Operation: [Promises]
Secret Research Facility
When school hours were over Yu suddenly remembered that Shunsuke had told him to invite his friends for a celebration during this night for his return, which they were glad to join.
When they arrived or specifically teleported in the Secret Research Facility, the room was decorated while food and beverages filled the table. They were also surprise seeing Shunsuke who was able to regain his eyesight but he explained that Yu was the one who cured him, before everyone gave him looks and words of amazement, awe and wonder making him slightly uncomfortable.
It was now night time, Yu and the gang was celebrating his return. Everyone was talking in their respective groups.
Yu is seen drinking his juice while everyone chatted with each other in a long table. Shunsuke was talking with Maedomari and Medoki, Takajo who find out that Shinchino was a Yusarin-fan like him a long time ago but to a much lesser degree (though Tomori believes he is just a turn-off like Takajo) was discussing about the new album Nishimori released, while Tomori was talking about how the two of them were such turn-offs with Nishimori and Ayumi who didn't reply but just sheepishly smiled. Before Shunsuke turned to Yu before coughing gaining everyone's attention.
"Now let's turn our attention for the VIP this evening, let's give a toast to Yu's success" Shunsuke smiled raising his glass announced while everyone picked up their own glass.
"Cheers!" everyone exclaimed.
"Cheers!" Yu said after wards before all of them finished their drinks.
"Woohooo!"
"Congratulations!"
"Welcome back!"
"Yusarin!"
"Turn-off!"
"Pizza Sauce!"
"Thanks everyone!" Yu thanked which was awarded by another round of cheers.
The party continued while everyone was having fun.
The one-eyed male was happy seeing those faces of happiness on his family members, close friends and unofficial girlfriend which he would gladly protect with all of his life.
Yu was interrupted in his thoughts when he saw Ayumi approaching him.
"Come'on Yu-niichan join us, were playing a game called 'The King's Game'" said excitedly by Ayumi before dragging Yu towards the group who couldn't help but chuckle at the little sisters behavior.
"Alright alright no need to hurry" said by Yu approaching the group.
[Play: Deochi (ANANT-GARDE-EYES/Jun Maeda) Charlotte (O.S.T)]
"Okay let me state the rules, the chosen King will order the ones who didn't get to choose said King, for fair reasons each of us will write orders on rolled up papers" stated Medoki.
"No cheating and the order must be done for fun sakes" added by Medoki before giving each of us papers to write the orders but that particular rule was going to be ignored for... comedy purposes.
The group started writing the orders, Ayumi and Nishimori was happily writing their preferred orders, while Takajo who was laughing darkly and loudly while writing his orders which earned him a smack at the back of his head by Tomori while everyone just sweatdropped. After a few minutes the written orders were finished and were now in a container.
"Now this is how the King will be chosen" Medoki said bringing a container with popsticks with numbers and a word King was written on the one end.
Everyone found their positions to which their comfortable of playing.
"Okay let's begin!" Medoki announced before everyone picked their own sticks.
"I'm first huh" Maedomari said with a smile before picking up an order.
"Number 3 will explain his past experiences about having a boyfriend/girlfriend" Maedomari announced.
"I'm number 3" Yu said ignoring the intense look Tomori was giving him.
"Oh you don't have to worry Tomori-neechan! Ayu can undoubtedly say that Yu-niichan never had experience with girls before!" Ayumi said innocently making Tomori lose her intense gaze and let out a snicker.
"Y-yes... that's right" Yu said before sighing.
Yu couldn't decide whether he felt relieved that he wasn't going to experience the wrath of a jealous unofficial girlfriend or feel insulted with a perfect jab to his pride as a man.
"C-continuing" said by Medoki with a sheepish smile while everyone again picked their pop sticks.
"Hmmm, I'm the King!" announced by Takajo getting pumped up before picking up an order.
"Oh boy" muttered by Tomori knowing it was gonna be stupid which is true.
"The King will be slapped by Number 7 with all his/her might!" read by Takajo with a smirk knowing that it was according to his plan which went unnoticed by everyone except Yu who could only sweatdrop.
"I-I'm Number 5" said by a sheepishly smiling Nishimori which made Takajo excitedly jump around before landing in front of Nishimori which made everyone dumbfounded to why he was so excited to be slapped.
"If you may" Takajo said with an expectant look while on his knees.
"Yusa is sorry for being too forceful!" said by Nishimori before slapping the lights out of Takajo crashing him towards the floor while raising his arm weakly for a thumbs up and muttering a 'Worth it'.
'What happened to you while I was gone?!' thought by Yu with a blank stare wondering what happened to his dear friend during his absence.
