True Colors

After days passed by, the exchange student program had finally come to a start. They boarded a bus to the exchange student school. Akimitsu was in the bus and he was sitting beside Haru and Akimitsu was looking outside the bus window while Haru was fast asleep. While Haru was asleep, there were dozens of girls chuckling and observing him while he was asleep. Akimitsu didn't mind as he knew how Haru was a school idol to the girls. And so, he kept on looking outside the window. While Ami was sitting next to Akimitsu's brother, Kane. Ami and Kane were always seen happy together which at times, made Akimitsu jealous. When they've reached the exchange school, Akimitsu was surprised that the school was in Shibuya. After reaching their destination, they were all assigned with roommates. Unfortunately, for Akimitsu he was partnered with Midori which made Akimitsu quite disturbed. They've all went to their apartment rooms provided by the exchange school. While in his room, Akimitsu was greeted by Midori.

"So, what do you want to do first?" Midori spoke.

"School session will start soon. We better get ready." Akimitsu added.

"Alright."

The school would start in hours. Midori and Akimitsu quickly changed and went to walk their way to the exchange school. While walking, Ami and Haru suddenly appeared and scared both of them.

"Hey, you two." Ami spoke with a smile on her face.

"Hi Ami." Akimitsu responded.

"Hiya Ami... and Haru?" Midori asked.

"Yeah." Haru spoke.

They both talked with each other and Akimitsu ended up walking with Ami at the back while talking. Midori happily chatted with Haru and they both went along well together.

"So why aren't you with Kane?" Akimitsu asked.

"As usual, with his so-called friends..."

"Why do you still want to be friends with him if you know he's that bad."

"I just want to see his true colors and what he's been hiding all along. Even though I'm with him in other's point of view, I still and will always... love you."

"Then prove that to me... That you actually like me."

"Haven't I proven enough? Oh well, I don't mind if I'll have to do it again..."

"W-wait." Akimitsu spoke in a slow voice.

Ami quickly leaned on Akimitsu and kissed him. Akimitsu's face quickly turned bright red. Haru and Midori looked back at them in shock after seeing them.

"Wait. You... you... two. Actually like each other?" Midori spoke with disbelief.

"Hey, keep on moving. Let them be." Haru spoke while pulling Midori by her wrist.

Haru kept on moving along with Midori, leaving behind Akimitsu with Ami. When they reached school, they both went into the class and they met new students. Fortunately, they were nice but most of them are not. Akimitsu sat beside Ami's desk. They both were inseparable.

After class, Haru went to recess with Akimitsu, while Ami went with her friends and Midori. While in the canteen, Akimitsu could see Ami from a distance. Ami was approached by the school's boys and they hang out with Ami and her friends. Ami was sitting beside one of the school's boy idols and they both looked happy together while talking. Akimitsu made a saddened face while looking at them from a distance.

"Don't get too jealous, Akimitsu. You've already had fun with her a while ago." Haru spoke to Akimitsu.

"I- I guess." Akimitsu shrugged it off.

"Ami is always happy with other people other than me. But I don't get why she still loves me. Do you think that she's acting?"

"Could be. The thing that makes people quite horrifying are the faces under their masks."

"What do you mean by that?"

"You see... Some people tend to act nice and play pretend until they get what they want."

"So, you're saying that Ami would want to benefit something off of me?"

"Well, to be specific, I don't really know. Guess we'll have to find out. You don't have to worry though. I'll still stand with you."

"Thanks, Haru."

Akimitsu shrugged it off and enjoyed his meal with Haru. After school ended, Haru then asked if Akimitsu wanted to go out with him before going back to their rooms. Akimitsu agreed and they both went out together to a nearby mall. They played arcade games and viewed the wonderful scenery of the city that had a beautiful night light while walking through the city. While walking, they suddenly saw Kane and Ami together walking and chatting.

"Akimitsu, you said you wanted to find out... Now is your chance. We'll tail them from behind and see what they're up to."

"Yeah, sounds good."

Akimitsu and Haru kept a low profile while following Ami and Kane to know their whereabouts. They followed them until they stopped at a bridge. The bridge was dimly lighted and it was a perfect location for romantic couples. Akimitsu and Haru stood below the bridge while facing Ami and Kane.

Suddenly Kane kneeled while handing Ami an engagement ring. Ami only looked down on him and tears ran down her face.

"I love you, Ami Sugihara... Will you be my lifetime partner?"

