7 - 3

Zukafu placed the gift back into Mary's hands who was still shocked that he learned her true motive and she asked, "How did you know?"

Zukafu answered, "The day we met."

Zukafu explained to her at that moment, "I saw how you blushed when telling me that you were becoming your partner and even though looking away could've implied that you were somewhat excited about the whole idea, I realised you were looking outside at the cloud and even though there was blush on your face, there was also anxiety, like you were nervous about being with me BUT the blushing was something else..."

Mary was left stunned by what Zukafu had said as it was all true and they both knew that lying or making some excuse would've already be debunked.

Zukafu continued "... But there was one thing that was legitimate was your speech while going through my memories..." Zukafu then took a deep sigh and stood up before concluding, "And even though what you said was pure, your true intentions was your main priority... and thats why I think we should stop this couple stuff..."

Mary didn't seem to be upset by Zukafu wanting to break up but rather, she felt herself to be pathetic in what she was doing because she was just using him to escape from the boring life that she had to go through with her friends.

She looked down at the gift, admiring its beauty while also feeling guilty for Zukafu giving it to her.

Zukafu then said, "But... I hope you don't mind... I'd... Like to remain as friends..."

Mary turned her head up and looked at Zukafu with surprise. She then took a deep sigh before saying, "I... understand..." she then stood up with the gift in her hand while some civilians watched and gossiped as they believed that they were breaking up, which they were. "... And I don't mind having a friend like you Zukafu..."

Zukafu said, "Great..." he then turned around and walked away, saying "See you tomorrow." With no emotion in his voice.

"See you-" said Mary, her voice starting normal but gradually becoming quieter until she says "-tomorrow..." in a very quiet and disappointed voice.

Mary watched as Zukafu faded into the crowd before she turned around and walked back to her brothers house.

TATSUYA'S HOUSE

Tatsuya had the day off and was getting into contact with Yu as well as Yoko and some others while he was worried about Mary after learning about the 'break-up' and he decided to get up and check on her.

He entered her room and asked "Hey, you going to be okay?"

He saw Mary on her bed staring at the ring. She answered "Yeah, I'll be fine..."

Tatsuya could see that she was lying and therefore, he sat down on her bed, saying, "Hey, I heard it from Nagata about the deal you made with Mr. Kami and your desire for adventure and..." he scratched his head, "... I was wondering if you'd want to do something together?"

Mary then looked at Tatsuya and got up, answering, "Sure... What'd you recommend?"

Tatsuya thought about it for a second and then suggested, "Maybe you could come with me to work?"

Mary looked at Tatsuya, baffled by the suggestion. To which Tatsuya said, "Or maybe... We can go out and visit your cousins that are in the Uoza district, they're very reckless people!"

Mary answered "I think I'll pass on that offer thanks!"

"Ok-ay! Well, I'll think of something..." said Tatsuya as he patted his sister. He then got up and left Mary by herself.

AFTERMATH

For next couple of days, Mary went on with her school life with her friends as they returned to their usual routine of skipping class and smoking on the rooftop meanwhile she looked outside.

She then turned to the bench where she first met Zukafu and believed to have seen him but later turned out to be nobody on the bench which sadly bummed her out.

Meanwhile in class, Mary suddenly believed seeing Zukafu inside and outside her classroom which did cause her get into trouble with the teachers.

The days then turned to weeks and weeks turned into months and even though she would eventually see Zukafu around the school from time to time, it felt very rare and she couldn't keep up with him appearing and disappearing and therefore making her more curious about what he was doing.

And during those times that Zukafu and Mary hung out with Yuno and Charao, they chatted like what had happened between them was now in the past and this affected Mary as she felt deeply hurt but also empty as well.

THE BIG EVENT

Mary sat on top of her rooftop with a box of only one cigarette inside, in her hand and she appeared tempted to open and smoke it and she was about to open it, she became startled as she heard her brother popping up from the window, causing Mary to hide the lighter and cigarette.

Tatsuya, finding Mary, said "Ah Mary, found ya!" He then entered the rooftop and sat beside her. "So this is where you've been hiding huh?" And immediately, he found the cigarette box that Mary was holding and swiftly grabbed them without her knowing.

She asked "What do you want?"

Tatsuya answered "Thought you'd might want someone to talk to..."

Mary, acting dumbfounded, asked "About what?"

Tatsuya answered "About Zukafu, obviously! Its been months since you've been seperated-"

Mary then interrupted him saying "We weren't even a couple!"

"To you, you guys weren't..." Said Tatsuya, "But not to him... He saw potential!" He then took out the lighter and lit it up with his lighter, causing Mary to realise what he had done.

Mary, sounding arrogant and mean-spirited, stated "Yeah? So what? I only needed him because I was bored! Thats it! There was nothing between him or me!"

"You sure about that?" Asked Tatsuya.

Mary stood up and responded, "Of course! Why would someone like me want to be with a robot like him!" Her voice across the neighbourhood.

Tatsuya stayed silent before he threw the freshly lit cigarette onto the road. He stood up and told Mary, "Do you know why Zukafu broke up with you?"

Mary sarcastically asked "Oh I don't know! Why did he?!"

Tatsuya's tone grew serious as he said "Because he was afraid..."

And hearing this made Mary's attitude change. "What?" Mary said.

Tatsuya sat down and instructed Mary to do so as he explained the true story of Zukafu to her. "Many years ago, when Luna, Naoya and Zukafu were young. Yu's home was not just his kids home but it was also the homes of those not fortunate and during that time, Yu along with Luna and Naoya looked out for the orphans like they were their family... Everyone except Zukafu, he was mostly lonely as he couldn't cope with the others, even though he tried but during that time, he met a girl at his age named Raimei and they became friends..."

Mary then interrupted, asking "So they weren't lovers or such..."

Tatsuya then explained, "No, thats one of Zukafu's lies as he felt like she was a friend rather than a lover and they were very close to the point that Zukafu actually smiled but then... an ambush happened and Enigma parasites were hoping to recruit the orphans into their ranks although me and the others stopped them. As we thought we had defeated all of them, one managed to slid past us and had a grip on Raimei... Young Zukafu tried to save her but his abilities weren't stable, causing a major distraction to us and allowing the Enigma to escape with Raimei... We were frustrated but we were more frustrated at Zukafu as he cost us the thunder gods child... And ever since that day, he blamed himself for what happened and shut himself away from others..."

Mary was stunned to learn about this as she had only known such little from Zukafu's memories and relied on what was explained to her.

Tatsuya then got up and told Mary, "He broke up with you because he was afraid that the Enigma's would take you like they did to Raimei and... his whole attitude towards everything is because of what he feared the most... Being rejected by society because to them, he's someone who shouldn't value life because of what he is..." he then looked at his watch and said, "I should get going... night."

Tatsuya left Mary alone who was remorseful for what she had just said about him but it would be put aside as there was a sudden explosion coming from Toudou academy. She then spotted a portal appearing from above and came down swarms of Enigma's as they landed on top the destroyed school.

Mary was left stunned by this but then remembered what someone had said to her and knew who was behind this and therefore, she got down from the roof and made her way to the school.