"This is what you get for spending so much time out in the cold last night, Satoshi-kun!" Dr. Katsuya scolded as she glared at the thermometer. "It's December! What were you thinking? Look at this, one hundred seven degrees!"

"Uhh…" Satoshi sniffled, grabbing a tissue for his runny nose to avoid answering.

"He wanted to see his girlfriend." Daisuke snickered.

"Hey! She's n-not my…. You have one too!" Satoshi said with a distorted voice.

"Do not!"

"Now, now, boys, I knew this would happen eventually," Dr. Katsuya sighed, "but this is ridiculous! Young love makes you do crazy things, eh?"

"Whoa, easy on the L-word, Doc." Daisuke gagged, "Girls…"

"Grow up, Dai!" Masaru shouted from the other side of the room where he was playing Super Smash Bothers Brawl, sprawled out on his green-themed bed.

Daisuke rolled his eyes. "Looks like we're not doing band this week?"

"Would you change your name if you do?" Dr. Katsuya raised an eyebrow, a teal iris looking at him out of the corner of her eye.

"Why do you keep asking that? What's wrong with our name?" Daisuke asked.

"Nothing, it's just… It kind of reminds me of some people I once knew." Dr. Katsuya replied hesitantly.

"Really now? Who might that be?" Daisuke smirked. When she didn't answer, he said, "Admit it. It was the Rowdyruff Boys."

Silence again. Masaru stopped playing and came over to them. "We know you know about them, Doc. We know it was us."

Dr. Katsuya looked up abruptly. "Y-you…!? But, how…?"

"You think we don't remember? We do. Most monsters didn't, but we're not most monsters."

"We were artificial…" Satoshi muttered from under his blankets.

"We remember everything." Daisuke said.

Dr. Katsuya sighed. "I guess the charade's over. I suspected you three knew what was going on, since you lied at the agency all those months ago. If you really didn't remember, you would have said you didn't know, and they'd treat you for amnesia." She said, "That, and you acted just like them for a while. And, those songs you wrote… they're not just cool words, are they?" The boys nodded solemnly.

"I gotta ask," Daisuke said, "Why'd you help us? Why give us food and shelter when all we did was cause you trouble? Why help fugitives?"

Dr. Katsuya shrugged. "I don't know. I felt sorry? I helped you on impulse. I saw you, I couldn't help it, and so I helped you. I don't care about you being fugitives or troublemakers. If I didn't help you, I know nobody else would. If anybody else found you that day, they would've turned you in immediately."

"Last question," Masaru said, "why did you keep us?"

"I was lonely." There was silence, and Dr. Katsuya continued, "Do you see any kids around here? A husband? Everybody needs a little companionship, even a cooped-up scientist like me. And I've always wanted a family…"

"We're glad you adopted us." Satoshi said quietly, voicing the boys' long-hidden feelings.

"I am too."

……………………………………………………

"Eh? Katsuya-san got sick?"

"Yeah, I called Katsuya-kun last night, and Masaru-kun told him to tell me to tell you Satoshi-san got a cold." Momoko relayed when they met up in the park a few days later.

"That's unfortunate…"

"Masaru-kun also told me to pass the number onto you so you could call him and wish him well. I didn't know you two were friends."

"Uh, we're neighbors." Miyako shrugged, her face pink.

"Oh. Oh yeah, he also said something like, 'he'll get better right away if she does call' and then laughed." Momoko seemed confused by this, but Miyako blushed harder.

"Oi," Kaoru said to get their attention, "Where're we going today?

……………………………………………………

It was the first time Miyako had ever been to the other side of the street. The day after Momoko gave her the message, the group decided to visit the Katsuya residence.

"My house is on the thirtieth block from the school, and their house is right behind it, so…" After a nice, long walk, the girls stopped in front of a quaint little home. "this must be it."

"Good. I'm so tired…." Momoko was covered in cold perspiration like her former teammates were, but she seemed to be the only one complaining.

Miyako rang the doorbell, and the brunette woman opened it, looked so frazzled one could say a hurricane had hit her. "Yes?"

"Anno, good afternoon. Are you Mrs. Katsuya? We're friends of your sons."

"Dr. Katsuya. I'm not married." The woman corrected, "Please, come in. You look like you just ran a mile! Did you come to see Satoshi-kun?"

"Ah, yes…" Miyako answered as the three entered the house. She could tell boys definitely lived there, but couldn't see a boy in sight.

"Masaru-kun and Daisuke-kun are in the living room," Dr. Katsuya motioned towards the nearest door, "Satoshi-kun is in bed. Follow me."

As they proceeded to the room, Dr. Katsuya turned her head slightly to look at them. "I haven't seen you around before. What are you called?"

