Purist FINALE: A New Beginning

Hours ago …

…

I open my eyes to see the morning sunlight shining through my curtains.

Takagi's caretaking seems to worked wonders on me, since I don't even need to check my fever to know that while it's not gone, it's significantly weaker.

I slowly made my way out of bed. My legs still feel weak, and I feel a little dizzy when I get dressed.

I look at the clock to finally notice that Takagi will be arriving at any minute now. I smile viscously. I decided I went downstairs and finally tease her back by surprising her.

Half an hour passes as I make breakfast and wait for Takagi…

However, she doesn't show up. I feel anxious as I look at the clock on the wall. She should've been here any moment by now. We even made a promise.

Did I push her away? Did I scare her away with how suddenly I took an interest in her situation? But, on the other hand, I know she's prone to oversleeping. Maybe she's getting ready now.

Despite my attempts to calm myself down, I can't shake the feeling of anxiety in my stomach.

Should I call her? Or would that only make me seem clingy?

As I mentally debate myself, I hear the doorknob turn. She's here! I'm ready in a position to surprise her, but the door seems no avail to open.

I look through the window and see Takagi standing outside my doorway with a conflicting look on her face. Why is she hesitating?

Does she not want to see me anymore? She's fiddling with the key in her fingers as if she's unsure whether or not it's right for her to open the door.

Oh crap…I think I know what's the problem is! She must've misinterpreted my words as if it were a sign about how I like her! Or probably now, she doesn't take any interest in me whatsoever.

Why did that thought…hurt me so much?

However, my thoughts get interrupted when she turns her eyes towards the window and sees me looking at her. Her eyes are widening in fear as she backs off and runs away.

The anxiety inside me takes over my logical thoughts.

I grab my coat and rush after her without even locking the door.

I run as fast as my weakened legs can take me, but it's not enough. Between my terrible stamina and Takagi being much faster than her looks would suggest, the distance between us only widens.

At this rate, I'll lose her…

I'm filled with fear-included adrenaline at the thought of possibly losing my only friend without even knowing why I lost her and start using whatever inside me to run faster. As she reaches the middle of the road, Takagi heard my wheezing, turns her head and sees me running after her.

Her eyes widen in shock. The gap between us closes until she's right in front of me.

T: "Why…?"

I gasp and my eyes also widen. However, they don't widen enough seeing Takagi stop…from a large truck that's coming towards her at full speed!

At this rate, even if it sees her and the driver pulls the breaks, she won't escape unscathed if she doesn't move out of the way right now!

N: "TAKAGI! LOOK OUT!"

T: "Wah- AAAHHHH!"

Gathering all the energy I had left in me, I pounce like a cougar and tackle her out of the way. I use my own body as a cushion for her. The truck passes by, missing both of us by a few inches.

I slowly open my eyes to see Takagi lying in front of me. She's conscious and unhurt but still shocked.

Upon realizing we're both safe, she gets off me without saying a single word.

She tries to run away, but I grab her and shake my head.

N: "Please don't run away…"

She says nothing, but from her expression tells me she won't resist anymore.

N: "Let's go somewhere less dangerous."

Her whole body trembles. As do I. I've never been more terrified in my life. For a second there, I thought I had permanently lost my only friend.

A few minutes later.

When we're in the abandoned lot, I stop and let go of her hand.

N: "Takagi, what happened? Why did you run away like that? You could've been killed! Do you know any idea how scared I was?"

T: "I…I'm sorry. It's just…I don't know how to act after what you said yesterday. How I'm worth so much for you…it scares me. I'm not used to it and I don't want people to care about and value me…but at the same time, I'm more afraid of losing you than I am of dying."

I grab her shoulders and look at her in the eyes.

N: "Why are you afraid of losing me, when I told you from time to time that you won't lose me again?"

T: "I…"

N: "Please don't be afraid to tell me…"

She clenches her fist and tears started rolling down her cheeks.

T: "Okay…fine. The thing is… for the longest time…I…"

"I've had feelings for you, Nishikata."

I stare at her, stupefied. All I can do is blink.

T: "That's…why I came over yesterday. I wanted to see you and to take care of you. I didn't really do it for you…I was selfish and I did it too-"

N: "You…You…I…WHAT!?"

I mean it's no surprise. Monika and Sayori told me already. But I have my doubts about her having feelings for me, and was so caught off guard about how she confesses to me. It did NOT prepare me.

