• ****(Night)
    I think it was around one in the morning when I heard a gentle rapping on the window. Tap tap-tap, Tap tap-tap. I quietly got out of bed to investigate this sound. I didn’t know what to expect... and nearly fell backwards as I drew the curtains back. Outside my window was the smiling face of... The Black Rose. More specifically, Ragi, in... an unusual shirt and tight trousers. He gestured to the latch before suddenly opening it himself from the outside. I fell backwards in shock, but before I hit the floor, he caught me. This act alone sent a chill running up my spine... this is so... I feel so used to his presence. If this was electricity, I would say that I was grounding him or... completing an important circuit... He pulled me up and slightly to him.
    “Shhh. It’s okay...” His voice was quiet – he was whispering in a soft voice.
    “What on Earth are you doing here?”
    “I thought I’d come and see you.” He flushed. “If you want... I can take you out.” I flushed.
    “I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but...”
    “I know... it’s late and you’re still in your night clothes.”
    “And you’ve just shown me you can break in!” I sighed, quietly. He knocked on the window, first. I think that’s alright. “I... I... Okay then.” I stepped back from him. “Turn around, Ragi.” He sighed, complying with my firm order. I quickly changed into a cami top and jeans, and tapped him on the shoulder when I was done fixing my hair up. He put his arms around me, and then froze, blushing slightly.
    “I... I’m sorry... I wasn’t thinking...” I smiled.
    “That’s... fine...” I – rather hesitantly – put my arms around him, too. He loosened up then. “But... Ragi... how am I going to get down without-” Without speaking, he swept me off my feet and carefully leapt out of the window, silently landing and sprinting away. I had buried my head in his shoulder, and I only peeked when I felt him sit down.
    “It’s alright to look now. I’ve landed.” We were on a bench in the middle of the nearby park. I swooned a bit, and he quickly put me down on the bench. “Are you alright?” I nodded.
    “I shouldn’t have asked, should I?” He giggled.
    “No... not really. You knew I could do this, Mirari.” He put his arm around me, which felt warm. This felt so much better than all the times Matt – no, Reish – did this. Sitting like this, it was easy for me to lean on him. I was so tired... I leaned on him. He initially froze, and then shifted so he could put his other arm around me. “Mirari... Talk.”
    “What about?”
    “Let it all out. Surely you’re angry... sad... something...” He gave me a little squeeze. “You can’t bottle it all up...” I looked away from him... He’s right. He leaned down, his nose nearly touching mine. I looked into his eyes – the deep green, emerald eyes of trust. They sparkled, even in what little light there was from the moon. He leaned in further, his lips touching my cheek. He gently kissed my cheek, making me inhale deeply. There was a long, meaningful silence. I took the opportunity to try and sum it all up... to talk...
    “I... I thought that my heart was going to stop... I really wanted to kill him... I...” I began to cry – I really felt like I could open up to him... and I did. “...I wish I had known all of this sooner... I wish I had never...” He buried his face in my neck, and I did the same. “Sometimes I wish he’d never found me. I... wouldn’t have known the bugger... I would’ve had a new beginning...” He removed one arm from around me to gently wipe my tears, stroking my cheek as he did it.
    “Hmm, but if you weren’t found, you couldn’t have met me. Is that so bad?”
    “Dunno, yet. So far... meeting you again makes up for it.” I flushed. So gushy! He giggled, squeezing me again with both arms. His lips grazed my ear as he pulled his face from my neck.
    “I hope so, I really hope so... Mirari.” He kissed my cheek, softly. “I hope you haven’t lost faith in men because of him...”
    “Once bitten, twice shy...” He chuckled.
    “Maybe I could restore your faith...” I smirked.
    “You can always try, Ragi.” His lips drew closer to mine, trailing along my cheek gently.
    “I will try...” His lips met mine, gently parting them and his tongue wandering. Again, I relate the feeling to electricity... this kiss was electric! Nothing like Reish... After a long time, he withdrew, kissing my lips again. “How’d I do?”
    “Are you moonlighting as a faith healer?” We both smirked, flushing slightly.
    “As long as Dr. Palmsmith doesn’t find out, then I’ll be alright...” I blinked twice. “Ah... he’s the Head of the Hospital.” He chuckled. “His sister’s the doctor I’m treating. He never seems to ask anyone else...” I put my arms around him, resting my head on his chest.
    “Probably because he holds you in good stead... Hmm... You are very good...”
    “Very good?” He kissed the top of my head, laughing. “I thought I was a genius?” I yawned.
    “You are, but I’m not. I’m tired...” He chuckled again.
    “So I see.” He suddenly swept me off my feet, carrying me in his arms. I had to put my arms around his neck and push my face into his shoulder. “I’ll take you back, then. I think that you’ll be dangerous, driving whist tired.” I made some sound of agreement. Things were a little hazy after that. I remember being put into bed, and the coolness of the covers. Heh. I also remember him kissing me on the forehead again before mentioning he lives in the same estate as I’ll be moving into. And he’ll see me later. I remember that...
