"Kaori, I asked you if you were okay, and you said yes… You're clearly not okay!"
Kaori groaned and refused to look at Kousei who was currently already yelling at her after waking up just a few minutes ago. "I'm fine! I told you! It was just the heat!"
"It wasn't the heat Kaori!" He flung his arm in the air. "It's not even hot!"
Kaori moved away from Kousei on the bench and held her head. "Then I don't know! I thought I was fine…"
Kousei's voice grew firm. "But you weren't fine." His voice slowly got louder with each word. "And I asked you many times, but you were being careless enough to faint in the middle of the sidewalk!"
"I didn't choose to faint!" She stood up from the bench and her voice wavered a little as her mouth opened to speak. "I just wanted to have fun today..."
Kousei let out a frustrated sound and gripped his head. He still wasn't okay with Kaori, so words flew out of his mouth without any thought. "Your sickness is the only thing that's in the way of our relationship…"
Kaori's ears perked at what he said and a little bit of tears were starting to build up in her eyes. She felt like someone had just stabbed her in the heart for a second. She spoke in a broken, but loud, voice. "Well, I'm sorry for being who I am and not the perfect, healthy girlfriend you want!"
Kousei widened his eyes and he swung his head to look at Kaori but she ran away, long gone. He wanted to go run after her, so he pushed himself off the bench, but he didn't know where she'd go; she could go anywhere.
"Dammit!" Kousei fell back on the bench and held his head in his hands, letting out a loud exasperated breath. I messed up, I messed up, I messed up, I messed up! He took out his phone and quickly dialed Kaori's number, listening to the voicemail that soon came up.
He almost threw his phone to the ground when there was no answer and fell against the bench, not really understanding why he got really mad in the first place. Usually when they fought as friends it never was as bad as this. Was it because they were a couple now or what? Kousei isn't sure anymore.
I shouldn't have said that to her, if I'd have known that she still wasn't completely healed then maybe I made it worse by making her mad and upset. I'm...such a such bad boyfriend...
Kousei's eyes were blurred up in tears, and he thought silently to himself about how much Kaori cared for him and went through literally everything just to be with him... She was life-changing...she was the light of his life. Literally. Yet here he is...ruining everything with his own mouth. The mouth that's supposed to tell Kaori sweet things and give her little kisses to show how much he really cared and loved her, the mouth that's supposed to smile and laugh along with the girl he loves...the mouth that's supposed to make her happy and say "I love you" to Kaori.
~0000~
Kaori ran off to another side of the park, then she sparked her attention to the kids, whom she played with to get her mind off of Kousei. Coincidentally, they're the kids she was playing with on the melodica the day she actually met Kousei.
That time...when she played with them...who did she play for again? She shrugged, brushing off her question, and ran towards the kids she's long wanted to meet again. As her memory rejoiced, she remembered how she held the melodica and played it. She did push herself too far indeed, but her fingers jumping from key to key and emitting colorful sounds with the children who extent her happiness was worth it.
She wishes to meet all the children she's met and huddle them all together, either feeling like a big sister or a mother. Either way, all of them made her happy. None other than her violin as well made her feel at ease.
~0000~
It wasn't until nighttime came along that Kaori finally answered Kousei's phone piercing voice shot through the phone and into his ear. "What do you want?!"
"Where'd you go?"
"Why?"
"Because I was worried, that's why."
"I went home."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, I'm sure. Now what do you want?"
"Are...you okay?"
"Yeah, of course I'm okay. As if crying, running away, and screaming at you didn't do anything to me."
"Look, Kaori...I didn't mean to say that! I didn't mean to hurt your feelings or even yell at you, period. I...was just really worried and I guess that side took over."
"Sure. Of course! I've always known that someone who's really worried would say the person they're worried about is ruining their relationship."
"Kaori, no wait, just listen-"
"Bye." Kaori hung up, and so Kousei wasn't able to properly apologize.
He groaned and called her again but this time she didn't answer once again, so he threw his phone on his bed and fell on the squishy object.
"Why does she have to be so stubborn?" Kousei sighed and took off his glasses, rubbing his eyes tiredly and then staring at the ceiling. How do I have her talk to me again? He thought back to before Kaori ran away, and she just told him she was crying and now it's slowly eating him inside.
And I told her I wouldn't leave her alone and would always love her just last night and this morning… He closed his eyes and thought up ways to try and get Kaori to speak to him. It took him a while, but he came up with a pretty risky one. He put his glasses back on and picked up his phone, looking at the time.
He grinned. It was only 10 pm, nearing 11. It wasn't too late. He doesn't really have a curfew either since no one is here to give him one.
He checked the weather outside his window first, it was pretty cold so he brought his sweater along. Boy, was he glad he did.
~0000~
Kaori sighed and wiped away the last tear she had shed. She rested on the wall behind her bed and stared at her hands the entire time. To keep her emotions in check, she was listening to music through her earbuds. Classical was out of the line since it would've reminded her of her boyfriend, whom she just fought with hours ago. She wasn't even tired, yet at the same time she was.
Stupid Kousei… Kaori sighed and closed her eyes as her head rested on the wall. He really is a jackass...
She curled herself into a ball and closed her eyes, tears wanting to come out again. She didn't want to fight with Kousei, especially as a couple because then they'll end up leaving each other...but she knows it'll happen frequently. She's not sure what their status is for their relationship right now, anyways.
Despite herself being angry at him, she wants to see him; a part of her wants to completely avoid him though. Kaori sighed and started thinking to herself. Why is love so complicated? Why did I have to be ill in the first place? I just want to live happily with Kousei and everyone I love…
Kaori laid back on her bed turned on her side and took off her earphones, letting her phone go on speaker as a classical piece came on. She wanted to change it, but it was a piece by Chopin—Nocturne Op.9, No.2. She's not sure why it's on her phone, or why she's even listening to it. Hearing it right now is crushing her more about Kousei. She didn't know why.
