Chapter 23!! Untangle
Disclaimer: I don't own RK!
Author's notes: Here it is! the ending!!!
Sorry for the lame ending! I'm just so lazy today...and had nothing to do! Hehehe...
"Himura-kun...arigatoo..."
Kaoru shut her eyes immediately. She leaned on the wall beside the big window and sighed. She didn't want to hear it. She did not want to believe it. "I can't believe...Misao-chan likes Himura too..." she whispered to herself.
"Kaoru-chan! Ohayo!" Misao greeted, running up to Kaoru from the hallway.
"Ah... Ohayo." Kaoru whispered and avoided Misao's eyes.
"What's the matter, Kaoru-chan? Something wrong?" Misao asked.
Kaoru shook her head with a sad smile. "Oh, no. Nothing's wrong." She said. Suddenly, she heard the classroom door opening slowly. She saw Soujirou entering inside the classroom and closing the door slowly too.
Soujirou seemed pathetic and light while walking. He sat on his seat and put his head on top of his arms that were on the table. He sighed deeply.
Kaoru blinked and stared at Soujirou. "I wonder what's wrong with him..." she said to herself and walked towards Soujirou.
"Hmm? Kaoru-chan?" Misao asked, seeing Kaoru walk away from her.
Soujirou opened his eyes slowly that were hidden inside his crossed arms on the table. "It can't be happening... It can't be..." he whispered and closed his eyes tightly again. He shook his head. "It can't be happening..."
Kaoru frowned, staring at her seemed-troubled-friend. She lifted her right hand and placed it on Soujirou's left shoulder. "Soujirou..." she called out softly.
Soujirou tilted his head up and was surprised when he saw it was Kaoru. He smiled at her.
Kaoru frowned yet again. She knew Soujirou was NOT okay, for she knew THAT smile. "Let's talk later, when we get home, ok?" she whispered.
Soujirou nodded absently and stared at the blackboard.
"Kaoru-chan? What are you doing?" Misao asked.
"Oh, nothing. Misao-chan, gomen, I have to go home with Soujirou." Kaoru said.
"That's okay! I have someone to talk to anyway later!" Misao beamed.
"Who?" Kaoru asked; her voice thick with curiosity.
"It's a secret!" Misao exclaimed and giggled happily. She sat immediately on her seat when the teacher came.
Kaoru began to tremble slightly. She knew it was Kenshin Misao was talking about. She shrugged then sat on her seat. "I can't wait," she whispered sarcastically, accompanied with a depressed sigh.
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The 5:00 pm bell rang exactly on time and it was already dismissal time.
"Got to go, Kaoru-chan! See you tomorrow! Bye!" Misao exclaimed, running out of the classroom.
Kaoru stood up and walked over to Soujirou. "Sou-chan," she called, watching Soujirou pack his things inside his dark blue bag. "A-no...can we..?"
Soujirou did not seem to hear what Kaoru said, and she opened her mouth to speak again, when he said, "I know."
Kaoru blinked and relaxed. "Ikemasho," she said and waited for Soujirou at the doorway.
Soujirou stood up and smiled sadly at Kaoru. He nodded and followed Kaoru in front of him. At last, they were outside of the campus and the school itself, and they proceeded to walk home.
Silence hugged the two individuals.
Kaoru bit her lip and inhaled deeply. "Soujirou?"
"Hmm?"
"If there's anything that's truly wrong, you would tell me...right?" she asked, unsure.
"..."
"..."
"..."
"Gomen nasai,"
Kaoru tilted her head up and looked at Soujirou. She looked at his beautiful eyes--showing emotions at last after all those years. She saw the almost hurt look in his eyes and seemed to cry over her any minute now. "I..."
"Can we...talk for a minute?" Soujirou asked bashfully.
"We can talk anytime, Sou-chan." Kaoru said and smiled, full of concern.
Soujirou gave the smile back and when he saw a bench, he sat on it, offering Kaoru the space beside him to sit on.
Kaoru sat beside him obediently and exhaled. "So...what is it?" she asked.
"I don't know if you'll understand me," Soujirou whispered, looking at the ground.
Kaoru smiled and held his hand tightly. "You can tell me anything- everything...I'll understand." She explained.
Soujirou stared at Kaoru's deep blue eyes. "I'm...I'm moving out." He murmured in a low tone.
