Surprise chapter! Did all of you think it was the end? Haha, sorry. Anyways, hope you like this one! :D

Forgetting Me

Disclaimer: I do not own Matantei Loki

- - - -Chapter 12: Bittersweet Encounters- - - -

It was as if all of the happiness, all of the magic of this blissful hour had flowed together into these stirring, bittersweet tones and flowed away, becoming temporal and transitory once more.

~Herman Hesse~

At four o'clock sharp was when her teacher dismissed the class. Chatter immediately sounded and the packing of books and notebooks could be heard as the students slowly piled out of the classroom. The sun brightly shone its way down the waving cherry blossom trees while its petals floated around the campus' walkway beautifully.

College students were around the place talking with their friends or just walking peacefully home or to their next class. One student in particular stood out most of the crowd of students. Maybe it was because of her beautiful face or the fact her hair was quite a bright pink color.

"Mayura!"

Said girl turned around to the person who had called her and it was like time had slowly spun around when the boys noticed that Mayura Daidouji was near their presence. Mayura beamed when she saw her friend.

"Saki!" Mayura smiled, causing the boys to sigh after seeing her angelic face. Saki's brown eyes watched in amusement at the boys who were openly staring at her friend. She couldn't help but chuckle. "I thought you weren't supposed to get out of class until four-thirty?"

Saki had been Mayura's friend since she entered the first day of college life. It was because of Mayura's clumsiness that she had spilled her soda all over Saki's top and after that, they had been attached to the hips ever since.

"Mr. Yamada released us early this time, thank God." Saki sighed, with a flick of her brown bangs. "So what about you, are you coming with the guys and me and do some karaoke?" she turned towards the pink-haired girl beside her.

"I can't. I have a test tomorrow. Sorry Saki."

Saki frowned. "Oh come on! You haven't partied with us for a long time now."

"You're too wild for your own good, you know." Mayura laughed, patting her friend on the back.

"Fine, but next time you must come with us."

"Sure, I'll come as long as I don't have any studying to do."

The reply that Mayura had gotten was a mock glare from her friend.

"You better." With a wave of her hand, Saki walked to the other direction, leaving Mayura to stand alone in the stoned floor.

The wind had picked up and swayed her hair behind her. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. Her hair… two years ago when she had entered college, she had decided to cut her waist long hair until it reached her mid-back. Her new hair-cut had given her a mature look that started causing the boys – she knew and didn't – to ogle at her openly. She didn't really mind them though. And when they would have the courage to ask her out, she would simply tell them she wasn't interested with her now mature attitude – a change that had involuntarily happened after the day he had left.

She started walking, knowing if she didn't hurry; her papa would raise all hell. Ever since Misao had seen the transformation his daughter had done, he had been watching her like a hawk now. And every time she would run late to meet him, he would freak out while asking questions if someone had harassed her.

Mayura couldn't help but give out a small smile, knowing her father only cared for her well-being, even though he was being overly ridiculous. She was mature now. She could take care of herself. Back in the past, she was always that clumsy girl that someone had to watch over, but she wasn't like that anymore.

She had decided to change a little.

When Loki had left, she had wondered why there weren't any more mysteries coming her way unlike when he was around her. Because of that, studying had become her top priority as well as learning how to do household chores while helping out her father in the temple. And after awhile, she had graduated high school with excellent marks and passed her college entrance exam with flying colors. Being a third year college student, she had decided before she entered college; her goal was to become a writer. Instead of becoming a mystery detective, she wanted to write mystery novels.

She had finally arrived at the train station, because Tokyo University was 20 minutes away from her neighborhood. A memory passed by her mind when she had sat on the benches inside the train. The shock and proud face of her father, knowing that she had passed Tokyo University's entrance exam was something Mayura could never forget…

"Your late young lady." Misao stated as he arms crossed in front of his chest.

Mayura sighed, taking off her shoes. "I'm sorry. I was chatting with Saki for a little bit and I lost track of time." She said before giving her father a quick kiss on his cheek.

"So you weren't hanging out with some punk?" Misao asked, walking beside his daughter towards the kitchen.

"No, haven't I told you I'm not interested in dating right now,?" Mayura chuckled once they entered the kitchen. She saw her father had started cooking and chopping the vegetables.

