A:N/ Back again! The first part of the Trust series will begin here^^ Thanks again to the lovely reviewers an supporters.
To The Patchwork Rabbit: Don't wory Rabbit san, Yukimura and Masamuna we love will be back xD
To AegisVi: Hey AegisVi san! So nice to read your comment^^
To Yushininata: OMG I loved your excitement Yushininata, and pleased you liked the gift *wink* . About the update dates, I always place them in my profile. In most times they are accurate, but might be delayed for a day maximum (in urgent cases). And yes, Hotaru WILL play survival games ( can't wait to write that part!)
To Rocket: You really made me relieved by your comment. I actually was pretty nervous about that chapter. Hope you like this one too^^
To Moonshadowcuteness1: welcome back Moon san (is it okay to call you that?) OMG that will be a total horror indeed for Hotaru LOL! Yet totally exciting for us *evil grin*
To Shattered Blood Rose: Hello Rose san, I actually place the new updates dates in my profile. Feel free to pass by anytime^^ and enjoy this chapter.
To Demon Mirajane5: Thanks for the review Demon san! Enjoy the chapter.
To DiffrentandLonely-girl: How did you find the anime Lonely girl? Oh, and thanks for the comment^^ enjoy the update.
To Guest: Hi Guest san! Glad you liked it so far^^
To UniqYuni: It is an honor for me that the chapter was to your liking^^ and I really hope that I will be able to keep up writing and improve.
To Person: sorry Person san. I wish I could find your profile so that I can reply to you in a message. I was supposed to update a day earlier, but I had few issues. Anyway, I place the update dates in my profile, so you are welcomed to pass by anytime^^ Enjoy this chapter.
To Katie: A lot more is actually coming ahead Katie san *muahahaha* you really need to check this chapter^^
To Roy : Hi Roy san^^. Unfortunately, I had to be a day late. But I will try being on time next time
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Chapter 6: Trust (1): reunion
Hotaru/Alice's POV
"Alice san, can I speak with you?"
"..Yeah"
Just as I avoided returning to my apartment and prefered to enjoy a walk until afternoon, I didn't expect to meet Yukimura so soon. He was carrying a bag with a promotional picture of an otome game, which he apparently bought and most likely waited in a crazy long line to get it . I resisted the urge to snicker at the otaku, who once called me a pervert back when we first met. He caught me starting at the bag and coughed, in embarrassment maybe?, and averted his eyes downwards. He seemed to be sorting his thoughts and gathering what to say, so I let him take his time.
" Sorry, for earlier...It is just..."
"It is okay, Yukimura san" I cut him shortly. 'So he wanted to apologize for the earlier incident, that is nice of him'.
"I am sorry, for treating you rudely" he said, as he bowed slightly to show sincerity.
"It is fine, really! It is me who should apologize for leaving so suddenly. I didn't have the chance to the thank you properly" I patted his shoulder and smiled at him, as a form of gratitude.
"That smile..." He stared at me for a moment, with the same dark eyes that made me shiver, before sighing and dropping the topic and leaving me confused.
"He was searching for you, Masamune I mean"
"Ah" was the only voice I could reply with before I reminded quiet . He also wasn't a talkative person, so it wasn't a problem having a silent walk, as both of us enjoyed the chilly winds.
"I didn't have the chance to get to know you Alice san. I heard from Masamune that you are a foreigner. But you are skilled in Japanese" he finally broke the silence. And although I didn't look at him, I can sense his eyes on me.
"Yeah, I stayed in US for a while and I returned recently, but I lived here for an enough time to master the language" 'And sorry to disappoint you, but I am a pure Japanese' I giggled nervously.
"Oh, is that so. Then, why did you come back?"
"To complete education" 'and also to see some people, specific number of them'
"Alice san, let me frank with you. Do you have relatives here?"
My feet froze at the sudden question, and I glanced at him, only to meet intense eyes that seemed to scan me thoroughly in a way that made me gulp. 'I knew it! He is suspicious of me! He needs to put one and one together to figure it all!'
"Why are you asking, Yukimura san?" I smiled, while faking innocence. I wanted answer with a flat 'no', but more lies meant more trouble and a lot more danger.
"You resemble someone I know, that is why I am asking" he narrowed his eyes slightly. However, didn't seem to leave his question unanswered.
"Yukimura san, don't you think you are digging a bit too deep into personal points?" I pointed out while smiling politely, . It is too early for interrogation after all. Thankfully, my angelic behavior paid off, since he finally nodded and kept walking.
"What about your address. It is not a very personal point, isn't it?" He added soon after with a smirk.
"Well… I guess not" I faked another small laugh, but my in mind I kept a note to get back at him. 'That cheeky pervert is using my own words!'
