With all that I can, I made this chapter likable for everyone. I sure hope it will be. This update is super late since a massive project got in my way that I had to sacrifice all my free time at night and on weekends for it. I'm so sorry. Also, this will be kind of short but will be the turning point for the story.

Rollercoaster of Hearts- Chapter Twenty-One

If it wasn't for the presence of his beloved grandfather, Takumi would have made his disgust evident to the people inside the four walls of their living room. If only.

"Grandfather, it's good to see you here."

That was his only comment in response, somehow, to the greeting given to him by a not so likable being. He strode his way across the cold polished marble floors of their living room and made his way over to the vacant seat beside his smiling mom. Though, he could tell it was a fake one. They do share the same despise for the other family inside. It runs in the blood as he may say.

Takumi turned his face over to his mother and they locked eyes. Patricia bore an amused yet proud look while the other had that look of victory on his face. If one would describe them, the first thing that would come to mind is that they look as though they were little children scheming something evil with cheeky grins plastered on their faces. If given the chance, they could high five any moment.

"Ehem," the oldest in the room, Takumi's grandfather, cleared his throat to gain back the attention of both immature-acting Takumi and Patricia. The two did as if they were like dogs being reprimanded by their owner. "Okay, how about we talk business now?"

Gawd, how he loathed this topic. Sure, he was born with the Walkers' blood of business but when it comes to topics about companies and such, it's like he just wanted to walk away or maybe even put on his headphones which would be a bit rude if you say.

Takumi put on the best poker face he could give as he glanced over to his grandfather through his peripheral vision. The old man had that kind of look on his face where with just one gaze you could tell he's not one to mess with. Takumi gulped at that. If there's one person he's really scared to face head on, it would be his grandfather.

"Oh, business. I like that," the leader of their so-called guests replied in a way disgusting to Takumi's ears. He almost snickered to that. Takumi shifted uncomfortably in his seat as if anticipating the next words that are going to come out from his grandfather's sharp mouth. Takumi knew him well after his years of existence. He doesn't like fake people clinging to him for fortune. Takumi kept a close look at his grandfather. He had that fixed stern facade on his face yet it looked kind of distorted. He's disgusted and he could tell. Oh how he wanted to give him a high-five if only he could.

"Very well, so how are the preparations going?"

"Preparations?!" Takumi covered his mouth right away after realizing what he had done. It wasn't his fault he wasn't informed about what's happening and all. All eyes were on him but he kind of doesn't care. Well except for the fact that his grandfather was one of those people eyeing him. Takumi held his breath as he braced himself for a whole lot of reprimands that are about to come-reprimands that miraculously never came. And there he knew something was definitely wrong.

And when he means wrong, it means as if the world turned upside down. For Pete's sake! His grandfather smiled!

Takumi hid it in but inside, he was freaked out. His grandfather smiling was one of those moments one must cherish. It happens once in a blue moon. And so he questions, will the moon be blue tonight?

"I forgot you weren't informed."

Takumi almost laughed at how bitterly sweet his grandfather's tone was and that he even turned his gaze away from the old man just to avoid even a chuckle. And then he caught the silhouette on the side. That's when he realized why his grandfather was being nice. It was because he didn't want to scare the faked innocent figure sitting by the corner of the room. Takumi decided to ignore the 'being' smiling at him instead and faced his grandfather back, his laugh now faded away.

"What information did I miss?"

The annoying man answered for him instead after giving out a sick smile, "It's about you."

"Me?"

Takumi sat frozen all of a sudden. His palms sweated as he tried his hardest not to let them see how nervous he got. Is this leading to where he thinks it is? If so, please tell him it's just a silly nightmare he's having. Like, what would one think when two families gather together with their son and daughter? Wouldn't you think some sort of arrangement would transpire? What arrangement, you say? Oh, he doesn't want to think about it.

Takumi held his breath as he awaited the other's reply. His mouth became dry all of a sudden. And he wished for once that he is wrong. His life is already damned enough to be set up in marriage over someone he hates by first sight and isn't even close with.

"Yes, you."

"What about me?" He was getting impatient. Why won't they just go straight to the point already? The curiosity was digging deep into his bones that it's killing him.

"You'll be escorting my daughter for her debut next week."

"Oh," Takumi said in a whispered form as if he was not a bit affected but inside, he was jumping for joy. For an instant, his wish came true. And there he thought he'd be spending all his life with a delusional girl who is almost four years younger than him.

