Amuro woke up and immediately looked at the calendar.
"Friday... Watanagashi is just around the corner isn't it? I can't help but feel that something will go wrong... No, I have to be strong and confident. If I'm not, what kind of example am I to everyone that believes in me? What kind of man would I be to Mion? I just have to save everyone, as simple as that" He thought and started his morning routine to go to school.
"Hello everyone" He greeted his friends as he arrived. He had slept a bit more that day, so all the club members had arrived already.
"Hi Amuro, I was worried that you were not coming..." Mion went close to him.
"I just wanted to rest a bit more..." He said as he noticed that everyone else was looking at them in a weird way. "Do I have something on my face?"
"Don't mind us, just do your thing" Satoko told them.
"What does that even mean?" He asked them.
"We are all waiting for you to smooch like a couple ~nipah~"
"Argh! Could you stop with that?!" Mion angrily said while blushing.
"I must admit they are quite bothering" Amuro told her.
"I told you that it was no good if they found out..."
"Still, I told you that the only way to overcome this now..." He said as he got closer. "Is to not give a damn" He kissed her in the cheek.
The girls screamed of anxiety as he did this.
"A-Amuro..." She didn't expect him to do that. In reality, it wasn't much compared to all they had done together, but in front of other people, Mion felt embarrassed witht that little.
"Sorry, maybe it was too much" He admitted.
"No. I-It's fine. We had to show them anyway..."
"Maybe we should leave Mii-chan and Amuro-kun alone the day of the festival, so they can have a date!" Rena said fantasizing.
"About that, guys... I don't think I'll be able to spend a lot of time with you that day, because of the plan. Everyone in the club knows already, so there's nothing to hide anymore" Amuro told them.
"You're right. It would've been great to just enjoy ourselves, but given the circumstances..." Keiichi agreed.
"Exactly. Don't worry about that, I'm sure you'll have a great time without me. I'm not so fun to hang out with anyway haha..."
"That's not true Amuro-kun, we really enjoy spending time with you" Rika told him.
"Thanks Rika, but I know myself, and I'm more of an introvert. Still, I'm really glad to play and chat with you all, but a bit of solitude is also quite comforting. So you just go, enjoy yourselves. Maybe I'll go grab something to eat at the festival, so it's not like we won't see each other"
"I hope everything goes out well, that way we won't have to worry about anything once it's all over..." Keiichi said.
"Everything will be just fine, I'm sure" Rena cheered them up.
"With his help, I know we'll be able to beat fate. No matter what the odds are" Rika thought as she looked at Amuro.
After that talk, classes started and the day progressed normally, with a few puns played on Mion and Amuro due their new status, but they didn't care as much as the first times.
The bell was heard across the rooms.
"And that's another day! Now Amuro, let's go help at the site of the festival" Mion told him.
"All right, let me go home to change clothes and I'll go right after"
"Yeah, it's okay!" She replied with a smile. "I'll show you Ba-chan, how hard-working my dear Amuro is" She thought.
"I must go and practice too!" Rika said as she grabbed her backpack.
"~Hau~ I'm really looking forward to Rika-chan's ritual dance! I'm sure that she'll do better than last year" Rena cheered for her.
"Yeah, we're all rooting for you Rika" Satoko added.
"That's great, but the one thing I can't miss is beating you all at every game in the festival!" Keiichi said all fired up.
"~Ohohohoho~ You'll be lucky not to finish last Keiichi-kun" Satoko laughed at him.
"I'll show you. I'm actually sad that Amuro won't be there to experience defeat!"
"Sorry Kei-chan, but I doubt that's the case. My Amuro never loses!" Mion proudly said.
"Wow, Mii-chan is using possessive. I can't imagine how much in love she must be!" Rena replied.
"T-T-That was just... Y-You know... Ahhhh!" Mion exclaimed blushing.
"That's one of the things I love most about her" Amuro told the rest with his sincere smile as he pat Mion's head.
"Awww... That's so kyuuuut! I can't wait to take you both home!" Rena went full on take home mode and attempted to take the couple with her.
"Hahaha! Sorry Rena-chan, but we have to go help at the festival now. Nice try though, see ya!" Amuro said as he escaped her embrace with Mion in his arms.
He kept going like that until they were both out of the school grounds.
"A-Amuro!" She called his attention
"What is it?" He asked not realising that he was still carrying her.
"I love when you do this, don't get me wrong, but if you keep carrying me further someone might see us!" She said as her face blushed.
