Your first love ended in the most painful way possible. You were happy with him. Everyone was happy for you. But then you saw him cheating on you with another girl, and your relationship broke apart completely.

That was the first time you gave up on love. But you didn't forsake it completely- until Ayumi and her friends spoke those words. That was when you tried to erase emotions completely.

Yet now you met a certain someone who can stir your heart, who can make you embarrassed around him, who can make you laugh and smile.

"If it was with him, then it was okay if I was hurt. If it was with him, then I would be protected. If it was with him, I would be the happiest person in the world."

You wake up staring at a pure white ceiling, the smell of disinfectant surrounding you.

"Where...am I...?"

"You're at the hospital, (Last Name)-cchi." You tilt your head slightly and see a familiar mop of golden blond hair next to you. You give Kise a weak smile.

"What happened...?"

"You passed out right after the play ended. I carried you to the infirmary, and one of the teachers there drove you to the hospital." You saw Kise's lips disappear into a straight line. "What the hell were you thinking, acting with a broken leg?"

"Oh...so my leg broke...No wonder it hurt."

"Hurt? It pained you so badly that you passed out! But you kept on acting...! Honestly...! Please don't scare me like that..." You watch as Kise slumps over, his body trembling.

"Sorry..." you mutter, reaching out and running your hands through his golden hair. "I'm okay now..."

"I should have noticed something...If anything happened to you, I would...!"

"Shh..." you said, trying to calm him down. "I'm really okay so..."

The door suddenly slammed open. "(First Name)-chan! Are you okay?!" You watched as Makoto, Yumiko, and several other classmates piled into the room. "We were so worried when you suddenly collapsed...!"

You sit up and smile gently. So this is what it feels like to have people worry about you. It's so warm... "Thanks. But I'm okay now, more or less."

"Why did you lie?" Yumiko said, quivering. "I asked you if you were hurt, and you said you weren't...!"

"Sorry, Yumiko-san. But I didn't want to ruin the play after how hard everyone worked..." you trailed off. "Sorry. For worrying everyone..."

Your classmates shifted uncomfortably. Suddenly, Makoto burst into tears and tackled you in a hug.

"Uwaa~! (First Name)-chan is so sweet! I was so worried that you would die...!"

"Hey, Parker! Get off of her!" Kise growled.

"No! I need to make sure that she's okay...!"

"The get off and use your eyes, idiot!"

Your classmates laugh as they watch Kise attempt to pry off Makoto, who was hugging you tightly. Under all of the noise, you didn't notice Yumiko nudge Kise.

"It must be tough, huh? Being in love with (Last Name)-san."

Kise turned bright red. "I-I'm not...!"

"Kise?" You turn and look at the blushing blond, confused. "Is something the matter?"

"Nothing!" He squeaked, his voice rising several octaves.

"Oh yeah, (Last Name)-san," Yumiko said loudly. "At the end of the play, did you actually kiss Kise...?"

You and Kise turned bright red. "I-I...I...!" You stammer, trying to find the right words to say. "I...I don't remember..." You finished, hoping to get out of the situation.

"..." Kise's face only flushed even more at your words, and he remained silent.

"We should probably get going now," Yumiko said, winking at Kise. "Come on, Makoto." She pried Makoto off of you and dragged him out the door. The rest of your classmates said their goodbyes and headed out of the hospital room.

You and Kise were alone in the room, a nervous silence filling the tense air. You felt your heart pounding against your chest, as if it might leap out any moment.

"Say...(Last Name)-cchi..." Kise said, breaking the silence. "Do you really not remember...?"

"I...remember..." you mumble, burying your face in between your hands. "Please don't embarrass me any further. My heart can't take any more critical damage..."

"Hey, (Last Name)-cchi...?"

"...yeah...?"

"What do you think about me...?"

You gulp at this question. What should you say? What if he suspected that you liked him...?

You opened your mouth, ready to lie. But the words that tumbled out were nothing but the truth.

"I like you."

You clap your hand to your mouth as your eyes widen when you realize what you said. Oh no. Oh no oh no. I did not just do that. You turned and looked at Kise, who was staring at you wide-eyed.

"...Are you telling the truth...?"

"...Why would I lie?"

"...Am I dreaming...?"

"I think you're very much awake."

Kise bent over you, one arm on either side of you. "You were serious?"

You flush at the close proximity. "D-didn't I answer that question just earlier?"

And a second later, his lips crashed onto yours. A sensation of bliss overtook you as returned the kiss. Then you two broke apart, breathless.

"I take it that that means that you like me too?"

"What do you mean?" Kise asked. For a second, your heart broke.

"I love you, (Last Name) (First Name)." And his lips claimed yours once more.

Epilogue

After your leg healed, you returned to school as a new person. You smiled more, associated with others, and your popularity in the school only grew and grew. It wasn't until a boy confessed to you that word got out the (Last Name) (First Name) and Kise Ryouta were a couple. The two of you had to deal with raging fans for a week.

Makoto returned to America, but not before he tried to 'snatch you away' from Kise. In the end, you found out that he had a girlfriend already, and he was only messing around. It was funny when his girlfriend heard of his behavior while he was here.

You and Yumiko became close friends. She was cheerful and bubbly, and kept asking you to join the drama club. After the play, your class and class 2-A had been showered with complements- The prince and the witch were especially popular.

One afternoon, Kise came up to you and got on his knees.

"(First Name)-cchi, I need to favor!"

"R-Ryouta-kun? What is it...?" you ask.

"The truth is, I need to female partner for a photo shoot. I really can't do it with any one else but you. My director agreed, so can you please come?" Kise begged.

"W-well, I suppose it's fine," you say. "You really didn't have to go so far, you know?"

"Yay~!" Kise cheered and wrapped you in a hug.

"H-hey, Ryouta-kun..Let go..."

"No! (First Name)-cchi is mine!"

You sigh before succumbing to Kise's childishness. It was adorable, in all honesty, but he would get mad if you said that.

"So, when's this photo shoot?"

"It starts in 2 hours!"

"...Shouldn't we go now, Ryouta?"

"Five more minutes...I'm recharging..."

You smile. "Just five more minutes, okay?"

You gently wrap your arms around his neck, causing him to stiffen up with surprise. He looks up at you curiously, and you lean over and kiss him softly on the lips. Kise's face turns red at your sudden action.

You feel your lips tug upwards in a gentle smile.

As long as you are here, I would smile forever.

End~