Time skip D; sorry

{8 Days Later}

Kousei groaned. My birthday's tomorrow. March 28 is tomorrow. Kousei laid on his bed, contemplating if he should just get up and do something productive like play his piano for a while or just sleep a little more before someone comes in and wakes him up.

I'll go with the latter. It's 7 AM anyways, who wakes up this early on a break? Tsubaki is surely asleep, Watari is probably snoring as of right now, and Kaori is definitely asleep so I have no one to talk to or chat with anyways.

{3 Hours Later}

Kousei inhaled a sharp breath and instantly woke up, feeling very lost for like a few seconds before realizing he just woke up from a nap.

"How long was I out?" Kousei reached for his phone and squinted his eyes when the bright light flashed his awakening-eyes and checked the time.

"Huh, a three hour nap. 10 AM, as of now- oh my god."

Kousei widened his eyes a little and rubbed away the last of his tire until he was able to reach for his glasses and slip them on, rubbing the back of his neck nervously when he read that he had 4 missed calls from Kaori and more than at least 20 texts. From Kaori.

God, does this girl have any mercy for the space my phone is able to hold?

He opened the texts and was surprised when he saw a load of texts from Kaori telling him a happy early birthday but then the topic quickly escalated to her asking if he was alive and/or okay.

Man, she's probably really worried right now.

Kousei laid back on his bed and decided to give Kaori a call back to reassure her he wasn't kidnapped or anything like that.

A few rings hit his eardrums until the 4th ring and a teen girl's booming voice.

"KOUSEI! IS THIS YOU?!"

Kousei had to move his phone at least 5 inches away to make sure his hearing isn't lost for good before responding to his panicking significant other.

"Y-yeah it's me, and please don't scream so loud that even the neighbors over here can hear you. I know you're probably worried but I don't want you to lose that voice of yours."

Kaori sighed from the other line. "Okay. Sorry. I was just really worried."

"Well, thanks for worrying, I guess. But don't you usually wake up at 11 or something?"

A laugh can be heard from the line on the other side. "You know me so well. Yeah I do, but since it's your birthday tomorrow I wanted to be one of the first to tell you happy birthday."

"But it's tomorrow...?"

"Okay, okay, don't be such a pooper. I know it's tomorrow, Captain Obvious, but I just wanted to be the first to say happy early birthday. There, happy now?"

Kousei laughed and sat up from his bed. "Yes I am."

"You'll be turning 15-years-old tomorrow, right?"

Kousei slid off his bed until his feet touched the solid ground and sat on the edge. "Yes."

"Yay! You're halfway there to being on this earth for 2 decades."

Kousei made a face. "Ugh, I'm getting old."

Kaori started to laugh, and it made Kousei smile a little.

"Calm down, Grandpa. You're not even an adult yet."

"I know, but I'm almost there. And 'Grandpa'? We don't even have children yet."

"Ohoho, 'we' and 'yet'. Seems like you're gonna be clingy for the rest of our lives."

Kousei sighed, but blushed when he realized what he said. "Sh-shut up."

"Haha. Okay, enough teasing for you. I told you there was a reason I even woke up this early for you."

"Early? It's 10, Kaori."

"Sh. It's early for me. I don't wake up this early."

"Okay, okay. So, mind telling me your proper reason on waking up this late for me?"

"Correction: early. Okay, happy early birthday Kousei! Welcome to the hard life of a 15-year-old!"

"But, Kaori, you're still 14."

"Pfft, age is for the weak."

"Doesn't make any sense. Still doesn't deny the fact you're 14."

"Shush, Kousei. My birthday's in a few months anyways so I'm technically 15."

"When's your birthday again? Sorry for asking but I've forgotten it pretty quickly since you never actually told me."

"July 4th."

"Yeah?"

"Mm-hm!"

"Okay. Good thing I know now. So, was it worth waking up this early to tell me happy early birthday?"

"Yes it was."

Kousei nodded to himself and was gonna ask Kaori a question on if she wanted to come over to his house since he had nothing to do (also wanted to see her) but he remembered that Hiroko will be coming sometime in the evening and if she sees Kaori with him alone she would embarrass him in front of her, even though he's supposed to have them meet each other properly.

"So...uh, Kaori. Wanna take a walk or something, right now? Since-since my birthday's tomorrow and it'd be best if we could hang out today so that tomorrow we'll be able to be with Tsubaki and Watari for my actual birthday, as friends y'know?"

"Yeah, that seems like like a great plan!"

"Okay. So what time do you think I should go pick you up?"

"What if we just meet up at the park at, like...12?"

"Sure, gives us enough time to get ready. Wait, do you wanna go eat somewhere together or just wanna like walk or something?"

"I guess eating somewhere is fine since we're practically doing this to celebrate your birthday."

"Alright, I'll meet you at the park later on then."

"See ya later, Kousei!"

"Bye-bye, I...uh...I-I lo-...um, never mind seeyoulater."

Before Kousei was able to hear Kaori question his sentence he hung up and slammed his phone shut, his entire being turning red.

WHAT THE HELL, ME?! Why am I such a wimp?! Kousei groaned and laid back on his bed, shutting his eyes as he scolded himself. Why couldn't I just tell Kaori those few words? It's not that hard to say. Heck, I'm pretty sure even she wouldn't be scared to say them. If she can jump off a bridge without any hesitation then I'm pretty sure she can say those three simple words. But... Kousei opened his eyes and sighed, "Maybe even she has her own fears of rejection like me."

Kousei huffed and pushed himself up and made his way to the bathroom to go take a quick shower.

