This is it! ;) The Final Chapter. Sorry if Ryota and Ayako may seem a little bit OOC but I just want them to be a little sweet with each other. Kawaii!! Hope you'll read it and later on review it… me hope I won't disappoint you. :)

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Ayako swayed to the music, and tried to concentrate on what Kogure was saying, but to no avail. I knew it was a bad idea to go here. She thought to herself. She really did not want to go but Haruko practically begged her and forced her to go saying, she needed someone to be with as she still felt shy towards Sakuragi. She smiled a little as she remembered the expression in Sakuragi's face when she saw Haruko was with Ayako when he picked her up.

            "Nani? What is Ayako-san…"Sakuragi said but decided not to continue, after all, as long as he was with Haruko, it does not matter.

And when they reached the gym, the image of Sakuragi's smile came into Ayako's mind. Sakuragi had the biggest smile she had ever seen. Was it because some guy had asked her to dance? Or was it because, finally he could have Haruko all by himself?

But right now, she regretted being here. She was not one bit feeling happy, even with all the attention the guys were giving to her, even if Michael, whom she had to admit was good looking, had asked her, she politely declined, it just did not felt right, and she wanted to be true to herself, because the one guy she wanted, the one guy she truly loved, just was not here. How can I ever forget you, Ryota Miyagi.

            "So Akagi said that the team…." Ayako vaguely hearing what Kogure was telling her, her minds kept on drifting to a specific point guard who broke her heart. She wanted to talk to him this morning, but decided not to, after all, if Ryota was not even making a move, why should she? This thought made her angry at him all over again.

            "… Akagi said that Ryota will be.. umm..ano..Ayako-san, are you even listening?" Kogure asked her and this seemed to make her go back into reality.

"Hai, Kogure-sempai, umm.. gomen, what is it that you were telling" she asked. She felt terrible inside because she knew how a lousy partner she was.

            "Never mind. I was just wondering, where Ryota is.."

            "I don't care.." she snapped back. She immediately apologized to Kogure. It was unfair of her to vent her anger on him.

            "Still haven't forgotten him, ne?" Kogure replied quietly. Until now, he did not know what went wrong with Ayako and Ryota. He would walk her home after practice and then the next minute, it was as if they were complete strangers. Kogure knew Ayako was having a terrible time, and it was only Ryota who could change that. "Don't worry, its his lose" Kogure continued, trying to reassure her. But deep inside of him, he hoped Ryota would come back to his senses so he can patch things up with Ayako.

            Upon hearing this, Ayako smiled at Kogure. Even if she had no Ryota, it was good to have friends like him. "Arigatou, Kogure-sempai"

            She was beginning to relax a bit, though sometimes, an image of Ryota would cross her mind. Suddenly, she noticed that Kogure stopped dancing. She wondered why, and to her surprise, there he was, right in front of her. Speaking of the devil. He was looking deep into her eyes.

            "May I have this dance?" Ryota sincerely asked her.

            .

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"No"

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            Ayako made his way out of the dance floor, closely following her was Ryota. A very sad-looking Ryota.

            He stopped following her when she stopped to get some drinks at the refreshment table. She didn't even bother to ask if he wanted some drinks, while, he just stood there at her side, trying to decide if it was the best time to apologize to her. He stole a glance at her. Damn, she's even more beautiful this close.

            While Ryota was giving her admiring glances, Ayako remained cold. It was as if, no one was beside her. It was now or never for him.

            "Ahem…" Ryota making a sound, trying to at least get her attention.

"…."

Ryota coughed once more. But still not a word.

            K'so! She's not gonna make it easy for me. Ryota thought miserably, but he knew he deserved it for the way he had treated her. "Aya-chan…" he began. "I am so sorry for the way I treated you. And I regret making that decision. Hurting you is the worse thing I can ever do, but I did, and I just feel horrible…"

            "….."

            "Please Aya-chan, say something. Those days when you weren't talking to me or not looking at me as if I did not exist is 10 times more the hurt I felt when Mitsui's gang clobbered me. It is because you are the most special person in my life and I'd hate it if I would lose you….." Ryota wholeheartedly said, tears threatening to fall from his eyes.