Kaoru's eyes widened and her grip on Soujirou's hand tightened.
"Thankfully, my mother and I are out of poverty, as you know. My mother is happily doing her job as an employee in a certain company for some months now and while she was innocently searching for something, she discovered that we have a relative in another country. He's my uncle, the brother of my father, and is willing to lend a helping hand. He came to visit us last week and...Yes, he looked exactly like my father and..." Soujirou paused, bearing the pain of leaving his first love yet again. He looked at Kaoru, hoping to see any form of reaction.
And Kaoru just sat there, speechless with eyes wide open, silent. "Please...continue."
Soujirou nodded. "He's letting us two live in his almost-empty house in Italy. He is very rich and I know we can live happily there. My mother accepted quickly...but I didn't want to leave Japan yet. I don't want to leave Japan." Soujirou said, feeling the tears forming in his eyes.
"Tell me," Kaoru whispered and looked at Soujirou. "What did Misao say to you?" she asked, although her question was out of the subject, she couldn't take that question out of her mind.
Soujirou didn't jump back or at least was surprised. He just sat there, gazing at his lovely friend. "She...just wanted to confirm if I...really like you," he said, followed with a blush.
"You do?" Kaoru asked curiously.
"Of course I do! I had always liked you...but I didn't seem to have a chance with Himura around, so I've always kept my feelings!" Soujirou exclaimed then he lifted his hands to massage his temples and hide his eyes. He regretted it.
Kaoru smiled then pried away the hands that were covering his lovely eyes. "I like you, Sou-chan." She said simply.
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Misao waited for someone to come out of the changing room. She hummed to herself.
"Ah, Makimachi, you're here."
Misao smiled at the person. "I've been waiting for you, Himura-kun!"
"Ah, thanks. How were the cookies?" Kenshin asked, closing the door of the room.
"Ah, they're sweet! I can't believe you just threw the other cookies! So wasteful!" Misao exclaimed.
Kenshin shook his head with a smile. "Yeah, I am. By the way, why did you want to see me?" he asked, walking forward towards the gate to exit the school.
"I'm so uncomfortable with it. I just wanted to tell you, Kaoru-chan REALLY likes you! So please, ask her out now!" Misao exclaimed, catching up with Kenshin.
Kenshin blushed slightly. He nodded slowly. "I think I will...but...what if she rejects me?"
"She would never reject you! Believe me!" Misao exclaimed.
Kenshin glanced at the ever-genki-girl. "Yatemiru yo (I'll try it)."
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Soujirou's eyes widened and blinked, unable to speak. He was so surprised, and his eyes showed it.
Kaoru smiled. "I hope you remember." She just said and ran away quickly.
Soujirou watched Kaoru retreat then placed his right palm on his right cheek, where Kaoru's lips melted, performing a symbolic action. He blushed as he remembered 'that'.
"I...will never forget."
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Kaoru ran quickly, hoping to get away from Soujirou as quickly as possible. She didn't know why she was running away from her dear friend, and surely she didn't want to run away either. She just felt like running away, after what she has done. She kissed Soujirou innocently on his warm cheek. She felt the sudden urge to cry out, but she thinks it over, and decided not to.
Kaoru no BAKA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Warm tears fell down on her cheeks. She cried in the very thought of her very close friend leaving once again.
"Oh, hi, Kaoru-chan!"
Kaoru opened her eyes and saw Kenshin with Misao, smiling at her.
"What happened to you, Kaoru-chan? Where's Seta-kun?" Misao asked innocently.
Kaoru bit her lip. She glanced at Misao then at the person beside her- Kenshin. She shook her head and gave them a bright smile. "I'm sorry, but I have to go." She said and ran towards her home.
Misao and Kenshin looked back at Kaoru.
"I wonder what happened..." Misao said.
"She was with Seta?" Kenshin asked.
Misao nodded. "I don't know what happened, though." She said.
-----
Kaoru landed on her bed flatly. She looked at the ceiling of her room and still cried. She promptly shut her eyes again, forgetting the images of Misao and Kenshin talking happily and 'making out' together. If only, oh, if only Soujirou was to stay and comfort her...
"Kaoru-chan! Phone call for you!!" Aunt Tokio exclaimed from downstairs.
