Just like a couple chapters ago, song lyrics will look like this: ~"lyrics"~
I recommend watching the video in this chapter (at some point). It's probably one of the best Kazuki x Kahoko videos I've ever seen on Youtube.
ShadowedNinja: Technically there is an epilogue after this, but you're right. This is the last official chapter. I hope you like it!
"All in all, I'd say it was a good night, wouldn't you Kaho-chan?" Kazuki grinned down at his girlfriend.
Five years had passed since Kazuki had graduated from Seiso. Five wonderful years filled with more love than most people knew in a lifetime.
"Yes, I'm glad you were able to make it to the concert. Weren't those kids cute?" Kahoko laughed. "But to think that I'll be holding a concert for my own students next year…I don't know whether to be excited or nervous," she said with a shudder.
"I think you'll be wonderful," Kazuki grinned, giving her a quick peck on the forehead. He became quiet. "Umm…Kaho-chan…do you mind if I take up a bit more of your time?" he asked tenderly.
"No, what did you have in mind, Kazuki-senpai?"
"You'll see."
They headed toward the park. When they reached their tree, he stopped. He smiled as he placed his hand on it. Ever since I confessed my feelings for her, we've made sure to visit this tree every year. He smiled proudly at his love. Now Kaho-chan has become a music teacher and I've had more people to play for than I ever expected. Who knew that there'd be such a demand for music therapy?
"Kaho-chan…I…I want to take you someplace I've never shown anyone else. To be honest, I'm not sure many others realize that this place exists."
"Sounds wonderful," Kahoko replied gaily. "Lead the way!"
~ (^_^) ~
"Alright, just around this bend here and down this stone path..."
"This is like a treasure hunt or something. I feel like we've been walking all over this park!" Kahoko gasped, letting out a slightly winded laugh.
"Are you alright, Kaho-chan? Did you want to rest?" he asked in concern, feeling guilty.
"No, no. I'll be fine, Kazuki-senpai. I promise."
Getting a mischievous glint in his eye, he commanded, "Ok, then. Now close your eyes."
"What?"
"I said for you to close your eyes, and that's an order." He tried to look stern and serious, but failed at it miserably.
"Ok," she giggled as she complied. He was so cute when he tried to act stuffy and overly serious.
He was tempted to kiss her. She looked so sweet with her face upturned and her eyes closed, but he resisted. There would be time for that later. He scooped her up in his arms and ran.
Her eyes flew open in surprise. "Kazuki-senpai?"
"Keep your eyes closed Kaho-chan. It'll be worth it; I promise." He flashed his famous grin and kept running.
She laughed at how mysterious he was being and did as she was told.
Soon he slowed down to a walk and lowered her to the ground. Covering her eyes, he turned her. "Ok, you can open them now," he whispered as he slid his hands from her face.
"Oh! It's beautiful!" she gasped.
They were standing in the middle of a grassy field dotted with colorful flowers by a small, clear stream. Fireflies dancing through the grass and the night sky surrounded them. Occasionally, a firefly would alight on one of the flowers, bestowing the bloom with a warm, enchanted glow. The light dew on the grass made the scene sparkle under the moonlight. The whole thing looked like a page out of a fairy tale.
Kazuki escorted her into the scene and began to dance with her in the field. As they danced, the night air was filled with their chatter and laughter. Finally they flopped to the ground, gazing up at the stars. They lay side by side, connected by their hands and hearts amidst the soft grass and the fragrant flowers.
"There are so many of them…" Kahoko murmured in wonder as she stared up at the stars sprinkled through the sky like diamonds on black velvet. "I didn't realize that there was anywhere around here with a view like this."
Kazuki smiled at his beloved's rapturous face. She captivated him, heart and soul. He was so happy, his heart threatened to burst.
Her eyes widened. "Kazuki-senpai! Look!" she shouted, pointing to the sky. Shooting star after shooting star filled her vision as they streaked across the heavens.
"Tonight is the Perseids Meteor Shower. Make a wish Kaho-chan." He laughed. "Actually, make a hundred wishes. There are enough stars to wish upon."
Kahoko closed her eyes and wished.
Kazuki's eyes caressed her face, choosing to view the beauty here with him on the ground than that displayed in the sky. "What did you wish for, Kaho-chan?"
"You know I can't tell!" she replied laughingly. "If I tell you, then my wish won't come true."
