Disclaimer: I do not own Karekano or any of its characters.
Roses
Chapter 1
"Good-bye, Yukino-san!" Mitara said as he kissed me on the cheek.
"Bye! Thanks for dinner!" I said.
"Is it okay if I ask you out again next week-end?" he asked.
"Sure! I'd love that."
"Great! Well, I better go now. Bye again!" I watched him walk towards the direction of his house. After a few minutes, he turned a corner and was out of sight. I took a deep breath and went inside the house. The door is still locked and the lights are still out. I frowned.
"I can't believe they have not arrived yet!" I'm talking of course about my two stupid sisters who have also gone out on a date, like me. "Argh! I hate being the eldest. Why do I have to take care of them?" I asked myself out aloud.
"Because you love us, don't you?" There by the door were Tsukino and Kano, my sisters.
"Where have you two been! Look at the time!"
"We're sorry! Besides, you've just arrive yourself, you know." Kano said.
"Okay! Okay! You win!" I smiled at them and they smiled back.
"So how did your dates go?" I asked them.
"They were fine...how was yours?"
"Okay...but still..."
"What?"
"Nothing."
"Oh, I see. He didn't give you that."
"Yeah...anyway, it's getting late. Let's sleep already." We went upstairs and got ready for sleep. I have my own bedroom now. Mom and Dad gave theirs to me when they went to America to work. Mom and Dad...I miss them so much. I picked the picture of them by my night lamp and stared at it. Why did they have to leave? Especially at the time I needed them the most? Why?... I placed it back on my side table and I saw the picture of us two-Arima and me-when we were still a couple. Both of his arms were around me and we looked so happy.
Arima-I was so lucky to have him but why did I have to let him go? Yes, it was I. I can still remember it though it was 4 years ago.
Flashback
Arima and I were on our school'rooftop gazing at the sunset.
"Arima, I'm going on a business school for college. You're going to attend the nursing school, right?"
"Yes. Don't worry. We can still see each other on week-ends." We gazed at each other's faces. He is smiling but I'm not.
"I've been thinking a lot lately-about you and me." I started.
"Uh-huh..."
"Well, I uh...I was thinking if...uh...if we could...if we could sort of like...cool off?" He stared at me with wide eyes.
"Are you kidding?"
"No, I'm serious, Souichiro-kun. It's just that I want to meet other people-guys."
"Is it me?"
"No, please don't misunderstand me. It's not you." I paused. "But we could still be friends. Best friends. We can still see each other and dateand act just like before. It's just the freedom that I want. Please..."
Arima looked at me for a long time. As if he could see the answer in my eyes. Finally, he embraced me and said, "If this will make you happy, then okay. I'll be happy to be your best friend." He smiled at me and kissed me. "But please remember that I'll wait for you until you're ready. I love you."
End of Flashback
Oh God! Why did I have to say that? I love him. I just realized it now. I hope he meant it when he said he'd wait for me...
Wake up, Yukino! Arima has a girlfriend! And he just told you last week that he's planning to marry her. Just accept it. He doesn't love you anymore.
With that, tears burst from my eyes. I cried and cried until I fell asleep.
There were no classes the next day since it was a holiday. I decided to visit Arima. When I got there, I let myself in with the key that Arima gave to me when we were still together. He trusted me with it until now. It's okay even with his parents because they want me to take care of him. Anyway, as I got in, there was nobody downstairs so I went up and headed straight for Arima's bedroom. I knocked twice but no one answered. So I opened the door. What I saw made my heart break into tiny pieces, made the hair all over my body stand up and caused me to drop my bag. On Arima's bed were he and his girlfriend. They slept together last night and who knows what might have happened between them.
My bag caused such a loud sound that they woke up. They both looked at me and I looked at Arima. All of us were very surprised.
"Oh my God! I'm so sorry! I'll leave now." I said holding back my tears.
"No! No, please just wait outside." Arima suddenly said. I nodded and closed the door. As I got to the living room, I threw myself on the couch, looked down and let my tears out. I immediately wiped them with my hands, fearing that they would catch me crying.
After a few minutes, they arrived fully dressed up. They sat before me.
"Look, I'm really sorry. I knocked but no one answered." I started.
"It's okay." Arima said.
"Yeah. It's only an accident. Besides, it happened before." Tsubame, his girlfriend added.
"Eh!" I was surprised not only because it happened before but also because it wasn't the first time they've slept together.
"Yes, Asaba caught us twice already." Oh, God! How long have they been sleeping together?
Anyway, I need to go now, Arima. You don't need to fetch me. You and Yukino need time together. I'll let myself out. Bye!" Tsubame stood up and they kissed lips to lips...in front of me! How insensitive! But then, they don't know how I feel...
"Goodbye, Yukino. Take care of my Souichiro." She winked at me and left.
"Since when have you two been sleeping together?" I asked. He smiled.
"Why? Jealous?" I raise my eyebrow. "Hehe...well, let's say about a month already. But don't worry, Yukino. It's just sleeping. Nothing more than that." He smiled at me. I'm so glad! I really won't speak to him again if it's more than sleeping.
"So, what brought you here?" he asked.
"I just wanted to see you. That's all." He stood up and sat beside me. "I've missed you..." I added.
"I miss you too." He replied. And then he hugged me. I'm so happy! I'm in his arms again! If only this could last forever...but then he pulled away.
"Do you want to go somewhere?" he asked me. I thought for a moment.
"How about the park?" I suggested.
"Sure. Let's go." He pulled me up from the couch and we left.
