Chapter 12

Give Her Back!

Mai's P.O.V

It's been a week since Reo broke up with me. I could do nothing but think about my beloved. I've even locked myself in my room just to be alone. My parents and siblings tried their best to comfort me, but none of it worked out. So, I remain sitting on the bed, hugging myself while still thinking about her. Tears were already falling from my eyes.

"Reo . . ." I sniffle as I lower my head to bury it in my knees.

I have nothing left. Reo is gone and I could never find another just as Matsuri suggested. Reo is my one and only soon-to-be wife I had and Matsuri took her away from me.

Knock! Knock!

"Mai-chan?" My mom calls from behind the door.

I say nothing as I just hug myself tighter.

"Mai-chan, how long are you planning to shut yourself in your room? I'm worried about you and so does your father and your siblings. I can understand you feelings for Reo-chan, but please, you don't have to keep shutting yourself like that. I know you're stronger than that."

I slowly lift my head up and look at the door.

"You and Reo-chan need each other," My mom continues. "I'm sure your break up doesn't mean anything to both of you. Maybe someone else is trying to force one of you to break up so that he/she can have one of you to themselves. Now, I don't know who that is, but the point is that you and Reo-chan are meant to be. It's your choice, Mai-chan."

I hear her walk away from my room for a few seconds as I turn my head towards my phone on my bed. Reo . . . Mom's right. Reo needs me and I know that she can't handle Matsuri on her own. I've been depressed for so long that I didn't even think about Reo's feelings. She must be so lonely without me right now. But . . . if I go talk to her, what might happen to us? Matsuri might do something so bad that it will cost our relationship for good. Trying to talk to Reo alone might not be an option. I need a plan. With that in mind, I pick up the phone and call a certain someone for some help.

Out in the crowded streets, Kaede-san and I walk together in the sidewalk to the coffee shop where we usually hang out and get our drinks. Yuuna-san had something with Nanami-san, so she was unable to join us. Both Kaede-san and I sit at a tall table for two and silence fills the air for about a minute. I try to think of something to say when Kaede-san beats me to it.

"So . . . what's up?" she asks.

"Well, you know how I told you about Reo and I breaking up?"

"Yes."

"Well, I don't think it's Reo's fault. It's Matsuri's."

Kaede-san raises an eyebrow. "How can you be so sure?"

"As I was thinking about what Reo had said, I know that she wouldn't say such things to me. Matsuri must be forcing her to break up with me so that she can have her all to herself. All of it was Matsuri's fault."

"I see." Kaede-san says. "But I'm just wondering . . . was there any reason Matsuri-san wants Reo-san to herself? I mean, it could be for a different reason. That must be why she's so competitive against you."

"Even so, she shouldn't steal Reo like that," I say. Kaede-san's got a point, but why must Matsuri do this to us?

"Do you have any idea what you're gonna do?" Kaede-san asks. "I hope it's not anything risky."

"No, not yet," I reply, hanging my head down. "I still can't get over the break up and Matsuri."

Kaede-san just nods. "I'm worried, Mai-san. You and Reo-san must figure out a way to get back together soon before anything bad happens."

"I hope not," I say. I sit up and smile at my friend. "Thanks for talking with me, Kaede-san. I feel a little confident that I'm taking my Reo back."

"That's good," Kaede-san says as she smiles back.

There is silence again as both of us sip on our drinks.

"So . . . how was Sara-san?" I ask.

"She's fine," Kaede-san replies. "She still feels bad for you two breaking up."

Oh, that's right. Kaede-san had told Sara-san the news right after we met up and talked.

"But despite that, she's still doing well on her career," Kaede-san continues. "Just last week, she had modeled in the streets for people to take a glimpse at. They said that she was super gorgeous and cute."

"Wow!" I say. "That's amazing!"

Kaede-san nods. "Sara received tons of compliments after the photo shoot, saying what a wonderful job she did."

"That's great, Kaede-san. Tell her that I said hi, okay?"

"Alright."

With that, both of us finish our drinks, take our leave and decide to walk together for the time being. Sara-san is supposed to finish her photo shoot in an hour, so Kaede-san still has some time to hang with me for a while. We walk out in the streets, side by side and look around our surroundings. Lots of people are walking by us, plus the cars driving by, making it seem a little noisy. But Kaede-san and I didn't mind, so we just keep on walking when Kaede-san notices something.

"Hey," she says. "Isn't that Reo-san?"

"Huh?" I take a look in her direction and see a certain short blonde with . . . "Matsuri!?"

"Eh!? The silver haired one is Matsuri-san!?" Kaede-san seems very surprised to see her in person for the first time.

"Yes, and the one who stole my Reo," I explained to her. "Let's go see what she's up to now."

"Right."

Both of us run towards the two girls.

"Matsuri!" I call out.

The silver haired girl turns around and frowns. "Why if it isn't Mai Sawaguchi. Shouldn't you be sulking in your room or something?"

"Shut up!" I shout as I point at her. "I know you did all this just to keep Reo all to yourself, is that right!?"

Matsuri doesn't say anything. I take a glance at Reo, who is slightly scared and frightened.

"Answer me, you witch!" I yell.

"Hey, hey, take it easy," Matsuri says, putting her hands up. "You're interrupting our date here."

"Date!?"

"Yes. Didn't I tell you to stay away from Reo-sama? It seems that you aren't listening."

