The Song of the Stars

I Couldn't Help You In The End

Kaito couldn't save her in the end. 

Idiot!

Maki was finally released from the hospital. Her things were packed and organized thanks to Kaito and Kaede's help. She couldn't wait to get back to her dorm. After all, she was no longer a working assassin anymore. What happened in the hospital, stays in the hospital. "It feels good to see the sky again." As soon as she's back at the academy, she wanted gratitude to Shuichi for helping her and the orphanage getting away from the hands of the assassination cult. Now that she is finally free from the chains of cruelty, menaces, pain, and suffering, her chest feels lighter, relieved, and safe.

And she hopes Kaito keeps his promise.

Flashbacks to 2 weeks ago

"K-KAITO!! I told you I'm fine! I can feed myself!"

"Not with that arm you won't! Just open your mouth already!"

"Alright, alright!!" This last statement shot a grin to the astronaut. Maki groaned then smiled. *He's still stubborn as ever, huh?* she thought. With her mouth wide open, Kaito fed Maki with her favorite ramen. Though this felt slightly awkward for the pair, it was mostly Maki who was about to scream and hide in shyness. Never in her whole life would she envision the situation they are in right now. Whilst Kaito happens to be flustered, unlike Maki, he was able to keep his face smiling. His bright and annoying attitude was able to hide his bashfulness from Maki, at least that"s what he thought.

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Maki had just finished up the last piece of ramen when they heard a knock on the door. "It's probably Kaede and the others, I'll get the door." However, when Kaito was drawing close to the door, a feeling of malice grew. The atmosphere in the room dropped when the person, or in this case the group that was outside the room was revealed. A group of men in black was there. They wore business suits and dark glasses. They looked intimidating. A strong and dark aura surrounded them that came with their stoic and cold figures. One of the men was holding a suitcase of some sort and examined Kaito. Since Kaito didn't know who these men are, but Maki seems to cause as he was about to question their names and purpose, the man in front of him tilted his head to take a look behind him. Kaito turned as well and saw Maki shaking in fear, hands gripping on her blanket, eyes about to cry. She clearly knew these men and judging by the atmosphere and her shaking, these men who were outside the room were, without doubt, a threat. They seem to have come here for Maki. At Maki's state, there's no way she can fight even if she wanted to.

"Please leave the room, sir, we'll take it from here." One of the men asked Kaito. And hell was he gonna leave. "No, I'm her guardian and her friend. I have every right to be here" he announced in an angry tone, he undeniably felt a strong disappointed aura around them. * These men seem like a threat, I gotta get Makiroll outta here. And fast!! *

As calm as he could, he asked Kaito again. Maki stood up and quickly ran over where Kaito was. She held his hand, tightening her grip as a sign to stop. Kaito turned around to see Maki with a worried face and a sad smile. Though Kaito was asking death from them, his being worried about her molded a safe and warm feeling. Maki feared these men all her life, she knew what they could do if disobeyed. Just imagining it made her body be surrounded in fear and dread. Kaito frowned at Maki and she knew that stupid look.

"Kaito, it's fine," Maki reassured him, positioning her hand on Kaito's left cheek. Kaito was startled, not by the sudden action but by Maki's wet eyes. She was crying. Maki was showing weakness for the first time. As a reply to her touch, Kaito reciprocated it by holding the hand that was on his cheek. They stared into each other's eyes, forgetting that there were other people in the room with them and what seemingly are in their own world. For what felt like an hour (it was only a whole minute), Kaito released himself from her touch and nodded at her. Maki released a sigh of relief and looked downwards, while Kaito shot a possible death glare to the men in the room. They didn't seem threatened, in fact, one of them smirked. That made Kaito's blood boil but he was able to control his emotions. He looked at Maki one last time and with a nod, he headed for the door. Closing the door behind him also leaning against it, he sighed a sigh of failure. Failed to get Maki out of the cruel, inhuman, spiteful, and monstrous cult. Kaito couldn't help but sob a little. He wanted to save her, not just from them but from her past as well. Her cruel and sh*tty childhood caused her skin to be filled with scars, as well as her insecurity and anxiety. She would always wear long sleeves t-shirt or dresses.

Until Kaito saw her.

About a month ago, Kaito was going to invite Maki to his family dinner with his grandparents. His grandparents insisted that they want to meet her. Maki on the other hand was at her dorm dressing up and just as she was about to insert her hoodie, Kaito came barging in without knocking. Maki jumped by the sudden interruption and saw Kaito at the door, also staring at her. They stared for a few seconds before Maki howled at him while quickly going inside her bathroom in lighting speed. She leaned against the door, sweating and secretly praying he didn't see her hideous scars.

Kaito tried to process what he just witness. She has a lot of scars, but why?- OH!! He then recalled her past, she trained as an assassin so she must have gotten them from it. Kaito slowly but loudly approached her bathroom door, he knocked and asked. "Maki? Are you okay?" Silence *She must be too embarrassed and afraid to come out* he thought. He knocked again. "Maki, you don't have to be ashamed of your scars. Please, come out and talk to me!" silence filled them both until Kaito felt and heard the doorknob turn. He stood back and saw Maki, covering herself with a large towel. She was looking at somewhere else but his eyes. She didn't want to see his disgusted look. But, Kaito moved closer and lifted her chin to look into his eyes. Maki complied, and what she saw was an unreadable expression Kaito was wearing. It worried her. Was Kaito about to say they want to end their friendship? Did want her to go away? Before she processes it, Kaito moved his head so his forehead laid on hers. "If you think I would leave you because of some scars. Your dead wrong." He hesitated but then quickly and softly-

Found her lips on his.

A/N: I TOTALLY wasn't panicking when writing this chapter :)