"O-okay let's continue shall we?" urged by Medoki awkwardly while seeing Takajo twitching while getting poked with a stick by Ayumi as if wondering if he was still alive.
Everyone drawed again.
"Yay! Yusa is the King!" Nishimori cheered before happily picking an order.
"Number 8 will announce who they like! He/She can give a vague response!" Nishimori said with a squeal.
"Ayu is number 8!" Ayumi said looking around glancing at everyone before nodding to herself preparing to speak.
"Ayu loves everyone! Though I reluctantly like Takajo-senpai and Shinchino-senpai because they make weird faces when discussing albums of Yusa-senpai but I also like them nonetheless!" Ayumi declared her voice dripping with innocentness while Takajo and Shinchino suddenly felt metaphorical two arrows pierce their body with a banner with the capital words "WEIRD" written on it.
Everyone snickered by the declaration.
"Well that is true~"
"I can't disagree"
"...They do look like it"
"I mean, they show it..."
Came the response of everyone.
""Oi, that was uncalled for!"" Takajo and Shinchino retorted while their pride was damaged which made everyone laugh harder.
"Hah! Turn-offs!" Tomori retorted with a smirk which just made their pride crash down immediately.
"Let's continue" Yu said glancing towards the depressed Takajo and Shinchino with anime tears in their cheeks while hiding his chuckles.
Everyone drawed again.
"It looks like I'm King" said by Shinchino before picking up an order while glancing at Takajo with a look that's saying 'Good luck my comrade'
While Shinchino returned with a look that's saying 'Are you sure you've written the order?'
Takajo raised his clenched fist with a look of saying 'Don't you trust this comrade of yours!'
Shinchino gave a smirk whilst eyes closed saying 'Never mind I already found it'
'You know that I can read minds right? Wait…how can you two communicate like that?!' thought by Yu astonished seeing the exchange of looks between the two but kept quiet.
"Ahem, Number 3 will lay his/her head on the lap of number 6 for 5 minutes" coughed by Shinchino glancing towards Medoki who froze when she saw her number.
"Now who is Number 3 and Number 6" said by Shinchino acting innocently.
"I'm Number 6" said by Shunsuke oblivious to Medoki's blush.
"I-I'm Number 3" stuttered by a blushing Medoki before realizing the look she was getting from Shinchino.
'You planned this!' thought by a flustered Medoki while as if Shinchino read her thoughts giving a look saying 'I don't know what you're talking about' which solidified her suspicions but could only sigh defeatedly, which got her a look from Shinchino saying 'Hah! Who's the Tsundere now?!'
'What's up with the mental communications?' thought Yu wondering what the cause of the mental exchanges.
"What are you waiting for Medoki, it is the King's orders" said by an unaware Shunsuke interrupting Medoki's thoughts making her blush again.
"I-if it's no trouble…" said by Medoki madly blushing before standing up and going towards Shunsuke and laying her head on his lap.
"Medoki, why are you're cheeks red? Are you sick?" said by Shunsuke smiling before caressing Medoki's hair before her blush intensified but did not remove Shunsuke's hand.
"I-it's nothing, let's just continue" quickly said by Medoki before giving a look towards Shinchino whod she had a hard time if he should thank him or be mad at him but what appeared on her face was a glare while Shinchino just gulped thinking that what he done was a good idea or not.
Everyone drawed again.
"I'm the King" said by Tomori raising her hand before picking up an order.
"Number 1 will pat Number 2 on the head for 15 seconds" said by Tomori before catching Takajo and Shinchino's smirk while mentally saying "It's those two again!"
"I'm Number 1" said by Yu before raising his hand.
"And Yusa is Number 2!" said enthusiastically by Nishimori also raising her hand.
"Alright then" said by Yu before patting Nishimori on the head, which earned him a purr of satisfaction.
Tomori with a thoughtful face looked at Yu patting Nishimori who couldn't help but get jealous not because it was Nishimori he was patting, she knew that it was just an order but it was because she also wanted to be patted on the head by Yu which she immediately shook her head from what she was thinking and noticed that Yu was looking at her with a smirk.
"Jealous?" Yu smirked.
"N-no, of course not" Tomori huffed.
While Takajo was…
'My plan was somewhat accomplished but I'm still envious!' thought by Takajo grinding his teeth against his fingers feeling envious of what his watching while muttering the unfairness of the world. He's original plan was to make Tomori jealous which he succeeded albeit he could have done it better but stopped in his thoughts and sweat profusely when he saw Tomori with a death glare as if reading his mind.
