Characters may be OOC, I prefer them that way. Everything has a reason in this story, it will be revealed later on.

All questions will be answered, just leave a review or PM me. Criticisms are always welcome; just don't curse me and my writing. Let's give and show respect to all authors who are producing a reading material for the readers.

I would like to thank my grammar teachers: handj and jquackers. I learned a lot from them. They're the best, no stir. Hehe, I'm plugging here.

Episode Three

Continuation…

The green eyed girl clearly understood what the red eyed woman was feeling. Kuga Natsuki was a dense person but not stupid. And, she was also well aware of what the father wanted her to do. His explanation was a little vague but she had caught the meaning of it.

Besides, the family who took care of her was very hospitable she had finally decided that she was going to befriend and help the lonely girl; it was the least that she could do for them.

Natsuki nodded her head in complete understanding after Reito told her about Shizuru's case. She gazed at the daughter but all she could see was a happy and contented face. Had the man only assumed that his own child had not moved on yet and was mourning for their loss? Or perhaps, the woman, who was at this time tending to her arms, was only pretending to be okay.

The cobalt haired teenager was so deep in thought that she was not able to perceive what Reito said. She was brought out of her reverie by a warm hand holding her face. Surprised, she instinctively turned her head and looked at the source, and was somehow embarrassed to see two tantalizing ruby eyes looking worriedly at her.

She blushed for a while and said, "Amm, sorry… I suddenly zoned out. What were you saying again?" She smiled bashfully at them, showing a dimple under her right eye. The injured girl appeared to be cute because of the expression.

The chestnut haired maiden spoke, "Otou-san was asking if you are hungry. Do your injuries hurt you a lot?" she inquired and then bit her lip, "Where does it hurt?" She asked the question calmly, but a trace of worry was evident on her visage and in her voice.

It was a little disturbing for the emerald eyed girl to see an unfamiliar person show this kind of manner. She was only a stranger and intruder in their home. Should they really be this thoughtful to her?

"No, I'm fine. Thank you for asking." She answered politely as two red hues were spotted on her cheeks.

The man in the house stood from the chair. "Okay. If you need anything, and I mean anything, just yell for me or ask Shi-chan."

Natsuki nodded and said, "Thank you, sir. I really appreciate your generosity. But…" she bowed her head a little and added, "I don't know how to repay you at all."

Reito shook his head, "Just take care of my daughter when I'm not around; that's all I'm asking for," he said.

Natsuki was trying her best to be comfortable with the guy. Somehow, he reminded her of Kazuya, her dear friend.

"Yeah, don't worry I'll be nice to her." She said and was confident that she could really be nice to his daughter. After all, Shizuru was very caring to her.

The hospitable gentleman heaved a sigh of relief. He smiled brightly to Natsuki and said, "Hooh," he took in and let out a deep audible breath and continued, "I feel relieved. I'll be going now. Take your much needed rest, Natsuki-chan."

He bent down and kissed his daughter on the forehead and went out happily.

The two girls were now alone. They were silent for a moment, but the youngest adult spoke first.

"So… Hi," she said awkwardly.

"Hello." The crimson eyed woman said, and then all of a sudden laughed quietly.

Natsuki was puzzled because she could not remember anything that would have made the woman laugh. She had only said two very short words, so what made the other girl laughed at her? Maybe, this type of conduct was running in their family, she thought.

"What's so funny?" Natsuki asked and hoped to get a rational answer.

"You. I mean, nothing," Shizuru answered.

Natsuki was not buying it. "C'mon, tell me. I don't think you'll just laugh at nothing. Not unless, it's running in your genes." Or you're autistic. She said the last thought to herself. It would be very rude of her if she voiced it out, right?

Shizuru was suddenly became intrigued on Natsuki's statement and asked, "Oh really?"

"Yeah," she answered and nodded her head vigorously, causing her headache to develop again. But, she was too distracted to even notice it.

"What makes you say that?" Shizuru asked. Was it possible for someone to know or read easily the person she's talking to?

"It's because you seem to be an intelligent person. Or, you're a little crazy?" She rapidly blurted out. "I mean, a, I…" The teenager was going to apologize but was cut of.

"Thanks for the compliment." The friendly girl said and was flattered to know her new friend thought highly of her. It did not cross her mind that she might be lying, or only praising her just to be on her good side. Shizuru could see the girl was an honest speaker; because she would always look into her eyes everytime she would say something.

"Don't mention it. Wait a minute, which part are you thanking me for; the intelligent or the crazy part?" Natsuki inquired.

"Both." Shi-chan answered truthfully, and laughed gently again.

"Neh Shizuru, em, can I call you Shizuru?" Natsuki asked shyly. She did not know how to address the brown haired woman, her name was Shizuru but her father had called her Shi-chan. So, which name should and would she used? Though, she preferred the name Shizuru for the reason that it sounded so pleasant when she had uttered it.

"Hmm, let me think," she replied, doing a thinking pose. It took her thirty seconds before she added, "Do you like the name Shizuru?"

Natsuki was caught off guard by the question. Nobody had asked her before if she liked the name of someone else. Heck, she did not even like her own name, Natsuki, as in summer princess? Yeah right. It was somewhat ironic because of her personality.

"You're the only person I know whose name is Shizuru. Sure, I like it," the summer princess said. She was not saying this out of politeness, but she in truth liked it; even though she did not know what it means.

Shizuru was happy to hear that. Besides, it was so good to hear her own name from Natsuki's mouth. She really liked Natsuki. Maybe, they could be best friends or sisters.

"Then call me Shizuru," she said.

"Okay Shizuru." Saying and hearing the name sounded so natural, they both realized.

To be continued…

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