"I'm Momoko, that's Kaoru, and she's Miyako. We're not from here," Momoko said, "But we met your sons last week."

"I go to school with them." Miyako said quietly.

"Ah, that's nice." Dr. Katsuya opened a door, allowing them passage. "Satoshi-kun, you have some visitors." She turned to the girls, "Don't worry, he's not contagious. You can come to the living room when you're done. I'll go get some snacks ready."

"Thank you, Doctor." Miyako said, bowing as she left.

"You make us sound like we're in a hospital."

Everybody turned to the ill blond who'd just spoken in a rather stuffy voice.

"We'll leave you guys alone." Kaoru tugged at Momoko's arm, walking away.

"Huh? What?" Momoko looked towards Kaoru, following her and asking in whispered, "Wait, what's going on?"

"How are you feeling, Katsuya-san?" Miyako asked as she came into the room.

"Better than a few days ago." Satoshi chuckled softly, sitting up and taking a good look at her, "This is an unexpected visit."

"Ah, well…" Miyako's eyes trailed elsewhere in the room, surveying it. There were three color-themed beds and various things scattered around, like sports equipment and music sheets. "I wanted to see how you were doing."

"This isn't your fault, you know."

Miyako blinked, looking back at him. "Eh?"

"You feel guilty 'cause I got sick after that day. That was my own fault, by the way." Satoshi said.

"Uhh… but…" Miyako paused, and then said, "I kept you out that day. Gomen nasai."

"It's okay." Satoshi shrugged, and then laughed hoarsely after a moment, "This is déjà vu."

Miyako smiled, "I suppose it is."

"Akatsusumi-san? What're you doin' here?" Daisuke said in surprise when the redhead and her friend entered the living room, "When did you even get here? Heck, how'd you know where we lived?"

Momoko giggled, "Miyako-chan knew, and we got here a few minutes ago. She wanted to see how Satoshi-san was doing."

"Oh—hey, no fair Masaru!" Daisuke suddenly shouted.

"You should've paused. I win." Masaru snickered, watching Daisuke fumble with his controller out of the corner of his eye. "Hey, Akatsusumi, Matsubara."

"Is that Brawl? Man, move over!" Kaoru grinned, plopping down next to the boys on the couch.

"Can a girl play Brawl?" Daisuke raised an eyebrow, getting a smack on the back of the head from Kaoru. "I was just kidding! Here," He handed her a controller, "Wanna play too, Akatsusumi-san?"

"Why not?" Momoko shrugged, sitting down as well.

"I'm gonna wipe the floor with you guys!" Kaoru chose her character, and everyone else followed suit.

"We'll see about that!" Masaru challenged, and the game started.

Loud shouts reached their ears, and the two blonds looked towards the door. "What's going on out there…?"

"My brothers are probably playing Brawl again. No doubt they dragged your friends into it too." Satoshi sniffed. "If I was better and this was a casual visit, would you join too?" He asked playfully.

"Ah… but there's only four controllers, right?"

"We can take turns."

"I'm no good at video games," Miyako admitted, "I'm more into the 'girly' things, as Kaoru-san would say."

"Right…" Satoshi bit his lip, "So… um, you came all this way to check on me, huh?"

"Ah…"

"Maybe next time I should visit you. Then we could play together, like we said."

"Eh? Play?"

"You with the piano, me with the guitar, remember?"

"Oh, yes. That would be… fun."

"So, are we still on for tomorrow?" Daisuke asked, sitting back comfortably as he watched the two remaining players duke it out onscreen.

Momoko blushed, "Yeah." She said, also sitting back and fiddling with her controller. She'd also been knocked out of the game, and their green ex-teammates were nearly jumping in their seats beside them, trying to get the better of each other. "Maybe we should make it a double date." She grinned.

"Eh? But Satoshi's sick." Daisuke gave her a funny look.

"I meant them." She whispered, motioning to Kaoru and Masaru.

"Oh, right…" Daisuke grinned, then a plan popped into his head and he whispered it into Momoko's ear. She reflected his grin.

"I hope Miyako-chan is okay with being alone tomorrow."

……………………………………………………

"Miya-chan? Where are your friends today?" Mrs. Goutokuji asked when she saw her daughter that afternoon. "It's a nice winter Wednesday! I suspect it'll snow soon…"

"They're out… with some other friends. I don't mind." Miyako shrugged lightly.

"Ah, if you're not busy then dear, why don't you help me out at the store today? Your father wanted to spend some time with your grandmother, so I'm going to need an extra pair of hands."

"Yes, okaasan."

When they got to the shop and Miyako helped her mother check the inventory, the ring of the door told them that there was a customer. Miyako was sent to the register to manage it, leaving her mother in the back to continue the inventory, and was surprised when she saw whom the customer was.

