Once in the Moonlight XVII: Love and Stuff.

CHAPTER LIX1

The five of us sat in the cafeteria, rather bored. Yes, the five of us. Aspen was feeling as though she needed to be in some sort of (more or less) “posse”. So she decided to follow Sabrina, Topleaka, Roxy and I around a bit more frequently than usual. It would have been fine except for our whole “Magical Other World Faerie Princess Secret Identities,”, which made discussion about Musicana very awkward and in secret. 2

We tried Morse code at first, but that really didn’t work, mainly because I am rhythmically challenged, and Sabrina’s pencil eraser made silent taps. So, we tried to watch her taps, but that really didn’t work inconspicuously. Along with that, Topleaka kept forgetting what the taps meant, and ended up making all sorts of incoherent messages, like “Let’s go, AQUA HOBBS OF SPADELY JUSTICE!!!!” We still give her blank stares for that. 3

After Morse code, we tried moose calls. Since moosen have a limited range of tones, we thought it would be much easier for Topleaka to remember. So before school, an echo of “BRRRUUUUUMAHHHHH!” (Which was what we assumed moosen sounded like) could be heard from either end of the building. When we realized being the flock of moosen wouldn’t work, we had to move on to trying sign language. 4

Hey, that one almost worked. It would have except that 1) We didn’t know exactly what hand sign to make for Patience, since he wasn’t really a panda or a clock, 2) Aspen actually knew sign language. It was a shame only appreciated by Lady Fate herself, since we all were actually able to grasp basic sign language. 5

Running out of ideas, we decided that we should stick to something simple and discreet, such as flicking paper balls at each other at precise times to mean certain things. It wasn’t as efficient as something normal, like just calling each other, but it worked in its own way. The plus side was that Aspen never understood what we were saying. 6

There was one day that we actually had a problem however, in which we had to communicate in the middle of class. And as you probably well know, its kind of hard to discreetly throw paper balls through walls. So here came our first true dilemma.7

~8

It wasn’t like Mr. Latin Man could text us to let us know that we should come to Musicana. Last time, he just promptly walked up to our door. But during school hours, that surely wouldn’t work. And more importantly, if the residents of Mihama continued to notice a tall, stoic Italian man looking for us, they would probably declare him a creeper and hunt him down. So he had a plan two.9

Algebra II always dragged by slowly. I saw every muscle move in my teacher’s face, every millimeter passed by the second hand, every note passed between desks. Today, however, it was unnaturally slow. It was as if time had stopped…10

Patience? 11

Lo and behold, in the crack of the math doorway, there stood the otherworldly Panda-clock. Seeing me, his smile grew wider as he ran across the room towards me on his long feet. “Princess Vitaelia!”12

On pure instinct, my hand flew over his large mouth. “You fool! You’re on Earth! They can’t know my Yme name!”13

Looking up to me with his already large eyes, he began to laugh. “Princess, time is frozen! They can’t hear my words nor yours!”14

“Time is really-“ I spun my head around, taking a glimpse of what it truly meant for time to be stopped. Eyes half closed, the flickering light bulb steady, the teacher’s active foot stopped in place: it was a three dimensional photograph I stood in.15

“Why?” I slowly mouthed, catching my senses, “Why are you here? Why did you stop time? How long will it last? What—“16

“There is news in Musicana that concerns Eden royalty,” a familiar voice explained, emerging from the same door. It was Mr. Latin Man—I mean, Centarius Augustus! Behind him followed Sabrina, Topleaka and Roxy, all clearly prepared for a trip to the Land of Music.17

“What happened?” Chock full of questions today, wasn’t I?18

“It will all make sense later; for now, we must leave. Patience cannot hold time forever,” Centarius motioned towards the community lake, its waters shimmering in the distance from the Algebra room window. 19

Holding my questions in, I nodded, following the four down the plunge of staircases. “Farewell, for now!” Patience waved, still smiling, from his perch on a desk. 20

~21

“This is the NSPQR,” Mr. Latin Man met our gasps of awe and shock. Arriving on the island of the Novus Senatus Popolusque Romanus, we found a place unlike the rest of Musicana. There were not tints of antiquity, but the entire silhouette of the land was traced with skyscrapers and towers beyond the most advanced technology of earth. They (like Eden’s buildings) were built with Mythra (which was said to be stronger than the strongest steel), but they proudly rose above any imaginable height, hiding their very tips. From every street corner burst music, the most beautiful techno I had ever heard. 22

“And this is my kind of place,” Roxy grinned, thinking of what DJing tricks she could take from here. 23

“I have not brought you here for pleasure,” Centarius frowned, pointing to a gold tinted building in the background scene. “There was an attempted break-in in the Clamatory. “24

“The clamatory?” Sabrina tilted her head in interest.25

“It holds records of Musicana’s history, legends and discoveries. It is barred back from the public as a dull place to go, only filled with technical terms and code that the public can’t understand. But there are always those few that are curious…which is why we have such high security. None have ever gotten past the outer gate before. But this one suddenly vanished,”26

Roxy, a bored look dancing across her face, lifted her head to ask, “So what does this have to do with us? We’re border control, not private investigators for all of Musicana,”27

He seemed to expect such a remark. “We picked up a line of his song. He was Atlantean,”28

~29

The halls of the Clamatory were covered with thin panels, each displaying rows and rows of what I guessed to be ones and zeros. There were only a couple of doors, yet the hallway seemed to stretch from one end of New Rome to the other. Not even halfway down, we were met by an assistant, who led us to one of the doored rooms. Waving his hand across the screen, searching for the file, he played a clip of a song, surely not longer than a second. 30

“Our tests say that he was an Atlantean,” the assistant explained, “A noble Atlantean. Surely, its been centuries since the NSPQR has seen a noble Atlantean,”31

“A noble Atlantean?” Clockwork began to turn in my mind, “Do you mean…as in, a knight of Atlantis?”32

“Exactly,” Centarius interrupted, “That’s why you must be shown all the clues he left here. Clearly, Atlantis is looking for some sort of weakness in the rest of Musicana, in hopes of resurfacing its lands in the waters of Earth. Perhaps this can aid us in preventing their work,”33

“So…what was found?” Sabrina asked in interest.34

“He broke through the first three outer security measures. For the Clamatory, there are eight security measures. Never has any thief broken through the first one let alone the third. Then again, we hardly expected an Atlantean to break in. But on the third security breech, we have disillusionment branches, to confusethe thief. But to our surprise, he wasn’t distracted at all, continuinig towards the department he had started towards: the geographical history and maps.”35

