The things we do for love...

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"I already told you, get lost."

Her words played over and over in Taisuke's mind; serving to knock down his seemingly unshakable spirit.

What was her problem?

Taisuke was finally going to accept her and she just rejected him, just like that.

Kuroda should have been stoked to be with a cool guy like him.

Right?

Taisuke shrugged, twirling his pencil as he stared down at his untouched math homework.

What a waste of time.

Rising from his desk, Taisuke exited the bedroom, descending the stairs to get a soda from the kitchen. Mom was in there talking on the phone.

Probably about some case.

"...Has forensics found anything of use yet? Interesting... no, that kind of wound couldn't have been inflicted with a serrated edge."

Serrated? What the hell did that mean?

Eh, who cares.

Taisuke cracked open a can of Match, almost closing the fridge before noticing a thick slice of chocolate cake just begging to be eaten. Gramps' birthday was a few days ago.

Thank God for that old man!

Taisuke plated the tasty morsel, eager to return to his room with his snack.

"Oy, Taisuke! I want that cake back in the fridge. You'll spoil your appetite."

Damn, he was really hoping she wouldn't notice him.

"Well, tell Miyabi to get dinner started." Taisuke huffed. "I'm not letting myself starve so my sister can spend all night watching k-dramas."

"Yeah, that does complicate things." Mom added, rubbing her chin.

Taisuke couldn't believe it! Mom was taking his side for once! "See? You understa-"

"Quiet!" Mom snapped. "Can't you tell I'm on the phone? You can have the soda, but the cake goes back in the fridge."

Taisuke grumbled, returning the slice of chocolate heaven to the frigid box from whence it came.

Would anything go his way today?

Taisuke tried to leave the kitchen, only to stop dead in his tracks at his mother's words.

"Yeah, I think it would be best to double check for any attempts at forced entry. And bring their daughter back in for questioning. She may have left out a detail or two in her statement. One thing's for sure.

Gendou Katsura is no murderer."

Kotonoha slowly began her walk down the aisle.

The church was empty save for the single figure she saw standing at the altar. No family or friends to cheer her on, no groomsmen nor bridesmaids, nor even priest present to bless their union.

That was a good thing.

They would just get in the way.

Kotonoha wanted Makoto-kun all to herself and that was exactly what she got.

As she continued on, Kotonoha could sense the road to her beloved growing ever longer. Makoto-kun faded and shrank as he seemed to move further and further away. Kotonoha gave chase, pushing herself as fast as she could. It was no use. The faster she ran, the more distant he became, until she could no longer tell if he was there.

All around her, the pews began to fill.

The disgusted onlookers sneered and glared at her, judging her.

They slowly left their seats, converging around the poor girl as she desperately tried to continue forward.

They were upon her now. Not a word was spoken. The horrid beasts that were once friends and family now held her to the floor, biting, clawing, and pulling hair.

Makoto-kun.

She wanted to cry out to him. No sound escaped her mouth. Silently she sobbed as they tore her apart.

Kotonoha's eyes shot open. She doubled over, letting loose a torrent of salty tears.

Another nightmare.

Kotonoha couldn't go back to sleep now. That was fine. It was morning anyway.

Anxiously, her eyes darted around the room. She was in her new home, comforted by the unfamiliarity of recently purchased furnishings.

She was where she belonged.

"I'll take care of you.

Because I'm you boyfriend, and…

I love you."

Kotonoha smiled to herself as she remembered the previous night. Makoto-kun saved her. He had called her back home. But... where was he?

"Makoto-kun?" Kotonoha called, nervously.

No answer.

Was it all just a dream? Had she even really hung herself? Or was she stuck in yet another dream world?

"Makoto-kun!" She yelled once more, hopping out of bed and charging toward the door.

"Oh good, you're up!" she heard a cheerful voice reply as the bedroom door swung open to reveal an ecstatic Makoto-kun with a tray of food in one hand and the other resting on the knob. "I thought after your ordeal you might enjoy breakfast in bed." Makoto-kun gestured to the tray he was holding. It was a western-style breakfast. Scrambled eggs, sausage, and two pancakes topped with butter and maple syrup. Accompanying the plate were a glass of orange juice and a small cup of tea.

Kotonoha was awestruck.

He had never cooked for her before. Makoto-kun never seemed like the cooking type, but she supposed he may have had to learn to make a few things for himself, given his mother's busy schedule.

"I-I'll help you with that." Kotonoha volunteered, taking the tray and setting it down on the bare nightstand next to her bed. "Thank you, Makoto-kun."

"It's no big deal. I hope you don't mind, but I went out and bought some groceries. I had to borrow some cash from my mom, but on the upside your fridge is a lot less empty."

