Busy holidays are busy. Haven't had much time to spend on this with work piling up and the family getting together. But here it is and I hope you guys enjoy.

Merry Christmas! R&R


Chapter 2 – Vice Versa

"Hey lady, are you okay?!"

"Hang on, I think she's waking up."

The three were gathered in the backroom of Natsume's restaurant as a result of Natsume losing consciousness. They had laid her down in the backroom on a nearby sofa and were addressing her sudden collapse. She groaned and started to fidget, slowly opening her eyes while massaging her temples gingerly. She suddenly shot up and immediately faced the familiar blue haired man. Was she hallucinating? Or maybe she was going crazy from stress or something. There was no way that it could possibly be him.

The blue haired man started to become a little uneasy as Natsume continued to stare at him without saying a word. Her mouth was partially open, as if she has just seen something that disturbed her.

"Uh…are you…okay?" he finally said.

Without a word, she lashed out at him, bringing him into her arms as she hugged him tightly. Her arms trembled as she gripped his clothes, burying herself in the one-sided hug.

"You…you're Natsuru right? I'm not dreaming…right? Is it really you?" she said with a weak voice.

"…How do you know my name?" he asked in a perplexed voice.

Natsume backed away from him to look at his face. "It really is you, isn't it?!" she exclaimed.

"W-wait, I don't even know you!" said Natsuru as he backed away from her grasp.

"What do you mean?! It's me, Natsume!" she said.

"Yeah, I don't know who the hell you are lady!" he said. Confused and startled, he began to slowly back away from her, pulling his arm away from her hand.

"What are you talking about…? You're joking, right?" she said as she aggressively grabbed his jacket.

"Don't touch me!" He swatted her arms away from him, relinquishing him from her grip and abruptly turned to leave. "Stay away from me lady!"

"Wait! Please wait a minute! Don't-"

The door of the restaurant slammed shut before she could finish her sentence, leaving her in silence staring at the door.

"…Don't go…"


"I'm home," I say with little enthusiasm. I didn't get back too late, but I usually close shop early on Mondays so I could be home early to spend time with the kids. But today is just not the greatest of days. I couldn't get what had happened out of my mind. Why didn't I stop him from leaving? I could have gotten a contact number or something like that at the very least. Then again, I guess I made him uncomfortable to the point where I probably couldn't ask. There's no mistaking that that man was Natsuru. I shake my head and curse myself in my head as I walk into the living room, dropping my bag onto the kitchen table as I walk pass.

"Welcome home mommy!" said Ayame.

"Welcome home!" said Takashi.

"Hey kiddos," I say as I muster a smile.

"How was work?" asked Ayame as she and Takashi made their way to me.

Pulling up one of the dining table chairs, I rest my weary legs as I let out a sigh. "It was good! I'm a little tired though."

"You look really tired, your eyes are all puffy and red!" pointed Takashi.

"Oh…really? I didn't notice haha," I say as nonchalant as possible. After what had happened, I was trapped in a state of shock. Having not seen Natsuru's face after so long, I was ecstatic…but at the same time…I was saddened and devastated. He treated me as a total stranger, as if we had never met before. I couldn't help grit my teeth as I tried to hold back the tears.

"Mommy…? Are you okay?" asked Ayame.

"Yeah Mommy's okay, just a little tired! Now, what do you guys want to eat? Name anything and I'll cook it for you, we can even go out tonight! Oh and how was school? Make sure you guys are-"

"Mom…"

I looked up at the sound of Takashi's voice, I didn't even realize I was looking at the floor. They looked at me with expressions of worry. Without a word, they hugged me as their little arms squeezed around me. I was so distraught that I hadn't even noticed the river of tears that were running down my face. There was no hiding now, so I just let everything out. More and more tears continued to pour out as my children comforted me in silence, not asking a single question. I buried my face in their hands that were trying to wipe away the tears. How pathetic I am to be crying like this in front of my children…


How many more cold mornings must I wake up to? What a fantastic time for the heater to be broken. I fidget a bit under the covers as I try to find a warm position, but to no avail. I reluctantly get up and make my way to the bathroom with my ridiculous bed head. Why can't I wake up to a warm morning, why do I have to put up with this shit? I shake it off as I splash freezing cold sink water onto my face, fixing my hair with a comb afterwards. I walk back into my bedroom, which was right next to my tiny bathroom. It's not much of a home anyway, I hate this tiny-ass apartment. I guess it's a lot better off than being on the streets.

There's a small window by the wall next to my bed that was being covered by some drapes. I peel back one of them to let the morning light into the room, squinting as I do so. 'What's on the agenda today?' I think to myself. Then I immediately remembered the encounter from last night at that restaurant. 'That was a great way to handle things, Natsuru,' I thought to myself. I feel like I wasn't very good with women in my past life or something. At any rate, I feel terrible for what I said, I should really go apologize. Not only that, she was quite the bombshell…and she knew my name…somehow? But damn, she was-

No no no, gotta focus on my mission. That is why I came to the city after all. And even though I'm living in this crappy place, it's a lot better than the country-side. Speaking about the country-side, I should give my grandparents a call sometime, I'm sure they're worried about me. But that'll have to wait.

I hastily put on my clothes and promptly walk out the door, making sure to lock up as I leave my complex. Geez, looking back, I sure made myself out to be a total douche… Hopefully she doesn't hate me. Then again, I wouldn't blame her if she did.

