What is Love?

read.

"I was happy."

"You- you talked to him?" This was pretty surprising. She had expected Katou to just give up and yet here she was, still clinging to her false hopes of redemption. Kotonoha couldn't contain the emotion in her voice. "How is he doing? Is he eating well? Is Kousuke-chan doing alright?" The mere mention of the boy's name stirred up the flurry of emotions she had tried so hard to keep hidden. She hated Katou, but if she could bring Makoto-kun back to her, Kotonoha would be-

Wait. No.

What was she thinking?

She had to think about Makoto-kun's feelings. She couldn't burden him with her own problems. It was hard enough trying to take care of her cold, distant sister. Not to mention herself. Makoto-kun was intuitive. He'd pick up on her depression no matter how hard she tried to hide it. He'd worry.

Makoto-kun?

Makoto-kun, Makoto-kun, Makoto-kun. Was that all she ever thought about?

Her parents were dead, Kokoro was hurting, and still she was worried about some boy.

Shut up.

"I asked him to come see you." Katou said, leaning against Kotonoha's desk in the over-populated classroom.

"Tell him not to. Tell him not to worry. Tell him I'm fine." Kotonoha's voice was once again monotone.

He doesn't care.

Makoto-kun cared. He just had his own problems to deal with.

He never cared.

Shut up.

Katou suddenly took on a very sad expression.

"He… said he's not coming" Katou replied hesitantly.

"What was that?" Kotonoha froze. Her pupils shrunk and her eyes widened.

This had to be a mistake. Kotonoha didn't want to burden Makoto-kun, but didn't mean she wanted him to stop caring about her.

He doesn't love you.

The voice began to echo it's cruel words in Kotonoha's mind.

SHUT UP! Of course Makoto-kun loved her. He always told her so.

Didn't you ever notice the hesitation in his voice?

LIAR!

You're the liar. Don't delude yourself into thinking he cares about you.

The necklace from the beach; the stuffed tiger from the fireworks festival; The dress he'd gotten her for her birthday.

They were all tokens of his affection.

Gifts? Is that the best you can do? A seashell on a string? Pathetic. A stuffed animal that he won at a carnival game? As if that means anything.

The dress-

The dress? That revealing thing? Tell me, Kotonoha. What did you two do after trying it on?

"Katsura? Katsura! Are you okay?" Katou asked, panicking at the sight of Kotonoha's catatonia.

"W-we… made love…"

"What?"

You made love. How about that time he came over for a swim? How many times did you have to clean that pool?

Or the week his mother was away; you spent the whole week at his house doing nothing but eating, sleeping, and fucking.

Stop it!

Face it, he doesn't love you. He loves your body. He loves fucking you, doesn't he?

You little slut.

"Mr. Hayakawa, something's wrong with Katsura!" a fading voice echoed

"He- he loves …me…" Kotonoha stammered as she felt herself get led by the hand somewhere.

Loves you? What does he even know about you? When has he ever asked how you were doing? When has he ever been interested in how you feel?

"If that's the way it has to be..."

"What have I done?"

Makoto lowered his head as he mopped the foul-smelling Pier Burger restroom.

Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!

"I'm sorry, but… no…"

"How could you? Don't you care about her at all? Do you even really love her?"

A question he found himself still unable to answer.

"Damn,… what a mess!"

Otome sighed as she submerged her naked body into the bath. It was hard to relax. She felt defeated, pathetic. No matter how hard she tried, nothing was working the way it was supposed to. Makoto said no, Katsura had a nervous breakdown.

"Chh… as if anyone wouldv'e noticed."

But was it really alright just to bring her to the nurse's office? What could bed rest have done? Maybe she needed professional help.

Maybe she shouldn't have been so quick to leave. What made her think that Katsura would be fine?

"Well," Otome reasoned aloud, "I did leave her his new adress."

Otome knew she was just lying to herself. After all, Makoto was so adamant about not seeing her. Otome knew in her heart that their meeting wouldn't go well.

Yet, in an odd way, Otome actually felt kind of happy. She did her best.

No. That wasn't it. She was happy because even though she had failed to help Katsura, she could find solace in the fact that she herself wasn't as miserable.

Otome drained the tub and wrapped herself in her blue towel as she neared the bathroom door.

"What kind of monster am I?" Otome whispered as she opened the door to find Karen smiling cheerily with her own pink towel.

"Monster? What monster?"

"N-nothing. It doesn't concern you." Otome said as she tried to pass Karen. "Onee-chan, is something bothering you?"

"No." Otome replied, her face turning red with frustration.

