Author's Notes: O.O There's images for book covers now? *feels the urgent need to look for a good picture* Sorry it took so long to update . Hope you guys enjoy it.
Kaito felt his steps growing heavier as he neared Miku's house. The sun was beginning to set, he no longer felt the hot sun on his back and the street lights began turning on. The evening was beginning to give way to night. He reached a small apartment with a teal roof. It was nowhere near the size of Luka's house, but the average house had its own charms. Kaito hesitated when he reached for the doorbell. As he reached in his pocket for Rin's note to verify the address, he felt eyes watching him. He raised his head to look at the windows and saw one of the curtains closing abruptly.
Kaito wasn't sure how to approach Miku, he thought about it the whole walk to her house, but he was unable to come up with an answer. There was a shuffling of grocery bags behind him. Miki walked up to the house grinning. "Hey Kaito!" she greeted him excitedly. Kaito smiled back at her. The redhead was always full of energy. She put her bags down and searched for her keys. "Did you come to visit Miku, Kaito?" Miki said while rummaging through her bag. Kaito scratched his head. "Well… yeah. What about you? Here I'll help you out." He said, picking up one of her grocery bags. Miki grinned "I'm Miku's roommate, so I live here too. Oh and thanks! These leeks are pretty heavy." She opened the gate. "I'm sure Miku would love to see you." Kaito stepped in and Miki opened the door for him.
Walking in to their apartment, Kaito felt a sense of unease. Miku probably lay in bed in the room upstairs, but he was still not sure what to say. They put down the bags on a coffee table in the living room and Miki told him to take a seat on the couch. She scurried up the stairs and said "Feel free to grab anything on the fridge. I'm going to check up on Miku." He could hear Miki's quick footsteps as she headed for Miku's room. Kaito quietly followed her but remained out of sight to listen at the end of the stairs.
" Miku! You have a visitor. Kaito's downstairs waiting."Miki said cheerfully. There was an obvious tone of shock in Miku's voice "Oh my god, Miki, you let him in?" Miki laughed playfully. "Uh-huh, oh wait he's right there." She pointed near the stairs. "Come on! I'm sure you two have a lot to talk about." She gestured him to come closer. Hesitantly he walked through the small hallway leading to Miku's room. "Hey… Miku. How are you?" Kaito could see her silhouette next to the window. "It's way too dark in here now."Miki remarked as she turned on the light. Kaito saw Miku's slender frame clearly in the light. Although she still looked beautiful and fit, it was clear that she hadn't been eating well. Miku enveloped herself in her blanket. Miki impishly smiled as she walked by Kaito. "I'm going to go try making dinner. Have fun you two!" Miki skipped through the hallway.
"Wait! Don't go Miki!" Miku yelled, but the redhead didn't seem to hear. Kaito awkwardly entered Miku's room. Everything in Miku's room was meticulously clean except a dozen scattered tissues on the floor.
Miku's expression seemed to soften and her nervousness seemed to grow with every step as he entered her room. He took a seat next to the wall opposite from Miku's bed. "How's your cold?" Kaito asked.
Miku laughed a little to herself. The reason she's been absent wasn't due to her cold. "I'm fine, I just have a little bit of a fever." Kaito gave her a weak smile. "I see." Miku watched Kaito intently, waiting for him to say something else. Her teal eyes were set on his face. Kaito sighed. He had to be the one to start the conversation. "About earlier Miku, on the phone…" Miku smiled at him thoughtfully. "Yeah, it's great that you're finally able to tell her your feelings. I hope you two the best. I'm really sorry if I confused you that day after Luka confessed." Kaito said nothing, however his smile turned into a grim expression. "It's really for the best. This why I helped you all this time right?"Miku's smile still lingered. Kaito got up and walked towards Miku. He placed his hand down on the edge of the bed. "This is fine right? This is what I wanted all along." Miku's voice seemed to crack. Kaito looked at her thoughtfully and reached for her face.