Maybe...it's because she's always wanted to hear him play it...
I should probably just go to sleep- Kaori jumped out of her thoughts when her phone rang, silencing the calming piano that was emitting from her speaker. She looked at the caller ID; Kousei, a smiley face right beside the name.
She wanted to hear his voice, she really did. But after hearing what he had said to her makes her want to completely forget his voice. She's scared...that he's finally decided his decision and wants to break off what they had. She doesn't want that...she loves him a lot, and she doesn't want to be alone.
The ringing was almost nearing to an end, and Kaori was debating whether or not to even touch her phone. After her internal deciding, in the end, she ended up answering.
"Hm?"
"Kaori."
"Hm?"
"Were you sleeping?"
"I was going to."
"Oh...uhm...I heard music in your room."
Kaori immediately sat up and widened her eyes and looked around. "What?! Where are you, you creep?!"
"W-wait! I'm not in your room! I'm not a creep either...I… Open your window."
"Why?"
She heard a knock coming from her window and she jumped a little bit since her room is pretty dark. "Kousei you're scaring me."
"N-no! I don't want to scare you, just open the window, please?"
"Are you out there?" She cautiously slipped off her bed and curled her hand on her curtain.
"Are you still mad at me?"
"I…" She wasn't sure anymore. Part of her is scared; she's not sure if it's anger anymore. "I don't know." She wasn't even sure if it was anger in the first place.
"So...can you open your window for someone?"
"Is it for you?"
"I don't know. Maybe."
She sighed. "...okay."
Kaori hesitated to slide open her curtain; it's not that she completely hates Kousei to the extent where she doesn't want see him, it's just that she's just really anxious to what he's going to say or do. She's just...afraid.
Throwing her anxieties to the side for a second, she opens her curtain and sees Kousei standing outside her window with his phone and fidgeting on the spot with his hoodie over his head.
Kaori gasped. It was raining?
She feels guilty about keeping him out there for long and opens her window, seeing him shiver and the sound of the rain crash down onto the ground outside.
"So can I come in?!" Kousei shouts over the sound sound of the rain, both into the phone and at Kaori in front of him.
I hate this. Kaori had tears coming to her eyes and she closed her phone and leaned forward to grab Kousei's hand and brought him into her room without hitting his head or anything important before she closed her window.
Kousei shook and blew hot air into his hands. "Thank yo-"
His sentence was cut short when Kaori moved forward and tackled him into a bone-crushing hug.
"W-w-wait, Kaori, I-I'm wet. You're clothes-"
"I don't care!" she sobbed. She tightened her hold on him and let her phone drop to the floor as she buried her face in his soaked hoodie. "I...I'm sorry...I'm sorry if you're mad at me."
Kousei took a while to take Kaori's words into gear and cautiously wrapped his arms around her. "I'm not mad at you anymore, Kaori... Right now, I'm actually worried I'll give you a cold like this…"
"I don't care...I've actually missed you but...why did you bother to come?" She hid her tearful face from Kousei, and her body shook from the silent sobs.
Kousei tightened his arms more around her small frame and buried his freezing face in her warm neck. "I bothered to come because I was worried about you. I didn't mean to yell at you. I didn't mean to hurt you...I-I didn't mean to say what I said. Just know that I didn't mean it. I don't want anyone else but you. I love you and only you. I don't care if you're not yet healthy, or if you're not perfect, to me you're always perfect, but I know you'll think otherwise. You're the girlfriend I want Kaori...you're...you're the person I need in my life."
Kaori cried loudly and Kousei was growing tears as well when Kaori gripped the back of his sweater's fabric. He was so close to losing the person he loves because of his own doing. Without her he wouldn't be able to live life how he is now, and he just wants to tell her how much he means to her. But…, "Words can't describe how important you are to me, Kaori."
Kaori was a mess in his arms—truthfully, she was worse than this morning.
"I love you so much, Kousei, I'm so sorry!"
Kousei pressed his lips to her head and kept his voice soft. "It's okay...I should be the one apologizing so...Kaori, I'm sorry."
"Apology accepted. But...you're really cold, and you're probably feeling cold as well…" Kaori discreetly wiped away her tears before looking up at Kousei and looked into his eyes through his glasses.
He kind of grinned and stepped back a little, wiping away the little tears he had. "I'm probably making you cold right now. It's pretty warm in here, but...I should head back so I can change into warm clothes and stuff… I'm probably intruding you right now so I hope you're not mad about that."
"Kousei I could care less about you intruding, just don't scare me and don't come out here in the rain where you can catch a cold." Kaori walked back up to him and placed her hand over his forehead, which was extremely freezing.
She thought for a moment before moving back and turning on her light. "Lay down on my bed, I'll be right back."
"Huh? Why? I can just go home and you can slee-"
"I don't want to you getting sick, Kousei. Lay down, you're not going back until the rain ends."
"O-...o-okay." Kousei stuttered at her sudden seriousness and took off his sandals he rushed to take, apologizing for getting her floor wet immensely, and laid down on her bed carefully. "Your bed's wet now…"
"I don't care. Cover yourself, I'll be back, I'm bringing you a warm towel. A really warm one." She smiled and opened her door. "Don't do anything perverted."
Kousei blushed and sat up. "Eh?! Why would I-"
"Lay down." She grinned and closed her door when she went behind it and Kousei sighed, slowly laying back down onto Kaori's pink bed.