    ***(Change)
    “This is hard work...” I had been shifting furniture for an hour now. The clock chimed one. I’d been here since eight, putting stuff into my house. By noon I had just got everything in, and had spent the last hour moving things to the right place. Since most of the things I needed were already in the house, I just had to bring my things. I flopped on the sofa I had just placed. Just the kitchen to arrange next... just a matter of shifting things around! I was relaxing for a bit when the doorbell rang. Funny, that. Who knows where I live? Ragi, my parents, my bosses, Ragi... I sauntered to the door, chaining it like a good little paranoid person before opening it. Reish. I shut the door again. After what he’s done, I do not want to speak to him. Besides... I’m busy. I made sure to lock the door ... He began banging on the door, shouting obscenities. I went into the kitchen and began to rearrange things. Half hour later, he was still thumping on the door. Okay, he wasn’t yelling... but he was still there.
    “Mirari, please...”
    “You didn’t think that maybe, just maybe, I don’t want to talk to you?” I wandered away from the door again and back into the kitchen. I switched the kettle on, hoping to have a cup of tea. I heard a gentle rapping on the back door. I was very hesitant to check it, in case Reish had either got an ally or it was him. Hard thumping and yelling confirmed that Reish was out front still... Hands grabbed my shoulders. I grabbed whoever it was and (somehow) threw them to the ground.
    “After...noon, Mirari...” Ragi was now sprawled on the kitchen floor in the white coat of his doctor uniform. He groaned. “Ugh. Remind me not to get on your bad side...” My eyes widened. Not only my bedroom window, but my new back door, too.
    “Oh! Ragi, I’m sorry! Here...” I offered my hand to help him up, but he pulled me down to the floor on top of him. “What th-”
    “Shh.” Banging began on the back door and had stopped on the front door. Reish had got around the back... Ragi began to whisper in my ear... “He’s trying to get in...”
    “I figured that. But... how strong is the door?”
    “No worries, Mirari.” He kissed my cheek. “Just wait. He’ll give up soon.”
    “How soon?” Ragi didn’t answer, but put his arms around me. Reish eventually stopped. It had been something like ten minutes. Ragi sat up, sighing.
    “I wish that had lasted longer.” He kissed my forehead as I sat next to him. I chuckled.
    “You would say that, wouldn’t you?” He laughed, looking at the clock. We stood up. The end of their lunchtime approached. He kissed me quickly on the lips.
    “Well, that’s all for me.” He kissed my forehead again. “I just came because I knew he’d come here. I had to... make sure you were alright, Mirari.” He then put his hands either side of my neck, almost cupping my face. “If he comes back, call the police. That’s harassment.” I smiled.
    “I will, Ragi... no worries.” He kissed my forehead again.
    “Good, good.” He stepped back from me. “Right, better go. I’ll go out of the back... See you later, Mirari.” He smiled as he let himself out the back door again. I waved... oddly enough. I’m changing...
    ***(Mixer)
    I stood at the counter, muddler in hand. There was a bit of mango and two raspberries in the bottom of the glass, which I proceeded to mush. Yeah, just add a bit of sparkling white wine and a bit of ice... and shake. My trusty shaker usually does the job right. After thorough shaking, I removed my shaker and put one of those cheesy cocktail umbrellas in, followed by a little cherry on the rim of the glass.
    “Enjoy, Kat.” She smiled at me.
    “You bet, Rafi. Your cocktails are amazing.” I laughed.
    “It’s my job, remember?” She giggled. “So... what did you want to talk about?” I began to make another one of those things...
    “About Alex.”
    “What about him?” My mind raced back to the cupboard incident... yeah, that certainly stopped Reish in his tracks. “Ooh, don’t tell me... you found out who he was having hot man sex with?” She blushed. Yeah, she doesn’t like to admit that her brother may be having sex with men. He isn’t, but...
    “Ack. I meant about him and Mirari-chama.” I nodded in understanding. “I don’t think... he’ll get over her.” I smiled.
    “No, he won’t. Especially not now that she’s working next door to the hospital.” Kat nearly choked on her drink.
    “Shii... No way!” I nodded.
    “Yes way.” I giggled. “She came in yesterday morning for breakfast... right when that Dr. Reish was doing something naughty.” Kat sighed. “That’s not all. Alex was the one to comfort her. So yeah...” Kat slammed her fist on the table. I thought she was angry...
    “Then the plan’s working.” I nearly choked on my drink.
    “******** the What?” I swallowed hard. “You... what?” She began laughing, and took a while to stop. She even had to wipe tears from her eyes...
    “Yeah... when Reish first arrived, he was full of love for his little Mirari.” She took another sip of her drink. “But, after a few weeks, he began to... play around? After he met someone at a club one night... Funny that.”
    “Funny indeed.” I smirked. “Tell me, does that someone have amazing hypnotic powers and a he-she for a brother?” She smiled a little evilly.
    “Perhaps...”
    “Ah, well... I feel left out now.” I smiled mischievously. Well, I have powers, too... “I want to do something with Reish, too!” Kat chuckled darkly.
    “I was hoping you’d say that...” I rolled my eyes.
    “Okay, then.”
    “Not even going to ask?” I shook my head.
    “Leave it to me. I have a wonderful idea...”