+++ During the evening +++
I sat on one of the comfortable chairs in one of the restaurants. Actually, it happened to be one of my favorites six months ago. Taking the first bites of the dark chocolate cake. Both Jesse and Amber insisted that we should go out and enjoy a meal, so I was once again dragged along. But I can't deny that the weather is nice and it's such a waste to stay indoors.
"Are you even listening Alice?"
"Ah...sorry, what were you saying?" I said, admitting the deed. I wasn't practically listening for the past hour.
"Tell us Hotaru, what is going on?" Jesse said, suddenly dropping the childish smile and wore a serious expression.
"There is nothing much" I replied casually, and proceeded eating the cake.
"You didn't tell us what happened in the party night, and now you are eating a double chocolate cake silently"
"What does the cake has to do with anything?"
"You only eat heavy sweets when you are troubled, in other words during thinking time. We have been around you enough to know that much. Just tell us"
'Okay, note to myself. I need to change my habits' I sighed in defeat, yet eventually nodded in agreement, as I told them about meeting my old friends.
The time flew by as we finished the food and drinks we previously ordered. After paying for the waiter, I headed to the bathroom together with Jesse, since she wanted to fix her makeup. Few minutes later, and just as I left the restroom, I bumped into someone and caused her books and other stuff to scatter on the floor.
"I am so sorry" she apologized and in hurry and bent over to gather her things. I quickly went to help her and collected the few books and cosmetics that were next to my feet. Accidentally, I glanced at the interiors of one the already opened books, only to gasp in shock.
"Ah..Sorry, and thank you very much for your..." She stood up, removing few pink strands of hair covering her eyes, before displaying the same shocked expression I had.
"Ho..Hotaru?"
Kanae's POV
I can't believe it. After all this time, and after all the efforts I spent searching for my precious best friend, and after all the sleepless nights I had and all the tears I shed, I finally found her. At last, I managed to meet Hotaru. Even with the feminine clothes and the long hair I still recognize that face clearly, It has to be her.
There are a lot of things I want to tell her, starting with 'Where were you all this time' and 'Have you been living well', but most importantly, I wanted to say 'I missed you, and I am sorry'. However, my throat betrayed me, and nothing came out except for a whimper I didn't recognize.
The girl in front of me seemed surprised at first, but then quietly handed me the notebooks and never again looking into my eyes.
"Hotaru.." I tried once again to gain her attention. However, she acted as if I was a stranger.
"Alice, where are you?" Another girl hurriedly walked out of the restroom and paused beside Hotaru. The later turned towards her and smiled.
'Do they know each other? Who is she?' I wanted to ask, but I waited until Hotaru and I were alone.
"Well, I just ran into this girl, so I helped collecting her stuff" To say I was surprised was understatement. The Hotaru I knew was barley passing English classes, but now she is very fluent. There was a silent pause between those two, and I noticed few glances exchanged between them, before they looked at me.
"Sorry, if my friend Alice caused you trouble"
"Ah, no no, It's okay" she must have been a foreigner, judging from her skin color and excellent American accent. But I don't want to end up starting a conversation with her (my English is not that good alright?), besides I have to speak with Hota... Wait a second, did she say Alice?
"Umm..your name is Alice?" I directed an immediate question towards the long hair girl, who glanced away for a second before answering.
"True, it is Alice. And yes I understand Japanese, so feel free to talk" she replied in normal Japanese, to my surprise.
My heart sank at both the answer and the icy cold voice. Not to mention an aura that felt strange to me. I laughed awkwardly at the sudden realization. So she is not Hotaru, but another girl named Alice huh. But the striking resemblance is definite.
"It is okay, I have to go anyway. Sorry and thank you for the help again"
Hotaru/Alice POV
'Among all the people, it had to be Kanae' I sighed in relief as my knees turned into jelly. How on earth did I manage to keep a cool head while telling a bright fat lie! She obviously recognized me and called my name. That was horrible, and the guilt was sickening to be honest.
"Are you okay?" Jesse said, clearly worried as she patted my back.
"Yeah. Let's go" I muttered, while staring the restaurant entrance that Kanae just passed through. Something about her smile doesn't seem right.
~To Be Continued~
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Sorry guys for a slightly short chapter, but I was busy lately preparing for a cosplay event and finishing other stories. But I will update a longer chapter next time. Also, I just got an invitation to participate in fanfiction contest. I am considering to submit this story, but I still need to check the rules and deadline of the competition. I will announce the final decision in the intro of the next chapter, or in the reviews board. However, I still need your opinion about it, so let me know n_n
Until next time!
Next chapter: Trust (2)