Back To Where My Heart Belongs (WMatsui fanfic) - COMPLETED

[Eyescrasher]

  I'm back...! with new Wmatsui...Thanks for reading and commenting in my previous fic. I really do appreciate them.
...I hope you'll also like my new post...just forgive me for any grammar errors
This is just the first part... I'll update the last part as soon as I can...

~Back to where my heart belongs.~

Seven years, after seven long years. I’ve finally came back to this town where most of my wonderful childhood memories had taken place. My hometown in the heart of Nagoya. I came back hoping to meet the most precious person in my life, and fulfill the promise that I had made when I was twelve years old. Unfortunately, my footsteps has led me in a cemetery and came face-to-face to a stone monument where my beloved’s name engraved in front of it. I couldn’t help but fall to my knees and began to cry. My fingers clawed at the grass and dirt then cried even louder.

“I-I’m sorry— I’m so sorry. I didn’t come sooner. I love you Rena-chan, always...”

~+;+~

Seven years prior…

My name is Matsui Jurina, and I met Rena-chan when I was eight years old. I was surprised that aside from me, there was also a family with the same surname as mine who lived two houses down from where I lived. From then on, Rena-chan and I became inseparable. Though she was two years older than me, still we became the best of friends—if that’s how they call it—who spent practically every hours of every day together.  I might say, I was always the hero in Rena-chan’s eyes. Though she was taller than me, yet she was a bit skinny. While I was the stronger and braver of us two, that’s because I was the most energetic and often engaged in sports at school. On the other hand, Rena was a timid type of girl whom you often found stuck by my side reading books or manga. She never talks to anyone else other than me, and she used to wait for me every morning to come get her, so we could walked to school together.

Every day, I made sure Rena got home safely no matter where we were after school. Even when she had to attend summer school because she was having trouble with math. I was always right there to walk with her and picked her up afterwards. I never got tired of doing those things. For me, Rena-chan was like a princess that needed to be protected and taken care of. Rena’s older brother Yoshihiro and I got along so well and I looked up to him as my own brother. Yet, Yoshi didn’t really hang out with us. Only when it was time for baseball. I joined their team after winning a fist fight against him. When he said that, girls couldn’t play baseball. That they only knew how to cook and sew. Well, after having a mouse under his left eye, that’s when he figured out what girl’s could also do. In every game, Rena-chan was there cheering on us.

Rena once told me that her mom used to chastise her for spending most of her time playing and hanging out with me. Mrs. Matsui was very disappointed that her daughter didn’t try to make friends other than me. On the days when Rena’s mom and dad fought, she would stay at my house and on many occasions spend the night. Together we would help my father cooked dinner or set the table and then the three of us would play video games in our living room. After that, Rena and I would go up to my room, talking for hours and giggling before going to sleep.

I grew up with a little bit boyish traits because I was very close to my dad. He was the only one I had around besides Rena-chan. He was the one who took care of my everyday needs and preparing my breakfast every morning. I never knew my mom. Dad told me that she died right after my delivery. I was very grateful to the fact that my mother sacrifices her own life in order to save mine.  To be able to live happily together with this wonderful people around me. I love the way dad would hug me fiercely on my birthday every year, and thank the heavens out loud for leaving him with something to remember his beloved wife.
.
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One summer day, I just turned twelve years old. It was four months after my birthday that I woke up to find there was something very different going on. I felt strange. So I stared into the huge brightly-lit bathroom mirror after taking my shower, and was dumbfounded to find these small round mounds of flesh where my flat chest used to be.

“Oh no, this can’t be happening.” I whispered to no one.

Tentatively raising a hand to poke at the fleshy lump, and a tear threatened to spill over my cheeks. Far in the back of my mind, I knew that one day I would get these “things”, but had hoped that maybe the Gods would bless me in not to make them grow sooner. Throwing on a T-shirt, I ran out of the bathroom in search of my father. I knocked into him in the laundry room and hugged him tightly about the waist.

“Hey, kiddo, what’s wrong?” He asked in wonder as I just held onto him.

