A/N:

I'm guessing you are here because of the latest chapter. Yeah that's why I wrote this. I was super affected by those last few pages of poignant sweetness between Kyoko and Izumi that I spend the last two days thinking what my reinterpretation of Chapter 37 will be like.

Here's the final product.

Warning: Spoilers from Chapter 37. If you haven't read the entire manga, please read them first before proceeding with my attempts.

Disclaimer: I own nothing but my ramblings here.

Remembrance

It all started on a not so great day. Friday morning seemed gloomy when I stepped out of my house to walk to school. I barely glanced up lest the weather decides to be fickle and let out a sudden downpour just to annoy me.

But I can smell it even in the air: the moisture in the winds, the dew on the grass, the wet, cold earth. Unconsciously, I ruffled my hair settling at the nape. And the cold is even started to seep into my skin and bones too.

Fridays are usually lull, lazy and very slow. I guess because it being a last day of the week, people just want to hurry up time so they can go back to whatever activities they do during the weekends.

I am in no such hurry myself. My weekends are pretty much the same as any other weekend of mine since I started as a junior in high school: mornings are for household chores and helping out in our family's cake store; afternoons and even evenings I am always over at Kyoko's house to play with his brother and do our homework together.

However….

I gave the briefest of glances to my girlfriend sitting away from me, expression blissful.

The world seemed to fade a little whenever my eyes light upon her face. I blinked, straightened up a little and snapped back to attention, diverting my eyes back to the blackboard where Sensei is busy writing down math formulas as quickly as turning a page of the textbook.

Kyoko is in a good mood today.

It's because of that. My inner voice whispered into my head.

I stifled the urge to shudder.

Souta will be coming back late from a dentist appointment with Yuriko, after which, they will meet up with his homeroom teacher to discuss his progress in school. Kyosuke has a deadline and needs to work over the weekends.

Kyoko Hori will be alone in the house. Which means….

My face crumpled in denial.

Fright fest Friday.

My stomach gave a funny sort of jump, making me ill.

The first Fright-fest Friday was quite an unusual experience. Kyoko rented all the serial killer monster movies she could get her hands on. I can even remember what I ate before the movie marathon started: a particularly delicious omurice that she prepared. I should have known it was bribery food. The contents of my stomach never got the chance to be digested as I was forced to watch victims after victims being hacked, sawed and sliced in various forms of morbidity the director of the movies could think of.

No wonder, Kyoko is smiling and happy today. I'm in for another round of her favorite Fright Fest Friday.

Despite the weather being gloomy all day long, it still did not rain as I expected it would have. I feel almost resentful with the weight of two foldable umbrellas tucked inside my book bag while I struggled with two bags of groceries.

She bought I lot today. I sighed. Eggs, bacon, pancake mixes, frozen veggies, fruit and even ice cream. It would have been a nice capping to a tiring week, if I could just enjoy her good cooking and look at her face. Maybe even steal a kiss or two.

I stole a glance at my girlfriend, beaming to herself.

It seemed almost sinister the way she smiles so perversely, looking forward to the movie marathon.

I almost want to back down and tell a fib. But something about the shadows in her eyes made me wonder what she is thinking deeply about something.

As usual, her beef stew is exceptionally fantastic tonight. I can almost call myself an idiot for thinking of running away when she can cook such tasty and heart-warming food.

I patted my tummy happily. Ahhh. I'm looking forward to the ice cream dessert.

Except.

I looked up and saw Kyoko's gleaming smile, holding a bunch of CDs. I tried not to flinch, my hands already digging into my bag the CD that I desperately borrowed to distract her for too much gore. It's my last line of defense on an already otherwise failing battle.

"Hey, I borrowed this." I held out a shiny CD case. "It has a bunch of dogs in it."

But she is too quick. I realized when it comes to her favorite movies; nothing can ever prevent my precious Kyoko from getting what she wants.

"How about Angel of Death-The Third Nightmare?"

The way she uttered those words seemed like a doomed prophetic vision for me, even if she said it in that sexy voice of hers.

Oh God, save me! "Okay." My words tumbled out.

Nothing can ever make her let go of the remote control as she simultaneously clicked the buttons and dimmed the lights of the living room. The cheerful decorations of light peach wallpaper and colorful books and magazines lining bookshelves seemed ominous now.

We were plunged into darkness as and the screen flickered to life, throwing shadows behind us.

And despite myself chanting a mantra that I will survive such torture she intends to subject me to, I immediately sat down beside her and begged God for mercy.

"Miyamura."

I turned to her, and I could see her expression looking odd. The opening credits have started.

"T-this movie.. Um.. it looks pretty scary huh? I wonder if I can make it through the whole thing?"

Ahehehehe.. Is that a new tactic of hers to try and comfort me? Oh the shame! Izumi Miyamura, you fool! You should be more brave and macho when it comes to these kinds of situations? How else will Kyoko depend on you for other, more important things?!

"What do you mean? You are always watching Rated-R gore movies." I snatched the blank CD with its red and black jacket and held it out with trembling fingers. "This one's only Rated-G."

I gave her a tentative grin to show I'm resigned to a night of blood and gore with her. She gave me a toothy smile back before turning away.

Annie cannot believe what they told her. No! It must not be true!

Running up the stairs as fast as she could, she could feel her heartbeat drumming on her ears loudly.

Something white and shimmery glided past her.

Her eyes did a slow-motion sideways look.

It was… Marie.

Only she is covered in blood.

"Gahhhh!" I let out a yell, almost jumping from my sitting position.

I must have startled Kyoko so much that she was already holding out her hands to comfort me.

Ugh! That one really got me!

She gave me a small reassuring smile, and I settled down from my fright. Damn movie! It's rated G for chrissake! That ominous music and slow motion scene made the hairs at the back of my neck stand straight up.

I tried to avert my eyes away as I watched the female stumbled and landed on her backside. I winced slightly. Our school has almost the same layout as the one being used in the movie. Even the tiles installed on the stairs are the same. I freaking hope that I can erase that ghostly scene from my memory by the time Monday roles around. It would give me the creeps if I go up the stairs towards our classroom and all I could see was the female lead running for her life while her supernaturally undead classmate dogged her steps.

A finger touched my hand.

I automatically jumped up again. "Gahhhhhh!"

And despite the absence of light inside her room, I stumbled several feet away from her.

My heart thudded so loudly tears came into my eyes. Did Annie's friend somehow materialized into the room and came to get me?

Trembling all over from fright, I forced myself to look up and check if there is someone in the room besides Kyoko and me.

Instead, my eyes met her disappointed expression.

A/N: Let me know what you think.