Kazuki laughed. "Well, I guess I tried." His face suddenly became solemn, but his eyes watched her softly.
Kazuki-senpai…? Kahoko felt her heart begin to flutter.
"Kaho-chan," Kazuki whispered tenderly, sitting up and leaning over her.
"Y-yes?" she responded breathlessly, feeling herself getting lost in his amber eyes. Was this it?
His eyes twinkled. "May I have another dance?"
Blinking for a second in surprise, her face quickly broke out into a warm smile. "Of course."
Once they had regained their feet, he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into a slow, swaying dance. Then he quietly began to sing, looking deeply into her eyes, the words flowing out of him as solemnly as a vow (youtube...com [/] watch?v=O0uDDt9KzF0).
~"I'll be your dream. I'll be your wish. I'll be your fantasy. I'll be your hope. I'll be your love, be everything that you need. I'll love you more with every breath—truly, madly, deeply do. I will be strong. I will be faithful. 'Cause I'm counting on a new beginning, a reason for living, a deeper meaning, yeah."~
He swept her into a twirl before catching her in his arms again. As he held her tight, her cheek gently resting on his shoulder, he continued.
~"I want to stand with you on a mountain. I want to bathe with you in the sea. I want to lay like this forever until the sky falls down on me."~
Kahoko smiled as he sang; this was one of her favorite songs. But as she listened to him serenade her, she could feel her heart begin to race. There was something about the way he said the words...
~"And when the stars are shining brightly in the velvet sky, I'll make a wish, send it to heaven, then make you want to cry the tears of joy for all the pleasure and the certainty…that we're surrounded by the comfort and protection of the highest powers. In lonely hours, the tears devour you."~
He tenderly placed his hand on her cheek and pulled slightly away so he could look deeply in her eyes, and sang directly to her.
~"I want to stand with you on a mountain. I want to bathe with you in the sea. I want to lay like this forever until the sky falls down on me."~
She felt her heart stop as he pulled her into a deep hug. Kazuki-senpai…does this mean…?
He drew back from her slightly, just enough for him to see her face. For a few seconds, the world passed by them as their eyes met. Then he slowly fished a box out of his pants' pocket and went down on one knee. He looked up into her eyes. "Kaho-chan…" He snapped open the box, revealing a diamond ring with two small amethysts on each side. "Would you like that too? Would you be willing to share the rest of our tomorrows? Will…" He closed his eyes a second to calm his nerves. If he ever had to deliver a line without messing it up, it was this one. "Will you marry me, Kahoko Hino?"
Time seemed suspended. The question echoed in her thoughts for a few seconds. She couldn't believe it. Tears began to spill out of her eyes.
"K-Kaho-chan?! Are you alright?!" He scrambled up and embraced her, comforting her. "Don't cry Kaho-chan! Please don't cry! I-I wouldn't have proposed to you if I thought you'd cry!"
"Yes…" she breathed, allowing herself to know that it wasn't a dream. It was real; it was all real.
"Sorry, did you say something?" Kazuki asked, pulling away slightly so he could see her face.
"Yes! Yes!" she cried, burying her face in his chest. "I'll marry you!"
"Kaho-chan…" he whispered, stroking her cherry locks. Tears of joy fell from his eyes. In this moment, all his dreams had come true; all his wishes had been fulfilled.
Kahoko felt deliriously happy as she gazed at the man in front of her. Over five years ago she had fallen in love with him, and now, under the stars and the moon, he had asked for her to become eternally his.
Kazuki slowly slipped the ring on her left ring finger. It was a perfect fit. Thank goodness Hino-san helped me find the right size, he thought as his eyes feasted on every detail about her as she admired her ring.
She looked up at him.
Their eyes met.
He slowly pulled her into an embrace, and then a kiss.
As they kissed, they made a perfect silhouette against the star-streaked sky.
*happy sigh* Yay! He proposed! *laughs* Unfortunately when my husband proposed to me, it was raining, so he couldn't do it outside like he planned, but even if it wasn't exactly what he planned, and it wasn't as picture perfect as this, it was perfect to me. After all, in the end, the place and setting don't really matter; all you need is the other person. (^_^)
I'd like to dedicate this chapter to Kasumisou, kazuki-senpai, and LittleBottle. Thank you so much for sticking with this story for so long and for supporting and encouraging me as I wrote it. You three are the best!
