Kurama accepted the phone from his step-father with a smile, a bow, and a murmur of thanks. "Moshi-moshi, this is Minamino."

"Moshi-moshi, Shuiichi-san."

"Hana-chan!" Kurama exclaimed in delight. "I'm pleased to hear from you."

"Arigato. I called to tell you . . . "

"Hai?"

"I called to tell you I've found a way to end the pain. I want to thank you for everything you've done for me for the past year. It . . . means a lot to me. Sayonara." There was a click, and then a dial tone. Kurama blinked and hit the end button on the handset.

<Nani? What was that all about?> he thought, confused. <Wait . . . 'sayonara'? Not 'ja'?? No . . . she couldn't . . . >

"Shuiichi?" Shiori called to her son as he raced down the stairs. "Where are you going? Shuiichi!"

Kurama raced out of the house, not even bothering to stop for his shoes or close the door. He barely noticed the miserable drizzly rain that plastered his hair to his face in seconds and soaked through his green shirt and brown slacks even faster. He just ran, pushing himself as hard as he could.

<At her house? No . . . her brother's there, and her parents. The school, maybe?> He headed that way. After a quick and fruitless search, he stopped by the gate, gasping for breath. <Where is she!?>

His head whipped up, his eyes widening. "The botanical gardens!" he whispered. In a flash, he was off again. When he reached the gardens, he went through the ticket booth at top speed, leaving far too much money on the counter.

"Wait! Your change--!"

"You can give it to me--I'm a friend of his. Keiko, you get Kurama's change--and mine." Yuusuke handed the startled clerk enough for two admittances, then ran after Kurama, leaving Keiko to collect the change and follow.

Kurama didn't even know Yuusuke was there. <Please, please let me be in time!> he begged of whatever deity would listen. Then he saw her. "Hana!" burst from his lips.

Hana lay on the ground by the wildflower beds. A knife lay not far from her hand, and her glasses were beyond that. "Hana!" Kurama half-sobbed, falling to his knees beside her and pulling her into his arms. "Please, open your eyes!"

Hana's gray eyes fluttered open. "Shu . . . iichi . . . " she said in a weak voice. "I'd hoped . . . you wouldn't come."

Kurama pressed his fingers to Hana's lips, shaking his head. "Shh, Hana, be still. It'll be all right."

"But . . . I'm glad you did," the girl continued, smiling. "The pain . . . is gone." Kurama couldn't force himself to smile back. Hana raised her hand to touch Kurama's cheek. Her fingers left smudges of fresh blood on his face. "I forgot . . . to tell you . . . your valentine . . . is in your desk . . . "

"Hana, don't go--!" Kurama begged grabbing at Hana's hand as it fell away.

"Gomen . . . " Hana whispered, her eyes drifting shut. Kurama choked back a sob and kissed her, trying to keep her alive. He felt Botan's presence and knew it was futile. He buried his face in Hana's shoulder as the girl's soul left her body. He heard Botan speaking soothingly, and then, as clearly as if she were still alive, he heard Hana reply, "I'm not afraid."

"Kurama." A hand touched his shoulder gently. Kurama jerked away, clutching Hana's body close. "Kurama, come on. Let's get you out of the rain. You're soaked to the bone." Kurama didn't move.

Keiko's voice joined Yuusuke's. "Gomen . . . gomen nasai, Kurama-kun," she said tearfully. Kurama choked back another sob, his entire body trembling with his grief. Keiko and Yuusuke stood with him in the rain for a long time, and if they wept, the rain covered the tears.

Kurama went to school early--over his mother's protests. He insisted he was fine, but there was a wildness about his eyes she didn't like. She bit her lip and wondered how long it would be before he snapped.

The room was respectfully silent when he entered. He went to his desk. A stunningly beautiful valentine card lay on it. It was hand-made of stiffened fabric and lace, with rice paper lining the inside. The lace was pure, snowy white and the fabric was blood red. He opened it.

A drop of water fell on the rice paper. Kurama wondered where it had come from. He reached up to touch his cheek; it was wet. He sat heavily in his chair, staring at the valentine in his hand.

Minamino Shuiichi had to leave school early on Valentine's Day. In the two weeks before his return, he was sorely missed and respectfully left in peace. Even by his closest friends. He did not attend the memorial service.

Tanaka Hana was given a Christian burial at the bequest of her parents. She was laid to rest in a peaceful plot of land in the country. Less than a month after her death, the grave was completely covered with wildflowers.