"You need to wake up Aiko..." Akari gently released Aiko.
"But then..." Aiko could not bring herself to finish her sentence.
"I love you Aiko and I will be with you always..." Akari kissed Aiko's forehead. "Tell Kaien I love him..."
"I love you too and I will mother..." Aiko closed her eyes.
Aiko slowly opened her eyes. Her vision was blurry and the bright lights hurt her eyes. Aiko let out a small groan as she slowly sat up in bed to see her body was covered in bandages.
"You're awake!" The nurse rushed over to Aiko.
"H-How long..." It hurt for Aiko to talk.
"A week ago today is when you were brought here. Your father is going to be so relieved." The nurse let out a happy sigh.
"Wait." Aiko held out a hand as the nurse walked over to the phone.
"Yes dear?" The nurse asked puzzled.
"I want to surprise him." Aiko smiled.
The nurse giggled. "Okay, but only if you feel strong enough." The nurse walked over to a small closet and returned with a new night class uniform. "Here you go, this should be your size. Keep those bandages on for a few more days." The nurse smiled and walked away, shutting the curtain behind her.
Aiko smiled and carefully put on her uniform over the bandages. Her body was still sore but she was so eager to see her father and thank him for saving her. She knew that she saw his face before she lost consciousness. Aiko walked out of the infirmary to see it was dark outside. She knew the day class was inside, most likely sleeping, and the night class was in class.
Aiko made her way across campus and all the way to her father's office. She peeked into the office and saw Kaien asleep at his desk, a picture in his hand.
Aiko walked silently over to Kaien's desk. Kaien sensed the presence and opened his eyes, sitting up quickly.
"A-Aiko..." Kaien got up quickly and hugged Aiko tightly.
Aiko tensed up slightly from the pain which Kaien sensed so he quickly let her go.
"What are you doing up?" Kaien asked with a concerned look on his face.
"I wanted to surprise you." Aiko smiled softly.
Kaien let out a soft laugh. "Your mother enjoyed surprising people too."
"I know...I saw her while I was unconscious..." Aiko spoke softly with a hint of sorrow in her voice.
Kaien eyes lit up in curiosity.
"She told me that it was not my time to go..." Aiko whispered and brought her hand to her chest, over her heart. "But she also wanted me to tell you that she loves you..." Aiko smiled at her father.
Kaien had a small amount of tears forming in his eyes which he wiped away upon hearing someone open the door to his office.
The two turned to see Akatsuki standing in the door way.
Akatsuki was trying to hide the fact that he had been running but he was breathing slightly faster than normal.
Aiko blushed slightly before smiling. "Hello Akatsuki..."
"Aiko..." Akatsuki spoke softly. After class had gotten out he went to the infirmary, as he usually did after class since the incident, to see how Aiko was. The nurse had told him what had happened and he sprinted to the Headmaster's office.
"You should get some rest Aiko...Akatsuki could you escort Aiko back to her room?" Kaien smiled. He sensed the feeling these two had for one another. He admired how kind Akatsuki was and knew that he would treat Aiko with dignity and love.
Akatsuki nodded and bowed.
"Goodnight father." Aiko smiled before turning and walking out of the office with Akatsuki.
The two walked in silence out of the building.
"I'm glad to see that you are alright..." Akatsuki spoke in his normal smooth tone.
"When I was unconscious...I thought I heard your voice." Aiko glanced over at him as they walked.
"Well..." Akatsuki began. "I visited you every night after class...when I got their tonight the nurse told me you woke up and went to see the Headmaster..."
Aiko side-stepped and spun to face Akatsuki. "I love you Akatsuki..." Her eyes were looking directly into his.
Akatsuki stopped in his tracks. "I love you too...Aiko..."
Aiko got onto her tip toes and gently kissed Akatsuki who wrapped an arm around Aiko's waist and deepened the kiss.
Aiko knew that this was the new beginning of her new life...and she wouldn't have it any other way...