✔ | At Least We Have Forever

Chapter 12 - Surprising Connection And Unsaid Worries

Yusuke was wide-eyed and appeared to be shocked at what he had seen. He also saw Riya's reaction when she saw Yusuke. She was... smiling.

'Do these two know each other?' Kurama couldn't help asking in his thoughts.

"R-Riya..." Yusuke uttered.

"Hi, Yusuke! Long time, no see," Riya said with a smile etched on her face.

Yusuke approached her. "Since when did you arrive from Hokkaido?"

"Two months ago," she simply said. "Was it a big deal?"

"Of course, it's a big deal, you witch!" Yusuke shouted which surprised Kurama but not her. "You're living here for two months now and you haven't even told me anything about it?" But before Yusuke could say anything else, he never anticipated the girl's bag hit his head hard.

"You're too loud, Yusuke. Have some considerations to the other tenants, will you?" she said, and then she faced Kurama. "Sorry about that."

He smiled at the sight. "It seems to me you two know each other," he commented.

"Not just plainly know each other. Yusuke and I are related. We're cousins, to be exact," she revealed that surprised Kurama. "Sorry that I haven't told you anything about it. It's just that I didn't know you're acquainted with my cousin here."

"Not just simply acquainted. He's my friend, one of my best buddies," Yusuke replied as he held his head that was hit by her bag. "But seriously, why are you here? I won't be surprised if Mom knew you're here and she didn't tell me."

She sighed as an answer. "I had my reasons for that and I'm sorry for not telling you. But I hope you respect those reasons I have." After that, she opened the door using her key and faced them before she entered. "Why don't we have some conversations inside and catch up with the two-month-long secrecy of living here just beside your apartment? You're not catching up with some exams, are you?"

"Not really. But the exam is only a month away. Still, if you want us to catch up then it's okay. Besides, Kurama here doesn't know our relationship and probably he wanted to know more," Yusuke said.

The name he mentioned made her frown a bit. "Kurama? Who's Kurama?" And then he faced the redhead. "Is that your other name, Shuichi-kun?"

"Um... It's just my nickname but Yusuke was the one calling me by that name... on some occasions," he said as he was flustering a bit.

'You know how to keep secrets, aren't you, Shuichi-kun? So Kurama is your real name, huh?' She concluded in her thoughts. "Well, I'm not surprised with that since Yusuke usually calls random names to some of his buddies back in Hokkaido."

"Yeah, right," Yusuke muttered. "But are you sure you're still up for a chit-chat?"

She nodded and then she glanced at Shuichi... or maybe she should call him Kurama now since she figured that it was his real name. But as of now, it was how she should address him—at least in her thoughts. She could only wish that her tongue wouldn't slip and let her say it suddenly.

"Yeah, I'm still up for it." She then faced Kurama. "You can join us if you want. You could probably make a call to your mom that you'll be coming home late. I'm sure they'll figure out immediately where you are."

Kurama smiled at that and then the three of them entered the apartment.

xxxxxx

Three days later, Sunday...

Kurama and Riya agreed to meet at the bridge before they would head to the Minamino household. Riya wasn't surprised to see Kurama already waiting there for her even though she was thirty minutes earlier than their meeting time.

She decided to bring something for the family as a gift that day. Since she was quite used to baking and making sweets, she baked a chiffon cake the day before just to be sure. Though she wasn't sure if they would like it, which was why she wasn't keeping her hopes high with regards to that.

"You're early, Shuichi-kun," she greeted the redhead when she stopped near him. "Do you have other places you have to go to before we head to your house?"

"Actually, yes," Kurama answered but before he could say anything else, he noticed the clothes she was wearing. "Your dress looks good on you, by the way."

She couldn't help but blush at that sudden comment. That was why she looked at herself for a bit. "T-thank you. I'm glad you like it." She was wearing a light blue dress with a blue long-sleeved coat and white ankle-high boots. Her hair was done in a high ponytail using a white ribbon.

But before they left, he noticed the box she was carrying. "What's that you're carrying in that box? Is it a gift?"

"Hmm... Sort of. I baked a chiffon cake yesterday to be given to your family as a gift, though I'm not sure if they would like it."

"What's the flavor?"

Though that question somehow made her frown, she still answered it. "Orange. It's one of my favorite chiffon cakes so I thought I should share it."

Then she heard him chuckle. "I guess we don't have to go to the cake shop anymore."

"Huh?"

"I was about to go to the cake shop since my mother asked me to buy an orange chiffon cake as a dessert for our lunch. But since you brought one already, I guess there's no need for me to buy one," he answered.

"Well, to tell you the truth, I still have my doubts about bringing this one since I'm not that confident about my baking skills. But since I created this with love and passion, I guess it could still pass." She laughed before facing him. "Let's go."

They proceeded to go to Kurama's house for her to meet his family, not knowing that there were people who were anticipating the progress of that meeting.

xxxxxx

"Yusuke, are you sure we have to follow those two? Can't we just leave them on their date?" Botan whispered behind him as they watched Riya and Kurama walked together.

"I can't just leave them on their date, Botan. This is Riya we're talking about, for goodness' sake! That's my cousin!" he hissed as he watched the two. "But I have to admit it; Kurama somehow did a good job for Riya."

Kuwabara frowned at that statement. "What's that supposed to mean, Urameshi?"

Yusuke's face turned serious and somewhat solemn. "If what Aunt Ritsuko told me was the truth, Riya hadn't smiled like that after Hiroto-niisan was murdered two years ago. And for some reason, after she transferred here, Kurama managed to slowly break the barrier she used to surround herself with all the pain as a part of her coping mechanism. I don't know what happened but I'm glad Kurama made her smile like that."

Keiko only looked at him and then glanced at Riya and Kurama who were having a seemingly happy conversation as they walked together.

"But I guess it's for the best if those two end up together. Don't you think so, Yusuke?" she said after moments of silence.

"Why is that?"

"If Kurama could make her smile like that, then it's definitely for the best if they ended up together. For now, only he could bring out the best in your cousin. After all, she had been isolating everything about herself from the rest of the world after that tragedy. If being with Kurama could make her happy, then so be it. Let them be together," Keiko responded with a smile yet in a serious tone.

They didn't say anything regarding that but Botan couldn't help but feel worried in some way.

'I could only hope their mission wouldn't get in their way, especially if Kurama finds out that Riya-chan might have some sort of connection to the Legendary Weapons. It might hurt him when something like that happens. But what should I do? Those two are happy being together. I hope this doesn't turn into something worse,' Botan thought worriedly as she continued to look at the happy Kurama and Riya.