Chapter 10: His Answer

Naru POV

"I have cancer."

My heart clenched when I heard Mai say that. The reason she doesn't want to be with anyone is because she has cancer. I respect that decision, yes, but…

"Mai," I looked into her eyes. "I do not care if you have cancer and might die tomorrow. No matter how long you've had this, and no matter how long it takes you to beat it, I will be right by your side. Even if you say no to there being an us, I will be there."

Her eyes became clouded and I saw the tears starting to fall slowly. I pulled Mai into my arms and held her as she cried. So this was her secret. This is why she was crying that day in the tea shop with Yasuhara and that day I saw her with her other friends surrounding her. She had just told them this news. To be honest, I felt my heart break a little. Such a strong-willed and determined woman like Mai should be smiling, not crying. As I held her while she let her tears fall, I made a silent promise to her. I will be there. No matter what. I cannot lose her. I have not been this happy since losing my brother. Losing Mai would end my world.

"Mai."

She sniffled into my shirt before looking up at me. I cupped her right cheek and wiped away the tears from her face.

"I promise that no matter what our relationship is or becomes, I will be there for you. If you need anything, I'll be there for you."

"Thank you Naru," she sniffled out before smiling. Even with tear-streaked cheeks and puffy red eyes, that smile made my heart skip a beat. She's still the most beautiful person I've ever met. I have not done anything to deserve even being able to call her my friend. But, I will try my best to be the person she deserves.

"That was your secret, wasn't it?"

She nods.

"Well, I should keep my promise then."

"Naru, you don't have to tell me…"

"But I do, Mai." I take in a breath and prepare to tell Mai everything. "My brother... he died two years ago. He was on his way back from the train station when he got hit by a car. It was a hit and run, so the police never caught the person who hit him. The ambulance rushed him to the hospital, but it was too late. His injuries were too severe."

My voice started to crack. Mai placed her hand on my arm, calming me a little.

"Naru, you don't have to push yourself to relive this right now."

I shake my head and continue. "The thing is, I should have been with him the moment the car hit him. I stayed behind to call our parents to let them know we were on our way home. Gene said he would wait for me, but something caught his attention. I turned around after hearing a loud thud and I saw him lying on the ground, motionless. I called the ambulance while running to him. But…"

I put my head in my hands, fighting back tears. Mai stood and wrapped her arms around me and started to stroke my hair.

"It's alright Naru. It's not your fault. I'm sure everyone know that. I don't think your brother would want you blaming yourself for something you didn't cause."

"I'm sorry Gene," I whispered as I put my arms around Mai and cried.

Mai POV

Holding Naru while he cried is something that I hope I don't have to relive. The way he cried broke my heart. He sounded like a little child. I don't want him to cry like this ever again. I tangled my fingers into his hair and leaned my head down to rest it on top of his head. It was in this moment I realized that I don't want to be the cause of him crying like this again. I guess Yasu was right. I needed someone else to live for. I need to live for Naru.

After a few moments, Naru calmed down. He pulled away from me and wiped his eyes. "Looks like we both needed a good cry," I joked.

He smiled at that. "I guess so."

We were silent for a moment, but we couldn't ignore the whole reason why this all started. We both cared for each other and wanted to be with each other. I sat there for a moment before getting an idea. I stood up and went to grab the chocolate I was going to give Naru.

"Naru," I said as I took my place next to him, "I'm not sure if us being together would be the best for us, but if you're willing to give it a shot so am I."

I bring the chocolate from behind my back and present it to him. "Please accept these chocolates as a sign of my feelings for you."

Naru smiles as he takes the chocolate from me. "Mai, I will accept these only on one condition."

"Name it."

His red eyes look into my equally red eyes. "The only way I will accept these is if you agree to go out with me."

"I'll consider it," I tell him. "But, if you really mean what you told me, then I ask that you present your condition a different way."

He smirks at my comeback. Naru takes my hand into his and says, "Mai Taniyama, will you be my girlfriend?"

I smile as I felt a blush come across my face. "Yes."

Naru smiled as he took a piece of chocolate out of the bag and handed it to me. I accepted it and he pulled out one for himself.

"Naru, can I ask you something?"

"You just did Mai."

I slap his shoulder. "You know what I mean."

