Muffintops here, still overflowing in glory. Yeah, it's been a while, but the winter break is finally here! I'll still make up for a little while without updates with a long chapter though. I told my mom I needed to update and she was like yeah don't disappoint your fans and I was like yeah all twelve of them in this tiny beautiful fandom. Still, I'm happy to have the twelve (more or less) of you! Haha! Hope you enjoy the story!

~ Michi ~

"Moving out, moving out today," I hummed to myself as I placed the last of my possessions into a box and heaved it out to put it in a stack I'd made by the front door.

'You seem better today," Musca noted as she cut a glance at me. "Do you feel different after yesterday?"

I sighed. She'd been doing that all morning, especially during work, finding ways to reference the fact that I hadn't told her what I'd remembered about Toma. "I'm fine."

Musca puffed her cheeks out and then waved her arms around as she let out a frustrated sigh. "Will you just tell me what you saw?!"

"You heard the entire conversation afterwards. What else do you need to know? I'm masochistic, it turns out." Talking to Toma about it had made me more comfortable about the prospect. Besides, walking around feeling ashamed of myself wouldn't help anything.

"But I don't know what that means!" Musca complained. "I could barely keep up with your talk it was so confusing!"

"Oh." It was hard to forget that she was still basically a child. "Best to keep it that way, probably." Toma's and my secret.

"You meanie!"

"Yeah, yeah." I patted her head, smiling. "But man, it's good to be getting out of here… A lot of bad memories. Or rather, ghosts."

Musca softened. "Yeah, I bet it's a relief… Kent should be here soon to help you, right?"

"Yeah, should be within ten minutes if he's punctual." I paced back and forth until I caught sight of his freakishly tall silhouette on the horizon. "KEEEEEENT!" I leaped down the stairs and sprinted down the sidewalk. He raised a hand in greeting until I slammed into him and his arms went flailing as he tried to keep his balance while I hugged his torso.

"So…" His hands lightly went to my shoulders once he had fully regained balance. "You're excited?"

I nodded. "And happy."

"That makes me glad."

I looked up at him, grinning. "Ready to go, then? I have plenty of boxes for you to help me with."

"I came ready, I assure you."

"Good, good. I'll get full use out of you then, since you're so willing."

"Ah, I'm being manipulated… Help me," Kent deadpanned.

"Was that supposed to be you telling a joke?"

"I was attempting."

"Ah. It wasn't terrible."

"I will accept that as a compliment encouraging further progression."

"And good luck to you, then."

"Hm…" Kent looked down at the boxes once we'd gotten to the porch. "It actually seems possible to end this in one trip. That's unfortunate."

"Unfortunate how?" I raised my eyebrows and hefted up three boxes. "None of it is delicate, by the way, so no worries."

"Well more boxes means more trips and more trips means more time spent together. I even purposefully chose not to drive here. Seems my extra measures were all for naught."

"Er… So you're saying that…" I left it up to him to finish so he could dig himself out of the embarrassing implication he'd made.

"You require further explanation?"

"No, I got it! Just… Ugh. Never mind," I grumbled. "If you want to spend time with me, you only have to ask. It's not like you have to have a specific reason. You just do it."

"Oh." He looked upwards, considering this. "That's how the math problems with Ikkyu started. I needed a reason to approach him and to continue to do so… That's what I came up with."

I laughed. "That's adorable."

"You think so? Hm." He looked back down at me. "Do you have plans for the rest of the night, then?"

"I mean, no. Besides showering, maybe reading some y-… Nothing. Nothing at all."

"I see."

"Is that it?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, you didn't have anything else to say besides just the question?"

Kent smirked at me. "Did there have to be anything else? I thought you said I didn't need a reason to want to spend time with you."

"But that doesn't give you a right to be all vague! Urgh..." I looked away sharply. He didn't usually make expressions like that.

"Ow, Michi…" Musca clutched at her chest. "Warn me when your heart's about to leap like that. It hurts!"

Well it's not like I can help it! I grumbled at her mentally before sneaking a quick glance back at Kent. His expression was placid again as he looked forward. "So… You don't have anything specific in mind?"

"Oh, I do."

"Then why didn't you say so earlier, asshole?!" I snapped.

"I wanted to try teasing you."

"If I end up having a heart attack it's completely your fault. Just remember that."

"A heart attack?"

"You clueless dolt, making my kokoro go all doki doki and making it hurt and then acting all innocent and not having any idea what's going on, gosh you asshole why don't you just cut it out already huh…"

"I can't understand when you mutter like that."

