Himawari takes a day off the next day, telling her aunt that she doesn't want to go to school. When Cecile asks why, the raven head just gives her a soft smile and said that she doesn't feel well. Her aunt is skeptical about the answer, but she decides to drop the question when she notices the dark circles under her lovely niece's eyes and the lifeless look on her face.

She wonders about Luka too, as Anarka called her last night to ask if Himawari was okay. The woman informed her that something happened at school while keeping away the main reason for such a matter to happen in the first place, per Juleka's request. It's bad enough that her brother locked himself in the room and refused to have dinner, the younger Couffaine didn't want to trouble Cecile or made her friend worried for her brother's sake.

Himawari deserves nothing more than a peaceful, quiet night for herself…

As the raven head doodles in her sketchbook, every stroke of the pencil reminds her of how happy she was with Luka prior to the incident. The older Couffaine has always been by her side all the time, playing the guitar while she focuses on her drawings. The memories are painful, too painful that the paper of her sketchbook becomes wet as tears fall down from her eyes and onto the ivory sheet.

She can still remember it, the picture appears vividly in her head. It tears her heart into pieces, knowing that no matter how much her feelings are for the older boy, his eyes still lay on Marinette. A sob escapes her lips as Himawari buries her face into the sketchbook, whimpering as she tries her best not to cry.

She loves him, she loves Luka so much…

Why would he do this to her…?

Chloe was here by her side yesterday, comforting her while also scolding her for having such doubts about Luka's feelings. The blonde boldly claimed that she of all the people should understand how much the older boy loves her and that she should never cast aside his affection like that. But how can she possibly believe Chloe's words when she saw everything with her very own eyes…?

And the worst feeling of all is the betrayal act of Marinette. She trusts her with all her heart. She was there for the bluenette in the darkest days and now, she's throwing their friendship away and completely shattering the trust Himawari has for her.

As much as she doesn't want to say this, she hates Marienette… She hates her so much… So so much…

How can she see Marinette as her friend after this? She doesn't know. But one thing Himawari knows for sure is that forgiving her might be impossible. Although she is a kind and loving person, Himawari never allows herself to become a doormat, the bluenette has done something that she deems unforgivable…

When Himawari returns to school the day after, she decides to sit with Chloe, who welcomes her with a warm smile. The moment she steps into class, everyone is looking at her. Juleka approaches the raven head, expressing her worries and concerns, which makes Himawari smiles. The younger Couffaine has always been so kind to her and she feels bad for making her friend worried.

Chloe keeps her up to date with what happened in class, the homework and even shares her notes with her, even though it's not as polished as how Himawari did last time. The young artist appreciates her help, she finds it funny that of all the people in the class, Chloe Bourgeois is the one that offers her all the helping hands she needs. For a big bully like the blonde, it eases Himawari's heart to learn that she's slowly turning a new leaf and trying to be a good friend to her.

Unlike someone…

That certain someone is lowering her head, unable to look anyone in the eyes. She has Sabrina sitting next to her, but not Alya. The glassed girl walks up to Himawari with a sad smile, apparently, she asked to move her seat because she could not deal with the bluenette anymore. She also apologizes for everything that has happened to her, it pulls Himawari's heart that she's the one who seeks forgiveness from her, even though she has done nothing wrong.

"Please, it's not your fault. I feel very bad when you're apologizing to me."

"But…" Alya tries to speak up but lets out a sigh instead, it seems like she has been stressed out a lot.

"Let's not talk about it…"

The brunette reluctantly agrees, knowing very well that she can't argue with her friend. She takes a glance at the bluenette, who is still lowering her head despite Sabrina keeps trying to strike up a conversation. Alya is so sick and tired of Marinette to the point she doesn't want to sit with her 'friend' anymore.

"Adrien is suspended from school?"

Himawari looks at her blonde friend. On one hand, she wants to ask about Luka's situation, but just the thought of his name makes her heart aches.

