It's said that when the air is filled with cherry blossom petals, someone is falling in love. I can certainly vouch for that. The cherry blossoms were in full bloom this year when Ryo fell in love. With someone else.
She's pretty enough, I suppose. She has shortish brown hair and big brown eyes, and she's about chin-high on Ryo. She dresses well, she's nice, very lady-like and refined. I despise her.
How did this happen!? I remember the first time they met. Sure, he was attracted to her, but he's been attracted to dozens of other girls--including Kayura, as I recall. This time should have been no different! After all, he had me, didn't he?
Maybe it was the lady-in-distress bit that caught him. What business did she have jumping out into the middle of the street like that? I still don't believe she tripped. I don't know what she was out to accomplish, but--
Ryo saved her, of course. That's the kind of man he is. At the risk of his own life, he threw himself out into traffic, snatched her up, and jumped to safety with only inches to spare. I was so worried he'd been hurt!
I probably shouldn't have scolded him--especially not in public. That always sets him off. He was so angry, and so indignant on her behalf. I should have apologized immediately, but I wasn't thinking rationally then. So we fought.
That has to be why he went out with her the next night. I know he was still mad at me when he left. He gave me this icy stare when I came out of the study. All I wanted to do was tell him how nice he looked, but instead, after that look, I told him to "have a good time with the tramp!" I thought he would slap me.
I meant to stay up, to apologize to him when he came in, but I fell asleep at my computer. I don't even know when he got home. It was almost nine when I woke up.
Sai had already made breakfast, and he, Sage, and Kento had already gone out for the day, leaving me with just Rowen and Ryo. I thought it was a heaven-sent opportunity. I went looking for Ryo.
I overheard him and Rowen talking--about her. Ryo was describing in detail his date. I overheard him say, "--lots more fun than Miya. She's not so demanding, for one, and--" I stopped listening or even thinking at that point.
Things might still have turned out all right if I hadn't tripped on the hall table. Ryo and Rowen came running out to see what was going on. My mind was so filled with flames that I just started shouting at them both, screaming things I can't even remember now.
We don't call Rowen a super-genius for nothing. He was gone in a heart- beat, leaving Ryo and I behind together. Together. That's one word I'll never be able to use to describe us again. That was the last time, I think. Whatever I said, it was too horrible, apparently, because he went white, then turned and went back into his room quietly. He shut the door behind him.
I didn't know he'd left until Rowen broke the news to me after dinner. I was frantic. I wanted to go looking for him. It took Rowen, Sage, and Kento to restrain me.
Poor Sai. He's been used as a human handkerchief by all of us, I think. He was certainly soaked through then. I think that was probably when I knew I'd lost Ryo for good, but I . . . I denied it, of course.
The guys quietly found out where Ryo was and kept in touch with him. He found a job, an apartment, and . . . Sakura. Through it all, she was there for him, helping him, encouraging him . . . loving him. All the things I can never be again. They only just told me tonight. I haven't seen Ryo in months.
"Miya?"
I turn at Rowen's voice. He looks pretty uncomfortable.
"Ryo's here. With Sakura."
He's waiting for me to say something, to
do something. I'm not going to. What would it help? There's
nothing I can do now.
"E-engaged?" Engaged!? Oh . . . I can feel the tears on my face. So quickly . . . they've only known each other six months.
Rowen's put his arms around me. It's his turn to be the human handkerchief, I suppose. I know I should stop, it's not doing any good, but somehow . . . I can't.
"Shh, shh. Hey, now, Miya, it's okay. It'll be fine. Come on, stop crying!"
Rowen's so concerned. I must look pretty foolish. It's so hard--but I must. I can't let her . . . let them know how hard this is on me. I have my pride.
"Take a minute to wash your face, Miya."
"I will." My voice sounds a little shaken, still. Rowen is leaving, going downstairs. I turn to look at the setting autumn sun. Hard to believe this all started only six months ago.
When the cherry blossoms bloom, people fall in love. It'll be a long time before the cherry blossoms bloom for me again.