CHAPTER 49 (PART 3)

          "Is that why you called them here today?" Wannabe low-ridden voice carried quite the punch. He'd crossed his arms, narrowing his eyelids into slits. "You didn't even tell me you invited Ueda-san."

          Taisuke-san shrugged. "I thought it would be fit to introduce her to your friends, especially before you go." Wannabe's jaw tightened, fingers curling into fists against the fabric of his forearms. Noting that, Taisuke-san hummed, chewing leisurely at red liquorice. "Kazuya, there's no reason for you to dislike her so much."

          "I don't dislike her, I dislike you making these kinds of decisions for me." He grounded his teeth. "I'm not getting married to her. I already told you that when you first brought it up to me."

          "That was months ago. I was so sure you'd change your mind." Reaching for another handful off sweets, he extended out his hand. "Here, take—"

          "I don't care if it benefits you, I'm making my own decisions for my life and future." A wry smile quirked up Wannabe's lips as he shoved his hands into his pockets. "Even today, you talked like the Humanity Club actually meant something to you. Weren't you the one who looked happier beyond words when I told you it disbanded? Thought you could finally you keep me on a leash didn't you?"

          Taisuke-san's eyes shifted onto Hiro and I. We braced ourselves, but with his next blink, he ignored us once again.

          "Kazuya, it's still not too late." He was no longer smiling, floundering for words as quickly as he could. "Why don't you stay in Japan? There's no need for you to travel all the way out to a different country. You can still get accepted to the best university here and—"

          "I'm going; I've already made up my mind," Wannabe asserted, his dark look not vanishing. "And although she seems really lovely, I'm not getting engaged to Ueda-san either."

          Taisuke-san's jaw set into place. "Kazuya. I'm your father. I've been to countless more countries than you could name. And I chose this city to spend the rest of my life because I believe it's a good place for you. You will come to realize that too."

          "Maybe one day," he said. "But for now, I want to take a break from here."

           "If a break is all you need, you, Tatsuya and I—over the summer—can go—"

          "I want to visit my mother." Wannabe's eyes bore into his, as if already knowing how his father would react. Proof to that, Taisuke-san stiffened. The corner of Wannabe's lip tilted up. "I know Tatsuya would be overjoyed to see her, but if even you'd like to come with me, I wouldn't mind."

          "Your mother..." Taisuke-san coughed into a fist. "We'll resume this another time." He sent Hiro and I another brief peek. "In private."

          Pivoting around, Taisuke-san went towards the exit. He bid the two of us one last farewell smile as he left down the corridor. To go where, I didn't know. But at this moment, I didn't really care.

          I made a face, staring up at Hiro. See, I knew it. We'd totally ended up right in the midst of some family argument.

          Had it been my fault for nonchalantly speaking out? I couldn't stop the guilt from rippling through me. It had to be because of my outburst. How old did I think I was? Acting like such a baby, arguing in front of his dad like his entire invitation didn't mean squat.

          I averted my gaze to my toes, lips pressed into a thin line. When I felt a hand drop onto my head and ruffle my hair, my eyebrows shot upwards. I rose my head at once, my own hand flying to the spot. But even before eye contact, Wannabe was smiling warmly from ear to ear. He then lifted his head to Hiro.

          "Sorry you guys had to see that."

          I momentarily peered where the rest had already disappeared then refocused my attention back onto Wannabe. Hiro and I followed him to the exit of the dining hall and then out the doorway propped right next to it. We stepped out into the cool night. Though I'd considered if it was alright for us to not follow the rest of them, I let it slide. Confronting Taisuke-san after all that would be a little...

          Wannabe led us out onto his back lawn and stopped when we arrived at some well-lit fountain adorned with an odd statue. He collapsed onto the ledge of the fountain, leaning back on his palms.

          Hiro broke through the silence with a forced cough, "I think I can speak for the both of us when I say we didn't expect this from you."

          Wannabe emitted an equally awkward laugh. He opened his mouth only for it to clasp shut again. He scrutinized his vision then slowly produced a smirk from amusement. "And what is this exactly you're referring to?"

