I do not own sunrise, mai-hime or anything. Sorry for the late update! If you have comments, suggestions, please review and leave a comment. This is the final chapter. Don't be so mean, okay? Enjoy reading. Arigato Gozaimasu!


Chapter 12

It was a really strange day for Shizuru. Why?Iniiwasan kasi siya ni Natsuki without knowing the reason. May nagawa ba siya na ikinagalit ni Natsuki? Wala siyang naalala na may ginawa siyang mali. Okay naman ang mga nangyari sa kanila last summer vacation, pero bakit bigla na lang naging ganito?

Shizuru noticed it nang tinawag niya si Natsuki at sinabayan niya itong maglakad papunta ng classroom nila. Hindi pa man siya nakakalapit, lumayo na agad sa kanya si Natsuki. At first, akala lang niya bad mood lang si Natsuki but when she tried to talk with her in the classroom, hindi siya nito pinapansin. Umaalis si Natsuki kapag lumalapit siya rito.

It was really awkward, hindi siya makapag-concentrate sa klase. Magkatabi sila sa upuan pero parang hindi siya nito nakikita. Hindi siya makakilos ng maayos, it feels like she was tied up in a chair. Her neck is aching dahil lagi lang siya nakatingin sa left side. One time, she got scolded by her teacher dahil akala nito hindi siya nakikinig sa discussions nila.

She really messed up this day. Wala siyang ginawang tama. Hindi siya sanay na hindi kinukulit si Natsuki, hindi siya sanay na hindi siya sinusungitan nito. Hindi kumpleto ang araw niya kapag hindi niya nakakausap si Natsuki.

Mahal na niya si Natsuki, alam niya yun sa sarili niya. Hindi niya akalain na mahuhulog ang loob niya. At first, she only likes Natsuki but now it was more than that. Maybe dahil na rin sa mga nangyari sa kanila. Hindi mo talaga mape-predict kung kailan darating ang love at kung kailan ka ma-i-in love.

Naalala pa ni Shizuru yung sinabi sa kanya ni Natsuki nung hinatid siya nito pauwi sa kanila.

"S-See you at s-school"

Pero bakit ganun? What happened? She doesn't know the reason why Natsuki's avoiding her. Sumasakit ang ulo niya kakaisip kung bakit ganun na lang ang ikinikilos nito sa kanya. Hindi kaya nagsawa na si Natsuki sa kakulitan niya? Napikon na ba siya? Galit sa kanya? There are many possible reasons, at sa lahat ng yun walang pwedeng dahilan.

Dumagdag pa sa ipinag-aalala niya yung mga students na kanina pa nakatingin sa kanya. Pinag-uusapan siya sa buong school about sa kanila ni Natsuki. Mabilis na kumalat yung balita na hindi sila ngayon nagpapansinan ng ice princess. Ayaw niya yun pansinin pero naiisip niya na baka maniwala si Natsuki sa mga sabi-sabi nila. We all know that when it comes to gossips, minsan kung anuman yung totoo edited na. Pero tingin naman niya, hindi ganung klaseng tao si Natsuki.

Nao saw her eating alone in the school canteen. Nilapitan niya agad ito at binati.

"Hey Shizuru!" she greeted. Shizuru stared at her, seeing the sadness on her face.

"Are you alright? Bakit ang lungkot mo? Something happened?" Nao asked again. Shizuru gave her a questioning look.

"Parang hindi mo pa alam ah. Everybody knows why I am acting like this" Shizuru answered her while eating her snack.

"Well, actually alam ko na ang tungkol dun. Natsuki's avoiding you right?" Nao answered. Shizuru nodded silently then she said

"Yeah, and I don't know why. Okay pa naman kami last summer vacation. You guys know it" she added

"Yeah and Natsuki's avoiding me too. I tried to ask her about you pero umiiwas siya. Hindi niya ako kinakausap" Nao said

"Really? Even you? What the heck is happening to her?"

"I don't know, I don't have any idea"

*sigh* "What's up with her? Avoiding us like this?" Shizuru asked herself. On the other hand, Nao giggled as she saw Shizuru's worried expression.

"Do you like her?" Nao asked her directly. Nagulat si Shizuru dahilan para muntikan siyang mabulunan.

*twitch* "H-huh!? What?!" Shizuru answered sabay inom ng juice.

"I said, do you like her. Answer me, honestly" Nao added. Shizuru kept silent for a moment then she gave Nao a silent nod.

