A/N: Ahhhh! Here it is! The School Festival! I have been itching to write this for so long now. I've probably rewritten this chapter like 30 times by now. I wanted it to be perfect. And I really, truly think this is the best of this I can put out there. Anywho. I hope you all enjoy this chapter!

Chapter 43: School Festival Part 1

Akito stifled a yawn as he rubbed the tired out of his eyes. Ayame was going on about something as they entered school grounds, his mind only preoccupied with buying some coffee from the vending machine in the cafeteria.

"Ni-chan, are you even listening to me?!"

"Huh?" With tired eyes, he looked over at his sister.

Ayame had her hands on her hips as she pouted at him. Unlike him, who got permission to wear his P.E. attire, she was wearing her school uniform since it was required by the school. It was mostly to discern the students from the guests as today was the school festival.

Though, it didn't matter for either of them since he would be changing into their respective costumes for their events today. Ayame's class was doing some type of mochi bar, and they were all wearing restaurant garb to fit the theme.

And of course, he would be changing into his wolf costume.

"You're not!" She pointed an accusing finger at him. "Did you not sleep last night, or what? We went to bed pretty early!" Folding her arms in front of her chest, the younger Hayama was giving him an intimidating look.

"You're nagging too early." Akito retorted, reaching out and ruffling the top of her head.

She squeaked as he walked by her, another yawn making way.

"Ohayo, Akito-kun!"

Tsuyoshi came running up behind him, Aya in tow.

"Good morning, you two!" She greeted with a sweet smile, their P.E. uniforms also on.

"Tsuyoshi-kun! Tell Ni-chan he should have rested better! Look! He looks like he's about to fall on his feet!" Ayame pointed over at him and the oldest Hayama rolled his eyes.

Tsuyoshi arched a brow.

"Did you not sleep well last night?" His best friend asked.

"Oh no, Akito-kun! We have a big day today! You need all the energy you can get!" Aya had both hands fisted at her chest, a look of determination settled over her face.

"I'm fine."

Because he was.

They didn't need to know he was up late talking to Sana on the phone. It wasn't their business what he and Sana did, or what transpired between them. And he really didn't want to add any additional arsenal to either his sister or Tsuyoshi.

"Maybe you just need some coffee!" Tsuyoshi's concern washed off as an energetic smile took its place.

Aya nodded eagerly behind him. "We could go get coffee at the vending machine before we put our stuff down!"

"That's a great idea, Aya-chan!" Ayame reinforced and Akito almost growled.

Never mind that he was already planning on it… he didn't want to make it a whole ordeal.

"Sheesh. You look'n like crap! Did ya not sleep last night or what?"

A new voice joined the group and Akito almost growled at the snarky tone behind the girl's voice. Fuka was walking up to them, a box in her hands. She was staring him down with a smirk, shaking her head.

"Ah! Fuka-chan!" Tsuyoshi greeted.

"Not you too…" Akito muttered, looking away.

"Whatcha got there, Fuka-chan? You need some help?" Aya offered but Fuka shook her head.

"Ah, no, you're g'd Aya-chan! It's just some stuff for the sushi shop!" The gymnast smiled.

"Oh, I can't wait! It's going to be so good!" Ayame jumped with heart in her eyes.

Fuka smiled. "I can't wait to have you all there!" And then her eyes turned to him, and Akito raised a brow.

"Of course, we are going to take first place! Because yeah, your guy's play will be great. But it will be nothing compared to my uncle's awesome sushi!" There was a fire in her eyes, and her entire demeanor shifted.

Akito, Ayame, Aya, and Tsuyoshi all sweat dropped at the competitive girl's new energy.

"But you guys will be right behind us! I know it!" She winked and Akito twitched a brow.

"Fuka-chan…" Tsuyoshi drew out, his hands out in defense.

"Always a god damn competition with you." Akito muttered, rolling his eyes.

"And don't you forget it, Aki!"

She winked at him, and he looked away, biting on the inside of his cheek. Fuka was always teasing him these days. While it was annoying, he also found himself not minding it like he used too as well.

