Finale: Together

In Den City, news spreads fast. In Vrains, news spreads faster. But nothing stands up to Den Academy's speed. Once someone catches wind of something happening, the whole school knows within 48 hours. But so far, for Yusaku and Aoi, everyone is just speculating their relationship status. Noone knows any definitive answer to whether they are dating or not. Even Naoki Shima, who was now known as the guy in Yusaku and Aoi's project group, had no clue about them. But the general consensus is that they both have some form of romantic feeling towards the other, but refuse to confess. However, they also think it's inevitable how they'll end up together. No doubt in their minds. People have wagered for them to get together within the week, month, or year.

"Hey, the week's over pal, an' Yusaku ain't together wit' Aoi. So pay up pal."
"Haha, you win." People who wagered for 'within the week' felt a little disappointed, but accepted that it was way too fast.

But everyone completely stopped when they saw the talk of the school walking through the hallway, with Aoi's arms wrapped around Yusaku's, resting her head against Yusaku's shoulder.

"Woah!" "Is that Yusaku?" "So cute." "They got pretty close." "She's holding his arm!"

Instead of just staring at them, people began to whisper amongst themselves. But it wasn't bad things they were uttering. It was hope that the two would finally be a couple. Now it looked closer than ever before. They look so cute together.

Yusaku and Aoi both noticed this, but Aoi just tightened her grip on Yusaku's arm.

"Y-Yusaku?"
"Say, Aoi..." the girl looked up to the boy, who smiled comfortingly towards her. "Wanna make it official?" The warm smiled melted her heart and reassured her that as long as she had Yusaku, it will be smooth sailing. Aoi giggled.
"Sure."

Aoi gave Yusaku a peck on the cheek, and the hallway erupted into orchestrated chaos; gasping followed by cheering and clapping. Yusaku replied with a kiss on her forehead, making Aoi feel safe, and the two, hand in hand, shoulder to shoulder, fingers interlocked, went straight to class.

As usual, Yusaku and Aoi sat next to each other in class, this time, closer, until Yusaku could hold Aoi's hand on the table easily. Not that he wouldn't do that if it was difficult. Because he would do anything for her. Except for something that would go against her moral code. Not his own, but Aoi's. He'd easily break his morals for Aoi. Not that he'd have to.

After finishing the project they had to do last week with Naoki, the group had a relaxing time at the school garden.

"Yeah! We're done. And quicker than everyone else." Naoki was the first to celebrate, before realizing that his other two group members were fast asleep, with Aoi resting her head on Yusaku's shoulder. "Eh?" He wanted to wake them up but then decided to leave them alone. They looked cute.

Soon enough, Yusaku stirred awake. Unfortunately, Naoki was still there, reading a book, before he noticed Yusaku awake.

"Ah, Yusaku. Say, the school prom's coming up soon. You going with your princess over there." Naoki pointed to Aoi, still sleeping on Yusaku's shoulder, making Yusaku smile.
"Sure, why not?"
"You running for Prom King?"
"Nah, I'd never get enough votes."
"Oh really? Why not just give it a shot." Yusaku chuckled.
"Why not you worry about your prom date before you worry about me."
"Hey!" Naoki and Yusaku laughed.

"So, anyway, when's this Prom?"
"Friday."
"Say what?!" That was fast. Yusaku had completely forgotten. He turned to look at the girl sleeping cutely on his shoulder. "Aoi... I completely forgot."

And, just like that, Aoi woke up.

"Nnn... Yusaku?"
"Hey, Aoi. About the Prom this Friday..."
"What!? The Prom's this Friday!" Yusaku breathed a sigh of relief.
"Great, so I'm not the only one who forgot."
"Hey Aoi, wanna run for Prom Queen?" asked Naoki
"W-What? N-No!" Naoki looked between Yusaku and Aoi. Then a thought came to him, followed by a smile.

That day, Yusaku walked Aoi back home.

"So, Aoi, this is our official first day of being a couple, ain't it?"
"Yup, it is. I'm so happy that it's you."
"I'm happy it's you, too." Yusaku hugged Aoi. As the couple reached Aoi's apartment building, they met once again with the cleaning lady.

