"There is never a time or place for true love. It happens accidentally, in a heartbeat, in a single flashing, throbbing moment." - Sarah Dessen, The Truth About Forever

XVI.

Days seem to pass like a blur when you're happy. Being with Akashi was complete bliss to me, he became the source of my happiness. I had forgotten that he was supposed to be an enemy but I soon came to realize that my parents just disillusioned me because they wanted me to be at the top. I didn't want to compete with him. Not anymore. I want to fight beside him. I want to be his empress and rule the empire with him.

I'd do anything to keep him happy. I'd do anything just to be by his side. Even if I have to drop my responsibilities as an heiress? So be it. I love him more than anything in the world.

Sometimes I'll stay late after class just to play shogi with him and of course I never once won against him. But playing against him improved my level of strategy and sense of logic. So even if he kicks my butt every time we play, I was also learning.

Or whenever I had free time, I'd watch him in his basketball practice and of course, it was also torture because he looks incredibly alluring and you know why. He'd also tease me about how I was blushing so hard or he would attempt to hug me when he's all sweaty.

But we haven't hangout like we usually do for the past few days because he was more busy running errands because it was finally the day of the school festival. It was fine with me but he promised that we'll get a moment together alone.

He always keep his promises.

When he finally had a free time, he asked me to take a walk around with him. I wanted to hold his hand but too bad, we were inside the school grounds. I would ask once in a while how he was doing but he answered me differently.

"What?" I stopped chewing on my cotton candy and stared at the redhead beside me. Did I heard him right?

Akashi smiled. "You still have some candy on your face." He informed me and his thumb went up to wipe away the excess candy on my chin, intentionally hitting on my lower lip. The little tease.

I blushed and looked away, coughing to regain my composure. "Will you repeat what you said earlier?" I asked as I took another pinch and nibble of my cotton candy.

Akashi glanced at me. "Let's get married."

I choked on my own saliva and looked at him with wide eyes. I was at lost for words. It took me a while to have my voice to work and I was thankful because Akashi was patient enough. "Are you-Are you serious?"

"Yes, is there a problem with that?"

"We're 16," I pointed out. "We're going to be declared the youngest wedded couple." I crossed my arms across my chest. "And you didn't even proposed yet."

Akashi chuckled then shook his head in amusement. "Yurika, there's a marriage booth in here held by the 2nd years." He informed me, smiling.

My mouth went ajar but then I laughed. I thought that he really wanted to marry me, for real. I'd say yes though. I looked back at the redhead in front of me and smiled. "Okay."

Well, marrying the emperor was like being crowned the luckiest girl in the world. Everyone was there like it was the most important event of their lives. Kotaro was the priest and he said, "Well, I'd prefer to be Akashi's best man but oh well..."

Eri and Reo were practically screaming their lungs out. It was kind of bothering me.

"I'm the maid of honor!" Eri screamed.

"No, I'm the maid of honor!" Reo screamed louder.

"Don't you mean the best man?" Eikichi interrupted.

Yukari was crying her guts out, saying something like, "My Yurika is finally getting married." Or, "I'm going to be the godmother of your child, Yurika! Name him or her Seirika, okay?" And I would blush once in a while and scold her that it's not a real wedding. It took me a while as to why she like the name Seirika and I just realized that she mixed our names.

I saw Hayase by the corner staring at me in a glaring manner. I smiled sweetly at her and gestured towards the man I married. "Mine." I mouthed and her glare grew wider then stormed out of the scene. I'm sorry, I just had to do that. The look on her face was pretty priceless.

We had identical rings and I'm not planning on taking it off soon. Wearing this ring reminds me that I belong to Akashi and no one else's.

I told Misaki-chan that the 4th song she wrote was my favorite and she agreed to perform it live this evening, the last day of the school festival.

"Hi everyone!" Misaki-chan exclaimed energetically over the microphone. She strummed the strings of her guitar. "I hope you enjoy the school festival so far!"

The crowd grew wild, including me as she started singing. She had a really beautiful voice. Charm was pretty popular here in Kyoto due to their catchy songs thanks to Misaki-chan's songwriting skills and each member's charisma as well.

As I was singing along, I felt someone touch my hand and I turned around to see a smiling Akashi. "Oh, hi!" I greeted with a grin. He grabbed my hand and pulled me out of the crowd and I let him. He was leading me somewhere.

"Where are we going?" I asked, curiosity sinking in.

"Stargazing." He replied, a smile evident in his voice.

"Stargazing?"

Akashi chuckled. "No, not really. I just want to have my wife all to myself tonight."

I blushed at the thought of him referring to me as his wife. I swallowed then looked at his big hand that was devouring mine. His hand is so warm...

He led us to the rooftop and we sat on the bench, silence filled the atmosphere. I didn't mind it, the silence was really comforting, the faint voice of Misaki-chan on the background.

