"A Love Story" Kaede and Shuichi

Chapter 16

Kaede's POV

Shuichi and I walked hand and hand to the dining hall, my eyes gazing over the hallway of overgrown plants. It's like we are living in an abandoned school or something, other than our labs, the game room, and some other rooms. Everywhere else is so overgrown with plants.

As we walked I noticed a pretty flower within the grass. "Ah" I let out a quiet gasp and let go of Shuichi's hand. I quickly walked to the flower and carefully plucked it from the rest of the greenery. I turned around to see a caught-off-guard Shuichi. "Look how pretty!" I cheered.

I looked up at him purely and he smiled at me with a chuckle. He walked over to me. "It's very pretty but I think I know what would make it even prettier." My eyes widened.

"How?"

"Let me see it." I handed him the pink daffodil and he broke a part of the stem. "All it needs is.." he took a step closer to me and stroked a strand of my hair behind my ear. He placed the daffodil in the crevice of my ear and head, adjusting it to stay. I blushed and grinned up at him and he returned the expression.

"You. There, now it is perfect." He delicately tipped my chin up at him and smiled handsomely. I blushed and inched closer to him. Ahh.. he melts my heart so much!

"Thank you." I stated and wrapped my arms around his neck. He moved his hand and pulled me closer as he wrapped his arms around my waist.

"Thank you, Kaede," I couldn't help myself and looked at his lips, then back up at him. He got the signal and clasped my face in his hand and drew me into a deep kiss. My cheeks flushed and butterflies exploded inside of me. I.. think I'm in love.

Shuichi's POV

Her kiss was sweet like vanilla and softer than anything I had felt before. Our lips danced for a short while before it ended with a gentle peck. She drew back and blushed, causing me to blush too.

"Okay.. now I'm ready for breakfast," She giggled.

"Well, I already had mine." Her eyes widened and then she chuckled.

"Very funny." She grabbed my hand and we began to walk towards the dining hall. When we got there the others greeted us.

"Hey Kaede! We were starting to worry about you being with that degenerate male. I told you they aren't to be trusted!" Tenko exclaimed. Before I could answer, Kaede spoke.

"It's okay, Tenko! He's just a normal teenage boy after all," Kaede laughed as I let out an awkward chuckle and sigh. We sat with each other and next to the other ultimates.

"I'm glad everyone is okay," Tsumugi stated.

"Praise Atua!" Angie exclaimed.

"Will she ever shut up about her Atua?!" Miu lashed out.

"You know she never will, humans attach to that hope. So beautiful.." Kiyo creepily chimed in.

"Hey cut out with that weird crap!" Kaito shouted. Maki stared coldly at the other ultimates and glared at Kaito.

"Why do you have to be so loud?" Maki calmly asked.

"It's just who I am!" Kaito exclaimed. Maki sighed and looked down.

Even with our conversations not being super deep, it felt like we were starting to become more like family. I don't want to lose anyone here. Every one of them is growing on me.

We spent some time together in the dining hall and after eating Kirumi's delicious meal we parted ways. Kaede clung to me and wrapped her arms around mine. I smiled, her positivity contagious. She's so cute.

"What do you want to today, Shuichi?" I thought for a moment but then shrugged.

"I dunno, maybe we can explore?" I suggested.

"Hmm.. but where to explore.." She said thoughtfully.

"Maybe we can go the edge of the.. dome we are living in. I don't think I have ever seen it up close yet." Her eyes darted and she gave me a slight smile.

"You are right. Maybe there is a clue we can find. Or we can at least make a guess of what the material is made up of." Kaede stated. I agreed and we headed to the courtyard.

We walked for a while towards the end of the dome. It took longer than expected but we eventually reached it. When we got there I felt a sinking in my gut. I can't believe I am staring at these walls.. almost unbelievable.

Kaede raised her hand and pressed her palm on the wall. "It's colder than expected. It looks like a.. painting.. Doesn't even seem real. Is it real? A reflection of the world outside? Or is this a virtual screen?" I raised my hand like hers and pressed it against the wall. Oh- it is cold like she said.

"If it was a virtual screen wouldn't it be warm from the electricity and all the energy being used to display this image?" I thought aloud.

"That is true... maybe there is a barrier? This could be glass." Kaede said. I grinned at her.

"Look at my little detective," she looked at me and blushed.

"No you are my little detective, Shuichi!" She turned towards me, her hand sliding down the wall. Her fingertips grazed the cold barrier that held us hostage. I tried to not let that fact that we were being held hostage affect me negatively.

I laughed. "I suppose I am, aren't I?" She nodded joyfully and leaned against the wall. I did the same as we faced each other. "Kaede, this is crazy. Being here and stuck with you, 14 other students, and some stuffed bears. The fact that this is real and happening.."

"Yeah.. I don't think I have fully registered it all yet. Part of me doesn't think this is real.. maybe I'm in a long dream and that's why I met you, the perfect guy I always dreamt of. I never saw the face but I saw his heart in my dreams, and he always had a gentle heart like yours," she blushed and turned her head to the side. "Sorry, I have probably said too much."

"No, you haven't said too much at all," I said. She looked back at me with her sweet little smile. "I oddly feel the same way. Maybe this all is a different reality." After a silent moment, she jerked and grabbed my hands, standing firm and her change in posture made me jump slightly.

"Hey, you better be real, Shuichi. If we are in a different reality right now, in this place, we better be from the same one!" She exclaimed, filled with emotion. I calmly smiled at her and drew her close, letting go of her hands. She placed her hands on my chest, looking up at me with her large, innocent eyes.

"I'm pretty sure we are from the same world Kaede, but even if somehow we weren't, I wouldn't let that get in between us. I promise."

She beamed with joy as her eyes fluttered. She stared deeply into my eyes. "Okay, then I promise the same. I'll chase you down if you ever disappear on me, Shuichi." She cuddled up to me, laying her head on my shoulder, nuzzling up into my neck. "No matter where you are, I'll find you."

I laid my head on hers. "Don't worry, I'm not going anywhere." I hugged her tightly to me and stroked her soft, blonde hair. I sighed with relief as our body heat combined. "I could never leave your arms." I felt her hot breath against my neck and we took comfort in each other.

After a long moment she looked up at me and planted a kiss on my cheek. I blushed a little and kissed her forehead. We looked out into the fake scenery, the screen, the painting, whatever it was, we looked out into the detail of it all. Staring at what could be the outside world, or just an image meant to confuse us, I knew I could face it with Kaede by my side.