Bonus Chapter 2
A/N: Once again I've been MIA for a REALLY long time and I do apologise sincerely. Due to certain circumstances I was unable to update a proper chapter despite uploading an apology so, I'm really sorry guys. As I try to recall my train of thought from before I went MIA, I will be posting maybe a few more bonus chapters (including this one) to fill in the gap while I try to remember my storyline. So today, or rather for this bonus chapter, it's another oneshot! (Yay big surprise…) Erm this is once again foreshadowing my sequel, when I get to it. Cos I am planning a sequel, kinda… But of course I need to finish this first and it might span for quite a while with the various things that I have to do this year… So onward to the oneshot! Also if you can't figure out who the girl is… GO WATCH LINK JOKER! I watch the first third/quarter and I will try to catch up in future for the sake of this Fic. But anyways, apologies again for the late update and thanks for your patience!
Firstly a little backstory. There is a legendary tree by a lake in a forest somewhere, and that if two people were to share their feelings for each other under this tree they will be together forever. PS. If you have not watched to that episode due to whatever reasons, this spoiler is on Akari's wiki page so yeah. Also I'm gonna call this forest Camp Forest cos they went to this forest for a camping trip in the anime. Plus I'm writing this with the context that she doesn't know if anyone had already confessed to each other so don't write in the review that anyone has already done it and she knows it's true, if it is. Also for the sake of being clichéd, it's a legendary oak tree. A big and legendary oak tree. AND ALL THE CHARACTERS ARE KINDA OOC (out of character) cos I really don't know too much about Akari's character, and for Kai to be part of a romance themed oneshot, he has gotta be kinda ooh… Oops, let the cat outta bag…
~Camp Forest, Legendary Tree~
"Ah… I wonder if the legends and rumors are actually true." Akari sighed as she sat under the big oak and took in the gentle lake breeze that blew past raking up some fallen leaves.
As a little girl, Akari had heard many stories and rumors about lovers confessing to each other their feelings for each other and then lived happily ever after. As a little girl, Akari had believed these rumors and stories. But now, as a teenager who has learnt a lot about how the world works, these rumors and stories are nothing more than a fantasy she can escape to on the occasion. Ever since she heard the first story as a little girl, she had come here as often as she could to witness the magic happen. To see two people confess their feelings to each other and live together happily ever after. But she never actually saw any couple do that before. She's told the story to a few people herself, her friends included, and they are other believers as well. Yet despite all these believers there hasn't been anyone who has done it before.
Today, like any other day Akari goes to the tree to fantasize, she had lots of free time. She hadn't had a lot of school work today and she felt like fantasizing a little about couples living happily ever after and decided to come down.
"I didn't think many people knew of this tree." A cool voice cut through Akari's train of thought.
"Hmm?" Akari looked up as she saw a boy standing in front of her with his hands in his pockets.
"I said, I didn't think many people knew of this tree." The boy repeated again.
"Oh, I've been here a lot when I was younger and I've always come here whenever I had some free time on my hands." Akari admitted smiling sweetly at this brown-haired boy.
"I see. Do you know about the rumors associated with this tree?" The boy asked again.
"Yeah… I do. Why?" Akari was curious as to why this boy was asking so much, and why he looked a little familiar.
"Do you believe them then?" The boy asked again, finally taking a seat near her, under the shade of the tree leaves.
"While, I did as a little girl… But I can't say for sure at this age." Akari admitted honestly.
"Me too. I used to believe them as a kid too." The boy shared and Akari felt a certain connection to this boy. One she hadn't felt in a long time.
"Erm, I'm Akari and you are?" Akari asked and extended an arm for a handshake.
"I'm Kai." Kai replied cooly shaking the hand firmly.
"Hey, you look a little familiar, do I know you from somewhere?" Akari asked as she took a closer look at Kai.
"You're a friend for Misaki right?" Kai asked nonchalantly.