“Uhh...you’re squeezing your dad’s breakfast out of him.” He pried my arms away, and looked into me. Quickly noticing that my shirt didn’t fit just right, he chuckled.

“You’re starting to grow up kiddo. And here I was beginning to think adolescence would pass you by.” He hoisted me up onto the dryer, and crossed his arms across his broad chest.

“I don’t want to have this earlier, dad.” I stated vehemently.

“Aw, Ju-chan, it’s part of nature.” He scratched at his head before continuing. “Now you know this also means you’re going start your period soon.”

“Noooo.” I grabbed at my raven hair in anger.

“Now Jurina,” He took my hands in his. “ We’ve had this talk, and it’s a good thing we did.” Raising my chin to meet his eyes, he lovingly said, “If I could change things for you, I would. I’d like to always keep you at eight years old as my feisty tomboy, but that’s not how life works.”

I couldn’t help but cry, so dad pulled me into a hug. “I wish your mom was here to help us with all this. She would know how to make you feel better.” He brushed a hand through my long hair. “But I’m trying the best I can.”

I wiped my face. “I know dad. Thanks a lot.” I flashed him a smile.

“Hey, when I get home from work, we’ll go to a shopping mall nearby and get you a couple of training bras, and maybe some other... umm... feminine products so that we’re not completely caught by surprise when your period does come.”

I rolled my eyes, and smacked a hand to my forehead. “I really hate this.”

“I know right.” He cupped my cheeks, and gave me a smile. “But you’ll be okay.”
.
.
I was sitting in our backyard holding and hitting the tip of my baseball bat to the ground. It was a serene afternoon and all I could hear was the noises coming from the summer cicadas clinging to the tree trunks, along with my occasional sniffling. When I was surprised with someone tackled onto my back with a big hug. It was Rena, our faces was just a mere inches away from each other and I felt heat crawled up to my cheeks when she rested her chin at the top of my left shoulder blade, and said.

“Hey you, how come you’re in here all alone?” She frowned when she noticed my tear stained face. “What’s wrong Jurina? What happened?”

I remained silent and just wiped at my face with the back of my hand.

“Come on Jurina. You never cry. Please talk to me I’m your best friend. We tell each other everything.”

I looked at her. “I’m... growing up.”

Rena sat beside me and gave me a goofy smile. “What do you mean silly?”

“I’m... umm... I’m getting breasts.”

“Really?” In an excited tone, Rena questioned. She clapped her hands in joy. “Yay~, you’re so lucky. I’m going to be so happy when mine got a little bigger also.”

“But I don’t want them. I’m not glad I have them.” I hung my head in anger.

Rena bit her bottom lip, and said. “I’m sorry you don’t want them. I wish you could give them to me instead. It would be so nice.”

I just chuckled. “You’re such a girl.”

“I like being a girl. Don’t you like me being a girl?” She responded in a shy tone.

“You know I do.” I replied and pinch softly on her slightly pinkish cheek.

She gave me a huge grin, and a giggle. “So... can I see them?”

My eyebrow arched up. “You’re kidding... right?”

“Please...?” Rena sweetly asked.

I sighed heavily, and then proceeded to lift the hem of my shirt. “You know, I have to wear two shirts now so that they don’t show so much.” Then I pulled up my shirt and watched Rena stared at it in fascination.

“Wow! I think they’re pretty. Are they going to get bigger?”

“Aww… hell, I hadn’t thought of that. This is horrible—just horrible. I want them gone.” I complained and yanked my shirt back down.

“No. No, it’s not. Maybe you’ll grow to like them one day.” She commented and giggled, but stifled it quickly when I just stared with arms crossed over my chest.

“Eherm—okay, anyway, come on, we have things to do. I have to show you the baby bunnies I found yesterday.” Rena said and pulled me in the arm to help me stand up.

“Ohh, alright.”

We walked through the neighborhood and all the way down to Mr. Fujimoto’s farm. Out around back where the chickens gathered to stay out of the hot sun, Rena led me to a large and leafy bush.

“This is where I saw them,” she whispered carefully. “We have to be quiet and be slow with our movements. We don’t want to scare them.”