"If that really is what you want Miku, then why are you crying?" He wiped a tear from her eye. At once Miku's transparent smile shattered and her tears began to flow. "Then what should I do?" She looked at him pleadingly through her tears. "What can I do?" She covered her face with her hands, attempting to wipe all of her tears away, but she was unable to stop the flow. "Why did you come here? Shouldn't you be with Luka?" Kaito looked at her sadly and said. "I only came to tell you that I do love Luka and that will never change, I wanted you to know this clearly, that I have no doubt in my mind." Miku sniffled. Kaito patted her on the head. "But… But, I really can't bear to see you cry." Miku leaned closer to him and they both saw each other eye to eye. Kaito knew he had to push her away, but Miku's face inched nearer.
"Well aren't you two going to kiss?" Miki said casually.
They didn't notice Miki standing at the door. "Oh, fu-" Kaito fell to the floor on his back while he was holding onto Miku's blanket, dragging it with him. Miku fell on top of him and Miki's eyes widened. "Whoops! Sorry for interrupting, I'll just leave. Carry on."
Miku quickly hurried up her bed and covered herself with her blanket. "Oh my god, Miki! How long have you been standing there?" She exclaimed. Miki looked up thoughtfully. "Well… all I did was turn on the stove to boil something, so pretty much most of your conversation." Miku peeked her head out of her blanket. "If you want me to leave so you two can finish, I could do that." Miki said reassuringly.
"No, Miki! We don't need to finish anything!"Miku yelled. Miki had an Oh-really-now? look on her face. "So you finished already? Even though I was only gone for a few seconds." She said somewhat suggestively. Kaito couldn't say anything, he was too flushed from embarrassment. "Oh! I just remembered. Kaito, can you turn off the stove?"Miki smiled at him. Without saying a word he clumsily left the room.
When Kaito was out of sight Miki grinned and said "You two would make an awesome couple!" Miku threw a pillow at Miki, which the redhead swiftly dodged. "Stop it, Miki. It's hard enough as it is for me to give him up as it is. He already has Luka, you heard him right?" Miki looked up at the ceiling childishly. "So? If you have vanilla ice cream all the time, then shouldn't it be okay to switch to chocolate ice cream if you feel like it? If you both like each other, shouldn't that be enough reason?"The redhead said innocently. Miku sighed. "It's just not that simple Miki. I really wish it was though…" Miki shrugged. "It seems that simple to me."
"I've been helping him out trying to get him closer to Luka all this time, telling him not to give up on his love, no matter how hopeless it seems. It's just wrong to make him give all that up just for me."Miku squeezed her pillow tightly.
Miki didn't seem to hesitate at all when she replied, as if it was just common sense. "Really? I would think it's more wrong to not practice what you teach. You're telling him not to give up on his love while you leave yours to die." Miki's words shook Miku.
Miku laughed at her hypocrisy. "You speak of what's good for her, but you continually ignore your own feelings. How can you love someone else if you can't even love yourself, huh?" she recalled her words to Kaito. "I guess… I might give it a try."Miku said to herself. Miku hugged her friend. "Thank you, Miki. I think I feel better now." The redhead gave a sweet smile "No problem, Miku! Go capture him!"Miki laughed giving a thumbs-up.
Miku got up from her bed and made her way down the stairs. The living room was quiet. Kaito was busy fumbling with his pockets and didn't notice Miku approaching. "Kaito." Miku called out his name. He turned around to face her. She gave him an earnest look. "You made it clear that you love Luka. Now I'm making it clear that I love you and nothing will change that as well! I don't care whether it takes ten years or even ten centuries, I'll fight for what I love." Miku's voice was honest and sincere, it never faltered from hesitation. Kaito was stunned. "Miku, are you sure?" Kaito had a surprised look on his face. "For sure." Miku replied with complete, unyielding resolve.
His phone rang, alerting him he received a text message. Kaito took it from his pocket and they both looked at it nervously. "Is it… Luka?"Miku said. Kaito gave a sigh of relief. It would have been the wrong moment to receive a text from Luka. "It was just Rin asking whether you and Luka are going to the picnic."