"Brother is also staying at home. They were both suspended after what happened."

The raven head nods gently, she doesn't know how to respond. At least she knows that the older boy is safe, that's all that matters. Both Juleka and Alya notice the sad expression she has, despite wanting to cheer her on, they don't know what they can or should do. Chloe steers the conversation topic to her situation, hoping to lighten up the heavy atmosphere around them.

Although school time is only half a day today, Himawari feels like it takes forever for the last period to end. Maybe it's because of how dreadful the air in this classroom was, or some of her classmates are throwing glances between her and the bluenette, or maybe because she hasn't seen that certain person. No matter how much she tells herself that it's not worth thinking about him, her mind always wanders back to those beautiful aqua orbs and his kind, charming smile.

When the last class ends, the first person who welcomes her at the classroom door is no other than Kagami. The young fencer gives her a complex look before sighing as she smiles in relief. Relief that her raven head friend is here, still radiating a kind and gentle aura around her.

"How are you doing?"

"Everything is fine…" Himawari smiles at her friend "It's fine…"

But Kagami can see it in those beautiful amethyst eyes, the hurt and sorrow that Himawari refuses to share with anyone. She doesn't want to be a burden to her friend after all.

When they walk down the stairs together, the raven head can't help but look at a classroom upstairs, that person's classroom. She bites her bottom lips, tightening the grip on her bag as she averts her eyes away from the door, avoiding it.

She can't understand her feelings anymore. On one hand, she can feel a tug in her heart when someone mentions his name, like someone grabs onto it and squishes it painfully. And yet, she longed to see those aqua orbs, wanting to know if he is doing okay. Why she feels like this, Himawari doesn't understand.

To cheer her up, Chloe and Kagami take her to Andre's ice cream stand, where she is, once again, welcome by the warm and bubbly man.

"Sweet Himawari, what's with the sad face?" the man smiles kindly "Don't worry, an ice cream cone from Andre will surely bring a smile onto your face. Let's see now… Vanilla rose like his lips and mint chocolate like his eyes."

Himawari stares at the ice cream cone in her hand, not knowing how to respond. The sweet treat in her hand reminds her so much about him, so much that her heart begins to ache and tears flow down from her eyes once again. Andre is taken aback by her response, he doesn't know what to say, but Chloe and Kagami reassure him that he is not at fault and guides their friend to a quiet spot near the Seine River.

Chloe pats her back lightly, soothing her friend as she silently cries her heart out. She knows that it's not his fault, Himawari keeps telling herself the same thing all over again and yet, every time her mind wanders back to that scene a couple of days ago, it crushes her.

"Why…?" she hiccups, wiping her eyes with one hand "Why…?"

"It's okay, Himawari." Kagami, in one of the rarest moments, holds the raven head dearly in her arms "It's okay now…"

And with that, she cries like a child. Never in her life had she experienced such pain, like someone is stabbing her chest and twisting the knife, making the wound bigger.

"How can he…?" Himawari speaks through tears "How can he be so cruel…?"

But Chloe holds her back, stopping the poor girl from even finishing her own sentence. Himawari of all people should know how much Luka loves her and that she should never doubt his feelings for her.

Yes, what he did a couple of days ago was unacceptable, but it's not his fault. They know that for sure, because he immediately pulled away from the bluenette the moment her lips touched his, they all saw it.

Himawari understands that but how can she possibly turn a blind eye when the whole scene just slaps her in the face like that?

"Himawari, do you resent Luka?" Chloe asks her "Do you truly resent Luka?"

She turns to look at her friend, amethyst eyes widening at the bluntness of the question.

Never…

She might be angry at him, but to resent him?

That is something Himawari believes she can never do…

"If you resent him that much, I'll make sure he will never see you again." Kagami joins in, looking at her friend with a serious expression.

"N-no…!"

