Expectations

Yasuhiko was the last to leave, agreeing to help clean up after the party. Kaoru was anxious to speak privately with Daisuke, however, and had a hard time being social with anyone but the sleepy brunet.

"Ah! Thanks for the party, Miss Izumi." the teen gratefully stated with a low bow of the head, "It was very enjoyable!"

"Of course! But I can't take all the credit; this may be my house, but this was Daisuke's idea!" this brought more color to Kaoru's cheeks as he viewed the cyclist across from him, busy with replacing the trash bags. Once Miss Izumi retreated to her room, Kaoru deeply inhaled and approached him under the kitchen lights.

"Thanks for the party, Daisuke. I had a lot of fun." he felt his cheeks warm as he was given a sincere smile in response, Kite's features finally blending into Daisuke's, "…I uh….I…"

"Do you need a ride home?" Kaoru lowered his head in both denial and embarrassment.

"…I…wanted to let you know how I feel…if you'll…allow me to."

He slowly moved in and as Daisuke came to realize the motion, his complexion began to redden. He didn't flinch, however, and surprised him with the upward tilt of his chin. Kaoru wanted to address this unexpected reaction, but instead followed through with the gesture and planted his lips onto Daisuke's cheek. The receiver seemed a bit thrown back, but hid it well with a smile.

"A-Ah! Haha! It's no problem, Ichinose! Really! I'm glad you enjoyed yourself!" the teen chimed as he returned to his cleaning, "My mom can take you home if you want."

"Is it okay if I stay with you for a while longer?"

"Of course!" though Daisuke's tone had changed somehow, "You can sleep in my room again." he plainly offered, now busy with wiping down the counter.

"O-Oh. Thanks." Kaoru slowly stepped out of the kitchen as Daisuke kept his back turned. He offered to help him finish, but was shooed into the other room, where he spent the rest of his time gazing at Daisuke's gift. He couldn't believe he'd built this scene of Elk and Mia-he couldn't believe the detail! The more he looked at it, the more he noticed: the little bouncing Mushrooms glued to small springs on mossy rocks. He also realized that Mia was holding a blade of what he assumed was supposed to be Aromatic Grass. All that was missing was…

The blue clad character giggled as his purple companion gratefully caressed the blade of Aromatic Grass, her favorite item.

"Thank you so much!" she expressed to the red character nearby, "It's no question as to why Elk admires you so deeply!"

"Haha! Oh Mia, it's not a problem at all! I'm always happy to help!" the red character kindly dismissed with a hand on Elk's shoulder.

-The teen perked up at the sudden knock at the door. In came Daisuke, but Kaoru quickly turned away as the teen entered wearing nothing but a towel around his waist.

"Sorry, I just need to get these." the host apologized.

"…It's okay, but…a-actually I have a question about this." Kaoru addressed the clay model scene, "Why did you leave yourself out of this?"

"…W-What?...Well it's because you love Mia."

"Oh…." the teen hummed in response, "I guess that makes sense. It's just…I care about you, too."

"Haha! Well, obviously not in the same way."

Kaoru's cheeks warmed as the realization began to sink in.

"Daisuke?...Do you like me? You were always so kind to me, but I just thought it was because that was your personality, but…"

Daisuke paused at the question, but eased his posture a bit as if to finally give into the truth.

"…Don't worry about it, Kaoru." he reassured with a smile, somehow seeming more genuine than before, "I'm not heartbroken or anything, it was just weird to hear Akira ask me about that today. It brought up some old feelings, that's all."

"…Oh…I'm…-"

"Don't worry, Kaoru. If you think you're the reason I quit 'The World', you're not. It has nothing to do with you guys." before leaving, however, Daisuke knelt to his level and offered a small kiss to the cheek, "Night."

"…Night…-u-uh, Daisuke?" Kaoru began again, growing embarrassed by the fact that Daisuke was still undressed, "…Actually…your mother…told me about what happened…with your dad."

"Oh….well…" the teen lowered his gaze a bit, "…I guess you know, then."

"I'm sorry I pushed you so hard before. I thought I needed Kite to come to my rescue, but at my lowest point, I realized that you're the player, and that…you're the real hero."

"Haha! I never saw myself as a hero, but I'm glad I was able to help you." as Daisuke began to stand, however, Kaoru took his wrist to stop him.

"So for this reason, you mean as much to me as Mia does. I just wish that...there was a way to save you in the same way that you have saved me."

Daisuke gazed at him, dumbfounded. As they maintained eye contact, Kaoru felt the distance between them lessen until the slow gravitation towards each other was confirmed by the meeting of their lips.