The Melancholy Schmaltz

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CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX: To Infinity and Beyond

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1 month more to go and she was marrying Yunoki Azuma. Kahoko was pretty much excited. She couldn't sleep. All she could think about was their future together. They would live in a simple house together and have children. Yes, children. She wanted children with him. Who wouldn't want?

Kahoko's imagination kept her occupied. She was really looking after it. Anyone would. Even those who are not bound for any marriage yet would imagine what their dream family would be.

It was a warm afternoon. Kahoko was practicing along with Kanazawa when a doorbell startled them.

"I'll get it." Kanazawa said as he hummed on his way to the door. "Oh, Yunoki." He said with his sleepy yes on. Azuma gave him his usual smile. "Oi Hino! Your groom has arrived."

Kahoko turned around to check then a smile crept through her face. "Hey." She stood up as Azuma entered the studio.

"Hey." Azuma walked to her and gave her a kiss on her cheek.

"You look pale." Kahoko noted as she stroke his cheek.

"Its nothing." He held her shoulder and gave her a sweet smile. "Kanazawa-san?" He turned around to the smoke puffing man who was sitting behind them.

"Hmm?" He answered.

"Can I borrow this beautiful lady for a while?" Azuma wondered.

Kanazawa stared at the two of them for quite a while then nodded. He's not a kill joy and he does not want to be called as one.

"Sure. She's done for the day anyway." Kanazawa placed the cigarette in his mouth.

"Thank you." Azuma cheerfully said as he turned to Kahoko.

Azuma had taken Kahoko at an ice cream shop for snacks. Kahoko was a thing for ice cream. She enjoys it as if she was a child.

She was enjoying her raspberry ice cream when Azuma held her hand. Kahoko looked up and smiled at him.

"Are you alright?" She wondered.

"Yes. I just want to look at you." He answered.

Azuma's aura was light. He was carrying the aura of the Yunoki whom Kahoko met first. The sweet, polite and gentle Yunoki.

Kahoko squeezed his and and looked at it when—something caught her attention. She saw a huge bruise on the side of his hand. She immediately took his then looked up to him.

"What happened?" concern was evident in her voice and her eyes were in such a questioning state.

Azuma took his hand and overlapped it with the other. "Its nothing. When I was in the bathroom, the sliding door slid and my hand which was on the door so it got hit."

"It doesn't look good." Kahoko reach out to have his hand for a clearer view but he won't give it to her.

"You worry so much. Its nothing." Azuma gave her his encouraging smile but despite his smile, Kahoko was beginning to worry.

Azuma had decided to pay his own brother Suzuma a visit as he wanted to discuss something with him regarding their company. Suzuma, who was still considered a newly wed, seemed to have bloomed. (Who said that only women can become blooming?)

"I heard about that. But I finally have taken cared of it." Suzuma answered. "I am after all, the CEO of the Yunoki corporation here in Asia. You need not to worry."

"Yes, I know but the Europe area needs some papers just so the shipment can finally push through." Azuma explained. "This is something urgent. I too am the CEO of the Corporation in Europe."

"I will immediately look this over." Suzuma responded as he opened his laptop.

Azuma kept seated as he watched his own brother do his own thing. The subject was somehow aware of his brothers gaze so he looked up without moving his head up.

"Is there something you would want to say?" Suzuma questioned.

Azuma didn't look away. "There's something I would want to discuss."

"Go on." Suzuma said as he opened some file and began reading.

"I do not wish to continue with my up coming marriage." He blurted, making Suzuma stop and look at him with such a curious gaze.

"Why?" He wondered. "Is father pressuring you on something? Or do you ha—"

"No. Its not about anybody. It's about me. I love Kahoko but I—I am dying." Azuma kept his gaze as his brother's eye widened in surprise.

"What do you mean?" He questioned, making him close his laptop.

"I have leukemia which is currently at its severe form." Azuma answered while managing to keep a small smile in his face.

"You got to be mistaken." Suzuma shook his head, grinning in disbelief.

"Not all patient who has leukemia would experience signs and symptoms when the sickness progress. Some of it merely shows when it is already severe. I'm asymptomatic before but look at me... I'm now manifesting its signs and symptoms." Azuma said.