"Glad to hear that. If you didn't have the dream to become I writer then I would have taken matters on my own hands and send you to the other side of the world to become a nun."

Mayura couldn't help but sigh and shake her head, knowing her father was just exaggerating. If she didn't know any better, she might have thought her father would do that. Even so, it was true that she wasn't interested in dating right now, because there was already someone she liked. But… it was impossible to have him because both of them lived in different worlds.

They were different.

"Mayura…"

Her father's voice snapped her out of her thoughts and was brought back to the world of the living. Misao looked concerned, noticing his daughter had been spacing out lately.

"Are you okay?"

Knowing her father was concerned, she put on a reassuring smile. "Of course I am. Why wouldn't I be?" she asked him.

Misao shrugged his shoulders as he continued to chop the vegetables. "You've been going into your own little world lately."

"Oh… I'm just tired with all the tests my professors been giving me."

"I see… but don't overwork yourself too much."

Mayura smiled. "I'll do that."

As Misao continue to chop and throw the vegetables into the hot pan, he still thinks there must be another reason for his daughter to act like a zombie.

"What happened to that kid you always visited?" he asked instead, and out of the corners of his eyes, he saw Mayura pause on setting down the plates and bowls needed on the table.

All of a sudden, Misao could not help but feel how heavy and loud the silence she was giving him. For all he knew, his daughter was never like this.

"You mean Loki?" she smiled, continuing to what she was doing earlier. "He moved away." To what Mayura had just found out three years ago was that after she got her memories back, the people around her who knew Loki and his friends suddenly remembered him too.

Misao seemed to have been caught in surprise. "He moved? When?"

"Three years ago."

Misao couldn't say anything due to his shock. The brat had moved and his daughter didn't bother telling him. Usually, if that would happen, Mayura would have told him but she didn't. He looked at her for a moment.

It must have been sad for her not to talk about it.

"Ah! Papa the vegetables!" Mayura cried in alarm and Misao immediately turned his head to face his dish being currently cooked, about to burn. Fortunately, he saved it before it could burn away.

"It seems it's cooked now." Misao laughed awkwardly and Mayura couldn't help but giggle.

"Let's serve it then."

The next day…

The morning for Mayura was quite uneventful for her. She woke up, got ready, ate her breakfast and left for school. Her test she studied the night before was quite hard but she knew she answered most of the questions right. And now, she was currently sitting and resting on the nearby café near her university with Saki.

"Hey." Saki waved her hand in front of the pink-haired girl's face, snapping her out of her dazed state.

"Huh – what?" Mayura asked as she looked around before her eyes settled on Saki's figure.

Saki snorted in a non-lady like manner. "Snap out of your thoughts. Honestly, it's getting on my nerves." She said but seeing a lost look flicker across her friend's face, she turned from annoyed to concern. "Mayura, is something wrong?"

Saki notice Mayura flinch at her question but the girl only put on a cheerful smile. She didn't looked convince though, because the smile did not reach her eyes. It looked strained.

"What are you talking about, Saki?" Mayura waved a hand, dismissing the thought that there was something wrong with her. "I'm fine."

"I know there's something wrong so don't tell me there isn't." Saki said firmly and Mayura lost her cheerful smile until it was replaced by a sad one. A minute had passed before the pink-haired girl spoke.

"It's just today lets me remember some bitter memories of my high school days…" Her voice sounded bittersweet.

It suddenly made Saki think that she didn't really know much about Mayura aside from her hobbies, likes, dislikes, family etc... She always thought she knew Mayura and had overlooked her high school days. Maybe she was remembering something that concerned her life as a high school girl. Or maybe she was looking at it wrongly?

"What is it that makes you remember something?" Saki decided it was better to ask her straight on than letting her imaginations go wild inside her mind.

Mayura couldn't tell her about her one-sided love right now. It was too much for Saki to process and it was too painful for Mayura to spill it out as well. An excuse or a white lie might be able to cover it up. She couldn't tell anyone. She just couldn't. Even if it was Saki.

