genessia | Do you ever think when you're all alone. All that we can be, where this thing can go?

[Hikari knew Takeru was up to something. For one, because he was always up to something. For another, it was White Day. And he'd already asked about her schedule that day, indicating he had something planned. She just didn't know what.]

[So when she came out from the Flash Bandits back room at the end of her shift to find a now-familiar looking Pokemon sitting on her desk, there was only a moment of mild surprise.]

Hi, Emolga. [She offered him a sweet pat on the head before her eyes turned to the box underneath.] What've you got there?

[It took very little coaxing before the pokemon hopped off, giving her an opportunity to pick it up and carefully open it to see what was inside.]

[Emolga was happy to get the pat on the head after all she was one of their favorite people, next to Takeru whom they owed a lot to. While they were happy enough and went flying onto the other's shoulder as within the box laid a single yellow rose. As the pokemon spotted the rose they moved to go back down and picked up the envelope. He knew there was something in it as he had seen Takeru put something in it a short while before he was sent here... He just had no idea how to get it out.

So going back to her he held it up, shaking it slightly as if shaking it was going to set the paper inside free.]

[Her eyes lingered on the yellow rose long enough to initially miss Emolga's eagerness over the envelope. Yellow. Sora would have known better than her, having worked in her mother's floral shop before, but she vaguely remembered something about it signifying friendship. Though, to Hikari, it reminded her even more of the color of Takeru's Crest.]

[Her fingers had just barely grazed the silken petal when she sounds of shuffling paper drew her attention, and she turned to see the envelope being shaken, as if poor Emolga were trying to get whatever was inside out.]

[Smiling in sympathy, she put the box down before taking the envelope and opening it.]

[He was relieved when she finally got it and had it open as inside was what seemed to be a letter of sorts stating:]

'Dear Hikari,

We've known each other since we were young, we've been friends since then and throughout the years we've grown close. I've also seen you grow as a person. I've seen you in the best times and the worst times, just like you've seen me at my own moments of weakness.

This is what this rose represents, our friendship and how much it had meant to me. Even here in Genessia, it's one of the most important things to me.

As you might have noticed, my Pokemon friend, the one that has grown somewhat attached to you is here, please follow him. He is going to take you to where you need to go. To the next destination, I want you to visit to get a much better picture as to what your White Day surprise will be.

I will be waiting at the end of it all.'

[The pokemon in question was just sitting on her shoulder for the time being. Once he spotted her reading, however, he was already heading toward the door.]

[Glancing over at Emolga once, smiling as he settled on her shoulder, she shifted her weight and leaned against the edge of the nearby table as she read the letter.]

[Her eyes softened at the first two paragraphs. A lot of their friendship involved words unspoken. Mostly because there was no need to. But, in spite of that, seeing him actually write out his feelings for once...it brought about a small flutter in her chest. Warm and happy at what she already knew to be true.]

[She continued on, and at some point, felt Emolga jump down. A quiet bout of giggles escaped her as she realized what Takeru was doing, and she looked up when it was all over to find Emolga standing by the door, waiting for her.]

"More than one part." I get it.

[His prior hint made sense now. This was to be some sort of game. Like a scavenger hunt or something. How very...Takeru.]

[Taking the time to tuck the letter carefully back in the envelope, Hikari picked up the box and held it as she walked to the exit, kneeling down long enough to address her Pokemon companion.]

I suppose this means you're my escort for this afternoon. After you.

[Emolga waited patiently by the door much like he had been before she had come out. Waiting seemed to be one skill the little Pokemon had and something Takeru had admittedly been glad of.

He waited for the door to finally open before flying on out, looking back for the moment to check if the other was following. When he was confident that he started to make his way toward the archway, back to Genessia it seemed he was going, but the answer wasn't as obvious, to begin with as, but as time went on with traveling and the direction and buildings were starting to become familiar. But where was it they were heading to?

The place Takeru worked at of course.]

[What a good ~~boy~~ Pokemon.]

[Emolga reminded Hikari of Natu in some ways. That cheerful demeanor, for one, but also the eagerness to please. She wasn't sure exactly how Takeru had managed to teach Emolga the path they were meant to take that day, but Emolga definitely seemed determined to follow it.]

