I've Always Been There (Kaoru x Reader)

Chapter Twenty One: The Day Of The Ball

(Doing a little time skip, hope you're all okay with it!)

~(Y/n)'s POV~

"Yes, yes I'm okay, Thank you. Uh huh. Yes ma'am. I will, you take care as well. Buh-bye." I hung up my about twentieth phone call. A bunch of my distant family and Kairi's family had been calling to check up on me. It was sweet, but after the hundredth time of being asked how I was doing, I was growing irritated.

I fell backwards onto my bed, looking over at my digital clock that read out 9:38 a.m. It was a Saturday, so there was no school, but today was the day of the Ball, and I was still indecisive on whether or not to go. On one hand, I wanted to meet this mystery person. On the other, the thought of social interaction felt awful.

I rubbed my temple in irritation, and decided to go take a hot shower, to hopefully help clear my mind.

So I made my way to my shower, turning the water on to as hot as I could stand it, and stepped in, sighing in relief. The grief was still eating up my body, and I had been mourning these last few days. I still hadn't gone back to school, so I'm sure I had a good amount of work I needed to do. This didn't help with my stress.

I gasped a little as I looked down at my arm, realizing I had been scrubbing a little too hard with my loofah. My arm had grown red, and was on the verge of bleeding. I sighed, cleaning off the rest of my body. I used a new vanilla scented body wash, enjoying the smell as it engulfed the bathroom, along with my strawberry shampoo.

"Miss (Y/n), a letter has arrived for you." I heard my maid, Sammy, call from the door. I looked over in confusion, and quickly stepped out of the shower. I wrapped a towel around my body, and went to the door, opening it and taking the envelope from Sammy, who smiled and left. I closed the door, and observed the envelope. It was orange, like the others, with an orange rose taped to the front, and my named neatly written underneath.

I removed the rose, setting it onto my bathroom sink, and opened the envelope, carefully taking out the letter, and reading it.

Dear (Y/n),

As the bell dings at 6, a magical night will begin. I will be in a mask that's the color orange, waiting for you. I know you wish to not appear, but please think it over, for I have dreamed of this night many long times.

I'll be waiting for you.

I gave a small smile to the letter, and walked into my room. I placed it down on top of the others I had received. I walked to my closet, and stared at the orange dress. Once again, tracing my fingers along the fabric.

Sighing, I threw on a pair of leggings and a baggy tee, tied my hair up into a bun, and went downstairs for some breakfast.

"Good morning, (Y/n)!" I heard my little brother call out, running up to me. I smiled, rubbing the top of his head. "Good morning, have any plans?"

"Mmhm! I'm gonna visit my friends house and stay the night!" He cheered, and I giggled at his antics. "Well, have a good time, be safe!" I waved, as he made his way out of the door. I walked to the kitchen, opening the fridge and pulling out a dish filled with leftovers, and began heating it up in the microwave.

"Miss, you could always ask us if you need something." Sammy said, as she stood at the sink washing dishes. "You know I don't like to impose on you guys." She rolled her eyes, and snickered to herself. "So selfless, you are."

I smiled, and walked away, heading back to my room and eating my food. I checked the time, noticing it was now around 10:30. I still had time to figure it out.

...

"(Y/n), wake up."

"Huh..." I yawned, sitting up and rubbing my eyes. I stretched my arms, and looked over to my dad, who had a confused look on his face. "You've been napping a lot lately. You okay?"

"Mhmm, what time is it..?" I yawned, my eyes still blurry from just waking up. I reached over to my nightstand, grabbing my glasses and putting them on. Then I saw the time.

"It's 5:30?!" I shouted, jumping up. My dad about jumped out of the bed, and looked at me even more worried. "What's wrong, hun?"

"I'm late! I'm..." I dropped my arms to my side after opening my closet, and staring at the dress. Maybe this was a sign I shouldn't go. Maybe...

"You should go, or at least try out the dress. I know Kairi wouldn't want the dress to go to waste." My dad said, leaving the room. I sighed, knowing he was right. Maybe I'd just wear the dress but not worry about the Ball. That would be fine, right?

So I put on the dress, still in wonder of the beautiful fabric, and pulled on some black flats. I went to my vanity mirror, putting on some natural make up, and curling my hair. I put in my contacts, and smiled at my reflection. I looked amazing, this dress really was beautiful.

I looked over to my clock, and noticed it was already past six. I sighed, standing up, and lifting up the top letter, along with the rose, staring at the beautiful flower.

"So, ended up not going, huh?"

I jumped a bit at the sudden voice. I turned around to see Kaoru in my doorway, taking in my dress. "You look amazing, (Y/n)." He walked up, taking the rose from my hand. I blushed, looking at his own outfit. He wore a simple dress suit, with a vest instead of a tux. He looked nice. "Where's your mask?" I raised my brows as he asked, and I turned around, and placed my mask onto my face, but when I turned back around, I was in shock.

There he stood, now wearing an orange mask. He smiled to me, picking up the letter on my desk. "I see you got my letter."

"I-It was you?" I stuttered, as he walked up, and pulled our masks off. "It was. Look, (Y/n). You have no idea, how sorry I am. If I could take back that month, I would. You didn't deserve the way I treated you. You deserve someone who will treat you like the princess you are...and..." His cheeks tinted red, and his chewed on his lip.

"Would it be wrong of me to ask for a dance? We don't have to go to the ball. Let's dance here. No music. just us." He held out his hand as he bowed, and I smiled, placing mine into his, and stepping forward. "I would love to dance, Kaoru."

His face lit up, and he wrapped his other arm around my waist, as I placed mine on his shoulder. I leaned forward, laying my head onto his chest, and we stood there, swaying to no music. The only noise being the sound of our beating hearts, which thumped faster, and in rhythm.

We stayed like this for what felt like forever, until Kaoru eventually pulled away.

"Didn't you have to host the ball?" I asked, confused on why he was still here. He only smiled.

"Tamaki gave me a pass. Said this was a bit more important."

"Oh?" I smiled, looking up into his beautiful amber eyes.

"(Y/n)? I have one more request."

"Yeah?" I cocked my head a bit, and blushed, looking away slightly. "Would it be wrong of me to ask...if we could redo that kiss?"

My eyes widened, my own cheeks heating up. But I simply nodded, and he gave me a more serious look, cupping my right cheek, and leaning in slowly. I met him half way, wrapping my arms around his neck, humming happily as our lips finally connected.

But this time, there was no running away. It was just two people, in true bliss, finally accepting their own feelings. And accepting each other's. At long last.

After a moment, we parted, staring intently at each other, both letting out a small giggle.

"(Y/n), will you be my girlfriend?"

(Guys, I'm almost at 100 reads! This book is nearing a close, I hope you've all enjoyed! If you want a part two to happen let me know!)