Well, glad everything's cleared up. Kousei sighed and sunk himself into her warm bed and moved himself under her covers after she told him to. He took off his glasses before he turned on his side and half his face was buried in her pillow as he closed his eyes.
It smells like you… Kousei shot open his eyes and sat up, bringing a hand up to cover his mouth and nose. Shoot, I sound like a pervert now!
Kousei decided he'd just stay sitting up while he waits for Kaori and looks around her room like a little kid admiring the new area around him, even though this wasn't his first time here.
Not a few minutes later, Kaori came through the door with a plain white towel. She frowned when she saw him sitting up but didn't argue and walked to sit on the edge of the bed.
"Okay, lay down now so I could place this on your forehead." Kaori gently pushed him down onto his back and placed the folded towel over his forehead. She still felt that he was shaking a little from the cold and tucked him in her bed, his arms stopping her from completely doing so.
"W-wait, this is your bed, where will you sleep? It's pretty late and I can't just sleep over here with your parents not knowing and all…"
She shushed him and kissed his cold cheek. "I'll just explain to them that you went out for a walk in the middle of the night and I saw you walking outside in the rain outside of my window. They don't know about the little fight we had so it's fine."
"Oh...but that doesn't answer my question."
"Oh, I'll just sleep on the floor on a futon. It's okay, I want you to be comfortable."
Kousei sat up, towel falling onto his lap, and took Kaori's hand in his, his hand slowly warming up in hers. "My hands are cold, I know. But Kaori, I won't be comfortable knowing you're not comfortable."
"It's fine Kousei. If I sleep in the same bed as you I'll probably catch a cold, and if you catch one with me then it'll just be chaos." She smiled and kissed his lips for a sec. "It's just for a day, don't start arguing now when I just got over this morning."
Kousei sighed and fell back against her bed, grumpily placing the towel back on his head. "Fine."
Kaori laughed slightly and moved the towel to kiss his head before she put it back in place and stood up. "You're so childish, but it's so adorable~" She laughed and walked over to her closet to take out the futon she keeps for guests but this time she'll be her own guest.
Kousei blushed a bit at what Kaori said about him and fell deeper into the mattress. "I'm gonna try to sleep."
"Best if you do." Kaori laid out the futon on the side of the bed and laid down on it with a blanket. "I'll try to as well. I was going to long ago but...it was difficult when I was worrying over if the relationship we had was over."
"Over? Of course not." Kousei scoffed a little, but it wasn't inaudible to the blonde on the floor.
"Well I know now...just… Kousei, can you promise me something?"
"Anything."
"If we ever end up in fights or anything, can you promise me you'll try to get me to stop being angry at you? Don't ignore me if I ignore you...wait it out for a few hours then spam me with calls and messages because I don't want to later regret…"
Kaori wasn't able to see him, but she knew by just his tone of voice he smiled genuinely. "Of course, Kaori. I love you with everything I have, so I'd be really sad to lose you to something as small or big as a fight."
"Me too… I love you Kousei. I'm going to try and sleep now, I'm more calm now that you're here."
"Same. And I love you too as well, Kaori. I'll see you tomorrow. Goodnight."
"Night, Kousei."
Kaori wasn't sure was it was, but it was probably the calming sound of the rain and Kousei's light breathing—knowing he was with her, not angry and okay— that made her comfortably sleep that night.
~0000~
Kousei twitched his nose and turned on his side, barely even feeling the bed shift at all on his other side considering he was half asleep.
He felt another poke to his cheek and covered his entire being with the blanket he was covered with and heard a small giggle.
He was slowly drifting back to dreamland until he felt a certain blonde lay down behind him on the vacant space and wrap her arms around his waist over the blanket.
Being not completely asleep made him alert that Kaori was probably bored and wanted to mess with him a bit, but he wasn't feeling so well so he's not sure if it's worth waking up to tell Kaori to knock it off.
He felt the covers being opened up a bit and shivered from the cold but became warm instantly when he felt a small body against his back and Kaori's arm going around him in a hug again.
Crap. I'm probably sick and Kaori's all over me, meaning she'll likely be sick soon as well. "Hey. Kaori?" His voice was so hoarse that even he was surprised as well.
"Oh, morning sleepy head." Kaori moved forward and placed a kiss on his cheek, smiling when she saw he was still pretty tired. "You're sound really tired, you want to go back to sleep?"
Kousei wanted to turn her down since he's been in her bed long enough, but his tired side was saying otherwise. "Mm-hm."
Kaori grunted in understanding and hugged Kousei closer. "Can I stay here too?"
"Ah, I don't think-" Kousei's voice cracked during his talking, making him flustered when Kaori giggled. He cleared his throat, his throat scratchy, and tried again. "I-I don't think that'd be the best idea, I think I'm kinda sick."
"Awwww. Okay, maybe you're right. I'll let you sleep for as long as you want." She turned his head and pecked his nose, getting out of her covers and tucking her boyfriend in. "I'm gonna go do stuff while you sleep."
"Thanks Kaori." Kousei sighed tiredly and let his mind wander to another place until he heard Kaori open the door and nothing else before hearing her speak up and say, "By the way, your little voice crack was so cute! I can't wait until you go through puberty." The door closed.
Oh god… Kousei blushed and he felt himself grow more hotter, not sure what to think at the moment. She always makes me flustered at such little things, oh man… He let himself slowly fall into another world. Yet...I love you so much…
~0000~
Kaori wasn't sure what to do while Kousei was asleep, usually Kousei would be awake before her. She chuckled a bit at the thought of waking up before Kousei and worked on her violin's bow in her living room. Guess there's a first time for everything.
Kaori blew away some of the extra powder from the rosin she scrubbed on her bow and looked at her violin, lying down in her case. She sighed, frowning when she thought about the last time she's actually held it and played it. It's been a while, and a long while in her opinion.
