I couldn't pull away, I was too dazed to move.

The hand on at the back of my head ran its fingers through my short, brown hair. Feeling felt so good... yuck, I sound gross.

Kaoru releases me, for real this time, and he looks into my eyes, his amber orbs sparkling with grace. He turns away from me, unable to face me for another moment.

"Akane, I'm so sorry. I don't know what I'm doing. I... I really like you... but I didn't mean to tell you that way." He turns farther away. I couldn't summon a single thought to my mind. We were silent for the longest time.

"... Kaoru, please don't feel embarrassed. I'll leave if... if you want me to. I stand up and Kaoru didn't move. As I start to walk out of the area, he asks me a question that nearly knocks the breath out of me,

"Akane, if I told you that I love you... how would you feel?"

I say nothing for a moment.

"If you told me that you love me," My voice trembles. "I'd... I would be really, really happy." It was the truth, but it was so weird. I haven't known Kaoru for a good amount of time and here he was, telling me that he loves me? And I accepted it? This wasn't natural, was it? This whole "love" thing shouldn't go this fast... right?

I hear Kaoru stand up and walk towards me. I didn't want to, but I turn around to face him.

"Akane, I love you." He says.

"I don't even know you." I force a laugh, turning my back to him again. I felt Kaoru's arms curl around my waist from behind me.

"That can change." He says in that sweet, gentle voice of his.