Confessions

Akira and Ann make it to the roof with both of them helping Shiho by each of them holding one of her arms on each of their shoulders; "Thanks you two but I think I can take it from here." She then removes her arms from their shoulders and turns to Akira, "Ann is right. You really are reliable. Though I didn't have doubts."

Akira rubbed his neck sheepishly; "I'm not that reliable. I just like helping people."

Ann laughs; "Isn't that the same thing though? But thanks for helping us!"

He nods; "Of course."

Shiho laughs; "You guys are great together. No wonder Ann likes…"

"Likes spending time with you!" Ann shouts interrupting her. "I don't get why you don't express your love dear! If I were you and him Arsene; I would've ripped his cloth…." "I don't need to hear that!"

Akira knew what she was going to say but just pretended to not know; "Well I like spending time with you too; Ann."

Ann blushes a little bit; "U-um...Why did you want to come back here Shiho?" She finds a way to change the subject

Shiho looks over at the sky thinking about when she stood here before jumping; "I wanted to come back up here to see if my other self that wanted to kill herself was still in me…" She smiles; "It's not."

Ann looks down remembering that event; "Shiho…"

She looks back at her; "No need to be sad Ann. It's because of you that I was able to be finish my rehab early."

Ann was shocked to hear that; "What do you mean?"

"You're always so positive; happy, and striving to be a better model and even thought to do action movies. I still remember you when you said that you want to become strong but you already are.."

She shakes her head; "Shiho…that's not true! I'm weak…the only reason I'm those things is because of you and Akira."

Shiho walks up to Ann and hugs her; "No matter how much you deny it; you are strong."

Ann hugs her back; "I don't lknow...I just dont feel it."

"Don't worry; you will..." She lets go of her and goes up to Akira then hugs him; "Thank you for always being there for Ann and somehow dealing with Kamoshida..."

Akira nods; "You're welcome and I'm glad I could help."

She lets go of him; "Well I guess I'll see you guys later then. Take care of each other." She then walks towards the door.

"Wait! Don't you need help getting downstairs?" Akira asks

She looks back at them; "Thank you but it should be easier to go downstairs. Besides; it will be like my final step in my rehabilitation." She smiles but they could tell that it was a fake smile because her eyes didnt have the look of happiness

Ann was looking at the rooftop entrance still trying to accept that she really left; "She's gone…" She turns to Akira; "I want to become the number one model for Shiho...no for myself. So I need to continue to try working out as well as working on my posture and my poses. I won't quit; just like she didn't. I will try to get stronger."

"I know you will and I will be there for you the whole way."

She looks at him; "Akira…thank you…" She then starts crying; "I will do my best...but why am I crying? I promised myself that I wouldn't cry anymore...I can see her and call her anytime but..." That's when she feels arms wrap around her; "A-Akira..."

"It's okay to cry. Just know that I will always be here for you. No matter what happens..."

Ann couldn't help but melt into the hug and it caused her to say what she wanted to say since texting him earlier; "Akira…I love you…" "Yes!"

Akira's eyes grew wide when he hears her confess but not only confess; she actually said that she loves him. "Wow...that escalated quickly; she skipped past the 'I like you' part."

Ann quickly pushes him away slightly not believe what she just said either; "D-did I just say I love you!?" "Yes you did!"

"Um…yes?" "You know you love her back Akira; don't deny her something that you want as well."

She goes back into his embrace; "I do love you! I really really do love you!" "She really does love you so much!"

He hesitates for a bit because he starts thinking about his past at first but then thinks about what Arsene and that it was to forget abut the past and focus on the future. And that future was to be with her, so he starts rubbing her back; "I-I love you too..."

She holds him tighter; "Can we stay up here for a while...? I need to calm down a little from all of what happened today. it's kinda too much to take in right now."

"Of course."

An hour later

They were both sitting against the roof barrier with Ann's head on Akira's shoulder.

"It's funny." Ann says; "I actually started to like you after talking in the diner about….Kamoshida." She laughs sadly; "The only one who bothered to listen to my problems involving him instead of just labeling me." She then turns sorrowful; "If it wasn't for you; I would've…just gone through with it….then I would have probably been up here instead of Shiho and that would have been fine with me...since he wouldn't have gone after Shiho..." "My poor Ann…we should have burned him alive!" "I was close to letting you; if it wasn't for Akira, Carmen."

