A single red leaf drifted onto Kaito's shoulder. The strands of Luka's long pink hair seemed to make the ordinary looking silk ribbon stand out. "So it really was you…" Luka said in a low breath. Kaito said nothing, but merely stared at the ribbon. Luka wiped her tears and smiled. "You actually remembered, Kaito…" Luka looked like she was going to cry again, but this time from happiness. Kaito smiled back. "That ribbon really suits you, Luka" The long haired girl fingered the ribbon, she carefully ran her fingers through it, feeling the fabric with her own hands. "You took really good care of it."

"I'm sorry for not remembering for so long." Kaito looked down guiltily. Luka hugged him, her long hair enveloping around him like a comforting ocean wave. "At least you finally remembered." Luka said. "Yeah…"Kaito said, biting his lip.

"Luka! Kaito! Rin! Where are you?" Gakupo's voice resounded in the distance. Luka laughed made a cheerfully skip backwards. Kaito was deeply relieved that Luka was in high spirits now. She seemed much more at ease around him and much more comfortable, as if she had been holding herself back all this time. Gakupo found Luka grabbing onto Kaito's arm playfully as they walked together.

Gakupo was confused for two reasons. First, he didn't expect Luka to be happy, after he heard from Miku that she had upset Luka. He feared the worst, so finding Luka happily tugging on Kaito's sleeve confused him greatly. Second, this was the first time he ever saw Luka so comfortable around Kaito, before she only allowed brief physical contact. Now Luka felt more casual around him and a stranger would even think that they were lovers just from the sight of them walking together.

"Hey… Luka."Gakupo said uneasily. "Hello Gakupo" Luka said, with a graceful smile still on her face. Gakupo looked around. "Glad I found you two, but have you guys seen Rin?"Gakupo asked. Luka and Kaito shrugged.

"Luka, Can I ask you a favor? Could you go to the clearing to check Rin got back safely? Me and Kaito will look around for her here." Luka looked at Kaito for a moment after hearing Gakupo's request, then she sighed and let go of Kaito. "Alright, I'll give you a call if I find her."

When Luka was out of sight Gakupo fixed his eyes on Kaito. "Kaito what the hell happened? I heard from Miku that she upset her somehow and I was expecting her to be breaking down in tears or something. I thought that she found out about Miku liking you, but here I find Luka happily grabbing on to your arm like a puppy affectionately following its owner."

Kaito's bit his lip. "I remembered that I had her ribbon as my bracelet all this time. I finally returned it to her today." Gakupo looked at the other young man in wonder. "You were childhood friends or something all this time? That's great that you finally remembered. I don't understand why you look sad."

Kaito put his hands on his head, wanting to pull on his hair. "That's the problem! I… I don't remember anything other than the ribbon belonging to her." Kaito's voice quivered. "I just remembered that it was hers." Kaito focused and thought as hard as he could. "I just cant seem to remember anything else, no matter how hard I try." Kaito said with frustration. Gakupo thought for a moment. "Does Luka know?"

Kaito took a seat on an overgrown tree root. "No… I couldn't bring myself to tell her. She looked so happy and I didn't want her to be sad again. I think she found out about Miku."

Gakupo's phone rang. He flipped it open and read a message. "Looks like Rin isn't there. Let's split up to look for her. Do you know the way back?" Gakupo flipped his phone closed. Kaito began walking deeper into the forest. "More or less."

Gakupo waved goodbye. "Oh, One more thing, Kaito." Kaito turned around.

"Choose one, because you can't get both."Gakupo said.

Kaito didn't know what Gakupo meant.

Kaito found Rin in the forest, happily looking through a pocketbook that she kept in her bag. She flipped through the pages carefully, as if each page could tear with every movement. The pocketbook she held now was unlike the one she took out when she gave Luka and Miku's address to Kaito. It was binded and intricately bordered with gold patterns.

Kaito walked towards her and Rin heard him approaching. The small girl put her pocketbook back in her bag. "Hey, Rin. Everyone is looking for you." Kaito said when got near Rin. "Oh, I'm sorry! This looked like a perfect place to read. I guess I just lost track of time."Rin smiled apologetically. Kaito shrugged and said "All right, let's start heading back. They should be waiting for us at the clearing." As they began walking Kaito stopped, "By the way, what were you reading?" Rin seemed to radiate a gentle happiness as she talked about it. "It was my favorite book. I read it every day" Kaito looked at her curiously. "What is it about?"He asked. Rin gave a playful smile and said "It's a secret."

When they got back to the clearing Kaito saw Luka sitting next to Miku on a fallen tree, while Gakupo and the others were cleaning up. He grew extremely worried. "Rin, could you help Gakupo clean up?" The blonde said nothing. But smiled and went to help. Luka and Miku didn't seem to be talking to each other. Luka said something and made a small bow to Miku apologetically. Miku nodded and said something that Kaito couldn't hear.