Just as Kousei entered the other door a certain realization came to mind.

Wait a minute. Aren't all these "hangouts" with Kaori basically...dates?

Kousei turned a bit red at his own discovery. Crap, and I never actually ask her out on dates so straight-forwardly. And now since we're going out to eat that's basically a date as well.

Kousei stripped himself of his clothes and entered his shower, turning on the water to a right temperature.

Guess I should let her know when we go eat, probably at a bakery or something. Depends on where Kaori chooses to go.

~0000~

"Kousei!!"

Kousei looked up from his phone and brightened his features when he noticed it was Kaori who called his name. He closed his phone and slid it into his pocket and walked over to where Kaori was waving her hands, which was by a bench with children all around her.

Kids? Kousei rose a brow to himself when he saw all the little kids around Kaori but dismissing the thought until he made it over.

"Morning, Kaori." Kousei smiled and bowed respectfully while Kaori did the same and sat down on the bench right after, playing Patty Cake with one of the kids in front of her.

One, two, three...and four kids here? Kousei thought, counting each kid he sees at the spot he's at.

"Kaori, where'd these guys come from? Do their parents know they're over here with complete strangers?"

Kaori glared at the boy beside her as she still clapped hands with the toddler in front and said, "We're not complete strangers unless the parents didn't give permission to a 14-year-old to play with their children." The blonde looked back at the kid in front of her and grinned while she ruffled her hair then watched as she ran toward her sibling.

"Besides," Kaori placed both her hands on the spaces of the bench beside her sides, leaned on them, and looked to her boyfriend, "you're the complete stranger here, Kousei. You can't just waltz over here and act like you know the kids already."

Kousei, dumbfounded, stared at his significant other. "Wow. Okay then, mind telling me these little guys' stats, Mom?"

Kaori laughed and nodded, moving to sit properly and brought Kousei closer to her side as she asked for each of the kids to form a line for her.

"Okay, kid one: Nakizawa Shiina, 6-years-old and loves to play hand games." Kaori brought her mouth close to Kousei's ear and whispered, "She's the one I was playing with just right now."

Kousei nodded, holding out his hand for the little girl. "Got it. Nice to meet you, Nakizawa. I'm Arima Kousei."

The little girl basically stopped Kousei's blood circulation with her firm grip on her tiny hands.

Kousei, not wanting to hurt the little girl's feelings or making her seem like he's rude, awkwardly smiled as he waited for her to let go of his hand but she gave it one arm-ripping shake before letting go and saying, "Nice to meet you too, Onii-san!"

Kousei grinned shakily and laughed as he bowed halfway to the little girl as he sat and watched as she marched her way to sit down beside the line.

Kousei turned to Kaori and whispered harshly. "Why is she so strong?!"

Kaori giggled and stifled her laughter, saying, "That's how she is. Plus, it was funny seeing you almost get a broken hand!"

Kousei glared at the ground beneath as Kaori died with laughter beside him.

"Try not to be so rude to the birthday-boy, will ya?"

Kaori let the rest of her laughter go away and grabbed Kousei's crushed hand, giving his palm and the back of his hand a little kiss to have the pain "go away".

"There," she said. "Better, cry baby?"

Kousei pouted like a toddler and said, "Maybe. Let's just move on to the next kids. We do have a day kind of planned anyways."

Kaori giggled and moved on. "Alright, next one is Kageyama Rin. He's the eldest and is 8-years-old. He just likes to play video games and sports, nothing much."

Kousei nodded after Kaori's information about the kid and held out his other hand, letting the other rest. "Hello, Kageyama, I'm Arima Kousei."

"Hello, Arima. Nice to meet you."

Rin walked away right as soon as he uttered those words and sat down beside Shiina.

"He's not very expressive or talkative is he?" Kousei asked quietly.

"Nope. Anyways, next is Kyoto Lin, 7-years-old. She's not really into anything, to be real with you. Or she just hasn't opened up more since she's shy."

Kousei held his hand out for the little girl. "Hi there, I'm Arima Kousei. Nice to meet you."

Lin looked to the ground and shyly shook hands with Kousei before scurrying to her friends.

"Really shy," Kousei muttered.

"Yup. But she a nice person, trust me."

"It's obvious she's nice," Kousei saw the little girl glance at him and blushed when he grinned, "usually all shy people tend to be nice."

Kaori brightened the area more with her grin and agreed with a humph and nod.

"Alrighty then, one more person. Last but not least, Nakizawa Haru. He's Nakizawa's twin so they're the same age. He's more into sports and drawing."

Kousei held his hand out, smiling. "Hi there. I'm Arima Kousei."

Haru grinned and shook Kousei's hand firmly, not like Shiina's, and bowed respectfully (Kousei doing the same right after) and walked off to sit next to his sister.

Kaori sighed and leaned back on the bench. "That's all of them."

Kousei followed Kaori's lead and did the same, letting Kaori rest her head atop his shoulder.

Shiina tilted her her head and asked Kaori and Kousei a question. "Onii-san, Onee-chan, are you two dating?"

Kousei felt a little blush creep onto his cheeks but it was very minor, but since he took a while to answer himself Kaori answered for him.

The teen grinned and reached her hand out to lace her fingers with Kousei's and nodded, seeming proud. "Mm-hm! This idiot right here is my one and only boyfriend."

Rin was the one who spoke next. "When will you guys get married?"

Kousei felt his neck burn in fluster and Kaori even felt a blush creep onto her face.

"U-uh...th-that I'm not sure about." Kousei scratched his cheek and glanced at Kaori, whom had raised her head and brushed her hair away from her face and tucked a side behind her ear.

