It's Wednesday, which means it's time to update this story! This one is pretty short, sorry about that, but I hope you still enjoy it.

Don't forget to let me know what you think~

Disclaimer: I don't own anything but Suzu...

Suzu had been avoiding everyone, and thankfully, Haru allowed her to. She was just relaxing in her room, window slightly open as she sat by it. She wasn't doing anything but looking out, and her gaze was unfocused until she saw them making their way into the yard.

They had watermelons that they quickly placed on a tarp, and she wondered what they were planning to do with them. She couldn't make out their words, but next thing she knew Haru was punching a watermelon into pieces. Suzu couldn't help but jump at the suddenness, and then she settled into a state of confusion. However, even though she was confused a part of her wanted to join them.

She placed her forehead against the glass watching their fun. Her amber eyes drifted to Haru's as he stared up at her and ate some watermelon. Everyone else was too preoccupied to notice their exchange. Before their gaze could continue for much longer she pushed herself away and listened faintly to the sound of their voices.

When things finally settled down, she couldn't help but peak into the living room. Suzu could see Momiji lying with a sleeping Hiro and Kisa, and he too looked ready to pass out. She quickly spun on her heels and walked towards one of the closets, trying to hurry before she was found out.

However, just as she was tugging down a blanket for them she heard her name being called. Quickly spinning, she saw Tohru with a large, kind smile right behind her.

"Are you cold, Suzu-san?" Tohru asked good-naturedly, and Suzu stood flustered.

"I-I needed to get something," she supplied as she shoved the blanket into Tohru's hands. Suzu hurried past Tohru and to the stairs, hoping the other didn't see how red her cheeks were.

It wasn't until Suzu was sitting on her bed that she realized she hadn't actually gotten anything to make her lie convincing; she had just left.

She flopped down and buried her head in her pillow as she let out a groan. How could she be so dumb?

When Suzu deemed it safe enough, she crept down the stairs. She was thirsty and was hoping to get some juice; however, as soon as she was down she saw Shigure enter.

He gave her a grin and made his way towards her. "Ah, Suzu-chan, how do you feel?"

Suzu eyed him with distrust. "Alright."

Shigure just chuckled though it was obvious she didn't like talking to him. "That's good. Anyway, I'm not here just to visit. I've got some news." With that he went towards the living room, giving Suzu a gesture to follow as he did.

She trailed a few paces behind him, and once the two were in the living room she leaned against one of the walls. Shigure, once again, announced he had news, and Tohru dutifully woke up Momiji and the two younger zodiac members.

"Akito is here," Shigure said bluntly, and as soon as the name passed his lips, Suzu couldn't help but glare. Her throat felt tight at the memories that arose.

She hated Akito.

"Akito-san has come here…?" Tohru wondered.

"Yeah, only just arrived, it seems."

Momiji was rubbing at his eyes tiredly. "Eh? Is Akito-san staying the night?"

Suzu paid little attention as the conversation went on. She didn't understand why Shigure even thought it was necessary to tell her this news. It wasn't like she was going to be visiting Akito like the others.

Just as Haru was making his way inside, Suzu decided to leave and head back to her room. She never should have come down for a drink.

It wasn't long before Suzu could smell food from her room. She didn't really want to leave her sanctuary, but at the same time, she was hungry.

Deciding to take the risk, she made her way down the stairs and into the living room just as Tohru and Kyo were setting up their food.

Tohru quickly stood tall and made her way to Suzu. "Eh? Suzu-san aren't you supposed to be with Akito-san?"

Suzu surmised that Akito had requested the presence of the zodiac members. She internally rolled her eyes at Akito's childishness. Looking past Tohru, she saw Kyo watching her with interest, probably wondering if she was going to spill the beans. "No," she said simply as her eyes relocated to Tohru.

Tohru didn't look pleased with the answer, but Kyo cut in before she could ask anything else. "Do you want to join us, Su?"

She hummed as she thought it over. Suzu enjoyed Kyo's company and she found herself not hating Tohru. Plus she needed some food in her and whatever Tohru had made smelled delicious. "Sure, what are we having?"

Suzu followed Tohru into the kitchen and watched as the other girl prepared her a plate. "Pancakes! Kyo's never had them before."

Suzu accepted the plate she was handed, and then she made her was to the small table. "Well, that makes two of us."

"You too, Suzu-san?"

Suzu shrugged as she sat. "I've lived a…sheltered life."

The three gave thanks for the food and then began to dig in. Suzu couldn't help but let out a small moan as she chewed her pancake piece.

Looking up, she saw Tohru with an excited smile and Kyo looked pleased as well. Suzu couldn't help but smile genuinely as she continued to eat, ignoring the two teens.

She was enjoying herself, and she didn't want to ruin it by trying to act cold.

Besides, she deserved a break every once in a while.

Before long their plates were cleaned and the sun was setting.

"Everyone isn't back yet," Tohru said sadly while looking towards the sky.

"They're probably eating there," Kyo explained, and Suzu externally rolled her eyes this time. Of course Akito was being selfish, no surprise there. "Let's cook the rest and eat it."

Suzu didn't think she could eat anymore, but she was amused by Kyo's input and Tohru's exaggerated reaction to it.

"W-We shouldn't!" Then she held up a finger with a look of realization on her face. "That's right. Could we call them?"

Kyo looked at her with a deadpan expression. "Do you remember the number? I don't…."

Tohru turned towards Suzu with an almost desperate expression. Suzu rested her chin on her palm. "Never learned it."

Tohru stood from her spot. "Well, as a last resort I'll go and take a look."

"What good will that do?" Kyo tried to reason, but Tohru was already making her way outside. "Hey…" he called, but there was no stopping the outsider.

Suzu just watched her walk off, watched the way her shoulders seemed to deflate, and she surmised that Tohru wasn't just going to look for a house.

"How have you been feeling?" Kyo asked once Tohru was out of sight and a silence had fallen over the two cursed teens.

Suzu hummed as she glanced over to him. "Alright."

His eyes narrowed in slight disbelief. "Really?"

She rolled her eyes and her lips tugged up into a small smirk. "You don't believe me?"

"Should I? You're always putting up a front, Su," Kyo's expression went from annoyed to sad. "If there's anyone who'd get it, it's me."

"What I have is nothing compared to your curse," she told him truthfully. Perhaps when she was young and afraid of death she had thought their fates the same, but now she knew the truth.

Kyo's curse was much worse than hers.

With an expression of anger and pain, Kyo practically yelled, "You're dying!"

Suzu let out a solemn sigh. "We're all dying, Kyo. Every day we're closer to death. My days are just…fewer than most people's."

"It's not right," he ground out, his jaw tense and his fists clenched on his lap.

Suzu stood from her spot, and she left Kyo in the living room with the words, "But it's what is."

And there was no changing it.