Chapter 8

Truths and Consequences

A/N: Hey, you guys. So, here's the start of my plan for this story. And I think you Mai x Reo fans are going to like it. You'll see what I mean once you read it. And I apologize again for the late update. Got so much going on in the house because we have to unpack everything from the basement because it flooded a few months ago. So, I'll probably post a chapter like once or twice a week, depending on what my time is. Anyways, enjoy the story! ;)

I have to make up my mind. Should I let Reo be with Matsuri this afternoon or not? I know right away that it's a definite "no". Besides, she's not the boss of me and I can do whatever I want. She has no right to interfere anyway. I look over to my beloved, who is sleeping soundly next to me. I really wanted to tease her right then and there, but somehow, I'm not really in the mood today. At least, until I get Matsuri out of my head. So I get up and immediately head over to the kitchen to make some breakfast.

After about 10 minutes, as I'm sizzling up some bacon, I hear cute moans from Reo from her bedroom, meaning she must have woken up from the sweet smell of breakfast.

"Mm . . . Mai?"

I slightly turn my head to notice Reo coming into the room. "Oh, good morning, Reo." I turn off the stove once the bacon is done and move on to the hash browns.

"Are you alright? You don't seem like yourself today," she says, her eyes showing concern for me.

"I'm fine," I reply while trying to smile at her as reassurance. But really, I'm in complete turmoil. Why do things have to be this way? "Come, breakfast is almost ready. Can you get the plates out please?"

Reo does as I told her and both of us set up the table for breakfast. Once that's done, we serve ourselves the bacon, eggs, and hash browns and sit at the table across from each other. Even though I made a really good breakfast, I somehow wasn't in the mood for breakfast, either. As I keep picking at the food, I'm trying to think of a way to spend time with Reo before Matsuri comes over. Then, there's only one thing on my mind.

"Reo?"

"Yes?" She looks up from her food and at me.

Do you mind if we . . . go for a walk after this?"

"No, not at all. Why?"

"I just . . . wanted to walk with you since the last couple days was intense." It wasn't particularly a lie, but really, I just need some time to clear my head and release the stress.

Reo nods again as she finishes up breakfast and immediately puts it in the sink. I slowly finish up mine 5 minutes after her and wash the dishes.

We exit the apartment to start our morning walk. We walk side by side, holding hands as none of us are saying a word. REo looks up at me to ask me what's wrong, but I just keep a straight face, making her unable to ask her question. I' still very stressed about Matsuri always coming between us and never giving us a break. Will she ever leave us alone?

"M-Mai?"

The sound of her voice stops me and I turn to notice Reo pulling on my shirt while nervously looking down at the ground, quietly trembling.

"What's wrong, Reo?" I ask.

"W=well, you've been acting kind of strange since early this morning and I really wanted to ask you, but you seemed so serious. Can you please tell me what's going on?"

Should I be honest with her? I ask myself. Even so, we're lovers, so we're supposed to tell each other everything. But . . . according to what Matsuri had said, I can't let her know that she knows her address. I lean down to her level and try to smile at her.

"Listen," I say. "I'm just in a lot of stress because of Matsuri. She can't come between us anymore and this has got to stop. When it does happen, the two of us can remain together, right?"

"R-right."

I wrap my arms around her and tip her chin to face me. "You're the one I love, Reo. No one, not even Matsuri, can take that away from me. I'm sure you feel the same way."

Reo just nods as she wraps her arms around me while turning her head away, hiding her blush. "W-well, of course I feel the same way, idiot. So, don't worry about ti. I-I'm always going to be by your side. Always."

I smile at her. "I'm glad. Glad to know that you still love me." I hug her back. "Hey, why don't we take a stroll in the mall today?"

"What are we going to do there?"

"Oh, we're just going to have a little fun together." I reply. "Just you and me."

Reo brightens and quickly nods. With that, both of us head straight to the mall.

So far, the trip to the mall is fantastic. We helped each other pick out new summer clothing, buy some candy for Reo to eat and buy some books for my brother and sister to read. Once that's done, we decide to go exploring down the huge mall, observing the awesome stores and restaurants around us, including some new ones that are going to open in a couple of months. After about 15 minutes of walking, we sit by a bench near a fountain, enjoying the view of the crowded mall. I look over to Reo, who is lightly kicking her feet up and down while looking down at the floor. She's so adorable when she's like that~

She then looks up at me and frowns. "What?"

"Oh, just seeing how cute you look when you're kicking your feet like that," I tease.

This causes her to flush bright red, and turn away to hide it. "W-what are you saying? I'm just . . . thinking, that's all."

"What are you thinking about, Reo? I bet it's me, isn't it?"

She blushes harder. "M-maybe . . ."

I can't help but lean in closer to her and whisper in her ear, "Just spill it out, Reo. You're happy that your'e spending time with me, don't you?"