“Okay.” I whispered in return. Lying down onto our stomachs, I followed Rena’s exact movements. Under the thick foliage, very near to the trunk of the bush was a leafy bed with four bunnies napping on top.

We watched, and I noticed Rena-chan’s eyes lighten up. I couldn’t help but to have a huge grin on my face to see my friend’s excitement at the newborns.

“I want to hold one of them.” I commented in a very low voice.

“No we can’t.” Rena quickly grasped my right arm.

“Why not?”

Rena shook her head and rolled her eyes. Tugging on my shirt sleeve, she motioned to crawl back out.

As we dusted off, Rena began to explain. “We can’t touch the bunnies because if the mother smells that her babies have been touched, she might very well reject them. It’s kind of like our body scent will get left on the baby bunnies and they will be considered umm... tainted. So the mother will abandon them.”

“That’s terrible that she would do such a thing.” I interjected.

“I know it seems that way to us, but that’s how it is in the animal kingdom.”

“You’re very smart, Rena-chan.” I was really amazed by her explanations. She has a vast knowledge when it comes to animals.

I anchored my left arm to hers. As we headed to the park nearby and the rest of the day was spent listening to my best friend’s thoughts on anything and everything.
.
.
.
Later that night, I ran into Rena’s house in tears. I couldn’t knock on their door, afraid that I might awaken the entire Matsui who was sleeping soundly at this hour. So, I picked a small rock and threw it right at the window of Rena’s bedroom. It didn't take long for Rena-chan to peeked out of the window. Surprise was visible on her face after seeing me outside her house this late. I saw her disappear from the window and in a few moments the front door slowly and silently opens and she walked up to me.

“Jurina? What are you doing here? Is there anything wrong?”

I could not speak immediately. I just clutched her about the waist and sobbed.

Rena then held me, and tried to calm me down. “Whatever it is, we’ll fix it. Tell me why you’re crying.” She demanded, and brought her hands up to my face then began to help wipe the tears from my cheeks.

I sobbed harder as I clutched Rena tighter. “My dad told me that he was promoted in the company he was working at. And he will be transferred to the main company in Tokyo for a better pay. Probably, we had to leave Nagoya and moved to Tokyo. We were leaving this Saturday.” I explained to her, and found myself sniffling frequently. I knew Rena could not also believe what she was hearing. As I felt her pulling me into a tight hug and her hand rubbing the back of my head. Never before had I given it any thought that the two of us would be separated.

We stood there crying in each other’s shoulder in silence. After a couple of minutes, I detached myself from her embrace, telling her that she must get inside now, before her mom woke up and saw us here. But instead of going back, Rena-chan held my hand and gave it a light squeeze, then said that she wants to sleep over at my house tonight.
.
.
We lay in each other’s embrace inside my room, and cried for half the night together. Neither of us wanted to be separated, but we knew that we couldn’t stop what was going to happen.
Morning found us still in each other’s arms with tired and worn out faces. We got up and silently had breakfast together. Dad noticed our miserable-looking faces and he gathered us to have a long and serious talk with him. Dad had informed that we were lucky to have known each other for so long and to have such a great friendship. He also told us that if we want to see each other again, we could. We just needed to believe we would, and it would happen. He was also saddened by the situation, because he knew this would change us forever, and he didn't want us to grow up bitter.

After the long conversations, we go up stairs and Rena-chan helped me with the packing ‘till mid- afternoon. When were through, I walked her over to her house. The next couple of days proven to be very difficult for both of us. Rena-chan wanted to talk and reminisced on the times we've had together these past several years. But I didn’t want to talk much at all because I felt like there was nothing that could be said to change what was going to occur. When the final hour came, we held onto one another as long as we could.

“I will miss you Rena-chan, don’t you ever forget me.”

“I-I’ll miss you too, and I will never forget you. That’s a promise.”

I hugged her fiercely as I continued, “I want you to listen to me. When we’re old enough, no one will be able to tell us what to do or where to live. We’ll be able to be together forever. I want you to remember that I will come for you. No matter where you are, I’ll find you.” I looked into her tear-filled eyes and softly, I said, “I love you Matsui Rena, I... really do.”