“But I thought everything was on computers—“ I whispered in confusion.36

“Oh, goodness no!” the assistant nearly laughed, “We can’t rely soley on computers! Plus, we also store some artifacts here—items we had while still on Earth, and from when Musicana was first founded. In the geographical store room, there are only outdated maps, samples of soil, and other such things. Nothing that would sell well or bring much of any personal gain,” he frowned. “But the thief inteneded to come in here. Its rather curious, really…”37

“So what did he do?” 38

“He sang a song for a moment (presumably for defense), but when he got to the forth level o defense, he ran off and vanished.”39

“Perhaps he got what he was looking for?” Sabrina’s eyes widened.40

“…Perhaps,”41

~42

“There is one map in the clamatory that could be considered of any value: the Map of Ancient Crete,” the assistant explained to Centarius as the four faerie girls continued forward. “Its valued not only for its age and historical reference, but its aesthetic beauty. The map was done by a monk, residing on the southern shores in the Second Century. Legend says that he witnessed the descension of the land of Atlantis—“43

With that name, the two froze in their steps, both thinking the exact same thought. Rushing down the hall, they thought of only one thing: the security of the geographical store room. 44

Singing a sol middle C to identify themselves, the doors slid open, revealing the pitch black, cool storage room. With a step, black lights lining the floor turned on, leaving a hazy glow to fill the room. Rushing to the corner cabinent, the assistant passed through the various security measure, pulling open the appropriate door. Empty velvet met them. 45

In rage, the assistant cursed himself, “How had I not seen that before?”46

To his surprise, Centarius seemed to not share in his grief. “This is wonderful, for now, we have an eye on the intentions of Altantis.”47

~48

I, for one, was exhausted. 1) I had never really waken up that morning to prepare for Algebra II class, let alone some magical adventure to Musicana. 2) My lunch shift had already come and gone 3) The city of New Rome stretched on for eternity, surpassing the infinite realm of Tokyo. But as we continued for the port of New Rome, Roxy mused to herself, “Crete…its funny it would be Crete…”49

“What would be Crete?” I voiced.50

“As we left, I heaerd the assistant mention some map of Crete, here in Musicana. Its ironic, that’s all,”51

“How’s that?” 52

Roxy noted in a hushed whisper, the colour draining from her face.“That’s my old home,” 53

CHAPTER LX54

Up on the northern tip of Nakajima, there was a renowned hot spring area, in the middle of a cluster of small volcanoes, warming the waters for all on the island. I had never been terribly fond of warm waters, but when I told Topleaka I had never been to the Rising Springs, she shunned me, then decided that I must go along with her. Her, and a dozen (or two…or five) of her closest Myspace friends.55

I only got three hours of sleep last night. As soon as my rear hit the seat, I was knocked out cold. Later, when Akihiro sat next to me, I didn’t notice when my head limply fell on his shoulder. 56

Akihiro blushed at first, wondering what was possibly wrong with me. I wasn’t usually knocked out cold. But he did nothing about it, considering that I woke up an hour later on his shoulder, greeted by his smiling face. 57

“Glad to see you’re ok, Haruka chan!” he laughed. I got up groggily. Noticing that my head was on his shoulder, I jumped.58

“Gomen nasai, Akihiro kun!” I cried. “I didn’t mean to-“59

“It’s fine, Haruka! Really! I know what its like to be sleep deprived.” He grinned.60

“Oh-“ I blushed, trying to hide myself behind my hand. That was me-crawl into a hole if possible. 61

“So what’s your excuse?” he asked me. 62

“What do you mean?” I asked confused and drowsy. 63

“Why you’re sleep deprived,” 64

“Oh,” I smiled weakly. “Insomnia,” 65

His eye brow rose. “Insomnia? Haruka chan-you’re too young for that!” 66

I giggled softly. “Well, I still couldn’t sleep. I just sat there for a while, staring at the ceiling…”67

A few moments passed when he spoke up again. “You can go back to sleep if you want,”68

“?” I looked up at him surprised. 69

“You should rest,” he smiled. 70

“No—“ I tried to fight off the spell of sleep. “I’m—I’m fine,” 71

He gave me a serious look. “Tsumizaki Haruka-you are the worst liar I have ever met. You’re dead tired and you can’t deny it.” His tone was so hard to deny. I found myself subconsciously nodding in agreement. When I still did nothing, I felt his hand suddenly yet gently push my head on his shoulder. My eyes flew open in surprise. “Sleep! Now!” he muttered. 72

“But-“ I fought back lamely. 73

“You’re not going to mindlessly float through this field trip. Just rest now,” he reiterated. 74

Unable to fight back against his argument and the pangs of rest, my eyelids slowly closed as my head fell on his shoulder. I was knocked out cold in less than two minutes. 75

Since the island was so small, it didn’t take the car long to get to Rising Springs. Topleaka looked up to the skies, where the rising peaks cradled a small group of traditional Japanese buildings, hidden in the steam. Traditional Japanese buildings fascinated both her and Sabrina. Perhaps it was since I had grown up with them around or because I too was parcially Japanese, but it all seemed rather normal to me. 76

Well, I should say most of it made sense to me. That Westernized-half of me still found the concept of “pure” hotsprings (in which clothes or bathing suits were considered defilements) very very awkward, yet at the same time, it had always been around me. The difference was, however, that when I went as a young child, I was…well, a young child. No longer was I a flat, small child. The rest, I should hope, speaks for itself. 77

I had been anticipating this for a while. My fostered sense of privacy was now destroying me, and I wondered…worried…panicked….all over something so small. For surely, a small trip to the hot springs was small, right? 78

~79

At the hotsprings, the familiar scent of steam and condensation reached my nose, and I instantly felt congested. But there was nothgin to fear, for I was about to go into the best of all vaporizers----the onsens! Slipping our shoes off at the door one by one, we stepped into a traditional Japanese screen doored building, which forked into two paths-one for men and one for women. Following the crowd of my gender, we went off to find peace in the naturally heated waters. 80

There were legends of monkeys being in onsens. I never did understand where those came from. Really, I didn’t understand why all us Japanese people had a fascination with monkeys. In the ancient myths, I learned, my people once worshipped monkey “gods”, “sacrificing” the occasional person to “appease” them. Looking to the Bible next to me, I was glad I was differenet than that. But it still made me wonder where the whole legend with the monkey started…81