Miku smiled. "I'm going, since I'll be back in school tomorrow. It will be fun." Kaito quickly replied to Rin, telling her they'll both be going. His eyes wandered to the digital clock. "It's getting late." He headed for the door. Miku gave him a quick hug from behind. "I'll see you tomorrow. Good night Kaito"
Miki came down the stairs after he left with a look of deep thought. "Miku, I've been wondering…" Miku looked at Miki curiously. "What is it, Miki?" The redhead put her hand on her chin thoughtfully. "How did Kaito get our address?"
Luka sighed as she put her books away from her desk. The young girl was happy that Miku was well and that Kaito was happy, but… what was this feeling that left an empty hole in her heart? She glanced behind her and saw Miku next to Kaito. Miku laughed cheerfully along with him. A pang of envy assaulted her. Miku noticed Luka's glance and their eyes met. Miku immediately went silent and Kaito noticed the growing tension between them. Miku felt a tremendous amount of guilt while she and Luka exchanged glances. Luka wasn't sure whether anything had happened between Miku and Kaito, but she had a feeling that something wasn't right.
Rin nudged Luka from behind. "Hey, how are you feeling?" Luka gave Rin a sweet smile "I'm alright now. I just caught a little cold." Rin smiled back "That's good to hear. I sent Kaito to ask you and Miku if you were both fine, just to see if you two were alright. Hope you don't mind that I gave him your addresses." The small blonde apologetically bowed a little. Luka laughed "No, not at all. Don't worry about it." Luka didn't mind that Rin gave her address to Kaito, but she kept thinking of Kaito visiting Miku late at night.
"You two both seem much better now, but… You look worried, Luka. Is something wrong?" Rin said insightfully. Luka was surprised Rin was able to read her so well. "It's nothing. I just have something else in mind at the moment."Luka shrugged of Rin's concern. "I see, 'Kay then." Rin walked towards Miku and Kaito.
"Are you guys ready for the trip? It's just a day away!" Rin was extremely excited to go. It's been on her mind for the past week. Kaito scratched his head. "I guess… Do we have to bring anything special?". Rin placed her hand on her chin. "I don't think so. Me, Miki and Gumi are bringing the food. Luka, do you think we'll need anything?"Rin gestured Luka to come closer. Miku's eyes followed the pink-haired girl as she approached. "I don't think we'll need anything."Luka went to Kaito's side, opposite from Miku. Kaito didn't know which way to face, trying to show as much neutrality as possible.
Luka stared at Miku for a moment. "Are you feeling better now, Miku?" Luka asked. "I heard Kaito came by your house last night. Did anything happen?"
Miku froze. She still hasn't told Luka about her feelings for Kaito. Miku was worried that it would tear her friend apart and maybe even make Luka hate her forever. Kaito saw the dilemma in Miku eyes and although he hated lying to Luka, he saw that he needed to give Miku more time.
"It's nothing, Luka." He put his hand Luka's shoulder reassuringly. Hearing the words from Kaito, Luka smiled. She felt much more at ease now. "Alright, I believe you."Luka said cheerfully. Rin looked at the three of them confused. "Did I… miss something?" The short blonde felt out of the loop.
The three of them said nothing, but just laughed.
The weather was perfect during the day of the picnic. The sun was out casting a bright, but gentle shine on the forest. "Are we there yet?" Rin pouted impatiently. They walked along the edge of the road, passing by a crystal clear lake. The crackle of autumn leaves could be heard as the group headed deeper into the forest. " Don't worry, we're almost there. The most beautiful part is deep in the forest."Gakupo assured Rin. They reached a clearing surrounded by several maple trees. The leaves fluttered around the air, swayed by the gentle wind.
"Wooooow!"Miki exclaimed. "It's so pretty!" She ran into the center, eager to see more of it. Rin's eyes grew large with wonder. "The color of the leaves is amazing."Rin said. "Yeah, they are. Didn't I tell you?" Gakupo said proudly. Miku and Gumi were entranced by the forest's amazing scenery. Kaito took a deep breath, taking in the cool breeze. Luka was enchanted with a mix of wonder and nostalgia.