"Oh, sorry. I hadn't noticed, haha!" He put her down and they continued walking in his house's direction.
"Thank you. Hey you carried me with my backpack and all... Your strength is unreal"
"Really? Where I come from, most men develop this minimum of strength at the least. It's pretty weird actually, because we don't necessarily need big muscles to be strong, it's like, somehow we are able to lift more weight just by training our own strength. It's some kind of sheer strength our bodies have. You don't weight much anyway, so don't worry about that"
"Haha, don't worry. Would you still love me if I was fat?"
"To be honest, I believe that yes. However, I would encourage you to get fit. I think it's very important to keep a healthy body"
"My dad was right when he said that you are not afraid of saying what you really think"
"It's how it should be. Sometimes, lies can be useful, but creating appearances is not one of the good purposes you could use them for"
"I get where that comes from, and for real Amuro, I don't have a grudge against you because of hiding the truth about some things. Even if you are now, I understand that you don't have other choice"
"I know. But still, I don't like lying to you. It would be so much easier to just make Takano forget about everything and not risk anything, but there are things that must occur in this world in order to get a real Good Ending for putting it in a way"
"That's why I don't blame you. I will always love you, regardless of what you do, because I know that you don't want to harm me" She started playing with her hands as she said this.
"Thanks Mion. I'm glad that you feel that way about me, cause I sense exactly the same feeling in you. Even if you were harsh that time... I knew that you were deeply worried about me, and that's why you did things that way"
"Well, if I wasn't, I would've never went to your house the next day. I had never seen you so vulnerable before. You were always so composed and strong, that I forgot that you were still a human in essence"
"I had never felt so sad before. I had confronted my evil self, and I felt the pain of letting you go that first time... But when you got angry at me, I didn't know what to do..."
"You were stupid for doing that. I would have stayed with you from the start, and deep within you... You knew... You knew that you loved me didn't you?" She slightly blushed as she said this.
"I did, but I couldn't believe it. I thought I was unable to love..."
"Stupid. Of course you can love. You are Psychan remember? You are not empty inside"
"About that... The truth is that the soul that commands this body is the one that has emotions"
"But why is Voracité evil then?"
"Because when he has taken over it was still I who ruled the body, and I still am. But in the beginning, this body was his, and I took it from him"
"Just like... I took Shion's place"
"It's kind of similar now that I think about it. In a way, Voracité is my soul twin. We are meant to be one, but for some reason we are split into two different entities"
"I used to think that Shion and I were the same. Since our childhood, there was nothing that really differenced us, but after that tattoo incident, we became more and more separate. Now she hates me..." She sadly looked at tge dirt floor.
"That's not true. She's just blinded by paranoia. She... She isn't okay Mion"
"What do you mean?"
"Sorry but I can't... I can't explain now..." He looked disappointed.
"I understand..." She replied with the same tone.
"But I promise I'll bring the Shion you love back" He held her hands as he said tgis.
"You can do that?" She looked at him with her eyes full of hope.
"Yeah. It's a promise, and one I won't break for sure" He smiled at her. "So try to withstand it a little more..." He kissed her at the door of his house.
"Thank you so much. I love you!" She replied with a smile and gave him a little smooch and moved on to her house.
"See ya at the Shrine!" He told her as she walked away.
"Yeah!" She replied. "I'm already looking forward to seeing him again... Damn it, he's right that I should be a bit more independent, but I can't help it" She thought.
Amuro changed clothes into his casual attire and went straight to the shrine afterwards.
"I wonder why my help would mean that much to Oryou. I guess the elders see some value that I can't seem to grasp in these kind of actions" He thought as he walked up the stairs.
Mion hadn't arrived yet, possibly due to her house being the farthest from the Furude Shrine. He decided to take a look at the place as he waited for her.
There were people carrying wooden planks and metal bars as well as others that were putting tents and tables around the place.
He caught a glimpse of a couple signs that were promoting the stands' food. There would be ice cream, takoyaki, fried pork and many other things that called his attention. He wouldn't be disappointed to have lunch at the place at the very least. It was the afternoon that made things difficult, as it would be when the plan is set in motion.
He sat at the stairs to think for a while. The plan was well made, he didn't doubt it, but he felt bothered by the fact that his apparition itself turned this world into a completely different one. He had been careful so that every important event of the original world happened in this one as well, but the changes that were to occur were too big to not expect changes. Possibly, there wouldn't be any problems until his planned encounter with Shion, but once that was sorted out, it was blind faith.
"Amuro!" Mion was running up the stairs. He couldn't help but get distracted at her bouncing melons.
