Today was the day of his discharge.

That was the thought that persisted in Nariyuki's mind as Doctor Takai went over his latest exam results. It had been exactly one week since he had awoken from his coma, and he had easily grown dreary from his stay at the intensive care unit throughout that duration.

Though who could blame him. It was far from being a legitimate living setting.

"Your x-rays are looking quite promising, Mr. Yuiga," Doctor Takai reported. "Aside from the few tissue scars, your ligament tears are healing well, and your fractures are recovering at a remarkable pace. I've already informed your family of this, but you should be able to make a healthy recovery within the next couple of weeks if you remain compliant with your physical therapy at home."

Nariyuki nodded, satisfied with the update.

"Thank you. I'm sure Furuhashi will make sure that I keep up well with that," he said with a sheepish smile.

The man laughed at the mention of the blue-haired girl. "Oh I don't doubt that. During her time here, she was spending every opportunity possible hounding me on details for your recovery. I'm sure she'll do just as diligently in assisting you with the rest of your rehabilitation."

He nodded again, smiling softly as his heart settled on the more than realistic image of Fumino looking over him with care.

"Yeah…"

There was not a single doubt in his mind….just how wonderful of a job she was going to do.

"I know I've already inquired you on this…" Doctor Takai interjected. "But are you sure you're doing alright? Mentally I mean," the man corrected. "You say that you're fine, but waking up from a two week coma with no cognitive instabilities is very rare. Your MRI shows just that, but…if it's okay with you, I'd like to ask you again…"

The man looked at him pointedly.

"How much do you really remember?" He asked.

Nariyuki stared, ruminating the question thoughtfully before averting his gaze. If he was being truthful, it definitely did sound inconceivable. Falling into a coma, and being able to return to a healthy mental state with little to no treatment or intervention. It was hard to imagine a situation like that.

Yet, the results were there. Clear and apparent.

But the truth was…it was because he hadn't been alone.

"It felt like I was in a very long dream…like I was stuck watching myself from afar," he answered in recollection. "I don't really remember what I was dreaming about…but it seemed pleasant. Maybe…my old memories? But I also think that's what made it so scary…because it felt like I could've stayed down there forever."

'Please…Please come back to me.'

…

"But…"

He felt his hands warm in remembrance.

"I felt something while I was there. Something warm. I think it was…Furuhashi. Her hands that helped me come to my senses. And…well….after I woke up…I remembered everything. Everything leading up to the accident. The moments before I was hit…"

He smiled softly, relief filling his features.

"And I remember how happy I was…to know that she was safe," he whispered gently.

"…"

Doctor Takai stared for several moments, evidently moved by his retelling. Eventually, the man smiled, walking over to the window and gazing through it thoughtfully.

"I've been in the field for nearly two decades now, and I've truly never heard of a case like yours before," he said in contemplation. "I can't imagine a loved one's touch being a true remedy for a coma. I would say it's nothing short of a miracle."

The man then looked to him, admiration brimming in his features.

"But…it was probably because it was you two…that made it possible," he finished with a smile.

Nariyuki's eyes widened briefly before softening with fondness.

He could agree with the sentiment in a certain direction.

Even without this incident…the girl was definitely his miracle.

Knock

Knock

Knock

The door of the room slid open, a familiar face quickly making itself present.

"Oh! Dr. Takai!" Fumino said in embarrassment. "I'm so sorry, am I interrupting?"

"Not at all. Mr. Yuiga and I were just chatting over his recovery plan. I'll leave you two alone." The man turned to Nairiyuki and winked, in which he could only chuckle in amusement.

Dr. Takai exited the room, leaving the two of them alone, and after a brief reprieve, Fumino walked up and seated herself in the seat next to his bed.

"Hey." She said with a soft smile.

"Furuhashi…" He smiled with the same amount of softness. "I thought you were supposed to be at work at this hour," he said with worry.

Fumino shook her head gently. "It's okay. I worked extra hours yesterday so that I could stop by a little early today. I wanted to drop something off for you," she explained before reaching into her bag and pulling out a relatively sizeable box.

She handed it to him.

He inspected the surface curiously, unable to really identify the package. "W-what is it?" He asked.

The girl smiled, hints of animation shining in her eyes.

"Open it."

He blinked, but he eventually did what he was told. Once his eyes settled on the contents within, his surprise came fully out of hiding.

"This is…"

"They're get-well cards," Fumino answered, still smiling. "From your students."

