"I'm sorry.. I couldn't protect you.. I'm sorry.."
"...!!" You wake up abruptly from your sleep. With a trembling hands, you wipe the sweat on your forehead.
"Riekka?"
"Ceres.. is that.. your memory..?"
"I'm sorry, it kept on coming these days.. maybe because of what had happened recently."
"It's been a while since I had that dream.."
Yes, this is not the first time you have seen Ceres's past. Especially this one. A dream of Ceres where she keeps on apologizing to someone. Her voice is full of regrets...
"Ceres?"
"Yes?"
"...What had happened in the past?"
"...Someday I will tell you the whole story."
"You've been telling me that since I was small."
A smile formed on her lips. "Now have some rest, you are going to Tanabata festival with Decimo-sama tonight, right?"
"Un.. I will look forward to it." You clutch on your blanket. "And I'm ready to..." You grip tighter.
"Are you sure you will do it?"
"I wanted him to know. That's all."
-----------------------
"Uooohhh!! Now get whatever you want Kyoko! It's on me! This is also a celebration for you!"
"O-Onii-chan.. It's just a small injury, there is no need to celebrate.." Kyoko giggle as she walk beside Haru and her beloved brother.
"It's really weird. Looks like the hit is really hard until she forgot about it. Especially the memory of the enemy."
"Is this the enemy's work, Reborn-san?"
"We should investigate more."
"Got it, kora."
"But whatever it is, we have to put it aside for a moment, since this is a special day." Reborn smirked.
"Huh? Special day? But it's only a festival- GUAH!"
"Ju-Juudaime!!"
"What did I say wrong??"
"Hahaha ^^. How fierce. Oh..!"
"..? What's wrong, Yamamoto-"
Tsuna's eyes automatically fixed on something that caught his gaze. It was you, who stepped in between of Reborn and Colonello; wearing a soft pink yukata that has small Camelia flowers decorated on the silk cloth. You tied up your hair in a bun that has some loose strands around it, together with one hair strand that rest on your shoulder.
Thump..!
Thump..!
The rushed heart beat occurred inside Tsuna again as he saw you tuck your strand hair at the back of your ear. He blush deep red from your fresh, flushed cheek, glistening lips and a pair of yukata that matches your eyes. Not only that, steam blew out from his head when you smile sweetly at him.
'I-It happened again..! Why does my heart thumping like this??'
"Riekka-chan!" Kyoko run towards you and hold up your hands. "Are you alright? I heard from Reborn-chan that you fell from the tree when you try to save a kitten!"
'It's a lie..' Tsuna face palm.
"Ah, I'm okay now! I'm doing great! See??" You throw your hands in the air. "Now could both of you escort me around? I heard that Japan festivals is interesting!""Of course! Come on!" Haru pull your hand and you follow them around together with Lambo and I-pin.
"She is not okay, kora."
"Obviously. She wont show it. Not on her special day."
"Reborn? What do you mean by 'her special day'?"
"You will get the hint later, dame-Tsuna."
"H-hey.. what do you mean by that?"
-----------------------------
"Riekka-chan! I'm gonna grab some apple candy for you! You wait here, okay?"
"Ah, thank you, Haru. Uhm..?"
A blinking object caught your eye. You walk to it, smiling as you kneeling down to the cute, simple ring with orange diamond attached on its center. "How sweet. How I wish someone will give it to me. As if.." You mutter to yourself followed by a sigh.
Meanwhile at the same time... Tsuna:
"That Lambo.. he asked me to buy the grape candy for him but he ran to another store and disappeared. How troublesome-"
Thump..!
'Riekka-san? What is she doing there? Did she got separated from Kyoko-chan and Haru?' Tsuna covers himself behind a random guy when you suddenly stands up from kneeling and walk away. "What is she looking at just now..? And what am I doing- hiding at people's back like a freak??" He walks slowly to your previous spot. "What is this? Ring?"
"You should buy that."
"HIIIII!!! REBORN SINCE WHEN YOU-"
"Today is her birthday. Get it for her."
"Eh? Bi-birthday??" He look back at the ring in his hand. "There is no wonder that you keep on talking about 'special day'."
'I guess this can be as a token of apology. I don't know why but.. she keep on cutting my words every time I wanted to apologize last time.. and it worries me.'
----------------------------
"...Eh?"
You bit your lip as you grip on your small purse. "I love you."
'How did this happen? I bought the ring and gave it to Riekka-san, and she suddenly confessed to me O.O.'
"You.. love me?"
You nod.
"As.. your boss?"
You shake your head.
"As a friend..?"
"No.. as.. a person." You mumbled.
"O///O Eh?? B-but I.."
Image of his Kyoko appeared in his mind. But he was afraid to reject you and feel guilty at the same time because of the mixture feelings inside his heart earlier when he saw you in your yukata.
'Uwah.. how do I handle this awkward situation..?'
"Uhm.. t-that's.. I-I don't know."
"...." You knew. You knew what he will say next.
"B-Because I..! To.. Kyoko-chan.." Now it's his turn to mumble instead.
Your fingers starts to tremble.
"I-I understand what are you saying, but.. now.. I like-"
"I know."
"Eh?"
You lift up your head. "It's alright..! There is no need to panic. I-I just wanted to let you know about my feelings towards you, that's all."
"Eh.. b-but.. Riekka-san..!"
You point to your sweet finger that has the ring from Tsuna. "Thank you for the present. I'm really happy..!"
'No, Riekka.. you already knew. But why are you being so stupid, still ignoring the obvious answer and confessed to him? Don't cry Riekka..! Don't-' You said forcefully to yourself, but..
"T-Then I'll excuse myself now."
"Riekka-san-"
"I wanted to go back to Kyoko and Haru. I have to protect your important person, and wont fail again."
"Wai-"
Tsuna's eyes went wide when he saw your happy smile.. with tears streaming down on your cheeks.
"Riekka-san!"
You ran away from him as fast as you can.
----------------------------
"Riekka..? Are you-"
"I'm okay.. I'm-"
You wipe your tears away while laughing. "Ehehe. I'm really stubborn aren't I? I already knew he was going to say that from the very beginning and yet, I confessed to him."
"You are doing great, my dear."
"...Un. I'm happy.. from the present.. but.." You took off the ring. "I did not deserve to get this."
"I agree.. and besides, you will be with us soon."
"...!! Who's there- ummff!!"
A hand with thick cloth covers your mouth in instant when you were about to turn your head. "....." You fainted shortly from the lack of oxygen.
Tsuna huffed from all the chasing. Wiping his sweat below his chin, he look from each and every corner in the forest. "Riekka-san! Where are you..? L-let me explain-" He pauses when he feel something hard below his shoe. "...Isn't this the ring that I gave to Riekka-san?"