Omg I can't believe it's the last chapter already! and i have to write this out on Friday again lol My aunt wants me to go golfing with her at 5am tomorrow xP DOES SHE NOT UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS DAY? lol

I want to thank every single person who has read, reviewed, and favorited this story! my first story! it really means a lot to me guys. without your support i wouldn't have had the heart to continue

Alright no more waiting! onward to Chapter 20! *still crying*

I suggest that everyone reads this in 3/4 or 1/2 page width, it looks better that way xP Well... here we go!

Disclaimer: (once and for all!) Chapter 1

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1 day.

Just 1 more day until the Year-End Event. Everything is set. The employees picked a theme and the stores have been fully remodeled. Since there are three stores and it is almost Christmas time the employees got creative and decided on "A Christmas Carol." RHYDEAL was assigned Christmas past and has been decorated in Christmas décor from the 1950s to 1960s. JACKROSE was picked for Christmas present so the employees had fun running around and finding decorations that they liked from their favorite stores. Silver Bullet was chosen to be Christmas future. I haven't seen the store yet, but someone told me that all of the decorations are very abstract and avant-garde.

After nearly three months of planning and stressing it is all finally coming together. Hilary practically forced me to go out today and relax. I'm meeting Matthew for a date. After pretty much ignoring him in favor of this project I felt kind of bad. You can't really blame me though. The guy knew that we were planning our event for tomorrow but he sets his on the exact same day. Whatever.

We're meeting at the Hie shrine in Chiyoda, Tokyo. I got here early for reasons unknown to myself. But this place is beautiful. There is a line of red torii gates that seems to go on for miles. I am currently walking through them out of pure curiosity and amazement. There are so many trees, and so many scrolls…

And so many stairs!

God, what was I thinking when I decided to waltz through these millions of gates placed on this mountain high staircase? I've had to take two breaks already and I'm only half-way up! The shrine is at the top so it better be worth it. And when I say worth it I mean there had better be a deity waiting for me at the top of these damn stairs with a chocolate cake and 1 million yen. Can stairs that lead to a shrine be damned? Well anyway, damn these stairs!

And now it's dark. Great.

"Guess who." Bob Marley. I gently pry the hands from my eyes and turn to find none other than Matthew. He's the only one who greets me this way. At first it was cute. But after guessing correctly every time it gets a little boring. I give him a smile that probably gives away that I just walked up a few thousand stairs.

"Sorry I'm late. I spaced-out on the train and got off at the wrong station." His touchy-feely arm places itself around my shoulders. Are we allowed to act homo on holy ground? "I guess I've been tired from planning our event. It's tomorrow you know."

Yeah. I know. You planned it the same time as ours so how could I forget. "Really?"

I successfully hide the sarcasm that is just fighting to come out. We continue to walk the seemingly endless flight of stairs in a semi-comfortable silence. I'm still debating on whether being so touchy-feely on sacred ground will turn the fates against me.

"Is there anything you're going to pray for?" That is a question I have not thought of.

"I… don't know." Besides the fact that we are at a Shinto shrine and I was raised on Taoist beliefs, I really hadn't put any thought into anything, much less what I would be praying for. Well there is the Year-End Event tomorrow that I've been working non-stop for the past three months for. I should pray for that. Then there are exams coming up that I haven't studied for at all. Definitely praying for that. Then there's Kai…

This may sound strange, especially after everything he's done. But I feel sorry for him. Really. He doesn't know how to feel emotions or how to treat other people. How can a person like that find someone to be with them. Granted I still have feelings for him and would still want to be with him. But people want to be loved by the people they're with. I may have lost Kai but at least I have Matthew. Who does Kai have?

The Russian bastards.

Better pray extra for him.

Matthew's chuckling pulls me out of my thoughts. "What?"

"Nothing. You just looked really determined suddenly." Oh, whoops. His chuckles subside after a few seconds. "I was going to ask for a good turnout for our event tomorrow." He's really thinking about his event today. Well, if he's going to try and get the gods on his side then so will I.

"I was thinking of asking for a couple of things." We're still not to the top of these stairs, but at least I can see the roof of the shrine now. Too bad it looks so small. "Maybe about the event, and school… and Kai."

