I hope everyone liked the latest chapters. Those took a lot out of me and I don't even know why. Probably because those can be considered the 'confession arc' chapters. Ugh. A lot has been going on for me during the past few weeks and it's mostly stressful due to work. Sheesh. Coupled with the pandemic, people had to deal with mental health concerns.

Hope everyone else is doing okay.

Anyways, another chapter. Hope everyone enjoys reading this, as always.

Their first kiss was gentle, full of love, and he recognized it again – longing. It was the briefest of touches, light as a feather wing, though it was enough to convey what they both felt for each other in all the years they were apart. What they both felt until now.

He eventually let her go, as unwilling as he is, opening his eyes, finding Tohru's eyes still closed, as if she wanted more. Unable to resist, he lowered his head once more to her and pressed another small, quick kiss to her lips. The sweet, supposed quick kiss led to another, longer kiss and he couldn't resist nipping her bottom lip, eliciting a gasp from her.

Almost on instinct, Tohru's arms raised to wrap themselves around his neck and she pressed herself to him, eyes still closed as she opened her mouth, welcoming his velvet tongue, letting her own dance with his, kissing him back with all the passion she could muster, letting him know in no uncertain terms how much she loved him.

Momiji wasn't prepared for the desire which suddenly shot past his head and went to curl in the pit of his stomach. Her confession, the feeling of having her in his arms after years of loving her from afar, her mouthwatering floral scent and her soft lips all combined in one big ball of desire which threatened his hold on his control. If he didn't stop now, he may end up making love to her in public and be cited for public indecency – not something he cared for now that he was holding her in his arms.

With herculean effort, he forced himself to slow down, regretfully pressing a closed-lip kiss on her lips for the last time as he opened his eyes once more to look at hers. He wasn't prepared to see a rather arousing sight: Tohru's kiss-swollen lips, the obvious result of the passion which tested his tenuous hold on his control mere moments earlier. It made him want to cage her in his arms and take possession of those tempting lips once more, but presence of mind and his own principle of keeping everything gentlemanly for Tohru as much as possible kept him – if barely – gripping that leash tightly.

Nice and slow, Momiji. Take it nice and slow. You just told her you loved her. Maybe concentrate on that first.

He sighed, trying to distract himself from the feeling of his blood rushing south. "Please tell me I am not dreaming." He whispered, leaning his forehead against hers, as Tohru finally opened her eyes, cheeks flushed, gazing at him with a mixture of embarrassment and love.

"If it is, we're having the same dream." She breathed, unable to tear her eyes away from him. "No waking up if that happens."

Momiji chuckled, now feeling a bit more less on edge. "I'd much prefer reality. At least it's better than my dreams now."

She nodded, now averting her gaze from him, feeling the embarrassment more acutely now. "I can agree with that."

He placed a hand on her cheek, tilting her face up so that she would look at him as he grinned at her. "You know… last time I checked, I was trying to confess to you." He teased, looking at her fondly. "Now I don't know who confessed to who."

Tohru leaned sideways to his palm, eyes still watery. "I was planning to tell you what I really felt after the recital. I thought you deserved to know."

Momiji tightened his arm around her, unwilling to let her go just yet. "I'm sorry if I confused you the other night. I didn't want to go too fast."

She nodded silently, tightening her arms around his waist.

"Tohru…" He began, rather nervously again. "I know this seemed a bit too late. But I have always wanted to be with you. You're the only one I can see – the only woman I have ever seen. Will you make me the happiest man by agreeing to be my girlfriend?"

The way he had said it sounded like it had meant so much more than asking her to be his girlfriend. It doesn't seem right to be calling them boyfriend/girlfriend even, because it felt like it was not enough to describe their relationship.

But at the moment, it was perfect.

"I would love to be your girlfriend, Momiji."

Her response prompted another embrace so tight that not even a sliver of light could fit in between the two of them, as if Momiji couldn't stand any form of distance between the two of them. She was in agreement, her arms raising herself to his neck once more, as without further ado, he suddenly lifted her once more off her feet and twirled her around that she squealed.

It felt like she was flying once more. Like that time at the airport.

Just pure happiness. And only Momiji had been able to make her feel this giddy.

"Thank you." The blond breathed, a bit winded after he had completed four turns and had set her down on her feet gently, though he obviously showed no signs of caring. He raised both her hands and kissed them both as he looked her into her eyes. "Thank you, Tohru. You don't know how much you've made me happy."

