Fuuko twirled around in her wedding dress. Smiling, she gave a satisfied grin. She had never felt this radiant before and it’s sheer heaven—tomorrow, she’s going to be Mrs. Tokiya Mikagami, and no one would ever make that go away.

 There’s a knock on the door.

 Fuuko opened her door to reveal Yanagi and Ganko, standing in front of her. “Hi, Fuuko-chan!” Ganko said cheerfully. Yanagi just smiles as Fuuko let them in her apartment.

 “What are you guys doing here?” Fuuko asked, closing the door behind her.

 “Well, Fuuko-san, the question is not what we’re doing here,” Ganko said cheekily, “the question is: Why are you wearing a wedding dress?”

 “Is it not perfectly normal to wear a wedding dress just to see if you fit in it after you ate ice cream? After all, tomorrow’s the big day!” Fuuko said, laughing.

 Yanagi sat down at one of the sofas, and sighed. “Are you nervous?”

 Fuuko rolled her eyes. “Oh no, I’m not. I’m perfectly giddy—why do you think I’m wearing the wedding dress, Yanagi?”

 “Because you want to see that you fit into it after all that ice cream you gorge into your body?” Ganko offered, smiling. She had become more and more like Kaoru in a way… Fuuko thought, rolling her eyes again.

 “Come on,” Fuuko said. “You guys know I’m nervous. I just thank God that Mikagami is not here tonight… I can’t believe you guys let Recca and Koganei go…”

 “They should have some fun…” Yanagi said, but her face red.

 Fuuko laughed. “Nanii? You’re thinking that Recca would betray you? That won’t happen, Yanagi! You know Recca’s been calling you hime since the first time he saw you… Why shouldn’t he now?”

 Yanagi looked unconvinced, but she took Fuuko’s word for it.

 Ganko just looked at Fuuko. “You looked beautiful, Fuuko-sama,” she said in an awed voice.
 “Thank you, Ganko,” Fuuko said, blushing. “I’m in need of some confidence-booster…”

 “Oh, Fuuko-chan, don’t be nervous!” Yanagi said, laughing. “You know that everything’s going to end—the wedding ceremony, I mean—and you can’t be nervous all the time.”

 “Well, I’m not exactly nervous nervous, I’m just…you know, excited nervous.” Fuuko sighed. “I just can’t believe that I’m going to get married tomorrow.”

 I would have expected that I would be married by now—but not to the man I’m marrying now… Fuuko just looked at her reflection, feeling a little appalled, but also excited. She knows—and she’s sure—of what she’s doing.

 “I’m just telling you, you’re really melting that Ice Man,” Ganko said, giggling, smiling widely.

 “Shut up, Ganko.”

 “So you’re telling me I’m right, ne?”

 “Ganko-chan!” Yanagi said.

 “But I’m right!”

 “Just shut up.”

******

 The day has come. Fuuko’s nervousness had mounted—if before she was nervous, now she’s even more than nervous, if that’s possible. (Is it?) Fuuko looked at her reflection, and she couldn’t imagine or describe what she’s feeling right now.

 Yanagi is looking at her with anticipation in her eyes, and a woman is arranging her dress and her veil. Probably trying to hide my tom boyishness, Fuuko thought, smirking. She doesn’t feel resentful of that—by now, she accepted her as she is.

 “It’s close, Fuuko,” Yanagi said, touching Fuuko’s dress in awe, as though as imagining her own wedding. “You okay?”

 “Never been better,” said Fuuko, sighing and putting her veil over her face.

******

 “Will you, Tokiya Mikagami, take Fuuko as your lawfully wedded wife?”

 “I do.”

 “Will you, Kirisawa Fuuko, take Mikagami as your lawfully wedded husband?”

 “I do.”

 “If there’s a person who wish to stop this wedding— because of their own personal reasons — speak now or forever hold your peace.”

 The door bangs open, and Raiha walks in the church, all the time keeping eye contact with Fuuko. “Fuuko…” he said, closing in with her. Fuuko saw at the corner of her eyes that Mikagami is snarling at the purple-haired man.

 “Raiha…” Fuuko muttered. “What’s the meaning of this?”

 “I…” Raiha stuttered. “I made a mistake. I want to stop this wedding. I want to…make things right again.”

 Fuuko looked at Raiha, as though silently saying “are you serious?” Mikagami just looked at Raiha as though he was poison, or as though he was Domon.

 “What’s the meaning of this?” Mikagami snarled.