...

"My…students?" He said, attempting to reign in his speechlessness, albeit failing. Fumino smiled at his reaction, avoiding his gaze, and appearing reminiscent.

"I made a couple of visits to Kokasu these past few weeks…just to let them know of your situation," she explained. "They let me stop by your class while I was there…and during that time, I got to know the students that you got to work with so far."

The girl chuckled, appearing embarrassed and grateful at the same time.

"I…may have asked them to do this…to help cheer you up…and I was so happy when they agreed to write these for you."

…

"They really do miss you," she finished with a wholehearted beam.

There was nothing that could have prepared him for the sincere belief held in the girl's voice. She had said it as if it was something to be expected, but that just simply wasn't the case. He had merely been teaching said students for a month before he had to take this leave, and during that duration, it wasn't like he had been their real instructor. He had simply been a mentee, assisting with curriculum development, and leading a few classes here and there.

But as he went through the many cards in the box, as he read through the lines that were filled with genuine words of comfort and hopes of him returning to the classroom…

He was reminded of the dream that he had come to so passionately desire to reach. He remembered the many attempts he had undertaken to get closer with the students, finding time during their lunch break to speak with them, walking home with a few of them on the train…asking about their lives…encouraging them for their insecurities for the future.

Yes…he had just been a mentee. An aspiring instructor.

But…at least…for some…

They believed he had been more than that to them.

"Furuhashi…" He said, voice thick with emotion.

His smile filled the room with a vivid brightness.

"Thank you…"

Fumino's expression warmed, and naturally, she reached for his hand, squeezing gently in reply.

He had every reason to be grateful for the loving presence before him.

"Are you really okay with going home tonight?" She asked softly. "If you're not ready then it's perfectly fine for you to stay here until you feel comfortable. All the extra days here are covered for us if you need them," she assured.

He smiled at the girl's concern. "I'm ready. If I'm going to rest, I'd rather be at home than stuck here."

"Are you sure you don't want to stay with your family first then? Until you're fully recovered?" She offered.

He shook his head gently.

"The truth is…I've already gotten used to our new home. The apartment and the company. I would definitely recover a lot sooner if I stayed with you," he admitted shyly.

Fumino blinked before smiling softly.

"You might want to keep that a secret around your siblings," she advised playfully.

He nodded with a chuckle. "I know. I can already imagine Mizuki pulling at my ear if she heard me say that-"

"Hear you say what?" A voice interjected.

Nariyuki jolted, whipping his head to a Mizuki who had just walked in on their conversation.

"N-Nothing!" He lied.

Fumino bursted into giggles, and thankfully for Nariyuki, his younger sister didn't bother digging any further. Instead she made her way to Fumino's side, hugging her tightly.

"You're here early today, Sis. Aren't you supposed to be at work?" She asked.

Fumino nodded with a smile. "I just wanted to drop something off is all. I'm about to head back to the facility right now." She then looked to the younger girl hopefully. "Can you look after Nariyuki for me?"

Mizuki nodded eagerly. "Of course. Anything for you. Though I'm sure he can take care of himself. He should after he decided to stay asleep on us for two whole weeks," she said with a teasing grin.

Nariyuki could only look away in embarrassment, and Fumino giggled lightly once more at his expense. The girl looked to him one last time and waved.

"I'll see you later, okay?"

Nariyuki's eyes crinkled, and he nodded.

"Have a great day at work..."

Fumino smiled affectionately.

A few moments later and the girl made her exit out of the room, leaving him and Mizuki alone for the latter's visit.

His sister walked over to his side. "What are these?" she asked curiously, pointing to the box of cards in his hands.

Nariyuki blinked, turning his attention to the item in question.

He smiled warmly as he remembered why Fumino had stopped by in the first place.

"They're get-well cards…from my students. It's what Furuhashi wanted to drop off earlier," he explained.

"She went to Kokasu to pick them up?" Mizuki said surprised.

Nariyuki nodded, chuckling softly.

"Not just that…but it was actually her idea," he said with a softhearted gaze. "She asked them to do this for me. To write these cards for me."

"I told you…anyone can see just how wonderful of a teacher you are, Nariyuki."

He had long lost track of just how many times he felt this way…just from this one morning.

"I don't think she'll ever understand…just how wonderful of a person she is to me," he whispered lovingly.

Mizuki stared for several moments, silent, before eventually sighing in a defeated manner.