          When Hiro and I pieced what exactly he was looking towards—our interlocked hands—we jerked them away at once. A blush spread across my cheeks like a wildfire as I shuffled away, and though I couldn't muster the courage to look at him, by the sight of Wannabe's expanding smirk I could pin the reaction was mutual.

          "Speaking your mind like that," I coughed, after doing my best to recollect my fluttering heart. "I would've never known you had that kind of side."

          He tsked, wagging his finger. "Your fellow senior citizen has many sides, my dearest underclassmen. I'm a very complex human being."

          I fought a smile. At least he was back to his regular self. "But of course, old man."

"It seems you've finally cooled your head."

The three of us swerved around, clearly not anticipating who stepped out to join us.

"Ueda-san?" Wannabe demanded, blanching. "Don't tell me you heard all that?"

Kiyo's smirk was sufficient enough an answer. "I told you Kiyo's fine, Kazuya-san."

Wannabe sheepishly avoided staring in her direction, most likely from his bold declarations earlier.

"It's fine if you don't want to." Her words came as a shock to us all. "Marry me, I mean," she clarified. "I guess arranged marriages are a little stifling. Anyone would much rather want to fall in love with their future spouse."

Wannabe blinked rapidly when she arrived centimetres from him. She propped her wrist to her side, mouth twisting upward as she leaned over to meet his eyes.

"So how about this?" she went on. "I'll give you all the time in the world to find her, or him. And of course, I'll try to find myself a man as beautiful as an anime character as well. But if there reaches a point where we both can't find one, why not just settle for each other?"

Wannabe still hadn't woken from his daze. "That's..."

"It still can work out this way." She retreated, full of excitement. "And I'm sure our parents will somewhat agree to these terms as well—as long as we put it a lot more flowery. Definitely not as brutal as a kick from Sanji."

"Or a slash from Zoro," I couldn't help but pipe in.

Kiyo paused, steering her attention back onto me.

"You still believe Zoro is stronger than Sanji?"

"Who doesn't," I retorted. "Zoro's always been way stronger than Sanji."

"In what world?" she scoffed. "Sanji's kicks can send freakin' cannonballs flying."

"Zoro can slice them in half," I pressed. "And Oda even confirmed he's the number two."

"Can't you two just reach a consensus?" Hiro interjected.

But the both of us somehow already had. Sharing a mutual laugh, Kiyo acted first, swooping me into her arms and giving me a firm enough squeeze to leave me breathless for a while.

"Ugh, I didn't realize how much I missed you, Miyuki."

"Neither did I," I agreed. "You were the first person to ever understand my references and fangirl self."

Gripping me by the shoulders, a soft crinkle appeared by her left eyelid. "I'm glad you haven't changed.

"Same to you," I said. "So how about we agree to drop this petty fangirl rivalry?"

She nodded. "This has been going on long enough."

"Well," Hiro drawled, "that was easy."

I was caught off guard by the sudden playful ruffle of my hair. My head jerked upwards to find Wannabe had long left the ledge. He ducked over and brought his lips to my ear, "As your upperclassman, I give you my blessing to be with him."

Goosebumps darted up my exposed skin. "You—"

He silenced me with a chuckle, but even that didn't erase the mischievousness existing in his half-smile. My blush expanded unwillingly, though before I could dare say anything, Wannabe was off.

"Ueda-san, how about you take me to where everyone else is?"

"Huh?" Kiyo said, glancing to me over her shoulder. "B-but..."

I glared daggers into his back as he whispered something in Kiyo's ear this time. Then before they could disappear inside for good, both swivelled around at the last second to flash me a wink and thumbs-up.

When they were gone, my skin was still crawling. What the heck did that mean? He'd give me his blessing? I didn't need it!

         "What was Kazuya on about...?" Hiro mumbled.

          But deep down, I felt we'd both already known. I shifted my weight from foot to foot, trying to settle the offhanded beat of my heart. Hold on. Was this the chance I'd been waiting for? Should I confess now? Ugh, but wouldn't I have to set up the mood first? How would I do something like that anyway?

          I hadn't even come to terms with the fact that I'd started pacing. I slapped my cold hands over my blazing cheeks feeling just how warm they were. That must've meant I was blushing pretty hard as well. But jeez. This was way too difficult. I couldn't just be outright with it!

