Chapter 7

Akihisa's point of view

Hand in hand we walked down the sidewalk towards Minami's home. I knew she lived close to where I did, however I had never been to her house before. As her house came into view I could see it was small and quaint. The perfect house for a small family of three. I knew from stories that she told me, that only her, her little sister, Hazuki, and her dad, who I have never met. She never mentioned her mother and knowing her personality I didn't want to ask. We got up to the front door, she looked at her pocket closet to the hand I was holding and tried to reach in with her other hand, but without success.

"Need a hand?" I smiled jokingly at her.

She nodded so I put my free hand in her pocket and retrieved her keys for her. She unlocked the door and we walked in. The house was quiet, Hazuki was probably still at school and I would assume her dad was at work. She led me into the living room.

"You can sit anywhere you like, would like a snack or something to drink?"

"No thank you, I'll be good."

"Okay, I'm just going to go take a shower real quick, and then get changed help yourself to anything in the kitchen I'll be right back."

"Take your time."

She disappeared up the stairs. A few moments later I heard the shower turn on. I looked around, the house was small but homey. I really liked it, it was much better than my empty apartment. I looked over and saw some picture frames on a bookshelf. I stood up and walked over to take a look at them. There was picture of Minami as a toddler, and man was she adorable hey cute Magenta hair was in the same little ponytail as it was every day with a similar yellow hair band, and in her mouth, was a pacifier. I giggled to myself, it was one of the cutest pictures of her I have ever seen. I hope one day I get to see more like it.

The sound of water coming from upstairs stopped, she must be done with her shower now so it looks like she should be back down stairs soon. I looked at another frame next to the last one. It was a picture of us all of us, Himeji, Yuuji, Hideyoshi, Kouta, Shōko, Aiko, Minami, and myself. Staring at the picture distracted me from the girl walking up behind me. She grabbed my arm and yanked me un the stairs.

"Minami, you scared me half to death."

She giggled sweetly, "sorry, hehe I just wanted you to see my room before we left."

But her room was not what I was looking at, no my eyes were fixed on the beautiful girl standing in front of me. She wore a thigh length pink dress with ruffles with black knee high boots, her hair was not tied up in its usual ponytail and yellow bow it was down hanging across her shoulders, like it was that one night. That one night I will never forget. I thought she was beautiful before, but now she was more than just beautiful she was drop dead gorgeous. I'm sure my jaw was hanging, I was staring and I couldn't help it. Her cheeks grew red, and she shyly looked at her feet.

"w... what is it Aki? Is something wrong? Do you not like this outfit? I can change if you would lik…"

"No, it's perfect. You could not look more beautiful than you do right now, your dress, your boots, but most importantly your hair, all are amazing."

Her face grew more red, like an apple. I grabbed her hand and said, "let's get going we don't want to get there too late remember."

We ran down the stairs and out the door she locked up the house and we were on our way. We held hands as we walked, but spoke very little. The only speaking we did, came through our actions. Our interlocked hands spoke loudly when our voices didn't know what to say. We continued on our way like this for about twenty minutes, until we came up to our destination.

"looks like we made it, I hope you're hungry."

She smiled at me and nodded we walked inside the waiter showed us to a table and we took our seats. She sat across from me which was perfect, I get to see her beautiful face the whole night.

"Minami, the reason I asked you out tonight was because I wanted to tell you something important, but it's really hard for me to say, so when I tell you no matter your response please don't laugh at me."

"Aki I would never laugh at you I promise, but there is also something I wanted to tell you so don't laugh at me okay?"

"I promise I won't laugh."

She was blushing and looking down. Her fingers were fidgeting nervously. I took her hands in mine, she looked up and I stared deeply into her shining emerald eyes.

"Minami, I didn't mean to send that text the last night of the training camp. I didn't plan on telling you then I wanted it to be special so that you know how I truly feel, and I worked really hard this time I know I got it right I know I did. Minami, ich liebe dich"

Her eyes widened. She looked shocked. Was she mad? Did she not return my feelings? Was she scared? Did I say it wrong? Ich liebe dich was how you say I love you in German, I think. She was still holding my hands, so it couldn't be bad, right?

"Aki, I didn't know you felt this way, I was scared you wouldn't like someone like me, and don't worry you said it right, hehe, it was really cute hearing you say it, and I just want you to know, I love you too, Akihisa."

Man, what a relief I feel so happy now the woman I love loves me back there is no better feeling in the world than this. I leaned in and closed my eyes, our lips met once more and how they missed each other. The warmth the soft velvety warmth of her lips on mine was the best feeling I have ever had so relaxing. It felt so right, like our lips were meant to be together. We broke apart and I smiled at her.

"So, Minami, will you be my girlfriend?"

"Aki, of course I will, there is nothing I want more than to be by your side forever."

"That makes me so happy, I love you."

The rest of our evening when amazingly well we had our crepes and sat around and talked for a while, it couldn't have gone better. When we had finished talking, well when the place had to close and kicked us out to be more exact, we walked back to her house, holding hands. We got there too fast, I didn't want to say goodnight. I didn't want this night to end. I held her hands in mine and she faced me. I stared into her brilliant emerald eyes and leaned in for another kiss. Our lips met and we exchanged our goodnights

"Goodnight Minami, I'll meet you here tomorrow morning so we can walk to school together."

"Okay Aki, I'll be waiting for you, goodnight, I love you."

"I love you too, Minami."