Chapter 4

After the delicious food, made by Mia, was eaten. They packed up their things and left for the festival. It wasn't a long walk, since the festival's being held at the park, but the walk was still long, since there were many people there. Getting through the crowd, wasn't easy, it still isn't.

The group of four try their best to stay together, especially since Mia and Yahiro, were... how do you say it... flirting with each other. It slightly disgusted Kei, causing him to turn away and create distance. Megumi, on the other hand, found it completely adorable.

While walking behind the couple, a shot of jealousy and lose, pierces through Megumi's heart. Watching the two in front of them, just made her heart sink. Her eye trails off and her pace slows, creating a little distance. She sadly smiles. She slowly stops walking, looks down with a smile and grips onto her bag tightly. 'As much as I don't want to admit it, I can't seem to get used to this.'

Megumi feels a hand slide into her, surprising her and making her quickly turn. Kei stands there smiling. He leans to her ear, causing Megumi to blush. "Don't worry, I'm here. When ever you feel lonely, hold onto my hand." Kei whispers. Megumi's blush darkens. Kei pulls away from her ear and smiles in amusement. Megumi turns away quickly, her eyes shut in pure embarrassment.

'I guess I can't hide my emotions from Kei.' Her heart beats fast.

"I guess I'm not the only one to watch from afar... I'd hate to admit it, but I'm kind of jealous too..." Kei's grip on Megumi's hand slightly tightens. Megumi looks up at Kei with a worried expression.

'I almost forgot... Kei broke up with Hikari-chan. I guess I hadn't thought about Kei's feelings.' Megumi looks at Yahiro and Mia, then turns to Kei with a frown. 'Watching Yahiro and Mia must remind him of when he used to do those kinds of things with Hikaari-chan. I guess it hurts more to lose someone you were already together with, then to lose someone who you didn't have, huh?'

"Mmm, what's with that look?" Kei pokes her cheek, snapping her back into reality. "Come on. The two little love birds are getting a little to far." He pulls Megumi forward heading for the couple.

'I wonder if he came, knowing the consequences... Kei... What were you thinking?'

"Shit. I think we lost them." Kei scratches his head, looking around in confusion, his hand still holding onto Megumi's. "Maybe we should have kept an eye on them, especially in this crowd."

Meanwhile, Megumi was still looking up at Kei, worried. Once in awhile Kei would glance at her and she would look away with a slight blush.

"Should we sit down somewhere?" Kei asks, pointing at a bench near by. Megumi nods. They walk to the bench and sit.

'Wait a minute, Kei did say that he came here for me, but I just can't stop worrying about him...' Megumi's grip on Kei tightens, forgetting she was still holding onto his hand. Kei notices her act.

"You keep doing that." Kei says, making her turn to him in confusion.

'W-what am I doing?!' She let's go of Kei's hand to write, making Kei feel a loss of warmth.

"You keep looking at me. Do I have something on my face?" Kei touches him face to check. Megumi shakes her head in response and averts her heads. He studies Megumi's movements, as she tightly grips on to her sketch book and desperately tries to hide her embarrassment.

'I made myself to obvious!' She bites her bottom lip and tightly shuts her eyes.

"Is something bothering you? Does it have something to do with Yahiro?" He asks with a worried tone. Megumi once again shakes her head. "Mmm... By any chance, does it have something to do with my presence?" He questions, making Megumi jolt. "Does me being here make you feel unconformable?"

'N-no!' She eyes look away and then back. 'I really appreciate you being here, it's just...'

"Just?"

Megumi lowers her eyes and opens her mouth, but quickly shuts it. 'It's nothing.' The words were written plainly on the board.

"I doubt that. I don't think you'd make those kinds of worried expressions for nothing." He chuckles.

Air fills her checks, making her look like a chipmunk. 'Maybe I just naturally look worried sometimes.'

"Then could you explain why you kept on squeezing my hand every time you look at me?" Kei makes an example by slightly clenching his hand and opening it. Megumi's face turns pink. He watches as she attempts to write, but is shaking too much to finish a word.

'T-thattt'c becauu se' Her writing all messy and spaced out, it was difficult to read, but Kei could still make out the letters.