He smirked as he pretended to protect his arm.

I rolled my eyes. "Anyway, I was wondering if we could do what couples do with champagne glasses. Just with the chocolate."

"Why?"

"Because I think it would be sweet. That and it would be a way for us to make our promises more real, I guess."

Naru nods and moves closer to me and we wrap our right arms around the other. I was about to take a bite when Naru stopped me.

"Before we eat the chocolate, let's restate our promises."

"Like wedding vows?"

"Sort of."

"Ok, you start."

"Mai Taniyama, I promise that while you are battling cancer that I will always be by your side. I promise to be there when you need me, no matter what. I also promise that long after you have beaten this, that I will still be by your side until the end."

"Kazuya Shibuya, I promise that I will rely on you during my treatment. I promise that I won't be too much of a hassle and that after I beat this, I will stay by your side. I will be there for you whenever you need me."

We smiled at each other and took a bite of our chocolate.

…

That Monday…

Naru came and picked me up for school. Ever since Saturday, I've realised why he drives a motorcycle. Since Gene's death, Naru hates cars. He can't stand being in one. He also doesn't want a car to run onto the sidewalk and hit me, so he insists on taking me home or, starting today, to school. But, I really don't mind. It just means I get to be with him more.

Naru parks his bike about a block from school and we get off.

"Naru?"

"Yeah?"

"Why do you park so far from school?"

"It's only a block Mai."

"It's not that, it's just we have a student lot. Why not park there?"

"The school doesn't like the fact I drive a motorcycle and refuse to drive a car. They only allow cars in the student lot, not motorcycles."

"That's stupid."

Naru chuckles as he takes my hand. "Yes, it is. But it doesn't bother me."

I smile up at him. Then again, when have I stopped smiling? I seriously don't think this smile has left my lips since Saturday.

We approached the main gate of the school and I spotted Michiru and Keiko. Man, I forgot to tell them about Naru and I. Well, looks like they're in for a surprise.

"Michiru! Keiko!" I waved at my friends with the hand that was holding onto the helmet. They turned and looked at us before they broke into a run towards us.

"MAI!"

I look up at Naru. "Be prepared for a lot of squealing, Naru."

He looked back at me. "Mai, I've been through your fangirling about Kirito and Asuna. I think I can handle your friends' squealing."

"My fangirling is not that bad."

"No, but it can be at quite a high pitch at times. I'm surprised I can still hear."

I turn my face away from his. "Jerk."

I felt Naru lean in closer to me. "But I'm your jerk," he whispered in my ear. His breath on my ear and neck caused me to shiver a bit.

Michiru and Keiko made it to us and they were grinning from ear to ear. "So, Mai…" Michiru started.

"How was your weekend?" Keiko finished.

"Good. Spent Saturday with Kazuya."

They eyed Naru before looking back at me. I sighed. They wanted an official introduction.

"Michiru, Keiko, this is Kazuya Shibuya."

Naru nods his head at my friends.

"Naru, these two are my best friends since middle school. Michiru and Keiko."

"It's a pleasure to meet you two. I would extend my hand, but," he tilts his head to his left side, "as you can see, my hands are full."

Michiru and Keiko's eyes went wide as they saw Naru holding my book bag. (His idea to carry it, not mine.) Michiru reached for my bag in Naru's hands as Keiko went for my wrist.

"We need to borrow her for a moment," Michiru told Naru before they took off, dragging me behind them. I look behind me and see Naru smiling at the gate, waving. I wave back. I'll see him soon. We are in the same class after all.

A/N: Mai told Naru her secret, Naru told her what happened to Gene, they shared a very sweet moment together and now are dating! Let the Maru'ness start!

So, if Naru is like OOC, oh well. It's an AU. But now that Mai has introduced Naru to Michiru and Keiko, we get to see him be more narcissistic and teasing Mai. I'm excited for these next few chapters. I will be doing time skips, but I'll put what month it is or how many weeks later at the beginning of the chapters. These next few chapters are going to be so much fun to write! I hope y'all enjoy them! Sadly, the happiness can't last the whole time. (It would be boring.) So Maru is gonna be hitting some bumpy waters towards the end of this story. But all the angst will all be worth it in the end I promise!

Alright, that's it from me for now! Until next time!