            He continues "I'd rather not play basketball knowing someone like you won't be there to support me…." and blah, blah, and on, and on Ryota goes on how truly he was sorry.

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            She watched as Ryota kept apologizing to her. He even looked like he was about to cry. Oh brother! Here he goes again. It was embarrassing enough that Ryota's pitiful voice was heard by many as he launched into his "sorry speech", but what was more embarrassing was that, now he was on his knees, as if praying for her forgiveness.

            Ryota was now sobbing. "I wo – won't  ever, e-ever hurt you again, A-aya-chan. Forgive me, Puh-puh leeeeaaaassseeee" as he moved towards her a little closer on his knees.

            She looked at him, and she had to admit that he looked sincere and honest. How long will I let him go on like this?  Her heart began to soften a bit. He looks cute when he's sorry, she observed. She had always found him to be cute anyways. She was still looking at him, debating if she was to forgive him or not.

            "Please don't kneel, and just stand up"

            Upon hearing this, Ryota immediately stood up. Felt happy that at least Ayako spoke some words to him. "Anything you say Aya-chan". He noticed that some people, especially the guys were curiously looking at him. He too felt curious, not because of what the guys' thoughts were but out of the many boys that were falling over for Aya-chan, whom did she choose. He really did not want to ask but curiosity got the better out of him. "Ano, Aya-chan, who did you end up going to the dance with?" He asked nervously.

            "Sakuragi and Haruko" Ayako pointedly said.

            Ryota's was elated upon hearing this. Thank you Kami-sama! He somewhat felt hopeful, as he remembered his gifts to her. "I'll be right back, Aya-chan. I'm begging you please don't move" Ryota begged. He did not want to waste his chance. Ayako rolled her eyes, but nevertheless, did not move from her place. ;)

            When he returned, he presented her with her favorite flowers and chocolate.

            "Aya-chan, these are for you…" Ryota gently said as he gave him a bouquet of flowers and a heart shaped box filled with chocolate." Please take it Aya-chan. I bought them especially for you." As he pleadingly looked into her eyes.

            "I don't want to accept some gifts that you bought for some other girl" She replied coldly.

"No, these are really for you, Aya-chan. " Ryota insisted. "I gave you that because I know that white roses are your favorites and I even bought that kind of chocolate because I know you don't like the nutty ones. Please accept this." He said as he gave her a crooked smile. "Would I do that for anyone else?"

"I don't know" Ayako said, looking at him seriously.. "Would you?"

Ryota looked down. "No" he said in a whisper. "Aya-chan, I've really missed you so much. I've been really stupid! Baka! Please forgive me…"

Ayako looked at him. She was kind of enjoying the way he was almost kissing her feet just so he would forgive him in front of everyone. But at the same time, she felt sad and sorry for him. She saw his sincerity in his apology and his thoughtfulness when he went out of his way to buy her those gifts. She had to admit but she felt herself softening to him.

She reached out to get the flowers. "These are really pretty. Thank you, Ryota" as she smiled a litlle.

He noticed that it was the first time he heard him say his name. And the small smile of hers was enough to make Ryota shout for joy. But then he remembered that not all is okay yet. "Please forgive me, Aya-chan" he asked again.

She let out a little sigh. "I'll try.." she conceded. As always, he has won her over again. [yey! :)]

Upon hearing this, Ryota jumped for joy. "Thank you Aya-chan! I promise I would make it up to you. I'll really make it easy for you" he said with so much gratefulness and happiness.

Ayako had to giggle. "Stop it Ryota, Everyone's looking at you!"

"I don't care Aya-chan. I'm just so happy." Ryota replied. He stopped as another romantic, and an all too familiar song started to play. He turned to Aya-chan, and lovingly asked. "Will you dance  with me?"

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Ayako smiled at him and without even saying a word, took his hand, as the crowd seemed to part to make way for them.