Wide-eyed Rena dropped her jaw at what she had just heard.

“When you’re twenty-one, I’ll come for you.” I wiped her tears. “I know it’s far and I wish it could be sooner."

Suddenly, we both heard the impatient honking of the trucking service that was containing and carrying our household furniture together with the other stuff.

“I promise you. No matter what, I will come for you. Don’t ever forget that, and don’t forget that I love you.”

We hugged fiercely one last time before I quickly kissed her on the cheek and ran to my dad who has been waiting and standing beside the vehicles door. We climbed up and settled inside the driver’s seat. My dad wiped away the stray tears on my face and pulled me by the shoulder, as my head leaned over his chest.

“I’m gonna miss her dad, I’m gonna miss her so bad.” I choked out.

“I know kiddo, I know.”
.
.


PRESENT TIME...

I brushed my fingers through my short raven hair and tucked a strand into my ear, as the late afternoon breeze slowly blowing it, along with the hem of my dark blue lace ruffled skirt. Rena-chan would surely be surprised if she saw how—her used to be boyish childhood friend has now dressed in feminine clothings. In taking a breath, I pushed the glass door and stepped into one of the local restaurants. Up at the counter, I called for the waitress’s attention.

“Good afternoon. I just got into town and was hoping you may help me.”

The woman just looked at me with her mouth hung open. Finally finding her voice, she answered, “Wha—What can I do for you?”

“Well, I’m looking for someone who lived here many years ago. Her name is Matsui Rena.”

The waitress began to relax as I talked to her in a polite manner. “I’m sorry, I didn't grow up here. I just moved here about two years ago.”

“Oh. Well, do you happen to know of anyone who lived here for more than seven years?”

“You’re looking for Rena young lady?” Someone at my back chimed in a question.

“Yeah.” I turned around and responded with a smile.

“And who are you?” A man in his thirties asked me, with a sneer on his face.

“Why do you need to know?” My face turned serious.

He looked at me and scratched an imaginary itch along his four o’clock shadow, as if in thought. “Ah, well... Rena... yes Rena died a couple of months ago. Apparently, her husband went looney and killed her.”

After I heard what he said. I felt as though I had been splashed by a bucket of cold freezing water. My entire body trembled, as I clutched my fist tightly. “Wh-What did you say...? Rena is dead?” I really didn't want to believe him.

“You heard me right? You can go to the gravesite and see for yourself. She died under Sugimoto Rena.” He gave me a leering grin and returned to his food.

No one else in the restaurant said a word. I happened to glance at some of the other patrons, and noticed that they were silently nodding their heads in confirmation—that Rena was dead. Without any word, I stormed out the restaurant and within half an hour I was at the cemetery walking slowly in search of Rena’s. I found the stone monument that was marked, Sugimoto Rena. I could only presume this is who that jerk was talking about, and that this was my beloved Rena-chan.


-TBC-

[ryeangryu]

waah.... that's sad.. poor wmatsui (´∩｀。)

rena can't die.. no no no..

THAT HUSBAND!!! (･｀ｪ´･)つ HE'S GOING TO PAY!! (　ﾟДﾟ)＜!!

nice OS please continue~ thank you ( ´ ▽ ` )ﾉ

[kamen_idol212]

toooooo cruel...
THAT GUY, how dare he killed Rena-hime-chan....
i really disagree with that, even though i'm a male..
btw, nice OS,  so touchy and teary.....
looking forward to your next shot, Eyecrasher-san.

[Chanaline]

I don't know why but I can just think that S. Rena is anothee person lol....

Hahaha

It was really cute and all... Without the end

[chichay12]

rena-chan

[Terragen]

No! Don't! Rena! She not die!

[xxx220]

RENAAAA-CHAN 

How dare him 

[Kirozoro]

Aww.. What cute story

How dare that bastard kill Rena

I want to kill gahhhh

[olive29]

WHAT???!!!

NOOOOO...

RENA-SAMA... 

