Looking right at him , watching his brown eyes widen with shock and the expression on his face freeze with every syllable she spoke ,

" Thats one of the many reasons why... I fell in love in you . "

It was silent . Deadly silent . Too silent . Almost inexplicably so , but Kazuya couldn't hear a single sound . He couldn't move . He couldn't blink .

He couldn't do anything but stare at the ethereal figure in front of him, shaking slightly under the weight of the words she had spoken .

The words he had heard . Crystal clear , no doubt, he had heard and understood every syllable.

And the very next micro second , an array of emotions had overwhelmed him leaving him in a state of ambivalence .

Fear was predominant but disbelief was almost as powerful because he knew , every fibre of his logical being knew that Ichinose Chizuru could not have spoken those words. Every fibre of his being knew that he could not have heard those words.

But , still ... he had .

"Dream " , the first coherent word Kazuya had heard in his mind since she had spoken .

"Has to be ... Dream . Can't be ... real " .

But he knew that wasn't true. The cold wind on his skin was proof enough but even if that wasn't, he knew ,because of all he felt at that moment, that he was most certainly awake.

He stared at her desperately, hoping to see her laugh and tell him that it had been a joke or to glare back and demand to know why he was staring at her.

But she did neither of those things .

She just stared back at him, still shivering slightly, worry and fear etched in every inch of her. Her eyes desperately searching his , begging him to give her some sort of indication.

She was scared .

And if she was scared then... this was happening.

It wasn't his imagination.

She had said it .

But if she had said ... then ... she really ...

He tried opening his mouth and at first found he couldn't. He tried again and succeeded but no words came out. Finally a third time , he managed to say ,

"Mizuhara... I ... "

"No " , she interrupted firmly.

Kazuya flinched and stopped immediately, his mind still in disarray but she continued,

"Don't say anything. Yet .

There are things I have to tell you . Important things. Things you need to know.

And after that you can say whatever you want , however you feel and however you want to respond, you can do all that after I tell you ... everything. "

Kazuya didn't move an inch . He heard everything she said and was as uncertain and afraid as he had been all along .

And then it him . He truly began to realize exactly what she was saying.

And for the first time , sparks of happiness started to fight its way through all those other emotions and before he knew it Kazuya found himself nodding .

About ten minutes had passed and the two hadn't uttered a word. Kazuya stared ,motionless ,at his own feet , unable to even conjure up the notion of sneaking a glance or two at Chizuru . But those little sparks of happiness were growing .

Chizuru shifted slightly and he automatically looked at her. She met his eyes and though they were unwavering , it was obvious how difficult it was for her , that was struggling to say what she wanted to.

Kazuya immediately spoke , gently,

"Mizuhara, it's fine . You don't have to push yourself so much . I'm okay with ... "

"No " , she interrupted him .

"I have to . "

She took a deep sigh and after a minute or so , she began ,

"I wanted to start at the beginning but the more I thought about it , that wasn't fair . Before I say anything else , you should know... ".

She hesitated for a fraction of a second and then spoke again ,

" That day ... Saize ... afterwards,... I heard what you said ".

It seemed improbable that he could be any more surprised but at that instant, Kazuya found himself shell-shocked .

Chizuru, however went on ,

"It's important that you know that . You shouldn't think so highly of me . You should know, before I say anything else , that I found out exactly how you felt about me way , and didn't even have the courage or the courtesy to give you an answer ".

Kazuya might have been dazed but he found himself rushing to her defense while at the same time, not completely comprehending what was being revealed to him .

"N...No, Mizuhara. That wasn't... it wasn't fair of me to spring that on you like that " , he tried to tell her but she shook her head and insisted,

" No , you did nothing wrong. It took so much courage for you to ... say all that , especially after everything I said .

That's why I said you should know. You should know that I didn't have the courage to risk everything and be genuine and honest with you until way after I found out about your... feelings. "

She paused again for a couple of minutes , shaking her head, however when Kazuya tried to speak .

She turned away from him and set her sights on the sky before beginning once again ,

"You know , I think about that day a lot , even though it was so long ago . It's almost been two years but I can't help myself.

I remember it clearly. I had just finished up acting class . I was on my way back and then realized that was phone had died . So I plugged it in as soon as I got back , had a shower and came back to it .