Everyone drawed again.
"I am the King again!" said by Takajo before picking up an order.
'Here we go again' thought by Tomori before smirking recognizing the paper Takajo held.
But when he saw what the order was, he immediately froze getting everyone to be curious to get him in that state.
"What does the order say" Yu said voicing all of their thoughts.
"The King will admit that h-he is a…" Takajo muttered before stopping while Tomori smirked knowing that it was THAT order.
"Come on" Yu urged.
Takajo took a deep breath ready for the embarrassment.
"You don't have to-" Yu said seeing that Takajo was having a hard time before getting interrupted.
"I AM A MASOCHISTIC WEABOO THAT HAVE BATTLED THE DEMON LORD WITH HIS 4-INCH EXCALIBUR!" shouted by Takajo with vigor getting ready to be humiliated but suddenly felt something.
'W-what is this feeling?' Takajo thought feeling joy in his body knowing that something was released from his soul.
Takajo's Mindscape
His surroundings changed, like a dark night completely filled with stars as if he was floating in space while a copy of him without clothes with wings that covered his body with a cloth tied on his forehead written on it was a capital letter "M" approached him reaching out his hand while smiling warmly.
"Embrace it my other self" the other Takajo said with a warm smile.
'All of those things are clear now' Takajo thought understanding to why he felt bliss from when he was slapped and from what he said earlier that could've humiliated him. It was finally clear to what was happening to him these days.
"I-I understand…I…am…a…" Takajo said before slowly reaching his arm towards the other Takajo who was smiling warmly.
"I'M A MASO-GUH!"he shouted but was interrupted when he was hit by an unknown force on his head preventing him from reaching the other's hand who slowly ascended above while the place was slowly crumbling apart.
Real World
Takajo's thoughts were interrupted when immediately Yu smacked his head.
'Don't you dare finish that thought!' mentally shouted by Yu while holding Takajo's picked paper within it the written words 'The King will admit that he's a masochist and at the same time a weaboo that wields the legendary 4-inch Excalibur that battled against the demon lord'
Ayumi and Nishimori tilted their heads in confusion, while Medoki(who had still her head in Shunsuke's lap), Maedomari and Shunsuke was hiding their chuckles, the only two who were loudly laughing were Shinchino and Tomori who were holding their stomachs because of how stupid that was.
"It was you wasn't it?" Yu said with a flat tone to Tomori who was barely holding her laughter.
"I-pfft-hahaha! don't hahahaha! know what you mean hahaha!" managed to say by Tomori still laughing uncontrollably.
"Continuing" Medoki said while getting up from Shunsuke's lap with hidden disappointment in her tone knowing 15 minutes was up from earlier.
Everyone drawed again but still couldn't stop their laughter.
"I'm the King this time" cheerfully said by Medoki before picking up an order.
"Number 4 will wear a wig and Magical girl costume until three turns have passed" said by Medoki glancing at everyone before smirking to see Maedomari shaking.
"Oh Maedomari-san~ will you please say you're Number?" said teasingly by Medoki before Maedomari just sighed accepting his fate raising his hand albeit shakingly but then realize something.
"Wait a minute! We don't have that kind of outfit!" stated by Maedomari with hope in his eyes.
"Darn it" muttered Medoki.
"Actually, I can generate that kind of object with my abilities-, but please don't ask how, if that solves your problem?" suggested by Yu making Medoki jump in excitement and Maedomari with tears in his eyes and have a look towards Yu that says 'How could you?!' which Yu understood just now.
'I probably shouldn't have said it' thought by Yu with a dry smile while following a Medoki with a wide grin dragging an obvious crying and unwilling Maedomari to a dark room which made everyone instinctively shiver and felt sympathy for the blue head.
A few minutes later
A number shouts of horror and bumping later we now see a dressed up Maedomari in which everyone isn't expecting to look quite... cute?!
Maedomari was wearing an orange themed magical girl outfit with frilly short skirt, with blue stockings that reached his upper thigh with orange sandals, added with blue ribbons on he's knees and elbows, while on his head was a light blue wig in twin tails reaching down to his knees which only made with his matching eyes a look of true cuteness which everyone can't explain, on simpler terms the outfit was strangely fitted for Maedomari.
"*Sniff* *sniff*" sniveled by Maedomari light tears in his eyes and somehow felt he lost something.
"If you're wondering if it looks bad then you're wrong it suits you" praised by Medoki with a finger on her chin nodding while looking at all angles.
"R-really? Wait! That isn't the issue!" shouted uncharacteristically by Maedomari before he shook his head while tears were scattered everywhere generating imaginary sparkles making him look more... adorable?!
