The Place You Return To
By cenagurl
A/n: Okay, so this is going to be my very first Daa! Daa! Daa! Fic, so please be kind enough to correct any error you see along my story… enjoy!
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Prologue
Kouzuki Miyu woke up to a sunny Saturday morning, and she was welcomed by the merry chirping of the birds outside her bedroom window and shafts of sunlight hitting her eyes softly, coaxing her to wake up and face yet another day.
Opening her bleary emerald eyes, she glanced over at her alarm clock on the tableside. 8:00.
Usually she would have pulled the blankets over her head and slept some more to catch on the sleep she was deprived of during school days, but this day was different.
It would be exactly a year since she had first stepped into the Saionji Temple to live with the baby alien Ruu, his cat/dog/alien nanny Wanya and the inexpressive boy Kanata.
She had come to love each of her housemates dearly, although a different sort of love was reserved for each; motherly/sisterly love for baby Ruu, a friendly sort of love for the helpful and adorable Wanya, whereas for Kanata…
Miyu could feel her cheeks heating up as her thoughts strayed to her handsome housemate. She had really come to liking him very much these past days… loving him even, despite his stony façade and sarcastic nature.
Her love for him was very different from the love she gave Ruu, Wanya and her friends; it was the kind of love that made her feel warm and tingly and nervous and red and… well, you get the picture.
"Breakfast is ready!" came Wanya's cheerful voice from downstairs, followed by Ruu's playful squeal of delight. Smiling, Miyu stood up and went to the bathroom to freshen up before heading downstairs.
As she entered the kitchen, she was surprised to see balloons strewn around the room, with a banner that said, "We're Glad to have Miyu for a Year!" and lots of food on the table.
"Oh guys, this is great!" Miyu managed to say through her tears. "Thank you so much…"
Kanata was standing by the stove, wearing an apron and cooking some hotdogs, and staring at her with his usual vacant expression. Miyu, unable to help herself, rushed over to give him a hug. A tinge of pink crept up the boy's cheeks, and looking very embarrassed, he tried to pull away.
"Thanks, Kanata," she said shyly when she let go. Kanata mumbled something incoherent and went back to cooking. Miyu then hugged Wanya and kissed the top of Ruu's head.
"Ruu-sama was the one who decorated the place up, with my assistance of course, but this is all Kanata-san's idea," Wanya informed her, and Kanata turned his back on them so they wouldn't see how red his face was becoming.
Miyu was feeling very giddy with happiness now; she never imagined Kanata to be this thoughtful towards her. Surely behind those insults and teasing remarks he always hurled at her, there was a hint of kindness within him…
Rrrriiiinnnnggg! Rrrriiiinnnnggg!
Miyu immediately went over to the phone and answered it. "Hello?" she said politely, and her mom's cheery voice chirped at the other end, "Miyu, honey, how are you?"
"I'm alright mom," she said, a smile tugging at her lips. She really missed her mom, who was currently in America with her dad working as astronauts. She didn't know they had returned from their current space voyage.
"Well, Miyu, dear, I have a very great news for you—we're taking you to America!"
Miyu nearly dropped the receiver in shock. "W—what?" she sputtered out, her breath coming out in uneven rhythms. The world suddenly seemed to spin around her, and she was overcome by a sudden urge to retch.
"You'll be coming with us to America, dear!" her mother said excitedly. "Your father's already found us a nice and cozy apartment and a great school for you as well! Here you can get yourself a nice American boyfriend,"
Miyu was too flabbergasted to reply. America… sure, she wanted to live closer to her parents, but somehow the thought of leaving this house didn't sit well with her.
She peered over at Kanata, who was now seated at the table, watching her intently. Miyu felt tears spring up her eyes as she thought of leaving him. Averting her gaze on the floor, she whispered, "I see…"
"Aren't you happy with the arrangements, dear?" her mom asked worriedly. "I thought you would want to be with us here…"
"Of course I want to be with you," Miyu answered hastily. "It's just that…" she couldn't continue, for her words were choked up by her tears.