"Okay! Okay, you don't have to be so pushy!" she shouts as she tries to push me away. "Geez! Don't you know we're in the mall!?"

"Hehe! I can't help it! You're just so cute~!"

"Ugh . . ."

Wow! I'm actually feeling better than I had been earlier. Teasing and having fun with Reo must have cheered me up somehow! With that in mind, I quickly give Reo a hug just for the heck of it.

"Mai! What did I tell you!?"

"I'm sorry, but like I said, I can't help myself. I just love hugging you."

"Mai, you idiot . . ."

Just then, both of us hear a soft, gentle voice coming from in front of us. "Hello, Mai-san. Reo-san."

I look up to see Yuuna-san standing in front of us with a beautiful smile on her face with Nanami-san by her side.

"Hello, you two," I greet them as I wave. "What are you doing here?"

"Oh, I was just exploring the mall with Nanami when I noticed you two having fun near the fountain. So I decided to come by to say hi."

"What are you two doing?" Nanami-san asks.

"We're just spending as much time together as we possibly can," I reply. "Just to get Matsuri out of my mind."

"Matsuri-san?" Apparently, Nanami hasn't heard of that girl yet.

"She's the girl that's competing with Mai-san," Yuuna-san explains. "She was in love with her since second year and things aren't going well between Mai-san and Matsuri-san."

"Oh, that's terrible," Nanami-san says, having a worried expression in her eyes.

"Don't worry," i assure her. "I'm making sure Matsuri doesn't get to Reo as long as I'm with her."

Nanami smiles. "That's good." She then turns to her lover. "Well, shall we go, Onee-sama?"

"Yes," Yuuna-san replies as she turns back to me. "I'll see you later, Mai-san."

"Bye."

"Bye, Reo-san."

"Um . . . bye." Reo says as she lazily waves at them.

When they leave, I turn to my lover as I stand up. "Well then, shall we go home now?"

"I-I guess."

"Good, then let''s go."

Both of us get up and immediately exit the mall. We walk hand in hand on the way home, with me hoping that Matsuri doesn't unexpectedly show up at her apartment. I look down at Reo, who is slightly showing concern for me when she notices my troubled expression.

"Are you alright?" she asks, frowning.

"Yes, I'm fine! Don't worry about it!"

She then eyes me suspiciously. "Something's fishy about it and it's doesn't look good."

Oh, why does it have to be so complicated!? It's only a surprise, no big deal. I keep on smiling at her as we are halfway to the apartment.

"Nothing's wrong, Reo. Maybe you're imagining things."

"Hmmm . . . alright." She seems as though she still doesn't believe me, but decides to let it go for now. Oh, boy. This looks like trouble is coming towards me right now.

When we finally arrive at the apartment, Reo takes out her keys, unlocks the door and opens it. But right when we enter the room, someone familiar is standing by the entrance, with her smile greeting us.

"Good morning, you two."

Reo's eyes widen at the sight of Matsuri in front of her. "You . . . here!? How did you know where I live!?"

The long, silver haired girl flips her hair. "Let's just say that I wanted to surprise you . . . with Mai-sama's help, of course."

"Mai!?" She swiftly turns to me, completely confused about what's going on. "Wh-what the fudge is going on!?"

"R-Reo," I try to say while putting my hands up in defense. "I can explain."

"Oh, don't bother," Matsuri says. "Besides, you two seem to be a little down. So sad having to meet you two like this. Come, let's have some tea, so we can talk this over."

Reo glares at me as we make our way to the kitchen. I have a bad feeling that this isn't gonna go well once we have our "talk".

When the tea is ready, I serve them on a tray while Matsuri and Reo sit on the couch. I immediately sit between them to keep their distance from each other and pour them some tea. None of us say a word as Reo and I look down at the ground. I have a really bad feeling about this when it comes to Matsuri being around.

"H-hey, Reo," I start.

"Mai," my lover says, turning towards me, shooting a glare at me. And it wasn't an annoyed glare either. "Why didn't you tell me Matsuri was coming here this afternoon?"

"W-well, you see . . ."

"I just wanted it to be a surprise," Maturi interrupts with a smile on her face.

"You do?"

"Mm-hmm. Besides, Mai-sama was the one who gave me the address."

I gasp. "No! That's a lie!"

"Like you telling me that Matsuri wouldn't find out this address or you saying that you would always protect me?" She shakes her head in disgust. "I don't know what to believe anymore."

"Reo, I can explain all this."

"Don't bother! I don't want to hear all of your silly little lies!"

"Those aren't lies! You've got to believe me! Matsuri is the one who's lying!" How can I get Reo to believe that Matsuri had set this up to tear us apart?

Reo looks over to Matsuri, who is having a grin on her face.

