So Then...It Was You (Vocaloid KAITO X OC)

Chapter 9

The horror of what happened in the past washes over Mochi's mind as she covers her face, sobbing silently.  A memory flashes here, another one flashes there. An endless cycle.

"I..I just don't want you to risk your life for my sake again. I mean, why do you take the most hardcore, impulsive risks for me anyway?! Aside from the obvious fact that you care of course but I mean...I care about you too. But I try not to risk my life, I try not to put myself in some type of reckless danger, so that I can stay with you...forever! Please..just please end this monstrous, preposterous, dreadful "crime" already!"  

The sobbing, now frail and shattered blue-haired woman falls to her knees, eyes squeezed shut and tears streaming down her cheeks non-stop. Her blood was boiling in anger, her heart was trembling in sadness, and her mind was exploding in confusion.

Then, a soft hand cups her cheek. A little startled, Mochi looks up to see that Kaito is bending down in front of her.

What she saw in front of her was a type of face she has never seen before. One full of...sorrow and emptiness. Kaito's smile turned melancholic, and his eyes were shadowed in gloom. But beyond the shade of the dark aura surrounding him, there was a hint of kindness in his smile. It wasn't obvious, yet at the same time, it wasn't too hard to catch.

"...You try to act tough, my sweet lady. But you're more oblivious than you think. Is my charm not speaking the right words?" Kaito chuckles a little, trying to lighten up Mochi's mood.

"O-Oh, shut up! Just what are you trying to say..?" Mochi trembles in confusion.

Kaito continues to speak, but his tone changes. His entire demeanor changes. A gentle look in his eyes washes over him and his smile becomes ever so soft, sincere, and heartwarming. "I'm protecting you, I'm taking the blame for things I have no responsibility or control over, I'm being the "charming blue idiot" you have always known ever since we were kids...because I love you, Mochi. I always have."

Mochi couldn't believe what her ears just heard. A declaration of..of love? Love...is the reason why they're both going through all this vexation and trouble? Blood rushes up to her cheeks, softly staining them a bright pink in embarrassment. The astonishment in her eyes now says it all, too. "C-Come again..?!"

Amused by her reaction, he takes this chance to make yet another witty comment, as he winks in a suave and charming way. " ...And you know to yourself you've always loved me back, too. It's all in here."  He playfully pokes at Mochi's chest, where her heart was. Then, he gently wipes away her moist tears. He didn't want to see his golden-eyed beauty in despair anymore.

"A-Ah..!" Mochi flinches a little from that unexpected little poke. "Why you...I'm getting revenge for that!" She glares sharply at him.

"Aha, is that so, my lady? I'd love to see you make a nice, swift attempt at it." Kaito smirks a little. "I mean, what's the worse you can do to-"

Mochi, indeed, get her revenge...by cupping his cheeks and smashing her lips against his. What was supposed to be revenge, becomes a fit of flaming, romantic passion.

For a few, short, yet blissful and unforgettable moments, the two lock lips as a wave of strong emotion and heartfelt passion washes over them both. It's not everyday a kiss happens during a crime scene.

Slowly, Mochi pulls away and beams brightly, taking Kaito's tattered scarf and wrapping a portion of it around her neck too. The last time she smiled so sweetly was when they were younger, sitting side by side while singing and playing the piano. She gently took his one hand and laced her fingers with his.

"...Gosh, what have you done to my feelings? Some sort of invisible witchcraft? And for a guy with only one arm, you're a great kisser." The ocean-haired woman says as she finally cracks up a joke. It's like her entire behavior has transformed into something so rare. Like a diamond in the rough. "I'd say I hate you, but you can replace the h, a, and t, with an l, o, and v." She giggles.

"Aw come on, what does my one arm have to do with this? You're so cheesy." Kaito laughs. "But well..not to spoil the mood, but I have a feeling that..we're both being controlled. At least, when it comes to this whole culprit, riddle, and crime predicament...as in, none of this was our fault in the first place. I think..this whole time, someone, some soul out there, has been trying to repeat this over and over again. And not just with us...they'll repeat this crime with many innocent people until they are satisfied. I believe they are the true culprit..and I believe there is more than just one."

Mochi seems to realize where he's getting at. She's finally understanding the story. "Hm, I see...and I think I know who the true culprit is."

Then, Mochi turns to the reader.

"The culprit is YOU, isn't it?"