Data Error

Chapter 5

Am I in love with Renji? thought for the tenth time that morning. She stared at her reflection in the mirror and frowned. The bags under her eyes clearly indicated that she had not slept a wink last night.

Not only did the game Kurobane played make her feel like utmost crap, but she also noticed Rin spending more time at home with her and….She just didn't know what to do. Although, she knew deep down that the woman was a good person, her stubbornness ruled over her because she didn't want to betray her deceased mother. She remembered Renji's words the other day about giving Rin a chance, but she just couldn’t do it. She was pleasant enough during dinner, but that still didn't mean she was okay with this whole ordeal.

dabbed a little bit of foundation under her eyes to make sure the bags were not visible and put her hair into a ponytail. She put on her sports gear and picked up her bag, for she was meeting the tennis team at practice. As she descended the stairs, she frowned as she saw Rin in the kitchen cooking. "Good morning." Rin said with a smile.

was going to ignore her, but she hesitated. "Good morning." She said numbly not looking at her.

"I'm making breakfast, want anything?" 

shook head. "No, thank you." She answered truthfully. "I'm not hungry."

"Will you be out late, honey?" asked as he emerged from the living room holding a folded newspaper in his hand.

"I don't know when I'll be back." She answered. "I'll let Bane bring me home."

nodded as walked out of the kitchen. As she opened the front door, she almost screamed in surprise. Then slowly her surprise turned into anger as she realized it was Kurobane who stood at her front door and in his hand was a large tub of ice cream.

"Peace?" He asked, trying to make a sad face.

"That will not make me forgive you for what you did." She snapped.

Kurobane waved the bucket in front of her. "It will lessen my guilt."

closed the door behind her and walked past him. "This time you went too far. I think you did it on purpose and planned it with Saeki."

Kurobane walked after her. "Not exactly planned…" he admitted, "We did discuss…"

"Don't say any more!" shouted. "I can't believe you did that to me."

"I did you a favor!" He yelled back.

shook her head. "No, you didn’t." She said aggravated. "I am more confused now. I don't know what to do. I don't even know my feelings for…"

"You have feelings for Yanagi Renji, ." Kurobane finished for her. "It's obvious on your face." He remarked standing in front of her. He placed his hands on her shoulders and looked at her. "You're not children anymore. It's okay to love one of them."

looked down. "It's just not fair."

"You love Inui too, but in another way." He explained. "Who do you always find yourself talking too when you're upset? Who always calls you? Who..."

"I get your point." She cut him off again. "I get your point." She repeated quietly. "I just didn't think it would end like this."

"What are you going to do now?"

"Nothing."

Kurobane looked surprised. "Eh?"

"I am going to help you guys shape up for your games and will concentrate on my finals for next week." She declared. "I just don't want to think about this right now."

"But…"

"Come on! We're going to be late for practice."

Kurobane let out a sigh of defeat.  Shaking his head he tossed the now melting tub of ice cream into the trash and walked with to the bus stop.

~~~

Rikkai Dai

"You're not focused."

Renji looked up as he heard that statement. "I am focused, Genichirou." He answered. Sanada crossed his arms in a challenge. "How long did it take Akaya to do his laps?" he asked on purpose.

"I was paying attention to Masaharu's sit-ups."

Sanada fisted his hand and tapped his jaw lightly. "This is why I know you're not focused." He explained. "On your average days, you can calculate both of their times together."

Renji stood up. "I am focused." He repeated as he walked to the courts.

~~~

Seigaku

"You look disturbed, Inui-senpai." Kaidoh remarked quietly, just for Inui's ears.

Inui was busy jotting notes down as he observed the players. Although he looked like he was concentrating, the frown lines on his face were clearly visible. However, Inui chose not to make news of Kaidoh's comment.

"Senpai."

"It is alright, Kaidoh." Inui answered seriously. "I am just preparing your training schedules." He added as he continued writing in his notebook. "You need not concern yourself about me."