'There really are no two other people…who could be this cute together…' She thought to herself.

"You're lucky that you two are already a thing, or I'd definitely try taking her for myself," she said with a smirk.

Nariyuki smiled in amusement.

"I wouldn't blame you for that."

A giggle escaped the girl's lips before she eventually fell quiet. Her gaze became reflective, pondering in memory.

"She was here everyday you know..?" She said. "Even past visitation hours. She would sleep here days at a time hoping you would wake up."

"I heard…" His eyes filled with concern at the notion. It was hard to imagine him having to have been in a similar situation and able to keep his composure like Fumino had. He definitely would have broken down from even the thought of the girl being unconscious.

"W-was she okay?" He asked tentatively.

Mizuki didn't give him an immediate reply. She contemplated the question, but eventually a smile filled with admiration consumed her features.

"She was so brave," the girl answered. "Even after we received the news…about your coma…she didn't appear afraid at all. She told me to be strong for you. She was the one…that gave me hope when I felt so helpless. She fully believed that you would wake up…and come back to us." Nariyuki's heart fluttered at the retelling, but he wasn't given many moments to dwell on it as Mizuki then looked to him with a serious gaze.

"That's why…I think…right now. You need to be there for her," she emphasized carefully.

The words confused him. She had said it as if there was some issue that had been left unaddressed.

Was there something wrong with Fumino that he hadn't noticed?

"W-What do you mean?" He asked.

Mizuki didn't seem very sure of herself, but still she looked to him with a rather pleading gaze.

"Just…talk to her, okay?"

…

"Please..." She repeated gently.

He was still confused of the reasoning behind the concern, but he of course wasn't going to deny his sister's request. So with a slow nod, Nariyuki smiled with promise.

"Okay." He replied firmly.

Mizuki nodded, pleased, and that was the end of that.

Perhaps…the girl was right.

Maybe there was something he had missed.

"Whoops. Sorry, I lost my footing there…" Nariyuki said sheepishly as Fumino caught him in his stumble. After Fumino had come to pick him up and completed his paperwork for his discharge, the two of them were now making the trip back to their apartment for the first time in three weeks. The train ride itself was no trouble at all. It was simply the walk back that turned out to be a little more taxing than he had anticipated.

"Why are you apologizing, silly? I promised that I would be here to help you walk back, didn't I?" Fumino reminded kindly. "And besides, Dr. Takai said to treat this like your physical therapy. It's going to take some time before you get used to it again," she reassured him.

Nariyuki chuckled before looking away in embarrassment.

"I guess I was a little overconfident thinking that I'd be able to walk at full strength right from the start. I just…don't want to be a burden to you," he said meekly.

Fumino's expression softened, her hold tightening around his arm with care.

"You're doing wonderful," she said gently. "And don't worry about that. No matter how long it takes, I'll be here with you every step of the way."

"I promise." She smiled softly.

His heart warmed, to the point where it spread up to the entirety of his face. He was lucky. He had to be. Because there was no possibility where having Fumino support him this wholly was anything short of a blessing.

He was reminded of his conversation earlier in the day with Mizuki…how he needed to be there for her during this time…but…

At the moment, he was too immersed by her kindness to address it.

"Thank you, Furuhashi…" He whispered back with a smile.

Fumino beamed back, and she nudged them both forward, destination set in her eyes. "Let's keep going. Look, our apartment is right there. Just a few more streets and we'll be home!"

A few more streets apparently was still a significant exercise, but it was well worth it knowing that the finish line was a place that he cherished. Fumino assisted him up the stairs to their apartment floor, and the familiarity of it all resonated in his heart with both nervousness and excitement.

He was overreacting. He knew it.

But being home after everything that had happened was something worth overreacting for.

"I know it's been only three weeks…but…it definitely feels longer than that," Nariyuki said as they walked into the front corridor of their apartment together.

Fumino giggled warmly. "The place missed you. Look, our landlord even sent some get well flowers for you while you were gone," she smiled, handing him the bouquet of lilies on their counter.

"That's so nice of him," He said, admiring the arrangement fully. Moments after his lips curled playfully. "Is it too ambitious to ask if he also gave us a discount?"

This earned a bright laugh from the girl.

Which was more than enough to get his heart to warm many times over.

"Even for him, that'd be much too generous," Fumino replied, still giggling. "You can sit and relax. I'm going to prepare dinner, okay?" The girl walked over to the kitchen, opening the fridge to fetch the ingredients for the meal.

