Utsukushi Yume: Thanks for reading, everyone~!
Haha, a chapter a day! ^^ That's a lot for me... CX Hope you like it!
Ichigo was taking a seat at her usual dinner table when something caught her eye.
There, in the vase of colorful flowers set on the table, was something that didn't quite seem to fit in. There was a streak of creamy white inside one of the golden pink carnations.
The brunette reached over and took it out of the flower, careful not to change the decorations. That was when she realized what it truly was– a note.
It was simply a small piece of paper folded in half. Nothing much of it. Except that on one side, it held the words, To Amano Ichigo.
Who would send notes to her? And why? Suddenly, everything made sense. Kashino, Ichigo thought bitterly. He was the only one who wouldn't simply have talked to her in person.
Ichigo opened it up and quickly scanned over the words scribbled on it.
Amano,
Meet me at the lake tomorrow afternoon. I have something to tell you.
I know that I said some really mean things that other day. But please, trust me just this once.
–Kashino
Ichigo's heart filled up with a mixture of emotions. Half of her wanted to forgive Kashino with open arms. But he had been so cruel to her...
She slipped the note into her dress pocket and stood up to leave.
"Ichigo, you're full already?" Rumi frowned. Usually, the brunette could never get tired of eating.
Ichigo stopped in her tracks and spun around to face her roommate. "Yes..."
"You've hardly touched your dinner." Rumi's voice was filled with worry.
"I'm fine, don't worry about me." Ichigo disappeared through the door before she could say another word.
The brunette reached into her pocket. What had Kashino wanted to tell her? And why?
"You ALWAYS mess up everything! Just GIVE UP!"
"This is all your fault!"
His cold, bitter words echoed in her mind. Tears in her chocolate colored eyes, Ichigo threw the note on the ground.
She didn't stop running until she had reached her room. Ichigo sank into her bed, tears falling silently into her hands
She would never forgive Kashino.
Even if it broke her heart.
Ichigo looked around. She was standing in the midst of a field of flowers.
The sunlight shone warmly, bringing out the enchanting colors of the flowers.
Suddenly, Ichigo heard a familiar voice calling her name. "Amano!" She spun around to meet eyes of golden caramel.
"K-Kashino? What are you doing here?"
Kashino shook his head. "I know that I said some really mean things that other day. But please, trust me just this once."
Ichigo's eyes widened. Those were exactly the words he had written in his note to her! "B-but... why?"
"Just trust me!"
Just then, everything blurred into a mix of colors. Ichigo found herself in her bed. It was all only a dream.
She had no idea how or why. But something inside Ichigo told her that maybe, just maybe, she could trust him.
"Amano..." Ichigo and Kashino were seated beside the crystal lake. Rain pattered down around them, but neither one cared. "I..."
Ichigo didn't respond, but the chocolatier could tell she was listening. Kashino took a deep breath.
"...I'm sorry. I really am."
For a moment, their eyes met. Then Ichigo turned her gaze back to the waters.
"I never knew it," He finally admitted. "How much you meant to me. And I'll do anything, anything to have you back."
"K-Kashino..."
He pulled her into a warm embrace. "I'll never let you go again."
She lifted her glance ever so slightly. "Promise?"
He nodded. "Promise."
Ichigo felt tears enclose her eyes. But this time, they were tears of happiness.
Suddenly, the clouds parted. The rain that had been falling for so long slowly went away.
The sky broke and sunlight shone through, revealing a crystal blue sky.
I love you, Ichigo. Kashino thought, holding her in his arms. No matter what happens, it will always be that way.
Maybe it was a coincidence. Or maybe it was just her imagination. But Ichigo could almost hear Kashino's voice echoing in her heart.
She smiled faintly. And in her heart, she replied softly,
I love you too.
Utsukushi Yume: OMG. I'm so proud of myself. THIS IS SO LONG... QAQ
KawaiiSushiLove: Haha, thanks for reading! Please review... CX