"Hopefully somewhere in the future but not anytime soon, we're just hoping we'll stick together until Kousei here drops the question."

"Y-yeah."

Rin nodded and stood up from the ground, offering to help the rest of his friends get up as well.

"Do you guys want to play catch with us?" he asked.

Kousei looked to Kaori for an answer since she's more attached to the kids than he is and expected her to agree but instead she jolted up (surprising Kousei and almost having him fall to the ground since their hands were still linked) brought Kousei up with her and remembered the day that they were supposed to have.

Kaori sighed and said, "I'm sorry. But is it okay if you guys could play without me?" She grinned with kind respect and wanted them to understand.

The kids gave depressed awwws and Kaori smiled and claimed that she was busy.

"But, Kaori, we were going to have fun, why change your mind now?" Haru said.

"Hmmm. Well, Kousei and I have been planning to go somewhere and we um..."

As embarrassed Kaori was to say it, her expression showed as well. She was blushing hard enough to make it obvious that Shiina already realized what she wanted to say.

"Oooohh, I see! You and Onii-san are going on a date?"

The kids except Shiina were taken by surprise and so was Kaori, though Kousei had to admit, he wanted to start the date earlier, but if happy Kaori was with the kids, he was also happy.

Kousei then spoke. "Yes we are going to have a date, but afterwards if it's not too late, we can maybe play a game of catch with you guys, doesn't that sound awesome?"

"Nah, we want only Kaori to play with us, she's good at catching but we also want her to be happy also " said Haru. The others nodded their heads while Kaori giggles with amusement.

Shiina excitedly agrees, "Yeah! She's also pretty and she can play music too and-"

"You know, kids, Kousei here is also a musician. He's also pretty handsome too if I say so myself."

Kousei blushed and laughed meekly, scratching his cheek. "Well I wouldn't say that second part is true," he muttered.

"He's alright..." Lin murmured, a little blush creeping their way to her cheeks.

Kousei smiled a little and nudged Kaori. Kaori glared and nudged him back, a little more force intended.

"Th-thank you, Kyoto. That was very nice of you."

Kaori laughed and shook Kousei's arm, saying, "Well then, guess it's time for us to go. But if you guys won't let Kousei play if we come back then I promise I won't be playing either. He's bad at sports but at least give him a chance, please? Like you said, Haru, you guys want Onee-chan happy right?"

"Awww, okay. We are sorry, Onii-san! We promise to let you play if you come back."

Kousei bowed along with Shiina and nodded his head. "Thank you."

Kaori tapped Kousei with her foot and said, "Time to go now, so that we have a chance to come back and play with these guys."

"Y-yeah we should go now. Bye guys." Kousei bowed to all the little kids with Kaori following right after.

The two of them walked their way off. Kousei, still in a greatly depressed mode which made Kaori worried.

"What's wrong Kousei? Is there something on your mind that you need to tell me about?"

"N-No, I don't have a-anything in my mind, it's just that when they said they wanted to play catch with you Kaori, I felt kinda left out and shocked you know and-"

"Well you are bad at sports, you can barely even catch a ball." Kaori laughed.

"H-Hey don't say that! I mean I want to improve Kaori, I want to improve on..."

Kaori tilted her head in confusion to hear what her boyfriend was talking about.

"Improve on what, exactly?"

"Improve on being that man everyone expects me to be, and being the guy that is, I dunno, ideal for you."

Kaori sighed. "Kousei...you don-"

"Kaori, I want to be the guy and man that will support and make you happy, dearly."

Kaori gave Kousei a deadpan stare and let go of his hand to slap the back of his head

Kousei flinched and almost screamed when his glasses almost fell off his face.

"K-Kaori! What was that for?!" He fixed his glasses and was taken aback when Kaori almost dropped him to the ground when she pulled him off the sidewalk and out of the people's way and beside a random tree that's beside a trash can, grass scattered around.

"Uh...Kaori...are you oka-"

Kaori tackled Kousei in a hug and exclaimed, "Shut up!"

Kousei was bit surprised but he started to respond back to the hug when he heard stifled cries from from the girl in his arms.

"H-hey...Why're you crying?"

Kaori gripped Kousei with strength and clenched the cloth on his torso in her hands, her form shaking as Kousei held her to keep her from crying. The front of his shirt was getting a big soaked but that didn't really matter to him, what did matter was why Kaori is even crying.

"Because...you idiot...I wouldn't have g-gone out with you or fallen in love with you if you weren't my ideal t-type."

Kousei bit his bottom lip as he considered Kaori's words and leaned against the tree that was behind him. He lightly rubbed Kaori's small back and sighed. "Yes...but, if I can't even-"

"Wait. S-shut up again."

"Okay."

"You've supported me enough anyways. The only reason I'm alive right now is because I wanted to come back and...be with you, again. And if you hadn't believed in me then I wouldn't have fought as hard to live."

Kousei gently brought Kaori closer to him and placed his chin over her shoulder, his chest clenching ever so slightly at the thought of Kaori not making it back to everyone--him--all well and healthy.

"Y...you're right."

"Also--" Kaori sniffed and lifted her head from Kousei's chest, softly speaking into his ear--"remember when I told you about you being...you?"

Kousei was about to tell Kaori he doesn't remember such a memory until he started recall that memory at the same time.

"You're you. "To be like you..." it's not so ambiguous as that. No matter what you do, no matter how you change, it doesn't mean a thing. You're just you, no matter what."

"Yes."