"Just as I thought" *grin* Nao murmured.

"Did you say something?" Shizuru asked again

"H-Huh? Ah nothing! I said fight for it" palusot ni Nao. Tumigil si Shizuru na kumain at tila nawalan na siya ng gana.

"Fight for it? For what? She's avoiding me" Shizuru answered.

"But it doesn't mean she hates you" Nao added.

"But how can I tell her? I don't have any courage to say it" Shizuru answered blushing. Hinawakan ni Nao yung balikat niya at tinapik yun.

"You don't need courage, you just need to be honest about your feelings. I know it would be easier for you to say it since you and Natsuki are good friends right? Kahit minsan sinusugitan ka niya" Nao said cheering her up.

"That's it, we're only friends. Ayaw na niya magtiwala sa ibang tao. She told me about it at hindi ko alam kung nagbago ba ang isip niya tungkol dun" Shizuru answered

"You're not sure about it. There's nothing wrong if you try" Nao added. Shizuru kept silent at hindi na siya nakasagot pa.

"You can do it, just look at the good side okay?" Nao added as she stood up and walk away. Naiwan naman si Shizuru na nag-iisip kung ano na ang next move niya. Pipilitin ba niya na kausapin siya ni Natsuki or hahayaan na lang niya na maging ganito silang dalawa.


Almost one week nang hindi pinapansin ni Natsuki si Shizuru. Ano ba ang nangyayari!? One week na ring hindi natatapos ang usapin tungkol sa kanilang dalawa at nakakadagdag yun ng pressure kay Shizuru. Nagpapakabusy na lang siya para pansamantala niyang makalimutan si Natsuki.

Sinabi na rin ni Shizuru ang problema niya kina Mai pero syempre hindi niya sinabing sarili niya ang tinutukoy niya. Nagtanong na rin siya kung paano ba magalit si Natsuki sa isang tao and based on what they said, walang sumakto sa ikinikilos ni Natsuki ngayon.

Kapag nagagalit si Natsuki, she always gave that person her killing Kuga Death Glare everytime na magkikita sila, but it's different to Shizuru. Everytime na magkikita sila, nakaiwas ito ng tingin sa kanya at umaalis. Ano na ba talaga ang nangyayari sa kanya?

Katatapos lang mag-jogging ni Natsuki at naka-6 laps siya ngayon. Nagpapahinga siya sa bench na kung saan doon sila nag-usap ni Shizuru. Suddenly, she heard a familiar voice calling her.

"Hey mutt!" Nao called she sat on the bench.

"What are you doing here spider?" Natsuki asked as she wiped her face with her towel.

"Do you have a minute?" Nao asked again. Inubos ni Natsuki yung tubig niya bago siya sumagot

"I'm busy" Natsuki answered saka siya umalis at sinundan naman siya ni Nao.

"Nakausap ko si Shizuru. She's asking me kung bakit iniiwasan mo siya. Kahit ako iniiwasan mo, what's up with you?" Nao asked

"I don't have time to chit-chat"

"I don't know what you're thinking or what you're planning to but are you running away on something?" Nao asked again at natigilan si Natsuki sa paglalakad. Natsuki kept silent for a moment then she answered

"What? I'm not running away! It's just that I'm busy, see? So please stop following me, you're such a bother." Natsuki answered her defensively.

"You're lying mutt, It's written all-over your face. Well, I don't need to know your real reason but I just want to tell you. Kung ano man yang binabalak mo, gawin mo na. Don't waste your time, too bad if you miss the chance" *smile*

"What are you talking about? And what do you mean by chance?"

"Hindi ko rin alam pero yun ang nase-sense ko, how about you? Maybe you know the answer to your question" *wink*

"S-Shut up spider! Would you please leave me alone?!" Natsuki growled.

"Fine fine, I'm just giving you a friendly advice. Don't run away or else, baka magsisi ka. Well see you later mutt, have a nice day" Nao answered and she left. Naglakad na si Natsuki pabalik ng gym, and while on her way back, napaisip siya sa mga sinabi ni Nao.

Kung ano man yang binabalak mo, gawin mo na. Don't waste your time, too bad if you miss the chance"

"Miss the chance? I think she's right, but how can I...Wait! Paano niya - ? Alam niya!? No, that's impossible! Wala akong pinagsabihan tungkol dun! Err that mutt.." Natsuki said to herself habang nag-iisip kung ano ang next move niya. Sasabihin na ba niya kay Shizuru yung totoo o hahayaan na lang niya na ganito silang dalawa.