 “I…” Raiha just looked down. He kneeled down in front of Fuuko and got a ring out of his coat. Mikagami just stared at them, open-mouthed, and Fuuko was almost crying, too shocked to do anything. She just looked at Raiha in disbelief. Why does he have to do this?! Fuuko thought.

 Raiha looked up to her. “Fuuko,” he said. “Will you marry me?”

******

 “No!!!”

 Fuuko woke up, sweat all over her face and sweating her body. “Oh my God… oh my God…” Fuuko thought, shaking her head. She looked at her apartment’s bedroom’s surrounding. Nothing had changed. It was 3:00 in the morning, and she’s sweating profusely.

 It had all been a dream. It wasn’t true—and Fuuko was glad. That wasn’t a dream, it was a nightmare… She couldn’t believe that such nightmares would appear right before she got married. Is this a sign?

 No, Fuuko answered herself firmly. It isn’t a sign or anything remotely close to it. It’s only a nightmare. A stupid nightmare I’m having because I can’t stop feeling guilty about it. It’s true, and it’s only psychology, as she had learnt from a book. Oh yeah, trust a book to keep me in control.

 “Why did I get that dream?” she muttered to herself, getting out of bed. She gets a scrunchie and tied her long hair into a high ponytail. She got out of the bedroom and switch on the light to her kitchen.

 She only took a few steps when she stopped and gasp.

 “Fuuko.”

 Fuuko looked at him disbelievingly. What’s he doing here in the middle of the night? Well, not exactly night, more like morning. But whatever. That’s not what Fuuko meant.

 “What are you doing here?”

 “I’m just visiting. Is that so wrong?”

 Fuuko looked at him in disbelief. “What’s wrong with you, Raiha?”

 Raiha looked at Fuuko with an intent stare. “I’m just looking over you, Fuuko-sama.”

 “Somehow, I don’t think that you’re meeting me one day before I get married is a coincidence,” Fuuko said, trying to sound as sarcastic as she could. Unfortunately, she doesn’t sound too convincing.

 Raiha sighed. “You’re right, Fuuko-sama,” he said, sounding distant and sad. “It’s no mere coincidence. As a ninja, I’m inclined not to lie.” He stood up from the kitchen stool and just stood there, as though afraid to move.

 Fuuko tightened her grip on her robe. “What are you doing here?” Fuuko repeated, looking at Raiha straight in the eyes.

 “I’m sorry if I bring sadness into your life, Fuuko,” Raiha said, returning Fuuko’s stare. “All I want to know is…are you happy now? Did all those sadness go away after I left?”

 Is this ninja nuts? Fuuko thought. “Um…yeah.”

 Fuuko looked down. She could feel Raiha studying her intently, and she felt her face burnt with embarrassment. “Are you…” he began, but stopped. “I mean, are you telling the truth?”

 “What do you mean by that?” Fuuko asked, finally looking up.

 “It meant what I meant: ‘are you telling the truth’?”

 “Are you…” Fuuko gasped with realization. “Are you suggesting that I might not be happy with Mikagami? That I couldn’t be happy with anyone except for you?”

 “Fuuko, you know that’s not what I meant—”

 “Because if that’s what you meant, boy you’re wrong!” Fuuko said, enraged. “Do you know how much pain you caused me? Do you know how much time I needed to make that pain go away?!”

 After Fuuko’s finished talking, Raiha sat down again. “I trust you have better judgment, Fuuko,” he said. “After all the times I’ve spent with you, I know you are better at trying to make a decision—or answering a question.”

 Fuuko blushed. “I’m sorry, Raiha-kun,” she said. “I just… I’m just angry that you suddenly showed up before the day I was destined to marry someone. You…you just popped out of nowhere—well, guess you were supposed to, since you’re a ninja—and I was angry. And how did you get in here?!”

 Raiha blushed suddenly. “I…well…that’s a secret of the ninja.”

 Fuuko rolled her eyes. “Fine. At least tell me you didn’t break in.”

 “I didn’t.”

 “Good.” Then how did you do it? Fuuko thought. She was tempted to ask that, but she stopped herself by biting her tongue. Okay, ouch. “Is that why you came here? To ask me if I’m happy?”

 “Yes.”

 “Then yes, I am happy. Are you satisfied?”

 “No, Fuuko.” With that, he stood up and walked toward her. “A ninja could sense if you’re lying.”

 ‘A ninja could sense if you’re lying.’ That’s always the phrase Raiha would use whenever Fuuko tried to hide a surprise from him—that was way back when they were still dating. “You’re saying I’m lying,” Fuuko stated dryly.

 “Well, needless to say, yes.”