"Why him?" That was fast. And snappy. I guess talking about another guy is a touchy subject for him.

"Well, he's done a lot for me, even though we've had a few spats-"

"He's a joke. He can't even keep a hold of his employees." His tone, I don't like it. "That's why he lost control of his business in the first place."

This is still a delicate subject for me. After all, I am one of the employees leaving. Tala ended up coming back, but the damage is done. Kai lost his business for the remainder of the contract and his reputation took a hit. Everyone has been talking about it, even on television. But they only know that Kai was removed from his position, they don't know exactly why. The only ones who know are a small few that were there in the office the day that it happened. Me, Hilary, the Russian bastards and…

"Wait a second."

Matthew only stops his trek up the stairs when he realizes I'm no longer next to him. His confused eyes fall on me and he gives me a small smile. I don't return it. "How did you know Mr. Otsuka removed Kai because he lost employees?"

His smile falters. Then it returns tenfold. Except now it's a guilty one. He steps closer and holds onto my right hand lightly. "You caught me."

Wrong answer.

"Rei, it's not like I wanted Hiwatari to lose his business. I was looking out for my superior. You know, Mr. Otsuka runs both 109-2 and Tokyu Twins? It's a big job so he can't do it all on his own. What kind of junior would I be if I didn't help him look out for irresponsible shareholders? Though, from the beginning, I didn't care much for that Hiwatari. He should have left a long time ago-"

He didn't see it coming. My fist connected perfectly with his nose. I am rewarded with a satisfying crack and a pained shout. He falls back onto the steps and has to grab onto a nearby torii gate so he doesn't roll all the way back down the stairs.

"Rei? What the hell was that for?"

I don't answer right away. I'm too busy taking in his shocked, confused, and slightly bloody appearance. His nose is probably broken. I can't tell though. He's holding it trying to keep the blood off of his clothes. After a moment of me not answering, he turns his complete attention to his nose. I can hear him mumbling something about how his nose may become disfigured and how I've lost my mind.

I haven't lost my mind, I found it. Now I know what Kai was talking about. Matthew is really no good. It just sucks that it took me this long to see it. And I listened to this guy over someone whom I call my friend. Who I respect and admire… and love.

"I love him…"

It was barely a whisper, but Matthew heard. He looks up with his hand still clamped over his face. "What?"

I turn quickly to start my journey back down the stairs. I was planning on praying for tomorrow's event, but now I don't think I need to. I've worked hard. Everyone has worked hard. I want to be sure that whatever good comes out of tomorrow came straight from our labor alone and not some divine intervention.

Remembering something, I stop short and look back up at the bloody mess I've left behind. "Matthew."

He looks up a second time still clutching his bloody face. I can see tears have built up in his eyes from the pain that has just caught up to him. He should go to a hospital. "What?"

"We're over."

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Where is he? Where is he? Aloysha, where are you!

The big day has arrived. It is time for the Year End Event that everyone has been working so diligently for. I'm in RHYDEAL doing the last check-up before we open. So far so good. Everything is in order. Not a sock out of place, except for Tyson's that is. He can never match his socks.

The only thing I have left to do is confirm the arrival of a highly anticipated shipment. This particular shipment is a line of shirts collaborated with the brand Makiko. It took Hilary about a week to get them to agree. It is one of the most anticipated products for this event and the last time I checked the shipment still hadn't arrived. Aloysha has been waiting on it all day which is why I am currently looking for him. All of the Silver Bullet stores will be open to the public in about 1 hour and I can't find him anywhere!

There's the fruit tart! I spot his brown hair just past a couple mannequins. Immediately, I rush through the crowd of employees. They part for me easily now that I am in charge. Before long I dash past the mannequins to find Aloysha fixing a few haphazardly folded shirts.

"Aloysha," he looks up instantly and offers a bright, if not a little stressed, smile. "Did the shipment-"

"Already here."

"Is it set-"

"Full display completed and ready to be vandalized by excited customers." He moves back a little to reveal a fully set display holding all of the Makiko collaborated shirts. I turn back to Aloysha who is gesturing to the display like a model on a game show. I can't hold back my relief and pull him into hug.

