Chapter 12: I say I LOVE YOU!

KIYOTA'S CLASSROOM

Junta-sensei gave Kiyota a look and sighed. "I guess I don't see a reason for flunking you Nobunaga" Kiyota's eyes widened and exclaimed, "Honto ni?!" Junta-sensei gave Kiyota his exam paper and exclaimed, "This is your 6th time to get a 100% grade in my exams. Another passing grade like that, I might exempt you in the finals"

"Don't worry Junta-sensei, I'll be exempted" Kiyota exclaimed winking at his teacher. It was the end of the month, and the finals are coming near and so thus the annual music festival of Kainan. Kiyota hopped out of the classroom as the bell rings.

He looked at his watch and noticed that it was time for basketball practice. Kainan once again got into Inter High, but Shohoku beat them in the finals, but it's okay, they are still in the Inter High. Kiyota walked up into the gym seeing Arika waiting for him.

"Hey, its that your exam from Chemistry?" Arika asked. Kiyota nod his head and showed her his grade. Arika beamed and exclaimed, "A 100%! Very good Kiyota, that's the 6th time!" Kiyota grinned and replied, "Yeah! Junta-sensei told me another grade like that he would exempt me from the finals"

"That's good." Arika replied. She then closed her chemistry book and stood up. Kiyota raised an eyebrow and asked, "Hey where you going?" Arika gave him a smile and said, "I don't think you need tutorial lessons anymore Kiyota, I mean you're getting good grades already"

Kiyota grabbed her by the arm and exclaimed, "Hold on! Don't leave Arika, I need you!" Arika gave him a look and said, "Kiyota, can't you study all by yourself now? Even without me, you'll pass Chemistry" Kiyota replied, "I know, it is just that... I... I..."

Then suddenly a ball hit him in the head. "Oh sorry Kiyota!" a team mate of his exclaimed. "The ball went out of hand" Kiyota massaged his head and cried, "BE CAREFUL IDIOT!" Arika laughed and said, "We'll talk later Kiyota, it's time for your practice and besides I need to rehearse for the presentation. It's the end of the month and the Music Festival is a week away"

Kiyota nod his head and said, "Okay, but please Arika, don't leave" before Arika could reply, Kiyota turned his back and headed the lockers leaving Arika pondering, "Leave? I am not leaving... I'm just going to stop tutoring you Kiyota, but I'm not leaving you..."

AFTER PRACTICE

AUDITORIUM

Kiyota hurriedly went over the auditorium, Arika was indeed there rehearsing. When Arika saw him, she stopped singing and went down the stage. "Hey Kiyota, no need to come here, tutorial lessons are over remember?" Arika replied approaching him.

"Arika, don't leave" Kiyota replied looking in her eyes. "Wha--- whoah hold on Kiyota, I'm not going anywhere. I'll just stop tutoring you but that doesn't mean I'll stop seeing you" Arika reasoned out. "That's the point, you stop tutoring me and I'll see less of you" Kiyota pointed out.

Arika started to feel nervous and aid, "K-Kiyota... you're acting weird" Kiyota then bent over and kissed Arika on the lips. Arika was shocked. As Kiyota broke the kiss, she was blushing furiously. "I love you Arika... I love you, and I don't want to be separated from you. I want to see you always. You're my angel!"

"I'm his angel?" Arika's head screamed. She is still trying to recover from the sudden kiss. "K-Kiyota..." Kiyota hugged her and said, "I'm sorry if I wasn't able to say it before, but the truth is ever since I met you, I've been feeling this but I was afraid to admit it... Arika... I love you..."

Arika was dumbfounded. "He loves me.... he admits it... he loves me..." Arika thought. Kiyota released her and said, "I'm not expecting an answer now Arika, but please think about my feelings." with that he left. Tears started to fall from Arika's eyes.

She clasped her hands into her mouth thinking, "He loves me... Arika no baka why didn't you said something? You could have told him you love him too! Arika... Arika... what are you afraid of? You idiot!"