Kaido let out a sigh, "Senpai." He whispered.

~~~

Weeks went by and was still confused as hell. Not only that, but she had managed to screw up every single exam she had so far. "ARGH! I messed up so bad!" yelled aggravated as she walked with Saeki to the club. "I messed up big time."

Saeki looked at her with a smile. "It's alright, -chan." He said happily. "You always do fine." He assured her. Normally even when she complained, she would also be on top of her class. stood in front of him. "I'm serious…" she muttered, "I left the last three problems blank." She admitted smacking her forehead. "Sa-E-Ki!" She cried shaking him.

Saeki let out a sigh as he held both of her wrists. "Simmer down, ." He said wryly. "You're causing a scene." He remarked as he noticed a lot of the students standing around them and watching them curiously. He watched her calm down and she was going to say something when her cell phone rang. She did something that surprised him. She looked at the caller ID and then put it back into her bag, without answering it. "Oh, who.."

"DON'T YOU DARE ASK?!" Her voice thundered as Saeki cowered at her sudden outburst. glared at him, her eyes flashing wildly and she just turned away and stomped off. Saeki let out a breath of relief and gave the students that still stood there watching him a look. What the hell was that about? He thought to himself wryly.

~~~

ran off towards a secluded area. She was a mess. Not only was she confused about the boys, but her father was getting married this weekend. She had been avoiding him again. They had been trying to convince her to go to the boutique to get a dress, but she still hasn’t. Every time she went home, she'd see Rin there and just burst out crying. Worse was that she was avoiding Renji and Inui and her heart ached even more for them. Also, she had finally come to terms with herself, with her heart, and with her surroundings that she was in love with Yanagi Renji.

"Is it safe?"

looked up and saw Kurobane stand there. "I don't bite." She answered softly avoiding his gaze. She looked down where she had folded her hands at her knees and let out a sigh. "I'm a mess, Bane…" she murmured sensitively. "I don’t know what to do."

Kurobane patted her head tenderly, "Shouldn’t you be having this discussion with the person who is worried mostly about you?" he questioned her as he leaned down and looked at her. "He's worried about you." He told her.

"Shut up, Bane." Her voice came out strictly as she stood up. "You have no right to interfere in my life." She gritted her teeth as she started walking away. "Just go away and leave me alone."

Kurobane grabbed her upper arm and held her in place. " , we're all rather tired of this. You've been very bitter and all the members of the team are worried about you." he emphasized, as he shook her lightly. "You even failed your Chemistry exam, which is not like you."

