Forever Love

Kairi's smile grew. "I know. Thank you, Sora," she told him gently. His faith in her always meant the most to her. She believed in him too, since day one. "Still have to finish that suit of yours, though." She looked at him as she said this, lifting an eyebrow slightly. That suit was her final project for the semester. It had to be perfect, and who better than him to be her model?

"Mm-hm," Kairi hummed. A brief gust of wind had Sora's scent overwhelming her, not that she objected. His jacket was nice and warm as they took their time getting back. The sun was nearly set by this time too, so the sky was beautiful in the fall weather. "How bizarre... I never thought I would get this chance." She thought she would never leave the Islands either, but here she was, back where she was born. It was insane how things changed.

After a brief conversation with the judges and offering her information for the display, everyone headed back. Of course, not everyone left together; Lightning and Namine changed out of the dresses and left with Riku and Roxas respectively, while Kairi hung back to carefully tuck her designs away into the suitcase she now pulled behind her. Sora sweetly stayed behind to keep her company. She glanced over at him as they walked back to the dorms, smiling faintly. Throughout the last hour or so, she saw so much joy in his eyes. How proud he was of her. And that meant the world to Kairi.

Kairi's blush remained. "Thank you," she said with a small nod. She'd seen the fabric at the store and had to grab it while it was still available. It just so happened to be a little darker than her hair. "My models tonight were my two friends--Namine and Lightning." She motioned to them as she introduced them, catching Lightning nod faintly in greeting. She couldn't have done this without their help.

Kairi smiled and looked at all of her friends, though her gaze lingered on Sora as she tilted her head up slightly to look at him. His arm around her gave her comfort, security. "Okay," she said softly, then leading them toward the judges. While they took her information down, she imagined the professionals would examine her designs on Namine and Lightning.

Lightning caught Riku's look easily. She sent him a wink at the compliment. That was how many times tonight? "Okay! But, I need to go talk with the runway director first. Will you guys come with me? They'll probably want to see the dresses up close," Kairi thought aloud. This is so bizarre...

Kairi lifted her hands to her face, feeling how hot her cheeks were. Sora was proud of her...Namine was happy for her...and Roxas chuckled at her shy behavior. Just behind him, she saw Riku and Lightning coming over too. "Thanks, guys!" she chimed, smiling widely. She worked so hard, and she did it!

Kairi clung to Sora like her life depended on it. She did do it! Sora's warmth and comfort helped her realize this was actually happening; it was real. She won the contest! Roxas lifted his fingers to his lips and whistled for his dear friend, chuckling when he saw the hug between Sora and the redhead. Of course Sora was happiest for her; Roxas didn't expect anything less. "Kairi, congratulations," the announcer called. "Please remain in the building so we can get your information for the next Radiant Runway Show. To our guests, thank you for coming and witnessing the true talent of Radiant Garden University's fashion program. Have a good night!"

"One of our freshman applicants--Kairi!" Kairi's jaw dropped. I won?! She turned to look at the boy beside her, eyes wide. I won! Her designs were the best in the show! Lightning clapped along with the rest of the crowd, smiling to herself. She had to admit, Kairi was very good at this. Her dress felt like a second skin.

Roxas opened his mouth to speak, already knowing his words would be calling her cute too, but the announcer interrupted. He looked over Namine's head to where the announcer stood. They were about to announce tonight's winner, but...Roxas couldn't help but look back down at Namine. As much as he supported Kairi, he couldn't keep his eyes off Namine in that dress for long. Kairi gripped Sora's hand tightly, nervously, also keeping her Thalassa shell charm to her chest. She wasn't ready, not at all. She had worked so hard for this! What if she lost?! The announcer opened the white envelope in her hands and read the card. "...And the designer is..."

Roxas chuckled in embarrassment. "Whoops," he murmured, considering how close they were. Her dress fit her like a glove. It brought out the blue in her eyes and the pale strands of her hair... She also had on more makeup for the show tonight. She looked beautiful... Kairi opened her eyes in time to see that wink. Again, she felt weak at the knees. She lifted a hand to set on Sora's on her shoulder. Someone special...You're special to me too, she wanted to say, but she couldn't find her voice. "Attention! Our judges have picked their designs and we've tallied the votes," the announcer said into the microphone. "We have our winner for tonight's fashion show. The winner gets to have his or her designs that were modeled tonight put on display at the next Radiant Runway Show for all agents and professional designers to see!"

"What?" Roxas asked at the soft laugh. When Namine wiped at his face, he fought his blush, though it was difficult since his senses picked up on her perfume, and her shampoo, and her warmth from her close proximity. He gazed at Namine, her face pretty close to his. It wasn't the first time they had been this close; he did hold her for a night in her room, after all. But...he liked her close. It made his heart skip. Kairi fingered the charm delicately. It had survived so many battles and all of Sora's travels. It was good luck... Maybe it could work for her too. Kairi hugged it carefully to her chest. "Thank you," she said, closing her eyes. That meant more to her than Sora probably knew. Lightning closed her eyes at the kiss, taking it in as he spoke. "Hm," she hummed in amusement, though it was also in agreement. She wasn't going to stop him.

Roxas bit into a cupcake as he looked over the options. "Hmmm....take a little of each one," he insisted, ignorant of the icing on the side of his mouth. He was too busy enjoying the moist texture of the cupcake. Kairi shook her head a little, though she did take a step closer to Sora. She leaned forward a little, as if to tell him a secret. "I'm too nervous..." she confessed, voice soft so no competitors could hear her. She couldn't let them know she had her doubts. Lightning turned her head and placed a slow, delicate kiss to Riku's smooth cheek. She then smiled against his skin. "Like I said, flattery will get you somewhere," she assured him. He was on a roll.

