"YOU KNEW WHAT THEY WERE PLANNING THIS WHOLE TIME!"

"Sir, with all due respect I tried to stop them."

"DON'T YOU 'SIR' ME NAOKI!"

Taking a second to assess the situation, Naoki Sanada spoke up in a deep and menacing voice.

"Something like this was inevitable. You had to have known that she wouldn't stay in one place for the rest of her life... Like Mother like Daughter."

SMACK!

"Don't you dare speak ill of Izumi! I won't stand for this kind of talk about my Wife!"

"She wasn't just wife. Maybe if you learnt that fact back then, she wouldn't have died!"

"... Leave. You are to never step foot on my property ever again!"

Shoving his hands into his pockets, Naoki Sanada bitterly left the Uchida residence. He was prepared to face the consequences at the hands of his superiors. He had failed in completing his mission. He completely broke the trust of his old friend Eiji Uchida. But Naoki knew this didn't mean he was completely defeated.

On the contrary, he was finally on the right track. All he needed to do was convince that they would finally be able to put their plan into motion.

Naoki Sanada was confident that he would meet with Aiko again. This time the promise would follow through. Aiko Uchida would follow through in her Mother's footsteps. This is because .

The glittering sunlight which reflected off of the pink hues of the room created this dazzling disco ball effect that awoke me from my deep slumber. As I stretched my body sluggishly and rubbed my eyes I looked to my left. There lay Haruto who was still softly snoring beside me. It was cute.

Wanting to surprise Haruto, I sat upright in bed. I wanted to make him some breakfast. But I couldn't. My legs refused to cooperate with me. It hurt to move. I was embarrassed to admit it, but I couldn't stand after our intimate love-making last night.

I defeatedly flopped back into bed. Looking up towards the ceiling, I stared blankly at the crystal chandelier above. It held little to no source of entertainment for me. In fact, there was nothing else I could see in the room that might amuse me in my boredom. Well, aside from Haruto that is. I turned to face him as I traced a single finger along his toned back.

The mischievous part of me wanted to tease and toy with him. The other part of me had the desire to find a way to kill time with him. I thought that maybe using his back as a large canvas for my creative endeavours might be the best solution.

"Nyeh... That tickles." Haruto sluggishly grumbles in his sleep.

Oh-ho-ho! I think I found the best plan of attack for now! Like the minx I am, I quickly strike at his back with vicious tickles. It doesn't take long for him to start shuddering and arching his back in response.

"N-N, S-STOP! I C-CAN'T-"

"Heh, heh. I didn't realize you were so ticklish! I guess I finally found your weakness after all these years!"

While taking mischievous pleasure in tormenting Haruto, I was quickly kicked off my pedestal. Haruto pinned my wrists down to the bed and got on top of me.

"No fair. I was having so much fun!" I pouted.

"I can think of other ways we can have fun."

Haruto leaned in, and we shared a deep and sensual kiss. I could get used to this. It felt like heaven on a platter. I ran my fingers through his hair as I pulled him in closer.

Rolling over to his side I get on top of him as our bodies tangled with the silky bed sheets.

"Ow."

Haruto pulled the TV remote from underneath him. The atmospheric mood we had created was ruined by the sound of the loud news report.

"This morning it has been confirmed that all twelve of the female patients in critical condition have unfortunately passed away."

Pulling away from Haruto I look towards the television in disbelief.

"As of now, there are reports that there is only one more remaining female in all of Japan."

They... They couldn't mean...

"Last night it was reported that the female in question, Aiko Uchida has been kidnapped."

I couldn't believe it. How were they were able to gather that much intel on me so quickly? Not only that, but my disappearance has already made nationwide headlines! Hmph, little do they know I wasn't kidnapped at all, but instead, I left willingly. I bet Father is trying to make it out that Haruto kidnapped me in order to save face!

Worryingly, I look to Haruto who is also on edge. He pulls me into his chest and proceeds to stroke my hair and try to calm me down.

"It's alright Aiko. Everything will work out in the end."

"How can you say that? There is probably a search party out there looking for me! Who knows what they'll do to you once they find us..."

"Didn't I already tell you? I've dreamt and planned for this day for years. I have everything worked out. I won't let them interfere with us!"

"But... but everyone will be on high alert for me..." I looked hopelessly into Haruto's eyes.

"I'm the last girl in all of Japan. Who knows what that will mean for me... I probably won't have any choice in who I marry now." I said dejectedly.

"Maybe Japan, but there still are females in other countries. So you won't be the only one being targeted. I'll make sure of it! It's my duty to protect you after all! Before I'm your lover, I'm also your bodyguard..."

Haruto's words trail off as he looks to the side in embarrassment.

"Speaking of which... I wanted to originally lay low in the hotel for a bit. But I think we'll need to speed things up a bit."

"Speed things up? We already had sex. A gynaecologist can verify that if needed. By state law that makes me officially betrothed to me."

"Call me old-fashioned, but I'd like to get married to you in the legal sense too."

"But where can we do that? It's not like most vicars will be inclined to help us. We're basically fugitives now..."

"In Vegas, they have these wedding chapels where you can get married quickly. Luckily, I know a guy that offers a service like that somewhere around these parts."

"Someone's done their research..." I playfully remarked.

Once Haruto lifts me gracefully off the bed in bridal style, I find myself becoming a little too self-conscious about my current appearance. So I quickly wrap the bedsheets closer around my body.

"And how exactly do you know this person? I thought you were a lone wolf."

"I thought you knew me better than that by now. I have more sides to me than you can possibly imagine..."

Haruto flashes me a cheeky smile and we share yet another kiss. Please. Please let this moment last forever!