Oh look who came back XD After 2 damn years.

What do I do now? Do I leave? Do I go in? If I leave they might catch me and stop me. But what do I say if I confront them? I have nothing with me right now. I guess even if 'Rein' had been "shopping", she doesn't necessarily need to have something with her. But the timing is too convenient. Fine has just left a short while ago and now Rein appears? They could get suspicious, and I'm not quite sure I want to chance these odds.

...No, I should go in, it's better for me to take initiative rather than hoping they don't catch me. With that in mind, I make my way into the jewellers. It seems like Bright was helping Altezza pick out some pair of earrings. That girl... how many pairs of earrings does she need? I'm quite sure she has a few hundred pairs by now. And she's still getting more? Ah, it seems like Bright has noticed me approaching, he gives me a polite smile. I smile back as I slowly approach them.

"Hi Bright, Altezza." I greet them, Altezza looks up, seemingly to have only just realised my entrance. Her eyes light up at the sight of me. "Rein! I was just talking about you with Fine!"

"Oh? Really?" Smiling, I cock my head to one side, not too sure how to react, best to smile and wait I guess.

"Yeah! Fine told me you were shopping, haven't found anything you like?"

I shook my head. "No, there were some really pretty dresses and all, but they didn't really suit me, either that or they didn't have my size." Altezza nodded, a knowing loook in her eyes, I can tell she can relate to those experiences very well. After all, Altezza loves shopping. Probably on par with 'Rein'. I glance at Bright, who has been silent during the whole exchange. It's funny how different he acts with the different 'twins'. Though it's true that he's always polite, but when he's with 'Rein', there seems to by some invisible barrier there. Yet that barrier is basically non-existent with Fine. Maybe it's because of 'Fine's' personality? I'm getting lost in my thoughts again, and I can sense their confusi-

"Rein? Are you alright?"

Ah, I zoned out for too long. I put on a small smile again. "Sorry, I just got a little distracted there, what were you saying, Altezza?"

Altezza rolled her eyes. "Jeez, you always zone out when my brother's here." She lowers her voice. "Anything you haven't been telling me, Rein?" She's smirking, she must think 'Rein' has some form of attraction to her brother, or at the least, testing if Rein does. I shake my head firmly. "No." I whispered back. I've been drifting off into my thoughts a bit too much these days, I must be getting too paranoid with everything.

"Anyways, I was just talking about how I invited Fine over for a sleepover over the weekend. Oh, she's also coming over to my house soon to meet up with Sophie for a little chat," Altezza says, while looking at another pair of earrings she's just found. "It's unfortunate that you're busy that day. What are you even doing on that day anyways?" So that's what she was talking about, and now she wants to know why I can't go over. I maintain my forced smile, cold sweat accumulating on my back. "Oh, you know, things."

Altezza raises an eyebrow at that."Things? Is this something so secretive you can't even tell me? Your best friend?"

"Well..." I trail off, unsure what to say.

"Altezza, what do you think of these?"

...Huh.

Unexpectedly, Bright cuts into the conversation, a pair of earrings in his hands, and definitely suitable for Altezza's taste. It's surprising why he would cut in at a time like this. After all, this does not really fit in with the persona he presents in public. However, he still helped me out of that 'interrogation'. I mutter a quiet thanks to him while Altezza is distracted by the earrings. He nods in response. Something flashes in his gaze, but it goes away too fast before I can fully pick up it's meaning.

"They're beautiful." Altezza manages to say, awe in her voice. Her eyes are glued to the earrings Bright picked out for her. "Thank you, big bro."

"You're welcome." Bright replies, that polite smile forever plastered onto his face. Altezza turns to me, the earrings in her hands. They really were beautiful. They were gold, with an intricate olive gem embedded in it. The gem was tear-shaped, and glistened under the light. I have a feeling it would be quite expensive, given its beauty. However, something as insignificant as a price was never something that stopped Altezza from getting what she wants. "They'll suit you." I said. It was true, in fact, it would go very well with many of Altezza's outfits. Bright really had an eye for these things.

She seems to have brighten up even more at my words, and it wasn't long before she went to the cash register to buy them. As she left, Bright approached me. He wants to talk outside. I can tell that much from knowing him for so long, so I nod. I quickly tell Altezza that we'll wait for her outside, then leave the shop with Bright. We stop a little distance away from the shop, but not too far for Altezza to lose sight of us.

"Are you alright?" He asks suddenly.

I freeze. Not used to such a question. How long has it been that someone's asked me something as simple as that? I meet his gaze. His eyes are full of concern. Ever the observant one, huh, Bright? I wouldn't be surpised if he's picked up something after all those times I've lied or avoided the answer. There's so much I wish to say. yet there are no words that come out of my mouth. So instead, I nod, and stay silent. Like I always have been when faced with a confrontation. He doesn't seem satisfied with my answer. It's clear that he's not convinced, but he doesn't push the matter. Like always. I think he realises that, though I don't know how. How similar we are. How similar he is with whatever sense of 'self' I have left. Which, to be honest I have almost none. All I've been doing my whole life is live under two separate masks. And he himself, also has one. Perhaps that's also why he's always left a distance or opened up to the 'twins'. After all, people are drawn by those similar to them, but also repulsed by such similarities.

"What about you?" I ask. His eyes widen, seemingly surprised. Why? He stutters a little before delivering an answer. "I-I'm the same as always. Yeah. There's nothing new, really."

We're left with silence after his response. The awkwardness of the conversation slowing seeping into our consciousness. Neither of us are really close, despite knowing each other for years and calling each other as the other's 'friends'. After all, Altezza has always been the link between us. He probably regrets bringing me out to talk. The both of us are uncomfortable and unsure how to continue this already dying conversation, unsaid words hanging in the air.

...I wonder, would the conversation been different if it was 'Fine' here?

Altezza approches us soon after, completely oblivious to the heavy air around the two of us. "Rein! Do you want to continue shopping with me? There's still a long time before I have to go back and meet with Fine."

"Sure!" I excalim cheerfully, hoping to lighten up the atmosphere. Altezza giggles happily, before linking her arm with mine and dragging me off with her. I look back at Bright, who quickly follows. He seems deep in thought, probably going over the few words we exchanged and the words that we both left unspoken. Knowing Bright, he'll probably try and dig out every hidden meaning behind each interaction, even if such a meaning does not exist.

I turn back to Altezza, who's excitement is still very much present. Unconsciously, I smile, infected by her joy in this moment. I should still try to enjoy this short time with her.

Even if it causes me more pain in the future.

Goodness, I feel like my writing style is very different compared to before (Probably bad news if it's still the same tbh XD). I hope it doesn't ruin the flow of the story too much.

And yes I'm very aware I've suddenly decided to resurrect myself from the dead after so long. I guess it's also a pity since the fandom is quite inactive now and that has slightly made me procrastinate writing even more. Regardless I'll try my best to finish these fics, and finally leave myself at peace LOL. Of course, My PMs are still open, if anyone would like to chat after so long XD.

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