| Fan Fiction |
by ferine
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The next day, Maki woke up to find Kame gone from the couch. The maid serving her came into the room.
“Where did Kame go?” Maki asked.
“Young master left home early in the morning.”
“Do you know where he’s going?”
“Young master instructed us to help him apply for leave at the hospital before going off. But he never said where he was going.”
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Maki walked up the steep steps leading up very neatly arranged rows of gravestones. She climbed up those familiar steps towards Erika’s grave. But unlike the previous times she climbed up these steps, today she was looking for someone instead. It was not to her surprise when she found Kame there.
She walked silently behind Kame before kneeling down beside him. Kame did not speak a word at Maki’s arrival. He continued staring at the circular photo of Erika in black and white attached to the cold gravestone. His puffy eyes told her he had been crying before.
“You loved her from the bottom of your heart,” said Maki. There was no questionings; Maki simple read it through his tears.
“We shouldn’t have met,” Kame spoke with difficulty as his throat once again hurt from straining.
“She didn’t regret meeting you. And neither should you.”
Kame gave a cold laugh, “And how did you know?”
“Have you forgotten we were bosom friends?” Maki said half-jokingly. “I have something to show you.” Maki’s tone turned more serious now. “It concerns Erika.” She added when she saw Kame’s hesitation.
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Both of them returned to Maki’s old residence. Maki took the lead in front as Kame followed closely behind. She retrieved a stack of old letters from a drawer in her room and passed Kame the stack of browned letters. Each of the letters was dated on the envelopes.
“We used to have a habit of writing each other letters. Anything that made us happy or sad, we would write it down in the form of letters and send it to each other. I have to admit, these letters have increased in numbers from the day she met you. Before you conclude whether both of you should have met, please read and understand how Erika felt.” After saying so, Maki turned to leave the room. Kame looked briefly at the browned envelopes and with a shivering hand he reached out for the one dated on the day they met.
2000.12.24
Today is an unhappy day. Of all days, YOU, Horikita Maki had to be busy on Christmas Eve. My father’s out as usual again so finding something to pass Christmas Eve happily was what I, Toda Erika, had to do. And so, I conveniently accepted Shota’s invitation to the countdown party. Can you imagine the look of surprise and shock on his face when I agreed? He’s a nice guy really, but… I’m still looking for something more. Remember I once told you I get attracted to dark guys who seem to be holding a secret? Well, I suppose that’s what lacking in Shota. He was simply too nice. As expected by a nice guy, I was brought to the most boring party I’ve ever been to my whole life. Everything was planned out so systematically. Even the mistletoes were stationary. Well, not that I really wanted a Christmas kiss but really, shouldn’t people be moving those mistletoes around to play a prank on others? I suppose not. Mistletoes were at most a decoration. Countless of people walked underneath and yet none took a notice to it. I wasn’t even sure I was in a Christmas Party. However, since I have regretfully found such a party I shall just have to live with it. And I did what all the others were doing, ignoring the presence of mistletoes. I know what you’re thinking now Maki. But no, I’m not trying to find excuses. I never thought someone like him would turn up. It all happened so quickly. I was just minding my own business, doing some self-entertainment and well… just so happened I was walking under the mistletoe and… for some unknown reason, he was too. What shortly happened was that impudent guy stole my first kiss! And he left before saying anything after that kiss! I mean… how could someone be such a snob? He really really really is the most horrible creature on earth! That’ll probably the last of him too since nobody ever knew who the mysterious obnoxious man was.
Lots of love, from darling Erika
P.S here I’ll give you a Xmas kiss for your less than exciting Xmas eve*MUACKS*
Kame smiled at the memory. He knew she was Kuma’s daughter then and that was his first move he made on her. But unlike what she wrote in the letters, he didn’t know that was the first impression she had of him. He still remembered the blank expression on her face when he left her lips. He picked up a second letter dated the 2nd time they met.
2000.12.31
You wouldn’t believe who I met today! It’s the guy! The Xmas Eve guy! Gosh, and you can’t imagine who he is. He’s actually one of my father’s followers! Okay, I’m getting too excited and using too many exclamation marks but you would be at a loss too if you were me. I hope I wasn’t gaping, that would be really embarrassing. Kamenashi Kazuya… I found out his name. But that was all to it, he was still as mysterious a guy as he was at the party.
Lots of love, from a still shocked Erika
Kame continued reading through her letters. He found the frequency of his name increasing through the dates. Reading the letters, he felt like he was reliving the moments with Erika. As Maki said, Erika noted all her happy and sad moments. But perhaps the most heartwrenching moment was when she found out about his real identity. The letter that day had been short.
2001.2.28
I should have known Maki. How could I have been so stupid? There was too much coincidence. From the day we met, it had all been a part of his plan. Turning up at a party uninvited and unknown. Turning up at my father’s organization with no history and getting closer to me. Everything was a façade.
That was the only letter Erika did not sign off. And that was the first letter, since the 2nd time he met her, to not contain his name. Had she not want to see him to the extent of not wanting to spell his name? The letter was short, sharp, like a dagger, stabbing right into his heart. He continued onto the next letter. Erika never mentioned his name again. He was simply known as “that guy” in her letters. They met up a few times after his identity was revealed. Each time, Erika looked wearier but with her weariness, her attitude towards him softens every time.
2001.4.1
I’ve thought it through Maki. I’ve decided to forgive Kame. In the end, I still love him. Don’t think I’m joking because it’s April Fools. I’ve been asking myself, and the few times I met him, what is love. It’s really difficult to hate someone you love. It hurts so much I’ve decided to relief myself and Kame of this pain. I want to trust him again and find that happiness we once shared. I believe he loved me as do I. And now, I found my answer. Loving means to forgive and I’m going to tell him I forgive him as long as he would take me away.
Lots of love, from a forgiving Erika.
His name reappeared on Erika’s letter. But this was the last one she ever wrote. Because… the next day was her death anniversary. Kame clutched her letters close to his heart, he closed his eyes as tears streamed down his cheek, gathering at the bottom of his chin before dripping onto the letters. He never regretted meeting Erika. She was the love of his life. He was forgiven because of her love. She loved him so much, she wanted to end his pain in face of his betrayal. How could he bear to disappoint her after her death when he had already disappointed her before? Kame finally realized the way to love Erika was to let her go…
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Kame exited the room, the fragrance of food drifted in from the kitchen towards him. He followed the smell into the kitchen, finding dishes of delicious-looking food set neatly on the table. Maki was setting down the last plate on the table as Kame entered. She looked up at him a smiled, “I took the liberty of preparing dinner while you were…” she didn’t finish her sentence for she did not know what Kame was thinking.
Kame smiled back, a genuine smile. He sat on one of the chairs surrounding the table. “Itadakimasu,” said Kame, picking up the pair of chopsticks on the table.
“Hai! Itadakimasu!” said Maki gleefully, clearly sensing Kame’s happiness.