After being satisfied with getting some fresh air, Natsume, who actually lives in the same apartment with Neko opened the door for the girl to pass through. Neko thanked her for this little attention from her best friend.
However, when she entered the living room, bead red looked at something familiar to him. Yes, a man in a black sweater and jeans was standing by the window.
Neko did not speak. She actually thought that it was just a hallucination that Natsume had deliberately made to calm him down.
"How long do you want to think that, Neko?"
That voice Neko really misses. The man turned and looked at Neko with a gentle gaze. Making Natsume think, since when did a predator seem to have such a gentle gaze?
Neko looked at Natsume. That stare demanded Natsume explain that this wasn't his hallucination.
"I didn't do anything, Koneko-chan," said Natsume.
Ritsu smiled. His cold hands felt warm when he managed to hold the girl he loved again.
Slowly but surely, Neko looked at the blood red bead that she missed so much.
"Thanks for waiting for me, Neko." Ritsu kissed the back of his lover's hand. Neko who was still half-believing immediately hugged Ritsu tightly.
"Stupid! Do you know how long I've been worrying about you! Do you know how long I've missed you! Stupid! Stupid! Stupid! Stupid Ritsu!" said Neko while lightly hitting Ritsu's back.
"I'm sorry, Neko. I'm sorry for making you worry," whispered Ritsu as he returned his lover's hug.
In Ritsu's arms, Neko cried. She poured all the longing that almost made him go crazy. I don't know how many words she can't say to express his longing and worries.
Meanwhile, Natsume, who only witnessed the romantic scene, was forced to return to his room. After all, there's no room for him anymore, right?
Now Ritsu has returned. Automatically, Neko will always obey what Ritsu said. Smiles, laughter, sadness, everything he will pour on Ritsu.
Is he jealous? Please blame his heart for already loving Neko without being able to say how much he loves that girl. The pain was gnawing at his heart, but he couldn't express it.
Crying for love? No, it was a strange thing for him. He still remembers when she laughed at him just because he was different.
Should he go back to pretending to be strong? Yes, that's most likely the case. After all, the girl was still his best friend. Or rather, a girl who holds a special place in his heart. Maybe he was ready to die.
"Tch!" Natsume couldn't take it anymore. He plopped down on the bed in the hope that this was just his sleeping flower.
Just closing his eyes for a moment, a knock on his bedroom door made him have to meet again with Neko. Yes, Neko was the one who knocked on Natsume's door.
"What is it?" asked Natsume.
"Ish, so curt," replied Neko while puffing her cheeks.
Natsume gave a forced smile. He gently ruffled Neko's mane, "Is there anything I can help you with, Koneko-chan?"
"Ritsu, he wants to talk to you," said Neko.
With a sense of laziness, he met Ritsu who had been sitting leisurely on the sofa. As usual, the blood red bead he absolutely hated. Because that bead also made him lose a valuable person in his life.
As soon as Natsume sat down, Ritsu took out and gave the grimore book that Natsume had been looking for.
"How did you get it?" asked Natsume while checking the authenticity of the book.
"Gabriel told me where the witch's village was. So, it's very likely that the book you're looking for is there," Ritsu explained.
That's right, the location of the village is not far from where this is located. However, Natsume also didn't find it strange if his opponent found out about this.
"Thank you," said Natsume.
"Natsume, let's go back to Japan," said Neko suddenly.
"Return?" Natsume repeated.
"Um! Ritsu and his family have allowed me to visit too. So, do you think we shouldn't go home? Ritsu also said that Rei-san wanted to talk about important things with you," explained Neko.
It was sudden. But come to think of it, they couldn't just leave the country straight away either. Many things they will do later, such as resignation letters from work, visa and passport processing, and so on.
"Natsume?" call Neko.
Maybe for the sake of this girl, Natsume would say yes.
"Okay if that's what you want. But don't bother me about transfers and stuff," said Natsume.
The girl's eyes lit up. He jumped for joy and returned to his lover. "I told you, Natsume won't refuse my wish."
"That's all you want to say? If not, I'll start packing," said Natsume who had stood up from his place.
"Natsume?"
"Hmm?"
"Thank you."
Natsume didn't respond anymore. He immediately returned to his room to read the book. You could say, precisely just to examine the authenticity of the book. Because, maybe the vampire gave him a book that could kill him.
*****
"Natsume! Have you prepared your resignation letter?" asked Neko who was ready with a brown envelope.
"Resigned? Why am I resigning, Koneko-chan?" asked Natsume with a surprised face.
"You're not coming with me to Japan?"
"No. I still want to work here. At least, I get a new atmosphere."
Neko's face looked sluggish after listening to her best friend's words. For some reason, Natsume was different from the Natsume she knew.
"Okay. Then, I will face the boss first," said Neko who dared to look at Natsume, even though she didn't want to.
"Good luck," replied Natsume.
I didn't mean to make her sad. But this was all Natsume could do. Letting go of the girl you love so you don't get hurt all the time.
Living abroad to improve the mood. Learned a lot of magic to strengthen his magical abilities.
Natsume sighed. 'Sorry, Koneko-chan,' he thought.
Suddenly, an office girl who is indeed a co-worker and Neko approached him. The girl took Natsume to lunch later. And yes, of course Natsume refused. Because he can melt just for Neko.
"Is it true that you like Neko?" the girl asked.
"It's none of your business," said Natsume.
"Oh, come on. Don't be so cold. Everyone knows that you only like Neko. Really, what do you see in a girl like her? Beautiful? Sexy? Cute? Are all Japanese girls like him?"
"I said, that's none of your business!" said Natsume.
The girl was surprised, including (Name) who just got approval to leave this company. Neko immediately approached Natsume and tried to calm him down.
"Did you get permission, Koneko-chan?" asked Natsume in his usual calm tone.
"Yes, Boss has allowed me to leave. But, what's wrong with you? You've been very sensitive since yesterday."
"None of your business either, Koneko-chan."
"Come on Natsume-chan, you...."
"Neko, let me help you pack your things. I'm free right now."
Neko just obeyed. It felt like it was useless to ask Natsume to speak. Though, Natsume also told him to open up to her. But why didn't he?
She didn't like the current Natsume. She wanted the old Natsume. Natsume who always spoils him, always shares mythological stories, teaches him magic even though it doesn't work for him who is actually an ordinary human, always gives him a protection talisman. Where is the Natsume that she knew before?
Slowly, Neko looked at Natsume who was helping her pack. She hoped that his decision was not wrong.
'I wish I could say this, Natsume. I want to say that I miss your figure before Ritsu came into my life. I want you to be Natsume who is always around me.'