Nariyuki slowly made his way to the kitchen too, eyes intent with a request.

"How about I help?" He said.

The moment the words left his mouth, Nariyuki knew he wasn't going to get the answer he was looking for so easily.

Though seeing Fumino pout so adorably at his audaciousness happened to be a reward in itself.

"How about just the prep work then!" He offered as a milder alternative. "I can do it while sitting, just like this. It'll be just like how we usually cook together on the weekends!" He added with a hopeful smile.

Fumino continued to pout at him hard and long, and Nariyuki could only remain smiling bashfully. In the end, the girl was completely helpless to his request. Her composure broke, and she shook her head gently, smiling with affection.

"Jeez…" She brought over a cutting board and knife and placed it on the countertop in front of him along with ingredients. She then sternly directed him to sit.

"If I see you try standing one time, I'm going to make sure you only get half your portion size tonight," Fumino warned, but even with her attempts at appearing serious, the girl couldn't stop herself from smiling fully.

And Nariyuki was more than happy to take what he could get.

"Deal."

"Mmm, it's so delicious!" Fumino exclaimed with bright eyes, indulging in the taste of their completed Yakisoba. "Maybe it's better that you stay a little bit injured if you're always going to cook this well." The girl smiled teasingly.

Nariyuki giggled warmly, tilting his head in reply. "What do you mean? All I did was help with the prep work. It only tastes so good because you were taking care of most of the recipe."

Fumino shook her head. "You underestimate the importance of good cutting. The texture of the vegetables are only this good because of how carefully you cut them. It was all because of you. Mizuki would say so too!"

"No, it was definitely you," he insisted.

"No, it was you!" she returned.

"Nope."

"Yes."

Their eyes battled, a silent stand off on who would break first in their competition of praising the other. Fumino's eyes narrowed, and Nariyuki mimicked her likewise.

But then…the inevitable crack came.

And like time and time again…

Neither of them could see it through.

Both of them succumbed to a series of warmhearted laughter, falling into a heap of shared giggles. Fumino wrapped his arm around his, still giggling, and Nariyuki pulled her close, tears of mirth still hinting at the corner of his eyes.

Joy. And nothing short of it. That was what encapsulated this very moment.

Their eyes met as their laughter eventually died down, and Nariyuki's smile softened as he lost himself in the golden orbs that he found so beautiful.

Fumino's smile expressed the same fondness.

But...in the next moment...

She was rushing forward, burying herself into his chest.

And she held him tightly…

Almost…too tight.

He stared at the girl. Feeling her warmth against his.

For a second…it felt as if she was…

..shaking?

He was immediately reminded of Mizuki's words once again.

'That's why…I think…right now. You need to be there for her.'

"Furuhashi…"

…

"Are you okay?" He asked gently.

"Y-Yeah…I…I just…" Fumino hesitated.

The girl's gaze met his, peering at him with tenderness.

"I really missed this…" She said softly. "Being home…together with you…"

…

"I missed you so much…"

Her voice had barely been above a whisper, but the longing was there, and Nariyuki found himself moving before he had a chance to even consider it.

He hugged her tight, bringing his arms to her waist.

"I missed you too…" He returned wholeheartedly.

And much to his relief, the girl smiled, embracing him in earnest again.

Yes…it was okay. Fumino was fine. That's what Nariyuki wanted to believe.

And so he did.

As long as she was holding him like this…smiling with the same happiness that he so wonderfully remembered…

Everything was okay.

It had to be.

It was late.

And dark.

With how tiring it had been walking back home from the hospital, he had expected himself to have been able to sleep through the night without any trouble at all. The rest of his and Fumino's evening had played out wonderfully too, and it was the first night where he was able to finally sleep together with the girl in his arms again…accompanied by the presence of an actual bed.

Yes, he had every reason to have a restful sleep.

But…something had woken him.

He tilted his head to the side to look out at the window. Silver shafts of moonlight were filtering in through the window, which helped illuminate his surroundings just a little bit. That's when he noticed that the warm body that should've been in his arms asleep, was sitting upright and awake, hands running through her hair trying to calm what was an alarming rate of breathing.

Nariyuki immediately recognized the causation.

Fumino…had just had a nightmare.

He was prepared to close the distance and embrace the girl from behind, to do whatever was necessary to assuage the fear of whatever the girl had dreamt of, but before he could even have a chance to act, Fumino turned back in his direction. He felt the girl slide back into the bed next to him, pressing herself into his side, placing her head on top of the left side of his chest.

