"Are we there yet?"
"Just a little further, Rei-chan, and we'll be there."
They were then embraced by silence.
Three days had passed ever since their escape from Tanaka's house. They almost hadn't talked after that; they doubt of their actions if they were right or wrong. Now their only choice was to get to the town where Akio's friend lived. They were passing through the forest so that if ever they were being followed, it's easy for them to hide.
Akio couldn't help but notice Reika's weary face from carrying some load.
"Rei-chan, we should stop and rest for a while. You must be tired."
"Is that a challenge to make me go faster?"
"Is that all you can think about?"
"Erm… no… I…"
"Then we should rest."
Reika knew that she couldn't make him change his mind, that's why they stopped and rested. After they organized their belongings, they sat side-by-side, giving the other assurance that everything will be okay despite of the past events happened.
Then, out of the blue, Reika said, "Akio, do you remember our conversation before you proposed to me?"
"Every detail. You and I exchanged some questions, right?"
"Yeah, I asked you what you wished for, yet you answered me with a question, irrelevant, too."
"Which you answered sincerely…"
"What!"
"Well, I asked you to marry me, and I remembered clearly that you said yes."
"But seriously, you didn't answer my question. That's not fair, Akio."
"Okay, okay. So, ask away."
"What would you wish for?"
"I've got nothing to wish for" then Akio caressed Reika's long soft hair "It's been granted already."
"Stupid answer…" Reika replied, blushing.
Akio chuckled with her response, and said, "My turn. Back then, I wanted to ask you, if you were given the chance to change a thing in your life, what would it be?"
"If it was from back then… well, I guess… nothing."
"Nothing?"
"I won't change a thing in my life, even if I'll have to live like that over and over again. Of course, that's when the time our parents-" then she was interrupted by Akio with a sudden kiss. When they broke apart for air, she asked, "What was that for?"
"Hmm… nothing."
"Whatever" is all that she can reply. Her cheeks were burning, whichever the reason she doesn't care, for as long as they have each other.
They started repacking and returned with their journey.
-0-
Another day had passed when they finally reached the town.
"So, this is your 'just a little further', Akio, a day's journey."
"At least we're here and that I can fulfill my promise to you, Rei-chan."
"What promise?"
"That I'll marry you."
"Akio…"
"Eh? Don't you want to be with me, Rei-chan? That hurts, you know?"
'Akio, please stop and look for your friend's house."
The search was a little bit harder; it was very crowded, and that they seemed lost. They tried asking, but received no definite reply.
As they continued wandering, all of the sudden, the people began to panic as they heard someone shouted.
"A bomb's gonna explode! A bomb's gonna explode!"
In an instant, the people ran in different directions, looking for safety. Akio and Reika ran for safety, too and luckily, they found a safe place. As they entered, Reika heard a child crying.
"Okaa-san! Otou-san!"
Reika rushed towards the kid while Akio cried out to her, "Reika! Get in here!"
Reika carried the child and ran towards the place. Yet, before she can reach the shelter, the bomb had already exploded. Akio ran for cover in a short while, and then went out to look for Reika. As the dust subsided, he saw Reika covering the child from fallen debris.
"Everyone! Help her!" Akio said while rushing towards Reika. Some people responded and aided them to free the child and Reika. The child was returned to the parents; Akio helped Reika to stand up, but she couldn't. Instead, she knelt down and coughed heavily.
"Reika! Is…"
He couldn't finish his last sentence, for he saw Reika coughing blood.
"Reika!" he cried while she passed out. He carried her to the safe place, followed by the people present there. One found a doctor, who immediately aided Reika.
-0-
Akio paced and paced, hoping that she would be safe. The doctor then stopped, and turned to Akio. He said, "I'm sorry, but there's nothing that I could do further. She suffered internal bleeding and too much damage. I'm afraid that she won't be long now. I'm very sorry, and she's asking for you."
Akio couldn't believe every word that the doctor said. "No… that's not true… please try again… heal her!"
"Maeda-san, I…"
Akio heard Reika winced in pain, and he immediately sat by her side.
"Akio…I…"
"Shhh… everything's gonna be alright. It'll be just like before, you and me…" he said while crying.
"Akio" she said slower "I wanted to ask you."
"What is it?"
"Could you smile for me?"
With all his resolve he smiled for her.
"You know you're a lot more handsome when smiling, Akio."
He rested his head against hers and kissed her forehead. Then, turning to the people at the back who were all saddened by the two of them, he asked, "Where's the mayor of this town?"
Luckily, he was there and Akio went to him and said, "May I request you something, Mr. Mayor?"
"Anything you want…"
-0-
Akio returned with a bouquet of roses and lilies and bluebells and a pair of rings.
"Akio, what's all this?"
"Let's say that I cannot wait to fulfill my promise, Rei-chan, although this isn't that grand."
He turned towards the people and asked, "Will you all be our witnesses?" All of them agreed.
He turned to the mayor and said, "Shall we begin?"
The mayor nodded, and then started…
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to bear witness of the union between Akio Maeda and Reika Inoue…"
-0-
"…you may now kiss the bride."
The newlyweds had now locked their lips with a kiss.
The people who became witnesses of their union on their simple wedding clapped at them, even though they cannot avoid tears flowing, both happiness and sadness at the same time.
When they broke apart, Reika said, "You…really do things your own way… don't you, Akio?"
Akio kissed and caressed her hair, treasuring the last moments of him being with her.
Reika laughed softly and said, "Yet, you never failed to make me happy."
"Reika…"
"Akio" she placed her right hand to where his heart is located "Always remember, I'll always be with you. You may not see me, but I always watch you. I never did left you, Akio… I love you…"
"I love you too, Reika, with all my heart."
Reika then smiled, drew her breath and rested her eyes.
By this, everyone wept. Akio was cradling Reika, who was now in her eternal slumber.
Three days after, the war was declared officially over.
-0-
Finally I've updated a chapter, and kinda corny... cheesy... and cliche. Well, at first I've got plans, but now I'm excited in my other one, I felt like ending it a bit err... earlier? It'll end maybe around two chapters more... I don't know... I'm out of ideas... and exam's coming, but I know that there's a rainbow after the rain, so my rainbow will be... VACATION! YAY! Anyways, good night! "Happy reading"