Ai No Hi

"Smile!" Yuri said, before setting the camera timer, and quickly dashing into the photo.

The camera flashed, and took the picture of everyone, Yuri with a bright smile on her face, next to Noda who was glaring sideways at Otanashi, Hinata kneeling next to Yui, who was doing a big thumbs-up, now that she had had an operation to give her control of her arms back, though she was still in a wheelchair, and Otanashi and Kanade standing behind them slightly, just smiling, while slightly out of the picture, just behind Yui's wheelchair, their hands interlocked in a firm hold.

They had been on something like a triple date (although Yuri refused to admit even to the possibility that she and Noda were a couple). To 'commemerate' as Yuri had put it, they had found a nice spot in the park to take the photograph.

"Well," Yuri said as she took the camera from it's stand on a wall, "I suppose that it's time we should be going. I'll see you guys on Monday," she started to walk away, and Noda hurried after her.

"I suppose that we should be off too," Hinata said, as he started to wheel Yui off in another direction, as the girl waved goodbye, a smiled fixed on her face.

Otanashi smiled himself. It had been just over two years now since he and Kanade had started dating now, and while, like every couple, there had been some slightly rough patches, on the whole, they had kept close the whole time. "Kanade-chan, do you want me to walk you home?"

"I don't want to trouble you, Yuzuru-kun," as usual fairly blankly.

Otanashi sighed, "Okay, let me rephrase that. I want to walk you home, any objections?"

"No," Kanade said, still not showing much in the way of emotion, but Otanashi managed to see the glimmer of happiness in her eyes.

"Come on then," he said, as he started walking, still tightly holding on to her hand.

"Idiot, why are you following me around still?"

"Well, I should protect you."

"I think the only thing around here I need protecting from is you!" Yuri said exasperated.

"What?" the comment was completely lost on Noda, as usual.

"Right, we're at my street now, you don't need to follow me up to my door," Yuri said, before running up the stretch of road.

Noda just stood watching. He hoped one day that she would let him walk her right up to her doorstep. Until then, he would just have to wait.

"Did you enjoy today Yui?" Hinata asked his girlfriend as he helped her change into pyjamas. While once this had been an embaressment for both of them, now it was not nearly as bad. After all, Yui's mother was already talking to her friends about how she could not wait for the wedding.

"Yeah! It was great fun, and that film was really good, but really sad," Yui replied, as she did up her buttons slowly, still a little bad at using her hands for much.

"Well I think Noda and I both fell asleep about half way through, how Otanashi managed to keep awake I have no idea."

Yui glared at him, "You shouldn't fall asleep during films, especially when on a date!"

"Yeah, well if I didn't, then after dealing with you all day I would've been exhausted," Hinata quipped.

"Ri~ght, I'm sure you were having just as much fun as I was," Yui said, her glare now at full force.

"Well, maybe I did, but it's still tiring taking you anywhere. You're always so excitable."

"Well maybe because when I go out with you Sempai, I'm happy!"

Hinata smiled at Yui, and ruffled her hair, "Maybe that's right. Now you need to get some rest, I'll come see you tomorrow 'kay?"

"Okay, then good night Hinata-sempai," Yui said as she lay down on her bed.

Hinata lent over and kissed her, "G'night, Yui-chan."

"Would you like to come in for a while Yuzuru-kun? My parents are away this weekend, so we'll be by ourselves," Kanade asked when she and Otanashi had reached her door.

"Sure," Otanashi replied and they entered. Kanade led her boyfriend into the living room, then quickly went into the kitchen.

"What would you like to drink?" she asked.

"Urm... whatever's fine with me."

Kanade came back with two glasses of orange juice, and sat on the sofa, jesturing for Otanashi to sit next to her. Once they were both sat with their drinks, they slipped into a comfortable silence.

Eventually, Otanashi borke the silence, "Kanade-chan, did you have fun today."

"Yes, I did. Whenever you take me anywhere, I always have fun."

Otanashi smiled at the comment, "Well I enjoyed it too."shoulder. "Yuzuru-kun... I love you."

"I love you too Kanade-chan," Otanashi leaned down and kissed the girl gently.

Yuzuru didn't go home that night.

The next morning, when Kanade awoke, she felt Otanashi holding her tightly to her. She nuzzled her head against his chest, and he started to stir. "Kanade? you awake?"

"Yes," was all she said.

Otanashi looked down at the small girl in his arms, and smiled. She was the light of his life.

The light of his world.

New World: Fin

Auf Wiedersehen

BW