Chapter 69: A Leap of Faith

A faint whisper echoed through the silence, "Kou.. would you.. elope with me.." Mitsuba's words were barely audible, but the emotion behind them was palpable. Kou's heart skipped a beat as he processed the request, his mind reeling with the implications. Kou's arms tightened around Mitsuba, holding him close as he tried to process the sudden proposal. Elope? Was Mitsuba serious? The thought sent a mix of excitement and trepidation through Kou's veins. He hadn't expected this, not now, not when they had just shared their first kiss. Kou's face pressed into Mitsuba's hair, inhaling the familiar scent of his shampoo. He took a deep breath, trying to calm his racing thoughts. What did it mean to elope? Was Mitsuba talking about running away, leaving everything behind? The uncertainty made Kou's stomach twist with anxiety. As he stood there, frozen in indecision, Mitsuba's words replayed in his mind. "Elope with me..." The phrase seemed to hold a sense of desperation, of longing. Kou's grip on Mitsuba tightened, and he pulled back, his eyes searching Mitsuba's face. Mitsuba's eyes, red-rimmed from tears, met Kou's, filled with a deep vulnerability. Kou's heart ached as he saw the fear and hope mingling in Mitsuba's gaze. He took a deep breath, trying to find the right words. "Mitsuba, what do you mean?" Kou asked, his voice soft and gentle. "Are you talking about leaving? Running away?" The questions tumbled out, and Kou's mind was racing with the possibilities. Mitsuba's face crumpled, and he looked away, his voice barely above a whisper. "I don't know, Kou. I just know I don't want to lose you. I want to be with you, always. And I thought, if we eloped, we could just...start over. Leave everything behind and just be us." Kou's heart swelled with emotion as he listened to Mitsuba's words. He could feel the pain and longing behind them, the desperation to hold onto something precious. Kou's fingers brushed against Mitsuba's cheek, and he gently turned Mitsuba's face back to his. "I don't know, Mitsuba," Kou said, his voice filled with uncertainty. "I need to think. This is a lot to take in." Kou's eyes searched Mitsuba's, trying to gauge his reaction. Mitsuba's face fell, and Kou could see the fear of rejection creeping in. But then, Mitsuba's expression changed, and he smiled softly. "I understand, Kou. Take all the time you need. Just...don't say no, okay?" The plea in Mitsuba's voice was heartbreaking, and Kou's heart went out to him. Kou's thumb brushed against Mitsuba's lip, a gentle touch. "I won't say no, Mitsuba. I promise." The words felt like a vow, and Kou knew that he had to consider Mitsuba's proposal carefully. He had to think about what he truly wanted, and what he was willing to risk.