I'm guessing most of you weren't expecting to see this. Please enjoy the ending of Covers and see the end for a special author's note.


Chapter 14

"If anyone has a reason why these two should not be wed, speak now or forever hold your peace."

My eyes immediately went to Maya, whose fingers subtly curled up into a tight fist in her lap. Something awful was on the verge of happening. And I realized that I was probably the only person who could stop it.


The week following our rescue mission at Nanako's house was one of the worst of my life. Maya's words swirled around my head endlessly. I couldn't sleep, I couldn't eat, and worst of all, I couldn't look either Ami or Maya in the face. Thankfully, finals were coming around the corner so I had an excuse for where I was going after school and why I was so hard to reach. But I knew it wouldn't last forever.

"Hey Ryuuji, do you want to stop somewhere on our way home?" Ami asked as we walked out of the gates one day. Her voice was different than usual. It wasn't the playful tone she usually had with me. It was solemn, and I knew that something had to be wrong. This was it.

I swirled my straw around in my iced coffee, the soft clinks of ice cubes the only sounds breaking the silence between me and Ami.

She spoke first.

"Ryuuji, I realize that it looks like I've been hiding something from you…and the truth is, I have."

My ears perked up at this. I knew that this day would have to come eventually. My life had been nothing but a dream for the last few months, and I had been doing nothing but throwing it away with the way that I was acting. Hiding things from her, making things awkward with her friends…what kind of boyfriend was I anyways?

I braced for the harsh words that were sure to come from Ami's lips, "Ryuuji…my parents, especially my mother, have been against me quitting modeling and they've been telling me that I should come home and stop talking about such things."

Wait a second…that was not what I was expecting. But it all suddenly made sense. The mysterious phone calls, the conflicted looks that she had been giving me. How long had she been struggling silently? And how could I not have noticed?

Still somewhat taken aback, I stammered, "W-what are you going to do?"

"I've been arguing with them, and I didn't want to worry you about it. But now, after seeing what just happened with Nanako's family, I think I know what I need to do."

"And what is that?" I asked, dreading her answer.

"I need to go back home." She said and my throat went dry.

"Ryuuji," Ami continued, reaching across to grasp my hand, "Can you come with me?"

My head was spinning.

"You want me to come with you?"

Ami nodded intently, "When we were speaking with Nanako's father, I realized that we don't have to just sit and listen to everything our parents say. We are our own people, and we can make our own choices."

I saw the determination in Ami's eyes as she squeezed my hand tightly. How could I say anything but yes? I gave her a nod of affirmation.

Ami's face relaxed into the first genuine smile that I had seen in a long while, "This is such a relief! To be honest, Ryuuji, I wasn't sure how I could do this, but knowing that you're by my side…I feel like we can make it through anything together."

Her hand squeezed mine even tighter as all of the worries and anxieties washed away from my mind. Ami believed in me, with all of her heart. She was willing to share something that had been clearly torturing her. And I would be stupid not to trust in her as well.

"Hey Ami, I have something to say as well." I started, struggling for the words.

"Yes?"

I took a deep breath. I had to come clean. For both of our sakes.

"During the summer, at the festival…Maya hugged me. And ever since then, I can't help but to feel that she's been trying to get closer to me…but nothing else has happened!"

I stopped, both feeling like a massive weight had been lifted off my shoulders but that I had signed my own death warrant. I closed my eyes, preparing for the worst.

"…That's it?"

Eh?

My eyes snapped open to see that Ami somehow didn't look the least bit shocked.

"W-wait you're not mad?"

Ami looked confused, "Why would I be mad at that? You said it yourself. Nothing else happened right?"

"Erm, no…" I trailed off, feeling like an absolute idiot for fretting over this so much.

Ami ran a finger along the rim of her glass, "To be honest, I had my suspicions that something had happened between you two, but honestly this was much milder than I had expected."

"You knew that something happened?"

At this, Ami broke out in laughter, "Ryuuji, I think you're overestimating your ability to lie. It's been clear as day that something was wrong since the festival. But I also know you're not the two-timing sort. Although I'll probably have to scare Maya off now…"

Well, that settles that. I, Takasu Ryuuji, am the single luckiest man in the world.

"You have no idea how relieved I am to hear that."

I didn't have a chance to finish my thought before Ami's phone suddenly started buzzing.

"Hm? Nanako?"

Ami flipped open her phone and was immediately met with a scream of "Help! Maya's going crazy right now!"

It was so loud that even I could hear her without speakerphone.

Ami winced for a second at the volume but forged on, "Where are you at? Ryuuji and I can come right away."

"We're in front of Maya's apartment building! Please come quickly!"

Ami snapped her phone shut, the conversation forgotten.

"I think we gotta go."