Suzuma was scrutinizing his brother's features. He looked utterly pale and weak. He had also grown thin. All Suzuma could think of was that, this must have been a great mistake.

"Does she know?" he asked.

"No." Azuma lightly shook his head. "I don't want her to know."

"She has to know." he said. "You were about to marry her. If you cancel the wedding, she will still ask why."

Azuma somehow couldn't believe that he was having such conversation with his own brother. They ought to be strangers which was merely bonded by blood and family name but he had no one to share this important thing with and he wanted someone's opinion. This was something he couldn't do alone.

"I don't want her to cry." Azuma lowered his gaze and saw an image of Kahoko in his mind.

"By doing so, you will still be making her cry." Suzuma began. "You will owe her an explanation and depriving her of that would mean that she was not important to you. Don't be selfish."

"I don't want her to get tied to me then become a widow. She deserves more than that." Azuma's voice was soft down.

"Man up!" Suzuma sounded as if he was already scolding him. "I don't know how things will go but tell her. She deserves the truth." That was the only advice he could give up.

3 weeks had passed but Azuma was still unable to tell Kahoko about his present condition. He was already undergoing a secret therapy with his Doctor. Lucky enough that Suzuma has his back. He was the only person who knew about Azuma's condition since he had no intention of telling everyone. He also made Suzuma promise not to tell anybody, even his own wife.

"When are you planning to tell her?" Suzuma asked as Azuma stayed on his bed. "Your wedding is just 2 weeks from now."

"I couldn't see her now. I don't feel good." Azuma answered weakly. "Perhaps as soon as I feel better."

"I see. Now rest. I have called Tami (their loyal family butler) to accompany you." He said as he walked to the door.

"Thank you, brother." Azuma said gently.

Suzuma, who was about to exit the room, stopped in his track and turned to his brother.

"You're welcome." he answered. Azuma smiled at him. He gave him a small smile then went out.

It took Azuma a week to secretly recover but despite that, he would casually give Kahoko calls asking her about how her day went and on what she was up to. He didn't want her to feel neglected though he was lying to her about where he was and on what he was doing.

Azuma had taken Kahoko out on date at the park. He wanted to once again go to the places where they went to as teenagers. The amusement part was memorable because that was where their first date happened.

The two played the games they once played and road the rides they once tried. Azuma was strictly prohibited from engaging himself in some stressful activities but he neglected it all for the sake of the memories that they've once had.

"This feels refreshing." Kahoko said as she embraced her panda bear which Azuma won in a game.

"Whyy?" He asked her, smiling.

"It retrieves so much memories." She answered then the two fell silent.

Azuma then recalled that they once watched a movie together and he wanted to do that again. "Its almost 5:30pm. Let's go and watch a movie."

Kahoko blinked her eyes and tilted her head. "What sort of movie?"

"Anything you like." He stood up and pulled her.

In the movie house, Azuma could remember himself pretending to be asleep in her shoulders. He remembered the scent of her hair. Strawberry because as he was smelling her again the way he did before, she still had the same scent.

"The movie was good." He noted as they exited the cinema.

"How would you know? You were asleep." Kahoko responded.

"I was watching." He chuckled.

"No." Kahoko said.

"Whatever you say." Azuma merely nodded as he began walking without letting go of Kahoko's hand.

"Were you really watching?" she questioned.

"I told you, I did." he replied.

Azuma then decided to bring Kahoko back to her apartment. It was where he wanted to tell her...

"Within a week, we're finally getting married." Kahoko said as she opened the living room's curtain.

Azuma just looked at her and twitched at the sudden thought of telling her the truth. He was hesitating. But he was hoping for the best. What best? He couldn't simply tell what.

"I couldn't sleep I—"

"Let's not push through with the wedding." he cut her off. Preventing himself from hearing her excitement about their ought-to-be marriage.

Kahoko was stopped. She didn't move. She thought she didn't hear him right. She then looked back and smiled.

"Pardon me?" She said.

"Let's not push through with the wedding." He answered.

