Disclaimer: I own only the plot of this story, not Hikaru No Go.
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For all reviewers that had been waiting for this chapter, I'm deeply sorry for not updating for such a long time. Hehe, you might be thinking 'so you finally updated' ... anyway, I was kind of busy with school and stuff, and the last chapter was difficult to write. So, this really is the last chapter. Hope you will like it, and give me your comments. - (I really think this chapter is really badly written, because it didn't turn out the way I expected. :P)
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"Akari?" Hikaru's voice woke her from her thoughts.
"Huh?" she looked around, startled, and then slowly recalled what he had asked earlier on. "Erm...oh...that's...that's maybe...," she paused for a while, thinking, should she tell him what it really is? She walked quietly, feeling jealous at whichever person that would be so fortunate as to be liked by Hikaru. But then, she changed her mind and thought that she should be happy for the person. Taking a deep breath, she continued, "Maybe, you have fallen in love with that person..."
Although she felt something uneasy in her, she managed herself and asked boldly with obvious fake cheerfulness in her voice, "Who's she? Can I know?"
Hikaru, surprised at being asked this question, became nervous, and thought to himself, "How could I possibly tell her!"
Seconds passed and Hikaru still did not know what to say. He looked indecisively at Akari, fighting with himself at the choices of telling Akari the truth, or keeping it to himself.
"It's okay if you don't want to say." Akari walked away sadly, thinking that she can't even know who the person is, but still, feeling envious of the girl.
Hikaru thought that she had walked away because she was angry, and walked quickly after her. "Alright, I promised you, I will tell you one day, just don't be angry with me, okay?"
Akari did not reply, not that she don't want to, but because she can't. She was trying hard to force back her tears ... making her unable to speak.
Thinking that the reason that Akari had kept quiet was that she no longer wants to talk to him, he suddenly felt irritated with himself for asking her about that feeling. He quickly ran after her as she had walked quite a distance from him. He ran and stopped in front of Akari, just in time to see the last bit of redness disappearing from her eyes.
"Huh? What happened, Akari? Are you alright?"
"It's just, just sand that got into my eyes." She blinked and smiled at him, hoping that she would believe this little lie of hers. She did not wait for his reply, and just said, "I-I just feel like going home now...see you in school tomorrow, okay? ...Bye." She walked passed him, feeling the overwhelming sadness that she thought might make her faint any moment.
Hikaru quickly followed after her. "I'll walk you home then, you will let me accompany you, right?" Hikaru was still not sure about letting her just leave like this. Furthermore, he was still puzzling over whether or not should he tell her his feelings – whether it's the right time – now that he knew that in his heart, she matters a lot to him.
"It's okay, you go on with your things, I can walk home by myself." Akari said this softly, and carried on walking, determined to keep away from his view.
Hikaru couldn't hold it anymore, "Akari," he started, "it's not that I don't want to tell you whoever it is, it's just that...that...it's because...BECAUSE YOU ARE THE PERSON AND...I really like you, Akari..."
There was silence for a moment as both of them stood rooted to their spots. One, being surprised of the sudden courage he gained, another, wondering if she was in a dream.
Hikaru spoke first, feeling apprehensive of the answer he might be given, but wanting to clear his doubt, he asked, "Do you...feel the same way towards me?"
Then slowly, Akari turned to face Hikaru, beaming at him, and he saw her nod her head, though it was only faintly. A smile quickly spread over Hikaru's face and he felt himself heaving a sigh of relief, "I am so glad about it." He bent his head down and kissed Akari on the cheek. Despite knowing each other's feelings, Akari still felt her face growing hot, as she looked shyly away from Hikaru, but feeling delighted.
As she looked up, their eyes met, and for the first time, they hugged, with Akari feeling the warmness that she had never felt before in Hikaru's arms, and Hikaru, thinking that that was the best moment he had ever felt; both hoping that it will stay that way...
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As the faint light from the setting sun fell on them, the pair of them strolled round the park, hand in hand, talking to themselves, oblivious about any other things, immensed in their own world of wonder...
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-End of Chapter-
Well, this is the last chapter of this story. And hope you all have enjoyed it. And I also must thank all that had reviewed my story for they really encouraged me to write more. Hope to see reviews from you! See ya!