~ Michi ~

I took a slow breath, pulling on my clothes nervously. My hand trailed up to the hairclip that had become so natural for me to wear and tugged it out, letting my bangs flop into my face. It felt so strange; incorrect, almost. Touching it and looking at it closely in that moment made me realize again how much meticulous care had gone into it. For that reason what I was about to do felt even more shitty.

"I… Ikki." I approached him with my hands hidden behind my back, gripping the clip in a sweaty palm.

He grinned. "Michi! Wow."

"Wow what?" I raised my eyebrows as I sat next to him on the park bench he had cozied himself up on.

"Everything." He leaned closer and lifted my bangs from my face. "You're so gorgeous, I have no idea why you're hiding behind your hair right now."

I blushed. I had thought these compliments were careless at first, but now I knew how genuinely he meant them towards me. "That's um… kind of what I wanted to talk to you about."

"Huh?" He stared at the pin when I held it out to him.

"Will you… take this back…? I can't keep it," I murmured.

"… Oh." He blinked a few times and hurt flashed across his expression but he quickly smothered it with a smile. "It was something made especially for you. Keep it."

"It's more than just a hairpin, Ikki. It… It has all of your feelings in it, and I can't… I can't just keep it like this."

"Even if you can't accept those feelings… My feelings… I can't take it back, and I don't want to. What would I do with it anyways? I could never give it to someone else."

"Good, then!" I pushed it against his chest. "Just take it!"

His hands curled around the bottom of the bench. "No."

"I want… I want to earn it back from you," I said, dropping it into his lap.

"What?" His eyes widened.

"I… I um, rejected you before. I just… I wasn't ready." I couldn't quite figure out why, since I clearly remembered wanting to say yes to him. There must have been a reason back then, but it was foggy now. "But I do, I really do like you! I want to earn your feelings back, and if you can accept me, if you're willing to like me again, then I'd like that pin back. If you don't want to, then it's fine. But I can't keep it to remind me of you all the time if we can't… be together."

"Michi," he began quietly.

I held my hands up. "Sorry! I know I'm being selfish. I just… I just wish… I'd said yes back then! I don't even get why I didn't, there was so much, and I…" I trailed off as he leaned in to kiss me. After a short burst of contact he leaned back and smiled.

"I love you."

"Wh…" My face heated up considerably. "J-just like that?"

"My feelings for you never went away. All it takes from you is a word, Michi."

"What word? I'll totally say any word."

"Just tell me that you'll date me. That I can hold your hand, finally." He blushed a bit, excitement lighting up his eyes.

"Y-yeah. Yes. I like you so much," I mumbled as he leaned in again only to move my hair out of my face.

"Ha…" He laughed softly as he put the hairpin back in place. "Feels so ceremonial."

"Dork…" I fidgeted as his hand drifted down to caress my cheek.

"I do believe there's a touch of tsundere in your blood, Michi."

"If that's the case then I have made my ancestors proud. Also, screw you, I am not."

He laughed. "You've made my point.

"Whatever…" I glanced away, embarrassed, and caught sight of Sawa and Kent. Her arms were moving in wide motions as her back was turned to me. I could imagine how excitably she must be confessing her feelings. I couldn't clearly see Kent's expression, however, to see how he was reacting to this. "Do you think… that it'll work out for them?"

"Who knows?" Ikki shrugged.

"You sound like you don't even care at all." I raised my eyebrows.

"I really can't right now. I'm too happy for myself." He blinked. "That really does sound horrible."

"Slightly, but it's not like I don't feel the same way, just a little bit…"

"We'll ask them later."

"Later," I affirmed, and we just looked at each other.

"Sorry," Ikki murmured eventually. "I do hope he says yes to her, but only because it would make me feel better."

"Eh?"

"If we're together now, it would make me feel better about it for Kent to be happy too."

"Hey, it's rude to feel bad for the loser. That's what we were always told in the judo club."

"Judo…? That makes a lot of sense, actually…"

"You and Kent were engaged in a battle of wills and affections! An epic saga of who's it gonna be! Nah, don't feel sorry for him. It's good to wish for him to be happy. I get that since he's your best friend, but pity makes things worse sometimes."

"Huh. I never thought I'd be getting lectured by you so soon into our relationship."

"Well, you earned that lecture, buddy."

"But thanks. That makes me feel better." He smiled. "So when's our first date?"

"This doesn't count? Fireworks and yukatas feel very date-like."

"True…" He took my hand. "I guess I'm just excited for the future."

"Me too." I looked up as the fireworks began. My favorites were the ones that spiraled up and then popped in an understated manner, both because they were cuter and quieter than the other, regular fireworks. "They… look like sprinkles."

