AN: Does not own Love Hina, or any affiliated symbols with the show.
"Sempai," A young woman knocked on the door in front of her. "Are you awake?" She waited a few seconds before trying again. Still no response came. "Okay, I'm coming in." She slid the door open with one hand while holding a full tray on the other. She stepped inside the room then closed the door behind her.
She stopped and stared at what she saw. Keitaro, her beloved Sempai, was sprawled out on his bed. His hair all frazzled, his glasses precariously perched on his nose and his covers kicked off showing the clothes he didn't change out of yesterday. It appeared he stated to, seeing as his shirt was halfway unbuttoned, and one sock off.
'What time did he go to sleep?" The cook asked herself as she looked at the disheveled man. She smiled deviously then blushed at the thought of helping her manager finish undressing, but mostly it was her hands running over her manager's skin that made her blush. Just the thought excited her.
She rid her mind of the perverted thoughts then took a breath. She placed the tray on the desk nearby then walked over to the sleeping man. "Sempai," She softly whispered before gently shaking the man.
He turned away before groaning. She giggled at his antics, "Sempai," She shook him again, "you really do need to get up." The brown-headed turned back toward her then haphazardly opened his eyes.
"Hello?" Keitaro groaned out before fixing his glasses clearing his vision. "Oh, Good morning Shinobu." He looked up at the woman over his bed before looking at the clock noticing the time. "Wow, it's only been twenty minutes. I would have sworn it was longer."
The woman above him stared at him aghast. "Wait, Sempai when did you go to sleep?" She asked now noticing the dark bags around his eyes. She also saw how bloodshot they looked
"Hmm…maybe twenty minutes ago." The man propped himself up as he looked at the clock to confirm his guess. It read six o' clock. "Yeah, about that."
"What were you doing so late Sempai?" She squatted down and got eye level with the man.
"I…I don't remember." He scratched his head sheepishly before chuckling. He yawned before stretching out his back. "So what brings you hear this early in the morning?"
Breaking eye contact she moved back to the desk then brought back the tray to the man in bed. "I was actually just going to bring you some breakfast." She noticed him sway a little while trying to stay focused on her. "Are you alright Sempai?" She placed the tray on Keitaro's lap while looking into his half-closed eyes.
The man shook his head opening his eyes completely. "Yes Shinobu, I just need something to eat." He looked down at the platter in his lap and smiled softly. "Thank you Shinobu." He looked back into her eyes then his smile infected her.
She giggled once before flashing a smile of her own. "Just glad I can be of service to you Sempai."
Keitaro mumbled a response before letting a sullen expression come over him.
"What was that Sempai?"
"Nothing Shinobu," He looked her back in the eyes before putting up a small smile. "It's nothing you need to worry about." He sighed before bringing the cup of tea to his mouth. He took a decent swig nearly empting half of the container's contents. He let out a satisfied groan as the heat from the tea warmed his body. "Thank you Shinobu, It's delicious." He nodded to her.
"You're welcome Sempai." She chewed her lower lip yearning to ask him, but refrained out of respect for his privacy. She saw him stare off into the distance, a sad expression had returned to him. "Um…Sempai," the man's attention went immediately to her. "Are you sure I can't help you?"
His eyes looked down debating inside himself. He moved the tray over then swung his legs off the bed. He patted to empty spot next to him. She quickly went over and sat next to the troubled man. The larger man took a few deep breaths. He opened his mouth a few times almost starting, but stopped before just before the words got out. It was almost as if he was looking for the right words to say. It was almost a good five minutes before the man said anything, but he broke the silence in a small voice.
"I'm scared." She looked at him softly hoping for him to continue, "I'm scared that I'm not going to make it to tomorrow." Tears started to form at the edge of his eyes. She just noticed his eyes now.
Her eyes snapped open with realization. His eyes weren't bloodshot from the lack of sleep, but that may have had something to do with it, but they were like that because he was crying. "I don't know if I can survive." His hands started to tremble.
