Hello dear readers, sorry for the late update! I have been busy with classes and my university projects just piled up after the new years. I'd like to get back to my routine of thanking my loyal readers who have supported me so far, and I hope you would like this little chapter.

*This is a what-if scenario* Do let me know what you guys think :) Enjoy~

Sometimes, you would wonder, if the ones we loved ever truly left us

Matt wondered, from time to time, how he even got himself into this situation every time. It was always something small, something insignificant, which then led to a full-scale argument. She would huff, and puff, and her cheeks would turn red. He would blink, and stutter, and tries his best to appeal to her sense of reason, to no avail. In no way, no how, would he ever be caught dead in a pink shirt which screams 'I'M WHIPPED'. He should have just put on the stupid shirt, he thought grimly.

Matt knew how to diffuse the situation though. He caught on, after a long period of time hanging around the delicate yet dangerous time bomb known as Mimi. No matter how loud they would scream at each other, how she would jump and bite at him (he secretly enjoys that) and how loud she cried, he would always come back to her, chocolate cake in one hand, the other ready to welcome her into his embrace, as she would always forgive him. He wished he could touch her one more time.

Mimi loves to play with his hair. They would be tangled together, their hot and hormonal youthful adventures. She would always be bunching his hair together, making it into a small ponytail. He would laugh, his voice a sweet allure prickling on her senses. She would nibble away on his neck, playfully, seductively and she would growl when he pretends to not notice, quietly strumming his guitar. He wanted to go back to those times again.

Their apartment was small, but there was enough room for the two to live in. Matt took a big leap when he asked Mimi if she wanted to stay together. She leapt at the chance, shrieking a million yes'es' in the middle of the café, not caring who was around (It gave poor Kari a jolt). Everybody pitched in to help them move, especially Sora. When she appeared the whole gang was shocked, expecting another one of their episodes; Joe was half-ready to intervene, and Tai walked quickly to Matt, just in case he would pounce at her. They were speechless however, when Matt let out a bark of a laughter, giving her a quick hug, and she would return it, a warm smile plastered on her face. The gang was whole again. There were so many things he wanted to tell them, to her.

Matt was deathly pale the night he agreed to a dinner plan with Mimi's parents. He was sweating cold sweats, legs shaking like jelly, and there was a bile in his throat he can't quite swallow. He wore his best suit, hair swept back with an unbelievable amount of gel, face cleanly shaven of any patchy facial hair. The Tachikawas were as every bit explosive as his girlfriend (he liked that word). They were full of energy, of laughter, of warmth, that he could not help but relax around them. Mimi smiled as she watched her father talked enthusiastically with her boyfriend (she liked that word) about his musical journey, about their time in the Digital World. He would turn to look at her, and they would share a moment, hands intertwined underneath the table. Matt wished he could have properly asked her parents for her hand.

Even though he does not show it, Matt was always fighting with his own inner demons. Mimi hated it, that as a couple, they would function almost decently, he would still shut her out. It would be of his estranged relationship with his mother, of actually diving fully into music as his career, of (he would never, ever tell her this) the prospect of their relationship actually surviving till the end of times. Mimi would come to terms with his brooding, though not fully, as she would kick him in the shins, hard, whenever he finally leaves his 'brooding' room, and immediately sits down with him, gently caressing his hair, shushing him gently and whispering soothing words of him pulling through it, whatever it may be. Matt missed her touch terribly.

Their life together was like a routine time table, if only the time table had nothing written on it and never abided upon. She would take ages, even eons, in the shower. Matt would bang the door loudly, being terribly late for his band practice. Mimi would open the door, eventually after the umpteenth time he knocked, hair wet and eyes fluttering seductively. She would slowly pull him inside, licking her lips, and he would gulp, blood rising to his face. They learnt to share the shower every morning after that. He ended up being late every day after that compromise. Matt recalled those steamy moments as if they were yesterday.