"What's wrong?" she asked. Suddenly it looked as if a light bulb went off in her head. "Oh, I see, you feel ashamed for not saving Yukki-kun earlier. I understand. You were probably too scared. But you don't need to worry. I took care of it. Although I have to adm-"

Karen's fast, loud, copious amount of words began to take it's toll on Otome. Karen just would not shut up.

"-which was a little weird considering that he passed so well for a girl, but oh my God, if you see him dressed like a guy he is the cutest thing ever! And get this, he asked me to be his girlfriend! Can you believe tha-"

"This isn't about him!" Otome snapped, finally reaching her breaking point. "And jeez, would you shut up for once, you're giving me a headache!"

Karen was taken aback by her sister's harsh words for a moment. Then, taking a deep breath, she relaxed and spoke kindly.

"So then, what is the problem? Clearly something is upsetting you. Let's talk about it."

"Alright," Otome conceded, knowing how stubborn Karen can be. ",but can I at least put some clothes on first?"

"Right." Karen replied, lightly tapping her pigtailed head with her fist.

"Liar." a harsh voice whispered in the darkness.

"Murderer." a female voice echoed.

"I-I'm sorry." Kotonoha cried.

Her parents appeared to her, drenched in blood.

"Disgusting."

Kotonoha shot up form the bed, startling the school nurse.

"Oh, Miss Katsura. I was just about to wake you. School is over."

Kotonoha took some time to survey her surroundings. She was in the infirmary.

"Wh-what am I doing here?" Kotonoha asked quietly.

"I dunno," The blue-haired woman replied without interest. "I think you collapsed or something."

"Collapsed?" Kotonoha tried to remember what she was doing before she woke up there.

Nothing.

Oddly, a clue appeared in the form of a small piece of paper in her hand.

Fujiwara Heights, apartment 256.

If you wanna see him, go there.

-Katou.

Kotonoha smiled to herself. Katou might not have had the best intentions, but she couldn't help but feel grateful.

"Makoto-kun."

"I'm done." Makoto declared to his manager with anguish.

"Great," replied the tall, good-looking college dropout. "Now do me a favor and work the cash register until closing."

Until closing? Makoto couldn't do that. His shift was over in twenty minutes. This wasn't his only job and he really couldn't risk missing a day.

"Um," Makoto started, trying to think of an excuse. "Isn't that Sagara's job?"

"Shin-kun, are you ready yet?" Asked a young woman with short brown hair that framed her face as she approached the manager.

"Ushio Sagara I swear you get hotter every time I look at you." The manager said gingerly.

"Dumbass, flattery will get you nowhere." she replied flatly. "You'd better take me somewhere nice this time."

"Of course." he grinned.

Sagara turned to face Makoto. Her ruby red lips released three little words dressed in her angelic voice. "Itou, was it?"

"Y-yeah…" She was gorgeous. Her sapphire eyes glistened with a kindness that even the fluorescent bulbs of a fast food ceiling couldn't dim. She was wearing make up, but not a lot. She had the kind of face that didn't need it.

"I'm sorry you have to cover for me tonight. I hope it's not an inconvenience." Her every word was a melody all it's own, played by the most beautiful harp in symphony.

"No, not at all!" What was he doing? No problem? What about his son? Surely staying qualified as an inconvenience.

Then there was the guilt.

Not only did he feel bad about leaving his son alone at night for even longer, he felt like he was being unfaithful. Sure, he and Kotonoha were no longer together, but it wasn't as if he could just erase his feelings for her. Although as Makoto thought about it, for the last two weeks it was almost as if they had been erased. He hadn't so much as thought about her until Otome came to his house.

Would he forget her again?

Should he forget her again?

Just then, Makoto's concentration was broken by a familiar face entering the restaurant as his co-workers left for their date.

It was Otome's little sister, Karen. She looked a bit different since middle school. Her breasts were bigger and her pigtails were shorter as if they had undergone some sort of size exchange. Her breasts weren't Kotonoha big, but they were still larger than most of the girls at Sakakino High.

She was holding the arm of some middle schooler. No, that wasn't right. He went to their high school. Makoto remembered seeing him in the library talking to Kotonoha a few times during their first year. They seemed to be pretty good friends.

Makoto smiled at his Kouhai and her diminutive boyfriend as they approached the register.

"Itou-Sempai?" She excitedly exclaimed. "No way! It's been so long. I don't think I ever see you at school. What are you doing working at Pier Burger?"

"Umm… that's…" Makoto stammered nervously. He couldn't tell her about his kid. It was way too shameful to talk about. Suddenly, a light went off in Karen's head.

