3A/N: Sadly, this is the last chapter for Strawberry Waffles. However, I hope readers can look forward to a new story coming up soon called 'Tears on a Birthday' (it was supposed to be 月な's birthday special)! Now without further ado, here we go!
Chapter 3: Ai to, kanjo to! Ichigo waffuru bani hausu! Dekiagari!
Once again it went quiet for the two after Rio had kissed Ichika.
Ichika was as red as a strawberry as she tried to hide her face with her hands.
Rio was blushing pink as he tried not to look at her either.
"listen, about what I said earlier... Did you get surprised?" he asked.
Ichika didn't even answer.
She just gave a howl of embarrassment.
Shoot, I'm sure she's going to kill me later...
Rio thought to himself.
About half an hour later the rain had stopped, and the sun began to shine as the clouds parted.
"I-Ichika, w-we better get going." Rio said, standing
"y-yeah, we should." she replied.
Handing him back his jacket, they picked up their groceries and began walking once more, this time in silence.
And a 2 feet distance between the two.
Awkward much?
(Rio's P.O.V)
Ichika's still not saying anything.
I wonder if it's because I kissed her earlier, it must've spooked her.
I wanted to apologize, but since she looked like she was asking for some space, I gave it to her.
Ichika, I'm so sorry.
I promise that later...
I'll apologize to you properly.
We eventually made it back to Kirapati with no delay.
Pekorin and Chourou greeted us.
"you're back~peko!" Pekorin cried.
"we were worried when the rain started to pour-jabba!" Chourou said as lchika's crystal animal flew to her
lchika let the little bunny nuzzle her cheek.
"aw, I missed you too!" I heard her giggle.
"well, we better get started. Come on, Ichika." I said, heading into the kitchen.
"r-right..."
(Normal P.O.V)
Pekorin and Chourou watched from the window as both Ichika and Rio began to bake.
The two were not speaking to each other, but still worked together in harmony and sync.
Once the waffles were done, Rio placed them on a plate, and when Ichika looked at it, she remembered the flash she had earlier that day.
Looking for some icing, she began to decorate the waffles.
Once she was done, she pulled away from the plate, allowing Rio to take a look at the newly designed sweet.
It was two little bunnies, one in pink and one in blue, surround by waffles.
In Rio's eyes, kirakiraru sparkled.
"Strawberry Waffle Bunny House, ready to be served." lchika said with a small smile.
Rio suddenly turned around and began walking towards Ichika.
"Rio-kun?" she asked, surprised.
He walked closer to her, until he eventually pinned her to the wall.
What he did next made Ichika drop the icing bag.
(Rio's P.O.V)
When Ichika pulled away from the plate, what turned out as 4 normal waffles before now became a sweet sparkling with kirakiraru.
The kirakiraru was overflowing, I can't believe it was all due to Ichika's simple decoration.
I then noticed at the bottom of the plate, two small bunnies, one blue, one pink.
Those bunnies must represent her and me...
When Ichika had announced the name of the finished sweet,I turned around, and began walking to her until she hit the wall.
Next thing I knew, I had kissed her passionately.
(Ichika's P.O.V)
Once Rio kissed me, a small sound that represented my shock escaped my lips.
I dropped the icing bag.
I was surprised at first, but slowly returned the kiss.
I was never able to get his kiss on my cheek off my mind earlier, it made me go all blank.
I made those 2 little bunnies on the waffles to represent the friendship between Rio and I, but now, what he just did opened my eyes to something new.
That feeling, that was love.
Rio and I pulled away a little later.
"Ichika, I-" he began, but I cut him off.
"w-what was that, right now?" I asked.
I had put a few fingers to my lips to show embarrassment.
I'm also pretty sure I'm blushing
Rio took a deep breath and sighed before looking at me.
"Ichika, I'm sorry." he began.
"what are you apologizing for?" I asked.
"I pushed my feelings onto you. I'm sorry about that." he replied, looking down at the floor.
I smiled softly. "what you said earlier..." I began, and he looked at me once more.
"huh?"
"that you thought you loved me, was that true?" I asked.
"of course, would I lie?" he asked in reply.
I hugged him.
"I know you wouldn't. That's all I needed to hear, the truth. And, I love you too, Rio-kun." I replied.
I could just imagine that Rio was speechless.
"what?" he asked.
I hugged him tighter.
"I love you." I whispered.
l then felt that he had also wrapped his arms around me.
"Ichika..." he trailed off.
And at that moment, I knew he was crying.
"there there... It's going to be okay." I said, but I had also begun to cry.
Rio-kun, you're such a little kid, you know that?
But that's okay, because that's what makes you you.
I love you, Rio-kun, I really do
(Normal P.O.V)
While lchika and Rio were still deep in embrace, little did they know that the girls had arrived at Kirapati to check on Ichika.
They were surprised once they saw Ichika and Rio.
"what happened while we were away?" Himari whispered.
"who knows~peko?" Pekorin replied, her ears glowing pink.
"oh mon dieu, c'est intéressant! I never knew my little brother liked our dear Ichika!" Ciel said with a smile.
"who knew Ichika would be the first of us to fall in love? And with Rio no less." Aoi said, crossing her arms.
"how interesting..." Yukari purred.
Akira simply smiled, but with the look in her eyes, it's as if she was saying, best of luck, the two of you.
All the while, Chourou was looking at the plate of waffles on the table. "love jabba, it makes the most kirakiraru jabba. Ichika~jabba, Pikario-jabba, good job!" he said happily.
Meanwhile though, the two were still deep in embrace, but in their hearts, kirakiraru was overflowing.
愛している
A/N: chapter 3, done! Now I can finally start on the new one. For the very last time here on Strawberry Waffles
雪 月な signing off! ^_^
