I'm not even sure if anybody still cares about this story anymore, but after so long, here is chapter 26!
Destiny and Fate Ch 26
Many nights descended since the tremor of revolver bullet first echoed throughout the hidden chamber. However, to everyone's dismay, the city still was under siege of the unkind weather. The blackened clouds remained shielding the sky, denying entrance of even a fragment of the gleaming Sun's tender radiance. Only mercy that the charred sky granted was decline of the water grenades. Though lightened, the rain lingered nevertheless, accompanied by the blades of lightning and its howling comrade. As the unseen sun sank below the horizon countlessly, time eventually escorted Hikari to the fateful day when her first love would initiate their wedding plan by first announcing it to the public via media that will be present at the headquarter of the world's most esteemed company. Confounded by her own emotions, she silently sat in front of her mirror, blankly staring at the reflection of herself dressed for the Yagami Corporation's celebratory gathering. Beneath her lovely exterior, tempestuous emotions loomed. Though she was forever grateful for his altruism and had grown a strong attachment towards Takeru, she still harbored fervent affinity for Taichi. Marital union with him should present her with happiness she longed for many years. However, such was not the case.
"Haa…"
She could do nothing but sigh weakly. The more she pondered, the more she grew perplexed of her heart. She remained seated motionlessly until her gold haired chauffer knocked on her door. A moment later, Takeru entered, covered by a dark pinstripe suit with a tie that matched his regal cerulean pupils.
"Ready to go?"
She nodded faintly instead of giving a verbal reply. Takeru probed not about her silent demeanor and began walking towards the garage with her. Along the way, he gifted her compliments of her enchanting appearance, but she showed indifference and gave little words. Caught in a catastrophic emotional dilemma, the least thing she needed right now was engaging in a conversation with Takeru that could disrupt her mind further. The mood remained unchanged even after they began their long drive to the Yagami Corp building. Fearing that he may strike up a conversation, she opted for blissful oblivion during the entire drive.
"I'm going to sleep."
She delivered those words to Takeru and then, closed fast her eyes in order to avoid catching a glimpse of Takeru's majestically alluring smile that always captivated her.
"Good idea. It looks like it's going to be a long drive. Sleep well."
He followed his sentence with a smile regardless and charmed her heart, for the warm spirit he emanated was overwhelming enough to stimulate Hikari even when her eyes viewed only darkness. Desiring to numb the sensation, she redirected her focus from her racing heart to the nature's percussive lullaby that resonated throughout the narrow acoustics of her palatial automobile. Takeru, on the other hand, battled through the forest of rain and ocean of clustered traffic. Only solace and joy he could find from the long, tedious drive was the peaceful expression on Hikari's beautiful, sleeping face. He gazed upon her celestial complexion frequently to render away the fatigue that he accumulated over numerous days of training and stress. Even just a short glare granted him enough comfort and tranquility to endure the foreboding future and reinforce his determination to fight it.
'31 days.'
Takeru counted in his mind the days left before his and Hikari's life would be altered in a dramatic and likely a tragic manner. However, he would not accept such fate easily which is why he had dedicated so many nights to training. His efforts had finally begun to yield results as he recently acquired impeccable marksmanship that could rival Hikari's. Despite gaining such outstanding skillset, he understood that he alone was not sufficient enough to protect dear Hikari against a force of unknown power. Thus, he aimed to make additional preparations that could aid him. He first targeted either or both Taichi and his father, believing that utilization of their immense influence and power would be significantly advantageous. This was why he was neither hesitant nor reluctant to attend today's party despite knowing that nothing positive would greet him there. After piercing through the tears of sky for a lengthy amount of time, Takeru arrived at the destination and looked to awaken the sleeping beauty.
"Hikari, we're here."
He gently tapped on her slender arm and soon, she awoke reluctantly. She stretched lightly and exited the car without a word. Takeru also followed her out and adjusted his clothing before offering his hand to the beautifully dressed girl.
"Shall we?"
"…Whatever…"
She replied and took his hand half-heartedly, still conflicted and perplexed. Takeru spoke nothing that might upset her since she would be soon hounded by countless cameras and media personnel. He expected such indifferent, silent behavior to last throughout the entire day. To his surprise, however, she broke the silence while on their way.
"You know…you don't have to be here..."
Though worded incorrectly, she was expressing her sympathy towards Takeru and his feelings. Takeru understood her motive and replied with another regal smile.