"How could I do this without you?"

I feel him laugh and pat my back gently. "You couldn't."

"Rei." No, no interruptions. Just let me hold my fellow homo for a moment longer. Aloysha and I eventually pull apart to find Hilary. She has a worried look on her face. Crap, don't tell me something's wrong. "You need to see this."

I look to Aloysha who gives me a reassuring nod. With that I step past Hilary and around a set a mannequins. All of the employees are crowded around something. I can hear some quiet talking but aside from that nothing. I move through the crowd slowly making my way to the center of everyone's attention. It isn't long before I find a head of familiar lavender hair.

Luckily, Bryan is too busy looking around the store to notice me so I continue. Once I am at the head of the crowd I can see that he didn't come alone. Tala is also looking around the store. I can see he is holding a stack of what appears to be tote bags. Bryan also has a large box balanced on one of his shoulders.

And there's Kai. A few people are speaking to him quietly, saying how they miss him and how he didn't deserve to be let go. He responds with nods and shrugs which shows that he missed being here too.

"Kai." I was speaking just louder than a whisper but he heard me. His crimson eyes fall on me for a moment before he looks to the crowd again. He clears his throat gaining everyone's attention. Bryan and Tala come to stand by him most likely out of habit.

"Everyone, it's been a while." A dull murmur of agreement fills the room momentarily. "I am pleased to see that the Year-End Event is on its way to being a success. The layouts of all the stores are impressively planned out, the coordinations are up to par, and the designer collaborations are a pleasant surprise."

A few people talk amongst themselves happily about the praise they have just received. I myself am relieved. It's good to know that the hard work everyone has put in was worth it. Some people, like Hilary and Ken, are going to need some extra paid vacation after this.

"However," uh oh. This word has suddenly become my least favorite. The happy chatter throughout the crowd has stopped. You can tell everyone is running through the possible reasons for Kai to be displeased: there was not enough advertising, we were unable to get bigger designers to collaborate, no one got him a Christmas present…

"I couldn't allow this event to continue without putting my own effort into it... I'm too prideful."

A few sighs of relief and giggles erupt from the crowd and I nearly pass out myself. While some people return to talking quietly, Kai turns to Tala and takes a few tote bags from his arms. He then holds one up for everyone to see. It is a black bag (though I can see some from the stack in brown and crème) with the word SAIGO printed in gold on the front. Also in gold is a picture of a phoenix covered in chains with wings outstretched.

"These bags are originals purchased from SAIGO in Korea." A few people who know the brand let out noises of excitement. "We will give these away as gifts along with…"

On cue, Bryan steps forward and places the box he was carrying on the ground. He pulls the top open to reveal smaller boxes and Kai grabs one to show everyone. "These are products from Laneige Homme skincare. These will also be given away free of charge."

More animated talking ensues as Kai looks over everyone in the crowd. He skips over me, but honestly I don't mind. I'm just glad he's here. I'm glad they are all here actually. Even Bryan (sort of). Their being here makes this place feel like it used to.

"The event begins in thirty minutes. You've come a long way everyone. Let's do our best."

A sound of agreement is heard and everyone scatters to either finish what they were doing or to move the free items to the other stores. I'm about to follow Kai so that I can get a word in before the opening. However, Max calls me from the other side of the store needing assistance. Well, maybe I can speak to him during the event.

The thirty minutes before the opening go by quickly and before I know it, I am standing at the head of Silver Bullet waiting to greet the anxious customers. Hilary is standing to my right looking about 1,000 times less stressed than myself. She's a people person by nature unlike me. I haven't had to talk to a customer in months so I'm afraid I'll be a bit rusty with helping anyone.

Ken looks to everyone to see if we are ready. When he is satisfied he heads over to the key-switch by the door that will raise the metal gate separating us from the excited crowd outside. His phone rings and he answers quickly already knowing who it is. Aloysha's voice can be heard on the other end. Ken turns to all of us once again.

"This is it everyone."

Hilary's hand seeks out mine and she gives it a squeeze. I squeeze back and take a deep breath as the metal gate slowly rises. The security guards on either side of the door wait until it reaches the top before undoing the velvet rope holding back the customers. Once they do, the crowd quickly steps into the store.

