Four days had passed since the party and Sakura visited the Kirkland household again. It was nine o'clock in the morning as she stood in front of their door as she reflected on the past events. The latest one was the most significant one. It had been the most beautiful moment for her as she danced with Arthur. Their gaze had not been broken for the rest of the evening and she swore that he must have felt her beating heart. For her, this magical experience was something she will hold close to her heart.

"Oi, Sakura."

The girl shrieked. She had been so lost in her thoughts that she forgot where she was. Emily watched her with a concerned look. "Everything alright?"

"Y-Yes, I was only thinking about something."

She was still a little astonished of why Emily wanted her to teach her how to make sushi. The American often paid her compliments for cooking skills, praising that Sakura's food – also bakery – was one of the best she had ever tasted.

After she entered the house, Emily showed her the supplies she had bought for making the food. Both of them started to work; having known each other for almost four months, the two had a good time together. Whereas Emily was of a more open character, Sakura was quieter, but the girls had fun making food. After one hour, Emily decided to make a little break. It was the first day, she had not the intention to annoy her brother about Sakura or put them in a situation to bring them together; today was really an exception. The American was fond of her Japanese friend and loved spending time with her.

For Arthur, the morning was still too early. Some ruckus downstairs had woken him up, leaving him in a grumpy state. "It's far too early," he muttered. He heard his sister giggling and sighed, "Good Lord, Emily, what the bloody hell are you doing?"

Reluctantly he removed the blanket and stood up, leaving his warm bed, his hair messier than usual. "I am going to kill her." Without thinking too much, he rushed downstairs; only wearing pyjama bottoms. Despite the possibility that she had a guest – which he excluded – he entered the kitchen. "In the name of God, what are you doing? It's far too early to –"

He stopped abruptly upon seeing Sakura standing in an apron next to the cupboard. The colour of his face changed immediately, just like his expression. From tired and grumpy to shocked and embarrassed. Emily was cleaning the kitchen table. "Oh, hey brother."

Sakura stared at the boy with widened eyes. His messy hair, his tattooed chest, his blinking green eyes and his expression were a delighting sight for her; some would say that he was hot, but for her who thought that the word hot was a little sexist, the boy was absolutely adorable. He did not know that she would be there. Surprisingly, Emily did not shout at him for his lack of clothes but only smiled devilishly.

"S-Sakura?" He stuttered. "W-What are you doing here?"

While he managed to form words of speaking, he positioned himself behind the door frame to hide himself a little from her sight.

"E-Emily asked me to come by," she answered quietly, her face as red as Arthur's. "O-Okay," he said before he dashed back to his room, closing the door and sliding down against it on his knees. "Oh Lord."

Emily snickered, making Sakura feel herself uncomfortable again.

"Don't worry he does not like anyone to see him in that state."

"B-But why he be embarrassed?" the Japanese asked, but Emily only smiled. "H-he looked cute." And there it was; the sentence she wanted to avoid uttering out loud.

"He does not like surprises, and we did surprise him," Emily chittered, continuing her task of cleaning the table; ignoring Sakura's compliment for her brother.

After twenty minutes, Arthur descended the stairs; having gained enough confidence after the incident. His heart was still in a fast state, but he wanted to spent time with Sakura. As he entered the kitchen, the smell of food was filling the room. Whereas Sakura was setting dishes on the table, Emily was on her way to look for something to drink (the fridge needed to be refilled with new bottles). On her way out, she winked at her brother, a knowing smirk gracing her face. Arthur blushed but was a little annoyed by her allusion.

"H-Hey, lunch is ready."

He heard her lovely voice and focussed on her face, which was adorned with a blush. This was something he was observing for weeks; she was more flustered lately and he always hoped that it was him that made her feel that way. "Thank you for cooking and I am really sorry Emily asked you to teach her." He smiled; her sister really was one of a kind.

Sakura chuckled lightly, "You're welcome, and I am always glad if I can teach somebody. It makes me feel needed and I love to help."

The Englishman nodded, both sat on the table as Emily returned. She asked her Japanese friend how and when she was planning to go home. "My mother will pick me up in an hour or so," the black-haired replied before wishing everybody an enjoying meal. After eating, they were making the dishes, and Sakura packed her stuff due to her mother's soon arrival. "Oh before I forget," Emily reminded Sakura, "New Year's Eve party. Arthur will pick you up at seven."

While the Japanese agreed happily, the Brit shot her sister a questioning look. He had not been informed of his sister's plans – as always – but decided to remain still. As Sakura received a message form her mother, she quickly said goodbye, exiting through the door while Emily and Arthur were in the kitchen. Unfortunately the girl had forgotten to take her purse with her, which lay on a board in the hall near the front door.