Ikki laughed. "I take it that you're hungry."

"Yeah… I was so nervous about tonight I skipped dinner."

"You were nervous?'

"Well, yeah. I was pretty convinced you were going to be super mad at me, either that or you'd reject me flat."

"What have I done lately that made you think that would happen?"

"Uh…" He had a point. In fact, he hadn't really seemed to give up that much at all even after I'd rejected him in the first place. "I don't know. I think I just freaked myself out. Now that you mention it, you are a bit pushy, aren't you?"

"It's gotten me this far." He smiled and put an arm around my waist to get closer.

"… No more flirting with other girls," I mumbled.

"Don't worry, Michi. You're the only one I see."

"G-good." I blushed. "You too. For me. You know what I mean."

"Yeah… I think you're the last person who can call me a womanizer, now that I think about it…"

"Wh-what are you implying?"

"Nothing at all…" He snickered.

"You jerkwad, I'll mess you up!" I punched his shoulder, and he grabbed my wrist before kissing me quickly.

"Are we even now?"

"Sure… It's not like you don't have a point."

"I wasn't really trying to tease you."

"Oh suuuure…" I rolled my eyes.

"But it does feel good to know I beat out three other guys for you," he murmured.

"And how many girls did I beat out?" This, of course, was bound to be a nagging question.

"None."

"Eh? Now I know you're lying."

"You didn't have to beat anyone out, since you're the only girl I've ever loved."

I blushed. "I meant… How many other girls have you been with?"

"Ah. Well…" He bit his lip sheepishly. "It's about –"

"Don't answer that! You don't have to answer that question. Never mind," I interrupted. "It… really doesn't matter in the end. I just want to be with you from now on and not worry about anyone else. I trust you."

He smiled warmly. "Thanks, Michi. And I promise…" He took some of my hair in his fingers and kissed it. "You won't have to worry ever again."

"Thanks." I rested my head on his shoulder. "I could watch these fireworks forever…" To cap that statement, my stomach growled loudly to remind me of why this wasn't a possibility. "Ugh…"

"Come on. Let's go get something to eat." Ikki took my hand and pulled me up. "It'll be nice to have it just the two of us anyways."

"Sure…" I wrapped my fingers around his tightly, stomach empty but heart full.


~ First Date ~

"Hngaaaah! HYAAAAHHH!" I was yelling so loudly that I failed to hear the knocks on my apartment door or the knob turning and the aperture opening.

"Michi!" Ikki burst into the room breathlessly.

"Eh?" I looked up at him from my place on the floor midway through an agonizing series of cross-crunches. "Hey, don't just burst into other people's residences."

"You're the one who gave me a spare key in case of emergency… That's not important." He crouched next to me. "I heard you yelling from down the hall and got worried. Your neighbors are pretty concerned too. And annoyed."

"Oops…" I sat up with a grunt. "I was just… you know. Exercising."

"Huh?"

"Awful, I know." I nodded sagely. "So what's up?" It had only been a week and a half since we had started dating but it felt longer than that, probably because we had already been so close before making a relationship official.

"Well, I was going to ask you out tonight. Kind of as a favor, since it won't be just the two of us if you want to come."

"What, like a double-date or something?"

"Yeah. Kent agreed to go out with Sawa but he's too nervous to be alone with her right now. So, he asked me to come along and I figured it would be less awkward if I invited you."

"Aww, nervous little Kent! Yeah, I'll totally come. When's it gonna happen?"

"We were planning on eating dinner at seven and then going bowling."

"I suck at that," I laughed. "But it sounds like fun." I checked my phone for the time. "It's only 3:30. Why'd you come over so early?"

He shrugged. "I guess I just wanted to see you."

I cleared my throat as my face heated up from embarrassment rather than exertion. "Well, uh… Let me just finish this, and then I'll take a shower and get ready. No rush."

"How much more do you have to do?"

"I have like 60 more reps on each side, then I have to do lower back exercises because you're not supposed to skip that apparently… Eh." I flopped back down onto my back. "Here we go… And, uh, could you go away until I'm done? I… want my privacy," I said awkwardly. It was more along the lines of me not wanting him to see me while I was red and sweaty, but I didn't want to state that clearly.

"Oh, sure." He trailed into the kitchen, respecting my wishes without question.

I effectively kept my battle cries down from that point forward and finished quite painfully but proudly as well. "Hyaaah…" I sighed. Around 4:00 now, so I still had a lot of time to get cleaned up, but part of me was ready for a three-hour nap at the same time. "Okay…" I peeked into the kitchen to find Ikki working on a math problem, several sheets of paper spread out in front of him. "Another one from Kent?" I asked, laughing.