          Then how...

"Miyuki."

My fingers were seized. I woke from my daze to look in Hiro's direction. Soaked into his countenance was a mixture of amusement and endearment. My other arm fell limp by my side as I straightened my posture to properly see his face.

He gently squeezed my fingers, as if for comfort. "Why are you so antsy? Calm down."

My heart had once again skipped its beat, spiking in slow, offsetting beats.

The cool, evening air blew through the dimly lit garden, as well as the soft classical music resounding from inside the manor wasn't enough to stop the reign he'd succeeded in having around me.

I managed to somehow withhold my composure, but meeting his eyes proved the most difficult. Though, I guess my slack-jawed staring had gotten to him because slowly but surely his own cheeks swelled with sudden colour. He retreated his hand from mine, stealing the warmth along with it.

"Sorry," he said, bashfully veering his gaze. "I shouldn't have—"

"You said it."

Hiro blinked. Carefully, he returned his focus to me.

"'Miyuki,'" I clarified—both fumbling and stupefied. "You said my first name."

The fact shouldn't have affected me so much, but it, for some reason, remained vivid in my mind. Hiro automatically stiffened. It wasn't long before he grew undoubtedly red as well. As if he hadn't even meant for it himself. "S-sorry," he said. "Should I have asked first?"

I chewed on the inside of my cheek. "No. It's fine. I—prefer it..." His eyes suddenly darted to me, hopeful. My blush depended. "I-I think?"

A gentle breeze caressed my hair, but it didn't help to blow away all this embarrassing tension sifting through. Dammit, my mind was shouting. Over and over again.

I shut my eyes, attempting to steady my now galloping heartbeat. Why was I making this more awkward than it should be? So what if he said my name? So what if it, kinda, sort of... made me happy? How had things developed into something like this in such a short amount of time? It wasn't fair. It wasn't, but I couldn't run anymore, could I?

"Hey. Am I bothering you?"

"Huh?"

"My feelings, I mean," he clarified, looking away. "You've been acting strangely ever since I confessed. Are you sure you aren't just holding yourself back by not telling me the truth?"

I flinched. "No—"

"You don't see me that way, right?" he finished with a frown. "When you keep giving me mixed signals like this, it's more painful than if you told me the truth. You don't have to lie and give me hope. If you're worried that I'll shun you or something, don't. It may take some time, but eventually I'll get over you and we could go back to being normal."

That wasn't it.

It wasn't.

"Maybe we should... head back inside?" His next words caught me off guard. "The others should be waiting."

He waited for my response and when I hadn't given one, he turned at that. Just as he took a step forward, my heart sunk in my chest. Was I going to let him walk away? But... but... I shut my eyes tight. Then my body was moving—my arms were wrapped around him—before I come to terms with it.

Needless to say, Hiro froze like a statue. He twisted to look over his shoulder, evidently astonished. "Miyuki—"

"W-wait." My voice cracked. Embarrassment surged through me and I buried my face further into his back. "Wait," I whispered, softer this time. "Just wait."

My lungs had left me needlessly breathless. Wrapping his hand over mine, he gave me his undivided focus.

"You don't have to say it," he pointed out to break the nerve-wracking silence. He leant forward, leaving me stuck watching as his face drew closer. Maybe deep down, I was hoping for him to piece it together and save me from this nervousness. Though, once I met his eyes, and saw his pained smile, I knew I was hoping for the impossible. "It's seriously fine, Miyuki. I'll... be fine, really."

          I was so sure it'd hit me earlier—that I really understood it—but for some reason, it was crushing me like a wave now.

          It wasn't because I wanted a real-life anime character of my own (though that'd be pretty amazing, mind you) but because I had seriously come to like him.

          I really liked Hiro.

          Once I could wholeheartedly admit it to myself, sending my entire body flaring with both heat and desperation, I stood to my tip-toes and pressed my lips to his. I'd shut my eyes so tight I couldn't see his reaction, but when I did retreat it was difficult to look. He was utterly stupefied, stuck in place, eyebrows shot upwards and pupils shrunk back.

