Cuxie: I have returned chicadees!X3
Karin: Finally! Get on with! The last chapter ended in turmoil.T-T
Cuxie: Unh! It did not! Drama, yes. But turmoil? I'm offended.
Kazune: Please just start.
Cuxie: Teehee!(hugs Kazune-kun)Whatever you say.
Kazune:(blush)
"Hey. Why are you crying?" A deep voice asked. Kazusa looked up to see a dark-haired boy with golden eyes staring down at her, concerned. Her cheeks flushed pink and she averted her eyes to the ground.
"...I-It's nothing." She answered will trying to keep her voice from cracking.
He rose and eyebrow skeptically. "It doesn't seem like nothing." She sniffled in response and he sighed while taking a seat on the ground next to her. The blonde rose her head in surprise. "Well, you don't have to tell me if you don't want to. Can I at least know your name?"
"K-Kazusa," she managed to choke out. "And you?"
"Eh?" His eyes widened as he tried not to sound surprised. "Um...Jin. Jin Kuga. You, uh, don't recongnize me?"
Kazusa blinked, wiping away her tears, "I-I don't think so. Have we met before?" She said, doubtfully since she didn't get out much. Certainly not enough to meet any cute guys around town.
He shook his head, looking pensive. His lips formed a tight line as he stared at the ground. Kazusa placed a cautious hand on his arm and he looked at her. "Are, uh...are you alright?" He smirked at her, the tense confusion in his eyes replaced by amusement.
"Yeah. I'm fine. Better than one of us I think." She blinked again. In the short time he'd been there she had momentarily forgotten her depression. Now that she remembered an unescapable wave of sadness washed over her and fresh tears sprang to her eyes. "Hey, I didn't mean to--"
"No," she said quickly. "It's not your fault." She bit her lip as if wanting to say more.
"Did you want to talk about it?" he asked patiently.
She sighed, lowering her head so that her blonde bangs covered her eyes. "It's a bit complicated." He only shrugged.
"I've got time."
About 35 minutes later:
"...and that's it." She said with a sigh. After knowing him for less than an hour she had told this complete stranger her whole story. What was wrong with her?! She was depressed enough as it was. Now he was probably going to tell her exactly how stupid she was...
"You sound like Cinderella," he said afterwhile. "Sitting at home alone while your friends and brother go out and have fun. It's not fair and I won't allow it!" he said, standing up with a new look in his eyes that resembled determination. "How about I give you the pleasure of my company to the dance?"
"What?!" she cried in shock. The blonde shook her head furiously "Oh no! I couldn't ask you to--"
"You're not asking me. I'm asking you. I'd be a failure as an entertainer if I allowed you to be so miserable. And besides that," he turned to smile at her. "I can't stand to see a cute girl cry."
Kazusa blushed a rose color and looked down at her feet, suddenly feeling very self-concious. Cute? What about her red, puffy eyes and tear-stained cheeks was cute? "I-I guess that would be okay."
"It's settled then," he grinned wider and his cell phone went off. Retrieving it quickly from his pocket he looked at the call ID and groaned. "Already? I've got to go," he said sending her an apologetic look. "Sorry I can't walk you home."
"It's alright. But I never told you what time the dance was or anything..."
He smirked, "Don't worry. You'll see me before then. Bye Kazusa." He waved slightly before running off. Disappearing just as quickly as he'd come.
At home:
"This is all my fault!" Karin cried, collasping on her bed. It was getting dark and Kazusa still wasn't home yet. Thinking it was best, she'd hadn't fully explained the situation to Miyon or Himeka. Somehow, she'd managed to play off Kazusa's disappearance as nervous breakdown due to stress. Himeka bought it completely, though Miyon seemed a bit skeptical. "I feel terrible!" she mumbled into her pillow.
"Why is that?"
Karin jumped slightly, "Auh! Kazune-kuuuun! Don't scare me like that! Don't you know how to knock?"
