Author's Note: Late update, I'm really really sorry. Here's a longer chapter as compensation :)

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Spin-off: Kise, Kenly, Kasamatsu (Part II)

"W-What are you doing here?" Ken managed to ask hazily, trying to brush away the awkwardness in the atmosphere.

Kasamatsu Yukio reluctantly took a step inside after she opened the gate for him. "It's Sunday and I figured your Mom would be home."

She frowned, not getting what he was saying. "And? Why are you here?"

He heaved a sigh then showed her a sincere face, "I just want to personally apologize to your family, Eah. For everything that happened back then."

Ken was clearly flabbergasted, her blue eyes widening a fraction. He came all the way to her house just to apologize? And where did he get her address anyway?

Then she inwardly groaned to herself upon realizing where he might have gotten her address.

Oh, Renji..

"You didn't have to, Yuki. It's fine," she said. "It's all in the past now."

He slowly shook his head, "Now that we're okay, I want to set things straight with your family. A lot of terrible things happened and I just can't forget about them. My conscience never left me alone, even until now." He stopped for a few seconds before he added, "And I need this to move on, Eah. I have to do this."

She remained silent for a brief moment, weighing everything in mind. Maybe it was indeed for the best -- they had to settle everything for him to fully move on. Ken wanted Kasamatsu to be happy, so she would help him. And she was sure that's what Kise wanted too..

Understanding him and his feelings, she partly nodded her head and smiled. "Okay."

Kasamatsu stared at her for a second before returning her smile, "Thanks for understanding."

"Yukio-kun? Is that you?" came Shinomiya Keren's voice from the front door.

Both of them turned to look at her with Shinomiya Karylle, situated at the doorway. They looked surprised as well to see the guy there.

"Good afternoon, Shinomiya-san, Karylle-san." Kasamatsu greeted politely, slightly tensing up.

Well, for one thing, he didn't know if they hate him now because of what happened before. They had to go through a lot because of his parents and it was really terrible. Maybe they wanted to blame him for everything -- which he somehow prepared himself for. He finally mustered up the courage to face them, there's no turning back anymore.

Keren walked closer, examining the guy she hasn't seen for over two years. Then a pleased smile curved up her lips, "Look at you. You've grown into a handsome man."

Kasamatsu's eyes widened in disbelief, slightly blushing at the compliment he heard. "Y-You're not angry?"

The kind woman chuckled, "Come inside, Yukio-kun." She led him to the front door, still with a smile. "Let's have some tea."

Kasamatsu didn't know how to react at first as the woman started dragging him inside. He wasn't expecting the treatment he received, neither any of the smiles they showed him. But then thinking that they weren't at all mad at him, he managed to relax himself. Somehow.

When the two were finally inside, Karylle approached her sister with a questioning look. "What is he doing here?"

"He came to talk, Nee. To apologize," Ken replied, walking towards the entrance of the house with her sister. "Just hear him out."

"You know I don't have anything against him, Kenny." Karylle started. "But his family? I don't know what I could do if they ever try to lay a finger on us again."

Ken glanced at her through her shoulder, "That's not going to happen. Yuki and I are okay now, we've settled everything between us and so it's time to put everything in the past. He's here to apologize to you and to Mom, nothing more. We're over so there's nothing to worry about."

The older female sighed then partly nodded her head in agreement, "Okay. I'm glad to hear that."

Ken only gave her sister a smile before closing the door, joining their mother and guest in the family room.

***

"How are you, Yukio-kun? Are you still playing basketball?" Keren asked softly as she poured some more tea on the male's cup.

"Thank you, Shinomiya-san." He took a sip of his tea before answering the question, "I am fine and I still play. I'm the captain of Kaijou High's basketball team."

Karylle's eyes widened in disbelief, "So you know Kise Ryouta?"

Kasamatsu partly nodded his head, aware of how awkward the situation is. "He's our team's ace, and he's a good friend."

Both mother and daughter turned to glance at the ginger, wondering why didn't they know about that juicy little detail. But before the latter could speak, Kasamatsu did it first.

"Kise is a good guy. If there's anything, I know he would never hurt Eah. So I'm okay.." Then he glanced at the said girl and their eyes met. They stared at each other for a short while before he spoke again, no other emotion readable on his face besides sincerity. "I'm here because I want to apologize and set things straight again. I know it's been years and I know the damage has been done, but I can't forget all about the cruelty that my family showed you. Honestly, I didn't know how or where to start because I was afraid. You suffered too much, and I thought you are mad at me now for all that happened."

"Yuki.." Ken whispered, catching sight of his balled fists above the table. She knew that when he's like that, he's secretly enduring something.