So she heard him right. Kahoko's expression became confused. What could have happened?

"Is it because of my parents?" She asked, hurt and confused at the same time.

"No." His face was blank. There was no emotion.

Kahoko's brows curled. She did not know what was going on.

"Then why? Is it your family?" she stayed where she was. She couldn't move.

"No." He knew she was hurt and it was thrice more painful to him. He was again making this woman cry. Not because of his family nor hers but because of him.

"Then why?" The confusion was eating her. She was wishing that if this was some kind of a joke, this must stop.

"You must not marry me, Kahoko. There's no one involved. Its just that you deserve so much more." the words became hard to find. He couldn't express what he wanted to express.

What now? Kahoko eyed him. Where did that come from? If there was something she didn't deserve, it was him but how come he was standing there and telling her that she deserve so much more? He's all she wanted.

"What are you talking about?" She finally found the strength to walk to him.

"I have leukemia." he said bluntly.

Kahoko was stopped in her tracks.

"I barely have 2 months to live." he didn't let his gaze wander. He fixed his gaze upon her. He saw all the emotions she put up to.

Kahoko couldn't believe that. There was no way she was going to believe that.

"Leukemia... two months... no. You must be teasing me again. You—are" she ran her hand to her hair.

"I had leukemia which was not known to me. I had only known it 2 months ago." He wanted to hold her. To ease her but he didn't have the heart.

"No..." Kahoko was horrified. She closed her eyes.

"Suzuma knew about this. The doctor gave me an ultimatum." He finally looked away. "I only have 2 months to live."

"No..." Kahoko was crying. She fell on the floor, crying. This was a bad nightmare.

Azuma walked to her, fell onto his knees and embraced her.

"Please don't lie to me..." Kahoko said as her voice was breaking.

This was torture. Azuma just held her. "I hope I am..." He hope he was just lying. Teasing her till she cry like how he used to. But unfortunately, he was not.

He held her for an hour until she fell asleep. He decided not to leave her. She needed him as much as he needed her.

'What did I do to deserve this?' Azuma thought as he laid beside Kahoko and watched her sleep like a baby. 'Everything was going well... it ought to be. But then, I'm dying.' He snorted and a smile of mockery crept his face. 'I must be condemned.'

His body was tired. His head was again spinning. He held onto Kahoko and prayed that it will go away.

'Save me Kahoko.' He thought.

She was his savior. She was the person who taught him how to appreciate the simple things in life. She was the only person who messed with his rhythm and taught him that even a messed rhythm can give out a beautiful music.

As Azuma fell unconscious, images of Kahoko came into his dreams. He remembered the very first time that he met her. He remembered the very first day that he started bullying her because he was annoyed of her. He remembered teasing her. He remembered how she accepted him. The two sides of him that everyone would probably hate. The very first time he kissed her at the balcony. The day she confessed her love for him and the day he saw him again.

Two hours had passed and Kahoko finally opened her eyes. She stared at the ceiling and thought that everything was a bad dream. She sighed. She then moved her body but felt someone's weight on her. She turned to see who it was and was surprised to see Azuma. He was panting. Kahoko slowly turned around and held his cheek. He was very warm. Kahoko slowly sat up. Azuma was having fever and was chilling.

"Azuma?" She called out. When he didn't answer, Kahoko immediately went out of her room and contacted Suzuma.

"I'm coming." Suzuma told Kahoko as he hung up.

"Who was that?" Leina questioned.

"Its Kahoko. Azuma is sick." He answered as he took his robe and went to the changing room.

"Azuma's sick?" Leina was confused. She was wondering why Kahoko was panicking.

Suzuma didn't want to elaborate things any further so he opted to change fast. He knew Leina too well. When her nose is on something, she wouldn't stop investigating and he can't afford lying to her which will surely upset her.

Kahoko was wiping Azuma's body with a towelette. He was giving him a sponge bath and it broke her heart when she saw lots of dark bruises on his body. He was already thin, she noticed but she wondered why she was unable to detect it right away.

'I must be an idiot...' She thought as she wiped her own tears using the back of her hand. 'Why didn't I notice that something was wrong with you?' She stared at Azuma's face.

