Forget-Me-Not

By: AtomicKokoro

Storyline

A question is brought up around the table at the Russian Sushi restaurant. Mikado and Masaomi gladly answer Anri and Saki's question, only to trail deep down into Memory Lane.

…

Before You Read

Well. This is it. The last chapter.

I really hope you guys have enjoyed my story as much as I enjoyed writing it. Please, don't forget to review. After this story, I plan to write How To Speak Again, followed by a new story called Obsessive Compulsive about a Yandere Saki who wants the best for Masaomi. But does Masaomi want that?

And before this story is over, here are some statistics I am proud of for this story:

Did you know "Forget-Me-Not" is my second longest fanfiction, my second most alerted, fourth most favorited, and eighth most hitted? Out of 82 stories. This makes "Forget-Me-Not" my second top story and second top finished-chapter story? Thank you guys for making this my best project on !

Well, no more keeping you waiting.

On with the story!

…

Chapter 13

Forget-Me-Not – Memories

Mikado.

I know I've been contradicting myself a lot. I know I've made a lot of mistakes. And I know that there is no way I can make it up to you.

But, in all this time, I've realized. Mikado, you are what has kept me alive for so long. I needed you here. I needed you, more than anything. I still need you.

I won't ever leave you again. And I promise.

I'll always remember you.

…

The table was silent. "I guess that's it," Masaomi said after a moment. "And that's pretty much why the Forget-Me-Nots are our favorite flower."

More silence. "Wow," Saki said. "I can't believe we spent...almost the entire day just to explain why some kind of flower is so special. It was a good-bye present. Could you take any longer explaining that?"

Masaomi chuckled. "Saki, it wasn't a good-bye present," he said. "It was a promise in of itself."

"A promise?" Anri whispered. "I don't think I caught that."

It was Mikado who spoke next. "It was the promise of never forgetting," he said. "We promised each other to never forget each other. To remember all those times and hold them in our memories forever."

"It's cheesy," Masaomi cut it. "but it's very important to us." Slowly, the girls nodded, understanding. "I guess we better get going. Russia Sushi is going to close. C'mon." The others agreed. They quickly paid their bill (which ended up being much larger than they expected due to three rounds of sushi instead of one) and the four headed outside. "So, what now?"

"Well," Saki said. "I have to get some shopping done, so I'm off to the super market. Anything specific, Masaomi?"

Masaomi shook his head. "Nah. I'm gonna walk Anri and Mikado home. I'll catch you at the house later, okay?" Saki nodded and headed off in her own direction, leaving the trio to their own.

As they began towards Anri's house, the dark sky only getting darker as they walked, Anri couldn't help but say, "I guess I underestimated you two."

Masaomi and Mikado exchanged unsure glances before turning back to Anri. "Huh? What do you mean?"

"Simply," Anri said. "I thought you two had only been friends. That you had been just with each other in the same friend's group, but I never realized you two had it solo. I guess...Well, I don't know. It's sort of hard to explain. But I guess everyone's had their ups and downs. I guess I just have a new perspective on you..."

Masaomi chuckled. "Don't you worry about it," he said. "Normally, it's not something we talk about. We are usually focused on the future instead of the past."

"I understand," Anri whispered as they arrived to the front door of her house. "Are you guys still planning out your future?"

Mikado smiled. "Yeah. Major changes from since back then, but..."

"They are still plans," Masaomi added. "You never know what might come next."

Anri nodded, satisfied with the answer. She waved good-bye and disappeared into her own house, leaving the two boys on their own. They smiled to each other and continued their way home.

…

They had walked to Mikado's home in silence. A comfortable silence. Nothing needed to be said. Nothing needed to be explained. So, as they stood outside Mikado's front door, the pepper was prepared to simply say good-bye and go inside, but, before the door could open, Masaomi grabbed the handle.

Mikado looked up for a moment, curious as to why Masaomi did such an action. His usual hazel eyes weren't visible. They were hidden in the shadows of his bangs. Quiet. Silence. Slowly, Masaomi's eye became visible, a small sad smile forming, deep into the eyes of Mikado Ryūgamine. "I..." There was hesitation, and Masaomi decided no words needed to be said.

He stepped forward and embraced his best friend in a tight hug. Mikado was shocked at first. Slowly, he smiled and returned the gesture. For a long time, they did nothing. Only the sound of cars rushing by, children laughing, people walking. The stars high above them, white paint on black silk. The moon watching, pale face smiling unknowingly, tears sliding down rosy cheeks.

The moment was long, yet not long enough. "Mikado," Masaomi whispered. "Can you promise me something?"

Mikado slowly opened his eyes. "Yes," he replied, voice quiet as well.

"Please promise me," Masaomi tightening his grip on Mikado, holding him closer, as though he couldn't live if he let Mikado go. "that you'll always remember me."

There was a fragile silence. The stars would break, the moon would shatter. The tears would flow them a river. Yet, Mikado still spoke. "I promise," he whispered. "I promise. I promise."

A moment of hesitation. Then, in unison, they spoke, "I promise."

On the thunderous nights. On the darkened days. In the midst of memories and forgotten moments. In the presence of laughter and tears. Within the promises and lies. In whispers and cries.

In the daily remembrance, and in play. In the protection and the beauty. With those forsaken. In cheerfulness and in mourning. With our wonderful friends. Beyond the symbols of love and hidden in the deceit. In secrecy and silence. In memory of an absent friend.

The strangest places we see light, yet they are the most obvious. Never do we realize what we have until it is gone. When we are gone, when ashes come to ashes, and we all fall down, we continue to live on. Even when we are far away from those we love, we are still with them. Forever will we live, and forever will we be with those we love.

In memories.

And a blue flower planted on the cliff. Rushed. Hurried. But with love. With care. Living off salty tears everyday, yet a strong symbol of two young boys who simply wanted to be with each other. If they find hope. If they find serenity. If they continue to live on. If they will always remember.

In memories.

Always burned in the imagery of their minds would be the Forget-Me-Not.

And one grown on the edge of the cliff, planted lovingly among the flowers.