I just realized that even though I love this story to pieces, I never actually reviewed it ever since my first read in 2011. And now I'm shaking my head at the fact and also my slow self for not realizing this until now.

Firstly, this fic makes me teary every time. Not only because of the reminiscence I feel every time I read it, but majorly because on how amazing and beautiful your writing is. I know, you've heard this a million or so times, but I bet no one could emphasize enough how true this fact is. This fic really grabs the right emotion and fuses them into something worth reading over and over again- there's the regret, the passion, the desperation, and the romance. OH GOD, the romance. Call me a hopeless romantic- I really am one.

It's as if Hotaru's emotions are being transferred via this fic to us, the readers. Your characterization is that perfect and powerful. The background context- which include even the smallest things such as having someone to choose her dress for her- really show how deep this separation is between Ruka and Hotaru, yet it really claws at one's heart when this story reveals that Ruka's been keeping 'tabs' on Hotaru because he's the one still paying attention without an ounce of hesitation. Yes, even the small things such as that make me squeal in my seat because it's just so sweet- so RUKA.

Your characterization of Ruka is also superb. So many authors present him as a guy who can't actually confront the one he loves as well as Natsume can, because in comparison to the main male, he's 'weak' and 'shy' and 'oh so hesitant'. But like you, I think otherwise. Coupled with 'Of Fortunes and Ferrets', you've portrayed him as so much more than that. He's a person who is certain of what he wants, and if it wasn't for the intervention of Natsume in his love life (which thankfully has no presence in this fic) he would be even more direct than Natsume when it comes to admitting things such as feelings and buried thoughts. So those confrontations- especially the auction scene- can really set readers into an overall heartbeat-racing-feeling-filled-fangirlism-verging moment. And yes, I said that. HAHA. And the most definite confirmation that Ruka isn't the shy boy who many authors depict him as is that last letter. The certainty is there; you know that feeling when the judge bangs their hammer and makes their judgement? Weird comparison, but it was something like that. The difference is that my squeals don't echo through the house when I watch courtroom dramas or Judge Judy. Yep, my comparison use is through the roof today.

And the plot of this story, where can I start?! It's a beautiful interpretation of the future in canon, where two characters on opposite ends of the spectrum meet as former lovers. Only you could write a plot such as this and make it so much more than a story of confirmation and reunion. It really leaves a mark on people who read it- you already know this, but this fic was the very story which inspired me to write GA fan fiction in the first place- and it's an impeccably great display of your talent in what you call 'unabashed romance'. Everything you write is more than a pleasure for me to read, but this particular story is one which fails to leave its place as my all-time favorite fan fiction. And I really doubt that anything could replace it, unless it was another story written by yourself.

This story will always mean so much more to me than you could possibly imagine. This may just be one of your stories, but both this story and you as an admirable author will have a place in my heart.

I am blown away by the brilliance of this piece.

I truly admire how the sentences are weaved together. They are so beautiful that I could not get enough of them. I craved more and more as I read scene after scene, delving more into the world that you created by the use of words. I could not wipe the grin out of my face since I started reading this - more specifically at the mention of the silent flirtation - and could not have smiled more because of these two characters when I reached the end. The ending, I daresay, is a really beautiful one. It is satisfying and wrapped things up neatly; I cannot think of any other way of how it could have ended. It is also difficult to foresee, given the situations. I actually think that everything is not predictable, except, maybe, the scene with Raffaello. I have to say that the transition between the scenes is really good, too! It is simply smooth and easy to writing is really classy and is not to be questioned. Even though I prefer reading stories with just an equal amount of dialogue and narration, this one, which is unmistakably more narration than dialogue, did not made me complain - especially even if this is more than seven thousand words - nor did I find this boring in any way. The imagery is good; I can easily imagine the scenes happening.

I commend you for the portrayal of our dear Hotaru Imai and Ruka Nogi. They are so in character that I would have believed this is really what would become of them, if only I were not aware that this is fan fiction. Hotaru struggling with her emotions , her wanting to show it, prioritizing work, and being daring and Ruka loving her most ardently, pursuing her despite of what happened between them, and doing things for his love are really interesting to see. You have captured their characters perfectly. I actually feel that they have more depth here than in the actual manga, but that could be because of the age difference. Or because of the issue in this story. I loved how you showed the difference of the characters and the one thing that tied them together - love. I loved how love is both the reason why Hotaru broke up with him and why Ruka was still pursuing her. The depth of their love here made my heart clench while reading because I know that I would not witness it in the actual story and because it is just written wonderfully. I have to say that I am really impressed (when wasn't I?) by the way you narrated their love scene. It is really - for my lack of words to describe it - mature and passionate and just goes well with the story. It did not seem out of place; I found it surprisingly fitted to be in there.

