The Flower of Memories Part 2

"Kasumi."

"Well, I'll marry you regardless…but what are you doing?"

The young Mikami wraps his arms around the young her tightly. Mikami-kun? Why are you shaking? Mikami-kun?"

"--ove you. ---ove you."

It was a faint whisper; she could not hear it back then. But even over here, Mikami was confessing to her, wasn't he?

"Kasumi, can I stay tonight?"

"Oh sure, I'll make the preparations."

Mikami shakes his head. "You don't have to. Let me stay here with you."

"But a futon is uncomfortable."

"Let me stay here tonight with you in my arms."

"Wha--wha that's too…much…But, alright. Um, would you like to sleep now or-" The young Kasumi pulled onto the bed without warning. "Mikami, you're acting really strange. What's wrong?"

"Just tired."

'I can't let her find out. The ones who are doing this to me are the children in her household. I can't let her know.'

At that thought, Kasumi clenched her fist. Is he talking about the children from the branch families of the Iwa household?

'I wonder if there's anything I can do for him.

His wounds they've gotten a lot worse recently.

If only she could use her powers. I fI could. I'll be able to find out who did this to him. I'll never forgive them, no matter who it is. '

That was a foolish and naive thought; she never came close to finding out the truth,

The scene changes, and again he is surrounded by those children.

"Someday saw you staying over at the main residence yesterday."

"They saw you stay over at Kasumi-sama's room and not come outside till morning."

"Even though you're just a monster. I know; let's show those photos to Kasumi-sama."

'Stop. Stop, stop it. Don't show her anything. Don't show her being unsightly. Stop it. Don't destroy her smile. Don't-'

Her eyes widened, and she felt her heart beat increase when she saw Mikami's eyes flash red. It was just a few seconds, but the children who were mocking him could no longer speak, let alone move. They were all on the ground by Mikami's feet, in a pool of blood.

As Mikami licked his blood-stained hands, devious laughter escaped his lips.

However, it did not take long before somebody hit Mikami's head from the back, causing him to fall. The one who did it was his mother, Yuki. After a few minutes, a familiar man with black hair showed up.

He wore a grim expression as he looked at the sight.

"They're all dead. All thirty, there was nothing I could do."

"Yuki. Don't pull that face."

"I didn't want him to inherit this power. If anything, why didn't he get your flames? This power will only destroy, no, it did so already."

'Mother looks sad, and father, he can't read that expression.'

"Yuki, it's not over yet. There's a way, right, isn't there? For you to control your powers."

"My child, I'm sorry. I'm really sorry, sorry. But from now onwards, could you meet the girl's mother introduces to you?"

"Other girl, will Kasumi be there too?"

"No, she won't."

"But Kasumi will cry."

"I'm sorry. This is the only way. My child, do you want this to happen again?"

'This…the bad people died. He did it. But it was frightening; something took over his body. If he does that again, Kasumi gets hurt. If something happens to Kasumi too.'

"I -- u--understand Mother. But Kasumi, let me see her again."

---

Kasumi froze when she watched this scene. Mikami's mum, Yuki powers, has the traits of an ancient succubus. The ones who inherit these powers cannot remain with one partner until they learn to control it. If they don't, they will lose control and harm people.

The reason why Mikami slept with other women was this? She felt her body tremble. So this entire time, she misunderstood him as a player, a jerk, and for what? For what did she say all those cruel things to him for?

Kasumi watched as the scene changed again.

It changed to a familiar school, and there she saw her younger self staring at the window in a daze.

'Mikami-kun, he's been gone for so long. He wasn't even there for the funeral. He's probably going to be really upset when he learns what happened to everyone. The death of your friends is the most painful thing after all. I wasn't very close with them, but it pained her heart even then. After all, despite the low interaction, they were people I saw every single day. I haven't seen him at all since that time. Before he left, he kissed me. It's so embarrassing !'

"Quit your strange behavior. What, did Mikami actually put the moves on you before leaving?" Shichiro asked.

She only responded by shyly fiddling with the strand of her hair.

"What, really?"

Kasumi averts her gaze. It was a clumsy kiss since they were both young. However, it made her heartbeat so very fast.

"Are you going to tell him now?"

"I think I can." She always thought he stayed by her side because of the engagement. However, that's not it. If Mikami has the same feelings, it would be best if she confesses quickly to become an official couple.

"Everyone Hamano is back."

"That loser? Why do you have to announce that?"

"No, actually he's-"

"Hey, Kasumi. Shichiro. It's been a while. "

"Your late s- " Kasumi trails off. Her eyes went wide. The person standing in front of her has the same voice as the person she's known since she was younger. But his appearance was quite different. "Ehhh?"

Kasumi did not get a chance to react.

She remembered that day very well; he showed up with a different appearance and then dragged her to the rooftop. He was kissing her before she even got any words out.

"Unngh."

"You're still clumsy at this. But I'll teach you from now onwards."

"M--Mikami. I-- I l--" She needs to confess to him..before they go further. He traces her fingers with his fingers.

"So beautiful, Kasumi."

She can't say it now, not when they're like this. There is something wrong with him. But it is hard for her to think straight now.

Over the next few days, Mikami's attitude is different. He's still with her like before. But every single time, they kiss. The behavior of everyone around them, too, is different, far too different. To the extent that different people, mainly girls, whenever they're walking together, ambush them.

At the start, she didn't think much of it. But after a month, she could no longer ignore the rumors.

"Did you hear about Mikami and the girls in class D?"

"A group? It sounds nice."

"Maybe they're at it today too?"

Kasumi quickly rushes to class D. It can't be true. Rumors are just rumors. There's no way. It can't be true; it just can't.

He will never do that to her. He won't do something like that. It didn't take long before she arrived in front of class D. When she saw the dimmed lights. Her heart beat sped up. It can't be. It can't be; it's impossible. However, she could hear it from standing outside the door.

She heard the sound of heavy pants and groans coming from a man. The voice of a person she knows so well. Kasumi slowly opened the door, and in there was Mikami.

" Hah, hey, aren't you way into this?"

"Mikami-sama. It's because Mikami-sama is so good."

"Ah, that's not fair. Mikami-sama, play with me too."

She slumps on the ground. So that's it. Shichiro was right because she's being so slow. He was taken away from her. But that's, even more, the reason why she has to say it now. Before it completely disappears.