"Woah. Mion, you arrived!" He was blushing.
"Of course I would come. What's with you all of a sudden?" She noticed that he was distracted.
"N-Nothing. I was lost in a world of thought that's all..." It was partially true.
"Well, it's time to start moving then"
"Mion-san you came! Is that Tsugaru Amuro?" A man carrying wooden plancks saluted her.
"Hi" Amuro saluted back.
"Yeah, I brought him to help" She said as she pat Amuro's head.
"Great, we still have a lot of work to do. How good are you carrying heavy stuff?" Another man asked.
"It's no problem. I'll go right away" He replied happily.
"Cool man, we really appreciate it" Said the first one.
"Good luck Amuro, I'm sure you'll have fun"
"To be honest I'm quite lazy, but for you I don't mind doing this" He confessed.
"Just do your best! I'll be looking around the place to see if anyone needs me. When it gets dark I'll find you so we can go back together"
"Okay, do your best too Mion!" He replied with a smile and followed the two men that had asked for his help.
He helped to carry heavy materials for the stands and buildings that were being built for the festival the whole afternoon. The other workers couldn't believe that a teenager could do that much and with the ease that he did it. He did sweat a little, but because of the heat mostly. By the end of that day's work, Amuro was offered a bottle of water for the thirst, so he thankfully accepted.
As he finished drinking he saw Mion walking towards him.
"So, how did it go?" She asked him.
"Pretty well, I guess. There's still more work to be done, but we should finish everything by tomorrow"
"That's great then" She smiled. "Were they too hard on you?"
"Nah. I kept working on my own. They seemed content with my help"
"I knew you'd do a good job if I asked you"
"I wasn't as bored as I thought I would be. I also talked a bit with my fellow mates and they seemed pretty fun"
"Yeah, people tend to be very lively in this village, I wonder if the people in the cities are as charming..."
"I really doubt so. At least in my world, people in big cities tend to be more hostile and selfish"
"I really hope that's not the case here"
"We'll have to try for ourselves then, don't we?"
"Yeah. I want to know what being in a big city is like"
"So... Off we go?"
"Okay!" She smiled at him and held his hand. Amuro replied with a smile.
While walking back, many thoughts went through his head about how great that week had been. If he thought about it, he realised that Mion had been his girlfriend for almost a week to be precise, but he had never been so happy in his life. Of course, thursday in particular had been a special day for the two, but more than making out or sex, it was the feeling that they were meant to be together. Every cuddle, every hug, every kiss was filled of pure love. That was something the two could feel with all their heart.
"Hey Mion, do you think it's somehow stupid that the phrase I tell you the most is I love you?"
"No, not at all. Every time I hear it from you actually... I get a funny feeling inside of me and I can't help but feel full of joy and... I want to kiss you like never before. When I say that to you... How does it make you feel?" She got a bit red.
"It's difficult to express, but I think it's similar... A weird sensation goes through my body... And I feel that, I want to hold you forever in my embrace" He looked at her in a sincere way.
"See Amuro? It's the same feeling in the end. Why did you worry?"
"I don't know... It's just that, if you think about it, it's a phrase lovers repeat over and over. It is always the same"
"That's where you are wrong. The words may be the same, but each time we say it is different. Each time you say that to me, I cherish it, cause it's different from last time and it will be different from the next. I think that's something that only people that really love each other can feel"
"Now that you mention it, you're right. No matter how many times I hear it from you, I love hearing it anyway"
"See? It's like every kiss, every embrace. Each of them are special" She kissed him .
"How right you are Mion..." He embraced her and kissed her for half a minute. The streets were empty so it was very convenient.
"I love you Amuro!" She said as she smiled with a pure sense of happiness.
"I love you too, Mion" He held her in his arms for a little longer. Mion loved the way he gently pulled her against him and the way his warm chest felt while he did so.
"When I'm with you, I'm sure there's nowhere and no one else I'd rather be with. I thought about what you told me, but the truth is... That no matter how hard I try" She looked at him directly. "I want to be with you forever" A few tears fell from her eyes. "And that's why... I don't ever want to let go of you Amuro!" She hugged him with all of her might.
"Mion..." He replied with another hug of his own and started cuddling her hair. "I'll do everything in my power and beyond to make that a reality"
"But still it's not enough. I want to know that you won't disappear, that you'll be here with me!"
