How long has it been since she left? Almost a year now.

Almost a year spent alone in this room. Almost a year spent in sleepless nights. It's our last year in high school.

And all she left me was a note and the words "I love you."

I'm so stupid... I should've never fallen in love with her...

Harumin had taken Mei's place in her absence. She comforted Yuzu but she knew she couldn't heal her.

She tried everything to take her mind off of Mei.

Nothing worked. She could tell she still loved her and that she would never feel that way with her. She knew she only held her hand because she would be lost, she knew she only kissed her because she didn't want to forget, she knew she only fucked her so she would remember her warmth. She knew she meant nothing to her compared to Mei. She knew she was only a bitter reminder of what she lost and yet she couldn't leave Yuzu.

Every night Yuzu would stay awake waiting for the day Mei would return. She never did. Not one letter. Nothing.

She'd cry into Kumagoro until she fell asleep. She had kept her ring hoping to put it back on her finger. She'd always make extra food and put it in the fridge, hoping that when she'd wake up it would be gone. Nothing. Everything hurt her. Everything was reminded her of what she lost.

"Good morning, Yuzu."

Harumin was waiting for her outside the school gates.

"Good morning, Harumin."

The dejected tone of her voice broke her heart.

Harumin walked over and hugged her.

"I love you."

The words echoed in Yuzu's head.

Harumin grabbed her hand and pulled her along to class.

Tears welled up, blurring Yuzu's eyes. She looked at Harumin holding her hand and for a split second looked up and thought Mei was the one holding her hand.

She quickly rubbed her eyes, and sniffed. She put on a broken smile as she entered the school.

Gramps had returned to the school during Mei's absence

and even he couldn't ignore Yuzu's sadness.

He knew the change in Mei was her doing, and yet he couldn't help but feel guilty. But this was the reality, this is what it meant to bear the Aihara name.

Udagawa fidgeted with the box while he waited for Mei.

He took one last glance at the ring inside.

I hope you make the right decision...

"Why did you call me here?"

It was Mei. She stood there in the sunshine looking like a goddess, her pale, soft skin complemented. A dark shadow had been cast over her face. But it wasn't enough to hide her sadness.

"Listen... I'm not really good at these kinds of things... since it was our marriage was arranged... getting down on one knee seems kind of awkward..."

He walked towards Mei.

"I wanted you to have this..."

He opened the box to reveal a beautiful, diamond encrusted ring. The ring was indeed beautiful, but guilt tore apart Mei. She never forgot that she left her ring with Yuzu. This killed her. She wanted Yuzu to put the ring on her finger. Not anyone else.

"I lo-"

*SLAP*

"SHUT UP!... shut up..."

Mei was crumbling, she wanted to go back to Yuzu, she wanted to feel her warm embrace, she wanted to taste her lips.

And so she ran.

Udagawa smiled and closed the box.

You've finally made your own decision... I hope whoever she or he is... I genuinely hope they can make you happy...

Mei ran and didn't stop. The sunshine disappeared and clouds gathered. The wind became cold and all she could think about was Yuzu.

It began snowing. Yuzu was making her way out of the school gates. She looked up and felt the flakes land softly on her face.

It's not as cold as my room.

Mei could see the school building. She wasn't far. Her heart pounded. She wanted to see Yuzu one more time.

Wait for me... Yuzu.

"Hey! Yuzucchi! It's snowing!"

Harumin wasn't far behind Yuzu. She ran towards her.

"Hey-"

She stopped in her tracks when she saw Her standing at the gates. Out of breath, staring at Yuzu.

Mei...

Mei's grandfather stepped outside and saw Mei.

What is she doing here... shouldn't she be with Udagawa?

"YUUUZUUU!!!"

The scream snapped Yuzu out of her trance.

Mei?

She looked down to see her, her face was red, wet with tears, her hair was a mess, yet, she's the most beautiful girl Yuzu's ever met.

Mei...

Mei ran over to Yuzu.

Stop...

Mei grabbed her by the waist and kissed her. Her tongue entertwined with hers, her hand moved up and held her head, her soft, blonde hair. She refused to let Yuzu pull away from her.

"Mei!"

The three turn to Mei's grandfather. Yuzu stood silently, Harumin looked down at the ground. She didn't know what to say anymore and ran.

I could never have loved you the way she did...

"Grandfather..."

"Mei what is the meaning of this!?"

Mei looked at Yuzu. Her face was a mess of makeup and tears. She looked beautiful. She watched her for a moment while the snow fell around them and whispered

"I love you..."

Mei pulled her back in and kissed her. She couldn't take it anymore. She didn't care what anyone else thought. She was with Yuzu again and that's all that mattered. Without saying another word she grabbed Yuzu by the hand and dragged her back home.

Mei's grandfather stood in the snow. Not knowing what to do.

click*

The familiar clicking of their door. The walls, the kitchen, Kumagoro, still sat there like he always did.

"Yuzu-"

"Why did you come back?"

"What do you mean? I came back for you! I came back because I love you."

"Fuck you! If you loved me you would've told me! If you loved me you never would've left! If you loved me you wouldn't have made that promise!"

"I had no choice!"

"Bullshit! Yes you did... yes you fucking did..."

"Do you think I wanted to go away from you? I loved you, you were mine and I was yours!"

You left me... I was so alone... every time I turned over I thought I'd see you sleeping... I'd steal a kiss or touch your hair... but you were never there...

Mei stepped towards Yuzu.

"I love you Yuzu! Nothing in this world can change that!

And this time... I mean it... I'm never going to leave you-"

*SLAP*

"Don't... don't lie to me..."

Mei touched her cheek. It stung. It hurt.

You're so unfair...

"You left me... without saying a word... and you think you can just come back!? Fuck you..."

"I'm sorry Yuzu..."

"I loved you... you were all I had... then you disappear...

Did you even consider my feelings? I was so alone I came back to Harumin... to fill the void you left me..."

Yuzu grabbed Mei and kissed her.

Fuck you... you're so unfair...

Mei attempted to put her hand on Yuzu but she slapped it away. Yuzu pushed Mei onto the kitchen table.

"Y-Yuzu-"

"Shut up..."

Yuzu pushed Mei on her back and removed her sweater.

Mei reached out again and again Yuzu moves her hand away. She tore Mei's shirt open.

Why are you so beautiful?

Yuzu kissed her neck and touched Mei's body.

It's been so long since I felt you...

"Yuzu-"

Another slap but Yuzu hugged Mei again.

"I don't want to lose you anymore!"

Rage swelled up inside Yuzu. She wasn't letting go of Mei. Not this time.

Fuck you... I'm going to make sure you never leave me... I'm going to make sure you know... that you belong to me...

Yuzu picked Mei up and carried her into their bedroom.

Yuzu threw her on the bed. Instead of trying to stop Yuzu, Mei let her have her way. Yuzu stared at her.

I can't stop now... I have to make sure... I won't let her leave this time...

Yuzu flipped up Mei's skirt. She caressed her.

You're mine... no one else's.

Yuzu spanked Mei as hard as she could.

"I'm gonna make sure you never leave me again..."

Mei bit the sheets.

Another volley of slaps.

"You're fucking mine..."

Another volley.

Yuzu removed her tie and tied Mei's hands together.

Yuzu pulled away and opened a drawer. Inside was a blindfold a gag, handcuffs and the strap-on Harumin uses on her.

She grabbed all of them and went back to Mei.

Im going to make you feel what I felt... those nights without you... the pain that came with them...