But my question was answered instantly when I found something brown and furry on my face. It was a monkey, of course, for irony’s sake. Not sure how a sane person was supposed to react to finding a monkey on their face, I did what I thought was best: waving my arms hysterically while running around in circles, screaming at the top of my lungs. Yep…that seemed best. 82

“What’s wrong with you?” Aspen came up to me, not terribly preterbed by the fact there was a monkey on my face. Pulling it away with its tail, she turned to me, as if I had not responded as any sane person should, saying, “Dope, it’s a monkey,”83

“I know THAT!” I cried, still rather shaken by the whole ordeal.84

“Some people just don’t like the monkeys,” Topleaka explained, frowning at the idea.85

As the two walked towards the onsen house, Topleaka felt Rei stop. Tugging on his hand, she pouted. “What’s wrong?”86

“There are monkeys…” his voice as stoic and calm as usual, yet to an extreme that was unnatural, as if he were trying to hide his fear. That was the most likely case.87

“Dear, we’re at an onsen. Of course there are monkeys!” 88

“Have there always been so many?” Flocks of monkeys gathered, much to Rei’s dismay. 89

“Haven’t you lived here your whole life?” An approaching Adair questioned, not moved by the overwhelming population of monkeys. 90

The auburn gave a glare that threatened Adair’s death if he continued talking. “I rarely go to onsens,”91

“I’m amazed you haven’t jumped at the sight of a monkey, Pokemon!” Roxy came from behind, tossing Adair a devilish grin. 92

Rolling his eyes, Adair asked, “What posseses you to call me that?”93

“Where did she even get that from?” Rei asked, though he really didn’t care.94

“True love!” Topleaka interjected, much to the disturbance and dismay of all those gathered. An awkward silence followed. 95

At the doorway of the house, one single monkey stood between the hotspring door and the group. Adair, in annoyance, kicked a stone towards the wall. However, all who looked on would have sworn that he intended to impale a native monkey. Ashton and Sabrina, both nature enthusiasts, jumped in horror and disgust while the monkeys scattered in chaos, some throwing bananas and others climbing over visitors. It was a horrifying sight of man and monkey, frantically running for their lives from absolutely nothing. The last word Topleaka heard before slipping through the doors was Rei’s voice, for once tinted with emotion, declaring, “I hate monkeys.”96

With that said, there was an unspoken parting of ways, one that I totally did not pick up on, which left me in the general room, which split off two ways: men and women. I spun my head, looking for someone to ask, anyone. Who cared if I made myself look like a total idiot? I ended up doing that unintentionally far too often anyways. But I didn’t even have the chance, for there was no one around. 97

Left or right. The choice haunted me for several straight minutes as I stood there, clothed only in a warm white towel. How awkward. Eventually, I went with right, since right was usually the RIGHT answer! Haha-that’s called a pun! 98

…Anyways, again, there was no one on the right branch, just rising steam and piles of clean white towels. Hoping and praying that I was correct, I went through the screen doors to the shallow waters. Slowly but surely, I sunk back into the steam, telling myself I could get quite used to this. And the best part was, there was no more girl chatter. 99

This silence lasted too long. For a girl section, this was rather suspicious. I dared to open one eye lid, but still I saw no one. I was a little troubled, but I thought I should just relax…calm myself down…that was what hot springs were for, right? But no amount of therapudic treatment up here could help me after I heard the most surprising of sounds. “Haruka chan?!” 100

The voice was more shocked than I had ever heard it before, and since I recognized it on instant, I was scared to open my eyes, promising myself it was a nightmare. But it wasn’t. It was only Akihiro Hanazaki. 101

”Ha-haruka,” he was still trying to get over my presence. “Since when were you a man?”102

Cringing, I opened one eye, then the other, praying the mixture of thick water and steam would cover my appearance. “A-a man?”103

”This is the guy’s onsen…” Akihiro was beginngin to wonder if he was in fact in the wrong onsen. 104

“Na-nani?!” I paniced, cursing the diddy of “right is always the right answer!” That must only be applicable if you’re a man. 105

Instead of saying something remotely useful or completely irrelevant, he did what I dreaded, just standing there awkwardly, not really quite sure how to respond. It wasn’t every day you found your friend of the opposite sex in the same hot spring…106

My eyes darted to the door, where my towel was neatly folded. If I could rush over there and wrap myself in a towel…but no, the towel was never supposed to touch the water. If I let it do so, some Japanese Kana Police might come out from no where and arrest me for not doing things the right way. 107

“WHAT’LL I DO? WHAT”LL I DO?” ran through my head as though on a strip of cartoon, just playing over and over again, until the words could no longer be contained within me as I moaned, “What’ll I do? What’ll I do?!” 108

Thinking of something to actually say, he replied, “I’d suggest you get out of here before anyone notices you-er-“ his face reddened, but not from the steam. 109

Well, if this could have gotten more awkward or embarrassing or both, I was not aware of how, and prayed I would never get this feeling in me ever again. And in front of Akihiro of all people!110

“H-hai,” stumbled over my weak lip, as I waded over to the edge, reaching over for my towel in desperation. I would just have to risk those Kana Police, since I was not climbing out of this water, even if my life depended on it, without the towel. Moving faster than I had thought possible for me, I raced towards the screen door, down the hallway (left this time!), finding myself in a familiar room. I was with my own kind. 111

I plopped myself onto a wooden bench, letting out the breath I had held in since I had left Akihiro. How could I be so stupid—how? Now, the memory would haunt me in those cursed flashbacks, a thought I could hardly stand. But I didn’t have to for long, since Topleaka came from behind me with a giant hug. Every hair on my rose. “Topleaka?!”112

“You’re alive!” There she went, stating the obvious again. “We were so worried—we couldn’t find you anywhere! Tien thought that perhaps you went down the wrong hallway—“113

Tien: I loved that girl, but she was too observant for her own good! “O-of course not! How ridiculous and highly improbable that is!” 114

Tuyet, the older Viet smirked at her younger sister, tossing her short cropped hair. “Nice try, freshman. You’re such a good little freshie…but still a freshman,”115

Topleaka gave Tuyet a deserved glare. “Baka!” she boldly belted. 116

The older Viet blinked. “Did you just-call me a baka?”117

“Dang straight I did!” Topleaka bit her lower lip in a cute pout. “You are a baka to talk to your own sister like that!” And what was so funny was that she said this in all seriousness. 118

Tuyet let out a long held in laugh. “As though you can tell me that!” her face instantly straightened. “And don’t call me a baka again. You’re just a sophomore.”119

“I can call you whatever I feel like!” Topleaka stuck her tongue out like a little child. 120

