Chapter 3

(A/N: Here goes the third one.. Thanks shannonjacob and littlepuppyislost for your reviews!)

########################## CHRIS

I am Christine. Hanakomachi Christine. An Only and unlucky daughter of two tycoons. Did I use unlucky? Yes, who can consider herself lucky not knowing her parents' love, though both of them are alive and sane? There was time when I blamed them, when I was too young. Then I got used to this. Yes, I got used to the fact that none naming mom or dad is going to caress my head when I cry or sing a lullaby me to sleep. They just don,t care. I don't care, too. Money, castle, everything I need.. well, why not ? They are being replacement of love, huh.

And there was Shikada-san. My butler, my caretaker, my.. well, in-duty parents. I just can't make in word what he means to me. He sacrificed all is life just caring for me, I don't know where I would have been without that person. And yes, my friends. Due to my odd behaviours they are never come too close, even I know I may harm them anytime out of anger; still they are really nice.

BUT, sometimes, you know, even a world full of love falls short. We all need that special one to come. My uncontrollable anger always act against me while coming to boys. I did not care. I too had my prince charming found, the brunette with auburn eyes.. a quiet, tough, intelligent boy in our class. Kanata Saionji. I saw. I fell. First time. Then, God, what not have I done! He never looked back..

I always suspected he had a relation with Miyu Kozuki, well, actually not only me, everyone in the class, just they did never let me know, until..

Until, I realised myself.

I can still remember the day. It was fourth day after SHE went back to her own home. I swear I could not be happy, I always can relate with anyone losing parents.. it sure hurt too much. But it was a good sign, no rivals.. After the school hours I was so lost in these thoughts I couldn't understand when I climbed up the stairs. And it was then I saw HIM. Yes, Kanata was standing there, looking at the west horizon, calmly. It was very ordinary act for him, but I had had my first blow then and there.. a feel.. he is taken..

Then the final. it was a Saturday. Months after. We almost had got over Miyu, unless in random old days chatting. I had had so many attempts and now was desperate to tell it clear to him. It was 8th of August, which is a lucky day in Japan, you know.. Miss Mizuno proposed a camping.. uh.. that night.. HE BROKE IT ALL.. I understood everything, everything, I JUST DON'T WANT TO THINK IT AGAIN..but on whom to blame? My fate? May be. What should a crazy monster girl like me can expect? I have wealth, but in life I came to be alone. The almighty writer did not script me to be in anyone's fairytale..

"My lady?"

"Huh..Shikada san?"

"We are near the zoo.. would you like to visit the deer?"

Real deer? After so many days.. "Sure!" He must be happy looking me smile, those have been rare these days.

I am now feeding a deer, just like those old days, they still have time for me! I am feeling so happy, so relaxed.. should come here everyday..

CLICK!

"Eh?"

"Sorry for having the snap without permission.. It was so natural I didn't want to spoil the scene.."

I am not hearing his words. There is something which took all my attention.

Those big, innocent brown doe eyes under the messy black hairs...

"Excuse me?" The boy gets a little embarrassed, I really am looking so thoroughly.

"It's ok" I am smiling now, and not a forced one.

########################## NOZUMU

Yes, I am Nozumu Hikarigaoka, as you all know me. If you are a woman, you surely are now shaking your fingers a bit, hearing my name. Be easy, everyone does that, I am the prince of every beautiful woman's heart... no one can beat me at that!

Sorry, to be frank, once I lost; Her name is Miyu Kozuki. I know she loves my best rival Kanata Saionji, but that doesn't count as she is not here now. Missing? Surely I do, like every girl.. well, missing someone is not my cup of tea. I live to give the girls worldover dreams, and for that I always have to be ready...

Exactly the same words I uttered today to Santa at school; when he asked me why I don't settle for a steady girlfriend. Hearing my cliché answer Santa just lost it, but Kanata gave a crooked smile, and threw a remark reluctantly: "That fails to deceive even yourself, too."

Deceive? That's too much. I glared at him, but he ignored. That's how he is, fears to face everything..that's why he can not be my true rival. I am unparalleled.. I am the best!

Anyway, its night time. Whole my day revolves around ladies and roses, so this is the only short time I get for myself. Now I'll go out to my garden for last time, will pick up a certain rose. Then I would sit down and look to the sky, a vague figure of a short girl would appear in the stars. I'll give the rose to her.. A white rose.

I shall whisper...Guava-chi, I remember you..

She will smile. I'll smile back.