"Where else would I be if not beside you?"
"…"
"I'm fine. I want to be with you."
She averted her eyes away and spoke once more as the elevator door closed.
"Don't say I didn't warn you."
"I won't."
As they exchange quick short words, the elevator ascended to the floor of alternate party location because the sky terrace could not be used due to the unfavorable weather that plagued the city for a long while. The door opened to an enormous, extravagant hall one might expect to glimpse at a palace of distinguished nobility. It was spacious enough to provide satisfactory comforts of the large number of guests and hired musicians even when amidst the unrelenting media. On the ceiling was a legion of exquisite crystal chandeliers while otherworldly ice sculptures and premium gourmet cuisines bejeweled the tables. His astonishment was short lived, for numerous members of the media soon stormed in his proximity to interview Hikari.
"Miss, can you say anything about the recent collaboration with ITPA?"
"What are your thoughts on the company outlook so far?"
"Could you share any information about the upcoming product?"
With majority of the questions being rumor confirmations and unimportant, she brushed them off with light answers and moved away to avoid further involvement. Once they were finally alone and seated in a secluded, exclusive table, Takeru took the moment to quickly gather some food for Hikari who had starved both breakfast and lunch due to the busy morning schedule.
"Here. Have some."
He offered her a plate with several variety of high class food. She spoke of her gratitude in a feeble voice and dined afterwards.
"Thanks.."
"You're welcome."
Takeru too began enjoying his own dish of fine meals soon after. Even while he ate, he constantly looked for Taichi who he needed to confer. Strangely, however, he was not yet in sight despite scanning the area multiple times. Assuming he was not yet present, he directed his focus back to Hikari while still being vigilant of his surroundings.
"Are you full already, Hikari?"
"It's enough."
"Anything else I can get you, then?"
"I'm fine."
She replied without facing him. Takeru let it not bother him and spoke gently once more.
"Let me know later if you need anything."
"Okay."
She remained with her eyes averted until a new voice called her from Takeru's direction.
"Hello, Hikari."
When both looked, there stood a lean female with a striking visual. She had a strong image of a plain office worker because of her small frame glasses and black formal attire complete a pinstripe jacket. Contradicting her plain office worker image was her extraordinary hair. She had a long hair that contained elegant mixture of maroon and plum color that blended splendidly. Though it was a difficult color combination that may seem eccentric if not on supermodels, it looked superbly natural and graceful on this particular lady. Before Takeru could inquire of her identity, Hikari stood up to greet her.
"Miyako, it's been a while."
"I know, right?"
Her voice was energetic and bright, quite contrary to Hikari's delicate, serene tone. The positive energy and affability in her voice was also visible in her personality since she happily threw herself at Hikari to give her a tight embrace. He assumed the cheery girl to be a close friend of Hikari and mildly envied her for being able to show affection freely without fearing Hikari's menacing retaliation that would ensue should he attempt such act.
"I missed you so much! How have you been?"
"Well…"
She glanced at Takeru for a brief moment, then, gazed back at Miyako.
"Alright I guess. How about you?"
"It was really busy. I barely had any time to myself at all. I didn't even know that my phone service was cancelled until recently. Can you believe that?"
She laughed at her own mistake she made in her hectic life while Hikari responded calmly.
"I can't believe I couldn't call you because you forgot to pay your phone bill…"
"Sorry, sorry. New York life was pretty tough. But I'm back now!"
"I see that."
Although he was left out of the conversation, Takeru was glad that Hikari's mood had improved slightly from reuniting with her old friend. In his mind, he complained about the tremendous difference between his old friend and hers. He could only lament the unknown past he had lived in oblivion and sighed wearily. The two continued to converse until Miyako noticed the silent man with a golden mane behind Hikari. She looked at his appearance in curiosity, almost scrutinizing. Sensing someone's gaze, he turned his face to the direction it was from. She approached him for a closer look on his face, then, she exclaimed.
"Takeru?"
"Uhh…"
"What's going on? I thought you…"
Hikari interrupted and cut her sentence short before completion.
"He's not the same guy."
"He's not?"
Miyako spoke in a shocked voice. She resumed speaking while taking another close look at Takeru.
"Really? Wow, he looks just like him though. Oh, I'm so sorry about that. I thought you were someone I knew."
She apologized for her constant glares and abrupt behavior, which Takeru cordially accepted.
