And yet another trade with MimiMa9, hope you like the sequel! Also make sure to check out the stuff she makes, including her amazing artworks! Never forget the artworks!

One thing I can say that this could be Mimi's biggest turning point in life, well, in this thingy anyways. Y'all can use your imagination for whatever may lay ahead for this girl. 😉

Also, play the video when you reach it before resuming on reading. If ever it finishes before the story ends, it's your choice to replay it if you want ^_^

Edit: video is in the media as well!

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"Do you need some time before you want to tell us?"

After a quick yet at the same time slow walk, everyone reached the coffee shop that Shirou was talking about. They settled on a quiet spot in the cafe, with Handa, Mamoru, Teppei, Someoka, and Kabeyama volunteering to order everyone's drinks and pick them up while Shirou, Gouenji, Kazemaru, Sakichi, Kageno, Matsuno, and Ayumu remained at the table with Mimi.

Everyone was sitting on a long table in the order from the window seat: Sakichi, Matsuno, Ayumu, Mimi, and Gouenji on the left side while Kageno, Kazemaru, and Shirou were at the right.

"I want to wait until our order's here, honestly..." Mimi replied quietly.

Shirou hummed in understanding. "Take all the time you need. We're not in a hurry anyway," he assured softly, adjusting his scarf a bit to pass time his own way. "That's right!" Ayumu agreed happily. "We'll stay here with you even until the sun sets!" The other five also voiced out their agreement, making Mimi a little flustered.

With a giggle, Mimi covered her face with the bangs of her hair. "You're all so sweet, you're going to make me cry again," she joked, making everyone else laugh along. There was a brief moment of laughter before it died down to silence once more, but with a more lighthearted mood compared to earlier.

"Alright everyone! Drinks are he-"

Mamoru was cut off mid-sentence when he stepped on a stray paper cup, causing him to slip. The drinks on the tray that he held nearly fell onto him, but within a nick of time they were saved by two people who were thankfully quick enough to leave their seats. "Endou, please do be more careful," Shirou advised calmly, giving a close-eyed grin as he held one edge of the tray and his free hand holding on to the side of the drinks to keep from spilling.

"You should watch where you're stepping too," Gouenji followed. He held the other edge of the tray and was also holding the other drinks on the said tray.

"Thanks a lot guys," Mamoru groaned while lying the floor.

There was a second before Mamoru chuckled at his own mistake and then stood up to follow the others to their table. Handa and Mamoru sat on the remaining spaces on the left while Teppei, Someoka, and Kabeyama sat on the right. Gouenji and Shirou let them sit first before they sat on their initial sides.

"Here you go."

The drinks were served to everyone, but not without letting Mimi have hers first. "Ladies first policy, everyone," Handa joked as he gave Mimi her tea, and everyone laughed along. "Such a gentleman, Handa," Someoka teased, making the called boy blush with embarrassment as everyone laughed at this as well.

"Oi, oi! It doesn't pay to be nice, does it?" Handa countered.

"At least it's making Mimi feel better," Shirou pointed out. "Right, Mimi?"

The blonde let a small smile crack on her lips as she hummed in response. There was then a short pause, the silence filled up with the soft sounds of the people sipping and the small talks from other tables. Usually the boys would start up a conversation regarding soccer or something of the similar caliber, but since the unexpected cafe visit was meant for Mimi to unwind, they all had an unspoken agreement to keep the silence as it is. "So, it's that time of the year again, huh?" Gouenji spoke up, catching everyone's attention.

"Mm."

"What do you mean by that?"

Shirou shifted on his seat, frowning when he remembered that not many of the Raimon team had been told the full story of Mimi's past. "It's-" "I'll tell them," Mimi interrupted quietly, cutting the grey-haired boy. Shirou gave her an unsure look, but managed to give a hesitant nod of approval.

Mimi took a deep breath, letting it out before she straightened herself. Holding onto the teacup as a form of comfort, she tilted her head to look at everyone with her blue eyes. "Today marks my mother's death anniversary," she began, shocking over half of the present Raimon team members. They've heard about Mimi's incident, but not once did their friend mention about her mother's death. "The eighth year, to be exact."

"My father and I visited her grave earlier. We were about to head home, but..."

Ayumu and Handa, who were the ones sitting next to Mimi, both placed a hand on each of the girl's shoulder; well, Ayumu had to stand up on the seat to do so. "I - aah..." Mimi sighed in realization. She hadn't noticed that she begun trembling when she tried to speak of what happened until the two boys held her. "I'm sorry..." she mumbled, rubbing her eye as she tried to resist the tears.