"I don’t' care if I fail!" she said bitterly. "I don't care! No one cares if I fail! All he cares about is that woman in our home! That's all he cares about!" she shouted as she snatched her hand away, "He doesn’t care when I come in and he doesn’t care who I see and what I do." She let out breathlessly; she rubbed her eyes and pushed him aside. "I don’t care…" she repeated hoarsely. "I don’t."

~~~

Weekend

It can't be

It happened

Its official

It's over

's shoulders shook as she stood there numb. It was over. It had happened. She... her father was gone and someone else had him now. She had to share her beloved father with someone else. The wedding ceremony was over. It was a small and simple one. She had been forced to attend and she had worn black. Now, she stood there....feeling alone...feeling hurt....she couldn't even congratulate her father, who looked so happy. The tears started flowing and she took a step back, she needed out and she needed to get out of there now. She turned and walked away, " ...some pictures." Her father stopped her.

stopped. "Please don't ask me for anything else." She said softly with her back to him. "This is all that I can do right now." She added with an aching heart. "Goodbye father." she whispered as she walked out of the room. She had been hateful and despiteful all week; she had not gone to school or replied back to anyone's calls. She knew they were worried, but she just wanted one person right now. That person was the only one she needed and as she walked out....

She saw him

He stood there

He was waiting for her

's tears flowed as she walked towards him. "Renji..." she cried softly when she reached him and ended up hugging him. "Where have you been?" she demanded clutching onto his shirt. "Where have you been when I needed you the most?!" she cried into his shirt, she knew she was babbling, for it was her that was ignoring his calls, not him who wasn’t calling.

He put one hand on her shoulder and used his other hand to wipe her tears away. "You haven't lost your father, ." He consoled her quietly. "He did this partially for you, to be a family again."

moved from and looked away. "Shut up." She choked. "Just shut up!" She repeated, hurt. "I don't want to accept!  I will not accept it." She cried softly, as she sunk to the floor, covering her face with her hands. "If I accept, my mother will hate me." She whispered with a tremor in her voice. "She will hate me." She whimpered, rubbing her eyes.

Renji leaned down and patted her head lightly. He knew that right now, talking to her was a waste of time, so he took her hand lightly. "Let's go someplace quiet?" He suggested, helping her stand up. He put a hand on her back and led her to where he wanted to go. The whole time he was quiet as they walked. He glanced at her several times and watched her frail appearance. He had expected an argument from her, but to his surprise, there was none.

They reached an area that was quiet. It was a secluded place in a park. There were tall trees and lots of greenery that anyone could've gotten lost in it. "Sit down." He ordered softly as he helped her sit down. "I'll get us something to drink." He suggested as he stood there, but clutched his hand tightly.

"Stay."

It was one word, but an authoritative one. The tight hand that held onto his was shaking. He nestled beside her, but didn't let go of her hand. He looked at her and then his eyes went to her hand. He realized she was wearing the bracelet he had given her. " ." He said softly, "My data tells me that you're not alright a 100%."

looked at him surprised. "Screw your data, Renji." She said softly. "Why are you calculating now?" she asked, "Data this and data that..." she cried softly. She knew she was emotionally unstable and any small thing would trigger it now, "I hate you.,” She cried, "I hate you, Renji!" She declared as she rubbed her eyes with her arm. "You told me everything will be alright and I believed you." She accused, glaring at him through tear stained eyes.

Renji looked back at her with open eyes. He frowned a bit, and knew what he was going to say will hurt. "Do you not have faith in me?" He asked quietly as he saw her look surprised. He patted her head gently and gave her a serious look, "I say this because I realize whatever I'm telling you are only making you act like a spoiled brat."

Her eyes widened in shock, "S....spoi....spoiled brat?" She whispered with a cough.

Renji.....Why?  I....I love you....

"I don't know what hurts more?" She cried softly, "My father getting married or the person I’m in love with telling me that I'm a brat." She admitted, humiliated. She stood up abruptly, letting his hand fall off her head, "Goodbye." She said quietly with a hurt pride. walked away or rather, running was the word. Not one time, did she look back and Renji didn't do anything to stop her.

Renji let out a sigh and leaned against the tree. He closed his eyes and raised his head to the sky, "How long are you going to hide behind that tree, Sadaharu?" He question lightly. Inui didn't look the least embarrassed as he showed himself with his hands in his pockets. "You did not handle that well, Renji."

Renji actually scowled a bit, but then let out a sigh and rubbed a hand through his hair. "I know that." He admitted as he bent his knees and crossed his arms on them. "She's been emotionally unstable and I don't have data on that."

Inui watched his good old friend sit there and let out a sigh. "Renji, she loves you." He said softly as he saw his friend's gaze somewhere else. "Will you let her walk away, just like that?" He said seriously. He saw everything and somehow deep down, he knew she was in love with Renji before she had said it. His pride never allowed him to admit it, but he acknowledged the fact that Renji made her happy. "Even though, you lost to me in singles 3." Inui added, "She still chose you."

"She didn't know we had a match. She was too caught up in her own problems." He added as well. "She is taking this in a very bad way, Sadaharu. I feel she might end up doing something stupid." He admitted as he stood up. "Even Kurobane from Rokkaku called me and told me how concerned he was for her."

"How stupid do you think her action might be, Renji? Do you mean…"

Renji rubbed his jaw as he looked at him. " is very emotional at the moment; she might do something to hurt herself." He said as a matter of fact, "I don't know how far she will go, but we have to watch her."

"Renji." Inui said firmly as he placed a hand on his shoulder. "That's your job now." He stated, looking at his old friend. "She loves you, Renji." He repeated. "You."

~~~

walked into her empty home with an empty heart and an empty soul. Her father was on his honeymoon, but only for the weekend because he didn't want to leave her alone. He had messaged her earlier and told her that he was leaving and that he loved her. As she around the house, she noticed that Rin's things were all over the place. As she felt another set of emotions wanting to burst through, she immediately shook her head and ascended the stairs to her room. Taking off her clothes she decided to shower, for it was the only thing that was going to calm her down now. She turned the shower on full force and allowed the water to slap her, as if trying to force everything out of her mind by force. After vigorous scrubbing and an hour long in there, she finally left the shower.

She went to her bed and her blinking phone caught her attention. Picking it up, she noticed 13 miscalls. It was from her father, Kurobane, and... Renji? She thought getting upset as she threw the phone aside.

I don't want to talk to you, Renji.

I don't...

I don't.

just stood in her room staring at nothing. She was trying to decide what to do now. She just had no direction or feelings in her. As she contemplated sleeping or not, she heard the doorbell ring. She frowned because she did not want to be disturbed and she knew she would accomplish murder if it was any of the boys. She walked out of her room, descended the stairs, and went to the door. She opened it and found, "Kazama-sama." She said surprised as she quickly bowed to the older woman in front of her.

The old woman looked at her with her smile. She was their neighbor for a long time now. In her hands, she was holding a plate. "I brought to you some cookies that my nephew got from America, my dear." She said kindly. "I thought you might want them." She offered holding the plate out to her as stood there watching her.

