah of course. You think I am that stupid or what?" Hyde
snorted.

"Why did you let me.........keep xxx-ing you and not
expose me?"

"........................"

"Heh heh........You said we are lovers? Don't tell me you
are having a crush on my dick.........."

Hyde flung his hand and tried to slap at Kiyoharu.

"Hey!! Hey!!" Kiyoharu caught his wrist and grinned
wickedly. "I am not that dry fish, you know."

Hyde stared for a few seconds, and then grinned too. "No
you are not."

After Hyde and Kiyoaharu left, Ryu chuckled, "Can you
believe that?!! That arrogant little devil
Hyde!!........wow, must applaud for
Kiyoharu's........'taming of the shrew'? ^^;;"

"................what a weird school............"

After they have walked back to Ino's dormitory, Ryu looked
deeply at Ino for a long moment, and finally said,
"Goodbye Ino. You take care of yourself,
okay?..........well your brother will watch out for you as
always."

"..................."

"Goodnight." Ryu said softly.

"........goodnight." Ino whispered, and stood watching as
Ryu disappeared into the night.

*********************************************

A week later.

J had moved into Sugi's room three days ago and had been
thinking how he should tell Ino about this and not make
him angry. Today he decided that it would just make things
worse if he hesitated any longer. He decided to look for
Ino after class.

"Takuya, someone is looking for you."

"Huh? Who?" Takuya looked up and saw J standing by the
door of the classroom.

"Where is Ino?" J asked Takuya as he came near.

"err.......err........Ino asked me to give you this when
you come to look for him." Takuya gave J a letter.

"What is happening......?" J opened the envelope.

"To J:
I have decided to quit St. Luna and  go back to our old
school, because I realize that I don't fit in here at all.
I'm sorry that I kept it from you, but I was afraid that
you might stop me. Please don't be mad, and don't come
after me. I won't change my mind. Take care of yourself
and don't worry about me. 
Ino."

"Oh shit.............." J stared blankly at the paper.

Takuya sighed. "He wanted to keep it quiet so no one else
in the class knew about it. You know I thought he should
at least have told you but he just wouldn't
listen.........It is so boring now. He doesn't talk much
but I never get bored when he is around. Well I talk a lot
so........"

J abruptly took a handful of Takuya's shirt, and asked,
"When did he leave?"

"......err........3 days ago........"

"Shit!!!" J turned and ran in full speed.

*********************************************

Sugi went into his room and saw J packing his things into
a rucksack.

"...........what are you doing, J?"

J looked up. "Sugi..........I............"

"What?" Sugi sat down on the bed and loosen his tie.

J hesitated, and then gave Sugi Ino's letter.

After reading it, Sugi laughed mockingly. "So your little
brother really can't stand us being together, huh?"

"I am going to him....." J resumed packing.

"But he said don't go after him in the letter."

"He is mad at me......."

"Sure he is mad. What are you gonna do when you find him?
Bring him back here?"

"......................"

"He sounds pretty sure about his decision though. And even
if you force him to come back, he will still be mad at you
as long as you are with me. It doesn't solve the problem."

"......................"

"It is his threat you see. You have to choose between him
and me." Sugi leaned forward and caressed J's face
tenderly. "Are you going to break up with me to please
your brother?"

"Sugi.........I..........."

"Was it a lie that you said you loved me?"

"No.........."

Sugi hugged J softly. "Your brother is still a kid. He is
possessive with you. He demands total attention of love
from you and won't share you with anyone else. But given
some time, he will grow up and understand. Instead of
forcing him back and making him suffer to see us together,
why not leave him alone which is actually a relief for
him?"

"But we have never been separated........" J's heart
ached.

"Then it is about time, isn't it? It is time for him to
learn how to be independent, and for you to stop being
over-protective."

"No.........he needs me..........I can't help worrying
about him......"

"He will be fine. He is strong and clever. He can take
good care of himself." Sugi said soothingly.

"........................"

"Give him a call. Talk to him and see how he is. Then you
will know all your worries are meaningless."

".........no........" J whispered, "I need to see him. I
need him to be by my side."

"...........J?"

"I'm sorry, Sugi." J picked up his bag and walked towards
the door.

Sugi moved to the door and blocked the way.  He forced a
smile uneasily. "You are just going to see him for a
bit.......then you will come back, right?"

"......................."

Sugi's gaze grew suspicious. "J, promise me you will come
back immediately."

"..............if Ino decides to stay there..........." 

"You will stay there with him?!"

"...........I'm sorry..........."

"You are kidding, right?!"

