Shade's POV

"Shade, wake up, wake up!" Dad said barging in as I just finished dressing in my uniform.

"Okay, how many times are you going to do this?" I asked Dad as he rushed into the room. "I'm already awake, since when do I oversleep when school starts?" It's 7:31. There's still a little time to eat breakfast. "Did Milky already go? School for her starts at 7:50 since she's still in elementary school, right?"

"Yes, but Shade, there's something weird going on!"

"Besides the fact that we're taking care of a girl who is Rein's cousin who hasn't been talking at all and the fact that you're going to be late for work?" So tired... I really didn't want to get up. "So, what's the weird thing that's happening?"

"I want to take a photo of you and Fine in your school uniforms!" He said holding out the camera. Well, I don't think that could be any more random. "Please! You two would look so nice together!" Leave it to Dad to be random.

"I'm going to be late," I said practically running down the stairs, ignoring his pleads. "Fine, we need to hurry. School's going to start soon," I said taking a sliced omelet from her plate. She nodded and finished up her breakfast then put the dishes into the sink.

"Shade, you can't do that! It's bad manners!"

"I would have had more time to eat, but someone was bothering me," I said grabbing Fine's hand and leaving. "Fine when we get to school-"

A notebook came in front of me that read: Why are you still holding my hand?

"Ah, sorry, I forgot," I said letting go. Such a small hand... I quickly came back to my senses and said, "Why are you talking with a notebook now?"

I thought it was better to communicate with a notebook and say that my throat has problems, then just say I don't want to talk. It's a better option, since in school I'm going to have to communicate sometimes. She turned the page and continued to write. Besides, I don't feel nervous at all when I write.

"Really? That's good. Now, maybe I can understand what you're thinking a bit more." Fine nodded, smiling a little. "Now, let's hurry so I can get all the formal paperwork stuff done and over with."

"I see, so you're the new student," the sectary said as I handed her the papers. "Everything seems to be in order and we understand that you can't speak right now, so everything's okay. Here's your schedule. The principal said to come into her office if you ever need anything." Fine nodded.

As we left the office, I looked at her classes. "Class 3-A. We're in the same class." Somehow I'm relieved yet I'm worried at the same time. Fine tapped my shoulder and I looked at her notebook.

Yay, I know someone who's in my class already. ^_^

"Rein's in our class too you know."

She looked at me curiously and then quickly wrote: Before in school, everyone always avoided me, so I'm happy even if there's only one person who's my friend in my classes, but there's two, so I'm really happy right now. ^_^

"Look we're here already," I said quickly, opening the door.

"Yay, we're in the same class Fine," Rein said as she saw us come in the class. "I'm so glad. Later at lunch why don't you hang out with us and I'll introduce you to everyone. Our friends are really nice." Fine nodded, happily. Within these few minutes, this is the happiest that I've ever seen Fine. What kind of life did she have before?

The sliding door opened again and someone came in. Someone who I didn't want to see came. "Shade-san! It's been a while." She noticed Fine and said, "Rein-san, I thought that your cousin already went back home."

"The company my aunt worked for got into debt, so they'll be here for a while. It happens a lot these days doesn't it? People get into debt and can't afford their homes or businesses," Rein said as though talking about the weather. "Please treat her nicely. She's a little shy around new people."

"I see then." She turned to Fine. "Pleased to met you. I'm Mashiro Emily." Fine just nodded in reply. "May I know your name?"

"You'll find out soon," Rein said back. Emily and Rein just smiled at each other, but I swear I could have seen lightening between them.

The bell rang and the door opened. "Everyone, please get seated, it's time for class to start," Tanba Rin-sensei said as she put her books down on her desk and everyone scrambled to their desks. "Before we begin though, we have a new student. Please come up and introduce yourself."

Fine walked up to the front of the room, and opened her notebook which read: It's nice to meet everyone. My name is Sakura Fine. I hope to get along with everyone.

"Sensei why doesn't she talk?" There were multiple other people who were asking the same question.

"Please be quiet! Sakura-san has throat problems and can't talk for a while, but that doesn't mean that you shouldn't at least try to be friends with her. Now, Sakura-san your seat is over there near the window," Tanba Rin-sensei said pointing to Fine's seat. Fine obediently walked over there. "Now class take out your English books, and open to where we left off yesterday."

I yawned as Tanba Rin sensei was explaining about the correct pronunciations. It's so boring when you know everything on the teacher's lesson plan. I want to sleep, but I don't feel like getting in trouble for not paying attention. I looked over to Fine who was taking notes, focusing on every word. She really tries hard, doesn't she? I never expected her to be someone who takes studying seriously.

"Fine, let's go. I want to show you everywhere around school," Rein said as the bell for break rang. Fine held up her notebook that had a ? mark. "Well, this school is really big and pretty, so I want to show you all the places that you should see and how to get back to classes, just in case you get lost." Fine thought about it for a minute then nodded, giving her okay."Yay, Shade, do you want to come with us?"

"I'm good. I want to talk with some people and you two should spend some time together as cousins," I said. I don't know why I said that, but somehow I get the feeling that Rein and Fine need to talk about something. Or write in Fine's case.

"Okay then."

Rein's POV

"There's a lot of things outside too," I said to Fine as we went into the school's 'backyard'. "Look at all the trees, the autumn leaves are pretty aren't they?" Fine nodded as she looked around. "When spring comes, it'll be filled with sakura blossoms. It'll be really amazing, so we have to see it together."

I saw a notebook in front of me, and it read Rein, what are you going to tell me? So she saw through... We're twin cousins, how can I not understand that there's something that you want to say?

"I know, we're always able to guess what each other's thinking," I said. Then there's no way to say this easily to her. "Fine, I don't think that Auntie's going to get better any soon. She won't stop drinking and when she's not drinking, she's asleep. We won't be able to find out what happened that day anytime soon. Is there something that you can say-"

She quickly put up her notebook that read I can't... I'm sorry.

"Fine, you can tell me anything, I-" Her eyes were filled with fear and her entire body was shaking. I hugged her to calm her down. "I'm sorry. I won't ask again, at least not until you're ready to talk."

It's not your fault. I'm imposing a lot on you and Aunt Elsa and Uncle Truth. But I'm too scared to speak about it again. I couldn't even tell Shade properly last time.

Eh? "You've told Shade?" She nodded. "I see. You must really trust him." She nodded again. I want to push them together so maybe they can have the possibility of having a romantic relationship but... now isn't the right time for that. Too bad, they would look really cute together! Then I realized that Fine still had fear in her eyes. "I know, before we head back, there's one more place that I want to show you."

When we got to the rose garden Fine looked around, amazed. So many roses! It's so pretty~! ^_^

"I know, I always come here when I'm depressed. And the gardener, Kureson-san is always nice and gives me good advice, so if anything happens, come here and I'm sure that you'll feel better," I told her.

"Now, I think that you're speaking too highly of me." Kureson-san! "It's been a while Rein-san." He turned to Fine and said, "And then you must be Fine-san. Nice to meet you. I'm Kureson-san, the gardener. Please come by whenever you like." Fine nodded. "There are quite a few people at this school who are willing to listen to anything you have to say, when something happens, you should go talk to one of them."

I watched Fine as she quickly scribbled down Will they tell anyone?

"No, they can all keep secrets well, so it's okay." Fine smiled and bowed her head in thanks. Slowly but surely, she's starting to smile like she used to. A bright smile that can lighten anyone's day. I hope that I can see her real smile again soon.