[Zita]

She can't be dead.
Please.

[abcari]

Why you do this to me? make me suffer for my wmatsui ;A;

[mikaellitsa]

mmm for some reason i have that feeling that she went to the wrong rena.. dunno why i just think our rena is still alive ^_^

[sayanee123]

nooo rena you can't die 

[gek geki]

no!!!

rena death??? too cruel!! taht man!!

damn!! i don't had any energy to read the part rena death! to cruel for me!!!

[screechingsoul]

  noooo...!

[yuuyu]

_No... (/ _ ; )

[Zhen]

PLs~~~ Don't LET RENA die. 
is sad enough to knw they were separated ,now RENA IS DIED! Noooooooo 
pls tell me is the wrong renaaaa.
and thank you for writing. 

[Eyescrasher]

  Yay~ Finally I was able to update my fic.... and thank you guys for reading and commenting. I'm glad you like it.
So, here is the last chapter... hope this ending won't disappoint you and advance Merry Christmas to all!!! 

~Back to where my heart belongs.~ end

“What happened to you Matsui Jurina? Does life in Tokyo made you forget about me? Why have I never heard from you? You promised that you will come back for me…”

.
.
.

I couldn’t help but fall to my knees and began to cry. My fingers clawed at the grass and dirt then cried even louder. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry I didn’t come sooner. I love you Rena-chan, always…”

I stayed for an hour before exhaustion prompted me to get up and leave the place. I checked into the nearest hotel in town and at the front desk, I encountered old Mr. Takahashi. He and my father were good friends, and Mr. Takahashi was always very kind to me and Rena-chan when we came into his ice cream shop.

“Well, how are you Jurina-chan? I see you’ve grown up into a fine lady.”

“Takahashi-ojiisan?” I questioned with surprise. “What are you doing here? What happened to you... being at the shop?”

“Oh, my boy runs the shop now. I just work here and there, wherever anyone can use me every now and then. I like to keep busy, you know. It makes me feel alive.” He commented with a twinkle in his somewhat clouded brown eyes. “So, you want a room for the night?”

“Yes please, thanks.”

He handed me the key in his gnarled and arthritic hand. “So... are you going to see Rena later? She’s living with Yoshihiro down on Otsu Dori Street.”

I froze at his words and stared at him dumbfounded. “You… you said... Rena lives with her brother?” The questions began to run rampant through my mind. Is he senile or something? Maybe he doesn’t remember what happened? But wait, he remembers me?

“Oh yes. You know, she works now at the bookstore owned by Mrs. Mitsushima and she really did enjoy her job being surrounded by different interesting books. You know Rena likes to read do you? She’s such a beautiful girl and still has a head full of ideas about one day leaving this place. She’s been waiting for you... all these years.”

I blinked in disbelief. I was so tired from my journey and the disheartening news I had received, that I was beginning to think I misunderstood him. “But... someone told me Sugimoto Rena died two months ago.”

Takahashi-ojiisan furrowed his gray eyebrows in thought. Adjusting his glasses, he looked at me again.

“Sugimoto Rena?” The elderly man questioned, thinking carefully about the name. “Ah yes... Sugimoto Rena did die some months back. It was a tragic thing too, poor girl.” He shook his head sadly. “But you are looking for Matsui Rena right?” He gave me a look that indicated he was completely in his right mind. “You know, if you hurry now, you can still catch her before her shift ends.” He added and gave me a wink.

In a rush, I leave the hotel and walked straight to the bookstore where he said Rena-chan was working. The street is getting darkened and I inhaled the fresh scent of approaching rain in this early autumn night, while making my way towards the bookstore. My heart beats louder from the anticipation as my feet halted outside the store. Hearing a bell chimed after I pushed the door open, the mid-aged woman who was sitting in the counter looked out to my direction and greeted me followed by a pleasant smile.

“Uhm... Good evening, someone told me that Matsui Rena is working here.” As I was asking, my visions ranged through the leather and paper bound books that was neatly arranged on the shelves. Hoping that my eyes would find her standing somewhere.