Is she...listening to my heartbeat?

Fumino drew away, and let out a shuddering breath.

"It's okay, Fumino. It was just a dream…t-that's all it was..." She whispered.

The girl moved to sit at the edge of the bedside, silent to herself as her back faced towards him. Nariyuki could only watch on with stillness. It was tentative. An observation cutting deep into the gentle ticks of the clock in their room. It was at that moment that Nariyuki was reminded again just how fragile the girl appeared despite how strong her heart really was. She was trying. Trying her very best to overcome and forget whatever pain she had just experienced from the nightmare.

But more often than not…forgetting wasn't the solution.

The inevitable returned, and when he saw the girl's shoulders shudder and her body attempt to hold back the silent sobs…

Nariyuki was moving without an inch of hesitation.

He came up behind Fumino and wrapped his arms around her waist. The girl gasped audibly through her tears, but quickly came to terms with what was Nariyuki offering her comfort, and turned around to bury herself in his arms.

He was sure of it now.

She was shaking fearfully.

"N-Nariyuki I..I…" Her voice was breaking and she was out of breath.

Tears spilled from her eyes and ran down her cheeks. One after another. Nariyuki looked on with shock as her tears flowed freely like water breaching a dam. He knew he had to say something, but his mind was stuck in stupor, terrified by what the girl could have possibly dreamt of for it to turn out like this.

And as Nariyuki remained speechless, Fumino's expression crumbled in front of him.

"P-Please…" She whispered.

"D-don't leave me…"

Leave? Why would he leave? Why would he leave the girl that had only and ever been there for him so wonderfully?

But through his confusion, he remembered his responsibility. He had been wrong to think that everything was okay.

Right now…in this very moment…

He needed to be there…for Fumino.

"Furuhashi…it's okay," He rubbed soothing circles to the girl's back. "Just let it out. You can talk to me. I promise…everything's going to be alright…"

"You can tell me what happened," he assured her comfortingly.

The gentle cries continued, but Nariyuki felt Fumino hug him tighter, and he let her do so without any hesitation. She was struggling to catch her breath, but the words slowly came out, and a first step of any was enough for him.

"You died…" She choked back a sob, fearful of even attempting to recall the events of the nightmare. "I saw you die. I saw the heart monitor stop. I saw you stop breathing and never wake up. It felt so real…It keeps happening…every night since you woke up..." She whispered terrifyingly.

His eyes were wide…fully…and it was all he could do as the girl continued with her vulnerable outpouring.

"I'm so scared…" Fumino hiccuped, squeezing him even tighter. "Ever since I met you…I've felt so lucky…so blessed. Every moment I've gotten to spend with you, being together with you…it's been like everything I could ever wish for." She looked to him, eyes boring into him with a strength riding on nothing left but desperation. "Before you…I...I always felt alone. You were my miracle…and…you've made me so happy since coming into my life. You believed in me. And everyday together with you just brings so much joy to my heart. Why…why is it that I can't help but be afraid…that this is all a dream now…that being together with you is…too good to be true..?"

And then…the remaining strength in her gaze broke, and there was nothing to hold back the waterfall of tears that followed.

"I-I…I can't lose you too!" She cried through the blur in her eyes.

…

Broken. That was the state of his heart. From the fear in her eyes. From the sorrow in her voice. It hurt him. It hurt him so much to see the girl's fragility tested and brought to the brink like this.

She was in pain.

And he had caused it…indirectly or not.

He had been much too ignorant.

It was often said that couples were couples because they're presumed to like each other. Everywhere around the world, there were those in relationships for reasons different from others.

But with Fumino…

She believed in him.

She treasured him.

She cherished him.

There was nothing to ever question or diminish it.

She loved him.

'It's been like everything I could ever wish for…'

He was a part of her heart.

The trust that they shared, it was more special than anything he could ever know. That's why there was so much pain now. Because if the roles were reversed…if Fumino had died…even if it was just a dream…

He would never…be able to stop crying.

He knew now. He understood now. That being there for Fumino didn't mean to just hear her out.

No.

He had to help her heal.

In the next moment he was moving, and in the same way that Fumino had encouraged him many times before…

He reached out and caressed the girl's cheeks, meeting her gaze with a promise.

"It's not a dream."