"Don't be," Mamoru assured with a grin. "There's nothing to be sorry about."

"Seriously, I can't thank you all enough..."

Mimi took a sip of her drink before taking another deep breath. "I guess, I got so full of how my father treated me and how he thinks that money can solve everything that I just... exploded. Right then and there." She glanced over to the busy streets before looking back at the cup that she held. Reminiscing about what she did earlier made her realize how reckless of a move it was.

"So I screamed and screamed and screamed until I couldn't scream at him anymore. Then I decided to run. Away from him, away from the hell I've been living. Away from my problems... I thought 'maybe if I run fast enough it'll all go away' the whole time."

The girl chuckled awkwardly as she scratched her cheek with her index finger. Everyone couldn't help but watch and listen in shocked silence as Mimi continued on her story.  "Truth be told, talking about it made me realize how silly it was for me..." Mimi admitted. She took another sip of her drink, noticing that she's been actually quite thirsty from all the physical running that she did a while ago.

"So I ended up running into a busy road, and if it weren't for Shirou, I would've..."

"...I think we can end it at that."

Everyone turned their heads to Shirou, who wore his usual smile. "You don't need to recall that if you don't want," the grey-haired boy stated. He knew all too well how terrifying it was to remember something that caused them great trauma, or even to see something that would be remotely similar.

"Okay..." Mimi agreed, relieved.

Shirou gave her a closed-eye smile, reassuring her that everything's alright. "Things must've been really hard for you..." Sakichi pitied. Everyone else felt the same; to see their friend live such a controlled life was almost unbearable for them. "No, it's okay, really," Mimi told them, pulling up a smile. "I've grown used to it, but I guess too much of anything is too much... plus, all of you have been helping me out ever since..."

"But still!" Mamoru interjected.

He slammed a hand on the table, surprising everyone. "It's not right for you to be treated like that! You're a family to him, so he should treat you like one! If you're all that he's got left, shouldn't he cherish every single moment with you?" Mamoru pointed out, his brows knitted in frustration. Mimi stared at him with wide eyes, a little shocked at the sudden outburst. She then relaxed, her lips curled to a sad smile.

"I wish he could think the way you do, Mamoru," she replied sourly. "But he doesn't. That's how it is, and I can't change that."

Mamoru huffed as he crossed his arms; he clearly wasn't going to let the conversation end at a bad note. "Nonsense! Anyone can change at any point, and everyone will change. Maybe you can't completely change the way your father thinks, but you can still change the path you choose to take. It's your life, Mimi! Don't let anyone else carve your path for you, or else you'll never know how to be truly happy!"

Mimi's mouth hung open as she looked at Mamoru, whose brown eyes were filled with determination and enthusiasm. "Carve my own path, huh...?" she thought aloud. "That's right! And do it with the ones who really care for you and vice versa!" Mamoru followed. Mimi looked around the table and saw everyone's faces. Those were the very faces of who were ready to go and walk down her path with her no matter how crooked or bumpy it might be.

"I..."

She was at a loss for words. The sure eyes that were all fixed on her gave her an indescribable feeling. It was like a sudden burst of willpower that surged through her entire being. She scanned the faces of the people around her until her gaze landed on one last person: Shirou.

The two stared at each other for a while until Shirou gave a toothy, close-eyed grin that certainly surprised the girl. It wasn't usual to see Shirou give such a wide grin while he's at his pacifist state, and the sight of it made Mimi give an open-mouthed one in return.

"If that's the case, then... then I want to make my path with all of you!"

"That's the spirit!"

Mamoru then stood up from his seat, the usual dorky smile plastered on his face. "We'll always be there for you Mimi, right everyone?" he declared, fist pumping up in the air. All the boys chorused with a "Yeah!" as they followed Mamoru's actions with the sole exceptions of Gouenji and Shirou, who remained seated. Mimi couldn't help but be in disbelief and awe, her heart melting at the sight of her friends' willingness.

"Everyone, I-"

"Lady Sakura."

The joyful atmosphere died down when the group was alerted by the call of a man. Nearby the table stood three men dressed in black suits and shades, all with their arms crossed and their mouths formed to a fixed scowl. Mimi gulped inaudibly, recognizing the men as none other than her personal guards. "How did they find me here?" she thought nervously. Realization then struck her when she remembered her cellphone that was inside the pocket of her dress.

