Okay, first of all, sorry this took so long. Too much schoolwork and the ever mean, mean writer's block T.T Hopefully, you guys won't get tired of following my slow updates T^T I promise, just two more chapters and I'm done ^_^

Also, the next few scenes will be a bit... well… just read on, okay? :)

"I swear… I think that Kabutops is laughing at me… you guys…"

Green grunted as he hung his friend's arm around his and watched as the other was taken by none other than her. She wore a sheepish smile on her face with a dash of amusement as the poor drunk boy spluttered even more nonsense.

"I told him not to drink too much," Green sighed, carefully guiding Red up the stairs. "Look at you, you idiot… You look more wasted than a Koffing… And that's something…"

The girl on Red's other side laughed.

"Well, you know how Red is… He never backs down from a challenge." She grunted a bit, adjusted her boyfriend's arm back in place and finally joined Green's pace. "Though, I couldn't believe Gold would actually challenge Red such a thing."

The thought of the younger, golden-eyed mischief-maker and the face he made when his friends from Johto dragged him out flashed through Green's mind, and he sighed.

"Then again, I guess all this was inevitable…"

The girl didn't reply and was just silent the rest of the way.

"No matter what happens, I will catch that violet Absol…" Red slurred as his two friends carefully put him down his bed, Green arranging his form and Blue draping a blanket over him once the earlier was done.

"You are so cute," Blue cooed, sweeping some his soft locks off of his face, planting a small kiss on his forehead. Green had to look away.

"Thanks for this party, sweetie…" She straightened herself and gestured for Green to get out.

"Well, I guess that's that," Green remarked, closing the door behind him. He watched Blue slowly walked into the path underneath the moonlight, a satisfied look on her face.

"I missed Pallet Town," she suddenly whispered. Green bit his lip and looked down.

"Don't worry," he said. "You got a long time ahead of you to get tired of it all again."

Blue just smiled at that instead of giving him her usual responses. He realized that she's changed more than anyone could've expected her to do so, and that he was confused whether to regard it as a good or bad thing.

He soon decided it to be a good thing. He needn't those vague memories to come back.

It all ends here, after all.

"Say, Green?" Blue suddenly called out. "Mind doing me a favor?"

"What?"

She turned to him, her smile illuminated by the pale moonlight.

"Walk me home?"

He wondered what pushed him to say "yes", but whether or not he finds that answer, it wouldn't help in any way. She was already fiddling with her keys when he began to realize what kind of dark path he was retracing, and as soon as the wooden door opened to that small space, he knew that he had gone too far to go back. His green eyes caught a small glimpse of the hallway of that apartment and pondered on whether it was not yet too late to make a run for it.

"Come in, Green," Blue called to him again with that same voice she used from just a while ago, and again he begins to lose himself. His feet felt like air as they landed, one after the other, into the carpeted floors of that lonely-looking room—not that he was unfamiliar with it enough to notice how bland everything looked like. But then again, this was Blue's home (or at least, her new one, after her parents agreed to let her move back to Pallet Town). He should at least expect more.

"Tea?" she offered as she peeled of her coat. She went straight to the small kitchen, just a few steps away from what would have to be passed off as the living room, divided by nothing but a doorway with (surprisingly) no door.

"Don't trouble yourself," Green replied, lowering himself onto the small couch, cautiously looking around, as if some weird entity would suddenly emerge from the beige walls and come at him.

Again, this was Blue's home, after all.

Green turned his gaze into the kitchenette and found her staring at him in an expectant manner. Apparently, his stoic response was not enough.

"I kinda stopped," he clarified himself, looking away. Blue just titled her head in a confused manner.

"I don't drink tea anymore…"

"Oh." The drop in her voice was completely evident. It was that kind of drop one hears from someone who didn't expect a sudden shift, but would nonetheless accept, telling herself that she should've known.

Green wondered if he should even stay any longer.

"Well, I have coffee here," she said, followed by sounds of opening of cupboards. "That fancy enough for you?"

Finally, he thought to himself, feeling some of the knots untangle somewhere inside his stomach. A sassy retort from her. Now, things were beginning to feel familiar.

"Sounds swell."

Two steaming cup of coffees stood at their wake, both untouched. Green pretended he didn't want to touch it because it was hot. Blue just watched the steam solemnly.

