*Kazuha POV*

I stayed at Scaramouche's place for the weekend. That was a huge relief, as I couldn't just get back to my place yet.

Still, I wouldn't be surprised if my father called a detective or someone to investigate on where I go and who I talk to. He wouldn't leave it to the normal cops, he could only have the private authorities take care of it.

I have to go back to him soon, though. He probably has motives to go against Scaramouche and Ei, and I don't want that to happen.

I don't mind risking my teen years for them.

I got up early as I couldn't sleep, I went in the bathroom and changed into my uniform that I brought with me.

When getting out, I saw Ei in the corridor. She looked at me and put a finger in front of her mouth. I decided to keep shut and followed her in the living room.

"Kazuha, do you always wake up so early?", Ei asked when we finally arrived in a room far from Scaramouche.
"Yeah, it's a habit now. Sorry if I'm loud or something."
"Oh, it's not that. I'm just worried you're not able to sleep. At your age, you should rest at least as much as Scaramouche. Well, maybe not as much, as he sleeps waaaay too long.", she added, chucking.

I gazed at the ground and it's as if she understood what I meant.

"You don't have to talk about it with me at least. But please, Scaramouche wouldn't want you to faint in class or something if you were too tired."
"Yes, I understand. Thank you for the concern. I'm able to take care of my situation myself ."

Ei got to the kitchen and started brewing coffee. Meanwhile, I sat down on the couch.

When the coffee was done, Ei sat besides me.

"You know, I kind of overheard your conversation the other day. You have it tough. I know you're trying to get through it. But even if it seems selfish of me, take good care of Scaramouche. He cares about you, more than you think. So don't neglect or forget him."

I actually couldn't speak, I had difficulty to say anything. If only he understood how much I cared.

"It's not selfish. It's true. And I care about him a lot too, I care so, so, so much."

I felt like telling Ei about my feelings, I felt like screaming them, just for Scaramouche to understand. I put my hands on my face by reflex, I couldn't show her my face as the tears were very clearly seen.

"Wait, Kazuha..."
"I'm sorry... I'm so sorry."

I don't know if it's her mother's instinct, but she seemed to have understood my feelings for Scaramouche.

"I'm so happy you care about him that much. Don't be sorry."

When I removed my hands from my face, I saw Ei wearing a big smile.

"Don't be sorry at all.", she repeated. It almost seemed as if she knew something I didn't.

The floor creaked. I wondered if it was Scaramouche. He couldn't see me in this state.

"Oh, Miko. Good morning."
"Good morning, Ei~"

Like her lover did, Miko went straight to the coffee machine. When her coffee was done, she sat besides Ei, laying her head down on her partner's shoulder.

"So, what's going on here?"
"Nothing much, Miko."

The two ladies talked, laughed, argued and I stayed there, listening to them. A few minutes later, the floor creaked again.

"What's with the ruckus in here?", asked Scaramouche with an annoyed tone to his voice.
"Oh, Scaramouche! Good morning!", greeted Ei.
"Yeah, good morning!", I added, waving at him.

Scaramouche smiled and waved back at me. He walked in the living room and sat besides me.

"You don't have work today?", he asked me.
"No, not today. My coworker and I switch each week.", I answered.
"Now that everyone's awake, what if I cook all of you a breakfast?", asked Ei, full of energy.
"Hold your horses, Ei. You can't cook toasts without them burning. I'll be the one to cook today."

The two partners argued while Scaramouche sighed. I just found their dynamic funny, so I couldn't help but chuckle.

When we finished eating the pancakes Miko and Ei cooked for us, we prepared our bags and went to wait for the bus.

"Do you know when you're going to confront your father?", asked Scaramouche, trying to make conversation.
"...I'm not sure. You could say maybe I'm waiting for a miracle to happen, something or someone to come help me out."

Yeah, that was the case. It's as if I'm waiting for my parents to figure out I can make my own choices and welcome me for who I am.

But I know that's not the case.

"I'll come help you out, then."

I looked at Scaramouche. I wondered if he was joking, but he stared at me, dead serious.

"You don't have to-"
"I'll just pretend to be your boyfriend if it's needed, but I can't let you live your life in hiding."

He wasn't joking. He wanted to help me.

I almost wanted to tell him to be my actually boyfriend to follow-up what he said, but I don't believe he feels like that of me.

"Alright, alright, I'll come to you if I'm in need of help."

I know I wouldn't, I can't ruin his family just because of me. My parents won't change their minds, I know them well enough.

Scaramouche and I took the bus, with much easier subjects to talk about. The first class we had was easy, but came the second class, and it was the one we had in common.

I hope the girl from last time won't steal Scaramouche's place. Her name was... Mona, I think?

When the bell rang, I got to the classroom and saw that Scaramouche didn't arrive yet. I settled down in the back. The place besides me was free, so Scaramouche could come next to me.

Still, class started and Scaramouche was nowhere to be found.

He wouldn't skip class, it isn't like him. Ei doesn't allow that. Does he have problems with the school principal or something? Did he get in a fight with someone?

I finished class, I was lost in thought. I felt weird, today felt off. Where is he? What's going on today?

I was on my way to Scaramouche's locker until someone caught my shoulder.

"Don't worry, we won't be gentle with you. That's what you get for standing up for that loser."

It was the bullies that started a fight with Scaramouche last time.

So... they're here for me?

I don't want to be caught in a fight. This is the last thing I need.

I broke free from the grasp of the guy and faced him and his gang.

"What I hear is that I was the one to go against you? All of you should know you are the origin of the problem. And..."

That was my chance of taking out my anger on someone. I know it wasn't right, but I need that.

"...And don't talk about Scaramouche like that!"

I went to hit the guy's face, but he just chuckled and grabbed my arm.

