She faked that she tripped and was curled up into a ball.

He slowed down his pace until he was fully stopped. He looked at her with suspicion. "Kasumi?"

When she didn't get up, he went to her side. "Come on. I know you're clumsy, but don't tell me you actually got hurt that badly from tripping."

He didn't want to admit it, but he was actually worried.

She didn't move for a brief moment. She waited until his foot was just close enough to...

"Got you!" She tapped his ankle, while looking up with a victorious smile. "Tag!"

Toya's jaw dropped. He didn't expect someone as shy as her to play a trick like that. It made him feel something like...pride?

He quickly tried to cover it up with a scowl. "You tricked me!"

"You're not mad that I won, are you?" She asked in concern when his expression changed. She knew from other games they would play together, if Fuyumi would win... well..

He didn't exactly take losing very well.

This was the first time she had won against him. She didn't think he would fall for it.

She didn't expect him to go towards her either, but he did.

He tried to continue looking angry, but eventually, his expression softened a bit. "It doesn't matter. Let's keep playing. You only got lucky!"

She stared at him like he had two heads. She actually couldn't believe that he was acting... nicer?

No calling me cheater? Nothing?

The gentle breeze started to kiss her cheeks as she started to space out. She was moved for the fact it was nicer of him to act like a good sport.

It was short-lived when she was literally tagged for having her mind in the clouds.

Well, a gentle flick in the forehead.

"Ah! Hey!" She frowned as she saw Toya already running away.

"You're too slow, you dork!" Toya grinned in victory.

When Fuyumi saw that Kasumi was tagged, she started to slow down like she did before. It wasn't enough to make it easy for Kasumi, but just so that she would have a little bit more of a chance. Toya, on the other hand, was running full speed.

He ran so fast that he wasn't paying attention to where he was going anywhere. He ran right into Enji, who had apparently gone to get them. He froze, unsure of what to do except step back.

Fuyumi and Kasumi immediately stopped what they were doing, too. Fuyumi felt a wave of fear wash over her.

"Come inside. Now." Enji's tone was very mean. His nose scrunched up hatefully. His large frame towered over them while his arms were folded.

Fuyumi noticed that Kasumi looked scared. She tried to give her a reassuring smile, but her lips quivered. "You can go back to the orphanage if you want. We'll find you later."

Instead of being scared, Toya felt excited. He wondered if maybe he would finally get some attention from his father. It wasn't likely, but he couldn't but hope. After all, it was one of the few things he cared about in life.

Finally. Maybe he can see that I've been working so hard-

That excitement slightly soured when Enji's threatening words came out of his mouth.

He glared at Kasumi, causing her to feel even more terrified being noticed.

"And you too, peasant brat. She isn't going back anywhere." He growled. "You're the other one at fault for this."

Fault..? For what? I'm scared! Is he going to hurt me? She felt like she was going to choke on her own heartbeat racing. She looked at the ground while already motioning herself to go inside with them.

As they walked inside, Toya was the closest to Enji. The other two stayed behind a little bit due to their fear.

Toya gave Enji an angry look. "What exactly are you blaming her for? She hasn't done anything."

"Yes, she has," Enji retorted back. He stopped them in an empty room to speak.

"After Rei's encounter with Shoto, the peasant must have played a part of what happened." He continued, making sure no one dared to interrupt him. "Since you failures have the decency to know this: Your mother killed herself."

Fuyumi could hear her heart pounding in her ears. How could it be possible that she would die like that? It was difficult for a child to understand.

It didn't take long for Fuyumi to start crying. She put her hands over her mouth to stifle her sob, but it wasn't working as well as she had hoped.

It was hard to tell how Toya felt. He himself didn't know for sure. No tears came from him. His only reaction was a mostly blank stare.

Kasumi couldn't comprehend what she just heard. She didn't understand the concept of suicide.

Regardless, learning that Toya's mother had died made her feel super upset for him.

Why would she die like that? She didn't know the lady, but she was hurting for Fuyumi and Toya.

She knew that her parents had died too. She didn't want her friends to experience losing a family member like that.

Her eyes welled up, but her thoughts were soon interrupted with a hard grasp on her wrist.

"If you didn't play with Shoto, she would still be alive!" Enji blamed her. Her eyes became widened with fear. She couldn't get herself to cry this time.

She would have been...? Kasumi believed it so easily. She was easily manipulated to think it was her fault.

"That's not true!" Toya snapped. His emotions were like a vicious tornado rampaging through his mind. There was a feeling that something was missing mixed with guilt. There was also anger towards Enji and Shoto.

Once again, Shoto was the easiest one to place the blame on. Toya didn't know, however, that Shoto was almost to the room. That he had seen Kasumi walk into the castle looking afraid. That he had found a way out of his area of the castle.

"Shoto killed her!" Toya screamed. Tears were finally released by him. "Shoto is the one who upset her, so he killed our mom!"

At that moment, another pair of footsteps were heard entering the room. It was Shoto. He appeared sad at first, but then he glared at Enji. "I heard part of the conversation. Kasumi didn't arrive until after mom hurt me. She didn't have anything to do with it."

"Shoto! What are you doing out of your room?!" Enji marched over towards Shoto, dragging Kasumi along with him.

Kasumi fear intensified. She tried her best not to cry.

It hurts...! Please, let me go! Was what she wanted to exclaim, but she felt too afraid to.

Shoto ignored the question. Instead, his eyes flickered from Kasumi to Enji. "You already said that it's my fault, so why are you blaming her now?"

As Toya was watching, the same strong hatred that he always felt for Shoto returned once again.

Look at me. Why aren't you listening to me?!

There was a twisted thought that he wanted to be the one to defend Kasumi.

I want to protect her. You're taking my spotlight!!

To Toya, Shoto really did get everything that he wanted.

Toya had tried to defend her against Enji, and hardly gotten a reaction from him at all. Yet as soon as Shoto showed up, Enji stomped in his direction. In Toya's eyes, that wasn't fair at all. He did almost the same exact thing and nothing happened.

Not fair. It's just not fair!

"Go back to your room now! If you don't do what I say, I'll break her limb off." Enji's hand tightened on her wrist, causing her to flinch.

She was trembling viciously at this point.

He's really serious...

She wanted to do something - anything - to get him away from her. She had no guts to.

Instead, she helplessly looked towards someone.

Of all the people who were in the room, she looked at Toya.

----

A/N: Please, vote and comment on what you think! You can comment on different parts of the story multiple times! We don't mind!