Where the Paths Take Me [COMPLETED]

Chapter 32 ~ You Saved Me ~

Megumi stood motionless after Kuroko finished telling her the story. She never thought the hair clip Kuroko gave her was of big significance like that. Her heart clenched at the downcast emotion that Kuroko wore after saying all that just now.

"A-Are you saying t-that girl was me?" Megumi asked hesitantly.

Kuroko looked her in the eyes and nodded. He seemed to find relief in being able to confess that to her. But, there was something that he held back.

"W-Why di-didn't you tell me before? I-I mean.." Megumi fiddled with her fingers, trying to find the right word to explain or ask the thing she had in mind.

"I wasn't sure if it was you at first. Then, I felt the same serene aura when you saved Momoi-san and me from the wolves."

"There was nothing serene about at the time. I-I was panicking, losing control of my own emotions.."

"I'm sure it was you. The same magenta hoodie, same raven hair and that voice. I know it.."

Kuroko stepped closer to her and ruffled her hair. Megumi blushed at the sudden contact. No one else has ever ruffled her hair like that other than Kise. But, it was different. The way Kise and Kuroko ruffled her hair was different.

"Did you bring the hair clip that I gave.." Kuroko paused. "I returned to you?"

Megumi nodded her head. Kuroko had texted her the night before to bring the hair clip with her during their outing. Megumi took the clip out of her bag and showed it to Kuroko.

He gently took it from her and put his hand on her head. Megumi froze as Kuroko gather her bangs with one hand, brushing them away from her face and using the clip to keep the hair away from her face.

After he did that, he took a step back and smiled at Megumi. He could have a better look at her face that way. With the bangs away from her face, her wide forehead was visible and her eyes stared back at him shyly. Megumi's blush only grew brighter when she realised that Kuroko was staring at her.

"Kuroko-kun.."

"Hai.."

Megumi looked away. "If it was really me, I must have lost control some time after I helped you because I don't remember a thing.."

Kuroko's smile wilted. He followed Megumi's line of sight towards the old well. He let out a small sigh and looked at Megumi again. The tiny girl noticed this and she glanced at him.

"I don't mind," Kuroko said. "I don't mind that you forgot. The important thing is, thank you."

Megumi's eyes widened when Kuroko bowed 90 degrees in front of her.

"K-Kuroko-kun?"

"Thank you for not letting me be forgotten all alone in that darkness at the time. Then, you saved me for the second time. I am truly grateful, Mirai-san," Kuroko confessed. After saying that, he lifted his head to meet Megumi's teary eyes. "Mirai-san?"

"I wish I could remember. At least, I could know for sure that I wasn't fully a monster back then.."

"Mirai-san.."

Megumi sat down and hugged her knees. Her tears didn't stop. She felt happy to know that she was able to save someone even from back then. But, she couldn't help but, feel hurt to know that she forget things whenever she lost control.

"I-I'm sorry that I'm crying.."

"It's alright. Let it all out. I understand.."

Kuroko knelt down in front of her, stroking her hair gently. Megumi continued to sob. She cried a lot lately. It was no telling how long she has kept all those tears to herself. Now, she was letting others see her tears. It may seem like a weakness but, she has held her feelings back for many years. She has finally been able to show how she really feels.