"Don't worry Mari-chan~ Onee-san thinks you're outfit is sooooo adorable~" added by Medoki with a flashing camera on her hands.
"W-what?! Stop that!" protested by the "magical girl" hiding "her" face in embarrassment.
"*Cough*, let's continue" urged by Yu ignoring Medoki's laughter and the "magical girl's" protests.
Everyone drawed again.
"It's my turn" said by Shunsuke raising his hand before picking an order.
"Number 3 will sit on the lap of Number 6 for 5 minutes" read by Shunsuke.
"Wait did the order get repeated?" asked by Nishimori.
"Nope it didn't Yusa-senpai, earlier it was 'lay on the lap' instead of 'sit on the lap'" reminded Ayumi with a finger raised while Nishimori just nodded in understanding.
"So who got those numbers?" asked by Medoki.
"Number 6" Shinchino said while raising his hand.
"Number 3" Takajo said also raising his hand.
"..."
""YOU!"" shouted by a shocked Shinchino and Takajo at the same time while pointing at each other, realizing who got the numbers were.
Tomori smirked that says 'Revenge is good!' which went unnoticed by everyone except Yu who could only giggle from this girl's cute smirk.
"Now now you must do it, it is an order after all" said by Medoki liking the look of despair on Shinchino's face.
'These two' thought by Yu.
With a sigh Takajo stood up and approached Shinchino.
"Wait wait wait! We'll we really go through with this!" protested by Shinchino.
"It is an order after all…so please be gentle with me" said softly by Takajo before sitting down on Shinchino's lap without warning.
When everyone saw this they were slightly disturbed even Tomori and Medoki whose smirk earlier faded and all of them felt shiver in their spine which only intensified when they saw Shinchino and Takajo were blushing.
'Why does this hurts my eyes?' thought by Yu before glancing at Tomori who had a 'What the fuck' look on her face.
""Continue!"" shouted both by Shinchino and Takajo who can't take the embarrassment any longer.
Everyone drawed again but was still disturbed.
"King" Yu said simply before picking up an order.
"The King will give a soft kiss to…" Yu said stopping before glancing at Takajo who was still on Shinchino's lap.
"N-no, it wasn't me!" Takajo defended while shaking his head.
"…Number 3 on the lips" Yu continued before looking at everyone.
Then he saw Tomori slightly raised her hand while her eyes were shadowed by her hair.
"Um…N-Nao you don't have to do it if you don't want to" said by Yu uneasily laughing. He knows that they have kissed before albeit awkwardly but it might be a little too forceful because it was only a game.
Tomori rose from her seat before approaching Yu which made him gulp instinctively. Tomori lowered herself allowing Yu to see her grin... which made Yu quickly guess that she was the one who wrote it. Then without warning Tomori lifted her hand touching the back of his neck which made him eye wide from the sudden action before she leaned and slammed into Yu's lips again for the second time but unlike last time it was only a soft kiss that lasted a second before Tomori released whilst blushing slightly.
It made a reaction on the group…
Ayumi and Nishimori were squealing.
Medoki and Maedomari(who was still wearing a magical girl outfit) was smiling.
Takajo(who was still on Shinchino's lap) was putting a thumbs up while grinning.
Shunsuke was smiling proudly at Yu for obvious reasons.
While Shinchino was…
"So you two are an item now or what?" said by Shinchino with an uninterested tone before getting smacked by a book out of nowhere making him crash on the floor unconscious not hitting Takajo who now had a grin for quickly dodging earlier.
"So did you like the kiss... Yu-kun~" Tomori said with a sultry and teasing voice.
"I-I guess" Yu stuttered still not used to her sudden change in attitude before turning away.
"Are you embarrassed?" Tomori teased with a smirk making Yu face her.
"Of course not" Yu said before pinching her nose lightly in retort which Tomori did not like.
"Hey! Stop that!" Tomori shouted before pinching his cheek in return.
"Only if you stop!"
"No! You stop!"
"Let go!"
"You let go!"
But despite they're change in personalities, their casual arguments was still present.
"Why don't we continue?" urged by Shunsuke but inside he was feeling happy that his little brother has finally found someone to care for.
Hearing Shunsuke they immediately released their contact before glaring at each other which made the crowd more amused.
The game continued as time passes.
Ayumi and Nishimori was happily playing, Medoki was having fun while clicking her camera to the now again dressed up by Maedomari who had anime tears in his eyes which made Shunsuke laugh, Shinchino was still unconscious, Takajo was forced to be knocked out by Tomori for writing weird orders. While Yu was just happily watching them and allowed himself to feel contentment seeing them having fun.