I was just scrolling though some random stuff when the notification came . The date booking.

"I Love Aquarium ".

Its funny to think that you were just across the wall from me at that moment. "

"I didn't think much of our first rental. You were quiet which I just chalked up to nervousness. Of course I didn't know what you were going through. As the date progressed you seemed to enjoy yourself and so it could only be called a typical rental.

Till your review came in of course."

She stopped and laughed a bit before continuing,

"I was so pissed off at you . And then you doubled down on it by yelling at me at the aquarium.

If you think about it everything could have ended right there but of course we ended up going to the hospital, we lied to everyone there and the next day at Uni as well and Grandma Nagomi coming over and we eventually ended up starting our ... relationship.

It was weird, our relationship. No specific name for it . No set boundaries for what it contained though I tried to do just that.

But at the same time our relationship was important to both of us. Not just to maintain the lie, it meant something to us . And it... started to grow ".

Chizuru turned to Kazuya with a twinkle in her eyes and admitted,

"I'll be honest, I didn't think much of you at this point in time . I found you annoying and a danger to my secrets ".

"Bit harsh " , Kazuya muttered , as he slowly started to get swept up in her words and started leaving behind the fear that was holding him back.

She laughed a bit once again and told him ,

"What ? It was justified ", before continuing,

"But there were things I liked as well. How you cared about your family. How much you treasured an ex even though you were dumped. How you managed to keep such close friendships.

But like I said, this was at that point.

We started going to see Grandma every Wednesday and every so often we'll go on a date after that and before I knew it , I found myself... enjoying our time together. Even then, I was enjoying it way more than my time with other clients.

I told myself that it was because of your Grandma and this or that but deep down , somewhere in the most hidden part of my soul , I started to suspect.

And before I knew it , we were at your beach . And when trouble knocked , I found it natural to slip into the role of your girlfriend. And when you told me that you were going to stop renting me , I just felt... weird.

I knew that I should have felt relieved but I wasn't, I was disappointed but I told myself it was because I was losing a client and because I wasn't feeling well.

And then ... we go on the ferry , I fell off , and the very next second you were in the water with me .

That moment was just so unbelievable to me . I literally couldn't understand why anyone , let alone someone with family and friends who care about him a lot , risk his life to save mine .

I just... didn't know what to make of it. How to react or respond. But that day, when you opened your eyes, that moment, I felt something. I felt ... it . Just for a moment and I had no idea what it was but now I know that it was the first signs of this feeling.

I remember just being so confused afterwards, like , I had no idea what to do . And then we get stuck in that resort together and before I knew I was telling you to tell Grandma that we broke up .

And then it was night and we were both just laying there but I couldn't go to sleep . I just had this really bad feeling like I was making a huge mistake.

Even then ... I could tell ... that ending things with you wasn't what I wanted . But I had no idea how to tell you that. And when you spoke up and said that you wanted to keep renting me , I was just so relieved, I agreed to it on the spot ."

Chizuru stopped for a while and looked straight at him like she was trying to figure out how exactly to say what she wanted to and after a couple of minutes she continued,

Then Ruka-chan comes into the picture and I told you to go out with her . Why ? It's not like I wanted you to ... but from everything you had told me, it seemed like she was the kind of loving, devoted, open-with-her-feelings girlfriend you had been looking for even before Mami-san .

But when you started with her as a "trial girlfriend" , I naturally assumed it to be ... a trial . That you would go on a couple of dates and that would be it .

But that wasn't the case . And you stopped renting me . And before I knew it , two months had passed . And I kept seeing her with you , at Uni , near our apartment. And even though I couldn't realize why , I felt ... insanely jealous. And also ... a bit lonely .

That's the real reason I bought that Christmas present for you . It's not that I didn't fell guilty about everything at the beach , but ... I just desperately needed some way , any excuse to talk to you .

We managed to talk , in the end , after the misunderstanding . And for the first time , I told you something about myself. That I was an actress.

And soon after that ... I asked you if you had feelings for me . I didn't mean to and it was an impossible situation to put you in . And as much as I pretended it didn't, I was affected by your answer.

Then the time Mami-san rented me , that night when you told me ... you said that you wanted me . You took it back later but that moment when you did and afterwards, when I was in my apartment, I felt the same way I did after the ferry, confused once again but that strange feeling also there . Not just sparks this time , it was stronger .