"So, how're things been while I was gone?" the girl suddenly chirped, breaking Green from his neck exercise regimen which consisted of moving his gaze around and around. For that, the latter was grateful.

"Same," he slurred. "Nothing's changed."

"Really?" Blue teased. "'Coz the way I see it, there's been a lot of things that's changed… Most specially you."

He let himself catch another glimpse of her and how peaceful she looked breathing in the coffee's sweet steam. There was a warm glow in that scene, and he could feel it emanate towards his chest, making him feel… Well, not necessarily weird. Just different.

But then again, he might just be drunk.

"Hey, are you blushing?" she laughed. He grunted and looked away.

"Pesky girl," he spat despite himself. He admits it has surprised him to say something so familiar yet so foreign at this moment. But something about her was building up the past. That past. When everything was still in its place: him walking ahead in that aloof manner of his, and her running towards him at full speed, determined—and in some way, aware—that she will keep up.

"It's been a long time, hasn't it, Green?" she suddenly murmured, regaining her peaceful aura, making the room as difficult as it was just a while ago. Green had to inwardly sigh.

"Yeah," he agreed either way. He wanted to say something, he knew it, but there was a force that had left him tongue-tied. To his surprise, there was nothing else for him to say.

He chose to blame the alcohol.

"It seems only yesterday when you, Red and I, together with the others, fought against enemy after enemy, no holds barred…" she continued, and all he could do was listen.

She was drunk as well, he knew.

"Say, remember when I used to pair us all up with one another?" she suddenly giggled. "Remember? Red and Yellow… Gold and Crystal… That cute couple from Hoenn, Ruby and Sapphire—I heard they're getting closer! I'm so happy for them! Then there's…"

And she went on and on, with him only half-listening.

Don't say it, he inwardly begged.

"..And me to y—" Green had inwardly thanked every god he ceased to believe in for Blue's sudden epiphany. Had her common sense been a second too late, his sanity would've been a goner.

The alcohol may have gotten the best of him.

"S-sorry…" she whispered, wearing another sheepish smile on her face. "Don't know how that almost slipped out…"

"Blame alcohol," Green murmured, finally bending over to reach for his coffee. "It works."

"Yeah," she agreed. "Alcohol does make you say weird things…" Pause. "But, I don't recall being under the influence of alcohol during that day… Was I?" She raised her head but only to watch his eyes glow—no, scratch that—blaze with something she'd never seen before. But, just like what Green said, she'll just blame alcohol for choosing not to notice.

"Does it matter?" Green slurred, looking away. "You've already said your part as I've said mine… Going back won't do anything but bother us… I'd like a fresh start, thank you very much."

To his surprise, she laughed. A mocking laugh. A laugh that he absolutely hated.

She can't possibly be serious.

"Aw, you're such a bore!" she chortled, good-heartedly slapping at his shoulder, much to his annoyance. "Honestly, Green, talking like that kid with 'the ego' from years before? And you say I'm going back!"

"Pesky Girl…" He knew it. He knew she was just holding back.

So much for his plans for a clean escape.

"Although, let me get this straight…" She paused, and then laughed again. She began reaching for his face, pinching his cheeks. "You were seriously thinking about it after all this time?"

"S-shut up, you obnoxious woman!" Green glowed, faintly trying to brush her sneaky hands away. "I haven't even batted a thought about it until you started that stupid topic. Lay off!"

"Really now…" Blue's eyes mellowed and she lowered her hand to his lap. "'Coz I never really stopped."

She neared her face to him.

"Why didn't you ask me again, Green?"

He sprang back, startled by her sudden act. Then he looked away. "Why on earth would I ask you again? You already said 'no' the first time. Why would I risk getting rejected the second time?"

"What makes you think I'm gonna say 'no' the second time?" she whined, much to his irritation. Now, he knows what he hates more than a Pesky Girl.

A drunken Pesky Girl.

"…Besides," she continued, crawling back. "It's not like I actually said 'no' the first time!" She pointed accusingly at him. "Stop stuffing my mouth with words!"

"What are you talking about?"