"You little good-at-nothing, it's your turn to be humiliated."

What happened?

I could lose consciousness if I didn't fight against that feeling of uneasiness.

I slowly opened my eyes to see my hands, bleeding. I tried to get up, my legs couldn't support the weight.

I tried getting out of the school while on the ground, but the group started kicking me.

At this point, I won't feel anything. It hurts so much. Ugh...

Help...

...Scaramouche-

"May I know what's going on here?"
"Oh, that's great. He really did show up."

I opened one eye and saw Scaramouche wearing a painful look, standing far from the lockers. It looked sad, but also furious.

The guys started walking close to Scaramouche.

I don't want him to get hurt.

Stupid legs, stand up...

"It's about time you get hurt, scum."
"Are you sure you're ready for that?"

Scaramouche took out that knife he had when he threatened the girl.

"Oh, what's that now? Using a weapon? A knife, at that? If you ever stab us too deep, you'll kill us."
"If that's what it takes, I don't mind."

I wanted to tell him to stop. I wanted them to stop. I didn't want him to be punished because of me.

"...Scaramouche, don't..."

His eyes became softer. He smiled and closed his eyes.

"I'm sorry, Kazuha."

The main bully seemed rather ticked off. He went towards Scaramouche and intended to slap him, but his arm was stopped. He was now facing Scaramouche that held the collar of his shirt, with a knife by his neck.

"I won't hesitate."
"No, you will. Because you're a real loser."
"You know why I was kicked out of my old school?"

Scaramouche whispered in the guy's ear something I couldn't hear. It took a while, but eventually, he let go of the bully who left the scene with his friends.

"I'm so sorry. I was too late. I'm getting you to the nurse's office."
"No, please, don't take responsibility for-"
"I don't mind. Just... try to rest. You're badly hurt and you're going to the nurse's office right now."

Scaramouche held me gently in his arms and ran in the corridor. I fell asleep some time after.

"Daaaaaang-"

That was the sound of the bell that woke me up. Where am I?

Oh right, the nurse's office.

The time on the clock showed the end of the day. I tried getting up and at my surprise, I was able to walk without too much difficulty.

I didn't want to miss Scaramouche. I need to see him.

I ran at my locker as fast as I could, unlocked it, put on my coat, took my bag and locked it again.

I still have time.

"Scaramouche!"

What a relief, he's still here.

"Kazuha? Wait, you're not-"
"Don't worry, I can walk now."

I caught my breath and stared at Scaramouche in the eyes. He looked rather empty.

"What happened?"
"Oh? The fight? You didn't have to get involved. I swear, it was all..."

His voice got louder. Did I upset him?

"You keep painting yourself as the one who caused all of this, but it's not always YOUR fault!"
"I-I..."

Scaramouche sighed and tears started falling down his face. He sighed and leaned closer to me.

"I'm sorry."

He grabbed my shirt and leaned even closer to my face until I felt his breath on my cheeks.

"!"

Scaramouche's lips touched mine. It was such a tender, yet fleeting moment.

'Please last forever.'

That's what I told myself.

I leaned in closer, holding Scaramouche by his neck.

This moment seemed so long, yet so short. Eventually, Scaramouche broke free from the embrace.

I probably had a surprised look on my face. Scaramouche blinked, closed his locker swiftly and left.

No, don't leave me.

Not yet.

Please don't leave me, Scaramouche.

I grabbed Scaramouche's left arm and he wiped his eyes with his right. He turned his face to look at me, but he couldn't keep eye contact.

"Why aren't you letting me go? Why keep hold of me?"
"..."

I couldn't say anything. What could I say?

Did he really feel the same way about me?

"And where am I in your future?!"
"...again.'

That's the only word I could manage to get out. I couldn't look at Scaramouche, but he understood what I meant and approached me for another embrace.

We shared a long and passionate kiss. When we parted, Scaramouche stayed closed to me and whispered:

"I love you."

I held my breath.

I don't know how to feel. It's as if I waited a lifetime to hear that.

I'm so happy, but...

"I love you too."

That's the only thing I managed to say, but it was enough. We eventually let go of each other.

"Now, we should get ready as the bus will leave.", said Scaramouche.
"Yes, let's go now."

Instead of grabbing Scaramouche's arm, I held his hand, locking fingers with him. I saw Scaramouche slightly blush, I did feel getting hot.

We got to the bus and didn't let go of our hands.

"Do you want to stay over tonight?", Scaramouche asked me when the bus arrived near my house.
"...I think it's about time I confront my father."

That decision was made on spot, but it really was time to confront them.

"I'll come to your place to help you out. I can't let you take care of this situation alone."
"...alright. But go to your place first. I'll need time to talk to my father alone."
"Sure."

The bus stopped. It was my turn to get out of here.

When I got up, Scaramouche held my hand and looked at the ground.

"Don't be reckless. Take care of yourself. I'm gonna arrive as soon as I can."

I smiled as an answer and let go of his hand to get off the bus. I opened the door of my house.

"I'm home."

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAA YESYESYESYESYESYES
I FELT LIKE WRITING THIS CHAPTER FOR SO LONG IM SO HAPPY AAAAAAA

Hello there! How are you all?
ITS FINALLY HERE YOU GUYS, ITS FINALLY HERE!

At first, I intended writing this as a slow burn buuuuut I was too impatient and it gave an early confession. STILL, I feel like having a fanfic that will give importance to the actual romantic relationship is a nice change of pace? Maybe? I think so.

ENOUGH RAMBLING NOW! Btw I think I wrote this chapter in a day I know it's long but I enjoyed writing it lol-

Alright, until next time everyone!!

-Author-chan

3rd of March, 2022
(2330 words)