Two Months Ago:

"The human existence is a strange thing, full of unanswerable questions; how did we get here? What is our purpose? Who should we idolise? Yes, our existence is full of mysteries. In my opinion, one of the most difficult mysteries to solve is the human brain, our consciousness and way of thinking.

What makes us do the things we do? Our reactions, feelings, and actions in general, what causes them? I think it's our instincts, a natural impulse pressuring our bodies in to doing what we feel is right.

But this just raises more unanswered questions. How do we know what's 'right' and 'wrong'? Do we follow what our parents taught us as children? Can we trust our religions and ethics to guide us through life?

As I said before, the human existence is a strange thing, full of unanswered questions. The most problematic, from my point of view, is why do we love?

Love hadn't ever held a space in my mind until recently. My brain was always focused on figures and faces. Business, that's all that mattered. Finding the best ways to climb to the very top, to be successful.

I didn't have time for the trivial. I was occupied by other things. Such as impressing my father, or maintaining 'useful' friendships.

Figures, faces, business.

So when the concept of love raised its head, my mind began to spin, nauseated by this unfamiliar presence.

At first I dismissed my attractions towards Her as nothing but an urge caused by hormones. I am a man after all. But then I realized just how wrong I was when jealousy and spite threw themselves into the whirlpool of my mind.

Seeing Her every day eased my irritation – all the worries I had on my shoulders instantly evaporated when I heard Her voice, whenever She smiled. Well, I say that, but then again when She smiled for another, it made my chest ache.

Seeing those auburn-headed twins smother Her made me angry. Seeing Morinozuka comforting Her when she was troubled made my head hurt. My arms tingled with longing when She was being hugged by Haninozuka. It was only then that it hit me – I wanted to be the one holding Her. To be with Her in every class. To give Her comfort and help solve any problems. I wanted to be with Her, for Her to be mine.

Haruhi Fujioka.

I like to consider her another one of life's great, unanswerable questions, because of the way she puzzles me.

I have always been able to read people, and predict what they would say or do. But in this case, my mind goes blank. She never ceases to amaze me, Haruhi Fujioka.

A few months back, I nearly lost her, without letting my feelings be known to her or to the public. So here it is:

Love.

Haruhi.

I love Haruhi Fujioka. I know that now. The pains weren't in my chest. They were in my heart. I think I finally understand what love means – to want someone in your life every hour of every day until we are taken away from this world in some cruel twist of fate. I, Kyoya Otori, love Haruhi Fujioka, and no longer wish for it to remain hidden.

Life is full of mysteries. Of unanswered questions. What made this beautiful being stumble in the music room, and knock over that expensive vase? Whatever it is, I want to thank it. For if 'it' never existed, never made her enter my life, I don't think I ever would have learned what love is – learned that there is more to life than just figures, faces, and business."

The crowd sat in silence, staring back at me. I scanned the audience, until my eyes locked on to hers. She was blushing, but she looked nervous and kept shuffling in her seat.

Then the whispers started, hundreds of students shocked at the fact that I not only admitted my love for a girl during the most important speech of my life, but also by the fact that Haruhi was a girl.

She finally stood, and my heart clenched with nerves.

Haruhi took a deep breath, stared straight into my eyes, and opened her mouth. "I love you too, Kyoya Otori."