"Dammit, the GPS!"

"Lady, it's time to go. Your father is looking for you," one of the men informed.0

It was obvious that Mimi wouldn't want to leave. "I'm not going back," Mimi told them as firmly as she could, but deep inside she felt scared. She was afraid of what would happen next; of what would happen the moment she steps inside the mansion once more. "Mr. Sakura's orders, my Lady," the man on the left reasoned in a monotone. The three men then approached the table, but quickly stopped when three people moved into their way.

"She won't be going back there anytime soon, buddy," Gouenji pointed out.

"That's right!" Mamoru agreed. "And we won't let you near her!"

"If you want her, ya gotta get past us first," Shirou threatened, his eyes flickering to a fiery orange.

The three men weren't daunted by the kids' threats, but that quickly changed when Mamoru took out a soccer ball from underneath the table using his foot. Mimi's eyes widened in fear the moment the black and white object came into her view, oblivious that the boys on her side were positioning to shield her from whatever that might happen. "So, what's it gonna be?" Shirou asked as he took the ball from Mamoru, smirking devilishly. He then kicked the ball up and caught it with his hands before proceeding to spin it on one finger.

"Are you gonna be smart and leave us be? Or do you wanna have a taste of us?"

Shirou let the ball drop to his feet once more, his foot prepared for a kick. "Well?" he asked impatiently. None of the three bodyguards were able to answer, their bodies froze up in fear as sweat rolled down their faces. They knew about them. They knew about the strength of Raimon, and when used to an extent, it would be terrifying. Shirou tsked, his arrogance getting the better of him.

"I'll take that as the latter, then!"

"Wait!"

Mimi willed herself to push Handa out of the way and broke free of the boys' hold of her as she stood up to stop Shirou, almost knocking the table in the process. She rushed over to Shirou and managed to stop him by holding his shoulder before he could kick the ball. "Not this way, please!" she pleaded. Shirou whipped his head at her, his eyes dilated and his teeth bared out.

"Mimi, you know who they are! You know how you were treated! Do you want to go back to that lifeless living?!"

"No, but-"

"Then let us keep you from going back!"

"Still! I don't want anyone hurt, Shirou!"

Shirou managed get a good look of Mimi's face, and his furious expression faltered once he saw the begging look in her eyes. "I've caused enough trouble as it is, I don't want to be a bigger burden," Mimi explained. Shirou gave her a long look before looking over to Mamoru and Gouenji. The other two seemed to agree with Mimi, but something about their expressions told him to keep his guard up. He gave a defeated sigh.

"Fine," he growled.

Mimi was about to move past the three boys, but Shirou stretched an arm in front of her. The two exchanged looks, however Mimi gave in and let him do his way. "I do not wish to return to the Sakura household," the girl declared, making direct eye contact to her three surprised guards.

"Ma'am, orders are orders. We have no place to refuse to it," the guard in the middle explained.

"However, there's a reason to refuse," Shirou pointed out haughtily.

"Shirou, no."

"Shirou, yes."

The guards looked at each other with uncertainty before looking back at Mimi. "Even if you do refuse to go with us, where will you stay then, my Lady?" one of them asked in concern. There was a long period of silence, with everyone sweatdropping as they too realized this. "W-well, um..." Mimi trailed off, not very sure of what to say.

"I know! Kidou's got a huge house, you can stay there with him!" Mamoru suggested happily, raising a finger up to the sky.

"And what makes you think Kidou's father would let her at such a short notice?" Gouenji shot back.

"Oh, um..."

Everyone but Mamoru anime fell. "You idiot..." Gouenji huffed, shaking his head as he rubbed his temple with a hand. He suddenly felt his phone vibrate, so he took it out of his pocket and saw that he received a message. "Oh, it's Kidou," he announced, gaining everyone's attention. "What does it say?!" Mamoru asked eagerly, and Gouenji had to take a step away to keep him from stealing his phone.

"Hello everyone. My father told me to tell you that Mimi is welcome to the Kidou household anytime. We have provided a vacant room for her to settle, and she is free to bring as much of her things as she needs. Tell Mimi that she does not need to worry about basic necessities as it will still be provided to her as usual," Gouenji read aloud.

The platinum blond-haired man quirked a brow in suspicion. "How coincidental..." he mumbled inaudibly. Mimi blinked, her mind still processing what she just heard. "You sure that's really Kidou...?" she questioned, her voice laced with unease.

