"What was your favorite thing to do for a vacation when you were younger?" Eri asked. I sighed, wanting to know what she was really up to. We were walking home from class, and she wouldn't leave me alone.
"Why? Whatever you're planning, just stop. I hate surprises."
"According to Tougou, you like good surprises. Which this would be one, and he says it was go to the beach. Maybe I should ask him instead of you," she muttered.
I glared at her, "Don't you dare. So what it is? Planning a little beach get away for me? A party or something?"
"Somewhat. I mean, your birthday is coming up right?"
"Why are you being so… Nice all of a sudden?"
"You helped with Tenma. Isn't that enough?"
"So you really are an angel at heart. Underneath all that snobby rich attitude."
"Hey! I don't have to do this you know!"
"I didn't ask you to," I smirked. She sighed. I knew I got her.
"I know… Mikoto, Akira, and I wanted to do this for you. We thought it'd be a nice thank you gift for getting Harima and Tenma together."
"Harima's been thanking me all week, I think that's enough… Unless you three have another plan?"
"We… Want to help you and Tougou out."
I stopped walking. She turned to look at me, stopping as well.
"I don't want your help. I can handle that on my own."
"Obviously not. Why won't you go on a date with him? Or call him your boyfriend? The whole school thinks he is already."
"Th-They do?!" I asked, feeling my face go red.
"See, just like I can be nice, you can be… Not so scary and intimidating."
"Why can't you just tell me what you're planning?"
"I can't. He wanted to keep it a secret."
I stayed silent, thinking. I sighed, knowing what was going on.
"So when are we leaving?"
Eri squeaked, hugging me.
"I'm glad you finally let up," she laughed. I rolled my eyes.
"You two are leaving three days before your birthday."
I stared at her, slightly shocked.
"That's tomorrow Eri! What if I would have said yes?! And what about school?!" I shouted. She laughed.
"It's Spring break. You're just lucky to have your birthday off. Plus Tougou already spoke with the teachers and you both can miss a day from school."
"I really hate you guys right now," I sighed.
"Want some help packing?"
"Uh… Yeah, 'cause I honestly have no clue what to pack."
"Okay. We should hurry, shouldn't we?" she smirked. I sighed, following her back to my house. When we walked in, my uncle greeted us. Eri stopped to tell him what she and the others had planned. I could hear the excitement in his voice while I was busy trying to pack in my room.
"I'm sure she'll enjoy it, even if she acts like she hates it," he laughed. I heard my door open behind me while I was sorting through my close in the closet.
"What do I need to have with me?" I asked, thinking Eri was in my room.
"Swim suit, or two if you have more than one. A weeks worth of clothes, and anything else you need like your tooth brush and face wash," Tougou said. I took an empty hanger and threw it past him.
"What the hell are you doing here?!"
"I've been here for about an hour. I figured I'd stay the night since we're leaving in the morning. Kai is fine with it."
"You… I hate you all."
"You say that, but I can tell you don't mean it. In fact, you mean the very opposite in your eyes," he said softly, stepping closer. I sighed, turning back to my closet.
'Why am I constantly trying to avoid him? There's nothing else to worry about… Am I just afraid? Is this what that's like? It's almost like the mangas… Wait, no! Stop thinking that! You've been on your own since your parents abandoned you! So why does he want back in all of a sudden? Is there something behind that stupid engagement our parents agreed on? Huh? What's going on?' I thought to myself, feeling arms wrap around me from behind. Tougou rested his chin on my shoulder.
"Why are you always so harsh to everyone but Kai? I know you do it on purpose and still feel bad for it after. What did any of us do to you?" he whispered. I bit my lip.
"Nothing. I don't want something to happen."
"What are you afraid of?"
I stayed silent. I couldn't tell him. It wasn't like he already knew. I just couldn't get the words out.
"We're not going to leave you like they did. I told you, once I found out there was no way I was going to let you be alone. I've loved you since we were kids. You know this. I know you feel the same too, so why are you avoiding it?"
"I don't want to mess up. The whole reason they left me in that school was so I'd either die or become some kind of weapon. They wanted a boy Tougou, and they got a girl. If they felt that way about it, they should have given me up to my uncle like he wanted them to… How could you want to be with someone who had been unwanted by her own parents for so long?"
"Because they don't know you like I do. They never did either, and that's why I fought my parents to make that agreement so you'd never have to be alone. Then when they agreed and just left, I didn't know what to do besides travel the world with my parents in hopes of finding you again. That's why when Kai told me he was taking you in, I decided to stay here for high-school to wait for you. I know next year may be our last year at school; but I've finally found you again and I don't plan on letting you slip away from me again. I can't do that. I won't do that. I wanted us to be together from the beginning. If you're afraid you'll hurt me, don't worry. You're parents taking you away from me hurt me more than anything so far, and I promise I'd never do anything to hurt you intentionally. I want you to stay by my side. So please, actually be happy and enjoy this week."
I couldn't speak. I didn't know what to say back to that other than I know I promised him before I'd let him be there for me when I needed him. I turned in his arms to hug him back, my arms around his neck. He hugged me tighter.
"Are you finally giving this tough act up?" he whispered. I sighed, biting my lip. I nodded. I could feel his smile against my head as he kissed it.
"It's about time. Thank you."
"I… I'm sorry," I muttered.
"It's okay."
I rubbed my eyes on my arm, trying to stop tears that started to fall.
"I missed you Masa," I muttered, my voice breaking a bit.
"I missed you too Hikari."
"Masakazu… I," I started. Tougou cut me off by pulling back to look at me. He put a hand on my face and kissed me gently. I kissed him back, trying not to lean against him. The kiss had me breathless.
"Well, it's about damn time," Kai said from my door way. We pulled away from each other, our faces slightly red as we all laughed. I saw Eri with her phone out.
"Well, our job is done now. You're welcome you two," she smiled, putting her phone away, "You two should finish packing."
Tougou took my hand, "I'll help."