He shrugged, leaning calmly against the door. "So why do you feel terrible?"
"I...I don't want to talk about it."
He sighed, "Ok. Would you like to explain where my sister is then?" His tone was light and casual, but Karin sensed a lecture coming on. Kazune stepped away from the door, closing it behind him. He took a seat on her bed and Karin pulled the pillow over her head. "Karin," he pulled it back off. "I didn't come in here to yell at you. I want to know what's going on."
"...It's kind of a lot. But long story short: Kazusa-chan's got upset and ran away because she doesn't have a date to the dance."
"Our dance? But she never had a date in the first place." He said, confused.
Karin averted her eyes in guilt. "W-Well...we were thinking she'd go with Micchi."
Kazune scoffed, "But he's going with Himeka." His eyes narrowed slightly at the thought.
"Well we know that now. But when we were shopping for dresses Himeka brought it up and..."
"Kazusa ran off," he finished. Karin nodded and he sighed. "I don't believe this. She's only met him once and he's already the root of this problem. Unbelievable."
"It's not Micchi's fault," Karin said defensively.
He looked at her, "Then who's fault is it?" He asked coldly. Karin bit her lip and looked away. Defensiveness quickly turning to guilt. Kazune's eyes softened as he realized what she was thinking. "No. It's not your fault, Karin."
She sat herself up to face him with an almost pleading expression. "It is! It is my fault! I'm the one who said he liked her. I'm the one who decided to get her enrolled. I'm the one who did everything without thinking and everything else fell apart! It's all my fault..." she screamed at him. Her voice cracked at the end and tears streamed down her cheek.
"Karin..." Kazune gently wrapped his arms around her and pulled the crying girl against his chest. She was so upset she didn't notice. "Shhh. Calm down." He said softly. His hand stroked her hair as her comforted her. Kazune waited until she quieted to try to talk to her. "This isn't your fault Karin. You didn't know what was going on with Nishikiori and Himeka. You were just doing what you thought would make Kazusa happy. This isn't your fault."
Karin said nothing, burying her face in his shirt. "D-Do you think...Kazusa hates me now?"
"Of course not. She'll be fine and she'll come home. I know she will."
"Are you sure?"
He nodded. "Everything's going to be okay."
Downstairs:
"Well that's done," Himeka sighed after setting hot plates down on the table. I better call Kazune-chan and Karin-chan down. She looked at Kazusa's empty chair and her expression became worried. I really hope Kazusa-chan's alright. I wonder what happened...
Just then she heard the front door opening. She peeked into the parlour cautiously, unsure of whether she should call out to the intruder or not. If they were just that. It might be dangerous...
"Hello? I'm, um, back." Himeka heard the voice before she saw the blonde head look inside.
"Kazusa-chan!" she shrieked, coming out of her hiding place to hug her. "You came back! Karin-chan! Kazune-chan! Kazusa's home!"
Kazusa laughed nervously, "Yes, I guess I am. I'm really sorry I ran out on you all earlier."
"Oh it's fine. I'm just glad you came home safely," Himeka said in a motherly tone.
"What's going on?" Kazune asked. He came down the stairs with Karin, his arm wrapped securely around her waist. She was blushing lightly but gasped when she saw who it was. "Kazusa-chan, you're back!" She said while rushing over to hug her just as Himeka had. "I was so worried."
"I'm sorry for worrying you," Kazusa answered, hugging her back.
"Look Kazusa, I'm so sor--"
"It's not your fault. Please don't apologize." Karin merely nodded, relieved to not have to feel guilty anymore. "Karin-chan...do you still have my dress?"
"Of course. I put all the stuff we bought in your room. Why?"
Kazusa smiled brightly. "Because I'll need it for the dance."
Cuxie: Finally! For some reason I had a hard time finishing this chappy.
Karin: I'm glad it all worked out.
Cuxie: Yeah...but it's not over yet! R&R!!