"Wait a second… I know what this is about." Karen's look turned from a happy-go-lucky grin to complete disgust in two seconds flat.

"Oh yeah, that thing you were going to talk to Itou about." The shy little boy replied.

"Okay," Karen said, still trying to keep her enthusiasm. "Yukki-kun, you stay here and take care of these orders. Itou-Sempai and I have some things to discuss." Karen resolved as she dragged Makoto out the back door.

"W-wait! You're not allowed to do that!" Makoto yelled as he was pushed and pulled along by his ever-determined Kouhai.

"Give him hell, Karen!" he heard the boy yelled in the back ground as they neared their destination.

There wasn't much to the back of Pier Burger. There was a dumpster, two alleyways, and the backs of other buildings. Makoto's main issue with it was the smell. It was one of the grossest places to be and yet he often found himself having to take out the trash, forcing him to visit his most hated area; a place with the foul scent of rotted fast food that wasn't extremely appetizing to begin with.

Makoto shook Karen off and stared at her intensely.

What did she want?

Was it really important enough to drag him from his job?

"Ahem," Karen started, getting Makoto's attention. "Itou-sempai, would you explain to me why exactly you're abandoning a girl whose parents just died?"

Damn. Not this again.

Makoto slumped his shoulders as he let out an irritated sigh. "How much did Otome tell you?"

"Enough." she replied with a fiery disposition.

"What the fuck do you even know about any of this?" Makoto fired back.

"I know that Katsura-san is hurting right now, and I know that you're the only one who can help her through this. "

Who the fuck did she think she was? She was even less involved than her sister. She didn't even know Kotonoha.

"How is any of this your business?" Makoto shouted. "Why are you and your sister trying so hard to get me to come back to her?"

"Because it's the right thing to do." Karen replied proudly. "I don't know if you noticed in middle school, but I used to always try to get into the middle of conflicts and save people. Otome was like that too. We haven't changed since then either. We do these things because we can't bear to see others in pain. Otome always told me that she would never stop standing up for the weak because of one guy she admired more than anyone. Do you know who that guy was?"

Makoto fumbled with his fingers as he remembered a distant, long-forgotten past.

It was nearing the end of his seventh grade's second semester when a young Makoto happened upon something deplorable.

"Give it back!" a brown-haired girl cried as she reached for a stuffed bear held away from her by two rather immature boys playing keepaway. He had to say something. He couldn't just let it happen.

Makoto walked up to the three just as the girl started crying.

"Don't you think you're a little old to be carrying around a stupid bear?" One of the boys asked, not noticing that they had company.

"Aren't you a little old to be picking on girls?" Makoto asked, standing in a triumphant manner

"What do you want?" growled the other boy.

"Well," replied Makoto, "first I want you to give back what doesn't belong to you. Then, I 'd like you to apologize for being such immature jerks."

"Yeah, right, asshole." the boy fired back.

Makoto stared daggers into the boy's eyes, waiting for him to look away; for fear to set in.

BAM

All of the sudden Makoto found himself on the ground. The boy with the bear stood over Makoto laughing as he clenched his aching stomach.

"What do you think this is, a Sentai?." the boy laughed as he kicked Makoto in the stomach. Makoto wrapped his arms around the boy's leg and rolled over, causing the boy to fall. Makoto then quickly got up and twisted the arm that was holding the bear.

"Ow! Jeez get off me!" the boy yelled in pain. The other froze, clearly the more cowardly of the two.

Thank goodness. Makoto didn't think he could take both of them. "Let go of the bear!" Makoto yelled back.

"Ow!" the boy yelled.

"Want me to break it? Let go." Makoto snapped back.

"Okay, okay." the boy conceded as he let Makoto have the bear.

"Good. Now I want both of you to apologize." Makoto commanded, his grip as tight as ever.

The boy nodded at his dumbfounded friend . His friend bowed while he lowered his own head, getting about as low as someone on the ground could. "We're sorry." They both said sadly. Makoto let the boy go and shot them one more menacing look before they left the scene.

Makoto then walked over to the crying girl. "Here's your bear back." He said with a smile.

The girl wiped her tears and smiled back. Their eyes met as she took the bear, causing her to blush for a moment. "Th-thank you."

"Pfft…" Makoto began to laugh.

"What?" she asked, annoyed at the ruined mood.

"Nothing, it's just kinda funny that you have something like this at your age."

"Screw you." she said, kicking him.

"Ow, jeez. I was just kidding."

