Rose Garden

I don't know how long Neko has lived in Sakuma house. And who knows how many times she shed tears because of the unspoken regret.

"That's it, Ojou-chan. Your eyes are getting puffy if you keep crying. After all, they are great men. They can't lose just because of being hit by a demon attack like that," Rei said with a warm smile while stroking Neko's mane slowly.

"But regret always comes at the end. Isn't that right, Rei? If only I had followed your and Natsume's words not to get close to Eichi. If only I had followed Natsume's orders to get out of there. Maybe they wouldn't be like this... sob ...," said Neko with tears starting to roll down her cheeks again.

Rei wiped the tears slowly. He continued to smile at the girl, "Come here, I will show you something that Ritsu may not have had time to show."

Rei took Neko in a place limited by a rose patterned door. "Promise you won't cry," Rei said while holding the doorknob.

Quickly, Neko wiped her tears and acted as if she wasn't crying or sad at all.

"Smart girl," said Rei. Then, he opened the door and let Neko see the view of the rose garden which could be said to be very well maintained.

Neko was amazed to see the red rose. However, the bead caught some red roses which turned black instead.

Rei caught what the girl meant, "This rose shows Ritsu's side. If the rose is black, it means Ritsu is seriously injured. While the rose is still red, it shows that Ritsu is still determined to live."

"Why ...."

"Ritsu is tied to this rose. Because every time he comes here, he always sleeps peacefully. In fact, sometimes he also calls your name in his sleep," explained Rei.

Not long after, Rei handed the violin to the girl which she didn't know since when he brought it, "Play it. Maybe, Ritsu can still hear all your melodies."

Yes, there are still many mysteries about vampires like Ritsu. There are still many explanations that he hangs.

With sad steps, Neko walked to a place that looked like a teahouse. She places the violin on his left shoulder and his left hand holds the bow.

Not long after, Neko started playing her violin which Rei witnessed. The longer it goes on, the more painful the melody sounds.

Neko started to close her eyes. However, she got carried away in the mood.

Suddenly, thousands of red rose petals flew in the wind towards someone who was standing not far from him. Of course Neko was curious and began to approach the man.

The bead red looked surprised when she saw the person standing not far from him.

"Sorry for making you cry," said Ritsu.

Without saying much, Neko hugged Ritsu tightly, releasing all the longing and guilt that she had been harboring. Ritsu returned the hug and kissed the top of the girl's head affectionately.

'Perhaps, is this what it feels like to be loved by someone?' Ritsu thought with a sad look.

The warm hand touched the pale face. Ritsu immediately gave a smile as strong as he could. However, the girl's sad expression made Ritsu slashed.

"Ritsu, when will you wake up? Don't you want to see me again?"

Ritsu was silent. In fact, he did not know when he would rise. In addition, he still remembers well how Eichi enveloped his body with an aura that was able to inhibit the regeneration of the vampires around him. Coupled with Rei's presence being a little late, it was enough to make his condition worse.

"Maybe ... a thousand years," said Ritsu who was trying to joke. However, he actually received a light blow from his lover.

"Ritsu...."

"You've seen it, haven't you? The rose garden?"

Neko looked at Ritsu with a look that demanded more answers. She grabbed Ritsu's hand, as if she didn't let Ritsu go any further than him.

"It's a rose garden that Hana has given magic to take care of me. Considering Rei who is always busy with his own future affairs. In fact, my teleportation is also rose petals."

"Ritsu, I want to apologize for everything I did," Neko said directly so that Ritsu wouldn't cut her off or divert the conversation again.

Ritsu smiled for the umpteenth time, "You remind me of Hana. According to Gabriel's story, she has the same nature as you that Harold was also badly injured like the one I received today."

"Hana did it?"

"Yeah, that's how it is. Hana has a bit of magic in her. Because Hana is a relative of Natsume."

"Ekh!? Hana is a relative of Natsume!?"

Ritsu ruffled the girl's mane in annoyance, "I know that Natsume hasn't told us that he has a family relationship with us."

Indirectly, Ritsu's treatment made Neko's cheeks turn red. And Ritsu realized that then he pinched Neko's cheek.

"Ritsu, let go!" Neko gently patted Ritsu's hand until Ritsu released his pinch and chuckled softly.

"You want to know who killed Hana?"

Neko was surprised when Ritsu suddenly said that. But, Neko also couldn't help it if she was also curious about it. And in the end, Neko nodded in response.

"Eichi Tenshouin's father. He is a demon as well as a vampire hunter. And he is also the one who opposes the relationship that exists between humans and vampires. However, what is clear is that he can't get Hana's love."

Neko was surprised to hear that. Spontaneously, he stroked Ritsu's shoulder, "Sorry, I was presumptuous."

"It doesn't matter. After all, I made you nod like that," said Ritsu who looked directly at Neko.

Unbeknownst to Ritsu, Ritsu's and Neko's faces are currently quite close. They became silent. Suddenly, Neko closed her eyes and Ritsu started to slowly bring her face closer.

Chu~

Ritsu gave his lover a short kiss. And at that moment, the melody Neko was playing stopped.

Neko slowly opened her eyes. There was only Rei in front of him. With eyes holding back the liquid crystals, Neko approached Rei slowly.

"Thank you, Rei," said Neko after arriving in front of Rei. After that, Neko left Rei with the violin he had just used.

"It seems... you inherited Harold's power, Ritsu. Yes, this is getting interesting. No matter what, as a big brother, I will always be by your side."