The anxious feeling soon leaves me as I see the looks on the first few customers' faces. They are absolutely amazed. The male customers are pointing out decorations that catch their eye to their friends or girlfriends. Said girlfriends will laugh in excitement or squeal accordingly. The married women are holding their husbands arms lovingly as they gaze at the lights and whimsical displays. Some of the children that have been brought along have gone straight to the Christmas tree in the center of the store where they can look at all of the "presents" and ornaments. No doubt they have similar presents waiting at home to be opened tomorrow morning.

One little boy is trying to grab a Santa riding in a hot air balloon hanging from the ceiling.

I turn around and take in the sights all around me. Some employees are giving away the tote bags at the door to be used as shopping bags. Many customers are surprised to have received a gift without even buying a single thing.

Near the dressing rooms, Hilary is talking animatedly with one of the girlfriends as she assists her boyfriend in finding new clothes. While he steps into the dressing room the girlfriend leans over and whispers something into Hilary's ear which causes them both to giggle.

Max and Tyson are helping out a family. Well, Max is helping the couple. Tyson has thrown on a set of reindeer antlers and a glowing red nose to prance around like an idiot for the amusement of a group of kids. They absolutely love him.

As the cash registers come into view I can see Russian bastards 1 and 2 ringing up sales and giving away freebees. Some of the girls are trying desperately to flirt with Bryan, but he isn't giving them any leeway. Tala is also receiving attention, but from the males. However, unlike Bryan, he is willing to offer a smile and short banter. I think that customer just forgot to take his change. We're probably getting more profit than we should with Tala behind the counter.

And where is Kai?

I catch a glimpse of grey hair near the front of the store. Sure enough, it's Kai. He's heading toward the little boy I had seen earlier. Said boy looks very upset at not being able to reach the Santa in the hot air balloon. A feeling builds up in me as I watch Kai approach him. I know what Kai is going to do before he does it. It's because of these rare acts that I fell for him in the first place. Under that cold exterior is a warm heart and I feel a smile pull at my cheeks every time I can witness its existence.

Kai reaches up, pulls the Santa out of the balloon and gives it to the now smiling boy.

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"Good work everyone!"

Ken pops open the champagne bottle sending the cork god-knows-where. Cheers mixed with squeals are heard as the foam spills from the open bottle onto the floor of JACKROSE. I'm not cleaning that up.

Some of the employees go to fill their glasses. The event was no-doubt a success. We made a lot of revenue and a few television networks came down to cover the event. So while the mess is being cleaned up we are also celebrating. Well, everyone else is celebrating. I, on the other hand, am not thinking about bubbly or an after party. I have waited all day to talk to Kai. But right now, I have no idea where he went.

I walk through the crowd of employees quickly hoping to catch a glimpse of his hair, or his clothes, or his eyes. Nothing. But I do find our favorite brunette.

"Hilary," I take hold of her shoulder hoping that she can sense my urgency. "Have you seen Kai?"

"I saw him ealier…" Great! "But I'm not sure where he's at now." Balls.

"It's ok Hilary. I'll ask around. Go home and get some rest, okay?" She nods and pulls me into a hug that, after the past couple of months, we both really needed. From behind me I hear the volume of the celebration increase. I can hear someone read off a news article (probably from their phone's internet service) stating that the Silver Bullet Year-End Event has already become the most talked about retail event this year.

Not wanting to miss out on the excitement, Hilary leaves me with a goodnight kiss on the cheek and heads over to join the group. Now, who might know where Kai ran off to? I spot Tyson and Max packing away some decorations. His own team? Why not?

"Hey, have you guys seen Kai?" I can see the decorations that they are packing are the ones that were too expensive to purchase so we opted for leasing them. Some designers will actually let you lease their décor! I couldn't believe it myself.

Max stacks another loaded box onto Tyson's already teetering stack of three. Please, for the love of every god ever worshipped in every religion that has ever come into existence, do NOT drop those. As Tyson staggers toward the employee lounge Max turns to me. "I saw him leaving almost as soon as we closed. But I didn't get a chance to ask where he was going."