Tohru felt her heart swell with love as she tiptoed to kiss him on the cheek – her heels lessening the height difference by a minimum – smiling a little shyly as she settled back down on the balls of her feet.

Neither of them were willing to let go of each other at the moment, both staring at each other as if unwilling to believe the good fortune of being held by each other and feeling the same way for each other. For what seemed to be the umpteenth time that night, Momiji thanked whoever was listening right now that he no longer had to worry about the curse.

Reality did intrude on them – rather rudely at that, eventually – at the form of quiet giggling. He and Tohru turned to glance at two women who had very nicely decided to give them their space by turning around and walking away from their direction. Thankfully they were no longer kissing or they would've given those two an eyeful, and in public, no less. Still, it didn't make her blush any smaller than it should be at almost being caught in a compromising position.

"Well." Momiji began, chuckling, lowering their hands as he squeezed hers. "You already are cold. Time to go back to the car and get some dinner, what do you think?"

"Speaking of dinner, I am quite hungry." She agreed, as she and Momiji walked side by side once more, Momiji adjusting his blazer on her shoulders to secure it. The change in their relationship could be seen now – Momiji had his hand over hers which were holding on to the crook of his arm, and Tohru was a little bit closer compared to him before when there was a considerably polite distance between the two of them. And they both relished it. "Any kind of food you recommend… or want to eat at this point?"

"Homemade?" Without missing a beat, Momiji suggested, as they entered the parking lot. "I mean I am craving for your food."

"Are you sure that's enough?" She sounded doubtful, glancing at him, distracted by how it felt so good to have her hand wrapped around his.

"Why wouldn't it be? Any food which you made came from the heart of course." He winked at her, patting her hand. "And… well, quite frankly I've had enough of take outs at this point. I want to be able to sit down and eat with you… just like the old days before I went to Paris." He added matter-of-factly, looking off wistfully ahead of him, not wanting to sound completely like he was whining.

What went unspoken, Tohru knew, was that aside from the fact that he hadn't sat down with her before going off to Paris, technically he hadn't really sat down with her even before she and Kyo decided to go off and live by themselves. She was always at Kyo's side even during the few times he had visited with his cousins, never able to interact with him personally then.

Her heart ached and went out to him, now aware of the fact that he had kept silent regarding his feelings for her for the sake of her happiness. She couldn't imagine the depth of pain she had caused him. But he didn't want her to blame herself, reminding her that it was his decision to keep his feelings to himself the entire time. The only thing she could do now was to make it up to him, show him how much he mattered to her, show him how much she loved him.

"Okay. Homemade it is." She rubbed his upper arm gently, as a wide grin formed on his lips at hearing her response. "I guess that means you'll be visiting my apartment then."

"Yes ma'am." He chuckled, just as they finally reached where he had parked his A8. He unlocked it, and he opened the car door open for her, to which she thanked him as she slid herself with grace she didn't know she possessed inside, and once she was settled in, he went to his side and got in. Smiling at each other joyfully, he started up the car and they were off to her apartment but not before Momiji took her right hand into his, and drove all the way to her apartment with him cradling her hand to his chest.

A young girl looked on quietly as she saw the A8 drive off, eyes shining with happy tears. He looked happy and that brought relief to her.

She had sent the invitation to him as soon as she had heard that he was back in Japan. It wasn't hard to do so, since he was well-known enough to warrant being in the news. She hadn't been expecting him to come see her perform, or receive a response from him, but when she looked at his supposed seat in the audience, she truly had not expected him to be there. Thank goodness she had mastered control on her emotions, and she was able to give him a nod, an acknowledgment that she knew he was there and not bawl her eyes out instead which would embarrass her, her school and would spotlight her even more for discerning eyes (read: the classical music columnists) and just add to possible criticism uselessly.

She wanted to reach out to him. She wanted to let him be aware that she knew the truth now. She had suspected him for years, had raised this point to her mom and even questioned their dad, but all she got was strange looks, and in the case of their dad, he had avoided her, even going as far as to tell her not to question him about it anymore. Her suspicion had grown when he had stopped coming for lessons from the violin teacher she had gotten herself back in his high school days and when she was in her third grade.

As soon as she has had enough sense and intelligence in herself, she had taken matters into her own hands. She had been expectant and afraid to find out the truth, and when she finally did, she couldn't help but cry what seemed to be countless liters of tears.

