DISCLAIMER: I don't own The Wallflower/Perfect Girl Evolution.

Pace, pace:

"Where is she?"

Pace, pace, pace:

"Where is she?"

Pace, pace, pace, pace:

"That's it; I'm going to look around for her!"

"Noi your wedding starts in twenty minutes, so stay put!"

Noi sighed, "But, Machiko…"

"Stay put."

Sunako had been missing for almost two years now.

For 365 days Noi and the others searched, consulted police, and put up those depressing posters on telephone poles. And after all of that, Sunako came out as an artist; a photographer who had an eye for the most beautiful things, things most would over-look. But, she still hadn't contacted them…not once.

It hurt.

"Why isn't she here?" Noi asked softly, brokenly.

Tamao felt her eyes water, she swallowed the emotions that threatened to upset things further and put a hand on the bride's shoulder, "Sunako…she's always been unpredictable, Noi-chan. If she does come, it's because of her great love for you."

Noi laughed a little mockingly, "She should've just gone to Britain like a good little niece."

"What a bunch of bull."

Noi turned, realizing that she had missed hearing the door open, "Kyouhei…what are you doing in here?"

"I was coming to check on you…"

Noi sighed, "And now?"

"Now I'm going to pretend that you're fine, for Takenaga's sake."

"Can you really blame me, Kyouhei? Sunako…she never valued our friendship as much as me, and I didn't see it until she left."

Kyouhei's expression turned dark, he swiftly turned around and grabbed the handle, "No one values anyone as much as she does."

The door slammed shut and Noi let a few tears fall.

Machiko sighed, "He shouldn't have come in here."

Noi chuckled before wiping away her tears and patting her larger than normal stomach, "Help me fix my mascara so that I can look beautiful for Takenaga-kun."

Tamao and Machiko shared a look of deep pity and sadness. They walked over to the shaky and hormone driven bride.

"Now that I think about it…I can't even remember why she left."

Tamao wiped black tears away from the pretty red-head's face, "She was boxed in, you know?"

Machiko nodded, reapplying the bride's makeup, "I don't blame her. She was forced by basically everyone to change herself, even I would've left."

Noi bit her cheek. She didn't want to think of herself as someone who worsened Sunako's situation. She felt shame and guilt when she remembered how much closer the two of them had become only after Sunako's transformation into a lady. Seeing Sunako in make-up, pink, and heels had made her so happy. So happy that she never saw how much her introverted friend had suffered.

And for that she would never forgive herself.

…

The door opened slowly and the groom turned to meet the eyes of Kyouhei, his best man.

"How is she?"

"…Fine…"

Takenaga looked at the ground, "I see."

Kyouhei turned away, hoping to hide the hatred in his eyes.

"She should've gone to Britain like a good little niece."

Her venomous words still stirred him to the core. Never had a pregnant bride looked so evil to him. Kyouhei understood that Noi had never been "unacceptable." His mother taught him what resentment felt like, and multitudes of others taught Sunako…but Noi never took that course in school.

"If your bride has cold feet, your mother and I would have no problem cancelling. There are, after all, more suitable women vying for your attention," said Takenaga's father.

Huh, maybe she does know what it feels like.

"I'm marrying her, father. I know that she isn't…traditional, or noble, enough for you and this wedding ceremony isn't Japanese at all. But that doesn't matter to me. I love her and our child. We're getting married. Nothing will stop me, so drop it."

Takenaga's father glared mercilessly at his only son before exiting with a loud bang.

"Nicely put, Takenaga," Ranmaru said, looking on the groom with respect.

Takenaga smiled very shortly before his solemn expression returned, "What's wrong with her? Does she regret this marriage?" He whispered.

Kyouhei shook his head, "She…she wishes Sunako had come."

Takenaga's eyes widened, "She's that upset?"

Kyouhei sighed, "Yes."

Ranmaru yawned, "This atmosphere is too tense for me. I'm not used to Kyouhei saying little to nothing, nor Takenaga acting like a defeated loser. Yuki, come, say something normal."

Yuki quirked an eyebrow, "Machiko just texted me, Noi's ready. She's sad because of Sunako's absence, and a little emotional, but ready."

Takenaga nodded, "Let's get this over with."

Kyouhei licked his lips, "Let's."

…

Noi watched as the bridesmaids and groomsmen held each other and waited for the doors to open. Kyouhei stood in the front without a partner. Noi felt her lips tremble. Kyouhei had been absolutely right. If anyone undervalued Noi and Sunako's friendship, it was her. She never truly realized, while Sunako was still around, how much her life had changed for the better because of the tough and cool Goth.

The music started playing, Tamao turned around and flashed a comforting smile and Machiko did the same, "It's time."

Noi nodded and tried to fill her thoughts with Takenaga and their life together as newlyweds. A true smile broke through her walls of grief and she readied herself.

"I'm sorry, but I can't let you through!"

"I'm Noi's Maid of Honor, you stupid mother(bleep)!"

Noi turned around. A beautiful woman, wearing the same dress as her bridesmaids, was arguing with a security guard. About ten of them had been hired by Aunty to ward off "fans." This one stood at the church entrance.

Noi gasped; she dropped her bouquet and covered her mouth.

"What are you doing? Let her through you imbecile!" Noi practically screeched.

Sunako smiled at the emotionally driven bride, the guard muttered discontentedly before moving out of the girl's way.

Sunako ran and hugged Noi, who started crying again, "Sorry I'm late."

Noi laughed before wiping away her tears, "Sorry for being an awful friend."

Sunako made a confused face, "Since when have you ever been an awful friend?"

Noi laughed again.

"Get in line! We have to go in!"

Sunako hugged the bride one last time before hugging every bridesmaid and groomsmen one at a time, all of their eyes filled with tears as well.

She took the arm of the best man, "Where have you been, Nakahara?" He was trying his best to sound angry and gruff.

Sunako smiled. She lifted their entwined hands and softly kissed his, "Missing you."

Kyouhei couldn't hide the bright smile on his face no matter how much he wanted to.

"Welcome back."