But Yu who could see Tomori's jovial expression while interacting with the others, knew that there was something troubling her... even before in the student council room.
Outside the Secret Research Facility
It was now the end of the celebration and Shunsuke asked the Student Council Members to stay for the night which they gladly accepted.
Now we see Tomori on her pajamas sitting on a giant boulder while looking above the stars thinking about what's bothering lately. Tomori sighed knowing that a certain one eyed male had returned but she couldn't remove the certain emotion that she felt when he heard about the consequences of Yu's mission.
She then thought about her unusual behavior that she showed in the clubroom, seeing Yu there healthy and well, it made her heart calm down and release those pent up waiting to the one-eyed teenager. She did not bother if there was other people watching, she continued to show affection for him but upon hearing what he had to go thro-
She was forced to stop in her thinking when she heard someone was walking behind her which made her look across her shoulder and put her guards up but when she saw that it was only Yu she instantly relaxed and once again turned towards the sky to gaze the stars.
"Can't sleep?" Yu asked before sitting beside her.
"Yeah" was her short reply which made Yu sigh mentally knowing what was bothering her before sitting beside her which she didn't mind.
"If it's about feeling guilty for my sake, do not blame yourself okay" said by Yu which made Tomori shock but then remembered that he might have used an ability, she was going to say something when Yu spoke again knowing her suspicions.
"No I did not read your mind, you're the last person I would do that to" assured Yu which made Tomori stop her doubts.
Yu was being honest when it comes to reading the minds of others he knew. It would leave him a bad taste in his mouth if he abused his ability for doing something like that... comedic purposes are another story though.
"How did you know?"
"I notice the expression of your face back in the clubroom" explained by Yu but when he looked to face Tomori she had tears in her eyes that made Yu's heart break.
"I shouldn't have made you do all that, I blame myself for putting you to face those consequences" sobbed by Tomori while lifting her hands to wipe the tears that have in her eyes but without succession.
Yu could see that Tomori was showing another emotion that he had not seen before... and he absolutely hated it already.
[Play: Owaru Yume (ANANT-GARDE-EYES/Jun Maeda) Charlotte (O.S.T)]
"Nao-" started Yu but was interrupted when Tomori stood up from her position with her back turned on Yu.
"Don't you dare say it wasn't my damn fault!" Tomori shouted making Yu silent. I and you know it was clearly my own damn mistake! If I just stayed quiet, I could've prevented you from harm or even possible death! SO DON"T YOU DARE SAY THAT IT WASN"T MY DAMN FAULT YOU IDIOT!" shouted by Tomori while sobbing louder.
"You've risked you're life for all those {Ability Wielders} because of my selfish request! Many crime syndicates targeted you and wanted you to be killed on the spot because of that mission! You could've strained your brain because of those many abilities that you looted if you hadn't been prepared! SO JUST BLAME ME FOR ALL THE THINGS I PUT YOU THROUGH DAMN IT!" shouted again by Tomori tears were now flowing uncontrollably on her eyes.
This was what she was feeling earlier when Yu had been explaining what he had gone through during his mission. She was letting the bottled feelings all out that had been inside her because of guilt.
"I understand if you don't want to keep the promise we vowed on, I don't deserve your forgiveness because of what I did, I could even understand if you even hate me for what hell I made you through " Tomori said depressingly tilting her head downwards whilst closing her tear-filled eyes unable to look at Yu because of immense guilt she was feeling.
She was thinking that no matter how Yu loved her and vice versa, she didn't deserve that kind of affection. She was the primary reason why Yu had to go through that torture of a mission. Even though she really did want to have a relationship with him, the feeling of guilt inside weighs more than her own selfish desires.
"..."
"..."
"..."
"...Do you know how I fell in love with you?" Yu suddenly said breaking the silence.
[Play: Katsudou Nishi (ANANT-GARDE-EYES/Jun Maeda) Charlotte (O.S.T)]
Tomori immediately look at him, but instead of a disappointed or blank face she was expecting she was unprepared to see a face with a gentle smile and eyes showing love, adoration and respect.
"You remember how I acted through my life being a cheater, sarcastic, and used my ability to possess people to gain prestige and false achievements?" Yu continued not losing the gentle expression in his face looking at the sky filled with stars while Tomori just offered a nod of her head unable to answer.
"Those were the times where I deluded myself that I can get everything I wanted if I just used my powers to trick or possibly even harm people" Yu said remembering a certain incident involving Yumi Shirayanagi.
