Last of Her Kind

#20: CONFESSION

I have a confession to make.

I actually came back to see how she's doing. I wanted to see her face again.

When I saw her in that coffee shop, my thirst is starting to increase. Its like being with her is the only way to quench it.

I've been drowning in her kindness for the past months and even almost a year.

I was itching to see her but then...

I never knew why.

"I love you".

Fushimi was frozen still holding on her shoulders. "Don't just stay silent. Say something", Aki felt ashamed.

Fushimi covered his face with his other hand. "I don't understand", Fushimi leaned on Aki's head and sighed. "How can you love someone like me?", Fushimi asked. "Do I need to have a reason?", Aki sniffed.

I was making excuses of why I should meet her.

I was looking for reasons why I should be involved with her again.

There's nothing I did other than to make him cry and to make her help me over and over again.

"But, don't worry Fushimi-san. I don't actually need to hear your response right now. I'd probably get rejected anyways. I'm just happy to let you know", Aki pulled away and plastered a wide smile. "How'd you know that you'd get rejected?", Fushimi clapped with a poker face. Aki sighed in disbelief and just laughed.

"Let's go home. Mother and father must've been waiting for us", Aki pulled his hand and led the way. "You really don't want to hear my answer?", Fushimi asked. "No!", Aki shouted in embarrassment.

Ishikawa's Apartment

"This is as far as I can go", Fushimi stood in front of the door. "Aren't you going to come inside?", Aki asked. Fushimi just nodded and turned to leave.

"Tomorrow. Will I see you again? Tomorrow?", Aki suddenly asked. Fushimi just smiled and continued walking. Who knows when would be the last time that we see people. We aren't given such ability to know what will happen next.

"Saruhiko, tomorrow. Let's go and hit the road again".

Aki's Room

She saw the flash drive that Kusanagi gave. There were three more videos that she watched. They contained of all the wish Misaki wanted for his family and for Saruhiko. He really cared for him.

Aki feels like falling in love with the way he cares for Fushimi.

She sat on the bed and messaged Riko.

I've done it. I told Fushimi-san.

Oh?! Really. That's great girl. So what did he say?

Nothing.

Rejected?

No. I mean. I told him not to answer.

Why not?

I'm scared. I don't know what to do next. I did confess but I never thought what will I do next.

Stupid. You're really something. Just do the same. Love or like him. Was there anything that changed when you confessed? Fushimi-san is still himself and you are still yourself. Nothing needs to change.
________________________________
Scepter 4 building

Awashima passes by the longue and saw Fushimi working with papers surrounding him. He stepped down to stay at the information department. She smiled and dropped some drinks. "Great job, as always", Awashima commended.

"What if Captain tells you that he likes you? What happens next?", Fushimi stopped typing. Awashima choked on his words. "Are you teasing me?", Awashima pouted. "You liked him for so long. What happens when he told you that he likes you as well?", Fushimi looked at Awashima. "Wha... Are you serious?", Awashima sighed and face palmed. "I will feel so happy", Awashima answered. "Just like that?", Fushimi clicked his tongue. Awashima stepped back seeing his disappointment. She suddenly remembered the female lady whom Fushimi monitored. "What happens next. I don't know. You can start dating or something like that. But then, I want to believe that nothing changed after you expressed your feelings and nothing needs to change. You still see each other like before. You still tease or get in each other's nerves. You still feel awed with his or her smile. And... You're still attracted to his and her imperfections", Awashima smiled.

Fushimi raised his glasses and cleared his throat. Awashima was curious. She turned and saw Munakata. "Captain. How long?", she flushed. "Lieutenant. We have some work to do", Munakata informed. She fixed herself and hoped he never heard anything at all.

The two walk next to each other. Munakata stopped for a while and said something. Awashima tipped off and flustered.

Fushimi watched how she panicked.

University
Bus station

Aki stood waiting for the bus. A blonde stood next to him. "Going to work?", Oikawa asked. Aki nodded. For the previous months, Oikawa had been tagging along Aki and Riko. He is polite and gentlemen. Girls swoon over his handsome and princely aura. "Mr. Eyeglasses isn't here right now. Maybe, this is my chance to ask. He said himself. He's a friend of your father so I can breathe. Ishikawa. I liked you for so long. You always help our classmate. You smile even if you're having a hard time. You even go to work but I never heard you complain. You're amazing, Ishikawa. I may not offer that much but if you will respond to my feelings, I will really do my best to make you happy", Oikawa suddenly confessed. Aki looked to see if someone heard it. It was only the two of them.

"I... I... Don't know...", Aki's eyes twirled. Oikawa chuckled. "First time?", Oikawa asked. "I haven't heard of confession since I was in middle high", Aki sighed and held unto her chest. "You can tell me any thing. Whatever is on your mind",Oikawa smiled.

Aki looked down the ground and clenched her fist. Confessing your feelings isn't an easy task to do. "I appreciate what you said, Oikawa-san. I understand how difficult it is to tell someone your feeling because I've been through that. To also expect an answer is difficult. That's why I will tell you right away. I know you're everything that a woman would dream of. I know you can easily make someone happy, Oikawa-san", Aki looked at his eyes.

"But, even if he cannot make me happy and even if I will continue to cry because of him, I will still... decide to love him", Aki's tears suddenly fell.

Flashback...

Aki, tell me. Why are you hesitant about Fushimi-san?

I'm still afraid, Riko. I'm not that strong as Misaki-san. I'm not that sensitive. What if I suddenly say something that would hurt Fushimi-san?

I can't follor but I'd try to listen.

Whenever I'm with Fushimi-san, I feel happy but then... at the same time. I feel so burdened to making him comfortable and somehow happy. I know he never demanded for that. But then, I'm afraid. What if I run out of love to give him? What if I can't support him that much?

Aki, there are some people who have so much to give but doesn't know whom to give it. You are fortunate to reach out your hand to Fushimi-san. Whether because of love or pity, isn't it better to live each day without the guilt that we didn't do anything at all. When you run out of love to give, you can always come running to me. You also have your family, remember?

Present...

Oikawa smiled. "Really? Even if he makes you cry?", Oikawa handed a handkerchief. Aki gladly took it and used it to wipe her tears. "I understand. Ahhh~ I was rejected",Oikawa turned around.

"I don't like men who makes women cry. Just like when mother cried because of that bastard... But then, I believe that Ishikawa is crying not because she felt betrayed. Whatever reasons those are, I'd be here to offer you a handkerchief", Oikawa felt some warm droplets falling on his cheeks.

This is bad. I really fell for her.

Chapter end.