Cuxie: Ohhh...what do I do?
Karin: What do you mean?
Cuxie: It's...It's...IT'S THE LAST CHAPPY!!! (T^T)
Karin:(T-T)
Kazune: What's with all the crying?!
Cuxie&Karin: Kazune-kun!
Kazune:(-_-) Why do girls hafta be so emotional?
Micchi: Aww, c'mon, Kazune-kun! Don't tell me you won't miss the story too.
Kazune: W-Well...
Cuxie: This is supposed to be the fluffy one...what do I do?~,~
Karin&Kazune:...GET ON WITH IT!!!
Cuxie: (sniff)....So insensitive...
"Just where the heck have you guys been?!"
The two couples entered the dance again, not wanting to arouse suspicion. That is, until they ran into Miyon. Once she learned that they had disappeared, the green-haired co-DJ had scoured the entire dance floor looking for her missing friends, dragging Yuuki in her wake.
Karin and Kazusa exchanged worried glances. "Uh...nowhere." Miyon rose an eyebrow and placed both hands on her hips, not buying that for a second. She tapped her foot impatiently, awaiting further response. "Really, Miyon," Karin insisted. "we just stepped out for a bit."
"To get some air," Kazusa added.
"Air?" She repeated, like she'd said they'd just gone off to pick up their alien love-children. "There's a party in full swing and you went off seeking air?! What's wrong with the air in here?! You missed our third set, you know. And you almost missed the announcement!"
"Announcement?"
"You found them!" Himeka bounded up to them, smiling vibrantly while holding Micchi's hand. "We were worried you guys wouldn't make it in time."
"Make it in time for what?" Kazune asked.
Micchi blinked at him. "You mean you don't know?"
Kazune huffed impatiently. If there was anything he couldn't stand about Micchi (and there were a lot of things), it's that he never got to the point. He had this thing for playing up drama and dragging things out for as long as possible. "Haven't you seen the posters? People have been talking about it all week."
"We've been a bit...preoccupied this week," he said, sending a few accusing glances at Karin and Kazusa. They grinned sheepishly and he rolled his eyes. "So what is--"
The lights dimmed and a spotlight was cast onto the stage. The girls from the attendance desk at the outside were on stage. The louder one held the microphone, commanding everyone's attention. The meeker girl stood a step behind her, holding a small sealed envelope. "Alright! Now that you've all voted, it's time to announce the results!"
"Voted?" Karin repeated curiously. "Who voted? For what?" Miyon shushed her.
The announcer girl held out her hand out to her partner who gave her the envelope and exited the stage. "Okay! This year's Cutest Couple award goes to..." she paused for drammatic effect and ripped open the envelope, grinning hugely. "Karin Hanazono and Kazune Kujyou!"
"WHAT?!" Their cries were drowned out by thunderous applause. A bright spotlight descended upon them and their friends stepped back. Karin's face heated up and she stepped behind Kazune, hiding. "Uwah...K-Kazune-kun, what do we do?"
"C'mon up!"
He took Karin's hand and pulled her forward. "We go, I guess," he said, attempting to make his voice as even as possible. Everyone moved aside as they came through, clapping and smiling and cheering them on. The spotlight followed them as they ascended the side steps to the stage.
"Alright! How about another round of applause?" The announcer was really working the crowd. More thunderous applause erupted and the divine couple blushed furiously. "Now where's your prize?" She turned just as her assistant reappeared holding two flowers in her arms. "Ah, here we are! The Golden Roses!"
"Golden...Roses?" Karin and Kazune examined the flowers in their hands. The long stems and leaves were a beautiful iridescent crystal. The petals shined a brilliant gold. Karin stroked the petals between her fingers. Smooth as silk. "Beautiful..."
"They're not real gold," the shy girl whispered. "but the crystal is real and its not cheap. In fact, that's where a good amount of the dance budget went. We could afford it because we knew an event like this would be a big hit."
"I see..."
Then the flowers were taken away.