Shinomiya Keren's hand came to cup one of his clenched fists, smiling kindly. "It's not your fault, Yukio-kun. You're much older now, I know you know that. The past should remain in the past. Lessons were learned and you are both here now, sitting face-to-face without any problems because you're stronger than before. The past made you who you are now. Strong enough to face what scares you, and mature enough to end what should be ended." Then she ruffled his short, raven-black hair. "I'm so proud of you. Both you and Kenny. She made the right choice back then, and you're making your own now. Moving on and choosing your own path to be happy even though it's hard."

Kasamatsu ground his teeth together to control himself and maintain composure. There were so many emotions succombing his chest that there was hardly any time to name them all. But only one thing was for sure..

Every part of what she said was very painful.

"We're cool, Yukio. Let's just forget about it. And besides, it's your parents who should apologize you know. Not you." Karylle finally decided to but in.

"Karylle," her mother warned gently.

"What? I'm just telling the truth," the girl countered with a shrug.

Kasamatsu seemed to have thought it out for awhile first before giving a retort, "I've been living with my grandparents for years now. I left our house that day and never talked to my parents since."

What he confessed shocked the three girls, especially Ken. "What? Why did you do that?"

"I just couldn't take it anymore so I left," was his brief, nonchalant response -- as if he didn't want to talk about it anymore.

And they understood him so they didn't dig up anymore. But deep inside, Ken was really worried. Never did she think that he would run away alone..

After another few minutes, Kasamatsu finally decided to go, seeing that there was no reason for him to stay anymore since they talked everything they needed to talk about. He bid goodbye to them and then Ken offered to walk him out.

There was still something important she had to talk to him about..

***

The two silently walked out of the house and into the gate. It was awkward. After the conversation they just had, the air around them seemed to had become even more harder to breathe.

"You know what's the most painful thing a parent could feel?" She suddenly asked, breaking the silence. When he didn't respond, she continued. "It's when they see their child living a life and knowing that they're not part of it. Why did you leave, Yuki? They're your family."

Ken knew so well what are the joys of having a broken family. Her father said it to her once, that it was the most painful thing he felt -- seeing her and her sister having a happy life but knowing that he's not a part of it.

Kasamatsu slid his hands inside his pockets, darting his gaze to the big trees lined up through the sidewalk. "Staying with them was so suffocating then. I couldn't breathe when they were around. And I couldn't forgive them.." He stopped for awhile to take a deep breath, "..because of them I lost you."

"They were just trying to protect you, you should know that. Whatever they did, whatever happened, and no matter what happens.. They're still your parents. Give them a chance."

He abruptly turned to stare at her, surprised of what she said. "Do you want me to go back?"

"Yes," she breathed softly. "They're your family, and I bet they miss you so much. I know them, you're their little boy, right?"

He gave her a small grin, rubbing the back of his neck after. "Yeah, I was. And because you said so, maybe I'll try patching things up with them. But I can't promise."

"Just try. I know everything's going to be fine," she assured before she continued walking. "I just want you to be happy."

At that point, Kasamatsu stopped his steps. "I was so stupid," he uttered in a low voice.

"Huh?" She stopped as well, turning around to look at him. His head was hung low and his shoulders were shaking. "Yuki.."

"I was so stupid to think that I'd just be okay when I see your face, when I see you so inlove, and when I see you so happy with him." Droplets of tears evidently fell to the ground and his voice was breaking, he had lost control of the emotions he was keeping inside of him since earlier. "Because fuck it hurts. So much.."

Ken bit her lower lip upon seeing his vulnerable state, it's like he would break any minute. But she knew there was nothing else she could do.

"I know," she said quietly.

"We could've worked things out, Eah. We would've last forever.." he muttered in between his muffled sobs.

Tears started to blur her sight, "I know.."

"I still love you so much, Eah. I still do.."

She inched forward then slowly wrapped her arms around his trembling body, comforting him in the only way she could. "I know. I'm sorry."

He hopelessly held onto her, as if his life depended on that hug. He buried his face on her hair, taking in her scent for the last time -- feeling her in his arms for the last time.. Before he'd turn his back and leave everything behind.

The past, the memories, and the love they shared..

He had to let them go no matter how much it hurts.

"S-Senpai.. Kenlycchi?"

They gasped when they heard that voice, quickly pulling away from each other to compose themselves. Then they turned to glance at the person standing just a few steps away from their location.

Kise Ryouta was looking at them with wide, horrified eyes. He was carrying a bouquet of roses on one hand and a small pot of white orchid on the other -- for her mother.

"W-What are you doing?"

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Today is a really, really bad day for me. My Mom told me I'm my bitchiest self today too. Ughh fudge my life. DX But anyway, at least I got to update this.

And please do check out my two new stories if you're interested. My new novel and it's an original, "The Cute Guy Says He Was My Cat". And my Kuroko Tetsuya Fanfiction, "A Love To Kill".

Thank you, Team ShiKi. ♥