"Is this what you want Shiori ?", she says. "Do you want to go back ?", she says.

When I recognize the nostalgic presences nearby, I don't make an effort to move away. Instead, I remain sitting down on the railing of Kaede Fountain, looking down at the black pin that was in my hand. I wondered if it had some sort of value to those who appeared from the fountain. I closed my hand around it and looked up at the afternoon sky. Surely, it was important to someone.

After the mention of Tsukiya's name yesterday, the shadow seemed to pause. It seemed to be staring back at me with an interest. I moved away from it with the pin in my hand and grinned as I stood by my door. "I'm surprised you managed to enter this house", I said to the shadow, "Even though its surrounded in a barrier like this..." The shadow didn't move. I think I knew why. It's movement was being limited by one thing. I looked at the pin and held it in front of me. If this was the very shadow that we caught in Izumi's club room, then it was still trapped within the pin. And after so long, it was still here. I'm surprised that it wasn't until now that it decided to show itself to me. If it was able to allow itself to leave the pin like this without escaping, then why didn't it do it sooner ? To notify the other shadows perhaps ? I closed my hand around the pin and smiled sympathetically. I knew what to do now. The shadow wavered in response. "The freedom that you search for", I said to it after a while. "We'll visit it very soon."

I sighed at the thought and tightened my grip around the pin. I wondered if this was the right choice. There were too many things at stake. I didn't want to have to take the risks. At least, not just yet.

"So this is where you've been all this time", a serene voice says from in front of me.

"..."

I slipped my hand into the pocket of my jacket and reluctantly looked up to see a familiar face. One that I hoped I would never have to see again. Was it bad that I longed to see Shuichi ? The first thing I noticed was that sympathetic smile of his. It reminded me of the day before we both went separate ways. I've always wanted to forget that day. Ao. "You seem well", he says as he stands in front of me. I averted my gaze and stared at my shoes. "I can say the same for you", I replied softly, "You haven't changed a bit." He chuckled, probably forced. "You as well", he said. "You haven't changed since the last time we've met." And that was about 6 years ago, wasn't it Ao ? "Why're you here Ao ?", I asked in a low voice, "Why did you suddenly come back ?" Silence. "Because", he replied, once again sounding feign, "There was something I forgot to do." I stood up and looked at him, glaring at his nonchalant expression. "You lie", I mumbled, disappointed in his answer, "Why come back when you've already moved forward ? It's almost been 6 years since then. Why would you suddenly want to come back ? What was the thing one thing you forgot to do after 6 years !?" I moved past him and shook my head. There was a heavy feeling in my chest. I paused and stared at the empty area in front of me. "And of all things", I added in softly. "Why're you still avoiding my question Ao ?" 

The one who stood beside me during that time... I haven't forgotten. I looked up at the orange sky and frowned. I can tell when you're lying Ao. Have you forgotten already ?

"You want to know why ?", he asked after a while, "Why I'm here ?" I glanced down at my hands and slowly closed them into a fist. I knew why. Of course I knew why he was here. Izumi had told me before she disappeared. "If I didn't want to know", I muttered, "Then would it have been worth bringing up ?" "You've changed Shiori", he says. There he goes again. "Don't change the subject", I replied bitterly, "We've all changed from that time. Don't bring it up as if I've never known." Behind me, Ao chuckled. I couldn't tell if it was real. I was too distracted. "You've heard of the problems involving this fountain right ?", he asks. I nod my head but continue to look away from him. "In a few days from now, they plan to seal it." "But that's not why you're here", I said. I heard him walking towards me. To my surprise, he wrapped his arms around my shoulders. I was struck with a feeling of nostalgica. It's come back sooner than I thought. I kept looking at the empty space in front of me. "The reason why I'm here", he says, "Is because I was ordered to take you back." I sigh, looking up at the sky. "I figured." I could feel Ao slightly tighten his grip around my shoulders. He rested his chin on my shoulder and sighed into my ear. "Aren't you tired of running away ?", he asks. "Aren't you tired of this game of cat and mouse ?" 

I think about that question carefully. It's definitely not the first time I've been asked that. "No", was my response. "I'm not. In fact, the one who should be asking that question is me. I've stopped running a long time ago. However Ao.. is it different for you ? You seem to be holding onto something from the past." Your reluctance proves that. No response.

Ao slightly shifted around before letting me go. I peered over my shoulder to see a pitiful smile on his face. "I'll definitely bring you back Shiori", he said, avoiding my question again. "Whether you like it or not. I'll bring you back" I began to grin and looked away as a breeze blew by us. "Jah", I replied, slowly beginning to walk away from him, "I wish you luck."

"Uhn", I heard him say from behind me. "Count on it."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

When I got home, I was greeted by Mizuki, who seemed to be a bit paranoid these days. I couldn't blame him. After the shadow incident he's been carefully watching the things that go on around him. Even if he hears just a small noise, he'll flinch. In a way I felt bad for him but at the same time, it was also a good thing. That meant that Mizuki would become somewhat more sharper than he already was. I think that Ciel would be proud. Probably. Maybe she'd even teach him how to fight once she got back. I could already imagine her laughing at Mizuki after being told the story involving the shadow. Closing the door to my room behind me, I sighed.

Oh, how I missed them. Shuichi in particular. I missed seeing that annoyed face of his whenever I did something that annoyed him. Ever since he left, it felt like something in my daily routine went missing. It was the same for Ciel. But at least for him, I can actually say that I'm not cheating. Who knows what he'd do to me if I did. Yikes. Although... Maybe in the near future, I probably will have to... The conversations between Wakahisa and I have also shortened for the time being. Since Izumi's absence, she's been in charge of keeping reports for her fan club. Nowadays, Wakahisa's hands were too full for her to have any time to hang around with me. Though, I didn't really mind. The fact that I've been alone for almost 3 weeks now happens to give me some time to think about the current situations going on around me. The silence also allows me to think about what I'll be doing next.

Now that I can finally confirm that they will be coming after me, I can go ahead and give myself some options. The only thing I worry about is that it won't be enough.