A/N: Okay, none of you said that you were satisfied with the previous chapter. So…well, I added a closure to this story. I'm serious, people. This one is the final, so no more sequels, okay? Thanks to everyone who'd impelled (haha) me to update. Enjoy.
Disclaimer: Dreaming of owning GALS! is no longer my passion. XD
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She was gorgeously beautiful, just like a fairy princess.
That silky white wedding gown suited her angelic face perfectly. Her tantalizing lips had the same color as a bucket of red roses she was holding. She was smiling beatifically at her friends and her face turned red when they complimented her.
Aya Hoshino, you seemed so happy. However, I was sorry to say that I did not really feel the same.
Because I was not the groom.
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Part 6: To Behold The Reformed Absolute Future
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Rei's Point of View
Tokyo, Japan, one month ago
I returned. I finally returned. Studying abroad was fantastically exciting but coming back to my beloved hometown made me feel more diverting.
After graduating from high school four years ago, I got a scholarship to study abroad in Germany. Quite far from Japan, indeed, but I enjoyed it.
I was wrong for not attending Aya's wedding. I had to go to Germany one week after the graduation—the time when Aya's wedding was held. What a fate.
I could not say whether it was my luck or not. The obvious truth was that I was somewhat relieved for not coming to her wedding. I thought it would make things better. Even if I came, it would only hurt her more. My presence would mean nothing.
The ring I bought for Aya? I intended to throw it away in the beginning, but since I didn't want it to be wasted away, I secretly sent it to Aya. It was okay if she threw away the ring or even burned it. It was better than not being touched at all.
Well, that was just a past anyway. There was no need to reminiscence that foolish, bitter past. She was happy in France with her new family now, living happily ever after.
"Yo." Someone patted me on the shoulder.
I turned around and made a wry face as I faced the person. Speaking of Aya's new family…"What are you doing here?"
"What kind of greeting is that?" Katase frowned at me. "Don't worry, this is just a coincidence. I'm not stupid enough to come here just to pick you up. I'm going back to France."
I grunted. "This is none of my business, but…how's Aya?"
Katase didn't seem to like my question. Then he smirked crookedly, much to my chagrin. "She's doing fine. Well, gotta go." He turned his back on me and waved his hand. "She's waiting, you know."
Waiting? For this guy? Damn, he seemed to enjoy insulting me. But yes, he was right and like I said before, that was none of my business. I shrugged and started walking.
I didn't notice that Katase furtively cast a glance at me and whispered, "You're cheated, Otohata."
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Normal POV
Rei had already known this would happen when he arrived at his home. Yes, it was a surprise party for the Ice Prince. The only thing he didn't expect was the fact that the party would be thrown by his freakish, cloudless old friends.
"Welcome home, Rei!" greeted Yuuya ecstatically. "Man, you look slimmed down! What did you do in Germany all this time, studying dietary or something?"
Rei smirked at Yuuya's spoof. "I thought you guys hated me."
"Yes, we did." Ran winked an eye at Rei. "First, you left for Germany without telling us. Second, we couldn't forgive you for making Aya…well, you know what I mean."
Miyu added, "But it's all forgiven. We're still good friends, aren't we?"
Rei sighed and kept smirking. Four years ago, Aya told Ran and the others everything--about her pregnancy, her lovemaking with Rei, and her decision that she would choose Katase. It was unexpected, much to Rei's dismay. Substantively, Aya said it all in a pinch since she had to explain why she got married all of a sudden.
Ran and the others had forgiven Rei but just like what Aya had predicted before, her parents could not help but become furious when they found out that Rei got their daughter pregnant. Nevertheless, they had gladly accepted Katase.
"By the way, Ototchi," called Tatsuki while chewing his banana, "I heard you remain single. That sounds…peculiar."
Rei stayed silent. He glanced over the room; catching a glimpse of Ran, Miyu, Tatsuki, Yuuya and Mami. He let out a sigh. Of course she's not here, you idiot.
Rei paid his attention back to Tatsuki. "I had no time to think about that. Studying Chemistry in Germany wasn't easy, you know."
"Is that so?" Yuuya set a mischievous smile, making Rei astonished. Then he turned his head and called Miyu, "Miyu-chan, shall we eat now?"
"Oh yes, of course! Enjoy the dish, guys!" Miyu said jubilantly. "The foods are full of friends' love."
"Yeah, I can feel that." Ran mumbled, taking a sip of orange soda.
Instead of the appetizers, Rei took one bite of a cookie. Seeing that, Yuuya questioned, "Rei, I thought you detested sweet things."
"Yes," Rei replied, "but this one isn't really sweet."
"Hey, you sure have a good taste. Those cookies were baked by Hoshino yesterday." Mami informed.
