This is going to be the first Hungry Heart story on and I'm so proud! It was me who requested the authorities for a Hungry Heart archive. This is basically a fluffy KyousukeMiki thingy I hitched up: please read and review, people!

Always

The door was opened tentatively, and a green-haired girl walked into the ward. "I'm here!" she called brightly.

There was no answer.

A neat young nurse stepped in from the corridor. "Are you here for Mr. Kanou? He might have just fallen asleep; I'll go and look…" She walked up to the curtain and yanked it open.

"Yeah, that's just the sort of thing he'd do, sleep when he's supposed to be stud-" The girl stopped abruptly. The bed was empty.

"Where on earth has he gone? He was told specifically by Dr. Takahashi that he's not supposed to go anywhere without his crutches, and the crutches are just here!" cried the nurse, disconcerted.

"Damn it," said the girl. "I'll search in the garden outside."

"That's not the point, honey; he shouldn't be there in the first place. I need to talk to him."

The girl left. She was small and dressed in a green school uniform. Her hair, short and green, was arranged round her face neatly, and she had a bag slung over her shoulder. As she walked, suddenly she paused. She began walking almost immediately, but the thought would not go away.

It was simple.

Why did she care?

It was true; she had always been so concerned about him, so bothered about his affairs. Why was that?

It was not any other person: why him, though?

Could it be- why did a mere sight of him make her warm and happy within, and his absence make everything so bleak and dull?

Then she thought of her friends' assumptions. About her and him having a relationship. She blushed gently.

Could it be true though?

She bit her lip.

Of course not! He was too much of a goof- or wasn't he?

But she could not stop her heart from beating faster just thinking of him…maybe it was true; maybe she did love Kyousuke…

The funny thing was, the thought didn't embarrass her.

While Miki was in this sweet reverie, she had reached the garden. She walked round the building. Kyousuke was nowhere in sight. At last, she had a feeling someone was behind the trees at the back of the hospital.

She turned out to be right.

It was Kyousuke.

He was kicking a ball into a tree as it rebounded back and forth. Hearing Miki's footsteps, he stopped and turned to look at her.

"Why are you here without your crutches?" said Miki authoritatively, hands on hips.

"I came here because I think I'm fine…"

"And are you supposed to be your own judge?" said Miki.

"Well, he replied matter-of-factly, "what's your problem anyway?"

"It's not about-" but she paused.

She blushed. That was exactly what she'd been thinking about.

"-Well," she continued, "it's-"

"Excuse me," said Kyousuke suddenly, "but why are you blushing?"

"Of course I'm not!" exclaimed Miki, blushing even more furiously, "Just what do you think I am?" Her tone was angry now. "You're coming right back with me to the ward!"

Kyousuke made no reply, as if she had not spoken at all. He merely looked at her. Miki looked back into his green eyes steadily, at a loss for words. Her heart was beating rapidly, but her head was completely calm. Kyousuke, still looking at her, stepped closer to her.

What message was there in his eyes?

Why were his eyes so soft and tender?

Was it- could it…could it possibly…love?

Could those eyes, normally so hostile and rude, really harbour such tender affections as love?

But there was no mistaking the look.

He walked up to her. Really close. He just stood in front of her, staring into her eyes as she trembled slightly like a leaf caught in a sudden zephyr.

He gently, uncertainly, put his hands on her shoulders and smiled very faintly.

With a quick movement, Miki rested her head on his chest. Kyousuke wrapped his arms about her, and whispered, very softly, "How long have you-"

"Always," she muttered quietly.

THE END

A/N: There's more of HH fanfiction coming up from me, be patient! See you!