"But no one ever knows. I could kiss you goodbye today, and while you go home you could be ran-over by a truck. It would be the end, and there would be nothing I could do. I'd possibly lose all faith in this world too"
"I-I'm sorry. You're right. It's selfish of me to ask for that..." She realised that his words were true.
"Hahaha. There's no reason to apologise. It just shows how much I mean to you. I want you to know that I've planned everything so that you survive Mion. I don't care if I die, but I want you to promise me that you won't throw away your life just because I'm not here"
"I-I don't know if I can promise you that"
"I don't like to pressure you, but this time, you have to"
"I... I..." Mion thought about how living without him would be. She was saddened by this, but she also thought about what he said and knew that her friends would always be there for her. "I promise you!" She finally said with a smile as a single tear fell through her cheek.
"That doesn't mean I ever want to leave you though" He said as he passionately kissed her.
She put her arms on her back and looked away "Hey Amuro, would you mind if I stayed with you tonight and tomorrow as well?" She moved her shoulders making her breasts bounce a bit.
He felt like a wave of happiness washed over him. "Th-Th-There's no problem if you do?" His speech got quicker, showing how anxious he became.
"I-I-I... I don't really know... But I'm old enough to start deciding... these kind of things..." She looked at him.
"Nothing would make me happier" He said and he held her hand as they started walking the last meters before getting to the house.
Once they arrived, Mion immediately called to her house. "Hello? Hi Ba-chan, it's me Mion! I just wanted to tell you that I'll be staying at Amuro's house for this couple of days" She looked at Amuro nervously as her grandmother replied. "Yeah, I know that on Watanagashi we receive guests at the manor and all, but don't worry, I'll be there for the party" She made a chuckle as she heard the woman's answer. "Yes Ba-chan he's here, don't worry, I love you!" She talked to Amuro: "She says she wants to talk with you for a little while" She passed him the phone.
"Um, okay. Hello?"
"Hello sonny. Well, I know you guys are having a lot of fun playing to the happy couple and all, but you better understand that nothing can happen to my grand daughter if I leave her in your care"
"I perfectly understand ma'am"
"If you understand, the other thing I'm gonna ask you is to make her happy, that's all. She really loves you Amuro-kun, so please respond to her feelings, if not..."
"Of course, I'll do no different" He answered.
"*sigh* Very well then, have a nice life together" The woman hanged up.
"L-L-Life?" He said blushing.
"What did she say?"
"That I had to take care of you"
"And what did you mutter about life?"
"Oh that. It's just that before hanging up, she wished for us to have a nice life together" He said scratching his head.
"T-T-That old hag! I don't like calling her that, but she is very inappropiate sometimes..." She sighed. "But still, isn't it wonderful that she has allowed you to marry me already?"
"Eh? You don't say!" He got beet red.
"Yeah. Ba-chan never says things so carelessly. That last part was her permission for us to be together... Officially"
"For real?!" He couldn't believe his ears.
"Now you're all mine Amuro!" She pinned him to the couch and started cuddling with him.
"Ahahahaha!" He couldn't help but laugh at her reaction. "I've always been Mion, and I'll always be..."
"I feel like this is the start of a lifetime together" She imagined them travelling the world, getting married, having a little boy with Amuro's face and hair but her green eyes, etc.
"It feels great. I really hope this lasts forever. Now more than ever, I'll do everything to stay in this world by your side Mion"
"That's what I wanted to hear" She kissed him and pulled his t-shirt off. "You're all sweaty, aren't you?"
"Sorry, today was really hot"
"No, I don't mind. I want you now, regardless of anything"
"Then that makes us two" He smiled and did the same to her t-shirt. The rest is up to your imagination.
After doing their stuff, Mion got out of bed and started making dinner. She made curry with potatoes as side.
"Like always Mion, you never stop to amaze me with your cooking" He told her as he munched his meal.
"I'm glad you liked it. I'm always happy to cook for you" She smiled as she served more food in his plate.
"And you serve me the quantity I need too. You are perfect" He greeted her with a smile.
"After everything we've been through, the least I can do is feed you properly can't I?"
"Just remember that I know how to cook too. If you ever feel tired, don't doubt asking me to do the cooking"
"Yeah, I know you're always worried about me, and I really appreciate it. It is a sign of how healthy this relationship is" She blushed a little as she said that.
"I could never be happier than I am now with you"
"Same here. I love you more than anything" She kissed him in the cheek as he hadn't finished eating.
They enjoyed the meal and went to bed together.
"Sorry, but there isn't much space..." Amuro apologised for the size of his bed, since he didn't like heat very much.