"My, how cute it is to see new couples together."
"Hello, Miss Lee. Is Akira home?"
"No, not this time. I saw him leave a while back with some pink haired girl."
"Ooh, must be Ema. I wonder..." Aoi thought for a bit before turning to Yusaku. "Anyway, since Akira's not home, would you... like to come up for a while?" Yusaku blushed but calmly rejected.
"Sorry, I can't. I have to prepare for the Prom this Friday."
"Oh right, I guess I have to too. Alright, see ya! I love you Yusaku."
"See ya, love you too."

The week flew by fast. Yusaku and Aoi got closer, and they had their first "real-life" date. He even got to show Ignis to Aoi.

"This Yusaku. I taught him everything he knows." Aoi just giggled.
"Is he always this talkative?"
"Yes, unfortunately, he is."

And online, Go and Revolver can't get anywhere near them, as they're always together.

"Well, Playmaker, I'll leave you two to uh... each other," said Revolver
"Haha, the great Duelist, Go Onizuka, shall not issue a challenge today. Have fun you two."

However, it was Thursday afternoon, and neither was prepared at all.

"Argh, I don't know what to do. I'm not prepared for the Prom."
"Relax, say, how about we go get you fixed up." Aoi and Yusaku went to visit Shoichi, who Yusaku said will help him.

"Ah, the two lovebirds, how can I help?"
"Well, Shoichi, tomorrow's the Prom, and I don't have a decent tux to wear." Shoichi though for a while before running into his room, and licking out a stunning new tux.

"Wow, Yusaku, I think that will look great on you!"
"You think so? Ok, let me try it on."
"Not so fast you two." Shoichi stopped Yusaku before he could go change. "Let the lady see you on the day itself. It will be better that way, trust me."

Yusaku's new tux he got from Shoichi was packed nicely into a bag. He took it, said goodbye to Shoichi, and walked again with Aoi.

"So, that's my tux done. Now for you."
"Oh no! I forgot!" Aoi held her hands to her face in pure shock.
"I-It's okay, how about we call Akira maybe..."

Suddenly, the two felt a person tap both of their shoulders. They turned around to see Ema right behind them.

"How are you two doing?"
"Well, Aoi isn't ready for the Prom tomorrow. Think you can help us?"
"Hmm, I do have an idea... but, you can't follow us."
"Huh, why not?"
"Girls things, anyway, you'll get to see it tomorrow. No spoiling the surprise."
"Okay...?" Yusaku said farewell to Aoi and went on his way back home.

Friday has arrived, both Yusaku and Aoi were ready. Yusaku couldn't drive yet, so he had to ask Akira to help send the two of them. Yusaku anxiously knocked on the door of Aoi's house, and when it opened, he saw Aoi in a beautiful blue dress, different from the one she wore to the dinner. She wore aquamarine earrings and even without makeup, she still looked dazzling.

"A-Aoi."
"Yusaku." They both blushed madly.
"Alright you two, time to go."

The school reserved a function room in a luxurious hotel for the Prom. The chandelier was sparkling, a red carpet entrance. The school really went all out. Aoi offered her hand for Yusaku to take, which he gladly did. Then they walked down the red carpet. Everyone watched the lovers walk down the red carpet. They looked so cute. They chose to sit at a table with Naoki.

"Why hello you two. Come on, there's plenty to eat before the dance." And at that moment, music started playing. "Whoops, too late, looks like you guys will have to dance now."

Yusaku offered his hand, and Aoi took it, then Yusaku led her to the open area for dancing.

A/N: For those of you who played FF8, just imagine the next scene plays out almost the same as when Squall and Rinoa danced in the beginning of the game.

"Uh, Aoi, I don't know how to dance."
"Don't worry, I'll help you."

Aoi took Yusaku's right hand, and placed it on her side, then put her left hand on his shoulder. Then, she held his left hand in her right hand and danced. However, Yusaku was inexperienced. He kept on stumbling into Aoi.

"Oh, Yusaku. Here, take my hand." Yusaku took Aoi's right hand in his, then started dancing again, this time, with more finesse. As the music reached its crescendo, the pair danced with all their heart, and soon, Yusaku got used to it. Towards the end, Yusaku and Aoi came close and ended the dance with their fingers interested. A beautiful dance done by the cutest couple.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, it's time to cast your votes for Prom King and Queen."

"Ooh, who are you voting for Prom Queen?"
"You, Aoi. Who are you voting for Prom King?"
"You, Yusaku." Aoi giggled before the two went off to cast their votes.