But then her expression changed.

Her eyes went wide for a moment, and then she looked away, biting her lip. Akito raised his brow slightly.

"ANYWHO." A fake smile was plastered on her lips. "I have lots of stuff to get done so I'll be seein' ya!"

Quickly, she flicked her eyes to him, and sent him a sad smile. Pinching his brows together, he followed her as she ran off. Tsuyoshi, Ayame, and Aya were saying their goodbyes and see you later's while he watched her disappear into the crowd.

"Ah, Sana-chan!" Ayame's voice rang out to his left and he went still.

Not turning around right away, he could hear a very loud and enthusiastic greeting from the newcomer in the group. Furrowing his brows together, Fuka's sudden departure making sense now. He sighed inwardly. Akito was growing tired of their antics.

Slowly, his body turned, and Kurata Sana was running at them with a face splitting grin.

Her eyes were shining with determination and a kinetic energy. Her face lit up in the sun of the day, her shoulder's loose and body relaxed. It seemed like last night's midnight conversation had no effect on her.

So lucky.

"GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE!" She came to a skidding stop, hands at her hips. "I hope we are all ready to DO OUR BEST! I'M SO READY." A peace sign was given all around.

Her eyes traveled around the group and when they landed on him, something flickered.

It was just a moment, so quick he almost missed it.

But there was something there. A red hue spread across her cheeks and bridge of her nose, and Akito felt his face getting hot too.

"The bestest of friends."

She had called him her best friend last night.

His heart quickened at that, remembering how her soft but tired voice rocked him to sleep. How relaxed he was knowing that she was okay. But whatever embarrassment he felt, it disappeared, remembering her broken sobs that pierced his heart.

Ripping his eyes away from her, he looked back out the bustling courtyard.

"You're in a good mood, Sana-chan!" Akito heard Tsuyoshi say.

"Cause I'm so FREAKING excited!" From the corner of his eye, the blond saw her slap the corner of Tsuyoshi's shoulder with a wide grin.

"It's going to be so much fun! Our class has worked so hard!" Aya grabbed onto her arm, leaning her chin on Sana's shoulder.

The former actress looked down at the brown-haired teen.

"Yeah! It's going to be so fun to watch everyone dress up and act their hearts out!" She replied with so much enthusiasm.

"What I'm super excited for is watching Ni-chan over here!" Ayame nudged him, snickering behind her hand. Her eyes were full of mischief as she teased him.

Akito reached for the nape of his neck.

This is annoying.

"Akito-kun! It's going to be so much fun watching you act!" Tsuyoshi was now grabbing the sleeve of his shirt, eyes bright and wide.

"You guys are making way too big of a deal about this." He shrugged both his sister and Tsuyoshi off as he took a few steps away.

He wasn't nervous. No way.

But he was still a bit apprehensive. He'd never done anything like this before. He was a guy of action, not words. Put him in a ring and he'd give you the best punch he could muster. A round of video games? He'd cream the room. A race? He would smoke the floor with his competitors.

Acting though? In front of all his classmates and teachers?

It made his chest feel fuzzy.

He felt a hand at his shoulder. Thinking it was Tsuyoshi again, or maybe his sister, Akito went to yell at them to buzz off. But his eyes clashed with a bright hazel iris, and a cheeky smile, teeth and all. The words died immediately on his lips.

"It's going to be a-okay! Because we got this! We're partners, after all, aren't we?" Was she reassuring him? Or herself?

Sana gripped his shoulder.

"Besides, NO ONE iis going to take first place from me!" The warmth of her hand on his shoulder was evident as she removed it and clenched it in front of her chest. There was a fire around her. A new, sizzling energy that was contagious because now the rest of the group was cheering with enthusiasm.

His mouth parted slightly watching her.

Was last night a dream? Did he just make that all up? This Sana was fired up, enthused, ecstatic, ready to take on the world. The one last night? Her voice was breaking at every word. She was gasping for air trying to rid the anguish in her heart. He felt the guilt in her sobs, the weight so heavy on his shoulders.