"I don't care. Now I have an excuse to sleep in your embrace" Mion cuddled herself in his chest.
"You don't need an excuse for that, I'll gladly do this for you" He put his arms around her and pulled her against him.
"I love you"
"I love you too Mion" He kissed her and carressed her face until she fell asleep. A while after he started dreaming as well.
Amuro opened his eyes as the morning came. He yawned silently as Mion was still sleeping. He tried to get out of the bed as quietly as possible, but she grabbed on to him.
"Hahaha, I guess I had no chance from the start" He thought. He decided to stay like that and started cuddling her hair as she slept. "She's so beautiful even in her sleep. I love you so much Mion..."
A couple minutes later she opened her eyes as well. She noticed how Amuro was playing with her hair and couldn't help but to smile of pure joy.
"Good morning" She told him.
"Good morning, love. I tried to get out of bed, but you didn't let me"
"Oh really? Sorry"
"Nah, it doesn't matter. It seems like you enjoyed your sleep, and that's far more important" He kissed her.
"Did you have a good sleep as well?"
"Better than ever. I thought that the lack of space would make me sweat all night, but I left a leg out of the bed to compensate"
"Good. Today we have to continue helping at the site of the festival"
"I know. I'm happy I can help the village I've come to love so much"
"Is Hinamizawa so special to you?"
"It is the place I met you after all. Well, and it's also a serene place in the country surrounded by nature and good people. It is a lovely place"
"I'm so happy you've come to think that. Do you feel like you belong here already?"
"As long as I have you with me, I belong anywhere"
"Oh Amuro..." She kissed him passionately.
"Should we start getting up?"
"Yeah, we can leave a morning cuddle for another day. I'll make breakfast, you go and have a shower"
"Alright" He got out of the bed and entered the bathroom.
Mion yawned and stretched a little bit more before getting out, but finally she did and started cooking.
Amuro got out of the shower three minutes later and was dressing up while she was slicing an onion.
"Ah!" She made a sound of pain.
"What happened?" Asked a half dressed Amuro.
"It's nothing, I was careless and cut my finger a little bit"
"Let me see" He got closer to her. It wasn't a big cut, but it was bleeding a lot. "You should be alright. Fingers bleed a lot, so don't worry about that"
"Yeah I know..." She said looking at the ruby fluid that came out of her finger.
"Let me have a taste" He said as he grabbed her finger and sucked the blood coming out of it.
"A-Amuro!" She got startled.
"What is it?"
"No, it's nothing. I didn't expect you to do that, that's all"
"Oh, sorry. I was just trying to help. It's difficult to wash blood from clothes"
"How does it taste?"
"I won't lie, your blood is the most delicious I've ever had"
"You drink blood on a daily basis or something?" She looked at him in a strange way.
"No, no. I have drank a lot of animal blood before, as well as my own, that's all. It was normal where I come from"
"Oh, I see"
"Yeah, I bet it sounded weird. I won't forget this taste..."
"What is it like?"
"Love"
"You're silly" She kissed him and covered the cut with a napkin.
Mion thought it was just a joke but the truth is that Amuro really tasted a new flavour that was undescriptable. The only explanation he found was that that was the taste of love.
"What were you slicing onions for?"
"I thought about making some eggs with them. There wasn't much more in the fridge so..."
"Oh, sorry about that. I bought food last tuesday and that would be it"
"Don't worry, I think something good will come out of this anyway"
"If it's you who's cooking I have no doubt about that" He said with a smile.
"Thank you. Now go finish dressing up while I fry the eggs and onions. Remember to pick comfortable clothes for today's tasks"
"Okay, I'll take that into consideration"
The phone started ringing.
"I'll go" Said Amuro.
Their attitude as a couple was really smooth. They worked together and interacted just like a husband and his wife, even though they were just inexperienced teenagers.
"Hello?"
"Hello, Amuro-kun?" It was Keiichi.
"Kei-chan! How are you?"
"I'm fine thank you. Hey, is Mion around?"
"Yeah, she is cooking now though"
"Oh, well it doesn't matter. I was planning to apologise to her today, you know? But I'll go help at the site of the festival so I guess I'll see her there"
"Ah, I see. Well, see you there then! Thanks for your concern"
"See you later Amuro"
"Yeah, see ya!" He hanged up.
"It was Kei-chan at the phone?"
"Yeah, he wanted to speak to you, but he's going to help at the shrine as well, so I told him to meet us there"
"Wait... He called here... Which means... EEK!"
"Yeah, it's most likely that he called to the manor..."
