So in the end I inherited everything and sold the house so I was ok money wise for a long time. I moved to a different area of Japan and had the funerals there and got an apartment and switched schools. The only thing I brought with me was Ouji's bracelet and essentials. I had enough money to buy new things and a new school uniform. I now live on the second floor of an apartment building that I still haven't gone to. The movers already set everything up so all I need to do is go there. I said goodbye to where I grew up because everywhere I went I always remembered some happy memory of him. There are too many reminders there.

I rode the subway until I reached my new town. It was the kind of place where everyone knew each other since grade school and all went to the same middle school and high school together. And here I am transferring in the middle of the school year just days after the accident that changed everything. There's only two more years of high school after this year then I graduate.

I walked without any luggage, only a map, to my new apartment where I'd be living alone from now on. Ouji's bracelet was securely on my wrist as I walked there. I went up the stairs slowly and looked around. The place seemed empty even though it was Wednesday evening. I looked for room 28 and found it a few doors down. I took the key out of my pocket and stared at it for a moment. I guess I really am leaving almost everything behind. Right before I put the key in a boy came out of the room next to mine and locked the door. He was wearing the local high school uniform, my new uniform, and had slightly curly black hair and dazzling green eyes. I quickly opened my door and went inside my new apartment avoiding his curious stare.

My apartment was rather empty and normal looking. It had the entrance, a bathroom, two bedrooms, and a kitchen. The second bedroom I made more into a living room with a couch, stereo, and bookshelf. I hung up my new uniform which was a blue plaid pleated skirt, a white shirt, and black thigh high socks. I explored the apartment for a bit then went into the bathroom to look at myself.

Moms parting gifts were still noticeable. I had a black eye, red marks, and bruises everywhere. Aside from that my short, straight shag-cut brown hair was fine though my creamy skin was a bit paler than usual. I felt so lost without Ouji, like a part of me had been ripped out. I tried smiling and couldn't, it was as if those muscles were stunned and numb. I tried until I could get my best fake smile that seemed almost real.

Afterwards I had rice balls for dinner then I went to bed early. I woke up in the morning covered in a cold sweat and shaky. I got a shower and ate whatever I could stomach for breakfast. I changed into my new uniform and checked the clock. School doesn't start for a while but I left anyways. I took a shoulder backpack with me that only contained some pencils, paper, and my new school books.

After wandering over to the school, which was only a ten minute walk, I went to the office and got my class list. My homeroom teacher was Ms. Nakahara, she teaches Literature. I went to her room and introduced myself.

"So you're Izumi Maki," she said cheerily, "It's quite rare that we get new students, and in the middle of the year none the less! I'm sure you'll fit right in regardless. Just stay here until class starts then I'll introduce you and give you your seat." I nodded and she continued to explain what subject they were on and how I'd have to push a little to catch up. She gave me the book the class was reading and I shoved it in my bag.

"Oh and you can't wear jewelry, it's against the school's uniform," she told me pointing at Ouji's bracelet.

"I... can't take this off. It's very important to me," I whispered frozen.

"Very well, just don't let anyone else catch you," she said. I sighed in relief and waited until almost every seat in the classroom was full. When the bell rang Ms. Nakahara stood and addressed the class.

"Class this is our new transfer student Izumi Maki," she said loudly. "Please treat her kindly and help her if she has trouble." She pointed to me as I she wanted me to say hi.

"Hi, you can just call me Izumi. Don't bother with formalities," I said looking at the group of students in front of me. In Japan people usually call you by your last name to be polite but I rather not hear my last name ever again. Though the way I spoke was rather formal, I just didn't want people calling me Maki.

"Well your seat is over there," Ms. Nakahara told me pointing to an empty desk at the back of the room. I went and took my seat without another word. In front of me was a tall girl and to my right and left were two guys. Everyone was staring at me as Ms. Nakahara spoke about today's lesson. Well they were probably just staring at all the marks on my body. The thigh high socks helped cover up a lot of bruises and marks but I still had them everywhere- not to mention a very noticeable black eye. They all probably thought I was a delinquent.

I didn't say a word the whole class, instead I took out the book Ms. Nakahara gave me and read it. When the bell rang for the next class I was two thirds of the way done and put it in my bag and got out my schedule. Next was math with Mr. Honda who didn't bother with introductions. They were learning math I already knew so it was easy. In fact as lunchtime came I noticed how every class I was in was things I already knew and very easy. When the lunch bell rang I wasn't quite sure what to do until a girl came up to me.

"Hi, I'm Akane! Do you want to sit with me at lunch?" the girl, Akane, asked me. Without anything else to do I nodded. She led me to a group of girls sitting outside eating their bentos, or lunches, on the grass. I sat down with them and they smiled at me, I did my best fake smile back.

"So you're Izumi Maki, right? I'm in your homeroom," one girl said as I sat down.

"Ah… yeah, just call me Izumi though," I told them.

"You don't have any food? Want some of mine?" Akane asked.

"It's fine. I'm not hungry." I told her. Is everyone in a small town this friendly?

"So what happened to your face?" someone asked.

"My… face?"

"Yeah, it looks like you got into a big fight or something!"

"That's a bit… personal," I told her trying to get her to back off. I looked down messing with Ouji's bracelet.

"Then why'd you transfer? You can at least tell us that, right?"

"That… I rather not talk about that either…" I looked up and saw disappointed faces. "I should go, obviously I can't give you what you want" I said getting up and leaving.

