Disclaimer: I don't own KHR, it belongs to Amano Akira

Chapter Five: Adapting

After my little, ahem-minor pandemonium of emotions, I came to an unsettling realization.

I couldn't live in this world as Cassidy anymore.

After meeting the Robert look a like, the notion I had been trying to avoid had finally sunk in.

No one knew Cassidy, no one knew me. The past twenty one years of my life were gone, all of the people who I developed experiences with had no memory of me. The memories of every laugh, every tear, every smile I've received and given were non-existent in this world. My cynical best friend was no longer my best friend, my cranky old neighbor who used to yell at kids to get off his lawn was no longer my neighbor, and my track teammates who I treated as family were no longer my teammates.

In this world there only existed Midori, her memories and the relationships she's developed with others. I tried to smile every time a person cheerfully called for her, but it was already hard responding to the name Midori. It was even harder responding to the name when my parallel parents said it.

It hurt.

It hurt, a lot.

I locked myself in her room for a day, thinking about what to do. It would have been easy to just start anew as Cassidy, to slowly replace Greenie's habits with my own. I could change her aspired career of teaching back to my own as a doctor. I could alter everything and blame my switch in personality as an after effect of the accident.

The shift would be gradual and no one would bat an eye.

But for once I felt guilty, my own conscious was telling me it would be wrong to go through with a plan like that. It was awfully selfish of me to only think about myself, and as much as I wanted to do it I was always reminded of the expressions her parents and Akaya had at the hospital. When they were faced with my confusion and lack of recognition, they looked so wounded by my reaction. The three of them had tried so hard to pretend that everything had returned back to normal, however I could tell it obviously pained them.

Which led me to think about my own parents, had they felt the same emotions as Midori's parents when Midori didn't recognize them? Were they just as hurt when Midori asked for her parents and brother? Were they at a loss on how to react as their prideful daughter suddenly became sweet and humble?

I wondered for a long time how she was fairing as me. How would she react to having to run laps every morning? How would she handle no longer having a brother?

As much as I hated the situation, I realized I had to bare with it because Midori was doing the same.

She was probably doing her best to be Cassidy, as to not hurt the people who were my friends and family. I realized it was only right to do the same for her.

For her sake and for my sake, I had to accept the situation and continue with life.

So with a firm resolution I decided I had to confront the circumstances head on and embrace the fact that I was going to really live as Midori.

I would learn to be nice, I would let the sugary emotions of kindness and selflessness take over and I would act upon them as she did.

Or I would at least try.

The first step was going to be facing Robert's doppelganger. Robert was my ex-boyfriend in high school. I would have liked to think we would've worked out in the long run, but his family life was a bit strange and I didn't like to pry. Due to familial issues, he moved back to Europe right after graduation. After awhile our relationship grew distant and we faded away from each other's lives.

Seeing someone so similar to him again, rattled me. However I was thankful he wasn't Robert, I'm not to keen on how I would've reacted facing a Robert who didn't know me.

But all the same, I was going to meet Alessandro and get over the fact he wasn't Robert and I was no longer Cassidy.

Okay Cassidy, you can do this. No I mean, Greenie you can do this. As Midori, I can do this.

I can do this.

A finger poked me hard between my brows breaking my concentration.

"You're going to get wrinkles you know," Akaya cheekily said as he rubbed my forehead.

I looked at him slightly peeved and was about to admonish him. I was prepared to swat his hand away, but I realized the caring sweet little Midori would never hit her brother.

Lowering my hand, I began to attempt saying something sweet and sister-like only to stop short as I didn't even know what that would sound like.

I had originally been circumspect around the man. Akaya too, was someone that belonged to Midori. He was her brother, it was only natural to worry about his baby sister. I didn't fool myself into thinking he didn't notice how his Midori had changed since the accident.

He blinked as I failed to respond at his attempt at lightening the mood. He gently flicked my cheek this time as he tenderly said, "You don't have to do this if you don't want to."

Blinking, I smiled slightly at him. Despite my cautious nature towards him, Akaya had been nothing but sweet to me. He never asked about why I disappeared that day, he didn't start when I had requested to see Alessandro. All he did was smile and go through with the request.

All the man ever did was subtlety ask about how I was feeling. He never inquired about why I did things that Midori didn't do, nor did he force me into her old habits. He was just there providing support, never forcing me to do things I didn't wish to do nor preventing me from doing things I wanted to do.

I appreciated that about him.

"Thank you."

-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-

We arrived at the meeting point, the corner near the University Akaya and Alessandro were attending. The Italian student was already there, looking slightly flustered as he stared at his phone.

Akaya called out to Alessandro startling the boy as he jumped, causing his cell to hit the floor. A pink hue dusted his cheeks as he saw the two of us approach. He quickly grabbed his fallen phone and snapped it shut. The blonde flashed us a sunny smile, as he waved cheerily at us. I took in a deep breath and gave him a small smile after I greeted him. During the whole time we were touring the city, I remained relatively silent as I listened to the two chat about classes. I asked an occasional question to feign some involvement in the conversation, however my lack of participation didn't go unnoticed as Alessandro and Akaya kept sparing glances in my direction.

