Sunako's emotions ran deep. They clenched her heart, whispered into her ear: run away, run away, RUN AWAY-

The goth glared at her reflection. She featured the usual, Hanes and sweats. It had been a long time since she last felt this comfortable. Her clothes weren't tight, weren't drafty, weren't attractive: just how I like it.

The whiteness of her knuckles told of her inner turmoil. Her shut fists shook and quaked from her concealed sadness. The luggage was downstairs, sitting innocently. Patiently waiting to be escorted to the airport in her arms…her stiff, angry arms.

You shouldn't've tried to fool Aunty, she's smarter than you. You should've become areallady, a real-

That'll happen when hell freezes over.

Carelessness had gotten her into this mess. She had taken on the pseudo image of a lady. She did it because at the start of her college life, Aunty devolved. It was like all of those talks about accepting Sunako never happened. Sunako was the same freak, the same Goth. Sunako blamed herself as she watched her relationship with Aunty rot, and did what she thought would fix it all. She lied. It had been going well for the last six months.

Then Oba-san found Hiroshi and the others hidden in the attic. Now Sunako was reaping the consequences. Almost immediately Aunty transferred Sunako to a college in Britain, a private all girls' type. But her Aunt's resolve wouldn't make her any less determined to live how she wanted to.

She was running away.

She couldn't ever bring herself to understand and accept: "becoming a full-fledged lady." Why did she have to change for anyone else but herself?

Was she so unacceptable? So embarrassing? So disappointing? Why did she have to fight for nice smiles when she walked down the street? Why did she have to beg for kind words from the others at college? Why couldn't anyone accept anything "abnormal"? Why couldn't anyone accept her?

She would no longer give in; the strength to keep doing so had run out a long time ago. Others would no longer dictate how she should dress or act. Everyone had their own personal issues and problems. In order to avoid dealing with them, they turned to her instead. This annoyed-upset Sunako the most.

At least that's what she kept telling herself. In truth, everyone had stopped badgering her long ago. They were her friends despite her true character and the raw ugliness of it all. It was all her Aunt, her own blood. Aunty was the one who made Sunako feel self-conscious, made her ashamed of whom she was.

But acting like the others were also hateful would make leaving them easier. Besides, they weren't totally spotless.

Sunako shuffled towards the window and looked at the ground. Her eyes hardened as they scanned the concealed duffle bag. It was hidden behind the bushes. She closed the window and locked it, her heart wrenching.

…

Sunako walked to the kitchen, her kitchen. This would be the last time she cooked in her favorite sanctuary of all. This would be the last meal that everyone shared together. This truly was goodbye.

Sunako bit back the tears. Her hands lightly shook as they tied back her long hair.

This will be the best meal they've ever had.

…

Sunako ate dinner as slowly as possible, the others followed her lead. Aunty was the only one to try and fill the silence. But no one had enough energy, or mercy, to acknowledge the older woman.

When Sunako finished, multiple dams exploded.

Yuki and Noi cried their eyes out, saddened to the point of tears by her departure. Takenaga looked a little upset, but he was doing a good job of hiding the emotions that made him bite his lip and squeeze Noi's hand. Ranmaru never touched his food; Tamao massaged his fingers. And Kyouhei…Kyouhei had been missing for quite some time.

His presence had been scarce since the big announcement. He disappeared. Sunako sighed as his face filled her tumultuous thoughts. She made fried shrimp as a thank you for all of the fun times, for when he awakened her to reality, and for just being her best friend.

She bit back her tears for a second time. Only that radiant creature was able to solicit such reactions from her, such emotions, and such turmoil.

He has been my best friend all this time, huh?

…

Sunako left the kitchen as all of her friends said goodbye for the last time, and walked back up the stairs. She stopped at her door and the tears immediately poured. She couldn't swallow it down anymore. She dried her eyes and entered the room she had grown so attached to.

She gasped, "Kyouhei?"

He turned around. Sadness graced his radiantly beautiful face.

That's right. At this moment he wasn't annoying or someone living in a world different than hers, he was her beautiful best friend. Her breath escaped as her tears intensified. Her vision blurred.

"Nakahara, I just wanted to say goodbye before… before I wouldn't have the chance to anymore…" He said quietly.

She nodded as she wiped her eyes. She figured that in this moment, and this moment only, she probably looked like a beautiful lady.

She waited for him continue, knowing that it had always been hard for Kyouhei to swallow his pride and say what he really meant. It must've taken all of his courage to even go into her room, let alone to wait for her.

Sunako felt her eyes tear up again, she had to say something, "I… made you a lot of Fried Shrimp…as a thank you for everything. I… really want you to enjoy it," she said. She had never been so heart-felt when making something for him until that night. She had never felt so kind towards him. She had never appreciated him so much.

The thought of leaving him, for what seemed to be forever, made her swallow her own pride.

Kyouhei smiled softly, slowly walking towards her. Sunako didn't move. This was the last time she could ever do anything with her stubborn house-mate. She would let him do as he pleased.

He hugged her, his arms felt tight, the pressure almost hurt. But she wouldn't-couldn't complain. His warmth was intoxicating. He kissed her cheek with shut eyes. She shut hers. She smiled when he moved away, and in return caressed his cheek.

Her nose felt normal as her newfound boldness allowed her to look him in the eye longer than three seconds. His cheeks were red but his eyes were far from shy.

He was still the experienced man that she had come to know and treasure.

"Take care, Kyouhei," she whispered before releasing completely. Chills went up his spine as his name left her lips for the second time that night. He wasn't used to hearing it from her. He embraced her small but strong frame one last time before forcing himself to leave.

Sunako stared at his back as he walked out of her door…out of her life.

…

Sunako grabbed her plane ticket and hugged her mannequins, which had been hidden under the bed right after Aunties discovery. She could never sneak away with them in her arms, she would be caught.

Sunako took one last look at her room. Her eyes had dried and turned cold upon remembering why she was doing this:

I am my own person, and I can't let you try to change that anymore.

Sunako climbed a rope down to the ground, grabbed her duffle bag, and boarded the nearest bus.

Goodbye.