[The weather was chilly, but nothing Hikari wasn't used to dealing with in Tokyo. And the cold air felt good filling her lungs as they walked along, the light exercise keeping her warm enough. The rain seemed to have let up for the moment, at least, though it was snowing lightly when they made it back to Genessia.]

[...and along the streets, until he came to a stop in front a place Hikari knew well for two reasons. One, being it was the place Takeru worked at. And two...because it was the first place he'd brought her after she'd arrived.]

Moonbucks?

[She stared up at the logo for a moment, the memories flashing in her mind. Some of them, at least, as her mind was still a bit clouded when it came to that time. Understandably, considering...]

Are we supposed to go in?

[Shoving all less than happy thoughts to the back of her mind, she looked down at Emolga for signs of what to do next. Wondering why exactly she'd been led here, and if Takeru was inside.]

[A lot of blueberries. It had taken a lot of blueberries to teach the young Pokemon the route. But he had learned the route by heart and was probably expecting something out of doing all of this, which Takeru was fully going to give him a treat for.

But for the time being, the little guy was getting wet and he wanted to go inside so he went to the door, trying his hardest to grip the handle, but alas the little guy's weight was not enough to open it. Instead, it was someone coming out with a coffee in hand and it was at that moment that he went in, shivering slightly.

He was wet and cold and he started shaking to try his hardest to dry himself that way before looking. The place seemed busy as usual and Takeru was nowhere in sight. Instead behind the counter was once again a similar looking box that housed the rose from before. Underneath that was another box, one slightly bigger.

If asked one of the workers would be more than happy to fetch it.]

[The moment Emolga rushed inside, Hikari bowed her head in gratitude to the person coming out before following. Pausing before the door even closed just long enough to brush some of the tiny flakes peppering her hair and jacket.]

[A quick glance around gave no indication of Takeru, and she looked back to the little Pokemon in question before her eyes fell upon the counter. And the box inside. Very similar to the one with the rose, if a little bigger.]

[On a hunch, she crossed the room and asked one of the young workers behind the counter about it, only to receive a knowing smile and the box itself.]

Ah...thank you.

[Her cheeks flushing lightly in embarrassment, she bowed again and apologized for being an inconvenience--mostly out of habit--before looking for a vacant table in which to open it. Once more, taking care as she lifted off the cover.]

[There were a couple of things inside this time. First of all was a small collection of chocolate, they weren't anything fancy, not like the one she had done for him, but it was clearly obvious they might have been store bought. Maybe there was a reason or it, or he just got lazy. It was hard to tell. However, the other gift inside was once again another rose.

At first sight, it appeared to be another yellow rose, but upon closer inspection there appeared to be red around the tip of it. Beneath the rose appeared another note of sorts stating as follows:]

'Dear Hikari,

I had left these at work. My bad. I'm sorry, but I got kind of distracted. But I hope they are to your liking, even though I didn't make them myself like you did with mine.

I hope you like the rose as well. You might notice that each rose is different and has a meaning behind it, the first one meaning friendship. I won't make this one as obvious so instead, I will just write this:

For some time there is something that I haven't admitted, or more importantly, didn't want to admit to anyone but more importantly myself. Why didn't I want to admit it? Simple:

Because I was afraid to. I was afraid of what might happen if I do. If it would ruin something precious and special. But well...If you come back to the apartment, I have something I would rather say in person and the final part of my gift to you.

I just hope that no matter what, you'll like it.'

[She didn't think twice about the chocolates. A gift for a gift, and they were from her best friend. Who had already gone through far more trouble for her sake than she thought necessary, so what were a little store-bought time-savers in the grand scheme of it all?]

[Then she caught sight of the rose. Also yellow, but the tips were...red. Only a hint, and she had to pick it up from the box and get a closer look to really see the change in color. She couldn't recall having seen a rose like that before. Touching her fingers to it, it felt as real and delicate as the first. And brought a warm smile to her face.]

[There was a second note as well, one she didn't need Emolga to draw her attention to. Placing the rose down, she picked it up and began to read. Smirking at the first few lines.]

[I left these at work... Words that might have carried more weight were they not deliberately written out.]

