Drip. Drip. Drip.

It's all I can hear. Why can't I hear anything else? Where is everyone? It's been too long.. Too... Long...

Drip. Drip. Drip.

Someone... Please end that sound... End my life if needed, I can't do it anymore... Please...

Drip. Drip. Drip.

Tap. Tap.

Footsteps.

Tap. Tap. Drip. Tap.

The broken girl gazed upwards with lazy eyes, an unbelieving soul.

A cold stare. A slight smile. A sigh. Sounds of chains, of metal against metal. A key being turned. A click.

She dared not move. Too much time passed, she broke the silence.

"M-Ma..ma?" Her shaky voice pierced the air. She felt as though it were all a dream, and this was her break back to reality. This was the first time she felt the chill of the basement, the feel of unwashed hair against her forehead. A hand reached out and handed her a pair of cotton clothes. Blue striped. She realized her time was up, and she was free until Mama decided to punish her daughter again.

Silence. She took the clothes with shaky hands and crawled out of her prison, immediately walking to the base of the stairs. She risked a glance back at Mama, who nodded sympathetically at her. Yuno resisted the violent temptation and walked silently up the stairs, wanting ever so badly to stretch her cramped legs.

She reached the top and walked straight to the bathroom, closed the door and locked it. She sighed of relief and set the clothes down, put her arms in the air and stretched them until she felt content. She did the same with her legs, propping one up on the counter and reaching to her toes. The same with the other. She glanced into the mirror and frowned at the sight. She turned on the faucet and soaked her hands in the stream of flowing water, splashing some on her face and cleaning the blood off of her wrists and fingernails. She wiped her mouth clean of the stained crimson and turned off the faucet. She quickly undressed, revealing a perfect body despite her scarred soul.

Yuno walked to the tub and turned on the shower, stepping in immediately without a single thought crossing her mind. She melted in the warm water, allowing a small smile to show itself on her unclean face. She stood there in the warm water for 10 minutes, unmoving. Finally she washed herself and stepped out, drying off with a towel. She stared into the mirror one last time, a bright grin on her face, her hopes up high.

School tomorrow! I get to see Yukki!

"Is she done?"

"Yes, dear."

He nodded.

"When she's done with school... Act like nothing's wrong. We'll be having a visitor next week. Make this the best week of her life. Got it?"

He hesitated, then nodded again.

Silence.

She arrived at the school late, Making a bit-too-enthusiastic entrance to a dull classroom. The door burst open, and everyone's heads were lifted off the desks and turned in her direction, all but one. She heard the whispering of students.

"Isn't that the girl who got kicked out of the classroom 3 days ago? Where did she go?"

"I heard she was killed..."

"Really? I heard she was in a fight and went to jail for killing the other person!" Giggling. That damn laughter. Oh well. Yukki.

Yukiteru Amano was busy texting away on his phone, as always. His free hand was supporting his face, his bored eyes fixed at the little screen of his dark blue cell phone. He sighed, glanced up at the rest of the classroom, and then back at his phone. He continued to type, ignoring the commotion the girl was making.

Yuno found him in his usual place by the window and smiled happily in hopes of him noticing her. Her expression immediately changed to a disappointed one. She spoke softly to her teacher.

"Sumimasen..." (Excuse me). She clutched her books close to her chest and walked slowly to her usual spot. She sat down, setting her books lightly on the top of the desk. She glanced over at Yukiteru, who was still texting.

What does he even do on that thing?

She sighed and pulled out her own phone to check her messages. None. She opened her notes and began to type.

Day 453:

Yukki doesn't know me well. Mama punished me again. When will this ever end? I think soon. I will have to make it happen. This tension is too much. I wonder who Yukki is texting. Is it his girlfriend? Does he have one? If he does.. I'll have to kill her.. I have no choice. He is the one. I love him. I love you, Yukki.

She put her phone back in her pocket and looked up at the teacher, who had begun the lesson. She glanced over at Yukiteru. He had also put his phone away and was trying to follow the lesson. She sighed.

Just another day, ne...

The day went by quickly. She sat on a bench outside of the school, waiting. She watched the crowd of students go by, scowling at their dramatic conversations. She loosely held her books to her chest, waiting to see the familiar blue eyes. The short black hair, the tannish beanie. The dark blue cell phone in his hands. She spotted him walking out of the school and clutched her books tighter, standing up. Her thoughts went wild.

Now's my chance!

She waited for what seemed like hours. He finally reached her and walked right by, not even glancing up to say hello.

I won't give up this time!

"Yukki!" She ran to catch up to him and accidentally bumped into an oncoming person. She dropped her books and watched papers scatter. A horrified look crossed her face, along with a deep red tone. She immediately dropped to her knees and started gathering her things. Yukiteru frowned and crouched down beside her.

"S-Sorry Gasai-san!" He picked up a book and handed it to her. She accepted it, blushing madly, and collected the rest of her things with his help. She stood up before he did. He picked up a light blue device and stood up next to her. He handed it over with a worried smile. She noticed his efforts to be friendly and smiled back at him.

"Yukki... You helped me... Thank you, Yukki!" She smiled happily and accepted it, purposely brushing her hand against his. She spotted a very faint blush, which made her do so more. She looked away, trying to hide it.

"Y-You're welcome. Bye, Gasai-san." He turned to leave.

"Wait, Yukki!"

"Hm?" He turned back to face her.

"I-I... Call me Yuno, please.." He smiled.

"Okay, Yuno." She was very pleased with this.

HE NOTICED ME!

"I'll see you tomorrow, Yukki!" She waved at him, and he waved back and proceeded to walk away. She sighed of relief, perfectly content.

AN

It's been SO long! I'm so sorry! I've gotten into roleplaying a lot more than usual, and I almost forgot about this story. I promise to focus on this one, and try to get the next chapter out as soon as I can.

Ja ne!

~kaoru.