A/N: Oh look. An update! Please forgive any mistakes because I did not read through this after writing it. I probably will come back and edit it again, or I will just leave it as it is and suffer the wrath of my precious readers about how my grammar has fallen down the drain.

Either than that, I hope you enjoy this chapter and a very early Merry Christmas to you!

Disclaimer: Mamare-sensei owns it all.

Natural Progression [8]

- Confession

"I love you."

She stood her ground as she bared her heart and feelings out to the bespectacled man behind the desk. Shiroe looked up from the map he was looking at, his eyes widened with surprise.

"Akatsuki…"

Standing in the middle of his room, her eyes fixated on him and he knew very well the look of determination etched on her face. She has been his right-hand woman for the past decade there were stuck in the game. Shiroe had already known Akatsuki's feelings towards him and vice versa but none of them had ever said it out loud - much to the frustration of those around them. Shiroe righted his glasses.

"Why now, Akatsuki?"

He cringed inwardly at the bitterness in his words. It was a very crucial time at the moment and Shiroe had steeled himself to the task in hand but with Akatsuki's confession, he was beginning to waver. Akatsuki slowly walked towards him, stopping right in front of his desk and lightly traced the surface of the table.

"It's because of now that I decide to tell you my feelings," Akatsuki's voice was barely a whisper and the first sign of anxiety broke her calm mask.

"No one has any idea what the World Fraction spell will do to us. Whether we will really return home safely. If we will retain our memories of this place. That's why, I don't want to have any regrets."

Shiroe clenched his fist. He knew Akatsuki's point was true. In fact, he was trying his hardest to not think about it. There were so many assumptions but so little answers. If he were to entertain all those questions, he will never be able to go through with the World Fraction spell.

"Shiroe."

He didn't realised Akatsuki had rounded the table and was now standing next to him, her hand gently laid on his clenched fist. He unclenched his fist and interlaced his fingers with hers, drawing her close. Burying his face in her hair, he took in her scent and felt Akatsuki running her other hand through his hair.

"I love you too," he whispered into her ear. "And I'm afraid."

"We all are. And this is not only your burden to bear," Akatsuki said.

She couldn't help but to think back of the past 10 years she had been in this place. So much has happened to her and though it was painful at that time, Akatsuki had learned to be more confident of herself. To stand on her own two feet and not hide behind Shiroe. To break out from her own insecurities. Now, she could barely remember how her life was like back in Japan. But she definitely did remember one thing.

"Akane."

"Hmm?"

Shiroe pulled away from her but kept her close.

"That's my real name. Akane."

Shiroe smiled. Despite knowing each other for so long, they had never shared much about their lives back in Japan.

"Nice to meet you, Akane. I'm Kei."

A/N: Honestly, I actually intended this chapter to be the last and final chapter for this series but apparently it did not go according to plan. Lucky you.