"Well, let's get set up." Gakupo said, taking a blanket and spreading it on the floor. They unpacked the lunches, getting ready to eat. "Me and Gumi cooked it just for you guys, so you better be grateful!"Miki said. Rin looked at her angrily "I helped too!" she muttered.
After they finished eating, they split up to look around and enjoy the scenery. Miku and Miki sat down near the lake. During the whole trip Miku couldn't bring herself to talk to Luka. Miki stared at her reflection in the water. "Is something wrong, Miku?" Miki asked. Miku sighed and said "It's just about Luka…" Miki looked at her curiously "Hmmm? What is it?"
Miku picked up a small leaf in her hands. "I'm just feeling guilty. I gave her advice and helped her and Kaito become closer. Now I feel like I'm betraying her and that I'm trying to steal it all away. It's just not right." Miki said nothing and turned around to stare back at the lake. They both sat down on the ground facing the lake, cushioned by the fallen leaves.
"You can't always be right, after all no one can get 100% on everything right?" Miki said. "Do you still feel the same about Kaito?" the redhead asked. Miku discarded the leaf and looked at Miki seriously. "Yes, I'm even more sure now. I love Kaito too much to give up on him. Ever since that night he came to our apartment, my certainty has only started to grow. That I'm sure of."Miku said sincerely. Miki got and walked nearer to the lake. "That's great! I'm sure he'll start loving you more in no time. If he doesn't already."She laughed. Miku looked down somberly. "But it's just not right to Kaito or Luka if I don't tell Luka myself… But even if I wanted to. I don't know how to tell her without hurting her!" Miku said with frustration.
Miki turned around to face Miku. Immediately the redhead's face paled a little. "I don't think you'll need to." She whispered. Miku turned to look behind her. Her heart sank immediately. Luka was leaning on a maple tree behind them. She had a horrified expression on her face, filled with shock and she looked deeply hurt. Miku got up and started quickly walking to Luka. "Luka… I'm sorry! I didn't want you to find out this way!"
Luka said nothing and ran into the direction of the forest. Miku wasn't able to chase after her, Luka was already out of sight. Miku clenched her fists. Maybe this is for the best she thought to herself.
Luka didn't know where she was heading; she just wanted to run away from all of it. She wanted to outrun time and leave it all behind. Her legs felt tired, yet she kept running, pushing them to their limit. She tripped over a tree root, and as she sat up, her tears began to overflow. Does Kaito really love Miku than her? Did Miku only help her to get closer to Kaito? What happened in Miku's apartment that night? The questions that were left painfully blank tortured her. Luka couldn't walk because of her fall, but it was fine. She wanted to be lost here and disappear, like a lost memory faded away by the wind.
Kaito got lost in the forest after he tried to look for Gakupo. He tried to retrace his steps but he heard a soft sobbing. Kaito followed the sound and found Luka on the floor, leaning on a tree. He rushed to her side. "Luka! Are you alright?" He grabbed her by the shoulders with concern. Luka focused her eyes on his face. The sun gave her aquamarine-like eyes a gentle glow. "Kaito…" Luka called out his name softly. Kaito was really worried "What's wrong, Luka?" Luka looked at him with tear filled eyes. "Do you like Miku?" Kaito was taken aback by her sudden question. He didn't want to lie to Luka anymore, especially not now. "Yes, I do. But you're the one I love!"Kaito said with genuine honesty. Luka gazed at the leaves on the floor. "I see…" she said somberly. She didn't know what to do or what to feel.
An abrupt ringing came from Kaito's phone. He took it out to see who was calling. Luka tugged on his sleeve, preventing him from getting a closer look.. "Do you really have to go?" she asked him. Time seemed to stop at that moment. A gust of wind stirred the forest and created a blizzard of crimson leaves. Memories rushed to Kaito's head. Kaito stayed silent and pulled on his bracelet, reducing it to a long thin piece of silk. Luka's eyes widened as Kaito went behind her and gently put his hand on her hair.
"This bracelet… it was your ribbon, wasn't it?" Kaito said, placing it on her hair.