“You’re a little late dear. Rena went home already, her shift ended a while ago.”

After hearing her remarks, I didn’t waste any of time standing there and bid my thanks to the old lady before going out of the store. Wishing she hadn’t gone too far.

As my feet swipes the side walk, my head constantly turning from left to right. Searching for a certain figure to no avail. Until my footsteps reached and arrived at the street where Mr. Takahashi had informed that Rena-chan and Yoshi are residing. There, a few meters away I saw a familiar person walking and stood right in the front gate of a house. A strange warm feeling arises from the pit of my stomach up to my chest as I quicken my steps.

“RENA-CHAN!!!” I shouted, didn’t care if some people walking in the street same us me, turned their heads at my direction.

Rena turned around searching, and I witnessed her eyes widened when they met mine.

“J-Jurina...”

That was all I heard from her and she fainted right in front of me. Out of reflex, I quickly caught her before she tumble down to the ground and picked her up, then carried her into the front door. Luckily, the door opens and a woman I guess same age as Rena came out.

“Rena?” She queried, and assisted me after she saw our situation. “Wh-What happened to her?” She stared at me.

“She fainted out after she saw me. Can I bring Rena-chan to her room, so that I can lay her in?” I approached the girl.

“Uhm... yeah. Come on I’ll help you.”

We carried Rena and went upstairs. The girl quickly opened the door and ushered me in. She went into the bathroom and when she came out, her left hand holding a towel, doused in water and proceeded to gently dab it across Rena’s forehead and cheeks.

“Maybe I should call for an ambulance.” She commented out loud.

“I think she’ll be fine. She just fainted when she saw me that’s all.” I responded as I cradled Rena’s head.

I noticed the girl eyed me suspiciously, maybe wondering who I was. Me too, I was also wondering who she was and why was she in Rena’s house.

“Rena-chan and I were best friends as kids, and we haven’t seen each other in seven years.” I started explaining, to drop her suspicions.

“Oh my God.” She gripped the front of her shirt near her heart. “You are... Matsui Jurina. I can hardly believe it. Do you remember me? I’m Churi—umm Takayanagi Akane actually, I am Yoshi’s wife. Rena and I went in the same middle school together. Back then, I always saw you picking Rena up after school.” She said and reached out for my hand and tightly held it.

“Oh hi Churi.” I said with half a grin. “It’s nice to meet you.”

I felt a stirring in my arms as Rena slowly started to come around. I looked down a moment and then back up at Churi. “I think she’s recovering. Umm...would you mind leaving us for a bit?”

“Oh sure, I’ll leave you two alone. Just call me if anything happens okay?” She answered and stepped out, closing the door behind her. I looked and adored into the face of the one I’ve dreamed about for so long. Dark brown eyes fluttered open. Slowly, I sat her up and smiled at her and said.

“Rena-chan...”

After recognizing who I was, Rena covered her mouth in an attempt to stifle the uncontrollable racking sobs. I immediately held her like I used to do when we were kids and brushed my fingers gently through her usually long hair.

“Jurina… I’ve missed you so much.” She confessed as the tears streaked her face. “I can’t believe you’re here. Please don’t let this be a dream. God... don’t let me go. Please don't let go.” She babbled as she kept on crying.

“Shhh... I’m right here, and I don’t plan on ever letting you go.”

Once our tears subsided, we wiped each other’s faces in the same manner as we used to so long ago. I brushed my thumbs across Rena’s cheeks. As Rena does it with me also, using her entire hand. She then gazed at me.

“You cut your hair.” She ran her fingers through my raven locks.

“Yeah. Do you like it?”

“Oh yes, definitely. It really suits you. Do you like that I kept mine long?”

“Definitely.” I tenderly brushed my fingers through her long hair. Carefully noting the changes that have taken place in my best friend. Her hair is still soft as cotton.

However, Rena ran her hand down, brushing her fingertips now along my bare arm. Feeling it flexed underneath her ministrations.
“Your skin is so soft and un-tanned. Jurina has now turned into a beautiful lady.” She stated between innocent touches.

