章 96: Chapter 90 - No Longer A Coward
Today would be the day where everything changes.
No matter what events would transpire as a result of his decision, Takei wouldn't run away from it this time.
As he woke up early in the morning to prepare himself mentally, Takei took in the beautiful scenery outside of his window.
The serenely quiet and peaceful atmosphere of his neighborhood used to make him think that his life was too boring and dull.
Now however, he appreciated the small intricate details of life and wanted to experience more of what life had to offer.
Of course, with his beloved by his side.
Takei walked towards his closet and opened it to reveal the neatly ironed outfit that he had bought with Eiji and Ryuto.
He had already made sure to find a fitting belt that would match well with the outfit.
After Takei dressed himself, he began to exit his room.
Of course, he didn't forget to wear the watch that Akari gave him in order to complete the whole outfit.
Waking into the living room, his whole family looked shocked about his appearance.
Especially Airi, who didn't know her brother could look this good.
"Are you even my brother?"
"Well, isn't that rude."
Even though Takei thought that her comment was a bit on the meaner side, he couldn't refute what she said.
In the past, Takei only did the bare minimum for hygienics. Brushing his teeth and taking a shower in the morning were basically the only tasks that he did.
In the present day, Takei forced himself to change for the better. He now took care of his skin, hair, and facial appearance so that he wouldn't be looked down by the admirers of the goddess.
For today, he made sure to do all of that plus gelling his hair.
To the outside world, he looked like nothing more than an upstanding gentleman.
"Aw, you look just as cute as you were when you were a toddler~"
"Your mother isn't lying, you were a very cute baby."
Flora and Yuuto intervened during Takei's analysis of himself and decided to tease him about his younger years just as parents should do.
"Thanks, I guess?"
Rather than being embarrassed, Takei was confused whether to take it as a compliment or insult.
Yuuto walked up to him and placed both of hands on Takei's shoulders.
"Son, you've made us extremely proud of yourself. You've crawled your way from the bottom of the pit to the very top of a world. There's nothing more that we can say, except that we're happy for you."
Yuuto pulled him into a hug, and Flora joined as well by hugging him from behind.
"I may tease you a lot, but I love you nonetheless. You know that right?"
"Yeah, I do. Thanks, Mom."
Flora admitted that she poked fun at him too much, but that she did it out of love. Obviously, Takei knew this so he acknowledged the fact and thanked her.
"My brother is finally moving on without me. I'll miss you."
"I'm not dying?!"
Airi gave a tearful goodbye to Takei's dismay even though he wasn't going anywhere.
With a rare smile on his face, Takei nodded and looked at his family members.
"I'm off then."
The entire Tanaka family looked extremely elated as they saw Takei look at them with a confident expression.
""Come back soon.""
With his family's blessing, Takei left the house and marched onwards to his destiny.
***
Arriving at the amusement park, Takei observed the different atmosphere that was radically different than the atmosphere in the daytime.
He had decided for the arrival time to be later in the day, rather than in the morning since he wanted a specific situation to happen.
Going back in time to explain, the amusement park was a place for all ages to have fun throughout the day.
Most of the attractions were classics that everyone knew and loved, while there were also some attractions that were new and fresh in order to keep the experience new for everyone.
In the morning, all of the lights around the attractions would be turned to a more vibrant color that emphasized the high energy atmosphere of the park in the daytime.
In contrast, the lights were more subdued and calm during the nighttime due to the more mature audience that would attend.
At the current moment, Takei felt that it was the perfect atmosphere for him to do what needed to be done.
Checking his watch, he confirmed that there was still 15 minutes until the rendezvous time.
"She should be here soon…"
"Takei!"
As per usual, Akari showed up as soon as he was about to wonder when she was about to get here.
Akari was lightly jogging towards him in a cute manner.
He could see the faint blush on her cheeks and quickly deduced that she had been jogging to make it here early.
Akari was wearing a light brown coat that was thick enough to protect her from the cold, but also thin enough to not hinder mobility. Along with her blue denim jeans, white blouse, and a cute blue hair tie that she was wearing, Akari looked like the pinnacle of cuteness.
Cuteness is justice. All hail the queen.
Pushing away these momentary thoughts, Takei remembered to compliment her when she finally caught up to him.
"You look really beautiful. Cute, as well. Did I say you look beautiful already?"
"You're already embarrassing me…"
Even though Akari had just arrived, she was already being overwhelmed with a bunch of praise from Takei.
"Although, I don't mind it…"
Rather than the compliments just purely embarrassing her, it made her really happy as well since Takei found her attractive.
Akari looked at Takei's appearance and was pleasantly surprised.
"Takei… is that even you?"
"Guh…"
That compliment/insult had hurt just as much as when his sister had said the same thing earlier.
Seeing that Takei looked slightly depressed, Akari frantically tried to change his mood.
"I said that because I think you look really great! You're the most handsome guy here!"
As a result, Akari said embarrassing things that somehow worked in fixing Takei's mood.