"It was going great... I achieved the position of top student in my old school and almost claimed the perfect girl that I wanted, but then..." Yu proclaimed before setting his sights on the still tear-stricken Tomori who just stood silent listening.
"A certain girl and a boy suddenly exposed my abilities and threatened me to never use my powers again lest the consequences and even managed to transfer me to another school filled with {Ability Wielders} just like myself..."
"...Then she and that boy even recruited me to the student council to help them stop {Ability Wielders} like myself who uses their powers for selfishness..."
"...At first I really didn't care if other people get harmed and captured by those scientists once they take notice of their powers as long as I or my sister was uninvolved , to me it was simply a drag and waste of my time..." Yu said with a bitter smile.
"...Then time passed since I first stepped on the room of the student council, eating lunch with a certain boy with glasses, meeting an idol with two people in one body and missions that were really extra-ordinary to which I started to see the joy and importance of friendship that I didn't understand the first time..."
"...It got me thinking, is it all worth it? Can I abandon the prospect of getting almost all things I wanted if I use my powers in exchange of those bonds that I observed and currently experiencing?"
"... I know you don't remember or recall anything from what happened because it was a different timeline... but nonetheless the answer was given to me in form of an accident concerning my younger sister who perished inside a building because of her power of {Collapse} which destroyed the building burying herself in the process..." Yu said while Tomori just stood wide-eyed hearing that statement.
"...It broke me... that experience you know; I just stood there watching my sister's funeral because of the incident which in turn I isolated myself telling everyone to go away who wanted to see me..."
"...The time arrived were I couldn't take it anymore, I decided to leave and live my life walking aimlessly until the moment I died and join my sister in the afterlife even if the chance of me going to heaven was non-existent..."
"...Then one night, when I was almost drowned of my inability to reason and proceeded to use drugs as a way to accelerate my death and distract myself from the pain, something happened... do you know what it was?" Yu asked while Tomori just shook her head lightly.
"One of the person who dragged me in that school in the first place, the one who I always argued over the simplest of things, the one who I recognized as a nuisance in the first place, and the one who stood by my side always watching me since the day I lost my sister..."
"... That person presented me a kick when I almost became a creature that can't even recognize what humanity was and proceeded to berate me for my stupid reasons of living the life I was currently following..." Yu said chuckled before looking directly towards the eyes of the girl beside him.
"...It was you Nao" Yu said making Tomori shocked and tears continued to flow through her cheeks.
"It was you who gave me a harsh glare that allowed me see things that was wrong"
Because only opened eyes are capable to see the right path.
"It was you who gave me a berating that allowed me to hear the honest words that I could never understand"
Because words about cruel reality makes much more sense than a happy fantasy.
"It was you who prepared a fresh meal that allowed me to smell the dish that was full of sweetness that I almost had forgotten"
Because a sweet memory brings reminiscence.
"It was you who made me finish that meal that allowed me to taste again the feeling of someone who cared..."
Because genuine care is always remembered.
"...And it was you who held my hand that allowed me to feel that everything was going to be alright"
Because the warmth of someone close to you makes everything right in the world.
"Nao... it was you who brought me back from my depression, you who gave my life purpose and a future to look forward to and gave me the chance to set everything right, and made me realize something..." Yu said softly making Tomori rub her eyes to stop the tears that were falling nonstop.
"W-why are you telling me this?" Tomori replied with a soft whisper whilst sobbing that Yu managed to hear.
"Didn't I tell you... because I love you" Yu said with a smile and he could've sworn he saw a small twitch in Tomori's lips.
"But that event happened in a different timeline, can you call something like that genuine, if one of us doesn't remember?" Tomori inquired tilting her head low tears falling on the ground.
Tomori still persisted to run.
"Then I will gladly repeat telling you what I remembered" Yu countered.
Yu stubbornly chased.
"But that doesn't explain why it transformed into you're so called love" Tomori refuted.
Tomori avoided.
"It was after that event that made me remember and allowed myself to experience a family that was by my side since I was still young that I had forgotten and lost, that means so much to me..." Yu said.
Yu tried to reach out.
Tomori was about to speak when Yu continued.
Tomori slowed her steps.
"...Those feelings of uncertainty inside of me disappeared, it made me understand the importance of bonds and friendship, it also allowed me to feel how it is like to cherish everyone and every moment of life that could possibly be gone in an instant and you're that reason I learned to love someone that changed my outlook in life" Yu finished.
Yu had finally reached her.
"..."
"..."
"..."
"Then... what if I said I don't love you?" Tomori asked however Yu just smiled.
"Then I'll just tell you... I do love you" Yu answered honestly.
