…I thought I heard the voice of someone I liked a lot. She sounded angry. I turned around.

There was nobody there. Which was incredibly like her, of course.

-Kagerou Daze VIII -summer time reload-, Chapter Children Record side -No. 3- (2), Page 50

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I liked her a lot

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Despite Kano knowing he was taken away into Kagerou Daze, he believed there nothing left for him. He would never wake up again. He would just be sleeping within endless darkness forever. All that jazz. Meaning no afterlife at all. Because, as he knew it, he was killed again. All the Snakes originally possessed by Azami was distributed to everyone within the gang, so there were no other alternatives for him to still be alive now that his Deceiving Eyes went to Mary.

There was nothing left for him.

For him.

For those who died.

For Kido.

Thinking about his final moments again, Kano was sure he heard her. He heard Kido's voice. He could picture it already, her yelling at him for letting himself die like that, trying to hold back her tears in frustration as she scolded him. She would say how disappointed she was in him for going down like that, ripped and blown apart to trick Clearing Eyes into thinking he was Mary.

Trying to hold up a brave front as she scolded him.

Trying to be strong, refusing to cry.

That's why Kano Shuuya liked Kido Tsubomi a lot.

To the point loving her.

She would be angry. She would be loud. She would be…

"Oi!"

His eyes jolting awake, Kano let out a scream as he did a literal jump into the air at how Kido was glaring at him with her dark, disapproving eyes. She had her arms crossed, not even flinching at how loud he was being as he frantically looked around his surroundings, confused at the empty white space surrounding them. Looking down, he gawked at how he still had all his limbs and body parts when he clearly remembered what happened to him earlier.

"Wait? What? How? Huh!?" Kano continued to spin around on the spot to inspect everything he could about him and this place. "Didn't I die? Wasn't I supposed to be dead!? Am I just hallucinating from the pain and blood loss!?"

All Kido do was blink. "Um…no?" he shook her head. "No wait. I meant you did die. But…" she stepped towards him. "You're not hallucinating."

At once, Kano froze, staring at her with uncertain eyes. Because the dirty blond already accepted there would be no afterlife; so he wasn't sure what this…thing was in front of him. He was certain the evil deity ruling over him by torturing him throughout his life was now messing with him again.

"Yeah, sure. And Kido Tsubomi is right in front of me," he answered in a mocking tone. Because just vanish already, hallucinations. He was done. Let him rest already and never wake up again.

The thing in front of him however, gaped at his words, before growling and stomping over angrily to pinch both his cheeks. Hard. "If I'm not the real Kido Tsubomi," she seethed as she pulled at his cheeks, ignoring his struggles, "can I still do this?"

"Ow ow ow ow!" Kano flailed his arms about before grabbing at her wrists to make her let go. He was glaring at her with teary eyes for what she was doing, yet she didn't seem fazed and just let go anyway, completely satisfied. She let him continue to hold her wrists though, watching him quietly as he stared at her more closely, and at how he was holding her.

Kano noted the fabric of her hoodie's sleeve felt the same as the one Kido always wore. And there was a scent he recognised. Only Kido would have such a scent…

And she had warmth…

"K-Kido…?" he finally uttered, looking up at her with wide eyes. The girl before her just sighed, nodding that 'Yes, it's me.' The tears that were welled up in Kano's eyes earlier overflowed, and he couldn't stop them nor hide them as his Deceiving ability was gone already.

But he didn't care.

"Kido!" Without wasting another second, Kano hugged Kido at once, his face buried against her shoulder as she let out a squeak from his sudden outburst. Refusing to let go, Kano nuzzled his face against her neck, taking in her scent, her warmth, and how her hair was tickling his face. He kept on repeating her name, sobbing even, yet he felt so happy to have her here. Really here.

"If this is some hallucination or dream, I never want it to end!" he cried his eyes out as Kido just stood there, yet slowly started to accept the hug. She did it hesitantly though, her arms awkwardly wrapped around Kano's body, unlike how he's embracing her to the point she was almost suffocating.