"Just tell me. And don't worry, if it's something about Yahiro, I won't tell anyone. Trust me."

'It has nothing to do with Yahiro.' A few seconds pass before she switched pages. 'Well, not really...'

"Well? Who?" He asks.

Megumi bite her lower lip. Her eyes lowered, her bangs cover her eyes. 'You.'

Wind blows through the air, causing Megumi's hair to flow, hiding her averted eyes and worried expression.

"Me?" Kei asks in confusion. Megumi nods. "What about me?

'I'm just a little confused on why you came here, despite...' She flips the page. 'despite...'

"Despite the fact that I broke up with Hikari... Right?" Kei says before she could write it.

Megumi's eyes widen in surprise. She looks at him with her mouth open, but says nothing.

Kei sighs. "Up to this point," he rest back on the back of the bench. Megumi pays close attention. "I really don't know the answer." His words cause Megumi to pout.

She turns to the side and pouts. 'You're answer is unsettling!'

"I know," he lightly laughs. "I can't tell for sure, but" He leans forward, leaning his elbows on his legs. "my presence here, might have everything to do with the break up with Hikari-chan." His hands are intertwined and his thumb lightly rubs his other thumb, as he speaks. "When I found out Hikari was cheating on me, part of me, how do I say this... a part of me knew that this would happen. I guess I was so focused on the fact that I got my dream girl, that I never realized it would end so soon."

'Kei...'

"But, once disagreements came up and fights start, I started saying 'Uh, what have I gotten myself into?'" He sighs. "At first I thought not much of it, since everyone goes through this things. But they started becoming more frequent and the fights became more aggressive, until not seeing her became a luxury."

'But when ever you two are together with the rest of us, you seem happy and joyful. You must have felt happy seeing her right?' Megumi tries to find the good side to it.

"We both decided that we would show it in front of you guys. It would have just caused more pain. And I'll apologize again for the incident that happened awhile ago. It wasn't supposed to go that far." He's face still facing down. "I just really needed to get away from her."

Megumi gives him a sad look. 'So in other words, you just tagged along so you could be distracted from the thought.' Her words shock him, causing him to lean back from his comfortable place, into a straight sitting position.

"N-no. Don't take it the wrong way. Of course I want to forget, but I wouldn't use your problems with Yahiro as a distraction." Kei tries to explain and makes a waving motion with his hands, while shaking his head. "I agreed to come without a single thought of Hikari. I really only did come for you. And maybe 5% to see who Yahiro's mistress was."

Megumi looks at him in confusion. 'What do you mean?'

"Well, you have been after Yahiro for about a year and suddenly he pops out with a new girlfriend. I was worried about you and wanted to make sure you were okay. You always think of others before yourself, so I thought this time, I could do something for you."

She blushes at his comment.

"But I guess all I did was makes you worry about me more, huh? I wasn't much of help." Kei lightly laughs.

'Who would blame me for worrying about you. You were always so happy with Hikari-chan. I never really notice how you were feeling, so it was a big surprise to me.' Megumi pouts.

"I guess it was a big surprise."

'And I wouldn't say that you weren't much of help.' Her words catches his eye. 'If you weren't here I would have left long ago and broke down in a corner somewhere.' She tilts her head to the side with a depressing smile. 'But I really admire you being here. You helped me calm down and think, and for that I'm grateful. I'm so happy I have a friend like you.' Megumi smile warmly with small tears in her eye. Kei smiles back, he wipes the tear away and gently pats her head."Thank you."

"I'm the one who should be thanking you."

Megumi looks at him with a surprised expression, which soon turns into a warm and welcoming smile. However, it seemed like she was sparkling. His eyes slightly widen.

Ba-Thump Ba-Thump. 'Eh? What's this feeling?' The thought flows into Kei's head. 'It's warm...'

Buzz Buzz Something buzzes in Kei's pocket, snapping him back to reality. He reaches into his pocket and pulls out his ringing cell phone.