"All I'm saying is that I don't recall me saying 'no' to you, Green," she claimed. "You're the one who concluded things here…"

"Are you fucking kidding me?!" he cried. "You said you had to turn me down but you never even gave me a reason for it. No, you just gave me vague, almost senseless metaphors that are too bothersome to decode. And besides, I can easily admit defeat. I was trained to be like that. If you didn't want me, then fine, don't. Easy."

"Oh for Pete's sake, Green, I was young and you were acting like a complete fool—I seriously thought you were joking! How was I supposed to know you were serious and not just pulling my leg?"

"Give me one good reason why I'd be joking about something like that…"

It took her a moment to give her response. Quite slow for her standards.

She must've been really, really drunk.

"You could've waited until everything sank in…" she began, her voice getting softer. "Who knows? If we could've let everything process for a moment, I would've arrived at a better answer…"

"Does it ma…"

"Of course, it mattered," Blue interrupted. "It's your feelings we're talking about here…"

"And now, she shows concern over my feelings," he murmured.

"What's that?"

"I said, you're drunk. Go to where Pesky Girls go when they need to sleep and go sleep already! I'm heading home…"

"Aww, come on, Green!" Blue called after him as he made a show of walking to the door. "Things were beginning to get interesting! Stop being a killjoy!"

He did his best not to turn around and give another comeback.

"But did you really like me, Green? You seriously weren't trying to pull my leg or anything?"

That got him. Out of sheer irritation and whatever invisible force he chose to attribute to alcohol, he turned around, grabbed her by the shoulders, and planted a quick peck on her then still moving lips. Blue went speechless.

Suddenly, she didn't feel so drunk anymore.

"Does that answer your question?"

"Green, you…"

"I never stopped, okay? Leaving me there with no proper answer only left me hanging instead of being awakened from my silly delusions caused by you. But, now, I know it wouldn't matter, because Red…" He trailed off, suddenly remembering that Red had forgotten the other, more special reason why he invited Blue over. He didn't know if he'd be more surprised at himself for being sober enough to remember that minute detail, or at Red for being so drunk enough to forget.

"Red…?" Blue urged him on.

"You and Red," he found himself saying, nails digging into his palm. "Period."

She gave out a rueful smile as she looked up. "Funny, isn't it? Can you believe it? Red and I… Seems only yesterday when I used to joke around him and watch with glee as he falls gullibly into my romantic escapades…"

"Yeah," he found himself agreeing. "Who knew?" Then, after ignoring further reluctance, he added: "You're… You're not leading Red on, are you?"

"No, of course not," she replied, hugging her knees, and then patting on the recently vacant spot next to her, gesturing for him to come back. He hesitatingly complied.

"I love Red," she began, much to his own frustration. "During those months I was with my parents, trying to heal a broken heart, he was there comforting me. He was the only one I could have to remind me of the life I had back here in Pallet Town. He was being nice to me when I'd been nothing but a bitch to him. Who wouldn't fall for such a sweetheart like him?"

He was about to agree, when the words "broken heart" caught his attention. "What do you mean 'trying to heal a broken heart'…?"

Green knew. He knew that the last person she had come in contact with romantically before she left was him. The next after him—and it sure took a long time for the next to come—was none other than Red. No one else came to the scene after that. It had always been Red since.

Blue could only smile.

"Guess I wasn't as emotionally versatile as we all thought I was…"

"No…" He was shaking his head before he even realized.

"It's true Green," she was saying, much to the other's fear and confusion. He needed to get out of that place, and fast.

Otherwise…

"I've…"

She wondered briefly if ever she should say it, especially at a fragile time such as now. But before she could arrive at her own conclusion, the words have finally escaped her mouth.

"I've always liked you, Green."

And everything that was restraining Green a while ago had suddenly vanished. He didn't know if it was still the valiant works of alcohol.

"You mean to tell me…?" Again he bolted up, and took a few steps backwards, away from her. "B-Blue, you…" Then a thought occurred to him.

"But, wait, what about Red?"

"See, that's the problem." Blue smiled again. "I love him too. But it isn't the same kind of love I feel for you… I don't know how or why that happened—you know I was never the best expert when it comes to emotions, contrary to popular belief. All I know is that I… I think I feel the same way you felt about me, Green, and I know it's stupid and futile to say it now—now, when everything's already gone haywire, and there are so many things we can never bring back; now that I have seen the extent of all the damage I have done over the years because of my stupidity and I know that saying will only lead to more confusion soon and might drag us all even deeper into hell, even though I have warned you specifically that I have the capacity to do that, but hey…" She stood up and faced him, a big smile on her face. "Blame alcohol, right?"