Otome began to giggle. Her infectious laugh spread to Makoto. Before they knew it the sky became a pinkish orange.

"Crap, I've gotta go. Mom'll kill me if I miss the train." Makoto smiled.

"Okay, I'll see you later then." Otome said, walking in the opposite direction.

Otome looked back for a moment. "Oh by the way, my name's Otome Katou."

"Makoto Itou." Makoto replied with a happy-go-lucky smile before speeding away as fast as his legs could carry him.

Makoto cringed as Karen finished the story of his life's only remotely heroic deed.

"After that…" Makoto started "Every time I saw Otome she was standing up for someone. It was kind of annoying."

"How can a guy who was that courageous ignore someone who needs him as much as Katsura does?"

Makoto sighed. "I really just did that on a whim. I saw someone do that on TV the night before and wanted to try it. I didn't realize I was helping someone. I just though it would be cool."

"You're joking, right?" Karen asked; frustrated. "You've gotta be kidding me! All that time I thought you were such a great guy. The three of us used to hang out all the time. You used to give me advice and cheer me up when I was sad. You can't tell me that was all a lie."

"No, but-"

"Then what changed, Sempai?

"I grew up!" Makoto shouted. "We all did! You wanna know the reason Otome wants to help Kotonoha so badly? It's because she feels bad for bullying her! Every day she and three other girls would trip her, make fun of her, knock her bentous over." Karen was visibly shocked. "Hell, the only reason she even feels bad is 'cause Kotonoha lost her parents." It was a hard pill to swallow, but Makoto was tired of pulling his punches to spare her feelings. He was tired of the Katou sisters' meddling. Most of all-

"You're lying." Karen announced sharply. "Otome would never pick on someone weaker."

"It's the truth." he maintained.

"It's not!" Karen protested.

"Whatever." Makoto made his way to the back door, glancing back in Karen's direction. She was clearly trying to stay calm.

"We-we're not done yet." Karen said weakly, the fire in her was gone. Makoto opened the door and walked back into the restaurant. Karen followed closely behind at a slow pace.

Makoto sighed as he approached the counter. His replacement seemed to be doing very well. He finished up with the last of a very long line of customers before turning to talk to Makoto. His face went red with anger when he saw how sad and defeated Karen looked, tugging at Makoto's sleeve and weakly muttering. "There's… no way."

"What did you do?" The boy said as he pulled his girlfriend to him and held her close.

His tone made Makoto nervous. He never thought someone so small could be so intimidating. "N-nothing really."

The boy's voice became increasingly feirce.

"What.

Did.

You.

Do?"

Makoto regained his composure. There was no way he was going to get bitched by someone half his size. "I told her the truth about her sister. That she's tormented Kotonoha day in and day out for almost two years."

"It's okay, I'll take over." the boy whispered to Karen softly.

"He has to be lying, right?" Karen sobbed.

"Just go sit down for now." He said to her.

"No," Karen replied weakly. "I want to stay and help if I can."

"Very well." he replied, smiling warmly at his tall girlfriend.

Jeez. Makoto hoped that he wasn't that sappy with Kotonoha. What made things even weirder was the height difference. Karen stood at about roughly Makoto's height, perhaps a centimeter or two taller, definitely taller than your average girl, while her boyfriend was about Kiyoura's height. She'd have definitely looked better with him than Karen did.

"Itou." the boy spoke up. Makoto was caught a bit off guard. "As you know, Katsura-san and I talked to each other a lot in the library. I suppose it's not a stretch to consider us friends." Did this kid need to talk like a friggin lawyer? "When she and I would talk, no matter what the topic was to begin with, she would always steer it toward the direction of one thing." Makoto didn't respond, at least not verbally. He shot the bespectacled lad a look that told him that he understood. "You. Exactly. She always spoke so highly of you. She even went as far as to say that without you her life would have no meaning. The walls would come tumbling down. You fucking bastard." The boy's eyes were full of contempt. "Don't you realize you're the most important person in her life right now?" By then, the boy's calm, professional tone was gone. It was replaced with a voice full of malice. He didn't raise his voice, due to the amount of customers in the restaurant, but Makoto could feel his anger. "And you may think that you're so burdened by having that kid to take care of, but what about Katsura-san? She's in the same boat you are, dumbass. Who knows? Maybe you two can move in together. She has tons of money. She already has her sister to take care of so you're not burdening her that much. Oh, and here's the kicker, she fucking loves you. Even if you're not looking at her best interest it's still the best damn option for both you and your son."