"Aren't you excited, Takumi?" His mother asked in a falsely cheerful tone but he's aware she already his answer to that for she, herself, was also not excited about it either. They both hated this family that there would be times when one of them would talk about either one of the family's members and it would lead to a whole lot of criticisms being shared.

Takumi just smiled and Patricia nodded. They both knew what that means anyway.

"Well, if there's no more violent reactions or what, then I guess it is official. Takumi would escort my daughter in her debut. Isn't that great, Kaon?"

. . . . .

Misaki jumped off the rock in a swift motion and tiptoed her way to the source of the humming. She tried to avoid fallen leaves and twigs to prevent any unnecessary noise that would maybe scare the girl away. Well, it's not her fault she's curious to know who else knows about this place she calls her safe haven.

Misaki carefully strode through the field and arrived at a bush. It was large enough to cover the girl humming from the other side. She was about to shove away the leaves when a sudden thought struck her. Her eyes widened at what dawned her mind.

"Oh God," she muttered to herself as she stood frozen on her place, her arms and feet numb and her face is covered with cold trickling sweat that came out of nowhere. She was shaking. Now is definitely not the time to experience a horror story that'll haunt her for life. That is if she ever gets out alive.

"Who's there?" An angelic asked as the humming stopped. Misaki stiffened. Her throat dried up as if it was some desert with no oasis, completely soaked up.

"Who's there?" the girl repeated after getting no answer. Misaki remained still even when she could already hear footsteps getting nearer. She was scared would be an understatement.

Misaki couldn't blink her eyes no matter what she does. It refuses to close. She was scared that if her lids would shut for a second, she might come face to face with a bloody girl or something. And she doesn't want that.

"Oh!"

"Kyaa!" Misaki screamed at the top of her lungs as she fell to the ground with a thud, hitting her bottom quite hard. "Ouch," she murmured as she massaged her aching bottom after the fall. Unconscious to her surroundings, she skipped a little after a hand was offered in front of her.

"I'm sorry I scared you. Are you alright?"

"Yeah, I guess so. I…"

She was dreaming. She knows she just is. It just couldn't be. It was insane. She wasn't seeing right. Even when years have passed when, she knew it is her. She just couldn't be mistaken. This girl, the one standing in front of her…is Chiyo Sakurai, Takumi's long lost fiancé whom everyone thought was dead.

"Is something wrong? You look like you've seen a ghost. Am I that pale?"

"Huh?" Misaki shoved her thought away and faked a smile. Did this girl not familiarize her? Did she forget about her? Well, it wouldn't be surprising. They were twelve when they met at the cemetery.

"Don't worry. I'm human. It's nice to meet you. I'm Miyuki."

"Miyuki?" she questioned. Is she wrong? Is she just someone who looks similar to Chiyo? Maybe but Misaki never was wrong when remembering people. And there's this familiar feeling to her that she just couldn't ignore. Misaki studied the girl's feature one last time. The eyes were the same shade of grey and the complexion as well. But wait, something caught her eyes. It was a ring…on her finger, a ring so familiar that she knows she saw it somewhere before.

"Oh, what's wrong with my ring?" the girl asked as she shoved her hand closer to Misaki for a better view. "Don't you think it looks cute? It's the only thing I got as a key to remembering where I came from."

"Where you came from?"

The girl nodded and walked ahead of Misaki towards the waterfall. Misaki followed but stopped when her companion suddenly halted as if like her a while ago, she was frozen.

Misaki approached her and placed an arm on her shoulder. She has her eyes closed as if she was thinking deep.

"This place reminds me of something."

"What is it?" Misaki tried being friendly to Miyuki as she led her over to a rock to sit. The girl looked exhausted.

"It's like it's connected to my past."

"Your past? Why? What happened to you?"

Miyuki, with a weak smile adorning her face answered, "I don't know either. I just woke up in a mansion with an owner telling me he found me here in the mountains bloody and dying."

"Bloody and dying?" Now, Misaki was kind of pissed at herself. She sound like some singer doing adlibs, repeating the last words of a line.

Miyuki nodded. "Due to the accident that brought me to this mountain, I got Amnesia."

That sentence made everything clear to Misaki. It's like a light bulb appeared on top of her head. Those words were the missing puzzle pieces. It's all understandable to her now. It's all positive. The ring, the familiarity, the features, the accident, Amnesia, they were all connected to each other and if combined, it gave Misaki the chance to arrive at a conclusion. This girl is Chiyo Sakurai.

Waah! I hope you guys liked it even when it's short. It's the longest I can make with my hectic time schedule. See 'ya all in the next chapter!