"Don't listen to her, Reo-sama," she says. "Remember, she was the one who abandoned you two years ago without telling you a thing. That left you worried sick about her and you didn't want that to happen, didn't you? Lovers tell each other everything, right?"

"Reo, listen to me! It wasn't that I abandoned you! My little brother was sick, remember!" I can't believe it has come to this. Matsuri had to tell me to keep it a secret just so that Reo could go against me about not telling her about it. I'm just so confused right now.

Reo doesn't say anything as she turns away again.

"Oh, I think you're confusing poor little Reo-sama," Matsuri says sarcastically. "I think we should let her decide."

I look at her desperately, pleading Reo to believe me. "Reo, you've got to believe me. Matsuri is the one at fault here!"

Reo finally opens her mouth. "I told you: I don't know what to believe any more. You promised that you'd always protect me from Matsuri and you would always be by my side. But were those things you said all a lie!?"

"No! Believe me, those are all true! Except maybe that I didn't know that Matsuri knew that address until now!"

"Shut up!" She immediately stands up and pushes me towards the entrance. "I don't want you in this room ever again."

"W-what?"

"I SAID GET OUT!" With that, she shoves me out the door and slams it shut.

I just stand there, completely flustered about what just happened here. Matsuri had told me to keep this a secret from Reo, so that she could surprise her and then have her turn against me? It's very unusual for Reo to do that, but yelling at me like that makes me think I should let her be for a while. Besides, while she's taking a break from me, maybe she'll realize about Matsuri's wrongdoing.

**Reo's P.O.V**

I stare at the door that I slammed at Mai's face with. I'm very angry and confused about what's going on. Why didn't Mai tell me about Matsuri coming over? What did she want with me? So many questions form in my head that I can't pick on to ask myself. With instinct, I begin to walk towards the door when I feel a hand grab mine and I look up to notice the silver haired girl looking down at me, smiling.

"Oh, where are you going, Reo-sama?"

"I'm going to find and talk to Mai. I owe her an apology."

Matsuri frowns as she pulls me back and closes the door. "I don't think so. You yelled at her, which means that she'll probably won't talk to you for a while. For now, spend time with me. It will be like taking a break from each other, right?"

"R-right."

"Excellent!" She happily leads me to the couch and both of us sit on it. As she happily plays with my blonde hair and hugging me, I think back on my behavior towards Mai, and how Matsuri knew my address. This is all so confusing I can't get my head straight. I need some answers before I confront Mai about this.

"Matsuri," I say, making her stop to look at me. "What really happened? How did you really know my address?"

She puts her hand on her hip while putting on a smile. "Do you really want to know?"

"Yes!"

"Well, just between you and me, one of my friends lives in the same apartment as you. I just found out a couple days ago, so I asked her what room you live in and it was a piece of cake. I really wanted to come visit you someday, so I told Mai-sama to keep it a surprise and then work it out from there. I had no idea a fight would occur once that was done, but that was the best part I had seen!" She begins laughing. "Oh, that was great! I never really expected you to yell at her like that, but that was incredible!"

My eyes widen at her story. "You mean . . . you made me look like a complete idiot yelling at Mai like that!? How could you!?"

Matsuri just shrugs. "Hey, I did it on purpose. You needed a break from each other anyway, right?"

I can feel my eyes shaking as I look down at the ground. So, all this time, Matsuri got the address and room number from one of her friends and set me and Mai up to get into an argument so that I would kick her out? Now I definitely need to talk to her!

"I have to talk to Mai!" I start to rush out of the couch when I feel a hand grab my arm and pull me back on the couch, making me turn to Matsuri, frowning at me.

"Didn't I tell you: Mai wouldn't be talking to you for a while since you yelled at her," she says. "So, you'll have to stay with me."

I glare at her. "Why would I stay with a freak like you? You should be the one kicked out, not Mai!"

"Is Mai-sama really that important to you?"

"Heck, yes! Why wouldn't she be!? She's the most important person in the world!"

"Well, you are the most important person to me," Matsuri says. "I've been in love with you since second year, but Mai-sama never gave me a chance. She was too busy being all lovey-dovey with you and spending time with you countless times. And when I heard about your engagement, it made it three times worse, so I wanted to break you two up!"

I turn away in disgust. "Well, you failed too many times. No matter what you do, you'll never break us up!"

This doesn't surprise her the slightest as I slowly turn my head to notice her sly grin.

"You're right," she says. "I not gonna break you two up. You are."

A/N: Uh-oh! This could be trouble! How will Reo handle this? Stay tuned to find out!

Thank you so much again for the reviews! You guys are amazing! I'm glad you all like this story so far! :D I promise it'll get better later on in the story. Keep on reviewing, you guys. You are awesome reviewers! Can't wait to get more!

As always, feel free to give out any suggestions, questions or concerns and well, you already know.