"Hai!!" Kaoru exclaimed and sat up slowly. She went downstairs and into the living room, picking up the phone. "Moshi-moshi? Kaoru Kamiya here,"
"Konbanwa, Kaoru." The voice said.
Kaoru smiled. "Soujirou." She said and leaned on the sofa. "What is it?"
"I'm afraid I can't come to class tomorrow. We've got to do some packing." Soujirou explained.
"Oh, that's all right." Kaoru said.
"Ah, I almost forgot! Our flight is the day after tomorrow." Soujirou said.
"Yes, and I'll go to the airport with you, best friend." Kaoru said and giggled softly.
Soujirou chuckled. "I hope we can still communicate even though we're very far away from each other." He said.
"Why not? We have modern technology, so what's the computer and Internet used for?" Kaoru said and giggled again.
"I guess you're right. See you the day after tomorrow, Kaoru. Oyasumi nasai." Soujirou said then, and put down the phone quickly.
Kaoru put the phone quickly too. She smiled at her surroundings. "It was a short period of time when I felt happiness to see my childhood friend, and the next thin you know he's gone already." She whispered to herself and made her way towards her room again.
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It was already morning.
Kaoru walked towards the campus and in the locker room. She got the books she needed and locked her locker.
"Konnichiwa, Kaoru-chan!" Misao exclaimed suddenly.
"Hi," Kaoru said and smiled tiredly.
"Let's go to class." Misao said.
Kaoru nodded and walked towards the classroom. She went inside and sat on her seat. She turned back and saw Soujirou's seat was empty. She frowned.
"Ah! I almost forgot! You have badminton practice later, Kaoru-chan?" Misao asked.
Kaoru nodded. "Yes, I have." She said.
"Oh, I'll be waiting for you in the library again!" Misao said and smiled cheerfully.
Kaoru smiled. "Library...again." she murmured and shook her head.
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Misao waved goodbye at Kaoru and ran toward the fencing club. She saw Kenshin there with Aoshi, looking at the junior students.
"Then I'll see you tomorrow." Aoshi said and started to leave for the tennis club.
"Konnichiwa, Shinomori-kun!" Misao greeted.
Aoshi glanced at Misao and continued walking, ignoring her.
Misao pouted and stuck out her tongue at him. "Hidoi!!!!" she exclaimed. She placed her gaze at Kenshin who was alone now. "Himura-kun!" she called out.
Kenshin turned around and smiled at Misao. "What's up?" he said in a cool way.
"Kaoru's going to the library. Go meet her there later!" Misao exclaimed.
"I..." Kenshin said and blushed. He twitched slightly and smiled. "I'm kind of nervous."
"You'll be okay. Trust me!" Misao said.
Kenshin nodded. "Okay, I'll try!" Kenshin exclaimed. "Thanks a lot, Makimachi."
"Sure! I'll be going now!" Misao said and ran away. When she was sure that Kenshin wasn't watching her anymore, she hid at the tree trunk and frowned. She realized that she already liked Kenshin but then...he likes Kaoru and Kaoru likes him back...she would never have a chance on Kenshin.
"Himura...Kenshin."
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Kaoru inhaled deeply then exhaled. She wiped her sweaty forehead with her face towel. She quickly grabbed her bag and made her way towards the library. She saw there were no more people in there. She began to walk. "Misao-chan! Misao-chan! Where are you, you naughty girl? Misao-chan! Misao- chan ta ra! Mi--"
Kaoru stopped walking when she saw a familiar figure in front of her. "Misao?"
"Hey."
Kaoru's eyes widened. "You..."
Kenshin stood up from the chair and stared at Kaoru. He looked so serious, and that made Kaoru nervous. "Kamiya."
"What...?" Kaoru asked.
"Makimachi said that you were going here, so I came here to see you."
"Misao-chan...?" Kaoru whispered, suspicious.
"I want to tell you something," Kenshin said, slightly trembling.
Kaoru kept quiet and patiently waited Kenshin to say something.
"I...loved you since we were in grade seven when we walked home together and I..."
Kaoru's eyes widened and blushed. "Himura likes me. Himura likes me. Himura likes me." She chanted in her head. She swallowed hard and her grip on her bag tightened.
"I was wondering...if you can go out with me..." Kenshin said and sighed, looking up at Kaoru.
