Kisa slowly took out her tape recorder from her purple bag and clicked it to turn it on. She held it close to her lips as she whispered, "Ne, this is Agent Kisa, your official reporter for the day. We are now approaching the Sohma Mansion, where the special celebration lies for my dearest older cousin Yuki Sohma."
She turned to look at Tohru at her side. "I am now here with Honda Tohru-san. She now wears a special white gown given and worn by her mother from the past Sohma celebration. Since this is a masquerade ball, Ayame-san made a special mask for her which is suitable for the gown itself."
She went closer and whispered. "Ne-san, say something…"
"Eh?" Tohru turned to look at her. "What are you doing, Kisa-chan?"
"I'm making a documentary for Ayame-san." Kisa explained. "He said that he's not coming…"
"Mou… why not?!" the onigiri asked sadly.
"Ne, he has some things to do but don't worry." Kisa smiled. "I'll be right here." She raised the tape recorder. "Let's get going to our interview, ne? I need to keep things updated for Ayame-san…"
"What?"
She giggled. "Anyway… a few hours ago," she continued her speech with the recorder. "Ne-san made a agreement with Hatori-san that she would stay in the party for an hour and talk to Yuki. Ooh… sounds like a dare…"
Kisa turned to Tohru. "How does it feel?"
"…nervous… but I think… this is a great opportunity to meet up with Yuki-kun." Tohru answered finally. "But I think… he won't even know me…"
"Ne-san, it's not over yet. Just stay cool and you'll be just---" Kisa stopped as their vehicle jerked sideways.
"Maam, we have reached the Sohma mansion." The driver called up ahead. After a few moments, the door opened and both ladies stepped outside the vehicle.
"Ne, it is officially… 8:00 in the evening! Countdown for two hours starts now!" Kisa said excitingly while Tohru stared at the mansion in front of her.
Okaa-san, like Cinderella, I'll be stepping at the doors of the castle and I'll be meeting my prince. He will come from the highest doors of the house like an angel coming from heaven. I hope he'll see me….
"Ne-san, let's go in!"
"Hai…"
"Where are you going?" Kagura asked as she followed Yuki towards the back door.
"I can't stay here." He muttered.
"What do you mean you can't stay here?! It's your birthday for crying out loud!" she yelled. And this is your party! I think you're the only birthday celebrant in the history who runs away from a birthday party!"
"I have something to do---"
"At this time of the night?!" she argued. "Wearing those clothes?!"
Yuki looked down at the suit he was wearing. "I'll be out for a while. I need to see someone before I…do this."
"Where are you going then?" Kagura said with her arms crossed. She frowned, while he smiled.
"I'll be okay. I won't be long." He assured. "I promise."
"It is officially 8:08 in the evening." Kisa whispered at her tape recorder. "SO far, I am standing near the food table while Ne-san is getting some punch. It seems like Yuki-kun is not here yet."
"There you are…"
Kisa spun around and smiled. "Haru-san!"
Haru was wearing a blue tuxedo with matching silver mask. He grinned at her. "Nice, you recognized me."
"Of course, you're a Sohma." She giggled.
"Huh?" he pointed at the tap recorder she was holding. "What's that for?"
"For Ayame-san…" she whispered. "He's not coming…"
"Why?"
"He has reasons---"
"To miss his brother's birthday??? That's not right." Haru pointed.
"Ei!" Kagura called out. "Have you seen Kyou?"
"Kyou?" Haru wondered. "It's really very impossible for him to be here."
"Nani?!" she pouted.
"Have you seen Yuki?"
"He just left… for something…" Kagura thought.
Haru stared at her. "He left? But why?"
"Dunno…"
Tohru glanced at her watch. 8:30. She looked up the huge grandfather clock near her. 8:31.
She sighed and wondered. Okaa-san, time is so slow against me. I don't know why…
"My GOD!"
Tohru spun around and a woman in orange gown stared at her. "Could it be? Is it she???"
"Eh???" Tohru wondered.
"It can't be… but it's you!" she yelled as she hugged her. "Oh my God, Tohru! It's been a long time…"
Okaa-san, who is she? Her eyes focused to another girl from behind. She wore a dark violet dress with a mysterious black mask. Her eyes roared at her… but it gave Tohru an idea who she is.
"Hana-san." She called.
"Ne???" the orange dressed girl pulled back and stared at the onigiri. "How come you remember her and not me?!"
Tohru sweatdropped. "Iie, I didn't, Uo-san." She smiled.
"Yes, I'll be right there." Ayame sang as he placed the receiver on the table. "Gure is such a persuasive person." He opened his closet and got his best suit out. "He even forced me to go his party. *sigh* I still need to reschedule everything…"
Just then, the doorbell rang. He swiftly but lazily went towards the door, his suit was still on his arm. As he opened it, he stared at the man outside.
It was Yuki.
"My dear brother!" he yelled. "What are you doing here? Should you be at the party?"
Yuki didn't say anything. His eyes were focused to Ayame, giving him the chills.
"Are… are you ok?" Ayame asked. He was a bit concerned. He doesn't look so good. I wonder…
"Let's go…" Yuki whispered.
"Huh?"
"Take me somewhere." The young Sohma ordered. "Anywhere… miles from here… away from everything…"
"Why?" He dropped his suit and placed his hands on Yuki's shoulders. "Why is it? Why do you want to run away?"
"…I'm eighteen." The nezumi whispered and stared at him. "I just broke away. I'm not a puppet anymore…"
Ayame smiled. "Of course you are. From the very beginning, you are not a puppet. You are a Sohma. We are independent, right?"
"Yes but…"
"You have to be in the party." Ayame reminded him. "Everybody expects you… even her…"
"Tohru?" he suddenly asked.
The older Sohma smiled. "Yes, she's waiting… probably, her time is running out. If you won't be there on time, maybe… just maybe, she won't see you again."
"Why?" Yuki asked curiously.
"This is the last night when the two worlds collide as one." Ayame said dramatically. "Tell me, you're eighteen and the riches of Sohma will be passed to you. You are a rich and famous… but what about Tohru? She cannot even enter the premises of the Sohma mansion."
"This is the only night when she sees you as an equal." Ayame ended. "Please be there…."
Yuki thought for a moment and nodded. "Yes I will."
"Good."
"What are you waiting for?!" Yuki asked. "Get dressed! You can't miss my party! You're my brother!"
"Hai…Hai…" God, now I can see he's old enough to order me around.
Tohru again glanced at the watch. 8:50. She sighed heavily. One hour left…
"Mou… where is Yuki-kun?" Kisa cried.
"He'll be here." Haru whispered.
"How can you say that?"
Soon the music stopped and all of them looked at the main door. Two men in black suits came. And one of them had no mask on.
"Ayame-san!" Gure yelled. "You're supposed to wear a mask!"
"Sorry…" Ayame laughed.
Tohru's eyes were not focused at Ayame but at the younger one beside him. Black suit… black mask… my height and… silvery hair…
Her heart was pounding fast. She clamped her hands together. Okaa-san… I have a sudden feeling…that this person next to Ayame-san is…
Yuki scanned the room for a familiar face (or mask) and his eyes caught a woman in striking white gown and white feathery mask. My height… long brown hair…This… this cannot be…
Their eyes met… and soon the music began.
Kisa smiled and held her recorder. "Agent Kisa here." She whispered. "Officially it is 8:55 in the evening. An hour has passed but it's not over yet. They're already here… and it's up to them to meet each other…"
