Take Eight: Reasons? What Reasons?

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Why wasn't she rushing home?

That was the question that plagued Yuuki from the moment Akira-kun had delivered his bombshell.
Wasn't it this, which she had been waiting for all along?
A reason to finally go home, where even in her own heart she knew she belonged?

.

Her heart throbbed with each day that passed by.
Each day that she stayed away, she knew the likelihood that she was missing her chance with Soujirou was getting stronger.
Just as Sara-senpai had.
They had both run away, misunderstanding him and in the end, missing a chance of a lifetime.
So why... even knowing this... was she unable to return to Tokyo?

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'Yuuki, you've been working hard today, you should head back,' Okura-san, her boss said.
An elderly gentleman with a sharp tongue, he was knowledgeable about all kinds of flowers, and had patiently instructed her about the art of cross-pollination.
'Yes boss, I just want to check up on my baby,' she smiled brightly.
No matter where her duties took her, her final stop of the day before the walk back to the dormitories would be to see the progress of her flowers.
Flowers that she had cross-pollinated with one thing in mind: differences.

What if two flowers which were destined never to grow by each others' side, were pollinated with each other?
Flowers which thrived in different environments, one growing in the wet and ugly mud, the other in rich fertilised soil?
One whose health came from the rays of the sun while the other the howling rain?
A flower whose beauty came from being pale and colourless, combined with a flower who was famous for being vibrant and bold?

.

Just like Yuuki and Soujirou.

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She smiled a sad smile, as she released her held breath.
It was already two weeks and still no flowers had budded, let alone bloomed.
Her eyes lingered wistfully.
She turned away once more after saying a quick prayer for their growth.

.

She stopped dead however when she turned around, only to find Soujirou there.
In the flesh.
For a moment she feared he was just a part of her imagination.

Looking even more handsome than she'd remembered-- regardless that he had a grim expression and dark shadows under his eyes.
She couldn't help it, she smiled through the tears that prickled.

'Nishikado-san!'

He didn't say anything.
His gaze pulled away from hers and looked around the greenhouse they stood in.
Then he looked back at her.
'You look like you've found a place you belong to,' he said simply.
'Hai,' she agreed, 'I love it here.'

Without superfluous words, they walked outside.
They made their way down the hills, a route that would take them to the dormitory.

For some reason it didn't surprise Yuuki that Soujirou was here.
It should have... but it didn't.
Was it that she'd always known he would come?

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Sneaking a glance at him she couldn't help but comment.
'You should eat better.'
'I can't eat.' Not since you left.
'Well you should try.'
'Hmm.' I don't want to.

'While you're at it, you could stop getting drunk. Akira said you're going out nearly every night.'
'He talks too much.' Drinking numbs the pain.
There was a silence.
They walked on.

'So how's Sakurako-san?'
'I don't know,' I don't care.
'And the rest of F4 and Tsukushi?'
'Hmmm.' I've been avoiding them.

.

'Nishikado-san, why are you here? You don't sound like you want to make much conversation.'

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Soujirou looked at Yuuki.
He had come up here to convince her to return to Tokyo with him.
He didn't care if he had to do it with blatant charm, trickery or any other desperate measure.
But seeing her in that greenhouse had gutted him.
He hadn't expected her to look so happy.

.

Without him.

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'I just...'

I just what, Soujioru? he derided himself.
I love you?
I miss you?
I need you?
But those words seemed just a little bit unfair on Yuuki who had tried her best to improve her life.

.

'I just wanted to see if you're okay.'

'Oh,' Yuuki seemed happy with that answer.
And God only knew that his mission in life was to make her happy.
'I'll stay for a few days, then I have to go back.'

.

But then what am I going to do?


Author's Note: So what can I say?
I didn't update for yonks? Sorry, sorry!!!
I really could not figure out how to end this.
I don't know if any of you read this anymore but I suppose I should finish it.
No promises on when the next chapter will come but even if it kills me it wont take as long as this chapter.
Enjoy! -Kei