"Good." Kaori broke away from the hug and grabbed both of Kousei's hands, intertwining them and just simply holding onto them. "Never forget that please, because no matter how you act, it's all you. So I don't care if you think you're not the perfect one for me - I fell in love with a huge dummy who's into egg sandwiches and loves a certain brand of milk and was born with the talent of being able to play an instrument so divine that it can let out emotions and feelings for someone or something."

Even if Kousei tried, he couldn't stop the smile that grew on his face. He sheepishly looked to the ground.

"Thanks, Kaori," he said. "That actually...helped in more ways that I imagined for my self-esteem." Kousei looked back up with a raised brow. "How can you know so much about a piano like that, though? Isn't violin your second soul?"

Kaori grinned brightly and playfully punched Kousei's shoulder with her now-free hand. "Because, I used to play piano when I was younger; way before the violin."

Kousei widened his eyes a bit. "Wait, r-really?"

Kaori sighed and let go of Kousei's hands completely, crossing her arms and kicking Kousei in the back of his leg, having him shriek and hold onto the tree for balance.

"Hey! I need that leg!"

"You really are an idiot, dummy Kousei. Didn't you see me play that melodica the first time we met at the dome?"

Kousei nodded quickly but then said, "Well yeah, but...I didn't know you actually played the piano since Twinkle Twinkle Little Star is a very easy song that even non-pianists know."

Kaori huffed out air and linked her arm with Kousei's, dragging him with her from the front.

"W-wait a minute, Kaori! Let me regain my footing first!"

Kaori stopped for a few seconds before continuing after Kousei seemed okay to move forward.

God, I've fallen in love with such a bully. But I can't blame her--Kousei caught up with Kaori and walked alongside her--I really can be an idiot sometimes.

Kousei stared ahead of him but glanced at the girl that was right beside him. He looked down to their arms and a little smile reached his eyes. He muttered, "I'm finally walking by your side."

Kaori turned her head to Kousei and let out a "hm" in question but Kousei just shook his head with the same smile on his lips.

"It's nothing, I'm just really glad you're here and well."

Kaori stared at Kousei for a moment before having her head tilt a little with an eye-smile afterward. "Me too!"

~0000~

"Alrighty! We're here! I'm starving!" cheered Kaori, she was desperately craving for crepe, macarons, and of course, canelés.

As expected...it's her favorite place to go whenever we eat but I have been craving for an egg sandwich too. It's been days, I-

"Welcome back, dear," Ryouko greeted, she then saw Kousei who appeared shyly behind Kaori. "Oh hello Kousei. Nice to see you here, how's everything going recently?"

Kousei bowed, although he was still a little nervous he still had the courage to greet her back. "I-I'm doing good Mrs. Miyazono- I mean, Ryouko, thanks for asking. And I feel like I'm doing better on the piano right now and without your d-"

Suddenly, Kousei felt a big hand smack his back which caused him to jump and hide behind Kaori only to find out it was Yoshiyuki, who seemed as enthusiastic as ever with that big grin on his face.

"Hey there, Kousei!" he bellowed.

Kousei was still in shock from the surprise greeting so his voice came out louder than he intended. "Oh! Hello, Mr- I mean, Yoshiyuki." Kousei bowed down. "How are you?"

"I'm doing fine, kiddo. What about you?"

Kousei straightened up and answered with, "Better than this morning, I assure you."

Yoshiyuki beamed and gave Kousei a thumbs up. "That's great."

Ryouko butted in. "Do you guys want anything to eat?"

"Yes please," Kousei and Kaori both said.

"Great!" the mom exclaimed, making Kousei jump a little in surprise.

"Alright, what would you two like? You guys should probably order fast though because people are starting to come in." To further improve Yoshiyuki's words, a mother and her two children entered the bakery, which had not opened until only ten minutes ago.

Kaori noticed the little family entering. "Oh! It's okay, let them order first and we'll order after we think about what we want, and after them as well."

"Alright then. Come back to us when you've got your order ready." Yoshiyuki smiled and walked to the back of the counter with his wife, greeting the customers who had entered for a batch of pastries.

"So Kousei, what'd you like?" Kaori questioned.

Kousei thought about it for a moment and hummed in thought before shrugging and saying, "Let's go sit down first."

"Okay!"

~0000~

"So, what is it that you'd like, Kousei?"

Kousei looked off into space for for a moment as he thought about what he would like to eat for breakfast in a pastry shop but ended up shrugging afterwards with a question. "I know this may seem a bit stupid considering this is a bakery, but do you guys have egg sandwiches by any chance? I haven't really eaten any in awhile..."

Kaori giggled brightly and nodded in answer to Kousei's question. "I'm pretty sure we do, Kousei. If not, I can ask my parents to make one for you, possibly."

Kousei immediately tensed up and chuckled. "Oh, no. If there's not anymore then it's okay, I don't want your parents to go through the trouble of making something that's not on the menu here."

Kaori tilted her head across from Kousei. "You sure?"

Kousei nodded with pursed lips. "Mm-hm. I can just get macrons with some milk."

Kaori considered Kousei's words for a moment before shaking her head. "Nope. We're out here because you're birthday is tomorrow. So I'm going to make sure your birthday isn't a let down." She smiled.

Kousei blushed just a bit and laughed a little sheepishly. "Ah...heh, thanks, I guess."

Kaori smiled wider than she did before with a nod in welcome.

"Kaori, Kousei. You guys can come order what you want now, if you're ready," Ryouko announced from the counter while Yoshiyuki went back to the kitchen to get a batch of bread out the oven.

Kaori nodded and said, "'Kay, Mom." Kaori turned back to Kousei. "So an egg sandwich and milk right? Specifically Moo Moo?"

