Chapter 87

Miku.

Kaito was lying in the hospital bed. His eyes were shut, but his face wasn't scrunched up in pain like it was when he was lying in my lap, bleeding. His chest was heaving regularly, and that relieved me even more than what the nurse had told me.

"He's very lucky," she had said with a gentle smile. I was crying again, but they were tears of happiness more than anything else, "You can go see him, but he's probably asleep."

"T-Thank you," I had whispered. My feet were glued to the ground. I wanted to run into the room and hug him, but I also was afraid. What if I hugged him too tightly and hurt him? What if he was angry with me for smashing his head with an iron rod like that?

I walked up to him slowly and sat down on the chair by his bed. His hand wasn't under the blanket, so I ran a finger along it before intertwining my fingers with his.

"Kaito," I whispered, "You're alive."

He stirred and I tried to pull my fingers out of his, but he just squeezed my hand tighter. His eyes opened and he looked at me, a soft groan escaping him.

"M-Miku...," his eyes were focused on me but he seemed lost. I nodded quickly as the tears came back. I just couldn't stop crying.

"I'm so sorry, Kaito," I said.

"Don't be," he smiled slowly, "I'm never leaving you. Even...even death can't take me away, not yet..."

"Kaito, I..."

"I love you, princess," he said before I could finish, "I always have. I still do. I always will, no matter what. You're...the only one that I can love. It's...stupid, really, but..."

"No, it's not stupid," I smiled weakly and shook my head, "Because there's no one I'd rather be with, as long as I've got you."

"M-Miku...," he groaned and shifted slightly, "Where is everyone?"

"They're here," my smile only grew, "They care about you. They're your friends, Kaito."

"Friends...," Kaito closed his eyes and they disappeared under his bangs, "You should call them in."

I nodded. They were probably worried. "Okay," I whispered, getting up. I looked down at Kaito, hesitated, then bent down and gently kissed him before running out of the room.

Len.

I sat silently and watched the others. It made me angry and sad to see them the way they were. Mikuo was sulking a few seats away, Meiko was clearly disappointed with him, and Yuma and Gumi, the two I thought I'd never see in a fight, were arguing.

"Why'd you have to do that, Yuma?" Gumi hissed. She was trying to keep her voice down, but both of them were practically yelling at each other.

"I had to stop him," Yuma was being more mature, or at least, he was trying to. Gumi was obviously upset with his and Mikuo's little scuffle.

"A bigger fight could've broken out," Gumi turned away. I wanted to stop them but I was afraid of what would happen if I tried to stick my nose in. I couldn't even begin to imagine them breaking up; they were so perfect together.

Fortunately, Miku came to the rescue. I scowled, angry at myself for being so weak. I hurt everyone that I was around, and I could never change things for the better.

"Y-You guys!" Miku panted, running up to us. I stood up and supported her gently as she nearly fell to the floor.

"What happened?" I asked. She smiled, eyes sparkling with tears.

"He's okay," she whispered.

I couldn't believe it. My nightmare had become a dream, almost. I found myself grinning like crazy as Miku pulled me in for a quick hug.

"He wants to see you, all of you!" She announced.

Mikuo turned slowly. His eyes were wide and Meiko smiled as she pulled him to his feet. I watched as Gumi's accusing finger moved from pointing at Yuma, sliding down into his hand. He held it tightly and smiled.

"Let's go," I nodded. Miku led us to Kaito's room.

"Kaito!" I yelled before I could stop myself. He was awake, lying in bed with a load of bandages tied around his forehead.

"Hey!" He chuckled as I hugged him quickly, "I was worried about you guys."

"Worried about us?" Mikuo said, walking up to Kaito, "We were worried about you!"

"I can tell," Kaito grinned, "Your eyes."

Mikuo chuckled and wiped his eyes quickly. He tousled Kaito's hair. "We can't have a world without you, right?"

"Or a teenage, leek loving pop idol without you, either, right?" Gumi grinned and elbowed Miku, who blushed.

"Right, we can't have that," Kaito nodded slowly.

"So...are you going to go home?" Yuma asked. Kaito frowned.

"Yeah, they're going to stitch up the wound and send me home," he said, "But I probably won't be going to school tomorrow. My leg hurts, and I can't walk very well."

Miku gasped, falling to her knees by his bed and grabbing his hand in hers. She pressed it against her chest and started to cry again.

"Aw, don't cry so much, princess," he reached forward with his other hand and stroked her face gently, "I'm not worth it."

"Yes, you are, okay?" She sniffed, "You're worth more tears than I could ever shed in my entire life, even if I cried during every moment of my existence!"

"Don't say that," he said softly. I heard an 'aww' escape Gumi, "You'll just leave me feeling bad, saying things like that."

Miku nodded quickly. "I'm just glad you're okay," she whispered.

Kaito laughed, and his laughter practically lit the room up with thousands of lights. We all smiled; that was Kaito's power: he could make just about anyone smile.

"That sounds more like the Miku I know," he grinned.

Luka.

"Hey!" I smiled sweetly at Gakupo once he had opened the door.

"Hey," he nodded, "What is it?"

"Well, it's sorta like this," I had rehearsed this so many times, and still, I was having difficulty, "I was wondering...if you wanted to, you know, have a coffee or dinner or something."

Gakupo stared at me. His mouth was slightly open, but there weren't any words coming out. I felt feverish as blood rushed to my cheeks.

"I mean, you don't have to, and I totally get it, you're a busy guy, what with teaching and marking and Megurine the Incubator Kitty, a-and you probably don't have time to eat, let alone go out for a bite, and this is all just really stupid, I know, and really, I shouldn't even be asking, but I'm a shameless person, and..."

"Luka, you're rambling," Gakupo smiled. I hid my face behind my hands.

"S-Sorry..."

"And it's adorable when you do that," he finished, crossing his arms.

Stop it, you're only making me blush more!

"Of course I'll come!" He said, and I didn't believe my ears.

"W-What? You will?" I blinked a couple of times and he nodded.

"How's tomorrow sound?" He asked with a smile, "Around eight?"

I nodded, blushing and grinning. "That sounds excellent!"

I had just asked the last person I'd date...to go out with me on a date.