“Pathetic,” the elder chimed. Tien’s teeth moved like that of a shark’s, clamping down on her sister’s hand rather immaturely. Later, I learned that that was just an average Tien tactic. She had the violent gene as well. They were sisters; what was to be expected? It soon broke into a squabble that made me slowly back away. “Bad freshman! Down! Down!” So ended our trip at the onsens.121

Stepping outside of the building towards the bus, I was filled with assurance that I could leave that little fiesco behind me. Now, if that memory would be so courteous as to do so, life would have been a half a pound lighter. I can use every lightening of my burden that I can get. Keepign occupied, talking with Aspen and Eurika, I had a hope that that incident would leave. But it crashed when Akihiro sat behind me on the bus. Everythign flooded back to me in a burst of unrestrainable thoughts. It was a long awkward car ride back. 122

Through their voice’s, Aspen’s stoic one whispered to me, “One day, they shall all be my civil servants”123

Clearly, that remark was hardly expected. Sabrina and I turned to each other, clearly both thinking the same thing: slide over towards the window as subtly as possible.124

Hearing Topleaka’s shouts to Tuyet over sibling abuse, Aspen’s subtle remark, and Roxy’s jesting with “pokemon”, Akihiro decided that he knew the strangest people in the school. Surprisingly, that didn’t really bother him. It was a mere observation. But what was sad was that he had not seen the half of it. That would come in time. 125

CHAPTER LXI126

“Well done,” the Queen Aryelin greeted as the blond knight entered. She still stood in front of the Atlantica fountain, a massive fountain of pure Mythril that ran with the unique waters of the capital: as clear as ice with a shimmer of violet. Though it was so large, commanding, awe striking, the fountain was delicately intricate, its water making no more sound than a loose faucet of dripping water. Powerful, yet stealthy. Perhaps that was why she liked it so much. 127

Rolliing two scrolls across the floor, he asked in annoyance, “Are you satisfied now?”128

The response clearly displeased her, pushing her to ask, “Are you not proud in your work? It was a very impressive job. Taking the map of Crete was a beautiful Red Herring: deceiving both Eden and the NSPQR into thinking that we are reliant solely on Musicanian resources, and more importantly, that we have just revealed our entire plan. But really, they know nothing. And it is all thanks to you; I commend you,”129

“I suppose few discover the hole in the fourth security level,” he shrugged, turning back to the maps, “So you truly are going to follow this plan?”130

“Atlantis is not meant for Musicana,” Aryelin’s eyes glazed with passion, “It never was,”131

“Why do we need Earth? What is left of it that is so important?” he had to voice. 132

“Dignity!” Aryelin cried, unintentionally slamming the side of her hand into the table before her. “Musicana is such a small world, so finite and limited. We could rule it without much work. But it is not worth ruling. Earth, though humans may not realize it, holds great possibilities of power…They are such fools; they cannot begin to imagine what they’re capable of. The power that could be harnessed…” Her fingers curled, which seemed to awaken her from that dream. “It should not matter to you, though. You are to do what’s best for Atlantis, what I command. Too many questions, and I may grow rather put out…”133

About to walk out, he stopped, his back still facing her. “So…what is it now?” he asked, his voice but a hum above the sound of dripping water. 134

A twisted smile pulled on her lips, as if she assumed his curiousity would take the best of him as it just did. “You have heard of the forbidden songs, have you not?”135

“…Why, of course,” It seemed such a childish thing to ask! “How many younglings do not hear the rumors?”136

“But few younglings pursue it beyond a hot talk of gossip,” 137

The only sound between his thoughts was the sound of another drop hitting the basin of the enormous fountain. The forbidden songs…Though he had heard of them, had he ever truly believed in them? And even if he did, what powers could they call forth? What was the Queen thinking?138

Apparently, she predicted his every question. “Yes, there are forbidden songs. Eden, wanting to be the “great protector of all of Musicana” knows of them, has their notes locked in some hidden place…in the dark that no one would dare to look in…Even the Clamatory in the NSPQR wouldn’t hold such a deathly secret…it is too well known. But do you know the power of the forbidden songs? The abilities they would give? We could bring Atlanis to Earth with the snap of fingers! We could eliminate every lower Outer Merperson with a simple utterance! We could play god!” 139

Power…Was this what power did to man? It disgusted him…yet intreagued him. What choice did he have? As a Knight of the Council of Atlantis, his soul was sold to the land of Atlantis. In his mind, no heart change could remove that bond in blood. The blond, quick to leave, simply uttered, “As you wish,” 140

~141

I could tell she was thinking hard. The majority of our school population uusually had the look in their eyes that was clearly hardly thinking, but of course, Sabrina Vesston was not an average student. 142

“A penny for your thoughts?” I asked across the desk, making her shove on a light smile. 143

“Its nothing, really,” 144

“You’re a worse liar than me!” I argued, making her laugh.145

But turning hack to her serious self, she replied, “This isn’t the place.” Before either of us could say anything else, Ashton walked in. 146

Though the two were rather reserved around each other, when I watched their eyes, I knew there was something more than friendship between them. The way she smiled at him, the way he smiled at her—the room, for a moment, would light up. I later asked her if they were dating or anything, to which she replied, “What would ever make you ask that?” as if it were the most absurd question on all of the Earth. But then she smiled knowingly, as if to be, for one of the rare occasions in her life, sarcastic. 147

It would have been a very simple relationship, perfect in every way, had it not been for Jack. As we walked home from school, finding ourselves the only two on the sidewalk, Sabrina abruptly began, “You remember when I told you about Jack?” 148

“Of course!”149

“He hasn’t stopped,” her voice whispered softly, yet still storng. 150

“You mean—“ I began, but she cut me off. 151

“I don’t think its about him and I anymore. Or perhaps…it never was. I would never dare assume he truly loved me, and at this point, I don’t think he’s interested in me myself. Its somethgni more…” she frowned, musing to herself. “There’s some new level to him, one I never saw before. I’ve often wondered if maybe—“ she then cut herself short, stopping on the sidewalk to look up to the tree branches dangling above. “Look at those branches!” she pointed to the plum blossoms. Just opening, their thin petals glowed in the bright sunlight. It was almost as if little Eden pixies were dancing in them…152

She seemed to read my thoughts. “Its almost like in Musicana...as if pixies are in the trees, dancing,” her smile dropped a little. “A lot of things here remind me of Musicana, the more I think about it. I often wonder…if there’s not such a great gap between them as we like to think…”153