No, Blue…

"Please don't take this against me, but, I love you, Green."

The boy could only stare for a long time at her. He didn't know who or what he could blame now, seeing that it was as clear as the sky that this girl is not as drunk as before anymore.

"Blue…"

Then she started to cry.

He had a choice. He had the clearest choice. He had the option to turn around and walk through that door, out of that place—out of her life—and forget about everything; carry on as if nothing happened. But there was a force, and he hated that force, that beckoned him to stay, kept his eyes glued to her, and pulled him slowly—ever so slowly—towards her, pushing him to wrap his arms around her shivering figure.

Before he felt her snake her arms around him as well.

Green could not remember much of the evening beyond that point. The rest occurred in his head in fragments, once heavy emotions and intense passion have all been reduced to a memory here, and a feeling there. In fact, waking up the next day back in his bed have made him conclude that perhaps, everything was just a nightmare—a really bad one that resulted to a headache with skull-breaking intensity. As a matter of fact, all he needed was to hear the news about his two friends' engagement two days later for him to fully forget everything.

That is, not until the evening before the chosen date, approximately three months after everything has been said and done.

Green hated early morning phone calls, even if they were almost always classified as important. Goodness only knows how much difficulty he finds in making sleep, and in the event that he does come out victorious, the slightest movement from the outside world can easily bring him back to consciousness.

He angrily threw away his covers and reached for his phone.

"This better be important," he growled, eyes still half-closed.

The voice from the other side didn't reply.

"Hello?!" he yelled into the mouthpiece. By this time, he was already fully awake, and it would only ruin his morning more if it was just a prank call. He might just kill somebody.

More silent treatment, but before he could slam the phone down, an almost inaudible sound came from it.

"Hi, Green…"

He slowly put the phone back next to his ear. Soft sniffles can be heard from the other line.

"Yes, hello?" he replied, a little softer. He knew who it was.

"Hey, it's me, Blue."

Green sighed and slowly lowered himself into bed. "What do you want?"

"Why won't you pick up your phone?"

Green rolled his eyes and stared at the clock. It was three in the morning.

"I was…" He repressed the urge to scream at her. "… dealing with something."

I was asleep for crying out loud.

Another almost inaudible noise, then she spoke again. "Ah, I see." Pause. "So, anyway, are you busy? Hoping to get to talk to you later."

"Your call," he found himself answering. "I'll be at the gym this afternoon. We can talk there."

"I thought the gym was closed for tomorrow?"

Then everything threw themselves at him at full force. All of a sudden, he remembered what were to happen the next day.

"Oh, yeah," he said, slapping his forehead with his palm. "Well, what on earth would you want to talk about anyway? Can't that thing wait until tomorrow? You should be goddamn resting…"

I should be goddamn resting.

More silence.

"No," she finally said. "It can't wait that long…"

Green casted a sidelong gaze as he sighed. "Well, can't you say it here instead?"

Another moment of silence. Suddenly, Green was feeling uncomfortable. He was never used to Blue being silent, even for just a short while.

"Green, I'm pregnant..." Then an evident forced rise in her voice. "You're going to be an uncle!"

The flow emotions came to him all at once. Surprise, disappointment, fear, frustration, and several other emotions he couldn't recognize himself. He was torn from throwing the phone against the wall, getting dressed, and marching over to Red's house to annihilate him—and here he thought Red was better than that, that impatient bastard… Tomorrow's their wedding for crying out loud! He couldn't have waited until then?—and to just sit there and be dumbfounded by the thought of Blue… He began recollecting himself as he sighed.

He guessed this was bound to happen sooner or later.

"C-congratulations, I guess," he whispered, closing his eyes. He still didn't know why she'd even bother calling up that early just to tell him, but he chose not to ask. There was still something peculiar with all these.

"Are you happy for us, Green?"

He bit his lip. Well, he should be.

"But, how can I be…?" he murmured to himself, careful not to let her hear.

Instead, he went on with his usual "I-will-ask-the-frank-questions-here" game.

