[ONE LAST TIME]

[pictureustogether]

[in a small clearing in the woods]

Mmh, here should be fine!

Comments

(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]

(frozen comment)

[pictureustogether]

... Um?

[examines!]

(frozen comment)

[long-dragon.livejournal.com]

Ayame's store, and Shigure's house. I'm certain they will be more than glad to take you to the Main House, should you ever wish to pay the rest of us a visit.

(frozen comment)

[pictureustogether]

H-Hatori-san!

(frozen comment)

[pictureustogether]

Well, if that's the case-- here, I demand you visit sometime, too!

[PRESENT: business card]

(frozen comment)

[long-dragon.livejournal.com]

... Thank you.

(frozen comment)

[pictureustogether]

Oh, wait. [takes it back to scribble on it]

This is Kotobuki's apartment, and this is Sempai's, and this is Osaka High, and this--

(frozen comment)

[long-dragon.livejournal.com]

. . .

(frozen comment)

[pictureustogether]

I travel around a lot and I don't have a place of my own, so just in case you can't find me at my studio~

(frozen comment)

[long-dragon.livejournal.com]

... I see.