"Hello?" Kei answers. "Oh, Yahiro. Where are you? We lost you guys in the crowd." He listens for a moment. "Eh? You're where! That's like all the way on the other side of the park! How did you end up there?" Kei scratches the back on his head. "Oi, it wasn't our fault. Megumi and I..." Kei looks over at Megumi looking at his in a confused way. "Eh, never mind. So, what do want me to do about it? We're not walking all the way to the other side of the park." He makes a slight irritated face and sighs. "Okay. Sounds good. See you later." He flips his phone shut and sighs.

'What did Yahiro say?' Megumi asks.

"Since we ended up being on opposite sides of the park, Yahiro said we will only need to meet up near the giant sakura tree in the east part of the park, when the fireworks end." Kei says. "It's still sometime till the fireworks start. It's not even dark yet, too. You want to do something to pass time?"

Megumi was thinking, until something behind Kei caught her eye. Her face lightened up. 'Let's play at the arcades!' She points at the arcade store.

Kei turns around to look, then nods. "Yeah. Sound fun."

They smile and make their way to the store.

'Maybe this will take Kei's mind away from the thought of Hikari-chan...'

'Wow! You're really good at this, Kei-kun!' Megumi holds up her board in amazement. Kei smiles.

"I play a lot of video games with my little brother because he always challenges me. In result I have become quite good." He glances at Megumi. He notices the way her eyes shine, how her smile glows and an amazed expression. He realizes that he is admiring Megumi's features and quickly turns back to his game with a light blush.

Megumi notices his movement and smiles. 'I'm glad Kei is having fun.'

"Megumi, do you want to play?"

'E-eh!? Me? I'm not very good with these kinds of games.'

"Come on. I'll teach you." He takes her hand and pulls her forward. She blushes. He puts another controller into her hand. "Look. You use the joystick to move around, A to punch, B to jump, X to kick and Y to dodge. You can also double press them to do a combo. You understand?"

Megumi nods in an uncertain way.

"So the objective in this game is that you need get to the princess and fight off all the monsters and zombies before they get there first, simple enough, right?" He smile. "So, let's start." He says before pressing the start button.

(Minutes later)

"Ah! Megumi go left!" Kei exclaims, while pressing the buttons extremely fast.

Megumi, unable to speak, makes surprised and determined faces, trying to follow Kei's directions. She press the buttons almost as fast as Kei's, but slower.

"OI, Megumi! That's not left, that's right!" He says and laughs, surprising her and making her jump. "Go Left!"

Megumi was ready to scream in frustration, but was blocked by Kei's hand on her mouth, because we all know what happens when she yells. "We can't have that. Just focus." He removes his hand and continues playing. Megumi looks straight at the game and starts making incredible combos and beating the crap out of those zombies.

"Woah. Now that's what I want to see." Kei also gains his paces and goes faster, if possible.

(End of game)

"Woah, that was fun!" Kei laughs after putting the controller down. "I didn't know you could play like that. You're really good."

'I didn't know I could do that either. We ended beating all the monsters and zombies, before they reached the princess.' Megumi smiles.

"Yeah, but you almost killed the princess in the process." He laughs.

'It's not my fault that she looked so much like a beautiful zombie queen.' Megumi pouts, then laughs along with Kei.

"Should we try another game?"

'Yeah.' Something behind Kei catches her. Her eyes widen.

'Oh no!'

"Eh? Megumi-chan?" Kei waves his hand in front of Megumi's face.

"Takashima?" A familiar voice calls out to Kei.

He turns around. There, standing with an unknown guy, Hikari enters the scene.

'Things are about the get awkward...' Megumi says to herself.

"Ah, Takashima it's you. Oh, hi Megum-chan." Hikari awkwardly waves, confused why Megumi was with Kei in a place like this. "What are you two doing here? Last time I checked you don't really play much video games."

"We here to pass time before the fireworks. It was Megumi's idea to come here and I play games a lot with my brother, so I'm pretty comfortable in this areas." Kei answers almost coldly. Megumi notices that his happy expression disappeared and eyes a bite narrowed.

"Oh, so you're here to see the fireworks. We're here to check out the new game that came out." She smiles. "By the way, this is my boyfriend, Ichimura Kisa. Ichimura these are my friends Kei and Megumi."

"Nice to meet you." Ichimura slightly bows, with a smile.