“So, do I have a welcome kiss?” I teasingly asked her, flashing my cat-smile.

Rena returned the smile as she bit her bottom lip, a shade of scarlet crept up her cheeks. “Mou... Jurina, you still haven’t changed.”

I just laugh softly and firmly gripped her small waist with my other hand, pulling it closer to me. Tucking that elusive strand of her black hair back behind her ear, I caressed her soft cheek and peck on her forehead. “There’s so much we need to talk about. Tell me, what’s been going on with you. How was your life after we moved to Tokyo.”

“It was awful. Our parents got separated.” She sadly looked up to me, and continued, “I would have never survived if I didn’t have my brother with me. Mom met a man out there, then she took him immediately, and before the summer was over, we had to move to a new house with him. I really would have preferred to stay with my dad, but I didn’t have much choice in the matter. Yoshi and I were so angry about the arrangement. I wrote you a letter telling you that we had to move to a new address.

I frowned. “Wait, you wrote to me?”

Rena cocked her head as she looked at me.

“Of course, your dad gave me your address before you leave remember? I wrote to you all of the time. I remember I always asked mom to put a stamp on it and mail it for me on her way to work. I couldn’t understand why you never returned any of my letters. At first, I thought I wasn’t writing the right address, but Yoshi told me I was. He said he would go to the post office with me next time so we could ask if I was doing something wrong. Mom overheard us, and scolded us for being foolish. She said she was mailing all of my letters and there was nothing to worry about that maybe you just didn't want to write back.”

I sat up straight in the bed, and Rena sat up as well.

“Rena-chan, I never got any of your letters. If I did, I would have written back right away. I checked the mail everyday for a year.”

“I know you didn’t get the letters.” She reached over and took my hand in her own. “Mom lied to me. She never mailed any of the letters. I found one of my letters in her coat pocket. The letter had been written a couple of weeks earlier, and she never sent it. When I confronted her about it, I got slapped. After that, I mailed a couple of letters myself but they were returned to me.”

“That would have been the time that Dad and I moved to a bigger house. He didn’t feel it was necessary to leave a forwarding address.”

“Well, that all makes sense now.” Rena commented.

“Yeah, it sure does. So, what else happened when you had to move to a new house?”

“Onii-chan and I couldn’t stand having this man act as our dad. He was cold, and rather strict. We were very limited to after school activities, but in time we did the best we could to adjust. Things got worse when Yoshi moved out when he got himself a job. My mother’s husband started making passes at me. I was appalled the first time and he laughed. The second and third times got worse, where he would actually grab me but I fought him off at each one. Well, I got really scared and told my brother. He said he would stop by the next day and have a talk with our mother to see if I could move in with him. The next day came, and he came home early from work. He walked right into my room and started being all nice, asking me about my day at school and whatnot. Then he made a pass again when he sat on the edge of my bed and brushed his dirty fingers down my arm. I told him to leave me alone, and he backhanded me. I screamed and fought, but he only laughed. He tore my shirt open. It was horrible. Luckily, Yoshi had come home and heard me screaming. The next thing I knew onii-chan jumped over him and in the midst of them fighting, things in my room breaking. Somehow, my brother got hold of a piece of broken mirror and threatened to kill him if he won’t leave my room. When we told our mother what had happened, she got angry and was so livid at us. She was also blaming us for ruining her life. That same day, I moved out immediately and stayed with my brother. We’ve been living together since then, and that’s been good. We used to talk about you and how much fun you were to be around. You know he really admired how good you were at baseball.”

I wanted to cry at Rena-chan’s story, but I restrained myself and pulled her into a tight hug.

“I’m so sorry that I wasn’t there for you—that you had to go through that.”

Rena hushed me with her two fingers on my lips. “It’s okay, you are here now.” She laid her head upon my chest. “So what’s going to happen?” She asked without looking at me.

“Well, first I need to sleep.” I said yawning. “I’m so exhausted, and even though I’d love to stay up with you all night, I don’t believe I’ll be good company. So, I figured I’d go back to the hotel.”