"..."
"..."
"..."
"Then prove it" Tomori said while her head was still lowered.
"I love you" Yu declared.
"Again"
"I love you"
"Repeat it"
"I love you"
"..."
"..."
"..."
"...Shut up..." Tomori said gaining the attention of Yu who proceeded to look at her expression.
From his journey around the world he managed to see some sights that were beautiful in terms of appearance, including places, monuments, statues and even girls that made a space inside his mind to always remember. Those things always made a reaction in his expression even though he doesn't show it.
But...
...this was the first time for him to ever see something so beautiful yet so meaningful that made him mesmerized from just a look, and made those things that he saw fail in comparison and worthless in his eyes and just made him stood there stunned unable to believe that she made such an expression as beautiful as this... an expression that Yu absolutely love.
In front of him was the girl he loved with all of his heart that was adorning a smile which was filled with many things such as gratitude and gratefulness without bitterness, and eyes that were dyed in crystal blue with the look of adoration, contentment and love free of guilt, a picture of the perfect expression that he always wanted to see in the face of his perfect girl, due to shock it only made him blush and mouth agape while his wide eyes never left hers.
"Stop with the lame words... that was embarrassing *hmph*" mocked by Tomori turning around with a huffed.
"E-embarrassing?!" Yu retorted disbelief in his voice his face contorted in shock.
"You won't persuade me with words like that, you lame idiot" Tomori mocked again while her back was facing him making him unable to see if she was serious or not.
"*Ugh!*" Yu grunted crying comical tears while a metaphorical arrow pierced his body with the capital words "LAME" inscribed on it.
But when Yu lifted his face he caught the sight of Tomori eye's that was now looking everywhere but him adorning an atomic blush that covered her whole face no more tears visible in her eyes while her raised hands were failing to hide them making her extremely adorable in his eyes.
Tomori notice Yu looking at him.
"What?" Tomori said catching Yu facing towards him and scowled but not losing the blush that was still on her face.
"Pffft! Hahahaha!" Yu coudn't hold back his laugh making Tomori glare at him.
"Y-you!"
"Hahahaha!"
"Stop it!" Tomori retorted while Yu just laughed harder.
"HAHAHAHAHA! Who's embarrassed now?!" Yu laughed while Tomori growled cutely.
"I'll gut you if you don't stop idiot!"
"Oh! Getting physical are we!"
"You got that right!"
"Wha-,*Ow!* Stop that hurts! *Ow!*"
The couple continued their argument exchanging physical (Tomori) and verbal (Yu) insults trying to one up the other, until a few minutes have passed and the two were left panting slightly from their squabble...
"I sometimes question our compatibility when something like this happens" chuckled Tomori.
"You're not the only one; even with all of these abilities I looted I can't even figure out what's the cause" chuckled also by Yu.
"Can I hug you?" Tomori suddenly asked.
"What? You sure change your mood too fast" joked by Yu.
"Just shut up and be hugged damn it" said by Tomori softly before approaching and hugging Yu's chest which the former exchanged while caressing her long platinum blonde hair.
"Are you calm now?" asked Yu while Tomori just nodded in his chest. "Stop crying okay? It makes me feel guilty"
"Shouldn't it be 'It makes you look ugly'?"
"You're an exception of course"
"What do you mean?" asked by Tomori before lifting her head up while still on the embrace.
"Simple, you're too beautiful to be considered ugly, so if I made you cry, I will end up guilty knowing that I ruined such an attractive face" pointed out softly by Yu making Tomori blush slightly from the compliment.
"You're such a tease you know that?"
"You're the tease remember" Yu said with a smile releasing the embrace before both of them laughed.
They descended into a comfortable silence after that while still in each other's embrace enjoying how the stars shimmer in the black night sky, just the two of them in their own world no one interrupting their moment, when Tomori spoked.
"Yu" Tomori called out lifting her head to face him with a smile on her face.
"What is it?" Yu said glancing at her with a smile also in his face.
"Listen well because this is probably the first and last time I'm going to say this" Tomori said whilst facing him before taking a deep breath indicating to Yu to listen to her intently "Those feelings of guilt that is still inside me may never just disappear like that easily so..." Tomori said now staring directly at him with conviction.
"I promise you that I will stay by your side even to the point that you will hate me, I will try-no, I will always be there for you to cope with the consequences that you will have to bear from now on" Tomori stated resolutely with a determined gaze.
She knew Yu didn't blame her for the consequences and burdens that he will have to face from now on that his mission is finished, but will return this favor, no she will remain by his side and within her lifetime she will use it as a chance to repay for all of her selfish reasons that she had forced him into. That she can be sure.