Mimi's heart was beating madly, as she rushed to their apartment. She had forgotten, of her trip with the girls to a dress store, one that tailored a specific kind of gown. She berated herself for being so stupid, to have left them with their home number, to wish that he was not home yet to answer their call. As she fumbled with the keys she realized their door was unlocked, and he walked past her briskly, not even a word as he quickly entered the elevator. Mimi was rooted to the spot, her mind slowly processing what just happened. She slowly walked in, her hand shaking as she picked up the wireless phone off the floor. She knew he had received the call, and surely enough, he would have misunderstood. That wedding dress was not meant for her, nor was it a secret hint for Matt in any way. She took deep breaths, she knew he was off somewhere to cool down. She would explain, calmly, that it was just a misunderstanding, that she was not pressuring him to do anything. Yes, everything will be fine, she knew he would be back, chocolate cake in hand.

Matt however, swallowed it calmly. He was home early, had seen the beeping light of their answering machine, and had heard the woman on the other line spoke of "Miss Tachikawa's bridal gown." It was like a gentle slap, a sudden realization that he had been sitting on that decision for a long time. Finally he took that leap of faith, and he quickly made his way outside, passing his girlfriend. He did not stop, could not stop, for he was a man with a mission. He waved her goodbye when he reached the elevator, though he was not sure if she had seen him. He walked a couple of blocks away, to a shop he had passed by so many times, to have seen the perfect stone he wanted to give her. He made a deal with the jeweler, a pricey affair but he knows it was worth it. She was worth it. His mind filled with the prospect of his future, their future together.

He stopped at the crossing, the light has yet to turn green. He took out his phone, remembering and knowing exactly who his best man is going to be. He quickly dialed his best friend's number, though it went into voicemail.

"I'm gonna ask Mimi to marry me." He said excitedly. "I love her Tai. She's the one. I got the ring, I'm gonna ask her right n-"

And the sirens blared all night long.

Mimi replayed that voice note over and over again. Every day, every moment, and it had been weeks. The apartment was cold, dark, and unwelcoming. His shirts were all over the place, and so were their pictures together. She sat in the middle of their small apartment, his guitar in her arms, she pressed the 'play' button again, an engagement ring worn on her thin finger.

"I'm gonna ask Mimi to marry me." (Her tears won't stop).

"I love her Tai." (Her heart was already crumbled).

"She's the one." (She lets go of the guitar, pulling her hair desperately).

"I got the ring, I'm gonna ask her right n-"

"MIMI!"

The front door was forcefully opened, bringing in the bright light of the sun outside (she cursed the brightness of it all). Her friends clamored inside, she quickly hid the phone inside her pocket. Seconds later Sora was by her side, embracing her in a motherly fashion. Kari had obviously been crying, still hiccupping. Tai's eyes were still red, and Mimi realized so was everyone's. Her own was hollowed, dead even.

"Mimi." Sora finally spoke, her voice filled with love and warmth. "Mimi." She shook her again, gently.

The brunette looked at the ginger, her eyes still wet.

"It's been three weeks." (Three weeks since what?)

"We've buried him." (Who?)

"He wouldn't want you to be sad over him." (Who?)

"He loved you, so much Meems. And we love you too, that's why we can't stand to see you like this." (Who?)

"He…He's gone Meems."

(Who?) "…Who?" Her voice was hoarse, her throat dry, after so many days of not uttering a word, to anyone.

Sora looked at her pitifully, her grip tighter.

For all the things Matt would miss, or so she thought he would miss, Mimi did not know what she should do next. With tears falling freely, she looked towards the guitar, seeing the man she loves, his hair as wild as ever, a ghost of grin on his face, cigarette on his lips, calling her name sweetly.

"If- If you're okay with it, l-let's go out today, just to the park. Get some fresh air, or… or maybe you'd like to…visit his grave…"

Sora's voice seemed so far away now, for Mimi was still staring at the silhouette of her love. He took her hand into his, rubbing the ring gingerly. She imagined it, saw it, felt it, her eyes following the mute motion of his lips, the words she would have said yes to. She bit her bottom lip until she tasted blood, gripping the hands of the ghost who was once hers.

Will you marry me?

...

...

...

"…Yes…"