"Every time I close my eyes, all I see is myself dying." The gentle man started to shiver a little. "I haven't slept right in the last month. Every time I close my eyes I have to open then again." The first teardrop trickled out rolling down his cheek. "It use to only happen once or twice a week, but now I wake up about every hour because of it." He brought his hands to his eyes wiping the tear away.
"I hate to say it but I think it's this place that's doing it. The worst part is, I can't even get away from it. This place I mean. " He looked up and stared at the wall across from him. "I can't leave the Inn. If I were to Granny would just get Kanako and they would drag me back here." He placed his head back in his hands suppressed his outward cry. He took a few deep breaths before speaking, "I-I'm sor-"
Shinobu wrapped the older man in her arms cradling his head on her chest. Before he could protest she hushed him. "It's okay Keitaro, you can let it out."
The man quivered before he collapsed into the smaller woman. He latched on the woman and let his tears stain her shirt. The woman shed a few tears herself seeing the strongest man she had ever know break right in front of her. He had always been there for everyone. He never let anyone down. Yet, no one could ever pull through for him. Not even herself. She had failed the man she cared so deeply for.
"I'm sorry Keitaro," The man froze up in her arms. She held him tighter as she continued. "I'm to scared to help you. Even though I full well have the power to help you I don't." Tears started to form on her eyes as well. "I'm no better than anyone else here." She placed her head on top of his then let her tears fall letting them drip on to the man's hair. They stayed in this position letting the heat of another person soothe their internal wounds. As they calmed they fell into a comfortable silence. But Keitaro broke it.
"It's rather sad," He said partially muffled by Shinobu's bosom. "Here we are pouring confessions yet have no answers." He chuckled sardonically. He tried to pull away, but found himself unable to. The woman who cradled him in her arms wouldn't let go. "Shinobu, could you please let go?" He requested softly trying not to upset the woman.
"No Keitaro." She sniffled. "I won't let you go." She got a smile on her face before continuing. "Because if I do, I won't ever get you back."
Keitaro froze at those words. "What do you mean?"
The shorthaired woman stayed quiet for a moment before whispering out, "I love you Keitaro." The two froze for a moment. Keitaro pulled away to look her in the eyes. They stared into one another's eyes unblinking.
"Do…do you mean that?" It came out as a whisper. So quiet they both thought the wind had said it. She flung herself at the older man. She wrapped her arms around the man then whispered into his ear, "Yes." She turned and kissed the man's cheek. "Yes, I do mean it Keitaro." She looked him directly in the eyes and smile, "I have, for a long time now."
The man looked down and fiddled with the bottom button of his shirt. He blushed, "How are you so sure?" He shifted uncomfortably under the gaze of the younger woman.
"I wouldn't do this if I didn't know for sure." She lifted his chin then planted her lips gently against the man's. She closed her eyes then moved her hands to the side of his face to hold him. After a second she pulled back leaving only inches from one another. She opened her eyes slowly to see them looking into the shocked orbs of the one she loves. She giggled at his expression.
"So, I guess the only question I have for you Keitaro is, do love me back?"
He looked down blushing. "Yes," he almost mumbled. He took a breath then looked back up and into her eyes. "You 'are' the reason I still haven't left yet." He gulped before he slowly reached out to hug the girl. She let him encircle her with his arms and pull her close. "I do love you, Shinobu." He whispered into her ear.
A smile broke out on her face, and she giggled. She returned his hug and buried her head into his chest. She deeply inhaled taking his scent. She stayed here comfortably for a few minutes before she noticed something. Keitaro had fallen asleep. She carefully wormed her way out of his arms then tried to gently let him down.
His eyes were closed and his breaths were deep and slow. 'He looks so adorable.' She thought as she removed the tray from his bed then pulled the covers over him. She leaned in and kissed him gently on the forehead. "Rest without fear Keitaro, you need it." She whispered in his ear. She thought she saw him nod, and giggled. She took his glasses off then put them on the nearby desk.
She turned and looked one more time at the man she loved and smile. Before she turned to leave, she grabbed the tray, leaving 'her' Sempai to sleep peacefully.
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AN: Just tell me what you thought. It would be rather nice to get some feedback.
