Chapter XVII: True Love?


The two preteens stood there in lingering silence. Both were surprised by the words of Gaignun. Momo simply stood there with an expression he couldn't read. It was thoughtful and confused. She didn't know what do say. This was the second time that week someone told her they loved her.

Gaignun took a deep breath to conclude his confession. The question has been burning on his mind for a long time. "Would you…do you love me back?"

Another silence. Though this time the tension was almost unbearable for him.

"Gaignun, I don't know what to say." Momo said. "I mean—"

Here we go, Gaignun thought. She's going to reject me. I should've known Albedo…

"I think I like you back. But then, I feel the same way towards Albedo. Although, wouldn't that be unfair? I've never liked somebody in that type of way before. So, I'm sorry."

His heart constricted and suddenly he felt regretful. I shouldn't have pushed her. She likes Albedo; she's just trying to be nice to you. I shouldn't have told her I loved her. I'm such an idiot. She probably hates me now and if she tells Albedo, he'll hate me too.

"I'm not sure how I feel towards you or Albedo. Please, don't take it upon yourself." Momo said, lightly touching his shoulder.

Her cell phone began to ring at that moment. She opened the cell phone to reveal a text message. 'Momo, come home soon. I need you to help me prepare for the festival. See you soon. Sakura."

I wonder why she didn't just call me. "I think we should be heading home now Gaignun. Sakura wants me to help me with something."

"Alright." He said and they walked home in peace.

…they didn't happen to notice the two strangely dressed figures on the other side of the fountain. Listening on their conversation for the last five minutes.

xXx

"Well we're here." Gaignun said breaking the silence. "I better get going now." He turned to the Yuriev Institute."

"Wait!" Momo called after him.

"Yeah…" He said a bit expectantly.

"Please don't feel bad. I'm still trying to work my feelings out for everybody." Momo said softly. She hesitated slightly before giving him a friendly hug. He seemed taken back but he responded.

"I'll see you at school tomorrow." She said brightly before skipping back home.

"Yeah me too…" He said when Momo was out of ear-shot. He brought out a gorgeous crimson rose and admired its beauty before hiding it in his pocket.

xXx

Sakura and Jr. were hiding behind some ferns at the Mizrahi residence. They observed the whole scene before them. Their sinister brains concocted ideas.

"What do you think we should do now?" Sakura asked.

"There's not much we can do except sit back and watch the show." Jr. replied.

"What do you mean?" She said.

"It turns out everything is going as planned without us needed to do much. The postal box idea just made things worse."

"You're right on that. I think I got a hangnail." Sakura complained.

"Oh stop being such a wuss." Jr. scolded. "At least that gave us a better view of the date."

"We were so close to getting caught. We almost got kicked out."

"Almost. You don't need to be so nitpicky on every detail. We turned out fine." Jr. sighed. "The only thing we need to worry about is Gaignun getting mad at us."

"Us? You mean you. He's your brother."

"He told me telepathically, if anything were to go wrong, he would kill us. And believe me; you don't want to tick him off."

"Fine, fine. I guess the only thing we can do now is give them hints."

"What kind of hints?" Jr. said suspiciously.

"You know. We have to convince them to ask the other out at the festival without seeming too obvious."

"I get what you mean, but how do we do that?" Jr. asked.

"Sakura, where are you!" A voice called.

"Oh no, that's Momo, I got to run. Just do the best you can." Sakura pecked Jr. on the cheek before racing to her house.

Sometimes, I wonder how I fell in love with such a crazy girl, Jr. thought shaking his head before escaping back to the institute.

xXx

Albedo was already home watching T.V in the boy's dorm when Gaignun snuck in quietly. However his attempt failed when he noticed him.

"Hey, Nigredo where have you been?" Albedo asked, with a trace of suspicion.

"Out." Was his simple reply before shutting the door to his room.

"Out where?" He stuck his tongue out at the closed door when no response came. "Now that I think about it, Rubedo's gone too."

At that moment, Jr. came sauntering in. He dropped his backpack on the floor and plopped on the bed. He began flipping through the channels leisurely.

"Were have you guys been?" Albedo questioned. "It's already 5:00."

"So? Our curfew isn't until 6:30." Jr. said, ignoring the first sentence.

"Still," Albedo began. "You guys always tell me when you're going somewhere."

Jr. raised an eyebrow at Albedo and said annoyed. "Stop being such a baby, Albedo. You're acting as if you're my mom or something."

"I am not!" He protested. "Aren't you guys supposed to be my best friends?"