[But then, Hikari continued on, and...she let out a soft gasp. Feeling her heart beat a little harder and a little faster. She read the note to its completion, then continued to stare at it, slowly moving to sit in the vacant chair beside her. Then she read the note again.]

...Takeru...

[Her mind was awash with thoughts and yet completely blank at the same time. She glanced back at the flower resting atop the box. Yellow. Friendship. Tipped with Red. The same shade of red she'd seen before. Exactly one month ago, to the day...]

[Anyone watching her right then--which one or more of the Moonbuck employees might have been doing--would be unable to tell the young girl's expression. She seemed almost in a trance. Mesmerized by the piece of paper in front of her. Until the spell broke, and she sat up. Carefully folding it back up, returning it to the box along with the flower. Which she then proceeded to carefully pick up before kneeling down to the Pokemon companion.]

Let's head back home now, okay?

Takeru will be waiting for us.

[The Pokemon seemed like he understood what she was saying and at this point his job had pretty much been done. So he flew up and sat down on her shoulder. He was pretty much going to be resting at this point, enjoying the moment, even if he wasn't sure what to expect. Except maybe a bunch of blueberries. He was still sure he was getting something like that.]

[It was impossible not to smile at that, letting out a soft giggle as he ran up and down her arm in a manner that clearly expressed excitement. Over what, exactly, Hikari could only guess. Maybe he was happy to be going back home. Maybe it was Takeru's name that drew the reaction.]

[Either way, Hikari bowed her head one time to the workers for their efforts before turning to leave, the sound of the bell at the door concealing what may or may not have been a discreet exchange of money behind the counter.]

[From there, she didn't need Emolga to lead the way. They'd only recently moved to their newest place--it had a small backyard for the Pokemon to play in, and they each had their own room--but Hikari already knew how to get there from just about anywhere in the city.]

[Her steps were slow, however, as she held the two boxes to her chest. Mind clearly elsewhere as she made her way back. To the point where it seemed like no time at all before they'd arrived, and she was turning the knob of the front door, quietly stepping inside.]

[The moment the door started to open had moved to jump on down and go through, he was already off toward the kitchen even though when one first enters, the whole apartment appeared to be dark... Except for the candles one at the beginning and with big gaps and perfectly set up to avoid possible fires leading toward the living room.

Upon reaching the living room there were candles all around the room revealing the fact that furniture had been moved to the sides and in its place was a little picnic. Sure they were indoors, but Takeru figured it was different and nice. Perfect.

Takeru himself was kneeling on one side of the blanket that had been placed on the floor, hands behind his back and a soft smile on his lips. He was happy to see her and he was happy she had gotten the little gifts he had left.]

Take a seat, Hikari.

[He was mustering what confidence he had in his words, so not to sound as nervous as the young man was feeling. He knew he had to say it now and not later. but at the same time, he could help but think about the bad things that could happen. She could reject him, laugh or mock him... but that didn't seem like things Hikari would do. Rejection if she did would be in the most polite way. But for now he knew he should focus and wait till she sat down.]

[It was dark inside. Save for the gentle glow of candlelight, which she used to gently shed her coat and shoes in the entrance way. More candles guided her to the living room, where she found--]

[The warmth of all those tiny flames matched her cheeks as she paused in the doorway. Just long enough to take it all in. The furniture rearranged to leave a large, open space in the middle of the room. A blanket spread on the floor. A picnic. It reminded her instantly of those they'd had in the Digital World. Cherished memories. Whether or not that was intentional, she couldn't say.]

[Her eyes locked with his the moment he invited her to sit, and not once did they break away as she crossed the room and did just that. Placing the boxes beside her as she tucked her legs beneath her. Noting both the expression on his face, and the fact that he was deliberately hiding his hands from her.]

...I got your presents. [She told him, finding herself mirroring a similar smile. Her voice strangely calm and even, despite the little hummingbird that seemed to have taken up residence in her chest.] And the notes.

[Takeru took a small breath, he was sure if his heard could it would be beating out of his chest right about now. It was thumping so fast he was sure if anyone was close they could possibly hear it. But he kept his calm demeanor, trying his best to keep up his usual facade and trying his hardest to get what he needed to say across, especially today.

It was now or never.]