Dammit, he already left. Seeing my crestfallen expression, Max gives a short frown. Then his index finger comes up to tap on his nose. He does this when he's thinking.

"Ah!" Max's blue eyes brighten as he is struck with an idea. "Why don't you ask Tala?" A bad idea.

"Because he'll kill me."

Max only laughs. Apparently, he thinks I'm joking. He takes me by the shoulders and turns me in the direction of the Russian bastards. I feel a light push before I stumble forward. "Go on now. Remember, Kai."

I look forward to where Tala and Bryan are getting ready to leave. I swear, as soon as they stepped out of the lounge and into that corner of the store, the lights above them dimmed.

Kai.

Reluctantly, very reluctantly, I start making my way over to them. Bryan is facing away from me so it's a bit easier than usual to approach them. When I'm only a few steps away, Tala spots me from over Bryan's shoulder. His stare causes Bryan to turn to me also, which causes me to stop. They don't say anything, they're just waiting for me to say whatever I need to say and go.

"Uhh… Do you know where Kai went-"

"Home." Well, that was fast. I didn't expect Tala to answer so willingly.

"You mean… to his house?" Tala doesn't seem to like that I'm dragging this conversation longer than he prefers. I can tell from his exasperated sigh.

"To his house, to Russia. He can go 'home' to wherever he wants." Ok, hold on.

"What do you mean 'Russia?'" Tala doesn't answer, so Bryan decides to do the speaking.

"What we're saying, Kon, is Kai will not be able to run his business here until next year. Knowing him he isn't going to wait around. He could be on a plane right now for all I-" Shit!

I turn abruptly to get out of here as quickly as I can. I can't let Kai leave, not without talking to him first. I have to apologize for not listening to him about Matthew. I have to tell him that he was right about everything. And I haven't thanked him for what he's done for…

A thought pops into my head and I stop in my tracks. I turn back to the Russian bastards who have returned to their own little world. "Tala."

Said redhead turns agitated eyes to me. This is the second time I have talked to him for so long, and he doesn't like it. Bryan is also getting visibly irritated. Tala is "his" afterall.

"Thanks… for what you did."

The looks on their faces are priceless. Tala looks absolutely dumbfounded while Byran has no idea what I'm talking about. Satisfied, I turn to run out of the store. However, just before I am completely out of earshot, I hear a short exchange that brings an amused smile to my lips.

"What'd you do?"

"I didn't do a damn thing."

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Of course it's raining. Why wouldn't it be raining?

I'm thoroughly soaked. I can feel my hair sticking to my face and neck. It's freezing too, making it difficult to keep running. But I have to see Kai before he decides to leave again. I can't let him leave without telling him what I need to.

I apologize to a couple that I have accidentally splashed while running through a puddle. If I am not mistaken, this looks like the way to get to Kai's house. I had tried to memorize the route that day when I went with him to the meetings. It's kind of difficult to see through the rain, but so far everything seems familiar. However, after what happened in the limo that night, I'm not sure if my mind was up for remembering anything.

I slip as I round a corner into a narrow street. Yes, this is it! I can tell because the houses in this neighborhood are much larger than the ones in the next. My legs protest angrily but I run faster. I can see my breathe in front of my face from the cold. My skin has begun to tingle in some places and has gone completely numb in others. But that's not important right now.

Dammit, which house is his? I can't remember the color or exactly how big it was. I can't waste time with looking either. Screw it, I'll just run down the street till I find it. Just as I'm about to run faster, I catch a glimpse of an expensive car. An Audi.

I almost fall as I slide to a stop in front of a house with the familiar Audi sitting in the driveway, dry under a shade. That is definitely Kai's car. Only someone like Kai could afford it. And his car in the driveway means that he has to be home. I regain my composure quickly and hurry to the door.

As soon as I reach it I notice that rain is no longer hitting me. I'm standing under a little shade over the door. I take advantage of this and try to squeeze some of the water from my jacket and shirt. But really, I'm not worried about that. I'm hesitating. This could be the last time I see Kai for god knows how long. I take a second to compose my thoughts. Apologize and thank him. I'm not doing anything silly like telling him I love him. He already knows that.