 Fuuko made a sound. “Whatever.”

 “Fuuko, I need an answer. Or I wouldn’t leave.”

 “Ooh, is that a threat?”

 “Fuuko-chan, I believe we could behave like matured adults.”

 Fuuko was enraged at this statement, but all she could mutter was “yeah”. “Like I said, I’m happy now. Everything that’s been going on couldn’t have been better, Raiha-kun.”

 “Stop calling me that. It sounds too formal. And you’re lying.”

 Fuuko rolled her eyes. “Okay, I’m thinking of a color, guess what it is.”

 “Brown.”

 “Wrong.”

 “Well, I was thinking of it,” he said. “That’s the color of your eyes.”

 Seriously, could this guy not act so calm? Fuuko thought, shaking her head. “Okay, before I melted in your charms”—she said this sort of sarcastically—“let me just answer your last question: I am happy.”

 Raiha didn’t say anything. He just stood there, in front of her, like a stone. The silence was killing Fuuko, and Raiha must’ve noticed that too, because he still kept his silence.

 “All right!” Fuuko screamed. “I’m not happy, okay? I’m nervous! I’m still a nervous-wreck! I haven’t gotten over you! I’m paranoid! Ever since you broke up with me, I’ve been wondering if Mikagami’s going to do the same thing. Are you satisfied now?!”

 Raiha didn’t say anything for a while, and then he sighed. “I’m sorry, Fuuko. I didn’t mean to cause all of that. The pain, the paranoia, the nervousness… I didn’t mean it.” He closed the space between Fuuko and him. “I…do you know why I did it? Why I didn’t show up?”

 “No,” Fuuko said bitterly. “And trust me, I don’t plan to know.” She backed away a little, looking at Raiha furtively. “I’m sorry, Raiha-kun. I just don’t trust you anymore.”

 “I didn’t plan for that, Fuuko…” Raiha said, sounding pained. “I…something unavoidable happened that day, Fuuko—I didn’t do that on purpose.”

 “Pfft!” Fuuko spat out. “Yeah, right.”

 “Fuuko,” Raiha said, sighing. “You have to trust me. There’s…a mission. I…was called for it. That day. That night before we were supposed to… I can’t help it. I was supposed to go. You know how loyal I am—ahhh…” he said, sounding pained.

 “No need to explain, Raiha-kun,” Fuuko said. “I understand perfectly why you ditched me at the altar.

 “Fuuko-san…”

 “I know I’m not worthy of you, Raiha,” she said. “You could’ve at least saved me the embarrassment of being left up there and tell me you don’t love me.”

 “Fuuko, you really don’t understand,” Raiha continued, ignoring Fuuko’s accusations. “What I did that day was unspeakable—I cannot tell you the truth…it’s a secret…”

 “But why, Raiha?” Fuuko continued to rattle; now angry was showing in her. “Why didn’t you save the embarrassment? Why did you let me stand there all alone?” She sounded angry even Raiha looked astonished. “Do you know the pain of standing there, all alone nonetheless, waiting for your partner to finally appear—and he never showed up?! I don’t think so, Raiha. You’ve obviously never been stood up before, have you?”

 “Fuuko—”

 “No, no! I will not listen this time, Raiha,” she shouted. “You’ve caused me too much pain. Why didn’t you save the embarrassment for me? Why did you blow it up in my face?! Why didn’t you love me?!”

 With that, Fuuko couldn’t take it anymore. She dropped down and fell on the floor, sobbing. She refused to show this weakness to anyone, even to Mikagami (who actually saw her crying when Raiha dumped her), but she couldn’t take it any longer. She’s too weak for all the pain—she just wished it would go away.

 It will, Fuuko determined to herself. It will go away. Tomorrow. After my wedding ceremony with Mikagami is over… It’ll all finally go away and hunt some other miserable woman…

 Raiha kneel besides Fuuko. “Fuuko…” he said. “I think it’s time for you to sit down, relax, and listen to me.” Fuuko didn’t retort, but she didn’t agree either. Raiha, assuming that Fuuko will not do anything drastic, launched into his side of the story.

 “That morning, I was called by Kurei-sama,” he started. “I have to go. You have to understand. It’s a matter of life and death. Before Mori Kouran was killed, he planted a bomb inside all of us, including me. This is, of course, to ensure our loyalty to him.”

 “Well, he died, didn’t he?” Fuuko inquired angrily.