The words rang out piercingly through the room as Fumino's eyes widened, tears still streaking down her cheeks. Nariyuki smiled tenderly, and he let the conviction in his heart guide him forward. "It's real," he promised. "Being together with you now…there's nowhere else that I belong than here with you. I'm right here, Furuhashi, and I'm never going to leave you. I'll tell you as many times as I can hope to ever express it. You say that I believed in you…but you believed in me more than I ever did for myself." He emphasized firmly. "You're my miracle, and I'll never ever leave your side no matter what happens."

Fumino's expression remained still, stunned, and Nariyuki felt the knot form in his throat as his own tears began to form in his eyes.

"That's why…I'm sorry…for hurting you like this," he apologized fully.

Fumino was almost instantly shaking her head in reply, desperate to correct him. "You didn't hurt me," she said, voice watery. "You saved me. I just…I don't know why I'm such a coward…why I'm so weak…"

…

The girl wasn't given a second to deprecate herself any further.

"You're not a coward," he answered, resting his forehead against hers. "You're you, Fumino. You having this nightmare…it's because you truly love me with all your heart…and that means everything to me. That doesn't make you weak," he said resolutely. "I hurt you…and I'm sorry for scaring you like this. I'm sorry for making you worry…for not waking up sooner."

"And I promise…that next time…"

…

"I'll make sure that I save the both of us from getting hurt," he whispered. "You don't ever have to worry…about losing someone again, Fumino…I promise."

Fumino's expression contorted once more, but much to his relief, they were filled with tears of solace this time. If there was ever a moment that he could physically feel his heart go out to someone…it was now. In this fateful and timeless moment…

"I'll always be here with you."

…

"No matter what the world throws at us," he finished.

It happened in an instant.

And in the very next moment…

Fumino was lunging forward, pressing her lips to his firmly.

Desperately.

The fear of the treacherous night melted under the simple heartfeltness of what was Nariyuki's love for her.

She needed him.

And Nariyuki had every hope to give himself to her.

He kissed her back, and the girl responded by kissing him even more needily. In their passionate exchange, Fumino fell back against their bed with Nariyuki over her. He vaguely felt his body ache from his still recovering injuries, but he couldn't care less about his own physical state right now.

They had never gone further than this. They had never ventured past this point in the physical aspect of their relationship.

But he was ready to tread that unknown water…for Fumino's sake.

Their lips met again. He wrapped his arms around the girl's waist, bringing them close. Fumino opened her mouth ever more slightly, and Nariyuki took that opportunity to deepen their kiss even further, the girl gasping as she pressed herself into his warmth.

Then…Nariyuki moved down, inch by inch. To her cheek and then her jawline. Fumino breathed sharply at the direction, and if that wasn't even enough for her cognizance to blur, his lips reached her neck.

She let out an adorable squeak that sent Nariyuki's heart into a flutter.

He took a moment to break away, leaning back to stare down at the girl.

Fumino's aroused expression was absolutely dazzling.

He continued with pleasuring the girl, bringing his arms around the girl's neck and returning the kisses with more and more vigor than he could muster. In their passion, the girl's pajamas became disheveled, and her bare shoulders began peaking out. Tentatively, he reached for the buttons of her top, silently asking for invitation, and though she was shy, Fumino eventually nodded through her blush.

He unbuttoned the top of her pajamas, revealing the bra underneath, and slowly…he unlatched that as well.

…

She was beautiful.

So wonderfully...beautiful.

Fumino must have gotten the wrong idea from his silence because she timidly covered up the mounds of flesh that were her breasts. That was when he remembered the femine psychology lesson that was particularly exclusive to Fumino.

She was a bit self conscious of her size in that department.

He smiled affectionately, bringing his hands to the girl's cheek, and her gaze met his in a demure manner.

"You remember…what I told you that night at the field, right?" He reminded gently.

Fumino's eyes widened…before they slowly lit up in remembrance.

He pressed his forehead to hers.

"I love everything about you," he whispered. "You're perfect to me. I don't care about what other people say or what anyone else thinks is perfect."

…

"I only care about you," he promised.

His hands then gently went to the girl's arms, coaxing them away from its attempt at concealing what was beneath.

"I love them…and I want to see them, Furuhashi." he requested with a hopeful smile.

A new fresh wave of tears formed as Fumino nodded slowly.

Her arms moved away.

…

They weren't very large, but to Nariyuki that's what made them perfect. They were so characteristic of what he loved about Fumino; gentle, kind, modest…

And lovely enough to make him blush uncontrollably.

