Webs Start to Unravel

A Note: I thank shields of darkness for the advice. But I still prefer the genre to be Romance/Humor.

Karin looked down at her bandaged hands. Fuka had gone through this much… And to say the truth, it really wasn't her fault. I mean, people make mistakes, it's just… this time the results were more consequential.

Fuka was blinking rapidly, trying to force back tears. "It is my fault, isn't it, Karin-chan. It's my fault. If I didn't lie to Hotaru, he wouldn't have been sad and got hit by a car, and Hiroshi wouldn't have tried to avenge his brother's death, and wouldn't have attacked you and Kazune-kun, and you wouldn't end up here. It's my fault. All my fault."

Karin stayed quiet, just watching while Fuka burst into tears.

It was hard to imagine how much a struggle it is for Fuka to face every new day. Everyday, knowing the outside world may discriminate her. Knowing somewhere out there, Hotaru is looking at her. Knowing that she had done something cruel and can never be undone.

Hotaru was looking at Fuka. What kind of expression does he have on his face?

A few days later, Karin checked out of the hospital. She was still on crutches, because her ankle still hasn't fully recovered. She had some bandages here and there, but nothing that wouldn't heal in a few days.

When they got home Himeka-chan fixed them all something to eat--and a surprisingly enormous amount for Karin.

Karin looked across the table at Micchi and Himeka-chan, with Micchi sweet talking and Himeka-chan blushing adorably. They really liked each other. Karin poked at the yellow object before her. It was some kind of dessert Himeka-chan made up. She took a bite and thought about their conversation yesterday.

Flashback

"Karin-chan, I needed to talk to you." Himeka-chan came in, looking a bit nervous. Karin was still on the hospital bed, reading manga. "Himeka-chan, what's wrong?" She said, putting down her book.

"Karin-chan… Kazune-chan told me that you knew about Micchi and me." She looked a bit uncomfortable. "I just wanted to say… I'm sorry. I shouldn't have been so selfish."

Karin lowered her eyes. There seemed to be a lot of apologizing lately.

"Please forgive me! I didn't mean to interfere with you and Kazune-chan… well, I did, but I didn't… I didn't know what I was thinking…" She looked so anxious, trying to make Karin understand. "You know I liked him before, and although I like Micchi now, it's just… hard to take away old feelings. It was selfish of me to try and keep both of them."

Karin closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and looked at Himeka-chan. "It's okay, Himeka-chan. People make mistakes… especially when there are feelings involved." Those words tumbled out of her mouth out of no where. It seemed to be the only smart things she had said in these past few days. It was probably because of Fuka.

Himeka-chan looked at her with a worried face, but then it broke into a sunny smile. "Thank you, Karin-chan!" She leaned forward and gave her a hug. "I'm so glad you're my friend. I knew you would understand." Then she looked at Karin with a serious expression on her face. "I promise I won't interfere with you two anymore." They pinky-swore on this, and hugged.

When Himeka-chan left, Karin felt as if a great weight had been lifted off her back. Maybe she cared about that more than she thought.

Karin looked at the door that hasn't been closed fully and saw Micchi and Himeka-chan talking with happy expressions on their face. Their hands were entwined and they were standing close together.

I wonder if someday I can be like that with Kazune-kun…

End Flashback

Once she finished the unknown yellow object, she stood up, struggling with her crutches. No one helped her. Himeka-chan was too busy talking with Micchi in the kitchen and Kazune-kun had disappeared. And she hasn't seen Jin since the last time Karin had run off on their date. Jin was probably really angry.

She started walking. Himeka-chan had Micchi now. She had no one. She sighed, looking at herself while she passed a mirror in the hallway. She wasn't pretty to start with. Now she had all these bandages plastered all over her. Attractive, huh?

She stopped at the stairs. She wanted to go to her room, but she couldn't use her crutches on the stairs. She stared at the ground, not knowing what to do.

Suddenly, a pair of arms came from behind and lifted her up. Karin, surprised, looked up at the face of her 'hero'. It was Kazune-kun.

