'Tis the end of Almost. Please, drop me a review with any comments you have on the story. I'd love to hear what you have to say. Again, sorry for the wait. This is not exactly how I planned to end the story, but I think it's better if it ends this way. Thanks to everyone who supported this story!

Disclaimer: I do not own Harvest Moon.

…

I felt horrible at that second, like I was stealing another guy's girl.

But I swear, that moment – that one kiss - made me feel like I was flying high above the rest, like the deep cloud of depression that had hung over me for the past year was finally lifting.

I could only hope that maybe everything would work out.

…

Fall 29

Chilly days had melted into freezing weather, the clear skies turning overcast and the trees shedding their leaves.

Just like the seasons, I had changed too. Almost two years had passed since she had moved here, and although I was still irrationally hyper and full of energy, I knew how to calm down and have a polite conversation.

And those skills were exactly what I needed at that moment.

I had decided, after weeks of contemplation, that I didn't like Akari, I loved her (please ignore the cliché). She was the girl for me, and I didn't want to risk anyone stealing her away.

Damn straight, I was going to tell her I loved her.

Akari was sitting at our bench, smiling warmly as I approached. That soft smile made me so happy that I couldn't contain myself – I broke out into a jog and ran towards her, picking her tiny body up off the ground and pulling her into a bone-crushing hug. Even though it was cold, she made me feel like I was inside my house, sitting in my heated room.

Oh goddess, I must stop the clichés. Anyway, onwards

"Luke, you're more hyper than usual! What's up?" she asked, still stuck between my arms.

I cut to the chase. "I love you," I whispered in her ear. The shock on her face was priceless, and for one second she held an expression that could not be described with words, it was so flawless.

That was the reaction I wanted, believe it or not.

…

Tears began to fall from Akari's eyes, staining her cheeks as she runs away from the scene, slamming the bathroom door behind her. Luke leaps up from his spot and tries to explain, yet Jack doesn't seem to care. Colleen rushes out, for this is not her place.

Before he knew it, Luke was shoved up against the wall in Jack's grip, and he could see the intense passion burning in the brown orbs that belonged to his opponent. A punch was what the carpenter was expecting – a horrible, piercing blow, probably to his face or, even worse – oh goddess, he mumbled, preparing himself mentally. However, he received quite the opposite.

Carefully, Jack placed him down, and just stared at him intently. Luke didn't know what to say. For quite some time they just had this stare-off, the silence filling the room. Jack opened his mouth and closed it, as many do when they are at a loss for words. Suddenly, he began to loose whatever gave him his manly exterior as his posture slouched and his brow unfurrowed.

"...Akari loves you."

"Huh?" Luke gasped, unable to comprehend what was happening in front of his eyes as the other man began to break down, crying while wiping tears from the corners of his eyes and gasping for air.

"She loves you. I've always known that she loved you. At night she would yell for you to come rescue her. Ever since I've met her she's loved you. Yet, I stayed with her – because I loved her. Every second I spent with her I knew her heart belonged to another, and still I managed to love her. I could have left her – I should have left her! But I didn't. She needed someone strong to lean on, someone that could protect her. Her friends were always there for her but let's face it, most of them barely had their own lives together and wouldn't be able to handle a soul as delicate as hers. So I protected her, with hopes that maybe one day she would fall in love with me."

Jack sat down on the edge of the bed, curling his fingers around the side and looking at his feet. "She never did. It's understandable though, she had a man as great as you before, why would she fall in love with me? I was nothing. I could barely do anything. That's why I left this town before – I couldn't do anything right, so I ran. I'm a coward. I don't deserve a girl as good as her.

"When I saw the Waffle Island brochure in her purse, I assumed that's where she came from and that she would like to return. Little did I know that this was also the town that I lived in before. And I also didn't know that bringing her along would cause this whirlwind of emotions."

Once more, Jack stood up and laid his hands upon the younger boy's shoulders, smiling slightly yet still holding sadness in his eyes.

"Luke, you are the only person that can make Akari happy. I saw that brief little kiss, and for that one second you guys were together, I think I saw the meaning of love. I could never break you guys apart. You're...meant for each other. So just promise me that you'll never let her leave again."

Luke swallowed, before choking out, "I promise."

Jack smiled one last time before turning and leaving the room, going off to god-knows-where.

The blue-haired male couldn't help but contemplate what he saw in Jack's face. He was so young – twenty-five at most – yet he held decades of age in his face. A man like that must've lived his whole life caring more about others than himself. Funny, Luke grinned – he and Kathy were meant to be together, the two older siblings that always put themselves second. Even if things never worked out between them, he could always hope that they could be together in their dreams, connected by some unbreakable bond. Perhaps they could find each other again, and give it another shot.

However, he had other business to attend to – he would have to save contemplating Jack and Kathy's relationship for later. After receiving the blessing of his previous rival, he knew he was ready to do something he had been waiting one year to do. He ran to the bathroom where Akari had locked herself. Furiously, he kicked down the door and ran over to the wilted heap that was curled up on the floor, throwing his arms around her.

"Where's Jack?" she quietly asked, her face buried in his shirt.

"He's off to start his own life...he's ready to find his own love."

"And us?"

He pulled out of their embrace, keeping his hands on her shoulders. "It's not almost any more, Akari. Us...we're not what almost could have been. It's just you and me now, and forever."

"Forever?"

"I will never let you out of my sight again. If I do...the Harvest Goddess can spank me!"

"I missed you," Akari giggled.

"Same."

And then, their relationship started all over once more, being sealed with one last kiss.

…

Maybe it doesn't have to be almost any more.

Maybe it can be now.

Maybe it doesn't have to be what could have been, but what is.

It's no longer almost for me.