Looking up myself, I began to think of the irony between the two worlds: the Queen, our greatest Musicanian rival, being Britteni, our greatest Earthen rival; music, my greatest love being my strongest power in another dimension; Sabrina, Topleaka, Roxy and I: great friends on Earth all linked by the common bond of faerie blood. Was it purely coincidence? Or perhaps God ordained it to be, and had even more for us to discover. Hearing Sabrina’s words echo in my mind, I suddenly understood what she was trying to say. “Do you mean you wonder if Jack…is a knight of Atlantis?” Revelation filled me. 154

I knew that was exactly what she had been wondering when her rubied eyes widened. “That couldn’t be humanly possible…” Sabrina replied quickly, though I knew she believed it. 155

“That’s just it: we’re not human,” my voice was hardly above a whisper.156

A few moments passed of us standing under the plum blossoms, trying to grasp what that could mean, what everything meant. And there swayed the blossoms in the wind, as if no trouble haunted this island. Yet there was a song humming from the horizon, one we knew not where it came from, or what power it would bring. I couldn’t stop the chill that ran through my spine, thinking of the knights, Jack, the Queen: the Atlantis we could never be prepared to face. Would God bring us through?157

“We should get home,” Sabrina reawakened reality, continuing forward. That was the amazing thing about Sabrina: she always went forward. Even in pain, suffering and confusion, she could admit something that few could: she couldn’t do it alone. So she just kept walking ahead, trusting God to lead her, leaving behind the pain that grabbed at her. Perhaps that was what I had to do as well. 158

CHAPTER LXII159

THE MASQUERADE160

The people of Musicana held an annual masquerade ball amongst those of royal blood. Sabrina and I laughed at first: thinking about being with the rich when we were in fact suburban normal people. Then, dreams were filled with the magical images of faeries dancing with masks, glistening in the moonlight. It all seemed so much like a Faerie Tale, but really, everything in Musicana did. 161

But our thoughts were crushed when Roxy asked, “What does one wear to a faerie masquerade? I know nothing of Musicanian fashion…” 162

“Oh, that’s certainly no problem, princesses!” the creature we learned to love and hate, Patience, came up behind us. Topleaka jumped in surprise. “Your outfits are already prepared!”163

“What?!” Roxy boldly returned. “I’ve never worn an outfit that I haven’t customly picked out-“164

“But…its tradition!“165

“Hm?” I asked on, curious. The tales of Musicana fascinated me.166

“The Ball of the Equinox! During the Spring Equinox, we of Eden have a Masquerade! Surely you have heard of Masquerades, in which one wears masks…but it is also custom for the heirs to wear the legendary gowns,”167

“The legendary gowns?” 168

He nodded indeed. “There are only a few left. They were spun from the finest silk when the world of Musicana was founded,” he explained with a smile.169

“What?! You mean you expect us to wear 2,000 year old dresses?!” Roxy was clearly offended.170

“Unlike the things on Earth, Musicana has found ways to preserve material things for thousands of years.” 171

“Wow“ Sabrina listened keenly. 172

“So, these gowns, being recognized as the most beautiful gowns of the people of Eden, were dedicated to the royal family. During that year’s Ball of the Equinox, the first time in which the gowns were worn, they were shown to be the most stunning of gowns. The moonlight makes the wearers glow like angels,” 173

“Angels?”174

Our panda friend nodded. His voice, unnoticed by us who were excited, added “You know, there is a reason for the Masks in the Masquerade. It is said in old Eden folklore that destined lovers will find each other during the dance of the Equinox. Despite the masks, they will remember each other. Surely they will help you one day find your king! ” 175

~176

The lyre and zither of antiquity were strummed once again in time, though accompanied by their future medium-the guitar. They kept in beet with the strong winds, all knitted together through perfect harmony and percussion beat. Every corner of the dance room was bedizened so intricately in web like laces, pixied candle glows, and snow eninzil blossoms. The elegant dance floor of naturally white wood was bedizened with nameless Musicanians, garbed in magnificent silks. 177

I had to admit: these gowns were stunning. They shimmered like the stars themselves, glistening with every fold and step. Though the dress was worn by women for over 2000 years, it looked brand new, and surprisingly modern. The feature of it that I favoured the most, though, was its keen ability to slim my mediocre waist line. 178

A sea of masks swept the open white floor. Clutching my own jeweled mask close to my face, I watched this perfect reunion of past and present. This was the Ball of the Equinox.179

Caught in my thoughts, I didn't notice when a mysteriously masked man came up to me. Masked…masked…Hadn’t I seen a masked man before? In dreams, or in life? Of course, it was a masquerade: how could I expect anything different? But his laughing fox mask interested me. He held out his palm in a rather gentlemanly manner, asking if I cared to dance. 180

Sabrina gave no suggestion, though Topleaka smiled brightly, encouraging me to follow him. Tentatively, I slid closer, taking his hand and following . The others watched me blankly, a few whispering to one another, probably also curious of who the masked man was...181

Dancing across the glossed floor, I found myself being led into a sort of waltz, if the ways of Eden could ever be compared in human terms. "It's interesting-this Masquerade--"182

"You have never attended a Masquerade?" he asked, seemingly stunned.183

"Why no-" I realized. 184

"Well then, you have missed much, Princess Vitälea."185

I smiled softly from behind my own mask, still wondering who this was. "The music is rather unique-" I threw forth.186

"Does it displease you?" he asked suddenly.187

I blinked. "Does it displease you?" Who said that anymore? "No-in fact, it is quite similar to the song on Earth…”188

"So it is true-that you lived for a time on Earth?"189

"For a time? I still live there!" my heart began to race. Were these people going to try to take me away from Earth? 190

"'Tis a shame"191

I frowned from beneath my light mask. "What makes you say that?" 192

"A fair beauty as yourself should not be spending her days on a place such as Earth-"193

"A-beauty?" I almost laughed, "I am no beauty," 194

"But indeed you are, princess," I could almost feel his kind smirk. 195

"But-what of my sisters?" For Sabrina, Topleaka, and Roxetta were considered my sisters in Musicana. We never referred to each other by our “appropriate” names: Vitälea, Hoshye, Hinata and Aquitaine.196

"You are the fairest," he replied without hesitation.197

For a moment, I heard the name “Kitsunwarai” whispered between couples, and I wondered if it could be that it was he, whom I was dancing with right now. Studying the mask, I asked my memory if it was the same one. But then I noticed the sea of Kitsune masks from each corner of the room. With the appearance of the Kitsunwarai, the ancient fashion of kitsune masks must have been reawakened. Either way, I still did not know his true name. 198