He was having a high fever and was shaking. Kahoko dropped her towelette, took her blouse and bra off and embrace him.

"I want to share your burden." Kahoko embraced him tight. She was crying. "I love you. Please don't leave me..."

Suzuma finally arrived. He knocked but no one answered the door. He waited but no one came. He then held the door knob and noticed that it was not locked so he decided to enter.

The place was neat. It had the air of a woman. Well, women had a particular touch at home. Their taste are far from male. The place was dark. He continued walking and noticed a light coming from a room. He went closer and opened the door.

"We made plans together. We'd make children and live happily."

He heard her say.

"You promised not to let me go, remember?"

He saw Kahoko on top of Azuma, naked and crying.

"Do you even have any idea how long I waited for you? And now that you're with me, you're telling me that you're leaving soon enough."

Suzuma could hear pain in her voice.

"You're always unfair to me. You always keep things to yourself. Remember leaving me because you didn't want your grandmother to hurt me? You left me without telling me the real reason and now you've kept your condition from me." Kahoko sobbed. "I don't want you to go."

Suzuma moved back. He didn't mean to listen but the knowing was something to him. That woman sure love his brother. He knew about them. He knew what happened years ago when his grandmother was still alive.

Azuma gently opened his eyes. The lighted glared his eyes, making him close them again.

"Ah, yes. I'm alright."

He heard a voice. It was so familiar to him.

"Kahoko..." He muttered before he opened his eyes once again. And he was right. It was Kahoko. She looked beautiful, he thought. She had a faint smile on her lips as she was talking to his brother.

"Thank you so much." She bowed.

"You don't have to thank me." Suzuma said gently.

Kahoko looked back to check Azuma when, she saw him looking at her. She smiled then went to him.

"You're finally awake." She leaned down and kissed his forehead.

"I'm thirsty." He mumbled.

"You're thirsty? Okay wait." Kahoko walked to the table and poured out a glass of water.

Azuma concluded that based on everything he saw that he was inside the hospital.

"Here." Kahoko handed the glass of water.

He slowly sat up and took the glass from her hand. "Thank you."

Suzuma slowly walked to settle at the foot of his bed.

"Feeling better?" he asked.

"Yes." Azuma nodded.

Kahoko took the glass from his hand and placed it on the table.

"There's something I would like to discuss with you." Suzuma began. "Is it okay even if its in the presence of Hino-san?"

Azuma glanced at Kahoko. She was looking at them.

"I want to hear." She said. If it was about Azuma's condition, she wants to hear it.

Azuma did not react so Suzuma began.

"I have talked to Dr. Renge and she told me that you must undergo chemotherapy."

"I refuse." Azuma immediately said.

"You need it." Suzuma said firmly.

"In either way, I'm going to die. Undergoing such therapy won't cure me. It'll just worsen my condition." He said calmly.

Kahoko didn't say a word. Her brows here high up. She didn't like what they were talking about. Azuma was once again talking about death and it scares her.

"I have talked to her about it. She said that my body stopped responding to medications. So what can this therapy do now?" he added with eyed fixed on Suzuma.

"I understand." He replied. "If you will it, there's nothing we can do about it."

"Thank you." Azuma politely said.

"Well then...I better be off now." Suzuma said as he turned around and began walking out.

"I'd like to accompany you." Kahoko said as she went out with him.

As soon as the door of the room closed, Kahoko clasped her hands together.

"Why did you not convince him?" She wondered. "You know he needed that therapy. It could cure him."

"It won't." he said as he turned to her. "It will only prolong his life a bit but it won't cure him."

Kahoko looked down. The pain in her chest heaved as she was aware that nothing was bound to heal Azuma.

"Hino-san... Azuma always knew what he was doing. All you could do is have faith in him." Suzuma patted her shoulder then left her.

Kahoko watched Suzuma disappear from the halls of the hospital then went back inside. When she arrived, Azuma was comfortably seated in his bed while looking at the window. She just looked at him until he was able to notice her.

"Please don't look at me that way." He smiled.

She merely stayed in place and lowered her head.

