It's now December.
Everyday, they got busier and busier except for Mirei who worked like she always did. Kei and Mirai went to work earlier and went home later than they usually do. Taka got busy with recording for his band's new single. Taishi and Satsuki were getting ready for their upcoming exams.
After 2 weeks...
"Satsuki~" everyone comforted her as she continued to weep heavily against Kei's chest. Taishi patted her on the head and Mirai rubbed her arm."Oie, oie. They'll only be gone for 12 days, right? They'll be back home on Christmas" Mirei reminded her. "Could it be, that you really wanted to come?" Mirai asked guiltily. Satsuki slowly parted from Kei and he stopped rubbing her back. She wiped off her tears and sniffed. "I've never... never cried so much when you're going away. We've been separated so many times th-- that I..... gomenasai (Sorry)" Satsuki lowered her head, somehow a little disappointed with herself. "It's not that I want to come. I will miss Mirai and you a lot." She looked at her brother with upturned, misty eyes and she smiled. "Take care, okay? Taishi and Taka can always freely come whenever they want. We'll bring back lots of food and stuff from France. How's that?" Kei announced. "Un! Ii desu yo! (That's fine with me!) You two take care as well, okay?" she smiled and her cheeks squished her eyes, making the rest of her tears roll down her face. Kei softly chuckled and wiped those tears off. "See you... We'll miss you guys!" Kei put his luggage's handle up and pulled it away. "Keep safe on the way home! Mirei, don't stress stuff to much, 'kay~ See you guys!" Mirai bade. "Well my stress is flying off to France so," Mirai didn't hear her anymore. The two of them waved them goodbye and turned their backs to walk on.
The four of them waved back with sad smiles on their faces. "Have a safe trip! Enjoy!" Mirei screamed. "It feels like they're going in a honeymoon. Isn't it like, their 2nd or 3rd date?!" Mirei snorted. "Yeah~ But you see, nii-chan's ideal date is in France." Satsuki giggled. She was happy for Kei.
They watched the couple talk and walk into the crowd. Their backs got smaller and smaller until they were out of their sight.
"Mirei, you didn't even a cry a single tear?" Satsuki took notice. "Sou... de-- su ne. (That's... r--ight huh.) After she graduated from highschool she moved out of that lame mansion to go to college, that's when we started to live together since the house I was separately at were near to our schools. When she graduated, she went to places with her parents. We got used to being away from each other." Mirei occassionally glanced at the back seat where Satsuki and Taishi are as she explained.
"That must've been hard on you two..." Satsuki sadly pouted. "I guess. When we lived together we got close and what's funny is that after getting close she needed to go so soon again. We kept skyping, texting and stuff. It's when we felt lucky to see each other 3 months a year." Mirei completed.
Satsuki nodded. "You say that but you actually cried last night, right?" Taka blurted. "Oh just shut up and drive." Mirei snapped and the other 3 laughed.
Mirai opened her eyes. She yawned and turned her head at her left to look out. It was dark and she looked down. Below the thin, wispy clouds, there were a billion little lights that looked like sparkling jewels. Without taking off her eyes at the window, she repeatedly tapped Kei's lap to wake him up. He was startled and he looked around confusedly, half-awake. "Kei, mite! (Kei, look!)" she pointed at the window. Kei stared at her and rubbed his eyes then he moved closer towards Mirai, poking his head out the window. The town's lights reflected in his eyes and he smiled at the wonderful sight. The two of them exchanged happy.
The flight attendant announced the landing. Mirai was almost jumping on her seat and she clapped her hands.
Taishi and Satsuki entered the house together. Their exams ended today. Satsuki switched the light on. "Should we make dinner?" Taishi asked. "Un!" Satsuki nodded and they walked to the kitchen.
As they began, Satsuki kept randomly staring at him and she looked pretty serious. Taishi tried to ignore it but...
"What is it?" he stopped peeling off the lettuce and he finally looked back at her. Satsuki drilled his eyes at his silently. "Satsuki, is something bothering you? You've been unusually quiet today. What's wrong?" He rested his hips on the counter and folded his arms, facing her. Satsuki's eyes left his. "Tell me... Are your parents still fighting?" asked Satsuki. "Yes. Until now." Taishi answered, a bit embarrased. Satsuki stared at him again. She didn't show pity, or sadness.
There was a long pause. None of them spoke and Taishi still wouldn't look in her eyes.
Taishi finally spoke up. "Since when did you know?" He looked at her still staring blankly eyes. "My third visit at your house. 2 years ago. When you were going to bring me back home but you came back inside. While I waited for you outside, I heard them shouting at each other upstairs." Satsuki answered.
Another pause.
"I'm sorry if I'm being nosy. Sorry if you didn't want me to know and that's why you never told me but..."
"Satsuki..." he interrupted. "You always keep smiling whatever the situation is. Even if you're feeling bad, you smile. Even if you're going through a tough problem, you smile. That part of you is so important to me. You've gone through tons and tons of troubles and you've gone through some lately. I didn't want to share my problems with you and bother you even more. I didn't want you... to leave me because of that." Taishi said.
He lowered his head down again. Satsuki breathed in then out deeply and she held his cheeks, turned his face towards her and smiled.
"I knew about you're problem two years ago, Taishi. I kept smiling, didn't I? Right now, I'm smiling aren't I? The moment you came back out to bring me home that night after I heard your parents arguing, I was smiling wasn't I? That part of you can never, ever bother me. That part of you will never, ever, ever drive me away. It's something that makes you who you are and I've already accepted that. Two years ago. And right at this very moment, I love that. I love every single part of you, Taishi." she beamed. It's the first time she saw him cry. Satsuki squished his cheeks and he laughed.
"Thank you... I love you. I love you and every single part of you." Taishi said.