It was the cheerleader. She walked around for a while, looking at everything, before Miyako decided to leave her station and approach her.

"Can I help you, miss?"

The girl blinked. "Y-you!" She seemed utterly surprised, "What are you doing here?"

"My family owns this place." She motioned to her work nametag, which said "Miyako Goutokuji" in plain white letters. "Is there anything in particular you'd like?"

The girl stared at her. "You've gotta be kidding me. What do you think you're doing?"

"My job." Miyako replied coolly.

"This is some kind of joke." The girl still denied.

"It isn't. If you need any help, I'll be at the register." Miyako said, walking away. The girl stared at her before following.

"Is this because of the talent show?" She demanded.

"No. You're a customer. I treat all customers equally." Miyako replied, leaning against the counter behind the checkout's desk. "If you think this is a prank to get you back, you're mistaken."

The girl stared at her in silence, and then spoke slowly, though not angrily like before, "How did you do it? The talent show, I mean. You weren't supposed to…"

"Even 'nerds' have talent, cheerleader-san. If you're referring to stage fright, I never had it."

"B-but you never… even in class! You never spoke or anything!"

"Speaking up in class would be bragging about my intelligence. I didn't want to do that."

"…You don't cry or get angry."

"I learned not to."

"You don't smile."

"Why? So you can find whatever I'm happy about and destroy it? Take it away from me?" Miyako's voice was almost cold.

The girl looked shocked. "I-I would never…!"

"You do everything else without much of a conscience. Why would this be any different?"

"How dare you…!" The cheerleader paused, took a deep breath, and straightened out. "You're right." It was Miyako's turn to look shocked. "I just don't listen to my conscience. It was wrong to enter you into that contest, and I'm sorry."

"…Apology accepted." Miyako said after a moment. "I don't believe in stereotypes and prejudice, but you never seemed like the kind to apologize."

"You never seemed like the kind of person I'd actually lose to."

"So, what can I get you?"

The cheerleader blinked. "Eh?"

"You came to Goutokuji Fashions to improve that wardrobe of yours, didn't you?" Miyako commented. "Surely you can't wear your cheerleading outfit everywhere you go."

"Right…" The cheerleader said slowly, "By the way, you mention this conversation to anyone in school and I'll…"

"I know. And I thought you were better than that." Miyako shrugged casually, stepping over to a rack of coats. "Now, since it's winter, a fashionable overcoat from Europe would be a good choice, hm? Tokyo City's always filled with these during this season. It's a classic fashion statement. If you're looking for something of the latest fashions…"

She'd slipped into the persona of a saleswoman, and the cheerleader could only stare in bewilderment at the eerie calmness.

……………………………………………………

"I can't believe I let you drag me into this! A blind date, pah!" Kaoru complained, "I should've known! It's Katsuya, for crying out loud! Of course he'd bring his brother!"

"It's not that bad, Kaoru." Momoko said, "C'mon, you know he likes you!"

"No, he doesn't. You think he likes me."

"You like him then."

Kaoru's face instantly became red. "Momoko!" She hissed.

Momoko and Kaoru were arguing with whispers as they walked alongside their 'dates', who were doing the exact same thing.

"Jeez, what was I thinking letting you convince me to go on a 'blind date'! With Matsubara nonetheless!"

"Oh come on! You guys already get along so well!" Daisuke rolled his eyes, "Who else did you think Akatsusumi-san was going to bring? The nerd?"

"Well, that might be better than Matsubara," Masaru said dryly, "since I know somebody else already likes her."

"Well, what if I told you Matsubara likes you?" Daisuke said slyly.

"S-she… what?" Masaru gave him a look of disbelief, "You're lying."

"And you're blushing." Daisuke smirked. "You like her."

"No I don't!"

"Weren't you the one who said 'grow up'?"

Masaru frowned, looking away from his ruby-eyed brother, sneaking a glance in the girls' direction, his face slightly pink.

……………………………………………………

"K-Katsuya-san?" Miyako blinked when she saw the blond appear on her doorstep that Friday afternoon.

"Yo! Look, I'm all better now!" The boy grinned.

"Hey, is that Satoshi-san? Did he bring his brothers?" Momoko poked her head out from the other room.

"Yep. The guys thought you'd be over here, so they tagged along." Satoshi rolled his eyes, stepping aside to reveal his brothers. Daisuke was leaning on a red skateboard, and Masaru was sitting on the stoop and trying to get his inline skates off. There was a bike leaning on its stand nearby them.

"They had a better idea than us. We walked." Kaoru commented.

"Please, come in. My parents aren't home today, but I've got other company… I hope you don't mind." Miyako invited them.