A shaky hand comes up to press the button on the intercom. I can hear a chime and then nothing. I take this time to try and relax my breathing a bit more. I don't want to speak into the intercom panting like a serial killer. A sudden voice from the device startles me.

"Who is it?"

"Kai… Kai, it's Rei…. Can I… talk to you?"

He doesn't answer right away. A wave of nervousness overcomes me for a second but I force it back down. The sound of the button being pressed again catches my attention.

"Hold on."

That wasn't a 'no,' which in Kai's world means 'no,' and in Kai's world, any answer that is not a straight 'no' means 'yes.' Perfect. Hopefully, he doesn't take too long. It's freezing and I'm starting to shiver. This is why cats do not like water. I reach up and move the hair away from the back of my neck. It's starting to get itchy. I jump slightly when the door begins to open.

"Rei." Kai's eyes widen at my soaked appearance and he glances over my shoulder to confirm that it is, in fact, raining. While he takes in my appearance, I do the same for him. Unlike myself, he is dry. His hair is not styled and his hanging naturally. He is wearing a white wife-beater, grey sweat pants over bare feet and an extra dose of gorgeous. Sorry, distracted.

"Kai. Sorry for bothering you, but I have a few things I need to say." My eyes, that have been looking down for a while, come up to meet his. He studies me for a moment before giving me a nod to continue.

"I wanted to tell you that… you were right… about Matthew. And I'm sorry for not listening to you in the first place." I look back down at my hands that have now picked up their nervous habit of fidgeting.

"I won't say 'I told you so.'"

"But you did and… and I should have listened because Matthew was the one who-"

"The one who told Mr. Otsuka about me losing employees." A smile comes to my face. I should have known he already knew. My eyes come back up to meet his crimson ones. I can see amusement reflected in them.

"Did you come all the way here, in the rain, just to tell me I was right?" I feel a sudden blush color my cheeks at the realization. "You do have my number, don't you?"

"That's not it! I… I mean, there's more." Kai's arm moves further up the door frame and he rests his head against it. Maybe if he would stop looking at me through his bangs like that I could remember what it was I was going to say.

"Uh… I wanted to thank you… for everything you've done. Even forcing me to quit my old job and making me your replacement, everything. It's made me… stronger. And if you need anything, wherever you are, feel free to call me."

"… I see." Such a way with words.

We stand in silence for a few more seconds. The rain doesn't sound like it will be letting up for a while. It's going to be hell getting back to the station in this. I'd better get going before I catch a cold… or pneumonia. "That's, uh, all I wanted to say, so… I'd better get going then…"

"Can you wait a minute?"

I turn back to Kai in surprise. He is standing straighter waiting for an answer. I give him a confused nod and he turns back into his house. The door is slowly falling closed. Should I go in? No, he didn't invite me. I turn around and stare out into the street. The light from the streetlamp is reflecting off of the road. It's pretty. Well, I think that now, but once I get out there I'm going to hate it again. A sound behind me tells me Kai has returned. And he is holding…

"Here." An umbrella.

I let out an embarrassed chuckle as I remember my current appearance. "Thanks."

As I take the clear umbrella another item catches my eye. A plastic bag. Something with a square shape is inside. A Styrofoam container. Food? Kai sees me looking at the other item and holds it out to me as well. "Tala stopped by earlier and gave this to me. I think it's a dessert. Do you want it?"

"Uh, sure. Thanks." Our fingers brush lightly as I take the bag from him. A sudden sadness overwhelms me at the thought that this could be the last time I will touch him. Once again, silence overcomes us both. There's no need to stay any longer and I should really leave before things get awkward (too late).

"Well, I guess I'll see you… whenever." Or never.

"Yeah… Bye."

"Bye." And with that I finally turn from the door, open the umbrella, and step out into the wet street. As I pass his car I can hear the door behind me close lightly. Well, that went better than expected.

Walking in the rain is a lot different when you have an umbrella. I'm going to have to hop in the shower as soon as I get home. God, I hope I don't catch anything. That would be a pain. At least I have winter vacation now, and since everyone is taking some time off from work we can go somewhere together. I have some money saved up. I wonder if they would be up to go to an onsen. Or even just a ryoukan. That might be nice. I'll have to call Hilary tomorrow. What time is it anyway? I think it's around 2am right now. I am going to sleep well tonight. Hey, I have time tomorrow! Maybe I'll stop by the café near my apartment. I haven't been there in ages. I hadn't had time because of the event.

