"Well, I guess you guys are all set, huh?"
"I guess so, Kairi. Thanks for the hospitality you've shown us!" King Mickey replied. He and Donald and Goofy had been staying with Kairi ever since the final battle with Xemnas.
"So…I guess you all will be leaving soon?"
"Yep, I need to get back to Daisy!" quacked Donald.
"So where are Sora and Riku? Aren't they going to see us off?" asked Goofy.
"Riku said that there was something he and Sora needed to talk about. He said it was really important, but they should be back soon."
"Kairi, there is something that's been bothering me."
"What is, King Mickey?"
"Please, call me Mickey." Laughed the king. Riku had always treated Mickey with a slight sense of disrespect. Instead of king, Riku referred to him either as "mouse', or simply Mickey after they had become closer. He had grown accustomed to being called by his first name, rather than "king".
"Okay, good ahead, Mickey."
"Well, I've been wondering. Are you and Sora a couple?"
"U-uh…" Kairi turned as red as the king's jacket and she turned away in a futile attempt to avoid the question. She did like Sora. No. She didn't just like Sora. She was head over heels in love with him. She just wouldn't admit that to anyone, not even herself.
"We…we're just friends. I mean, we're best friends, I'd do any-"
"You love him, don't you?" Kairi jumped. Riku had come out of nowhere. Kairi was hesitant to speak again.
"I…I…Riku, you know how great friends we are, the three of us! Friends, right?" She spoke nervously, as if she was hiding something.
"Kairi, don't lie to us. I can see it in your eyes. You're not fooling us, and denying your feelings will only hurt yourself. Just say how you feel." Kairi didn't know how to respond. She paused for a few moments than answered.
"I don't love Sora. I love him as a friend, but nothing more. There's nothing between us, I promise. Where is Sora, anyway?"
"He's on the island. He said he needed to think for awhile." Riku wondered if now the right time was. Oh, to hell with it he thought. It's now or never.
"Kairi, I need to talk to you. Alone. Would you guys give us a minute?
"Of course."
"Okey-Dookie."
"No way, I wanna see this!" Donald yelled. Goofy hit him on the head with his own staff and dragged him out of the living room.
"Kairi, I have no idea how you will react to this, but I have to get it off my chest. Kairi, I'm crazy about you. You're all I can think about, day or night. Your smile tells me that everything is going to be okay. When I look into your eyes, everything I've done goes away. I love you, Kairi. I love you with all my heart and soul. I want to make you happy. Nothing means more to me than keeping you safe and keeping that smile on your face."
"Riku…" Kairi was shocked. She had no idea that Riku felt this way. He had always tried to protect her, and he could see that he really cared. She thought about Sora, and then went back to Riku. "So you really want to be with me, huh Riku?"
"No." Kairi froze. That single word sent a chill down her spine. Why would he pour out his heart like that if he didn't want to be with me? Is this some sick joke? Her thoughts went racing, but somehow, for some reason, they always went back to Sora.
"Kairi, I've known you long enough to tell how you feel. I want you to be happy. You deserve someone who makes you happy, happier than I ever could."
"Riku." Her emotions swelled, and she let a single tear fall down her right cheek. Riku went to wipe it off. Riku began to speak in a soft and quite tone Kairi had never heard him use before.
"That is why I want you to be with Sora."