"Sugi, please........let me go........"

"No, you can't go!!! I won't let you go if you are not
coming back!"

"......................."

"It's ridiculous. No matter how much you love him, he is
only your brother! How can you leave me for him?!"

"He is the most important person to me in the world......"

"What about me?!"

"Sugi..............."

"You love him more than me?!"

"...........it is different.........you can't
compare......."

"But you are the one who is mixing it up!!" Sugi grabbed
J's shirt. "Come to your senses for Christ's sake!! What
can you do with your brother, huh?! Fuck him?!"

J shoved Sugi off to the floor in a burst of anger. "Don't
you dare insult my brother!!"

"........................."

J scratched his head in frustration. "I know it is
weird........I don't fully understand myself either. When
Ino got mad at us, I gave him lectures about how childish
he was too...........but now he is gone and I simply can't
deal with it............I guess I am just as
childish........"

"........................."

"Sugi, no one has ever come between me and Ino
before........until I met you.........."

"Yeah I am so damn flattered." Sugi said bitterly.

"..............I don't want to lose you too............."

"Then stay!! You won't lose Ino even though you don't
stick with him. Because you two are brothers! Forever
connected by the same blood! You can have your own life,
don't you understand?"

"I understand.........but..........."

"But what?!"

"I don't know..........I just want to be with
him...........simple as that........."

Sugi sighed in exasperation. "We are talking in circles
and going nowhere!"

"......................."

Sugi tried again. "Sooner or later he will find someone he
loves too, you know?"

"Hm.....as long as he is happy, I will be happy for him."

"What if he leaves you to be with his lover?"

".................I will be very very sad.............."

"And you will be abandoned and all alone."

".......perhaps." J shrugged.

"But you won't regret it."

"Never."

Sugi sighed, ".........this is unreal........"

J squatted down besides Sugi and ran his fingers through
the soft blonde hair. "Sugi, it is hard for me too. You
know how much I love you."

J leaned forward and their mouths locked together. Sugi
sucked at J's lips and whispered, "J, don't go. I love you
too."

J closed his eyes and kissed him deeply. "Thanks for
saying that, even though it is a lie."

"No it is not........"

"It's okay." J picked his bag and opened the door. "Take
care." J said, and closed the door behind him.

Sugi sagged onto the floor and laughed to himself.
"......the person I hate forced me to say I love him. And
then the person I love called me a liar when I said I
loved him.........what the hell.........."

At that moment, someone knocked on the door.

Sugi jumped up and snapped the door open. "J?!"

But it was Takuro standing there.

Sugi glared at him. "Yes?"

Takuro coughed slightly. "Did you hear about Ryu?"

"Yes I have accepted his resignation from SC."

"........you know he is quitting school too?"

"........................."

"He is leaving this afternoon."

"That's just great! Everyone just leaves! What a perfect
ending! Why don't you go too, huh? Takuro. Go! Go after
Ryu! Go!" Sugi laughed hysterically.

Takuro scowled at Sugi in disgust and left without a
further word.

Sugi flung the door shut and felt a sudden explosion of
anger. "What is wrong with everyone?!!! What the fuck is
wrong with everyone?!!!!!!!!" He kicked at the chair which
flew off and broke. He pushed everything on the desk to
the floor. But his anger only grew stronger and more
unbearable. "Damn it!!!" He opened the door and headed for
Ryu's room.

Ryu was closing his suitcase as Sugi burst into his room.
Stunned and speechless, he stared at Sugi.

"Where are you going?" Sugi spit out his words while he
approached Ryu slowly.

"........................" Ryu retreated in fright.

"Where are you going?!!!" Sugi demanded in a roar.

"..............I'm leaving............" Ryu's lips
trembled slightly.

Sugi cornered him and raised his hands. Ryu flinched as he
thought he would be smacked. But Sugi's hands came only to
grab his hair.

"Why?" Sugi asked.

Ryu looked up at the blood-shot eyes and heard his heart
pounding noisily. "............I thought you said you
don't want to see me again.........?"

"That's right. I want to puke whenever I see your face."

"........................"

"Get the hell out of here. Don't ever show your face to me
again."

"..................very well." Ryu said.

"What are you waiting for?"

"..................Sugi........I can't move. You are
grabbing me."

"Push me off then."

Ryu tried to break free but failed. But then he was not
trying too hard. He was confused and the back of his eyes
started to feel hot. Finally his arms gave up faking and
wound around Sugi's waist in an embrace.

"What are you doing?" Sugi asked.

"I am trying to push you off." Ryu whispered.

"You are not doing very well."

