In Love With A Ghost
"Thank you for everything, Karin Hanazono."
Karin opened her eyes. Confusion now dawning on her. "Why is this starting to sound like a goodbye?"
The smile Kazune had on his face turned into a sad one. "... Because it is."
"W-what?" Karin backed up a little. "What do you mean?"
"It's like I said. You've given me everything I didn't think I could get back again. There's nothing more I can ask for. It's time I move on and let you live your life, Karin." Kazune explained.
Karin shook her head. "No! There's still more I have to do... You can't go... I'm going to find a way to bring you back. Just wait a little more..."
"Karin, you can't bring the dead back to life. I'm always going to treasure the time we spent together. But my being here isn't healthy for you. You need to move on and live your life and be with someone you can actually be with." Kazune stepped towards her.
At this point Karin desperately wanted to tell him that he wasn't actually dead. That they really could be together. She wasn't sure how he'd take it though.
When she didn't respond, Kazune began to worry a little. "Karin?"
"Where are you going to go?" She didn't bother looking at him when she asked.
"I'll be with my family. I want to be closer to them." Kazune wished she'd look at him.
Karin nodded. "Don't go wandering through any locked doors now."
Taking it as a joke, Kazune chuckled. With his hand he guided her chin so she would look at him.
"Don't go flashing your underwear to other strangers now." He jokingly advised, referencing to when they first met and Karin fell down, exposing herself to him.
Karin blushed. "Must we go back to that!?"
They laughed for a few at the memory. When their laughter died down Kazune decided it was time for him to go. "I should go now. Take care, Karin." He tried smiling at her but it faltered quickly.
This was extremely hard for him to do. Even though the decision was mostly for Karin's sake, it was also for his. He knew he wouldn't be able to handle seeing Karin move on with someone else. He couldn't stay there and just simply be her friend. It would be hell for him.
With nothing else to say Kazune was on his way out. He stopped when he heard Karin say something.
"I love you."
Kazune looked back at her over his shoulder and smiled fondly. "I love you too." He finally said it. There was no reason not to now. And this was his final chance to say what he had wanted to the first time Karin told him she loved him.
Karin could feel a fluttering sensation in her stomach. He actually said it. He loves her too.
Leaving it at that, Kazune made his exit.
This would have been the moment for Karin to cry, but clinging onto the thought that it wouldn't be the last time that they say those words to each other kept her from shedding a single tear. To her crying meant that she wouldn't see him again, and she was too determined now to let that happen.
The next day at school Micchi and Karin spoke again privately during lunch.
The rest of the gang began to take notice and wondered what was going on between them. Jin especially.
Karin told Micchi about Kazune leaving her to live with his family.
"How are you holding up?" Micchi asked. He knew something was wrong when he saw her walk into the classroom that morning. She seemed a little withdrawn and distracted.
"I'll be better when we get him back." Karin replied.
Micchi smiled right after. "Well, looks like you'll be better quite soon. I spoke to my parents about the trip and it's in full swing for this weekend. Everything is going according to plan."
That was the kind of news Karin needed to hear right now. She returned the smile. "I'll tell, Prue."
Later that evening, Karin was on her bed trying to do her homework, but all she kept thinking about was how quiet it was in her room.
And lonely.
Usually, Kazune was there on her bed with her or sitting in air trying to get her attention and bug her.
She reminded herself that this was only temporary. That was when she got a text from Jin.
- You're in your room right?
Confused, Karin texted back telling him yes.
- Uh, yeah. Why?
Getting a reply almost immediately, she was surprised with the response.
- You should look out your window then.
Going to her window, Karin was even more surprised to see Jin sitting on the tree right out her window. "Oh my god, Jin! What are you doing?"
Jin laughed. "You seemed a little out of It today and I saw a movie not too long ago where a guy did this. Ya know, the whole climbing up the tree and into her window routine. That is if you'll allow me." He didn't want to come off any more creepy than he probably was.
Karin chuckled. "I'll allow it. But be careful!"
Jin slowly got up and walked on the sturdy branch, grabbing hold of another one on top for support. He safely made it to Karin's window much to her relief. She helped him in.
"You know you could have gotten yourself killed right?" Karin had to ask.
"Heheh, yeah. But it was worth it. I brought ice cream." He said lifting his arm to reveal a black bag on his arm. He pulled out the small cups of ice-cream and two spoons. After opening them he handed one to, Karin along with a spoon.
"Thank you." She smiled at the kind gesture.
They began eating their ice cream on Karin's bed. It was quiet for a few minutes until Karin broke the silence. "You didn't have to do this, but I really appreciate it."
"Of course I had to." Jin chuckled.
With a grin, Karin lowered her head a little. "Oh yeah? Well it's not like it's your job."
Jin stirred the spoon a little in his ice cream. "Well, I want it to be..."
Karin's grin faded at that. She looked up at Jin, unsure of what to say.
"... Unless the position has been filled?" This was his way of asking if she and Micchi were together.
She shook her head slowly. It was the truth after all. And whatever idea, Jin had that Karin and Micchi were together went away to his relief.
Jin leaned in close to, Karin. There was no room for her to back up.
"Would it be bad if I kissed you right now?" Even though he asked, he was still leaning in. Though it was slow enough to give her time to answer.
Karin didn't respond though. The closer he got to her, the more she imagined it was, Kazune.
The second their lips brushed, Karin knew she couldn't do it. "I can't." She said, facing away.
The speech, Kazune had given her about her having to move on got to her for a moment. She couldn't let that happen because in her eyes that meant defeat.
Kissing, Jin now to her would mean that she's never going to be able to bring back, Kazune.
Jin backed away. "I'm sorry if I came on too strong."
"I'm sorry too, it's just..."
"I know." Jin didn't need for her to say the rest of that sentence to know what she was going to say. "You still have feelings for the guy you told me about, right?"
Karin nodded slowly. She was expecting a negative reaction from, Jin. So she was surprised when she heard him chuckle.
"Luckiest guy in the world and he doesn't even know it. If he did, he'd be with you." Jin shrugged it off with a sad smile on his face.
"And if I knew any better, I'd pick the guy right in front of me." 'If only things were different.'
Even though the thought had crossed her mind, Karin knew she wouldn't trade a single second of the time she's spent with, Kazune.
Accepting her final answer, Jin changed the subject and the two stayed up simply talking almost the whole night.
End of chapter. 25
The last hint of JinxKarin. 5 more chapters till the end!
And how do you feel about Kazune leaving? Agree with his reasoning? Should Karin have told him he isn't dead? Let me know what you think!