-LAST CHAPER. EPILOGUE-
I woke up a day later, with Takao by my side, he had been nursing me, healing my wounds and bruises. He handed me the note that I had written, still unsealed, and asked if I still felt he should read it. And I nodded. I watched as he unfolded the letter and the three simple words:
I love you
came into view, and he smiled with that same childish grin he had in the picture and hugged me. That night, he never left my side, and I couldn't be happier…
As I lay in bed, and he changed out the small bandage that covered the deep cuts along my back, I told him about myself, the real me, and I told him about Shiki. He nearly flew into a frenzy when I told him about Kise, and if I hadn't be fast enough to grab him, who knows what would have happened?
He stayed by my side for that whole week, feeding me, talking to me, caring for me, until I felt strong enough to get up and my body no longer ached. Kazunari brought me a entire box of my favourite Sakura Mochi, and he grinned as he ate half the box, saying he had never had them before, and didn't know they were this good.
We would lay in bed together most of the day, with him snuggled up close to me, talking and watching TV. He would stay with me, until I'd fall asleep, and then appear by my side again with lunch or dinner, everything carefully made with love.
Kise, was eventually outed by someone else, and was arrested as a abusive sexual predator by the police. I remember Kazunari yelling at him as the news showed his arrest one evening. He promised that he would never treat me like that, and I told him that I believed him and knew he never would.
Just days after that, I began to settle into my life at Kazunari's house. His parents came and gave me their full approval, provided that I "Keep their son happy" And upon hearing that, he blushed upon noticing his father adding a small wink at the end.
I attended college with their support, and graduated from medical school, and now I spend my days at my clinic, helping any and everyone who came by, with a generous investment from Nazunari's father that is.
I haven't told Kazunari yet, but I sneak off from my work every once in a while to consult my old friends, Akashi Seijuro and Tetsuya, who owns an architectural firm. I requested them to help work on the plans for a home, one that I want to have for our future. I wanted him to build us a home that we can live in for the rest of our lives, and one that would represent the love we share.
Another thing I don't tell him, is that I secretly love when we go to sleep every night, the way that he curls up beside me while i wrap my arms around him and him telling me he loves me more than anything in the world, I think it would make him go overboard…
Kazunari's been focusing on his law school education, as well as going out and playing street basketball, he seems happier this way, and in a way he is fulfilling both his dreams at once. I think when he graduates this coming year, I want to take him on a vacation, and maybe there… I'll tell him about the house, and maybe… ask another question…
Let's hope he says yes…