Fortified Blade Chapter 10, a citrus fanfic

Author's notes:

Hello everyone. First: thanks for reading and reviewing! Second: Sorry it took longer again.

This was a though one to write, but I hope it turned out well. Also, WoW, Overwatch and cheese were keeping me a little busier than I'd like to admit.

Now:

Enjoy!

Fortified Blade – Chapter 10

10-1: Change of plans

I was lying in the middle of my room, on my back, my gaze stuck to the ceiling. And I so didn't feel motivated to go out that day. But it was the last day of summer break and I had barely done anything besides studying and doing the insane amounts of homework Hatsuoka gave. But to say it was scorching hot was an understatement. Honestly, had it helped me to cool down, I had peeled my skin off without a moment's hesitation.

And to top it off that old house we were living in did, of course, not have air conditioning.

The only thing that kept me slightly motivated was, that I would be meeting up with Touma-senpai that day. She had come to visit regularly, help me with my homework and studies and, how do I put it, kept me busy otherwise. Having her around had really helped me through that awful summer break. And, what was most, she had successfully taken my mind off of Katana, from who I hadn't heard even once during those six weeks.

It had already been two and a half months since she had broken up with me. And yet, despite I had decided to move on, I hadn't managed to do that at all. Whenever I wasn't occupied with anything, she popped up in my mind time and time again. That was probably one of the reasons I studied my ass off as I did. But that day should be vastly different. Honestly, had I been able to anticipate what was to come, my motivation to get up, dressed and out of the house would have vanished for good. But everything in order.

Getting ready that day took me thrice as long as usual. Being all sweaty and hot as I was just from lying around naked, I moved at the speed of a sloth. I had actually tried to cool myself down by taking a cold shower, but in that abnormal heat, no matter how much I tried to dry myself after showering, I just couldn't manage, because I started sweating again instantly. And my hopes of being able to cool down outside were zero, too, because there was no wind. Absolutely none.

Accordingly displeased I was, when I stepped out into the bright sun. From the first moment I feared, that I'd be cooked alive out there. The literally only thing keeping me going was looking forward to meeting Touma-senpai. Truth be told, had it been anyone else, I had just canceled plans for the day. But, even though I decided to go out with her on nothing more but a whim, she had given it her utmost to be the girlfriend I needed at that time, just, as if she knew exactly what she needed to do in order for me to feel better. So, against my weaker self that just wanted to lie around and do nothing, I pulled myself together and got going.

On a day like that it would have been really convenient to have Seto around to give me a ride. Unfortunately, though, he was helping my father out with his work. To think, that, even though he had not yet graduated, my father would already let him help, was a real surprise. After all, Seto was really taking his time with graduating. He was pretty much like me: mainly good at working hard. At first, he was worried about even being able to manage studying at a college. And then he was slowly but steadily preparing for his final exams. Seeing him go like he did made me wonder, what I would do with my future. I had absolutely no idea at that point.

Upon reaching the station, my motivation began to falter again, thinking I'd have to be in a train packed with people. On the other hand it was Sunday, so maybe, just maybe I'd be lucky, or so I hoped.

My hopes were in vain.

Well, it wasn't as bad as on weekdays, but the temperature alone made it an ordeal to behold. I was pretty glad, that I never used makeup, because on that day my sweat would have washed it off without a doubt. And, sweating as much as I did, it made me wonder, if it had ever been that bad. Not even during my time practicing Karate I had ever been that beat and wet. Thinking about having to meet my girlfriend like that made me feel uneasy. On the other hand, though, it had to be the same for her.

When I got out of the station near Hatsuoka, I could already spot Touma-senpai, who was waiting for me – standing in the scorching sun like it was no big deal. She waved happily, as she saw me and then energetically came rushing towards me.

"Yo there, Noriko!"

Before I could say something, she was already flinging her arms around me, giving me a tight embrace.

"W-wait, Touma-senpai, I'm all sweaty!"

She opened up our embrace a tad and sternly looked at me out of her sparkling blue eyes.

"Ain't I told yer to drop the honorific already? Geez."

Yeah, that was right. She had told me on every possible occasion. And it wasn't like I didn't want to address

her casually. I really did. But it was kind of hard for me to actually do it.

"Ah, I'm sorry, Touma-sen..."

As I was about to address her formally again, she gave me a short kiss, startling me. It got me embarrassed.

"W-what… not here!"

She smirked at me.

"Huh, what a cute look yer givin' me."