"Don't worry about it. So who else is here?" Satoshi asked curiously as he wandered into the living room where Momoko had previously come from. He blinked when he saw two eleven-year-olds, a six-year-old, and a dark-haired eighteen-year-old.

"My friends' families." Miyako answered, "Their parents went out with mine, and I have to baby sit today anyway, so it's a full house."

"Cool," Daisuke commented, "We have enough for a party."

"Oi, Katsuya-kun," Momoko motioned, "This is my sister Kuriko!" She introduced happily.

"Are you neechan's boyfriend?" The small orange-eyed girl gave him a look.

"Eh? Well, I wouldn't say boyfriend… yet…" Daisuke scratched the back of his head, adjusting his red cap slightly as if trying to hide his blush.

"That's too bad. You'd be neechan's first then."

"Kuriko!" Momoko clamped a hand over her mouth, laughing nervously, "She's just being silly…"

"That doesn't work anymore." Kuriko said as she yanked Momoko's hand away from her face, "People can believe what eleven-year-olds say, you know. We're not six."

Daisuke laughed as the two sisters fought and wrestled like the sisters they were.

"I'm only gonna guess you two are related to Matsubara." Masaru said to Daiko and Shou, ignoring his brother.

"Yep. I'm Daiko and this is Shou. Hey, she told us you're good at sports." Daiko said, smirking, "Care to prove that to us?"

"I've been itching for a game all week." Masaru returned with his own smirk.

"Hey sis, wanna join us?" Shou called.

"No thanks," Kaoru snorted, still angry about the 'date' Momoko had dragged her on, avoiding Masaru as much as she could because she knew her face would turn red whenever she looked at him now. She blamed it on Momoko. "I'll just watch to make sure you don't ruin the backyard. It's not ours you know!"

Meanwhile, Miyako introduced Satoshi to her charge, "This is Kanon-chan. She lives next door. Kanon-chan, this is Satoshi Katsuya-san."

"Oh. Nice to meet you, Kanon-chan." Satoshi greeted.

"Miya-neechan, can we go back to piano?" The little black-haired girl asked, tugging at Miyako's sleeve.

"Of course." Miyako turned to Satoshi, "Did you bring your guitar? You can help me teach Kanon-chan some music."

"Eh? O-okay. I can do that," Satoshi smiled nervously, "I hope."

So Miyako and Kanon sat down at the piano, and Satoshi pulled up a chair nearby. He wondered if they could play despite all the noise.

Miyako seemed to ignore it, pressing a few keys and asking Kanon to repeat the notes. Satoshi watched in awe as the little girl played alongside Miyako, not disturbing her elegance by fooling around like most kids did whenever they saw a piano.

"How long have you been learning piano, Kanon-chan?" Satoshi asked.

"A week!" Kanon said proudly. "Look, I know do-re-mi-fa-so!" She tapped the keys, "I wanna get as good as Miya-neechan and mama, but mama's too busy to teach me."

"Why did you start learning last week?" Satoshi asked further, and Miyako stopped playing, looking between the two of them.

"'Cause Miya-neechan said she'd teach me after her show. I saw it! It was pretty." Kanon giggled, "I like her impo… impor…"

"Importance of music?" Miyako offered to the struggling girl, though she seemed confused.

"Yeah! I like that about her music. She says she plays it 'cause it's important!"

"Important?" Satoshi looked over to Miyako.

"Three colors, ten digits, seven notes," Miyako whispered, "I thought you'd know the meaning of that by now."

"It's all important, as well as how we use it." Satoshi breathed.

"That's right! I wanna be able to use it well like Miya-neechan!" Kanon declared happily.

Miyako smiled at her, asking her to play the solfege again. She was surprised when a guitar accompanied it, and looked up at Satoshi, who was holding the instrument gently and moving his fingers along the frets as his other hand ran across the strings.

"Satoshi-niichan does it different," Kanon said, "But it's the same."

"That's because music is a universal language." Satoshi smiled, "Everybody all around the world can understand what we're trying to get across if we can speak it right."

Miyako watched with a soft face of admiration as Satoshi spoke to Kanon about music.

……………………………………………………

"God Knows…?"

"Yeah. We should play that together."

Kanon had gone home, the parents had come back, and almost everybody had gone to the backyard to play soccer with Daiko and Masaru.

That just left Miyako and Satoshi.

"Alright." Miyako nodded, and Satoshi started playing. A second later, the piano joined the guitar.

Miyako didn't falter when Satoshi sung quietly along with it. She listened contently.

It only surprised her when she began singing as well, and abruptly stopped playing. Satoshi stopped too, staring at her.

"Why'd you stop? You were doing good."

