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Disclaimer: Masami Tsuda. Yup. xD
Chapter Four (and the last one ^_^):
Reality
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And so the chase began. Footsteps echoed across the sky, never ceasing. It seemed to go on, the endless race.
Miyazawa wasn't aware of anything. Aware of the strange glances, the wind beating upon her face, the blur of colors before her eyes, the sound of footsteps trailing closely behind her. Her mouth frowned in sudden confusion. Wait a minute. Footsteps? Why was there the sound of footsteps behind her? And so loudly at that? Turning her head in curiosity, auburn tresses beginning to fly over her eyes, she glanced quickly at the person behind her. Her eyes widened in surprise, her breath locked in her throat, and her heart began to thump faster. Only one word managed to come out of the speechless girl's lips.
"ARIMA !?!?"
There he was, in all his glory. Clouded eyes pierced on hers in set determination, raven hair flying freely in the wind, his skin a light blush of pink, a small film of perspiration lining his skin. His pace quickened, trying to reach her, his breath coming out in short gasps. With that, she ran all the faster. Turning her head to only yell at him some more.
"Why are you are running after me!?" She screamed, her words being carried to him through the wind, and of course, to all others around them. Soon, eyes began to lie upon them as they passed, some muttering something about teenagers and stupidity. But, that really wasn't the point.
"Because you are running!" He countered back just as loud. His pace quickened yet again, hoping he would catch her, but of course, that would never happen, at least not to the lithe girl sprinting in front of him. Who knows how far they ran. They ran through the bustling streets, cars honking at their disturbance, people screaming wretched, threatening words for them to get back onto the safe sidewalk, and obstacles began to become more frequent along the way.
"That's your reason!?" Yukino roared back with a vicious glare. The way he said that so simply! Ooooh, he would pay. But, not now, since well, he was on her tail, barely missing her more than a few times already. She stretched her legs farther, covering more ground as she ran. Glancing back, she noticed Arima did the same.
When the hell would he give up!?
Who knows how long they ran. It lasted forever, the frequent obstacles needing to be accomplished to get that extra burst to escape, the constant yells and screams thrown towards them, it was a race that seemed to never end. Time was not a concern to either of them. To them, time seemed to pass in a blur of colors and sounds. Emotions were all that mattered. Yukino's quick agitation that Arima wouldn't stop chasing her, her fear of having to look into those deep, sooty eyes that seemed to capture her every time, worry that things would never be the same. Her mind was a whir of horrid images pertaining to her reputable status and of, strangely enough, Arima himself.
To Arima, he wasn't even thinking; running after her was just like it was some kind of quirky habit that he contained; it was as if he were accustomed to this sort of behavior. His mind, it was Yukino. The auburn haired, mahogany eyed girl who was annoying, self-centered, and very odd was all that occupied his mind. She was like a drug; he had to run after her, he had to catch her, there was no question. He wanted to know. Wanted to know what was behind those beaming amber orbs that seemed to portray a confident girl who had everything in life. He knew, partially at least, how it felt. Yes, that was true. They both played the same game. Everyday, he would put on his mask, never once revealing his true self. It was all fake. The laughter with his friends, the smile he always wore so kindly upon his features, the happiness that was gleaming in his eyes. It was fake. A lie. A never ending lie that seemed to flow endlessly out of his lips, whether it be in his homestead or at school. Truthfully, it was sad. Not being able to have a stable relationship with another. Not being able to talk freely with others. He never had anyone. Acquaintances, yes, but they were mere people that he conversed with at school about mundane things. Yet, never anyone…special.
….And she was the same.
Somehow finding their way to a park inhabited by a few walking beings, Yukino finally stopped. The cherry blossoms endlessly fluttered to the ground, a sheet of pink and white covering the pavement below. The wind rustled quietly, the light sound of birds chirping passed, and not a word was passed between the two except for the sound of heavy pants. Arima was only a few steps behind her, glancing at her every now and then to check if she had sprinted off again. Wretched girl.
She clenched her fists, before she turned stiffly towards him, giving him the ultimate glare that she was able to penetrate to anyone.
"Miyazawa…" He reached a feeble hand towards her, but her glare, if at all possible, hardened even more. Tears of anger, remorse, guilt, and failure streamed down her cheeks endlessly, small whimpers escaping her throat.
"Wh-Why?" Her voice cracked, her body trembled uncontrollably, hands beginning to weaken from their violent clench.
"I wanted…I wanted to know why you've been acting so….strange-" Her eyes flared at that, "-lately," He whispered lowly; silently hoping that maybe she wouldn't hear him.
Fat chance.
