Chapter 98

Gumi.

"Hurry up, you guys!" I pulled the group towards down one street and then the other. Yuma stayed ahead, watching for Rin and Len.

"They're gone," he said. I nodded. Oliver and Neru huffed.

"I don't get it," she frowned, "What does your mother want with me?"

"It's complicated," I began, looking towards Yuma, who shrugged, "Okay, fine. Listen. We're having a surprise party at Rin's place."

"Your mom's having a party at Rin's home?" Neru crossed her arms and I shook my head.

"No, no!" I said, "We're having a party for Rin at her home. Meiko called me, not my mom. She wanted us to get over there! Apparently, they need help with the food and stuff."

"Oh," Neru nodded as the plan clicked to place in her head, "Okay, then."

I smiled. "Hurry!"

Meiko.

We had almost everything in place, as impossible as it seemed. Doris was an extremely speedy and efficient worker, and Mikuo was pretty strong. I was blowing up balloons with an automatic pump, and Miriam was working with Mew on the streamers.

We hadn't gotten all the food out, but we decided that we ought to decorate first. So far, the living room perimeter was almost entirely adorned with colourful streamers, and I had blown up easily over a hundred and fifty balloons. They were scattered across the floor, and we had to be careful not to step on them.

"Can somebody help with the Slurpee machine?" Mikuo called from the kitchen. I didn't believe my ears.

"Wait, what?" I yelled, getting up from one of the living room's lavish sofas and heading into the kitchen. Mikuo and Doris were unpacking a large box. It was labeled aptly, 'Slurpee Machine.'

"Oh, right!" Mew yelled from the living room, "We rented one of those, and it came with the ice and everything! That stuff's in the freezer!"

"Why did you rent this huge thing?" I shrieked, startling Mikuo, "There's already so much food!"

"But it's summer!" Mew wailed, "Besides, everyone loves a Slurpee!"

"Watch 'em all line up in front of the bathroom," I mumbled.

"I like Slurpees," Mikuo looked at me with a frown, "Don't you?"

"I do, but...," I sighed, exasperated, rolling my eyes as I walked up to the two and helped them unpack.

"Someone's at the door!" Miriam sang. I heard her footsteps standing across the floor before stopping suddenly.

"It better not be Rin," Mikuo frowned.

Miriam walked into the kitchen, bringing Gumi, Yuma, Oliver and Neru with her. I crossed my arms and looked at the four.

"We need help," I said, "There's a ton of food that still needs to be heated or prepared. The decorating's almost done, but maybe one of you could help Miriam and Mew with that."

Neru pointed to the box behind me. Mikuo and Doris were struggling to pull the machine out. "Is that a Slurpee machine?" She asked.

"Yes, it is a Slurpee machine!" I snapped, "What is it with you people and your damn Slurpees?"

Neru backed up and eyed me with a frown. "Somebody needs to chill."

"Great," Oliver groaned, walking in a circle and waving his arms in the air, looking more than slightly like a bird, "Another Slurpee joke..."

I sighed and turned to look at Yuma. "Did you bring your guitar?"

He frowned. "Huh?"

"We're going to perform a few songs for the party, remember?" I bonked him on the head, which was a bad idea, because it got Gumi all defensive.

"Don't touch him like that!" She grabbed his arms and pulled him back, glaring at me, "He bonks me, and nobody bonks him!"

"Now look who's being a yandere," Yuma muttered and Gumi blushed, letting go of him. I looked at Gumi apologetically and offered her my hand.

"Sorry," I smiled sheepishly, "I guess I should've thought twice."

Let me be honest, I was pretty scared of what Gumi could do when she became angry. True, I skateboarded and did crazy stunts like jumping from second-story windows, but she was an athletic goddess. She used to be the girl in middle school who beat the boy's basketball team singlehandedly, and she still could if she wanted to. Once, in eighth grade, she nearly hospitalized a bunch of bullies that picked on Kaito, but that's another story entirely. Basically, Gumi was strong, and you didn't want to mess with her.

She took my hand and instantly her expression changed. "I'm sorry, too," she frowned, "Reacting the way I did was rash of me."

"Well!" Yuma suddenly chirped, clapping his hands together and breaking the apology scene, "I'll go grab my guitar now."

"I'll stay," Gumi shrugged and smiled, "There's a lot left to do over here."

Yuma smirked and pulled her close so that there noses touched. "I'll treat you later for all this," he said softly, making her blush. She pushed him away and he chuckled before running out of the house. They were such a cute couple.

And then there was my boyfriend, Mikuo. I sighed and watched as he continued to struggle with the machine, though it looked as though it was almost out.

He was cute in his own way, and that was the way I wanted him.

Dell.

There was a soft cry as Haku fell back and my heart nearly stopped. Her name left me one more time before thoughts screamed through my head.

