Chapter Twenty-Two: The Truth 真理

Author's Note: Yep, it's a short chapter. Deal with it. :3

"K-kiyoshi?" I whispered in disbelieving horror.

Kiyoshi smiled impishly and helped me up. "Hey Komori."

"What the hell just happened? ...H-how could you be…?" I trailed off.

"You wanted the truth, and that's what you got." He said in an I-told-you-so tone.

"But how? ...Why?" I stuttered, at a loss for words. He massaged his forehead in exasperation. He grasped my shoulders and shook me slightly.

"That before was the real me. This is just a mask." He motioned to himself. He paused to observe the dumbstruck expression smeared across my face before resuming his explanation.

"Everything I told you the other day was true. I don't really have a name; I just go by Kiyoshi…or 'Dark Aid' in your case. And I have been pursuing Ronin practically my whole life: I don't know anything else that I could do…Um, is any of this making any sense?" he asked as he gripped my shoulders tighter, trying to get me to comprehend all of the implausible information he was feeding to me.

"I'm…getting there…" I muttered unsteadily.

"Oh. I'm sorry about that kiss: I wasn't trying to freak you out…" Kiyoshi murmured apologetically. I smiled faintly and enveloped Kiyoshi in my arms; he warmly squeezed back.

"Heh. And to think, I thought you were a creepy rapist." I muttered lethargically with my head resting under his chin. Kiyoshi's face distorted in confusion and laughter after having to think about what I said.

"Oh dear! You've discovered my secret hobby!" he laughed good-naturedly as he lowered his head to gently lie upon mine.

"So exactly how many other girlfriends have you left behind on all those other planets that you've lived on?" I asked quietly. Kiyoshi yanked out of our tight hug and gawked at me in shocked amazement.

"How could you think something like that?" he asked sternly. "I've been to countless planets and seen so very many women, but none of them even could even hope to compete with you." He looked at me with a look that I could tell was utmost sincerity. Great, now he's probably mad at me… I felt my cheeks grow warm as the shame swept over me. It was Kiyoshi, after all. How could I have forgotten that he's the most trustworthy person I know? Well, the fact that he just told me that he's an alien… it's going to take a while to get used to that…

"I-I'm sorry Kiyoshi. I didn't mean to make you upset." I muttered, still disgraced about my presumption.

"It's okay." He said, patting me on the shoulder. "Look, you've had a long day; I should get going…" Kiyoshi sighed, briskly striding towards my open window.

"Um, please don't be mad at me!" I cried after him desperately.

"Komori, it's nothing you've done: I just have to get going. Damage control, you see." Kiyoshi explained as he poised himself in the sill. A pair of velvety bat wings morphed onto his back; he flittered them softly as the night's soft wind beat across his face.

"…Wait, Kiyoshi! What about Ryou? I mean, he has no idea, and if--!" I stated anxiously. Kiyoshi raised his hand to cut me off.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa! I already took care of Ryou: he thinks that you're spending the night at Takara's, so stop freaking out."

"How'd you do that?" I asked, relieved and curious as to how he could possibly convince Ryou on anything.

"I have my ways. I'll see you tomorrow, Komori." He whispered and glided into the shadowy depths of the night without another word.

I have such an awesome boyfriend.