"It's no trouble." she replied. "Although, we should pay your mother back as soon as possible."

"Well, I should be getting my next paycheck next week..." he started.

"Don't be silly, Makoto-kun. Let's just go to the ATM later and I'll withdraw it."

"You don't have to do that."

"Of course I do. I'm yours, Makoto-kun. So everything that's mine is also yours."

"Ah, uh right." Makoto-kun turned away, blushing.

Kotonoha let out a small giggle. She missed seeing him get flustered.

"Kotonoha, listen." Makoto-kun's light brown eyes stared intently into hers. His voice was grave. "There are a few things we need to discuss."

"I-I see..." Kotonoha could no longer meet his eyes.

Was he going to break up with her again?

No. If that was the case, Makoto-kun would not have called her back.

But then why would his eyes grow so serious; his tone so direct.

The breakfast could have been Makoto-kun's attempt at softening the blow.

He didn't love her.

No, he cared enough for her to save her life. He probably just wasn't interested in her romantically.

It was because she was unstable; volatile. She could do something strange at any moment. She could say the wrong thing or hurt someone. And as soon as she did he would leave her.

"I'll be right back." Makoto-kun added. "Let me just go make myself a plate and we can-"

"No!" Kotonoha's sudden outburst took Makoto-kun by surprise. "You stay here, Makoto-kun. I'll get it for you."

"Koto-" Before he could protest, she rushed out of the room, bringing the chair she had stood on last night along with her.

He was going to use this opportunity to leave her. Kotonoha leaned the chair against the door knob to prevent his escape. It was a short-term solution, but Kotonoha had to make due while she wracked her brain on how to keep him.

How could she ensure that he wasn't just going to leave her again? There had to be a way to get him to stay with her. Sure, he had said that he would not stop loving her again. Perhaps he even believed that, but Makoto-kun was not exactly the smartest boy. She loved him dearly, but he was so easily fooled by other women. Makoto-kun was weak and it was up to Kotonoha to protect him. He only really rejected Kotonoha because his mother was so opposed to their relationship.

Something had to be done about that.

Makoto slumped over, slapping his forehead as hard as he could.

"How is this going to work, Makoto?" Mom probed, skeptically.

Makoto thought for a moment.

It wouldn't exactly be easy to start going back to school with a baby at home. He was sure that if he relied on Kotonoha for food and shelter, he could use the money from his jobs to hire a nanny to watch Kosuke during the day, but how could he guarantee that his son was being well taken care of?

There was the option of quitting his jobs and staying home all day, but then he'd be nothing but a burden to Kotonoha.

"You're just a boy, Makoto." Mom's words derailed his thoughtrs. "You don't know anything about raising a child."

"I can learn." Makoto protested. "I have to, he's my responsibility."

"And is part of that responsibility bringing your child to live with a lunatic?"

"She's not a lunatic!" Makoto gritted his teeth. "She's just a little sick, that's all. She would never hurt Kosuke."

Mom gave the black-haired lad her classic 'no-nonsense' look.

"Cut the shit, Makoto." She flatly replied. "Do you honestly beleive what youre telling me? Listen to me, son. I'm only telling you this because I love you and because I love the grandson you gave me. She is going to hurt him. She is either going to hurt him or kill him. She'll cry and tell you that she didn't mean it or that it was an accident and you'll have no one to blame but yourself."

"Shit."

What was he going to do?

He couldn't just leave her. She was his responsibility too.

Although, Makoto wasn't without options.

He could get her to see a psychiatrist, maybe get some medication to dull her... tendancies...

Makoto continued to hang his head in shame. Could he really trust her with his son? He had thought about keeping Kosuke around him at all times, but that really didn't seem possible. Makoto had to sleep sometime.

Wait, what was he saying?

Kotonoha wasn't the violent type. The worst she'd ever done was a little breaking and entering. There was no way that sweet girl could be capable of harming anyone. If she was going to hurt his son, she would have done it yesterday when she was alone with him.

Perhaps he just needed to trust his girlfriend more. The real issue was whether or not she could accept Kosuke as her child. She seemed pretty adamant about it yesterday, but thinking back, there was a bit of unease in her protests of motherhood. Could she really love Kosuke? Could he stay with her if she couldn't? Kosuke couldn't grow up living with someone who hated him, could he?

Makoto sighed. Maybe he would grow on her. Maybe he'd end up looking more like his father.

...

Damn.

Could he really go through with this?

Kotonoha could feel the dishes rattle as she ascended the stairs to return to her room. With her, the remainder of the breakfast Makoto-kun had prepared. Kokoro was eating alone downstairs.

