- Chapter 4 -

Maiubo? What in the world is that?

"Tatsuya!!" I exclaimed surprised and happily as I stared wide-eyed at the jet black-haired male with the purple-white jersey standing right in front of me.

I blinked twice to make sure that my best friend from America, Tatsuya Himuro, was standing right in front of my full of shock eyes. He outstretched his hand to help me up and I politely took it. When I finally got up on my feet, I pulled him in a tight hug. Since I was a little shorter than him, my face was burried in his chest which gave me the opportunity to smell his soft and sweet physical aroma.

I heard his calm and soft chuckle ring in my ears "You sure never change, Ayano. But I have to admit it, I missed you too"

I bit my lip to prevent myself from saying 'I missed you like anything else in the world' but I held me back, controlling my actions again. All that time I was away from him and Taiga, my two "brothers" as I used to call them, my heart had an unpleasant empty space which was soon filled with sadness, depression and regret.

I pulled back from him, my cheeks flushed from the thought that I was smelling him all that time. I mean, what was I, a yandere [1] stalker or something? The corners of my lips curled up in a smile as I examined his features better-- his face seemed happier, with no trace from our last meeting with them. Better I start forgetting those events too already.

"Ne, Tatsuya, I missed you a lot" I exclaimed as I poked my fingers together as a sign of awkwardness and nervousness.

Tatsuya seemed to notice that because he opened his mouth to say something. But, because I'm always unfortunate, his cellphone rang the exact time he was ready to say it. Now, I'm mentally cursing the creator of misfortune, cellphones and text calls. Why does this moment has to be ruined? Just why, Kami-sama [2] ??!!

It seemed to be a text message because he opened his cellphone and stared at the screen. With his sad reaction, I immediatelly understood that he had to leave. NO. JUST NO. GOD HATES ME. 

Before he could say something, I forced out a sweet smile and looked at him "Well, it seems that you have to leave, right? See you another time then! I..I guess so..." I whispered the last part with no confidence left as my blue gaze fixed on the ground.

I felt Tatsuya's warm eyes staring at me with a slight sad smile. Soon, warmness covered my body as I was pulled in a tight embrace by the same person "Baka [3]. You didn't think I would leave you easily like that, did you? I just have to go back in school-- I have some tasks to complete"

My eyes widened slightly. "Plus, don't ever think about me leaving you. Ever" he added which made my tightened muscles relax in his warm hug and made me melt.

And no, I don't have a crush on him! It just happens that he is my favorite person in the whole world. Because.... because he stood up for me back then. And when I needed everyone else, no one was there for me but him.

 I took a step back, pulling back from his familiar embrace. Now, I gave him a real and happy smile, combining all my happiness in that one "Well, I suppose I will see you later then~!"

The black-haired male gave a nod of agreement and caressed softly my cheek, a move he had to do since we met in elementary school. I closed slightly my eyes, enjoying his gentle touch, when a certain purplenette ruined the moment.

"Miro-chin, stop talking to your kanojo [4]. I'm hungry, can't we go and buy some sweets?" his muffled voice from the potato chips he was munching stated, while his usual gaze which was shouting 'boredom~~~!' fixed on us.

An anime vein popped on my head as I stared at him "You!! Why did you have to ruin this moment, you purple monster?! And he is not my kareshi [5] !!!! Deal with that!" 

A sweatdrop appeared on Tatsuya's head as he tried to calm me, but that made more nerve pops to appear on me as that purple monster continued munching his chips. If I only get that bag of potato chips!!!! 

When Tatsuya finally calmed me down succesfully, he turned to me "Ayano, I think I forgot to introduce you to my friend. This is Atsushi Murasakibara, my teammate from the basketball team. Atsushi, this is Ayano Kuroko, my best friend from America"

In the mention of his last name, a small smile appeared on my face "Murasakibara-kun? Ah, you have a nice last name, Purple Rose [6] ~~"

"Hn? Kuroko? It sounds familiar to me..." the purple monst- I mean, Murasakibara-kun muttered while finishing eating his potato chips.

I raised an eyebrow at him as I wondered about his hospitality with that last name, since it wasn't that usually used in Japan "Hm? Where?"

"Eto... I forgot..." he mumbled as he started chewing a bubble gum. I sweatdropped heavily as I stared at the purple monster in front of me.

I decided not to say anything and I turned to say something to Tatsuya, but he was no longer there. My eye twitched as I realized that he left me with that purple monster. ALONE. Tatsuya... Next time I see you, you will be dead...

Suddenly, I felt someone poking my arm. I turned around only to see the 2-meters purplenette staring down at me "Aya-chin, can you buy me some maiubos?"

"Aya-chin? And maiubos? What are maiubos?"

"..."

"I want an answer, ya know!"

"That" Murasakibara-kun explained as he pointed at the little candy bar I had stepped on earlier. I examined the colorful wrapper with weird shapes for a little before turning back again at the huge teen. "Can you buy me some?"

"Where can we find those?" I asked him as he munched something he had in his mouth, obviously thinking.

After a minute, he looked at me again with his bored expression "In candy shops" he stated like it was obvious, as I mentally facepalmed for his boredomness.

I motioned to him to follow me and he replied with a monotonous nod. I walked in the candy shop in front of me and it proved that (luckily for me) it had some of those 'maiubos' he wanted to buy. I bought three of those orange candy bars and a chocolate for me. After half an hour of staring at the sweet temptations of the candy shop, we finally left it as I handed him his treats.

I swear I heard him mumbling a 'thank you' but I just shrugged it off, munching on my bitter chocolate. I slowed down my pace as I noticed that he was walking far away from me. When he was right besides me, I decided to examine his features. He had long, shoulder-length purple hair, a pair of violet eyes, muscular body from maybe a physical activity he was doing some years now and an abnormal height for his age.

I giggled to myself, finding my general body shape and height very small in front of his. I mean, he is like... a giant. A purple monster~! He must have noticed my reaction, because he turned and looked at me with a small annoyance "Is something fun about me?"

I looked at him with a small fake pout "Wha? No, it is just that you are so... huge" I mumbled behind my last piece of chocolate. "It really seems funny, I swear you seem... familiar...."

I stopped dead on my tracks as my electric blue eyes widened at the painful memories which entered my mind. Huge body... Purple hair... He can't be...

My legs took the inicative and moved themselves, running away. The next thing I knew was me, closing the door of my bedroom half an hour later. I suddenly burst into tears, crying my eyes out for no reason. Another painful memory came up on my mind. Murasakibara reminds me.... he may is.... one of them.

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[1] Yandere are persons who love someone very much and if another person gets close to them, they become crazy about him/her or do bad things on that person.

[2] "Kami-sama" is the way Japanese people are calling their God

[3] "Baka" means "Idiot"

[4] "Kanojo" means "Girlfriend"

[5] "Kareshi" means "Boyfriend"

[6] Murasakibara is a last name with meaning. "Murasaki" means the color "purple", while "bara" means "rose". So, "Murasakibara" means "Purple Rose"

Minna-san, this is a new chapter! Sorry for the late update but schoolwork and the upcoming exams are a pain in the ass :'( Sorry if my updates will slow down from now on, but I have to read for the exams!

But, I will normally update when summer comes (about 2 months because my exams are finishing around in the end of June).

Also, don't forget to vote, comment and fan for seeing my profile for new updates!! Arigato gozaimasu!!