"A Love Story" Kaede and Shuichi

Chapter 22

Shuichi's POV

I gulped instinctively as I creeped towards my door. "Did someone just ring the door bell? Who would it be?"

I opened the door to see a head full of slightly disheveled blond hair, bright violet eyes, and a soft smile resting on her lips. I watched her eyes widen at the swing of the door.

"Kaede?"

"Hi, Shuichi."

Awkwardness started to fill the silence and we avoided eye contact. I looked down to see her holding the bouquet of pink daffodils I set next to her door. When she saw I noticed them pink tinted her cheeks. "Th-Thank you for the flowers," She opened the letter and smiled as she said "You know who."

I laughed because I had written "From you know who." On the letter. "You're welcome, Kaede."

We stood there for a moment, I'm guessing both of us not knowing what to say. Kaede cleared her throat.

"I was wondering if you wanted to go on a walk with me. I know I haven't been communicating lately and.. well.." She dropped our gaze and stared at the ground. "I want to tell you what I have been thinking." Relief flooded through me. "Finally we get to talk!"

I gently tilted her chin up with my fingertips and gave her a reassuring smile. "I'd love to hear your thoughts. Lead the way." Her face beamed with joy as she gave me one of her cheery smiles.

"Okay!" We walked side by side to the courtyard and she picked a bench, patting the bench so I would join her. I sat next to her and she stared out into our small little world, so I did too. It was quiet for a long moment, but I waited for her to say something.

Kaede's POV

"Do you remember when we sat outside together and stared out into the grass? Well, fake grass," I asked with a small chuckle talking about the scenery.

"Well, we've done that many times, Kaede," Shuichi said with a smile. I giggled.

"No I mean before we were dating, when we were just friends. You asked me if I was okay and then sat next to me," I explained, he looked away and pondered for a moment.

"Ah.. oh yes now I do. What about it?"

"Do you want to know what I was thinking?" I asked. He leaned in closer, seeming to resist the urge to stroke my cheek like he has so many times before.

"Yes."

I took a deep breath. "Well, I was thinking of my family. My life outside of this cage, and all my loved ones I had no contact with. No clue if I would ever see them again, but I told myself I had to get out, for them. Then you sat down and as we sat in silence my heart raced that you were next to me." He smiled wide.

"Oh your heart raced?" He questioned with a cocked eyebrow. I gave him a soft push on his shoulder.

"Yeah, maybe!" We laughed. "Anyways, the way we sat in silence reminded me how my mindset was then. I thought to myself, 'I don't want to take a step forward in this adventure, as I don't want to take the wrong step and someone end up dead." At my ending statement, the mood of the conversation had changed. I looked up at his eyes after darting my gaze when I watched his smile fade.

"That's how I feel now, Shuichi. I don't want to take the wrong step, I don't want to hurt anyone or myself. I fear the closer I get to you, the closer I get to losing you," I paused, collecting my thoughts. I looked up at him to see his sweet, caring eyes. He gave me a small smile.

"But I know now that loss is inevitable. I can't live with fear anymore. Every second I spend scared because of my past or worried for the future is a second I lose of present time, which is the most important time. I don't want to lose you, Shuichi," I said and inched my hand closer to his. He got the message and gently wrapped his fingers around mine, giving my hand a squeeze. It made me smile as I stared into his eyes.

"But I never want to lose what we have, or miss all the memories we could have made while I wallow in worry and misery. I choose not to live that way. So.. I'm sorry for how I have acted lately. I guess I just had a lot to figure out in my mind." I was scared he would be upset but he actually looked happier then he had looked in days. I swore I saw his eyes tear up.

"Kaede.. thank you. Thank you so much. For being so open with me and choosing to let go of fear. I know it's hard, something we all battle everyday especially knowing we are living in a killing game," I laughed.

"Yeah, literally," He chuckled too.

"But seriously, thank you. I'm going to be here every step of the way of whatever comes in our lives. I'll-" he stopped suddenly and blushed, breaking our gaze.

"Thank you, Shuichi, I should be the one thanking you," We met gazes again. "What were you going to say?" He blushed deeper.

"N-No.. I shouldn't," I pouted visibly, causing him to chuckle and study my face.

"But I just told you all my thoughts! C'mon pleeeease," I pursued. He sighed, then turned his body towards mine and grabbed both of my hands in his.

"Okay, I was going to say I'll always be by your side, Kaede. No matter what happens or what we are threatened by, I'm here for you." Now it was my turn to get teary eyed.

"Shuichi... I l-" My eyes turned to dinner plates and I was so flustered I couldn't even feel my blush. I'm sure he felt the sweat build up on the palms of my hand. His smile deepened into a handsome smirk as he leaned closer to me. His face was inches from mine.

"You what?" I gulped.

"N-Nothing! Really, nothing at all." He cocked his eyebrow, staring intensely in my eyes.

"You expect me to believe such a blatant lie? You made me tell you what I was about to say, it's only fair you do the same" He chuckled. "I am NOT telling him I almost told him I love him, nooo way. I need to do something to distract him from this conversation.."

"Just sh-shut up and kiss me," I blurted out, my cheeks burning. He pulled away with wide eyes, a little shocked. Then returned to his cool expression and brought his hand up to my cheek. I pressed my face into his hands, closing my eyes, enjoying his warmth. I looked back at him and wrapped both my arms around his neck. We both grinned at each other as our lips met and danced in the moonlight. The light kisses began to turn passionate as I felt my body temperature rise and his other hand on my waist, gripping me tightly. "Nothing could ruin this moment..."

We eventually unlocked our lips and stared at each other with loud breaths. I pecked his lips and pressed my forehead to his. He chuckled.

"There's my sweet little Kaede," I chuckled too and we sat silently, hearing each other breathe.

"Aw yay! You guys made up!" We both snapped our heads towards the source of the voice. It was Tsumugi. She had a big smile on her face, practically hearts in her eyes as she looked at us.

"Tsumugi? Where'd you come from? And how did you know we weren't um.. on the best terms?" I asked suspiciously.

"Just taking a night stroll, and it was pretty obvious, Kaede. Besides, we only have in total 16 people here. We all are very attentive to each other," Tsumugi explained.

"Yeah, that is true," I agreed.

"Anyways, like I was saying, I'm so happy you guys are good now! One, because you guys are one of the cutest couples ever, and two, I have a plan for all of us!" She spoke as she walked closer to us, excitement filling her voice.

"Th-Thank you," Shuichi muttered as I also responded.

"What are the plans?" She giggled like a mastermind.

"We are going to have the best pool party ever thrown by high schoolers!"

1425 words

Author's Note
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Hey guys, I'm sorry for not uploading frequently. I can't promise for weekly updates but I'm going to try my best. Have a blessed day <3