Love Me - An Okikagu Love Story Part Three

Sougo POV

"I've said it before, and I'll say it again. You are an idiot," Nobume said through a mouthful of pizza. Her ring flashed with every move, making my heart ache even more. It had been two weeks since Kagura had stormed out and she didn't even look at me when we were at school. But I knew she was grieving too. She'd lost weight, had circles under her eyes, and had looked pale these last few days. I really hoped Kamui was doing his best to make sure she stayed as healthy as possible. 

"What was I supposed to do?" I snapped. Nobume glared at me.

"Don't you take that tone with me buster. You're the one who called me over to help you with your love issues."

"Sorry," I sighed. "But, all my life, ever since I was a kid I've done nothing but plan to go to that school and take my revenge." 

"I understand that Sougo. I do, really. But do you want to be a police officer? Are you sure it's not just your anger driving you? This is a huge deal Sougo and I don't want to see you become something just because of someone else."

"I do want it," I said. "Before Hijikata, I had a big brother figure in my life. He was a cop and he'd take me with him to the office with him whenever he could. I saw him help put a lot of bad people away and I idolized him. Hijikata only helped fuel my need to become an officer."

"Who are you talking about?" Nobume asked. I smiled to myself as I remembered one of the only people I respected. 

"His name is Shimaru Saitou. He had bright poofy orange hair and dressed like a ninja when he wasn't working. He and I often played together too," I said. 

"What happened to him?"

"He got transferred."

"I see. Have you heard back from the academy yet?"

"Yeah. I got in."

Nobume squealed so loud, I was sure my eardrums were about to burst. "I know I'm not supposed to be this happy but OHMYGOD YOU GOT ACCEPTED INTO ONE OF THE BEST COLLEGES EVER! THAT'S A HUGE DEAL! WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME?!?" She grabbed me in a fierce bear hug. I laughed weakly at her enthusiasm. 

"Precisely for this reason," I managed to choke out. She rolled her eyes at me before letting me go. "But still, that's huge. It's a huge honor to be picked. They only choose the best of the best for that school. When did you find out?"

"Two days ago."

"Have you told anyone?" I shook my head. Kagura's absence still cut me like a knife and even though I finally got into the school that'd I'd been aiming for almost my whole life, I couldn't bring myself to celebrate. Not when it was this school that made her leave. 

"I understand why you didn't tell Kamui or anyone at school, but not even Kondou?"

"If I told that stupid gorilla, he'd find a way to brag about it everywhere." And to be honest, I didn't want Kagura finding out. Not just yet. Not until we could sit down and have a proper talk. Although with the way she'd been avoiding me, I wasn't sure if that was even possible. I wasn't the talking type and neither was she. Neither of us were on anyway prepared to have "the talk" that we both knew we needed. 

I sighed again and leaned back. Nobume was silent but she whipped out her phone and dialed a number. "Who are you calling?" I asked. 

"Sougo, you have ten days until graduation. If both you and Kagura aren't going to kiss and make up on your own, I'll give you the push. This will haunt you, hell it already is! Gawd, I already have my own problems to deal with, you better be treating me to some ice cream after this!" She said. She pressed call and stared at me sternly while she waited for the person to pick up. 

"Hello?" It was Kamui.

"You got a brat with you too?" Nobume asked. 

"Aye."

"Ok. Meet me and Sougo at the park. I am appointing us their mediators," she said, twirling her hair. There was a pause. 

"Ok, see you there....love you."

"Love you!" She chirped and promptly hung up. "Ok grab your jacket Sougo!"

"But I'm not cold," I said. 

"No but it'll provide padding in case things get physical," she grinned. She hopped up and grabbed her car keys. I sighed and pushed myself up, grabbed my coat, and followed her out to her car. 

(Timeskip by yours truly) 

"Sougo, you're going to go grey by the time you're 30 y'know?" Nobume asked as she ate her ice cream. Kagura and Kamui still had yet to show up and I was pacing around the picnic table. "Hah?"

"You're even stressing me out with all that pacing," she said. "Sit down." Sighing, I did so, but I kept squirming. Nobume rolled her eyes at me before perking up. "Over here!" My heart dropped into my stomach. I could sense her and I found myself frozen. I was terrified of turning around. "Hey!" Kamui called and I squeezed my eyes shut and took a deep breath. I could hear her intake of breath when she saw me. Apparently, Kamui hadn't told her I'd be her. I felt her hesitantly sit next to Nobume and Kamui took his place by me. 

I opened my eyes and there she was. We stared at each other awkwardly. 

"Hey," I said. 

"Hi," she responded. For a few minutes there was nothing. Just awkward silence. Nobume and Kamui both let out a breath at the same time. "For the love of god, talk!" Nobume said. "Kagura, I think you should know that Sougo was accepted into his dream school and I also think that you two need to talk before graduation. He's leaving and you're staying. What do you do? How do you feel?"

Kagura's eyes were wide at the news Nobume had dropped. I glared at her. I wanted that to be a secret! Nobume grinned sweetly at me and I sighed and looked at Kagura. 

"You're really going," she said. 

"Yeah. I am. I'm not trying to choose him over you. I've always wanted to be a policeman. Hijikata just helped to fuel that. I don't want you to think that someone else is more important than you," I answered. 

"I don't know if I can do a long distance relationship. You're leaving for four years. You're going places I won't be able to go. You might meet somebody and I don't want to be face timing you only to hear you say that there's someone else. I'm really proud of you for getting in, I am, but I'm scared. What is this going to do to us?" She pleaded, blinking back tears. "You've been my rock for nearly four solid years. I've been able to do so much because of you, and I wish you had given me more time to process the fact that you won't be by my side anymore." Tears fell down her cheeks and I leaned over and cupped her face in my hands.

"There won't ever be anyone else," I murmured. I could feel the warm wetness on my hands but i didn't care. I could feel more than see Nobume and Kamui taking their leave. "You are my heart Kagura. You're the only girl that I've ever truly loved. You make me a better person. Sure, I'm still an asshole but because of you, I'm not nearly as bad as I used to be. You mellowed me out and you're the only person who has that ability," I chuckled. "You make my insides turn to mush when I see you. You've turned me from a badass delinquent to a gooey eyed lovesick boy who would do anything to make you happy. Frankly, it's embarrassing." She let out a little laugh at that. 

"I'm not looking forward to four years without you either. You've been my rock too y'know? I may be your heart, but you are also mine. We're going to graduate and spend this one final summer together before I leave. We're going to do everything we possibly can and when we're all done with that, you will also have a ring on your finger because god dammit, I am coming back to you. No matter what I have to do. So, wait for me?" I asked. 

She met my eyes and breathed, "Fuck yeah Sougo. I'll always fucking wait for you. Even if you never come back, I'll wait." She then proceeded to give me the hottest kiss of my life. "I'll always wait for you. No matter what," she murmured against my lips. 

"Good," I smiled before pressing my lips to hers again. As I kissed her in the park with the stars all watching, I couldn't help but wish that time would stop and never move again.