Yusaku, Aoi, and Naoki sat back at their table, while the student MC was getting ready to read out the results.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, it's time to announce the Prom King and Queen. The Prom King is..." The MC looked through her paper. "... actually, let's just announce both Prom King and Queen at once." Naoki smirked but wasn't noticed by Aoi or Yusaku.

"The Prom King and Queen are... Yusaku Fujiki and Aoi Zaizen!" The whole room erupted into cheering and clapping.

"W-What!" the both of them said. Aoi gasped and covered her mouth in surprise.

The MC beckoned for them to step up on stage, where the MC presented the crowns.
"You two look cute together."

Then the ballroom erupted once again into a chorus of cheers and claps. Naoki sat at the table and smiled to himself.

"Seems like the plan worked."

After the Prom, both Yusaku and Aoi went to Aoi's place.

"Akira, I'm home, I brought Yusaku with me."
"Ah, Yusaku, welcome. Say, I think something just came up. I need to go out now. You're welcome to stay the night if you'd like Yusaku." Yusaku blushed a bit.
"Huh?!"
"See ya guys." Akira swiftly left the house. Then, he dialed Ema's number.

"Yes, Akira?"
"Hey, Ema, I need somewhere to stay the night, could I use your place?"
"Sure, but why?"
"I offered Yusaku to stay the night at my place."
"Ah, I see. Well come on, I'll make some light snacks and refreshments."

Meanwhile, back at the Zaizen residence. Yusaku and Aoi looked at each other and blushed.

"Yusaku, do you really want to stay the night." Yusaku thought for a bit before answering.
"I do, but not today. Maybe some other day when we get older."
"Oh, okay. Sounds reasonable."
"I'll be on my way then, see ya."
"See you. I love you."
"I love you too."

Yusaku left the house, leaving Aoi alone in the house. She dialed Akira's number.

"Yes, Aoi?"
"Hey Akira, Yusaku's not spending the night here. You can come back now."
"Oh but I'm spending the night at Ema's place." Aoi snickered. "Hey, what was that for?"
"Nothing. Have fun at your girlfriend's place."
"Hey wait a min–" Aoi hung up. She loved teasing Akira. She smiled, drank a glass of water, then went to her room, changed and went to bed.

Epilogue: Till Death Do Us Part

A few years later...

Aoi was in her room, trying to put on a gown when Ema walked in.

"Hey, how's it going? Are you ready?"
"I just can't get the zip right."
"Some things never change, here, lemme help." Ema helped Aoi zip the back of her gown.
"Thanks, I'm ready."
"Let's go then."

Although there was only one cherry blossom tree in Vrains, there were multiple ones in real life Den City. And at the base of the only blue one, which was rare, stood a large group of people, all waiting. A limousine pulled up, and from it, Aoi Zaizen and her brother stepped out. A red carpet was prepared just for her. Akira walked with Aoi down the red carpet to meet Yusaku at the base of the tree. Akira stopped and let Aoi walk towards Yusaku.

"Blue cherry blossoms. They truly are beautiful, aren't they, Aoi?"
"Yes, they are."

An old man cleared his throat and Yusaku and Aoi turned towards him.

"Do you, Yusaku Fujiki, take Aoi Zaizen to be your lawfully wedded wife? To be true to her, in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, till death do you part?"
"I do."
"Do you, Aoi Zaizen, take Yusaku Fujiki to be you lawfully wedded husband. To be true to him, in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, till death do you part?"
"I do."
"Then I shall now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride." And with that, Yusaku kissed Aoi, to the claps and cheers of everyone else present. Yusaku's mother and father were there too, his mother cried tears of joy. Akira just smiled.

Yusaku and Aoi went to a hotel room they booked for that night. Yusaku kissed Aoi gently.

"I love you, Aoi."
"I love you too Yusaku."

It was late at night, and the two should be ready to sleep now.

"Uh, Yusaku."
"Yes, Aoi?"
"Could you... help me with my gown." Aoi was fiddling with the zipper on her back.
"S-Sure." Yusaku helped Aoi undo the zip at the back of her gown, and Aoi turned to Yusaku.
"Thank you, Yusaku." Aoi played with the buttons on Yusaku's tux, unbuttoning the top few and running her fingers along his chest. "Shall we...?"
"As you say."

The pair got in bed and tossed their clothes on the floor. That night was the best night they ever had.

A/N: And we are done here. Thank you all for being patient with this. I said before that this is my first story, and it really looks like you all enjoyed it. Thanks again. Peace!

P.S. Don't mind the sort of lemon at the end