But Akaya being the wonderful brother he was only gently squeezed my hand from time to time, offering silent support.

I had gradually started tuning out their conversations however I flinched when Akaya suddenly exclaimed loudly, "What are you talking about? Professor Borin is always talking to you. He praises you all the time, Alessandro!"

I twirled a strand of hair in my hand as I mulled over the name Borin. It sounded awfully familiar.

"I guess so," Alessandro said sheepishly as he rubbed his neck. "But he also likes to abuse me! You've seen him kick me," the Italian boy added.

Akaya stopped and suddenly slung his arm around his speech-buddy, "It's because he regards you as more than just a student!" He used his other arm to emphasize his point as he waved it around, "It bypasses the traditional student-professor relationship, I think it's neat!"

The blonde stared at him a bit perplexed, "Uhm, I don't really know about that..."

Suddenly a Alessandro's cellphone blared to life and he fumbled with the device in his pocket. As he glanced at the caller ID he seemed to pale as he quickly answered the phone.

I was never exposed to the language much, but by the sound of the tone he was using the Italian youth sounded rather distressed. After a string of rapid Italian Alessandro became silent as his face started to color red again.

Turning to Akaya the blonde offered his cell and muttered in a slightly mortified tone, "It's for you."

Akaya blinked quizzically before he answered the phone. His expression began to lighten considerably as he stuttered into it, "It's a pl-pleasure speaking to you sir! Yes, yes! Right now? No not busy at all! Of course i'll come, i'll be right there!"

The young Japanese adult had a dazed, star-struck look as he handed the device back to its apprehensive owner.

Suddenly Akaya grabbed Alessandro by the shoulders and shook him in glee, "Professor Borin said he wanted to further discuss my thesis with him!"

He turned on his heel to face me and stated more than requested, "Can you finish showing Alessandro around town? You will right? Good girl."

I blinked. Bewildered as I didn't even get a chance to answer as I received a quick pat on the head just before Akaya dashed away.

Wait did he just leave me here with Robert- I mean Alessandro?!

I wasn't prepared for this! I glanced at the person standing next to me, and oh gosh he was flustered. Why was he flustered? It was starting to make me feel flustered!

Dang it Akaya, I take back everything I said earlier. He wasn't supportive at all.

"I'm sorry about that," Alessandro apologetically said.

As perplexed as I was about the whole situation I could only shrug my shoulders and weakly say, "It's not like it was your fault."

He laughed nervously, "Yeah..."

-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-

If I could use one word to describe the walk with the blonde it was, awkward.

The weirdest things started happening after Akaya left. For example I had been pushed by these random tourists in the streets, landing squarely on to Alessandro's chest, which I may add was oddly very toned for someone who looked sort of wimpy. Then one shop we walked into was apparently a tourist shop for couples, which had a tradition that you couldn't leave unless you took a 'love-dovey' picture with your companion. Which was strange, because I've visited the shop before and they never had this tradition previously. The little girl, who looked like a toddler, taking the pictures seemed like she was having a blast though as she kept dictating our poses.

All of the events increasingly made of us feel embarrassed and lead one or the other to apologize profusely.

Then when we went to get some taiyaki, a fish shaped cake with red bean filling, the cook told us he gave us the last one he could make for the day so we had to share.

I told Alessandro he could eat the whole thing, as it was his first time trying one. We were walking near a park when all of a sudden a small blur slammed into Alessandro's face as he was taking a bite of his food.

I yelped as the man fell, and the black projectile that hit him was nowhere to be seen. I stifled my laughter as I helped him up, the whole right side of his cheek was smeared with paste. Alessandro took my offered napkin as he wiped off his face with a baffled expression.

"You have a little more stuck here," I poked my cheek in the area I thought the spot would mirror his own.

"Oh, uh." He wiped the corner of his mouth slightly, only to completely miss the place where the bean paste was.

"You missed," I said, feeling slightly amused as he attempted to wipe it off again. I couldn't help it when a small giggle finally escaped me as he yet again missed wiping off the paste. "Here, i'll do it," I took the napkin from his hands and wiped the bean paste clean off his face.

Alessandro blinked, a bit startled, before he broke out into a soft smile. He thanked me and we continued walking, the awkward tension was no longer there as we began to chat. I laughed as he told me of stories of his adventures with his teacher Borin, and how the man acted completely different around other students like Akaya. In return I told him events that occurred at the after school program, and how supervising children was an enormous task on it's own. Talking to him was actually enjoyable, something I hadn't been experiencing much as of late.

The sun was setting and we decided to part ways soon, as we neared the campus I bid him goodbye.

However as I began to leave, he tugged me back.

"Yes?" I asked as I felt my face heat up from embarrassment, unable to ignore how his large hand held my own. I registered that I was awfully close to his face at the moment.

He immediately released his grip as he too started to blush.

He rubbed the back of his neck bashfully as he asked, "Can I get your number?"

AN: We have some Reborn meddling here, anyway I apologize for the cliche fluff. I appreciate any constructive criticism, comments, and questions!

Question: Do you guys think I left it off at an inappropriate place?

Next Chapter: Parents