AT LEAST WE HAVE FOREVER
CHAPTER 12
Surprising Connection And Unsaid Worries
Riya already reached her apartment and Kurama accompanied her all the way even though she told him to go home already. And since he was really insistent, she just complied and let him do what he wanted. Besides, there was nothing wrong with that.
She knew that he actually cared for her welfare and safety and she really appreciate that.
When she reached the door of her apartment, she turned slightly and faced Kurama. She gave a small bow.
"Thank you for accompanying me all the way here, although you really don't have to do something that much," she said.
"You really don't have to worry about anything. Besides, I wanted to make sure you're safe from harm. I don't want anything bad happen to you again, especially when I'm not around." I can't afford to lose you in any way because of this mission, he added in his thoughts with a serious look on his face.
That made her look at him with a serious face, thinking and letting her mind absorb what he just said. After a while, she smiled.
"Thank you… for worrying about me. But I'll be okay, I promise," she answered.
Though she saw him sigh because of relief, she knew very well that it wasn't enough for her to convince him with just that. But she would give him time until he could finally be convinced that nothing bad will happen to her at all.
Really? Can you really convince him like that when you already know that your mission could definitely kill you anytime when you're not prepared? A part of her mind said that startled her a bit. That was right. He didn't know who she really was and the real reason why she transferred there. The fact that she knew something about the Legendary Weapons' existence might anger him when he found out.
She wasn't yet prepared for that. She still has to give herself some time to prepare in facing his wrath when the inevitable happened.
Kurama could only look at Riya's face as he kept on staring at her. Now he was beginning to get worried about her since her face has etches of sadness, guilt and… fear. Was it starting again?
"Hey, are you alright?" he asked her with concern. He saw her got startled at looked at him. Afterwards, she smiled. It wasn't a forced smile but… there was still something missing about it. Right now, he couldn't tell what.
"Thanks again," she said and then she proceeded to her apartment. But before she managed to open the door, they heard someone came out. It was familiar to the both of them since it was someone they knew. Her hand seemed frozen as she held on to the doorknob and that person was approaching near the two of them.
"Hey, Kurama!" Yusuke greeted the red head and she remained to her position without facing any of them.
Great! I can't believe I would be crossing paths with Yusuke right now, of all times! All she did was to heavily sigh.
"Good evening, Yusuke!" Kurama greeted as Yusuke approached. "It seemed to me you're coming home late again. Did something happen?"
"Nothing much. I just stayed at Keiko's house for a while and had some chit chat. By the way, what are you doing here at this hour? You wanted something from me?"
Kurama shook his head and smiled. "I escorted my friend here just to assure her safety. You see, she was the one who was on that building when the attack happened. I just wanted to make sure she wouldn't run in any trouble or danger."
"I see," Yusuke said and then glanced at the said person. "Is that her?"
The red head nodded and approached Riya. Kurama then noticed that she hadn't moved from her spot. It made him worry again. But before he could say anything else, he saw her sighed audibly and turned around to face him and Yusuke. He saw Yusuke's reaction when he saw her.
Yusuke was wide-eyed, appeared to be shocked at what he had seen. He also saw Riya's reaction when she saw Yusuke. She was… smiling.
Do these two know each other? Kurama couldn't help asking in his thoughts.
"R-Riya…" Yusuke uttered.
"Hi, Yusuke! Long time, no see," Riya said with a smile etched on her face.
Yusuke approached her. "Since when did you arrive from Hokkaido?"
"Two months ago," she simply said. "Was it a big deal?"
"Of course it's a big deal, you witch!" Yusuke shouted that surprised Kurama but not her. "You're living here for two months now and you haven't even told me anything about it?" But before Yusuke could say anything else, he never anticipated the girl's bag hit his head hard.
"You're too loud, Yusuke. Have some considerations to the other tenants, will you?" she said and then she faced Kurama. "Sorry about that."
He smiled at the sight. "It seems to me you two know each other," he commented.
"Not just plainly know each other. Yusuke and I are actually related. We're cousins, to be exact," she revealed that surprised Kurama. "Sorry that I haven't told you anything about it. It's just that I didn't know you're acquainted to my cousin here."
"Not just simply acquainted. He's my friend, one of my best buddies," Yusuke replied as he held his head that was hit by her bag. "But seriously, why are you here? I won't be surprised if Mom actually knew you're here and she didn't tell me."
She sighed as an answer. "I had my reasons for that and I'm sorry for not telling you. But I hope you respect those reasons I have." After that she opened the door using her key and faced them before she entered. "Why don't we have some conversations inside and catch up with a two month-long secrecy of living here just beside your apartment? You're not catching up with some exams, are you?"
"Not really. But the exam is only a month away. Still if you want us to catch up then it's okay. Besides, Kurama here doesn't know our relationship and probably he wanted to know more," Yusuke said.
