Chapter 11 Last Scene

She stood out in the drizzling snow. It felt like rain. She couldn't tell if she was crying anymore, or if it was just the rain on her face. She just stayed there for a while, letting everything rush back, rush away, rush through her. Come on Mitsuki, you can do it. Pulling herself together, she willed herself to walk. She trudged through the familiar setting, the pathway, the trees, the open sky… She knew she would find him here, she could just feel it. Her pace quickened. Takuto… Pass the gateway, the school. She looked around, a hint of hope spreading on her face. She bit her lip, not here. She ran to the buildings.

"Takuto!" It echoed in the empty schoolyard. Where are you?… She ran circles around the area, calling his name, the rain hazing her vision. She stopped, just for a second to catch her breath. She ran out of the school gates and scanned the surrounding area. She felt the tears coming as her throat tightened. She search all over the area.

"Takuto!" She called him name aimlessly, hopelessly, just because there was nothing else she could do. "Taakuutoo!" She stopped and crouched down, burying her head in her arms. She was lost; on a street she didn't know, with people she didn't know. She sat down at an outdoor seat of a café, drenched.

"Miss can I get you anything?" she heard a voice. The waiter looked at her cautiously. She put her wet hair behind her ears and managed a smile.

"Anything please." He nodded and left. She heard something: it was her phone.

"Mitsuki? Miki!" Mitsuki smiled.

"Hi."

"WHERE ARE YOU?" Meroko's panicked voice blared.

"Avalon." It was met by a confused silence.

"What? Why?" Mitsuki didn't answer. Meroko's voice softened. "Oh…Miki…I'm…I'm so—"

"Its okay Meroko. Don't apologize." Mitsuki said to her friend.

"Here's your tea miss." The waiter interrupted. She put her phone down and took the cup.

"Thank you."

"Miki?" Meroko's voice buzzed on the phone. She sipped her tea, falling into a daze. "Mitsuki? Are you there?" She blinked and took a deep breath.

"Hi, sorry." I just don't want you to hear me cry.

"Its okay…have…you found him?" She asked hesitantly.

"No, not yet." A tear fell down her face. Meroko didn't know what to say. There was a long silence. "Thanks for calling Meroko, I'll talk to you later."

"Wait…Miki…" Meroko thought about what she should say, hesitating. "D-don't cry okay? I'll always be here for you…and you're a great friend Mitsuki. I love you." Meroko clutched the phone to her heart and prayed that Mitsuki will find him, her eyes filled with remorse, regret, sadness and yet joy.

Mitsuki closed her phone and smiled. She felt warmth in her heart. She felt tranquility rush over her. Mirroring her heart, she saw the sunlight pierce through the clouds as the rain lessened to a light mist.

She wiped away her tears and looked, with determination, to the sky. Why didn't any of her loves ever come true? Maybe true love just wasn't for her. She knew there would always be the tinge of sadness in her. But she could go on. Her mom, Takuto…and even Eichi, they would always be in her heart.

Mitsuki ran to school, rushing through the rain. Can't be late Miki. A year had passed since Takuto. Takuto… A mix of warm memories, happiness, nostalgia and sadness poured out when she thought about him. She ran faster, I promised Meroko I would meet her by 8… She cringed. She felt her foot bump into something and she tripped. She fell hard on the sidewalk the muddy rainwater splashing onto her clothes and smudging on her face. She felt tears in her eyes. She got up painfully and looked at her uniform, sighing. She wiped her eyes, but the tears didn't stop falling. She smirked through it, I can't believe I break down with something as small as this… She bit her lip. Its just the memories… She continued walking, not caring that the rain was drenching her. Suddenly, she felt the ground give away from her feet and she fell backwards, into someone's arms. She opened her eyes, trying to see through the rain. Takuto… It was the first thing that came to her mind. He leaned in close to her.

"Mitsuki…" She froze, her eyes went wide. They looked at each other. "You klutz," he quietly said with a smile.

She opened her mouth but couldn't say anything, she felt tears go down the side of her face. She looked into his eyes, she could see tears, or was it rain? She could see his love, and all she could do was smile.

"I love you," he whispered, and he kissed her in the rain.