Mixed emotions had welled up inside Momo. The man she had always wished to be her big brother turned out to be her real, big brother. Flesh and blood. Granted, he is estranged from them and for some reason their own mother appeared to not even know about his existence, but still. She had a real brother. The circumstances of how everything had led to his estrangement was something that she didn't know, even until now, and though Momo would very much like to understand how it had happened, she found herself not really caring at all. She just wanted her brother back.

She wished she could tell him. That she knew who he was and there was no need to stay away from her anymore. That she loved him, loves him, in spite of not growing up with him. But she didn't know how to do so. Sure, she could send an invite to him for her performance, but she doubted he would show up if she texted him and asked him to meet with her. She didn't even have his contact details. She had to sneak in to her father's office just to find out where he lived currently. She wasn't sure if she could do that again, the risk of getting caught increasing.

But then she saw Tohru, and hope had begun to bloom in her. She had come together with her brother to watch her perform. If there was anyone who she saw can help her in being able to talk with Momiji, it would be the brunette.

Luckily, she is friends with Kisa. She had always treated her like a younger sister, and she knew Kisa is close to Tohru. She can ask her to help her reach Tohru so that she could talk to her and ask for her help to reach her brother. The only question is when she would be able to do so.

"Momo. What are you doing there? Let's go dear." Her mother's voice cut into her thoughts. She wiped her tears discreetly before turning around to find her parents smiling at her. She almost cringed, but managed to stop herself in time. By hook or by crook, she will have her brother back.

"Coming, mom." She approached them, doing her best to smile the best she could.

To Tohru, having Momiji in her apartment alone is a blessing… and nerve-wracking. A blessing, because they were able to be clear and be honest to each other. She felt blessed at having her feelings returned by the man she loved. To experience love a second time, and from someone who had truly cared for her even from when they were friends, were truly something to be thankful for. She admired Momiji's strength. She had no idea how he was able to hold on to his feelings for that long, but she could understand. When one truly loves someone, they would want the person to be happy, even if they weren't the ones who was by this person's side. It was something she had been prepared to do so for Kyo before, had he not clarified what he felt for her truly at the time. In that aspect, her and Momiji are very much alike after all.

For the umpteenth time, Tohru had wondered why it was only now she had realized what she really felt, but she had also decided it didn't matter. All she had to do now was to live in the moment, love Momiji with all she had and show him that every day.

Well, that was also the reason why his being in her apartment now is nerve-wracking, admittedly. The change in their relationship status is big. This is the first time in a long while that she was having him over to her place, not just as her best friend, but as a man who happened to be her boyfriend. Try as she might she couldn't help but get nervous. She had lived with Kyo before, but this is nothing compared to having Momiji all alone to herself. She was very much aware of the current situation and could feel herself getting nervous because of it.

She blushed as she recalled their kiss earlier. While she had always loved Momiji for making her feel all cuddly and comfy whenever she was in his arms, she had gotten a glimpse of just how electrifying it can be when he held her as a man who adored a woman. It was enough to make her tremble with need for him. Having him kiss her passionately was enough to make her forget the reality of where they were as evidenced of what had happened earlier – she had tried to convey what she felt for him through such a simple action and he had returned it, but she could tell that he had been holding himself back. And with good reason too – they were in public after all.

It was the best kiss she had received, if she was being honest to herself. It was why she had almost lost control earlier. Thank goodness Momiji happened to be more in control than she was, no matter the fact that he had appeared to be struggling with his as well.

It was another reason to admire him for, having the presence of mind to remember his limits with her. It was also something she need to consider to herself. With him, it felt like all the feelings she had bottled inside her had now been rushing forward in a wave of sorts and she really does not mind, but it was dangerous, to say in the least. Tohru wasn't completely blind to the fact of how intense a new love can be.

A good point to note, but Tohru did not want to focus on it herself. Yes, her feelings were intense, but it didn't mean she had lost her head. Momiji was right about one thing – when she loved someone, she loves them mind, body and soul. It really was just who she is and she was not really going to hold back. Not after they had finally found each other.

"You're so quiet." Momiji's voice penetrated her thoughts, which made her look up from her tea which she had been staring at intently instead of watching the mogeta dvd they both agreed to watch together. "Everything okay?"

She nodded her head, giving him a gentle smile, cheeks flushed. "Everything's fine."

Momiji straightened up from leaning casually to his side of the couch, trying to give Tohru her space. He can see some of the nerves which had shown itself earlier when they had arrived at her apartment, and looking at her, it wasn't really hard to guess.