She turned away from Kanata and the others to obscure her tear-streaked face.
"I know it will be pretty difficult for you to leave your friends there, but this would be a rare opportunity for you to experience life outside of Japan," her mom said softly.
It took Miyu a few moments to regain her composure and reply. "How long will we stay there?" she asked.
"I don't know dear. Forever, I suppose," her mom answered honestly. "Although you would be free to visit your friends from time to time, of course," she added quickly.
Miyu sighed in resignation, knowing there was no way out of this. "Alright mom… I'll come."
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Kanata was pretty disturbed by Miyu's odd behavior during the remainder of the day. She had locked herself up in her room, going out only to use the bathroom, and when he glimpsed her face, he was alarmed to see her eyes red and swollen.
He wanted so badly to go over to her and ask her about her problem, but something held him back; was it fear of rejection or mere cowardice to his own feelings? He had known for a long time that he had come to care deeply for Miyu, although he would never admit that to anyone.
Was her distress caused by the phone call that morning? She had been cheerful before she had answered the phone, even hugging him and thanking him for his thoughtfulness. He wondered whom she had conversed with on the phone.
"You've been sighing all day, Kanata-san," Wanya observed as they lounged around in the front porch, Wanya playing with Ruu and Kanata reading. "Why don't you go check on Miyu-san? She's been cooped in her room the whole day already. Do you think she's sick?"
Kanata shrugged nonchalantly, and Wanya eyed him wearily. "You can't pretend you don't care for the rest of your life, you know," the alien nanny said wisely, and Kanata stiffened.
"Shut it, Wanya."
He hadn't meant to speak so rudely, but he couldn't help himself. He wasn't very used to showing off his feelings or talking about it, and his frustration to talk to Miyu made matters even worse.
Turning to Wanya with apology in his eyes, he said, "Gomen, Wanya. I just…"
Wanya gave him an understanding pat on the shoulder. "I understand Kanata-san, I understand."
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Miyu remained distant to Kanata and the others for the next days. She didn't know how she would tell them, afraid of their indifference, of her own emotions.
Wanya had politely asked her if she was alright, and she pasted on a very fake smile and said that everything was going fine. Ruu was sweet as usual, but Miyu kept her distance away, not wanting to attach herself any longer, knowing it would be more painful when she left.
She was also wounded by Kanata's apathetic attitude towards her. He didn't seem to care that she cried almost everyday, and that she was sometimes skipping her meals.
It pained her to think that he would not care if she left; would he just forget about her when she was gone?
Her mother would be coming to fetch her the following week. She had told Miyu to spend her remaining time bonding with her friends but Miyu had reasoned out that it would be more painful leaving if she spent more time with them.
"Dear, avoiding them would only worsen the situation. And do think about what they would feel when you leave without even saying goodbye to them? Go host a farewell party and invite all your friends," her mother had said on her latest call.
Miyu had no plans of conducting a party, and her mom seemed to sense this as well. That's the reason why she decided to talk to Kanata herself and plan out a party for her daughter.
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"Hello? Kouzuki-san, how are you?" Kanata asked politely as he answered the phone.
"Fine, dear, just fine… Miyu isn't around, is she?" Kouzuki-san asked in an anxious voice.
"Well, she's upstairs— "
"Wait! It's you I want to talk to, dear," Kouzuki-san rushed out, and Kanata's curiosity was piqued. "What would you like to tell me, Kouzuki-san?" he asked.
"Well, since Miyu would be leaving next week, there's a favor I need to ask of you…"
Kanata blinked, sure that he had misheard. "Miyu would be leaving?" he echoed, surprise evident in his voice.
"Oh my, hasn't Miyu informed you yet? I will be fetching her next week, and she'll be living with us in America," Kouzuki-san explained, and Kanata felt as though he had received an invisible blow on his stomach.
