A/N: No, I didn't get another beta. Urooj is still my beta reader.

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"Shizuru, where are you? Usually you're the one waiting for me here." Natsuki spoke to herself. After a while she heard footsteps approaching her and her intuition told her that it was Shizuru coming.

"Kanin na Natsuki. I hope I didn't make you wait to long. Haruka-san wanted to discuss some unresolved matters and couldn't wait a minute longer."

"Why aren't I surprised?" Natsuki sighed and placed a hand on her forehead. However Natsuki know that, that wasn't the case. Shizuru was capable to brush off responsibilities when she wanted too, and a part of Natsuki's mind was telling her that Shizuru was purposely doing this to her.

"So, what plans does Natsuki have for us today? Shizuru asked

Plans?

The unexpected question caught Natsuki off guard. Normally Shizuru had asked to meet up after school in the gardens. To be more precise, Shizuru was the one who had started coming more often to the flower garden to wait for Natsuki. As time went by, it became a routine for both of them. Natsuki had always wondered why Shizuru had picked this location and not other places like the Crystal Arena or the church though she didn't dislike this location.

I've actually come to like it here.

After all, this is where we first met during spring.

"Ah, well I don't have anything particular in mind. Why don't we head to my place oka—"

Natsuki's question died down as she felt a buzz coming from her cell phone. She flipped it open to answer the call.

"Oh, okaa-san."

Shizuru's heart sank when Natsuki identified her caller. There was a small flame of jealousy as she watched her precious person talk on the phone.

"Eh, now? But I'm not really free right now-" Natsuki was interrupted by a small pressure on her left shoulder. Feeling Shizuru's hand on her shoulder, she turned around to face her.

"Don't worry Natsuki. You're mother's more important, plus we could do this another day. It's not like I'll be gone tomorrow." Although Shizuru was talking to Natsuki, her eyes were focused on something over Natsuki's shoulder.

"Shizuru..." Natsuki murmured unconsciously. A small voice was telling her that Shizuru was behaving rather strange lately, though she could not fathom how and why.

"Are you sure?" Natsuki asked, uncertain.

Hearing Natsuki's uncertainty, Shizuru gave her a reassuring smile. "Certainly and anyways I have some matters to attend to in school." She lied, knowing well that she had nothing to do for the day. She didn't give Natsuki another moment to rebut her decision.

"I shall take my leave now."

Quickly Shizuru left and one could only guess where. Perhaps somewhere alone and quiet where she could quietly shed some tears.

That was weird

Natsuki felt that Shizuru was starting to slowly distance herself which was the opposite of what Shizuru normally did. Natsuki's mind was racing with many thoughts.

Why is she acting out of character?

Is she hiding something?

What would it be?

"Natsuki-chan?" The person on the line curiously called out.

Natsuki snapped as her mother called out her name. "Oh sorry."

If her mother hadn't distracted her, Natsuki would still have been in her own thoughts.

"Natsuki-chan? Are you alright? If this isn't the right time, then we can-"

"No, I'm free right now." Natsuki interrupted. "So where should we meet?"

"I can't believe Natsuki-chan rides a motorcycle to school. Don't they prohibit students from such vehicles to school?" Saeko asked her daughter while sceptically looking at the motorcycle in front of her.

"They do and as long as I'm not caught, everything's cool." Natsuki explained and a flashes of an incident that happen some time back flashed through her mind.

Natsuki was once caught by Haruka who had confiscated her motorbike when she attempted to skip class. Natsuki was ready to use physical force to prevent her precious Ducati from being taken away, as Haruka had predicted and if it wasn't for Shizuru, Natsuki would have suffered dire consequences.

"I see that you have the same taste as your father." Saeko had stated the obvious, noticing that the motorbike was the exact same model she had seen ten years ago.

Natsuki didn't deny it. Looking at the clear sky, Natsuki said, "You should've told me you were waiting at my school gates. You weren't honest with me."

"Are we similar though? We're both not honest." Saeko said in a friendly tone, even though her words were implying something. "Earlier, you were with your friend Shizuru right?"

"Huh?" Natsuki didn't remember telling her mother about Shizuru, or any friend for that matter.

How did she…

"There's no need to be surprised. I overheard you saying her name on the phone when she was with you. Are you two close?" Saeko asked.

Shizuru...

Shizuru's name reminded Natsuki about the older girl's odd behaviour and their previous conversation which made Natsuki uncomfortable.

"Yeah, she's always been there for me, until now."

"I see." Saeko smiled while watching her daughter for a moment then she continued to talk. "Let's not waste any more time then Natsuki." Natsuki nodded while her mother mounted the bike and they were off to their destination.

They went around the city, spending time together. After lunch, they resumed shopping and Natsuki brought Saeko o one of her favourite store.

"And this is the place I was talking about."

After not seeing her daughter for ten years, Saeko was a bit surprised at her daughter's hobby.

"Natsuki I don't think it's necessary for you to buy so many of them. I mean those will be enough to last you a month." Saeko raised her eyebrows causing wrinkles to form on her forehead.