"I-I'm sorry. I'm just not used to this at all." Miyako sighed sadly.

"What? Performing with others?"

"Yes… and singing in front of them. I was always alone before, so…"

"You can do it. Nobody will laugh. I think… I think you were beautiful."

Miyako's head snapped up, her cheeks sprinkled with pink, her wide blue eyes gazing right into his sincere deep blue ones. He stared back with a sense of calm for a moment, before leaning back against the wall and closing those eyes, placing his fingers on the strings and starting to play once again.

No one's ever told me… I was beautiful before. Not here.

The piano accompanied the guitar once more, and two voices started singing in unison.

Miyako couldn't help but feel that Satoshi had a strong connection to this song, because he sang it so lovingly.

On the final note, Miyako said quietly, "You're a good singer too."

Satoshi looked at her and smiled. "Thanks, but I prefer to stick to the background."

"Why?"

"Because I can't sing loud," Satoshi answered simply, "Isn't that the same as you?"

"I… choose not to sing."

"I know." Satoshi smiled softly, looking straight ahead, though not really seeing whatever was there. "I cannot sing. I envy you—you can probably be destined to be a cute popular idol. I'll always be the guitarist."

"W-what…?" Miyako stared at him, utterly confused and concerned. "Why?"

Satoshi didn't look at her. "I don't know. Dr. Katsuya said there was something wrong with my vocal chords or lungs or something."

Miyako gasped. "C-cancer…?"

Satoshi chuckled. "No. I'll live, whatever it is."

"That's a relief…"

"Funny. I never had this… defect before I was… adopted." Satoshi whispered, painfully remembering his days as Boomer. He knew it was because of that time that he was like this. The time he was defeated.

There was silence, and then Miyako whispered, "You said you envied me… I'm the one who envies you."

"Uh? Why?" He looked at her out of the corner of his eye.

"You can perform."

"Performing isn't something people will laugh at you for, if that's what you're worried about. It's…"

"It's something people would admire me for. Kaoru-san said the same thing."

"Let me guess—it's just hard, huh?" Miyako nodded, and Satoshi continued, "You know, if you think about it, that's what makes it hard. If you see all the people you make happy because of your performance, you'll know it's worth it in the end."

She stared at him, a sudden burst of familiarity falling over her. In that instance, she remembered the awed faces of the people in the crowd of the talent show, which melted into the days of the past, to the people who'd admired her and looked up to her when she was Bubbles.

The warm feelings came rushing back to her, and all of a sudden, she could reach it and take hold of it firmly with a smile.

"Ah, look! Snow!"

……………………………………………………

Three weeks went by. The girls had noticed a huge change in Miyako. She was just like her old self, bubbly and cheerful to an extent and wearing her hair in pigtails like she used to.

The snow had piled up, everyone had bundled up, and they'd met at the park to play around.

"Wow, it looks like my whole school is here…" Miyako murmured as she surveyed the already crowded park.

"Look, ice cream!"

"Momoko-san…" Miyako stifled a giggle, "Don't you think it's a bit too cold for frozen snacks? You'll get a brain freeze."

"So?" Momoko laughed, heading over to the vendor.

"Alright, go have some fun, kids. Let's meet back up in four hours, okay?" Mrs. Goutokuji called.

"Hai!" Everyone chorused, running towards the snow to make snowballs and forts for a game of war.

"So… we've got one day left."

"Yeah…" Kaoru looked up at the sky, which was splotched with bright blue and pure white. "I'm glad we came this year."

"Me too. I'm glad we met again."

"And you have me to thank for that!" Momoko laughed, suddenly snaking both arms around their shoulders. "I'm glad I found you guys too!"

"Have things really changed that much?" Miyako chuckled, "Look at us. It's just like old times. The three of us, together, just doing anything."

"That's not the only thing." Momoko winked, changing her position to walk between them, which they moved to make room for her to do so. Momoko pointed a slender finger down, and Miyako blinked at the familiar white belt that used to hang lightly at their waists.

"Why are you wearing your belt?" Miyako questioned, surprised.

"Miyako? Didn't you even notice even you got yours out of your closet today?" Kaoru questioned, giving her a look.

Miyako looked down, surprised to see the familiar blue compact. "When did I…?"

"We brought ours since the beginning, you know. I never leave it hundreds of miles away when at any moment I might need it." Momoko said, "I just felt like wearing it today. Look, after two years, it still fits!"

"Not as loosely as before, but it'll do." Kaoru agreed, her own belt peeking out from under her shirt and jacket.

Miyako didn't feel the need to ask anymore. "Things are different, yet still the same. I think we're better now."

"And since when were we not?" Momoko raised an eyebrow.

"When we were apart."