Hopefully their newfound family could someday mend the poor girl's heart. As she reached the hallway, the chair was the first thing to come into her field of vision.

Makoto-kun didn't try to open the door, did he?

It was still safely leaned against the door, but that didn't mean her boyfriend hadn 't at least tried to escape. That was why she needed to use extreme measures.

Kotonoha prayed Makoto-kun would forgive her.

RIIIIIIING

RIIIIIIIING

The land line.

It was probably just more pesky telemarketers. What troublesome people.

Kotonoha delicately rested the tray on the floor while she removed the chair from the door.

He was behind that door waiting for her to rescue him from himself. She had to do it. It was the only way they could stay together. Makoto-kun would just leave her as soon as he had the opportunity. She didn't want to resort to this, but she had no choice.

Besides, Makoto-kun brought her back from the hell of that false world, from death itself. He wanted to be with her, he just didn't always understand that. Sometimes Makoto-kun would forget how much he loved her. This was often due to influence from... outside forces. But soon, Kotonoha would have him all to herself.

Kotonoha picked the tray back up and entered the spacious room, seeing Makoto-kun cupping his face with his hands.

He was worried about something.

Was he really just planning on breaking up with her again? Perhaps Kotonoha could use the guilt he was feeling to keep him around.

"Makoto-kun," Kotonoha started, setting her tray down next to his.

She was looking at him with those dim purple eyes.

Say something.

Say something, you idiot.

Anything.

Makoto remained silent. He could tell she was reading him, trying to gauge his expression.

The black-haired lad let out a heavy sigh. It was now or never.

"Kotonoha, I-"

Kotonoha gently placed a plate of food in his lap before taking her own. "Let's eat." she suggested. "It will get cold if we wait."

Makoto couldn't argue. He silently nodded, bringing a forkful of scrambled egg up to his tight-lipped mouth. He'd have to speak up at some point, but at least he had a moment to collect his thoughts.

What did he even want to say to her?

"These pancakes are delicious." Kotonoha chimed, breaking the silence.

"Ah," Makoto replied hesitantly. "They're nothing special. Just pancake mix and water."

"That's not true." Kotonoha smiled, "They were made by your hands. That's what makes them taste good."

Ugh, Why did she always have to say things like that?

This was going to be harder than he thought.

Still, as much as he loved putting them off, there were important things he needed to address.

"Kotonoha, look-"

"I love you." She interrupted. Kotonoha's face was an inch away from his. Her eyes were desperate; lonely.

"Kotonoha, please let me continue."

"Are you not happy with me?"

"Kotonoha-"

"I can make you happy!" She protested. "You may not see it now, but I can. I promise. It's alright that you don't always love me. I'm fine with that so-"

"SHUT UP!" Makoto yelled, pushing her back by her shoulders.

"Listen to me, Kotonoha! You need to relax! I'm not going anywhere." Makoto lowered his voice. "I just need to make sure a few things are cleared up between us."

Kotonoha nodded silently, waiting for him to continue.

It was the only way.

He had already promised her last night. He couldn't go back on his word now. He had to tell her; not just for her sake, but for his son's as well.

Makoto tried to speak. His throat was bone dry. He reached over to the cup of tea she had brought him.

Huh?

Why was it so cloudy? Milk, maybe? That was weird. Kotonoha knew he didn't like milk in his tea. He set the cup down without drinking from it. She usually doesn't forget these things. She must have really been under a lot of stress.

Yeah, she needed him to say it. If for nothing else than to lift her spirits.

"If we're going to be living together, I think it would be best if we did the right thing and got married." Makoto could see her eyes light up as he mentioned marriage. "However, in order for that to happen I'm going to need you to promise me a few things."

"-Of course, Makoto-kun, anything! I'll do whatever you want!" She cried, tears already beginning to form in her eyes.

Kotonoha was really thrilled. There was no backing down now. "I want you to start seeing a therapist, you've been through a lot over the past few weeks and I'm afraid of what might happen to you if we don't find some help."

"Alright." She agreed.

"I also want you to start telling me if something I do bothers you. Don't hold it in for my sake."

"It's okay, Makoto-kun." she replied, moving in closer to him. "As long as you stay with me, I don't care if you yell at me, hurt me, or even make me touch you in public. I'm happy just being with you."

"I see..." Makoto was a bit downcast from her statement. Why the hell did she love a guy like him so much?

"But what if you could have more?"

"More?" Kotonoha raised a confused eyebrow.

"Yeah. You have me already Kotonoha; for life. I know you've told me you don't need anything else, but is there anything else you want? Don't think that you have to bear with anything for me. If you have anything you'd like me to do or stop doing, let me know."

