(They Long to Be) Close to You
By SMYGO4EVA
"This is great, isn't it?" Kaoru asked aloud, sitting next to Momoe by the fountain in the middle of the mall, watching people pass them by.
Momoe nodded. "Yeah, it is. Not every day we get to do this, especially with a lot that's been happening."
"Yeah, you're telling me." Kaoru answered, and then he shifted himself closer to Momoe, who couldn't help but feel her face turn pink.
"I didn't think I could be out and in the open like this," Momoe spoke, looking down at her feet. "I don't usually like to go on dates, because of…you know."
Kaoru nodded, remembering what she told him a while ago. "Yeah, I know what you mean, and to be honest, it took me a while to find out who I am too." He placed a hand on the space between him and Momoe, almost steadying.
Momoe looked to face Kaoru, and her eyes locked into his.
The stress and guilt she carried in her day-to-day life while looking the way she did; all the while he was be haunted by nightmares of the past.
"But here you are, Kaoru." Momoe said aloud, a slow smile growing on her face. "And I'm so happy you're here."
Kaoru blinked, and he smiled right back at her. "I was going to say the same thing, that I'm glad you're here too."
Momoe laughed, and Kaoru joined her as well, all before she leaned in and kissed him right on the cheek.
"I knew it! They really are cute together, aren't they?" A familiar voice broke both Momoe and Kaoru out of their stupor.
They stood up, and saw Rika in front of them, giggling, and a sheepish Ai and an unmoved Neiru following behind her.
Momoe was shocked, her face beet red, and Kaoru only chuckled, so very amused.
"You guys~!"