He shakes his head; "No; if you've gone through with it, he would have still gone after Shiho. Remember that room in the castle with all of Shiho's pictures?" She slowly nods even though she didn't want to remember that; "That should have been a sign that he would of gone after her regardless of what you did." He puts an arm around her shoulder; "Because of what Shiho did; we were finally able to go after Kamoshida and your friendship has grown even stronger because of it. Not only that; you both got stronger from what happened even though you don't think so. If you were really a bad friend; she would have hated you. You always have to think positive."

"You're right. Thanks! You always know what to say." "You picked a true gentleman, my dear Ann. Once we go to Mementos; I will proclaim my love to my, soon to mine, Arsene." Carmen whispers. "Good luck!" "Speaking of looking at the positive; I thought it was cool when you blocked that bastard's "Nationals winning" spike during the volleyball meet up. The look on his face and everyone else's was great!"

Akira chuckles remembering that moment, "Well you can thank Arsene for that. He convinced me to go 'take him down a peg or two' and also gave me the speed boost." "It was worth it; wasn't it?" "Totally."

But that's when the door to the rooftop opens making Akira and Ann quickly stand up. They then see that it was Makoto that did it and she eyes both of them suspiciously; "I specifically remembered telling you that students aren't allowed up here unless they ask for permission."

Akira glares at her, "How did you know that we were up here?"

"I saw that girl coming from upstairs and students say that they saw you and Takamaki helping her up here."

Ann steps up to her in contempt; "Oh...so now you actually pay attention to students?"

"Of course. As Student Council President; I have to look over my peers."

She snorts in disbelief; "Apparently, not all peers…" Ann looks at Akira; "I'll see you later; Akira. Someone had to ruin are moment..." Shen then leaves.

Akira looks at her; "I know that you're following us."

"Well you are a transfer student with a criminal record; I tasked myself to keep an eye on you."

"If you knew the truth about me; you wouldn't have to keep an eye on me. But what do I know, you're just like everyone else, labeling people instead of getting to know the real person…" He leaves as well.

Makoto looks at him confused about what he said; "What does he mean by that…?"

The Next Day

Seaside Park

Ann just got done with her photoshoot feeling proud that she was able to match with Mika; "So what did you think about that!?" "It was absolutely magnificent!"

"You looked great out there! The crowd was saying the samething especially when you winked; they thought you were winking at them." "His heart was beating faster after that."

"That's only because you were looking, I wanted to show you how serious I was." "As well as wanting to get his heart racing, I still don't understand why you don't say what you mean, dear." "Cause its embarrassing" "A model who's embarrassed to show her love, that is a conundrum…"

"Ann, there's nothing to be embarrassed about to show your affections." "Well there is camera friendly which means that a person can be shy but isn't that way when it comes to a camera."

Ann sighs; "It's not that, I'm just not used to this. Plus; you're the one who doesn't want to make our relationship public." "Which is something that I don't approve on!"

"Because I don't want you to be labeled as the 'Girl who sleeps with criminals…' or worst stuff..." "You'll just have to accept it; Carmen."

She sighs again; "I guess you're right...Boys keep saying that I'm easy. At least they stopped calling me Kamoshida's bitch." "Those bastards are nothing but scum!"

Akira shakes his head; "Just think of it this way; if you were "easy" then you wouldn't be scared to show affection. Besides; you have friends who know your trueself and one who loves you for it; that's what you should focus on."

Ann smiles from his words; "I hate that you're right all the time." "If I was human! I would of taken him somewhere private and ravish him!" "Hey! That's my boyfriend you're talking about!" "Oh relax dear! I was only joking. Besides; I have my darling Arsene who is technically the same person."

Arsene grumbles; "This is what I get for loving a seductress..." "I think this is hilarious." Akira looks up at the Ferris wheel; "Hey. Want to go on the Ferris wheel?"

