~*~*~*~*Akiyo's P.O.V.*~*~*~*

As I reached the entrance,Akahana was about to take the stairs. Andrei finally stopped then held the gun out,pointing it at her back.

The same thing happened. My own heart was beating fastly in fear. What If I fail ? I'm gonna kill myself if she doesn't make it alive in the real world.

Nah. I know I'd succeed. But…

"Akahana !"

I don't know if I'd still get to see her smile brightly or fangirl in the real world again.

As she stopped to turn around,Andrei pulled the trigger three times. I went in at the last second and pulled her into a tight hug,before taking the bullets with my back.

"However risky or deadly it is."

"A-akiyo…"

I can feel my own blood run and stain my clothes. Too bad,this is my favorite jacket.

Akahana stood still,surprised. I noticed Andrei jump off from the side of the grounds to a roof,then escape. But I don't give a damn. F*ck him.

I moved my hands,gripping her shoulders again. I looked up at her,gritting my teeth as I coughed up a bit of blood.

"I… T-thought I… Told you…" I coughed again slightly. Akahana's eyes went wide as she saw drops of blood land on the floor. "N-not to Scare me… Again..."

Akahana started trembling. I can feel it. Tears started welling her eyes up. "W-why did you…"

Air started getting harder and harder to catch every second. But I don't care.

I looked up at her,then slightly smiled. "Of course… I-I love you… I-I'd save you from anything…" The tears welled up in her eyes rolled down to her cheeks. I watched them slowly roll,moving my hand and using my thumb to wipe it away.

"I-it's okay… Don't cry… I hate seeing you cry…"

My sight's getting fuzzy. But atleast,I think she's still gonna get back to the real world without me now. She already remembers everything. My mission's done.

"Akiyo !"

Soon,everything else turned black. I can still hear Akahana's screams of help and my name. Her voice… It's so soft… Like a piano playing a happy and lovely tune. Her hands were as soft as a rose's petal. Come to think of it,her name meant 'Red Rose'.

"Please,don't die on me ! I—"

Before she even continued the last sentence,her voice faded. But it's okay. She talked to me one last time. And she's safe. I don't care if I die or not.

She's safe. That's all that matters to me.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Akahana sat on the waiting area,looking down with mixed emotions. Anger,regret,sadness,guilt. Anger at herself for leaving him all alone and sad. Regret for avoiding and not talking to him in the past week. Sadness because he himself protected her and might lead to his death,even though he knew she hated him.

And guilt cause it's her fault.

She already knew she loved him back herself. But… She let her anger get over her. She chose to drift away first. And now,everything's too late…

Akiyo looked up at her,then slightly smiled. "Of course… I-I love you… I-I'd save you from anything…" The tears welled up in her eyes rolled down to her cheeks. He watched them slowly roll,moving my hand and using my thumb to wipe it away.

"I-it's okay… Don't cry… I hate seeing you cry…"

The real him was so sweet. The real Akiyo was caring. Always smiling. Hates to see tears from important people for him. And will do whatever it takes to protect everything and everyone he loves. She knows it. She just met and realized who the real Akiyo was hours ago when that crime happened.

"I'm really sorry… This is all my fault… I'm so sorry…"

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

#AuthorConfessions808: I cried at this. XD