"Wait, Izumi!" Akane called. I kept walking as if I didn't hear her. All that was going through my head was the police at the door, Ouji gone, and Mom's dead face. Even they're funerals were going through my head. I was the only one there since I decided to have them near this new town. Maybe I should've taken some more time off from school after the accident.

All my thoughts swirling in my head I started to panic as I went inside. I felt like I couldn't breathe and my vision went blurry. I ran into someone and knocked each of us over as I ran down the hall.

"I'm so sorry!" I said getting up. I looked at who it was and saw it was the boy from yesterday, the one who came out of the apartment next to mine.

"It's fine… are you alright?" he asked getting up.

"I'm fine," I said leaving quickly. It was a lie. I went and got my bag and sat through the rest of the school day trying to stay calm. When the final bell rang I quickly left the classroom and dashed to my new apartment. When I got to my door I took out my key and my hands started shaking and I dropped the keys.

I slid down to the floor leaning against the wall. I looked up at the ceiling and let a single tear go. I wiped it away and picked up my keys. I was opening the door when I heard the clacking of footsteps coming up the stairs. I looked and saw it was a middle aged man with a notebook and camera- he looked like a reporter.

"Excuse me!" he called. I closed my door and turned in his direction.

"May I help you?" I asked politely.

"Do you live in apartment number twenty eight?" he asked with a glitter in his eyes.

"Um… yes, do you need something? I have homework," I lied. I didn't like the look on his face.

"I'll only need a bit of your time Izumi Maki," he said. I looked at him, he didn't seem like he was from around here.

"How do you know my name?" I asked alerted.

"I'm a reporter from the area where you used to live. I'm doing a story on your family and what happened recently. You left without giving the story so I had to ask around. I was surprised to hear what everyone said." More footsteps were coming up the stairs.

"Listen I don't have time for this," I said desperately.

"They said you were often covered in bruises and marks like you are now. Your neighbors said they heard shouting and loud noises from your house a lot. Your brother was thought highly of before the accident and you couldn't keep up could you? Judging from what I've heard I'd say your parents were abusive. You must have hated your brother, right? Since he was-"

"No," I cut him off. "I didn't hate him. I've never hated him." I was shaking and tears started to overflow. I clutched my head wanting my thoughts to stop. Ouji, where is Ouji? He's gone. He's not here anymore.

"But you must have if he was the reason your-"

"NO!" I yelled crying. "Shut up, you don't understand! Go away!"

"Then tell me something. What was it like seeing your mother like that?" he hissed. My legs felt weak and I fell to the floor. Mom's dead eyes flashed in the back of my mind.

"That's enough," a new voice said. I looked up and saw it was the boy from next door. He had his hand on the reporter's shoulder and hard eyes.

"This isn't any of you business," the reporter told him. "This is a big story. You don't get it-"

"Leave," he said his grip on the reporters shoulder tightening. The reporter glared at him then looked at me.

"I'll be back," he whispered to me before leaving. After he left the boy sighed and looked at me who was on the floor.

I stood up shakily and looked back wiping my tears away. "Thank you," I told him sincerely.

"No problem, that guy was weird. I'm Haru Koizumi, you can call me Haru though. I live right next to you," he said smiling. "I live with my dad. Anyways you're Izumi, right? You're in a few of my classes."

"Oh… well is there anything I can do to thank you? You really helped me out," I told him as I picked up my stuff.

"Well… can you make good tea?"

Five minutes later I was in the kitchen boiling water. I looked at an old picture as I waited. It was of Ouji and me as kids. We were holding hands and smiling, it was the only picture I could find of us together. It was in one of Ouji's old books that I came across by chance- I'm glad I found it. I took a seat across from Haru at the table.

"So you're in my homeroom, right? Where do you sit?" I asked trying to make conversation.

"Right next to you," he said smiling.

"What."

"You probably didn't notice since you were reading the whole time. It's fine. So where did you transfer from?"

"Just a different area of Japan, it's not too far away from here. "

"So do you live alone?" he asked looking around.

"Yes," I answered looking at the table. I got up and poured the tea into two cups- it was jasmine. "Do you like jasmine?" I asked nervous.

"I do. So why are you living alone?" I brought our tea over and sat down without answering. "Oh, sorry- I'm acting a bit nosy," he apologized sipping some tea. "You make good tea." He smiled at me and my eyes widened. That was one of the few compliments I've gotten my whole life. I was blushing and hid my face by looking down and taking a sip of tea.

"It… it's not that good. A-anyways why did you help me?"

"I think you're interesting. So please be my friend." He sat there smiling.

"I'm not really looking for-"I started.

"Please be my friend," he repeated.

"Um, ok," I said surprised.

"Great! So now you'll sit with me at lunch and we can hang out. I'll introduce you to some of my friends." His face became more serious and concerned. "Not to intrude but I am curious… How did you get so beat up?" he asked touching my face.

I hesitated at first. Oh who cares- we are friends now, I guess. It's not like anyone can punish me for telling the truth anymore. "My mom," I said with distant eyes. He looked shocked and he reason to be. Most moms don't hit their kids, I guess. But most moms also love their kids. My mom loved one of her kids at least.

"Y-your mom? Is that why you moved?" he asked alarmed.

"You could say that," I said getting up. "Anyways thank you for your help Haru."

"Oh, I guess I should get going anyways. Thanks for having me." He got up and I walked him to the door. Before he left he stopped, smiled and said," Tomorrow let's walk to school together."

"Ok," I said as he left. I closed the door and sighed. That was a bit tense towards the end. But I made a friend. An actual friend! Maybe this new life won't be so bad after all. I just hope Ouji can forgive me.