"That seems a most impertinent remark from a man whose name I still do not know," 199

"That you will know in time," he replied ambiguously. 200

"How am I supposed to reply if I do not even know what your name is?" I asked. 201

The music stopped, pulling our feet from perpetual motion. A cheery applause arose from the dancers. "I'm sure you know my name, Princess Vitälea. If you remember it is another matter entirely," and with that eerie remark, he left the dance floor with a smile I could feel through his laughing fox mask. A blush crept up my cheeks, making me glad I had a mask across my face. 202

However he was able to leave just like that with no one pestering him, I didn’t understand. For this encounter made me sure he was the Kitsunwarai everyone was talking about… Seeing groups of masqueraders in similar fox masks approaching our foursome group, I suddenly realized that tonight would be a long night. 203

CHAPTER LXIII204

It was too silent. There was a beauty to it: the silent wavering of the eninzil blossoms, glowing in the soft glow of the stars; the soft halo of fireflies laughing in the wind, the empty yet full silence. At the same time, there was a frightening secrecy in it, as if anything could appear from a shaded corner without a notice. There seemed to be a whisper of deathly threats, but then I realized it was just the chilled breeze. 205

Roxy was the first to jump up. I hardly noticed what happened, considering there was a blur, and then it appeared over. The faerie of water sent a wall of ripples above to deflect the bullets of ice being shot down at us. I heard the sound of cracking icicles, but the silence of the night swept it over. The little light around me was blown out when a cold silver hand grabbed for my throat and eyes. I tried to scream, but the silence devoured my cries. In the distance, I thought I heard Sabrina’s voice calling for me, a warmth grabbing hold of me from the cold, yet the world fell empty.206

~207

From the darkness rose a familiar face: the mask of a laughing fox. Surely it was a dream, right? Or the one who had saved me before: it couldn’t be him, could it? He spoke, I supposed, for there was a muffled voice surfacing in my consciousness, until I was able to sit up and face him. 208

“You! You’re the one that saved me before! The one they call the Kitsunwarai?”209

“Oh, I have a public name now?” he seemed amused. “That’s interesting,”210

“Where am I? What happened? What are you doing here?” I asked every generic question I could muster. 211

To my surprise, he answered quite directly. “You are in the outskirts of Paerasis. The Atlantean knights attempted to take your life. I prevented that from happening,” 212

“Tell me—why do you come and help me? Don’t tell me you’re some Superman that wants to bring justice to the world, because I know that that’s not true—” I wondered what made me have such courage as I spoke.213

“Superman?” he asked, puzzled. “Who is…this Superman? An Earth figure?”214

“Oh,” I could feel my face turning red. Of course he wouldn’t know who Superman was! This was Musicana, not Earth! “He doesn’t matter. I just want to know…why you care to help me?”215

He laughed slightly, “Its my duty, of course! And besides, you seem to find trouble very quickly. If I didn’t save you, surely you would have died a thousand times over…”216

“What?!” I’m thinking that was the first time I officially got angry at anyone. At the same time, I was romantically flattered, though I never bothered to show that. “What do you mean, I need you? I don’t even know who you are! I’m a princess of Eden!”217

“In due time, you’ll remember who I am,” It was as if his voice smirked as he vanished. That’s when I truly noticed where I was: in a bed of light flowers. I smiled at the irony, wondering if my life had just fallen from the binding of a faerie tale book. In the distance, I could see the taller peaks of Paerasis peek over the tree line, not too far off. Pulling myself up from the blossoms, I noticed the silhouette my body left in the branches. But remembering Sabrina, Topleaka and Roxy, I ran off, leaving the last trace of my presence in the woods of Eden.218

~219

CHAPTER LXIV220

A FLOWER IN THE FIELD221

Pick a flower222

Any flower223

Which one do you like?224

The only one225

The lovely one226

The apple of my eye227

“Just a flower in the field…” she mused to herself, walking through an empty field, “Only another flower…A weed, really,” Topleaka smiled sadly to herself, crumbling a leaf between the tips of her fingers. “He’ll never pick me…” 228

“You know that without Rei, you’re nothing,” Britteni grinned menacingly. “Its not your acting, its his.” Topleaka’s eyes fell downcast. 229

“I still…like to act,” Topleaka smiled sadly.230

“You’re another flower in the field,” Britteni drove it into the aqua blonde’s mind. “One of these days, you’ll realize it-no one will ever pluck you up,” she laughed as she walked away, her heels echoing down the hallway, her taunts echoing in Topleaka’s ears. 231

She wanted to hold back the tears; it was for a foolish reason, wasn’t it? Did she honestly expect her fandom to win Rei’s heart? Who could she kid? Just because they were co-actors didn’t mean she had the guaranteed right to him. No matter how much she wanted him, perhaps she was nothing to him… The tears began to streak her pale cheeks. 232

“Topleaka! Come up to recite your poem!” Topleaka’s fourth grade teacher called. The nervous seafoam girl walked to the front of the class, clearing her throat. 233

So asked the clerk234

He said to her235

“I need a flower bride-236

The only one237

The lovely one238

The apple of my eye”239

How long had it been now? Six years since she had first seen Rei? And when had he really seen her: ever? There was a time for dreaming, hoping, praying, but now? Was there any point to it? Maybe God never meant it to be. 240

I held my breath241

His lofty step242

Would he pick up me?243

His only one244

His lovely one245

Oh who would it be?246

Around her swayed countless flowers. The vast beauty of it all made her laugh for a carefree moment, but feeling them scratch against her legs, she mused, “So many flowers…so many beautiful flowers, and here I am, just one in the crowd. I am nothing,”247

And so it was!248

I felt his touch249

His flower bride to be.250

His love and care251

I dreamed of when252

I felt like such a weed253

But love he had254

And love gave back255

The flower of his eye”256

She stopped and took a deep breath. The teacher smiled and clapped, along with the fourth grade class, but then she asked Topleaka the question she asked every student. “What made you choose this piece, Topleaka?”257

The small girl was surprised, though she had heard the question asked several times through the day. She blushed, her foot tracing the tile on the floor. “I want to be his flower bride…” 258

A few boys snickered as a few girls giggled, but the teacher just gave a soft smile. “I’m sure you’re the flower of his eye as well, Topleaka chan,” she said softly. 259

Topleaka blushed and beamed. “Maybe…maybe you’ll see me too, Rei kun!” she thought to herself. 260

Falling into the flowers and grass, she stretched out with a sigh. “Rei kun…” she thought to herself. “I’m sorry…I spent so much time dreaming over you. It was foolish…really foolish…What was I thinking?” 261