"I want to hold you." he said.

Kahoko looked up to him and saw him looking at her gently.

"Kahoko..." He called.

She slowly walked to him then stood beside his bed, merely putting a short distance from him.

"Closer." he said as he looked at her.

She did what she was told. He placed his arms around her waist and pulled her quickly to embrace her. He placed his head on her chest. She looked down at him.

"When I was asleep, I was dreaming of you." he tightened his grip. "But I couldn't touch you."

Kahoko held him back. She didn't know what to say.

"I love you." He closed his eyes. "I want you to know that even if we won't become husband and wife, I want you to know that I'd love you until the end."

"Shh.." Kahoko was beginning to get teary-eyed. "Don't speak as if you're leaving. I'm yours. We'd live together and have children."

"I want that... but I can't give it to you." He didn't look at her. He didn't want to see the tears in her eyes.

"Why?" she question, placing the back of her hand to her mouth, trying to stop herself from sobbing.

"I want you to have a family of your own." he answered. "I want you to be happy. To have children and a loving husband who will dedicate his life to you."

"Don't say that... please don't." Kahoko cried. She didn't want to imagine life without him. She wanted him to be the father of her children and no one else.

"I want him to take good care of you." he added.

"You will be the one who will do that... not anybody else so please stop talking about that." Kahoko's knees weakened. She sat beside him, covered her face and cried.

Azuma cupped her chin and made her face him.

"I will as long as I am alive." He forced himself to smile. "I will love you everyday, every hour, every minute and every second."

Kahoko looked at him with weak eyes.

"The way you blush when we make love, your red hair which reminds me of the smell of strawberries, the way you say my name, the taste of your lips and just everything about you..." he held her face with his two hand. "Have you ever heard of the word... To Infinity and Beyond?" Kahoko sniffed. "It means that my love for you is everlasting."

Azuma was having his angelic side. Kahoko couldn't comprehend. But she has the idea that the two side exist within him. There was no fake about him. His two sides are all him but he chose to keep the darker one. He's a sweet person in and out. His other side was just kept because there was no one capable of understanding him. He was just like any ordinary people. We choose to be good. We choose our words just so we can't hurt nor offend anybody despite seeing their bad side and our urge to comment about it. We want to be liked so we become friendly and open to people while sealing our bad side, but Azuma mastered his own beast because he was dictated. He was tamed. He was instructed to follow other people. He was merely bound to obey and not to follow his own heart. To elicit his own emotion.

"So don't cry now. Just be with me. Don't leave." Azuma's smiled didn't leave his face. He was saying this thing as if there was nothing to be sad about. That everything was going to be alright.

Kahoko pressed her lips. He was smiling. Yes, he was. He looked okay but she knew that he's not. With his smile, there was no way to know if he's happy or dying because smiles lie almost all the time.

Kahoko and Azuma started living together. For the past days, Azuma was well. He was not feeling ill or anything of that sort. Suzuma told him that he'll be the one who will take care of the business matters that he no longer need to stress himself out. Azuma was thankful that even if they were not that close before, they finally had the chance to show each other what it means to be brothers.

Azuma flew to Europe for awhile to tell his family about his condition. He left Kahoko in Japan. It was just a one day trip by the way and he wanted her to do the things she must because it occurred to him that he was everything she was busy of and nothing else.

When his family knew about their condition, everyone was stopped. No one uttered anything until he broke the silence and told them that he was just alright. He wasn't. That was for certain, but knowing Azuma, he wouldn't want anyone to be bothered about him. He didn't wish to be the center of anyone's attention. If there was one thing he secretly hates, its being the center of everyone's attention.

His family recommended that he must that in Europe or fly to America for treatment but same as his refusal to chemotherapy, he refused their offer. He told them that he would rather return to Japan and live there until his time comes. Miyabi cried. His little sister. The only sibling he was close to. His little princes. He privately talked to her and told her how much he loved her. He bonded with her and told her about Kahoko and himself. He asked about her and her fiance. They exchanged stories for while then he told her to take care and enjoy every bits about life as he gave her a kiss on the head then parted way.

