Sorry for getting the second chapter out so late. I wasn't actually sure if I should make this a serial story. The first chapter would have worked as a one-shot, but ultimately after getting a record number of reviews and requests to go on, I finished this chapter. Read and review!

Episode 2 – The Reunion

I can't stop staring at her.

When I came home, my mother told me we were going out soon to go shopping for clothes. I usually enjoyed shopping for clothes, but now…

I don't have any reason to dress up nicely.

I told my mom I didn't want to go, but she said I would need new clothes for the summer, and a new uniform for the junior high school I would be going to in the fall. I gave in, and went to go get ready.

I went to the mirror in my bedroom. I used to check my appearance all the time.

I hate this look, so I suppose it's about time I got a new one.

As I undressed, I took off my cat ears first. I stared at them for a good minute or so. These remind me too much of Kotaro. I put them up in the shelf in my closet.

Where they would stay forever.

At the clothing boutique, my mother went a little crazy with the cute outfits. She ended up picking out literally 50 different outfits, and then I remind her that I've only worn my school uniform, a few summer clothes, and my dress for formal occasions which amounts to 10 outfits, maybe. She got upset but then realized she can't afford to buy all those outfits anyway.

I was browsing through the store while my mother was deciding which outfits she would have to sacrifice when I saw them in a display window – a pair of bunny ears, white and fluffy on the outside and pink on the inside.

They remind of Misha.

I thought then I had seen Misha in the reflection of the window, but when I turned around there was my mother instead.

"Something you want, Koboshi?" My mother asked.

"Uh…yes, ma'am. Those," I said pointing to the bunny ears.

"Well those are just the cutest things ever!" she said with a little too much enthusiasm. "I was wondering what you did with your cat ears."

"I out grew them," was my monotone reply.

"I see. Well, I suppose change was bound to happen. After all, you'll be in junior high school this fall. Come on, let's go get them!"

With an appreciative smile, I said "Thank you, mom!"

After my mom bought the ears, I opened the packaging and put them on immediately. They felt right at home on my head. The ears flopped to the sides of my head, over my ears.

"They look very nice on you, Koboshi," my mother commented as we left the store. That made me smile. "Oh and look, they stand up when you smile too." That I wasn't expecting.

The next morning, I was somewhat dreading the walk to school. I had no idea how I was going to react when I saw Kotaro. It wasn't that I hated him. Actually, I wasn't sure how I felt about him anymore.

"I'm going now!" I called out to my mom.

"Be safe and have a nice day!" she called in response

I walked a little down the street from my apartment before I met up with Ten-chan. From the nervous look on his face, I could tell he was also having some apprehension. I smiled reassuringly at him.

"Good morning. Ten-chan."

"Uh…good morning, Koboshi-chan. How are you today?"

"I'm all right."

"Really?"

"Really." I could tell he still didn't believe me. Maybe he doesn't believe me because I don't quite believe it myself.

We walked a few blocks in silence before arriving at the usual intersection where we meet up with Kotaro and Misha. They hadn't arrived yet, and from looking around, they were nowhere in sight.

"Um...Koboshi-chan?" Ten-chan started.

"What is it?"

"When did you get those ears?" He indicated the new bunny ears on my head.

"Last night. My mom bought them for me when we went shopping for clothes."

"They're nice." I smiled at his compliment. Ten-chan can be very cool sometimes. "But what happened to your cat ears?"

But most of the time, Ayonokoji is an idiot. I bowed my head down, trying to think through the anger, sadness, and urge to cry as to what exactly to say…I was momentarily saved by…

"Good morning 'su, Koboshi-chan and Ten-chan!"

"Good morning, Misha-san…" I had turned around excited to greet Misha, when forgetting the obvious. Kotaro was to her right. He had a look of absolute devastation on his face, a look I was well familiar with.

"…Good morning, Kotaro."

"Uh! G..g..good morning Koboshi-chan!" He looked absolutely downtrodden. I couldn't stand it!

"Wait a minute." I took in a deep breath and swallowed my pride. "Kotaro, could we talk?"

"Uh…sure!"

"Misha-san, Ten-chan, go on ahead. We'll catch up." Ten-chan gave me an apprehensive look, but I just smiled and nodded. Misha started to look back and forth between Kotaro and me. I could tell she was really worried, but surprisingly she wasn't saying anything. I smiled and nodded to her as well. She still looked worried but left with Ten-chan. Finally, Kotaro and I were alone…again. "Listen…about yesterday. I was really upset, but I don't…I don't hate you."

"You," he sniffed, "you don't?"

"No, I could never hate you. You're one of my best friends. I guess…I guess…" My voice started to break. I could feel the tears coming back. No! Not now!

"I'm sorry."

"Wha…What?"
"I'm sorry." He was looking at me now. "I was…scared. When you said you loved me, I got scared. It, well, when you said that, I remembered my mother. I don't...know why...I just..." Tears were forming in his eyes now.

"I understand." And then, I made sure he understood I that I did. I pulled him into a hug. At this point, both of us were crying, but both of us knew we were okay.

Class that morning somewhat passed me by again. I had trouble concentrating. I kept getting some weird stares from everyone. I think it might have something to do with my new hair accessory. I swear I got a wink from someone. Besides that, I kept thinking about a certain someone. Eventually, lunch arrived.

Kotaro, Ten-chan, and I sat together like always. But I was waiting for someone else to arrive. I looked around and saw a pink-haired head cautiously peering by the door. I couldn't help but smile.

"Come on in, Misha-san!" I greeted. Kotaro turned his attention to her and smiled as well. That was enough to reassure Misha that everything almost back to the way they were.

"Wahoo 'su!" There she came bounding in, pulling all three of us into a hug.

"Misha!" Kotaro pleaded, embarrassed as always.

"Hehe. Let's eat!"

I can't stop staring at her. All through lunch, I found myself looking her way, catching her smiles. I wasn't completely sure what was going on, but I had a feeling, an impossible feeling. Could it be…?