Love Him...Forever

Truth Between Us

"Did you also bring Kazumi here?" Shine asked, watching Yuzuru stare quietly at her gravestone.

Yuzuru shook his head.

"But why?" Shine continued, though she wasn't sure she wanted to hear the answer. Her eyes dropped to the stone.

"Why what?" Yuzuru frowned.

"Because you and she have gotten really close. Don't you introduce Shine to all the significant people in your life?" Shine said, a little sharper than she intended.

Yuzuru turned to her.
"Can I ask... why are you so negative about Kazumi?"

"Because she's fake, that's why!" Shine's inner self folded her arms, sounding more jealous than logical.

Shine wanted to say that—but she held back.

"Ahm..." was all she managed.

Yuzuru saw the hesitation on her face and spoke instead.

"Don't worry. I already know everything."

"What everything?"

"That she can speak English."

"Oh, that. Honestly, I couldn't care less about that—" Shine paused.

Yuzuru listened quietly.

"—but the way she's bitching us is the real reason we don't like her. You don't see it because you're around. When you're present, she's smiling and acting cute. But when it's just us, she's different."

"How different?" Yuzuru asked, though it looked like he already suspected the answer.

"Well... first, she doesn't greet us or even acknowledge us. She walks straight to the counter, grabs her key, and leaves. No thank you, no goodbye. Not illegal, sure, but basic courtesy exists." Shine exhaled. "And when you're around, she acts like an innocent kid. That's what irritates me  the most." She paused. " So... when did you know she could speak English?"

"At the banquet," Yuzuru answered honestly.

Shine didn't respond, but her expression revealed her annoyance. Yuzuru noticed.

"Can you give her one more chance?" he asked gently.

"She promised me she wouldn't be mean again," Yuzuru added, giving Shine a puppy-eye look she couldn't refuse.

Shine's inner self rolled her eyes. Of course, you promise things when you're talking to someone you like.

"It's hard, but I'll try. I'll convince Monika too—but no promises." She said instead.

"Thank you," Yuzuru said happily before facing the gravestone again.

"And besides... if she becomes your girlfriend, I—I mean we really have to." Shine hated the words as they left her mouth.

"Girlfriend? Impossible." Yuzuru said it like the thought was ridiculous.

"You can never be sure."

"I am sure. I already gave my heart to Shine. It would be unfair to her—or anyone else—if I couldn't return their love."

Shine stared at her own name on the stone.
"You hear that, Shine? You're lucky to have him."

Yuzuru smiled.
"I'm lucky with her too."

Shine looked at him, warmth blooming in her chest.

"You like her more than she likes you," Shine murmured to the grave.

"Sorry, but that's just how it looks."

Yuzuru turned to her.
"Really? You think that?" He frowned when she nodded, then looked back at the stone.

"One thing I learned from loving Shine is this: it doesn't matter who loves more. What matters is how you feel receiving that love..." He inhaled softly.
"And with her, I always felt like the most important person in the universe."

"Oh, Yuzu... you are the most important to me," Shine's inner self whispered sadly.

Shine didn't speak—she just smiled, admiration glowing in her eyes.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Yuzuru asked.

"Nothing," she said quickly, shaking her head. Her cheeks felt warm.

Yuzuru chuckled.
"We men... when we truly love someone, we act like that. Allen must've been the same with you."

"I guess. Allen is a very nice guy," Shine admitted honestly.

"Honestly? I've been insecure about Allen this whole time."

"Why?"

"Well... aside from his obvious good looks... he saw Shine grow up."

Shine's inner self softened. I know the feeling. I felt that with Mikka.

"I'm sure you have more to offer to Shine than Allen," Shine said gently. "Otherwise, she wouldn't have chosen you."

"Like what? Allen speaks five languages. He's becoming a doctor. Her dad likes him—I can tell. The only thing I can offer is skating... which Shine loves."

"Actually, Allen knows figure skating too."

"Okay... now I really have no advantage."

"Of course you do. Shine loves you. I don't know her reasons, but... the way you talk about her? That's more than enough."

Yuzuru's eyes softened.
"You think so?"

"I know so. We girls only say yes when we're sure of our feelings."

"Oh—sorry. I forgot you're with Allen. Talking about him and Shine in front of you must be too much."

"It's okay. Allen already told me about Shine before," Shine said with a small smile. "Shine will always be a part of him."

Yuzuru checked his watch, then looked at the gravestone again.

"Shine... see you again soon."

He turned back to Shine.
"Shall we go? I've done my purpose—visit her. And I introduced you to her, so I think we're good."

Shine nodded.

"Bye, Shine. If we meet each other personally, I think we'd be friends," she said quietly, almost sincerely.

They began walking away.

...

"—back to what I was saying, Shine must've saved the country in her past life," Shine laughed as they sat across from each other in a small snack house near the cemetery.

"Allen is lucky to have you," Yuzuru said. He smiled, but there was a thin layer of jealousy underneath.

"Actually, I think it's the other way around." Shine sighed. "Allen always has to deal with me being a kid."

"You? A kid? I can't imagine that," Yuzuru laughed.

"Well... I cry a lot. I think crying is my talent." Shine laughed, much more relaxed now.

"Crying? Why? You seem like a very happy person."

I miss you, that's why, her inner self whispered.

"I miss you... that's why," Shine said aloud before she could stop herself.

Yuzuru froze, eyes widening.