Then her smirk became catty.

"I know! Imma do that whenever yer callin' me senpai, no matter, where we are!"

And, knowing her, she'd totally go through with that. So, hoping to get that idea out of her head, I apologized.

"I'm sorry! I won't do it again!"

She ended our embrace, took both of my hands and looked at me. And, despite she was smiling her usual open smile, there was a demanding undertone in her expression.

"Say my name, then. Right now."

That made my heart throb and I knew exactly, how red my face had to be at that moment. And, judging from her gaze and her way of saying it, she wouldn't let me off the hook easily. I gulped. Then I took a deep breath. Then I gulped again. Then I cleared my throat. And then, as nervous as I could possibly have been in that situation, I gave it a shot.

"T… T… To… Toumasen!"

"Who is that!?"

I let my forehead bump onto her shoulder. Please, just let me die, was what I pleaded inwardly.

"I'm sorry. It's still… kinda difficult. May I stick with Touma-senpai for now?"

She sighed. Then she let go of my hands and laid her arms around my head.

"My poor Noriko. Sorry for teasing yer. But yer know, seeing yer all flustered is kinda fun."

Well, wasn't I glad, that at least Touma-senpai had fun. And, yeah, that was sarcasm.

However, it was exactly traits like that one that she had, that made it refreshing to be with her. She said what she thought and did what she wanted without a care in the world. And she was always dragging me into her pace, no matter, how much I tried to resist. Also, at almost all times, she was energetic.

While we were walking towards the shopping center, hand in hand, she was happily chatting away, while I barely managed to say anything.

"Yer know, yer lookin' kinda down. Yer alright?"

"Ah, I'm sorry. It's just so painfully hot today. Honestly, how can you be so full of energy?"

She seemed a little puzzled.

"It ain't that hot."

"Are you for real?"

"Yeah, yer know, I'm originally from Okinawa, and with temperatures like today we ain't even breaking a sweat down there."

She sighed.

"On the other hand, the winters up here are terrible. Like, how do yer people not freeze to death?"

I chuckled.

"I guess we both have our strengths and weaknesses."

"I know, right? Like, imagine me, seeing snow for the very first time in my life at the age of 16! I was so amazed!"

At that moment, for some reason, I wondered. Had I ever had an easygoing conversation like that one with Katana? Had I ever, even once, talked to her, with no other intention than to talk? I couldn't think of anything. And somehow, that was what I thought, that was sad. And, of course, those thoughts of mine clearly showed on my face.

"Yer alright?"

That had brought me back to reality.

"I-I'm sorry, I just..."

As my gaze met hers again, I could tell, that she knew, what had brought me down – or rather, who. And I felt guilty for having my thoughts drift away to my ex-girlfriend while being on a date with my girlfriend. I knew, that Touma-senpai genuinely liked me and that she did everything to make me feel better. And yet, I let my thoughts be led astray that easily. Had our roles been reversed, I can't say if I had been able to bear with that.

Suddenly, she was grabbing my hand and began to drag me along.

"Change of plans."

10-2: And then, yet again, she grabbed my hand

Before I knew it, I sat on a couch, in Touma-senpai's apartment. And it was so fucking great. Yay for air conditioning!

But, wait, how did I end up there and why? Originally, we had planned to go see a movie, have some ice cream and browse some random stores. And yet, despite that, we were inside her apartment, all on our own, without having done anything. And she was standing in the kitchen, cooking. I had offered to help her, but she had vigorously refused.

"Yer can't keep up with Okinawan cooking."

That she had said. I had cooked for her many times before, and she had always praised me for how tasty it was, but, every single time, she had insisted: Okinawan cooking was the best. Umi Budou. That was what she was making. And, though it's hard to admit, I had never before heard of it.

And she had really gone out of her way. I can't say that I was or have become a friend of seaweed, but man, she knew how to pull it off. Apparently, the seaweed in itself was what made her dish special. It came together with egg rolls, salmon roe and rice. And, for some reason, she had made the seaweed spicy to a degree that I could barely handle it. As I know now, that's not how you do it, but, as she had told me, it was what made the dish extra special. Also, according to her, spicy food is best when it is hot outside. I had had my doubts, but it was so delicious, that I asked for seconds – and thirds.

After we both had eaten and done the dishes, I realized, that I was, indeed, in Touma-senpai's apartment. But why? The both of us sat on her couch, me to the left, as I decided to ask her.

"Touma-senpai, why did you bring me here?"