Kaoru was speechless. She wanted this for so long. All she had to do was to say yes and--
Misao.
Kaoru stared at Kenshin, recalling that Kenshin mentioned Misao's surname before asking her to go out with him. She looked at Kenshin seriously then looked at the ground.
"Misao-chan had been happy when I told her I like Himura very much....
Hmm...! You like Himura-san, don't you?
I thought so! Well, why don't you say to Himura-san that you like him?
Relax!
...and I know that she's happy just being with him...
That's okay! I have someone to talk to anyway later!
...and as a friend, I must accept if she likes Himura so much... If she's happy with him, I should give him to her... In that case, I'll be happy too..."
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The library door opened slowly.
Misao saw Kenshin coming out of the library. She ran up to him. "Eh? What happened? Why are you not with Kaoru-chan?" she asked worriedly.
Kenshin frowned then continued walking, ignoring Misao's cries.
Misao held Kenshin's arm to stop him from getting away. "Tell me!"
"You said that Kamiya likes me too, right?" Kenshin asked, looking at the ground.
Misao nodded silently.
"She rejected me."
Period.
Misao's eyes widened. "Wha?! It can't be happening! It's impossible!" she exclaimed and ran towards the library.
"Ah, Makimachi! Where are you going?!" Kenshin asked.
"There's something wrong! I'm going to talk to Kaoru-chan! You wait there!!!" Misao exclaimed, full with dignity. She opened the library door and promptly shut it again.
"Ah," Kenshin said and just stared at the library.
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"Kaoru-chan! Kaoru-chan!" Misao exclaimed. Suddenly, she saw Kaoru sitting on the chair facing the wide table, her face hidden by her bangs. "Kaoru- chan,"
Upon hearing Misao's voice, Kaoru instantly wiped off the tears that had been running along her cheeks. "Misao-chan! You're late!" she exclaimed, trying to act cheerful.
Misao pouted. "What happened, Kaoru-chan? I always thought that you liked Himura very much! He made this opportunity for the both of you! Why didn't you--?"
"It's because Misao-chan likes him too!" Kaoru exclaimed, avoiding Misao's eyes.
Misao's eyes widened. She frowned yet again.
"I can't just have him if it would hurt my best friend..." Kaoru whispered.
"Kaoru-chan, don't mind me." Misao said.
Kaoru tilted her head up and looked at Misao. "Excuse me?"
Misao smiled comfortingly. "I know I haven't been a good best friend to you and I'm sorry. This is your only chance to go out with Himura-kun. Please, don't mind me." She said.
"But I just can't--!"
"Kaoru-chan, please, as a favor...and I don't like him." Misao pleaded.
Kaoru opened her mouth to say something then she was shocked to find out she was speechless. "You don't...?"
Misao nodded. "I...like someone else...and he's made for you. So...Himura- kun's waiting for you outside." She said.
Kaoru blinked then smiled. She stood up and hugged Misao. "I'm sorry I doubted you,"
"Oh, that's okay." Misao said.
"I'm sorry again! See you tomorrow!" Kaoru exclaimed and quickly ran towards her 'destination'.
Misao watched her friend run in excitement. For a minute she was smiling then he next thing, she was frowning with tears ready fall out of her eyes. "He was my first love, though..."
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CURRENT MUSIC: Hatsukoi from Boys be
Kaoru opened the library door swiftly. She saw Kenshin leaning on the trunk of the tree, looking up at the sky. She bit her lip then ran towards him. "Kenshin!" she shouted, using his sacred first name.
Kenshin's eyes widened and turned back. He saw Kaoru running towards him and was very surprised. "Kamiya...ah! Kaoru," he called.
Kaoru panted in front of him. "I... Gomen nasai! I don't mean what I said earlier! I mean, I loved you too ever since that 'incident'! I... I..."
My voice is trembling... It feels like I'm going to cry any minute now...
Kaoru looked at the ground and controlled herself from crying. "I'm so sorry... I didn't mean to be so harsh to you, but if you want--"
"Mou daijoubu..." Kenshin whispered as he suddenly grabbed Kaoru's head for it to lean against his chest.
Kaoru gasped softly, but then relaxed. She closed her eyes and nodded. "You forgive me?" she asked softly.
"Why would I forgive you? There's no sin that you committed." Kenshin said comfortingly.