Tohru is nervous around him.

Well, it wasn't exactly a surprise to him. They had both finally decided to take their relationship to the next level; the monumental moment occurring – finally – after years and years of being in the sidelines and caring for her from afar; culminating to the most amazing moment of his life earlier that evening.

He wasn't stupid; Tohru was still getting used to the fact that now he was entering her private haven as a man that she is now dating. Still, it isn't as if he had transformed to someone else just because he became her boyfriend. He was still Momiji at the core; the guy who likes ice creams, cakes, candies, bunnies, cute things, her cooking and her. Yep. He got it that bad for her.

"Are you perhaps… regretting accepting me?" He tried teasing, but Tohru nearly dropped her cup of tea. She placed it down on the coffee tabletop and hurriedly shook her head and her hands.

"No of course not!" She protested vehemently, certainly afraid that Momiji had gotten the wrong impression. That was not why she couldn't look straight at him! "I am not regretting anything, I am so happy that you are with me now and I – I just…" she trailed off, the blood rushing to her face that for once she regretted being fair-skinned. She knew she was blushing so hard and looked down at her hands, not finding the strength to continue.

Momiji didn't laugh, instead he sighed. "Tohru. Can you come over here?"

She looked at him, seeing him raising his arms to her.

"Please?"

He didn't need to ask her again. She got up from her perch from the other end of the couch and sank into his arms.

"What were you worried about, Princess?" He asked, and he felt her stiffen within the circle of his arms. He kissed the top of her head, wishing for her to relax. He felt her do so, albeit she took a deep breath and sighed.

"I wasn't really sure…" She bit her lip, seeing Momiji's gaze follow the simple movement like a hawk watching his prey. A shiver ran through her, and she realized that she liked the way he was watching her. She felt incredibly warm and almost light-headed at the intense topaz gaze following her movement of chewing on her bottom lip.

"About?" To distract himself from the sudden wild thoughts which consumed his head of removing her teeth and being the one to bite that bottom lip, he forced himself to concentrate in what his beautiful girlfriend is saying.

Tohru sat up straighter to look him in the eye, still flushed, but more calm and rational now, temporarily pausing on her lip-chewing to focus on the conversation. "I was wondering if we were… moving too fast. If this is normal… " she smiled shyly. "You may still be adjusting to me, Momiji."

"That's vice-versa." He pointed out, lifting a hand to stroke her silky hair. "It's been years for you, after all."

Tohru leaned back into him. "It has. I just… to be honest, I feel so nervous… and selfish for inviting you here. We just confirmed what we felt for one another… it feels like I'm rushing… having you all to myself. I feel like I'm looking at you as a totally different person too."

"I have you all to myself too." As if to prove his point, Momiji lowered his head to her throat carefully, not breaking eye contact with her that she felt her heart begin to pound faster in anticipation within her chest. He brushed the tip of his nose against the smooth, silky column of her throat, laying a soft kiss on her pulse when he found it that made her breath hitch. "Honestly though, I'm just happy that I finally have you in my arms." He lifted his head, straightening himself up as he smiled down to her once more, as if he hadn't just made love to her with his lips.

Her expression looked chagrined. "I'm sorry. I am so slow." Slow didn't even cover it.

Momiji shook his head. "You are worth it. Everything I have felt then – you are more than worth it."

Silence fell between them once more, as they gazed at each other with soft smiles while holding hands.

"So as to assuage your concerns earlier…" he began, grinning slightly, "I'm still me, Tohru. I may be your humble boyfriend, but I'm still me, you know. Just as you are still you. And spending time together isn't exactly weird – I mean, we're together. I want to be with you no matter if I just last saw you fifteen minutes ago." He winked at her, and she chuckled, "Nothing has to change… except that there will be a lot more of… this."

So saying, he promptly wrapped an arm around Tohru and grabbed her downwards with him as she squeaked in surprise, making her lay on top of him and he gave her a big kiss on the lips, chuckling at her giggling. Tohru sighed in contentment as she and Momiji now laid on the couch together, her head pillowed on his chest – right above his beating heart.

The steady rhythm and beat of his heart lulled her into sleepy contentment, knowing that what Momiji had said was true. Their relationship had changed, but it didn't mean that they did. Just because they had confirmed their feelings for one another earlier didn't mean that she couldn't spend the evening with him in peace. They should actually be doing so, to make up for all those years past without being at each other's side.