How was she able to do such a 360 in just a few short hours?

Did he reach her? Was he able to calm the uneasiness in her heart? Or was this her just hiding away her true feelings? Was this her being a stubborn, self-sacrificing fool again?

Akito didn't know whether to be impressed or short of horrified.

"Earth to Ni-chan!"

Ayame's annoyed glare broke him out of his torrent thoughts. She snapped her fingers in front of him, and then sighed.

"Are you sure you got sleep last night? You keep spacing out. Are you sleeping with your eyes open?" Her onslaught of questions caught him off guard, and his eyes found Sana's again.

Worry flashed in her eyes, and he rubbed at the back of his head.

"'M fine. Now stop bugging." Placing the palm of his head on his sister's forehead, she squealed as he softly pushed her back. "It's Saturday. I'm not used to being here on a weekend."

His younger sister pouted; arms folded in front of her.

"Do you still want to go get that coffee, Akito-kun?" Aya asked.

Before he could answer, the clock tower rang above them. The time was 8am and that meant they only had an hour before the festival started. Fortunately for them, their play wasn't set till after lunch. So, it meant they all had time to prepare.

"Oh shoot! I told Kyo-kun I would meet him at 8!" Ayame squeaked and gave the circle of friends a sorry smile.

"Sorry guys! I gotta go!" Looking over to Sana, she reached and grabbed her hands. Sana's eyes went wide.

"Do me a favor, Sana-chan?" Akito didn't like the smile on his sister's face.

Kurata titled her face slightly. "Huh?"

"I'm leaving him in your care today, so please make sure he is 100% for this play!" Throwing a thumb back at him, she snickered, and Sana's eyes went wide, wide, wider. And her face went red, red, red until she was sputtering on her own words.

As for Akito, he felt embarrassment wash over him as his sister smiled deviously, turning back to him, and giving him a quick wink. His own face felt warm, all the way to the tips of his ears. He gritted his teeth and glared at the annoying sister.

"What the hell, Ayame! I'm not a child! I don't need to be in anyone's care!" Uncharacteristically, he raised his voice, hands stuffed angrily in his pockets.

"You got it, Ayame-chan! Operation: Keep Akito awake COMMENCED!" Kurata played along despite the embarrassment on her face a few short moments ago.. Akito couldn't bring himself to look at her.

Tsuyoshi and Aya were snickering to themselves. He threw them a glare and that quickly shut them up.

"You sure act like one sometimes, Big Brother! Not getting enough sleep the night before a big night is deserving of a scolding!" With another wink, she tapped his shoulder.

"Well! I'll be seeing you guys! Don't forget to stop by our mochi shop!"

And she was off, running into the crowd. Akito huffed, rolling his eyes as he watched her disappear into the school.

"Hell." He mumbled. "Fucking sisters."

"Oh, we should be going too, Akito-kun!" Tsuyoshi gestured towards the school building and Aya was grabbing Sana by her sleeve.

"Yeah! We need to go get our stage set up!"

Sana shook her head vigorously, and then looked at them with a stern nod.

"Right!" Automatic, she pointed towards the building. "Onward we go! We have a play to get too!"

The headache was beginning to settle, and Akito groaned. Too much damn energy this morning. He looked over towards the cafeteria, knowing that the coffee was desperately needed. His friends walked ahead while he stood in place.

"I'll meet you guys there."

All three turned and Sana tilted her head again, confused.

"Oh! Are you still going to the cafeteria? Want us to go with you?" Tsuyoshi asked, as he raised a finger to the air.

Akito shook his head.

"No need. It'll only take a couple minutes. Bye."

Before he got too far, he felt a tug at his shirt.

"I'm going to go with him! We'll meet you guys over there!" Sana said with jubilance, a stupid grin on her face. Tsuyoshi and Aya looked at one another before looking at the pair.

"Well, don't take too long! You two are the stars of the show, you know!" Tsuyoshi warned, his eyes looking suspiciously in his direction. He scoffed at that.

