A/N: Oh, it's my birthday today! I know, pretty irrelevant XD Anyways, here we are again. PLZ ENJOY CHAPTER 8 ;3

"Open up already! Come on, Onii-san!"

Miki's fists against the door to my bedroom felt like pounds in my head. I bent my knees and covered my ears with my pillow. It was hard to stay calm the entire time I was with Mochida. After that, I immediately went home and buried myself in bed while Miki was still there. She clearly didn't know anything about what happened, but I had a feeling that she had an idea. If that was the case, why should I answer her? Let alone open the door. Right then, I just couldn't digest the thought of not seeing Ayumi again. It felt like it was for real this time. She was definitely not joking when she told me over the phone.

"Onii-san!" I heard her yell again. "I'm giving you an opportunity to talk things out! Stop being an idiot and eat from the hand that feeds you!"

Ugh … just make it stop already.

I had given up. I got up from the bed and sluggishly walked to open the door.

I peeked out my worn out face, making Miki's eyes opening.

"Onii-san, what …" she stuttered out. "…What happened to you?" I looked down at the floor and sniffed. "A lot of things happened, actually …" I admitted. She sighed. "I swear … If this is about Ayumi …" I bit my lip. "Long story short … I went too far with Ayumi. You told me to stop, I know. She's just too … addictive. I couldn't stop, dammit!" I hissed out, punching the wall by the bedroom door, making Miki jump.

"Wait … What? I thought the plan was to go out with that one girl? What are you doing going back to her?!" she said angrily. It was a little scary to hear her raise her voice like that. I allowed her to be angry though, because she had good reason for it.

"Onii-san. You've only made it worse for yourself. Now, a relationship with Ayumi is close to impossible to achieve now," Miki muttered, crossing her arms. Hearing her say it that bluntly really made me lose all hope. So much so that I didn't even pay attention to what she said after that. Words of goodbye just fell out of my mouth like a rhyme when they needed to, so Miki had already left before I knew it.

I fell down on my couch, returning to my depressed state.

I want to see Ayumi. I always do and I always will. It might be this infatuated mindset, but it feels like I'll never lose my feelings for her. I know she hasn't allowed herself to want me yet. That means she's scared. And for what reason? She hasn't forgotten me!

Full of feelings for her, I mustered up my courage and decided to go to confront Ayumi one last time.

And also … I made sure to spray on an extra amount of Red Mustang.

I remembered Satoshi saying that he had to work the entire night, being a surgeon and all. That's why he had to leave early when we were at the café this afternoon. That's only for the better.

I exited my car so fast that I almost forgot to lock it. I was too eager and it scared me. Why? Because I was getting my hopes up. That's exactly what Miki warned me about. I shook it off as I ran towards the door, pressing the doorbell oh too many times.

Alright. I just have to run inside at once. She'll never let me in, even if I ask her. It may sound blunt and without manner, but I have to force myself in.

I started hearing soft and pattering footsteps coming towards the door. I prepared myself by tensing up my muscles and warming up every nerve in my body. The doorknob started turning.

I can do this.

The moment I felt like my body could fit through the gap, I ran straight through. I felt my body slightly graze her tiny one on my fast way in. I could already feel it. Her anger, I mean.

"I swear to God, Yoshiki!" she shrieked out, enraged. I finally laid my eyes on her after turning around. She was in her comfy clothes; sweatpants, t-shirt and hair let down. Her face on the other hand, oozed with anything but calmness. "I'm so tired of this!"

I gasped for breath when I felt my chest tightening. She was slowly killing me. If that was how I was going to die, I would be happy with it. I took a determined grip on her tensed shoulders and said:

"I am too."

I shot my face forward trying to catch her lips, but she dodged and ran away from my arms. She was really quick on her feet, but that didn't stop me. I ran after her, finding her pressing her back against the wall in the living room.

"Do you think I'm happy this way?! That you're forcing yourself on me?!" she yelled, not wearing an angry expression anymore. This was more of a … despaired one. Was she trying to make me pity her?

"Do you think I was happy?"

"What?" she questioningly let out, her muscles not tense anymore. My breathing was getting shaky as I continued.

"Do you think I was happy when you just dumped me out of nowhere, without telling me anything about America? Do you think I was happy when you disappeared the next week without answering my calls or messages? Do you think I was happy when you showed up out of nowhere 6 years later with a fiancée?! Do you?!"

Every ounce of rage and frustration drained the power in my body, making me feel dizzy. Now I was the one making her pity me. I'm horrible. I looked at her stiff figure. She didn't say a word. The only thing about her that moved, was a tiny drop of salt water that streamed down her one eye.

"I know that I almost killed that guy who creeped up on you … That night we went to that bar together," I mumbled, the memories of the night before she dumped me came back. Just the vicious anger that came over me made me completely lose control at that time. All I wanted was to protect Ayumi from anything that tried to harm her.

"You lead me to believe that my anger issues that you left me. Right after you picked me out of custody from the prison too. But after what you told me today on the phone … That it was just because of your worries about me and our relationship …"

I walked over to her with all of my assertive advances gone. I didn't want to scare her away. I couldn't. More than anything, I had to convey what I was really feeling. I had to talk to her.

"I can't believe that you've completely erased your feelings for me," I continued and showed her a warm smile. "I can't believe that you're solely and completely in love with Mochida, do you hear me?"

Ayumi didn't give me any form of reply. She just looked up at me with an innocence, vulnerability and tears streaming down her face that I hadn't seen since we were together. The Ayumi I fell in love with. No wait …

The Ayumi I AM in love with.

"What …" She finally whimpered out. "Just what do you want from me, Yoshiki …?!" She was begging me to answer her, out of despair and frustration. I kept smiling at her and narrowed my eyes. There was no way I could lie now.

I cupped her cheek in my hand and whispered:

"You."

Without any hesitation, I leaned in one more time. Or more correctly, one last time. I knew that this would be the last time, for some reason. Was I right? Or was it wrong? Could I do this another time?

Ayumi didn't resist.

She ran both of her hands through my hair when our lips touched. I knew it. She's really feeling something. Overjoyed, I tightly embraced her, careful not to crush her. How didn't I understand it before? The few previous times I'd kissed her and even had sex with her, how didn't I realize? This is how she makes me feel. This is what she means to me.

Ayumi let out a sigh mixed with a whimper when we separated, her hands still placed on the back of my head. My hands were trembling.

"I love you," I said, noticing that my voice was trembling as well. I'm pathetic. "That hasn't changed." Ayumi's breaths moved her whole body. She looked so beautiful with tears in her eyes. I felt guilty for thinking so, but that feeling got washed away the moment she started speaking again.

"… I love you too, Yoshiki."

I had gotten small hints of proof that what she said was true previously. That she seriously didn't resist me was the strongest one. Yet, hearing her say that and for the first time be completely honest, melted my heart and soul. I realized something else too, which surprised me.

I felt completely satisfied.

I didn't have to kiss her anymore. I didn't have to get between her and Mochida. I guess all I wanted was the truth. Ayumi loves me. She loves me. And that is … enough for now. For the first time, I actually felt Miki's advice sink in.

I got up and gave Ayumi a grin.

"Be happy with Mochida from now on."

…

Yes, my real and honest desire was to be together with her. But then again like I mentioned, Miki's words finally got to me. It's like I finally know what she really meant. I tried to keep my smile even as I drove home. It was hard, though.

I grit my teeth and struggled to keep my tears back.

A/N: I guess it's finally over for good. Believe it or not though, the story is still not finished. Seeya next time ;3