Roxas held out his free hand. "C'mon, let's go get you some," he encouraged gently. His plate was full already, but she had yet to get one. They would keep the dress clean, of course. Or Kairi would retaliate. Kairi fought her blush. She hadn't even done anything! Regardless, she accepted the words. What could she say to that? All the girl could do was gaze at him in silence. Sora... Riku was good at this, Lightning had to admit. But she was better. "Fun is exactly what you will be having...if you're lucky," she murmured, so as to not attract attention. There were quite a few people in this room. None needed to see the two of them getting intimate, especially since she was one of the models and representing Kairi. However, some harmless flirting never ruined anything.

"Oh! They have that too!" Roxas announced, looking over his shoulder back at one of the snack tables. He wondered how it tasted.... He hadn't picked any up. Kairi shook her head slightly, her burgundy hair falling over her shoulder. "You're just sweet," she told him softly. Very sweet, flattering too. Kairi also thought he was handsome, but she figured he knew that already. All the other girls did. A few of them sent longing gazes his way. Lightning slid her hand up Riku's chest and gripped his tie. "Don't tempt me, Riku," she murmured, her smirk growing. He was such a tease.

Roxas offered her his snacks. "Pick one. I'll let you taste test," he said with a wink. She was curious, so why not let her have first pick? Kairi's smile remained as she tilted her head, admiring the sincerity in Sora's eyes that complimented his words. How sweet... Lightning's breath caught in her throat. It didn't help that Riku's cologne smelled enticing. His touch didn't help, but she wasn't about to complain. She turned her head towards his, her hands grasping his shirt. "Where do you want it to be?" she countered with a faint smirk.

Roxas lowered his hand and held out his plate. "Sea-salt bites are good, as I expected," he answered with a grin. Those were always good. As for the other stuff, he wasn't sure just yet. Kairi bit her lip to hide her smile, but she couldn't. She lowered her gaze to Sora's chest as a blush crept to her cheeks. "Thank you," she said, his nickname for her touching her heart. He was the only one who ever called her that, which made it even more special. "Let's hope the judges think so, too." Lightning lifted an eyebrow. "Flattery will get you somewhere," she said slyly. She wouldn't say no to a good compliment from him.

Roxas naturally looked down at his clothing. "Oh, thank you," he said, lifting his hand without the plate full of food to the back of his head, ruffling his hair. He didn't know if he should approach the subject of that kiss... "Maybe~" Kairi teased, her smile growing at that wink. Attractive, as usual. Did he realize that his winks made her weak at the knees? "If it calls for male models, you'll be first on my list. Promise." Lightning felt her skin tingle where his lips were. Riku was tough, but gentle...just like her. She grasped his hand and stepped toward him, putting her free hand on his side as she stayed close. "So, what'd you think?"

Roxas was pleased to see some sea salt bites as part of the dessert. He grabbed a handful and followed Sora's lead, toward the girls. Oh god, she looks even better up close, he thought of Namine, her pale hair contrasting with the burgundy dress beautifully. How was he even going to be able to speak? "...Hi," he greeted, smiling. "You did great." Kairi linked her hands behind her back. "Hey," she replied. She looked him up and down, admiring his attire and his physique. "You look nice, but you'd look even better in one of my suits." She said this proudly, and from her own witness; Sora did act as her model for one of her suits this semester. They still needed to finish that. Lightning let the freshmen be amongst themselves, the young woman instead venturing to her boyfriend. She still had to get used to calling him that... "Handsome, as expected," she greeted with a crooked smile. Riku looked great.

"At least they aren't wearing one of my suits," Kairi agreed with a smile. She knew that none of the models for any designer would touch anything but the vegetables, since they had to keep their figures. Of course, Namine and Lightning didn't have to worry about doing that. They also wouldn't be messy with Kairi's dresses on. Her designs were safe. Kairi's eyes locked onto Sora, as expected. Even if he wasn't in one of her suits, he did clean up nicely for tonight.

Roxas walked with Riku and Sora toward another large room. Upon entry, he saw small, tall tables placed around the room that had drinks and finger-foods to choose from. "Dude," he said to Sora, whacking him lightly in the chest, "food." Score! He got to see Namine looking glamorous and got free food?!

"About an hour or so," Kairi said, looking around the backstage area. "The judges have to go over everything. Until then, we have a cocktail party!" She grinned. Designers, models, and guests got a nice little celebration after the show. "C'mon, you're allowed to keep your dresses on for this." She reached for Namine and Lightning's hands and pulled them toward the exit and to the large room across the hall.

Roxas rolled his eyes. "Yeah, right," he said in disbelief. His gaze returned to the runway, though it looked dull with Namine gone. Kairi saw Lightning and Namine return backstage and she covered her mouth with her hands in glee. They did it! And they looked amazing! "Great job!" she commented, bouncing on her feet as she met with them. "You guys were wonderful!"

Roxas recovered quickly, eyebrows furrowing as he elbowed Sora in the side. "Shut up!" he insisted, his blush for a different reason entirely now--embarrassment. "You're just jealous..." Namine showed interest toward Roxas, blatantly. Sora just wanted the same from Kairi.

Lightning's smirk only remained, a small chuckle leaving her. It was discreet due to the music, but she walked backstage with the same amusement anyway. Riku's expression was priceless. She would tease him over this later--affectionately, of course. Roxas blinked at the kiss, his heart jumping to his throat at the action. That...was to me? He almost turned around to look at one of the guests behind him, but how ridiculous would that have been? Of course it was to him! And that made his insides dance. A blush warmed his cheeks as he smiled like a fool. So Riku was right--she does return my feelings...