Things moved quickly after that. We had good moments and bad moments and a whole lot of problems and somehow , inexplicably we formed ... a bond . A special , unique, indescribable one , but it was there . And it grew every single day . As did that strange feeling.

This is where things started to get difficult for me . Like I said , somewhere deep inside me , I already knew that I had ... feelings f..for you but I just couldn't... come to terms with it . I was just so ... I don't know... afraid ,unsure... I just couldn't.

So I started my greatest and most convincing acting performance. The one to myself. The one where I convinced myself to believe that you were a client and neighbor, maybe a friend, but that's it . And I did . I truly believed myself.

That was where the line was and it couldn't be crossed. Nothing could make me change my mind and to keep it like that I would tell myself whatever I needed to .

The play , visiting my Grandma, my disastrous birthday party , that uniform date , all those things we did together, I enjoyed them so much . And with each and every moment I found it more and more natural to be your girlfriend. To fit into your life and I slowly started...liking it there .

And it also became natural for me to .. open up to you, just a bit . Telling you about my family, the promise , my deadline , you being there for me when Grandma became sick , slowly and slowly, without me even realizing it , you were ... holding me together.

All those things that I hated so much , all the things that hurt me in my life , they just didn't... have the same power over me . Because you were there for me . And I started to slowly.. want you to always... be there for me.

Then you came up with the movie plan and we spent so much time together that I.. went past the stage of just wanting you near me . I ... needed you . And you were right there. I didn't even need to turn and look . You were there . And I got used to that . I was glad for it .

After that we were stuck on that trip together and I almost lost it. My feelings were haywire and I could barely look at you without losing my nerve .

Then Grandma... And you were with me through it all, every second and when I was drowning in sorrow , you pulled me out once again . You kept me from spiraling. You brought me back and reminded me that I hadn't lost ...everyone.

After that I needed to know. I had to . I needed to know how you really felt and that's why I invited you out to coffee and agreed to Saize afterwards. But I bailed out because I was still afraid.

But you were so amazing , even despite it all , you stood there in the parking lot and screamed out loud about your feelings.

And then I really lost it. I had no idea how to handle the truth, the knowledge that you had feelings for me .

But in the end there was only so long I could keep up the act.

I struggled and struggled trying to pretend otherwise just like I had been doing all this time but it was pointless .

My feelings had grown way too much

And before I knew it , I had realized the truth .

My heart burst with joy when you told me that I was your perfect girlfriend and that you had feelings for me .

And it was only a matter of time before I realized that I was drowning again , that I had been drowning, probably from the time at the beach.

Drowning in my feelings for you.

I've been completely and hopelessly overcome by my... l...love for you.

I told you that what your ability to somehow do exactly what I want was one of the reasons I fell for you .

The main reason was simply because you were always there for me .

I'm used to people I care about leaving me .

I taught myself to not get attached to anyone.

That's why someone who I cared about , staying with me so long , meant the world to me .

Someone who ,despite my best efforts to keep him away , somehow took over my heart.

Not just that , you're so kind and generous and caring and loving and you treat everyone so well and you're so loyal and trustworthy and a million other things.

Everything you've done for me , every single action , thought and word of yours since we've met made me fall for you .

But I was still so afraid. And to tell you the truth , I still am

I'm afraid that despite everything you don't actually want a relationship with me .

I'm afraid that if you got to know the real me , you wouldn't have feelings for me . Because the real me isn't a "perfect girlfriend " .

I couldn't even tell you how I felt even after everything you did . And not just that. I'm selfish, I lie , I hide things, I'm rude , I'm vain , I'm harsh , I keep secrets , I hide my emotions, I don't open up to people, I barely have a career , I can't bring the smallest value to anyone's life, I... "

"That's not true , Mizuhara " .

It was said quietly but with the weight of his belief behind it . A weight and determination that Chizuru immediately recognized and was silenced by .

Kazuya took a deep breath, he could still feel the tendrils of fear closing around him, almost paralyzing him but he could feel it now .

An otherworldly happiness. An ecstacy and joy he had never felt and barely understood. And with the weight of those emotions, he replied

"You're not any of those things, Mizuhara.