"Kazune-kun? What are you doing here?" Karin asked, as the blonde haired boy started climbing the stairs. "Well, it's my home, isn't it?" He said sarcastically. He was looking everywhere but at Karin.

Karin stayed quiet. After they got to the top, Kazune-kun put her down. He handed her the crutches. "Thanks." She said, looking at the ground.

"It's nothing…" He said, blushing a bit. Karin smiled.

"...but you could help me by losing some weight." Karin's smile disappeared.

She punched him in the face. "You are such a rude person!" She exclaimed, and walked off with her crutches. Kazune-kun caught up a while later, rubbing his face where she had punched him. "Sorry. But at least you're back to your old self." Karin heard this and looked up. Kazune-kun was smiling warmly.

"It's not like Karin to be depressed." Karin blushed, her heart going ba-dump, ba-dump, ba-dump.

They got to her room and Kazune-kun helped Karin sit on her bed. He sat down beside her. "Did you ask Fuka how she got the ring?" His face was serious.

Karin recalled the time when she asked Fuka.

Flashback (a lot of these, aren't there?)

"How'd you get the ring?" Karin asked, looking at Fuka suspiciously.

"Well, you see, I'm also an orphan. I live with my aunt and uncle right now. My uncle's a jeweler, and he likes to collect gems all over the world. On my birthday, every year, he would let me pick a jewel from his collection. And this year I picked that ring. I showed it to Hiroshi, and he said he really liked it. Then I started wearing it almost everyday, but I didn't know that he would secretly slip it away…" She had a faraway look in her eyes.

"So technically you never gave it to him. He stole it." Karin started to comprehend.

The ring was stolen. It was never given to Hiroshi.

End flashback

Kazune-kun nodded. "I'm going to investigate it later. Her uncle may have more of those rings in store."

Karin just stared at him. She noticed how close together they were sitting. Their legs and shoulders were both touching.

They sat in silence, each in their own thoughts. "Karin…" Kazune-kun suddenly turned around, his blue eyes focused on her. "Last week, you went on a date with Jin. He said that you ran off." Karin froze. "Well… he was talking on the phone… and I went to follow Fuka." She said guiltily. "How is Jin? Is he mad at me?"

"He's not mad, but he wanted you to call him." He said, looking at the ceiling. "He said he wanted to talk to you."

Karin bit her lip. Kazune-kun smiled softly. "Karin. Do you remember what we were talking about before you went off with Jin?"

Karin's head snapped back and she stared at him. They were talking about whether or not they really liked each other.

Kazune-kun looked really serious. She didn't know what to say. So she just looked at him.

Karin didn't know what came over her, but she hugged Kazune-kun. Just hugged him. Kazune-kun stiffened, and he seemed surprised. But then, he put his arms around her.

Karin closed her eyes. "Kazune-kun… I like you. I really do. It's just… there's so much going on, and I'm not sure about anything. Jin and Micchi were staying, and I heard Himeka-chan talking, and I jumped to conclusions and—" Kazune-kun shushed her and hugged her closer, nuzzling his head in her neck. "I understand, Karin. It's alright. It's my fault for letting you misunderstand. I'm sorry I'm a jerk."

Karin smiled and whispered in his ear, "Thanks. It means a lot to me." She felt Kazune-kun grin too. "I like you too, Karin. A long time ago."

He leaned back and traced his finger from her nose to her mouth. Karin's heart sped up and her cheeks were burning. Then he leaned forward to kiss her…

"Karin?" It was Fuka. Her eyes moved to Kazune-kun. She looked at them, and then she seemed to understand. "Omigosh, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt!" She gasped, putting her hand to her mouth.

Kazune-kun coughed and backed away from Karin, and walked to the other side of the room. Karin could feel him blushing.

"Erm, yes?" Karin said, uneasy.

Fuka lowered her eyes and smiled sadly. "I'm leaving, Karin."

:::::::Dun dun dun!!!:::::::