We arrived to find Maya screaming and angrily stomping something into the ground while Nanako was cowering in fear behind her.

Immediately, I ran straight towards her in an effort to stop her but I was met with a powerful shove that knocked me off my feet. I had no idea how strong Maya could be when she was agitated, and honestly, it reminded me a lot of another certain short-tempered girl.

"Maya! What do you think you're doing?" Ami shouted, her own frightening temper bubbling over as she ran over to help me back to my feet. We gave each other a look of agreement as we coordinated to approach together and wrap ourselves around each of her arms, pinning her to the ground.

"That bastard! How could he do this!" Maya screamed as she struggled to break free, but our combined strength was enough to hold her in place.

"Maya, what's wrong?" I asked as I squeezed for dear life.

"That bastard! That bastard!" She kept repeating as her struggling slowly came to a stop and we all relaxed, rolling onto our backs next to each other, trying to catch our breath.

Ami was the first to recover, pushing herself up on her arms, "Maya, what happened?"

Seemingly unable to speak, Maya weakly pointed to the piece of paper that she practically stomped into a pulp. Ami and I got to our feet and walked over to see what the offending article could be, with Nanako coming out of her hiding spot to join us. I picked up the tattered piece of paper and my eyes widened as I read aloud.

"Please join us for the wedding of Kihara…" I trailed off as I realized immediately what this was. From the look on Nanako's face, I wasn't the only one who had come to this realization. It seemed only Ami was unsure what exactly she was looking at. Although I knew that wheels in her head were turning and she'd come to a realization quickly as well.

"Wait, Maya, is this your…" I trailed off, not wanting to set her off again. I saw Ami's eyes widen and knew that she understood too.

Maya continued to lay on her back but offered a weak nod.

"I've hated it when people call me by my last name, since it forces me to think about that bastard and what he did to my mom."

After a long while of silence, Maya sat up, letting the wild strands of her hazelnut hair fall over her tear-streaked face, "I'm sorry everyone. I just opened my mailbox and when I saw what he had sent us, I just lost it. I mean, he abandoned us. And now he wants to pretend like none of that ever happened? How can I face him knowing that?"

Surprisingly, Ami was the first to speak, "So that's it? You're gonna let him win?"

"Ami-" Nanako meekly spoke up, but I stopped her, knowing that Ami was going to help.

"It's not that simple…" Maya retorted, but the weakness in her voice revealed her own doubt.

Ami extended a hand out, "It is that simple. You saw what happened when we helped Nanako face her family. Now it's our turn to help."


Somehow at the end of all that, the situation ended with the four of us all being invited as guests at Maya's father's wedding. Personally, that also meant a panic as I had to find something to wear.

"Ryuu-chan, I've got just the thing!" My mom yelled out from inside the closet, re-emerging with a black suit on a hanger.

"Where did you get that thing?" I asked as she triumphantly handed it to me.

"It was your father's…but I think now that you've grown up it'll fit you."

As I quickly changed and slipped the jacket on, I was shocked at how well it fit me. It was almost like it was tailored exactly to my specifications. Before I could admire it much more, I was interrupted by the sound of the doorbell.

I swung the door open and gasped at the sight. Ami was always beautiful, sure, but today, she looked like she was actually sparkling somehow. Her hair was pulled up in an elaborate bun, and she wore a crimson dress that highlighted the elegance of her physique.

"Ami…you look amazing."

That was all I could manage.

"Wow, it almost looks like you two are going off to get married yourselves." Mom commented sneakily from behind, and for once, I saw a blush shade Ami's cheeks.

"Thank you…Mom."

My heart skipped a beat at that.

"Ahhh Ryuu-chan, did you hear that?" Mom beamed.

"Okay, sorry Mom, we have to go now!" I said, slamming the door quickly behind me before I died of embarrassment.


We arrived at the venue at just the same time as Maya and Nanako, who had both done up their hair in buns as well, not that I was looking at them very closely. I noticed that Maya had opted for a black dress and was drawing stares, although she didn't seem to notice anyone else but the groom waiting at the front of the room. It seemed that all of the attention she was drawing caused him to look over and he gave a friendly wave. Maya didn't respond.

Instead, we quickly took our seats in the back, with me seated in between Ami and Maya.

As the wedding march played, all sets of eyes but one turned towards the back of the room. Maya kept her eyes glued to the ground. As the vows began, I noticed that she tensed up, but surprisingly, she stayed seated. I was honestly impressed by how well she was keeping her composure up until this point.

"If anyone has a reason why these two should not be wed, speak now or forever hold your peace."

My eyes immediately went to Maya, whose fingers subtly curled up into two tight fists in her lap. Something awful was on the verge of happening. And I realized that I was probably the only person who could stop it. I silently placed my hand on top, and instantly, I felt Maya relax.