Kousei nodded with a smile. "But it's fine, I don't need to have an egg sandwich if-"

"Alright, I'll be right back." Kaori got up from her chair and walked over to her mom.

Kousei watched as Kaori interacted with her mom and sighed. It was a very upbeat conversation and Kousei could see that Kaori's mother has some very similar traits alongside Kaori.

This entire shop is so...colorful - in it's own way, though. Kousei smiled and leaned on his hand as he admired the blonde girl at the counter a few feet away from him with a bright smile on her face, a small smile growing on his lips. Maybe that's why Kaori grew up to be so free-spirited and energetic and carefree and...colorful. Kousei laughed to himself in amusement and looked back down to the table, moving his fingers in a way to keep him entertained besides looking like a creep by staring at Kaori. Your home...your parents...they all match you well.

"Kousei!" Kaori shouted to get Kousei's attention, startling him since he did nothing but just think and stare at his hands.

"H-huh?"

Kaori grinned as she said a quick thanks to her mom and walked over to her significant other. "My mom said they'll be able to give you your sandwich and macrons with your milk."

"Really? So you guys do have egg sandwiches?"

Kaori nodded and smiled but on the inside she was actually thinking to herself as she lied because she doesn't want Kousei to have a bad birthday.

"Oh. Uh...thanks, then." Kousei smiled.

"Y'know," Kousei started, gaining Kaori's attention.

"Hm?"

"When it's your birthday I wanna do something special for you but I'm not sure..."

"It's okay, I don't need that much anyways."

Kousei was about to protest until an idea came to mind and it brightened Kousei's features a little more.

"Oh, what're you thinking about?"

Kousei grinned. "I know exactly what to do for your birthday."

Before Kaori was able to ask what his thought was, her dad came over to the table and handed Kaori her plate of mini chocolate donuts.

"W-what? You guys have donuts?" Kousei curiously looked to Yoshiyuki.

He nodded with a gruff smile and walked off, saying, "I'll be back to bring you your food."

Kousei wanted to respond back to the man but he walked away too fast and Kousei didn't want to bring attention to himself since there's enough people in the shop now.

"We don't actually have donuts, I just asked my dad for some, Kousei."

Kousei turned to look at Kaori but was confused when he didn't see her until he turned to his left and almost felt his heart jump out of his chest.

"K-Kaori! Geez, don't do that..." Kousei started to laugh in between his words. "You really scared me."

Kaori grinned and scooted more closer to sit beside Kousei. "I came over here because I wanna share and I don't really feel like reaching over all the time."

"Oh, okay."

"Here." Kaori slightly slid her plate in front of Kousei. "You can take one. I have like ten anyways."

Kaori shook his head and grabbed one. "Why do you always get a lot when you sometimes don't finish them?"

Kaori shrugged and tossed a donut in her mouth. After she ate it she said, "I dunno, guess it's because my dad made me this much?"

"Oh." Kousei was about to grab another donut but Kaori quickly stopped him from doing so by grabbing his hand.

"What, did I reach my donut limit?"

Kaori giggled and shook her head. She grabbed a donut and asked Kousei to open his mouth for her but blushed when he did so and ate the donut Kaori just fed him.

Kaori gave Kousei an eye-smile and squeezed the hand she was holding before letting go and taking back her plate. "Enough now, you're gonna have your own food."

Kousei sighed, "Okay..."

~0000~

"Hm, guess the kids are gone now." Kaori sighed and put all her weight on her right leg, pouting. "And I was really looking forward to playing with them, too."

Kousei looked off to the side and muttered, "These kids wouldn't have wanted me to play anyways."

"Nah!" Kaori exclaimed while she randomly shoved Kousei and almost made him fall, but he quickly regained footing.

"Hey! I could die!"

Kaori shook her head but there was a grin on her lips as she walked forward linked arms with Kousei and dragged him off to somewhere. "As if you could die from a little fall."

"Uhm, excuse me Kaori, but wasn't it you that once complained about dying from a fall one time?"

Kaori removed her arm from Kousei's, making him kinda regret opening his mouth, and crossed her arms, pouting with a defeated look. "Well you're not wrong."

Kousei smiled slightly and pried open Kaori's arms and slipped his arm through Kaori's like before and walked side-by-side with her.

Kaori glanced at their arms and smiled impishly. "Seems like birthday-boy is a little clingy today."

"Shut up, I-I'm not being clingy. If anything I can just let go right now."

That made Kaori stop her teasing. "Wait don't let go, sorry."

"That's what I thought." Kousei smiled.

"Ya know," he continued, "I would've payed for the pastries if you haven't told your parents my birthday is tomorrow. I haven't paid a single yen for all the time's I've been there."

Kaori sighed. "My parents like you, y'know. Not only are they a big fan of you, they've started to like you a lot more as a person than just a celebrity once they started to know you better."

Kousei surprisingly looked toward the girl he's linked with. "Really?"

"Mm-hm."

"Oh..." Kousei looked ahead of him and thought back to the day he was watching Kaori use the rails with her physician. "Also...they once told me that I was the reason you've...I dunno, changed I guess? In a good way though. They said I brought your dull life back to color." Kousei gave Kaori a kiddish smile. "I kinda found that hard to believe since to me you were full of color, so I just couldn't imagine you living a dull life like me."

Kaori turned red and cursed her parents under her breath for telling Kousei something she'd never told him.

Kousei laughed and nudged her a bit. "They also told me something else; was I really the reason you went up for that surgery?"

Kaori breathed in air before exhaling and nodding her head, getting flustered because of Kousei knowing all this.