I can see the end of the neighborhood now. To think I ran all the way here in the rain. How dumb. I let out a low chuckle. So… stupid. Ah, my eyes are starting to sting. Of all times to cry. I suck it up and continue walking. Well, if I go to an onsen with Tyson, Max, and Hilary I can forget about everything. I'll need to look for a new job by the end of the year. Of course, I'm sure Tokyu Department Store would take me back in no time. That would be nice… to go back…

"It's chocolate-banana."

What?

I turn towards the voice. Standing a little ways down the street from me, soaking wet, is Kai. He had sense enough to put on a jacket with a hood and a pair of white chucks. But what the hell is he doing out here in the rain? His only shade is the hood covering his head, though his bangs have still gotten wet. He is slightly out of breath too… He ran after me? "Kai, what are you doing?"

"It's a chocolate-banana crepe… Tala didn't buy it…. I did, from Tokyu Deparment Store. You were eating one when I came back." … He remembered. And this bag…

"I know you like the crepes from there… I also know that you fidget when you're nervous or thinking… You are also not as confident as you seem… But you don't back down from challenges, which is how I knew you would stay by me at Silver Bullet." Why… Why is he doing this?

"You are polite to everyone you meet, even if they are rude to you. But on the inside you're actually sarcastic. I can tell from your eyes and your nose. If someone says something you don't like, your eyes narrow and your nose crinkles. Almost like you have something to say, but you won't. You're too nice."

I'm trying my best to look at him, listen to him, but it's becoming difficult to breathe. My sight has gotten blurry and my chest hurts. "Kai…"

"Even when someone like me takes advantage of you… you will still apologize for anything, but… I'm the one who needs to apologize. I pushed you and challenged you… because I knew you wouldn't leave. I'm sorry."

I move to bring my jacket sleeve to my eyes and wipe the tears that have fallen, but I am reminded of how my sleeve is already wet.

"I told you that Matthew was a bad guy. What I wanted to say was… he wasn't good enough for you. But that was something I had said about you… That was a lie. I wanted to believe that I was too good for you. But it's not true… You're perfect."

A sob escapes my throat as his words continue to hit me. I'm not even sure why I'm crying, but it seems so appropriate somehow. I'm so happy, and frustrated, and relieved, and pissed off.

"I always knew how to treat everyone I met. They are either kept at a distance, or they are like my family… but you… you're different… When I'm with you, I feel like I can tell you anything. But I don't… I don't have to, because you already know me."

I'm such a crybaby. But how can I not cry. The one I love… have loved for so long, followed me. He chased after me.

"Rei. I don't know what love is, but I do know one thing… I don't want you to feel this way for anyone else… but me."

I force my wet sleeve to my mouth trying to cover another sob. The plastic bag in my hand thumps against my chest. I force my eyes to look into the crimson ones, the emotion hidden in them all this time finally revealed. He may not know what it is, but I do.

"Rei," His wet jacket clad arms spread out in front of him. "Come here."

The umbrella and crepe fall to the pavement as I sprint forward. The rain is pelting me again. I nearly slip, a combination of the rain and my tears being at fault, before I fall into the arms I've wanted to hold me for so long. My arms wrap tightly around his waist. One of his arms is secured around my shoulder while he has his other hand buried in my hair. My head fits snug under his chin. I knew it… I knew we fit together.

I sob into his chest as he holds me tighter. I can feel his cheek rest on top of my head. All I can feel is him. His arms, his chest, his back, and now his hands on my cheeks. He forces me to look into his crimson eyes as I continue to cry. Any other person would think that he's not feeling anything right now because of his stoic appearance. But I know better.

"Rei, I'll never make you cry again."

"Liar… I'm s-so happy… I'll be crying for th-the rest of my life."

The last thing I hear is a throaty chuckle before his lips take mine.

'-.*.-'+'-.*.-'+'-.*.-'+'-.*.-'+'-.*.-'

"Paris?"