"Gomen nasai..." Kaoru whispered, wounding her arms around Kenshin's waist.
Kenshin smiled, knowing that Kaoru already accepted him. He hugged Kaoru tightly, as if he would die if he loses her.
"Kenshin?"
"Nn?"
"It's funny..."
"How, Kaoru?"
"Well, we're now calling each other our first names..." Kaoru said, smiling.
"Ah..."
"It's feels wonderful to hear..."
"Ah...Kaoru?"
"Hmm?"
"Does this mean we're together already?"
Kaoru pushed Kenshin away from her gently. She giggled and nodded.
Kenshin smiled and pulled Kaoru back to his embrace.
"Kenshin..."
"What?"
"Can you do me a favor?"
"Anything."
"Can you...accompany me to the airport tomorrow?"
"Why?"
"Sou-chan..." she said in a whisper.
"Hush now. I know."
"Okay..."
"Kaoru...does this mean...I have no rivals anymore?" Kenshin asked.
Kaoru tilted her head up and focused her gaze into Kenshin's violet eyes. "What do you mean?" she asked.
"Well...to tell you the truth, I was getting extremely jealous when Shinomori, Yukishiro, Sagara, and Seta are around you... I was afraid that you might-"
Kaoru gave Kenshin a confused look. "Eh? What do you mean? I don't understand."
Kenshin looked at Kaoru confusingly too. "Huh?"
"Why were you jealous? Were the four of them have a crush on me or something? Hmm...I didn't know. Maybe that would explain why they were all acting weird around me..." Kaoru said.
Kenshin sighed and shook his head with a smile. "Forget about that now."
"Arigatoo..."
"Arigatoo mo, Kaoru." Kenshin said and closed his eyes to cherish this moment.
There they stand, silence hugging them. There were no more explanations-- just pure silence thick with emotions of love. This is a new beginning, and it will end eternally...
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Misao smile sadly as she watched the couple hug from below. "I bet Tomoe- sempai would be really shocked to hear the news that Kaoru-chan and Himura- kun are together now! Maybe Takani-san would feel bad too, for she doesn't have a boyfriend like my cool friend, Kaoru-chan!" she exclaimed and giggled softly.
Misao was inside their classroom alone, and she felt really sad despite the smile on her face. She sat on her seat and sighed. "I feel so pathetic right now... The ever-genki-Misao is now gone..." she whispered.
Images of Kenshin came flashing to her mind. She bit her lip then started crying painfully. "He's gone..."
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The changing room was locked already.
Aoshi grabbed his bag and prepared to go home after tennis club. He sighed. Suddenly, he stopped walking. "I think I forgot something in the classroom... I'd better check it out." Aoshi said to himself. He started making his way towards the classroom and was surprised when he heard soft cries. He peeped inside the classroom and found Misao crying.
Misao kept crying, unaware of the person behind the door that was watching her.
Aoshi just watched Misao there. "I didn't know Makimachi looks cute when crying..." he whispered to himself. He drew out a white handkerchief from his pocket and opened the door.
As soon as the door was opened and made a sound, Misao jumped back in surprise. She forgot to wipe her tears when she saw Aoshi standing there at the doorway. "Shinomori-kun..."
Aoshi walked towards Misao and offered his handkerchief. "Stop crying," he said simply.
Misao looked at him in surprise and looked at the handkerchief. She bit her lip then cried again, but now she had clung to Aoshi for comfort. There she was, leaning against Aoshi's manly chest, muffling her sobs and cries, ignoring the handkerchief that was offered to her.
Aoshi was surprised at first, but then relaxed and stroked Misao's hair a bit awkwardly. "Don't worry... I'm just here," Aoshi said.
Misao cried more. She didn't know why, but Aoshi's voice was so comforting, although she thought he was so cold. She couldn't stop crying yet and she didn't do yet.
The sun set behind them and breeze blew against them coldly. They could just stand there, wanting the other's company. Like before, there was pure silence, but some time from now on, that silence would be thick with love and concern for each other.
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Author's notes: Hey! Whoa! Thank God, I finished already this ficcie! Please keep reading my ficcie, "The Bridge" and check out my first one- shot, "One More Time"!!!!
Ah! Almost forgot! Reviews are good for the health... Hee hee.
BYE!!!!!!!!