I stare up at the stars on our balcony once Mizuku is asleep again. I have doubts, nothing but doubts.

I look down, then into the apartment. I can hear his voice in my head, what he would say if he looked at it.

"Goddamn matchbox." I mutter with a smile. That's what he would call it. Then he'd take me to his house, and I'd be amazed. He always amazed me.

I pull Mizuku's shirt over her head. She hates me to dress her, but I'm in a hurry. My heart is racing, and I can't help but shake as I brush her hair.

"Mama, where are we going?" She says calmly. I wish I could have some of her calmness.

"To Subaru's work. I have things to do, so you'll stay the night at Akane's house." I promise. Ya, I'll have Akane take her when I see him. It'll be easier to talk to him.

"Mama, Kikyo says she wants to go." She says holding up her doll to me. I smile and hand her my old school bag.

"Here, you take Kikyo, and this skirt, and this shirt." I hand her the clothes and she puts everything in neatly.

"Mama, can I bring my new movie? Auntie Akane likes Sailor Moon."

"You take everything you want Mizu." I laugh. She starts looking through her doll house, and I go into the bathroom and change into the clothes Akane bought me the day before.

I look up at the mirror. A gasp escapes my lips, and I almost fall over. That's me.

I look back down at the skirt, and top, and am amazed how well I've grown into them. Yes I'm vain, but four years of being concerned over being fat, then finding out your not, is a big shocker.

"Mama, where are you?" Mizu's voice calls out. I turn and she stands before me, the bag full to the point that the clasp won't stay shut.

"I got all my stuff." She says grinning up at me. I put her brush into the bag, and we leave the apartment, and once again I hear his voice in my head.

"Its really you."

As I follow the directions I got from Akane, I can't help but feel nervous. Mizuku's grasp on my wrist isn't helping either. She's holding tight, obviously frightened of the crowd around us.

"Hatsumi! Over here!" Akane calls out from a large store. My eyes widen.

The building is two stories high! Anime characters are painted on the white walls, and a crowd is forming around it. Mizuku clings to me, whimpering from the crowd. I pick her up and run to where Akane is standing, and she leads us into the store.

"It's so crowded." I moan as we go into an empty room. She sits in a computer chair and laughs.

"Its like that everyday. Ryoki and Subaru put together make quite a team. Sometimes Subaru has me go outside in a cosplay costume. Oh that reminds me, I got Mizuku a Kagome costume." She pulls out a bag from behind some papers and I let Mizuku go play.

While Mizuku is delighted by Akane, I watch through the one-way window at the customers. Everyone is so happy, and then I see him.

Ryoki is standing by Subaru, both of them talking to a couple teenagers in cosplay. They teens nod, and go opposite directions in the store. Then Subaru and Ryoki talk.

Thump, thump, thump.

My heart is pounding, and even though I know he can't see me its as if he can feel me here.

"Hey look its Ryoki and Subaru!" Akane says from behind me. Lord help me now.

"Ryoki?" Mizuku's confused voice fills my head.

Akane puts a hand on my shoulder, as if to calm me down. I take a deep breath, but its as if the air is water, and I'm drowning. Drowning in so much self-doubt...

"Come on Mizu, let's go get some ice cream, then we'll stop by my apartment. After that we'll go do whatever you want to do." Akane says in a kind voice.

I don't move. I keep my eyes on Ryoki. Once Akane and Mizu are gone I sit down in the computer chair and wait patiently.

I feel so stupid.

Even though I've grown up, I'm still that stupid girl that he dragged around.

I'm still Ryoki Tachibana's.

"Hey I thought you said Akane was working today?" Ryoki's voice fills my head, and I listen as Subaru says something.

The door is opening. Please God,

"Hatsumi?" Subaru says shocked. Promise me God,

"Hatsumi!" I feel Ryoki drawing nearer. God, say I made the right decision.

He turns the chair on its wheels, so I am facing him. Every bit of me wants to jump into his arms. He beats me to it.

Before I know what's happening, Ryoki has picked me up completely from the chair. His arms are so tight around me.

"Ryoki, please stop your hugging too tight!" I say weakly.

No Ryoki, don't let go. Please, I don't want to be alone anymore.

"I can't. Damn it I've waited too long." He says softly. My heart is pounding so fast I can't think.

Subaru shuts the door behind him as he leaves, and then Ryoki looks into my eyes.

"Where have you been? Why'd you leave? Don't runaway this time, I'll run after you if you do."

I smile, a true smile after so long. I wrap my arms around his neck, and laugh.

"I'm still here, I just got an apartment, and I wouldn't runaway for anything."

Never Ryoki, never ever will I leave you again.

A/N Thank you everyone for your reviews. You guys rock so hard! This isn't the end, I plan on having lots more, but sadly I still end with sort of cliffhangers. This is one too because

hint hint Ryoki'll end up walking away from her upset next chapter hahhahahahhahahaha!