ALONG THE ROAD

"I finally told her my feelings..." Kiyota thought. He sighed and muttered, "Man... that took some real guts." Then he saw Ria Masahara walking towards him. He frowned thinking, "Now what this bitch wants with me?"

Ria smiled sweetly at him and said, "Hello there Kiyota-kun!" Kiyota walked pass her saying, "Hello Ria" Ria grabbed Kiyota by the arm and said, "Kiyota matte! Please don't be hostile towards me" Kiyota gave out a laugh and said, "Hostile? Look here Ria, you're the one whose hostile."

"All right, it's my fault and I'm very sorry about it" Ria replied looking sorry. Kiyota raised an eyebrow and thought, "Am I hearing right? She's sorry?" Ria sighed and replied, "I was wrong, it was rather harsh of me to treat Fujisawa like that"

"I'm glad you learned your lesson Ria, but don't you think you should be saying that to Arika?" Kiyota pointed out. Ria broke out in a smile and said, "Oh that's right! Tomorrow I'll apologize to her" then she gave Kiyota a look and asked, "So that means you forgive me?"

Kiyota answered, "Not until you ask forgiveness to Arika." Ria gave Kiyota a victory sign and exclaimed, "That would be accomplish tomorrow, you'll see!" with that Ria bade Kiyota good bye and went off. Kiyota smirked and shook his head. "Looks like its going to be a really good day tomorrow"

Meanwhile, Ria was laughing to herself thinking, "I'm such a good actress! Kiyota didn't even realize that I'm kissing up to him!" she stopped laughing as she saw Arika entering her house. She smiled deviously and thought, "By tomorrow, I'll have Kiyota's trust and he'll hate you for life Fujisawa Arika... you dirt bag!"

She then continued walking not aware of Sakuragi Veniz watching from afar. With her is her friend Niki Haruka. "Looks like that girl is up too no good" Niki whispered to her friend. Veniz nod her head and said, "I think I'll pass by Kainan tomorrow... I want to be there in case Arika-chan needs help"

INSIDE THE FUJISAWA HOUSEHOLD

Shinichi beamed at his sister and asked, "Nee-chan, why isn't Kiyota nii-chan with you today? He usually brings you home" Arika blushed slightly and said, "He has some things to do at home and left early Shinichi"

"Sou da yo... demo.... nee-chan why is that you looked you have cried?" Shinichi asked again. Arika shook her head and exclaimed, "Of course not, I just stung my eyes awhile ago, nothing to worry about" Shinichi nod his head and returned to his video games.

Arika touched her lips and remembered the kiss. "Arika... what's to be afraid off? You also love him, go to him now and say it!" she exclaimed in her mind. She then exclaimed, "Shinichi, I have to go out again. I need to say something to Kiyota"

Shinichi looked up and said, "Okay nee-chan, good luck in confessing your feelings!" Arika looked at her younger brother and smiled. She then hugged Shinichi saying, "Arigato Shinichi!" with that she dashed out of the house.

NOBUNAGA HOUSEHOLD

Kiyota's eyes widened when he saw Arika by the window, the girl was running towards their house. Kiyota immediately stood up and opened the door for her. As the door opened, Arika jumps towards him giving him a big embrace.

"A-Arika!" Kiyota exclaimed looking very surprised. "I love you too Kiyota... I've always have!" Arika exclaimed tears coming from her eyes. Upon hearing this, Kiyota couldn't help but to embrace back saying, "I've been dying to hear that from you Arika"

Arika smiled and said, "Same here..." Arika then broke the hug and said, "I'm so sorry, I should have said this to you when you have confessed to me... demo... I got scared... I never expected for you to feel this way for me, I mean I am nobody, I am not even pretty"

Kiyota caressed her cheek and said, "Like I told you that the most important thing is what you are as a person not what you look like." Arika held Kiyota's hand and exclaimed, "Thank you..." Kiyota smiled and said, "No... thank you Arika... for letting me to love again"

With that Arika closed her eyes as Kiyota bent forward to give her another kiss. ^0^

TO BE CONTINUED

AU: Kiyota and Arika are now together! Demo... Ria is planning something and it doesn't looks good...