Chapter 13

The Flourishing Filbert~

- chapter starts here-

Reika silently walked out of the room, her face pale and stern, her hands clenched in a tight ball, and if one looked very closely, very, very, closely, one could see the tears filling up her tear duct.

I'm sorry Mukuro. That I'm such an irritable, choleric, bad-tempered, horrible girl... I don't deserve your consideration either!

Reika and Mukuro kept on meandering around the park, not having any specific place in mind, nor any thought that needed to press out. In between them was only the delicate breeze and drafts of the wind, and the gentle sways of the long willow tree branches.

Reika halted in front of one branch, and held it up in one hand, turning her shoulder slightly down so she faced Mukuro.

"I'm sorry I'm like this."

Hearing Reika's sudden apology, Mukuro paused his footsteps and stared at Reika's eyes. Right. He had never noticed Reika's eyes as much. They weren't as big or dazzling or shiny like Yumi's were, but they were so fierce, medium sized, and always burning with flames.

"What happened to you?" Mukuro muttered, suddenly remembering the first time he saw Reika. How fierce, how recalcitrant and agitated she had been. What had made her into this… tearing girl in front of him? Did he … himself, cause this?

He remembered the first time Reika had challenged Ken and Chikusa, how they had lost, how Reika had been dizzy and Mukuro took care of her, how Reika first moved into the house.

So it's happening again.

He caused another person to change, to become someone entirely different. Hibari… just like Hibari? That always so obedient Hibari turned into that stubborn Hibari in the end that didn't let him see the last touch.

He was cursed.

Yes.

That had to be the reason because there was no other reason that could change two perfect people.

"Hen.. nothing…" Reika turned over, another grin flashing on her face, baffling Mukuro.

She had always been like this? Showing him the optimistic side, showing her the grins and happiness. For the second time in his entire life, he wanted to protect someone. He wanted to protect someone's smiles, grins.

"Don't say sorry, you don't need to be sorry. It has always been me." Mukuro turned around, a bitter smile pasted on his face.

"Hey, remember that day we bought pineapple deserts?"

"Kohoho, we ate pineapples every day~" Reika smiled, her hair flowing behind her back. Even this…girl could be elegant. No. Mukuro laughed at himself again. She was always so elegant. Graceful. She could fight off anyone and yet would still tear up for someone like him.

"Rei-chan, move back."

"Why, Mumu…"

"Because I said so." Mukuro grinned, usually Reika would laugh hard at this, but this time she only stared confused.

"You're always like this… Mumu… you make me feel so good…and then I would suddenly remember I'm not the one for you." Reika turned around with her back facing Mukuro. She gave one last smile, before disappearing within the willow trees.

Mukuro wanted to call her back. Tell her, "How do you know you're not the one?" But he didn't. Ever since he was small, he was like this, wasn't he? e was always blamed, and no matter what he explained, they never believed him. Gulping down all his guilt, wants, and wonders, he turned around, walked back through the willow trees that now reflected more of a sense of loneliness.

He had always thought before. Alone does not mean lonely, but this time he realized, you can be lonely when you are alone.

*ring~~~*

Mukuro's spongebob ringtone suddenly sounded, and startled, he almost bonked himself on the stump of a tree. He laughed coldly at himself, when had he gotten so clumsy? But still dug his phone out of his pocket, and pressed the green button.

"Hello?"

He heard a sigh of relief on the other side. A girl's voice. When he dug out his phone, he didn't even bother looking at the name, but now that he paid attention, he realized it was the other girl that had been waiting for him this whole time. Yumi.

"Yumi-chan?"

"Mukuro-san! You're okay... gomen gomen... I was so worried about you!"

"Mm? Why?"

"Oh...um..."

Silence from the other side of the phone, Mukuro let his eyes wander around as he thought hard.

"It's okay if you forgot... I mean, you wouldn't care about it anyways. Hehe... "

"What is it, Yumi-chan?"

"Nothing, really, bye!"

And the phone went dead.

He walked in silence on the way back to the house. He got the only two girls who had ever paid attention to him mad, heh. That was his 'ability'.

He slowly unlocked the door, ready to face the darkness that awaited him. But his eyes widened as he saw the unknown package on the living room table.

It was a delicate box, and the pineapple odor was already overwhelming. He smiled, but realized that there was also a key and a note beside it.

It said:

Mumu-kun,

I was wrong. I couldn't forget you, but I know that you are meant to be with Yumi, you love her, don't you? I don't want to be that third person that steals away both yours and her happiness.

I was walking by and I suddenly realized that I still had the key to this house. I don't need it anymore, I already have a new house. I flipped through the refrigerator and found nothing in there except some pineapple juice. You don't know how to take care of yourself, do you? You dummy. On the table is some of the pineapple deserts I made you.

I have another surprise for you, open the refrigerator! Enjoy it, Mumu-kun.

I really had a lot of fun the days I've had here, and you really brought me happiness that I had never experienced... ever.

However, if you need anything, or if I accidentally took something from your household... you can come find me at XXth, XXX road, XX floor.

Dummy, take care of yourself, if you can't, ask Yumi too. I'm sure she's a really nice girl.

Bye... Mumu-kun.

- Reika (Rei-chan as you would say)

Reading this, Mukuro's eyes started getting watery, but he pressed that down, placed his trident and keys down to open the delicate box.

Homemade pineapple pie.

His heart throbbed as he held the keys that Reika had placed down, then held it in his fist as he looked back around the room.

Then, as he fast walked towards the door, one very small droplet of salt water fell, and tainted the tiled floor that had once held so many weary and gloomy memories.

Rei-chan, why are you so stupid?

author's note:

OMG IM SO SORRY! (japanese style kneeling down+ bowing)... so ... I updated! :D umm... yeah... illl try to update as fast as I can from now on... zerokei18, me will be very diligent from now on! :D Anyways, hope you guys enjoyed this chapter!