I need to start planning that journey with Kousei sometime. Kaori grinned to herself and put her bow back into the case and closed it, setting it all aside.
What to do, what to do… Kaori kept thinking to herself on what to keep her occupied, but there wasn't anything coming to mind. She stood up and stretched,thinking she'll just warm up some more towels for her sick boyfriend right after a shower.
I hope he feels better soon. Kaori walked over to the bathroom to get more towels and placed them out to get right after she went takes a quick wash.
~0000~
Kousei's breathing was calm, him coughing occasionally during his sleep. His coughing had him wake up anyway, it kept interrupting his rest.
He sighed and opened his eyes, rubbing them from the sleep. I feel like complete crap… He sighed and stared at Kaori's ceiling.
I wonder what Kaori's doing right now… He placed his arm over his eyes and sighed loudly, tired but at the same time not.
Right as he slipped on his glasses, he heard the door open to Kaori's room, and he wasn't sure what he really expected to see when Kaori walked in...herself in a towel.
Kousei blushed beet red and he sucked in a breath before looking away. "W-why are you in a towel?" His voice was low but Kaori managed to hear what he said.
"Because I just got out of the shower and I have all of my clothes here, dummy. If you start thinking wrong I'm kicking you out my house."
Kousei became alert at her last claim and sat up to look at Kaori again. "N-no! I'm not going to think wrong, it's just-" He choked on his words and blushed, looking down and covering his red face. His voice dropped to barely an inaudible whisper. "I-I've never seen you this bare before…"
Kaori barely heard him on his last words but she caught some of them and blushed a little herself, not sure how to respond. Well, until she remembered something. "What do you mean you haven't? Last time I was at the hospital the first few days you saw practically my entire naked body, pervert!"
Kousei's eyes widened and he blushed a lot more, his mind going to different places. "It was an accident! A-and be glad Tsubaki was there because if she wasn't then Watari and I would've probably been staring longer than I'd intend!"
Kaori turned red. "WAIT WHAT?!"
Kousei realized what he said and covered his mouth, his life at risk. "H-hold on! I didn't mean to...I-I mean I did, b-but- wait! D-don't think lowly of me! I didn't mean to say that—t-that's not how I meant to put it!"
Kaori just stared at Kousei and slowly let her lips move into a smile and she laughed, thinking to herself how adorable Kousei was when he got really flustered. "You panic too easily, my dear Kousei. You'll probably lose your voice at this rate. Here." Kaori held her towel against herself as she walked to her bed and felt his forehead, which was getting a little more better.
"I'm gonna change, so please look somewhere not in my direction. And...I actually have a warm shower running for you so I suggest that if you want to go now you could." She smiled and removed her hand from his head and patted his red cheek before walking over to her dresser.
Kousei was still looking at her but then realized her towel would drop at any moment and looked down at his lap. "Uh...Kaori, but if I'm gonna shower what will I dress up in? These clothes are pretty dirty…"
He heard rustling and knew that she started to change and he blushed, but that didn't stop her from talking.
"I can just wash them for you. Once you're in the shower and I'm done drying my hair and changing I'll come in and get the clothes to wash them so you can wear them again. Don't worry, there's a curtain so I won't be seeing anything."
"Oh...okay then. I guess I'll just go now, do you have a towel?" Kousei kept his eyes on the ground at all times when he got off the bed, his eyes slightly catching Kaori's bare feet and legs. The towel Kaori had lying on her head was thrown at Kousei's head in response to his question, the slightly damp piece of cotton hanging on his head. He took off the towel and sighed, using his hand to cover the side of his eyesight where Kaori is and looked up to walk out the door. "I'll see you when I come out."
~0000~
Kaori had finished changing and decided to wear that one shirt Kousei let her have when they were just friends. It was a slightly large shirt—baggy on her, so to say—when he handed it to her after they jumped off the bridge, it kind of surprised her how big it was since she thought Kousei wouldn't be that big in shirt size. She decided not to wear any pants or shorts since the shirt was long enough to stop barely above her knees.
She opened the bathroom door, hearing the shower head on, and walked inside to grab Kousei's clothes, bending down to scoop them up in her arms and straightened back up, her eyes widening a little when she noticed Kousei didn't close the curtain all the way.
Kousei turned his head and saw Kaori, his first initial reaction to blush but instead he panicked and closed the curtain all the way after letting out a small scream.
Kaori laughed and walked out the bathroom, saying, "Make sure to close the curtain all the way next time!" before closing the door. She sighed in bliss and grinned, loving her boyfriend more and more with each happy and fun moment they have together.
Thinking back to their argument from yesterday made her a little down at times, but she's okay about it now.
~0000~
Kaori softly hummed to herself as she fixed the covers of her bed and smiled when she thought about how much she really loves her boyfriend, whom she used to call only an accompanist and a friend.
Her own humming was distracting her from the world around her so she wasn't able to hear the door open behind her, not seeing her boyfriend come in with a towel present around his waist.
"Uh...Kaori?"
Kaori turned around, stopping and blushing a deep red when she saw Kousei's appearance. She choked on her own words. "Y-yeah? So you're done?"
Kousei brushed away his wet hair and nodded, rubbing his eyes a little. "Yeah, but I can barely see without my glasses...they're in here right?"
Kaori looked at her drawer and nodded. "Yeah. I brought them in here since they'd be fogged up if they were in the bathroom with you."
Kousei nodded in a silent thank and walked over to grab them, slipping them on.
"So...are my clothes done washing yet?"
Kaori didn't answer his question but just kept staring, confusing Kousei a little.
"Um…what?" He looked behind him, not seeing anything, before looking back at Kaori. "What's wrong?"