Huli nang umuwi si Shizuru dahil nag-research pa siya sa library tungkol sa homework nila. Maaga niya yun ginagawa para may time pa siya makapanood ng movies pag-uwi niya. The same with Natsuki, nag-overtime naman sila sa practice dahil next week may sasalihan silang inter-school competition. Sila ang defending champion at kailangan nila yun depensahan.

Papalabas na sana si Shizuru nang biglang may sumulpot sa harapan niya na tatlong babae. Students din sila sa school at nasa senior year. Aside from that, mukhang siga rin ang mga ito sa school. Hindi sila kilala ni Shizuru pero dahil nakaharang sila sa dadaanan niya, nagtanong na siya.

"Uhh excuse me? What can I do for you?" magalang na tanong ni Shizuru. Agad-agad namang sumagot yung isa sa kanila.

"Hoy, ikaw ba yung monkey girl na lapit ng lapit kay Natsuki ha?" one of them said

"M-Monkey Girl? Mali - " Shizuru answered. Sasagot pa sana siya pero sinigitan siya nung dalawa pang babae.

"Ang lakas ng loob mong lumapit at makipag-close sa kanya!" the other girl added while pointing her finger at Shizuru.

"No wait! Hindi – "

"Ah! Patay-malisya ka pa ha! Pwede ba wag ka na makalapit-lapit sa kanya? Naiirita kami!" the other girl answered.

Suddenly..

"Oi, layuan niyo siya.." a familiar voice said at nagulat si Shizuru nang malaman niya kung sino yun..

"N-N-Natsuki?.." she said while staring at Natsuki. Nagulat yung tatlong babae sa sinabi niya, nilapitan niya si Shizuru at hinawakan sa braso.

*sigh* "You come with me, stupid" Natsuki said as she pulled Shizuru to come with her. Nag-react naman yung tatlong babae sa ginawa niya.

"Wait Natsuki! Why are you – " the girl didn't finished her sentence when Natsuki cut it off with a cold stare, giving them her famous Kuga Death Glare.

"It's not of your business" Natsuki said at tuluyan na silang umalis. Nagtataka naman si Shizuru kung bakit bigla na lang siya hinatak at sinabihan ni Natsuki na sumama sa kanya.

"W-Where are we going?!" Shizuru asked a little confused.

"Just shut up and come with me okay?" Natsuki answered. Nang makarating sila sa parking lot ng school, pinasakay niya si Shizuru sa motor niya at umalis sila. Hindi naman alam ni Shizuru kung ano ang nangyayari at bakit ganito ang kinikilos ni Natsuki.

Pauwi naman na si Nao galing sa grocery store, wala na kasi siyang pagkain sa bahay niya at ngayon lang siya nagka-time para mag-grocery. While on her way back, nakita niyang dumaan ang motor ni Natsuki at may angkas siya, si Shizuru.

"Oh? Si Natsuki yun ah, at si Shizuru. Hmm, sudden turn of events huh. I want to see it" *smile* Nao said at naisipan niyang sundan silang dalawa.

Huminto sina Natsuki at Shizuru sa harap ng isang abandonadong bahay. Maliit lang yun, hindi na pwedeng gamitin at mistulang horror house ang dating. Nagtaka naman si Shizuru kung bakit doon siya dinala ni Natsuki.

"What are we doing here? Bakit dito mo ako dinala?" she asked while looking around.

"Shut up okay? Just follow me.." Natsuki answered. Nagpunta sila sa likod ng bahay at merong maliit na gate doon. Masukal yung daan dahil sa matataas na talahib pero makikita pa rin yung daan, pumasok silang dalawa sa loob.

"Teka, saan mo ba ako dadalhin?" Shizuru asked again

"Stop asking me those questions! Malalaman mo rin okay?!" Natsuki answered irritated.

Shizuru was surprised on what she saw..

The place is filled with colorful flowers and butterflies. Marami ring puno na nakapaligid doon and it's so beautiful. Parang inalagaan ang lugar, walang bakas na may nasira o may nakakita na sa lugar na yun. It was a real paradise, at hindi siya makapaniwala dun.

"Wow, I'm speechless. It's so beautiful in here! I can't believe it meron palang ganitong lugar sa likod ng bahay na yun. By the way, why did you brought me here?" Shizuru asked while looking at the flowers. Tahimik muna si Natsuki bago siya sumagot.

