Chapter 21: Bittersweet farewell

*Wednesday dusk, May 21st, 2014*

Needless to say, the dining room falls silent before erupting into a state of panic. Yuusuke and Fuuto spring to their feet, looking at me with angry, grieved eyes. Wataru begins to cry as he yells that he wants "Big Sister to stay," and Ema attempts to calm him through her own tears. Similar stunned reactions come from the other brothers, but the first to make physical contact with me is Iori.

"Melissa? Why are you leaving?" He cups my chin in his hands and looks deep into my eyes. I can see the hurt that I had caused welling up inside of him. Looking away, I shake my head sadly.

"I just feel that it's the best for me" I respond softly. There's a long pause between us.

"You'll stay in contact, won't you?" His voice is pleading.

"I promised Masaomi that I would." Once again, silence between us.

"Big Sister! Don't leave us!" Wataru cries, running over and throwing his arms around my waist. I hug him tightly and bury my face in his light-colored hair as our tears mix together.

"I wish I could stay" I murmur, trying to steady my voice. "I only wish..."

"You will be greatly missed" Natsume says, standing up and placing a comforting hand on my shoulder. "When do you plan on leaving?"

"I told Masaomi that I would wait until June 6th so that it would be an even two months."

"You still have about three weeks?" I nod in answer to Natsume's question.

"Yes; just enough time to say proper goodbyes and complete unfinished business."

"It's also enough time for her to find a place to stay" Masaomi adds, his voice quiet.

"Then we'll just have to make sure that Melissa-senpai finds a good place to hold up" Yuusuke says, determination flashing in his eyes.

"Yeah! We'll make sure that she's taken care of" Tsubaki adds, catching on to Yuusuke's plan.

"You don't have to worry about that" I say immediately. "I am capable of looking out for myself…"

"Nonsense" Ukyo cuts in. "We'll be glad to assist you." I notice that he's back to the stiff, professional-like demeanor which he had had before we had gotten to know each other.

Had Ukyo not tried to be intimate with me, he and I would still be able to talk easily with one another. Had Louis not tried to kiss me while we were alone in the kitchen, I wouldn't be leaving. Had Hikaru not left his mark in the first place, the other two incident's wouldn't have occurred...

I shake my head to clear it of such negative thoughts. What did happen, happened; there wasn't anything anyone could do to change the past and fix the hurt. In any case, leaving was my decision, not theirs. I look straight into Ukyo's eyes and smile.

"Well then, thank you for your willingness to help."

*Friday morning, June 6th, 2014*

*Note: Kaname is now 30 yrs old*

"It's okay, Big Sister; I've got it!" I run down the walkway towards Wataru, who is attempting to carry my suitcase to the car for me.

"Wataru! It has wheels!" I call out to him, laughter and worry in my voice. "Be careful!" Of course, he trips. Just as he falls, I reach him and stabilize both him and the heavy luggage.

"Thank you" he says sweetly. I smile at the sweet young boy who I have grown to love so much. I was supposed to have a little brother before that fateful accident; Wataru had helped fill that void in my heart, if only temporarily. Out of impulse, I wrap him up in a tight embrace.

"I'm going to miss you" I say softly.

"I'm going to miss you too, Big Sister." His voice is also soft, but has a somewhat mature tone as well. I laugh a bit as tears come to my eyes. Pulling away, I place my hands on his shoulders and look him squarely in the eyes.

"You're growing up" I tell him gently. "Keep listening to your brothers, and you'll end up becoming a fine, young gentleman." I place a loving, maternal-like hand on his cheek before grabbing the handle of my suitcase and walking towards the street with Wataru trailing close behind me.

Waiting for me at the curb are the rest of the brothers. Natsume takes my suitcase from me and places it in the back of his car. I meet Azusa's gaze and feel my cheeks burn. Last night, he had confessed his love to me. He hadn't been forceful like Ukyo, but the blow was still there. I had told him that I was flattered, but had ultimately declined.

"Thank you so much for giving me a job and a place to stay" I tell them, smiling.

"It was our pleasure" Masaomi says.

"Please, do visit us soon" Louis says softly. While Azusa had troubled me last night, Louis and I had made up with one another.

"We'll be looking forward to seeing you!" Tsubaki says, a grin spreading onto his face.

"Don't bother to write; you'll be too busy for it anyway" Fuuto says grumpily.

"I can come over for help, right?" Yuusuke asks anxiously. I laugh.

"Of course!"

"Stay safe" Ukyo says, adjusting his glasses.

"Thank you, I will."

"We love you Big Sister!" Wataru exclaims.

"I'll miss all of you" I respond.

"Feel free to call me if you need anything" Kaname says.

"And don't forget that I'll worry about you" Hikaru adds.

"G-g-good luck!" Subaru shouts, embarrassed.

"You have our support" Azusa says. I nod my gratitude as a tear slips down my cheek. Ema steps forward with Juli perched on her shoulder.

"I think I'll miss you the most" I tell her as we embrace. "You were that close friend that I never really had growing up." She looks a bit surprised, then smiles at me.

"It was wonderful getting to know you" she says.

"You'll stay in contact?"

"Yes, of course."

With one final wave, Iori and I climb into Natsume's car. The ride is quiet, none of us wanting to speak or allow the moment to end. Fifteen minutes later, we arrive at the apartment complex which the Asahina brothers had tracked down for me. The place was large and spacious, but also extremely affordable. I had also gone job hunting a few days ago and now have multiple offers and available opportunities.

Natsume carries my suitcase to the third floor. Iori opens the door for us, and I feel the breath catch in my throat; I hadn't been with them when they had selected the place. It's white-washed walls glisten in the morning sunlight, and the entirety of the place is completely furnished. Masaomi warned me that he and the others had taken the liberty of furnishing it for me, however, I can't help but feel that they went a bit overboard in their lavish efforts.

Setting down my suitcase, Natsume places a hand on my shoulder. I look up at him to see that he's smiling vaguely in a similar manner to the one he had given me on the day we had spent time together.

"Melissa, my apartment is not far from here. Just know you can always come to me if you need anything."

"Thank you, Natsume." He nods before walking out the door.

I hear footsteps and turn to see Iori standing behind me with a bouquet of flowers. He places the bouquet in my hands, kisses my knuckles, and then departs. Left alone, I look down at the flowers and notice they are a mixture of pink and red carnations.

Their meanings: "My heart longs for you" and "I will never, ever forget."

Don't cry yet; it's not quite over. I didn't want to upload this chapter until I could fully complete the story (you're welcome), so you don't have to wait too long (a few seconds at most).

Anyway, review and favorite all y'all.

~Melissa-Disney99