The Golden Pear [YA - Featured]

♫~Notes 105~♫

When everything seemed lost, silvery light enveloped them. The gale silenced, and they floated in mid-air. The light came from the girl, changing her form. Her body turned semi transparent, and her green eyes glittered like emeralds. Only the cracks across her body remained dark, reminding her of the flaws.

She let go of Aiyoku, floating a few centimeters above him. He placed his hand on her face, smiling. She hugged that hand with her fingers. There was no need for words. His touch convinced her she possessed the beauty too.

Her body, covered by his school jacket, soared toward the sky, the dark clouds dissipating into nothingness.

"Stay safe," Aiyoku whispered before his eyelids closed.

His head nodded, and his body jerked as he had almost collapsed on the floor.

"Wha—" He rubbed his heavy eyes, feeling the smooth surface of the column behind him. "Where?" His brain needed a few seconds to realize he was in the restaurant, and his order had just been placed on the counter. He could be asleep for a few minutes at most.

"Thank you," he said, taking the tray, and headed back. However, not before he placed it on an empty table, taking his time yawning and stretching his sore body.

Taking an extra cup of coffee from the nearby machine, he gulped it in a few seconds.

"What a weird dream. I can't believe I was sleeping while standing." Rubbing his face before tossing the empty plastic cup into the designated trash can, he resumed his quest to bring an awakening medicine to his group.

In the flat, his eyes trailed to the hanger. The middle school jacket was missing.

'That's weird, I always hang it there.' Continuing into the kitchen, he let it be.

"Prepare you tastebuds for a fest!" he called playfully, masking his own tired smile.

Freya reacted first, jumping on her feet with her eyes sparkling. Even a simple sandwich could bring her dozen of smiles. Rigaku thanked for the snacks and took a big bite. Filling their stomach relaxed their minds, and they could continue studying for the tests with no strange interruptions.

\\_(''>_<'')_//

The Start of the school week had come. Usually, Freya didn't care as she liked to learn new things, but without Kagetsu the car turned gloomy. They visited him yesterday, but nothing changed. At least, his vital functions were still alright.

Stopping in front of the school, they thanked the driver. They had already seen Freya stepping out of their car, so right now it didn't matter if it happened again.

Girls still waved and snapped pictures of their beloved prince, and others asked Rigaku for guidance. A few students even approached Freya to get help for their written English as she had stopped by her locker. At first, she hesitated, but she accepted.

Denying somebody help seemed cruel to her, especially if she could provide help. Even if they would turn malicious later, now they were honest with their plea.

Rigaku joined her, providing needed explanation when the girls couldn't understand Freya's gestures. For that moment, Freya let her eyes close.

'This is kinda nice, helping others.'

She wasn't a girl that would shy from hard work, but the thoughts of getting closer to other humans used to scare her.

However, no matter how noisy the people around her could be, she could only reach with her hand and find somebody, who would walk the path called life with her.

Even if for a few steps, even if their paths would divide forever, this person would remain in her heart. Smiling like never before, she continued correcting the sentences.

The human nature was often full of malice and jealousy. Putting masks upfront to soothe unsuspecting prey, before using them or stealing their hard work, was common through the whole history. But be it because of upbringing or outside circumstances, no human should be denied a second chance.

Ueno watched from the door leading to the commoners' lockers. This was the first time she had seen Freya in the past days, and her features changed so much.

'She doesn't look that ugly... does she?'

Perhaps it was because she smiled more. Perhaps the people around her brought the inner beauty outside. Perhaps this was her true form that Ueno couldn't see at first.

The school Queen turned away with a small smile. Seeing Freya happy lifted her mood a bit. The girls that used to circle her were nowhere to be seen, but she didn't mind.

However, one pair of eyes watched her, leaving with pure hatred.

'Just you wait, Ueno-sama. I'll make you pay and crawl in front of me. You'll be begging me to look at you.'