A short silence was shared, and then Kaoru said, "We're friends, right? As long as we know that, we won't ever be apart."

"You can say that again!" Momoko laughed.

"No thanks. That's the only time I'll say anything that cheesy." Kaoru laughed with her, so hard that she fell into the soft snow and lay there until her laughs subsided.

Momoko sat down next to her, then fell back as well. "Look, snow angels!"

Miyako giggled, joining them.

After a while, they just lay there. "What are we gonna do after this?"

"What do you mean, Momoko-san?"

"After we go back the day after tomorrow."

"Keep in contact? Duh."

"Not what I meant, Kaoru. I mean, we're together again. It's fun. If we all got back together, not just for a month, would it be as fun?"

"What're you saying?" Kaoru sat up, staring at her. "You're gonna move back or something?"

"I don't know. I don't think so. But do you think we can ask to?"

"I can. I can move back with obaachan if I wanted to." Miyako piped up.

"You can? Then why didn't you?" Momoko asked.

"I don't know. My parents are strangers, my school hates me, and I have no friends here…" Miyako paused, "I guess that part of me from back then was the only thing left when I came here—the one that wanted to see the good in everybody and knew that things would turn out okay somehow."

"You wanted to know your parents better, and you made some friends, Miyako-chan."

"I know. Which is why I should stay."

"You know we—I'll miss you." Kaoru said, "Both of you."

"Did you miss us two years ago?" Momoko asked, "Did you miss us last year?"

"I missed you guys the whole time. And I miss us too."

"Let's make a vow, ne?" Momoko said, pulling out her compact, "A new one. We don't need the Powerpuff Girls Z anymore—our friendship back then was started by that, and it was based off of and continued by that. But that's gone now, so we'll make a new promise—for us, not them."

Kaoru pulled her compact free too, and Miyako pushed her self up, reaching for hers as well. They held the three items together.

"Okay. A promise for us." Miyako said.

"Is this it? Gee, you made it seem so dramatic." Kaoru laughed, putting the thing away and laying back down.

"Haha, couldn't help it. I saw something like it once in a video game!"

"Momoko…"

"Hey! Did I die? 'Cause I'm seein' angels!"

"Dai… That is such a stupid line…"

The girls sat up again, surprised by the new voices.

"I can't tell anymore… are you boyfriend-girlfriend or not?" Satoshi muttered.

"Yeah we are, idiot."

"Konnichiwa." Miyako greeted, "Were you just complimenting us too to be polite?"

"Yep!" Daisuke laughed, "Hey nerd! Haven't seen you in a while."

"Daisuke-kun! Don't call her a nerd anymore!" Momoko pouted.

"Heh, what else am I supposed to call her?" At his girlfriend's glare, he chuckled, "I'm kidding, I'm kidding. Sorry, Goutokuji."

"It's all right." Miyako said.

"So, you guys are going home soon, eh?" Masaru inquired.

"Unfortunately, yes… I like this town a lot." Momoko pouted again.

"Don't worry, we'll be sure to call often." Satoshi offered.

"You better! Especially you, Daisuke-kun!"

"I'll miss you too." Daisuke rolled his eyes. "So what're you guys doing today?"

"Just hanging out." Momoko shrugged. The redhead helped her up, and she brushed herself off. "You?"

"Enjoying our last days of break the way little kids do." Daisuke grinned, bringing a hand out from behind his back and launching a snowball at the girl, which hit her in the face.

"D-Daisuke-kun!" Momoko gasped, quickly gathering snow and creating her own snowball as the boy ran in the other direction. "Come back here! You'll pay for that!"

"Gah!" Kaoru laughed when Masaru was caught off guard and her snowball got him in the back of the head.

And a kids' war broke out.

After a while, worn out from the fun, Miyako fell back onto a bench. Her friends were still good for the going though, and she watched them contentedly.

"Tired, Goutokuji-san?" A hand came over her shoulder, holding out a warm drink.

"Ah, arigatou, Katsuya-san." Miyako smiled as the boy sat down next to her. They watched the snowballs flying and their friends shouting in the near distance in silence for a few moments.

"Remember Lost My Music?" Miyako asked quietly.

"Hm? Yeah. What about it?" Satoshi looked at her out of the corner of his eye.

"I think it applies again. Though this time to them."

Satoshi followed her gaze, which settled upon Kaoru and Momoko, who had teamed up on his brothers. "The ones you love who're far away."

Miyako nodded. "It was great seeing them again, but it'll hurt terribly when they're gone."

"Ah, they'll come back. And you can always go visit them." Satoshi assured her.

"I know. I just wanted to share this with someone. Other than them."

"Hey, you've always got us! We're your friends too."