Kaori looked up to his eyes and shook her head, awkwardly smiling. "No-nothing. I just find it pretty weird how last time you were shirtless you freaked out but right now you're totally calm. And you're practically naked right now, too…"
Kousei laughed a little and wiped away the water that was falling out of his hair. "Oh. Haha, well...that was in the heat of the moment, really...now I'm totally comfortable being half naked around you...but the thing is, I'm just kind of self-conscious to be shirtless around anyone, specifically you since you're probably wanting a guy whose fit like Watari." Kousei looked at himself and chuckled. "I'm all bones."
Kaori furrowed her brow and looked at Kousei, not really seeing any bones. "But you have enough meat to not be, like, so skinny. I think you're fine to me. I actually think you are the same as Watari. "
Kousei widened his eyes a little bit. "How do you know what Watari looks like without his shirt?"
"He took off his shirt once after practice when I hung out with him when you were Friend A. So, to me, you're tied with Watari." She grinned and teasingly wiggled her eyebrows. "Which means, I can even see slight abs."
Kousei blushed and covered his face, his other hand holding up the towel. His voice cracked while it went louder and the topic changed. "S-so do you think I can have my clothes now?"
Kaori laughed and walked over to grab the clothes she had washed, walking over to Kousei and handing it over to him. He took it and she ruffled his wet hair with the towel she was wearing.
"Don't get my floor wet now, ex-Friend A. Get changed." She smiled and kissed his nose before turning back to her bed. She laid on top of it with her legs hanging off the side and played a little with her phone, not looking at Kousei. "I'll be here, I just won't look."
"Okay…" Kousei started to walk to a corner but he kept having a question lingering in his mind that he wanted to let out. He stopped and turned back to Kaori. "Um, Kaori? Are you...uh...wearing anything on your legs? Do girls always do this? Tsubaki doesn't wear any pants or shorts when she's dressed like you are right now...so I'm just wondering…"
Kaori put her phone down and looked at Kousei, her eyes narrowed. "You really are a pervert, Arima."
Kousei shook his head, his mind taking a turn on hearing his last name for the first time in forever coming out of her mouth. "I'm not a pervert! I'm just wondering because every time I talk to Tsubaki out of my window she's usually dressed in a shirt that goes up to her thighs and I just see pure skin, so I don't know if you guys wear anything under there…"
Kaori turned on her side to look at him clearly and pointed a finger at him. "Just so you know, you do sound really perverted right now. And yes. We wear something under. Right now, I'm wearing just underwear. Happy?"
Kousei blushed a little and nodded. "I guess. I'm going to change now."
Kaori nodded her head and turned back to her phone. "Have fun."
Kousei rose an eyebrow but didn't ask anything anymore and proceeded to change into his warm clothes.
Kaori audibly hummed to a classical piece she was listening to a while back and Kousei let out a smile as he put on his shirt after his pants.
He used the towel Kaori gave to him to dry his hair by placing the towel over his head and ruffling it.
"Kaori, do you think you can sing?"
Kaori slowly looked at Kousei, checking to see if he was changed before looking at him completely. "No."
"Can I hear you sing then?"
Kaori shook her head and closed her phone, placing it down and laying back to stare at the ceiling. "Nope. Maybe unless it comes out randomly, yes."
Kousei sighed and walked up to where she was on her bed, wanting to thank her for taking care of him and everything, but he didn't see the slipper she had left on the floor and tripped.
He made sure his hands kept him up from completely falling on Kaori and squishing her, which was kind of a success. His nose barely touched hers and he was breathing heavily while his heart was pounding from the rush and he stared into Kaori's eyes. Kaori stared at him as well, and it stayed like that for seconds until Kaori started to laugh and eventually so did Kousei, lightening up the mood.
"Sorry, sorry. I didn't see your slipper." Kousei smiled and rubbed his nose against hers affectionately. "At least I have some muscles to hold myself up."
Kaori giggled and her eyes were locked on Kousei's before she slowly moved the bottom half of her face to place her lips on Kousei's, her hand also supporting his head during the kiss by grabbing his locks.
Kousei laughed during the kiss and pulled back a few seconds after Kaori kissed him. He stared at Kaori's face and gazed at her beauty as he stroked the sides of her blonde hair. He's missed her for half a day and couldn't resist not seeing his beautiful girlfriend, whom he almost lost, for so long.
Kaori pouted, leaned on her elbows, and asked, "Why'd you stop?"
Kousei grinned. "I didn't, it was only a matter of time until I missed seeing your beautiful competence."
Kaori blushed in embarrassment. She was not used to Kousei complimenting her in such a way. Yet, she found it really cute and admired the way Kousei is growing to be and how he was on her side. Even at those difficult times, where they argue and fight each other...they forgive and move to the next journey of their lives.
Kaori brought him closer, and before she kissed him again she whispered, "You're an idiot, but I love you so much."
Kousei drew a heart on her upper arm in response to give her a sign that he, as well, loves her lots too. He melted into the kiss and couldn't stop thinking about what would've happened to them if he hadn't come over last night. Kaori deepened the kiss during his thinking and he internally frowned, thinking that maybe the relationship they had would've probably been done for.
Kousei turned red while they kissed when he realized the two were low-key making out on her bed, and that's something he never thought would happen at this point of their relationship.
The two were in their own little world, so alas the door being open went unheard from the two. Hearing a choked gasp is what caused Kousei to pull back and sit up to look at the door.
Kaori's mom had her eyes widened while her hand was on the knob. "Again?!"
Kaori sat up as well and Kousei realized he was still atop Kaori and turned many shades of red before getting off of Kaori and sitting on her bed like a child who was caught doing something bad.