She gave me a warm smile.

"Feelin' better after yer have eaten?"

"I do. And it was really delicious. But we could have gotten something in the mall. Also, we will miss the movie now."

Her smile widened.

"We can go see it later. The director 'n the main actress are popular, so it'll be running for a while."

So far so good. But, and that I couldn't keep myself from asking myself, why did we come to her place? Sure, it was refreshing to be out of the heat and it had been exactly what I needed. And, and I can not cease to mention it, her cooking was delicious beyond everything I had ever made. But, for some reason I'd be sure to find out sooner than I could have imagined it, I was anxious. Her, inviting me to her place, was a first.

I rested my head on her shoulder.

"Touma-senpai. Why did you invite me here all of a sudden?"

She placed her right hand below my chin and lifted it up to meet my gaze. And the instant I saw it, I realized, just how much she was concerned about me. It was filled with love, worry, longing and care to a degree I couldn't remember to have ever seen before. With the gentlest of voices she addressed me.

"I will make you call me Touma."

That alone was enough to make my heart skip a beat.

"What… are you going to do?"

And then she kissed me. Confused as I was, I couldn't help but not resist. At all times, she was so gentle and yet forceful, that I, no matter how much I could have wanted to, was not able to resist that tongue of hers. And as our lips parted, my eyes got, yet again, caught in that endlessly tender gaze of hers.

"Yer know, Noriko… yer truly are special to me. And Imma make sure, that, one day, Imma be special to yer, too."

My heart began to pound heavily. I realized, that she knew, how I didn't love her. I liked her, truly, thoroughly, but the feelings I held for her were vastly different from the ones I still held for Katana. And she knew. And, despite that, she still gave it her all to make me feel better.

"Yer know, Noriko… I've been watching yer 'n Kyoka-san for quite some time. And I know, that yer've been through a lot."

She gave me a short kiss.

"'n I know, Noriko, that yer still love her."

I could see the pain she felt when she had said that. And it made me feel terrible. That girl, Touma-senpai, who had gone out of her way to be there for me, despite knowing I didn't love her, held me so closely. How cheap did I have to be, to make her go through this, for my own, selfish desires?

"But, yer know… she's broken up with yer. And she ain't be comin' back. That's something yer gotta understand. And if you can't..."

She kissed me yet again.

"… Imma make yer."

And then, yet again, she grabbed my hand and dragged me along – into her bedroom.

10-3: Even, if it would be the last thing I ever did

Summer break was almost over. It was the last day. And it was the day before the day I would make sure, to be able to spend as much time with Noriko as possible, before I would have to leave. I had made her promise, made that so called mother of mine promise, that she wouldn't interfere any further. And, if I knew one thing about her, even if it was only that one thing, it was, that she kept her words.

I couldn't stand her. No. To put it like that is an understatement. I hated her, from the very bottom of my heart. After I had broken up with Mei and transferred schools, I had finally found someone I really loved. I wouldn't say, that I hadn't loved Mei, but my feelings for Noriko were on a completely different scale. And yet… that damned mother of mine had had to interfere. I couldn't grasp her reasons at all. She, herself, had once abandoned everything, in order to be with the one she loved. And yet, she was against my relationship with Noriko.

No, I didn't get that woman. Not at all.

But I would show her. Her and everyone, just how much Noriko meant to me. I would make her understand, that she had no means of deciding my life for me. It was my life, after all. There was nothing more important to me than Noriko, and I would make her see, whatever it would take. I had already decided, more than once, that I would let nothing get between the two of us. That I would hold on to that girl, whatever it'd take. And that damned mother of mine would admit it, that she was unable to change that.

And yet, despite thinking like that, I had barely been able to talk to Noriko for two and a half months. No, that was not quite correct. I was afraid to do so. Afraid of what mother would do if I did. She had almost gotten her expelled once. And thus, in order to protect the one I loved, I had decided to not associate with her anymore.

But the time was nearing, when I could be with her again. And I could barely await it. Kissing her, hugging her, holding her hand – heck, and I'll be damned, just seeing her face would make me float to cloud nine.

My companion Kuropen was tightly squeezed by me as I was lying on my bed, staring through the ceiling. I was so anxious, so happy and yet so scared. How should I approach her, after everything that had happened? I had not the slightest clue. But of one thing I was sure: I would be able to pull it off. I loved her with everything I was. And, even though I knew I had hurt her deeply by distancing myself like I did, I would make sure to mend her heart.