"And I know this is just words that may be empty or nonsense to you" Tomori said. "But I just wanted to say...thank you for fulfilling this selfish request of mine and staying true to it until the very end" Tomori gave the gratitude with a smile that meant a lot to the listening Yu.
Yu seeing her current expression remembered the looks and expressions that he had receive when he explained the consequences of his actions during his mission earlier in the clubroom and the secret research facility.
Flashback
The others who could only listen went silent for a while until...
"..."
...they showed him many expressions but there were no looks of pity, sadness, indifference or even disgust and anger...
...but eyes full of emotion like determination, gratitude, and resolve to stay by his side as support to help him face those consequences head on.
Emotions that reassured him, unlike what he himself felt during the time of his mission where he had spent a long time alone.
"Thank you for the hardwork! Now it's time we return it!"
"Then we just have to be by your side from now on right!"
"Don't worry Yu, it's our turn to protect you!"
"Let's face them together!"
"We got your back!"
"Hmph! Can't help it I guess! Who would do it otherwise?!"
The cold, cruel and dark moments that he had faced on his mission alone was replaced with the warm, loving and caring words full of genuine sincerity of everyone that he had been missing all along.
They're reaction and reply to his answers that day was forever etched onto his mind...
Flashback End
Present
Hearing Tomori's determined voice and knew that she isn't blaming herself anymore, he can now relax, but it isn't finished yet...
Suddenly Yu picked up a certain item in his pockets before showing it to Tomori.
"You remember this?" said by Yu showing a torn and worn out object in his hand.
"Y-you kept that safe at all times?" Tomori muttered shocked.
It was the flash cards that Tomori had given Yu before his mission to help him converse with other foreigners in the world. It had helped him in his travels but when he had looted the ability called {Omni-lingualism}, so he didn't really need it afterwards. But he could never dispose of it because it was a gift that was given to him by his loved one and continued to keep it even though it was now tatters.
"Of course I did, I considered it a good luck charm...I always remember you with this and it kept me from losing my sanity reminding me that I have someone to return to after my mission after all" Yu said smiling while looking at the flash cards he was holding before facing Tomori who had tears again in her eyes but now instead of sadness it was from happiness.
"Hey I told you to not cry right?"
"Idiot I'm just so happy you kept that with you at all times" Tomori said wiping her tears before picking something in her pockets and showing it to Yu.
"Is that?"
Now this was the object that Yu had given Tomori in exchange for the flash cards, an MP3 player. It was originally owned by Tomori who had given it to Yu during one of their missions in the student council. Because she was surprise and pleased that Yu had taste in the similar music that she like.
"Yep it's the MP3 player you let me keep when you left" Tomori said showing Yu the purple MP3.
"Well shall we complete the promise?" Yu suggested smiling.
"Gladly" Tomori said happily.
They proceeded to exchange the two objects that may mean little to others, but to them it represents the promise that they swore to each other to indicate that they have to return to each other's side after a long journey of waiting. And now that promise had been fulfilled, it was time to return the objects to their rightful owner.
"Welcome back... Yu Otosaka" Tomori said with a bright smile before embracing him.
"I have returned… Nao Tomori" Yu said with a smile of his own returned the embrace while slowly leaning his head towards Tomori but stopped suddenly realizing something.
"Does that mean?" Yu said trying to confirm something.
"Geez! Way to ruin the moment but whatever!" Tomori stated with a pout before she leaned her face towards Yu locking her lips with him once again which Yu gladly reciprocated while tightening his own embrace.
After Yu's dangerous and long journey he managed to come back alive and well from an almost impossible task and was received by his friends and families with warmness and gratitude in return.
It was due to a promise he made with one girl.
A stubborn girl that allowed him to change from his way of errors.
A girl with weird quirks who brought him annoyance, mischief, and excitement that gave his life a splash of new different colors.
A blunt girl that made him understand how important and precious life was.
And the girl that stole his heart that allowed him to feel what is was like to be captured by love.
Now with his return he managed to hold that exact girl in his arms that gave him all of those not wanting to be separated again.
We see the two lovers lost in their own worlds where they only have each other, embracing each other's feelings that were held back because of absence. Two lovers that finally found each other from a long time of waiting.
These two that met at bad terms but with a twist of fate transformed into an attraction...
An attraction that even though was developed in a different timeline transformed into love,
The love that separated the both of them and made them wait because of a promise,
And now the promise that was finally fulfilled made one thing clear...
...Yu Otosaka has now returned to Nao Tomori's side.