Kaori's mom stared at Kousei. "When...when did he get here?"
Kaori came up with half a lie by saying he was walking in the middle of the night and she saw it raining so she brought him in, thus having him sleepover and him being present at the moment.
Ryouko sighed and she glanced at Kaori's bare legs, later looking up to Kousei. "How far did you guys go?"
Kousei stuttered and scratched his red cheek while Kaori blushed hard and shook her head. "We didn't even do anything! Trust me!"
"Kaori, sweetie, where are your pants?"
Kaori looked at her legs and blushed, not being able to think what her mom was thinking. "I-I didn't put any on way before this happened! I swear! This shirt was long enough to cover me anyways…"
"So Kousei didn't take them off?"
The red couple blurted out at the same time. "No!"
Ryouko sighed and smiled warmly. "Don't worry. I won't tell your father about this...again."
Kousei groaned in distress and fell back onto Kaori's bed, wishing he could fall into a hole. Why is it always Ryouko? He thought about what would happen if Kaori's dad walked in on them and immediately was grateful for it being Kaori's mom instead.
Kaori nodded and thanked her mom. "Thanks, Mom."
Ryouko started to close the door. "Anyway…I just came here to say the shop is open now...uh...but seems like I interrupted something so just pretend I never came in and continue." She grinned and closed the door, making the room awkward for the two teenagers.
"Wow." Kaori hid her face in her hands and fell back on her bed beside Kousei, her arm over her eyes. "That was so embarrassing!"
Kousei sighed and turned his head to look at her, smiling a little bit at her red face. "It could've been worse, what would've happened if she hadn't came in? After all, we are teenagers who are still growing up."
Kaori turned even more red and covered her face by turning her back to him and curling into a ball. "Sh! I know we won't go that far… And don't make me think like that, I'm already blushing more than I need to!"
Kousei laughed, his face flushed. He turned to her and moved closer, his hand going around her body to pull her to him. "I hardly really see you so flushed like this, it's usually me."
Kaori groaned and hid her face in her mattress, not minding Kousei against her back and his chin resting on her head. She spoke up and whined. "You're so mean…"
Kousei chuckled and kissed her head, holding her hand and running his thumb over the back. "Sure I am, you still love me anyways."
"True." Kaori sighed and let the back of her head rest on his chest, feeling Kousei tighten his arm around her more in the process while the grip on her hand tightened.
"Kousei...I've always wondered something…" Kaori turned around and looked into his eyes, her hand still in his.
"What is it?"
Kaori looked at their hands and squeezed his a little bit. "Every time you get the chance, you always hold my hand or hold me. When you and I were just friends I didn't think you'd be that type of person, to be honest."
Kousei went quiet, and he just pulled her hand to his mouth and placed his lips over the back of it, not giving her any sort of response.
Kaori wanted to continue asking. "W-why is that?"
Kousei closed his eyes and he used his other hand to cradle her hand in his. He spoke, but his voice was so quiet that even from the distance the two were at Kaori wasn't able to hear him.
"Hm?" Kaori scooted closer to Kousei and felt his hands around her own tighten.
He repeated. "Y...you're here, right?"
Kaori looked confused. "What do you mean? Of course I am."
He breathed out and kissed her hand again, opening his eyes. "The reason I'm always hugging you and stuff is because...I just want to make sure you're actually here. I...I-I saw something the day I played during your surgery...and that made it clear to me you were gone." He shut his eyes tightly and brought her closer to his chest so that she couldn't see him tear up.
She heard his heartbeat go a little faster. He continued on, his voice stiff. "But then I found out that you actually survived, and that was the first time I've ever been so happy in years, Kaori...just seeing a simple email saying you've made it through your surgery was enough for me to literally run to you…"
Kaori felt Kousei tighten both of his arms around her and she heard him try to hold back a sob. Instead of responding like she'll usually do, she just wrapped her arms around him and let him cry. For one of the first times, she wasn't sure on what to say.
~0000~
Kousei left Kaori's room a few minutes ago, but he said he'd come back because he went to go eat something from outside.
That was a lie though, he wasn't going to go eat. He actually is going to get some caneles for Kaori and apologize to her in a little letter about the fight and everything.
He thought about getting caneles from her parents' bakery but he didn't know if she'd come out so he went out to get all he needed. First, he got the caneles from a bakery that gave out sweets and pastries. After he thanked the shop, he went out to go get a rose for Kaori. He had his wallet with him, luckily, and it wasn't too much yen spent so he didn't go broke. Even if he did, though, he wouldn't care as long as it was for Kaori.
He thought about writing a small letter for her in the flower shop but he wanted to go somewhere more calming to he went over to a cafe and took a seat by a window. He asked a worker for a pen and paper (getting a little flustered when they recognized who he was) and thanked them with a bow before going back to his corner.
He stared at the paper for a bit, thinking that maybe it can write itself but he knows it's not possible and he wants Kaori to really see how much he loves her so he thought the letter out.
He started writing out with a "Dear Kaori" on the top, later going into the topic of apologizing for what had happened yesterday morning. Then he went on to thank Kaori for taking care of him and thanks her for everything they've been through and ended it with a little heart and a little nickname. He blushed, not really sure where the nickname came from but it was accurate enough.
He read read over his letter again and sighed, hoping Kaori would accept it. He didn't mean to make it so long but it was fine. As long as it made Kaori at least happy and she knew she meant a lot to him it wasn't a problem that it's long.
~0000~
Kousei made it back to Kaori's house right before the shop closed and he was invited by her parents to stay over for dinner, even though he had tried to deny their insisting since he felt like he'd be intruding.