Even, if it would be the last thing I ever did.

10-4: Don't worry about that

She was the cutest girl I had ever met. It had been by pure chance, but I guess that is always how it goes. And at that moment I was excited, excited to know how she would react if I told her what I wanted to do, how I'd make sure Kyoka-san would vanish from her heart and mind for good. Though, at first, that hadn't been my intention at all.

Asking her out was merely a plot. Surely, she was cute, but I hadn't been too fond of the idea. But, the more I had come to know her, the more time I had spent with her, the more I came to like being with her. And, at one point, of that I was sure, I would fall for that cute girl. And I wondered, would she eventually fall for me, too?

It was clear as day that she only had decided to go out with me, because she needed someone to be close to. And the one she wanted to be close to had broken up with her and, for everything I knew, she would not come back. Of course, had she had the chance to be with Kyoka-san again, she would have broken up with me instantly. But I had begun to wonder, if that was what I wanted. And I would test them, both my feelings and hers, on that day. Thoroughly.

We were lying on my bed, she on her back and me next to her, on my left side. Her head rested on my left arm, both of her hands on her chest, my right hand atop of them. We were looking into each other's eyes and I could see it in her gaze, how anxious she was. And heck, her face was already as red as a lobster. And I wondered, if she could anticipate what was about to come. And the longer I had her wait, the more thrilled I became. Just imagining what would happen to her face when I told her about my plans got my heart racing faster and faster. To think, that someone I had had no real intention to go out with could make my heart race like that after a mere six weeks amazed me. And I failed to understand, why Kyoka-san broke up with her instead of fighting for her.

And, even though Kurohime-san would be sure to scold me for it, I wanted to make sure Noriko and Kyoka-san wouldn't get back together again. Truth be told, at that point I didn't love Noriko. But I held deep feelings for her, deeper than I had anticipated. And I wondered, was I still just pretending to be her girlfriend or had I actually become her girlfriend? That was what I wanted to find out, for myself and only myself. And if I had, Kyoka-san wouldn't get Noriko back from me, no matter what.

"Noriko."

"Y-yes?"

I moved my right hand from its spot and gently shoved it below Noriko's hands. The beat of her heart was fast and strong. Though it might have been my imagination, I thought I could actually hear it.

"My dear Noriko."

Her heart skipped a beat and she gulped. And I could see, through her eyes, how much her anxiety was growing.

"For a while now I've been thinking."

She took a very deep breath.

"About yer and me."

I gave her a short kiss.

"When I'm with yer… I'm utterly happy. Yer the cutest girl. Yer beautiful. And… yer utterly attractive."

The red in her face deepened, what I had not thought to be possible. And her heart was pounding as if it wanted to jump right out of her chest. And at this point I realized, that I was indeed falling for that red haired girl right next to me.

"I only want to look at yer. And I want yer to only look at me."

A slight touch of guilt appeared in her face. She knew that I was talking about her feelings for Kyoka-san. And, so I thought, she didn't want to feel for her anymore. She wanted to feel for me, who had been with her and done her best to make her happy.

"And I've been thinking… about what to do about it."

Both of her hands were then tightly grasping my right hand, which was still resting atop her heart. And I knew, that she had begun to realize where I was going to take what I was saying.

"And I think… to make sure only I am on your mind… there's but one way."

Then, when I was about to say it, my heart had began to throb heavily, too. In my mind I had run through that scenario countless times. And, thinking about it, had always made it seem easy. But, when the moment was actually there, it turned out to actually be difficult.

"What I'm trying to say… what I think we should do..."

I closed my eyes for a moment to muster my courage and sort my thoughts. Then I opened them again to meet Noriko's gaze. And instantly I was again caught in her lively, fir green eyes. And I could tell, tell, that she knew, what I was about to say. And because of that, I understood that I could do it.

"We should… have sex."

And then, upon seeing the changes in her eyes and face, the maelstrom of emotions that single sentence had caused, how much all the gears in her brain were turning, trying to process what I had just said, I fell in love with her.

"D-do yer… want to?"

For a while she only looked at me, pondering about what to say. And I hoped her answer would be yes.

"R-right… now?"

My heart stopped for a moment. That meant she wanted to, right? Did I not misinterpret it? Could I go ahead? Thousands of questions were spinning around in my head. But there was only one thing for me to say.

"Yes. Right now."

Her gaze dropped and for a moment I feared I had overdone it. Then, however, she let go of my hand and turned to her side, facing me again.