"Strange?" Her voice cracked yet again, a low laugh seeming to escape from her lips. His eyes dimmed in slight confusion. Laughing? Her hands clenched together in a painful grasp yet again as she lowered her head, vivid auburn bangs covering her eyes, her tears mixing with the cherry blossoms on the ground.
And that's when all Hell broke loose. Well, at least that's when Yukino did.
"I'm…I'm not perfect! Okay!? I'm selfish, I only think of myself, I'm insecure, I'm lazy, I'm fake, I'm strange, I'm weird, I'm a liar, I try to fool everyone to think I am some perfect student with the perfect life at home, with the perfect house, with the perfect siblings, with the perfect parents, I want to be praised, I want to be perfect, but I'm not!" Her sobs heightened, the sound of tears filling the Spring air. She collapsed onto the ground harshly, but she didn't care, at least not now. A few silent moments passed, where a couple mutterings of "I have to be perfect" and "Why can't I be perfect" resonated from the weeping girl.
"And, that's okay," His gentle voice softly ringed in her ears. Slowly tilting her head upward she noticed that Arima had shuffled himself closer to her where she had a full view of his beautiful features. He was crouched in front of her, his eyes drowning themselves into hers. She blushed lightly in return.
Well, that was quickly overcome though.
Pounding one fist onto the unforgiving ground and looking straight into his eyes, she fiercely replied, "How? Perfection is what makes everyone happy."
He smiled as best he could at the situation laid in front of him.
"Really? Then why aren't you?"
She blanched and paled at a fast rate before his eyes. Her eyes widened in realization, her mouth forming a small, gaping 'o'-shape, a feeling of nausea beginning to wash over her, her stomach turning into knots. She never really did think about these things.
Oooh, she just hated it when he was right!
She turned her head swiftly to the side, shielding herself from his view. Yet, she felt something warm and comforting cup her cheek. It slide down to her mid-chin and stayed there, almost motioning for her to turn towards him.
He chuckled lightly, a small smile apparent on his features.
"But you know…-" He trailed off, sliding his index finger off her chin. She turned her head back slightly to glance at him more clearly. She noticed his eyes were closed in deep contentment and relief, "-I love that you aren't like that, that you aren't perfect, I love how you seem to amaze me with your crazy antics, with your jovial mask of mystery, I just…love you," He concluded with a soft smile, brushing his fingers over hers. She fought to twitch her hand away, but his hands were too soft to resist.
Turning her head fully to his view now, she shifted towards him, locking her eyes with his in a surprising stare. There they were, crouched on the cold pavement, eyes locked with another, cherry blossoms surrounding them in peaceful harmony, sharing what looked like a very intimate moment.
But in reality, it was far from intimate.
Yukino's mind whirred, her thoughts clashing into one another causing her almost to faint in shock. Luckily, she didn't.
He loved her!? She knew he had somewhat of a crush on her, but she thought that he had probably hated her now after doing all those evil things to him. But, he loved her!?
She could hardly breathe straight! The thought of perfect, gentle Arima loving someone as crazy and strange as her was practically impossible to even consider!
For Arima, he was hardly breathing, eyes watching her every movement for some sign of a conclusion. Had he angered even more? Would she reject him? He couldn't even begin to think what her answer may be.
Something new rose in Yukino's heart, something she never felt before. It was an ache to be with him, to make him smile, to hold his hand lovingly. Every smile he gave her, every loving look he passed her way, every time he spoke out of concern for her well-being, it was all…heart-warming to the girl. She never did….have someone special, and maybe, just maybe Arima could fill that spot.
Maybe she wouldn't make him pay.
Smiling, a small giggle escaping her lips, she brought a hand to his cheek and cupped it, resting it there just like he had done with her. She let it glide down, only her index finger remaining on the middle of his chin. She brought her face closer to his, their noses almost touching. She whispered to him, her face becoming a little red, six simple words that made his heart soar:
"…..I think I love you too."
He smiled a beaming smile to her as she did the same. Her eyes glistened with happy tears while Arima pulled her into a tight hug, their warmth protecting them from the briskness of Spring.
"I'm happy now," She voiced softly, snuggling into his arms. He chuckled at what she was referring to and with that he only tightened his arms around her more.
"Yes, me too," He whispered into her ear and she smiled wider in response.
The cherry blossoms fluttered freely around the two creating a serene image. The wind passed quietly, the birds chirped gleefully sending their wonderful song. The two stayed there, like time was nothing, embraced lovingly basking in the wonderfulness of each other. Both knew now that this was most likely the happiest day of both of their lives.
Why?
She tightened her arms around his waist, sighing in delight.
…..They weren't alone anymore.
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END
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