"T...thank you." she said softly accepting them.

The old lady put a hand on her shoulders. "Go inside my dear and make sure to dry your hair. You will catch a cold being out here with your hair all wet." She advised gently, " , be strong and happy. There are a lot of people that care for you." She added as she turned away, "Good night."

watched her as she left and felt emotional. Turning around, she closed the door and walked into the kitchen when she heard the doorbell again. She probably forgot something, thought as she ran towards it. She opened it and almost succeeded in slamming it shut if the person had not intervened and blocked it with his foot. pushed him and he almost lost his balance, but he caught her wrist and ended up losing his balance and fell forward. He landed on top of her as they both fell to the floor. Surprisingly, the door shut behind them as his foot hit it by accident.

Time froze...

looked at Renji who was on top of her. Her cheeks heated as he looked down at her. However, she was still angry with him. Before anything was said, she pushed him, hard. Renji actually fell backwards and she could've sworn she heard him mutter something as he fell onto his back on the cold floor. covered her mouth and without thinking she crawled towards him, "Renji..." she called out shaking him. "Renji."

He sat up and rubbed a hand through his hair. She heard some bones crack in his back and she winced at the sound. "A...Are you alright?" She asked meekly trying to avoid his gaze. He moved a bit and groaned lightly, "No." He admitted lying back on the floor, "It was a surprise hit; I just need to lie down for a few minutes."

shifted and hesitantly moved his head onto her lap. "I'm sorry." She whispered as she moved her hair out of her eyes. "Renji? Why are you here?" She asked curiously. "I'm mad at you." She stated bluntly, "I'm very mad."

"We were worried, ." He answered with his eyes open. "We were worried that you were going to hurt yourself."

stopped playing with her hair, "WHAT?!" She shouted moving away and making Renji's head fall onto the hard floor. "Did you really think I was that stupid that I would commit suicide?!" She yelled, not caring that Renji was holding onto his head. "I thought you knew me better than that, Yanagi Renji!" She stated placing her hands on her hips. "Are you even listening to me?!" She demanded when she realized that he was still holding onto the back of his head. "Damnit Renji!"

stopped, "Renji...?"

"RENJI!"

~~~

Hours Later

Yanagi Renji woke up to darkness and the sound of deep breathing. The first thing he felt was something soft against him and a blanket on top of him. He frowned and tried to sit up, but the sudden sharp pain in his head stopped him from moving. Did I pass out? He thought surprised. I don't think I've ever passed out, he wearily sighed. He was about to try and sit up again, but with a slower motion than before, but he stopped moving when stirred against him. Actually, stirring was clearly the wrong word. cuddled against him and hugged his arm tightly.

He felt a sweat drop form on the side of his face. He wasn't sure if he was still passed out or not, but clearly the pounding in his head was not going away, so it was no dream. Being in this situation didn't help him to think either. Every time he tried to calculate what to do there seemed to be a data error in his equation and he'd end up with a blank answer. Am I actually starting to wonder if listening to Masaharu talk about girls and what to do was actually a good thing back then? He thought with an ironic mindset. He shook his head as if to clear his confused state of mind and tried to focus on his current predicament.

First of all, he couldn't move his arm, for she was hugging to it like her life depended on it. Second, she was so soundly asleep that he was afraid that he would wake her up. Third, he didn't know how she would react when she woke, and finally he was feeling guilty.

Guilt. The feeling of guilt was not an amusing feeling. He knew he was feeling guilty, but he didn't know why. Sadaharu? No, that is the last thing on my mind right now, he thought. Why would I be thinking of Sadaharu when I'm in this situation? He asked himself wryly as he tried to move again, but every time he moved, she ended up holding tighter onto him. Think Renji! Think! What would make her move? Recollect all the data you have in your mind and calculate.

Calculate

Calculate…

Calculate….

DATA ERROR

"This is going to be a long night." Renji mumbled as he held onto the side of his face.

~~~

Morning

woke up to a feeling of emptiness. She had been so warm last night, but suddenly for it to disappear, depressed her. She stirred when she realized she was not on the comfort of her bed, but somewhere else. She sat up and frowned when she saw that it was the living room she was in. Looking to her side, she could tell that she had not spent the night alone, but someone had been on this couch with her. Why can't I remember anything? She thought annoyed, but suddenly gasped, "Renji?!"

"Yes?"