"Same to you." Kei does the same, but with a slight sadness.

'It's very nice to meet you Ichimura-san.' Megumi smiles. Ichimura's eyes widen for a sec, then goes back to a smile.

"I already told Ichi about Megumi's condition. In fact, I told him all about the others."

'Ichi? She already gave him a nickname, but they only started dating of a week. Unless...' Megumi's eyes turn away in sadness. 'She was really dating him behind Kei's back... I guess I really don't know the rest of the S.A members after all.'

"It's kind of odd though. You and Megumi almost never talk, why the sudden change?" Hikari asks.

"We're here on a complicated matter. What do you mean odd?" Kei raises a brow.

"I mean, I don't recall you actually having any conversations with Megumi and now you're even taking her to the fireworks and arcades." Hikari says.

Somehow, what Hikari said about Megumi, made a sudden burst of anger flame into Kei. "And what's wrong with that?"

"I'm just saying, Megumi was the last person, I'd suspect that you'd talk to. No offense Megumi."

'Non taken.' Megumi smiles with confusion.

"Are you saying it's not normal that I can have a conversation with anyone else, but you and maybe Akira or Tadase?" Kei's voice becomes furious. Megumi notices him clenching his fist and get's worried. 'What exactly is she implying?'

"Not at all, I'm just saying, it's surprising that you can actually talk to her. I haven't even conversed much with Megumi, myself."

'Is she saying the Megumi can't make friend because doesn't talk!?' An angry expression comes upon Kei's face. "You better watch what you say,"

Kei's voice became firm and loud that everybody could hear.

Megumi sees where this is going and quickly opens her phone and pretends to read a message.

"before I take that the wrong way and..."

Before he could finish, Megumi grabs his hand and stands in front of him. "Sorry Yahiro text me and said he needed us right away it can't wait. Excuse us." She says before she pulls them toward the entrance. She stops and looks back at them. "It was very nice to meet you Ichimura-san. See you later Hikari-chan. Bye!" She smiles before running off with a surprised Kei.

"O-oh, bye Megumi." She waves in confusion.

Ba-thump 'What am I doing?' Megumi thinks as she runs through the crowd, tightly holding onto Kei's hand.

Megumi and Kei stop at large tree, about a few blocks from where the were, panting. Both out of breath from the run. They both plop on the bench, from exhaustion.

Megumi was able to catch a bit of breath to speak. She takes a deep breath in. "What are you, crazy!? Huh!? Getting all mad and stuff over something so tiny! I know you're still mad over Hikari-chan cheating on you, but come on! What would you have said if I didn't say anything!?" Megumi stops just realizing what she had just said and looks at Kei's shocked face. "K-Kei, I'm so sorry!" She covers her mouth.

After a few seconds of silence "N-no... I'm the one who should be apologizing. Sorry for what happened back there. I don't know why I got so mad. Somehow, when she said it was odd that you're hanging with me, it made me really irritated and angry. I couldn't hold back my actions. Sorry." Kei rubs the back of his head. "I probably embarrassed you, didn't I? "

"T-that should be my line. I was the one to randomly cut in and then dashing out." She weakly chuckles.

"Like you could ever do something like that..."

"What Hikari said about me... it is true?" Megumi asks nervously.

"Of course not! That's mostly way I got so angry. I hate when she assumes things like that!" He sighs. Megumi smiles to herself.

"Oh and about what I said about Yahiro needing us...that was a lie. I just said that so we could leave as quick as we could. Sorry." She looks down, embarrassed at her own actions.

"Thank you. It's the second time you save me from another out burst. Not only that, but you used you're precious voice, too. And for that I'm truly grateful. I don't know how I'm going to repay you this time." Kei weakly smiles and gently pats her head.

They stay a few minutes in silence, both looking in different directions. They take in the scenery, their view from a little hill looking down at the park. The sun slowly going down, causing the sky to turn a beautiful mixture of orange, yellow and blue. The cherry-blossoms on the tree made a nice effect whenever the wind blows. The blossoms swirl as the wind picks them up and falling gently on Megumi's hair.

"Thank you, Kei."

"Eh? I really did nothing." He scratches his head.

