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A Note: I couldn't come up with a title, okay?!! And I wouldn't hve updated so fast if CursedCross didn't threaten to feed me escargots. Seriously... you ARE cursed...

I couldn't update a lot these days, because I'm entering a contest. It's quite small, really, but I'm entering all three topics: Poem, Short Story, and Manga. The Short Story and Manga is no problem for me, but I suck at poems. I spent a lot of time on this contest, because I need the money that they'll reward to the winner. Well, wish me luck! xD

Karin opened her eyes, immediately wincing at the bright light. She was lying on a pure white bed. All she saw was white. Pure white. Am I dead? Is this Heaven? Maybe I died… and everything's white because I'm in Heaven…

Suddenly, a wave of nausea washed over her and she leaned over the bed, heaving and vomiting.

"Karin?!" Kazune-kun came from behind her and put his hands on her shoulders. She heaved again, and then wiped her mouth with the back of her hand.

She lay back on the bed again, watching Kazune-kun tower over her. "Karin, you're awake?" He said softly, smoothing her hair. She closed her eyes. "Water…" She said. Kazune-kun immediately got a cup and started filling it.

Karin opened her eyes again and asked, "Where am I?" Her head was throbbing and her whole body was aching painfully.

"You're in the hospital. You passed out from loss of blood." He said shortly. Then he walked to her side, kneeled down, and put a straw in her mouth. The warm water relaxed her sore throat, and it felt as if she hadn't drank anything for days and days. And she really hadn't. She had been unconscious for 2 days. Today was the third day.

After the cup was empty, she closed her eyes again. She was remembering everything now.

Suddenly, she sat upright, alarmed. "Kazune-kun, where are Fuka and Hiroshi?" She said, her voice sharp.

"Fuka's outside with Himeka-chan and Micchi. Hiroshi—you mean that guy we fought? He's resting in the neighboring room." Karin nodded, slowly lying down again.

"Kazune-kun… can I talk to Himeka-chan?" She said quietly. The blonde haired boy looked at her for a long time, studying her. "It's about her and Micchi, right?" He said, sitting down in the chair beside her bed.

Karin stared at him. "You know?" Kazune-kun nodded quietly. "They told me yesterday." That's when he noticed Karin was crying. "I can't believe Himeka-chan did that to me…" She cried softly. "She's my best friend and she…"

Kazune-kun's eyes softened and put his arm around her. Karin leaned on his shoulder, tears rolling down her cheeks.

"Sometimes… it's complicated. But you're strong, Karin, because you have the power of Athena. There's a reason why you received the power." He said, his breath tickling her ear. "Athena doesn't let her feelings get in her way."

Karin sat on the bed quietly, staring at the wall. Athena doesn't let her feelings get in her way… She didn't think that was true. She had let her feelings get in her way many times. Especially when Kazune-kun was involved. I really like him. Karin realized, looking at her hands.

"Karin-chan?" There was a knock at the door. "Come in." Karin said. Fuka came in, closing the door behind her. She looked at Karin cautiously, and then hastily sat down on a chair.

"Karin-chan… I'm sorry I got you involved in this…" She looked at the ground. "It was… again… my own selfishness. And this time I cannot undo what I had so cruelly done."

Karin looked at Fuka, a bit astonished. She had never seen Fuka talk this way.

"You ran away when we were fighting—" "That isn't true!" Fuka cut in at Karin's accusation. "Well, yes, I did run away, but that's because I wanted to call for help. I couldn't just watch you get hurt like that."

Fuka looked at Karin anxiously. Maybe that's how Kazune-kun came… because Fuka told him! Karin realized, regretting how quickly she had judged Fuka to be a backstabber.

"Well… that's cleared up now…" Karin said slowly, biting her lip. "Do you mind telling me what the heck is going on between you and Hiroshi?"

Fuka's eyes hardened and her stare was icy. Her whole body sat rigid and her face went stony. Karin stared at the girl. She seemed very sensitive about it.

Finally, Fuka sighed and closed her eyes, taking deep breaths, as if to calm herself.

"Karin-chan… you're the only person I've ever told this to, and please promise you won't ever tell anyone this."

Karin nodded and sat a bit taller. "I promise, Fuka."

The girl bit her lip and played with her fingers. "Well…"

:::::::The next chapter woul be just the story of Fuka, Hiroshi, and Hiroshi's brother...:::::::