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Countless days she had spent with her girlfriend, yet Chisato had felt this emptiness inside. Though she still liked her, an off feeling had entered the blonde's heart, whelming it with its strange twist. It made her feel as if she wasn't destined for the other, and was truly made for another to make her happy. One who had a soul, instead of one that was only interested in her looks and such.
And who might that be, she wonders.
Those thoughts drifted through her mind as she came upon the theatre she used to attend often. That building where her childhood friend worked in and got to know her. Her childhood friend that seemed to have an eye on her.
Slowly walking through the doors and halls in the structure's hollowing husk, the faint commotion of the actors and actresses practicing backstage got to her.
"Ah, thou shalt not just stand here!" cried a voice she knew well. "Thou shalt face the horrors within!"
Kaoru's voice.
It reached out to her ears so quickly for her to even react.
Her dear childhood friend was there. One whom she loved to visit frequently before she started dating someone whom regarded her as nothing but a stranger. This place felt like home to that certain actress, and that was what the blonde knew so well about her.
"Kaoru. It's good to see you."
She walked past the stage, entering the room behind the set. It looked pretty clean, but a bit messy for her liking. The prince's cape and cloak lay somewhere in the room, yet she was seemingly unbothered by it all.
"Such a laid back girl," she thought, grinning as she glanced at the actress.
"... Chisato. I thought I'd never see you again. I apologize for this, but... please, stay away."
"O-oh?"
It was unusual for her dear friend to turn away such a simple greeting. She hadn't visited her in forever, so shouldn't she be happy? Why was she being so serious? Never had she witnessed this side of Kaoru before, but what in the world was going on? This felt wrong. Very, very wrong.
Approaching the princely girl's trembling figure, she sighed before gazing up, gently caressing her shoulder.
"Kaoru, what's going on?"
The violet-haired girl remained silent, slowly inching away from the other's sight as she swallowed a rising lump in her throat. Hands shaking ever so slightly with a quiver, she nervously held up a palm above her face, as if to shield her eyes from seeing the other.
"Chisato, please. Do not touch me."
"A-are you alright? Wh-what's wrong?"
"Go! Leave me alone!"
The words rang throughout the room, and this made Chisato pale, mouth agape with the sudden lash of words. What's gotten into her?
"Ah, I... Apologies, Chisato. I'll be taking my leave."
Regardless, the actress gritted her teeth in shame, almost like she tried to hold something in as she walked away from the theatre's structure. Watching Kaoru retreat from the place where she stood, Chisato's hand almost reached out to her, only to pull itself back. Chasing her down is impossible at this point. It really seemed like she needed some time alone. Even if she couldn't tell if she was sick from how pale her face looked, or if she just wanted to be left alone.
"Kaoru..."
That was a few hours ago, and now, here she stands. Innocently walking by the theatre beneath the moon's light, peaking through the window glass at its seemingly empty facade. It was eerie being up this late, but what else can she do after having a fight with her girlfriend about that certain actress?
But then, something inside her suddenly stirred. The wind drifted around, letting out a slight sigh as the night's shadows once again engulfed the city. Inside the building was Kaoru's form, making her solitary entrance in her usual black cape and coat covering her top.
But she didn't remain onstage to recite her lines.
Through the lightly-dusted windows, she could see the actress fall onto her knees, and what seemed like petals started to surround her. The golden blooms of roses and blossoms alike continued to land on the wooden surface, decorating the stage with their vividly vibrant colors.
Chisato swore she could see Kaoru's mouth her name silently, voice muffled by the building's walls and windows. Weeping, the actress let her show of madness play on, the chilly winter air sending a shiver through both her and Chisato's own spine.
More of her blood stained the stage's wooden floor, and the midnight breeze blew the cold fragrance of death, the pungent smell of one's bitterness. A sign that one was to pass away on that very night, carrying the scent of the blossoms' crushed petals.
"Kaoru!"
The blonde called out, but the horribly sounding spell of coughs and delirium was way too overwhelming for the prince's soul. She couldn't hear her scurries of shouts, nor the sound of her dearest trying to barge into the building. The theater's doors were locked, as if sealing the dying actress from the cold outdoors.
"Kaoru, please! Don't-!"
She struggled to hold back her tears, the door's clanging bell fell silent, and Chisato leaned forward against the building's windows, purplish eyes gazing upon the sickly girl's body, which soon collapsed on the stage with all the strength she had left.
"Say, Chii-chan," a voice said from inside the building. "If you were to see me for one last time, would you stay by my side before this life of mine comes to an end?"
The actress's voice was weak and nearly inaudible to anyone who would care to listen, but that voice sounded loud and clear for Chisato herself. She couldn't look away, and the rose petals which surrounded the dead actor remained, staying in their original color and petal shape.
"Kaoru," she swallowed her own tears. "I would. Just... please, stay with me... for a little bit longer."
It wasn't long before the brunette spoke up once again, her tone still slightly loud despite the lingering effect of the flowers' aching.
"Regardless of your answer, I would have stayed. And I wish you... and whoever you love... all the happiness and affection in the world."
"Kaoru..."
The girl stood still before slowly sitting down on her knees, eyes screwing shut. She knew that this would be the end of that princely actress whom she was truly meant for, but all of this was too late, and she wanted her to stay alive. If only she could apologize for her past actions, if only she could live a happy life with her...
Such a regretful night this was.
"And I... Have always loved you. "Even if... I can't love you, thank you... for all those memories together. I... will never... forget them."
As those words escaped Kaoru's bloodstained lips, they pierced through Chisato's heart as if it was but a sharp dagger, the blade stabbing through her soul with its very being. And then, the last of her coughs receded, knowing that the prince's life herself had come upon a happy end.
All those words, the present memories, the past ones, they will always be remembered in both of their hearts, including this tearful goodbye she had never wished to be made.
"I love you, Chii-chan. May you always be happy with whoever you love."
Hearing the actress's last words of love, a sad, despaired smile formed on the blonde's face, tugging at the edges of her lips.
"I love you, too, Kao-chan."
She paused, her cries engulfed by the night's ethereal silence.
"And I'm sorry for the heartache I have caused you."