Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Don't Call Me Onii-chan... Call Me Your Koibito ❯ Depend On Me ( Chapter 7 )

Jou stirred. He was starting to wake up. No, no, he thought. He'd been dreaming about hugging Nakomi, feeling her love him as much as he loved her. Her soft lips against his. He struggled to hang onto the wisps of the dream remaining, but they too slipped away, and he opened his eyes.

To hell with the dream, he thought. This was better than any dream. She was awake, and gave him a ghost of a smile. "Onii-chan," she said simply.

His shoulders jerked as if he'd been stabbed in the back. He came closer to her, and unconsciously slipping his hands over hers, said desperately, "Listen, Nako-chan, don't call me onii-"

Shizuka burst into the room, holding medicine and food. Her eyes brightened. "Nakomi! You're awake!" she exclaimed, nearly dropping her load in delight and surprise.

Jou sprang back from Nakomi as if he'd touched hot metal. Damn, he'd nearly given himself away, he thought. Thank goodness for bothersome little sisters. He got up, shoved his hands into his pockets, and said casually, "Well, I'm going out. Glad that you're alright… imouto-chan." He winced at his own words, and hurried towards the door.

"Wait, Jou…"

He stopped short, heart hammering in his chest. "Yeah?"

"I… I…"

He started to turn around, despite his resolve not to. Just one more look. If only she'd say what he'd been imagining for so long.

"I… arigatou, for saving me!" She turned he face away from him.

He turned around again, muttered "You're welcome" rather bitterly, and disappeared out the door.

She listened to the door close. I can't tell you, she thought. I can't… you don't feel the same way…

She lay in bed and stared at the roses on the bedside table for the rest of the day. "Nako-chan… what kind of flowers do you like best?" "My favorite flowers? Roses…" "Really? I'll get you some someday when you're not feeling at your best." "Can I bet on that?" "Don't bet. You can depend on it…"