Hi, here's the final chapter, enjoy!

Robert: Thanks for reviewing, hope you like the remainder of the story!

Disclaimer: RahXephon and its characters are the property of their respective owners.  This piece is not for profitable purposes.

Chapter 3: Reminiscences

As we step inside, I notice her reaching for a basket. 

I step forward and say, "Haruka-san, I can carry that."

She looks up at me, seeming somewhat surprised, and answers, "Thank you, Ayato-kun."

I respond with a smile and by holding out my hand, into which she places the handle of a basket. 

I ask, "Do you have a list of what you were planning to buy?"

She freezes for a moment and then blushes as she says, "I probably should have made one."

We both laugh and I answer, "It's all right, we'll just walk through, and buy what we think would be good."

She nods her head yes and smiles.

Together, we start to wander through the aisles.  As we are scanning the items, I find my eyes drawn to him.  I struggle to suppress my sadness as I am reminded once again about the differences created by time.  His appearance has not changed drastically, his hair longer, his face matured, and his height taller.  But, of course, it has been only three years since he saw me last, so different from myself, the fifteen years having made their mark on my appearance.

I am surprised when he looks at me with a concerned expression and says, "Haruka-san, is something wrong?"

I feign a smile and wave my hands in front of me as I say, "No, no, I was just deciding what kind of mayonnaise to buy."

His expression is thoughtful at first, but then he grins and says, "Whichever tastes best on rice."

We both laugh, and I feel somewhat better.

Seeing her smile again reduces my concern, so I turn my face away from hers and look ahead once again. 

As we enter an area that shelves canned food, I am surprised when she taps me on the shoulder.  I look at her and she smiles at me.

"Doesn't this bring back memories, Ayato-kun?  Being here reminds me so much of the time we grocery shopped together after we first left Tokyo Jupiter."

I laugh as I say, "I remember, you seemed to be having fun – though even more so when we were picking out new clothes."

She pouts as she says, "We had to do that because you knocked me off balance!"

I smirk and say, "You could have been more careful, too, you shouldn't have been standing on the edge of a boat."

She continues to pout and crosses her arms, but then looks to me, and soon can no longer contain a smile.

We both laugh and then I say with a grin, "Ah, I remember that outfit you picked out.  Really, I'd never seen something that bad."

I can tell he's going to respond, so I wave my finger in front of him and then point to myself as I say, "There's no need to worry, Ayato-kun, Shitow Haruka is here to rescue you from any fashion disaster."

He rolls his eyes but then smiles as he answers, "Yes, yes, of course."

Memories of that time so precious to me flash before my mind, I had not been that happy in so long.

He looks away with a thoughtful expression and says in a serious tone, "Even so, if it hadn't been for what you did, helping me escape, I would never have found out the truth."

His comment stings - the truth - those simple words make me feel ill. 

Realizing that I may worry him again, I turn my face towards him and grin as I respond, "And you wouldn't have met the adorable Buchi, either."

He smiles and laughs quietly as he says, "Yes, that's true."

And I wouldn't have met you…

I am startled from my thoughts when I notice that she has approached me and is moving the items around in the basket.

She looks at me and says, "Hmm, I think we have everything, what do you think, Ayato-kun?"

Embarrassed because her face is so near mine, I have trouble getting my words out.

"I – I think we're all set."

She smiles broadly and gives me the thumbs up sign before moving to stand beside me once more.

I nod my head yes and she says, "Ok, let's go check out then."

Still recovering, I am barely able to respond, "Sure."

We walk together silently to the cash register.  I take out the items and hand them to Kamina-kun so that he can scan them and place them in bags.  As we finish, before I can do so, he picks up the bags.

"Ayato-kun, I can help with that, really."

He shakes his head no and says, "It's fine, thanks for offering, though."

"All right, thanks so much."

He smiles in response.

Side by side, we step out of the store and into the night.  I look up, and am happy that, once again, Kamina-kun and I are under the same sky. 

I continue to admire the stars as we walk home in a calm silence.

When we approach the door, Haruka-san runs ahead and opens it for me with a smile.

"Thank you, Haruka-san."

"No problem, Ayato-kun!"

She waits as I walk through and then follows me inside.  Together, we put away the groceries.

When we finish, I realize, unfortunately, that we'll need to go our separate ways.

We stand before each other, and I wish that I could freeze time in this moment – and tell her my true feelings.

My earlier anxieties resurface and I decide that, at least now, I will remain silent, but soon, I believe that I will have that courage.

I stand quietly, knowing what I want to say and do, but feeling restricted by my fears.

"Haruka-san?"

Clinging to hope, I say, "Yes, Ayato-kun?"

He smiles and says, "I had a nice evening, thanks for asking me to join you."

I grin and say, "Of course, I had a good time, too."

"Next time it's my turn, if you have time, why don't you come with me?"

I shake my head yes and say, "Sure!"

He turns to go without saying more, and, though he did not say the words he spoke to me so long ago, I feel happy all the same.  I promise myself that someday soon, I will tell Kamina-kun the truth – about our past, and my present.