Kotonoha didn't seem to know how to respond. She remained silent; her eyes continuing their stare into his. Makoto noticed her nod slightly. At least he could tell she was listening.

"I- I also want to talk about Kosuke..." Makoto's voice became a whisper as he spoke.

11:00

The red digital numbers on Otome's alarm clock began to flicker. She just had to go with a cordless.

'Note to self, buy new batteries.'

Otome didn't really want to get up, but her restless body begged her for activity.

Otome shrugged, walking over to her dresser to face her reflection in the mirror. Her hair was all over the place and she had slept in her school clothes.

Good thing she didn't have school on Saturdays. That was probably the main reason she enrolled in Sakakino Academy. Two-day weekends rock.

Leaving her room for a trip to the bathroom, she noticed something strange.

Normally on Saturdays, Otome could hear the loud music and sound effects of Saturday Morning Cartoons from the hallway. However, the symphony of battle cries and special attacks was replaced by an eerie silence.

Karen.

She could see why her sister might not be in the mood for cartoons.

Otome had said some pretty terrible things.

"I hate you! I wish you'd just disappear! I don't ever want to see that pretentious smirk again!"

How could Otome have been so mean?

That was her sister, the girl she had grown up with nearly all of her life.

Karen just didn't get it.

She didn't understand what Otome was going through. She was the favorite. Everyone liked her better than Otome. Ever since Karen started high school, it seemed like Otome was always losing to her. Although, despite all of this, Otome still felt like she was being unfair to her sister. Sure, Karen was great at nearly everything, but she was hardly ever the boastful type. Karen was always gracious about her victories. Maybe that was why everybody liked her so much. Maybe that was why Otome was always so frustrated with her. Otome was a kindergartener's portrait next to an artisan's masterpiece.

No.

Otome was done looking down on herself. The fact was that she had done something to hurt her sister. Making the whole thing about herself would only cheapen her apology.

"Karen?" Otome asked as she lightly tapped the door to Karen's room.

...

No answer.

She must have been pretty pissed.

"Karen? I want to talk about yesterday. Can I come in?"

Still, nothing.

Perhaps she was still asleep?

Eh, Otome was sure she'd have a chance to talk to Karen later.

"...So I lied." Sekai sighed, staring past Dr. Morisato's lenses and into his tired grey eyes. "I didn't really believe I was pregnant. I think deep down I knew that. I just couldn't admit it to myself. Guess the joke was on me, right?"

"Interesting..." The doctor began.

"I should have just taken that stupid test. I just didn't want to admit to myself I was lying. But in a way I guess you could say I was telling the truth." Sekai forced a laugh.

'You're doing great, Sekai. Just tell this guy everything he wants to know and don't forget to smile.'

If she could deal with the pervs at Radish, this was going to be a piece of cake.

Makoto Katsura

No, Kotonoha Itou.

She didn't want her name anymore. She wanted to be his.

Kotonoha wondered if she should have Kokoro's name changed as well to match them.

No, Kotonoha didn't want there to be any question about who Makoto-kun's wife was.

He really proposed. She couldn't believe it. She was hardly listening to anything else he was saying, responding every once in a while with a "Yes" or an "Alright."

He wanted her. Makoto-kun wanted to be with her.

Forever.

She didn't need to resort to... that anymore. He was willingly agreeing to stay with her. But wait, what about the tea? If Makoto-kun tried to drink that-

"I also want you to start telling me if something I do bothers you. Don't hold it in for my sake."

That got her attention.

He was testing her resolve. He wanted to make sure she was ready to do anything for him.

Don't drink it, Makoto-kun.

"It's okay, Makoto-kun." she replied. "As long as you stay with me, I don't care if you yell at me, hurt me, or even make me touch you in public. I'm happy just being with you."

Kotonoha stared into his eyes, carefully inching the cup away from him.

"I see..." Makoto replied. He seemed a bit sad. Perhaps he didn't believe her. "But what if you could have more?"

"More?" Kotonoha raised a confused eyebrow, all the while not letting this distract her from her goal. Luckily for her the window was open. Kotonoha did her best not to break eye contact as she moved the tea closer and closer to the window.

What did he mean by more? They were going to be bound together forever. What more could she want?

Slowly she tipped the small ceramic cup, releasing it's contents onto the lawn below.

Makoto-kun mentioned something about things she would like him to do.

Kotonoha couldn't really think of anything in particular. She was just relieved to get that cup of tea away from him before she did something unnecessary; something he might hate her for.

It was a close call, but at least now she could give Makoto-kun her full attention.