"I know."

Sugi bent down and sought Ryu's mouth. He licked the lips,
pried them open, and dug in his tongue.

Ryu closed his eyes, and let go of all his strength. How
much he wish he knew what was going on. But he dared not
to ask, because he was afraid that the magic might vanish
if he made any sound. And he was too tired and too hurt to
raise the cruelly crushed hope that he barely managed to
sweep aside and try not to think about. 

Their tongues melted together as if they were real lovers.
Ryu's head swam, and he felt pain all over his body as
Sugi crushed him brutally. His lungs burnt as he couldn't
breathe. And the dull pain in his mouth turned numb as
Sugi attacked it stubbornly . Maybe Sugi was trying to
kill him once and for all. 

A sharp pain on his mouth that he couldn't ignore made him
push Sugi away. This time Sugi let go and stepped back.

Ryu touched his lips and saw blood on his fingers.

"You made it. You pushed me off." Sugi licked at his lips
and smiled.

"........................."

"I thought you were leaving? Please, no one is stopping
you."

Ryu looked into Sugi's eyes to seek a hint, a clue, a
meaning to all this.

"You want some help with your luggage?" Sugi smiled again.

"........................." Ryu grabbed his luggage and
headed for the door. Every step he walked, he made a wish
that Sugi would pull him back roughly and kissed him
again. And he wished Sugi would plead for him to stay. But
it was disappointment after disappointment that answered
all his wishes. Then the door was shut, and that was the
end.

"The end." Ryu whispered, not quite sure of what it meant.


So the long years of pretending would end here? He never
has to pretend that he didn't love Sugi, and that he
didn't care if Sugi love him or not? But how come he could
feel no relief? Didn't he decide to leave Sugi in order to
stop his own suffering? But it seemed pretty clear at this
point that his suffering would not go away even he
escaped, it would only get worse. So he was a loser, so he
had lost everything in front of Sugi, so what was there
left in him to lose anymore? 

He looked up at the hallway that seemed too long, and at
his luggage that seemed too heavy. Without knowing what he
was doing, his hand reached out for the doorknob and
turned it. Sugi was sitting on the floor, and he was
crying silently.

Ryu kneeled down besides Sugi and hugged him. 

"Why did you come back? Go away." Sugi turned away his
face.

"I don't want to." Ryu cupped his chin and tilted his face
to him. Gently he smoothed back the silky blonde hair and
kissed the cheek wet from tears that tasted salty.

Sugi grabbed Ryu's wrist and twisted it viciously. "Seeing
you make me feel sick." he scowled.

Ryu ignored the pain and let his head droop onto Sugi's
shoulder. "I know. You've said that many times."

"Then why don't you fuck off?"

"I don't have to listen to you anymore. I've changed my
mind. I am staying here to make your life a living hell."

"........................"

"It's so fun to see you get all angry at the mere sight of
me."

"You still don't understand, do you? I don't love you!"
Ryu's wrist still in his grip, he flung the slim body onto
the bed and pinned it down with his own weight.

Ryu showed no resistance. "Hm, I know. You don't love me.
I was lying too, I don't love you either."

Sugi kissed the swollen and bruised lips and whispered, "I
hate your guts."

"That's perfect," Ryu sighed, "cos I hate you too."

*********************************************

In St.Dino Secondary School, Ino was taking his afternoon
nap in the field.

Someone tugged at him. Slightly annoyed in his sleep, Ino
rolled aside and ignored the disturbance. After some time,
Ino awoke slowly and felt someone very warm was lying
behind his back and hugging him. With a start, he jerked
up and turned to see who it was.

".................what are you doing here?!!"

"Hmmm.......??" J half-opened his eyes and rubbed them
with his fingers. "Ah Ino.......you finally wake
up.......I felt asleep too......."

".........................."

J sat up and smiled. "Your still take your nap in the same
old place."

"..............why are you here?"

"Of course I came to look for you......I read your
letter."

"I said don't come after me." Ino's tone was a little
harsh.

"But.......but I worry about you."

"I said don't worry about me."

"Ino................."

"Go back." Ino pushed to his feet and started to walk
away.

"Hey wait!" J picked up his rucksack and ran after Ino. 

"I am okay. You can go back now." Ino walked in a usual
quick pace.

"Are you not going back to St. Luna?"

"No. I don't like that place." Ino said flatly.

"Okay......then I will stay here with you."

Ino stopped and looked up at J. "No, you go back."

J looked a little hurt. "Why.......?"

"........................"

"You are not happy to see me?"

"........................"

"If it is about Sugi..........."

