Title: 4. to cut a bouquet

of matter and antimatter roses

Pairing/Character/s: Machi/Yuki, Kakeru

Word Count: 728 words

Summary: Machi feels lonely on her graduation day.

A/N: I came up with the idea when I realized Machi is younger than Yuki...

It's her graduation day when she sits alone. There's hundreds of chattering graduates, talking to anyone but her. Hands are curled into fists with cheap, blue plastic fabric pressed against sweaty palms. A familiar feeling comes rushing back to her; the suffocating feeling that she is walking on a tightrope, seconds away from falling.

Machi wonders why she's here; why she doesn't leave because it's just a stupid ceremony.

She stands up, mumbling apologies as she makes her way out of the row. Some throw reproachful looks her way. Most don't care. The principal's been delayed again, so they can talk out all their worries. Machi has to bottle it up until she can't breathe.

When her flat shoes click onto the smooth marble of the stairway, she breaks into a run. Someone seems to be calling 'Machi'. Someone seems to be calling for her, even though there isn't anyone who would think her graduation ceremony is important enough to attend.

She rushes out of the dark room into fading sunlight. She doesn't bother checking her watch, instead heading for the train station.

"Machi!"

Slowly, she stops, turning around. That couldn't have been her imagination. Not even her wildest dreams could have created this vision. Yuki Sohma is running towards her with a look in his eyes that can only be genuine concern for her.

"Machi, what's wrong? You suddenly-"

"I'm going home," she says shortly, briskly turning around and walking so she doesn't have to look at him with an urge to cry.

"Why-"

"I don't feel well." He seems to accept this. It's not often Machi tries to explain herself so he takes what he can.

"But Machi-"

She keeps walking, her mind whirling with excuses for her behavior. She nearly laughs. That was new. She turns away. Machi's so busy walking that she bumps into someone. It feels more like soft flowers, their sweet scent making her take another breath.

"Machi?" She curses inwardly. She knows that voice; feels frustration building up in advance. She looks up at a very surprised Kakeru. In his hands is a startling bouquet of flowers. "Aw, man. I was hoping I could have another hour to prepare a speech."

Yuki comes to her, gently sliding an arm around her shoulders. It comforts her. It also prevents her from running away.

Kakeru clears his throat, clearly nervous. He gestures towards the mismatched flowers, rambling about the people in her life. "Well, everyone agreed on white crocuses because they flower even when there's snow on the ground. And, um..." Machi notices his voice is higher and decides to stay quiet. "Our moms and dad sent the golden lilies. Yuki picked your favorite; red primroses," he added quickly. She keeps her face neutral. "My meat angel got these pink peonies that look sort of like shredded pork. Don't they look like pork? Anyway. Honda-san made these blue carnations to match your dress. Kimi thought she should give you these yellow tulips because she also wants flowers. Just tell her to shut up, will you? Nao had to chip in for it. Kimi was about 200 yen short. I got you-" She raises her eyebrows at his sudden pause. "Me and your brother were kind of broke, so we're giving you..." He gestures dramatically at the air around the bouquet. "Imaginary flowers! They never wilt! They're always beautiful! They... mean we support you."

Machi begins to smile despite herself, taking the odd assortment. Her cheeks turn red, so she ducks her head. "Thanks."

The weight seems to have fallen off Kakeru's shoulders. He grins, shoving his hands into his pockets. "It was all your boyfriend's idea, you know? Took me forever to get all those flowers. I pissed off more than ten florists..." A dreamy look overtakes him. "I got to see Machi's blush..." Kakeru takes out his phone and presses some buttons, dodging Machi's kick. "Easy there, sis. Just teasing you. There's just one more surprise left." His attention falls back to his phone. "Hey, it's your turn, squirt." He holds the phone to her ear.

"Hello?" she begins suspiciously.

"Hi, Machi." Her eyes widen in puzzlement.

"Who-"

"Machi-nee-chan, congratulations on graduating." And suddenly she knows it's her little brother. Her face darkens, her smile widening. She doesn't even ask how Kakeru managed all this.

"...Thank you."

Because she can finally breathe.

A/N: So, you know. Maybe I'm forgiven because I wrote such a long drabble. I'm free this Friday, so I should have another up by then. (And what about all the other ones I missed? Um... tough luck?) And you can't miss it! Yuki gets facial hair! Hope to see you all soon!