Into The Forest

** Chapter 9 | Together Forever (End 2)

*Hello, there! I'm so sorry I didn't update the stories for awhile. This is the last Chapter of Into the Forest. Hope you enjoy it. ^^

***

Alexavier and Celia ended up asleep at their specific sleeping spot which were the lantern and the cage respectively after a long hour spending times with Yume. They shared about their experiences and moments there. Yume sat on a chair near the couch and thought for awhile.

She took a glance at Haruo, which was still asleep on the couch. She sighed, with her shaky hand, she swiped his grey hair away so she can see clearly his pale face. 'He looks peaceful when asleep.' she thought and rubbed her eyes. Yume's eyes became slightly blurry then she yawned.

'Not now. I haven't say goodbye to them. I need to thank them for giving the hospitality to me.' Her mind screamed. She stayed awake by open her eyes widely. She slapped her cheeks and growled a bit. Haruo slowly opened his eyes and looked at Yume.

She jolted and looked away. "You should sleep if you want to go back home." Haruo said softly and forced himself to sit on a couch from his lying position. He neat his hair and asked, "Or do you want to stay here?"

Her heart skipped when he asked that question. It was so sudden, Yume hesitated. She touched the back of her neck and still look away from his figure. "I won't force you. It's your choice." Haruo said in monotone and closed his eyes.

Yume looked at Haruo and clenched her hand. She closed her eyes and said, "I haven't say goodbye yet." She said slowly and lowered her head. Haruo sighed and took her hand. "You don't have to. Because we can meet again if you come at the platform at midnight. I'll be there, as a guide to you." He said softly then smiled.

Yume's face became as red as tomato. She lost her word. She felt that her heart racing. Haruo released her hand and looked out the window. She opened her eyes and said a few unexpected lines, "I'll stay. That's final." She knew that she would become inhuman if she stayed there. But, she had make her choice.

To be by his side, because she knew her feelings towards him was true. Haruo blinked his eyes in disbelieve. "You know the effect of staying here right?" He asked and Yume nodded. "I'll become inhuman and can't go back to my place.." she paused when she heard Haruo continue her line.

"Except I am with you." He looked into her eyes and took out a paper. A quill and a bottle of ink floated towards him. He dipped the tip of the quill into the bottle of ink then jotted down some words. "Her name is Fukutaka Yume, and vow to stay here. As a.." He paused and looked at her.

Haruo smiled at her and continued, "Wife of mine." Yume gasped when she heard what he said. It was out of the blue. In a blink of an eye, everything became white. Yume looked around and saw Haruo still sitting on the couch. He stood and took her hand.

"When you are little, you spent times with a man which is wearing a straw hat in the woods near your house. That's me. And I have fall for you since then." Haruo said softly. Yume gasped and looked up at him. She could see his lifeless, grey eyes locked into her eyes.

"Will you accept this monster to be your husband?" He whispered. "You are not a monster, and I accept it with open heart. I do have feelings to you!" She said loudly and hugged him. Haruo's eyes widen then he sighed.

He hugged her back and caressed her hair. He released her and slipped the ring in Yume finger. Yume smiled and grinned.

***

"I'm home~" a voice could be heard in front of Haruo's house. Haruo opened the door and looked down. A fluffy, orange fox was sitting in front of the door. Its bushy tail swayed left then right. He smiled and ruffled its fur. It turned into Yume then she quickly hugged him. Haruo flinched and chuckled. "Welcome back." He said slowly and patted her head.

And so, they lived happily in the forest.

..

.

The end.