"Y-yeah." Akari stuttered how this stranger knew about that.
"Well, I'm an acquaintance of hers too." Kai said, leaning against the bark of the tree staring into the blue sky.
"Oh…" Akari said awkwardly, unsure of how else to respond as she realised who this boy was. Her usual cheerful and bubbly self shrunk under the realization of who this boy was.
"Have you… Ever…" Kai started but drifted off.
"Have I ever what?" Akari asked apprehensively as she tried to maintain her smile with this nonchalant and 'cool' guy.
"Have you ever confessed your feelings to anyone here before? I mean if you believed them back then, surely would have confessed to someone you like or something right?" Kai asked again, being strangely direct about his question.
"Well, I might have a long time ago. But I can't exactly remember. But why are you asking? Have you?" Akari cocked an eyebrow at his strange behavior unlike that of his reputation.
"I actually have. A really long time when I was little. But I moved away while growing up and I lost contact with that girl. That's why I stopped believing." Kai answered very honestly, much to Akari's surprise.
"Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that. If you feel like sharing I don't mind listening." Akari offered as she straightened herself from the bark and showed Kai she was ready to listen.
"Well, it's a long story. Back when I was still attending elementary school, there was this girl in my class I liked a lot. We hung out a lot and we were really good friends. One day while we were chatting at a playground, she brought up this tree and asked me if I heard of it and I said yes. She asked me if I had ever been to the tree and I hadn't so I was curious what it looked like so I asked her if she could bring me there. She happily led us here." Kai stopped to let his words sink in as he continued to recall the events that happened.
"When we finally got to this tree, I was amazed at how big it was. She was really excited to be there too, even though she told me she'd been there multiple times already. In a moment of excitement, I told her how much I liked her. I'm not sure if it was because of the tree that I felt the urge to say or the enormity of the moment or both, but I confessed to her. She paused for a good 5 minutes, making me really uncomfortable and worried that she didn't feel the same way about me. After standing there what felt like an eternity she cried. I did't know why she was crying but I instinctively wrapped my arms around her and pulled her closer to me." Kai paused again as he recalled each and every detail from that memory.
"When she stopped crying enough to talk, she told me that she really liked me too and that she didn't think I liked her. We spent the rest of the day chatting and playing around in the leaves under this oak tree. We came here almost every day to play and chat. Then one day I had to move away. When I told her I was moving the day after, she begged me not to go. She kept repeating to herself that we were supposed to be together forever. I didn't want to move away either but that was my parents' decision to make. I told her that I would be coming back one day when I was older and I asked her to wait for me. She promised me and we left each other hoping to meet again one day. When I came back and tried to look for her, it turned out she left town for a while." Kai stopped, as if the story ended there.
"W-wait, why are you telling me all this Kai? I don't understand." Akari admitted sheepishly us she internalized Kai's story. Who was this girl? Why was he telling her all this?
But before Kai could answer, a flash of lightning streaked across the sky, cutting it in two. Then a resounding clap of thunder blasted through the air. And in an instant, rain fell like the tear drops of the skies, sympathizing with Kai's story.
"We'd better get out of this rain. Here, take my jacket." Kai said as they both got up and Kai took off his jacket to cover Akari as they ran to look for an actual cover under a building of sorts.
The nearest shelter they could find was a sheltered resting point in the park-cum-campsite.
"Erm, Kai, I kinda left my school bag back there." Akari said sheepishly as she realised she wasn't carrying her schoolbag with her.
"Alright wait here. I'll get it for you." Kai said as he ran back into the forest, mud splashing everywhere with each step.
Then a flash a lightning appeared in the sky followed by a loud clap of thunder. Then Akari froze as a memory resurfaced.
~Quite a long time ago under this shelter~
"Hey, I'll be back alright! We'll live happily ever after when I get back. Promise me you'll wait for me." A brown-haired boy was talking to her.