Sana released her hold on his shirt and gave the couple a thumbs up.

"We'll be right behind ya! I promise!" With another confident smile, the couple walked off, leaving him and Sana there in the courtyard.

He was alone with her. The nape of his neck felt hot.

Don't make it awkward.

"I didn't need an escort." He muttered, looking away. His hands were already in the depths of his pockets, but he dug for more.

She laughed and gave him another tap.

"I know you're a big boy, Akito! But I promised your sister to keep you in my care today!" Another cheeky smile with her hands clasped behind her back and he felt his throat go dry.

His face sported a pink blush immediately and she giggled. She hopped in front of him, and the blond gritted his teeth. What was she even saying!?

Akito opened his mouth for a rebuttal, but he immediately deflated as her face lost its shine and her smile fell. Her eyes got lost in her bangs, her hair a curtain to the world. His hand twitched as he felt inclined to reach for her.

"Besides, I'm the reason you're so tired." Her voice was small. Akito pinched his brows together, the words already building in his throat. "The least I can do is buy you coffee."

She looked back up to him with a bigger smile, still not quite reaching her eyes.

The blond walked towards her, his hand reaching for the top of her head. He looked away, his nose sprinkling with a red blush he really didn't want her to see. Sana squeaked under his hold, her hands immediately going for his arms.

"Akito!"

"Listen." He started, looking at her from the corner of his eye. "Get that crap out of your head, okay? It's my own damn fault. I was the one who called anyway. So, my choice. My decision."

I didn't have to call. I didn't have to listen to you cry. I didn't have to offer advice. But I did. And that's because I wanted too. So, stop blaming yourself.

Is what he wanted to say.

Instead, he pushed her head down even further. She made another squeal noise, and her hands attacked his arms again.

"But - !"

He narrowed his eyes at her and she glared back.

"If you really feel that bad, just buy my coffee like you said. And we'll call it even."

She pouted and Akito practically groaned.

Her hair was a mess under his hold, her cheeks were red and puffed, and she was glaring at him with all her might. His eyes dropped to her lips, her teeth biting down into her lower lip and oh fuck him.

He removed his hand immediately and looked away.

"Gah! My hair! Really? You had to go for the head?!" Her hands went to pat down the stray hairs, straightening out the tangled mess. She folded her arms in front and gave another pout.

"Fine! I'll buy your coffee! And lunch!" Pointing a finger to him, he sighed.

"That's not necessary. But, if you want to do that, I won't stop you. After all, a free meal is a free meal."

He definitely deserved the whack over his head after that statement.

"Ugh! You're unbelievable! I'm just trying to do something nice for you! And you go and ruin it, per usual!" She was stomping away towards the cafeteria and once he recovered from the hammer smack, he found his pace next to her.

"I was just trying to break the tension."

She didn't reply right away, but he saw her shoulders stiffen slightly. And then they started shaking, and Akito went wide eyed. Was it something he said? Did she start crying? His eyes scrunched in worry, not sure what to do.

But then something like laughter came from her and she was hunched over. His eyes were wide as she bent over and started manically laughing. Tears kissed her eyes as she continued her assault of laughter.

"… I don't know what's so funny." He commented and her laughter began to die down.

"Ara, ara! I'm – I'm sorry!" A few more chuckles and then a wave of her head. "I just – I just thought of something form last night that I didn't appreciate till this moment!"

The confusion must have been evident on his face because she snickered again.

"Sunglasses!"

"Sun… glasses?" He repeated the word to her, and she nodded firmly.

Pointing a finger up, her smile grew on her face and Akito didn't mean to get caught off guard by it. But when the features on her face relaxed, and her smile curved naturally and the light reached her eyes, he couldn't help but get lost for a moment.

"Yep!" She giggled, and then turned on her heel. Clasping her hands behind her back, she continued to stride. Sana tilted her head back towards him and smiled again, even brighter. "You comin' or what?"