Rei coughed in surprise, nearly throwing up his cookie. "Aya?"
Ran sweat dropped. "Relax, Otohata. She's not here."
Oh, I see. My meeting with her husband earlier explained everything. Rei thought.
"Ah, I almost forgot," Rei scratched the back of his head. "My parents. They wanted me to fetch them at their office."
Yuuya arched a brow. "Didn't they go by car?"
"I don't know why but they always choose train instead of car." Rei hurriedly took a key to his car and grabbed his jacket. "I'll be right back."
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Rei's Point of View
All right, my parents were kind of weird. Nonetheless, I'd gotten used to them. My mother said that she was dying to see me and that was why she asked me to pick them up by car so they would get to see me sooner.
Not long afterwards, my cell phone rang shrilly. Whoever the caller was, this person would have to take a responsibility for calling me up while I was driving.
"Yes, this is Otohata." I picked it up while steering the car. My heart pumped as I heard the caller's voice. "Aya?"
"Sorry, am I bothering you?"
I stopped my car and continued speaking, "Not really. What's up?"
"Can we meet now? Where are you?"
What did she mean, "meet"? Wasn't she supposed to be in France now? So she hadn't gone home yet? "I'm near Ooiso Beach. Wait, are you with…someone?"
"Yes." Aya answered. "Please stay there, Otohata-kun. I'm on my way."
Aya ended the call. I remained cool on the outside but truthfully, this cold heart had many questions. Why was she here? What was she doing? Why did she want to see me, so suddenly?
But most of all, why did I agree to meet her?
I came out of my car and locked it. I leaned on the passenger's door, waiting for my ex-girlfriend's arrival. It didn't take a long time for me to gape at the girl I was waiting for, who just sprinted towards me with a boy.
"You came here by foot?" I stared at her questioningly.
"Yes. I just…err, I mean, we…" Aya explained in a breathy voice, "…we went to your house, but you weren't there. Second Place-kun said you...just…left to pick up your parents."
I became puzzled at this. "Is this really important? You could've just waited for me at my house with Kotobuki and the others. I'll be back anyway."
Aya let out a soft chuckle and flashed me a bright smile. What was so funny? And why did she have to smile at me? It took me four years long to forget about that smile. "Hey, Aya…"
"Yes, I know. But…" Aya uttered. "…we can't wait to see you. It's a good thing that you haven't gone too far from your house."
I frowned. I had to remind her that since she had been married already, she shouldn't try to give hopes to any other guy. But then, she interrupted me again, "Otohata-kun, let me introduce this handsome boy. This is Eiji…" I couldn't help as I heard the end of her sentence, "…your son. He's now three years old."
I eyed that "Eiji" in disbelief. This boy resembled Aya more but I could see the similarity between him and me in his eyes. Aya turned her face to Eiji and murmured, "Greet to your daddy, Eiji."
The black-haired little boy looked up at me and said, "Daddy."
My mouth was locked. Heck, what was Aya doing? If this boy was really my son, she shouldn't have united us. This boy shouldn't have known that I was his father. "No, I…"
Aya cut me off, "I'm unmarried."
I gasped. "What?"
"I called off my wedding four years ago," Aya clarified. "To be exact…Katase-kun was the one who called off our wedding. Eiji and I stay in Tokyo with my parents. Didn't Ran and the others tell you?"
"No, I didn't hear anything," I rubbed the back of my head. Was this a dream? Lord, I hated this dream. Please wake me up. "Why did you--?"
Aya heaved a sigh. "Let's take a seat first, Otohata-kun."
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Normal POV
Aya, Rei and Eiji were taking a rest on the ashore. While Eiji was making a sand castle, Aya was busy talking to Rei. "Four years ago, Katase-kun said…he couldn't marry me. He couldn't marry me, whose heart will always belong to the one who'd caused me to get pregnant at such a young age."
Rei narrowed his eyes. "Should I call that statement a confession or sarcasm?"
Aya smiled wryly. "I…I'm so sorry, Otohata-kun. I was completely wrong all this time. I shouldn't have accepted Katase-kun in the first place. I had broken his heart but…we're still friends."
The Ice Prince kept letting her continue her story, "Frankly, Eiji was the victim of our mistake. But it had happened and we couldn't turn back the time. I love Eiji and I'm not ashamed of having him as an unmarried woman."
Rei nodded in understanding. This girl is stubborn, he thought.
"My parents were upset, of course. Slowly but surely, my parents began to accept the truth. They will forgive me as long as I won't recklessly take Eiji out before…" She trailed off.
Aya started blushing, much to Rei's bewilderment. As her eyes met Rei's, she resumed, "…before Eiji's real father marries me."