Makoto was speechless. He hadn't even considered that. And yet oddly enough the thought that he hadn't felt odd, as if he'd come to that conclusion all along.

"You should go." Karen said, regaining confidence.

"She's right, Itou." The boy said, returning to his calm demeanor. "We'll stay till closing time. I've worked at places like this before, I know how to lock up. Go home, grab your clothes and your son and head to Katsura-san's."

He wasn't sure if he would follow the kid's advice, but he certainly did make a convincing argument. "Alright, I'll get going."

Makoto knew he had lost, but he wasn't angry or even sad. Kotonoha's friend was right. Being with Kotonoha was the best option for the both of them after all. As he left the building, he heard Karen speak once more.

"Yukki, he was lying, right?"

Poor girl.

Rounding a corner, Makoto realized something. He had no idea where Kotonoha's new house was.

"Damn." he said, stopping. "I guess it can't be helped." Makoto shrugged as he continued on to his house. At least he didn't have to miss his other job. The only problem was the time. It was already 17:45. His train had left a good fifteen minutes ago. Makoto began to pick up his pace. He had thirty minutes to get home and feed Kosuke before sprinting to his next train. He could have just waited for the train a little early, but his son was important to him, despite everything going on. Kosuke was a burden, but he was still Makoto's child. He couldn't just stick his flesh and blood in some orphanage, not after all of Mom's stories of growing up in one.

It was a strange feeling. Makoto never really gave much thought to his actions regarding Kosuke, aside from complaints about how tired and drained he always was, but when it came right down to it Makoto loved his son dearly. That was why he had to keep working to provide for him. However, if he was with Kotonoha maybe he could…

A car slowed to a stop beside Makoto. His mother's powder blue Nissan Stanza.

Mom rolled her window down. "Makoto, can we talk?"

"Jeez," Sekai sighed. "I understand the padded room, but is the jacket really necessary?" Sekai began to struggle anxiously in her straitjacket, making the two guards at the door nervously alert.

The doctor wrote a few things down and then spoke from across the table. "I believe we both know why you're wearing that."

The two locked eyes for what seemed like an eternity before Sekai finally spoke. "Yes, I assaulted a guard, but I was pregnant at the time. Being plopped into an insane asylum with all my hormones going nuts, not to mention the guy was being a total asshole. How else would I react?"

The doctor pushed lightly on his rimless glasses and once again began to write on whatever was in that flat, wooden clipboard. His gray bearded face smiling slightly. He probably thought it was funny.

The guy made a snarky comment about how most pregnant women are already 'crazy enough.'

She kicked him in the balls for that one.

Bastard.

It was odd how they did things here. After all, she could still kick just as well with the jacket on. Yet all the same, they bound her arms instead.

"I noticed you called this place an 'insane asylum.'" The doc finally spoke. "However, I assure you that is not the case. This is Hojou Mental Hospital. During your stay here, we do our best to attack your problem head-on and give you the tools to someday return as a constructive member of society."

"That's funny." Sekai laughed. "I read the same exact thing on the brochure."

The doctor was taken aback by her comment. He gave himself a quick second to recover.

"Be that as it may," he sighed. "Let's continue where we left off, shall we? I believe you were saying something about the school festival."

Mom sighed as smoke escaped her lips and flew out the window. She took another drag of her cigarrete. The ash fell casually beside her seat as she moved the cigarette away from her face.

Makoto never approved of his mother's heavy smoking and drinking, yet each passing day with his son made it more and more obvious why she would do such things.

As the car sped along the road, Makoto noticed the arcade and the book store. Their first date was a bit rocky, but still a rather nostalgic thought.

Wait,

Was he thinking about that to dodge the situation in front of him?

There he was in a car with his mother who he hadn't spoken to in weeks.

What did she want to say?

"Makoto," The woman finally said, seeming to try and release some of the tension in the air. "I'm sorry."

What was she doing?

This was confusing to say the least. In all his life Makoto could hardly name a time when his mother had apologized to anyone, let alone him.

"Look, Makoto. I don't know what I was thinking. I was angry, bills were piling up, and us Cna's don't make that much. I was scared."

Makoto couldn't beleive what he was hearing. Mom actually felt bad for kicking him out.

"I've been asking around about you." She continued. "Working two minimum wage jobs, living in a crappy apartment on the bad side of town. I mean, who's been watching Kosuke while you're at work?"

Makoto lowered his head in shame. "No one." He whispered softly.

"I guess you probably haven't been eating well either. A baby can be pretty expensive."

"I mostly fill up on burgers at work." Makoto admitted. "Y'know, the ones that have been under the heat lamp too long?"