I felt him caress my hair and I let him, his touch was really comforting. It made me feel safe. Then he started braiding my hair. I giggled. "You know how to do braids?" I asked with a smile.

"Of course I do. You think girls are the only ones allowed to do braids?" He replied. I laughed and shook my head. He can be adorable whenever he wants to. Once he finished braiding my hair, he tied it and wrapped his arms around me, kissing the top of my head. "All done." He whispered.

I leaned my back against his chest, my head resting on his shoulder. "Thank you," I mumbled.

I closed my eyes, breathing in his scent that's truly addicting. "Do I love you?" I asked faintly out of the blue.

"Of course you do." He sounded sure and amused.

"I don't know..." I giggled teasingly. He chuckled and tightened his hold on me.

"You know..." he started, probably wondering about something.

"No, what?" I chuckled.

"I don't need those three words to know how much you love me. Because if I kiss you now, you'll probably respond. And that is enough."

"You're pretty confident, aren't you? How are you so sure about that?"

"To put simply, my love, I know everything."

"Oh gosh," I rolled my eyes playfully. "Do you love me?" I asked again.

"What do you think?"

"Hmm, maybe?"

"You should know the answer by now. Don't ever doubt my feelings for you."

"Will you say it?"

I can feel him smile as he voice out his feelings for me. "I love you."

"God..." I smiled as I cover my face with both of my hands, blushing hard. "I just can't take it when you say that." I mumbled across my hands.

"Giving in, Yurika?" He whispered.

"Yes, Seijuro..." I whispered back unintentionally. My eyes shot up at the realization. I called him by his first name without permission. "Um, I mean-"

"No, it's fine," He cut me off, a smile evident in his voice. "Call me Seijuro,"

The song on the background was now slow and mellow and I just got an idea.

"Hey, Seijuro," I called out and I tried my best not to let out a giggle. I love saying his name.

"What is it?"

"Let's dance." I requested as I move to look into his face.

He smirked and unwrapped his arms from my body then stood up, offering his hand to me. I accepted it and we walked to the middle of the rooftop then I wrapped my arms around his neck while his hands found its way to my waist and we swayed to the slow melody.

This was the song that Seijuro and I read here at the rooftop.

He stared at me and I stared back and smiled. He did the same. "Don't smile like that... it creeps me out." I chuckled and looked away, melting at his intense gaze and smile.

"You should have expected this, Yurika." He smirked at me.

I bit my lower lip. "Well, I didn't."

"You're doing it again."

I looked back at him. "Doing what?"

"Biting on your lips."

My mouth opened for a second. "Does it bother you?"

"Yes,"

I frowned. "How so?"

"It tempts me to bite it myself instead." He admitted and I gasped, remembering the last time he bit my lips.

I let out a short laugh. "I'm sorry, I won't do it again." To be honest, I can't promise that. It's one of my undying habits.

Seijuro smirked. "You can't promise that." I pouted at him, he read through me.

"You really knew me too well."

"Of course I do."

Suddenly, he leaned in and unbeknownst to me, I closed my eyes as I waited for his lips to brush against mine. He bit on my lip gently and it left me breathless. He kissed me with so much passion and love, I can feel it with just his lips against mine. Then he pulled away and smiled at me.

"Did you feel that?" He asked me.

I nodded. "I love you, Seijuro," I said with a grin, pouring my feelings to those words. Then I pulled him into a tight embrace. "More than anything." I whispered, burying my face against him chest.

Then I heard something explode faintly from the sky. I pulled away and an instant grin crept to my lips. "Wow! Fireworks!" I screeched and ran to the railings, leaving Seijuro by himself. I heard his footsteps coming my way and he stood beside me, staring at the sky. "It's so beautiful!"

"Yeah, it is." He agreed then shifted his gaze to me with a smile. I stared back and smiled as well.

"Do you know something that's meant to be?" He asked out of the blue.

I shook my head. "What?"

He leaned in and I closed my eyes as he brushed his lips against mine, it made my knees weak. "You and me." He whispered against my lips.

I don't know why but that just got me teary eyed. "Oh, stop it!" I covered my face with both of my hands, blinking the tears back.

He chuckled then ruffled my hair. I gasped and glared at him but then laughed as we shifted our attention back at the fireworks.

I really hope that what you said was true.

I wanted to believe that you really knew everything.

That we are meant to be in this lifetime.

Because there's nobody in this world I'd rather spend the rest of my life with.

I love you, Seijuro Akashi. It had been carved onto my heart, I'll belong to you. Always. Forever and ever.

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So cheesy, Yurika. jeez. :'<

I'll give you a little spoiler for the next chapter. You MIGHT hate me for what I've done. That's all. hihihi.

And I don't know if a marriage booth exist in school festivals but if not, let's just pretend that it exists. lol

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