"Oh my God, we're so dead"
"I think that as long as Rika and Satoko don't find out we're fine"
"You're right. But still, I didn't want anyone aside from Ba-chan to know that I'd slept over"
"Sorry but I thought lying wouldn't get us anywhere"
"No, it's okay, you did the right thing"
"Well, we have to face reality. We are starting a serious relationship now, so we can't let others bother us"
"That's true, but still I don't want them to laugh at us"
"If you want, I can make them forget that we're together"
"No, it's against their will, it's not right"
"I know, but it's the only real solution I can think of"
"*sigh* I guess we'll have to accept things like they are then. I'd love to be as careless as you, in the good sense, but I can't seem to be"
"It's not who you are, that's all. In time you'll get used to it and you won't mind their babbling"
"Well, one day they'll be mature enough to understand as well..."
"Mion, that's not happening any sooner. Satoko and Rika are freaking kids hahahaha"
"Silly me... I guess a part of me wanted to believe"
"Too bad. Is breakfast ready?"
"Yeah, I'm almost done!"
They ate the fried eggs with onion as well as the rest of rice that remained from the day before. After that, Mion went to the shower and Amuro went to the supermarket to buy food. When he came back she was completely dressed and ready to go out.
"How many yellow t-shirts do you have?"
"Ahahaha... I've got like five. They are jot the same though, if you pay attention you'll notice that one is soft yellow, another is mustard, the other one is yellow yellow..."
"I get it, but they all look the same to me. Anyway, it looks good on you"
"Thank you. Hey, I don't blame you for wearing black every day. It's a terrible idea to do it today with this blazing sun"
"Guess I've got my weird tastes too" He said and kissed her.
"Hey! You are not implying I'm one of those are you?!" She said a bit desperate.
"Of course not Mion, you are lovely to anyone that sees you or knows you"
"Phew... You had me worried for a second there"
"I've told you a thousand times. You're perfect just the way you are"
"Thanks... You're the only one that tells me such beautiful things"
"It's the least I can do. Now, let's go to the Furude shrine"
"Yeah" She embraced his arm and they went walking to the place in question.
As they were climbing up the stairs a man greeted them.
"Good morning Mion-san! Amuro-kun, we were waiting for you"
"Really? Well, just let me say goodbye to my girlfriend" He said as he kissed her in the cheek.
"H-Ha-Ha-Have a great day!" She replied blushing. She still couldn't get used to show their affection in public.
"Oh... I didn't know Amuro-kun and Mion-san were..."
"Yeah. We're in love" He replied smiling while Mion boiled from the staircase.
"Congratulations!" The man grabbed Amuro by the shoulder as they went to the site they had been working on.
"T-Thanks..." He didn't know what else to reply.
Meanwhile, Mion was going around the area inspecting the stands and seeing if everyone needed help.
"Mion!" She heard her name being called.
"Kei-chan, you've come to help at the festival too?"
"Yeah, it makes me feel like I'm part of the village"
"What do you mean? You are a citizen of Hinamizawa"
"But I wanted to do something that made me feel more like one"
"If it motivates you, then this old man approves!" She greeted with a smile and a thumbs up.
"Hahaha... Thanks. Now, I came because there's something I have to tell you..."
"Oh, you're right. Amuro told me that you wanted to talk to me, but I was busy. What is it?"
"I... I wanted to say I'm sorry. I said a lot of careless stuff about you being a tomboy and all, and I think I hurt your feelings. So... Sorry if I did or said anything that made you feel uncomfortable"
"Um... Kei-chan it's nothing really. I mean... I was a bit bothered back then... But I'm alright now. I'm very happy that you are apologising"
"That and, sorry for k-k..." He couldn't end the phrase.
"What is it? What are you trying to say?"
"Sorry for killing you!" He said as tears ran down from his eyes and he hugged her.
"Kei-chan, what's this all about?" She got a bit red and was confused.
"I have had a terrible nightmare these last days... I had forgotten about it, but now I remembered it. I don't know how to explain it, but I feel like I killed you once... I remember you... Rena... I-It was horrible!" He muttered in agony.
"Kei-chan, I'm alive. I'm alright don't you see? And Rena-chan is okay, I'm sure. It was all just a horrible nightmare" She said with a smile as she cleaned his tears. "Men don't cry for silly things Kei-chan, it was all just an illusion"
"I really hope that was all. Thanks Mion" He smiled back at her.
"Now go find somewhere you can help. Amuro is already working"
"Really? We'll see who works harder!"