His situation wasn't an easy thing to talk about. Things weren't exactly going great.

"It's okay, Mom." Makoto mustered up. "I know how hard it is to support the three of us. Kosuke and I will manage."

"No." Mom replied. "I-I've been selfish all this time. I spend tons of money on beer and cigarettes every day. I could work some extra shifts, maybe try to quit some of these bad habits. If I do that, maybe the three of us can live together again."

"Mom, you don't have to-"

"You're my child, Makoto. You're my precious baby boy no matter what mistakes you make in life. I guess for a moment I kind of forgot that."

"It's okay, Mom You don't have to worry about us."

"Makoto, please. Let me do this. Wouldn't you do the same for Kosuke?"

That hit Makoto deeply. She was right. Makoto still needed his mother. Even at his age, without her help, he couldn't survive.

"Fine," Makoto conceded. "But if you're gonna give up anything, please stop gambling."

"Aww, you're no fun." She giggled as they neared Fujiwara street.

"Kokoro, the Pizza guy should be here in about twenty minutes! I left the money and a tip on the kitchen table! I'm heading to Makoto-kun's house, so be a good little girl while I'm gone, okay?"

Kotonoha would make a great mother. She was already good at caring for Kokoro. Now all she needed to do was show how great a mother she could be to Kosuke.

It wouldn't be too hard. Kotonoha had already read all of the neccesary books on child raising. She had no doubt in her mind that as soon as Makoto saw what a good mother she was, they could all become a big happy family.

Mom parked the car. The two exited the vehicle and walked into the dank, disheveled building. Makoto felt increasingly embarassed as they walked through hallways that smelled like piss. On their way to his room they passed a number of odd characters; transvestite hookers, Otaku pedophiles, and even the occasional hikkikomori, peaking out of his door to see who was passing by. It was a disgusting place to live.

No,

That was an understatement.

It was insane to imagine that anyone of worth could actually call this place home.

He looked over to his mother as they reached the stairs.

She was holding her nose and frowning. "You seriously live here?"

At last they were on Makoto's floor. It was only a short walk to his room.

"Alright," Makoto said as he and Mom reached the door. "Just to warn you, it's pretty messy in there. I haven't really had time to clean."

"I'm sure it's no worse than your room was." She smiled as he turned the key and opened the green door, more of the paint chipping as he did so.

The view inside was shocking.

The tiny apartment was spotless save for a few cleaning supplies on the floor. And there, at the center, sitting with Kosuke in her arms was Kotonoha.

She was holding a bottle of formula to his mouth as she bore the smile of a proud mother. The content young woman looked up at him and rose.

"Hello, Makoto-kun. Welcome home." Her smile seemed sincere, but her eyes were dead.

"Koto-"

Before Makoto had time to react, Mom ran into the room without even stopping to remove her shoes.

"Mind telling me what the fuck you're doing here?" Mom spat viciously.

"Don't be silly," Kotonoha replied cheerily. "I'm feeding my son, of course."

"Kotonoha, you mind if I hold Kosuke for a bit?" Makoto asked nervously.

"Not at all." Kotonoha smiled. "Alright Kosuke-chan, Daddy's going to hold you for a while, okay?" She handed him over to Makoto. Makoto handled the rest of the feeding and began to burp Kosuke gently.

"How did you even get in here?" Mom asked, still glaring at Kotonoha.

"When I got here the door was unlocked." Kotonoha gingerly replied. "Makoto-kun, you mustn't leave the door unlocked with your baby inside. Who knows what kind of sketchy people could find him."

"Yeah, and we're looking at a prime example right now." Mom replied, pointing at Kotonoha.

The girl looked behind herself, then all around the room. "Is there someone sketchy in here with us?"she asked in an innocent voice. "I don't see anyone."

Makoto could tell that his mother was reaching her boiling point. He prayed for her as he patted the infant's back.

Mom took a deep breath. He could feel the tension rising in the air as she walked toward his oblivious ex. Mom raised her hand and let it come crashing down with great force against Kotonoha's cheek, causing her to fall to the floor.

Tears began to form in Kotonoha's eyes. Her cheek was red and swollen. "Mother, why?"

"How dare you?" Mom yelled. "What right do you have to call me mother?"

"W-we-well I just figured that s-since Makoto and I are going to be living together... a-and I'm Kosuke's new mother... so I figure that kind of makes me like Makoto's wif-"

"Don't decide things on your own!" Mom shouted again. "What the hell is wrong with you? You come in here while he's gone, clean up his house, and feed his kid and he's just supposed to accept you?"

