The difference between want and need

Chapter 3: Love

Kirihara POV

Since he and I had made up and had decided to be together, something had been nagging at the back of my mind. The hunger was being satisfied and my needs were being met. However, they were physical and my longing had grown to an emotional level. I loved him and he knew it, yet he had pushed it aside as if it meant nothing, as if he didn't believe me. The thing that really disturbed me was the possibility that he might not love me back. It was a constant 'what if?' whenever we were together. Nobody knew about us, so I couldn't exactly ask in front of anyone. At least that's what I thought.

It was almost the end of the year and Bunta was going to graduate in a few weeks. I'm probably repeating myself when I say I hated to see him go. Anyway, it was the last tournament of the year. Bunta and Jackal-Senpai had played their final game as doubles partners. Yagyuu-Senpai and Niou-Senpai were serving. I sat behind Yukimura-Buchou, next to my new boyfriend. I couldn't focus and I was playing singles two. I was up next, and I couldn't get hyped up for the game. All I could think about was that single question. Does he love me? I had to know. I wouldn't be able to play my best and prove that I was number one without that knowledge. I made up my mind as Niou-Senpai and Yagyuu-Senpai performed their final switch of the year. I was going to ask, then while everyone else was focused on the doubles pair on the court, but the words kept getting caught in my throat. Then the game became very interesting and I got distracted. Before I knew it, they were done with their match and Niou-Senpai purred loudly.

"Puri!"

He tackled Yagyuu-Senpai and licked his cheek. I winced. Gross. Yagyuu-Senpai blushed, which is a sight to see. He mumbled something and Niou-Senpai smirked.

"Puri."

It was my turn to play. I hopped down from the stands and shouldering my racquet. It was now or never.

"Marui-Senpai, could you come down here for a second?"

Bunta rolled his eyes and made his way down with his usual cocky swagger. His confidence is incredibly sexy.

"What are you doing? You need to be on the court."

He shook his magenta head at me. I tried to be quiet so that the others couldn't hear.

"Bunta…"

I reached over and took his hand in me racquet free one. He cocked his head to one side. He seemed befuddled, almost worried.

"I need to know…"

Again, I sounded like somebody from a crappy romance movie. I sounded like some sappy actress, asking her lover a serious question with dramatic music playing in the background.

"Do you-do you love me?"

I sounded like a moron. His handsome face burst into a warm smile. The look into his eyes made my heart melt. He reached up and pulled me down into a kiss. Was it a yes? I could hear gasps and somebody, probably Yukimura-Buchou, giggling.

"You moron! Of course I love you!"

He thunked me lightly on the side of my head. I let out a held breath.

"I had hoped so. It's just… The day we got together, you laughed when I told you…"

He opened his mouth and laughed loudly.

"Oh that. I just thought you were being a sap."

I could feel my face go red. Yes, I had been a total sap. He smoothed some of my curls from my face.

"That doesn't mean I don't love you."

I blushed as he caressed my cheek.

"Now go out there and kick some ass!"

The look in his eye, that kiss and those three words made me feel as if I could do anything. I think I played the best I have ever played and the demon inside of me never emerged. Not once.