"You're so beautiful…" Nariyuki whispered, and any chance of doubt forming in his voice came up terribly short.

Fumino's hand reached up to cover her mouth, doing her best to hold back the sob that threatened to escape. Adoration was gushing through her, so overwhelming. There was no doubt of the reality of the moment. Because the love conveyed in his eyes was more than enough to embrace her with every ounce of promise.

Then…

Nariyuki touched them.

The foreign sensation made Fumino moan in a heartbeat, hips sliding forward against Nariyuki. She didn't think it would be possible; it had gotten hotter, and it steered her forward as Nariyuki's hand continued to caress and stimulate her breast in a much too lovely motion and rhythm.

Nariyuki knew he had no experience. He was absolutely clueless when it came to this.

But…Fumino was moaning and gasping in pleasure…and that was enough for him to know that this was right. Yes. It was right for Fumino to feel good. To receive this expression of devotion from him. And he let that yearning guide him, building his confidence with the act.

Guided by the needy gasps coming out of the girl, Nariyuki suckled down lightly on Fumino's nipple, drawing a sharp cry from the girl, her legs enveloping tightly around his waist. Nariyuki took the motion as an invitaiton, and pulled her closer and shifted to give her other breast the same treatment.

It was blinding, the please coursing through her, causing Fumino's back to arch as she cried out. She could feel everything now, with Nariyuki pressed flush against her, hands and mouth making love to her breasts in a way that was too wonderful for her to comprehend. A pressure began building at the area between her legs. It was foreign, but oh so welcomed, as the girl desperately wished for the feeling to never go away.

She could feel the slickness building there.

"Nariyuki…" Fumino managed to moan between shudders.

From the arousal in her voice, Nariyuki knew what was next.

And daunting it was, he gently reached for the girl's remaining lower clothing, and the desire in Fumino's eyes revealed her eagerness for him to continue.

He pulled back the girl's underwear…and marveled at the gorgeous sight.

There was no world where he could ever stop expressing it.

"God…you're so beautiful," he whispered, love brimming in his voice.

Fumino whimpered, clearly moved to the brink by his honesty, but in a change of direction, she reached for the edge of his own lower garments, pulling at them pleadingly.

"Nariyuki…"

"I want you to feel good too…" She whispered.

…

He was immediately taken aback by the girl's offer.

God…did he want her in that way. His desire had reached its peak at just simply hearing the girl utter his name so sensually earlier. There was nothing more tempting than proceeding with that direction.

But he didn't cave…no.

Right now…

Fumino was the only one…that deserved this moment.

"Not now," he answered her, smiling gently at the girl's wide-eyed stare. "Right now…you're the only one that deserves this. You're the one who stayed with me at the hospital every night...the one who believed that I would come back to you no matter what."

His hand reached up to caress the girl's face.

"You're the one…who's been so strong for my sake…" He said with wholehearted belief. "Let me make it up to you…"

…

"Let me be here for you…Fumino," he whispered preciously.

Heavy silence followed…but within a heartbeat.

Fumino's eyes became tearful, replacing the previous wave with even more emotion, and she crashed her lips to his with gratefulness.

It was the only answer he needed.

He kissed her with even more fervor than before, making room to move is hand between the girl's thighs. His touch found the entrance of her folds, practically gliding with the wetness that had formed in her time of accumulating pleasure.

Fumino's breath caught, and she gasped at what was an even more powerful sensation than before. It felt almost shocking, just how much simulation there was. Nariyuki continued to press against her folds, earning a sharp moan from the girl, and when he found the gently nub found right above, Fumino couldn't stop the wonderful cry of pleasure that escaped her lips.

"Furuhashi..."

The girl spread her legs desperately, voice laced with unmatched arousal.

"Nariyuki...I...I want you..."

...

"You have me..." He whispered back.

His finger entered through her folds, and immediately her tightness enveloped around it. Fumino whined, painful at first, but with his gentle actions, a sensual moan easily escaped her mouth in the moments after. Soon enough the girl was crying out in pleasure, purely welcoming the bless from his touch inside of her.

Fumino's arms wrapped around Nariyuki's neck as the boy went even deeper. The tightness from her walls only seemed to come more, yet it was complemented so easily by the wetness that grew from his thrusts.

"Nariyuki…" she whimpered.

