The Story We Realize With You

I Want To Love As More Than Just A Girl

"Are you sure you don't want one of us to come with you...?"

"Yes, girls, I'm sure. And, if anyone else asks, just say that I'm getting souvenirs with Leo."

"You got it!" Ainya squealed, giving a thumbs-up.

"Although, depending on how this turns out, our plans will have gone south," Suwawa said sadly.

"Well, at least we tried," Arisa-san said, shrugging.

"And... it may not seem like it, but I really do appreciate the help," I said, smiling gratefully. The girls came over to me, embracing me tightly. I hugged them back.

"Good luck," Arisa-san whispered.

"Thanks."

So, I was back in Harajuku, looking for the café that Leo mentioned. Mojo Coffee Harajuku...

I walked a few more paces before I saw Leo's figure, waiting outside the café. He turned his head, and waved over to me, smiling. I breathed in through my nostrils, before blowing the breath out. I went over to him, nodding.

"Yo."

"Yo."

"So... glad you got my text, hehe."

"Well, yeah. Why else would I be here?"

"Sorry for the wait," a waitress said, coming up to us. She placed a chai latte in front of me. I furrowed my brow.

"What's this?"

"Just a refreshment," he replied, shrugging. "Figured you'd need it in this heat." I smiled softly, taking a sip of the latte. "It's on me."

"So... what was that 'something' that you wanted to talk about?" He cleared his throat, placed his hands on the table, and peered his eyes down.

"Krys... I..." His eyes didn't meet mine, as he bit down on his lip. I pursed my lips before taking another sip of my latte. He blew a breath, before laughing softly. He moistened his lips before raising his eyebrows. "Okay, listen. We've known each other for ten years, and we... we hung out, quite a bit, in high school."

"Yeah."

"But, I guess, it wasn't until sometime after high school that I..." He cleared his throat again. "that I realized..." He lent a smile. "I'm in love with you, Krystal." I chuckled as he fidgeted, and laughed when he met my eyes. "Something... the matter?"

"Haha, no, I was just..." I pursed my lips. "I was wondering how long it'd take for you to say that!"

"...Huh?" I giggled.

"Leo, I..." I glanced downward before meeting his gaze. I slid my hands across the table to intertwine my fingers with his. "I love you, too." I blushed, smiling softly. "I always have."

We exited Mojo Coffee, hand-in-hand. He smiled down at me, pulled me close, and locked my lips with his. His gaze into my dark-brown eyes had me melting, and I giggled as he slung his arm around my shoulders.

"So, you actually went to Nanaka and Arisa for advice?" he asked incredulously.

"I didn't; they offered!" He snickered, rolling his eyes.

"What, they suddenly think they're love experts just 'cause of that one UraRaji segment?"

"That's what I said!" We laughed as we entered the apartment lobby. I rolled my eyes playfully.

"Who knows what they'll plan next."

We came up to our floor, before going down the hall to our room. Leo opened the door, allowing me to slip inside. We both slouched into the the couch in the living room.