"Don't worry about it. It's alright."
He, then, stood up and offered a handshake with a self-introduction.
"I'm Takeru Ishida. It's nice to meet you."
"Oh. I'm Miyako Inoue. It's nice to meet you as well."
She released his hand and spoke jokingly.
"So are you like his evil twin or something?"
"What?"
"Haha. I'm just kidding. You just really look like someone we know."
"Is it Takeru Takaishi?"
"Oh yes, but how did you know?"
Miyako inquired with a surprise expression.
"I got to know…"
The rest of his words were engulfed by a sudden loud commotion that was caused by the grand entrance of Taichi Yagami. The voice of the media affiliates became thunderous as they catapulted countless number of interview questions, forcing the guests to talk louder as well in the process. Naturally, their attention shifted to Taichi as well and the subject involving the deceased Takeru vanished for the moment. Hikari looked at him with wistful eyes while Takeru stared at the girl most precious to him with concern. A dear friend of the brown haired beauty, on the other hand, was smiling waving her hand excitedly at her friend's older brother completely oblivious of what would soon occur. Shrouded within flashes of cameras, Taichi walked his way to a podium that was prepared for him beforehand. He waited until silence settled in and echoed his voice throughout the place with a microphone.
"Good evening, everyone. First and foremost, let me inform you that my father will not be present today due to an illness he's been fighting for some time now. I'm here today in his stead to voice his words."
He paused briefly before continuing.
"Before getting in to the business, I'd also like to apologize to everyone here today for spending your precious time in such an unrefined, mediocre environment. With my father ill, I had to supervise the preparation committee of this fine congregation. It would be a great pleasure for me if you can enjoy today and if there are any flaws, please address them afterwards so I may be able to improve our next meeting. Thank you."
Highly impressed by his humble demeanor and ability to conjure such monumentally remarkable accommodation for his guests in such short notice, the audience applauded him with admiration. The speech that followed after the roaring applause mainly consisted of business related topics which was concentrated chiefly by the media. Many guests returned socializing as did Miyako.
"He's got so much handsomer! I wish I could find a man like that."
She squealed quietly, fantasizing about discovering a love interest that could parallel Taichi's charisma.
"You'll definitely find someone. Don't worry."
Takeru gifted her kind words in his regal voice that contained a dashing charm that swayed Hikari on multiple occasions.
"Aw, that's so sweet. Thank you."
"You're welcome."
He gave a smile filled with the same regality as his voice.
"So I'm assuming you're a close friend of Hikari?"
He inquired after.
"Yeah. We've known each other since we were 10 years old. Right, Hikari?"
"Huh? Oh, yeah…right..."
She faced back at her friend after being preoccupied with Taichi momentarily.
"Hikari, you okay? You seem really out of it today."
Noticing that she is distracted and troubled, girl with the red plum hair asked of Hikari's condition.
"Yeah…I'm okay."
"You don't sound very convincing though."
Miyako did not cease probing and glared at her with eyes of suspicion.
"Well~?"
"…"
She shunned her leer and faced away. Miyako couldn't investigate further on the matter because Taichi had demanded everyone's attention after finishing work related speech.
"Now, if everyone could spare me a moment of your time, I'd like to share something with you."
The entire hall answered his plea and granted him undivided attention. Knowing what would follow next, Hikari's heart began to accelerate and body started to tremble from nervousness, excitement, and conflicted emotions that was undecipherable by human language. Knowing that his involvement would worsen her already unsettled mind, Takeru gave her no hands or words of comfort and helplessly watched her from behind.
"As you all have realized, Sora is not here with me today and there is a reason why. It is because I have decided to annul our engagement."
Few quiet murmurs surfaced among the audience, but Taichi continued.
"Our feelings were not mutual and she was forced against her will to be with me. I give my sincerest and deepest apologies to Sora for letting her go through this painful experience."
He took another short pause before resuming.
"Before Sora, I already had a significant other who I couldn't be faithful to after being told that we were siblings."
Numerous gasps circled the crowd and many turned their shocked eyes to his sibling, Hikari. The browned haired spokesman coughed once to recapture the audience's attention before going on.
"Being young at the time as you all know, we blindly believed the words of our parents. However, I recently figured out that we are not at all related. Few months ago, there were rumors about me getting gravely assaulted by an unknown assailant. These are twisted stories that bear no truth. I was merely in an accident that forced me to visit the hospital where I discovered that my DNA did not match with Hikari's."