"Does Red already know?"

"N-no… Not yet, anyway."

"Why not?!" he yelled into the mouthpiece. He knew Blue was as secretive as fuck, but this was ridiculous. Red had the rights to know. It's his too, for the love of…

Another restless silence from the other side, then Blue spoke again.

"I had myself checked up a while ago. The doctor isn't sure yet, but she said there's a big chance she's a girl."

"I'm pretty sure Red will be thrilled," he drawled, rolling his eyes at her smooth way of ignoring his question. "You should tell him."

"I was already talking to Yellow a while ago, and we were thinking up some good names!"

"Yellow knows but Red doesn't?"

"Yellow thought of the cutest names, I swear. You should've heard them, Green! They…"

"Really, Blue, go tell Red. If you're afraid, then I can assure you there's nothing for you to be scared about. Red will probably accept the child… You know, after fainting from sheer surprise, of course, but you know him…"

"…Then there were also those exotic-sounding names like Mickaye, Allyssa, Jenna…"

"Blue, are you even listening to me?"

"But, I already had a good name in mind…"

"Blue, seriously…"

"Say, Green? What do you think of the name 'Jasmine'?"

That stopped Green. Somehow, that name didn't sound right.

"Why…" he almost breathed through the mouthpiece. "Why on earth will you name your child 'Jasmine'?"

A squeak came from the other side. "You don't like it?"

"I hate it," he emphasized through gritted teeth. He needs not any of these.

"But," Blue tried again to raise her voice, but only to fail. "But, you love Jasmine… Remember? If I recall correctly, it's your favorite…"

"Why on earth will you name your fucking child with Red goddamn JASMINE?!" The flow of words from his mouth was swift and smooth, it almost felt like one word. Then, he recollected himself again, taking a deep breath and resting his head on his palm.

"Why not, Green?" Blue's voice was rapidly dropping at every word.

"Why not?" he asked, almost laughing. "Why not?! Because I don't want to have anything to do with that child, Blue. Not for anything in this world… Can't you just fucking let me be?! You're going to have to live your life for yourself, like how I'm trying so hard to do. "

For the love of all things that is and is not, Blue, please stop dragging me too deep. I don't want to reach the point where I need to resurface and find that I cannot. Can't you see I'm trying my best to move on? But you… you keep pulling me back… Please, Blue…

He swallowed the huge lump in his throat. Please go away…

There was silence from the other line. Empty silence. He wondered if she was still there.

"Blue?"

He sighed.

"I'm sorry." He winced as he covered his face with his hand. "That was uncalled for. I'm just really tired from work and…"

"No, no. It's fine, Green. I… I understand…"

More silence.

There was static-like noise coming from the other line, meaning she was still there. At least, she hasn't cut the line. All the good it could do for him.

"I'm hanging up," he said, but before he could let all the words part from his lips, she spoke again, the parting of her lips an evident sound.

"Really, Green, we need to meet up. I'll be at the usual place and I hope you come, too."

He heaved another sigh. He was going to make the wrong decision, he knew, but to him, in that exact moment, things didn't seem to matter.

But then again, with Blue, when did other things mattered?

"Fine."

He could almost hear her smile.

"Thank you, Green…"

Green was about to rebut his own words, but the dial tone from the other line told him to do otherwise. He let the sound linger there for just a few seconds before he slowly put it back down. After a few moments of contemplation, he began moving, throwing away his sheets and started for the bathroom.

Surely, whatever matter she needed to speak of was important enough for her to call him out that late, and with just few hours to go before her special day, too. He'd like to hang on to that, at least.

But when he got there, his grasp began to loosen as he cursed to himself, yet again, for being so stupid.

It was already an hour and a half since he got to the designated place, shivering under the damn cold, and still there was no sign of her. He tried calling her, but nothing. Her phone was off.

He was all alone.

"Dammit'…"

Sure, he can attribute her unexpected tardiness (or absence, as he forced himself to accept as he shook violently) to many things. Something must've come up that she can use as a proper excuse, but as he stood there, trembling, feeling sorry for himself, the number of acceptable explanations are beginning to deplete, and at such a fast rate.

The sun was almost up when he realized that not even the best justification or apology could work on him anymore. He was nowhere near forgiving anyone—not even himself.