Miyako smiled at him. "Yes, you are. But are you sure you boys want a nerd hanging around you during school?"

"I wouldn't mind. I stopped caring what other people thought about me or the people I hang out with when I met those guys." Satoshi motioned to Daisuke and Masaru, chuckling, "Besides, you're not a nerd. Being smart is a gift. I'd give anything to be in the right grade."

Miyako giggled. "I'll be sure to tutor you for the exam to do that then."

"H-hey! I don't wanna learn a lot!" Miyako laughed harder. Satoshi stopped complaining, giving her a look of awe, then laughed with her. "Look at what one month did to you! The school sure is gonna be surprised!"

They settled down a few minutes later, and they both blinked when they found their faces inches apart, and deep sapphire and sky blue locked.

His eyes…. I never realized they were so beautiful….

Miyako grew deep red when she realized it wasn't her blush that was making her face warm. Satoshi seemed to be getting closer, and she could feel his breath on her skin, but she didn't think to move.

When their lips brushed, Satoshi abruptly drew back, red as a tomato. "A-Ah! G-gomen nasai!" He blabbed quickly, scooting as far away as he could as fast as he could. "S-sorry, sorry! I don't know what got into me!"

Miyako looked away bashfully, unable to say a word. What was that just now…?

"G-Goutokuji-san…?" Satoshi asked slowly, gulping. Well, now's a better time than any to say it…. He thought, taking a deep breath. "Goutokuji-san… there's something I've been meaning to tell you."

She blinked, looking up at him. "Y-yes…?"

"Um, uh, I, err… Miyako-san, I like you. I liked you the moment I met you."

Miyako stared at him blankly, letting it sink in slowly. She could feel her heart racing, and her thoughts all crashed in her mind, one over the other, going faster than she could keep track of them.

H-he likes me? Me?! Why? What do I do now? What do I say?

Lost in her thoughts, she barely caught Satoshi's words before he got up and left. "I'll let you think about it for a while. I don't want to rush you. And, uh… Sorry again."

"K-Katsuya-san…!" She looked around, but he was gone.

……………………………………………………

"Eh? He told you he liked you?!" Momoko squealed, "How romantic! I mean, the scenery and everything must have been perfect!"

"A-ah, no…"

"Well, what did you say?" The redhead inquired, taking a bit of meat, apparently not hearing the blond.

The girls had gone out to dinner that night with their families, and the former heroines talked privately amongst their own table.

"Nothing, actually…. He's giving me time to think about my feelings." Miyako explained, sighing, "What should I do? I don't know what to say!"

"Do you like him?"

Miyako blinked, looking in Kaoru's direction. "Well, yes…"

"Then just say that." Kaoru shrugged, "It can't be that hard."

"B-but… I couldn't really say anything that time. W-we kind of almost… k-kissed…" Miyako stuttered, looking down with embarrassment.

"You did! Lucky!" Momoko squealed once again, ignoring the look Kaoru was giving her. "Daisuke-kun and I haven't even kissed! I'm jealous of you, Miyako-chan!"

"W-we didn't kiss!" Miyako corrected shakily, "Kaoru-san, what do I do? Do I go find him? Call him? Send him a note?"

"Whoa, hold on there. You're asking me for love advice?" Kaoru gave her a look. "The world just keeps getting crazier."

"Please! I need your help, guys!" Miyako begged.

Kaoru looked thoughtful, while Momoko decided to blurt out random romantic scenarios that only further embarrassed her blond friend.

"You guys first met by the backyard, right?" Kaoru whispered, ignoring their former leader.

"Y-yes…"

"Why don't you tell him then?" Kaoru suggested, "In fact…" She whispered something into Miyako's ear.

"B-but my parents d-don't allow me to…!" She protested.

Kaoru gave a sly smile. "Then we—Momoko and I—will do it tonight at the sleepover."

……………………………………………………

"What was I thinking?! God, I'm so stupid…"

"You only sound stupid 'cause you're talking to yourself, Satoshi."

"Why don't you ask Doc for advice?"

"I already said it, Dai, advice ain't gonna help."

"You want us to talk to her?" Masaru offered.

"No… I think the best I can do it wait." Satoshi sighed, defeated. He sat down at the only desk in the room, knowing his brothers were sitting on their beds and staring at him. "Just go to bed! I need to think."

"Since when did our little brother think…" Daisuke muttered out of habit.

Satoshi didn't say anything, his hands absently reaching for a pencil and paper.

How do I capture her beauty in words? How can I tell her how I feel in a language I'm just beginning to understand? How do I use the seven notes?

……………………………………………………

It was the first time Miyako had cried in two years. The tears felt painful, stinging her eyes in a way she never remembered, but they were tears of joy.