I'm glad, otherwise, this whole thing would be extremely awkward. [He couldn't help but chuckle, was it because he was nervous. Maybe. Most likely, it was maybe one of the few situations where he might not be able to keep his usual charming self up.

But he knew why. He was going to tell her something very important, something that could be a huge mistake or a good thing and more importantly. It was to someone who he considered his best friend hands down. Sure, his number one person even as a joke is his brother, but Hikari was something else, something different to him. Special in a different way.

And that's why he was nervous as he spoke once again.]

For one of the gifts to make sense I need to show you this. [As he spoke his left out moved from behind his back revealing the final rose. A red rose.]

Each rose has a meaning as I said in the second note. The first represented our friendship and how much it means to me. The second... represents... well... how one's feelings can change from ones of friendship to feelings of love. [He holds up the red rose a little higher.] This one represents my feelings now. Feelings I didn't want to admit because of how much I was scared that by telling the truth and being honest that... we might ruin what we have, but now. I think I can be honest with that fear. [His nerves seems to slowly fade away as his confidence was slowly creeping back to the surface.]

I like you, Hikari. I like you alot and if you like me back well... then take the rose as a way of acceptance. If not well... I can take the rejection.

[Only when he pulled the mystery object from behind his back did Hikari look away, gaze turning just downward enough to see...]

[A third rose. This time, completely red.]

[She didn't react. At least, not in any way that was immediately apparent. No signs of shock or surprise. No overwhelming happiness. Nor sadness. She didn't look mad or upset or pleased or--really--much of anything. Until she smiled. Softly. The faintest upward tug of lips just barely discernible in the dim lighting of the room.]

...I know.

[Her words were even softer. Nearly a whisper. The kind which one might not have thought was meant for anyone's ears but her own, if it were for the fact that...a few seconds later...she continued:]

I've known for a while. Since Valentine's...no--[A single, breathy laugh escaped her as she shook her head at the self-correction.]--before that.

[Her hand reached up, but she didn't take the rose. Instead, the tips of her fingers brushed over the rose. Just as they'd done for the other two. Focusing on the very top of the petals, where the red of the second rose resided.]

I knew...and it scared me. That I knew. You're my best friend, Takeru. You mean more to me than...almost anyone--

[And the fact that she actually hesitated in that last statement indicated she was no longer sure there was an almost anyone anymore.]

--and I knew that if I were to ever lose you...it would be my fault. So I tried not to think about it. I pushed everything to the back of my mind, and ignored what I knew. Every day...every moment we spent together...I ignored it, and focused on what we already had. I thought...that would be enough. Because I could still be with you. As your best friend.

[She paused. For only a moment. Not just in her words, but in the movements of her fingertips. Still lingering over the rose. Her eyes were glassy, shining in the candlelight, but there were no signs of tears. Instead...she gave another low chuckle.]

The funny thing is...I spent so long being afraid...so long trying to ignore thinking about whether or not I would some day feel the same way...

[She lifted her gaze. Her cheeks were pink from the warmth.]

...that I never realized...I already do.

[Her hand moved down just enough to take the rose from him. Fingers now brushing against his.]

[Takeru knew to stay quiet while she talked, or while she was thinking, but he was listening to her every word. He was honestly a little relieved that she had been just as scared as he was about this whole thing and honestly he didn't blame her for it.

Afterall he had just admitted he had been afraid himself. But for maybe slightly different reasons. He found himself smiling slightly as he watched her take the rose. He honestly couldn't feel any happier about the situation, that it worked out rather well and that he hadn't been rejected.

He felt her fingers brush up against his own and it was enough to get him to smile.]

I... have one more thing to give to you. [There was a reason he still had his right hand behind his back. As he moved it, he revealed a small thin box, and upon opening it revealed a necklace, half a heart and in the half seemed to be his own crest.] I have the other half of the necklace, which has your crest on it. [He wasn't currently wearing it because he hadn't been sure what was going to happen, but it was currently sitting in his pocket.

With the candle lightly flickering he moved to remove it from the box.] In this way, we have something of each other.

Takeru...

[It was a testament to just how caught in the moment she was that Hikari hadn't even realized his other hand had still been hidden from her. Until he showed her the necklace. Half of a heart, and bearing his Crest.]

[In this way, we have something of each other.]