"That's the point! Geez. Next you'll end up taking your glasses off and pushing your hair away from your face like they do in the manga and then everyone realizes that the entire time you were ho-…" I coughed. "Nothing. I'm not saying anything at all anymore."

"You're acting very strange…"

"Just don't take your glasses off!"

"I had no intention of doing so." Once we had gotten to the complex he lived in he took care to shoulder doors open for me.

"You don't have to go out of your way, you know… I can handle it."

"Oh, I'm aware." He glanced at my arms. "You're quite muscular in the end, aren't you?"

"I mean, kendo club does good things for ya. All through middle and high school." I laughed. "I'm pretty awesome."

"There are better words to describe you."

"Oh? Do tell." I set the boxes down outside the door of what was to be my new place of living and put my hands on my hips, smiling at him with my eyebrows raised.

He just shrugged and pulled a key out of his pocket. "Here. It's yours now, so you should do the honors."

My hands actually shook as I took the key and unlocked the door, I was so excited. Just the room upon entry was larger than what I had shared with my father and that was just the office section; there was a bedroom and bathroom attached too. I buried my face in my hands, laughing softly. Relief was making my legs shake too. "Damn… This feels way too good to be true."

"You've no reason to doubt it. It's right in front of you."

"I know, I know." I got to work moving the boxes inside. "And it has a couch!" I plopped down once my possessions had been all pushed into the corner temporarily. "It's all cushy…"

Kent sat at my feet. "Are you happy?"

"Are you freaking kidding me? I could kiss you right now." I sat up. "But seriously… Thank you. I really owe you one."

"Do you mean that sincerely? You're willing to do me a favor?"

"I mean, sure. I'd do that anyway, since we're friends."

"Then accompany me somewhere tonight. Please."

"Ha! So you did have something in mind. I'm listening."

"An event for socialites. My parents have asked me to attend and I feel that the only possible way for any enjoyment to be had in the venture would be for you to accompany me."

"Hm…" I frowned. I certainly didn't have a fondness for things like this, but neither did he. Maybe two negatives would in fact make a positive. "Sure, then. But how fancy are we talking? Black tie and dresses, sparkly shit and all?"

"More or less."

"Huh…" I had no idea how this was supposed to work. "Ah! I think I have something to wear."

"It's fine if you don't. We could always go shopping."

"Stop saying rich people things." I rifled around in the largest box that held all of the costume pieces I'd made in the past while acting out my dreams of designing fashion of some kind. "Let's see… Ta-da! Haha… Does this work?" I held up a blue and black dress with the draping styled to flare out like a butterfly's wings, white spots along the bottom and a plunging neckline. "You know, I always thought that blue butterflies were the prettiest."

"Where did you get that? It looks like a designer piece." He looked confused, seeing as how the seeming expense of the item didn't match my budget.

"I made it. See, the white spots are from one of my dad's old work shirts. I just cut away the parts that weren't stained. Then the blue and black are actually both from fabrics he got me for Christmas once… It's my most special creation." I smiled at it fondly. "So you think this'll work?"

"I don't see why not. The event isn't until later tonight, so we've plenty of time."

"Well, I need to organize. You're welcome to stay if you want, but I'll be running around."

"No, I'll leave you to it if you like. You deserve time to get assimilated. I'm directly above you if you need me." He pointed to the ceiling.

"Okay." I laughed. "It's nice to know you're so close, in a way."

"The same to you." Kent smiled. "Please call me or drop in anytime."

"I will, thanks. You do the same. By the way, what time should I be ready by?"

"The event starts at eight so perhaps seven-thirty I can drop by? If you don't want to meet earlier."

"Okay, seven-thirty… You know what, you drop by here or I'll drop by your place. It'll be fine. I promise to be ready on time."

"I'll hold you to it." Kent waved goodbye with a smile.

I sighed once he'd left. "It's so weird… Thinking of being one of the people attending those fancy parties instead of being a server."

"Do you think you'll have fun though?"

"I mean, I'll actually get to eat the food this time. So yeah, of course!" I laughed.

"Of course that of all things is what you're concerned about…"

"So what do you think of the new place?" I kept absorbing details as I organized all of my things. The bedroom was spacious, with a bed tucked neatly against the wall in once corner, a dresser, a bedside table, and maroon carpet. My clothes all fit in easily with room to spare. Everything was so much shiner and newer than what I was used to.

"So Kent… He's probably lived like this his entire life. An entirely different level than you."

"Yeah. I'm just glad he hasn't gotten a big head about it, you know? He's a good guy…"

"Hey, you think you should shower now so you can get ready in time?"

"Good point." It took me a few minutes just to figure out how to work the faucet but I got it in the end. Even the shower was larger. Singing in there was entirely different with how my voice echoed. "This is awesome!" I laughed as I got out and got dressed. "I bet my dad would be happy for me, huh…"

"Of course he would be," Musca agreed. "Anyone who cares for you would be. I am too."

I smiled warmly. "Thanks, Musca."

"Here, want me to help you with your makeup?"

"Yeah, I could use the help," I laughed. "It's easy to forget that we can touch each other sometimes…"

"You really should practice more on your own. I won't always be here to help out."

"Hey, that's not funny." I pinched her cheek.

She just looked at me for a moment before smiling back. "I know. Not funny at all. Anyways, I think this looks good. You should do something special with your hair though."

"Eh? Why not just do the usual?"

"Well, you're about to have a special evening with Kent. The dress is special, so why not go all out on every front, you know?"

"Er…" I blushed. "He only invited me as a friend."

"… You're dumb." She smiled as I put my hair up in a bun with a number of strands hanging down to frame my face. "See? Beautiful." Her smile faded as I put my boots on. "What. What is that. What is that?!"

"I literally own two pairs of shoes and my flats are for work only. Besides that I have my combat boots. I don't know what you want from me."

"Aghhh! But it was so perfect you were like a princess!"

"Sorry, but you'll just have to bear the disappointment."

"Geez!" We both jumped when there was a light tapping at the door. "Let's do this!"

"Why are you more excited than I am?" I laughed as I swung the aperture open. "Hi…" I trailed off as I looked up at Kent. He was in a black suit with a white button shirt and a green tie. In a word, attractive. Probably normal to him, but new to me.

"Oh. Hello." He blinked at me and busied himself with adjusting the tie.

"So."

"So." He cleared his throat. "Shall we?"

"Sure…" Once we were outside he offered me his arm and I took it, smiling back at him as his lips curved gracefully.

"You look lovely." He spoke after a few minutes of walking.

"Especially the shoes, right?" I laughed, kicking one of my legs out to showcase how at odds the old and battered boots were with the sleek dress.

"No, it seems like something you would do. Rather, it suits you."

"Oh. Well…" I needed to compliment him back, right? But I was more tongue-tied than usual. "Y-you too. I mean… You look good."

"Ah, thank you." He wasn't looking at me, instead looking upwards at the sky.

"Hey, uh… Is there something interesting up there?"

"Huh?" He jumped. "Not at all…"

"… You're weird."

"I know." He smiled at me, then tore his gaze away from me quickly. Once I realized he was blushing just a bit I got even more nervous too. Silence draped over us, and I held onto his arm tighter.

"You promise this is okay? Like…" I sighed. "I'm not going to get looked down on again, am I?"

He hesitated. "I can't promise you anything. However…" He placed his free hand over mine that rested in the crook of his arm and held it tightly. "I'll be by your side. I won't stand idly by if someone does attempt to berate you."

"Um, hey, Kent? Do you mind if I stop in that store really quick?"

"Of course I don't mind, but why…" He trailed off as I ran into the store.

"Michi what are you…" Musca blinked when she noticed my expression as I started dashing through shelves. "Are you alright?"

The heat creeping up my neck and blooming all over my cheeks wouldn't go away. I just had the sense that I needed to do this one thing, just this once…

~ Kent ~

I couldn't look at her properly in this state. The amount of skin she had exposed now wasn't something I had ever seen her do. Her neck and shoulders, the jut of her collarbones, I wanted to touch them, feel them just underneath my fingertips, gently. And then the area just below that… I had to look up instead of down. I had to avoid being rude in such a way towards her. The cut of the dress wasn't immodest in itself, it was simply that her chest was sizeable in its own right and was thus accentuated.

I flinched out of my thoughts when I heard fast clicking behind me, and then Michi was standing there again, a few inches taller than she had been and tottering from foot to foot slightly. "Sorry," she breathed. The tops of her boots were sticking out from her purse; she was wearing a pair of heels now, pink with bows on the toes. "I just…" She stumbled and I took her arm again.

"Perhaps the boots are a better idea after all?" I suggested, then held onto her arm tighter when I realized that she came up just a bit higher now, that I could catch the scent of her hair better now. How strange that I was hyperaware of such details now.

"No, it's fine… These heels were on discount for seven dollars anyways. It's fine," she repeated stubbornly. "Just hold on to me until I get used to them." She gripped my sleeve tightly, pressing a bit closer to my side. "Don't let me fall."

"I won't." I felt and heard her breathing catch nervously once we got closer to the venue. "Everything will be fine," I murmured. "… Since we're together."

"I know that. No rich bastards are gonna bring me down… No offence."

I chuckled. "None taken. Come on, then." We took the stairs slowly for her sake and came inside to the sight of couples dressed in finery milling about.

"I seriously don't know where to look…" Michi's head swiveled this way and that, the various glints throughout the room reflecting in her wide eyes.

"It's quite a shock at first." I led her inside and noticed my parents next to where they had informed me they would be, by the fountain in the middle of the room. It was a charity event that night, and piles of coins already adorned the bottom of the structure. What I had been uninformed of was the fact that another couple stood next to them, predictably with a daughter presumably around my age. It was easy to see where this was going. Fostering good relations was key and my parents knew just how to do it flawlessly. It had been the same song and dance since I could remember. I wined and dined the daughter of a potential business partner under my parents' instruction, did whatever the young lady pleased, and waited until my parents seized the deal and the lady tired of me in the end.

Of course this was because I had my limits. I refused to kiss anyone I had not even remote feelings for. Holding hands was about as much as I would do. It was for that reason I had never kissed a woman before; I had never chosen for myself. Unlike Ikkyu, I simply didn't want to tolerate that kind of insincerity. But the truth was that I had always been made to tolerate it. That was my position. My purpose; a bargaining chip in this world of business.

"Mother. Father." I greeted them as I always did, dipping my head.

"Ah, Kent. You're slightly late. This lack of punctuality is both unbecoming and uncharacteristic." Father looked at me, us being about the same height.

"I apologize." I glanced down and saw Michi frowning up at me.

"It's my fault, really," she spoke up. "You see, I just couldn't choose what shoes to wear." She offered a charming smile.

"And who is this?" Mother asked pleasantly while her eyes became icy towards me.

"Michi Ohayashi. Nice to meet you formally this time." Michi extended her hand.

"Charmed." Father shook her hand.

"Ohayashi… Oh yes, the waiter from a few years ago. That was quite the spectacle." Mother raised her eyebrows at me as if to call the entire situation ridiculous. "How is your father?"

I stared at her. It had been in all of the papers and had been such popular talk, yet my parents didn't even know. The passing of one common man wasn't of import to them in the end.

Michi's fingers dug into my arm painfully. "He's since passed on," she explained unflinchingly.

"Ah, my condolences. But do try not to take the money out of the fountain while you're here. Those are donations for the poor. Well, those who are poorer than even you are. Now, Kent, back to business." Mother still said it so breezily, as if brushing the issue away.

"Mother –" I began. Already her treatment of Michi was inexcusable. Maybe that was my own bias, my desire to protect, speaking, but I couldn't simply let it stand.

"Kent, may I introduce you to the Yamamoto family? Our generous hosts have offered us a business proposal and in return for their good will it would be wonderful if you would entertain the lovely Miss Rin tonight." Mother smiled pleasantly. They were all smiling, but Michi was gritting her teeth after what had just been said to her and subsequently glossed over.

"I can't tonight, I'm afraid. You see, Miss Ohayashi is my guest." I put my hand over Michi's and held it tightly. "The rudest thing of all to do would be abandoning the guest I invited personally, would it not?"

"I'm sure she's capable of entertaining herself for a while. Just a few dances with Miss Aki." Father urged. The technique they used was gentle urging that didn't even sound firm so that it would make me seem childish to refuse.

"As I said, I cannot simply abandon the guest that I –"

"It is your fault for not informing us of this. Prior arrangements could have been made to take this, ah, unexpected thing, into account, but being as you simply did as you wanted without taking others into account it can't be helped."

I took a breath. Normally I wouldn't stand up for myself. They were my parents and so I felt that it was my filial duty to assist them in their endeavors. However distantly, they had raised me. But a slight to Michi was inexcusable. An unexpected thing? How dare they refer to her in such a way. "Apologize, all of you."

"What on earth for?" Father asked, genuinely puzzled.

"The luck you have experienced and the wealth you have accumulated do not make you inherently better than Miss Ohayashi and they do not give you the right to say what has been said to her or to simply stand by and let it be said. Apologize."

"I don't know what's gotten into you because of this girl, but –" Mother began angrily.

"'Scuze me!" Michi stepped past me and put on foot up on the fountain. "Kent, help me up please?"

"Alright?" The tension was shattered by puzzlement at her actions. I held both of her hands as she stood on the edge of the fountain, wobbling all the way. "Be careful, Michi."

"It's fine, it's fine. Woah!" She clung to my shoulders as she almost fell backwards; I grabbed onto her waist instinctively. "Haha, that would've been bad."

"Michi?" I frowned at her questioningly.

She took a breath, still gripping one of my shoulders while raising her other hand to touch my cheek. She was about up to my height while standing on the fountain edge, and it was unnerving to have her so close, bending over slightly. If I hadn't been so captivated by her face and wondering what she was going to do next I would have had a good deal of trouble not looking down.

She smiled nervously, cheeks reddening, then took a breath before leaning forward, even closer to me. Her thumb pressed at my mouth, parting my lips slightly, and then her hand slipped to the back of my neck as she kissed me.

My first kiss. I froze up at it, barely registering the sensations, how I could describe them, before she had leaned away and turned to face the shocked expressions of my parents, their business partners, and a number of the crowd that had been attracted by the scene. She pointed at them, glaring. "Stop trying to set Kent up with other girls. He's mine. Besides, you can't just whore him out like he's some bargaining chip. Are you pimps or parents? Geez. You disgust me, really."

I stared at her, just as dumbfounded as the others, before laughing and sweeping her off the fountain into my arms and taking her into the middle of the floor. "I love you, truly!" I laughed, spinning her around. She wrapped her arms around my neck, laughing with me.

"Put me down already…" Her cheeks were red once I had put her back on her feet. "Sorry. I couldn't think of what else to do to really drive my point across. I just ended up going with my gut instinct. But I didn't mean to steal your first kiss away. It doesn't even count."

"No, it's quite alright." I pulled her close to the sound of violins and soft reed instruments. "Do you want to leave now?"

"No. I'm not ashamed. I want them to keep seeing that." She put her hands to my chest awkwardly. "But, uh, I've never really danced before. Just thought I'd let you know."

"That's fine too. Here…" I put one hand on her hip and lifted her other hand into the air while twining it with mine.

"What do I do with the other hand?"

"Put it where you want."

"Okay…" She held on to the back of my jacket and looked up at me. "Is that good?"

"Yes."

"Can I come closer to you? It feels more awkward with distance between us."

"Of course…" I put my hand on the small of her back instead and pulled her closer. "Better?"

"Yeah…" She stumbled and stepped on my foot as we swayed in a slow circle. "Sorry."

"It's fine. Why did you even decide to get those shoes if you can't even walk in them without it being precarious?"

"I just... wanted tonight to be perfect, I guess. I did it on impulse. It's whatever..."

"Oh." It warmed me to hear that, somehow.

She closed her eyes and sighed, leaning against me. "I feel kind of small and dainty when I'm next to you… I've never really felt like that with anyone before. It's weird."

"Oh?" I murmured, noticing that she was wearing the hair clip Ikkyu had given her. She always seemed to. I couldn't help but wonder if she realized its significance in his mind. "If I tell you that you're beautiful, that you're lovely and admirable and inspiring and strong and brave, do you believe me?" If she didn't believe it herself, then the words from anyone else became meaningless.

Michi looked up at me, startled as redness crept across her cheeks. "I'm just… me."

I smiled. "Those words are synonymous with yourself."

She caught her breath, then glanced away. "That's just plain cheesy, Kent…"

"Maybe so." I steeled myself and got up the nerve to kiss the top of her head lightly. "Thank you."

"For what?" She looked up and then caught her breath once she realized how close I was due to having bent down for my previous action.

"For making me open my eyes. I could never see it before, how much choosing a filial role hurt. How not standing up for myself made me worthless."

"You were never worthless!" She cried out, sincerity ringing in my ears. "Don't say that about yourself."

"I digress then. I simply felt that… I wasn't living on my own terms. But watching you… being able to be by your side… it's inspired me. I want to be stronger. Strong enough to be decisive. And maybe tonight is just a small step, but…" I laughed softly and leaned my forehead against hers. "I'll stop rambling. Thank you, Michi."

"Kent…" She looked to her right as if distracted for a moment and then smiled. "I'm glad you're happy. That's what I want for you."

"And I'm sorry for how you were treated," I murmured.

"It's alright, really. Thank you for standing up for me."

"Of course." I wouldn't hesitate anymore.

~ Michi ~

"Look, look!" Musca gasped midway through Kent and I sort of dancing and conversing, displaying her hand and the fcat that there wa sonly one out of the four suit symbols emblazoned on it now. "You did it! You completed Kent's pathway! That's three down and one to go!"

I just smiled, unable to properly respond to her at that moment. All I wanted was for everyone to be happy. Seeing Kent smile like this just warmed my heart up effortlessly. We stayed dancing or at least swaying in that same slow, close circle for what felt like not enough time and left when the whole business end of the fundraiser going on tonight started up.

"Michi?" Kent held onto my hand now for the walk back. It felt strange to be walking back together in this way because we lived right next to each other now. The closeness of it all was embarrassing in a way.

"Yeah?"

"Would you call tonight a date?"

"Huh? I mean… You didn't say that it was a date."

"I see. It felt wrong just calling you my guest earlier. As if that wasn't enough to convey how importance your presence was tonight."

"Oh…" How did he keep saying these embarrassing things so easily? "Well, uh..." And I'd kissed him. Remembering it, my whole body felt warm. Dancing with him had been magical, frankly. I'd felt like I was in a different place. Completely safe, so warm… So hot. "U-um… I-it wasn't a date."

"You already said that." Kent smiled with amusement as he walked me to my door.

"I know, I just… didn't want you to forget."

"Strange. I felt the same as I did when we did have our date."

"And how's that?"

"Very warm. Happy." He smiled at me.

I shook my head to push away any thoughts I had. "Then… Maybe you should… Kent, you should ask Sawa out. Please do that."

His smile vanished. "What brought that on so suddenly?"

"I just… You should…" I sighed. "I'm sorry. Forget I said anything. Good night."

He grabbed my hand as it closed on the doorknob. "No, please explain yourself."

"She likes you. I know that, and yet I…" I still felt the way I did. I couldn't stop myself from wanting to be close to him, to talk to him, to hold on to him. Wanting more and more. "Damn, Kent, just… Stop making me…"

"Michi…?" He leaned down to put his face level with mine.

"I'm a really terrible friend," I laughed weakly, the flinched as he gently took my cheeks in his hands.

"Don't say that, please," he murmured. "Answer me this instead."

"Yeah…?"

"Do you have romantic feelings for me? Any at all…"

"I… I do. But I can't… I can't do anything about it. Not right now, and… Not while Sawa…" With Sawa being my friend and Toma being left to deal with, I just couldn't.

"I see." Kent smiled gently. "I like you. I love you. You're precious to me after so short a time… It's such an unnatural feeling and yet I just want to sink into it."

"Me too," I whispered. I knew exactly how he felt. I'd already felt the same thing before. "But…" I trailed off as he touched his mouth to the tip of my nose as light as a feather.

"May I take my first kiss back from you, then?"

"What?"

"May I take it back?" He whispered, angling his face towards mine so that our lips almost touched.

"I don't think that's how it works."

"You're the first, then, undoubtedly… The first I've ever chosen to feel for on my own."

I closed my eyes, giving in for now, just this moment. "Take it back," I whispered. He pressed his mouth to mine firmly and a bit messily at first but slowly found his way to a gentle pressure, slow movements, hands gently curled around my arms. It lasted such a long time; the minute mark passed, I stopped counting, then he backed away to rest his head on my shoulder.

"Was that alright?"

"Y… Yeah," I breathed. "What now…?"

"I'm not quite sure at all. I've no experience in this." He drew himself up to his full height and sighed, smiling down at me. "I suppose all that's left to do is to bid you a good night and sweet dreams."

I laughed softly. "You too. Good night and sweet dreams." We parted from there.

"How are you feeling?" Musca patted my head once I was in bed and in pajamas.

"Fine. I'm happy for him. For all of them." I paused and barked out a laugh. "Hell if I know how I'm going to deal with Toma though."

"We'll take it one step at a time." Musca peered down at me curiously. "Hey, Michi… Do you have any idea who you're going to choose in the end? I think you could still choose to have a relationship with any of them if you really wanted to."

"I don't know. It's fine if that just isn't in the cards, you know. As long as each of them get to live their lives happily, happier than they were before… I think that's enough. And then I'll do the same." I had affection for each of them in different ways. Choosing seemed impossible and unfair in a way.

"Come on. I'd like to be able to leave you in someone's hands…" Musca murmured.

"Let's just not talk about it. I'm tired… Good night."

Musca sighed. "Good night, you stubborn girl."

The journey was coming to a close.