Shaking himself out of his daze, he followed behind her.

"What about sunglasses?" Akito pressed and she looked up to the sky.

"Last night, when I was crying, and telling you all those things about not being able to do it without Rei-kun, you broke through." The blond recalled the conversation. "You didn't know what to say, and that was okay. I just needed someone to listen."

He released a shaky breath.

"You called Rei-kun, sunglasses. And it was so funny to me, even if I didn't exactly show it!" Oh yeah. He did do that, didn't he?

"And I started thinking, 'Wow! How come no one ever called him that before?' And I pictured it, the both of you, meeting one another." She laughed again, with all her shoulders and body. "He would be casual, and you would just stare at him with those mean eyes of yours and then insult him by calling him sunglasses. And gosh, Rei-kun wouldn't know what to do with himself!"

He scoffed, hands in pockets.

"Well, all the pictures I saw of him, he was wearing sunglasses." He muttered, thinking how weird it was. What kind of grown man wore glasses all the time? What did he have to hide anyway?

"Oh, that was because of me!"

Oh? Did he say that out loud? Sana laughed again, and she waved him off.

"It's okay. I speak my thoughts out loud all the time! Though, kind of strange to hear it from you." She put a finger to her chin. But then she dropped it and smiled again.

"He always wore sunglasses because of me, though! One day, he smiled, and his eyes were so pretty! And I didn't want to share that look with anyone, so I gave him one order! To never take his sunglasses off!"

Akito had to remind himself constantly… there was no point in getting jealous over a man that had been dead for four years.

"You know, I picked Rei-kun off the ground one day while I was walking home from my Komawari classes!"

He narrowed his eyes again. "You… picked him off the ground?"

With a bright smile, she nodded sternly. "Yup! Rei-kun was a homeless bum when I found him! He was so dirty, and smelly, and barely had any meat on his bones! I felt bad for him, soooooo I brought him home!"

Akito stopped walking, mouth open, eyes wide. Sana realized he wasn't following and turned to him. She looked at him in confusion.

"What?"

"You – You brought a homeless guy to your house?" Flabbergasted, confused, and downright shocked, Akito's eyes went wider and wider.

Sana stared at him with these curious eyes, bright and shiny, like she was new to the world. And then her face scrunched, and she brought her hand up to her mouth as laughter spilled. Her face lit up again, like fireworks in the sky and tears kissed her eyes.

"Wow! That's a new face! I've never seen that look before!" The auburn-haired teen was pointing at him, laughing, and holding onto her stomach. Akito gritted his teeth again, bringing his expression back to neutral. He scoffed, embarrassment filling him again.

"This is awesome!" Akito looked back to her, her smile reaching up to her eyes. "I get to learn more about you every day! See sides to ya I didn't know about before!"

The blush started on his nose, and as her smile grew, the redness grew. His mouth went dry and when Sana gave him a toothy smile, his heart plunged.

"Hmm? Are you… blushing?" She stepped towards him, her eyes looking at him with nothing but curiosity. His face grew hotter.

"What the hell? Back up!" He grabbed her by the shoulders and pushed her away and that's when her eyes went wide, like a realization hit her.

"You are blushing!" And she began to laugh. "Oh geez! The super stoic Hayama Akito! Blushing!"

"Cut that shit out!" He raised his voice, shaking her shoulders. He could hardly contain the heat on his face now, feeling it from the tips of his ears to the end of his toes.

What the hell, man!

"I'm sorry! This is just too funny!" Sana waved her hands in front and then looked up at him with another cheeky smile. "You are so weird, Akito!"

"I'm weird?!" Releasing her shoulders, he ran a hand through the front of his hair. "You're the one who picked up a homeless man off the floor!"

Putting a finger to her chin and looking up towards the sky, Sana released another hearty laugh.

"I guess I did! Looks like we're both weird!" Hands back behind her back and Akito sighed roughly.

Geez, this girl…

"Who does that anyway? What were you thinking? Picking up a stranger off the floor? What if he was a child abductor or something? That could have ended badly for you and your family." He scolded though it was ten years too late.