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Back to you

It always comes around

Back to you

Tried to forget you

I tried to stay away

But it's too late

Ryota looked into Ayako's eyes with so much affection and care. He just loves her too much, and was really happy and grateful for another chance to be able to show her how much she means to him. He then gently took Ayako in his arms. She rested her head on his shoulders, as they slowly danced to the song, feeling the music and feeling each other's love.

Over you

I'm never over you

There's something about you

It's just the way you move

The way you move me

They looked into each other's eyes. No words were enough to describe the feeling they had for each other. So much love that was tightly guarded from each other but was now willing to be revealed. Ryota pulled her closer. He did not want to let her go. Not now. Not ever.

Leave the light on

I'll never give up on you

Leave the light on

Leave the light on for me too.

"I'll never give up on you, Aya-chan" he whispered into her ears.

Back to me

I know it that comes back to me

Doesn't it scare you

Your will is not as strong

As  it used to be

She looked at him and smiled as she put her head closer to his. "Just one look from you, I'm afraid I'm falling deeper" she whispered

            Those words slowly hitting Ryota. He gasped and they stopped dancing. "It was you…the letter. It was you all along. You mean it was you?"

Out of nowhere, came the fan of Ayako hitting Ryota's head squarely. "What do you mean?" she asked in disbelief. "Of course it was me. Who do you think it was?"

            Ryota took Ayako's fan from her hand and undeniably,  hit himself on the head" Baka! Baka! I am so.."

            Ayako could not believe what was happening. " You mean, you thought that it was another…."

"I am sorry Aya-chan. Will you ever forgive me for being so stupid? So Sorry "He said, as he covered his face, feeling so ashamed of himself. Sigh. He looked at her and asked " How do you ever put up with me?"

            Ayako looked at him, and without hesitation, gently said "Because I love you…"

He still could not believe what he just heard. But the words were slowly sinking into him. Ayako loved him too!!

Ryota stared into those beautiful eyes of her and touched her face gently,  with so much care, and told her. " I love you, Aya-chan. My Aya-chan." He then gently kissed her on the lips, enjoying the sweet moment they were both experiencing.

Ayako has never felt any happier than this. She was sharing a kiss to the first boy she had ever loved, and will always love. She felt she was in heaven, that both Ryota and Ayako did not notice that the song has stopped and the people were now curiously watching them. Only did they stop when they heard an all too familiar voice shout. "Oi Ryouchin, Don't enjoy yourself too much. Nyahahahaha!!"

Both Ryota and Ayako stopped from kissing when they heard Sakuragi shout, and now did they finally notice that all eyes were on them. Both blushed from the kiss, their first kiss, that they shared, as they surveyed the entire room, and true enough, everyone indeed was looking at them. This made them blush even more. This was the first time that people have seen them display their emotions and feeling with each other.

"Did not know you had it in you" Akagi shouted

"Smooth move, Miyagi" Mitsui yelled

"Your both so kawaii together!!" Another girl said. And so did many people. Some  were admiring them, while some were teasing and joking the couple.

Both felt the glaring attention people were giving them. And as their eyes meet again, they both shrugged, as seemed to convey one message. Who cares?

Ryota held Ayako's hand and pulled her closer, as he brought his lips into hers and continued,once again, to share a sweet and satisfying kiss, that said it all.

-owari-

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Ryota and Ayako, together and kissing. Kinda gives you a warm feeling ne? :) And if you are wondering what the name of the "another girl" was, the one who shouted that Ryo/Aya was kawaii, its none other than me. Just had to insert myself so I could tell Ryota and Ayako personally, or just even in my story, how KAAWAIIIII they are!!!! Sorry, can't help myself. Hehe!! :)

There, it is finally finished, at last. Sorry if this chapter may seem a little long, its just that, this is the last one. :(

 Again, I would like to thank those who have read this chapter especially to those readers who have read and reviewed this story since chapter 1. You guys are the best. Ryota and Ayako would have been proud of you. :) Please minna-san, just spare me a minute or so, and review this chapter, even for the last time. Again, thanks to everyone.

Take Care! Until my next fic…. :)