“Oh, Haruka,” Topleaka poured out at a sleepover. “Its just not fair!” Haruka’s eye brow rose in confusion. “I’m so ugly!” 262

Haruka frowned. “How can you say that, Topleaka?!”263

“Because!” Topleaka began. “I still have freckles, I’ve never had a boyfriend, I’m too skinny, my eyes are weird, and no one notices me…”264

For once in her life, Haruka almost got angry. “Topleaka chan-you are beautiful and you know it! God made you that way for a reason, and to be honest-I’m often jealous of you!” Topleaka’s canary eyes opened wide in surprise. “I wish I was skinny,” she looked down at her chubby arms in dismay, “And I’ve never had a boyfriend either. Your eyes are really cool looking, and of course you’re noticed! You’ve blossomed before me, Topleaka-and you’re younger!” she ended with an in-character sigh.265

“H-honto ni, Haruka chan?” Topleaka said above a whisper for the first time in her life. 266

Haruka replied with a nod. “Don’t forget the beauty God’s given you. You’ll find the guy who’ll appreciate it. Just give it time,”267

She let her thin form sink into the flowers under her. Their blossoms so fair and lovely, perhaps if they swallowed her up, she too would feel lovely…But she was enveloped into the arms of slumber, her eyelids slowly closing, sealed in tears. 268

Of all the flowers in the field, I would pick you269

As she was dragged into sleep, she mused with a soft smile of hope, “A flower…His flower…” 270

CHAPTER LXV271

The weekend lights fell down into the distance, as Topleaka boldly knocked on the door, sleeping bag under her arm. It never took long for either of us to settle down with endless bags of CalorieCrap popcorn, movies, chocolate, goodness knows what, and even the occasional girly knickknack. Topleaka persuaded me to have my nails painted, and finding no way to object politely, I submitted myself to her meticulous dressing up. 272

“Haruka-what kind of guy do you think you’ll date?” she asked me randomly as she painted my thumb lilac purple. 273

My eyes widened in surprise. “Curious question, Topleaka…” 274

“I think you’re going to date a very boring, prodigy boy,” she said with a laugh. 275

I rolled my eyes. “And why’s that?”276

“It just seems,” she said with her chin held high. “That a very boring prodigy boy would like you. “277

“That still doesn’t tell me why,” I frowned. 278

“I’m just kidding, Haruka!” she gave a catlike smile. “I actually think you’ll find a most annoying, loud, and rambunctious, fun loving boy. Besides-“ she coughed, picking up a most fake British accent for no particular reason, “if you were to court a dull prodigy, I should think you would find it rather droll after a week’s time,”279

“Topleaka-you aren’t a Brit. So stop it,” My eyebrows curved, annoyed, but I couldn’t help but laugh. “But-why do you say that then?”280

”Oh, Haruka,” she sighed, brushing off an extra glob of lilac purple paint. “Its because opposites attract, dummy!”281

I blinked, a blush arising on cue. “O-opposites?” 282

“Like you and Akihiro san,” she added casually.283

“Ch-Akihiro?” I nearly fell backwards, half in delight, half in shock. 284

“You said you liked him, right?” 285

I had to nod.286

“Well then. That just further proves my point, now-doesn’t it?” 287

After a few moments of silent agreement, I asked “But what about yourself?” 288

Simply, she replied “I shall date Rei Kaedo. I thought you knew this already, Haruka. Get in the game!”289

A smile brimmed on my lips. So maybe-she will always love him…290

~291

Rei seemed different, and I couldn’t place my finger on what exactly had changed about him. His usual annoyance with people stayed, but he suddenly seemed twitchier around Topleaka. He had seemed so comfortable with her before, but now, he seemed to get as far away from her as he could. It was like time’s reel had become unwound.292

“What did I do?” Topleaka sighed one day. “When we meet in the studio, he stiffens up, just like he did when we first met—Does he see me as some creeper fangirl again? “293

“What?” I asked surprised. “How could he do that? He knows you well enough now to know you’re not like that!” 294

She nodded sadly, looking off. “For ten years, I’ve dreamed of him, watched him, admired him. And when we began to almost become friends…I hoped that maybe he would say he liked me too…That perhaps, something had changed,” she sighed. “Maybe they were right; it is useless dreaming…”295

“Don’t give up, girl!” I gave a victory cheer. “Run the race! Keep on going! If you really like him-“296

“That’s just it, Haruka!” she gave me a serious look. “I’m beginning to wonder if I even love him!” 297

I stood silent, looking on with disbelief. “N-not like Rei? But-“298

“It was just a youthful passion, or at least, that’s what I think now. I need to move on from him. I need to…grow up.”299

“Topleaka…you can’t mean that-“ I protested. 300

She turned to face me. “Maybe I do,” and with that, she walked off into the distance. Through the seas of people, I watched her sadly, wondering what could have blown out her flame of determination. Topleaka not liking Rei? The apocalypse was surely coming! Was there even a time I had known Topleaka when she didn’t like Rei? If she changed, the world would never be the same—my world would never be the same. In her determination for Rei’s heart, she had shown me how to be bold, how to stand up for what I thought, to fly. But if my friend gave up, how could I continue to stand? I would almost miss the crazy love sick girl. 301

~302

There were two main reasons why Rei was avoiding Topleaka. It wasn’t that he wanted to avoid her, per ce, but rather that he had to. The first reason was because he could not admit to himself that he could possibly be attracted to the bubbly aqua blonde girl. Him liking someone was defying science in and of itself; him liking the girl who had stalked him the past couple years was just utterly wrong. The second reason was that he could not have the public think he was interested in her. Creeper fangirls’ and journalists’ diets consisted of any sort of celebrity news they could get a hold of. The paparazzi and publicity would devour any sort of relationship gossip, possibly putting the one he cared about in danger. His life as an actor was one that he had to walk alone. It was his fate, and it had to just be left like that. 303

He couldn’t help but run into her, or notice her across the hallway. That bold spirit around her that used to annoy him to no end ironically seemed to attract him now…But what was he saying? It could never be. 304

Yet at this moment, he noticed her on her way to class, her arms filled with books. Only he observed how she was going to run into someone in mearly a few seconds. But he only watched, waiting for the explosion of two strangers. 305

“Gomen!” Topleaka squealed as the books scattered over the floor. Stupid books. Why had she even bothered to bring them? 306

“Oh, don’t mention it,” the warm voice replied as he got up to pick up the papers across the tiled floor. 307