The raven head holds onto her friend's arm, her grip is tight as she refuses to let go. It takes her a few seconds before she realizes her rude reaction, Himawari releases her grip as she lowers her head.

"I…I…" she stammers a little bit before regaining her composure "I just don't want to see him right now…"

Her friends look at each other, nodding their heads in response. Of course, it's still too early for them to face the truth, even if it means that they will have to spend some time away from each other. However, Chloe and Kagami are still skeptical about her decision, they wonder if Himawari is ready to face the reality of Luka is not by her side all the time. They have been side by side for so long, it's hard to imagine one without the other.

"No matter what happens, or what you decide to do, know that we are here for you." Chloe touches her shoulders, smiling kindly "You can rely on us, Himawari."

The raven head looks at her friend, her eyes tear up again. For someone who used to be her bully, she is much kinder than the one she calls her friend. Himawari is grateful for her encouraging words and how lucky she is to have such amazing people like Kagami and Chloe by her side during this difficult time.

Juleka steps into the boathouse, only to hear a sad guitar strum coming from the deck. The younger Couffaine sighs, it has been a few days since that incident, after all. She walks up to the stairs leading to the deck, spotting the familiar aqua-dyed hair lounging on the deckchair.

Her brother is watching the view of the Seine River, mindlessly strumming his guitar. The melody is nice and peaceful, but it feels so sad and depressing. His eyes no longer shine those kind and loving lights, only a grimed expression.

Juleka takes a seat next to her brother, listening to his guitar as she makes herself comfortable on the deckchair. She doesn't say anything, knowing that he needs a moment of peace, not someone who is seeking an answer to his problem. She needs to thank Himawari for showing her the way to Luka's heart, the raven head has always been by her brother's side after all.

It would be a lie to say that things are normal without Himawari here. Even since the raven head entered their lives, Luka has opened his heart to everyone more and more. No longer is the dulled and nonchalant expression, his face lits up every time anyone mentions Himawari. The melody that was once played for a certain bluenette is now singing proudly for his lovely raven head.

That melody, soft and gentle, shines brightly like the stars in the sky…

Juleka can't see that melody anymore…

"Brother…"

"Hey Jul…" the older Couffaine smiles gently, his eyes still glued to the scene in front of him "How are you doing?"

"I'm fine, everything is… fine…" Juleka stops herself for a moment before she continues "Himawari is at school today too."

"Is she…?"

Luka smiles to himself, but that smile doesn't reach his eyes at all. Juleka feels a tug in her heart, her brother is laughing at himself for not having the courage to meet his lovely Himawari. She doesn't understand why, maybe it's because they need some time apart to collect their thoughts, maybe he's afraid of hurting Himawari again, maybe he's worried that the raven head would not forgive him, either way, to see him moping in his own sorrow makes Juleka feel so useless. To call herself his sister and yet, she can't understand him as well as Himawari ashamed her.

"How is she?"

"Himawari? She's… well… she wore the same expression as you are right now."

Luka stops strumming his guitar, holding the plectrum tightly. Even now, he can still remember the look on her face when she saw him and… that girl…

The way her pupils dilated, the tears spill from those beautiful amethyst orbs, how her lips quiver at the sight…

Everything just runs through him, like a looping video that he can not escape, no matter how much he tries to ignore. Luka can not forgive himself, not when he is the main reason for everything that has happened.

Looking at his big and calloused hand, he remembers how perfectly fitted Himawari's hand in his. The warmth of her palm brings such peace to his heart, even in the most difficult time. Luka has always thought that her feelings for him are stronger than his feelings for her, but he underestimates his heart.

He wants to see her, to hold her close, to say sorry for everything that he has done wrong. He misses her smile and how it always lights up his world, he misses her eyes and how they shine brightly whenever they meet his aqua ones, he misses her kind and gentle soul and how she always stays by his side no matter what happens.

He misses her…

He misses Himawari so much that it hurts…