Ann's eyes light up; "Ooooo, yeah! That sounds like fun! Come on, let's go!" She grabs his hand and drags him to the Ferris wheel.

In a Ferris wheel Cart

Akira and Ann were sitting in one of the carts on the ferris wheel.

Ann was holding Akira's arm with her head on his shoulder; "You know...you never told me what you got falsely accused of."

Akira sighs, "Well...I was falsely accused of assaulting a woman. I was coming home from a part-time job at night when I spotted a man grabbing a woman forcibly. I ran over to them and told the man to stop. Of course; he ignored me and then we heard the cops coming. He got desperate and tried to force the woman into the car. I got in between them and since he was drunk; he stumbled backwards and fell face first into the pavement. He got up and said that he'll sue me. But when the cops were down the road; he told the woman to lie to the police saying that I was the one assaulting her. To my surprise; the woman agreed to it, but from what I remember, is that the man had something on her and also the police since they were hesitant at first to arrest me but did anyways when that man said something to them."

Ann was in disbelief throughout the whole story and when he was done. She got up from the seat in anger; "That's terrible! You got falsely accused because of saving a girl from being raped and you get in trouble! Not only that! She went along with that plan and the police didn't even question it! You didn't even touch him!" She yells "Another person who needs to be burned alive!"

Akira sighs deeply; "I know...I didn't even get a trial. Since that man is powerful apparently; so they slapped the charge on me and now I've got a criminal record and on probation, not only that I got expelled from my school for doing the right thing…"

Ann sits back down and held on to Akira's arm tightly with tears in her eyes, "I'm so sorry Akira…what about your parents?"

"It's okay. But about my parents; they knew that I was falsely accused so they didn't hate me but they haven't called or message me at all…So I'm just going to wait till after my year is up here to go talk to them."

Ann wipes her tears away; "Oh yeah, you're going to be leaving next year, right?" Akira nods. Ann then thinks for a moment; "Well that means we have a lot of time to spend together till then, so let's move away from sadness now."

"Yeah...you're right."

After a while of just sitting there; Ann lightly blushes; "Uh...I think we should do what couples do...right?" "Yes! Kiss him already! Dammit!" "Carmen! Will you knock it off!"

"Well she ruined the surprise..," He lightly blushes as well; "I'm guessing you wanted to kiss me?"

Ann holds his cheek; "Um...do I close my eyes?" "Would you stop stalling!" "Argh! Fine!" Ann quickly kissed Akira. "Finallyy!" After a bit; she pulls away, "That...That was great..."

Akira smiles; "Yeah it was especially since it was you." "Well isn't that sweet."

She blushes and hugs him; "I love you..." Carmen starts crying; "It's so beautiful! I love you Arsene!"

"I love you too; Ann Takamaki..." Arsene chuckles; "I love you too; Carmen."

Ann's Room

Ann was laying on her bed thinking about what had happened today; "I still can't believe that I'm with him...But I'm really happy..."

"Arsene! Arsene! Oh my darling Arsene! I wish to hold you in my arms!" Carmen starts singing happily

She chuckles hearing her sing; "Why am I not surprised that you're this happy about being with Arsene."

"Oh sorry dear! I am truly happy! It's been forever since I met a man like him!"

Hearing her say that last part; made her make a face of confusion; "What do you mean by it's been forever since you met a man like him?"

Carmen gasps; "D-Did I say that!? I meant; I've never met a man like him!"

Ann sits up; "Is there something you're hiding from me Carmen?"

She sighs; "No...It's just...I'll tell you about it when the time is right..."

"Alright..." She lays back down; "You know...I'm in no way an expert in kissing but it felt like he was hesitant to kiss me."

"Well that would make sense since it was your first kiss together."

"Yeah I guess so...But he didn't seem nervous at all during the date. What if I wasn't his first gf?"

Carmen scoffs; "You're overthinking it! Akira is just that smooth of a guy! Don't start questioning him now!"

Ann shakes her head and smiles; "You're right; Carmen. I shouldn't overthink it. I should just enjoy being with him!"

"That's the way! Now let's go to bed dear! We have to get ready for our celebration for defeating Madarame!"

She nods and go to bed