"Of course." Kotonoha replied. "After all, we are in love. The only reason we weren't together was that he has a child,"

Makoto began to feel sick. Kotonoha was taking things way too far. He wasn't sure what to do.

"but now things are different. I have a child to take care of too. Makoto-kun, I'm sure you've come to this conclusion by now too, right?"

Makoto stayed silent.

"If we raise those two together, we can lessen both our burdens...

...and we can be together...

...forever."

Her tone made Makoto's skin crawl.

"He's not interested, stalker." Mom once again spoke up. She moved in front of Makoto with her arms stretched out as if she were protecting him.

"Why are you saying such things? We always got along so well."

Makoto gulped. Kotonoha obviously had no idea of the situation she was in.

"Got along? Bullshit!"

"What about when Makoto was missing. I used to come over and talk to you all the time."

"No, you didn't. I'd come home to find you sleeping in his bed or waiting at the table with dinner for two. You're crazy. You're bat-shit insane and the only reason I haven't called the police by now is because I know Gendou- I own the fuckin' world -Katsura's just gonna wave his magic cash around and make everything go away. Just like the last thirty times!"

Makoto could tell that struck a nerve. Mom was never big on the news. She was always the last to find everything out. This would not go well.

"My father..." said Kotonoha in a low, monotone voice. "...is dead. Both he and my mother are in the ground right now. There's not much his influence can do anymore. I used up nearly all the favors he had left buying our new house and becoming my sister's legal guardian without my age coming into question. I haven't a doubt in my mind that if you press charges I'll be sent away for a while."

Where was she going with this?

"But I'll be back. I'll get out eventually, and even while I'm in there I know my Makoto-kun will visit me every day." Makoto flinched as she looked at him. "Our love is just that strong."

"Get out." Mom said angrily.

"If you continue to be rude, Makoto-kun and I won't allow you visit our son."

"Get out!"

"You must be quiet. A baby's ears are sensitive. Makoto-kun, tell her to quiet down."

Makoto wasn't sure what to do. Everything was so complicated.

"Face it, psycho. He's clearly not in love with you."

"Shut Up!

Shut Up!

Shut Up

SHUT UP!" Kotonoha covered her ears as tears began to straem down her face.

"Waaaaaaaaaaaah" Kosuke started to cry due to the noise.

Makoto barely noticed as he stared at the girl in front of them. She looked desperate and scared.

"Tell her she's wrong, Makoto-kun." Kotonoha pleaded. "You do love me, don't you?" Kotonoha looked directly into his eyes.

Makoto wasn't escaping this one. All the same, he was tired of running away. He knew she needed him to say yes, but he was tired of lying to himself as well as to her.

Makoto gulped hard. It was now or never. He had to tell her. She was insane. It wouldn't be good for either of them if they were together.

"No." Makoto muttered.

"What?"

"Kotonoha, I don't love you. I know life is hard right now, but lying to you wouldn't be good for either of us. I'm sorry."

"I see." Kotonoha whispered. "Then I'll just have to work hard until you do love me. You'll see. If you haven't fallen for me yet, I'll-"

"Kotonoha." Makoto interrupted. "There's nothing you can do."

A thick, painful silence permeated the room.

"N-nothing? No matter what I do, you'll never fall in love with me?"

Makoto felt it at the pit of his stomach as he mustered up one final word. "No."

The air was filled with an eerie calm. Kotonoha rose, not saying a word. Something fell out of her pocket as she got up without her noticing. She didn't shed one more tear. She simply walked to the door, put her shoes on and left without showing any emotion or even glancing backward.

"I can accept this. Even if it was a lie, thank you for your smile."

Makoto was back in his old room in his mother's apartment. It was an odd feeling being back there. Lying on his bed felt somewhat nostalgic depsite lying on it less than a month ago.

So much had changed in such a short time.

Makoto opened up his cell phone and started looking through the pictures. They were nearly all Kotonoha.

What was he thinking? He knew that before opening it up, didn't he?

Makoto looked over at his bookshelf. He the complete collection of Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z manga, each book autographed by Akira Toriyama himself; a birthday gift from Kotonoha.

He had only mentioned liking DBZ as a kid once and yet somehow she knew how excited he'd get when she gave him the manga. There were too many to take with him so he had only grabbed three of four books when he moved.

Makoto turned away, trying not to think about her.

"Kotonoha, I don't love you."

Makoto felt sick again. He felt like he was lying to himself.

"Th-that couldn't be it. She's cute and really nice, b-but she's crazy."