What was wrong with me? Why was I such an insensitive idiot, anyway? Haku had always been a distraction to me, and finding out about her alcohol habits pretty much just gave me an excuse to have her fired. I didn't want to think about her anymore. Out of sight, out of mind, right?

Though, what I had realized that afternoon was that she would never leave my mind, and that she really, truly loved to teach. Suddenly, I didn't want her to go anymore. I didn't care of she hated me; as long as she could keep doing what she loved, which was teaching kids, I'd be fine.

But then, flash forward to me and her standing by the busy road, her foot slipping as she fell back into the speeding traffic. That was it. One moment, the turning point of it all. True or false, right or wrong, yes or no.

Life or death.

"Haku!" My arms snapped forward and I grabbed her wrists and pulled her forward onto the sidewalk. She fell over onto her knees and palms, breathing heavily. I exhaled and crouched down to her height.

"Oh my God," she whispered, eyes darting up at me and then at the grey pavement, "I nearly...I could have gotten..."

"Yeah," I nodded and took her hand, helping her up, "I'm sorry. You could have lost your life because of me."

"B-But you saved me," she mumbled, her hand slipping out of mine.

"That's how much I want you to keep your job," I replied, pulling a pen and chequebook out of my pocket before scrawling an amount down, "Here. A bonus, from my personal account."

I ripped out the cheque and handed it to Haku, who took it hestiantly. Her eyes widened when she saw the amount.

"B-But this is so much!" She exclaimed. I shook my head and pulled a pad of those adhesive post-it notes out of my other pocket.

"Your brother needs the facilities, right?" I smiled warmly, before handing a post-it to her, "And here, one more thing."

She gawked at the post-it and then at me. "What's this supposed to be?"

"Dinner with me," I grinned stupidly, "No expiry. You choose the time and date. Might come in handy someday."

She stared at me for a long time before wiping the tears that were accumulating in her eyes. "All this because..."

"Yes," I nodded, "The only condition is that you keep teaching. I'm sorry, Haku. I put you and your students through a lot."

She nodded and put both the post-it and cheque in her pocket. "Okay," she exhaled, "Okay."

"See you tomorrow," I said as she turned and crossed the street. I stood there, watching her disappear until she was safely across.

Then, I turned and headed back into the school.

Luka.

"G-Gakupo, what're you saying?" I couldn't believe this, any of this.

"It's true," he said softly, pressing his forehead against mine, "Luka, I l..."

"Hey, is anyone up here?" We both froze at the sound of Principal Dell's voice. Quickly, we pulled away from each other and tried to appear casual as he headed down the hall.

"Oh, it's you two," Dell frowned, "Ms. Luka, are you leaving soon?"

I nodded. "Yes, I'm just...packing my things," I hurried back towards the classroom and shoved my things into my bag.

"Mr. Gakupo, could you lock up the art rooms?" I heard Dell say to Gakupo before handing a key ring over to him.

"S-Sure," Gakupo stuttered, glancing my way and blushing.

"Tonight," I mouthed. He nodded and hurried downstairs with the principal.

Len.

The sun's orange glow spilled across the streets as I led Rin away from the clusters of homes. Our feet grated against the dry sidewalk, and our steps were lazy and inaccurate. Gulls cawed and pigeons cooed from behind bushes, music to the songs of people's chatter as they passed by.

"What is it that you want to show me?" Rin asked. We were standing at a bus stop, leaning against the murky glass of the ancient shelter. I just smiled.

"Here's the bus," I said as a large white and blue vehicle tumbled down the busy road, lurching and hissing as the doors flew open. I walked in, pulling some change out of my pocket and dropping in enough for both Rin and me.

"You didn't have to..."

"Shh," I pressed a finger against Rin's lips and led her down the aisle, "I love you, and that's enough reason for me. Let's sit in the back, alright?"

She nodded silently, and I watched from the corner of my eye as that deep red colour crawled up her cheeks, making me react in the same way.

We found a seat not too far in the back: a spot for two, next to the window. I let Rin sit by the glass, and once we were both settled, the doors slammed shut and the bus began tumbling down the road.

"Is this some sort of surprise?" Rin smirked. I laughed, loud enough so that only the two of us could hear, and languidly raked a hand through her flaxen locks.

"Just wait and see," I whispered, "God, I want to kiss you again..."

"Then do it," she said softly, raising her face, "No holding back."

"I can't kiss you in here."

"You won't kiss me in a bus?" She tilted her head slightly, "I've got a list of all the places I want you to kiss me, Len."

I frowned, blushing suddenly. "Really?"

She nodded and ran a hand along the length of my neck, sending shivers up my spine as she looked up at me with half-closed eyes. My hands found their way to her torso, clasping her figure as I lowered my face and got ready to meet her halfway.

Suddenly, I snapped my gaze upwards and turned. "It's our stop," I said quickly, helping her off the seat. I pulled her into my arms and helped her past the crowds of passengers and out the doors.

The bus went on, leaving us at a small, battered old shelter. I grinned at Rin.