Forever and a Day is a very well-written piece of yours, indeed. I thank you for sharing this to us.

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Word Count: 516. I hope what I said above makes sense and isn't just pure ramble. I did try my best to give a review that covers all the feelings this fic gave me, but no. Words is really not enough to describe them.

Cheers, Amelie!

Respectfully,
Marse Speaks

Now this is how fanfiction is supposed to be written :') thank you for this AMAZING fanfic that I had been shipping since the beginning!

This is by far the greatest HotaRuka fanfic I've ever read! Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful gift to us..
TTTT - TTTT

this made me cry. My heart just broke in half. Ruka and Hotaru forever and a day.

I had goosebumps and my heart was pounding as I was reading the ending.
A heartwarming story that depicts pure love from both of the characters.
I like how the way the characters are described, how mature they are and how their individual lives, internal views, limits and pose conflict to their love story :)

I hope that you will write more about Ruka and Hotaru! Thank you for giving us the experience of reading this wonderful piece of work! :D

This is heartbreakingly beautiful. It flowed sinuously and made me feel. Hotaru and Ruka's story; I could definitely imagine this. You have a gift for touching others, and I hope that you would write more stories in the future. I've been an avid reader of yours, and can only hope that my writing abilities are half of yours. Thank you for sharing your gift with me.

P.S. Perhaps it would be nice if you could write an epilogue to this story; Hotaru's journey to coming in touch with her feelings and finally coming back to be with Ruka.

ladykanamekuran x

awww so cute

This is good, as usual. It's like you know the emotions so well. Whatever age you're in, you write so well. You play on words so good you have to keep reading. You should write and get paid for it!

Beautiful as always. I never tire of reading your works. :)

The best and romantic fanfiction i have ever read. EVER. Thank you so so much for this :)

aww T_T so well written, a good story but whyyyyyyyyyyy?! please write a sequel where they actually get back together again PLEASE! it's too sad to end it like this ( anyways, good luckies for your future stories )

oh my gosh... this was... stunning. just stunning.. one of the best hotaruxruka fanfics out there.

but daamn. ruka grew up to be on hot person. the mental image was just overwhelming XDDDD but he'll only ever think of hotaru D hotaru needs ruka.

thanks again for such a good read! i think my favorites (out of all the stories that you wrote) are 'numbers in choreography' and 'forever and a day'. it's just awesome

Hello,

This is truly beautiful. I know you've been told this countless times, and I might just come off as a redundant, annoying fangirl, but I suppose that having that kind of impression is okay, considering the fact that I am really a big fan of yours. I'm going to attempt to be as comprehensive and as specific as possible, but I'm actually not that great at communicating my ideas to other people, so please excuse me if this review seems a little off.

First off, I like the complexity of the relationship you have managed to develop with Ruka and Hotaru in this story. It's completely understandable and fathomable that Hotaru- the Ice Queen- would choose work before romantic relationships. That is the way that she was brought up, after all, and her changing into an emotionally dependent, caring individual in reaction to Ruka's appearance in her life would just be unrealistic and improbable. I find that Hotaru's character is the hardest to keep consistent in Fanfiction, because most people think and feel without the sense of pragmatism beforehand. Despite that, I think you excelled with flying colors at taking a whack at Hotaru's emotionless, cold exterior. Not only that, but I feel that you were able to add even more depth to her. She was not only a girl who put her financial priorities before love, but also she was portrayed as a woman who- and rightly so- secretly wanted to pursue her emotions and be like the rest of the female society. Now, by no means am I suggesting that prioritizing love is what ALL females do, but I believe that by Hotaru actively trying to achieve her dream of being a great financial tycoon, she ended up throwing away an aspect of life that other girls get to experience.

I believe that the love story of the two clearly demonstrates common relationships today. You were able to capitalize on a typical issue with regards to relationship, in which people close themselves off from emotions that they don't want to feel. I don't know. To be able to portray such a complex issue in less than a novel's length is an incredible thing indeed.

I don't think there is a word in the entire English vocabulary that fully explains how original and unique your writing is, and how incredibly beautifully you manage to sew words to create a great masterpiece. Your writing, as sophisticated as it may be, does not isolate the reader. On the contrary, it allows the readers to sit and read into a story- feel all the emotions as if actually having been there- and once the readers reach the end of this story, they would clutch their hearts to relieve the ache that they feel, and ask themselves why exactly they were able to be moved by someone who seemed so much more intelligent than them.

Thank you for sharing this, and may you keep inspiring others like you did me.

Sincerely,
Sophrosign

Oh. My. Goodness.
You are a true artist.
I must support your writing career. If you are ever published, I need to invest in the book (after all, it's not every day one reads genius).
Thank you very much.