The only thing more frustrating than repressing your feelings for a person, Ken decided, was trying to figure out how to tell that person how you felt. Roses, wine and a romantic balcony were too cliche. The radio stations call-in number was always busy, so there went Joe's suggestion of dedicating a song to her. Ryu suggested cooking her a big feast to make up for his tab at the Snack J, which might have worked if Ken knew how to cook more than a few things. Jinpei suggested a love letter, but two mountains of crumpled papers later it became obvious that wasn't going to work.
Finally, he begged Nambu-Hakase for advice, after explaining he knew it was risky to have a relationship with a teammate, but he was very serious about Jun and promised he wouldn't let his feelings for her get in the way of his work.
"Just say what's in your heart," Nambu-Hakase had said. What's in my heart's easy, it's getting it to come out of my mouth without tripping over the words that's going to be hard!
Ken came to her apartment empty-handed, with sweaty palms and a pounding heart. Jun came to the door in her bathrobe, looking genuinely surprised and a little embarrassed.
"I'm sorry to drop in on you so late...especially right now," he said. "But there's something I need to tell you. It's important."
"Oh? Is something wrong?" she asked, eyes concerned.
"No, nothing's wrong. In fact, everything's right. This feels right." He took her hands in his, looking into her eyes. "Jun, I'm in love with you. I've been in love with you for a long time but I was too stupid to admit it to myself, and now that I have I don't want to put off another second admitting it to you."
"...Ken." Her eyes widened and her hand flew to her mouth.
"I-I understand if you might not feel the same way," Ken said. "I mean, I know I can be pretty insensitive, I've probably hurt your feelings by ignoring yours...so look, if you decide you'd rather not be with me it's all right! I'll be devastated, but I'd-"
She cut him off by throwing herself into his arms. Ken stumbled, grabbing onto the doorframe to keep his balance.
"Shut up and kiss me," she said, and he gladly did as she asked.