She took a breath and looked over at me gratefully.


The reception was held in a huge ballroom with a dance floor in the middle. Dozens of tables surrounded it as people spread across the room.

I pulled up a chair and sat down next to Maya, who was nodding her head along with the music as she stared at the dance floor. It seemed that the first dance of the night was being held, and I watched with her as her father spun his bride around, to the cheers of everyone around them.

I couldn't help but to smile at the sight and clap a bit as well. Amidst all of this, I noticed that Maya's eyes were welling up with tears.

"What's wrong?" I asked as she hid her face behind her hands.

"I thought I was going to be furious seeing him get remarried, but he looked so happy up there and I couldn't bring myself to get angry. Why is he trying to make it so hard to hate him?" She whispered softly.

I stared over at her father and suddenly felt a twinge of sadness, "Maya…I won't ever forgive my father either, but at the same time…I would give anything to have one more day with him. He is still my father after all."

"Even though he abandoned you too?"

"I suppose, it's more for me than for him. He made his choice and I'm sure he regretted it, but I can't let his choices keep me from happiness, you know? Hating someone is hard enough. I can't hate myself too."

Maya dropped her hands, revealing her puffy eyes, and cracked a smile of her own.

"How do you always know what to say?"

Before I could respond, I was interrupted by tapping on my shoulder.

"Come on guys, what are you doing just sitting here? Let's join everyone on the dance floor!" Ami groaned as she grabbed my hand and pulled me to my feet as Nanako helped Maya up as well.

"W-wait a minute, I'm fine with sitting." I stammered, although I couldn't escape Ami's grip as she dragged me onto the dance floor.

"Hm, Ryuuji, could it be that…you don't know how to dance?" Ami teased as I turned beet red. She hit the nail on the head.

"Don't worry, I'll teach you." She said as she slyly maneuvered my hands to rest on her hips.

"Move your left foot forward, and back." She instructed as I nervously stared her feet as she wrapped her arms around my shoulders, doing my best to follow along as she stepped back and forth.

"Hey Ryuuji, look into my eyes." Ami commanded. My eyes flickered up to meet hers, glittering like amethysts, the steps all but forgotten. In that moment, there was only her.

We danced until we couldn't move anymore and had to retire to a table to take a break.

"Wow, Ryuuji, you ended up being pretty good out there." Ami teased.

"All I did was step back and forth," I replied sheepishly, "but it was fun."

A moment later, Maya and Nanako approached the table, seemingly drained as well. Nanako took a seat next to Ami while Maya remained standing, a sudden look of determination crossing her face.

"You know what Ryuuji? You were right earlier. I realized that I can't hate myself for what I feel. And I'm finally going to be honest with myself, starting now."

Maya took a step forward confidently, "Ami, I'm sure you're going to hate me for this, but these are my honest feelings. I like Ryuuji and I want to be with him."

At this declaration, my eyes went wide with shock and I whipped around to see Ami's reaction. To my shock, she wasn't scowling, or making that blank face that she usually did when she was trying to hide her anger. She was smiling. Actually, to be accurate, she was beaming.

Somehow that reaction was even scarier to me.

"Well at least you're finally being honest with me." Ami chuckled, with her grin turning devious, "but you know that you don't stand a chance going against me, right?"

Maya's eyes only seemed to grow brighter at that.

"I wouldn't have it any other way."

"Wait, do I get a say in thi-"

Before I could even finish, I was cut off by a combined, "No!"

I could only sigh, realizing the new predicament I was going to be in from here on out. But at the same time, I couldn't help the smile coming over my face as well. A year ago, I never could have seen all this happening. I had been someone with no friends, no goals, and no hope. Now? I had a future and someone worth working towards. I had friends who I knew would always be there for me.

And to think, it all came about because I had been looking at Kawashima Ami.


When I started this story 7 years ago, I never thought it would end like this. I had a plan to expand on this story a lot more (and there might still be more down the line), but as with many things, life gets in the way. In my last author's note, I talked a little about college, but I had no idea how much it would change my life. Like Ryuuji at the start of Toradora, I was never very popular in high school, and I didn't have much hope for the future. But a lot can change in 7 years, and since then, I've had the opportunity to make some life-long friends, graduate college, and the greatest miracle of all...meeting my own Ami.

Throughout all of that, I had forgotten all about the stories that I had started and never finished, until I happened to see that Toradora had been added to Netflix recently. Watching it reminded me of this story, and how I had left everyone waiting for an ending. So, although this isn't the ending I had always planned, I hope it brings a little bit of closure to the story of my favorite pairing. If there is still interest, maybe a sequel will be added down the road, but for now...

Thank you all for reading! I hope every one of you has found or will find your own Ami or Ryuuji!