"That's the spirit Kei-chan. See you later!" She waved her hand. "That silly Kei-chan sometimes acts really weird. Just what goes through his head? Well, for his reaction it must've been really painful to him. Maybe Amuro knows something about this..." She thought.
The rest of the day went on just like Amuro expected. He did a good work, just like Keiichi and Mion. By lunch time some women of the village had cooked some meat and rice so no one was hungry. They continued working afterwards, until their help wasn't needed anymore. It was getting a bit dark now, and Keiichi was thirsty. To his surprise, Shion had arrived at the place and brought him a cup of water.
Meanwhile, Mion had thought about doing the same, so she had filled a cup for her and one for Keiichi. She thought Amuro would be fine, cause all workers of his area got a bottle of water by the end of the day.
"Kei-chan!" She appeared and noticed that Shion was there and that Keiichi had a cup already.
"Onee, I didn't see you! Why are you carrying two cups? Don't tell me that you thought of giving one to Kei-chan..." Shion started manipulating her.
"Um... What happens..." She was trying to come up with an excuse.
"Mion! Thank you, I was so thirsty!" Amuro appeared and grabbed the other cup while thinking "Not today Shion..."
"Amuro-kun long time no see! How have you been?" She bit her lip as sign of frustration.
"Better than ever, all thanks to your sister" He said as he hugged Mion.
"Onee? You and Amuro-kun are...?"
"Yeah... I didn't tell you because I thought you'd make fun of me... But we've been dating since last Sunday. We're about to celebrate our first week together!" She replied blushing.
"Shion? You already knew Amuro-kun?" Keiichi asked her.
"Yeah. I met him a couple weeks before.
It was after he saved my sister from some thugs. He is more than meets the eye"
"Hahaha, it was nothing really. Guys like them are all talk in the end..." He was being modest.
"I don't know... They were beating me up pretty badly before Shion stopped them that other time..." Keiichi remembered.
"They ganged up on you Keiichi-kun, it wasn't your fault" Shion consoled him.
"Look who we have here" Takano joined the group. Mion looked at her in disgust due to everything Amuro had told her.
"Wow, I had heard of the Sonozaki twins, but I had never seen them myself" Tomitake said as he got his camera to take a picture.
"Miyo-san it has been such a long time!" Shion told her.
"Yes, it has. You stopped coming to the library after that day..."
"Oh, did I? I think the Curse of Oyashiro-sama doesn't interest me anymore" She remembered the time when Takano discussed her investigation about the Curse.
"Oh does it? That's too bad, I remember how we had a very interesting conversation about the subject..."
Amuro looked at Keiichi. He had already told him and Tomitake that this event was going to happen and that he had to ask about the Curse.
"What is... Oyashiro-sama's Curse?" Keiichi asked.
"Oh, Maebara-san doesn't know about the Curse?" Miyo couldn't help to smile in delight.
"It's your lucky day. It just so happens that Miyo-san is an expert!" Tomitake winked at Keiichi and Amuro in sign that everything was going as planned.
"Tomitake-san is exaggerating. I've just made a bit of research that's all..." The woman replied.
"I don't like hearing about this..." Mion muttered.
"Do you prefer if we go now Mion?" Amuro asked her.
"I'd rather. Bye everyone! See you tomorrow at the fesrival"
"Wait, Mion-san. Can you stay there a bit longer? No, it's better if you stand next to your sister, like that" He said as he put the camera in the right angle.
"Like this?" The twins asked as they grabbed each others shoulder and smiled.
"Perfect" He took the picture.
"Well, let's go Amuro!" She grabbed his arm.
"See you tomorrow" Amuro told them all. He acted like nothing was happening, but deep inside him, a thousand thoughts went through his mind as he saw Miyo and Shion.
"I hate those stories of the so called Curse... It makes Hinamizawa look bad" She told him as they were going back.
"It's all just a leyend in the end. Kei-chan won't leave because of that, don't worry"
"Oh right. He apologised for the things he said before... He seemed like he really regretted doing that"
"Good. He wasn't sure of doing it, but I told him that you would appreciate it if he did"
"Really? Thank you. Now, there's something that bothered me about him"
"What is it?"
"He seemed more shocked about some recurring nightmare he's having. He was really sad and even cried as he apologised for killing me and Rena"
"Are you sure Mion?! He really said that?" He was startled.
"I'm completely sure. But why do you get so worried all of a sudden?"
"Keiichi shouldn't be able to remember that, not in this world"
"Remember?"