Kousei made sure to not make the dinner awkward, considering he himself was feeling awkward when he sat down on the chair. They all said said their thanks and ate, Kousei not sure how to interact even though he's known these people for quite a while, one of them being someone he's always with.
He didn't want to admit it, but when he ate he was eating faster than how he usually does, and that's because he hasn't eaten in a while after worrying so much over Kaori and trying his best to make her feel better and/or bring her back, and Kaori noticed. She frowned when she saw how hungry he seemed...she'll ask him about it after dinner or something.
There had been some small talk made and Kousei had kindly smiled through it all with answers and creating some small talk himself. Kaori's parents really showed that they were glad to have Kousei along with them and Kaori couldn't stop smiling the entire time when she noticed how happy they were to have him here, and it made her elated to know they accept him.
When dinner had ended Kaori took everyone's plate after they finished, even though Kousei had insisted he would do it but since he's the guess it wouldn't feel right.
Kousei stood up while Kaori went to the kitchen to do what she needed to do with with her mother and Kaori's dad came up to him.
"You're a really nice boy, Kousei." Yoshiyuki wrapped a heavy arm around Kousei and the teen just smiled. He continued. "Kaori is really fond of you, and so am I and Ryouko. It'll only be a matter of time before you're our son-in-law."
Kousei wasn't sure if he should blush or say something, but he decided to do both. "Ah...hehe, I really love Kaori so maybe that'll be a possibility but I don't know when… For now I just hope she and I can just stay together for as long as possible."
Yoshiyuki grinned and grabbed both of Kousei's shoulders. "How much do you love my daughter?"
"To the point w-where I want to ask her to be my wife… I really care for her and without her I'd be a complete mess." Kousei wasn't sure if he was blushing or really embarrassed. Being this honest about his overall feelings for Kaori to her dad himself was making him feel small.
Yoshiyuki laughed and ruffled Kousei's hair. "Well without you, Kaori probably wouldn't be as joyful as she is now. And we thank you for that, Kousei. Please keep my daughter happy and safe."
Kousei nodded. "I plan on keeping it like that. Oh yeah!" Kousei reached into his pocket and took out a folded piece of paper and a small rose.
Yoshiyuki took the rose and letter, growing confused. "What're these for?"
"I was wondering if you can give that to Kaori when I leave right now. She does a lot for me so I just wanted to do what I can."
"Okay, will do." Yoshiyuki smiled. "So you're leaving right now?"
Kousei nodded. "Yeah, I don't wanna be here for too long- AH!" Kousei made sure he didn't fall when Kaori jumped on his back and wrapped her arms around his shoulders.
"Hi there." Kaori giggled after she saw Kousei get scared and looked at her dad. "How's it going with you two?"
"Great. It's going really well. He's leaving right now though so I suggest you walk him out while your mom and I get situated here."
Kaori pouted and let go of Kousei, letting her dad go to the kitchen with her mom. "Awww, you're leaving?"
Kousei nodded and turned around, smiling a little bit at Kaori. "Yup. I've been here for pretty much the whole day and I should probably head home."
Kaori sighed and nodded, going over to her mom and dad and saying she'll walk Kousei out. Then she grabbed his hand and walked out of the little house with Kousei beside her, his hand secured in hers.
"My mom and dad really like you Kousei."
Kousei smiled slightly and slipped his fingers through hers. "I know."
"And you know that I really, really like you."
Kousei chuckled and leaned down to kiss her cheek. "Yes I know that as well. I really, really like you, too."
Kaori grinned and stepped out of the empty shop to the outside, feeling the cool breeze hit the two of them.
Kousei sighed and tiredly ran a hand through his hair "Today was fun."
Kaori looked at him and laughed a little. She moved in front of him and grabbed both of his hands, the two just standing there while she swung their hands back and forth.
He stared into her eyes and let out a smile. "I really love you, Kaori…"
"As do I, Kousei Arima." Kaori grinned and moved forward to peck his lips. She moved back then right after pulled him into a hug, her head resting on his shoulder.
He hugged back and let his chin rest on her head. "That's nice to hear… I should probably get going before it gets anymore late." He pulled back from the hug and held her arms, moving forward to kiss her forehead.
"I love you," he murmured.
"I love you too, Kousei…a lot."
He moved back and smiled, waving as he started to walk away. "I'll see you when I see you. Bye-bye!"
Kaori grinned and waved back. "See you later, Kousei!"
When Kousei was out of sight, Kaori dropped her hand and frowned. She walked back to her house, slowly growing a little hyped and saddened at the same time when she thought about how much she loves Kousei.
~0000~
Kaori walked into her room, closing the door right after and let out a tired sigh. She walked over to her bed, about to flop onto it until she saw a piece of paper and a small rose on her bed. She tilted her head in confusion and sat on her bed, picked up the paper. She glanced at the rose and grabbed it before moving to the wall behind her bed, leaning on it.
She unfolded the paper, seeing writing on it. She moved her eyes over to the bottom to see if there was a signature, but there wasn't so she moved to the back, which said Kousei's name.
She turned it back around and saw that it was indeed Kousei's handwriting. She started to read the letter Kousei had apparently written to her. But why a letter? Couldn't he have told her in person?
Dear Kaori,
I know that everything I've written down here could've probably been said to you in person, but I don't think I would've been able to with how I'm always freaking out. I'm not very good with words in person.
Kaori smiled and internally 'awww'ed in response, because she knows how cute it is when Kousei stutters when he tries to swoon her.
So to start off this letter, I just want to thank you for taking care of me. Really. I didn't really think you'd give up your bed for me, haha.
"That's true…" Kaori laughed a little and continued reading.