Before she could open her mouth to give her made up excuse, something flashed passed her from outside the café window she sitting near to. Whipping her head around, there was nothing there but she could have sworn she saw a green high school uniform pass by her. Saki, who was staring at her friend curiously, wondered what made Mayura jumpy and startled.

"Saki," Mayura started, eyes not leaving the view of the window in front of her. "I need to go somewhere."

"What? Where to?"

"I don't know, but I'll see you later."

Saki wanted to say something but Mayura flashed a quick and an assuring smile before she grabbed her bag and left her alone.

Once she got out of the café, Mayura didn't know where to go. Instead, she broke out in a steady run, not caring if her one and a half inch heels would get damaged. People gave her odd looks but she ignored it as she passed them by. Her skirt fluttered behind her, not knowing where her body was taking her.

Mayura, the reason why I don't want to go there is because I want to stay with you.

Loki's words rang in her ears, remembering how those simple words caused her heart to flutter but she held it in by telling him to go home. In truth, a part of her wanted him to stay but she didn't want her selfishness to blind her and him.

Before she realized what was happening, she somehow found herself in the park, near the large fountain. A figure stood there, a friend who she thought she would never see. Narugami gave her a smile and she inched herself forward towards him, not believing her eyes at all.

"It's kind of refreshing to see an old friend, don't you think?" he spoke in a calm manner and she couldn't help but give out a smile of her own.

"Never thought I would see you again, Narugami." Mayura responded as she steadied her breathing.

"You've changed." He stated, noticing her choice of clothes that consisted of a green floral dress under a light-brown denim jacket, along and white heels he never thought she would wear. Her long hair was now shorter too.

"You're still the same." She commented and he scratched the back part of his head as he grinned.

"This is just my human form, so I didn't bother spicing up my appearance."

She laughed by the time the sun's glow cascaded on both their features, giving off the surrounding atmosphere around them an angelic color. Mayura could feel a part of the hole in her heart close up just a little as she looked at Narugami's face.

"It's really nice seeing you again, you know." She said, causing his expression to soften.

"It's the same for me too."

She stared at him for a moment. "What brings you here in the human world? I doubt you're here because you want to see this world again." She questioned and he shook his head.

"On the contrary, I really miss this place." He told her with a soft tone as he looked around the place. It was true, he really did miss this place and he missed eating all the delicious food here. "But it's not the reason why I came here." He turned to her with slight seriousness in his brown orbs.

It was at that moment that Mayura knew what the reason was for Narugami to come here. Looking at him, she flashed him a sad smile.

"So, how is he?" she questioned, wanting nothing more than to know how he was doing.

"He's fine. I'm quite glad that he's not anymore Mr. Doom and gloom." At this, Mayura giggled as Narugami continued. "He just wants me to see how you're doing here."

"Tell him I'm fine and that I miss him, you and the others too." She spoke, trying not to let her voice waver of emotions. She didn't want Narugami to see her cry at the moment. "Also, since you're here, did Loki send me souvenirs?" she asked in a hopeful manner, making him laugh.

"No, I think he forgot about it."

"Meanie."

He saw her pout and he couldn't help but chuckle. "You're so right. He's such a meanie." They looked at each other before both of them burst out laughing.

After a moment passed and both of their laughter died down, she couldn't help but ask him this question. "When is he coming back?"

It took a long time for Narugami to answer, since he didn't know what to tell her because he didn't want to hurt her. He shook his head at her and Mayura felt her heart sink.

"I don't know."

"I see…"

Heavy silence engulfed them both for awhile until Mayura flashed him a cheerful but strain smile. Sadness covered him when he saw her try to hide her disappointment and sadness.

"Mayura -"

"Please tell him not to forget about my souvenirs, okay Narugami?" she interrupted him before he could continue.

He couldn't do anything but nod his head in reassurance. This was only the thing he could do for her as a friend. As the birds' chirped around them, he knew it was time for him to go back.

"I know it's sad to leave again but I think I need to go now. I can't stay long no matter how much I want to." he announced and Mayura nodded her head. "Take care of yourself Mayura."

"I know, you too." She replied back. He gave her one last good-bye before he disappeared among the trees of the park.

When she was all alone now, she felt sadness wash over her and she tried not to let her tears fall. But it did.

:: End ::

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