"She didn't tell me…" he managed to respond, his voice coming out angry. He heard the woman sigh at the end of the line, and she said, "Forgive my daughter, dear, the news has been pretty hard for her to bear, you know… and she has been having this ridiculous mentality that the more she detaches herself from you, the less pain she would feel upon leaving. That's the main reason I called you in the first place,"
"What would you like me to do, ma'am?" he asked, trying with all his might to control the sudden whirlwind of emotions whirring inside him, clawing his heart into pieces…
"Well, since my daughter won't come to spend some quality time with her friends, I have decided to throw a farewell party for her where all her friends would be invited, and for that, I would need your assistance…"
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Miyu was taking a little stroll in the gardens of the temple when a painful grip enclosed around her arm, forcing her to turn around. With an unsuppressed gasp she was whirled about and she saw Kanata's livid face a few inches from hers. His amber eyes were absolutely blazing with anger now, and he was positively trembling with rage.
Miyu had never seen him in such a state before; his fury was so raw she couldn't help but flinch. "W—what's wrong?" she asked.
"Why didn't you tell me?" he ground out, his grip tightening on her arm.
"I—I—"
The fire in his eyes slowly turned to a look of desperation, a look asking for an explanation from her. His hand also fell from her arm, limp on his side as he stared helplessly at her.
"Why?"
Tears rolled down uncontrollably on Miyu's cheeks as she staggered to explain. She could find no words for her action, just tears…
Kanata did not move over to comfort her; he just stood there across her, his gaze blank.
"I'm so sorry…"
"…"
"Kanata…"
It must have been the soft plea in her voice that made him move; without thinking he closed the distance between them and took her in his arms. She buried her face on his neck as she continued to cry, and he instinctively tightened his hold on her, not letting go for a long time.
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"…So, this is it," Aya said softly, her eyes sparkling with tears. Nanami wiped her own eyes with the back of her hand, while Christine buried her face into her hanky.
"I'll miss you guys," Miyu whispered, gathering her friends in a goodbye hug. They held each other tightly, their tears coming out uncontrollably.
Kanata watched them with expressionless eyes, yet deep inside he could feel his heart shattering to the tiniest pieces.
As Miyu drew away from her female friends, her teary green-eyed gaze locked with Kanata's intense amber ones, and she gave him a weak smile. He wished he could smile back, but he didn't have the strength.
"I'm going to miss you, Kouzuki, you have been a great girl to hang out with," Santa was telling Miyu, who gave him a rib-cracking hug as she promptly burst into tears again. Nazoumo was behind them, a small sad smile on his face.
As Miyu turned to him, he reached over and took her hand, which he kissed. Kanata felt a surge of anger consume him as he watched his rival lean over Miyu and whisper something in her ear as she listened intently.
"Miyu, dear, we're leaving now!" Kouzuki-san called a few feet from them, waving their tickets about. "Hurry!"
Miyu then walked over to Wanya, who was now transformed as a blonde man, who was carrying Ruu. She gave the baby a quick kiss on the forehead and hugged the alien-nanny as she thanked him.
Kanata didn't think she would come to him. But she did, and her green eyes held a look of uncertainty as they gazed at each other. "Kanata…"
He wanted to tell her there and then how he really felt, but the words were stuck on his throat. She was just a few inches from him now…
"Thank you. For everything…" were her only words before she turned towards her mom.
Kanata wanted to kick himself for being such a coward. Speak now! His mind hollered.
Miyu had just walked five steps when she whirled around and rushed back to Kanata, whose eyes widened in surprise.
"I love you…" she whispered as she hugged him tightly.
Kanata cursed when he felt a hideous threat of tears in his eyes. Damn, he wasn't going to cry! He was a man, for Pete's sake.
What she did next completely startled him out of his wits. Standing on tiptoes, she reached up and kissed him chastely on the lips, then ran back to her mother, who was gawking at her in bafflement.
Kanata watched her disappear into the crowd, his heart constricting with pain, and his lips burning at the spot where she kissed him.
"I love you too, Miyu…"
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A/n: Yep, that's just an appetizer for you guys… so please, please review. :p
Oh, and please tell me if there are any grammatical errors or misspelled names… Thanks!