Disclaimer: I do not own Gakuen Alice

My Last Love Story by Hotaru Imai

Chapter Ten: Walking You

Yes. If you still wondering what I am currently doing, then yes. I am still trailing behind that infuriating yet attractive person of a man.

If you still don't remember, then maybe you should either go back and read the previous chapters or go to the doctors to check if your brain is functioning correctly.

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I'm kidding. What happened next nearly made me start hyperventilating so of course recalling it, even now, would make me into a gibberish fool. Thank god I'm going to die soon. I couldn't live the fact that I am actually telling you all how weak I actually am. Enough with my somehow abnormal ramblings; I guess I better tell you what happened between the two of us.

My Last Love Story

"Ruka-kun…" I tried to catch his attention. We were already out of school grounds and he still had his hand in mine as we headed off in the direction he had found me earlier. He wasn't responding.

I tried again. "Ruka-kun!"

It seemed like he just got woken up as he suddenly jerked to a stop, and since I had not been expecting it, I walked straight into him.

"Sorry…" I muttered as I increased the distance between the two of us once again. My nose was hurting from such a rash impact and I had to use my free hand to rub it to ease the pain.

He murmured back disorderly words. It was as if his mind was lost in the clouds. He didn't even realise that he still holding my hand for goodness sake!

"Ruka-kun?" I asked him.

"Yeah?" He finally replied after a few silent moments.

I moved the hand intertwined with his into vision as I said, "You can let go now."

I could have sworn that his face flushed as he quickly let go of my hand as if it was on fire.

His mouth was about to move again but before he could say something, I cut in. "And don't say 'sorry'. You've said it too many times today."

The side of his lips tugged as it formed into a smile and then a small chuckle.

"I guess I have. But really, I'm so sorry. It was my fault that they ganged up on you." He said 'sorry' again: even after I had told him specifically not to.

Glaring at him, I said, "Didn't I just say to not say sorry? Even if you aren't here, they'll find another reason to bully me. So stop standing there like an idiot whose vocabulary mainly consists of the word 'sorry'."

He laughed at me again. "I guess you can take care of yourself. But you know? Sometimes you should just let your prince charming rescue you."

I frowned a little. "No one is my prince charming Ruka-kun. I'm the lonely Ice Queen."

"No you aren't!" He grabbed me by my shoulders and stared at my eyes. He seemed to be trying to reach his words to the very depth of my soul.

In a gentler tone, he added, "I'll walk you home…"

I automatically responded with a, "You don't have to."

He countered it with a, "I want to."

It seemed like this is one person I never will be able to win against. I sighed in defeat and tilting my head in the direction towards my house I simply said,

"Come on, you stubborn fool."

My Last Love Story

It was just great when I found out that the bus I normally caught had already left five minutes earlier of our arrival and so consequently, we had to walk the whole journey to my house. Maybe I am grateful Ruka was with me; my neighbourhood wasn't a place one would like to be in at night. The thought itself sent shivers up my spine.

For most of the journey, we were deep in thought and silence engulfed us both. We knew the other was there; I was sure that Ruka did not forget. The random feeling in my gut that someone was looking at me reminded me non-stop that he was next to me. And I reckon his random glances were his weird way in convincing himself I was still there.

"You're different…" He said absentmindedly as we continued our trek.

Glancing at him, I raised an eyebrow as I replied. "What do you mean?"

His gaze, whom was previously on the gravel floor that made up the sidewalk, shifted into the distance.

"It's like you're a different person every time I see you. One minute you're the strong girl, another you're the bullied one. One time you're the girl who nobody messed with but then you turn into one that anyone could overpower. You..." His voice travelled off, as if finding the right words. "You are one interesting girl, Hotaru Imai."

I kept on walking as I processed in what he had said.

"Interesting, eh?" I repeated his observation of me. Sure, people have many times described me: weak, infuriating, heartless, cold, greedy, selfish. No one besides my close friends has ever said a nice thing about me. And I will not count Natsume's comment about my ability to get Mikan to do what I want as a compliment: even if Mikan spent a whole hour trying to persuade me.

"Yeah," he confirmed. "Extremely interesting."

We were nearly there; I could see my house in the distance, covered by the shadows from the trees planted randomly across our front yard. My time with him today was nearing an end.

"Why are you so nice to me?" I blurted out the question before I had time to think about it.

It shocked me, and it definitely shook Ruka. He stopped walking completely, making me halt to a stop as well.

