Chapter 2:
It can't be true
"She's coming. Over." The alien hissed into the walkie-talkie as he prepared to face her. I will not fail in my first mission. You will not foil me, Purin Fon!
"Hello…Mew Pudding." Purin whipped round instantly.
"What? Who are you?"
"That's not important. I have better things to do than sit down and chat with you, Pudding. For example, this."
"AAAHHH! Ee, Shin, Tuan, Jin!"
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"Ichigo, stop dreaming and get back to work. How long are you intending to dream?" Minto chided.
"What about you?" Ichigo complained as she picked up a broomstick. "Aren't you going to help?"
"Well, I HAVE to have my afternoon tea, I thought I told you that already a long time ago."
"…" Ichigo seethed with rage upon hearing that.
Minto smiled. "There, there…""Ahem, all of you, please gather at the basement." Ryou interrupted. Minto looked a little displeased, but she put down her cup and followed suit along with the rest of them.
"We have detected aliens heading for earth." He paused for a moment. "And…there's a chance invasion may begin again. Wait a second. Where's Purin? None of you must miss this important briefing."
"Purin? She…oh, I don't remember seeing her today…" Retasu commented. "Maybe she's ill."
"I don't think so. I mean, she would have at least called if that was true." Ichigo pointed out.
"You're right…" Retasu mumbled.
"Excuse me, but I don't like monkeys." Zakuro spoke as she raised up a monkey.
"That's Purin's monkey!" Ichigo exclaimed. "Put it down, Zakuro!"
Sighing, Zakuro placed down the monkey. Immediately, it began to move, grabbing a bottle of chili.
"Hmm…I've been 'mewnapped'!" Minto read the words out loud with expression. "Oh my god!"
"Why do they like to 'mewnap' Purin so much? The previous time was also her!" Ichigo muttered.
"She is the youngest, after all." Retasu quipped.
"Yup. Don't act smart, Retasu." Ichigo grumbled. "I was just talking to myself."
Retasu's eyes filled with tears. "I…I'm sorry…"
"That won't do. You're always so clumsy, Retasu. You give me more work than rest!"
"I…" Retasu turned and ran, unable to hold back her tears.
"Wait Retasu!" Minto cried out. She turned to Ichigo sharply. "What's up with you, Ichigo? You hurt Retasu's feelings!" Minto snarled at her. "We've gone through thick and thin together, what do you think you're doing?"
"Shut up!" Ichigo retorted. "I'm warning you, Minto…"
"Stop bickering, you two!" Ryou started, but was cut in.
"Warning me what?"
"Mew Mew…OW! Zakuro, you…"
"This has gone far enough. Stop what you are doing now, Ichigo." Zakuro hissed.
"Rest assured you people, I will NEVER see you again!" Ichigo shouted as she stormed off, holding her wrist. Ryou sighed, and raced off to his room.
"Retasu!" Minto ran over. "Retasu…"
"She's right. I am clumsy. I am…just…stupid!" Retasu murmured.
"No, you're not. You may not be her friend anymore, but Zakuro and I are still your friends, Retasu! Remember the song, Best Friend?"
Retasu cheered up as they sang. After all, it was her favourite song.
Best friend,
Never gonna let you down
Best friend,
Always gonna be around
You know,
Whatever life puts you through
I'll be there for you
We all need a best friend,
To understand
A best friend,
To take your hand
You know,
Whatever life puts you through
I'll be there for you
Zakuro looked at them singing. Minto does have a kind side. Just as I expected. She can't be sarcastic all the time. One day it will come out, the kindness in her heart.
She turned, heading back into the Café, where a song was playing. Huh? This song…
Everybody's got something,
They had to leave behind
One regret from yesterday,
That just seems to grow with time
There's no use looking back or wondering,
How it could be now or might have been
All this I know but still I can't find ways to let you go
I never had a dream come true,
Till the day that I met you
Even though I pretend that I've moved on,
You'll always be my baby
I never found the words to say
You're the one I think about each day,
And I know no matter where life takes me to,
A part of me will always be with you…
Somewhere in my memory,
I've lost all track of time
And tomorrow can never be,
Cuz yesterday is all that fills my mind
I never had a dream come true,
Till the day that I met you
Even though I pretend that I've moved on,
You'll always be my baby
I never found the words to say
You're the one I think about each day,
And I know no matter where life takes me to,
A part of me will always be with you…
You'll always be the dream that fills my head,
You'll always be the one I know
I'll never forget
It's no use looking back or wondering,
Because love is a strange and funny thing
No matter how hard I try and try,
I just can't say goodbye
I never had a dream come true,
Till the day that I met you
Even though I pretend that I've moved on,
You'll always be my baby
I never found the words to say
You're the one I think about each day,
And I know no matter where life takes me to,
A part of me will always be with you…
"Sister Zakuro? Are you alright?" Minto asked, a concerned tone showing in her voice. Zakuro realized she must have been crying.
Trying her best to keep her tone cool and not shaky, she hastily wiped her tears away. "I'm fine, Minto. Why do you ask?"
"Because…you're crying." Retasu spoke softly.
Zakuro paused.
"It's okay, sister Zakuro. It is your story if you want to tell. Stick with your decision!" Minto reassured her with a smile.
Zakuro turned to her. "Minto…I never imagined myself saying this to you, but…thank you."
Minto had never felt so happy when she heard that.
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"I feel…so powerful. So powerful that I can do it now…but…I'll wait. I'll wait till I regain full power." Ichigo whispered confidently in her room. She eyed her glowing hands, then finished up her promise. "And then, it will be ShowTime."