He, then, held out his hand towards one of his secretary who handed him a stack of papers. He turned them face up and presented them to the audience.
"Here is the documentation to prove it. Should anyone have doubts, they are more than welcome to consult with me and review them afterwards."
He handed back the documents to his secretary and spoke on.
"I'm aware that hardships and unforeseen circumstances would haunt me because of what I have done today. It took me a long time and lot of courage to come up here today and present you with this sudden news. And I did it because Hikari is worth it. I always loved her and still fiercely do. Fate has been unkind to both of us and I do not know when it will again take her away from me, so I ask you this right now."
Taichi, then, left his podium and began walking through the crowd to reach where Hikari stood. With his each step, Hikari's heart raced faster and stimulated her tempestuous waves of emotions. Though she barely managed to keep the stormy sentiments from breaking out, she couldn't stop her shaking body. The quiet, hollow tremor of Taichi's footsteps gradually grew louder and louder and finally stopped completely after 10 nerve-wracking seconds that all perceived as endless continuum of time. The two brunette individuals gazed into each other eyes until the male fell to his one knee with his hand in his shirt pocket. What came out was a small square case coated with black finish that fit in the palm of his hand.
"Hikari, will you marry me?"
He opened the container and revealed an angelic ring that brightened the room with crystalline gleam that could easily overshadow celestial spectacle of aurora. On the center was embedded a finely cut diamond that glistened in perfect unison with the 20 small diamonds encrusted around the center jewel. Everyone lucky enough to be see the ring fell absolutely speechless. Even the unwavering Takeru lost his gaze to the jewelry that can only be described as treasure. After enough admiration, they directed their focus to the recipient of the celestial ring. Struggling to prevent her mixed feelings from exploding, she silently looked into Taichi's eyes that glowed in the same shade as hers. After mustering enough strength to speak, she clenched her eyes shut and voiced the word that caused a roar that shook the entire company building and muffled the howling thunder.
"…Yes."
Her eyes released tiny droplet of tears as Taichi placed the heavenly ring on Hikari's fourth finger on her left hand. The media began shooting flashes with their camera ceaselessly while the guests congratulated the two with earthshaking claps and sincere wishes for good future. Only ones to stay immobile were the two companion of Hikari that stood behind her. For Miyako, this turn of event was overwhelmingly surprising and utterly stunned her. For Takeru, however, there was nothing joyful about it. He never desired a scenario that he witnessed just now and ordinarily, he would attempt to prevent it at all costs. However, he let the event unfold regardless. Takeru knew that he himself would not be sufficient enough to shield Hikari from Apocalypse. Had he chosen to stop their marriage plan and force them apart, he wouldn't be able to utilize Taichi and the powerful Yagami Corporation to provide her additional protection. A deceitful and manipulative method, but Takeru was more than willing to cast aside his morality for Hikari's safety.
"Good for them, right?"
He put his nice guy mask on and spoke to the still stunned Miyako. She snapped back to reality and started to converse with the blonde man.
"Oh. Yeah, yeah. I guess it's good. It's just…really unbelievable."
"In what sense is it so unbelievable?"
"Well, I've known Hikari for a long time and I knew what she was going through. You know like, about Taichi, her mother, and Takeru."
"Me?"
"Oh, the other Takeru, not you. I'm sorry."
With Takeru Takaishi being a delicate subject Hikari does not like to talk about, he took the opportunity to discover about the deceased man who shared his name.
"I know about her past events with Taichi and her mother. But I don't know about Takeru. Do you think you can tell me about it?"
"Oh, she didn't tell you about it?"
"I heard his name here and there, but she seemed sensitive about the subject, so I never asked."
"Wow, you're a really thoughtful and considerate friend."
"I try my best."
He chuckled lightly which allowed his conversation partner to giggle slightly as well.
"So anyway, you know Hikari wasn't originally part of the Yagami Corp, right?"
"Yes."
"When her family joined with Taichi's family and started working here, she was assigned a bodyguard to her to keep her safe. You know, father worrying about daughter thing."
"Right."
"She was depressed at the time about finding out that Taichi was her brother and became close friends with the bodyguard assigned to her. Care to guess his name?"
"Just a hunch, but Takeru Takaishi, right?"
He answered with a slight bit of joking tone and she responded accordingly.