Her eyes shifted up to see who it was. She saw dark umber-black hair, tipped in flames of red and gold, which fell over his eyes to the side. Perfection radiated from him, and for a moment, she wondered if he had the touch of Mitas. Those eyes…they drew her in instantly. Like melted gold they shimmered, as if trying to melt her as well. So far, they were succeeding. 308

“The name’s Creed,” he smirked knowingly. “You’re Topleaka, right?”309

“H-how did you know?” she blushed. 310

“Who around here doesn’t know your name?” 311

Smiling lightly, she replied, “They all know Rei’s name,”312

“And they know yours just as well, if not more. You’re a very talented actress”313

Topleaka’s face rose in hue, spreading across her cheeks. Flattery was one thing she delighted in. “M-me?” He nodded, handing her the forgotten textbooks. A small grin pulled on his lips. “Th-thank you,” she said hardly above a whisper. 314

‘Anytime,” He winked and walked off. Topleaka stood there dumbly, watching him walk through the empty hall.315

“Nande…” Rei muttered from the corner he was watching in as his friend Kaio walked by. 316

“Who would have thought: The stalked becoming the stalker…” Kaio grinned, watching a clearly jealous Rei. “So I guess blondie got to you at last,” 317

Rei tried to hide his blush. “What are you talking about? Of course not….”318

“Oh that’s right. You just like to stare at walls for no particular reason,”319

“…” How could he respond to that? 320

Kaio laughed. “Never thought I’d see you into any girl…”321

“It’s not like that,”322

“Isn’t it?”323

“…” Perhaps it was defeat.324

“…?”325

“…I hate you,” Rei glared at his friend. 326

“…So…how are you gonna win her back?”327

~328

So began the “Topleaka hunt”, as ironic as it was. In reality, Rei was a pretty good stalker. He was quiet, had a dark serious air about him, making him blend in well. It was his fate and destiny, as was his attraction for Topleaka. 329

The two had decided to meet in the park, thinking that would be a probable place to sight Topleaka. Thus, the two dressed in black and met in a bush towards the entrance. “So-what are we doing, exactly?” Kaio asked.330

“I…” Rei looked around for a moment. “I have no idea…” 331

Silence fell between them. “Then…why are we here?” Kaio finally asked.332

“I heard Topleaka say something about coming here with that guy…” Rei muttered. 333

“….what if they never come to this side of the park?”334

“Shut up.” Rei thought that he had thought this through rather well. Just then, in the distance, he saw Topleaka walking with the black haired boy, giggling. Something within him cringed with disgust…or perhaps jealousy. 335

“Looks like you’ve got your work cut out for you…” Kaio smirked. 336

“Shut up.” Rei’s thoughts and eyes were glued on Topleaka and this guy. Who was he? And what did he want with Topleaka? He wanted to do something about it, whatever would win Topleaka back, but he couldn’t get himself to do anything. 337

Pathetic inner Rei said. 338

?!339

I’m your inner self. Haven’t you read any fanfics? Watched any TV shows?340

?! I’m mentally stalked! Gah!341

…342

!343

…344

…what do you want?345

I want you to go win back your sexy goddess of acting-346

?!?!?! What did you just call Topleaka—347

TELL HER348

What-NO!349

TELL HER!350

“REI!” Kaio shouted in his ear. “Are you freakin’ deaf?!”351

Rei blinked, returning to reality. Stupid perverted inner self… he sighed. His focus went back onto Topleaka and the guy. They seemed to be talking animatedly, Topleaka giggling a lot. She seemed really happy, but still, it ticked Rei off more than he could describe. 352

For a while, he watched passively, seething in anger and jealousy, especially when he noticed the guy’s subtle attempt to wrap his arm around Topleaka’s petit waist. 353

“Well…are we gonna do anything? I’ve got a life, you know-“ Kaio glared, then stopped himself, seeing all of REi’s anger build up in the eyes of an onii. 354

Day’s lights began to fade, as Rei did nothing, eventually watching the boy and girl walk off, out of the park, hand in hand. At that moment, an emptiness took hold of him. It was as though he was sitting in some alternate reality. Had this all just happened?355

“Later, Rei,” Kaio gave up, seeing Rei still tangled in a stream of thoughts. Jumping out of the bush, he left a confused and disheartened Rei. 356

~357

Another joke brought giggles from the petit aqua-marine. She loved him…her knight…her real knight. Rei had just been an illusion out of desperation. Had Rei ever listened to her talk? Had he ever brought her around, bought her things, spent time with her? Did he tell her what she wanted to hear: of how he needed her? Had he held her tight? But Creed really loved her back (she knew it for sure!) and that made him her glorious knight. 358

“So Topleaka-chan,” he held her hand tighter. 359

“Creed kun?” Her head was always so cute when cocked at that angle…360

“How would you like to go somewhere alone?” he smiled at her. Surely he looked so innocent. 361

“What do you mean?” Eyes like a child. 362

“I mean, like a date,” he replied simply. 363

“A—d-date?” Her blush cancelled out all expressions. 364

“Yah,” his fingers stroked her hand. “Just you and I…” 365

Those words seemed to prove it for her, for she replied with throwing her arms around his neck, “I’d love to!”366

~367

Rei had a sort of shadow lingering over him for the rest of the week. He hung in silence, watching Topleaka and Creed walking around the school, hand in hand. 368

“Too bad, lover boy…” Kaio looked at his now emo friend. 369

“I want to go kill myself…” 370

“Even you can’t mean that-“371

“Of course I do, baka.” Rei glared. “I want to go kill myself.”372

“She is just a girl…”373

“She’s more than some girl!” Rei glared meaningfully at Kaio. His honeydew lime eyes focused out. “And it took me this long to realize that,” 374

“Emo,” Kaio coughed. Behind the two came a half as cheerful as usual Topleaka with her “new friend”. 375

“Oh hey Rei,” Waving calmly at her past love, his name no longer had that bell’s ring that it once had. 376

Rei’s stoic appearance covered him once more, “Hey,”377

Proudly, Topleaka pulled her “friend” Creed’s arm, introducing, “Rei, this is Creed kun,” 378

Death glares were instantly fired between the two, though Topleaka was oblivious to any of it. The only thing she noticed was the clock. 379

“Oh!” she interjected, “I’ve gotta hurry to class!” As she turned away, she was stopped by a hand grabbing hers. 380

Creed smirked, leading the way “I’ll walk you there, Topleaka-hime.” Hearing that, Rei knew something had changed, and that something else had died. 381