"But you were the only one there of me." Her words caught his attention. "You were there even when things got complicated. The moment I started doubting myself, you were able to see right through me, even if I tried so hard to hide it." She started to tear up, which she quickly wipes away. "And even though we never really talked to each other much before this, I suddenly felt like could intrust my whole life in you. It's weird, isn't it?" She gives him a smile that made Kei's heart race.

"Well, it hard not to feel worried for you. Like I said before, it's hard not to worry about you, especially when you almost never think of yourself first. I really like that about you, but everyone needs to think for themselves first sometimes." Kei's cups Megumi's cheek, smiling down at her. Megumi blushes at his words.

Ba-Thump Ba-Thump Ba-Thump She touches the hand on her cheek. "Well, that's one of things I really like about you. You're never afraid to speak your mind." Her sweet smile was so warm that there was a pale tint of pink on Kei's cheeks.

Ba-Thump Ba-Thump Ba-Thump Kei's eyes widen. 'Why does my chest feel so tight all of a sudden and my heart beats fast?' He looks back at Megumi's smile. Then realizes something... 'Ah... That's what it is...'

"Megumi..." He gets her attention. "I know this is kind of sudden, but..." He takes her hand in his. "Why don't we start something together and heal each other?"

Megumi face becomes dark red. Her heart beats like crazy. Her mouth hangs open.

"I know we both just went though some pretty rough stuff lately and you probably don't want anything to do with love yet, but..."

"Yes..." Her voice so soft, almost like a whisper.

"Eh?" Kei says not able to hear her.

"I said Yes. I would love to start a relationship with you, Kei."

"Really?! I'm so happy!" Kei hugs her, full of joy. He pulls back and smiles. Megumi gives him the same sweet and warm smile, but to Kei, her smile was the sweetest and most cutest smile he had ever seen. He wipes away the tears in Megumi's eyes and gently start to cures her cheeks.

Suddenly an explosion of light, lightens up the night sky, creating patterns and colors to fill it. The two direct their attention afar. They both watch as the fireworks are sent up to the sky and burst into a beautiful image or pattern, all in different colors and shapes.

Megumi looks over at Kei and notices his brightened face and joyful expression. Her chest feels warm and comfy.

Kei glances at her and catches her staring and smiles at her, causing her to blush and look away. Kei cups her cheeks once again, making her face him.

"I know this is a little early, but..." He leans in a gives Megumi and peck on the lips. He pulls back to see Megumi's extremely red face and shocked expression. He lightly laughs at the sight.

"Ahhhhh, I think I really have fallen for you." He winks and smiles widely.

'Love, the one path were you walk in blindly, unaware of the dangers ahead, the heart breaks, the head aches and the never-ending arguments.
But it's also the path were you can find you're peace, you're sanctuary and comfort.

I walk in thinking I can do this, but ended up falling on every bump and rock in the way. It hurt... a lot. I didn't want to give up after all this, but someone reached the end before I did. Then... I realized I wasn't the only one on this type of path. Just on the other side of the hedge was the person I respected and envied. I found out he was going through the same thing I was and the hedges between us became smaller and smaller as we went down the path, until our path became one.

There is only one path, but it's a long and bumpy road. You can't expect to walk into Love, without bumping into walls, tripping over bumps or just plain losing you're way. It's not always the brightest or the cleanest... However once you find your way to solid and smooth grounds, you could expect to find something beautiful.' The gently words travel through Megumi's head as she may finally step into that smooth and solid opening.

SO THERE YOU GO! I'M FINISHED! I hope you all like this story and are happy with the ending! I kind of went off with Hikari's personality. Idk even when she was the main character of Special A, I kind of didn't... pay much attention, of some reason...

A really Big Shout Out to (Hope you guys don't mind me announcing):

Homunculus in the Flask
houdji-hikaru Juunnachi
Killer Angle2
Made2352
Reader1011
Nialsirishaccent
Awesomegirl789
BookwormJC
Wings

AND A HUGE THANKS TO: Little Princezz Everlast

I'm so glad that you guys (and, of course, everybody else) read, followed and liked this story! You guys are awesome!

See Ya next time! BYENEE!