She gasped again in surprise as she covered her mouth. She turned to see Renji seated at the kitchen table, drinking tea. looked away and blushed, what just happened here? She thought. Did Renji spend the night? All I remember is putting him up on the couch after he blacked out, but did I…. she suddenly stopped thinking. I wanted to rest my eyes for a few minutes and ended up sleeping next to him.

" ?"

"What?" snapped like a grouch that just woke on the wrong side of bed. She was angry because she didn't know how to act right now. She was angry because a guy had spent the night over, alone with her. She was angry because she is a trusting daughter and she would never allow that. She was angry because….

She was going to shout some more, but the doorbell interrupted. looked up and even Renji looked staggered. His eyes went to the clock on the kitchen wall and noticed that it was 7 in the morning. noticed the time as well as she stood up. She walked to him and yanked his arm, "Hide!" She hissed pulling him up and almost causing him to spill the tea.

"What?"

"Hide damnit!" She stressed as she pulled him out of the kitchen. She pushed him towards the stairs, "Just hide." She repeated like she was in pain as she continued pushing him up the stairs.

" …"

"Renji, its 7 o'clock in the morning. Even if we act all innocent, they will not think that way. So save my reputation and go hide!" she pleaded, "Renji, please!" she whispered, "Please!" she repeated holding her hands up in prayer style.

Renji let out a sigh and walked up the stairs. Act innocent? Not like something happened in the first place, he thought to himself as he reluctantly walked up the stair.

An hour later

"Yes." nodded as her neighbor finished her tea. "Thank you for letting me know." said sincerely as they both stood up. She bid her neighbor well and closed the door. She didn't know how Renji was doing because the neighbor had stayed for more than an hour helping her sort some things out in the house. As soon as locked the doors, she dashed up the stairs, taking two steps at a time and looked for Renji. She wasn't surprised that she found him in her room, but what amazed her was that he was asleep on her bed, horizontally. watched him as he slept and smiled. She moved his hair back and kissed his cheek lightly. Her actions did surprise her, but she didn't care right now.

I think I'll go shower, she thought as she moved away from him. She took put her stuff from her closet and went into the bathroom. She stayed there for a while until she felt awake and fresh. Finally after drying her hair, she stepped out and found no one there. Noticing a note on her bed, she picked it up:

<I have practice. I'll check up on you later.>

That's it? No word of apology? No 'I love you' in the end? contemplated as she put the note down. She sat on her bed and thought of the recent events. The fact that father is still married does not change how I feel about everything; she frowned as she recalled the wedding on the previous day. I'm also brainless, I let my feelings get the best of me. I told Renji that I loved him, but now what?

~~~

"You look normal." Saeki remarked as he stood in front of . It had been three weeks since her father got married and her confession to Renji, but nothing has changed. She was still ignoring her father and stepmother, but…

 I have not heard from Renji since then.

"Yes." Kurobane added as he crossed his arms. "You’re only half the grouch you were before then." He remarked as gave him a sharp look. Although she was trying to show she was still upset, he knew she seemed better than before. Even Amane started saying puns around her without getting killed in the process. Kurobane put his hand on her shoulder, "Want to go to the ice cream shop? We haven’t had proper desserts in a long time." He remarked watching her in an overprotective manner. No matter what anyone says, Kurobane always thought of her as a little sister.

"I'm inviting myself as well." Saeki joked as he walked along with them.

As they took a path towards their favorite ice cream store, it was when they reached that stopped. Kurobane's eyes trailed her line of vision and saw that she was looking at Inui Sadaharu, he was about to groan, thinking she was going to throw a fit, but to his surprise, smiled and walked in, straight towards him.

"Sadaharu."

Inui looked up from the table he was sitting at. On the table, in front of him, lay different jars of various arrays of colors of liquid. Not only that, but some very suspicious bubbly looking glass jars as well. Both Kurobane and Saeki took a step back as the horrific memories of the beach haunted them this very minute. "I am not planning on making you drink this." Inui assured as he noticed their pale faces, "This is for my Chemistry project."

smiled at him and realized that she had missed him. After her confused feelings and her resolve with her heart that she loved Renji, it dawned on her that she hadn't spent enough time with Sadaharu for some time. "I missed you." She said softly, only for his ears. "I'm sorry, I didn't get the chance to speak to you sooner about…" she began, but then stopped.

Inui nodded, "It is alright." He answered as he motioned for her to sit next to him. He also invited the two guys that where with her as well, "would you like some ice cream?" He offered holding the ones he had in front of them.

Kurobane and Saeki looked at him and then turned to each other. They immediately stood up, "We'll order something." Saeki muttered as he and Kurobane headed to the counter.

giggled, "Did you do that on purpose?" She asked softly, still chuckling. Inui pushed his glasses up and looked at her. "How are you holding up? How is your family?"

hesitated, "My family?" She asked softly, "I really don't know”, She admitted, "I don't spend a lot of time at home." She looked down while drumming her fingers on the table. "I've been spending it with the tennis club mostly and….I only go home when I know they’re busy or not there."

Inui frowned, "Renji?"

's cheeks blushed and he saw her biting her lip, which induced his data calculation that she was embarrassed. "Honestly…err…" she began laughing nervously, "I have not heard from Renji for three weeks." She answered meekly, trying to avoid his gaze.

"You haven't…" He began, but was interrupted when Kurobane and Saeki returned. He knew he couldn't ask anymore since they were there, so he just conversed lightly with them.

When they were done, stood in front of him and. "Thank you, Sadaharu." She said sincerely, "It felt good to talk someone I'm close to, it's been a while since I've done that." she remarked softly as she waved goodbye and left with Kurobane.

Inui watched her go and he wasn't the least bit happy.