"I don't wear them; they're just for my collection." Natsuki replied with her eyes glued to one of the lingerie pieces. Judging by the tone of her voice, Saeko know she wasn't joking. She found Natsuki's hobby interesting, surprised it had never crossed her mind.

"That's interesting."

Saeko's shock was due to the fact that she could not link anything in Natsuki's childhood to lingerie. All she could remember was Natsuki's interest in motorbikes and her love for travelling with her dad on business trips. Watching her now made Saeko realize that Natsuki had grown in so many ways and that she didn't know a lot about her.

"It's been ten years. I shouldn't delay it any more." Saeko told herself mentally.

After awhile she finally spoke, "Natsuki-chan, there is something I wanted to tell you."

The raven haired halted her steps, and turned to look at her mother. "Hmm?"

"I'm not planning to live in Japan permanently despite the fact that the carnival no longer exist. It's best if I actually stay away from this place instead. I've come to Japan, however, with one thing in mind though."

"What is it?" Natsuki asked nervously.

"I've return in hopes of bringing you back to America with me."

"Think about it, Natsuki-chan. We'll get to know each other better too."

Natsuki sat in the cafeteria with her chin resting on one hand while the other hand tapping on the table.

"Gomen, Natsuki. Mikoto couldn't make up her mind on what to buy." Mai said, but noticed Natsuki's attention and thoughts were elsewhere. Mai placed the food tray on the table and nudged her. Mikoto sat and watched.

"Natsuki?"

Natsuki's eyes widened.

"Ah Mai. S-sorry, I was just-"

"Thinking?" Mai said as she handed Natsuki her mayonnaise sandwich. "Natsuki, Is this about kaichou-san again?" Mai sighed. She broke a pair of chopsticks, joined in the middle before dipping it the bowl of noodle. "Natsuki, why don't you just tell me how you f-"

"Arghh Mai, it's not Shizuru! W-wait, I do have issues with her in my mind but putting that aside, there's someone else."

"Oh? There's someone else besides kaichou-san? I see. Kaichou-san has another competitor. Is it a guy or a girl?"

"A woman to be exact." Natsuki didn't even correct Mai. Nor did she realize the meaning of her words.

Upon hearing that statement, Mai lost her grip on her chopsticks, letting it fall to the floor.

"Mai, I'll get you a new one." Mikoto stood up and left the table.

Mai adjusted her seat. Clearing her throat, she finally spoke. "Natsuki, I never thought you'd prefer someone who is way older than you. Isn't kaichou-san already more than what you can handle?"

"Mai! What are you thinking!" Natsuki stood, pushing the chair back and slamming both hands on the table. Her cheeks red.

"Exactly what your answers made me think?"

That sentence had just made Natsuki blush deeper. Calming herself, she sat down.

"Actually…"

Natsuki told her everything, from the meeting and more importantly to the invitation to leave with her mother to America.

"I don't see a problem with this, Natsuki. Shouldn't you be happy that you're going to American to spend some time with your mother?"

"Yes, but..."

"But?" Mai was concerned and impatient at the same time. She leaned forward wanting to know what Natsuki was worried about.

"It's all too sudden. I-I don't think I want to leave this place. Right now, I'm trying to figure a way to tell my mother." Natsuki let out a sigh.

"So that's what you've been worried about?" Mai slapped herself on the forehead. "She didn't force you right?"

Natsuki nodded.

"Just tell her that you don't want to leave this place and anyways you don't have to answer her today. Matters as such cannot be rushed and you can go to America whenever you want, like after you graduate from Fuuka or so."

Mai is right. How silly of me.

It's not as if this is the last time I'll be seeing my mother.

"You're absolutely right Mai. I guess I'm just worrying for no reason." Natsuki finally showed her first smile of the day.

"What is Mai right about?" A voice said from behind Natsuki.

"Ah, Reito-san! Mikoto!" Mai exclaimed, not expecting to see both of them together.

Mikoto carried a mountain of melon bread and dropped it all on the table. "Look Mai, Onii-chan bought me these."

Reito is here meaning the meeting is over.

"Thanks Mai, I'll be leaving now. Have fun with Reito. I'll see you later."

"Eh, Natsuki? W-wait, why are you leaving all of a sudden?"

"May I sit here with this lovely lady to enjoy my meal?" Reito asked politely. His presence in the cafeteria did not leave unnoticed by his fan girls who were now squealing as they watched the couple.

"S-sure." Mai stuttered and then blushed when she met his eye.

Even with all that commotion, Natsuki did not turn around because her mind was set on completing one task.

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Two girls reading the next chapter.

Shizuru: Natsuki is a meanie for doing that to me!

Natsuki: ....You're the cause of it.

Shizuru: That is actually Natsuki, not me.

Natsuki: No! that's you.

Shizuru: Sigh, Natsuki is not admitting.

Natsuki:Gah !This is going to happen because you interrupted me by doing "this" and "that" to me in the end of the previous chapter! Glares at author.

Shizuru: *grins*

DuranBarks: Time for lunch.I'm leaving you 2 girls alone.

Natsuki: Ah, wait!

Shizuru: *pounce on Natsuki*

Natsuki: I have failed once more.