"I love you."

Aside from "Hello, I'm Kaito." Those were the first words the blue haired boy ever spoke to the girl in red. They were also the words he was always itching, dying, to hear in return from her own lips.

Meiko was tending the bar counter again. She wasn't particularly in the mood for singing, and bar tending was usually the more peaceful job of the two. That's what she was looking for; some peace. She didn't mind living with Kaito, but he could be a bit of a handful. Not that she completely minded that either, it certainly beat feeling lonely. Which she had been lately. Meiko was secretly the motherly, or rather, older sister type, she enjoyed having someone to watch over and care for. Not that she would ever admit it, even to herself. Business was slow, so she sat back and listened to Kaito sing, his warm gentle voice echoing in the room. The lyrics made her reminisce as he sang:

" I flip through an old photo album
And whisper, 'Thank you'
To the person in my heart
Who is always there to comfort me
On clear days, on rainy days
That smile enters my thoughts
Even though my memories fade into the distance
I'll look for the traces you left behind
And remember you on a tearful day."

She remembered the time they first met. It was their freshman year of high school. The two didn't notice each other at first, and they certainly didn't talk to each other. They were in the same choir class, and the teacher decided on a whim one day to partner people up and have them sing duets. Meiko was paired up with the sapphire haired boy whose innocent eyes and smile contrasted her completely. (Kaito later told her the correct word for that was "complemented," but more of that later.) They introduced themselves to each other awkwardly and the blue haired teenager, Kaito, decided he was already in love with her, and outright told her so. Meiko figured he was an idiotic love-struck teenager and thought next to nothing of his "confession."

As luck would have it, the song chosen for them was a love song entitled "That Wonderful Love Once More." Kaito was delighted that he had a chance to sing with her. Meiko had mixed feelings. Though, she had to admit, after spending some time with him she found that he was actually easy to get along with and that she enjoyed his company. He was goofy and sweet, sometimes a bit much for her taste, but he seemed to genuinely understand people and their feelings, something Meiko had never been good at.

No one in their choir class was expecting much from their odd partnership, much less did they expect their voices to match so well, but when Meiko and Kaito sang together, her powerful, womanly voice mixed with his gentle, soothing voice resounded through the small choir room in perfect harmony.

Meiko got up; the bar was steadily becoming more and more busy. A woman and her friend asked for drinks, Meiko poured them quickly and handed them over, smiling the way she was taught to, the sweet looking fake smile she reserved for customers. She began cleaning some glasses as Kaito was sang the last somber verses of his song.

"Even though my memories fade into the distance
It's lonely without you
My emotions for you are tearful
I miss you, I miss you
My emotions for you are tearful."

Suddenly, for some inexplicable reason, a feeling of complete loneliness rushed into Meiko and warm tears began to stream down her cheeks. She walked into the small employee room, rubbing her chocolate brown eyes angrily.

"Dammit! Why am I crying?!" she hissed, her irises washed with tears.

Suddenly Kaito rushed in. Meiko was startled, but looked away as soon as she saw him. "What do you want? Aren't you supposed to be singing?" she said, trying to steady her voice.

"Our shift is done for the day. …Are… Are you okay?" There was pain in his voice, in his dark sapphire eyes, seeing Meiko cry was quite possibly the most painful thing he had experienced. "Meiko…" he cautiously reached out to her. Meiko reluctantly let him hold her; he pulled her in, warmly embracing her. He gently lifted a finger up to her eyes, brushing away her tears, and planted a soft kiss on each eye. Meiko's cheeks flushed pink. Her heart beat faster as he pulled in closer.

"Meiko." he murmured near her ear "I love you."

Meiko gazed into his dark blue eyes, their innocence still intact, but something more was visible. "I… I know." Is all she could think to say. He had said those three words, "I love you," several times before, but that look of intent in his eyes, of longing, was something new and she didn't know how to react to it.

"I don't think you understand, Meiko." He continued, "Not one time I have said it, has it been a joke. With every fiber off my being, I mean it. I love you." His voice was so insistent.

She watched his face, how serious he was about this, his cheeks red and his soft breath quickening. She swallowed hard, pulling back from him. "I don't know if you expect a straight answer, but I just can't tell what it is I feel for you, Kaito." She began nervously. "Sometimes I feel like you're just a child who needs caring for, or a little brother…" her voice quieted. "…But there are times when I do feel like I want to protect you, because you're important to me. I just… I don't want you to leave. I know for sure I wouldn't be able to stand that."

Upon hearing such heartfelt words; Meiko's own feelings for him, he impulsively leaned down, his lips nearly touching hers. "I won't leave you..! I'll stay by your side for as long as you need me." His eyes met hers, his lashes were sparkling, spiked with tears. That may not have been a direct 'I love you' but for now, it was close enough. "And I'll make you fall in love with me. No matter how long it takes." He closed the gap between their lips, gently pressing his to hers and murmured "You'll see."

Meiko's breath caught.

There, in the small employee room, crowded with bottles and boxes, in the back of the bar, they shared their first kiss.

Haha... Ha. I don't know why but this chapter feels so unsatisfactory to me. I certainly hope ya'll like it, but I feel like their first kiss should've been more special and magical with freaking rainbows and sunshine and crap...

Okay, now I'm just rambling. Anyway, from now on Kaito's going to be more direct about stuff in order to get Meiko to love him. So that should be fun to write.

I think I'm just unsatisfied due to being such a sucker for KaiMei. I don't think I do them justice.

The song Kaito was singing was "Nada Sou Sou." I recommend it. It's a beautiful song, and Kaito's cover is lovely. Also for those of you who don't know "That Wonderful Love Once More," here it is: watch?v=KxWU1XftBPk (It's a good piece of KaiMei, and VOCALOID, history.)

Well, thank you very much for reading reviews are appreciated! Really, I love getting feedback.

'Til next time!