The streets were crowded again today, as expected of a weekday during the holidays. It's slightly snowing right now, I hope it'd keep up, I love the snow. I came across the area I came across last night. It's difficult to make out certain details because it was night, but I'm sure I'm in the right area. I continue down the street for a little while. I noticed that there were a bunch of couples that were out. Come to think of it, everyone I passed was a couple. I couldn't help but sigh as I am reminded of my non-existent significant other. I quickly shrug it off as I turn a corner to spot the same café from last night. I walked up to the front and read the stand advertising the specials for today.

I move on from the sign and find myself standing awkwardly in front of the café's doors. After having been so rude to her, what am I supposed to say when I see her? 'Oh I'm sorry about last night, I'm a total virgin as you can see.' I let out another heavy sigh as I mull over my situation. Either way, I have to speak to her. I take a deep breath and muster up my courage to face the awkward situation ahead of me, opening the doors that rang the bells that hung from the ceiling.

"Welcome!" said a maid.

Oh thank god, it's not her.

"Table for one, sir?" she asked

Holy crap that just sounds so sad. At least let me keep my dignity! "Uhh, actually I was wondering if I could speak to someone that works here?" I ask.

"Ah sure! Who is it that you're looking for?"

I just realized that I never got her name. "Oh, she's the one with the blue hair," I say as nonchalantly as possible.

"I see, that's the boss haha. What business do you have with her?"

"It's a private matter, sorry. Is it possible for me to speak with her right now?"

"Sure, I think she's on her break right now. You should be able to find her in the break room," she said as she pointed towards the hallway in the back of the restaurant.

"Thank you very much," I said. I proceed towards the hallway, looking at the placards that labeled each room.

'Manager's Office'

'Supplies'

'Janitorial'

'Electrical'

'Changing room'

I couldn't find the break room, but there was one more room at the end of the hallway whose door was open. I walk up to the doorway and spotted the woman with the blue hair in her maid uniform. I was about to walk in but I immediately stopped and stood around the corner. She was speaking with another man, the one that was with her last night to be specific. Could that possibly be her boyfriend? I peek around the corner again to take another look. Her face was sullen and filled with sadness. She had noticeable rings under her eyes as well. It seems like the guy is trying to console her. They continued to talk for a little while before the woman became silent. The man was still trying to comfort her with his words before he started to sensually rub her bare arm.

Quickly bursting from around the corner, I made my presence known, "Umm, excuse me?" That was a bit strange, I just felt an urge to move all of a sudden.

"You!" said the man in surprise.

The woman seemed quite shocked as well as her eyes widened. She covered her mouth in disbelief at the sight of me. I can tell that she is trying to hold back her tears.

"I'm sorry to bother you," I said. "But is it okay if I speak wi-"

I was interrupted as the woman threw her arms around me and buried her face in my jacket. I felt her cries reverberate through my body as she gripped my clothes tighter. I was compelled to embrace her as I couldn't just leave crying woman clinging onto me alone. Not only was I more than confused at this point, I was also feeling a bit of animosity from the man that was staring intently at me. Thankfully, she backed away quite soon, alleviating the stagnant air between me and that other guy. She still clung onto my jacket with her fingers, her nose was red and her face was full of tears. Sniffling, she finally let go and wiped her face with a handkerchief.

"Please…excuse me, I'm very sorry," she said as she wiped her face.

"I-it's no problem, really," I say with a stutter. "Should I leave?"

"No! I mean…I'm glad that you came, I have a lot of questions for you," she said.

"Ah, okay then."

After finally getting our bearings right, we are all now sitting down in the restaurant's break room sipping at some oolong tea. I didn't want to so rude as to ask the first question, as it seems we were both looking for answers. I should probably apologize first.

"Excuse me," I said as I stood up. "I am very sorry for my behavior the other day, please forgive me," I said as I bowed.

"Its-It's okay! You don't need to bow," she said.

"But I am sorry for any trouble I might have caused."

"May I ask what your name is?" asked the man who was sitting beside the woman.

"Sengoku. Sengoku, Natsuru."

"Sengoku…?" said the woman in confusion.

"Yes, may I ask for your names as well?"

"I'm Senou, Natsume. And this is Sayano, Haru."

"Senou, Natsume huh…?" I say out loud.

"…Does that name ring any bells?" she asked.

"Oh, no. I was just thinking about how pretty that name is," I said.

"T-Thank you, you're the one tha-"

Hm? It seems like she stopped in mid-sentence, and it looks like she's blushing a bit. Wait a minute, I think I'm flirting with her here. I mean it's not a bad thing but-

"Ahem"

My train of thought was halted as Sayano-kun prompted us to return to the subject at hand.

"Right, may I ask where you're from, Natsuru?"

"Hmm, I came from the country-side where I was raised by my grandparents. Actually, they're not really my grandparents. I was found and taken in by them, I have no idea where my real family is. And I don't know why, but I can't recall any memories of anything before my high school days."

I paused for a moment as I studied her reaction. She was becoming more and more interested in what I was telling and was waiting in bated breath that I continue.

"Umm, how did you know my name?" I asked.

She sat back in her chair, "I don't think you'd believe me if I told you," she said.

I couldn't help but cock my eyebrow, it sounds as if she knows what she's talking about. But I had my doubts of course, there's no way this could be it. I've searched all the other cities of Japan for the last 7 years and to no avail.

"Please, tell me."

She reached for her phone and turned the screen towards me. Unlocking her phone, it revealed a picture of two very familiar people. I squinted my eyes to get a better look before I took the phone from her. I felt my eyes widen and my heart race as I stared at the picture. It was a picture of me…and her. Our faces were very close to each other with huge smiles on our faces. I found myself lost in the picture. Is this really me? Was I really this happy? I look up from the phone to see her smiling at me.

"Your family is here, Natsuru."


Hope everyone had a great holiday this year.

Merry Christmas and have a Happy New Year!