While Kaito was looking for Rin…

Luka came to the clearing and was unable to find Rin, but what she did find was Miku sitting on a fallen oak tree. Miku looked at her, pained with guilt. Luka sent a message to Gakupo and walked towards Miku. The teal-haired girl fixed her eyes on the Luka's pink hair. Luka sat down on the oak tree.

Miku's breathing slowed. "I made up my mind." Luka ran her hands through the oak tree, feeling the rough bark on her fingers. "I see..."Luka said softly. A cold wind blew, the fallen leaves that lay on the ground fluttered once more. Miku closed her eyes, taking in the moment. "I like Kaito, I'm sorry Luka. I can't help it. I don't want to steal him from you, but I can't let him go."

Luka said nothing and looked at fluttering leaves in the wind. "Did you know, we're like maple leaves, Miku. Separating from other leaves to ride in the wind and taking a chance to get to a better place. I can feel myself getting more distant from you, as I try to get closer to Kaito. One day, we might fall to the ground, unable to see each other because of the distance between us, but I still want to be like a single red leaf, falling onto Kaito's shoulder, always at his side. For that, I'll ride the wind once more."

Miku smiled. "That sounds beautiful." There was no contempt or hatred in Luka's eyes as she looked at Miku. They were forgiving and kind and looked upon Miku with compassion. "I like Kaito… no. I love Kaito. If you feel the same… then it only means I have to try even harder, but I still like you Miku." Luka smiled. Miku smiled back and they saw Kaito approaching. Luka stood up and with a low bow she said " I wish you the best."

Miku smiled and said "I wish you the best as well."

As they walked back from the forest, Kaito observed Luka and Miku. Although they didn't speak as much as before, they enjoyed casual short conversations once in a while. Maybe his worries were in vain, he thought. Rin swung her bag around as she walked, nearly hitting Kaito. "This trip was nice. I wish we had more places to visit." Rin said. " Maybe we should go to the school dance together as well!" Miki suggested. "Did you guys decide who you're going to take?" the redhead innocently asked. Immediately Kaito felt two pairs of eyes watching him.

"What about you Kaito? Who are you going to take?"Gakupo asked teasingly. "Umm… I don't know yet. What about you Rin?"Kaito said, trying to divert attention from himself. The blonde smiled shyly "I don't have anyone in mind… I think I'll just go with Len!"

Gumi laughed a little. " Maybe Len has a date of his own?" Rin pouted, but said nothing. Luka and Miku still stared at him, expecting an answer. He could feel their eyes burning a hole through his head. Luka quickened her pace to catch up to Kaito. She obviously wanted to ask something, but the young girl remained silent.

Kaito overslept the next day. He rushed to school in a hurry, struggling to make it in time. As he ran through the halls he saw the school bulletin board covered with flyers about the school's fairy-tale themed masquerade dance. He was sure he would take Luka, but… it would've been nice to go with Miku as well. He entered the classroom and saw Luka holding one of the flyers. She stared at it thoughtfully and didn't seem to notice anything around her. Kaito wanted to ask her about it, but the crushing embarrassment and shyness prevented him from doing so.

Kaito sighed and sat down on his desk. Miku took a seat shortly after and greeted him. "Hey, Kaito. Are you alright?" She asked as she took out her books. Kaito noticed a flyer for the dance in her bag. Kaito still couldn't shake off the thought that Miku was still helping her with Luka, he was also desperate for advice. "Miku… are you going to the dance?" Miku seemed shocked. "Yeah, why Kaito?" Kaito played with his pencil, "I… can't seem to ask Luka." He said sadly.

Kaito regretted saying those words to Miku almost immediately. Disappointment was painted on her face, but she still gave him advice. "I think you should ask her when you're alone together, or maybe just give her a call." Although she tried to say it encouragingly, Miku's voice was pained and she was torn on the inside.

Kaito felt terrible. "So how was yesterday's trip?" Miku asked, wanting to change the subject. Rin and Len walked into the classroom. Rin followed closely to her brother. "Len… about the dance. Who are you going to take?"the small blonde asked. Rin seemed scared to find out the answer. Len looked up at the ceiling and thought for a second. "I don't know yet." Rin gave a smile of relief. "Maybe… you can go with me?" she said, almost jokingly. Len laughed. "I think I'm a bit too old to go to a dance with my sister." Rin laughed weakly. Len smiled "But I guess it's less troublesome to go with you right?" The small blonde brightened up immediately. "So you wanna go, Rin?" Len asked. "Yeah!"Rin replied with enthusiasm. Len laughed cheerfully. "It's a date then!" he remarked. Rin turned a bright color of red from embarrassment.

Miku smiled at the twins. "That seems nice, doesn't it?" Kaito nodded in agreement.