He looked at me, as if trying to put a puzzle together, with his eyebrows knitted slightly and his eyes blinking ever so slightly. His blonde hair was moving with the gentle breeze that enveloped summer while his mouth was motionless.

"I thought you were smart, Hotaru-chan." He replied my question with a cryptic remark.

I scowled a little. "I am smart."

He breathed in before he talked. "Then why are you asking a stupid question?"

"It is not a stupid question." Okay, maybe I was not in control with my emotions as much as I thought.

"Yes it is."

"I am not going to argue over such a stupid thing." I retorted.

He laughed a little. "Then why start it off with a stupid question?"

"It isn't." I persisted.

Instead of arguing with me, he said, "Do you really need an answer?"

"I don't need the answer. I want it." I smirked a little.

He sighed. I guess I could be infuriating if I want to be; maybe even a bit persuading because the next time he talked, he told me the answer.

"Because I want to," he said with an unwavering voice.

"Because you want to?" I repeated like an idiot.

He nodded slowly. "That's my answer."

I resumed my walking, ending the matter. Maybe, now that I think about it, I wasn't so persuading at all: because I never was or am satisfied with that answer.

My Last Love Story

Minutes later, we finally reached my house. We didn't really talk after me trying to get the answer out of him. I don't think either of us minded it either.

"We're here." I said as I stopped in front of the squeaky front gate that was in dire need of oil.

"Is your father home?" He asked me as he stared at the windows that were all dark.

I looked at my watch as I shook my head. "Soon though."

"I see," he said as he began to fidget.

"See you tomorrow then." An awkward atmosphere was building and I wanted to leave before it actually formed. I moved a hand towards the gate but was stopped halfway with Ruka's hand, holding mine. Again.

"I-You-Uh" He stumbled over his words. I could only lightly smile at him.

"What is it, Ruka-kun?" I tilted my head to the side a little, expressing my slight confusion towards his actions.

He reached his free hand into his bag as he brought out a paper bag. It was my muffins.

"You might want this." He said as he carefully placed the bag in the hand that was captured by his. He let go of it when he was done and the air once again collided against my skin.

"Thanks," I said.

"Night, Hotaru-chan." He gave me a smile.

Smiling in return, I answered. "You too, Ruka-kun. Night."

I was about to turn to enter my house but Ruka beat me to it once again. This time, however, he didn't stop me by grabbing my hand.

Leaning forward, he placed a chaste kiss on my left cheek.

I froze. I freaking froze. I could have sworn my heart stopped for a second there. I mean, he just freaking KISSED ME. Yeah I know, on the cheek, but think about it. What are the chances of one of the hottest guys in your school chasing you, protecting you, walking you home and kissing you on the cheek? Whoa, I could swear I was going into shock.

My eyes were wide as they followed the retreating face to its original position. I could swear that Ruka's face was red. I really don't want to know what colour mine was turning into.

"Bye," he quickly said as he started to briskly walk in the direction we had come from.

I was just standing there like an idiot in front of my own house as I stared at him walking into the distance.

I raised a trembling hand to my left cheek. I could still envision the touch of his lips against my skin; it sent electric currents throughout my body. My lips curved into a blushful smile as I recalled the word he said as he walked off.

He thought I wouldn't hear, but practically living in the library had the best effects on my hearing. I was certain of it; I was certain that the last word was indeed that.

Opening the gate to my house, I kept replaying his voice in my head saying those last two words.

"Bye… Hotaru."

You were the first and last person I fell in love with Ruka. I love you so much. Why did you have to leave? Why did you have to come into my life only to leave me in the end with only memories to live with?

But I can never hate you. All the things you did, you did it for me.

And it hurts to say this, though to me it is the truth.

What did I ever do to deserve you?

My Last Love Story – Chapter End.

Author's Note: I disappeared for a while? Yeah, that's what happens when you get a truckload of school and no inspiration in one go. I promised I would update this month so I tried my best – even skipping out on studying for my physics, chemistry and mathematics tests tomorrow. Wish me luck!

papaya1212: you updating was kind of a wake-up call for me to update this! So thanks, for the review and the latest chapter of Tainted.

eufinley: I hope this update wasn't too late for you! Hoped you had fun reading it (:

Hikari Yukihara: Hoped you liked this chapter! And thanks for the wishes, much appreciated.

LunarChan: really… your reviews made me smiles. So sweet of you; thanks and good luck for your own story!

Dedication: For once, it is not a person on fanfiction, but my best friend whose birthday is in 3 days. Happy Birthday Phil!

And hey, if you're actually reading this, much love and appreciation goes to you. At least I know some people want to read this (:

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