Shiina Kisaragi's POV:

My breathing released in quick and uneasy spurts. Meeting the piercing stares of the boys before me was too much to bear, especially with my heart figuratively pounding like a jackhammer against my ribcage. Although I owed them this, it was unimaginably nerve-wracking.

"The one I love is—has always been. . ." My attention flickered to and fro his dreamy face and the ground. His hot stare set my skin aflame once more. Eventually, after stifling my profound shyness, I mustered the courage to stammer, "Kamakiri."

The moment his name left my tongue, a stilted silence transpired. Rin-Rin and the others grappled to come to terms with the current reality. In the end, however, they transferred sentiments of goodwill to the both of us. Not that I could say much in return. My declaration had already broken all of their hearts.

One after another, they departed. Toru, the sole individual to remain, stopped dead in his tracks.

The dark glare he cast Kamakiri sent shivers down my spine. "I don't approve."

"Is there something you're supposed to approve of?" Kamakiri replied levelly. "Whining out of jealousy isn't a good look for you."

"Like jealousy matters right now." He stomped toward him. "You broke her heart once and you're going to have the opportunity to do it all over again? Getting involved with her to make amends is one thing. And if Shiina forgives you. . . and still feels that way, there's not much I can say. But you think a guy like you who's hung around delinquents in the past—who made a mockery of her, knowing full well how she felt—won't hurt her a second time? You're telling me to give an asshole like you another chance?"

"Kamakiri isn't—"

"Kisaragi." He folded his arms, never prying his focus from Toru. There existed a lingering sadness in his eyes, in his voice. "You're right. I'm a shitty human being who did horrible things, accompanied horrible people to fill a lonely void in my life. Even if I cut those deadbeats out of my life that doesn't change the fact that I deliberately made her cry. No matter what I do henceforth I'll never make it up to her kindness. But, my wish to make her happy is genuine. If she'll give me the chance to be with her, I'll do everything in my power to ensure she won't regret it. The next and only time I make her cry, it'll be tears of joy."

A fiery warmth claimed my chest.

Toru's mouth quirked wryly. "That's a bold claim. This wimp sobs over the tiniest things."

Hold on. I didn't cry that easily. And wimp?

I pulled a face. This conversation was starting to annoy me.

"If I have to cheer her up again because you screwed up, I'll take her for myself."

"Don't hold your breath, midget. It won't happen."

"Hear that, Shiina? I'm officially relieved from my duty. Any time you want to be all hideous and vulnerable, you'll have to rely on him from now on."

"The hell you mean by hideous?!"

His chuckle wavered, which must've been unintentional. He disappeared with a brief mention of having band practice after school. In that same interval, Kamakiri closed the distance between us. He kissed me, without preamble or delicacy, as if it'd taken him everything to keep his feelings at bay—as if having me near was everything he ever needed.

"Are you sure?"

I met his eyes from a minimal distance, my joy exploding with every thrum of my heartbeat in my ears.

"You were convinced I was in love with you and now you're second-guessing my confession? I'm hurt."

My lips curved upwards so widely it pained my cheeks.

"I'll gladly give you my heart again."

His eyebrows elevated a fraction.

"Others can think I'm dumb for that all they want, but they don't know the Daisuke Kamakiri that I do. Your harsh quips and domestic hobbies. All your magnificent and not-so-magnificent sides combined. I don't care about the past at all: I'm focusing only on the you I've gotten to know. And I love you, Kamakiri."

"Kisaragi."

"What? No snide remarks today to hide your embarrassment?" I goaded. "Have I turned the unfriendly and despicable Kamakiri into a pile of mush?"

His obnoxious smirk broadened at this moment. "Idiot. You're the one who mutters unabashedly cheesy things daily. Even though I've given you plenty of reasons to distrust me, you readily do the opposite and face me head-on. Truly, your softheartedness urges me to tease you to no end."

"Please spare me. You tease me enough."

"When you react so adorably, can you blame me?"

"Well, um— I—"

A smile crossed his face, one so charming my respiratory system malfunctioned.

"I meant every word." His palm cupped my cheek. "I'll make you happier than the rest of them ever could, the happiest I can. I'll cherish you in earnest so you won't have time to be anything but."

My heart swelled three sizes. "Kamakiri. . ."

"Likewise, you'll continue to wag your tail solely for me, right?"

I pursed my mouth. And he ruined it. "I get you're implying I'm loyal, but there should be better ways to put it—"

He silenced me with a kiss.

"Any objections?"

"None. . . !"

He laughed all the while I reddened like a tomato, having proved an accidental point.

My first love was more complicated than most.

It provided me with a variety of emotions and experiences; memories.

I couldn't predict what the future had in store, but at this instant, with him, my euphoria was unmistakable.

No matter what life threw at us, I was sure that wouldn't change.