But anyway, thanks for it all :) Also this letter had been created to apologize again for the small argument we got into. No matter how many times you say it's okay, I won't let myself not get beat up over it. I made a promise to your mom and dad about keeping you happy and such a while ago, and I kind of broke it, sadly. I really do try to make you happy, and saying what I did about your illness and whatnot really was out of line and too far, I'm sorry for that.
The blonde sighed and shook her head. Her boyfriend really is stubborn, but he really also is sweet and a gentleman (most of the times). He really needs to stop apologizing for the small stuff that she's gotten over.
But, I'm really glad that we can still pull through together :D I'm really hoping that we'll be able to fight through any arguments we have in the future and come out strong. I really love you, and I love you and only you. You're the first crush I've ever had, the first love I've ever had, and you'll be the last. I don't think that what I have with you I would want with anyone else, Kaori. You're the whole reason I smile.
The said girl felt a little bit of hot tears come to her eyes, her chest feeling like it was being tightened, but in a good way. She grinned at the piece of paper in her hands and started to think to herself. He is so love-struck...but so am I, so I don't see a difference. God, I love him so much.
I'm actually really grateful to have met a person like you. You're a great girlfriend, a great friend, and I can guarantee you'll be a great Mom sometime in the future.
Kaori felt her cheeks heat up, and she started to blush a little bit.
I'm so glad to have you by my side. I hope that I can be with you forever. When we go to America let's hope for some fun adventures ;D
Kaori laughed to herself and nodded along, agreeing with the letter silently.
I didn't mean for this letter to be so long, sorry. That rose that either your mom or dad had left for you is from me; it's kind of cheesy, I know, but don't beat me up over it I'm trying to be romantic.
Kaori looked over at the rose laying beside her on the bed and she grinned, turning back to the letter to finish reading it.
Thanks a lot Kaori. Call me when you finish reading this, doesn't matter the time I'll answer anyways just keep calling if I don't answer. I love you. See you when I see you, my little cherry blossom
Sincerely, Kousei
Kaori felt her heart skip a bunch of beats at the finale of the letter. The nickname threw her off guard, she never expected that from Kousei. She shrugged and carefully placed the letter on her drawer picking up the rose to look at it. She smiled. Guess there's always something new to Kousei that I need to figure out throughout our years together.
She then remembered that she should call Kousei and placed the rose over to where the letter was and grabbed her phone, finding Kousei before placing her phone over her ear and waiting for him to answer.
There were a few long rings, and Kaori wouldn't really be surprised if Kousei was asleep. It's 11 pm as of right now.
"Yes?"
"Oh! Kousei!"
"Hello Kaori. So...did you read the letter…?"
"Yup! And I loved every bit of it."
Just from how his voice changed, she knew he was red in the face and getting nervous. "U-uh...well...I'm glad you think so! I actually was kinda scared to even give it to you since I didn't know how you'd react."
"Well, I reacted fine. I loved it, Kousei. It's better than that goodbye letter you read that started all of this."
"O-oh...that letter… I haven't read it ever since because it just hurts me inside but I have kept it, along with the photo. I really think both of our letters don't need a comparison in my opinion...mines about loving you and apologizing, yours is a goodbye…"
Kaori slid down to lay on her bed and sighed. "True, true…Hey, I have a question."
"What is it?"
"How's it going, my little cherry blossom?"
Kousei groaned and Kaori laughed, being careful to keep quiet in case her parents were asleep. Kousei spoke. "Look, I was in the moment, okay? That nickname just came to me when I thought about the first time I met you, it seemed fine."
Kaori smiled and stared at her ceiling. "Hmm...well, here's a fact: I really love cherry blossoms. They're actually my favorite flowers."
"Oh. Well now I have another fact I will forever keep in my memory about you. Is there anything else I need to know that I don't?"
"Now that, Kousei Arima, you will find out on your own." Kaori heard Kousei pout and she smiled.
"Fine."
"By the way, I am also really in love with you too. You're also my first crush, my first love, and I'm slightly positive you'll be my last."
"I want to be positive about you being my last as well, but I don't mean this in a bad way but what makes you think we'll last long enough to be each other's' lasts?"
"Um...well, there's not really any other particular reason aside from the fact I am hopelessly in love with a dork like you."
"Hm. Same, but get rid of dork and replace it with 'a beautiful girl'."
Kaori's cheeks tinted red and she frowned. "I'm not all that beautiful, am I?" She heard Kousei take a deep breath and say, "Kaori, don't get me started-"
Kaori laughed and said in between, "Okay, okay. Now, before this turns into a flirting-all-night session, I would like to sleep. We have school tomorrow."
"True, you're right. What time do you usually go to sleep?"
"Uh...like around 12 or 1. But if I'm tired It's at 10 or 11."
Worry etched into Kousei's voice. "That's not good for your health Kaori...you can't stay up late like that on school days."
Kaori sighed and rubbed her eyes. "Yes, I know."
"Alright, I'll end the call so that you can get a proper rest. I love you."
Kaori situated herself under her covers and stifled a yawn. "Night Kousei, I love you too."
"Um...night now, mylittlecherryblossom." Kousei hung up faster than Kaori could say the word "dummy" and squished in his new nickname for Kaori in the end, which had her smiling and giggling a little. "I love him so much…" she whispered to herself.
She placed her phone on her drawer beside her glasses and laid back on her bed. The many things she loves about Kousei flashing all over her mind. She closed her eyes and prepared herself a night's rest, little snippets of how she'll think her future with Kousei will end up like.
Kaori wasn't aware of it...but right as sleep took her in, she was crying.
Wowowow hi. It's 5 am wow ;; I need to sleep tomorrow's Sunday and I have two projects due on Monday and Tuesday ohjeez. Sorry if this ended up trashy ;(
goodnight/good morning/good evening/good afternoon!