(Tsuboi)

I kissed her forehead, not wanting to let her walk through that door. I held her shoulders as I did, gently, afraid I would crush her fragile frame.

I really didn't want to let her go. Once my lips departed from her forehead, I was lingering over her, a little too close. Will she notice?

Her cute little face turned bright red in response. She gave me a questioning look.

"I might not be able to do that again," I told her. She saw right through me. She frowned.

I'm being selfish. I shouldn't have done that. I shouldn't have said that. I'm only thinking about myself.

"You sure you're okay?" She asked. I nodded. I don't want to make her worry anymore. I don't want to be selfish anymore either.

"You should go," I replied. She nodded and looked at me one last time before she walked out. I badly wanted to hold on to her.

"Bye," she said. She kept looking at my eyes, as if trying to read me like a book.

"Bye Shino," I replied, trying to grin for her. I'm terribly selfish. I want to at least want to send her off with a smile, even though I don't mean it.

She walked out, and I restrained myself from calling out to her. I close the door and sigh.

Kazuto is coming. Yikes.

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

I sat in my couch, chilling. I was waiting for Kazuto to make his appearance.

And sure enough, I heard a audible knock on my door.

"Yeah, who is it?" I called. I think I have a clue.

"Open the door," Kazuto's voice came from the other side of the door. I stood and walked over to the door and looked through the peephole. He sure didn't look happy.

"Yeah, I don't let unstable people into my house," I explained.

"Tsuboi," Kazuto called my name. He didn't sound too happy either.

"Are you stable yet?" I questioned. I leaned against the door and he started to bang on it again.

"I'll take that as a no," I said.

"I just want to talk," Kazuto sighed.

"And your not going to talk with your fists or feet, right?" I asked cautiously.

I heard a chuckle from the other side.

"I guess not anymore," he confessed. I reluctantly unlock the door and slowly opened it, so only an eye can look out. Can't be too cautious.

"I'm stable now," Kazuto reassured.

"If you say so," I replied, opening the door. I stepped back as he walked in.

"So what do ya wanna talk about?" I asked.

"Don't play dumb," Kazuto remarked. I gasped.

"I can reassure you, I am not playing," I replied.

"Where's Shino?" Kazuto asked. I sighed.

"She left a while ago," I motioned towards the door.

"Did she really?" Kazuto questioned, skeptical.

"Uh, yeah. You took a while to get here. She left as soon as she ate breakfast," I explained. He nodded in relief.

"Well ima look for her," he replied coldly. Before he walked out, I took a hold of his arm.

"I think we need to talk," I said sternly.

"About what?"

"About Shino. About you. And, about me," I said, using my words carefully.

"Sure. I think this conversation is long overdue,"

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

(Kazuto Kirigaya)

Surprisingly enough, I didn't jump Tsuboi as I entered. I mean I felt I was going to. Surprised I didn't.

Now he wants to talk. And this talk, I believe is long overdue. I have some things that need to be said.

"Before you say anything, nothing really happened between Shino and I. She's just a friendly person," Tsuboi explained, interrupting my thoughts. I nodded, now somewhat relieved.

"But I do like Shino, as I know you do too," Tsuboi explained. I sighed.

"And I have my reasons for making my move on Shino ," he said.

"And those are?" I questioned.

"First reason is, I thought she could've liked me. She was obviously hurt by the relationship between you and Asuna. I wanted to help her move on. And well, I liked her, so I thought maybe I should give it a try," he explained.

"The other reason was you were obviously too dense to see it. I'm guessing some one had to walk you through your own feelings, am I right?" Tsuboi teased.

"Suguha," I said embarrassedly. He laughed.

"I knew it. Anyway, after a while of thinking about it, I never really intended to date Shino," He admitted.

"You were playing around with her?" I growled.

"No. Sometimes guys need that extra push to make their move. In my case, it was you. Seeing me close to Shino, you didn't really feel comfortable about that, did you?" He questioned.

I shook my head. Now I understand. Tsuboi was trying to give me that push I needed.

"I like Shino. And I feel she likes me. But not like she likes you," Tsuboi replied. I felt guilty. I was partially the reason he's like this.

"Thanks. I shouldn't have doubted you," I said. He forcefully smiled. I knew he was struggling.

"I like her enough to let her go. And I care enough about you as a friend, not to go out with her," Tsuboi still had that fake smile on his face, which bugged me.

"Thanks. You're the greatest friend I can ever ask for," I patted his shoulder.

Is this what people call bromance? All I know is, for once in a really long time, I noticed how great a friend Tsuboi has been to me.

"Don't mention it. I'll get over it. Just promise me something," Tsuboi murmured.

"Sure, anything,"

"Don't blow it. Shino's been through enough," Tsuboi pleaded.

I hope the Tsuboi I knew comes back soon. I hate seeing him like this.

"Yeah, of course," I replied.

"We cool?" Tsuboi asked. I nodded.

After that we awkwardly fist pumped, not sure if we should hug or not.

We both chuckled at this, and I finally saw a glimpse of a real smile. I finally saw a glimpse of Tsuboi.

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

Authors note: As a writer, I feel so conflicted writing this chapter. I hate putting my characters through such pain 😢 Poor Tsuboi/Klein.

But I got plans for him.

Until next time!

-InGameProdigy