"I… d-don' know… how to do it."

I gently pushed her back onto her back. With my right hand I took her left one, intertwining our finger. Then I placed myself half atop of her, placing my right knee between her legs. I kissed her as passionately as I probably never had before. And, considering how much more powerful that kiss felt compared to all the ones we had shared before, I realized, once again, that I had fallen for that red haired girl.

After our lips parted, I regarded Noriko with the most loving gaze possible.

"Don't worry about that. I will teach you."

And over the events of the following few hours I'll cast a veil of silence.

10-5: That day I had fallen in love

I was on cloud nine. Had I been able to anticipate how passionate that cute, red haired girl would be, I wouldn't have waited as long as I did to have sex with her. Despite being as exhausted as I was after hours of making love with her, I felt as light as a feather. And I had totally, utterly fallen for her.

And still, after we were done something hadn't felt right about her. She had become awfully quite and had seemed to be deep in thought. And she had been eager to leave. She had said, that her way home was long and how she needed to be in bed early to not be late for school, and I had acted as I accepted that answer. But I knew there was something else on her mind. And I feared, that I knew exactly, what it was – or rather, who. And I feared, that my plan had failed.

But still, at that moment, despite having those worries, I could not help but grin like the lovey-dovey idiot I was. Those feelings I had developed for that red haired girl were love. And that fact alone, that simple realization, made me so happy, that I could barely handle it. Whatever it was that Noriko had felt after our date that had turned out vastly different than originally planned, I would make sure to get it out of her mind. I had realized, that I wanted to be with her more than anything else. And I would work as hard as necessary, do whatever it took, to make sure we would stay together.

Then my phone vibrated. I had received a message, from Noriko.

"I'm sorry, Touma-senpai. Today was a mistake. Right now, I don't know what I'm feeling anymore. I'm so sorry. It's all my fault. I'm sorry for saying this with a message, but right know I couldn't bear to see your face or hear your voice. I need to think, think a lot, and to sort my feelings out in order to understand them. Right now, my inside is pure chaos. I'm truly sorry. I'm a terrible person for doing this to you. But until I understand just what is going on with me, I don't want to talk to you and I don't want to see your face. I'm honestly, truly sorry. Noriko."

I kept staring at that message in disbelief. I kept reading it over and over again. And I just couldn't grasp what it was saying. And I read it again.

And again.

Tears began to drip onto the display.

And again.

I began to sob.

And again.

The phone slipped out of my hand and fell onto the floor.

"What..."

I began to cry. And I felt like I was being torn apart. I didn't understand what was going on at all. Just why had things turned out like that? I couldn't grasp it.

I picked the phone up and read the message again. That couldn't be. It just couldn't be. There had to be some kind of mistake. But, no matter how often I read that message, its content didn't change.

That day I had fallen in love. And that day I had been broken up with.

I was devastated.

10-6: I had no idea how to handle the situation

My heart was pounding like crazy. My thoughts were spinning around. And I was as nervous as never before. I kept staring at the clock, anxiously waiting for the bell to ring. Because, on that day, I would be able to be, after two and a half months, with Noriko again.

But the time just wouldn't pass. It felt, like I had been sitting there for hours. And the longer it took, the more nervous I got. Ever since I had gotten my mother to promise to leave Noriko and me alone, I had been thinking, over and over again, how I should approach her. And it was so unlike me.

All I needed to do, was to go and talk to her, tell her about my mother's promise, so I could be together with the one I loved again. It was so easy, and yet seemed like an unscalable hurdle.

But those past two and a half months had been hell for me, and surely for my beloved Noriko, too. And even if the time we had left together was short, I was the one who needed to make sure. Make sure, that we would be able to make the most out of it. And that was the reason that I, as the bell was ringing, against my nervousness and anxiety, was able to muster my courage, get out of my seat and walk to Noriko's desk.

"Noriko."

Addressing her out of the blue after that much time seemed to have startled her. She gazed at me in surprise.

"K-Katana?"

My heart was pounding even heavier. Seeing her face, looking into her vivid eyes, hearing her voice, after all that time. I had to thoroughly hold back in order not to fling my arms around her and kiss her right there and then.

"I need to talk to you. Can you come with me, please?"

She seemed completely baffled. And I felt so guilty, because I hadn't been able to be with her for so long. But that day that would change.

"S-sure."