"Sorry about the kiss," I said, "But we're here."

The sun was hanging even lower in the sky now, and it splashed across our faces and bodies, so we had to squint. I tugged at Rin's arm, leading her past the bus stop and up a small, grassy incline.

"Come on!" I swung her towards me and enveloped her in an embrace. She laughed as I tickled her ribs before lifting her in my arms and bolting up the hill, which got progressively steeper once we had passed the small step of grass.

I spun around in circles, stumbling and nearly falling over as I climbed, and she had her arms around my neck and tears forming by her eyes as she laughed and laughed. Finally, I stopped climbing up but kept spinning before losing my balance and falling to the ground, the grass at my back and Rin above me.

"My face hurts!" She stifled her laughter and I threatened to tickle her again. She rolled off of me and sat up straight.

"This is what I wanted to show you," I draped an arm around her shoulder loosely and pulled her close so that we were both looking out at the horizon. I heard a soft gasp escape her lips and I squeezed her shoulder gently.

Buildings were like black and grey toothpicks, reaching for the endless silk of reds, oranges, pinks and purples that were unraveled across the sky. The sun was a dripping, peeled peach, mellow with a solid orange hue that wavered by the edges.

"It's beautiful," Rin exhaled. I nodded.

"I used to come out here with my mom," I explained, "She said that she used to have picnics with Ren here. That's...before I was even expected."

"Always at sunset?"

I shook my head. "It's beautiful any time of the day. I remembered how you showed me the stars that night, before your father's passing."

"This just might be prettier," she smiled, "But it's so far from our neighbourhood."

"We'll leave soon, maybe come again tomorrow," I said, pressing my forehead against hers, "I'm sorry for dragging you out here. You're tired, aren't you?"

She yawned and shook her head. "Just a little; it's okay," and then she began to whisper, "Migikata ni murasaki chouchou..."

I smiled and whispered with her, our voices rising until we were singing, clasping each others hands as the sun dipped down past the horizon.

"The concert's coming up," Rin whispered. We were lying next to each other in the cool grass. I took her hand and ran a slow finger along the back of it before nodding.

"The club meets tomorrow," I said, "We'll be fine."

"Your voice really is amazing, Len," Rin turned onto her side so that I could feel her breath against my face, "I told you singing was a good idea!"

I chuckled and turned as well. Our noses brushed against each other and I looked into her eyes, where the sky was still blue, and not red and orange and pink, "I did it for you, because I liked you."

"And I asked you to join because I liked you," I could barely hear her voice as she extended an arm forward and ran a finger along the length of my jaw, "Len...we're not siblings. That's good, right?"

"Of course it is," I shuffled closer and draped my arms around her torso, pulling her body closer so that I could feel her heartbeat, "It makes a difference to the world, but it doesn't make a difference to my feelings."

"I'll never meet my real father," Rin went on, "Or my mother."

"She gave her life for you, Rin," I whispered, "She didn't run away. She didn't abandon you. If she hadn't done what she did, then maybe...maybe you wouldn't be here right now."

Rin sighed and blushed a little. "You're my world," she said as a single tear rolled down her face and into the grass and earth. She ran her fingers through my hair with one hand and I smiled.

"And you're mine," I closed my eyes and kissed her. The wind stroked our figures as we kissed in the soft bed of grass, the sun getting ready to make way for the moon.

I didn't care if morning ever came again, because the blue sky of a new day was always in my beautiful Rin's eyes.

Miku.

"Kaito, you're turning too fast!" I shrieked, grabbing his arm as he grinned and zoomed down streets, "We could crash!"

"We won't, Miku, I swear!" He said before laughing and making another sharp turn. I yelped as he nearly ran over a pigeon.

"Stop, you're drunk on ice cream!" I screamed, "You'll do something horrible!"

And then there was a flash of someone's pink hair right in front of our windshield--

Yuma...

--and I sucked in a sharp breath as the figure fell to the road with a loud thud. Kaito applied the brakes and they squealed.

"Oh my God," I pushed the passenger door open as my heart beat in my ears, "Kaito!"

This has got to be my longest chapter yet...

Okay, first of all, I forgot to ask: do you all know what I mean by a Slurpee? You know, a slushie? Sort of like a snow cone, but in a glass and drinkable?

Second. How's the story going? What do you like, and what don't you like?

Third. That Kaito scene...it was supposed to happen another way, but oh well. I'm still going to fit some elements of the 'other way' into the actual story, and you'll see (or maybe not) what I mean.

Forth. Vote, comment, share, and thanks for your continued support!

It's crazy, but thanks to all you committed readers, I'm somehow getting 1K reads a day! *throws confetti and plays Vocaloid music*

*sniffle* I honestly wouldn't be anywhere near where I am today without all of you, and I hope to see you again in the next chapter!

(Right now I'm just yelling at myself, "I SHOULD HAVE KILLED HAKU DAMMIT STUPID WRITER STUPID WRITER!")