"You're darn right I'm not listening to your freaking words!" I rush in and grab her shirt. "You give Reo back right now!"

"Get off me!" She shoves me away, making me fall on the hard pavement.

"Ahh! Are you okay, Mai-san!?" Kaede-san cries as she rushes to my aid.

"Mai . . ." Reo faintly says as she is about to walk towards me when she's stopped by Matsuri.

"I got this, Reo-sama," she says. "Mai-sama needs to leave us alone."

"I don't need to leave you alone!" I shout at her. "I just want Reo back!"

"Not a chance."

"What do you freaking mean!?" I swear, I'm gonna tear her apart any second if that witch doesn't give Reo back soon.

"Let's just say . . . we hit it off." As she puts her hand up, I notice something shiny on her ring finger. There's something familiar about this ring . . .

"W-what do you have there?" I manage to ask.

"Oh, this?" She glances at the ring and giggles. "Ah, you noticed the ring, didn't you? Well, to tell you the truth, Reo-sama proposed to me. She totally got over the break up and well . . . she preferred to be with me rather than you."

"W-what?"

"Mai, that's not . . ." Reo tries to say, but is cut off by Matsuri.

"What she means is," Matsuri says. "That Reo doesn't need you anymore. You two are done and it means you should never be together ever again. She and I are a couple now. So, too bad for you, Mai-sama."

"But . . . Reo . . ." I choke a sob as tears start falling from my eyes.

"Sorry, Mai-sama," Matsuri says, shrugging. "But Reo-sama made her decision."

"Wait a minute!" Kaede-san says, stepping in. "I'm not so sure if Reo-san really . . ."

"Shut up, nerdy girl," Matsuri interrupts again. "You aren't any part of this." She turns to me as she leans down to my level. "I told you I'd win, Mai-sama. Now Reo-sama's finally mine and there's nothing you can do about it." She stands up and links arms to Reo. "Now then, we should get going, right, Reo-sama?"

"Uh . . . yes," Reo glances at me with a sad look and reluctantly links her arm against Matsuri's.

"No!" I cry as tears keep falling while reaching my hand out. "Reo! Don't go!"

Reo just looks at me with tears in her eyes and turns to join Matsuri. As both of them leave, I can feel my body shaking from this horrible sight.

"No . . . REO!"

But the two don't listen as they continue to leave. No . . . she can't have proposed to Matsuri already. It's not like her to do that! She should've refused to her selfish demands! That witch! I'll never forgive Matsuri for what she's done!

"Mai-san . . ." Kaede-san says softly as she leans down and looks at me worriedly.

I can do nothing but sob my heart out, hugging my friend in the process. This can't be happening. It's just one thing after another. First Matsuri forces one of us to break up and then maybe tried to force Reo to propose to her. And Reo . . . she looked like she didn't like it at all. She looked very frightened and was unable to help either of us, probably because of Matsuri. Oh, Reo . . . Why do you have to leave me? After about 5 minutes of letting out all my crying, I pull back, still sniffling.

"I'm so sorry, Mai-san," Kaede-san says, giving me a sad look. "I tried."

"No, it's not your fault." I say as I wipe the tears. "Looks like Matsuri has got what she wanted."

"Please, Mai-san," Kaede-san begs. "Don't let this get to you. She's just saying that so that you won't get any closer to Reo-san. I don't think Reo-san really did that."

"Well, if that's true, why doesn't Reo defend for me!?" I shout. "I mean, Matsuri seems to do whatever she pleases now! I can't have that! She's much too powerful for even the both of us!"

"Don't even talk like that!" Kaede-san says, raising her voice.

I gasp at her sudden action.

"You and Reo are both stronger than her. You're just acting like you're not! Do you really want to let yourself be defeated by Matsuri-san just because she wants to have Reo-san all to herself? Now, I may be shy and not used to so much attention, but Sara had taught me to be stronger and now I'm used to all the attention . . . because Sara is with me. You can be stronger as well. You just have to be strong for Reo-san as well. Both of you can fight this and Matsuri can't take on both of you."

"Kaede-san . . ." I feel that she is making a really good point.

"Even if Matsuri keeps telling you to stay away, you fight back and not listen to her stupid demands," Kaede-san continues and puts her hand on my shoulder. "I believe in you, Mai-san and so does everyone else! You're not alone. All of us are here for you and to help you out whenever you need it. It's your choice. Either keep letting Matsuri-san get in the way, or fight your way to get to Reo-san."

Both of us stand up as I stare at her for a moment. If Kaede-san says so, then I might as well take her advice. But still . . . what would happen if I act on it and Matsuri does something horrible to us again.

"Thank you, Kaede-san," I say as I try to smile. "But I need to think about it for a moment. There's just too much in my mind right now."

"I understand," Kaede-san replies.

With that, both of us start walking back home.

That night, I lay in bed, thinking about what I saw earlier and Kaede-san's words. It's gonna be really difficult since Matsuri is dating Reo right now and it may be impossible to get her back. But I knew I must try. This time, Matsuri isn't going to tell me a darn thing what to do and just get Reo back. She's my girlfriend and soon-to-be wife and no one ever takes her away from me!

A/N: Hello, again! Sorry for the late update yet again! Man, it's been over a month since my last update and I got 37 reviews already! That's awesome! Thanks a million for sticking with me and offering me wonderful suggestions for this chapter, especially Josephine231, my new reviewer! :D Keep up the reviews. It really keeps me going, my friends!

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