And Her Response Is---

“ We’ve done all we could for the contest. Now, it’s up to the judges! “ Sakura exclaimed.Lying on the ground, Camille mumbled, “ It’s finally over. Now, we can relax. ““ Is it alright to have fun now? “?“ Why wouldn’t it be? ““ Then, I have the perfect plan. Would you like to hear it? “ Camille beamed joyfully as her statement was brought to an end.At the same hour, in Sakura’s residence, Christopher mumbled, “ The contest must have ended by now, right? ““ Yes, it should have. “ Kaito exclaimed as he checked the time.“ That means I can return to Camille. “ He grinned joyfully but Kaito’s mind was elsewhere the whole time.Intrigued, he asked, “ What are you thinking about now? “Not answering him, Christopher exclaimed, “ I think I know where you were just now. You might have been thinking of her response, didn’t you? Because after all, now that the contest has come to an end, she ought to give you a response just like she promised she would, didn’t she? ““ Let’s not talk about this! “Leaving from there, Christopher mumbled, “ Don’t tell me he’s scared of what her response might be. “A week later, Camille and Sakura’s days resumed as usual. Waiting for the results to be out, they had nothing to do. As they tried working on a new piece, they couldn’t find the inspiration to do so.Another week passed and Christopher suddenly brought up as they were about to leave the school premises. “ Now that the contest’s officially over, that means I can come back, right? “Surprising him, she exclaimed, “ Why are you so in a hurry to come back? I think you guys should stay together for a little while longer. ““ But? “Interrupting Christopher, Kaito exclaimed, “ I think Lady Camille is right. Let’s be on our way, Christopher! “Turning to leave, Sakura hurled from behind him, “ Wait! ““ What are you doing, Sakura? “Intrigued as to why she was stopping Kaito, Sakura gazed at her and exclaimed, “ It’s okay, Camille. I can’t run away forever and besides, I think he deserves a response from me. Now is the time to do that. “Gazing at Christopher, she exclaimed, “ Go on, Christopher! “Bidding his goodbye to Kaito, Sakura and Christopher exchanged places before each going their separate ways.On the way back home, Kaito was thinking of their moments together. From when he befriended her as a kid and how he was reunited with her years later. Sakura, on the other hand, wasn’t saying a word.Not going straight home, Sakura took Kaito to a place they both knew.Gasping in surprise, Kaito mumbled, “ This place is— ““ Yes, it’s as you have guessed. “ She cut him in the middle. “ This park is where we first met and also where we said our goodbyes. “As memories started to flash through both of them, Kaito asked, intrigued, “ Why did you bring me here, Sakura? “Responding to him, she exclaimed, “ Out of all the places, I thought this was the best one of all to give you my answer. “—“ You know, when you left that day, I fell into a pit of darkness I couldn’t get myself out of. I struggled to get back to the surface. I shut myself to the world, but there was only one thing that kept me going and that was books. ““ The more I read, the more alive I felt. But, although I was enjoying myself as I read all those books, there was still a part of me lacking something, but I couldn’t guess what was missing. It all came together when I met you again after years of separation. “—Listening to her, Kaito felt the urge to express himself as well. “ Throughout these years, even though I wasn’t with you, I was watching over you from afar. All your struggles and all you’ve been through, I’ve seen it all and I’m sorry that I couldn’t do anything to help you back then. “Not agreeing with him, she exclaimed, “ You did so much for me that you can ever imagine. You’ve kept me out of trouble and always protected me. There were even times that I felt I wasn’t alone and that someone was watching over me. “Gazing at him, she exclaimed, “ I know that person was you, Kaito. You’ve never left me alone, even for a moment. You’ve always been there, always and for that, I can’t thank you enough. “Meanwhile, at Casmille’s residence, the latter was pacing around nonstop.“ Would you like us to go see? “?“ Kaito and Lady Sakura, I mean. I can take you if you’d like. If you want it, we can teleport right now. “Even though she was curious about what was happening, recalling Sakura’s gaze as she was leaving the school premises, she exclaimed, “ No, that’s alright. I don’t want to pry where I don’t belong. I’ll patiently wait for her good news and you’d better not go spy on them. “?“ What are you talking about? What in the angels would I do something like that? ““ Because I know what you’re capable of, Angel Christopher. ““ Oh yeah! “Getting furtively close to her, Camille moved backwards by reflex. “ You, what do you think you’re doing? “Feeling wronged, he played innocent. “ What have I done my lady? “Back to the park, Sakura exclaimed, “ About your confession to me, my answer is— “Not having the time to place a word, Kaito blocked her mouth. “ You don’t have to say anything. It’s more than enough for me to remain by your side like this. I’m not asking for anything else. Being with you and talking to you like this is for me already a miracle. ““ I’m not waiting for anything from you, so you’re not obligated to give me a response. “Feeling the tense atmosphere in the air, especially on Kaito’s, Sakura slowly removed his hand from her mouth.Staring at him, she exclaimed, “ I wish to give a response to your confession, so please listen to me! “—“ After answering your confession, things between us will change, but I still want to say it. So, listen to me carefully without interrupting me this time, alright? “Nodding faintly, Sakura grinned enthusiastically.“ About your confession, my response is yes. “???“ What I mean to say is that just like you do for me, I also have feelings for you, Kaito. Do you understand what I’m saying? “!!!In a daze, Kaito couldn’t believe what he just heard and asked for confirmation. “ Did you just say you had feelings for me, Sakura? ““ Yes, I did. “ She nodded affirmatively. “ I hold deep feelings for you, Kaito. And, for the record, you’re not dreaming. This is all real. “Breaking down as tears started to drop one after the other, Kaito emotionally hugged Sakura. “ I love you too, Sakura. I’m so happy that you share the same feelings I have for you. I thought for sure I was going to be rejected and wouldn’t be allowed to remain by your side. I was so scared, so scared. “Gently tapping on his back, she exclaimed, “ I would never do that. Of course I would always want you with me and I wouldn’t want it any other way. “Separating from each other, Sakura wiped off his tears gently and said. “ Now, shall we go home, Kaito. ““ Yes, gladly. “Grabbing her hand, they soon left the park and went home. Spending the night watching movies, Kaito was on cloud nine until something unexpected ruined everything.A white bird suddenly appeared at Sakura’s window. Seeing the bird, Kaito recognized it in the flesh.“ What’s that bird? “Feigning ignorance, he exclaimed, “ It must be hungry. You should go to bed now, Sakura. You have school tomorrow. “Doubting his intentions, he held her hands and exclaimed, “ I won’t go anywhere, I promise. I’ll just fetch the bird something to eat, that’s all. ““ Do you promise? ““ Yes. I promise not to leave. I’ll just be on the terrace. ““ All right, I believe you. “Suddenly pulling him down, she kissed him on the cheek. Before Kaito could react in any kind of way, she exclaimed, “ Goodnight, Kaito! “When Sakura left for her room, Kaito teleported from the room to the terrace in a flash. Grabbing the white bird from the window, he dropped it to the ground and a white light suddenly flashed.As the light dimmed down, a beautiful angelic woman appeared.Infuriated after her transformation was completed, he asked, “ What are you doing here? “