~~~

Next Day

Inui Sadaharu found himself on Rikkai Dai grounds as he walked across their school campus. He normally hid between the trees or bushes gathering data, but today was different, for he was a man that had business. He walked straight to the tennis courts and was surprised to find only two members standing there. Fortunately, one of the members was indeed who he had business with. "Renji."

Renji looked behind him as he heard someone call his name. Even Sanada who stood there, looked up in surprise as to what had interrupted their practice. "Sadaharu? My calculations don't fit with you being…." He began, but Inui interrupted him.

"Calculate this, Renji."

<PUNCH>

Renji held his jaw from the floor and looked up in surprise. Even Sanada had a look of surprise on his face, but he then intervened and stood in front of Inui. "Explain yourself." He demanded.

Inui took off his glasses and cleaned them. He directed his gaze at Renji, "I did not lose to you, so she could be ignored by the person she loves." He remarked as he put his glasses back on. He bowed to Sanada without a word of a apology left.

Sanada lowered his cap and looked at Renji, who was still on the floor. "Renji?" He asked as he saw his teammate sit up and rub his bruised jaw lightly. Sanada extended his arm and helped Renji stand up. Renji frowned as he rubbed the dust off his shirt and looked up, he found Sanada looking at him. "Don't say it, Genichirou."

Sanada picked up his gear, "I don't have to say anything." He remarked as he started walking away, "You already know it." He added leaving him standing there alone.

Renji watched as Sanada left. He pulled out his cell phone and looked at it. How many times had he wanted to dial her number and just hear her voice? How many times did he want to visit her, but he found himself retracing his steps. The truth was that now that they have both acknowledged their feelings, he simply didn't know how to act around her. He moved his jaw slightly and felt it crack from Inui's punch.

Now what? He thought wryly as he decided to go home.

~~~

"Yes, I'd love to." agreed on the phone. "Sadaharu, thanks for today, I enjoyed the company." She said sincerely, "I'll meet you tomorrow for some data tennis."

They talked for a bit when heard a knock at her door. She looked up and was surprised to see her father. She apologized to Inui and hung up as she stood up. "Yes, father?" questioned as he walked in.

looked at his daughter and felt a pain in his heart. He knew that what he was going to say to her now was going to drive a bigger wedge between them, but he was a family man and he needed to make some rules and decide what's best for all of them. "Sit down, ." He ordered softly as he took a seat across from her. "I've made a decision and it will affect you as well."

blinked, but remained silent.

"You know that I work from home." He started as he watched her, "However, your stepmother is a busy lady and her commuting back and forth between here and there is rather stressful, so I have made a decision."

was started to get a very unsettling feeling.

"We're moving to Kanagawa, ."

looked at him in shock, then in numbness, and then in anger. "What?" She whispered, "Wh….You did this without consulting me?" she demanded, "What about my school? My friends? I have responsibilities here."

"I've already been to your school and I have to say that I am not impressed with your recent grades." He remarked sternly, "Your papers have been transferred and you're to take some lessons at your new school in order to help you catch up with what they're doing."

"Wait a minute! Wait just a darn minute!" interrupted almost shouting, "You went to my school and did that? Again, you did that without consulting me? Father, why would you do that without telling me?" she said softly, hurt.

Suddenly, it hit her….