ˢⁱᶜᵏ ʷⁱᵗʰᵒᵘᵗ ʸᵒᵘ { ᵐᵃʳᶜᵒ | ¹ }

Chapter 26:Standing next to me

Third pov

Marco safely got Kira away from the cliff, and took her back to Itami's. As soon as Itami & Kira saw each other, they ran into each others arms, and cried. It was a emotional scene to watch, and it even made Marco feel happy for the two. His heart clenched as he heard them apologise to each other. When he looked over to Ace, Ace was even crying. Itami sat Kira down, and they talked. They talked thoroughly, and it was mainly Kira doing the talking, as she was explaining how she feels, how she coped with her relationship with Josiah, and finally, what happened at the ball the night before.

"You guys...had sex?" Itami asked. Kira nods, "More like a one night stand, only because I was panicking at the time, and overthinking everything, which lead me to flee." Kira rubbed her shoulder, "I really wish I didn't do that." Itami smiled gently, and sniffed, "We all make mistakes, but thats how we learn from future ones. Otherwise we wouldn't be the people we are today." Itami then sighed, "But if thats the case...I think that you & Marco need to talk alone, like, urgently." Itami states. Kira nods, "Yeah...thats what I'm anxious about." Kira murmured. Itami put her hand on Kira's knee in a sisterly way, "Just start slowly, and take your time, okay?" Kira nods, "Okay..."

Itami left, and took Kira over to the mafia clubhouse, where Marco was, as he didn't want to disturb Itami & Kira talking. Kira felt really anxious & nervous, as everyone in the mafia were staring at her up & down in a predatorily way. Itami, of course, scared them away, something that she got really good at. They found Marco sitting in a area that was kind of away from everyone else, and was more hidden, giving off a sign that where he sat, no one would be able to hear him. "Marco." Itami called. Marco looked up, and he stood up when he saw Kira standing there, wearing some of Itami's comfortable clothes. "K-Kira..." Marco starts. Kira bites her lip, before saying, "Marco..I have so much to talk to you about." She states. "Do you want me to stay?" Itami asked. Kira shook her head. "Okay, well I'll be with Old man, so come get me when you're done."

Itami walked off, leaving Kira to sit down next to Marco. They both felt really nervous. Kira knew that she had to start.

"Marco...I think it is best that you reconsider your feelings towards me." she starts. "Why?" he asked. "Because...I've killed before. I'm not talking about just Josiah..I'm talking about tens of people." Kira stated. Marco stayed silent for a moment, "Continue."

"Back when I was little, I had a little sister named Lilith. She was my best friend, and we did everything together. She had dyslexia, and I was the only one helping her throughout school. Our parents were horrible people. They physically told us that they didn't even want to have us in the first place, but they kept us around so that we would be their slaves. One day, Lilith had fallen sick. I was trying my best with curing her, but because I was young & didn't know a single thing about medicine, all I could do was feed her chicken soup. Anyway, one day, I got back from the grocery market where I stole more soup for Lily. But when I arrived home...no one was inside. Not even Lilith, who should've been on the couch, but instead, there was fresh blood there. That was when I saw my parents burying Lilith. I can remember my world crashing in front of me, I could even hear them talking about killing me next. So..I did what I had thought was right: Kill them before they killed me. I cut them up with a chainsaw, and I threw their body parts into the sea, along with some other things. As for Lilith..she's buried back at Chihana cliff."

"And then there was the fact that I was now left with no financial balance. And the house that I stayed in had the power & water cut off since I didn't pay the bills. From the age of 7, all the way till I was 17, I killed people for money, food & shelter. On good days I would torture people through rat torture, sleep deprivation, bone breaking, starvation, water boarding, castration & Chinese water torture. But I did this so that I'd live, and survive, because I knew that there's something out there for me. Its also how I became one of the best doctors in the hospital, because I know how bodies break, and how to fix them. I wanted to become a doctor so that I can heal people, sand save them from the death that they don't deserve. I only killed the people who abused their money & luxuries. But still...I am a killer, a murderer, and yet people still haven't found out about me. I...I want to stop, and change for you, Marco. I just want to be a woman around you, and..."

Kira ran out of words, as she couldn't think of anything else to say. She bit her lip, and looked down. "Marco...I'm sorry that I'm not what you expected. I'm sorry that I'm not everything you wanted. I..I really feel like I don't deserve you-"

"Listen to yourself." Marco cuts off. "It doesn't matter if you've killed people or not, everyone here in the mafia has killed someone, me included, so I'm not phased by it, yoi. You had your reasons, and thats survival, yoi. This world is tough, and it was even tougher on you, and you don't deserve that, yoi. You may think you're a bad person, but you're a good individual, yoi. You kick people back into health, and you don't even know them at all, yoi. You're so strong as well, you've put up with so much, and you're here & striving, yoi. That...thats something thats amazing, yoi."

"You still..like me?" Kira asked. "Like you? No, I love you, Kira!" Marco then started to stumble with his words, "I mean...I've loved you from the very start, yoi. You took care of me, and it made me feel happy to know that someone like you is around, yoi. You're a beautiful woman thats smart & strong, yoi. And I...really love you. When I found out that you were going to jump off Chihara cliff, I cried, yoi! I cried because I couldn't bare the thought of losing you, and never seeing you again, yoi! You're so important. Its just....I wish that you would stop running away whenever we get close, yoi. I want to stay by you, yoi."

Kira was shocked into silence as she stared at Marco with wide, crimson eyes. "Marco..." she uttered. "Kira. I will take care of you, yoi. I'll do everything I can to make you a happy woman, yoi. A-And..we can go as slow as you want to, you can be the one to set the pace between us, yoi." Kira leaned over, and hugged Marco. "You're truly a blessing." Kira cried, hugging him. Marco hugged her, "Just say the word, yoi."

Kira pulled away, and looked up at him. "I am yours. My heart belongs to you now."

Marco's eyes went wide as Kira leaned in, and kissed him. He relaxed, and eased into the kiss. It was loving, gentle & passionate. Marco cupped her cheek, and pulled away to look at her fully. He stroked her cheek before kissing her again.

"I love you, yoi." He whispered. Kira felt tears spring into her eyes, "I love you too."