Now back to 100 percent, Takei grabbed Akari's hand and motioned with his head to move forward.
"Now, shall we go?"
Hearing Takei's question, Akari nodded happily.
"With pleasure."
After Akari gave her approval, they decided to go to one of the slower rides first.
Both of them agreed on the teacup ride and promptly got on.
Since it was the classic spinning teacup ride that everyone knew, there was little explanation needed for the riders.
Takei and Akari got inside the same teacup and waited for the ride operator to start.
Once the operator announced that the ride was about to start, the teacups began to rotate slowly.
Although it was at an acceptable speed where it wasn't too slow or too fast, Takei was busy focusing on something else.
With the slight vertigo from the ride, Akari's beauty only got even more divine.
The bounciness and glow of her hair was taking away his breath as the world around him got more distorted as time passed.
Even without the minimal amounts of makeup she applied, Akari was a natural beauty without a doubt.
Her evenly shaped face and cute features were slowly forcing him into an intoxicated state of mind.
On the other hand, Akari was gently smiling while watching the awe-struck Takei stare at her.
Once the ride ended, Takei insisted that they go to the haunted house attraction next.
Obviously, Akari didn't want to since she wasn't the best with scary things.
However, Takei finally convinced her to go after valiantly stating that he would protect her from any of the monsters.
Entering the haunted house, there was nothing particularly scary for the first couple dozen meters.
Until a certain something jumped out at them.
"Eek!"
Akari jumped into Takei's embrace as the zombie had appeared out of nowhere and scared her.
Stay sane. Endure it, you must.
The combined smell of Akari's natural scent and applied perfume was enough to rob Takei of his common logic and basic reasoning.
Once the immediate threat was gone, Akari slowly let go to Takei's dismay.
They continued through the haunted house and had the same situation repeated many times.
Safe to say, Takei was very happy about this predicament.
After they cleared the haunted house, the duo decided to go on a roller coaster.
Akari wanted to go on the tallest and fastest roller coaster there was, so that's what inevitably happened.
On a side note, Takei had a fear of heights so he wasn't particularly enthusiastic about riding the tallest rollercoaster in the whole amusement park.
Takei was happy to see her slightly sadistic side when it came to punishing him since he was the one who made her go to the haunted house, but he felt conflicted since the rollercoaster would be a tall task for him.
Eventually, they got onto the ride and were locked in with their seatbelts in place.
In short, Takei no longer had an escape.
A small bead of sweat began to trickle down his face as he realized the true severity of the situation.
Noticing that Takei was feeling uncomfortable, Akari placed her hand over his.
"It's okay, I'm here. Just breathe in and breathe out. You'll be fine, I guarantee it."
Takei's breathing slowed down to a rhythmic pace as he took Akari's advice.
The final straw to him reaching this state was Akari's guarantee of his safety.
It was safe to say that he trusted Akari more than he trusted himself.
Slowly but surely, the rollercoaster began to move forward after a loud beep.
Surprisingly, Takei didn't feel his anxiety build up when the rollercoaster began to pick up speed.
Could it be due to the fact that Akari is firmly holding my hand?
Eventually, the rollercoaster reached its peak and started its descent down.
Instead of the fear that Takei expected to form inside of his heart, a sense of accomplishment and elation began to fill his heart inside.
"I'm really doing it!"
"Yes, you're doing great."
After a minute or two, the rollercoaster reached the end of its ride.
All of the riders got off with an extremely happy expression on their faces, including Takei.
He quickly glanced at the time on his watch and noticed that it was almost time for that event to happen.
"Hey, Akari?"
"Hm? What's up?"
"I have somewhere I want to go."
Akari nodded in response to his question, as if already expecting it.
She was slightly fidgeting and had a faint blush on her cheeks as Takei pulled her along to the ride that he had been waiting for all night.
The Ferris wheel.
At a certain time at night, the Ferris wheel would have its evening lights turned on which would in turn produce a romantic atmosphere.
That was the timing that Takei had been trying to get ready for all day.
Since they had started approaching a bit early, the Ferris wheel line was very short.
They only had to wait about 10 minutes before a spot opened up for them in one of the compartments.
Takei let Akari enter first by guiding her with his hand, and then he entered after her.
After the doors were locked and sealed, the Ferris wheel began to move once again.
Slowly, their surroundings got smaller and smaller until everyone became the size of ants due to the increasing altitude of the wheel rotating them.
Everything was perfect and the timing was set at just the right time.
Moments after their compartment started gaining altitude, the beautiful translucent lights of the Ferris wheel began to light up.
A multitude of colors resembling a rainbow began to dye their surroundings in a hazy, yet dreamy color.
"It's beautiful…"
Akari put a hand to her mouth as if she was trying to cover the surprise that was leaking out of her expression.
Unluckily for her, Akari's widened eyes and pleased expression were just enough to give it away.
Judging that every condition was met, Takei prepared his last stand in this long and drawn out war.
"Akari."
"Hm?"
"I have something very important to tell you."