"Haha, I'm glad then. By the way, I, uh, find it kinda adorable when you get all flustered like that."

Kaori got even redder and Kousei laughed even more at how fast Kaori was able to lose her guard, earning him a stomp on the foot.

"OUCH! WHY'D YOU STEP ON ME?!"

"I WAS GETTING EMBARRASSED, YOU IDIOT!"

Kousei laughed a little more but limped away from Kaori when she was about to kick him in the leg.

"Hey!" Kousei shouted. "I mustered up all that confidence and now you've completely stepped on it!"

Kaori humphed and cornered Kousei off the sidewalk and on a bench. "This is not the time for your lame puns, Kousei!"

"C'mon! That was the first time I've ever said a pun and it seemed pretty good to me! Besides, I want this to day to be argue-free! It is my 'birthday' today anyways!"

In a mere flash, Kaori totally switched sides and instead of being angry she gasped and grinned afterwards, moving away from the bench Kousei was on after she grabbed ahold of his hand and ran off to the direction they were heading before they argued. "Ohmygosh, you're right~"

Kousei was left in a daze as he tried to not trip as he ran behind Kaori, his glasses almost sliding off his face completely from the rush. "What the-"

"Come on! I know where to go!" Kaori giggled happily as she ran off to wherever she was going to take Kousei.

Kousei groaned in his mind and sighed afterwards in reality. This girl's so confusing... She's as angry as a mad pit bull but as cheerful as an excited puppy the next! Kousei used his free hand to push his glasses further to his brow when he finally got his footing right and ran behind the bubbly girl whose hand is gripped in his. He let a small smile sneak onto his face as he stared at the teen's bouncing golden-hair, which is a little more brighter than before. Then again, his thoughts continued, I did end up falling for her anyway. Her personality isn't the best, but I do love her either way.

~0000~

"Here we are!" announced Kaori, letting go of Kousei's sweaty hand and watching as he leaned against the railing of Courage Bridge, obviously out of breathe.

"Why...why did we have to run—" Kousei inhaled a deep breathe—"all the way here from there?! You know I'm not the athletic t-type!"

Kaori laughed and walked closer to Kousei and took his glasses to wipe clean the moist that was caused by the immense sweat Kousei let out.

"Hey, Kousei, can you check what time it is?"

Kousei still held onto the fenced wall and tried to glare at Kaori but it was too blurry so he didn't want to become anymore blind. "Um, yes. I would but unfortunately you're cleaning my glasses so as of right now I'm practically blind."

Kaori innocently stared back at Kousei until she finished cleaning his glasses for him and placed them back onto his face carefully, not wanting to poke an eye out. "Sorry, sorry. There. Good-looking Kousei is back."

Kousei rose an eyebrow. "Uhm...but didn't you once say I looked handsome, or something like that, without them?"

Kaori looked down in feign thought with a finger tapping her chin. "Hmm. Well, you're not wrong." Kaori grinned and walked closer to Kousei as he straightened himself, breath coming back to him pretty slowly, and exclaimed, "But I don't think it'd be the same if you didn't have them on. If anything, I'd rather you have them on than off."

"What if I decide to just start wearing contacts?"

"Then I wouldn't fight it because it's your choice," Kaori said, but her next few words were mumbled and rushed, "even though I wouldn't exactly love it since I'll have to get used to you without glasses."

Kousei didn't hear her mumbling or even notice it but smiled and said, "Well how nice of you, Kaori. But I don't think I'd wear contacts, honestly. My eye doctor made it so confusing on how to use them when he asked if I wanted to use them."

Kaori tilted her head and leaned on the fence right beside Kousei. "When did you start to wear glasses?"

"Uh...when I was really young, I guess. They asked if I wanted contacts when I was in 7th grade, since I'd be more likely to remember and be responsible enough for them." Kousei shrugged and sat down on the floor, patting the spot beside him right after as a gesture for Kaori to sit down as well, which she had obeyed without any problem.

"So, Kaori, when'd you get glasses?"

Kaori looked at the calming water ahead of her, the sun already at its half-point. Some people and kids walked by occasionally. "I'm pretty sure I was 8-years-old when I was told I needed glasses. Contacts...well I chose to wear them somewhere in 7th or 8th, but it was for sure way before I met you."

"Mm." Kousei shut his eyes and leaned his head on the wall behind him, cicadas chirping their hearts out with the spring heat washing over everyone outside. "This is nice," he claimed. "I think it was a good idea to do this, Kaori."

Kaori smiled at the boy beside even though she knows he can't see it and said, "You're welcome. It's pretty hot but I guess it can be worth it in the end since it'll cool off soon."

"Yeah."

After a few moments of silence between the two, comfortable silence as well, Kaori took out her phone and opened it to check the time, her face changing to total confusion and shock.

"Hey, hey, Kousei," she's saying, "how long were we over there at my house? Or...well, bakery, in this case."

Kousei opened his eyes and looked over to Kaori. "Um...I dunno, a few minutes or an hour maybe?"

Kaori laughed and shook her head. "Nope, look." She handed him her phone.

Kousei grabbed her phone and glanced at the time, his calm expression changing into one of confusion. "Whoawhoawhoa, we were there for two hours?!"

Kaori laughed once more and nodded. "I know right? But maybe those first few minutes we spent with the kids back at the park with that little moment between up and those we spent an hour and a half at my mom and dad's shop and on the way back here probably took up a few minutes, especially with the little argument in between, so in total it'd be two hours and a few minutes."

"Wow..."

"I honestly hope that made sense because I tried to explain the best I could."