I like being warm. Nice and warm and clean in a cotton shirt on a big, comfy bed in Kai's house. That last part is especially nice. He brought me inside to take a hot shower (by myself, mind out of the gutter), gave me a pajama shirt and shorts to wear and has taken a hot shower himself. We are now sitting in his room where he has revealed his future plans to me, which include…

"Why Paris?"

Kai turns his computer chair around to face me. He is only in a pair of pajama pants and his sexy glasses by the way. Let me just take this in for a moment…

"Paris is one of the fashion capitals of the world." Makes sense.

If you're confused, Kai is planning to move his business to Paris now. Tala and Bryan were right. After being screwed by 109-2 he doesn't want to stick around. I continue to dry my mess of hair with Kai's towel. My towel became too wet too quickly so I switched when Kai was done. I drape the towel completely over my head, blocking my view, and rub vigorously at my hair. Dry damn you!

A set of new hands bat mine away and pull the towel away from my face. Kai, unfortunately without his glasses, continues to dry my hair at a gentler pace. My eyes become heavy and I feel my body slump from the soothing sensation. Really, how could my life become so amazing? I was just a college student, ex-Bladebreaker, part-time food seller. Now, I have the love of my life, more fashion and leadership experience than I could ask for, and the love of my life! Said love of my life is also drying my hair as he kisses my neck sensually while straddling my waist…

When did I end up on my back?

"Rei." No, shut-up. Keep kissing. "Come with me… to Paris."

He says this while he pulls one of my bare legs against his waist. How am I supposed to answer like this?… What did he say again?

"Rei."

"Mmm."

"Will you?" This time he stops all fondling and looks me dead in the eye. Now I have to answer.

I bring my arms up and drape them loosely around his neck, pulling him down just a little bit closer. Once our noses are barely touching I give him a warm smile. "Of course."

His lips come down to meet mine. The kiss is just as sweet as our first. It seems so long ago now. That innocent kiss in the office. Soon that office will be moved to Paris. We will have to live in a completely new country… that speaks a completely different language… and I'll have to go to a completely different school…

I pull my lips away from his enough to speak. "Say, Kai?"

"Hm?" His lips return once again to my neck, but I'm not thinking about that right now. Something more important has come to mind. Curse you living conditions. Why can't you let me enjoy my time with Kai?

"Where are we going to live? And where will I go to school?"

Kai grunts before he leans back on his heels. The bed bounces at the motion causing some pretty dirty thoughts to spawn in my head. To add to the filth already floating around in my brain, Kai slouches forward, which causes his abs to put on a show, as he takes my legs and rests them on his thighs. "We can live anywhere we want, most likely in the city. There are a few quality schools you can choose from."

He pauses his actions and stares at me through his bangs. It is then that I realize what I must look like: flushed, panting, and absolutely sex-deprived. He smirks before leaning forward again to brush his lips against my ear. "Tu dois apprendre le francais aussi."

God that was hot.

His lips seek out mine again in another sweet kiss. A little too sweet. I hook my ankles behind his back and wrap my arms around his neck tightly. He gets the hint and his lips push a little bit more until we are kissing like we were back at the photo shoot. Remember? When I ran into an empty room to get away from Bryan and…

"Kai?"

He sighs loudly and his head falls to rest on my shoulder. I stroke his hair gently as an apology for interrupting again. "Will Tala and Bryan be going to Paris, too?"

He doesn't answer right away. He doesn't answer at all. Instead he goes about fondling and kissing like I didn't ask anything to begin with.

"Kai?"

He continues to kiss my neck and bring his hand higher up my leg, probably trying to distract me… Don't tell me those Russian bastards are going too!

"Kai, are they?"

"… Yes."

"Kai!"

'-.*.-'+'-.*.-'+'-.*.-'+'-.*.-'+'-.*.-'The End *.-'+'-.*.-'+'-.*.-'+'-.*.-'+'-.*.-'

Next Chapter: haha ah just kidding sorry :P

WOW it's over! it's the end! I can't believe it! ah i really did cry a bit xD

a request if i may: if you (yeah i'm talking to you!) would be so kind as to leave a review about the whole story~

It would be most appreciated! I love you all and thank you so so so much!

until next story ~k. suga