Disclaimer: Don't own Kimi ni Todoke, nor any of it's characters.

Rating: T

A series of one-shots, regarding the steps taken by Sawako and Shouta in their relationship.

"Sawako?"

Shouta didn't get it; while Sawako was nervous, and stuttering a bit, she'd seemed to working her hardest to enjoy their date today, just like him. But now the sun was close to setting, and she looked down... Shouta hoped it wasn't something he did, but if it was, he wanted her to tell him.

"What is it?" he asked again, stepping closer. "Please, tell me why you're so sad right now."

Slowly, she looked at him, and it jolted him that she looked about to cry... then, but what did he do...?

"We didn't-"

Huh?

Sawako became more animated as her anguish became clear, jolting him as it began to spill out. "We didn't get t-to hold hands!" she nearly spluttered, her cheeks/face reddening in the process, constantly moving in place. "I- I felt so happy, just to be enjoying today with you, that I didn't think about it at all, Kazehaya-kun!"

Then her outburst suddenly stopped, and Sawako held herself, seeming dejected and worried.

"But now... our date's over. We won't get to try until... t-the next one."

Shouta stared at her for another second, blinking... then after a few moments, he burst out laughing.

Sawako jolted, staring at him with the most adorable confused face ever; question marks sprouted around her head. "K-Kazehaya-kun?" she breathed, purely surprised.

"I'm sorry about that" he said, grinning a little. "Kuronuma, you're- you're always so serious about everything. I really like that, even at times like this."

"Ahh... thank you?"

Opening his eyes, seeing Sawako still looking at him, he gave a warm smile- she moved a little, seeming jolted, particularly when he raised his right hand and held it out. For a long moment Sawako looked at it, then back at him, then at his hand yet again... hehehe, and still looking adorably confused, as if she didn't know what to do.

"Kuronuma" Shouta spoke, rubbing the back of his head; his heart was beating really fast. "If y-you want to hold my hand so much... you can. Right now!"

She squeaked, making a string of sounds as she looked between him and his hand. "But... I... are you sure that-"

"I want you to!" he said, with maybe a bit too much force, but still glad he'd said it. "I mean if you want to, you can! I don't care if the moment's right, or wrong, or anything. I'll still enjoy it. Please, believe me."

A long time passed, Sawako's face looking as red as he felt, staring at his outstretched hand... once or twice, he thought he saw her gulp. Then slowly, very slowly, her left hand rose and (shakily) began making it's way toward his; she hesitated quite a lot, sometimes even pulling back an inch, but her gaze never moved.

He never looked away either, never moved his hand; he didn't want her to stop.

Eventually, her fingertips hovered above his...

Shouta realized then, that he really liked the way her mouth curled, when she's focused on doing something. He smiled, still feeling like his heart would beat out of his chest, before he gently moved his hand up-

-as soon as their hands touched, Sawako squeaked and her hand physically jolted.

A long time passed, and Sawako stared at their hands with awe and wonder, cheeks red- he looked at this for awhile, before slowly moving his hand. Her's moved a bit, seeming to wonder what he's doing- gently, he adjusted their hands so that they were criss-crossing. Then, just as gently, Shouta began to grasp her hand with his own, though part of him felt that this might be a little too forward- he should've asked her first, but he'd done did that on instinct. Sawako didn't seem to mind or even notice, as her breathing became heavier... after quite a few seconds, her fingers slowly began to curl over his own, if only to imitate what he's doing.

But finally, it was done.

"My heart's... beating so fast..."

That took the words right out of his mouth, but Shouta smiled, glad to hear them. "Mine too" he whispered, with Sawako lifting her gaze, as if surprised. "But... we're holding hands... i-it feels good."

"Ahh- y-yes! It feels- it feels nice, Kazehaya-kun!" Sawako said with a nervous effort, still red. "V-Very nice... um..."

"It's okay; I know what you mean." he breathed, not thinking but sincere. "Come on, Kuronuma, let's- let's go home like this."

Yet again, Sawako jolted and looked at their hands in a rush, as if the thought hadn't occurred to her; it made him want to laugh again. Instead, Shouta just watched her react for a little... he would be disappointed if she didn't want to, but it should be okay.

As much as he wanted to do that (and more), he wouldn't force her to do anything.

"...o-okay. I-If you really want to, Kazehaya-kun."

He could hear it in her voice; she's nervous, but happy at the same time - for a few moments, the latter showed on her face as she looked at their joined hands. Her lip had curved a little, but though it wasn't exactly a smile, it's like she's suddenly the only thing he could see, and he didn't feel nervous anymore.

Just warm, happy... and grateful that Sawako was his girlfriend.

"I do" Shouta breathed, sincere. "And I think we should walk slow... so we can e-enjoy it longer..."

Her eyes went wide again as she gasped, surprised, and her hand shook once- that worried him at first, but he quickly thought that she wasn't unwilling.

Just nervous, which he understood.

It showed in her voice, as did her sincerity: "I- I want that too, i-if it's not too much trouble! Ah!"

Shouta couldn't help but chuckle affectionately, which distracted Sawako again-

-her reactions were so cute, so genuine, and he wouldn't have her any other way.

The first of eight oneshots to come, each as far as a T rating will allow- length will vary somewhat between them, just btw.

Each one-shot will detail important moments - mostly physical steps taken, but occasional moments also focused on just Sawako or Shouta getting help from Ayane/Chizu - without a lot of the time spent in-between (which given the manga/anime's usual nature, would take quite awhile). So while this one is just holding hands, the next will involve something equally small, but will be a fair amount of time later, and repeat as needed; not that I think anyone will mind :P