Kousei quietly laughed and reached for Kaori's hand, just simply holding it in his grasp. "It's alright, I understood. Anyway, what are we gonna do now?"

Kaori shrugged her shoulders. "Not sure. But let's wait till the sun goes a little more down so that we can do something when it is."

"And...what is it that we'll be doing?"

Kaori gave Kousei a devious grin. "Something I like to call daring and fun, don't worry."

~0000~

"Hey, Tsubaki, you think Kousei and Kaori are having a good time right about now?"

Tsubaki sighed and kicked the ball Watari brought along with him back at him and said, "Of course they're having fun. They're basically on a date, so it's bound to be fun."

Watari thought about it for a moment before kicking the ball back and nodding his head. "True."

Currently, the two athletes were out on a public field, deciding to hang out since they had nothing better to do and Watari suggested they just play catch and kickback for the time being while Kousei and Kaori were out on their date. Kickback is currently in session.

"Hey, Tsubaki! Go farther back!" Watari kicked the ball along with him as he ran farther away from Tsubaki to get a powerful kick in. He reeled his leg back and used all the force he had to direct his kick to the girl who was as far as half a soccer-field.

It made no sense for Watari to be thinking this now of all times, but he was really jealous of Kousei for being able to go on a date with Kaori. Sure, he fully supports the relationship the two have, and no one can deny that they're head-over-heals for each other as of now, but a part of him still hurts. Even if he went out with multiple girls before and can't deny it himself that he's a player, he really did love Kaori.

Watari laughed as Tsubaki groaned loud enough even he was able to catch it and ran to the ball that was kicked way behind her. He decided to just take a seat on the grass beneath him to give himself a break and watch the scenery around him as he was deep in thought.

Man...I must be a pretty bad friend to even be thinking about jealousy when they're probably having a blast right now. Watari sighed and stared as the brunette picked up his soccer ball and walked back with it in her hands. Luckily I'm slowly starting to get over Kaori. Kousei and she really need a relaxing break.

*0000*

Watari slammed his bedroom door shut, throwing himself down onto his bed, staring at the ceiling above him. He quickly greeted his parents and ate what they had made before going over to his room.

He'd just gotten back from the hospital with Tsubaki for the second time after finding out Kaori was okay. But he was a little more than surprised to find the two closer than he'd ever imagine.

"It wasn't what it looked like, huh?" Watari laughed, but it wasn't a cheerful one, it was more of a sad one.

When Tsubaki and I talked about what we'd both saw back at the hospital...she started to just...cry. Watari shut his eyes, the memory of earlier coming back to him. I've never seen a girl cry...I mean, I have but not...from anyone so close to me. At that moment, I didn't know what to do. I just walked by her side and did...nothing, really. I didn't know if she wanted a hug at the moment, especially from me. Watari sighed and draped his arm over his eyes, his teeth clattering as fresh tears were starting to build up behind his eyelids. But, I'm really glad I decided to hug her, because at that moment I was also in need of comfort.

Watari eventually wasn't able to hold it all in, so a choked sob left his mouth as tears broke their way free. He shakily removed his arm from his face and hurriedly wiped away the tears that drastically came out of his eyes, a few sobs being let out. I really loved her! I've never felt like this over a girl before! Hot tears slid down Watari's temple, but he was too immersed in his own thoughts to take any mind to them. I've always known Kousei loved Kaori and they were bound to confess their love to each other one day, soon...but...maybe I just wasn't emotionally ready for it...

"Dammit," Watari sobbed, "dammit, dammit, dammit! I should've known this was going to happen someday! Why am I such a crybaby over it?!"

*0000*

Watari's memory slowly faded away. After his breakdown, he decided he would fully support the thing going on between his two friends.

He tilted his head when Tsubaki jogged all the way to where he was seated at and kicked him on the knee.

"Ow! Hey! Why'd you kick me!" Watari scrambled up and glared at the shorter girl in front of him.

"You were spacing out, that's why." Tsubaki sighed and grabbed Watari's arm, leading him to an empty picnic table to sit at. "Come on, let's go sit and relax for a while. I also wanna talk about the surprise I, you, Kaori, and Hiroko all planned for Kousei."

"Oh. Okay."

~0000~

For over a few hours, Kousei and Kaori just sat together and walked around on the bridge, playing with a few children that walked by and stayed to play for a while. Mainly all they did was cuddle and hold hands and talk and sneak in little kisses here and there, anything an innocent couple would do.

"Alright, Kousei!" Kaori got up from the floor and looked off to the downing sun. "The sky's perfect for what I want us t- oh wait!" Kaori quickly took out her phone and snapped a quick picture of the sky and sun. "Sorry, wanted to take a picture, haha!" Kaori turned to look at Kousei and grabbed his hand, beaming at him with a grin. "What I want us to do is jump off this bridge."

Kousei widened his eyes. "W-what?! Again?!"

Kaori nodded and said, "Yes! It was pretty scary when I first did it because I knew I probably wasn't ever going to do it since I had a time limit regarding my life so—" Kaori pulled Kousei over to the rail across from them and stared at the sun, looking down at the water below them, and then looking back to her boyfriend—"we don't know when our lives could end and I suggest we do it together."

Kousei was a little touched at Kaori's little speech and it took him a few seconds to respond back but when he did all he gave her was a smile and nod with, "You're right."

Unexpectedly, Kousei gripped Kaori's hand in his a little tighter and already climbed atop the railing, helping Kaori up as well. They both put their phones on the rail but it was thick enough to balance them so there wasn't a problem.