"I'm sooo full." He complained half-teasingly somewhere above her head, as his left hand rubbed her upper arm. "You are such an excellent cook. I don't want to move again."

"Hmm. That makes the two of us. This spot on your chest is too comfortable." She agreed, already smiling as he started laughing quietly to himself. "Sleepover?"

"If it is the Princess's wish, I would be more than glad to spend a lovely night with you."

She lifted her head for a few more inches, dropping a kiss on his jaw. "Please. I do want you to hold me like this for a while longer."

Momiji's response was a kiss on her temple as he tightened his arms around her. "And there was nothing I'd like to do more than fulfill that wish. I just don't want us to pass out together on the couch like this. Not a good idea come morning."

So saying, he sat up and lifted her as easily as if she weighed less than a sack of potatoes, making her laugh, but she wrapped her arms around his neck and laid her head on his shoulder as he carried her to her room. "Thank you for loving me." She whispered, knowing he would hear her.

The months following them admitting what they felt to one another was some of the best in both of their lives.

Oh it wasn't easy. They were both busy people. She with her crash course and helping out Uo in planning for her wedding, Momiji with his practicing, first as a solo, now with the orchestra. She has had the opportunity to even meet some of the members of Tokyo Philharmonic one time that she and Momiji had decided to have lunch together. This is not without friendly teasing, since some of the members of the Tokyo Philharmonic were Momiji's classmates and acquaintances from his time in Momogaoka. They were talking about how their resident genius heartbreaker had seemed to finally find the one for him, which Momiji had laughed off, quite chagrined, but didn't stop the teasing at all.

One girl, a pretty brunette had even introduced herself to her as Miori while Momiji was distracted with his colleagues. Apparently she had done accompaniment for Momiji during their exams in Momogaoka before he had gone to Paris. "I'm so glad Momiji already has you." The girl had looked excited and most happy for them, as both of them looked on to the roughhousing surrounding Momiji which had been going on at the time. "He has always been alone and for the life of us we can never understand why he turns down the girls who had enough courage to confess to him. It's how he had earned the nickname 'Momogaoka's genius heartbreaker', you know. Now we know, he really must have been waiting for the perfect girl." She had winked at her.

She had blushed, also embarrassed but at the same time, saddened with the little story. Momiji's feelings for her ran strong and deep, even then, and she had never noticed, never had any idea.

"Take care of him." Miori had whispered to her, smiling fondly. "Momiji is the kind of man who doesn't fall in love easily. Something tells me that you are it for him."

She smiled, a little bashful. "I feel that he is it for me too."

Miori had smiled widely, and she could tell that she had been trying her best not to squeal. "I am so happy for the both of you!"

The memory made her smile to herself. She had just arrived home after classes in the morning and is set to meet Momiji, who will be picking her up from her apartment so they could go watch the newly-released Mogeta film. Not a usual film to watch for couples, but as Momiji had so bluntly and simply put it – "who said we were normal?" which made her agree, and at the same time laugh.

She had just finished placing the hair clip Momiji had given her above her right ear when a knock sounded on her door. She was a little surprised, then turned to look at the clock on her wall. It was barely half past three. They were supposed to meet at four thirty. "Isn't he a little too early?" She wondered aloud to herself. She picked up her phone from beside her to check for any messages, but the last one was from lunch time, when he messaged her not to forget to eat and that he will be continuing to practice until early afternoon, and that he was looking forward to their time together. So far, that was it.

Well, if he finished early, of course she wouldn't mind him being early. The earlier he is, the more time she has with him. She felt the excitement at seeing him bubble up inside her. Just the thought of seeing him was already brightening her day more than taking her classes.

She stood up and proceeded to the door, where the knocks sounded once more. "Coming!" She called out, chastising herself when she nearly forgot to check the peephole. Momiji asked her to never forget to check who it was who was visiting her first, especially since she lived alone, and she wasn't about to forget doing so, even if she thought it was him on the other side of the door.

She bent to check the said peephole, and froze. She first saw the hair, which was not the blond hair she was expecting. And yet, Tohru would recognize that shade of red hair anywhere, whether she wanted to or not.

Sohma Kyo stood outside the door, calm and unsmiling.

Nope. No killing me yet. Relax, I need to write the next chapter. Well technically, it's done, just need revisions. So please don't kill me yet. I plan to finish this fic.

See you next chapter!

Love,

Michiko