Nariyuki kissed her anywhere he could reach, and reaching up with his other hand, he added to the girl's heightened pleasure by returning to massage her breasts. Gasping, Fumino's match the in and out motion of his hand with sensual thrusts of her own. She kissed him desperately then and in response, Nariyuki thrusted even deeper while gently squeezing her nipple, causing her to cry out against his lips.

The pleasure was blinding, beginning to build to a pressure that threatened to overflow like a dam. "I-I'm so close!" she cried out, holding onto the boy for dear life.

With a trembling lip, Nariyuki leaned down to kiss the girl firmly once more. He willed himself forward, quickening his pace and intensity. Fumino cries only seemed to ascend further and further with passion, and soon enough, her hand went up to cover her mouth in what appeared to be too much. She was there. She needed him.

And he was going to give her everything that she deserved.

His touch found the most sensitive of her nubs...and he pressed firmly down on her clit.

"Nariyuki!"

Her walls tightened, begging him to not leave her, and he would never allow it. His lips crashed to hers. The intensity of her orgasm was felt so clearly with her desperate arms around him, her tears mingling with the soft ones that fell from his.

She was panting.

Eyes clouded with fervor.

Yet vulnerable...beyond belief.

He rested his forehead to hers.

His love and promise conveyed wholly through his tearful gaze.

"It's okay, Fumino…"

…

"I'm here for you..."

...

"Forever...and always." He whispered.

With the words of devotion that represented every ounce of their love...since the very start...

Fumino fell apart.

Tears after tears that stood for all the emotions that had arisen in the tragedy that had befell them in the past three weeks.

But through those sobs of sorrow and regret…

It was there.

Healing.

Belief.

Belief…that her reality and memories shared with him…were everlasting and unbreakable.

'I'll always be here with you…no matter what the world throws at us'

That even through the hurt that had come to pass…

They were going to get through it together…

Without any doubt in the world.

The gentle rays of morning light peeked through the curtains, signaling the early start of the weekend. The positioning of it was timely, and it shined gently onto Nariyuki's face like a feathery touch, lifting him from his more than peaceful sleep.

It must have positioned similarly for Fumino's case. A rustle occurred beside him, and the girl stirred awake simultaneously, looking up to meet his gaze.

Their eyes locked on each other…

And the events of the previous night played back in their minds.

…

They smiled softly, and Fumino buried herself deep into his arms with a warm embrace.

*POOF*

"Good morning…" She whispered.

"Good morning…" He replied back just as tenderly. "Did you sleep well?"

The girl nodded before smiling shyly.

"The best I've had in a while…"

There was contedness in her voice, and naturally, Nariyuki felt relief from hearing it.

But a tentative concern still lay on the edge of his lips.

"A-Are you..?"

He didn't have to finish, because the girl knew immediately what he was worried about, and she answered him positively by bringing her arms to his waist.

"I'm okay," she answered him with a grateful smile. "Thank you, Nariyuki…for being there for me last night."

Nariyuki felt the relief settle fully then, letting himself smile with all the warmth there was to match the morning light. "Of course."

…

"And…" The girl continued, evidently not finished with her sentiments.

She leaned up into him…

And kissed him sweetly.

"Welcome home..." She whispered against his lips.

…

Nariyuki was stone still, a silent tear rolling from the corner of his eye as the elation enveloped him in comfort.

He nuzzled the girl, resting his forehead to hers with unmistakable familiarity.

"Yeah…"

"I'm back." He whispered.

They hugged each other tightly, remaining in each other's arms for moments too blissful to keep track of. If it wasn't for the request that was itching to leave his lips, Nariyuki was sure that they would've stayed like this for the rest of the day.

But if there was anything that was characteristic of their weekends…

"I know there's a lot for me to catch up with my curriculum for my students…but…"

He looked to the girl with a knowing smile.

"Would it be okay…if you studied together with me today, Furuhashi?" He asked hopefully.

It was that they always had a plan to make most of the day.

And as quickly as Fumino's surprise came to be from his words…

Her joy shone through with no contest.

"I wouldn't want it any other way..."

A/N: Woooooooo! Finally got that smut chapter for you guys. I actually don't mind writing these, so expect some more in the future. I'm a super vanilla advocate.

Thank you so much for reading. Obviously I'm going to have to change this story to rated M after this chapter, but hopefully that's not a big deal. As always, if you enjoyed the chapter feel free to leave a review. Love hearing the feedback and it's makes my day to hear how you guys feel about my writing, good or bad.

Until Next Time!