“Please don’t leave me. Now that we’re together, I couldn’t bear to be apart again.” She raised her head up to look at me and bit her bottom lip. “It’s been over seven years since... we’ve... slept in each other’s arms and I’d like... to re-live that again. Besides, it’ll be much comfortable here than the hotel.”

I hooked a finger under her chin bringing her face up. Rena-chan is still so adorable just like when we were kids.

“Anything for you.”

“I know Yoshi will be happy to see you again.” Rena added.

“Alright.” I answered with a smile.

.
.
.


I exited from the bathroom wearing the PJ’s that I borrowed from Rena. As of now, the only light on in the room was the bedside lamp, and from what I could make out, Rena was already asleep. So I climbed under the covers, and snuggled up to her. But she surprised me when she automatically embraced me and tickled my side. We both giggled and the memories of our childhood suddenly flashes in my mind that made me stopped giggling. I took hold of her hand in my own, and kissed the back of it and said.

“When I got here though, I thought I lost you.”

“What do you mean?”

“I went to a restaurant and announced that I was looking for you. Only one man spoke to me and said you got married, but were killed a few months ago by your husband. I even went to the gravesite to grieve. I saw your name and the date, and I just broke down. Then when I checked into the hotel, I saw Mr. Takahashi. He was the one who told me that you were working at the bookstore. At first, I thought he was senile, yet I later realized that he wasn’t. That’s when I hurriedly swept off the streets to find you.”

“You said Mr. Takahashi told you where I worked?”

“Yeah. He even mentioned how you were living with your brother right here.”

Rena shook her head with a frown. “You’re talking about the same Mr. Takahashi we knew from the ice cream shop as kids?”

“Yes, why?”

Rena made a habit of biting her bottom lip and in her face confusion had transpired. “Because... well... Mr. Takahashi died three months ago. I was at his funeral. And his son took over his father’s business.”

My eyes widened and I stared at her with shocked. “B-But... then... how? I mean... I saw him... as plain as day and... spoke to him.”

“You don’t think maybe... it was... a ghost?”

“…?”

“Well, if he was, then I am forever grateful to him. If had I not spoken to him, we would not be here now.” I commented.

Rena laid her head on my shoulder and snaked her arms around my waist. “This shows we are meant to be together. That you are my soul mate.”

I nodded my head. I totally agreed on what she had said. “I love you Rena-chan.”

“I love you too Jurina… and thank you for coming back.”

…


As my eyes fluttered open, I instantly remembered where I was and smiled at the sleeping beauty that I was holding in my arms. I playfully pushed a few strands of hair out of her face that made her eyes slowly opened.

“Good morning.” I whispered.

“Tell me this isn’t a dream,” Rena softly announced.

“It’s a dream come true.” I responded.

“Come on let’s go downstairs. I know Yoshi would be very happy to see you.”

We headed downstairs and encountered Churi at the living room.

“Morning Churi.” Rena happily greeted.

“Oh, Yoshi and I thought that you two were gonna stay in your room till afternoon” Churi commented with a knowing smile on her face.
We were both blushing as we made our way to the kitchen and Yoshihiro was there preparing our breakfast.

“Hey you two.” He called out with a brilliant grin. “Jurina, it’s terrific to see you after so many years.” Yoshi walked up to me and gave me a bear hug then ruffled my hair in brotherly affection. “Wow you changed a lot.” He stated, as he eyed me from head to foot.

“So what are you going to do now that Jurina is back?” He asked and looked at Rena.

“I thought it would be nice if I take her with me when I go back to Tokyo for a vacation and spend some time there.” I answered. While Rena-chan was very surprised at what she had just heard.

“I see. When do you leave?”

I gently grasped Rena’s hand as she leaned her head on my shoulder. “We thought about later today.”

“Well sis, I’ll miss you but not too much.” Yoshi said sarcastically and gave Rena a big hug.

After that, Churi called us to eat. The four of us took our seats to enjoy the food and the wonderful day.

[Zita]

So this has a happy ending.
Thanks god. And you

[Kirozoro]

I'm so glad that the Matsui Rena is not the one dead

Omg jurina saw a ghost -shock-