Without thinking, Angelique clutched Guiltia's coat from behind. The little tug caused him to stop walking and look behind.

Her head was still hanging down, hiding her face from his view. She knew he was waiting for her to speak.

She opened her mouth. "I..."

.....I don't want us to be like this. I want things to go back to the way it used to be. Please...don't push me away.... It hurts... I....

They looked like strangers from the way they had been recently. But we're not strangers! They were friends. They were close and...  I wish I could be closer to you... It was a silent wish that had slowly bloomed in her heart in the past few days.

She looked up at him, eyes trembling with untold emotions. "I..." What did she want to tell him? She felt as if all her emotions could be conveyed in very simple words. But she didn't know what it was. What could she say to him now?

Guiltia wasn't a fool. He had gotten the idea of his actions hurting her. The lights of the street lamps and surroundings made her eyes glisten. They looked so sad. All he wanted to do was pull her in his embrace, soothe her saying everything was fine and get rid of all her sadness. But it was a line he couldn't cross.

"I...I'm tired." Closing her eyes, she smiled. That way, she pressed down the sorrow inside her. She couldn't bring herself to ask him about his recent actions.

"That's to be expected." Guiltia couldn't control the soft smile that stretched across his lips. He could tell she stopped from saying what she initially intended to say. But he wasn't in any position to inquire further. "You should rest once we reach home. Let's go now."

Angelique didn't move even after Guiltia started walking. The man, in fear that he might not be able to stop himself from embracing the fragile looking girl, didn't look behind. He went ahead, trying to put distance between them. His smile just now made her realise something.

.....I'm such an idiot. A single tear fell from her right eye. Of all times, I realise it right now that. . . . . . . I love him.

I love Guil-san. Her already red face turned scarlet from the feelings threatening to spill out. 

The desire to be with Guiltia. The desire to be closer to him. The desire of not wanting to be separated from him. The pain that she felt from the drift between them. The fear of losing him - everything made sense now.

The raven quickly rubbed her eyes before any more tears could fall. After heaving a shaky breath, she increased her pace and caught up to him.

.....What would've happened if I confessed to him instead of fumbling like that? Would he have pushed me away..? ...Or things would've turned out differently?

And so, no more words were exchanged between them as a mist of complex emotions surrounded them.

For Angelique, she would remember this day as a bittersweet Valentine's.

.  . .  . . .  .

Nothing has changed back to the way it was. Ever since Valentine's, despite wanting to be closer to Guiltia, the distance between them still remained.

Angelique was surprisingly accepting of the romantic feelings she had developed for Guiltia. After all, she had no hand in this. Love is something one falls into; without having any control over it.

Till now, she kept it a secret from others. She didn't know how to tell them. Who should she tell? Ange? She didn't know how he would react. Robin? No offence but he didn't know how to keep a secret. Eve? Was he the right person to confide romantic feelings to? Honestly, to her, the best choice at the moment seemed to be Pannya.

The girl sighed. In all honesty, she wanted to restore their relationship more than focus on her newly found romantic feeling. However, there was a concerning problem. The time she had to mend their relationship was limited.

It was the first week of March. She didn't even have two months left before she had to head to her boarding school. Before she went away, she had to fix everything to the way it was.

A heavy sigh escaped from her lips and she rubbed her temples, frowning. All this thinking is making my head hurt. I still don't know why Guil-san seems to be mad at me.

Is it because I dozed off in his favourite place?

The memory of her taking a nap on the rooftop one afternoon surfaced in her mind. She had simply intended to bask in the warm glow of the sun without any intention to nod off. By the time Guiltia had arrived there to have some time to himself, it was already evening and she still sat there, sleeping. She remembered being really flustered when he had awoken her.

I might've put a damper on his private time to unwind. But . . . is that really the only reason? Maybe it's because of that one time. .

Another memory appeared in her head. Angelique was quietly cleaning the bookshelf of their home when she nearly got hit by a pair of books falling over her. Had it not been for Guiltia shielding her with his arms, the books would've hit her head.

Her cheeks blushed profusely at the remembrance of nearly being hugged by Guiltia from behind. She still remembered the sensation of the protective embrace. What she wasn't aware of was that the male had been observing her in secret while she had been cleaning.

...I don't think he was mad at that time. Could it be….. he's actually mad because I attempted to touch his scars without his permission?

It was a memory from last month. One day when Guiltia's hands were free of the clutches of his leather gloves, Angelique winced at the sight of his vein-like scars. She wondered how the scars might inconvenience and hurt him. Immersed in deep thought, she had unconsciously taken his left hand in between hers. Guiltia's heart's sudden thumping remained oblivious to her.

"These don't inconvenience you, do they?" She quietly murmured. Before she had realised, she had already reached out her hand to touch his right cheek.

However, her wrist was caught in mid air before they came in contact with his cheek. With a frown, Guiltia gently removed her hand from near him while gripping her wrist.

"You don't need to worry." It was Guiltia's answer, which seemed as cold as a blizzard.

I want to hear your feelings, Guil-san. Why can't we return to the way we used to be?

.  . .  . . .  .

"The Scarlet Moon is moving away?" Ange repeated Hyde's words with a surprised expression. When the Eclipse duo came to visit Cafe Prism, they announced the unexpected. 

"That's correct." Dimitri folded his arms in front of his chest. "We have been observing the moon for the past weeks."

"I see." Guiltia rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "I had my suspicions regarding this."

"Umm, what happens when the moon moves away?" Robin innocently asked.

"You can no longer use the powers of the Prison." Eve was aware and knowledgeable about this. "That's why vampires move along with the Scarlet Moon in order to use its powers."

"Oh." Angelique took in the information. The Scarlet Moon has been in Harajuku for a long time now, hasn't it? .....It shouldn't be surprising for it to go to another place now.

