Of course, nobody doubted that that was a really, really unfortunate accident and she, barely 16-year-old girl couldn't make anything to help her beloved granddad, and the last member of her family. All neighbours helped her to organize the funeral and offered help with the farm, but her plans were a bit different.

- It's very nice of you all, thank you - she said, drying off her nose with a tissue - but I simply cannot live here alone, where all of my family passed away. For me it's now only a symbol of pain and loss. I'm going to move to the city and try to start a new life.

'Poor girl', they nodded with sad faces. 'But she's already an adult*, she'll make it out.'

Neris returned home, feeling relieved from all these sympathetic people surrounding her for last few hours.

- Now we must only collect all important papers and find someone who will buy this house and farm.

- Hm, I'm afraid I couldn't help you with papers... - Ryuuku muttered.

- Yes, but you can help me pack all my things... - she stopped, observing his a bit disappointed face. - And... Ryuuku?

- Yes?

- Nobody else is going to eat that apples this year. You can eat all that are left on the trees - seeing his smile, wide and full of joy, she also smiled.

One month later finally came the moment, when she sold all old poverty and decided to buy some small flat in Edinburgh. Here appeared one problem, which she wasn't aware of - farm and old house with wooden barn weren't worth enough money to buy a flat and to live. She had to find some work.

Firstly, she thought: 'that's nothing worrying. In such a big city I'll find something to do very quickly, I'm used to work!'. But after few days of trying and searching, only one possibility was left - a waitress in some cheap restaurant near the centrum. As she knew, that she would need the money to pay bills soon, she had taken this offer.

Ryuuku was lying on a fluffy carpet, looking through some of books, which Neris had taken from her old house. 'Boring', he thought, as he had hope for some more interesting things to happen in the city. Then he heard a sound of unlocking the door - the girl came back from the work.

She threw her bag on the floor and fell down on bed without even taking her coat off.

- I'm exhausted. I hadn't thought that it would be so hard work! All day I must run to serve crowds of customers...

- You say it almost everyday. Maybe you should change the job... or boss... - Ryuuk smiled to his thoughts.

- But... I somehow don't want to do it. You know... I met someone.

Shinigami lifted his eyebrows, surprised.

- Yes - she continued - I'm still a bit afraid of being closer with man, but... he's so nice and his smile is so cute... - she said with joy on her face. - Maybe we could make a relationship which would help me to overcome my past...

- Does he know that you like him?

- Well... no, I don't know... but I cannot simply ask him! - she shook her head.

- Why are you looking at me like that? I don't know, I have never had such a problem - Ryuuku moved his shoulders.

- Next week - she decided - next week I have to start a conversation with him!

That moment came sooner than she could expect. Since that day she was always in a good mood, even if she was tired after work.

- I guess he likes me - she said on one evening, lying on the floor in her bath robe and staring at the ceiling.

- I guess you've fallen in love with him - Ryuuku responded with his full of irony and hoarse voice.

Neris blushed as she heard it, but when she thought again about what shinigami said, she must confess that was true.

Few days later she finally decided to make a first move and ask her workmate for going out to the cinema together.

- What are you doing? - Ryuuku asked, seeing her putting her make-up.

- I'm going to work soon - she responded, moving her shoulders.

- But not as always - he said, flying closer to her.

She ignored his words for a moment, until she looked in the mirror and noticed shinigami's tongue awkwardly close to her neck.

- What are you doing? - she asked a bit shocked, frowning.

- You smell like an apple today - he answered, innocently looking at her through the mirror with his big, round eyes.

- It's only perfume, Ryuuku. Stop trying to lick me or bite me.

He sat on the floor, disappointed with her words.

- I'd love to eat an apple - he told quietly.

'I know that girl probably shouldn't propose such a thing first', she thought. 'But I'm sure he wouldn't refuse!'. Ryuuk only looked at him and then at her, without a word.

- Mark? - she went outside, to the terrace, where he was finishing his work.

- Oh... hey, I hadn't noticed when you've come here.

- You know... - she began, trying to overcome her awkwardness - I wondered if you fancy going out with me tonight? - she coughed out, feeling her cheeks turn red and hearing Ryuuk slightly giggling behind her back.

- I'm sorry, Neris... I've already made plans for today - he answered and wanted to say something more, but she went back and quickly came out of the restaurant, as her work for today was already done.

Only she opened the front door, she bumped into a tall girl with long, blonde hair. She apologized for staying on the way and the asked quietly:

- Excuse me, do you know if Mark have already finished his work?

- ... he... he would finish in a minute - Neris answered extremely fast, as she was really shocked, and started running to her bus station.

In fact, she didn't stop near it, but went further. There was dark and windy night, as she roamed through the city, feeling alone, useless and worthless.

- Of course, I should have thought about how I look like and how other girls look... - she winced, touching her shoulder-length hair and worn jeans. - Now I think my chance is gone.

Ryuuku was hearing her with curiosity, didn't knowing if she was talking to him or just speaking aloud her thoughts.

- It seems like you've forgot about something... - he said finally, poking girl's arm with his long finger.

- What about?

- You still have the note - he answered quietly. Shadows of the night were playing on his unusual features.

Firstly she turned her head, sighing and closing her eyes, but then she opened them with changed sight and said:

- Yes, Ryuuku. I still have a note and maybe the next opportunity to use it have come.

Through the next days she wasn't thinking seriously anymore about using the note, but... that moment finally came.

- Why are you so happy today? - the girl asked her workmate, Mark.

- Oh... - he said, reminescent, smiling gently. - Maria. She's like an angel and I'm gonna meet that angel once again tonight...

- Is she tall and blonde? I think I have seen her once near our restaurant - Neris tried to keep the conversation with emotionless face, but she felt her heart is breaking in two.

- Yes, she looks totally stunning... and she's so nice to wait for me until I finish my work! - he keep talking and seemed not to hear nor see anything around him.

She went back to her work with polishing glasses, but soon two of them were broken, as she noticed Mark's girlfriend coming in. 'Is she going to sit here and wait for him?', Neris asked herself, frowning. Work is work and she must ask her about something to drink, but she did it with shaking hands.

- Why are you still so cranky? You didn't like Mark's girl, right?

- Didn't like? I hate her. She's so perfect, but so fake, I could see it - she snapped, clenching her fist. - Mark is so cute and caring boy - she added, in fact thinking: 'why haven't he even noticed that I'm a girl, too, and that I'm interested with him?'.

Since that day she decided to find out what's Maria's full name.