"Of course we are." Jr. said indifferently. "But we're big boys now, Albedo. We can take care of ourselves."

"Fine, whatever. Be that way, see if I care." Albedo huffed feebly. Jr. smiled inside. He knew Albedo didn't mean it.

"Though I heard Gaignun went out with Momo sometime today…" Jr. said casually.

"What!" Albedo yelled.

"Didn't you hear? I just said it. Why do you care so much anyway?"

"Why did Nigredo go out with her? Does he like her?" Or vice versa?

"Well, they have been acting pretty friendly. I'd say…Albedo where are you going!" Jr. inquired but he was already out the door.

I gotta ask Momo before it's too late, Albedo thought determinedly.

xXx

Sakura and Momo were preparing there clothes for the rose festival, which was tomorrow. They had already purchased red, yellow, and white roses. Now they had to pick their outfits.

"Why did we have to buy so many roses?" Momo asked.

"Just in case. We have to be prepared for anything. The roses at the festival will be sold for higher prices and will run out quickly." Sakura replied.

"Yes, but why these individual colors?"

"Each color stands for a different meaning, Momo." Sakura said. "A red rose meaning, 'will you go out with me?' A yellow rose meaning 'no thank you.' A white rose meaning, 'yes I accept.'

"I remember." Momo said. "But I'm not sure who to give this red rose to. Could I give a rose to two different people?"

"I guess you could Momo. But usually the red rose is reserved for one person only. Someone that's truly special to you." Sakura responded carefully, knowing of Momo's love conflict between Gaignun and Albedo.

"What if you don't know which one you like better?"

Sakura sighed. "I don't know what to say, Momo." She continued when she saw Momo's crestfallen face. "You have to let your heart guide you. When I first met Rubedo, I knew he was the one. It's a feeling that you know you were meant to be. True love."

"How do I know when that comes?"

"I'm sure you'll find out for yourself, sis."

"I hope so…"

"Don't worry. I'm sure the one you love is right under your nose. Now, which dress should I wear at the festival? The red one or the white one?"

xXx

Jr. was pursing Albedo to the Momo's house. He didn't want anybody to persuade her on who she liked. Sakura made him promise nothing would bias Momo's decision. If Albedo asked her who she loved, she might choose him over Gaignun. Jr. wanted Momo to choose for herself even if it did break him brother's heart, one or the other. It was the only way.

"Wait Albedo!" Jr. called.

Albedo came to a halt without looking back. "What is it Rubedo?" He said coldly.

"I'm sorry for being mean to you. I didn't mean anything I said. I was trying to make you mad on purpose."

"Is that so? For what reason?" Jr. knew Albedo was pretending to be careless.

"Momo likes you…" Jr. saw his features soften, "and Gaignun both. Her feelings are too undeveloped to choose between you two."

Albedo hardened again at the mention of Gaignun. "Why did he decide to go out with Momo, if I liked her?"

"He didn't know, neither of us did." Though Jr. wasn't sure of this. "This is the first time you've ever liked anybody before."

That's true, Albedo thought weakening slightly. "But, why are you telling me this?"

"Because I don't want either of you guys to get hurt. But Momo will have to choose one of you eventually."

"When?"

"The rose festival. That's when you have the opportunity to tell her your feelings. Gaignun is going to do the same most likely. I want this to be fair."

"Alright." Albedo sighed. "It would've been easier if this wasn't against Nigredo…"

"Don't think of it like that. Remember, everything happens for a reason." Jr. comforted.

"I guess…"

May the best man…for Momo win. And end up not killing each other. Luckily for Jr., Albedo and Gaignun didn't intercept this thought.


A/N: Hmm...I wonder who she'll choose. And next chapter will havetwo new pairings introduced. If anybody can figure them out I'll dedicate a chappie to them.Hint: There's from the group of friends: Momo, Sakura, Jr., Gaignun, Albedo, Mary, Shelley, and chaos. Everybody will be used.

Review Replies:

Kos-mosMomo: Yep Sakura and Jr. were in the box. And as you recall in the previous chapter, the box was about 180 pounds. Which required Momo, Gaignun and Shion to help lift it. I thought that was kind of cute.

Devilman666: I'm planning on adding new pairings in the sequel. Ziggy/Juli is one of them. There are two others but I don't want to spoil what they are. :P

Leoth: You'll just have to see. I might even add an alternate ending if I'm not too lazy.

Ariennye: The next chapter will finally be the rose festival with a surprise or two. Two other pairings will be introduced.