At around 5:30 in the afternoon, Azuma prepared himself for a dinner meeting with someone at an expensive restaurant in London. He wore his business suit and went. As he waited for his companion, he watched the orchestra play at the front part of the restaurant and hummed at the song they were playing.

"Yunoki-san.."

Someone called. Azuma turned his head and smiled as he stood up to greet his awaited companion.

"Tsukimori-san..."

The two started their dinner. Azuma was asking him how everything was going as he was soon going to take over the entire Tsukimori company.

"It must be difficult for you are the only heir." Azuma smiled. "For me, it was already quite difficult despite the fact that we were merely designated. Our eldest handled our company in the US, our second eldest handled Asia while I handle Europe."

"Ah, yes but I will manage." Tsukimori answered politely but 'emotionlessly' if such word even existed.

Tsukimori was a sport. He didn't mention Kahoko or anything to him which would show him that he was mad at the things that happened. He knew he lost and he accepted that. Azuma after all was his comrade. He was his senpai and he looked up to him.

"Tsukimori-san, there is something I would like to ask." Azuma said as he placed the table napkin on the table.

"Please go on." He gestured.

"Do you love Kahoko?"

The words ringed to Tsukimori's ears. He was stopped from eating. He slowly looked up to see Azuma's expression. He was looking at him curiously with the same soft expression of his.

"I think that we need not to discuss that Yunoki-san." Tsukimori placed his silver wares down.

"Tsukimori-san, if there's someone here in this world whom I wanted Kahoko to be with when I'm not around...it is you." He said calmly.

Tsukimori didn't understand on why this must be brought up when he stole Kahoko from him.

"She's with you now, isn't she? So why do you have to say that, Yunoki-san? I loved her more than you'll ever know." Tsukimori was pissed.

"That's good to know." Azuma smiled.

Tsukimori was wondering if Yunoki was trying to piss him off by showing off to his face that he was the person Kahoko chose or not.

"Yunoki-san, if by any chance, you are mocking me, please sto—" Tsukimori wanted to express his annoyance but he was cut.

"Please take care of Kahoko." he said.

Tsukimori was stunned. What was going on?

"I am ill. Really ill and I wanted everything to be fixed before its too late." he was still smiling. "I won't marry Kahoko... because I have leukemia and I barely have a month to live."

"Are you serious about this?" Tsukimori couldn't believe what he was hearing.

"I don't want her to be tied to me and become my widow. She deserve more than that." He paused and glanced at the orchestra then back to Tsukimori. "She wanted a family. That was something I cannot give to her even if I want to."

"Why are you telling me this?" He questioned.

"Because love her like I do and you will protect her like I would." Azuma was smiling. It wasn't fake. He trust Tsukimori simply because he loves Kahoko the way he does.

It was true. Tsukimori would protect her because he loves her. Anyone who's in love would protect the person they love, would they not? They say that because when you love someone, their welfare is parallel to your own.

Azuma arrived back to Japan. The flight was tough for him as he was not feeling well. His legs were sore and tired. They couldn't stand and on top of it, he was having a bad headache. Those things made him arrive Japan on a wheel chair and was immediately rushed to the hospital with an ambulance.

Upon knowing Azuma's condition upon arrival, Kahoko panicked and immediately flew to the hospital he was in.

"Doc, is he alright?!" Kahoko asked, panting as she saw the doctor inside Azuma's room. Suzuma and Leina were already there.

"Apparently, I have a bad news, we need a bone marrow transplant for Azuma-san." the doctor said. "But he does not want to have it."

"What?! Why?" Kahoko glanced at Azuma then back to the Doctor.

"Hino-san, its his wish. He didn't want anymore procedures done to him." Suzuma answered.

Kahoko closed her eyes, worried sick.

Azuma was finally allowed to be taken out of the hospital two 3 days after. Kahoko brought him back to home. He was weaker than he was before. The color of his skin was all drained and he was now white. The livids around his eyes were now darker than before and his lips, dry.

"Kahoko," he called as soon as he saw her enter their room.

Kahoko looked at him and sat beside him on their bed. He held her cheek and caressed it. She was taking good care of him. It was as if he was everything she sees. She even stopped working as a violinist for him. She instead became his personal violinist. Playing for him every night just before they retire for bed.