Luka walked up to him afterschool and put her hand in his shoulder. She looked at Miku and smiled. "Could you give us a moment, Miku?"the pink-haired girl said. Miku looked worried, but nodded and left the room to get water. Luka was still holding the flyer in her hand. Kaito knew he had to ask her now. "Luka… can you go to the dance with me?" The paper made a rustling sound as Luka's grip on the flyer tightened a little.

"Kaito, I want you to go with Miku to the dance."

Luka's bright eyes were filled with resolve, but although she made up her mind about her decision, the pain was still penetrating. Kaito looked at her in disbelief. "…Why?" he asked. Luka looked away sadly. "I want you to be sure… I want you to be happy Kaito… " Luka smiled. "But… after the dance… the moment it's over. Please come meet me at the hill that overlooks the school. "

Miku came back after a few minutes. Kaito met her and asked her to go with him to the dance. Luka watched in the distance. This was what she wanted, but her heart felt like it was being crushed. She couldn't hear Miku's answer, but from the overjoyed look on her face she must have said yes. Luka doubted herself. This is what's best for me and Kaito she thought to herself. Luka felt the same way that Kaito felt. "I want what's the best for you, even if it means that there won't be a place for me in your life." she said softly.

The suit that Kaito wore was very uncomfortable. It was fashioned from a prince's coat, but it was really nothing but an imitation. He tried to loosen the collar but it was still too tight. He walked towards the school assembly room. It was dramatically changed by the school's over-enthusiastic art clubs into a castle dance hall. He shuffled through a crowd of masked faces and put his own mask on.

In the middle of the crowd, surrounded by people, he saw Miku. She wore an elegant white dress that showed off her slender figure while its long skirt trailed on the floor. She wore a mask as well, but the teal twin tails pretty much gave away her identity. Kaito smoothly slipped into the crowd. Maybe it was the costume but he felt like teasing Miku. Under the cover of the crowd, Kaito pulled Miku closer to him.

"Would you like to dance?"Kaito asked.

Miku was too stunned to say anything. She turned a deep crimson from embarrassment. They began dancing, taking quick steps skillfully through the dance hall. Kaito only practiced the dance the night before and completely forgot the last steps. He stumbled on his own foot and slipped. Helping him up, Miku giggled. "You know, the blue hair pretty much gives up your identity." Kaito brushed off suit and replied with a smile, "Well, you're not exactly invisible with those twin tails."They both laughed cheerfully.

Kaito and Miku spent the night dancing and talking. The giant wall clock that decorated the hall struck 12. People began shuffling out of the hall. Kaito looked at the wall clock worriedly. He began to make his way toward the door.

"Wait!"

Kaito turned around and faced Miku, who was standing at the center of the hall. "Please… just for a while longer… stay with me." Kaito sadly shook his head. "I have to meet someone."

Miku realized he was talking about Luka. She lifted the end of her white dress and reached for her slipper. Kaito thought she was going to throw it at him, but Miku took it off and laid it on the floor. "If I leave my glass slipper… Then my Prince will come find me right?"Miku said softly. Miku walked past Kaito and disappeared into the crowd. Kaito looked at the glass slipper solemnly. It was small and frail, but Miku had fit into it perfectly. Kaito picked it up, slipped into his long coat pocket and exited the hall.

The crisp air blew gently, stirring the trees around the school. It was only a short walk to the hill where Luka was waiting, but Kaito heard quiet sobbing on the way. He saw Rin in a small white dress, frantically searching for something in the bushes. "Where is it…" She mumbled to herself bitterly.

"Rin, what's wrong?"Kaito stopped and asked, although he knew he had no time.

At first Rin seemed alarmed when she saw Kaito, but then she ran towards him. "Kaito, please! Help me find something." She clutched on to his shirt desperately. Kaito had never seen the young girl so shaken. "All right, but I only have a little time." Rin seemed extremely happy and brushed off some of her tears. "It's a book. The book you saw me reading in the forest. I dropped it when it fell out of my bag. Please no matter what don't read it." Kaito began searching the bushes as well.

Kaito's worry began to grow with each second that passed. Hopefully Luka will wait for him, he thought. "Len isn't helping?" Kaito asked. "No, I told him to go ahead of me. Only you know what my book looks like, Kaito."

His hand brushed against a leather cover. "I think I found it, but it's stuck between these branches." Rin hurried towards him. "I'll pull the branches and you grab the book." Kaito said. Rin put her hands on the book and tried to forcibly take it out, without listening to Kaito's plan. The branches gave out and the book fell on the ground, revealing an open page.

The page was filled with multiple pictures of Len, complete with captions. Judging from the camera angle, a lot of the pictures were taken in secret. A look of horror was on Rin's face. She grabbed the book and hugged it tightly, as if to hide it from Kaito.

"Please don't hate me!"Rin cried. Kaito was stunned and unable to speak.