Karin frowned. "We don't get to keep them?" she asked, disappointed.
"Oh, of course! We're just going to hold them while you two have your dance!" The announcer ushered them back down and onto the dance floor. "It's customary for the winning couple to have the first slow dance."
"Slow dance?! B-But--!"
"Go ahead! We need photos for the school paper!"
And just like that, Kazune and Karin were hustled into the center of the dance floor, surrounded at a distance by their classmates. The spotlight illuminated them again and they stood awkwardly facing each other. Soft music started to play and the entire room hushed.
"Wha...what do we do, Kazune-kun?" Karin whispered nervously.
Kazune glanced around the room, somewhat self-conscious, until he spotted the others. Himeka, Kazusa, and Miyon were grinning expectantly. Micchi was smirking, his arms crossed over his chest. He would get a kick out of this, Kazune thought briefly. Then he caught Jin's eye.
"Well, what are you waiting for, Kuyjou?"
He turned back to Karin. "Let's dance." Before she could respond, Kazune placed his arms lightly on her waist and pulled her close.
"I-I don't know how to slow dance," she admitted shyly.
"Put your arms around my neck," he instructed patiently. She tentatively placed her arms around his neck and stepped closer. "Now just follow my lead," he whispered into her ear. She nodded slightly and they swayed to the music. As soon as they began to dance, several lights flashed and Karin realised they were being photographed. Her cheeks flushed crimson and she buried her face in Kazune's neck. He held her tighter. "It's not so bad..."
"Why do they need so many pictures?" she mumbled.
"This is the main event."
"I guess so...b-but still..."
His hand stroked her hair. "They won't be good pictures if no one can see your face." After a little more coaxing, Karin shyly peeked out at him. He smiled at her. "That's better."
He's being so sweet... Suddenly, she realized just how close their faces were. Only inches apart. She stared straight into his eyes, growing slightly more nervous, but unable to pull away. He stared back with an unreadable, yet somewhat familiar expression.
"Karin..."
"Yes?"
"Close your eyes."
She did. And she was completely aware of what was happening. Even before the crowd gasped and she heard the rapid Click! of all the cameras documenting the moment that would be spread throughout the school in less than twenty-four hours.
The Cutest Couple's first kiss.
It was so soft, so sweet, so gentle, so innocent, so unlike anything she thought he was capable of, that it almost made her cry. They pulled away at the exact same time, staring into each other's eyes with the exact same expression, think the exact same thing.
God, why haven't we ever done that before?
"Happy Valentine's Day, Karin."
She smiled. My best one ever.
Kazusa and Himeka watched from the sidelines, gushing. Jin and Micchi watched with knowing looks. Jin's wasn't quite as enthusiastic as Micchi's, but not unpleasant either.
"I never thought I'd admit it," he said. "but I saw that coming."
"And you're okay with it?" Micchi asked skeptically.
Jin glanced over at Kazusa, then down at their hands which were clasped together, their fingers intertwined. "Yeah. I am. You?"
Micchi blinked. Was he okay with it? Was he okay with it? After over of year of doing everything other than trapping them in the same room together to get them to admit they were in love, was he okay with this? Obviously! So much so that it went without saying. Instead, he said the only thing he could think of at the moment. His only real opinion on the matter. The first thing he had thought of when he saw their lips meet.
"It's about damn time."
Cuxie: WAAAH!! I don't want it to be over!
Karin: Me either!!
Kazune: Ladies, calm down. There will be other stories. (looks at Cuxie meaningfully)
Cuxie: What? What do you want me to do now?!
Kazune: Uh, maybe start one of the million other stories you've been planning?
Cuxie: Oh. Right. Good idea!^^
Kazune: Mine usually are.
Cuxie: But not until I get reviews! R&R PPL!! It's finally over! After nearly 2 years, it's finally over! I think we need closure...
Kazune: How?
Cuxie:(kisses Kazune for as looooooooooooooong as possible) Like that. ;)
Kazune: O.O
Cuxie: Teehee. Byeas!(waves)