"I want you to sit here and stay still." He said as he slowly went off the bed. He went to his drawer and took out a long rectangular box. He opened it and took his flute out.

Kahoko stayed where she was and just watched him do his own thing. He didn't like being assisted. It upsets him. He didn't wish to be treated as a sick person.

"I want you to listen..." he smiled as he placed his flute's mouthpiece on his lips.

It's been a long time since Azuma once again held his flute. He last played on Suzuma and Leina's wedding.

As Azuma began, Kahoko immediately acknowledged the song. It was 'Adagio' by Albinoni. She heard him play this before. The day she pretended to be his girl friend during their high school. It was a sad song.

Kahoko placed her hand on her chest and closed her eyes. She could feel the sadness. Was it just the music? Her? Or Azuma's feelings? She didn't know. She did no longer want to think. Azuma had always been an expressive musician. He was great at what he does. Well, in almost everything. He loved music so much. It was music that brought them together.

As he played the last note, Kahoko's tear fell. Azuma walked to her and wiped it.

"No more crying, remember?" he said.

"I love you." she whispered.

"I know." he sat beside her.

"Don't leave me.." she bid.

Azuma gave her a soft smile. "If only I could, I would."

"I don't know what to do without you..." she finally lost it. She was crying.

"Just live. Be happy. Smile." he placed his index finger on her lip and caressed it. "My body may perish but my love for you won't. To infinity and beyond, remember?"

Kahoko sniffed. He chuckled. She frowned.

"That's not sexy." he kissed her on her lips.

The kiss was soft, demure then it turned passionate. It was a slow one. It was as though they were having the time of their life. Savoring every feeling. Azuma held placed his hand on her back then another on her stomach. As they kissed, his hand caressed her.

Minutes later, Azuma pulled away. Kahoko was catching his breath.

"You still down know how to breath while kissing." he said, smirking.

Kahoko gently opened her eyes. Her lips were wet from his kiss and she gazed at him in the eyes. She embraced him and he embraced her back. She wanted to feel him. She wanted to savor the moments with him. If only time was not ticking.

"Please...hold me." she muttered.

Azuma just listened and embraced her tighter.

"Make love to me..." she said with voice, fading.

It was a request. Kahoko gently looked up to him. Her gaze were of longing. She held the ribbon of her dress and pulled it off. She then slid the clothing from her shoulder. She wants to feel him. She was afraid of the day that he won't be there for her anymore. That she wouldn't feel his warmth. His touch.

Azuma leaned his head to her shoulder and gave her butterfly kisses.

"Live for me." he whispered.

Kahoko's tears fell. He was being real. He never made her fly from it. She knew he was going to die and he never pretended that he wouldn't.

"Just love me...please." She answered.

He wanted to. He wanted her. Her moans and her warmth. It was addictive to him. The brush of her skin can leave him breathless. The way she calls his name makes him feel as if he was the most needed man in the world.

"Azuma.." Kahoko moaned as he kissed her fervently. He was adoring her.

He ought to be weak but the fire he felt gave him strength. It was as if he was not feeling any pain.

Kahoko pulled him down and rolled atop him. She buried her face on his neck, kissed him and tasked him as she licked him. Azuma placed a hand on her back and one on her breast. They were making love like before only that it was not as aggressive as it used to be, with him as the lead.

"You'll never be good at it..." he smirked as he pulled her back down and rolled on top.

Tonight was a story about them. It was not only about him or her but them. They comprise the entire story.

"You are my life, Kahoko." Azuma said as they both came. He collapsed onto her, with body full of sweat. They were both panting. "My love.. thank you for coming into my life."


Author's note: it ought to be the last, but I figured that, its not. the last chapter would be the next. please look forward to it. I wrote this for 12 hours. I was trying to contemplate. it was hard. it was hard to place so much emotion. I tried putting myself on Kahoko's shoes. I had to reflect on what kind of woman she was. for this chapter, words were hard to find. till then! the final chapter won't take too long. Yunoki here.. made me cry.