"My, my, so smart. You're correct. They became really close. Hikari would go to him for help or advice for her relationship with Taichi."
The conversation was not at all progressing quickly. After seeing that Taichi and Hikari seemed nearly done talking to the media and each other, he subtly urged her to share the key detail he hoped to discover.
"So what happened?"
"It's quite complicated and confusing. Well… About her mother… Takeru was the one who shot her. And apparently, he revealed to Hikari that he was ordered by her father and that he loved her before his final moment. And she feels bad and guilty for never understanding his feelings until it was too late. That's why she sensitive about it"
"Oh…that's quite complicated..."
"Yeah..what a tragic past."
Both, then, stared somberly at the girl from their conversation. Both Taichi and Hikari soon finished their business with media and parted ways. She began walking back to her friend's location while completely avoiding her eyes from Takeru.
"Miyako, do you think I can see you later…? I want to go home…"
"Really? What's the matter?"
"I just…have a lot on my mind… and tired from all the attention…"
"Oh, right. Okay. Rest well and I'll see you later, okay?"
"Yeah…"
With that, she began walking back to her car silently. Takeru bid his farewell to the new acquaintance .
"I will take my leave as well."
"You too?"
"I'm her chauffeur."
"Oh, I see. Well then, it was nice meeting you. Hope to see you again."
She offered a handshake which he took quickly to follow Hikari.
"Likewise."
He rushed to her and quietly followed behind her like a shadow. Knowing what state her mind was in, he merely fulfilled his role as a chauffeur. The silence that permeated their world was agonizing and the grim scenery outside served no consolation as the charcoal clouds that sealed off the sun's ray darkened and the clear liquid particles that saturated the Earth grew further lifeless. There was an eerie discomfort about the world as if all the vibrant warmth of life was being stolen away. The deathly atmosphere cracked when Hikari finally let out her soft voice.
"How come you won't say anything?"
"You know why."
"..."
She remembered his logic and reasoning. Takeru was accepting of her desire and respected the choice she birthed after immeasurable days of contemplation and heartbreak. He was even supportive of her decision, which ended up mounting further guilt on the girl with slender frame. Silence revisited and haunted the two for the rest of the drive. During their way back, Takeru had spent the time thinking about the man that Miyako told him of. The fact that he shared strong resemblance led Takeru to arrived at a thought that disturbed him after dwelling on the fact that he and Takeru Takaishi looked remarkably simliar. It was a thought insolvable unless he consulted the girl who shared a special bond with the dead Takeru. His curiosity peaked once they were back in their living room and forced him to seek answer from Hikari.
"Whew..."
Takeru grabbed her elegant arm and stopped her from walking up to the higher level. Without turning back to face him, she questioned him for stopping her.
"What?"
"Hikari, I heard about Takeru Takaishi."
She gasped in shock and flinched slightly upon hearing his sentence.
"I think I know why you brought me to your home now. You saw him in me. Didn't you?"
"..."
His word held truth. His physical similarity with the Hikari's deceased companion was striking and that was what propelled Hikari into the dark alley where the
two first met. She hoped to find Takeru Takaishi on that cold fateful night.
"Just like me, he also loved you while you were in love with Taichi. That's why you feel all the more guilty for me, right? But I'm not him, so don't be."
"..."
She lowered her head and clenched her shaking hands. Takeru, then, walked closer to her gently embraced her graceful hands with his own.
"I don't think he would want you to spend your life feeling guilty for him. And I don't want you to feel guilty for me either because I'm still here with you and I will make you fall for me."
"...What makes you so sure that you can...? Face the reality...It's impossible now."
Her voice was breaking.
"You felt the exact same way about your smile, Hikari."
He smiled radiantly as he gripped her precious hands passionately. Then, for the first time in a long while, she let him see her eyes directly by grabbing his by his jacket collars and pushing him until his back was against a wall. She shouted with a teary voice as she strengthened her grip.
"Why did you have to come into my life?! Why did you have to look so much like him?!"
"Hikari..."
"He had those same eyes! If you didn't look like him, I wouldn't have taken you home and none of this would've ever happened!"
Thin streams of crystal tears began gliding gently down her lovely cheeks.
"Why...Why...why..."
