Miscellaneous: Did the previous chapter seem kinda idk, iffy and too sudden for you guys? Sometimes, I really don't know. The rut I'm currently in isn't helping. Maybe I'll get my writing mojo back when my OT volumes finally arrive. Oh, and I got addicted to Cytus lol so I'm so out of it while writing =))

In this story, both of the characters are in their early to mid twenties, so the way they act might seem a bit off to some of you. I'm in my twenties (lol my age, it shows) and I have seen lovers at my age who act like *this* in real life. (Or maybe it's just the crowd I hang out with?) Idk why I'm even saying this. I just feel the need to explain, since I feel like the fanfictions I wrote/write are pretty pointless and childish HAHA what can I say, I am a "grown-up" with the wits and heart of a child LOL so OOC now idek

Dialogue-heavy stuff ahead. haha I wasn't kidding when I said this was all just fluff.


Chapter 7
May I Call You That?

*.*.*

They were on her bed. He finally relented to her request that they sleep beside each other on the bed instead of waiting for the soiled futon to dry. A comforter was wrapped around them as they sat together side-by-side. Their hands were clasped together; their fingers were entangled. Their legs sometimes brushed against each other. It should have felt the same as before with the kotatsu between them, but it felt completely different.

The room even felt warmer, even if the snowstorm outside the room was at its peak. Mafuyu felt giddy. She remembered feeling nervous earlier that night and thinking that inviting him over would be a bad idea. She did, but at the moment it felt like a galaxy away. She couldn't conjure up the feeling of the dread amidst the overwhelming happiness that filled her heart.

She couldn't help but smile. "Kaori-kun," she said while keeping her eyes fixed on a spot far in the distance. Mafuyu felt him stiffen a little at the name. "May I call you that?"

"Yeah. Yeah, that would be nice," he answered quietly as he relaxed again. Silence blanketed them once again, but this time it was warm like the comforter draped on them to keep away the cold. She felt content holding his hand in the cold night.

"Mafuyu," he called out. Mafuyu turned her head around in surprise and was greeted with a quick kiss which caught her unaware. She giggled in response and planted a peck of her own in return. Her name as it fell out of his lips felt like affection that threatened to wash over her in waves. It felt right.

She nuzzled her face on his shoulder as he rested his head on hers. "I thought it would be harder than this. Thought I needed to jump you."

"Didn't you do that a lot anyway?" he asked. His voice was unable to mask his confusion; her intended meaning flew over his head. "Back in high school."

Mafuyu laughed nervously as she remembered what she was thinking of earlier that night: funny stuff and Takaomi's premonition. "I guess I did," she hastily replied, eager to change the subject. "Anyway, about a while ago," she started, but was cut off by Kaori as he let out a huge yawn.

"Why are you so tired anyway? You were out like a log a while ago."

He shook his head. "No reason."

"Am I that boring?" she asked, her eyes becoming downcast.

"No, of course not," he reassured her as he held her hand just a little tighter. "I just went straight here after my shift," he mumbled as he added, "to see you."

"Missed me too much?" she quipped as she perked up and nudged his side lightly.

"You wish," he replied even as he tried his best to hide his smile.

Mafuyu sighed contentedly as she rested her head on his shoulder again. "It's December. Remember what happened in December once?"

"Don't remind me," he groaned. "I can't believe I wasn't able to find out it was you."

"Well, to your credit, you figured out it was me at first. I just made you believe otherwise. Gave you another bunny mask and all, remember?"

"Now that I think of it," he paused.

"Kaori?" Mafuyu asked when he took a minute too long to go on. She stroked his hand enclosed on hers; he took a deep breath as he lightly squeezed her palm.

"I know we've talked about this before. It hurt when I found out, you know? That you didn't tell me the truth right away. I felt betrayed. I mean, I really thought you were a hero," he faltered, his voice tapering off.

She was about to speak when he continued. "But I'm glad. We wouldn't be like this if I did."

Mafuyu grinned and ruffled his hair with her free hand. "Silly," she said as she lightly pinched his cheek again. "You really must have a thing for heroes, don't you?"

"That's what you take away from all that?"

"Just kidding," she laughed as he let go of his cheeks and placed her hand on his arm. "I was thinking of the past, you know. Before you woke up."

"The past?"

"That time, on the field. I was really worried. It was raining, and it was muddy-"

"-You even slid down the hill. You really were crazy," he continued for her, and that earned him another nudge on the side, a little harder than the last. They both laughed at themselves as they looked at each other.

"I'm glad I found you," she said as she closed her eyes and leaned in for a kiss.


LOL typical couple fights. One minute they're okay. On the next they're not. And in a blink of an eye, everything is peachy again. I swear I don't know why I think of these things. Haha

Next chapter is the last. There's only one more thread left for me to tie up. I'm starting to really get embarrassed for writing this; they're so in love it makes me blergh hahaha. I also want to MM level 9+ songs, so I must practice!

I might edit the whole thing when I'm less uninspired. lol