Author's Note: Enjoy reading

Masako POV

I hesitated to click the call button. After a few rings, my call was answered.

" Moshi Moshi? Mai, do you have some free time after your work today?" I cautiously said, worried that she might pick up uncertainty in my voice.

I was greeted with silence for the first few seconds. I realized that she must be wondering who called her since I'm not using my mobile phone.

Suddenly, she exploded with questions. She must have noticed that something is going on. Unconsciously, I cringed at her knowing tone. Though I'm glad that she was able to understand me that well.

I tried my best using a calm tone and told her to slow down.

" Mai, slow down! Yes, something did happen and I'll tell you about it later at the same place."

I was further surprised by her next statement.

" Okay then, I'll come right after this call."

I tried to reason with her, telling her that Naru might get angry at her because she will be skipping the last hours of her work but then she cut me off before I even get started. She sounded very determined and I knew nothing will change her mind at this point. Then, she hung up on me.

I stared at the disposable phone in my hand, stupefied. It was then that I realized I needed to be at our secret meeting place soon. Dragging my bruised legs, I carefully shifted them one in front of another and repeated the movement vice versa ( right infront, left at the back then left move forwards and right is at the back - understand? I explained how we walked ) Fortunately, I already discarded the idea of wearing the kimono daily. By wearing casual attire, I can easily move around.

Our place was a desolated part of the Sakura Park just half an hour away from Shibuya. It was by chance that we found the place. We called the place as the 'Cherry Blossom Secrets'. CBS had the most beautiful Sakura trees, adorning the surroundings and a bench was placed at the right place for suitable location for flower-viewing.

Whenever one of us had problems, we meet there and have a heart-to-heart conversation. We got real close over these past few years. None of the other team members knew about CBS and it became our very own secret place.

Since I was nearby, I arrived at the place within 20 minutes. I sat on our bench. Yes, ours. Me and Mai went for carpentry class just to build the bench for our seat when we hang out at CBS. I didn't have to wait for long before I saw Mai's figure come towards me in a fast pace.

In her hands, I saw what looked like a medical kit. How did she know? I tried to stand up and greet her but pain overwhelmed me but before I fell to the ground, she immediately released her grip on the first aid and supported my weight. She balanced me and helped me to settle back onto the bench.

" Sa-chan! What happened this time?" Mai asked as she used my nickname, her face clearly showed that she was worried.

" Mai. Earlier today, everything was fine. The day started great but then I was robbed!" I exclaimed as I recalled back whet had happened.

Flashback

I was walking down the street, just outside of my favorite cafe 'Sweets Delight Café' when I was roughly shoved. I fell and hit my left elbow against the asphalt. My left shin was aching due to the sudden impact.

My handbag fall onto the ground, all my things scattered over the road. Just then, I saw three male teenage who looked older than myself. Each one of them had red highlights on their long spiky tousled hair. They snatched away my bags and picked up some of my things from the ground. Immediately they fled the scene.

I heard somebody shouting at the teenagers and gave them a chase. Another person ( a male )helped me up and asked if I'm alright. He brought me into the cafe and asked his friends to pick up the other unstolen goods and gave them back to me.

" Etto, daijoubu?" He asked politely.

" Hai.." I answered, still dazed.

The door to the cafe swung open and the person who chased the shameless robber shook his head which indicates he was unable to catch them.

It turned out that the rude teenagers were the ones that shoved me earlier. Rage bubbled inside of me and I left the cafe after thanking my rescuer -which turned out to be the owner of the cafe- but I refused their offer to treat my wound.

Luckily I kept a spare disposable phone inside my jeans' pocket. It was then I clicked Mai's phone number.

End of flashback