 Raiha raised a finger and touched it to his lip, motioning for Fuuko to silent. Fuuko wanted to argue, but she decided against it. “Yes, it’s true that he died,” Raiha continued. “But unfortunately, another descendant of his—obviously not Kurei-sama—have the switch that will kill all of us. After he knows that Kurei killed Mori Kouran, he threatened to kill us.

 “We, of course, had a choice: either go back to the Uruha or die. That isn’t a choice at all, I know. But we really have to consider our lives, especially Kurei-sama. After all he’d been through; he deserves a better life… And we acknowledged that. Unfortunately, the crazed descendant doesn’t think so.

 “Kurei finally pursued us to agree with the man—and the morning he called me was fatal to the entire original member of Uruha. Even Koganei, who had once been an Uruha.”

 It’s true… Koganei wasn’t there when Raiha and I were supposed to… Fuuko stopped her thoughts. “That isn’t possible,” she said. “If Mori Kouran wanted to kill Koganei, he could’ve just blown him up with that planted bomb. Why did he bother putting Koganei through all the matches and all those opponents?”

 “My dear Fuuko,” Raiha said, smiling a little, “you’re as sharp as ever. That’s true again. But you know Mori Kouran—that he did for the fun of it.” Fuuko looked at Raiha in disbelief and Raiha chuckled. “I know, he’s really cracked. I agree. But we know that we’re in serious trouble. So we agreed.”

 “And what?”

 “And we tricked him into thinking we’re going back to Uruha, and then we finally defeat him. All the switches and the bombs inside our body are deactivated and destroyed. It took several years to destroy the bombs inside us, of course, and that’s why I’ve been AWOL for these past few years…”

 “Nanii?” Fuuko asked, not believing what she has heard. “Are you…are you telling the truth?”

 Raiha just gave Fuuko a steady look; and Fuuko knew that he was telling the truth. She began crying again, and to Raiha’s surprise, she hugged him. “Oh my God… and to think I could’ve lost you… And all I’ve been doing was hating you all the time, all the years…”
 “That’s okay, Fuuko,” Raiha said, stroking Fuuko’s hair. Just like the old days. Like the old days, Fuuko thought dreamily. Something triggered inside Fuuko’s mind, and her body gave a jolt. She pulled herself back from Raiha’s embrace. “I can’t do this.” I’m betraying Mikagami, she thought.

 Raiha just stood there, looking at her, sighing. “I know what you’re thinking,” he said. “And I’m fine with it.”

 Fuuko was trembling head to toe. She wasn’t cold, she was just…trembling. “I’m sorry…” she said. “I’m really sorry…I just—don’t take it as an offence—I just don’t trust you anymore. You understand that I can’t, don’t you?”

 “Yes…” Raiha said. “I understand.” He mumbled something under his breath that Fuuko couldn’t decipher.

 “Nandate?” Fuuko said.

 “I just…want to say I’m sorry.”

 “Oh…” Am I so foolish as to think he still loves me?

 For a while both of them just stood there, neither doing anything but breathing. Fuuko clutched her robe tighter, feeling an insecurity kind of sense creeping up at her. She looked down at her feet. “Well. I guess you should be going now, huh?”

 “Yeah, I guess I should.” He started walking toward the door, sauntering slowly and stopped in front of Fuuko. “I’m really sorry, Fuuko. You know I would’ve avoided it from happening if I could.”

 Fuuko blushed. “I know, Raiha. And for that, I forgive you.”

 “Arigatou, Fuuko-sama,” he said softly. “I wish you would forgive me for another sin that I did, Fuuko.”

 Fuuko looked up at Raiha, a puzzled look on her face. “What?”

 “For this.” And with that, Raiha pressed his lips against Fuuko tenderly, and Fuuko could feel her heart hammering. It’s been a really long time since she had felt that lips against hers… His lips are soft, and he knows how to kiss her. Not that Mikagami don’t…

 Fuuko pulled herself from Raiha, and Raiha looked as surprised as she is. “I’m sorry, Raiha. I couldn’t do that. Not to Mikagami. Not after what you’ve put me through.”

 Raiha looked into Fuuko’s eyes. “Thanks for understanding, Fuuko. Forgive me for that?”

 God, why is he so calm and I’m so clammy? Fuuko thought angrily. “I forgive you, Raiha-kun. I always do. And I always will.”

 With that, Raiha walked out of Fuuko’s apartment and disappear into the night. Fuuko heaved a sigh of relief, realizing what she’s just been into. If somehow Mikagami came over that night and found her there…with Raiha. She would be in trouble—deep trouble.

 Fuuko looked at the clock: 4:02. It’s been one hour. And it’s been one hell of an hour.