"I used to play here together with my mom when I was a kid. The house at the front is our old house. Dito kami nakatira dati ng family ko nung buhay pa si mama" Natsuki answered, faking a smile on her face.

"N-Natsuki, so this is.."

"Yeah, dito nabuo ang good memories ko together with my family at dito rin yun nawala lahat nung namatay si mama at iniwan naman ako ni papa.." Natsuki added as she stared at Shizuru.

"But wait, bakit mo ako dinala dito? Bakit mo rin ako iniiwasan? May ginawa ba akong mali?" Sunud-sunod na tanong ni Shizuru at isa-isa yun na sinagot ni Natsuki.

"First question: dinala kita dito because I want to tell you something. Second question: I'm not avoiding you, It's just...I need courage. Third question: wala kang ginawang mali" Natsuki answered with a serious look.

"So, what's the real reason why you're acting like this?" Shizuru asked as she went closer to Natsuki

"It's because I...I..." Natsuki said while she tried to utter a word.

"You what?" Shizuru asked again

"I...I...I"

"Natsuki?"

Huminga ng malalim si Natsuki bago siya sumagot..

"I...I like you Shizuru" pabulong na sagot ni Natsuki and she's blushing.

"What? I can't hear you.." Shizuru added nang inilapit niya yung tenga niya kay Natsuki.

"I like you" Natsuki answered pero pabulong pa rin. Nainis na si Shizuru dahil hindi niya pa rin marinig

"Natsuki!"

"I said I love you! Bingi ka ba!? Ikaw pa may gana mainis diyan, ikaw tong hindi nakikinig!" At last, nasabi rin niya pero iba nga lang sa nauna niyang sinabi. Shizuru was shocked and surprised dahil sa narinig niyang yun. Tama ba yun? Or she's just dreaming? Hindi siya nagsasalita. Agad namang naging defensive si Natsuki

"Hey! It's not that I love you that much! Well, I was just being honest with you but that doesn't mean I really love you but I...well, I like you at first. I like you then I...ahh! I don't really like you but my heart says so. Oi! There's nothing special about it, but I think there is.. AHHHH!" Natsuki said and she's confused. Suddenly, Shizuru giggled as she pinched Natsuki's cheeks.

"Dummy, you're a dummy. No, you're stupid, really stupid" Shizuru answered

"What!? Hey! You – " Natsuki didn't finish her sentence when Shizuru hugged her quickly. Natsuki was frozen and she can't move.

"Hey you – "

*shhhh* "Be quiet Natsuki, I'm listening to your heartbeat. It's beating so fast, like mine" Shizuru answered as she looked at Natsuki's eyes. Natsuki caught Shizuru's gaze as their face moved closer and closer and they're about to kiss when suddenly..

"Who's there! Show yourself!" she said as she heard a crackling sound coming from the gate not far from them. Bumigay at natumba yung gate and on their surprise..

"What the - ? NAO!? And – WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING HERE!?" Natsuki asked as she saw Nao together with Mai and the others.

"Well, nakita ko kayo kanina na dumaan so I decided to follow you, then I brought the other party with me" *smile* Nao answered as she stood up. Napayuko naman si Natsuki at nanahimik

"So, kanina pa kayo nakikinig?" Natsuki asked

"Ah...Ha-Ha...Sorry to eavesdrop, we didn't mean to – " Hindi na natapos ni Nao yung sasabihin niya nang...

"SPPPIIIDDDEEEERRRR!" Natsuki growled as she gave Nao her killing Kuga Death Glare. Nakatakbo si Nao at hinabol naman siya ni Natsuki. Lumapit naman sina Mai kay Shizuru

"Wow, congratulations Shizuru. Napa-inlove mo si Natsuki" *laugh* Yuiichi said a he tapped Shizuru's shoulders.

"Hey, why you're congratulating me?" Shizuru asked

"He's congratulating you because you tamed the ice princess" *smile* Mai added

"You melted down her cold and as hard as ice personality Shizuru-nee san" *wink* Mikoto added.

Napatingin naman siya kay Natsuki na busy sa paghabol kay Nao. Shizuru smiled as she whispered the magic words..

"I love you too, Natsuki. I love you..."

[end]


There you have it! Hmm, what do you think? Is the ending enough? For me, it's not haha! I'm out of ideas, well maybe because my brain is tired of thinking. Any suggestions? I'm planning to translate this in English, but for now I need some rest...hehehe..