"You really like her."

Arthur stopped cleaning the fork in his hand and turned his head to look at her sister. "And please don't say 'who do you mean'," Emily warned him.

Arthur sighed heavily, "Y-Yes, Sakura is a great friend." Her sister challenged him with a tired look; her facial expression supported by a groan. "You know what I mean. I am not talking about the feeling of a friend, but the emotion of love."

The punk tried to ignore her but failed greatly; his cheeks were tinted with red. "The emotion which forces you to care for her, to be worried about her and the need to be near her all the time," Emily added softly, touching his shoulder. She knew it was a sensitive topic for him, but she wanted him to admit it openly to her; the girl was his sister after all. "You don't need to hide it, it is obvious and I want you to know that I support you. It is okay to talk about it."

He hung his head and smiled softly, tired of hiding his feelings. "Thank you."

Arthur then coughed lightly in his now empty hand. "I never thought somebody would trigger such emotions in me. Of course, you and Marguerite are always my children of sorrow."

At the mention of that, Emily rolled her eyes and cleared her throat. She knew he was exaggerating, but that was why big brothers were for, were they not? The Englishman ignored her – on purpose of course – and continued. "At first I thought I was infatuated, but as time passed by and I befriended her, I knew it was more than that. She makes me flustered every time she looks at me with those honest brown eyes. Whereas some are afraid of me or want to avoid me, she is approaching me. Darn it, Emily she made me sushi as a gift to apologise. In addition to that, she knows when my temper gets the best out of me and tries to calm me down," he breathed. The boy did not expect to have his feelings exclaimed in detail, but he would not stop now. "She taught me how to draw, helped me when I was in danger. Her calm demeanour helps me to be calm too; to control myself. We have a lot in common, but she is still so different for me and that is what I need. The only one who is capable of enduring my character is her. The only one that makes me rethink my actions and behaviour is her. I need her in my life… because," he stopped to breathe deeply for the next words. "I love her."

Emily had never before heard such words from her brother and she almost squealed. Her brother was indeed quite romantic. "I never thought it has hit you so hard," she smiled but could not prevent herself from making the next remark. "You sound like a punkish version of Mr Darcy."

The bewildered look in his eyes made her laugh again. "I always knew you were the jealous type of boy, with all your attempts of insulting Francis and Antonio after they approached Sakura." Her smirk widened. "And not to forgot the poor cashier in the shop."

By now Arthur was groaning, why and how did she know about that stupid man in the shop. "Yes, I am jealous but not because I see her as a possession, which she is not. If the person I care the most for, is concerned, than I cannot help myself but react. I want to protect her, from heartbreak, danger, all harm."

He once again focussed on his sister who was jumping up and down. "Awesome, I am so going to be the bridesmaid."

"H-hey, Emily. W-wait."

"I am just saying bro. Sakura Kirkland does sound nice," Emily smiled devilishly, dancing in a dreamy state, "You need to confess to her on New Year's Eve."

This suggestion sounded like an order and the girl was utterly content with Arthur's confession.

"Are you all right?"

Her mother had asked her twice and Sakura tried with every attempt not to focus on what she had witnessed ten minutes ago. The moment she had almost closed the door of the Kirkland house, she noticed that she had forgotten her bag. Sakura quickly had re-entered house. She did not want to burden the owners of the house and decided to quietly grab her bag and leave again. It was only at the mention of her name that she shortly stilled. His words, so clear and honest, touched her heart. She had hoped that he would consider her as more as a friend. In the end she was sure that he would not see her as more as just a friend, but hearing his loving words made her heart race with excitement. He had felt the same for her all this time. Even though she knew it was impolite to eardrop, she could not prevent herself. Her motionless body was leaned against the door frame, but not due to a tragic enlightenment, but because of his way of talking about her. He appreciated her, cared and loved her. It was all she needed to be happy for the rest of the day. After he had finished, she rushed to her mother's care, not answering her question why she was flustered.

"Y-Yes," she somehow managed to answer her parent, who did not press on the topic any further. Sakura looked out of the window, her blushing face accompanied with a bright smile. She knew what she would do on New Year's Eve. She would reciprocate his feelings with her confession. Hearing Arthur's had lightened a spark of confidence in her.

[A/N: Muhahah :D She knows about his feelings now ~. I will post the last chapter tomorrow :D]

Pastaaddict: Oh yes xD, everybody wants them together, even fate (in this chapter) :D They stand no chance against them ~