Most especially himself.

He didn't know if the years of trying to bear his unreciprocated love had finally ate away whatever sanity he had, or if he really did possess sanity in the first place. Because if he was sane enough, then none of this wouldn't happen. He wouldn't have asked her for a cup of tea two years ago.

He wouldn't have fallen in love with her, in the first place. No, he could even go further than that.

He could've just ignored her when he saw her float so dramatically and fluidly into his carefully-walled domain, through his defenses, and then, maybe, he wouldn't have to allow himself to be left vulnerable.

Then, there would've been no "Pesky Girl" to ruin his life again and again.

Foolish. Damn foolish.

He wished he could just be his old, ignorant self, and let this not get to him. He was far better than this.

Slowly, his limbs began to move, and soon, he was treading the path he had traced some hours ago, back to his safe haven, where he can suffer in peace.

Hopefully, for the last time.

Morning came up too early for his liking, and shortly after he had laid his head for the second time on his bed did his sister suddenly appeared from nowhere and began shaking him back to reality.

"What…?" he groaned. "It's too early…"

"What do you mean 'what'?" Daisy frowned with disgust. "Stop acting like this, Green! Today's the day! Lift yourself up and get moving! Otherwise, their best man will be late!"

Green had to put much effort to raise his head from his pillow just to give Daisy "the look" before mouthing out the words "I'm not going" and then smashing his swollen face unto the pillow.

"'Not going'? What on Earth, Green?" Daisy landed herself on his bed side and put a hand on his shoulder, her cold touch making him shiver. "Come on, don't be like that… Red and Blue would surely want you to…"

"You heard me, right?" he snapped.

"Honestly, Green, you're acting like a child. Get up from there."

"I'm too tired…"

"What can you possibly be tired of at seven in the morning, Green?"

All this nonsense, he thought to himself.

Suddenly, Daisy let out a quick yet all-knowing "oh", before stroking his arm like when she did when they were kids.

"Green? Are you, by any chance…?"

He didn't answer. He chose not to answer.

"Please don't tell me…" He could hear the hesitation at the delivery of her next words.

"Green, are you against Red and Blue's wedding?"

Surprisingly, he didn't bolt up and lash out in an angry frenzy at his sister, even though that was his initial plan. Instead, he just slightly raised his head to look at the side and sighed.

"Daisy, you're good with things like these… Do you think they'd work? I mean, as a couple? Are they…" He sought hard for the word. "Compatible?"

His sister sighed.

"You want the truth?"

He nodded weakly.

"Well, I won't deny it. They're cute together. And besides, it's evident that Blue had never been truer to a man than she has with Red. And he's obviously taking good care of her... Something Blue actually deserves, considering all the things she's been through. The last thing she needs is someone or something that would only drag her down…"

He casted a sidelong glance.

"But I also won't deny the fact that any relationship, regardless of how perfect their compatibility is, cannot really rise and stand victorious if there is an outside force that is keeping them from that…"

"Even if that outside force doesn't mean to?"

"Oh come now, Green, when it comes to love, none of us ever do things on purpose. Everything is involuntary… In the end, none of us is to be blamed, but at the same time, we are also at fault…"

He didn't answer. She didn't say anything farther.

They just basked in that awkward silence.

Then Daisy began to move.

"Well, I guess I should go tell Grandpa that you're not coming, huh?" She stood up from his bed, causing his soft mattress to shake slightly, making him a bit nauseous.

"Please do…"

"And if Red or Blue starts looking for you?"

He didn't reply.

"Fine, I'll try to evade the question as much as possible…"

"Thanks, Daisy…"

Watching Daisy walk out the door was the last image on his mind before he finally dosed off. And even in his subconscious, he knew that when he awoke, nothing will be the same ever again, and that he would have to do nothing else but to get a move on himself, like what he should've done a long time ago.

Maybe this was what he needed. To be splashed with iced water to wake himself up. And of all the iced water that he felt on his sleeping face, he was surprised he was still not wide awake.

Perhaps this final dose shall do the trick?

He wakes up to the same image of his slightly open door, only this time, instead of Daisy exiting, she was entering, wearing a careful look on her face.

Somehow, the overall mood of that scene had made him scared, and if there's one thing that Green was, it was intuitive. Quickly, he jerked up.