Yes you may have taken time to respond but that's normal . I'm glad you did because it means you were serious. And there's no way anyone in your situation would have reacted otherwise.

You're amazing, Mizuhara. The most amazing person in the world . Everything you have suffered, everything you've faced , everything you've achieved, it's all amazing. You're amazing. "

Kazuya saw her starting to say something and he knew that she would try to disagree and so before she could, he added,

"And even if you weren't.

Even if you were a completely different person.

I would still... love you ."

The last sentence was spoken extraordinarily quietly but without a shadow of doubt and it rendered Chizuru dumbstruck .

Kazuya went on without taking a pause, barely realizing that tears were slowly starting to shimmer in his eyes ,

"All this time , from the beginning I've had feelings for you . I've been madly in love with you . I have no idea how or when it started. I realized it only after the beach and by then it was way past an ordinary crush . It was already something I couldn't walk away from.

And I'm sorry because I've been lying to you since then. From that moment , everything we did together, I didn't do it for Grandma's sake or so that I won't have to tell the truth or anything like that.

I did it for my sake . Mine and mine alone . Because I thought that was the only way I could be with you .

I don't care about anyone else like this . No other girl , no one in this world matter to me like you do .

And my feelings for you aren't because I think you're perfect .

I think you're perfect because I love you.

And ... I always will . "

Chizuru's mouth fell open in shock as she stammered,

"W...What do you mean... A...Always ? "

Kazuya unhesitatingly replied,

" My feelings haven't changed at all these last two years . I've just fallen for you more and more. It doesn't matter what anyone other girl offers me . All I want is you .

Not just for today or tomorrow, not just to date for some time.

I want you forever. I want you with me , I want to be by your side for the rest of my life ".

Kazuya finished finally and met Chizuru's eyes unwaveringly .

For a few moments there was nothing and then tears began to shine in her eyes and soon made its way down her cheeks.

Through her tears she spoke,

"You know there's one fear I didn't tell you about.

I was afraid that if we did start a relationship , that one day , eventually it would end . And you would leave my life and I would be terribly hurt.

Because... I also want you forever .

Because you're ... all I have left in this world .

You're e...everything to me .

Everything.

I didn't want to tell you that because I thought it wouldn't be fair to you .

But you did it again, your special ability . To see my soul. To see what it wants ."

Kazuya found that tears were rolling down his face as well .

Both of them sat , sniffling for a while before Chizuru spoke up again ,

"You know, despite how much closer we've become , we've always had at least a centimeter between us. There's always been at least the smallest of distances between us .

That's on me though.

But ... I don't want that anymore .

I don't even want a centimeter between us .

The two looked at each other with tear stained but love filled faces and in an instant they understood each other and moved as close as possible before Kazuya opened his arms and Chizuru buried herself in his chest.

He could fell every inch of her pressed against him . Her heartbeat, her warmth , her softness , the soft sniffles into his chest , her arms slowly creeping around till they encircled his back and held on tight.

He looked down at her and she have him the smallest, most imperceptible nod , without even looking at him .

He slowly put his arms around her soft , warm back which was strong enough to carry the weight of the world but at the same time longing for warmth and comfort and love .

His warmth and comfort and love .

The second his arms wrapped around her , he felt her slowly exhale and the tension in her back and shoulder blades disappear as she melted into him , holding him even tighter.

They stayed like that for some time, nestled in warmth of each other's loving embrace before Chizuru spoke softly.

"Thank you " .

"For what ?" , Kazuya asked.

"Everything " , she replied before taking a deep breath, looking up at him and saying,

"I love you " .

Kazuya smiled, still half in disbelief, and answered her , squeezing her just a bit as he replied ,

" I love you too ".

A radiant smile broke out on Chizuru's face which she let Kazuya stare at only for a few seconds before immediately burying her face back into his chest.

Kazuya and Chizuru finally freed from their shackles , held each other with all their longing and with all their love and with no intention of ever letting go , telling each other, silently, that their time apart had come to an end and that from that very moment , they would be together.

A/N : Chizuru and Kazuya finally confess to each other leaving the story on an emotional crescendo .

Just a clarification , Resonance isn't over just yet . But definitely its in its final phase .

There are still a few loose threads to be resolved and fluffy couple moments to enjoy in between , so I hope you guys are up for a few more chapters .

Next Time : A difficult day one .