Ino turned sharply and resumed his brisk walk.

"Ah............." J could do nothing but followed.
"I......kinda broke up with Sugi......."

"......................."

J sighed slightly. "Well, he will be fine. He doesn't
really love me anyway."

"......................."

"But I still feel shit about it........."

"......................."

"And my brother is not speaking to me........" J sighed
loudly.

Looking disturbed and his pace slowing slightly, Ino said,
"Don't mind about me, just go back to Sugi."

J took hold of Ino's hand and pulled him into a stop. He
looked at his brother with a little sadness. "Do you
really mean it?"

"......................."

"I would rather stay with you. But if you don't want me to
be around.......then I will go back."

"......................."

J bent down to look at Ino's face closely. "Is that what
you want? Ino?"

Ino looked away.

"You can tell me honestly. I am your brother." J
whispered.

"......................."

"Do you need me...? Ino..?"

"......................."

"Tell me what are you thinking........"

"......................"

"Ino.............." J whispered again.

J fell silent and waited patiently. Then slowly,
hesitantly, Ino reached out to hug his brother. He
murmured something in a voice barely audible.

J seemed to have heard it. He brushed his brother's hair
gently away from his eyes and smiled warmly at the person
he cared the most in the whole world,  and said softly, "I
love you very much too, Ino."

*********************************************

2 weeks had passed and both J and Ino had settled down in
the school. And life was once again quiet and
peaceful..........until someone knocked on the door of J
and Ino's room.

J opened the door and his eyes almost popped out of their
sockets. "OH MY GOD SUGI?!!!!"

"Hello my darrrrrrrling!!! I miss you so much!!!" Sugi
jumped onto J in a big passionate hug. 

"Hi, Ino," Sugi smiled happily and waved at him, "You look
lovely as ever."

"What the hell are you doing here?!!" J gaped at Sugi.

"Oh, I miss you so much. I am gonna follow you and come
here too........."

"WHAT??!!!!!"

"But this school!! Oh my!! So old and run-down!! And did
you see those students?? All dumb-looking country
pumpkins!! How the hell did you manage to find an awfully
dreadful school like this??"

J's jaw nearly dropped out in disbelief.

"Well never mind, I think I can somehow fix the old
buildings......and the people too." Sugi winked at J
wickedly. "Where is the headmaster room?"

"Su....Sugi....." J stammered, "You can't come here......"

"Why?" Sugi demanded, "Don't you miss me?!" Sugi pressed
forward to kiss J.

Ino jumped to his feet and headed for the door.

"Ino, wait!!" J grabbed his arm in a panic as he walked
pass.

Ino raised an angry eyebrow and shook off his hand and
walked on.

"Ouch!!!" Someone cried and fell on the floor as Ino
bumped into him outside the door.

"Ryu?!!??!" Both Sugi and J gasped in shock.

"Hey......what is going on......." Ryu struggled to his
feet and stared at them.

"How the hell did you find out I was here?!!" Sugi snapped
at Ryu.

"Oh cut that ego crap please, I didn't come after you."
Ryu took Ino's arm. "I came to look for Ino."

"........................." Ino could only stare at him.

"You were so mean......didn't even tell me that you were
quitting school too." Ryu complained to Ino.

"........................."

"Shall I come study here too? Here seems like a nice
place." Ryu nagged.

"Wait a minute!" Sugi cut in. "You can't come here! You
don't belong here!"

"Yeah right, as if YOU belong here!" Ryu sneered.

"J is my darling, I have every right to be here!" Sugi
retorted.

"Then Ino is my darling too. He kissed me the other
night."

"WHAT?!?!!" J choked on his saliva.

"......................"

"Oh whatever. Do whatever you want." Sugi flung his arms
around J's neck. "Just don't come and bother us."

Ryu's eyes narrowed. "Come on Ino. Show me around here."
Ryu tugged at Ino.

Ino finally spoke. "What's the point........"

"Huh??"

"What's the point for me to quit St. Luna if you all end
up coming here?"

Ryu blinked. "Oh Ino, please don't say that....." 

"Go back."

"Huh??"

"You," Ino pointed his finger at Ryu, "you," and Sugi,
"and YOU." and now accusingly at J. "ALL of you go back
and leave me alone." And then he turned sharply and
started down the hall, walking fast and not looking back.

"Ino!!!" J shoved off Sugi and hurried to follow.

"J!! J!! Come back!!" Sugi chased after J.

Ryu tailed Sugi, not too close, not too far, and shouted
"Ino~~" while he was at it.

*********************************************

The End