Rei petrified. How many years did he have to pass to hear those words? Now he was reluctant to wake up from this dream—if this was, for real, just a dream.
Aya slowly took off her left glove and showed Rei a silver ring she was wearing on her ring finger. "I never threw this ring away. Perhaps I sound foolishly inconsistent but…this is my final answer."
Rei didn't say a word, making Aya anxious. "O-Otohata-kun…will you forgive me?"
To Aya's surprise, the Ice Prince smirked and took her in his arms. "You didn't change at all, did you? Still insecure as ever."
Aya felt tears pooling in her eyes. She hugged Rei back and whispered, "I love you. I still love you, Otohata-kun…and always will."
"Took you long enough." Rei whispered back, brushing his lips across Aya's forehead. She shed tears of joy and her heart rushed, speeding. She could finally regain her happiness. She could take her man back and recover the pain she has had in her fragile heart.
Not long afterwards, they broke the hug as their little prince called them to show them his sand castle. Aya giggled and Rei patted Eiji's head, complimenting his son, "You're a genius, just like your daddy."
Aya couldn't help but laugh at this. Then Rei carried Eiji and said, "Let's go. We're going to see Grandma and Grandpa. They're waiting."
Aya seemed hesitant. "Uh? B-But…wouldn't this surprise your parents, Otohata-kun?"
"It's okay." Rei replied. "Instead, I'm afraid my mother will faint in joy once she meets her future daughter-in-law and her grandson."
"Okay. I believe you." Aya stated with a light chuckle.
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Aya's Point of View
Present time
I could hear laughter, applause and cheering everywhere as Otohata-kun and I came out of the church as newlyweds. As we stepped down, I saw my mother crying in delight while my father was smiling at me. I also saw Ran and the others waving their hands at us.
"Congratulations, the two of you!" Ran and Tatsukichi-kun yelled vigorously. Miyu, Yamato-kun, Second Place-kun and Mami-rin also cheered at Otohata-kun and me.
Otohata-kun's parents were watching us as well. Mrs. Otohata was carrying Eiji and waving her hand at us. I waved my hand back at her and chuckled. Otohata-kun was right; she was way too excited.
As I was about to throw the roses I was holding, I caught a glimpse of my good friend, Katase-kun. God, I never thought she would attend my wedding. My guilt for him had not faded away yet and it grew even worse, concerning that he was here watching me together with Otohata-kun.
I let out a long sigh in relief as Katase-kun smiled and winked an eye at me. I gladly smiled for him in return. It feels so good to see you smiling when I'm being blissful, Katase-kun.
Just then, I heard a cough, which apparently came out of Otohata-kun's mouth. I giggled awkwardly. "I understand, Otohata-kun."
Otohata-kun and I counted down in low voices before I threw the roses to the air. Everyone was prepared to catch them. And to everyone's surprise, they fell on Eiji's grip. Everyone shouted in amazement. Mr. Otohata commented, "Gee, this little boy wouldn't follow his parents' footsteps, would he?"
Mrs. Otohata elbowed her husband. "Shush."
Eiji toyed with the roses and tore them, laughing joyfully. Otohata-kun and I exchanged glances, shrugging. I merely grinned at this.
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"We could start anew. There was nothing hopeless unless you lost that hope on your own. And I wouldn't give up. I wouldn't look back ever again."
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Part 6: To Behold the Reformed Absolute Future – End
A/N: I somewhat hate this chapter because the ending is cliché. Don't blame me, please. You people were the one who asked for a happy conclusion. I planned to kill Aya's baby (miscarriage) in the beginning but…I thought you guys will kill me for that. So, there you go. T___T
By the way, I think I have to acknowledge that I'm not a Christian but since the GALS! characters are…well, sorry if there was something displeasing on the way I described Rei and Aya's wedding. I never attend the Christians' weddings, really. Please forgive me. –bows down-
Special thanks to: corry-shi, Alice Jane, milkie shake, haru-elie, LovelyCatGirl, Ainara Aya, egalyupii, dyalicious, Valentinas, Ru-chan, angel_sapphire, Neko Tama-chan, sakura bila-chan, LuCapyon, kimxronx4eva, maimy_angel, spacegirl2818, framed-high, tears of pain, IkaCullen, cold summer night, Aruka, OpenUpYourMind, blushes, milkylane18, pigorama, totally preOccupieD and twilight. clique. avalon.
I wouldn't have completed this weird, complicated, indistinct, enigmatical, and tragic (?) story without all of you. Thank you very much.
Very well. One more update (Super Innocent Gal) and I'll quit writing in FanFiction forever. See ya! And…may I take your reviews, guys? XD
Chiby Angel-chan