"That's right, I haven't explained the special thing about this world, as of universe"
"You're blowing my mind right now" Mion was oblivious.
"You see Mion... The universe where you live in is a very special one. Due to some kind of magic, if everything fails, you're able to be reborn in another Hinamizawa where things aren't all the same as the last one. I once told you that this world was doomed to fail. Well, I wasn't supposed to come to this world, so now that I did and changed some things, we've become able to save it. There was a world previous to this one, in which Keiichi became crazy due to Hinamizawa syndrome, the illness that's affecting me right now. In that world, he killed you and Rena before killing himself by opening his throat"
"That means... What Keiichi said, that really happened?!"
"Yes. But that world is no more. Keichii is alright now, so don't worry about that"
"But if events repeat in some way, it means someone else is infected!"
"Yes, and I'm sorry to say that doesn't include me..."
"Oh my God, Amuro who is it? We have to save him, or her, or whoever it is!"
"Mion, Mion. Calm down. I told you that I'm going to fix that. Don't worry. Everything will be okay, I promise. I need you to trust me"
"Okay, I trust you. It's just that, I don't want anyone else to go through that pain"
"You're so lovely Mion. You have the biggest heart in this village" He hugged her and started petting her in the head.
"I don't want anyone to suffer... Why is fate so cruel to us?" She started crying.
"I really don't know, but that's why we're going to defeat that fate"
"Yeah. We must"
"Don't worry, I promise you that we'll save everyone" He put his fingers between hers.
"Please Amuro. You're the only one that can do such thing"
"I know, that's why I won't fail" He replied as confident as he could get.
As they got to the door Amuro noticed an envelope.
"What is this?" He muttered as he opened the door to read the letter inside the house.
Amuro-kun, I was careful to deliver this letter, so don't worry about it. I have great news for everyone. I developed a definitive cure for the syndrome! Your efforts to save everyone gave me the motivation to improve my research and I noticed a lot of things I had missed about the serum. Unfortunately, due to the actual conditions, I was only able to make two doses. Come for them tomorrow, they are at the Furude house. ~Irie Kyousuke
"This is great news!" He told Mion.
"What does it say?"
"Irie-san found a cure for Hinamizawa syndrome"
"Thank God... Where is it?"
"Rika's house. I'll go tomorrow after leaving you at the Furude Shrine"
"Please be careful, they might follow you"
"Of course. I won't let such a golden opportunity go to waste" He said as he grabbed a match to burn the letter.
"Careful not to burn the house" She teased.
"I know, I know" He said as the letter was reduced to mere ashes.
"One thing less to worry about..." Mion said in relief.
"I still can't believe it. This is something that had never happemed before, in any of the worlds!"
"This is proof that you belong in this world Amuro" She kissed him and immediately his stomach growled.
"Oh sorry"
"No, it is my fault for not feeding you today. I bet the food at lunch wasn't as filling as the one I give you regularly"
"It wasn't to be honest, but don't worry, let's do something quick together" He said as he grabbed a knife and a piece of horse meat.
"All right!"
They enjoyed as they cooked and had a wonderful dinner togethef. Afterwards, the two were in bed but couldn't sleep.
"Are you worried about tomorrow?" He asked her.
"Yeah. I... I know you didn't tell me the whole plan... I trust you more than anyone, so I know that you have your reasons. I can't help but feel uneasy about it though..."
"I'm so sorry. I promise you that once this is all over I'll never hide the truth from you, unless it's for a surprise or something"
"I believe you. I love you more than anyone after all..." She kissed him once, twice then thrice. It seemed that Mion wanted to enjoy that night as much as she could.
"Want to do it once more?" He smirked.
"I'll never get tired of it" She said as she pulled her t-shirt off.
"Oh, how I love you Mion..." He embraced her and started kissing her passionately.
This is the last night before Watanagashi. What could possibly happen at this years festival? Another bloodshed? Amuro knew well that this was not a world he could predict anymore. Keiichi's rememberance and Irie's discovery made him realise this. This world was an entirely new one...
~~~~X~~~~
I took a bit longer writing this one, I know. It was difficult to find motivation this time simce I got back from my trip, so sorry guys, but in the end I started liking where it was going so I found that motivation anyway. I omitted limes this time cause I don't like giving so many details about that kind of stuff. If you want to imagine full scenes you are always free to do it though haha. Also, I just changed my name into a more personal one: Evhron. There is a reason for this, but I won't reveal it until the end of this fic, and well, only if you are interested, but I bet you will.
Evhron out.