"I..." Ami responded with an indecisive expression.

Kane then leaned on her and kissed her. Ami's face showed that she in disbelief over Kane kissing her without a warning. Ami's expression showed that she didn't want Kane's affection as her heart already belongs to someone else. Akimitsu and Haru stood in shock and disgust after seeing that Ami had lied to Akimitsu and all of the kindness was just an act for all the times, they've been together.

"I can't believe my eyes" Akimitsu mourned while putting his hand to cover his eyes with tears rolling down his face.

"Akimitsu…" Haru responded.

Akimitsu ran, he ran as fast as he could to get away from the scene and away from Ami and his brother, Kane. Haru tailed him from behind while Ami had noticed that Akimitsu and Haru had seen them.

"No! Akimi!" Ami shouted.

"Where are you going, Ami?" Kane asked while grabbing her by the wrist.

"Let me go!" Ami shouted while pulling her hand back.

Ami quickly ran to follow behind Haru and Akimitsu. Kane was speechless and he was dismayed while at Ami and Haru going after his own brother.

"Akimitsu! Stop!" Haru yelled.

Akimitsu kept on running and he went to his apartment room. Midori was shocked when Akimitsu suddenly burst into the room and ran for the balcony. He then looked behind to face Midori who was shocked and jumped by Akimitsu's sudden appearance.

"Oh, back already. What's wrong, Akimitsu?" Midori asked.

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

"Akimitsu... What are you trying to do?"

Akimitsu quickly ran onto the balcony and he jumped off. Midori quickly ran and grabbed Akimitsu by his arm just as he was about to fall off.

"Just let me go, Midori!"

"No... Akimitsu, there's so much for you to live for."

"Please... I feel so upset. I don't want to live. I'm just worthless nobody that nobody likes... Not even Ami."

"Akimitsu, you're wrong. I... I love you, even if Ami don't."

"Lies! You might turn out to be just like Ami..."

"Please, believe in me. I love you... Ever since I've met you, I've always been with you and every moment we cherished. You're so odd... and that's what I like about you... Remember?"

"No matter what, I'll always love you, Akimitsu. For ever so long, I will always do. Even if Ami won't, you'll always have me by your side."

Akimitsu smiled with tears running down his face. Akimitsu had reconsidered a second chance of living after Midori had confessed to him that had touched his heart. Midori's smiled made his heart warm. Suddenly, Haru appeared and helped Akimitsu up with Midori.

"What were you thinking!"

"I'm sorry... I was so upset."

"I know Akimitsu... but please, don't do that again. I'm so sorry that you had to see Ami and Kane..."

"Please, don't say their names... I feel so heartbroken just by hearing their names."

"Alright, Akimitsu."

Akimitsu immediately sat on the floor, next to the balcony with his hands pressing against his face while Haru and Midori tried to comfort him. He was heartbroken, after seeing Ami with Kane, his own brother. He didn't think that Ami would actually leave him for Kane as he knew that Ami wouldn't do so, but it was disproved after he saw them both with his own very eyes.

Suddenly, Ami appeared and ran towards Akimitsu who was sitting in a breakdown. Ami's face showed that she was frightened and concerned for Akimitsu.

"Akimi, I'm sorry." Ami spoke with tears running down her face.

"Don't ever call me by my name... I don't want to see you anymore... I hate you so much."

"It was a misunderstanding, please hear me out." Ami spoke while touching Akimitsu's face.

"No, I don't want to see you. I don't want anything to do with you!... I hate you, I hate you!" Akimitsu shouted while smacking her hand away.

"Ami. Please give him some time." Haru added.

Ami then stood silently and left with a sadden face. She ran to her room and slammed the door shut while having a breakdown in tears. She glanced onto table that was lightened by a ray of moonlight. On top of the table were a picture of her, Haru, and Akimitsu enjoying their time at the fair. Akimitsu's word was repeated over and over in her head,

"I don't want anything to do with you!"

"I hate you, I hate you!"

After glancing at the picture, she decided to throw it away to fulfill what Akimitsu had told her to do. She grabbed the picture and tore it apart at the balcony. The pieces of the picture fell and some of it was taken away by the breeze of the cold wind.

The moon was shining bright and the night sky was as beautiful as ever. Ami sat on the balcony, with no more tears to cry, she only gazed at the moon and the stars with her broken heart.

"I'm sorry..." she mourned while looking upon the sky.