"I love you."

"Stop joking."

"I love you." He said again.

"I told you to stop it already." I said, angrily.

He wouldn't stop. He was just teasing me. Like he always did. I just hated it like I always did.
I loathed his constant teasing. I did so, because it hurt. It hurt like nothing is supposed to hurt. Not like that. It hurt, because he didn't know my real feelings, or he just pretended. He didn't take it seriously. He didn't take me seriously. I hated him because he didn't love me, but just pretended. Apart from that, I started hating myself, for not being the one he really cares for. For not being that one person he could ever love.

He only stuck by me because he thought I was that person. Even if I was meant to become that someone, someday, I am not that someone right now. Perhaps I will never be him.

And it goddamn hurts to be in love with a man who loves another. And it hurts even more when you are supposed to be that 'other', while you are not. Perhaps never will be.

I'm afraid to disappear. But I'm afraid I will never be that man, too. Afraid that that someone takes 'me' out of myself. Afraid that I will never be loved for 'me'.

Shirogane closed the distance still between us.

"I won't stop until you believe me. I love you."

"I'm not him." I whispered.

"Please believe me." He insisted. My whisper went unheard.

"I can't. Can't believe you." I said. I could feel tears building up, almost burning on my eyes.

"Why not? I'm here. Believe me." He was pleading now.

"Because I am not Ryuuko!"

DISCAIMER: I do NOT own the original mango/anime, nor any of the characters.