She slowly got out of her chair, her gaze not leaving mine. I could see in her eyes, how much was going on in her head at that moment. And I could tell, that she had no idea why I was talking to her again all of a sudden.

We were walking quietly. I wanted to, needed to speak up so badly, but I held back. Until we were on the rooftop, I couldn't tell her what I desperately wanted and needed to. However, as I took the first step of the stairs, her hand grabbed the back of my uniform. In surprise, I turned my head around to her. Her gaze was glued to the ground and she looked like she was in great pain. Her voice was quiet and faltering.

"I can't… go up there for a while."

Then she lifted her gaze to meet mine again.

"Can we talk behind the gym?"

"Sure."

We then changed our route and instead went there. And all the time I kept looking at the so much smaller girl walking next to me. I was worried beyond words about that expression of hers. And I couldn't help but think it was my fault she looked like that. But I would make up for it. I would make sure to make up for it!

As we had reached our destination, I placed myself directly in front of her. Her gaze was again glued to mine. And I had gotten even more nervous. I wanted to kiss her so badly. But first, I needed to talk.

"Noriko. I have to apologize for the past two and a half months."

Her eyes widened.

"Even though it was because of my mother, it is also my fault for not being able to protect you in any other way. However, I couldn't bear the situation we were in at all. And I could see, see it everyday, and can still see it today, that it was the same for you. And I have thought, long and hard, what to do about it, but couldn't come up with anything. Therefore, despite hating it, I have decided to comply with my mother's wish and transfer starting next term."

She lowered her gaze. And she seemed totally puzzled. I inwardly pleaded for her to hang in there.

"However, in exchange I had my mother make a promise."

I took both of her hands and her gaze shot up to meet mine again. I took a step forwards, getting close enough for our chests to almost touch.

"I made her promise to not interfere with our relationship anymore. We can be the couple we used to be."

Her mouth opened slightly and tears began to roll down her face.

"W-what… are you saying?"

That made me stumble.

"What do you mean, Noriko?"

"B-but… you broke up with me!"

That came as a shock. Had it really, truly seemed like that?

"N-no! I would never do that! I love you, from the bottom of my heart! I could never break up with you!"

Her head bumped onto my chest.

"You idiot… you big, big idiot!"

She dropped to her knees. I instantly knelt down in front of her and grabbed her shoulders.

"I'm so sorry, Noriko! I didn't want to confuse you like that! I will make up for it, plenty, I promise you!"

She looked at me again. Her face was completely overrun with tears. She sobbed.

"I… I thought… you had broken up with me. And I was so sad. It hurt so much. I didn't know what to do. And… I thought… that we would never be together again. And that thought… it hurt so much… it was eating me alive."

My chest tightened to the point I was barely able to breathe. I felt so guilty, having hurt the one I loved that much. And I understood her pain so well.

"And… and… and I wanted… to be happy again. But I didn't know what to do. And then… another person asked me out on the last day before summer break. And I was thinking… if you would never… come back to me… what should I do? I wanted to… be happy again… and so I decided, that, maybe… if I went out with that other person… I could eventually forget about you."

It felt like my heart was being impaled. Just what had I done to my beloved Noriko? Just why had I made her misunderstand me like that? I had never wanted for her to have to feel like that, think things like that! And I needed to tell her, desperately. But I couldn't get a single word out.

"And I decided… to go out with her."

My mind went blank.

"But… even though… she has given it her all… to make me feel better… I just couldn't stop thinking about you! I didn't know what to do! But then… yesterday..."

She lowered her gaze and ground her teeth.

"Something… happened. And now… I don't know… anything anymore! I don't know if I love her! I don't know if I love you! I don't know what to do!"

My heart was shattered to bits. Due to my own incompetence, because I couldn't convey what I had needed to properly, the one I loved more than anything else might have fallen out of love with me.

I put my arms around her and pushed her forehead into my chest tightly. And, at that point, I couldn't hold back my tears anymore.

"I'm sorry… I'm so sorry… I'm the biggest idiot! I'm so… sorry."

I had no idea how to handle the situation. But I knew one thing for sure: repairing my relationship with Noriko would be one of the hardest trials of my life.

Chapter 10: We ended up breaking each other's hearts

- END -

Author's notes:

I hope y'all liked it.

And I really wonder how things will go from here. Katana has decided to transfer to Aihara. Her wish to be with Noriko until might not come through. Noriko is in a state of utter confusion. And poor Touma-chan is in bits. I've got a lot of things to tend to.

See you next time!

kstefan88