"Wait, then..." Ange panicked. "What are we supposed to do?"

"To be honest, we have no intention to leave Harajuku," Hyde stated, smiling. "The music that has been created here is certainly remarkable. I doubt we can find another place as comfortable as Harajuku."

"Fear not, little pup." Dimitri smiled confidently, his smile illuminated the atmosphere. "We have found a way to keep the moon in Harajuku for longer."

"Really? What's that?" Ange looked really eager to know his answer. He didn't want to leave Harajuku, this place filled with so many memories.

"Song!"

"Song?"

Alongside Hyde, only Guiltia understood his former bandmate. "So that's it. A song offered to the moon can prolong its stay over this place."

Thanks to his simple explanation, Angelique and the rest of OZ understood it.

"Is that the reason you're planning to hold a show with OZ and Lost Eden?" The blonde questioned.

"As expected! You're quick to catch on Guil!" Dimitri praised.

"For this, we need OZ and Lost Eden's cooperation. I believe you don't want to leave Harajuku either, am I right, Guil?" Hyde's eyes glinted. He already knew his answer.

Guiltia closed his eyes for a moment. Harajuku... this place was filled with so many memories: both happy and sad. He met Yutaka and Ange here. OZ held its first live show here. Also, Angelique is here..... He couldn't find the heart to leave this place yet.

"I don't want to leave Harajuku!" Ange proclaimed and faced the other members of OZ. "What about you all?" 

"I don't want to either." Robin joined.

"Me too," Eve voiced out.

"That's our answer." The corner of Guiltia's lips slid upwards. "But you probably guessed it, considering we have already agreed on collaborating."

Eclipse just smiled knowingly. OZ couldn't back away from the live show even if they wanted because everything had been finalised. Eclipse was perfect, from their performances to their planning. This just further proved it.

"Oh, what about Lost Eden?" Robin asked curiously. "Did they agree?"

"Yes, unexpectedly, they accepted our proposal after knowing the situation," Hyde informed.

While the males continued their discussion, Angelique felt a heavy tug on heart. Something became clear to her.

There's nothing such as eternity. Our worlds will never align.

She knew that the vampires she had come to love dearly will have to leave someday. In order to spread their songs, they had to keep travelling. This was their salvation. They will continue to do the same for eternity.

But she won't be by their side then. In the span of their eternity, she might already pass away, just like a wilted rose. Unlike vampires, she will have to stay where she was. She was a human who didn't depend on the Scarlet Moon or its powers. Just like any other human, she will have to live for a limited time. Her life revolved around human society, not the vampire society.

The differences between humans and vampires -mortals and immortals- were once again painfully visible to her. The fact that one day she'll be left alone was heart wrenching. She'll be forced to keep living on her own. Her dear twin brother Ange won't be there. Robin and Eve won't be there. Also..... Guiltia won't be there.

....Humans and vampires cannot be together for eternity.... In the next second, the flame of determination that lit in her eyes went unnoticed by everyone.

.  . .  . . .  .

Realising their situation served to make Angelique all the more determined. She won't run away and will tackle her problems head-on.

When she was watering the plants in the morning, Guiltia came down the stairs. He was the first to wake up among the vampires, earlier than usual.

"Good morning, Guil-san." She smiled at him like always.

"Good morning." The curt reply was no different than usual. He had intended to prepare his coffee soundlessly, as if she wasn't there. But when she felt her still gaze at him, he couldn't help sighing.

How elegant.... Angelique continued staring at his profile.

"Is there something on my face?" He asked without meeting her gaze.

Angelique tried to fight the blush that threatened to colour her cheeks. Even if it was unconsciously, she couldn't believe she was openly gawking at him. To be caught staring like this... how embarrassing! "N-No, it's nothing."

She quickly averted her eyes back to the pot of plants. A silence settled upon them. No one spoke and continued their activities. Haah..! To be flustered like this after making all those decisions....

The girl kept tending to the plants of the cafe while Guiltia went to the other side of the room, newspaper and coffee in hand. None of them knew the situation of the other's heart. I feel so nervous.....

...But I firmly decided to take this step as soon as I can.She took a glance at the time. The others won't wake up anytime soon so it will be nice to do this now. But I... it's so nerve-racking..!

Angelique shut her eyes to settle her inner dilemma. And the words she thought of before popped in her mind. ....Humans and vampires cannot be together for eternity.... She opened her eyes, the hesitation slowly dissipating.

Humans and vampires cannot be together for eternity... and that's why it's important to cherish the present we have!

...It's just the two of us now. I don't think I'll get this chance easily. Now is the best time to confess!

Maybe… he won't push me away anymore if he learns my feelings. I...I hope it restores our relationship back to the way it used to be. Angelique turned around to see Guiltia putting his cup down. "Guil-san, there's something I need to tell you."

"...Now?"

"Yes. Can you please come to the roof?"

It was chilly in the beginning of March. The sky was overcast with clouds; though it didn't seem like it would snow. However, it didn't bother the pair. Guiltia stopped walking midways while she moved further past the gazebo. There was a faint smile on her lips.

This place holds so many memories of us. We have spent a lot of time here. . . That's why it's my favourite place in the house.

"What did you want to say, Angelique?" His expression was unreadable to the point it was making her anxious. Was it really a wise decision to go for it? 

Even if I have resolved myself, it's still so daunting..! It felt like something was gripping her heart tightly. Was that how it felt to confess? She never thought it took this much courage.

She clenched her fists over her skirt before freeing them in the next second. "Guil-san, um...."

There was no need to beat around the bush. It was now or never!

With all the energy she could muster, she smiled and faced him. "I love you."

To be continued...