...it's perfect.

[She watched him take it from the box, shifting in her seat so that her back was momentarily to him. Wordlessly giving permission for him to put it on her.]

[Even with how the lighting was, Takeru didn't take too long in putting it on her and clasping it back. Once he was sure it was safely on he moved his hands to his pocket, pulling out his own half of the heart bearing the Crest of Light before putting it around his own neck, clasping it shut.]

There perfect.

[He turned his around since he had to, to put it on, letting it lightly his chest before smiling slightly. With the confession out of the way and things in a good place, he felt like he could at least relax and maybe go get the food before a certain Pokemon might realize there is some currently in the kitchen along with the blueberries he left for the little guy.]

I guess now we can actually eat. I made some food for the indoor picnic, I just need to go fetch it. [He found himself pausing for a moment. Knowing now that they had stepped past the line of friends he still found himself wondering what was acceptable. Sure he was aware a lot of things probably wouldn't change, but there were somethings that might and he wasn't sure how to approach that type of thing.

So for the meantime, he got out and soon left to go to the kitchen, coming back and forth with some various picnic items and placing them down. The final trip was to grab a couple of drinks for the both of them before sitting back down.]

I hope this is okay and don't worry apart from Emolga, the other Pokemon are either occupied or elsewhere.

[There was at least one thing that had changed in the last few minutes: Hikari no longer felt the tension of those previously unspoken words.]

[In fact, as she looked down at the pendant now hanging from her neck, along with the one hanging from Takeru’s, she looked more at ease than she had been in a while. Thoughts of what may or may not be to come bringing nothing but a soft smile to her face. There would be other changes, she knew. In time. She wasn’t worried; there were few people she trusted more than Takeru, and being around him had always made her feel safe.]

[He got up, and when he returned, she was still fiddling with the pendant until her attention was drawn by the food. Eyebrows raising in slight surprise at the quantity.]

You made...all of this?

[Sandwiches would have suited her just fine. Something simple. Then again, nothing about this day had been simple, had it? So why should their (indoor, candlelight) picnic be the exception?]

...so that explains why Abra hasn’t come running out here just. [She glanced around, only just then noticing the increasingly rare privacy they had.] Do I want to know what you put them all up to?

Well some of it, some of it I had to buy.

[Anything that might have looked too fancy may have given that away, but the basics like sandwiches were obvious he made them. In all honesty, he was at least happy with what he did manage to do, even for what he made for Mimi for White day too... He was honestly surprised that jellybeans worked with marshmallow squares.

Speaking of marshmallow squares there were some sitting on a section of the blanket along with some chocolate covered marshmallow cupcakes. In the area of savory, he had made some sandwiches, sausage rolls, quiches and pies along with some finger foods one might find at parties. In terms of fruit, there was the usual selection.]

Ladies first. [He figured he could let her know what he had done.] As for the Pokemon it was either bribing them with food or I... Would rather not explain how I managed to deal with one Pokemon in particular.

[Store-bought or Takeru-made, it all looked good. Enough that she felt a growing pang of hunger in her stomach. Not yet to the point where it would audibly protest, but absolutely to a point where she took one of the plates and began piling a small piece of...just about everything. In some cases, that meant only a single bite’s worth of food, but she wanted to make sure to have room for it all.]

[However, at Takeru’s latter statement, she paused and stared at him over the piece of fruit in her hand. Suspicious.]

What did you do?

Nothing bad, really.

[He may or may not be however shut in the bedroom because he really didn't know how to deal with him. He didn't like him for a reason he still didn't know and it seemed like the only logical thing he could do. He left some strawberries for him in there at least. But for the time being Takeru moved to pick up a couple sandwiches before looking over.]

He is just in your bedroom right now. [And that was all to that as he took a small bite out of the sandwich.]

[Eyes widening, she turned her head in the direction of where her bedroom door was...currently closed...]

[And she couldn’t help herself. She burst out laughing.]

Poor Abra.

I’ll have to make it up to him later.

[Althiugh, at least the little guy was safe. There was nothing in there that could hurt him, and they would have heard signs of major distress from where they are. For that reason, Hikari turned back and appeared to relax again.]

You realize, though, he’s never going to forgive you for that.

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject