Two hearts, one love
Chapter 45: Those three little words
Akina/Crystal's POV
All done, I thought triumphantly as I stood back to survey my work.
Three trays of triple chocolate chip cookies stood before me just out from the oven. I carefully tipped them out onto the cooling rack and within a few minutes they were cool enough to pack up into the colored boxes which I had bought to place them in. Crimson red for Tala, golden yellow for Rei, lavender purple for Mariah and navy blue for Kai. Each box was labeled with its intended receiver's name and layers of soft tissue paper matching the box rested inside.
Finally satisfied with my work, I began cleaning up after closing the box lids and stacking them in a pile on the table.
Tired from baking, I sank down into a chair and closed my eyes, while the conversation with my father earlier that week replayed itself in my mind.
Flashback
"Hi Dad" I said when the line connected.
"Hello Akina" he responded warmly. "How have you been?"
"Okay" I said quickly.
"Are you sure?" he questioned concerned.
"Yes" I answered firmly. "How's your trip going?"
"Fine, I'll be back in a few days." He replied. "How are finding your stay with the Hiwataris?"
"Actually," I began hesitantly. "I'm not staying with them any longer, I'm staying with my other friend Tala"
"Really? Since when?" my father asked, curiosity apparent in his voice.
"Just since the start of this week" I said.
"What made you decide to move out?" he said in reply.
"I felt as though I was burdening them" I answered swiftly.
"Very well then. It is your decision after all" he said after a pause. "I'll see you in a day or two okay?"
"Yeah, bye Dad" I said absently, twirling the phone cord around my finger.
"Take care of yourself Akina" he told before disconnecting the line.
End of flashback
That was why I had now moved back into my own house. Dad would be arriving back home today, which was why I had left Tala's to come and bake the cupcakes. At the same time I thought it would be nice if I baked a few extras and gave them to Tala and the others.
Better get take a shower before Dad gets back I thought lazily as I stood up from my chair.
Kai's POV
Thoughts swirled through my mind rapidly, Akina telling me that she loved me, Mum's warning about losing Akina, Tala's saying that she was dying inside but all the thoughts boiled down to one in the end.
I loved Akina.
Tala had suggested that I do something about it and fast. Before I lost her. But why would I lose her? Did Tala know something that I didn't? My forehead creased as I extended that thought. Better call him. He had better not be hiding anything from me.
"Tala?" I said when I had dialed his number.
"Yo Kai, what's up?" Tala replied.
"What exactly did you mean when you said that I could lose Crystal?" I said getting straight to the point.
There was a sigh on the other end as Tala obviously considered my question.
"Dude, it might or might not be anything to worry about but when she was staying with me, I heard her talk in her sleep" he finally admitted.
"What did she say?" I said impatiently, pushing away the jealous feeling when I remember that Tala and Akina had shared a room when she stayed with him.
"She said" there was a pause before Tala continued. "She was mumbling a few words in her sleep. I only managed to catch Kai, leave and Hong Kong"
"What?" I exclaimed in disbelief.
"Sorry to be the bearer of bad news" Tala said.
"Tala, I-" I began but didn't finish as words failed me.
"Man, you better get a move on" Tala advised before hanging up.
Kai, leave, Hong Kong repeated over and over again as I processed and put them together.
Akina couldn't be going back to Hong Kong, right?
Akina/Crystal's POV
"Welcome back Dad" I said looking up from placing the cupcakes on a plate.
"It's good to be back" he replied with a smile. "Did you bake these yourself?" he asked indicating the cookies.
"Yeah" I said as I passed him one.
"So how have you been recently?" he questioned after swallowing the cookie.
"Fine" I said busying myself with making some tea.
"Akina," he said with a sigh. "Is something the matter?"
"Nothing's wrong, why would you think that?" I assured him.
"Akina, you're my only daughter, don't you think that I would know you well enough to know when there is something wrong with you?" he said shaking his head.
"I'm fine, really I am" I insisted, forcing a smile onto my face.
"Something is wrong. I can tell from your eyes" he said seriously as his gaze flickered down to them. "You know that you have your mother's eyes. Her emotions were always reflected through them"
"I-" I began but couldn't finish as tears threatened to spill over. Why now of all times? Couldn't I even get through one freaking day without wanting to cry? I did not want to cry in front of my father, I was supposed to be strong.
"Akina, it's okay if you don't want to talk about it" he said gently as he took in my unreleased tears. "Just remember, if you ever need anything, I'll be here for you" he said as he turned to leave the room.
"Dad," I finally managed to say and he turned back around. "I want to go back to Hong Kong"
Kai's POV
"Hey guys" I said absently as Rei, Mariah and Tala sat down next to me at lunch later that week.
"Hey" they replied and they all frowned as they took in my untucked shirt, loosely tied tie and tired expression.
"Kai, what's wrong?" Rei questioned.
"Huh?" I said turning to look at him.
"He's going through a mid life crisis" Tala informed him.
"What?" Mariah asked in confusion.
"He's fighting an internal battle about how to tell Crystal that he loves her" Tala said.
"Ooh, so you've finally come clean with your feelings for Crystal huh? Well I hope you tell her soon" Mariah said shifting her attention to an approaching figure. "Here she comes now"
"Hey" Crystal greeted us when she arrived.
"What are those?" Rei asked her as he caught sight of four colored boxes in her hands.
"For you guys" she simply said and passed them out.
I looked down at the dark blue box with Hiwatari Kai neatly printed onto it in cursive handwriting. There she went again, not using my given name but my whole name.
Taking a quick glance over at the other boxes confirmed my suspicions. I was the only one whom Crystal had written my entire name.
"Oh my god, these are so cute!" Mariah exclaimed when she opened up her box.
Upon lifting the lid, I found several triple chocolate cookies nestled in the same shade of tissue paper and each was decorated with my name.
"Thanks heaps Crystal" Tala said as he took a bite out of a cookie.
"These taste so good Crystal! Did you make them yourself?" Mariah asked her after taking a bite out of her cookie.
"Yeah" she said with a shrug.
"Aren't you going to eat yours?" Tala enquired leaning over to look down at my cookies.
"Huh?" I said looking up from them.
"Dude" he said with a sigh. "Tell her soon so that you can quit acting like you're permanently lost"
Akina/Crystal's POV
"Akina?" dad asked as he knocked on my door.
"Come in Dad" I replied and he stepped into my room.
"Have you finished packing?" he said.
"Yeah, just about" I said as I neatly folded a skirt and laid it in my suitcase.
"Are you sure that you want to return to Hong Kong?" dad asked
"Yes" I firmly replied.
"Okay, if it's what you want" he said with a sigh and stood up. "I supposed it doesn't really matter where you live since I'm always away on business. I'm sorry that I'm not around more"
"It's okay Dad, really. I understand how important your job is" I reassured.
"Well here is your ticket for tomorrow. You have your passport right?" Dad checked, handing me a booklet with my ticket enclosed.
"Yes" I told him.
"Are any of your friends going to the airport to see you off tomorrow?" he asked.
"No, I didn't tell them that I was leaving" I confessed. "I wrote them letters explaining it to them"
Flashback
I shook my wrist which was exhausted from all the writing I had just done. Served me right though. I could've just written them all the same e-mail. But I had thought that would've been too impersonal.
Better check them for any spelling errors I thought and picked up Rei's letter.
To Rei,
Rei, you're such a great person and friend. You always have a sense of humor but yet you're mature at the same time. I always wonder how you manage to do that. I'm sure that with your easy going nature and personality you'll go far in life.
Are you wondering why I'm saying all this stuff? I'm not planning on committing suicide if that's what you're thinking. I'm not that stupid. Like I'd commit suicide because... you know what? Let's just get on with the letter. As I was saying I'm not dying or anything, just moving back to Hong Kong. I just want to thank you for being my friend from the first day of school.
Love from your friend Crystal.
P.S Remember to take of Mariah! She's a bit err..high maintenance at times....
Next I read through Mariah's letter.
Dear Mariah,
This is just a short letter to thank you for being such a great friend while I've been in Tokyo. You always managed to cheer me up and I loved the shopping sprees we went on even though the clothes you always picked out for me were kinda...
Anyway, moving on, I hope that you are always cheerful and happy, no matter what happens. You're the kind of person who lights up a room the moment she steps into it and because of that I'll always remember you.
Love from your friend, Crystal.
Shifting through the letters, I found Tala's.
Hey Tala,
Are you wondering why I'm writing this to you? Well by the time you've gotten this letter, I'll be let's see....out of the country probably? I'm returning to Hong Kong. Why you ask? Well I suppose it's because of Kai. I could probably lie to you and say it's due to my father's business or something but you'll probably call me on my bullshit right?
Anyway, time to get down to business. I just wanted to let you know how much I've appreciated your friendship and how you supported me through the whole Kai thing. I've learnt from you to always be true to myself. You helped me greatly and I thank you for that. I hope that you will find your true happiness because you deserve every bit of it.
Love from your friend Crystal.
Lastly I scanned through Kai's letter.
Hiwatari Kai,
I'm just writing to let you know that I'm returning to Hong Kong. Thank-you for your hospitality and tolerance in putting up with me. I know that I can be a nuisance at times and I apologize for any inconvenience I've caused for you.
I wish you all the best in life and may you be successful in whatever you choose to do.
Sincerely yours, Hiragazaki Akina.
I slid each letter into its corresponding envelope and sealed them. I pasted a stamp on the front of each one and made a note to myself to post them in the morning on the way to the airport.
End of flashback
"Akina" my father said disapprovingly.
"I know Dad" I said with a sigh and looked out the window. The sun was low in the sky, it'd soon be setting. "I think I'll go and take a walk"
"Okay, just be sure to be back before its dark" Dad answered before leaving.
I closed the clasp on my suitcase before descending down the stairs and out the door.
Kai's POV
"Kai, I have some news for you" my mother asked as she entered my room.
"Yeah what is it?" I replied.
"It's Akina, she's leaving to return to Hong Kong tomorrow" she stated quietly.
"What? No, Akina wouldn't leave" I said with a shake of my head.
"Kai, Akina is leaving tomorrow because she's hurt and wants distance herself from you. Moving out of our house wasn't enough for her. She's hurt so much that she just wants to forget that she ever knew you. You have to tell her how you feel now. Who knows when you will see her again" mum said firmly. "Now go to her house before it's too late"
"Okay, okay" I said as I walked past her still in a daze.
Akina was leaving?
No, Akina will not and cannot leave without knowing how I feel about her. I had put this off for as long as I could. This was the moment of truth.
"How may I help you?" a maid enquired when I had arrived at Akina's house.
"I need to see Akina" I said quickly.
"I'm sorry, she isn't in at the current moment" the maid said apologetically.
"Hiwatari Kai? Is that you?" Akina's father said in surprise as he walked into the lobby.
"Mr. Hiragazaki, could you possibly tell me where Akina is?" I asked him, the urgency now apparent in my voice.
"I think she has gone for a walk" he answered.
"Thanks" I said before taking off down the driveway as fast as I could.
Where could she have gone? I wondered as I ran past the streets and the park.
Wait a moment. The park.
I skidded on my heels and sprinted back towards the park and made a beeline for the lake.
Why didn't I think of the park and lake before?
I came to a halt when I caught sight of her figure through the trees.
I drank in the sight of her as she stood at the water's edge, the setting sun casting a glow over the lake as it shimmered.
Crystal/Akina's POV
I gazed at the setting sun, marveling at its beauty as it set and I was filled with sadness that there was nobody with me to share this moment.
I unconsciously slipped a hand inside the tiny pocket in my skirt and frowned when I felt something smooth brush past my finger.
What was it? I wondered as I carefully tugged it out of my pocket.
It was the sticker photos which I had taken with Kai several weeks ago. I smiled wistfully when I saw his arms wrapped around me. It was a pity that that would never happen again.
Sighing, I slipped the photo back inside my pocket. It was just a reminder of how things had been and how simple it was then. Maybe I should just burn it. After all if I was returning to Hong Kong I didn't need memories like this hanging over my head. If I was to erase Kai from my heart, I would have to destroy every trace of him. But...couldn't I keep these photos? Or would it only feel me with sadness every time I looked at it?
Shaking my head, I decided to contemplate that later and that it would be best now to return home since darkness would soon settle over everything.
I turned to walk back through the trees when my heart stopped.
Kai.
There he was, leaning against the trunk of a tree, arms folded over his chest, gazing intently at me and he straightened up when I noticed him.
"Akina" he simply said and I stayed rooted beside the lake as he approached me.
"What are you doing here?" I whispered almost afraid of the answer.
"What's this I hear about you returning to Hong Kong?" he said ignoring my question.
"Where-where'd you hear that from?" I said averting my gaze.
"My mother told me. Is it true? Are you really leaving?" he asked seriously stepping closer in order to stare into my eyes.
"Yes" I said dropping my head to stare at the ground.
"Akina, I'd appreciate it if you looked at me in the eye just this once" he said in a soft pleading tone.
"Hiwatari-" I started to say but he swiftly stepped forward and placed a single finger over my lips.
"Don't start calling my Hiwatari now" he said quietly. "Why are you leaving?"
"Because I want to" I said definitely looking up into his eyes trying my best to ignore the tingles shooting from his single finger to my lips.
"You're lying" Kai said flatly.
"No I'm not. I want to return to Hong Kong. I can't even remember why I decided to come here in the first place" I said firmly trying to believe what I was saying and Kai's fingers slipped from my lips as I turned to stare at the setting sun
"Akina, I'm sorry" he said without any warning.
"What for?" I said vaguely confused.
"I'm sorry for what happened that day in the rain" he answered quietly.
"You don't have to be sorry. What else were you supposed to do? Say that you returned my feelings when you didn't? If you had done that, it would've been a hundred times as worse." I said, tears pricking the corners of my eyes. There was no way I was going to cry in front of him. He did not need to know how deep my pain was.
"Akina, I love you" Kai said after a brief pause.
"No you don't. You feel guilty that I'm leaving." I told him softly. "Do not force yourself to love me out of pity"
"I am not forcing myself to love you out of pity Akina" he said before wrapping his arms around me and tilting my head up to meet his eyes. "I love you"
This time his words seemed to ring through the air, sincerity laced within them and it took me several long moments before I was able to process this thought. All it took was those three little words to bring the world around me to a grinding halt.
I gazed into his auburn eyes to see them filled with something indescribable. Could it be love? I found it difficult to allow myself to believe his words. But upon looking into his eyes I believed him.
"Kai?" I whispered almost uncertainly.
"I'm glad that you've stopped all that Hiwatari crap" he said and for the first time since I've met him, a true smile spread over his features and his eyes softened.
"I love you Kai" I murmured leaning my head against his chest.
"I love you too Akina" he said in return before resting his head on the top of mine and his hands slowly encircled themselves around my waits.
"I suppose I won't be returning to Hong Kong for some time" I mumbled and Kai chuckled quietly.
"I sure hope not" he said and when I lifted my head up I found our lips a millimeter apart.
My world seemed to spin at our close proximity and I felt my heartbeat quicken.
Before I could say anything, Kai swiftly closed the distance, our lips meeting in soft and gentle kiss.
Finished at last! Sorry about the ending....but not to worry there will be a sequel and that will have more fluff in it. Although I have yet to finalize the plot and have been having a lot of difficulty and problems with it. If you have any ideas about what the plot in the sequel could be then please post your ideas in your review or you can e-mail me at ice_kachang_anjel@hotmail.com Also if you're going to e-mail me could you put "Two hearts, one love" as the subject title? I'm not sure if the sequel will be as good as this fic since I haven't completed it yet but I think that my writing has improved somewhat. I don't' think it'll be as long as this fic either at this point I'm not even sure if it'll be half as long as this fic. The sequel should be up in 3-4 weeks time. I hope that you've liked my fic and sorry if you didn't. But I think that I did okay considering that this is my first fic. Please, please, please remember to review and thanks for taking the time to read this fic. I did contemplate about writing an epilogue for this but in the end I decided not to once I got started because it was kinda weird. Anyway thanks once again. Bubaiz. *waves*
Chapter 45: Those three little words
Akina/Crystal's POV
All done, I thought triumphantly as I stood back to survey my work.
Three trays of triple chocolate chip cookies stood before me just out from the oven. I carefully tipped them out onto the cooling rack and within a few minutes they were cool enough to pack up into the colored boxes which I had bought to place them in. Crimson red for Tala, golden yellow for Rei, lavender purple for Mariah and navy blue for Kai. Each box was labeled with its intended receiver's name and layers of soft tissue paper matching the box rested inside.
Finally satisfied with my work, I began cleaning up after closing the box lids and stacking them in a pile on the table.
Tired from baking, I sank down into a chair and closed my eyes, while the conversation with my father earlier that week replayed itself in my mind.
Flashback
"Hi Dad" I said when the line connected.
"Hello Akina" he responded warmly. "How have you been?"
"Okay" I said quickly.
"Are you sure?" he questioned concerned.
"Yes" I answered firmly. "How's your trip going?"
"Fine, I'll be back in a few days." He replied. "How are finding your stay with the Hiwataris?"
"Actually," I began hesitantly. "I'm not staying with them any longer, I'm staying with my other friend Tala"
"Really? Since when?" my father asked, curiosity apparent in his voice.
"Just since the start of this week" I said.
"What made you decide to move out?" he said in reply.
"I felt as though I was burdening them" I answered swiftly.
"Very well then. It is your decision after all" he said after a pause. "I'll see you in a day or two okay?"
"Yeah, bye Dad" I said absently, twirling the phone cord around my finger.
"Take care of yourself Akina" he told before disconnecting the line.
End of flashback
That was why I had now moved back into my own house. Dad would be arriving back home today, which was why I had left Tala's to come and bake the cupcakes. At the same time I thought it would be nice if I baked a few extras and gave them to Tala and the others.
Better get take a shower before Dad gets back I thought lazily as I stood up from my chair.
Kai's POV
Thoughts swirled through my mind rapidly, Akina telling me that she loved me, Mum's warning about losing Akina, Tala's saying that she was dying inside but all the thoughts boiled down to one in the end.
I loved Akina.
Tala had suggested that I do something about it and fast. Before I lost her. But why would I lose her? Did Tala know something that I didn't? My forehead creased as I extended that thought. Better call him. He had better not be hiding anything from me.
"Tala?" I said when I had dialed his number.
"Yo Kai, what's up?" Tala replied.
"What exactly did you mean when you said that I could lose Crystal?" I said getting straight to the point.
There was a sigh on the other end as Tala obviously considered my question.
"Dude, it might or might not be anything to worry about but when she was staying with me, I heard her talk in her sleep" he finally admitted.
"What did she say?" I said impatiently, pushing away the jealous feeling when I remember that Tala and Akina had shared a room when she stayed with him.
"She said" there was a pause before Tala continued. "She was mumbling a few words in her sleep. I only managed to catch Kai, leave and Hong Kong"
"What?" I exclaimed in disbelief.
"Sorry to be the bearer of bad news" Tala said.
"Tala, I-" I began but didn't finish as words failed me.
"Man, you better get a move on" Tala advised before hanging up.
Kai, leave, Hong Kong repeated over and over again as I processed and put them together.
Akina couldn't be going back to Hong Kong, right?
Akina/Crystal's POV
"Welcome back Dad" I said looking up from placing the cupcakes on a plate.
"It's good to be back" he replied with a smile. "Did you bake these yourself?" he asked indicating the cookies.
"Yeah" I said as I passed him one.
"So how have you been recently?" he questioned after swallowing the cookie.
"Fine" I said busying myself with making some tea.
"Akina," he said with a sigh. "Is something the matter?"
"Nothing's wrong, why would you think that?" I assured him.
"Akina, you're my only daughter, don't you think that I would know you well enough to know when there is something wrong with you?" he said shaking his head.
"I'm fine, really I am" I insisted, forcing a smile onto my face.
"Something is wrong. I can tell from your eyes" he said seriously as his gaze flickered down to them. "You know that you have your mother's eyes. Her emotions were always reflected through them"
"I-" I began but couldn't finish as tears threatened to spill over. Why now of all times? Couldn't I even get through one freaking day without wanting to cry? I did not want to cry in front of my father, I was supposed to be strong.
"Akina, it's okay if you don't want to talk about it" he said gently as he took in my unreleased tears. "Just remember, if you ever need anything, I'll be here for you" he said as he turned to leave the room.
"Dad," I finally managed to say and he turned back around. "I want to go back to Hong Kong"
Kai's POV
"Hey guys" I said absently as Rei, Mariah and Tala sat down next to me at lunch later that week.
"Hey" they replied and they all frowned as they took in my untucked shirt, loosely tied tie and tired expression.
"Kai, what's wrong?" Rei questioned.
"Huh?" I said turning to look at him.
"He's going through a mid life crisis" Tala informed him.
"What?" Mariah asked in confusion.
"He's fighting an internal battle about how to tell Crystal that he loves her" Tala said.
"Ooh, so you've finally come clean with your feelings for Crystal huh? Well I hope you tell her soon" Mariah said shifting her attention to an approaching figure. "Here she comes now"
"Hey" Crystal greeted us when she arrived.
"What are those?" Rei asked her as he caught sight of four colored boxes in her hands.
"For you guys" she simply said and passed them out.
I looked down at the dark blue box with Hiwatari Kai neatly printed onto it in cursive handwriting. There she went again, not using my given name but my whole name.
Taking a quick glance over at the other boxes confirmed my suspicions. I was the only one whom Crystal had written my entire name.
"Oh my god, these are so cute!" Mariah exclaimed when she opened up her box.
Upon lifting the lid, I found several triple chocolate cookies nestled in the same shade of tissue paper and each was decorated with my name.
"Thanks heaps Crystal" Tala said as he took a bite out of a cookie.
"These taste so good Crystal! Did you make them yourself?" Mariah asked her after taking a bite out of her cookie.
"Yeah" she said with a shrug.
"Aren't you going to eat yours?" Tala enquired leaning over to look down at my cookies.
"Huh?" I said looking up from them.
"Dude" he said with a sigh. "Tell her soon so that you can quit acting like you're permanently lost"
Akina/Crystal's POV
"Akina?" dad asked as he knocked on my door.
"Come in Dad" I replied and he stepped into my room.
"Have you finished packing?" he said.
"Yeah, just about" I said as I neatly folded a skirt and laid it in my suitcase.
"Are you sure that you want to return to Hong Kong?" dad asked
"Yes" I firmly replied.
"Okay, if it's what you want" he said with a sigh and stood up. "I supposed it doesn't really matter where you live since I'm always away on business. I'm sorry that I'm not around more"
"It's okay Dad, really. I understand how important your job is" I reassured.
"Well here is your ticket for tomorrow. You have your passport right?" Dad checked, handing me a booklet with my ticket enclosed.
"Yes" I told him.
"Are any of your friends going to the airport to see you off tomorrow?" he asked.
"No, I didn't tell them that I was leaving" I confessed. "I wrote them letters explaining it to them"
Flashback
I shook my wrist which was exhausted from all the writing I had just done. Served me right though. I could've just written them all the same e-mail. But I had thought that would've been too impersonal.
Better check them for any spelling errors I thought and picked up Rei's letter.
To Rei,
Rei, you're such a great person and friend. You always have a sense of humor but yet you're mature at the same time. I always wonder how you manage to do that. I'm sure that with your easy going nature and personality you'll go far in life.
Are you wondering why I'm saying all this stuff? I'm not planning on committing suicide if that's what you're thinking. I'm not that stupid. Like I'd commit suicide because... you know what? Let's just get on with the letter. As I was saying I'm not dying or anything, just moving back to Hong Kong. I just want to thank you for being my friend from the first day of school.
Love from your friend Crystal.
P.S Remember to take of Mariah! She's a bit err..high maintenance at times....
Next I read through Mariah's letter.
Dear Mariah,
This is just a short letter to thank you for being such a great friend while I've been in Tokyo. You always managed to cheer me up and I loved the shopping sprees we went on even though the clothes you always picked out for me were kinda...
Anyway, moving on, I hope that you are always cheerful and happy, no matter what happens. You're the kind of person who lights up a room the moment she steps into it and because of that I'll always remember you.
Love from your friend, Crystal.
Shifting through the letters, I found Tala's.
Hey Tala,
Are you wondering why I'm writing this to you? Well by the time you've gotten this letter, I'll be let's see....out of the country probably? I'm returning to Hong Kong. Why you ask? Well I suppose it's because of Kai. I could probably lie to you and say it's due to my father's business or something but you'll probably call me on my bullshit right?
Anyway, time to get down to business. I just wanted to let you know how much I've appreciated your friendship and how you supported me through the whole Kai thing. I've learnt from you to always be true to myself. You helped me greatly and I thank you for that. I hope that you will find your true happiness because you deserve every bit of it.
Love from your friend Crystal.
Lastly I scanned through Kai's letter.
Hiwatari Kai,
I'm just writing to let you know that I'm returning to Hong Kong. Thank-you for your hospitality and tolerance in putting up with me. I know that I can be a nuisance at times and I apologize for any inconvenience I've caused for you.
I wish you all the best in life and may you be successful in whatever you choose to do.
Sincerely yours, Hiragazaki Akina.
I slid each letter into its corresponding envelope and sealed them. I pasted a stamp on the front of each one and made a note to myself to post them in the morning on the way to the airport.
End of flashback
"Akina" my father said disapprovingly.
"I know Dad" I said with a sigh and looked out the window. The sun was low in the sky, it'd soon be setting. "I think I'll go and take a walk"
"Okay, just be sure to be back before its dark" Dad answered before leaving.
I closed the clasp on my suitcase before descending down the stairs and out the door.
Kai's POV
"Kai, I have some news for you" my mother asked as she entered my room.
"Yeah what is it?" I replied.
"It's Akina, she's leaving to return to Hong Kong tomorrow" she stated quietly.
"What? No, Akina wouldn't leave" I said with a shake of my head.
"Kai, Akina is leaving tomorrow because she's hurt and wants distance herself from you. Moving out of our house wasn't enough for her. She's hurt so much that she just wants to forget that she ever knew you. You have to tell her how you feel now. Who knows when you will see her again" mum said firmly. "Now go to her house before it's too late"
"Okay, okay" I said as I walked past her still in a daze.
Akina was leaving?
No, Akina will not and cannot leave without knowing how I feel about her. I had put this off for as long as I could. This was the moment of truth.
"How may I help you?" a maid enquired when I had arrived at Akina's house.
"I need to see Akina" I said quickly.
"I'm sorry, she isn't in at the current moment" the maid said apologetically.
"Hiwatari Kai? Is that you?" Akina's father said in surprise as he walked into the lobby.
"Mr. Hiragazaki, could you possibly tell me where Akina is?" I asked him, the urgency now apparent in my voice.
"I think she has gone for a walk" he answered.
"Thanks" I said before taking off down the driveway as fast as I could.
Where could she have gone? I wondered as I ran past the streets and the park.
Wait a moment. The park.
I skidded on my heels and sprinted back towards the park and made a beeline for the lake.
Why didn't I think of the park and lake before?
I came to a halt when I caught sight of her figure through the trees.
I drank in the sight of her as she stood at the water's edge, the setting sun casting a glow over the lake as it shimmered.
Crystal/Akina's POV
I gazed at the setting sun, marveling at its beauty as it set and I was filled with sadness that there was nobody with me to share this moment.
I unconsciously slipped a hand inside the tiny pocket in my skirt and frowned when I felt something smooth brush past my finger.
What was it? I wondered as I carefully tugged it out of my pocket.
It was the sticker photos which I had taken with Kai several weeks ago. I smiled wistfully when I saw his arms wrapped around me. It was a pity that that would never happen again.
Sighing, I slipped the photo back inside my pocket. It was just a reminder of how things had been and how simple it was then. Maybe I should just burn it. After all if I was returning to Hong Kong I didn't need memories like this hanging over my head. If I was to erase Kai from my heart, I would have to destroy every trace of him. But...couldn't I keep these photos? Or would it only feel me with sadness every time I looked at it?
Shaking my head, I decided to contemplate that later and that it would be best now to return home since darkness would soon settle over everything.
I turned to walk back through the trees when my heart stopped.
Kai.
There he was, leaning against the trunk of a tree, arms folded over his chest, gazing intently at me and he straightened up when I noticed him.
"Akina" he simply said and I stayed rooted beside the lake as he approached me.
"What are you doing here?" I whispered almost afraid of the answer.
"What's this I hear about you returning to Hong Kong?" he said ignoring my question.
"Where-where'd you hear that from?" I said averting my gaze.
"My mother told me. Is it true? Are you really leaving?" he asked seriously stepping closer in order to stare into my eyes.
"Yes" I said dropping my head to stare at the ground.
"Akina, I'd appreciate it if you looked at me in the eye just this once" he said in a soft pleading tone.
"Hiwatari-" I started to say but he swiftly stepped forward and placed a single finger over my lips.
"Don't start calling my Hiwatari now" he said quietly. "Why are you leaving?"
"Because I want to" I said definitely looking up into his eyes trying my best to ignore the tingles shooting from his single finger to my lips.
"You're lying" Kai said flatly.
"No I'm not. I want to return to Hong Kong. I can't even remember why I decided to come here in the first place" I said firmly trying to believe what I was saying and Kai's fingers slipped from my lips as I turned to stare at the setting sun
"Akina, I'm sorry" he said without any warning.
"What for?" I said vaguely confused.
"I'm sorry for what happened that day in the rain" he answered quietly.
"You don't have to be sorry. What else were you supposed to do? Say that you returned my feelings when you didn't? If you had done that, it would've been a hundred times as worse." I said, tears pricking the corners of my eyes. There was no way I was going to cry in front of him. He did not need to know how deep my pain was.
"Akina, I love you" Kai said after a brief pause.
"No you don't. You feel guilty that I'm leaving." I told him softly. "Do not force yourself to love me out of pity"
"I am not forcing myself to love you out of pity Akina" he said before wrapping his arms around me and tilting my head up to meet his eyes. "I love you"
This time his words seemed to ring through the air, sincerity laced within them and it took me several long moments before I was able to process this thought. All it took was those three little words to bring the world around me to a grinding halt.
I gazed into his auburn eyes to see them filled with something indescribable. Could it be love? I found it difficult to allow myself to believe his words. But upon looking into his eyes I believed him.
"Kai?" I whispered almost uncertainly.
"I'm glad that you've stopped all that Hiwatari crap" he said and for the first time since I've met him, a true smile spread over his features and his eyes softened.
"I love you Kai" I murmured leaning my head against his chest.
"I love you too Akina" he said in return before resting his head on the top of mine and his hands slowly encircled themselves around my waits.
"I suppose I won't be returning to Hong Kong for some time" I mumbled and Kai chuckled quietly.
"I sure hope not" he said and when I lifted my head up I found our lips a millimeter apart.
My world seemed to spin at our close proximity and I felt my heartbeat quicken.
Before I could say anything, Kai swiftly closed the distance, our lips meeting in soft and gentle kiss.
Finished at last! Sorry about the ending....but not to worry there will be a sequel and that will have more fluff in it. Although I have yet to finalize the plot and have been having a lot of difficulty and problems with it. If you have any ideas about what the plot in the sequel could be then please post your ideas in your review or you can e-mail me at ice_kachang_anjel@hotmail.com Also if you're going to e-mail me could you put "Two hearts, one love" as the subject title? I'm not sure if the sequel will be as good as this fic since I haven't completed it yet but I think that my writing has improved somewhat. I don't' think it'll be as long as this fic either at this point I'm not even sure if it'll be half as long as this fic. The sequel should be up in 3-4 weeks time. I hope that you've liked my fic and sorry if you didn't. But I think that I did okay considering that this is my first fic. Please, please, please remember to review and thanks for taking the time to read this fic. I did contemplate about writing an epilogue for this but in the end I decided not to once I got started because it was kinda weird. Anyway thanks once again. Bubaiz. *waves*