T: "I'm sorry. I'll just leave…I promise, you'll never see me again. Nishikata, you're too good for a worthless person like me. I've…I've always felt like that since the first day I met when you returned my handkerchief.

When you finally being so nice to me for years of my tribulations. But for the last weeks, my feelings for you have gotten even stronger than they were before."

N: "Takagi…"

T: "That's why I wanted you to join the Literature Club. I wanted a reason to spend more time with you. But then, I started to worry. I know I'm not good enough and besides… there are so many girls in the Literature Club…and all of them are better than me.

But please-! Just forget anything I said! I don't want to lose you! Even if I can't romantically be with you, at least I don't want to lose you as a friend!"

I pull her into a hug.

N: "Takagi…I've never felt happier. I…I feel the same way about you."

T: "…What? Seriously…!?"

I nod. It's hard to describe, but lately, she's becoming more and more important to me. When she said she had feelings for me, it made me feel happier than normal. I look at her in the eyes. I've made up my mind about this. Whatever happens, happens.

N: "Takagi…You've always been special to me…but lately, I think I've started to notice that my feelings for you go beyond regular friendship."

T: "Nishikata…I…"

N: "W-Will you p-please go out with me?"

As much as I try myself to remain calm, it's impossible when I confess to a beautiful girl in front of me. Takagi gasps and stares at me, dumbfounded.

N: "Takagi…?"

T: "I'd love to! But…are you sure you want this? I mean…I don't want you to do something you'll regret."

To prove it how I feel, I pull her into a deep hug. She returns it and holds me so tight that it almost hurts a little. She's clearly afraid to let go of me, just like I am scared of letting go of her.

I feel my neck started to dampen as I stroke her back, letting her cry all of her anxiety out. And before I know it, I feel my eyes started to swell up.

N: "Believe me, I want this. I think…I've always felt this way as well, I was just too dense to realize it. Takagi…I…"

I fail to finish my sentence before I break down into a series of sobs.

And so, the two nods us silently hold each other. The only sound that was heard is our muffled sobs and frantic breathing.

As I pull her closer, I can practically feel her how fast her heartbeat is. Both of us are trembling, from fear and anticipation.

But come to think of it, I was just too dense that I didn't know any of her signs at all. Takagi made me feel something completely different from anyone else made me feel. I'd always written it as just her teasing, but it seems I was underestimating my feelings. Wait, not underestimating, but misunderstood them completely.

The shock of what just happened was what finally made me realize what I feel towards her.

T: "This is too much for me to handle…I'm both happy and scared."

N: "I-I'm sorry…"

T: "Don't apologize. It's weird to explain, but…I'm happy because I'm so scared. I think…I'm scared of love."

N: "Same here."

I took a deep breath before continuing to asking a question that plagues me for a while. The answer is going to be life-changing.

N: "Takagi…Will you be my girlfriend?"

Takagi looks up to me with teary eyes.

T: "I…want to. But I can't. Not with how I feel about myself. If I don't love myself, how can I ever expect any relationship to end well? Even so, I don't want this moment to end."

An idea suddenly forms in my head.

N: "How about this then? How about an informal relationship?"

T: "Informal…relationship?"

I nod and smile.

N: "I mean, we try to be in a relationship. But are more than just friends, but the progress is much slower. We can do it at your pace, a pace we're both comfortable with. Now that I know, I don't think I want to forget."

T: "Me neither. But please, I hope you know what you're getting into. I mean, I'm high maintenance, so to speak."

I stroke her cheeks and wipe her tears away.

N: "Call me weird, but I enjoy being able to help you. If I can make you smile, I'll be happy to 'maintain' when needed."

T: "Wow…I don't know what this feeling is…"

Her tears start trickling down her face again, but this time she smiles.

T: "I've never been happier! I…I love you, Nishikata."

Hearing those words escape from her mouth, directed at me, makes me feel warm and fuzzy feeling inside me. My whole body is heating up.

I press her closer to me. Holding her like this feels so good…

N: "And I love you too, Takagi. And I won't let you down, no matter how rough our road gets."

Takagi says nothing and merely cries in silence. Once she's down crying, she raises her head and looks me in the eyes.

I see her close her eyes and move her face close to mine. Is this what I think it is? A moment I thought in my entire life is impossible?

I close my eyes and meet her halfway, feeling her lips in mine. Her lips are so soft, if a little wet, and she presses it so gently, it feels as if she's afraid and I'll crumble to dust if she pushes it too hard. I return the gesture. I feel…so warm. Love, a feeling I thought I would never discover.