After a few more sobs though, and once he was calmer and more composed enough to speak, Kano asked her "I-It hurt didn't it, did it?" he whispered. "Being killed like that? It must have hurt."

She just gave a scoff. "Compared to how you died? I doubt it," she grumbled. They stood like that for a while, and slowly, Kido's fingers gripped on the back of his black-and-white parka. "You're a real idiot. Seriously," she added, clearly frustrated. "Dying like that…"

He gave a laugh. "It was the best we could do…" he chimed. It was a messy plan in the end to just throw Clearing Eyes into Kagerou Daze, with Konoha still inside the body and all. He still felt bad, but it was their last hope to defeat the evil Snake while letting the rest of the gang live. Even if it meant more than half the gang was dead.

Hugging her closely again, Kano enjoyed this closeness with Kido. Despite being dead, and possibly have eternity in what he assumed to be Kagerou Daze, he would never get enough of Kido being here with him. They had forever now…but he felt he had to say it.

"I love you." It just came out. Without a second for Kido to prepare herself. Kano could feel her flinch at his words, but he had to say it. He missed the chance while they were alive, so might as well say it now. "I love you, Kido."

She didn't say anything, nor did she move. Kano expected her to shove him away. Hit him. Punch him. Pulverize him. Anything. For what he said to her just then. She might believe it was a lie. But it was the most honest truth Kano could say to her.

But instead, Kido just hugged him closer, her face now buried against his shoulder too. "You…" she began, and Kano was sure he heard her voice chocked up as she continued, "You're a real idiot."

He gave a laugh. "I know. I know I am."

After a while, slowly and quietly, Kido pushed Kano away in favour for looking into his eyes. Both of them were teary, but Kano was sure he was more of a mess compared to her. Because Kido was wiping his tears away for him. This must be the first for Kido to truly see him like this. He didn't show this side of him to her ever, even when he confessed to the secrets he kept hidden from everyone since Ayano died.

Just standing here, like this though, it just felt right. It was just them and the empty world, and slowly, ever so slowly, they leaned their lips in towards each other…

"Oi."

Again, the sound of someone just calling out from nowhere scared Kano to bits. He and Kido jumped, snapping their heads around to see a fierce looking woman with bright red hair, her arms fully crossed as glared at them. The way this woman stood already told Kano she was a dangerous person to play with, yet he felt a strange familiarity from his she expressed her anger…

"N-Nee-san…"

Kano blinked at the word. W-What…!? Did she just say…!?

"Tsubomi?" At once, the redhead woman's rage flared to life, so much that it put Kido to shame. Already, Kano could feel the cold sweat dripping down his body. "Why is this boy hugging you all over?"

At once, the couple broke apart, too scared to even continue with what they were doing as they flailed their hands about in a panic while trying to explain. "U-Um, I'm Kano! Kano Shuuya!"

"Y-Yeah!" Kido quickly followed. "K-Kano, this is my sister, Rin! S-She's my half-sister from my dad's side. A-And nee-chan?" she tried to act as natural as possible. "This is Kano, one of my friends who lived together with me ever since…"

"Lived together? With you?" And if it was possible, the raging aura around Rin exploded as she started to crack her knuckles. Honestly, Kano thought he was scared enough from Clearing Eye's murderous rampage, but now? He needed a pair of new pants. "Just what is this boy mean to you, exactly? Certainly not just friends."

"U-Um well…you see…uh…Aaaaaaaaaaaaah!"

In the living world, Kano could never catch a break. With his life. With his family. And with his love.

And now, he thought he found some possible peace to be with Kido forever, yet all of that was burnt to a crisp as Rin chased Kano down, with Kido helplessly watching them from afar.

He would take on Clearing Eyes Snake any day if it meant never facing Rin's protective sister mode. He would take on Clearing Eyes, with Kido and Seto, and the rest of the gang too. For a better ending together.

Just for a better ending than…this.

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Deceiver: A friend requested this. I hope you are happy with it. Especially with how the fandom is acting.