"What happened?" he asked darkly.

Daisy tried to smile, but it easily broke, and she began crying, running towards him and wrapping her arms around him.

"Green… Oh, Green, it was so horrible! Green…"

"Daisy, calm down and tell me what's going on!" He tried to touch her trembling arms, but she didn't stop sobbing.

"Green, Blue, she… She… Oh, that poor girl…"

"What…? What about Blue? Why? What happened to her? Daisy, stop scaring me!"

It was then that Daisy held both his shoulders and forced herself to look him in the eyes.

"Blue, Green…" she choked. "She's gone…"

Things had easily processed in Green's head. There was this small part of him that expected for all this to happen, or at least, something similar to it. But as Daisy tried her best to recount everything and he took in everything she had said, he began piecing things together. And as he did, his whole body froze with shock.

"Red said she went out at about three in the morning, but he wouldn't tell us where she planned on going… It wasn't long after he had let her go that he received a call that she met an accident somewhere and she died instantly…"

Green could hear every loud beat his heart made as Daisy went on, and he didn't know if he should grieve at the fact that she really was gone or the fact that she died on her way to meet him.

And moreover, what about…?

"And you know what's worse, Green?" Daisy continued, even though he was even barely half-listening.

"Green, apparently, she was pregnant all this time…"

He couldn't open his mouth.

"Even the poor, sinless child was taken…"

All he could do was tremble…

"Green?"

He didn't know if he wanted to cry.

"Green? Green, what's wrong?"

Or if he could even, now that he knows all these…

"GREEN!"

-m16-

With a grunt, he dropped the last of his belongings at whatever space was left and free from all his clutter. He looked around as if to examine his new "home" yet again for the umpteenth time. This is what he hated most about moving: everything just feels so foreign, even your own things when scattered about these unfamiliar floors. And what's worse is that you have no choice but to live with it even though you know it will take a little longer getting used to a certain place, especially a cramped-up place like this.

I'll arrange these things as soon as I have my coffee.

Coffee, too, is a new experience for him. It had only been seven days since he first started taking his early morning mug of caffeine and he didn't know if he'll even last long enough what with this bitter taste.

This is what happens if you've gotten used to always be treated with something sweet.

He could revert back to drinking tea—he still had a few bags somewhere in those boxes, he was sure of it—but he wouldn't take any chances. He vowed no more tea, then, he will have no more tea.

Besides, he likes the kick of coffee better.

He treads the small space provided by his boxes—Green was never really much of a packrat and the number of his belongings, when compared to others, is actually kind of few, but still, in a cramped up apartment like this, even the smallest amount is deemed too many—back to his bed, which is the only thing that seems to be left as space for him. He lowered himself, sat back, and took a sip of his coffee while staring up at the empty ceilings.

It was still five in the morning but the surroundings was beginning to get humid.

This was why he hated Summer…

Green?

Oh, and he disliked being alone, too.

Green?

Yes, somehow, heat and isolation may leave anyone, even him, insane.

Green?

But, come to think of it, there've been many times when he was both hot and alone and he wasn't this delusional.

It only started happening after that incident seven days ago.

That particular incident.

Green?

It happened on that first day of Summer. It was supposed to be just a normal gathering. Just a normal get-together between friends…

Green?

It wasn't supposed to end that way, but it did.

Hey, Green…

Not that he could've done anything to stop it. Although, he wished he could…

Green…

Then, maybe this annoying voice would stop bugging him.

Green! I'm hungry!

He looked up gradually and saw her—the very image of her—smiling back at him ever so fondly he swore he could just die.

It has been seven days since he heard the news. She was supposed to be dead.

She was supposed to be…

Heya', Green~!

He sighed, and smiled at the self-made illusion that stood before him. He knew he was going mad.

"Hi, Blue…"

But he realized it wouldn't matter.

I am so sorry T^T To be quite honest, I WAS aiming for a lighter take on this part, but, my intended ended, all of a sudden, became the same ending as Ano Hana so, by virtue of not wanting to have the same idea as a (supposedly) famous anime, I had to compromise. And this was what I got. I am so sorry, yet again. It's just that, maybe I have lost my oomph for this fic and now I'll just finish this. Stay tuned still, though.

Thanks for reading, by the way :)