Beep, beep! Someone received a message.

One of the guards took out his phone, flipping it open. "I-it's an email from him," he told the other two guards in surprise. He then opened the message, and the next thing he did was to give his phone to Mimi. Shirou quickly put on an aggressive stance when he saw the guard approach, causing the said guard to take a step back.

"My Lady, a message from your father," the guard told the girl as he held out his phone.

Mimi patted Shirou's shoulder, messaging him that it's alright. When all was placid, the guard handed the girl the phone. "Why won't your dad just call your phone instead?" Mamoru wondered aloud. "He doesn't have my number saved," Mimi answered casually, making everyone sweatdrop. "S-so he has a guard's number saved but not yours?" Teppei assumed, though he never got a reply as Mimi began reading the message her father left.

Subject: for Mimi
Message: Mimi, I have contacted the Kidou Financial Group, and they have agreed to take you in. It may not feel like so, but I know you more than anyone else. Not only do you look like her, but you also hold the same stubbornness that your mother had. So I know that you wouldn't want to go back, and as your father, I will respect your choice to grow the way you should've years ago: as a human being.

It didn't occur to me how much your isolation has affected you until now. I have my reasons why I kept doing that to you. I wanted to protect you from me. I didn't want you to get hurt because of me. But now as the following years come, I wish to change that. Don't think that sending you to the Kidou family as me disowning you, but rather think of it as an opportunity for me to see you more. Not as a helper, but as my daughter. Our companies has very close ties, so I will visit very often. And when I do, I promise to treat you the way I should've for 8 years; the way your mother would've wanted me to treat you.

When we meet again, please do not see me as who I was in the past 8 years, but see me as who I was when your mother was still here. For her sake and yours, I promise to change to a better man. Can you do that for me, sweetie?

Love,
Dad

After reading the whole thing, Mimi couldn't help but tear up. "Dad..." she whimpered. A tear cascaded down from the side of her eye, and then the rest came out one after the other. However, those tears weren't sadness nor frustration, but rather it was thankfulness. As she cried on her spot, the Raimon boys rushed over to comfort her while the guards were being informed of a new message through their earpieces.

"...right. Understood, sir."

One of the guards cleared his throat to catch the kids' attention. "My Lady- I mean, Mimi Sakura," he began. "One of the Kidou's cars just left the Sakura household. They are done gathering all of your belongings and they are now headed here. They will arrive in a short while," he told them. "Also, may I please have my phone back?" he added awkwardly. Mimi's head perked up in remembrance and immediately handed back the phone. There were still tears on her face, but the soothing words of her friends helped her calm down.

"Alright!" Mamoru exclaimed.

He surprised Mimi and Shirou, who managed to bring himself back to his quiet state, by putting both of them into a friendly headlock. "Today marks a new day for our friend, Mimi Sakura!" he announced enthusiastically, unintentionally tightening his grip on his two friends that he held captive.

"We should celebrate this at Rairaiken!"

"I can't breathe!" Shirou choked.

"Mercy! Mercy!" Mimi cried out.

Everyone else had to hold in their laughter as Mamoru blabbered about the celebration in blissful obliviousness that he was already making the two suffocate. "Hey Endou, we might end up celebrating a funeral instead if you don't let those two go," Someoka spoke up.

Mamoru halted once he heard Someoka's statement, and he instantly released them. "Sorry! I guess I got a little too excited," he apologized sheepishly as he rubbed the back of his head. Mimi and Shirou were now sitting, both gasping huge amounts of breath.

"Huh, it seems that we didn't come at a bad time after all."

Everyone turned their heads to see that two people had arrived. "Kidou! Haruna! Glad to see you!" Mamoru welcomed as he jumped over to where the two were. "Sorry the message was sent late, but at least everyone's been informed properly on both sides," Kidou mentioned. Mamoru told him that all was swell, giving the goggled man a strong pat on the back. "Geez, that boy's got way too much energy for his own good," Gouenji sighed, and yet there was an evident smile on his face while he spoke.

"But at least it's done good for others," he followed up.

Mimi nodded in agreement, and the others were in line with this as well. She stood up, watching as Mamoru spoke to the newcomers the same happy-go-lucky vibe he always had.

"Yeah, it has..."

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Ta-dah! It's finally done! Sorry it took so long, MimiMa9, but I hope it was worth the wait! Here's hoping that this has done justice to the amount of time I wasted!