"Okay. But you will be back right? You promise Kai?" Akari remembered saying.
"Yeah. I'll be back Akari. For sure." Akari remembered Kai replying holding her hands in his.
Kai was the boy I liked all that time ago? Akari asked herself in shock as she spotted Kai's form in the distance.
"Why'd you bring your schoolbag along?" Kai asked as soon he got under the shelter of the resting point.
"I came here straight after my school ended. I'm still in my uniform." Akari pointed out the obvious as she checked through her bag.
An awkward silence followed as Kai remained silent and Akari was assessing the damage done to her school materials.
Finally, Akari spoke up after hidden behind the facade of checking her things.
"Y-you're that boy all those years ago huh, Kai." Akari started, unsure of what else to say.
"Yeah. I remember when I had to leave the weather was really bad like this too." Kai replied cooly, fighting down the arising emotions.
"Yeah, I remember too." Akari said awkwardly as they sat beside each other on the bench.
There was another moment of awkward silence as both individuals were thinking of what to say.
"You weren't here when I got back." Kai said as-a-matter-of-factly.
"W-when did you get back?" Akari asked, red finding its way to her cheeks as she tried to maintain her composure.
"About two years ago." Kai answered with a hint of unhappiness in his voice.
"Oh. I'd just left town for a while then. I only came back last year." Akari admitted weakly.
"Where'd you go?" Kai asked Akari seriously.
"I went to help some family outside of town and also to look for a boy named Kai who was playing for a Cardfight team known as Quadrofourlio." Akari smiled weakly as she blushed slightly.
"Of course you couldn't find me. I already came back." Kai smiled slightly and lightly rapped Akari in the shoulder.
"Haha yeah." Akari's smile widened a little.
Then an awkward silence fell between the two again.
"So have you met anyone else since?" Kai asked, scratching his head awkwardly.
"No. Even though I forgot, I still haven't been looking for someone." Akari answered awkwardly.
"You think things can go back to the way they were before I left Akari?" Kai asked sincerely, turning to face Akari.
"I-I don't know Kai. It's been so long and I…" Akari trailed off as turned away slightly from Kai.
"And you…?" Kai asked, anxious to know what she wanted to say.
"I don't think I like you the way I did anymore." Akari closed her teary eyes as she turned away from Kai.
The rain seemed to fall harder as Akari said those words. A flash of lightning and a clap of thunder was the only sound to be heard after Akari's confession.
"I-I understand. I don't blame you." Kai said softly, trying his hardest to control his stirring emotions.
"But I blame myself!" Akari shouted, tear flowing out of her eyes like two steady streams down her cheeks.
Another flash of lightning and a clap of thunder seemed to further illustrate the rage and anguish Akari was feeling.
"I promised to wait, but I didn't! I left to look for you because I couldn't wait anymore! I missed you so much. When I found out I wasn't able to get to you, I felt horrible. What if you came back while I was gone? What if you went to look for someone else because I wasn't there? I didn't know what to do!" Akari cried her rage and confusion out.
A flash of lightning illuminated the park as a deafening clap of thunder erupted in the air.
Akari's cry a mere whisper in the thunder, Kai put an arm around Akari and pulled her close.
"I'd never forget my promise to you. And I'd never leave you either." Kai spoke softly and comforting, for the first time in forever.
"Kai…" Akari snuggled into Kai's arms and, for the first time since that day he left, felt loved and cared for again.
"I'm really sorry Akari. I wish I could have looked for you as soon as I got back but I just couldn't." Kai sniffed into Akari's hair as he held her closely, with the downpour around adding to the already romantic atmosphere.
"Kai I missed you so much." Akari sniffled as she brought herself out of Kai's embrace.
"I missed you too Akari." Kai said, reaching out and brushing aside some fringe that was in Akari's face.
They both leaned in as another flash of lightning cut through the sky. Time seemed to stop as Akari and Kai leaned even closer, thunder not yet rumbling after the lightning. Their lips met as the clap of thunder came blasting down from the heavens as a sort of congratulations on their reunion.