Sana shrugged her shoulders. "Nah."

Her demeanor shifted. Sana's shoulders relaxed again as she leaned back on her heels. Her head shifted up towards the sky. There wasn't a cloud in the blue curtain above them. The sun was rising high into the day.

"When I looked at Rei-kun, I could feel his despair. And when I saw into his eyes, I saw how lonely he was." Her voice was soft, almost nostalgic. "In that moment, I could understand his sadness by one shared look."

"He was just like me."

Akito's eyes went wide.

"Both abandoned by people that didn't want us."

The hands that were laced behind her back gripped tightly. Her smile was gone, and she looked higher to the sky.

"So, I picked him off the ground and brought him home. Because… well, if no one wanted us, then maybe we could find comfort in each other, right?"

She turned to him, and that's when the sun illuminated her. Her hair, normally up in design, was free flowing around her. The small breeze carried the length of her hair, and her smile, albeit sad, was reaching her eyes. And her eyes, they were filled with a bittersweet happiness.

"I will never regret bringing him home. How can I? Rei-kun taught me what it was like to love someone so fiercely. To want to protect that love. To cherish it."

Her smile lifted higher and gone was the slight tremble in her lip.

There was a sincerity in her smile, like the one's his mom would give him and his sister. Like the smiles that Tsuyoshi used to give him when he saved him. Like the smiles his sister gave him when he did the smallest of things for her.

His chest felt like it was bursting at the seams as she looked at him with a radiance that almost blinded him. The lingering shadows in his heart, the ones that still held him underground, they were casted aside as Sana's bright light scared them away.

The last grips on his feet were slipping away and he didn't feel so weighted to the ground anymore. Her radiance, her light, it lifted him. It freed him.

Oh.

He understood now.

"And even though he isn't here anymore, I want to never forget that love. I want to always hold it close and make good on the promise I made him. About being happy. And honor him by doing that." She brought her hands to her chest and closed her eyes, a loving smile on her lips.

Taking a few steps towards her, he lifted his hand and placed it on her head.

"Huh?" She looked up to him, confused, brow perched.

"It must have been hard." Now both brows were raised, and he looked at her. "Talking about him. When all it did was cause you pain."

Her mouth opened slightly, like she wanted to say something.

But then, her eyes went even wider, and her jaw was almost completely open as her expression turned to one of complete shock as Akito's own demeanor turned soft.

Akito could feel it as he put the guards down, his ice walls melting, crashing to the ground. The corners of his mouth tugged ever so slightly upward, the tiniest of movement as he looked down at her with complete vulnerability.

A smile.

The tiniest, barest hints of a smile, for her.

"Told you. You're stronger than you know." He whispered, ruffling the top of her head.

Knowing he got his point across, Akito removed his hand from the top of her head and his smile disappeared. Back was the thin line, the walls around him, but just low enough for someone to jump over if need be.

"Anyway. Better get this coffee and head over before Tsuyoshi starts throwing desks." He muttered and walked away, hands in his pockets.

But he didn't get very far as a very strong grip grabbed onto his collar and pulled him down. His hands went into the air as gravity left him.

"HOLD ON!" Kurata's voice loud in his ear.

He found his balance before he fell but now a very red-faced Kurata Sana was standing in front of him, grabbing the collar of his P.E. shirt.

Way too close.

"Did you just do what I think you did!?"

"What?" He questioned, and she shook her head. Her confusion was gone, but now she was glaring. Glaring!

"Nah uh, mister! You did! You did!" And then her glare was gone, and excitement shone in her eyes and her face lit up. "You just SMILED!" Releasing her grip on him, she stood back. Sana pointed an accusing finger at his face, his eyes followed it to the bridge of his nose.

"Wha-"

And then she was in his face again, mouth open with a smile that could light up the whole damn country. Her hands were fisted at her chest and her light was radiating.

"You smiled! Like actually smiled!" And now she was jumping up and down with all the giddiness in the world. People started to look, and Akito reached for her. He grabbed her shoulders and settled her to the ground.

