Chapter 3

  "Hey, you can't say that it was counted,"

  Koji frowned, "You people only said for her to kiss me voluntarily.  You didn't specify where."

  "Obviously we meant on the lips!"

  "You didn't say, remember?" Koji snapped back.  "If you don't want to pay up, just say so.  You shouldn't have bet in the beginning."

  "You guys used made use of someone in one of your betting games.  That's real low," One of their female classmates complained.  "And of all people to choose, you had to target Nashida."

  "Are you taking pity on her?" Koji demanded, remembering Aoi from the night before.  "Trust me, she doesn't need your pity."

  "I've heard that Nashida has never dated anyone before.  Needless to say, she has never kissed anyone before – at least until now.  Her first kiss was taken by a playboy.  And of all things – for a bet!"

  "Hey! Watch what you are saying, will ya?" Koji was getting exasperated.  "I've said it once, I've said it all.  Nashida never kissed me on the lips.  She only kissed my cheek."

  "That's still a kiss, isn't it?" the girl insisted.

  "There, you see! Even she agrees with me that it was counted!" Koji said triumphantly.

  "Gotta hand it to you," the other grumbled as they paid up.  The crowd soon dispersed when they saw that there was no more excitement.

  Koji counted out the money slowly – 20,000 yen.  Without any hesitation, Koji put half the money into an envelope and sealed it.  He stuffed the other half of the money into his pocket and placed the envelope into his bag.

  Aoi entered the classroom.  Koji took out the money from his pocket and placed it on Aoi's table, which was next to his.  Without a single word, Aoi pocketed the cash.  Koji felt very uncomfortable.  He didn't know what to say to the other boy.  Maybe it was for the best, because Aoi didn't seem very conversational either.  The whole day passed for them without saying anything to each other.

  After school, Aoi was off like a shot, just as Koji had anticipated.  Koji walked as if he were in a dream.  When he became aware of his surroundings, he found himself standing at a gate marked, "Nashida".  Koji was about to enter, but he stopped himself.  Then without any more hesitation, he took out a plain envelope, marked only by Aoi's name, and dropped it into the letter-box.  After that, he left.

blue_arc: Hello, people! A really short chapter this time, and it is

                the last one for Part I of this story.  The story will be

                continued under "Sanctuary (Part II) – Non-existent Love.

                I know it's kind of a hassle to find it and all that, but that

                was how the story was arranged to be written, and I've

                decided to stick to the original format.  Do look out for it,

                OK? Pretty, pretty please!!!  Thank you!!! ^_^  Love you

                guys!