Chapter 7: I Love You

She told me once that we should live our lives to the fullest, because no one knows what tomorrow might bring. She also said that if you have a dream, then chase it, make it real and never let go of it. It took a lot of courage for me to come here, but I'll follow her example...

"Yo" he said, a little more confident than he expected.

The girl didn't know how to react, she just looked at him for a few seconds. Kousei could swear he saw some tears in her eyes. She opened her mouth to speak, but before she could say anything Kousei interrupted her.

"Before you say anything, I have to apologize..." He said.

I have a lot to apologize for...

"Sorry I couldn't come back yesterday. I... I needed some time to... to think"

He looked her in the eyes, expecting a reaction.

She knows I took the letter...

"Miyazono Kaori" He said, even more confident than before. "I believe we made a promise to each other." He started smiling. "I can't wait for us to play together again"

Suddenly the girl's expression changed. At first she was surprised, but now she was smiling. A genuine, heartfelt smile...

"Sit down, I have a lot of things I want to talk to you about" She said to him.

The warm smile didn't leave his face, and it won't leave it anytime soon. Not when he's so close to her. It was you, my special one. You opened my eyes... He gave a chuckle remembering those lyrics. "Sorry, I just remembered something" he added before sitting down next to her bed.

"Oh! I almost forgot!" He only now realized he left the box of chocolates and her gift outside. "Please don't tell me someone took them" he was whispering to himself. He was too focused on mustering up all of his courage to open the door and he forgot the gifts outside.

They were exactly where he left them. He bought the box of chocolates as an apology. And the package he was carrying was something he hoped she would like.

"Here" He said, a little to quickly while handing her the box

"Chocolate?" She said surprised. "Kousei! These are expensive!"

He didn't care how much he paid for them, he only remembers asking for the best they had.

"Well, I expect you to eat all of it then" He said. He didn't expect that to make her laugh, but it did.

Hearing her laugh again felt different.

"I also bought you this!" He said with an excited tone while handing her the bigger package.

She didn't want to ask what it is. Instead she asked for his help to unpack it. As soon as the paper was out of the way she noticed a familiar shape.

"A teddy bear?" she was surprised.

"It's my gift for you. I forgot to bring you something the first time I came so..."

A single tear rolled down Kaori's cheek. Upon noticing it, Kousei was a little shaken.

"S-sorry, I... I'll bring you something else if you don't like it" He said shily.

"You idiot..." she said quietly. "I love it" she added with another genuine smile.

They sat together in silence once again. Both of them seemed like they wanted to say something but were waiting for the other one to start.

Tsubaki was right... Everything becomes colorful when you love someone.

Kousei got up from his chair and sat on the edge of her bed, looking directly into her eyes.

"Kaori..." he started.

The girl was taken by surprise. He never called me by my first name before! she noticed.

He took her hand into his and gave her another warm smile.

"I'll never leave you again" he told her. The girl tried her best to keep her tears at bay. But the boy's smile and his words were too much. Tears started rolling down her cheeks. Before she could say anything the boy embraced her.

"I promise I won't leave you alone again... Miyazono Kaori"

I never called you by your name before, did I...

"I promise I'll always be by your side..."

They held each other for a little while. Neither of them wanting to let go of the other.

Her hair is soft...

Kousei finally decided to let go. Still holding her hand, he looked into her eyes.

I remember that night we looked at the stars together. A lump of steel, like a shooting star. Just seeing the same sky as you makes familiar scenery look different. I swing between hope and despair at your slightest gesture, and my heart starts to play a melody. What kind of feeling is this again? What do they call this kind of feeling? I think it's probably called... Love. I'm sure this is what they call love

Everything you say and do... it all sparkles so brightly. It's too blinding for me, and I end up closing my eyes. But I can't help aspiring to be like you...

"Kaori..."

Upon hearing him say her name again her heart skipped a beat.

"I love you"

Well. I hope you liked this chapter. I couldn't decide if I wanted Kousei's confession to be "I love you" or "I'm in love with you". In the end I decided that "to love" feels much more intimate than "to be in love". If you think I'm moving the plot too slow then leave me review with your thoughts. Thanks for reading!