          Hiro blinked once, twice. Then his brows creased and he looked at his arm. He gave it a good pinch. He winced straightaway.

          "What are you doing?" I demanded.

         He reached out and clasped my reddened cheeks within his palms, still scrutinizing me. "This isn't a dream?"

          "No."

          "Then why..."

          "There's no "why" for something like that," I said, defensively. "I like you too."

          All at once, Hiro blushed, until he was ten shades of red. I couldn't tell what thoughts were running through his mind, not that I truly waited to find out. With my embarrassment swallowing me whole, I threw my hands over my face in a hurry. Which was why when Hiro seized my wrist, I panicked. My mind ran in circles, more so upon eye contact.

           "D-don't tell me you actually want me to repeat something so embarrassing?" I hissed, mouth flapping like a fish. "W-well, I guess I owe it to you and all, after I've kept you waiting months, b-but at least let me prepare my heart first. F-five, no, three seconds is enough—"

           Cupping my cheek, Hiro bent over yet again, his lips centimetres from brushing mine. My heart leapt to my throat, mind running completely blank.

          I subconsciously shoved his face aside before he could kiss me. "W-w-wait!"

          Beneath my fingers, I could basically feel as Hiro's features shifted to one of discontent. But it was only for a moment. The next thing I knew, his arms snaked around me and I was crushed into his chest. I inwardly berated myself for being so awkward and ruining the mood, but carefully wrapped my arms around him regardless.

          "I should've expected something like this," he murmured into my ear. "You're always so full of surprises."

          I puffed my cheek and casted my gaze. "I... told you what you were getting yourself into when you decided to ask me out." My shoulders slumped and I once again buried my face into his chest. "I'm just not good at this kind of stuff. Once my heart starts beating so fast I go blank and don't know what to do. It's seriously such a disgrace to my entire existence."

          "So you're saying you're like this because I'm making your heart race?"

          I didn't bother denying it. Rather, I couldn't. My breath hitched in my throat when he reeled back to connect our foreheads. A soft chuckle escaped his lips.

          "Jeez."

          I peered past my eyelashes and despite the tenseness of my muscles, made a face. "What? Are you going to tease me?"

          "As much as I want to, I think you've embarrassed yourself enough."

          "Thank you for the consideration of my tattered ego."

          Considering the broad grin poking into my cheeks, it said enough. Though finding it difficult to, he managed to suppress his laughter to properly look right at me. My stomach fluttered with little tingles.

          "What?" I said again.

          "Am I really awake?" He was grappling for words. "Obligation? Is it because of..."

          "It's not because of obligation." My mouth met, sheepishness sweeping through me. I dropped my hands, hesitantly locking eyes. "I... do think you're an amazing guy. And you're constantly ready to put up with my excessive fangirl and stubborn self, which deserves major props. Plus you're kinda... sorta—lot good-looking. Not anime-level good-looking, but a really, really close second, and—"

          "I love you, Miyuki."

          I flinched, nervousness zipping through me. Even though I tried to summon my voice, I ended up being the one fumbling for words. "I-I... I'm new to this," I reminded him, rapidly fluttering my lashes. "I'll be really dense at times and I'm not sure how I'll—"

           "Stop being so awkward," he scolded me, softly. "I've waited more than a year. Even if you're awkward or stubborn or yell to the stars fangirling like the otaku you are. Even if we're thousands or even millions of miles apart, I'll still love you, I'm sure."

          "Did you just say something super cheesy because you know I'm a fangirl for that kind of stuff?"

           He pushed out his lower lip. "Kinda?" he responded. "I know. It's not that cute in real-life, is it?"

          His words were enough to make me break into a silly smile. "Dork," I snorted, holding his gaze. "Just kiss me and make this confession complete."

          Then, slowly but surely, his lips met with mine. Just as cheesy as the movies, though clumsy, it obliterated every thought. His firm grasp on my waist, mine clasping at his sleeves for balance. For the first time in forever, my mind was not locked onto fiction, but rather, the present; trivial details and notions melting along with it.

         He really didn't need to say anything when he retreated, as red as a tomato. Honestly, neither did I, blushing equally as hard.

          It finally happened.