########################## KANATA

Hell, I don't have time for all gibberish talks. They are not a man's way. Man's.. man's... sometimes really I am self contradictory. I was never before she came into.. or, always was, she just had the guts to point out ? Tough girl..

Meh. Am thinking about her again. But where to hide from myself? Sometimes I wonder what I have done.. scratch that. Nothing going to change.

But I must admit, it was hard. Did I not spend an entire recess at school, just gazing the clouds? Every night at the temple, how calm and quiet they have been! And what a serious thing I did.. the last August..

I always was aloof at that camping proposal. Nothing gives me that fun now, what Ruu-Wanya-Miyu could give.. our own family.. ( am I smiling again?!) But everyone, especially Santa, just dragged me there. Even Mikan joined this, out of the blue! She had a previous experience there. Yea, I also had, a very, very special one..

After the day's hellish workouts,amidst all the chaos near the fire, I gently drifted myself to the special tree. These damn memories.. why they haunt so much? It was no eclipse that day, but indeed full moon is nearer. Starry sky..

"Kanata..?"

I heard Hanakomachi behind. I wondered, as well as irritated. she was following everywhere..

"Hanakomachi ? You here..?"

"Oh Kanata, you know, I got the chance.." She started.

I was trapped, Behind it's cliff, in the front it was her. And nobody to interrupt even.

"I think we should be back.."

"Hey! Why not listen once?" she was really desperate. "I've always-"

"Please don't force me to disappoint you"even I don't know why I said that.

"What?" She was wondered, then got teary for a moment, then rose the flames, as I feared. "So it's Miyu, is not it? -'Oh Miyu, I miss you every time when I find none to argue with, Whenever I see at the western sky it reminds me your town lies that way.. in every cloud I find your face nowadays.. I can even smell your shampoo in these air- air- smell.. smell! "

"STOP IT!" I yelled out of uncontrollable anger. She got normal, perhaps none had ever dared to yell over her while she is mad. But I could not control. May be because, all she said were almost true.. hell, they were true.

"Hanakomachi..I.." I tried to apologize as her tears fell down. But she weaved her hand to stop.

"Enough" she said, and suddenly asked "What's in that boyish undeveloped cheap girl-"

"JUST SHUT UP!" Again I cried out, and thereby understood it was really loud. But no regret, she was insulting HER.

Hanakomachi stepped a step back, and smiled forcefully.

"Thanks, Kanata.. for making it clear."

Never she turned back.

I looked at the tree hanging over me. The lovers' tree.. is it a breeze, or it's admitting.. ?!

Crap my thoughts! Well, it's over now. Whatever happens, happens for good.

For good. Or For good...

Maybe both.

Now, have to go. My old man is calling.. dinner time. Term Ending Exam's tomorrow, and am thinking these random craps..

P.S. I think the 'no smiling' disease is contagious.

"Kanata! look who's here!" Dad is yelling again.

"Hi Kanata, we met again.."

"What?" I am literally gasping now."Could it be you, Kaya..?"

And we are smiling now, after a long time, together.

########################## MIYU

New class. New friends. New life.

And, a lonely one.

They ask me, "do you not miss them?" What should I say? I miss my parents. I miss my Nanami and Aya. I miss Nozomu's roses. I miss Christine's crazyness. I miss Santa's idiotic comments. I miss.. um..

You know what, may be I was wrong. A decision taken on emotion pays heavy. HE always used to say that, and every time he was proved wrong, though. And this time.. may be.. it's me on the wrong side. May be I hurt him, he was being so nice back then.. like he never had been! And what I gave in back, a very harsh bye, isn't it..

"Miyu?" Ena asked.

"Eh, what happened?"

"Your mind's again flying.. hey do you ever smile?"

Yes, I am giving her a pale one now.

###################################################

Kanata was walking with the girl, who visited them after such a long time, affectionately.

"So you still are that same, huh.. not telling me.." Kaya nodded.

"Hey, there's nothing more!"

"Gosh, I'll make it out from your mouth"

Kanata blinked, and laughed, as they were crossing road, "Really persistent, eh? well si-"

"WATCH OUT!"

Too late, the truck was too fast, it just went over Kanata who just somehow managed to push Kaya out of the way, but could not save himself. Before Kaya got over the shock, the road was empty again.. TOTALLY empty.

"WHERE IS HE?!"

(A/N: A bit off, See you in next chapter! Please do review! If you don't get the Guava part, it's probably in the 69th episode..)