Makoto's heart began to beat faster.

Makoto looked under his bed for some magazines to give him some much needed releif.

All he found was a shoe box.

He knew what was inside, he opened it anyway.

Doggy Style.

Reverse Cowgirl.

Maid Outfit.

Cat Ears.

At School.

In the park.

There were so many pictures of the two of them.

Being together.

Each picture told a story.

Kotonoha started taking them after she found out about his magazines.

"From now on, only look at me, okay?"

Makoto had stayed committed to that request for so long.

He couldn't-

"Gah! Stop it!" Makoto slammed his fist into the wall, denting it. "Why are you doing this to me?"

Tears began to stream down Makoto's face. "Don't tell me... don't tell me I actually miss her!"

"She was insane! She was obsessed! How could I possibly feel this way?"

Kotonoha.

Insane.

Creepy.

Loving.

Dedicated.

Gentle.

Kind.

Sweet.

Beautiful.

Just then it hit Makoto like a ton of bricks.

Without his jobs or his son to distract him, he really did miss Kotonoha. At some point he had played with the idea of joining their families, but he was too afraid.

He dissmissed it as his burden to bear.

"I was too afraid because I knew she wasn't completely stable. The thought of commiting to that was terrifying..." Makoto whispered to himself, realizing Kosuke was still sleeping in the other room.

"...but the thought of losing her... I-

...I can't bear it...

Kotonoha.

I love you."

Makoto hurried to the living room and put on his shoes.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, where are you doing in such a hurry?" Makoto's dash to the hallway was so fast, he'd hardly noticed he had knocked down his mother.

Makoto looked at her with hopeless eyes.

"Makoto, don't."

"I love her, Mom. So much that it hurts. I just cant-"

"She's bad for you, Makoto."

"I know that! But I- I'll be back for Kosuke."

Makoto sped out the house as quickly as he could. Luckily for him, Kotonoha had left her wallet at his house. Her new adress was written on her student ID in case it got lost. It was a habit of Kotonoha's that he appreciated all the more at that moment.

Makoto pantingly arrived at the large, white house. The sky was dark now. The cold night air was made even less bearable by the strong wind that blew. Faintly, he saw a figure in the upstairs window.

Makoto couldn't wait any longer. He walked up and quickly rang the doorbell.

"Hello, Oniichan." a monotonous voice greeted as a lifeless Kokoro opened the door.

"Kororo-chan, Are you okay?"

"Onee-chan went on a trip." the girl simply replied.

"What are you talking about?" Makoto asked, confused. "I just saw her in the window."

"Onee-chan went on a trip. She said she's never coming back."

"Never coming back?"

The message suddenly clicked in Makoto's head and he rushed into the house and up the stairs.

Door by door he checked each room.

"Empty.

Empty.

Bathroom.

Empty.

Closet.

Closet..."

Finally, Makoto opened the door to find his girlfriend hanging by the neck from a ceiling fan.

"Kotonoha!" Makoto rushed down to the kitchen and procured a large meat saw. He ascended the stairs as fast as he could and began to tear away at the noose constricting her, standing on the chair that she used to get that high. The rope snapped and the two fell to the ground due to her limp body falling on his.

Makoto quickly pulled himself together and checked her pulse...

"...Nothing. Shit!"

Makoto immediately started administering chest compressions the way Kotonoha had taught him.

"Twenty-eight, twenty-nine, thirty."

Makoto then held her nose and delivered two rescue breaths. Her lips were cold. He checked to see if she was breathing.

No good.

Makoto's chest compressions became more violent. "Come on, damnit!"

"I have to become a good girlfriend for you."

"Fight! Kotonoha... Fight!"

"To cook for you, to support you."

"I love you so much!"

"I need to practice much harder."

"No! Come on!"

Two more breaths.

Nothing.

"I have to keep my chest up so I can be by your side."

"One, two, three-"

"I'll become a girlfriend that you won't be ashamed of."

"No, Kotonoha. You can't die!"

"For you, Makoto-kun,"

"Damnit, Wake up!"

"I want to be useful to you."

"Wake up and we'll go on plenty of dates. We'll get married. We'll raise the kids, and even make a few of our own." Makoto's tears peppered Kotonoha's face as he pushed and pushed.

"It's because I want to be with you."

Two breaths.

Nothing.

"Shit!"

"I beleive in you."

"God please,"

"Because, I'm your girlfriend."

"If you exist, spare her.

It's all my fault.

Save her."

"I love you."

"PLEASE!"

Two breaths.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Nothing.