"I- I also want to talk about Kosuke..." Makoto-kun's voice became a whisper as he spoke. He looked upset; scared. "He's with my Mom right now. I decided not to bring him over until we discuss it."

Discuss it? What was wrong? Was there a problem with Kosuke-chan living there?

"Kotonoha," He turned his head upward, looking at her with those gorgeous brown eyes. They pleaded with her for understanding. "Do you... hate him?"

"What?"

"Kotonoha, Kosuke was born because I was unfaithful, but... what I did was my fault. Please don't hate him for it."

Kotonoha froze.

Makoto-kun was afraid of her; afraid of what she might do to his child.

That was why he asked how she felt about him. He was afraid she was going to treat him badly.

Kotonoha was trying to prove she could be a good mother for Makoto-kun's sake. Had she not been trying hard enough? Makoto-kun could clearly tell that she was hiding something.

"M-Makoto-kun," he was right to be suspicious. Kotonoha was a ticking time-bomb. After doing what she did in that false world, Kotonoha understood what she was capable of. She wasn't sure that she could keep herself from trying to harm the product of his infidelity. A part of her wanted to hurt him, to stomp him out of existence so that he would no longer remind her of that bitch. And yet at the same time, she wasn't even sure if she really could.

"I would never do anything to hurt that boy." Kotonoha felt sick.

She wanted to tell him the truth, that her feelings for Kosuke were a jumbled mess. She despised him for sharing blood with another woman, but she adored him for the blood he shared with her beloved. Kotonoha wanted to be together with Makoto-kun, but she didn't know if she even could be a mother to Saionji's child.

Wait...

What was she saying? Of course she could! Kotonoha loved Makoto-kun far more than she hated Saionji. All she had to do was do her best to ignore any traits their child shared with that slut. She could raise a young man that was hers; one that had nothing in common with Saionji. That itself would have to be her revenge. Saionji stole her boyfriend, so she'd steal Saionji's son.

"Kotonoha, are you sure you'll be alright with him staying here?"

"Why wouldn't I be?" Kotonoha replied. "I am his mother, aren't I?"

He barely even touched on the empty fridge.

Was she even feeding Kokoro?

Why was he avoiding it?

Was he afraid? Afraid of her answer?

Was Kotonoha herself even eating?

Damnit! Why couldn't he just ask her?

Why couldn't he say something?

Instead, all he did was make her a bunch of promises.

Was this what Makoto was reduced to?

Carrot dangling?

Manipulation?

Sure, he wanted to help Kotonoha, but was promising to marry her really the best option?

The girl sat beside him on the train; her head on his shoulder, their fingers interlaced. She looked paler than usual. her face was haggard, almost gaunt. Her beautiful violet locks were tangled and unkempt was she really taking care of herself?

Well, Makoto supposed it was his job to take care of her now.

Makoto let out a heavy sigh.

They were on their way to Mom's place. Yeah, Mom's place. It wasn't really his home anymore, so what else could he call it? His place was with Kotonoha now. He had to fix what he had broken so that they could build a life together.

Ugh,

Damnit.

Makoto was so young. He had his whole life ahead of him. There were so many possibilities. Now he really only had one path to follow. There were no more options, just her. Beautiful as she was, he felt condemned at the thought of promising himself to one person for the rest of his life. Still, there was no turning back now. If there was one thing having a child was teaching him, it was to own up to his responsibilities, and Makoto Itou had a lot to own up to.

Taisuke sighed as he entered the classroom. Second year class three was a jungle of unfamiliar faces. Kiyoura had moved away, Saionji was in the looney bin, and Kanroji had transferred schools as soon as their first year ended. Kuroda was usually here, but it wasn't like she was talking to him anyway. Damn, could that chick hold a grudge.

"Hey, idiot." Speak of the devil.

Taisuke whipped around to see Kuroda... smiling at him?

"Hey, Kuroda." That was weird. It was almost like she was happy to see him or something.

"You, um... think we could step out and talk for a bit?" She seemed a little nervous.

A confession? Awesome! His persistence was finally paying off. At last, things would be going Taisuke's way.

"Sure, sure. Let's go out to the hallway. Everyone should be in the classrooms by now."

With that, the pair left the room and began their search for a more secluded hall.

Purple.

Taisuke froze when he saw that familiar long violet mane pass him, recalling his mother's words.

"Gendou Katsura is no murderer."

He had to tell her. Mom had proof her dad was innocent; something about a serrated... something or other.

He could tell that Kuroda was staring at him.

Kuroda.

Taisuke would never have a chance like this again.

Ah well, he could tell Katsura-san tomorrow. She seemed pretty busy with Makoto anyway.

.

.

.

"Makoto?"