And here I am…

Kissing somebody I hold so dearly…

*Present day*

Monika's POV

S: "That's so cuuuuteeee! Congrats, Takagi!"

N: "I mean, I would expect this day to come. Not that I am aware that you guys started dating or anything!"

Takagi closes her eyes as a daydream takes over her. Her face is filled with joy, her eyes glisten, and her smile never fades away. Her face is also quite red, which is a rare sight to see.

T: "Thanks, girls. But could you do me a favor?"

Y: "What is it?"

T: "I want to keep this as a secret. Please don't tell anybody about this."

M: "Why?"

T: "I…Just don't want Nishikata to be in the bad light. I am very aware that I am popular, so if other students know…"

N: "Come on! Just because you're popular doesn't mean you have these demands on us! And that excuse is pretty stupid!"

Takagi's eyes started to darken, her smile slowly fades. Looks like Natsuki is being a little bit harsh on her, if not her depression might take over.

M: "Natsuki, she's right."

N: "What!? Are you seriously going to bow down on her?"

M: "It's not like that. Nishikata is a very unpopular student in school. If you tell anything about Takagi dating, god knows what happened to him."

S: "And are you trying to spread rumors about it, huh?"

N: "Wha-! It's not like…I want to do it. But…"

Natsuki grumbles and turns her head around, mumbling silently.

N: "Fine! Whatever!"

T: "I'm sorry, Natsuki-chan. I just…"

With Takagi's dark expression, Natsuki shifts from rage into concern quickly. Then she pulls out a box of her cupcakes.

N: "Here…"

Takagi's eyes widen by surprise as she saw a display of assortments of cupcakes in front of her.

N: "S-Sorry if I was being too…angry for you."

Takagi's smile returns.

T: "It's alright, Natsuki-chan."

Y: "And also, Takagi, I have something for you, too."

Yuri pulls out different candles from her plastic bag. She lights it up, and soon the room is filled with a distinct aroma that would be described as…tea.

Y: "This is a jasmine tea candle. This was made with natural ingredients with soy wax and essential oil. The classic soy candle will enchant you with its finest aroma that gives you a soothing, relaxing, and cozy ambiance. So, it will help you to relax a bit when you're in a heavy situation."

T: "Thanks, Yuri-san. I'll definitely use this!"

As Takagi about to enthusiastically takes the candles and cupcakes, Sayori throws a Box of cookies between the gifts.

S: "A box of cookies! You'll like it."

T: "Thanks…Sayori-san. I appreciate it!"

As Takagi about to take the gifts, she stops mid-way. She looked at me with a sly face. A cold beat rolls down my face.

T: "What about you, Monika-san?"

M: "I…uh…"

The three laughs again at me, the only person who doesn't bring a damn gift.

T: "Just kidding, Monika-san! Just you being here makes me happy!"

M: "Thanks, Takagi."

T: "Anyways, it's getting late. My parents are coming. You guys should go home as well."

S: "Awwww, But I wanna stay longer!"

N: "Come on, Sayori. We have to go…"

M: "Well, can you go to school tomorrow?"

T: "Yeah, I can! Can't wait for the club meetings!"

M: "Oh, you'll see how many members we got."

I wink at Takagi.

T: "I guess I have to see it for myself."

I stand up, and the rest follow. We pack our things and clean the mess in Takagi's room. As we're about to pack our leave, Takagi rushes and gave us a big hug.

T: "You guys are the best. Don't stop being like this."

We looked at each other, and with a smile, we held her close, while silently promising to never let her go. But as soon as I noticed, the girls silently sobbing, holding her tighter than ever before. Seeing this, I feel a rush of guilt, pain, and sadness developing.

I follow to hold her tighter, tears streaming down.

Nishikata's POV

When I get home, I let out a shout of joy as I realize I finally have a girlfriend. Even if we have to keep our relationship hidden until she feels comfortable with it.

However, as I go to my bed, I feel anxious. Can I live up to her expectation of me? Can I help her with her depression? It sounds like love isn't enough and explaining my love won't work either.

And just as I'm about to turn the lights off, my phone vibrates. I check to see that she sent me a message.

"Can you promise me that you'll never lie to me?"

"I promise."

It's hard to fall asleep, I spend hours thinking about her. And before I fall asleep. I tell myself that I'll do anything to make her happy, even if it's my own expense.

And with that…I can feel our journey together has just started.

A new beginning.