[ONE LAST TIME]

[pictureustogether]

[in a small clearing in the woods]

Mmh, here should be fine!

Comments

(frozen comment)

[long-dragon.livejournal.com]

I will when you cease fooling around.

(frozen comment)

[pictureustogether]

Uwah, s-so scary!

(frozen comment)

[pictureustogether]

I wanted you to know, because you are Sohma-san's most important person. And so, this will give you time to think of ways to cheer him up after I leave -- not to mention the opportunity to punch me in the face, if you feel so inclined.

(frozen comment)

[long-dragon.livejournal.com]

... Why would I do that?

(frozen comment)

[pictureustogether]

......

Are you joking?

(frozen comment)

[long-dragon.livejournal.com]

No, I am not.

...

Hara-san, I think in this situation the one who is indebted to you is me, and not the other way around.

(frozen comment)

[pictureustogether]

--Ah?

(frozen comment)

[long-dragon.livejournal.com]

I think we have mentioned this to you before, but a reminder should do no harm. You were here to keep Ayame company for many months before Shigure and I arrived. You stood by his side, in both good and bad times -- you became his friend.

If you know Ayame as well as I think you do, you will understand that becoming close with him is something few people have been able to achieve.

(frozen comment)

[pictureustogether]

... Hatori-san.

(frozen comment)

[long-dragon.livejournal.com]

[leans forward to pat Akiha's head lightly]

I am not happy that you're leaving, because this will be very difficult for Ayame. But I also cannot ask you to stay here -- and neither can Ayame, nor Umeda-sensei. This is your decision, and the least we can do, is support you in it.

(frozen comment)

[pictureustogether]

. . .

(frozen comment)

[pictureustogether]

[chuckles]

--Hahah... ahhh...


I... can finally understand why Sohma-san fell in love with you.

(frozen comment)

[long-dragon.livejournal.com]

... That is something I still haven't been able to fully understand, but that is besides the point.

(frozen comment)

[pictureustogether]

Mmh...

...

Can I ask you a question, then?

(frozen comment)

[long-dragon.livejournal.com]

[nods]

Go ahead.

(frozen comment)

[pictureustogether]

... About Sohma-san. ... Mmh... what are your feelings for him?

(frozen comment)

[long-dragon.livejournal.com]

...

You are worse than Shigure.

(frozen comment)

[pictureustogether]

--Ahah! I'm sorry! You don't have to answer if you don't want to, of course, but--!

(frozen comment)

[long-dragon.livejournal.com]

Ayame is one of my most treasured people in the world. He is an irreplaceable friend, a very important part of my life. He may be a fool at times, but he is never ill-intentioned. And overall, he is noble beyond reason.

(frozen comment)

[pictureustogether]

...

(frozen comment)

[long-dragon.livejournal.com]

Do I love him?

Yes.

Do I love him in the same way he... loves me? I would not be able to know. These things are difficult to put into words and what I just told you does not even begin to describe my feelings for him.

(frozen comment)

[pictureustogether]

[w-warm fuzzies GET]

... Heeh.

(frozen comment)

[long-dragon.livejournal.com]

...

(frozen comment)

[pictureustogether]

Well... I guess there was no need for me to worry in the first place. But I'm glad to be having this conversation with you, so I don't regret my decision in the least.

(frozen comment)

[long-dragon.livejournal.com]

[takes out his wallet from his back pocket and produces a pair of small business cards out of it, then hands them to Akiha]