"Hey! Quit that! You're attracting way too much attention!"

Her shoulders shook under his touch, and she started to laugh. Sana threw her head back, hands winded around her stomach.

That's it. She's officially lost it.

"I can't believe this! You smiled! You smiled!" Akito sighed, hanging his head.

"And it wasn't one of those devil smirks or snarky laughs. It was a real smile!"

The blond looked back at her and she took a deep breath. And then they just stared at each other for a moment, their faces close. Akito could see details of her face this close. Her cheeks and nose were peppered with light freckles, only obvious to the sun. Her lips were slightly dry, probably from the cold weather.

That didn't take away his urge to lean and kiss them though.

His eyes went wide, and he immediately backed away. Sana clearly was surprised by his actions, and he removed his hands from his shoulders. Kicking the dirt, he looked away.

"Geez." He whispered, having enough to be embarrassed about.

"Geez is right! Come on, Akito! Show me another smile!" And she was back in his face and now her finger was on his cheek, right next to his mouth. "Another smile! It was so cute! Show me another!"

Eyes went wide again, and this time, he really couldn't put any words together.

"Cu-Cute?" He barely mustered and then Sana started digging her finger into his cheek.

"What the hell! You were just sad! And now you're crazy! You got a loose screw or something!" Grabbing her hand, he pulled it away from his face and she was laughing again.

"Aww! You're embarrassed! Come on! Show me another!"

"Get the hell away from me!"

And that was how they ended up at the cafeteria in record time, with him sprinting away from the crazed and eccentric Kurata Sana. They skidded to a stop when Sana jumped into action and wrapped her arm around his neck. Not able to support her weight, they went tumbling into the cafeteria.

There were a few students lingering and they all watched them with curious eyes. Though, none seemed too surprised. It was Kurata Sana after all.

"Ow." He heard her groan as she rubbed her head and Akito scoffed, moving as far away as possible from her. "That hurt…"

"It's what you deserve you, idiot."

She glared at his insult.

"You're still such a Haya-jerk."

Well, he couldn't argue with that.

After Sana made good on her promise and bought him his well-deserved coffee, they made their way to the theatre room. Already late and not looking forward to the lecture by their friends, he took his time.

Sipping on his coffee, he spared a look at Kurata.

Her hands were laced behind her back again, and she was still smiling. There was a hop in her step, and she was humming some tune. She hadn't really said anything since they left the cafeteria, and neither had he.

But her aura was brighter than it had ever been.

He kept the can to his face, trying to hide his blush.

"Akito?"

"Mm?"

And she slowed in her step again. Akito stopped short to the side of her.

Man, if she kept smiling at him like that, he didn't think his heart would be able to take it. It was real, and honest, and genuine and he raised his head slightly, his own mouth parting.

"Thank you. Again. You've made me so happy."

The tips of his ears burned, and she titled her head to the side as she continued to smile at him.

"Because of you, I feel like I can do anything today."

Oh.

She was really trying to kill him, wasn't she?

"Before, I didn't think I could do anything like this again. Not without Rei-kun." Her face was full of wit and this newfound strength. Her eyes were coated in a burning fire, a determination strong and fierce. "But now, I know I can. Because not only do I have Rei-kun."

"I have you."

His heart began to race in his chest.

"Sooooo! Let's do this, partner!"

Sighing, he looked away and put the coffee back to his lips.

"Geez. You're too much."

She laughed. And it was the most wonderful thing he had ever heard.

He snorted in response, and they both started walking again.

"You know, don't take this offensively, okay?" He raised a brow and she snickered.

"But I have a feeling that you and Rei-kun probably wouldn't have gotten along really well. In fact, I don't think he would have liked me hanging around you!"

Akito glared, not really liking the idea of someone controlling who she could or couldn't hang out with.

"I feel like I would have had to mediate a lot between you two!" Akito rolled his eyes.

"You make it seem like I was the bad boy kid meeting your dad for the first time." He muttered and she laughed.

