Episode 22: Saying sorry isn't easy, you know!

Knock…Knock…Knock…

The door of the Pumpkin House stood silent as Death the Kid and the Thompson Sisters waited for someone to answer. It would seem they came bearing gifts as Patty carried with her a large black box with Shinigami emblems marked on each side.

"Ugh, why are we out here again?" asked Liz. Wearing a sleeveless, black-and-white-striped hoodie, she felt the cold desert wind on her bare arms.

"We're here to apologize," replied Kid, straightening his necktie, "and to give her some ice cream."

"This is ice cream?" Patty smiled with delight.

"Well, we've better make it quick. The sun's up and it'll only be a matter of time before that peace offering turns to mush."

"If she's not home, we can still keep the ice cream, right Kid-kun?" asked Patty, salivating at the thought of pure ice cream bliss.

"Impossible," he said, "You guys saw her reaction the other day. Right now, she's probably still hurt and angry at us."

It wasn't long before the door slowly opened…

"Who is—?" Blair stuck her head out and gasped, "KID!" Upon seeing him, she immediately withdrew and closed the door. The sound of click-clacking locks was heard.

Seeing such a reaction, Liz sighed, "Well, that's that." She and Patty easily resigned to leave, stating that the witch was still upset by whatever had transpired yesterday.

"We can't," said Kid as he prompted to knock once more. Such resolve—it wasn't clear whether it was brought upon by his righteous passion to undo a wrong or perhaps he was just too stubborn to admit defeat—but, whatever the reason, it was probably Kid's fault. The Thompson Sisters agreed.

"I have something very important to tell you, please open up."

"No! You can't…I'm busy… a-anyway, just go away, Kid-kun!" she shouted through the door.

"It's about what happened yesterday," he continued, "Those images I saw..."

The door opened to reveal a pair of glowing yellow eyes amidst a pitch-black room. Expecting a full on monster attack, they were surprised to see her come out smiling and wearing a plain white dress.

"Images?" she innocently asked, keeping her hands behind her back. "If this is about Maka, I think she's alright now, isn't she?"

"I'm not talking about Maka… Those images… they were your memories—"

'NO!" she suddenly yelled, startling them. "I-I mean… you're mistaken, Kid-kun…you were just imagining things," she then laughed happily.

Kid narrowed his eyes, 'is she in denial?' he thought. "I see…" Seeing such erratic behavior, Kid couldn't help but feel uneasy. Common sense dictated him to leave, but he couldn't leave things the way they were now.

"It's not your fault," he said.

"H-Huh?" she was surprised to hear his words.

"None of it was your fault," he said, "You didn't do anything wrong, so you shouldn't blame yourself. In fact, I-it was my fault that you had to relive those painful memories. I'm sorry."

Hearing such words, Blair seemed to be more confused than happy. The Thompson Sisters watched on as Kid apologized, trying to patch things up. Liz sighed, comparing the scene to one of those typical soap opera shows they frequently see on TV, while Patty kept wondering whether she'll be able to keep the ice cream or not.

In the end, a short but happy, "Thank you, Kid-kun," would be said. Though it didn't go according to plan, Kid was still contented to have said what he wanted to say without Asura suddenly putting words in his mouth.

After Blair waved them goodbye, she closed the door and heaved a heavy sigh. A heavy burden was taken off her chest and she could finally breathe easy. Though the room before her was trashed, she still smiled. She walked over to the kitchen to return the knife she'd been holding all this time. The plastic handle was ruined a bit since she couldn't help but grip it with unbridled anticipation of Kid's upcoming rejection.

Had he said the magic words of "hate" or "leave," then Blair would've been forced to rectify such a careless mistake. Fortunately, it didn't come to that. Plus, Kid not only apologized to her but he didn't even mention Maka's transformation, thus showing just how much he cared and loved her. It looks like things really do work themselves out.

"Did you hear that?" she hollered to the bedroom, "and you said he didn't love me." She chuckled as she went in holding a big bottle of bleach and a couple of garbage bags.

Author's Notes: The next chapter (23) shall be uploaded for your reading pleasure within the next 18 hours... Thank you.