Through Takei's serious expression and manner of speaking, Akari immediately understood that he wasn't joking.
She straightened her back and nodded as if to tell him that she was ready to hear whatever he had to say.
Takei looked at her one more time, before he went on to explain the surging feelings inside of his heart.
"Back then before I met you, I truly felt like I had nothing. There was nothing of worth or value in my life."
Starting off, Takei decided to do a bit of a recap of his dark past.
"However, my life changed the day I met you. I've experienced so many joys and learnt so many new things thanks to you."
"..."
Akari knew that this was only the prelude to what he was saying, so she began to anxiously await for something.
"That's when a new feeling was created in my heart. I didn't want to accept it at first, but I noticed that it would be inevitable as time passed. There would be no way that this feeling would disappear with time. It was something that existed solely for you."
Takei explained that a feeling of him was created as a result of meeting her, and that it was a feeling that would be undying no matter how strong the concept of time was.
"That's why I'll tell you right now, my genuine feelings. Everything I've been feeling into a couple words. Will you hear me out?"
Before he wanted to reveal everything, Takei wanted Akari's consent beforehand.
Perhaps it was his stubbornness from being raised up like a gentleman, but Takei preferred to make sure Akari was comfortable with hearing him out first.
"I'm ready."
With those two words of approval from Akari, everything was set in stone.
There would no longer be running away for Takei.
He would…
No longer be a coward.
"Akari, I love you. I love you so much, that I don't even know what to do with myself. I'm so hopelessly smitten by you. Every side of you, whether it be good or bad, I love it. I don't want anyone else to have you. I know that's a very cowardly and selfish thing to ask for after making you wait for so long, but I don't care. I want to make you mine. Without a shadow of a doubt, I can guarantee you that no one loves you more than I do."
Taking in a deep breath, Takei concluded his confession with a relieved smile on his face.
He finally did it.
Takei finally managed to squeeze the heartfelt confession out of his throat.
The thing that had been on his mind for so long had finally been accomplished.
Now, all he had to do was wait for the result.
Glancing at Akari's face, he noticed that it was a mix of emotions.
What they were though, was not something he could tell.
A few moments of silence passed without anything happening, until Akari got up from her seat.
Instantaneously, she fell right into Takei's arms without any warning.
"Me too! I've loved you for so long, that I was always scared if some other girl would take you away. I didn't want to force you to do anything to be considerate of me, so I kept quiet and hoped that you would choose me. At first, I thought I would be okay if you chose someone else if you were happy at the very least. As time passed however, I realized that those weren't my true feelings. I wanted you for myself. I wanted you to only look at me. I wanted you to only have feelings for me. That's why… I was so happy when you confessed to me just now. My heart almost exploded when I heard that. It truly made me so happy inside."
After hearing her true and unbridled feelings, Takei hugged her even tighter.
He wanted to cherish this person in his arms forever, and never wanted to let her go.
"Will you go out with me then?"
Not even a second after Takei asked her out, Akari instantly responded.
"Gladly, please take care of me."
Once their bare feelings were laid down, the actual confession was relatively easy and quick.
Now, there was only one thing left.
Takei lifted Akari's chin upwards and looked deeply into her ocean blue eyes.
Realizing what he was trying to do, Akari closed her eyes and let the momentum of the situation carry her to victory.
Once Akari entrusted her body to Takei, he closed his eyes as well and left fate to decide what would happen.
Luckily for them, fate was in a good mood today for it had blessed them with a beautiful ending to this glorious day.
Takei and Akari's lips connected as they shared their first official kiss as a couple.
True to Akari's wishes, they had laid their feelings down bare in a secluded place with only the two of them.
Many moments passed, yet they were still locking lips.
The sweet sugary taste of Akari's plump red lips were turning Takei's brain into mush as he savored the taste he so longingly wished for.
It was also the same for Akari, who was intoxicated by Takei's manly scent and soft texture of his lips.
Their hands were clasped tightly together as the two enjoyed their physical connection with each other.
There would be no stop to this endless barrage of sugary sweetness that was invading their cabin.
At last, both of them were finally freed from their burdens and were able to live out their lives how they wanted to.
Especially Akari, who didn't want anything to do with this goddess persona anymore.
That was probably a good thing, since…
The goddess would no longer need a break.
---
Akari's Final Affection Meter: 99 -> 100%
ERROR: MAXIMUM CAPACITY REACHED
CANNOT PROCESS ANY MORE…
Akari's Final Affection Meter: 100 -> 1000000000000000%
Finally after many long chapters, Akari has achieved her one true goal. However, an error was detected and her heroine power has reached abnormal rates…
What will become of these two after this event forever changed their life? Will there be more sugar? Will there be more diabetes? Will there be more lovey dovey couple moments?
The answer is yes to all of them.
At this point, I can safely say that the first "act" of the story is finished.
Thanks for reading, everyone! I hope to see you all again very soon!
A/N: I'll upload Afterword 3 whenever I feel like it (either today or tomorrow).
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