The name he mentioned made her frown a bit. "Kurama? Who's Kurama?" And then he faced the red head. "Is that your other name, Shuichi-kun?"
"Um… It's just my nickname but Yusuke was the one calling me by that name… on some occasions," he said as he was flustering a bit.
You really know how to keep secrets, aren't you, Shuichi-kun? So Kurama is your real name, huh? She concluded in her thoughts. "Well, I'm not surprised with that since Yusuke usually call random names to some of his buddies back in Hokkaido."
"Yeah, right," Yusuke muttered. "But are you sure you're still up for a chit-chat?"
She nodded and then she glanced at Shuichi… or maybe she should call him Kurama now since she figured that it was his real name. But as of now, it was how she should address him—at least in her thoughts. She could only wish that her tongue wouldn't slip and let her say it suddenly.
"Yeah, I'm still up for it." She then faced Kurama. "You can join us if you want. You could probably make a call to your mom that you'll be coming home late. I'm sure they'll figure out immediately where you are."
Kurama smiled at that and then the three of them entered the apartment.
Three days later, Sunday…
Kurama and Riya agreed to meet at the bridge before they would head to the Minamino household. Riya wasn't surprised to see Kurama already waiting there for her even though she was thirty minutes earlier than their meeting time.
She decided to bring something for the family as a gift that day. Since she was quite used to baking and making sweets, she baked a chiffon cake the day before just to be sure. Though she wasn't sure if they would like it, which was why she wasn't keeping her hopes high with regards to that.
"You're early, Shuichi-kun," she greeted to the red head when she stopped near him. "Do you have other places you have to go to before we head to your house?"
"Actually, yes," Kurama answered but before he could say anything else, he noticed the clothes she was wearing. "Your dress looks good on you, by the way."
She couldn't help but to blush at that sudden comment. That was why she looked at herself for a bit. "T-thank you. I'm glad you like it." She was actually wearing a light blue dress with a blue long-sleeved coat and a white ankle-high boots. Her hair was done in a high ponytail using a white ribbon.
But before they left, he noticed the box she was carrying. "What's that you're carrying in that box? Is it a gift?"
"Hmm… Sort of. I baked a chiffon cake yesterday to be given to your family as a gift, though I'm not sure if they would like it."
"What's the flavor?"
Though that question somehow made her frown, she still answered it. "Orange. It's one of my favorite chiffon cakes so I thought I should share it."
Then she heard him chuckle. "I guess we don't have to go to the cake shop anymore."
"Huh?"
"I was about to go to the cake shop since my mother asked me to buy an orange chiffon cake as a dessert for our lunch. But since you brought one already, I guess there's no need for me to buy one," he answered.
"Well, to tell you the truth, I still have my doubts on bringing this one since I'm not that confident about my baking skills. But since I created this with love and passion, I guess it could still pass." She laughed before facing him. "Let's go."
They proceeded to go to Kurama's house for her to meet his family, not knowing that there were people who were actually anticipating for the progress of that meeting.
"Yusuke, are you sure we have to follow those two? Can't we just leave them on their date?" Botan whispered behind him as they watched Riya and Kurama walked together.
"I can't just leave them on their date, Botan. This is Riya we're talking about, for goodness' sake! That's my cousin!" he hissed as he watched the two. "But I have to admit it; Kurama somehow did a good job for Riya."
Kuwabara frowned at that statement. "What's that supposed to mean, Urameshi?"
Yusuke's face turned serious and somewhat solemn. "If what Aunt Ritsuko told me was the truth, Riya hadn't smiled like that after Hiroto-niisan was murdered two years ago. And for some reason, after she transferred here, Kurama managed to slowly break the barrier she used to surround herself from all the pain as a part of her coping mechanism. I don't know what happened but I'm glad Kurama made her smile like that."
Keiko only looked at him and then glanced at Riya and Kurama who were having a seemingly happy conversation as they walked together.
"But I guess it's for the best if those two really end up together. Don't you think so, Yusuke?" she said after moments of silence.
"Why is that?"
"If Kurama could actually make her smile like that, then it's definitely for the best if they ended up together. For now, only he could bring out the best of your cousin. After all, she had been isolating everything about herself from the rest of the world after that tragedy. If being with Kurama could make her happy, then so be it. Let them be together," Keiko responded with a smile yet in a serious tone.
They didn't say anything regarding that but Botan couldn't help but to feel worried in some way.
I could only hope their mission wouldn't get in their way, especially if Kurama finds out that Riya-chan might have some sort of connection to the Legendary Weapons. It might hurt him when something like that happens. But what should I do? It's obvious that those two are really happy being together. I hope this doesn't turn into something worse, Botan thought worriedly as she continued to look at the happy Kurama and Riya.
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