Heartfelt hugs and goodbyes were exchanged, Miyako and her family had seen her friends and grandmother off, and those tears were shed.

At that moment, she wanted to go with them. Tell her parents she wanted to go back with grandma, and promise to visit next break. But she bit her lip, held it in, and watched them disappear.

She didn't know if she regretted keeping her mouth shut, but she knew she had to stay. Momoko had whispered to her before she released from her final hug, and her words echoed in her head.

"I know how you feel, and I know what it's like wanting to go back to your true home. But stay here—there's still something you have to do."

She hadn't seen Satoshi since that day. Even though Daisuke and Masaru showed up to say goodbye to everyone, Satoshi was missing.

And Miyako could only watch in awe when she realized how much she missed him and how much she really loved him, and that was when she saw Momoko receive her first kiss.

She knew what she had to do.

……………………………………………………

"No, I have to get it perfect…" Satoshi muttered to himself as he began playing his guitar for what seemed like the fiftieth time that evening.

"Jeez, Satoshi-kun. I've never seen you so worked up." Dr. Katsuya commented as she leaned on the backyard porch's railing, folding her arms to better keep herself warm. "Don't stay out too late, okay? I don't want you to get sick again."

"Mm-hmm." Satoshi replied absently, and Dr. Katsuya shook her head, her hazelnut hair bouncing behind her as she made her way inside.

As soon as she was gone, Satoshi started singing quietly to himself. He winced when he heard a small mistake, starting over again.

The stars were coming out, bright and twinkling and reminding him of her.

He sung his heart out, and after a few moments coughed harshly.

"W-what? What was that just now…?" He shook his head, dismissing it and clearing his throat to go again. This time his coughing fit lasted longer. "What's happening to me?"

The strain. My voice! He realized, holding a hand to his throat, thinking bitterly, Why'd it have to be just me? The Powerpuffs defeated Brick and Butch too, so why am I the only one…? No, Masaru is blind in that eye, but still….

It was the only thing he had left from those days. That pain. He could still feel the hate Boomer felt for those girls.

No! That was Boomer! I'm not Boomer anymore! I'm not! I need to focus. I can't remember that now. I need to remember…

"Miyako-san…" He finished that thought out loud, shaking his head to clear it and playing again. "I need to be loud enough for her to hear…" He whispered to himself.

Singing again, coughing again, this time he was stopped from starting again by a voice. One that seemed too close for him to believe it was actually there.

"Satoshi-kun!" The owner of the voice begged, "Please don't strain yourself!"

Everything felt like it was slowing down, spinning around him, and going still all at once.

"M-M-Miyako-san?" He blinked, looking over to the chain-link fence, where he was surprised to see the said girl standing, a worried look crossing her face.

"You said you couldn't sing loud. Please don't hurt yourself if this is for me."

"W-what are you doing up here? How did you…?" Satoshi immediately abandoned his guitar on the porch, approaching the other blond carefully, as if she'd disappear at the slightest touch.

In the dim light, he could see that behind her was a path of flat stones, carefully placed along the hill. "My friends helped me build it yesterday. But they're gone now." Miyako said when she saw him looking, her fingers unconsciously tightening around her shawl.

"But…"

"What were you doing, Satoshi-kun? Why did you do it?"

He blinked, and then looked down at his feet and muttered, "I wanted to let you know…" He paused, rethinking his words, "I thought that what I said the other day wasn't enough."

"Satoshi-kun…" Miyako whispered softly.

"You called me Satoshi-kun." The boy said suddenly, and Miyako blushed faintly. He'd come closer, his worn fingers weaving through the fence.

"…You know why I've come here tonight, don't you?" Miyako whispered slowly, leaning a bit closer. He nodded slowly, and she continued at his silence. "I'm sorry I wasn't able to respond that day, but I can give my response now."

Miyako lifted one of her hands, weaving it gently with the one Satoshi gripped with fence with, and she felt his muscles relax at her touch. He looked up, surprised for a split second, but didn't say anything and stared intently at her.

"I…" Miyako took a breath and gathered her courage. Satoshi's touch seemed to give her the strength she needed, because his presence reminded her of her feelings.

"I love you."

Satoshi let out a breath he didn't know he was holding, the smile gracing his features reflecting that of Miyako's as he echoed her words.

"I love you too."

Leaning closer, he placed a light kiss on her lips. Both of them were blushing, but neither said anything, standing still and just taking in the moment.

"I have to go. I'll see you tomorrow." Miyako whispered, breaking the silence.

Satoshi nodded. He didn't protest, just blissfully accepted it as the girl stepped away, using the moon to guide her path. "Good night then, Miyako-san."

"Oyasumi nasai, Satoshi-kun."

The End