"Kai, I love you" Akari confessed sincerely as they broke from the kiss.
"I love you too, Akari." Kai smiled warmly as they sat under the shelter waiting for the rain to stop.
After half an hour, the downpour eased to normal a rainfall. An hour and a quarter after, it eased into a light drizzle.
"Kai, I think we should go now. We've been here for quite a while." Akari realised after catching up for the past hour and three-quarter.
"Yeah, I'll walk you home like we used to?" Kai smirked and Akari giggled.
"I have put on some weight you know. I won't be so easy to piggyback home, plus I shifted houses already." Akari smiled sweetly at Kai's playful suggestion.
"While, you can lead me there as we go come on!" Kai slung her bag strap over his shoulder and pick her off the bench.
"H-hey! Put me down!" Akari giggled gleefully as she beat Kai's back playfully.
"Haha! Come on lead the way my princess." Kai joked as he set off into the drizzle with Akari on his back.
Just like old times…
A/N 2: So… Erm… Yeah… Kai and Akari… Hope you guys enjoyed this funny-ish oneshot! I really felt like this was necessary even if I didn't need it to buy me some time to recall about my main storyline. Plus it's fun to write about these oneshots too! I enjoyed writing the one before and this one was also very enjoyable to read. For those of you who didn't want Kai to be paired up, I only got two things to say to you, I'm sorry and DEAL WITH IT MUAHAHAHAHAHAHA. And to those who want ed Kai to be paired up, I hope you won't expecting Akari but neither will you reject her. And for those who are gonna complain about Kai being EXTREMELY OOC, I've only got one thing to say. He was a much nicer guy before he left his home town. Really I'm not making this part up. So anyway I really hope you guys like this pairing as well as this oneshot. The next Fic chapter might take a while as I try to recall my train of thought while having to cope with school and stuff so thanks for all of your kind understanding. And now on to CFVG Get Together! Yay! Oh and I haven't put a smiley this entire note. XP
CFVG Get Together:
Misaki: A-akari… You never told me…
Akari *blushing* Hehe well I did forget, I would have told you if I remembered.
Aichi: *looking admiringly at Kai* Wow, I never knew you had such a side to you Kai.
Kai: Yeah whatever.
Akari: C'mon, you gotta go back to being 'cool and mysterious' again Kai?
Kai: *smiling* Fine, just this once I won't. But it's only cos you're here.
Akari: Aww, I feel honored! *giggles*
Kourin: That's great and all… BUT WHY AM I NOT PAIRED?
Me: Eh… You are honestly making it quite difficult for me to pair you with someone…
Suiko: Haha, I don't blame you Jo. My sister isn't the easiest person to work with. I know.
Kourin: Hey!
Rekka: Haha don't deny it Big Sis.
Kourin: Rekka!
Kai: Hey chill out alright ladies. Sheesh, thank god you aren't like 'em Akari.
Akari: Why? Do you want me to be like them? *innocent smile*
Kai: Please don't Akari.
Akari: I'm teasing! I won't! I promise.
Me: Finally this chat session is becoming livelier.
Emi: I never knew Kai could be romantic.
Kamui: Yeah me neither.
Miwa: That goes for me too.
Kai: Alright. I'm outta here.
Akari: Aww come up! Don't let 'em bum you out.
Kai: I'm not bummed out, I just wanna go already.
Me: Yeah, I'm kinda tired too… I mean it's 11 at night already and *yawn* I've been 'working' the whole day…
Aichi: Well alright. I guess we'll end it soon.
Kai: Soon?
Akari: I wanna have a kiss before you go Kai.
Kai: In front of all of them?
Everyone else: Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!
Kai: Oh alright.
Akari: Heehee!
Me: Okay! Before things get TOO mushy, I'm outta here! Bye guys! xD