"Okay, on three." Kousei took a deep breath and counted up. "One...two...oh I hope I don't lose my glasses again, three!"

Together, the two leaped off the rail with deep breaths, Kaori was smiling brightly as she cheered while Kousei was careful about not trying to lose his glasses and suck in a bunch of water.

They both hit the water with a loud splash and their hands separated from each other to be able to stay floating. Kaori was the first to emit from the water and moved her soaking hair away from her face, bangs sticking to her forehead as she inhaled and exhaled.

Kousei came out from under the water seconds after Kaori and sucked a deep breath before letting it out in heaves of air. His hair was as soaking as Kaori's and he ran his fingers through his hair to move it away from his face. His glasses were clenched in his hand but even so he was still able to see Kaori even if she was a little blur.

He laughed and Kaori couldn't help but laugh as well.

"That was actually pretty fun, Kaori!" Kousei laughed and slipped on his glasses and swam over to Kaori.

"It was fun the second time, to be honest!" Kaori laughed a little more with Kousei and started to swim away from him to where there was floor. "Come on, slowpoke! Let's go get our phones before someone possibly steals them!"

Kousei laughed behind her and swam his way over to where Kaori was heading.

Once they've made it back to the bridge, they grabbed their phones and stared at each other for a moment, not a single look of regret on their faces.

"Hmm..." Kaori tilted her head with an adorable look of curiosity on her features. "I wonder if kissing while we're wet is similar to kissing in the rain."

Kousei turned a little red. "Um...I-I don't know that, at all...b-but maybe we can tr-"

Kaori leaned in and planted her lips over Kousei's, which had caught him off guard since he was in the middle of a sentence, but he didn't waste a second to kiss back.

Kaori pulled back a few inches and stared into Kousei's blue orbs, a smiling coming upon her face. "Kissing in the rain is a different experience on its own, probably." She let out an eye-smile. "But maybe a birthday kiss is different as well."

Kousei ended up being left confused on what Kaori had meant on birthday kiss but didn't dare ask her when she kissed him again, but this time the kiss was a little more different than the ones they've usually shared. This one was a little more...passionate, more than usual. Kousei felt his entire being redden when their lips started to slowly move, but Kaori clenched her hands on Kousei's clothes before pulling away, both breathless with flushed faces.

"U-uh...I..." Kousei really had nothing to say, his mind was dizzy as of now.

Kaori slowly unclenched her hands from Kousei and let a few chuckles leave her mouth. "Ah, sorry. Was that too far?"

Kousei immediately shook his head and his mouth ran by itself. "No! No, not-not at all! I-I mean...uh...it kinda felt nice..."

Kousei kept rambling on, but Kaori slowly started to smile brightly in the end. She laughed and kissed Kousei's cheek, bringing him back to his senses. She hugged him tightly and when he hugged back she said, "You're such a dork. Not in a bad way though, I find it really adorable when you get flustered."

Kousei blushed to further more but smiled into Kaori's hair and mumbled, "Same with you."

"Huh?"

Kousei smiled gently and shook his head. "Nothing."

"Okay then." Kaori sighed contently and buried her face into Kousei neck. "Happy early birthday, Kousei."

"Thanks, Kaori."

"I..." Kaori slightly clenched her fists behind Kousei and brought him closer, whispering. "I-I love you."

Kousei felt his breath hitch at those three words. He relaxed right after and laughed a little. "I love you too."

I was right, Kousei mused, even Kaori was able to say 'I love you'. He smiled to himself and hugged the girl in his arms closer to him, ignoring that they're both soaked from head to toe. I really am a wimp.

"Oh thank god," Kaori breathed out. She laughed to herself and squeezed Kousei for a while before releasing and looking into his eyes. "That was really hard to say, I was afraid you wouldn't respond."

Kousei wanted to say something, but he held it in. Instead, he smiled and said, "Can you say them again?"

Kaori was taken aback. "Huh? Why?"

Kousei smiled more softly and pecked her lips as if she was a twig going to break at even the gentlest touch. He backed up and added on, "Because I wanna know for sure. I want to look into your eyes and make sure I won't be scared to say those words anymore."

"O-oh...okay." Kaori collected herself for a moment before letting out a breath and saying sincerely while staring into her lover's shining eyes, "I love you, Kousei."

Kousei beamed, staring into Kaori's dark, but yet bright at the same time, eyes and confidently responding with, "I love you too, Kaori."

It feels really nice to know you really love me, Kaori. Kousei smiled at his lover and hugged her one more time before letting go and grabbing ahold of her hand, walking off with her and letting her know they're heading to his house to get dried up.

I'm so glad I'm with you, Kousei. Kaori smiled lightly to herself but it quickly turned to curiosity. I wonder if Tsubaki, Watari, and Hiroko are having any luck. I hope they are.

It's 5 AM ;_;

Hellos everybody I am well and healthy this fine night (or morning idk) I promise +-+

I'm actually slowly starting to accept my writing haha I'm starting to feel proud of each chapter now, but not completely yet.

Btw, thanks for almost 13k reads you guys :D I had no idea I'd get past 1k ;')

School's almost coming up for me ;0 8th grade, I am not ready for you. Sorry if updates are a lot slower when I enter school, obviously it's gonna be bc i'm stressing over school. (btw thanks for those happy bdays last chap ;D)

I need sleep but I just can't I keep sleeping until 6 am and i'm scared i won't be able to sleep early when school starts

You guys probs dont care about my life rants tho ;') so I'm gonna try to go to bed ya'll

goodnight/good morning/good evening/good afternoon! (hope this chapter was decent and omg sorry for it being so long)