She buried her face in to his chest and started hitting him out of frustration while murmuring the three letter word repeatedly. Her strikes gradually weakened and she rested on him motionlessly. Even without directly looking at her face, her excruciating sadness and fury towards the fate that transformed her life miserable with painful anguish was visible. The stress that she accumulated from the past events ruptured after being restricted for an eternity. She detested everything for breaking her apart and despised weeping so frequently when with Takeru. Just like the world outside, his shirt began to get soaked with sorrow. He wrapped his arm around the suffering girl lightly and apologized.
"I'm sorry, Hikari, for how I look. If I had the power to choose my appearance, I certainly wouldn't have chosen this face."
He laid his hand on her hair and spoke on.
"But I am Takeru Ishida and nobody else. So can you please see me as just me and not Takeru Takaishi?"
"..."
Her muffled sobbing vibrated on his chest.
"I feel pain too. And it hurts me when you get sad for looking at me because you see someone else."
His words pierced her deeply. She had, on multiple occasions, seen him as her old companion no longer on Earth. She, then, realized that the harrowing guilt she felt for the Takeru in front of her was a combined sentiment from the remorse she had for both Ishida and Takaishi. To dispel the emotional torment, she decided to take his advice and view as one sole individual. With renewed thought, she calmed her weeping and regained her composure. She cleared the fiery tears from her face and gazed into Takeru's beautiful cerulean eyes.
"You are you. I'm sorry for not being able to see that before. I acted the way I did with you because somewhere in my mind, I thought I was with the other Takeru...And probably, the feeling I have for you now is largely because of him too..."
"..."
"I thought I liked you, but I was actually liking the other Takeru..."
She lowered her head and stood motionlessly and silently. Takeru, on the other hand, was trying to recover from the shock he felt when an invisible dagger pierced his heart after hearing that everything and every way she felt about him was not directed to him. It gave him a hollow void in his heart, knowing that all the things he had done have been in vain.
"But..."
What he heard and saw next nearly caused him to lose consciousness.
"It was you who helped me to smile."
In front of him was the otherworldly complexion he had the infinite of honor of witnessing. It was the face of an angel that melts away the chilling aura in the cold December days and purifies the dark, tainted water into lucid liquid that deserves to be dubbed as holy water. He was dazzled and bewildered beyond his cognitive mind upon gazing at her phenomenally beautiful smile. The atmosphere around him began to lighten and the black wings that shrouded the dark world began to recede. His stabbed heart healed rapidly and started to beat beyond the absolute limit of its speed. From one end to the other, his entire body received a sudden surge of invigorating sensation that almost robbed away the strength to stand on his two feet.
"I'm gonna stop looking for him in you and like you said, I won't sympathize him or you anymore. And I know I'm being selfish, but if it's okay with you, do you think we can start over?"
He came back to his senses and answered with his own splendid smile.
"Of course."
"Thank you."
Despite the troubles still prevalent, it was a commemorative day for both of them. Hikari was finally able to let the the ghost of her past, Takeru Takaishi, go and move on with her life. As for Takeru, he had freed Hikari from guilt but was granted an additional task of protecting her divine smile. However, it only strengthened his motivation and determination to protect her from the lurking disaster that crept its way dangerously close now. Slowly, but surely, he was making progress as the fateful day of clashing with the fate drew near.
I know I've said it a billion times before, but I'm sooo sorry for being late with the update again! Kill me now, people. I kinda hit a wall for a long time. I also wanted
to write the chapter a little longer because it sucks to get a half a page worth of chapter for those of you who waited so patiently. Thank you so much! As for looking a
little sloppy and rushed, it's because I want to write another story with different genre after finishing this one (It's still going to be about Takeru and Hikari). I will still
try to finish the story with my best efforts and I hope I can satisfy everyone. The goal for me right now is to finish this story in less than a year. If anybody has
suggestions/advice for this or the next story, please share. They are welcome! Once again, thank you so much for waiting and Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
to everyone~~!
Mio: I'm glad that you find the ending exciting! Thank you.
Takari02: I am so honored to hear that you enjoyed my last chapter. I hope I can do better.
miiko chan: I wish this was the best Takari fanfic. I'll always aim for the best and to satisfy your expectations.
The Crash Twins: Thank you for being so understanding. I almost thought of abandoning it (Joking, joking)
StarrRyder: I love you for enjoying my story so much. Thank you! Hope to see you again soon~
Syanyde: The questions will be answered eventually~ I hope I can continue to write the story with the same addictive quality.