"Kind of! Except I don't have a dad, duh!" She pointed out, wagging a finger at him. "And I never saw Rei as a dad either. When I was little, I loved him like I think any person would love a romantic partner."

That… was slightly disturbing. She was what? 6 years old when he met him? There was a heat in his chest, and it was disturbingly uncomfortable.

"It was silly of course! I was just a child. And I didn't know what romantic love even meant! Honestly, still not quite sure what it still is. But! I guess it's something I'll figure out eventually, right?"

… Hell.

"Right."

"Anyway! Long story short, Rei-kun was still madly in love with his ex-girlfriend who all but left him for dead, and me, being so possessive of my things, didn't like that. It was silly, looking back. I got so caught up in my own jealousy, I never looked at Rei-kun's feelings."

"You were just a kid." Akito stated, finishing the last of his coffee.

"Hmm true!" She replied. "I mean, in the end, Rei-kun only ever saw me as Kurata Sana, the little girl that saved him. He loved me like I think a brother would love a little sister, maybe a bit fiercer, but that was it. Nothing more."

Anything more and it would have been pedophilia.

Akito was starting to get the sense that he really wouldn't have liked this guy had they met.

"Is that how you loved him?" Curiosity itched at him, and Sana looked up to him.

"At first, no. I loved him how I think a woman would love a man." Akito pushed down the angry, green monster that boiled in his chest. "But eventually, I think my love for him transformed into something else."

"I wouldn't say it was necessarily that of a brother-sister love relationship and it wasn't a romantic love either."

Akito could see the door to the theatre room, and he sighed.

His alone time with her was coming to an end. That left a sour taste in his mouth.

"I dunno if I can really explain it." Sana put a finger to her lips. "I knew that I wasn't going to marry Rei-kun, no matter how much I wanted too at first." She laughed incredulously, and then stretched her shoulders.

"But up until before he died, I knew Rei-kun would always be in my life." Her eyes fell onto the door of the theatre room, and she looked back at him with another encouraging smile.

"Before we go in, I have one more thing to say."

"What is it?" Akito asked.

"Thank you. For letting me talk about Rei-kun." She closed her eyes and put her hands close to her chest. "I didn't think I'd ever be able to talk about him again. The pain was too much. But you gave me a safe space to talk about him. To keep him alive."

"So, thank you."

Could he… maybe one day talk about his mother too?

He wondered… would he ever forgive himself? And allow himself the same satisfaction of keeping his mother alive through their memories and conversations? Thinking about it now, it was too much. It didn't feel right.

But Akito didn't voice his own thoughts.

Instead, he focused on her. And what she wanted, and what she needed. Because to him, her happiness was everything.

The blond nodded and her smile was worth every minute of sleep he didn't get.

"You ready, partner?"

She asked as they stood in front of the theatre room door. Taking a deep breath, Akito looked forward, beyond the door, to the future.

"Let's just get this over with."

A/N: He did it! He did it! He finally smiled for her! At her! It happened! It's been teased so much the last few chapters. But it finally happened! Honestly, I really didn't know when Akito's first smile at Sana would be. I had some ideas, much later, but there relationship had been progressing so much that I felt it was about time for it to happen. I know it's kind of a slow burn, but really, Sana and Akito really take off after the School Festival... and you'll see why in due time hehe.

I just wanted to write something light and honest and genuine between the two. And for Akito to start recognizing that maybe this crush on Sana isn't as innocent as he initially perceived. Oh, this is going to be so much fun from here on out. I've been itchin to get to this part of the story for years now. I'm so happy I'm here.

Anyway, as long as my outlines stay consistent, the School Festival should be a three parter. And the second part is about half way completed. I anticpate that chapter will be the longest of the three but not sure yet. Anyway! I hope you all enjoyed! Go check out my newest one shot, And the World was Painted in Color! It's a headcanon I have of our favs :) And my newest story Dynasties & Dystopias!

As always! Till next time!
- Dark Waffle