Chapter 7

"Hmmm?" Mitsuki groaned as she slowly opened her eyes. It took some time for her vision to fully adjust, but when they did, she was surprised to see Takuto kneeling beside her, his face flushed.

"M-Mitsuki!" Takuto leapt up to his feet, an uncomfortable expression on his face. "Glad to see you awake. I was worried."

A long silence passed. Finally, Mitsuki sat up and rubbed her eyes. Her lips were tingling for reasons she couldn't quite explain. She slowly traced her fingertips along the edge of her lips in wonder

Takuto sighed, breaking the silence. "Why did you try to run away?" he asked quietly.

Mitsuki looked down. "I thought…. I thought I was a bother. I thought you didn't want me here."

Suddenly, Takuto dropped to his knees and engulfed her in a gentle yet sincere hug. "Of course I want you here." He whispered softly in her ear. "Never do something so reckless on your own again."

Mitsuki stood still, shocked by Takuto's sudden embrace. But after a few seconds, she closed her eyes and leaned against his chest. After all, he was right. With her health she shouldn't have done something so stupid. "You're right." She said with a faint smile on her lips. "As always."

a.a.a.

A few hours later, Mitsuki was sitting in a patch of green grass next to a few wild flowers. She closed her eyes and smiled. Coming here was the best thing that had happened to her in a long time. Ever since Eichi died, things had gotten harder. Her cancer had gotten worse. But now she felt happy. Free.

"Mitsuki?"

Mitsuki turned her head toward Takuto, who was by the river collecting food. "Come over here for a second." He called.

She stood up and brushed herself off, then headed over to the river. "What is it?" she asked.

Takuto pointed down. "Look."

Mitsuki squatted down and looked into the clear water. "Wow…" she whispered. Little fish of all different colors swam around the edge of the river.

Takuto knelt down beside her and nodded. "I just noticed them." He said in a soft voice.

Mitsuki dipped her hand into the water. The fish scurried away in all different directions and she couldn't help but giggle. "I guess they don't like me."

Takuto grinned at her, but then frowned stood up. "Well, I better go find something for us to eat." He murmured as he trudged off.

Confused, Mitsuki watched as he walked off. Takuto was acting strange ever since he had found her. It made sense that he would be a bit shaken up. After all, Mitsuki had nearly died. But he didn't seem like that was the thing that was bothering him. He was acting uncomfortable. Embarrassed.

Suddenly, a memory struck her. She thought back to when she was unconscious and Takuto was next to her as she woke up. But now she remembered a bit more than before. When she had woken up, Takuto's face was inches from hers. When he noticed that she was awake, he had shot back, his cheeks bright red.

Mitsuki gasped. That was why Takuto was acting like this. While she was unconscious, he had kissed her.