"Yeah. He's been pretty brutal lately, but it's nothing I can't solve in the end."

"So confident." I bent to peer at the numbers. "It makes no sense at all to me."

"It really shouldn't, since you're not a math major."

"Uh-huh… That reminds me, I've been thinking about future careers, and there's something I'd sort of like to do…"

"What's that?"

"Uh… Never mind. I'm gonna go shower."

"Hey, you're the one that brought it up, and now you're running away?"

I shrugged with a spoonful of peanut butter in my mouth and fled the room. It was just too cheesy and embarrassing to tell him, and way too soon into our relationship for me to be having these kinds of fantasies about the future.

Still, thoughts of ways I could tell him fluttered through my mind as I went through the motions of showering, taking my sweet time to prolong having to see him again and hoping he wouldn't pester me about it. In terms of outfits since we were going to be slightly active I settled on boots, thigh-high socks, shorts, and a jacket with a flouncy blue shirt underneath, one that tapered in a sweetheart neckline and extended with sheer fabric up to my neck. I added a pink ribbon choker and my hairpin, satisfied with my attempt to be feminine yet ready to hurl balls likely straight into the gutter.

"Hey…" I blinked to see Ikki sprawled out on the couch instead of in the kitchen this time. "You tired?" I bent over him and blushed when he raised a hand to twirl my hair in his fingers.

"Mentally. My mind needed a break." He sighed, aggravated. "This one's really hard."

"Aw. Maybe after having fun tonight your mind will be ready for more hard work. Just relax until then, you know?"

"You're right." He smiled. "You look cute."

"Thanks." I said it easily as if choosing an outfit totally hadn't been enough stress to make me want to bang my head against a wall. "We have a little over an hour and a half… What should we do until then?"

"Hmm…" He smiled mischievously at first but it faded into a normal smile quickly. "Nah, that wouldn't do. You just spent all this time getting dressed, so…"

"Wait, what are you even thinking of?"

"Nothing at all." He sat up, an invitation for me to join him. I did so, keeping a suspicious cushion worth of distance between us.

"You were thinking something dirty, weren't you?"

"Yep." He wasn't even a little bit ashamed.

"Urk… I don't even know how to respond to that…"

"There are a number of ways."

I shifted uncomfortably. "Look, I know I said before that this didn't matter, but… How many girls have you been with? Um… Like that. You know."

Ikki frowned, moving closer to me carefully. "Are you okay?"

"Er…" My neck and face were flushing red unstoppably. "I just… I've only ever been with one person. So… The thought of all your experience makes me nervous. This is only my second relationship, too. I'm not so good at this stuff." I looked at him with mixed worry and earnestness. "Does that make sense?"

He sighed. "You're still so insecure… Didn't I tell you this before, that you're basically the most amazing human being on the planet to me?"

"That's not exactly what you said…" It was flattering nonetheless.

"When you love someone, you're blind to their flaws. Rather, you love them so much that their flaws aren't a problem. That's how I am with you. But, Michi, all of these things that you see in yourself as flaws aren't really big problems. It's definitely nothing to worry about." He frowned. "Even with the exercise… Don't keep worrying about that stuff."

"I mean…" I sighed. "It's not like I don't enjoy being healthy and exercising. Kinda. I did that stuff for myself before. But you are someone I feel like I need to catch up with. I mean, you're perfect. And this is just how I am." I shrugged helplessly. "I'm insecure, so I do what I have to so I can cover it. I want to work hard to love myself even more… because I feel like the more I love myself, the more I can love you, too."

"I'm far from perfect, Michi. There's no standard to aspire to here."

"You're perfect to me."

"Well don't you think I feel the exact same way?"

I opened my mouth and closed it again. "You've got me on that one."

"Will you believe me on everything I'm telling you?"

"I'll try. It's a work in progress."

He kissed my cheek. "And I'll be here. So stop worrying."

I blushed. "Sorry. That got heavier than I meant it to."

"I don't mind lecturing you back now and then."

"I promise to pay you back for it," I teased lightly, spirits lifted.

"… And I don't mind a full-figured woman, you know. All sorts of women are objectively beautiful."

"St-stop, please." His sexual energy plus the overall mushiness of the whole thing was too much for me. It was embarrassing, albeit slightly in a nice way, but still.

"Okay, okay. What was that anime you were watching? We can squeeze in a few episodes before we have to go."

"My Hero Academia. It's so good… So gooood. You remind me of Kaminari… or Mineta. I have no idea why…"

"Eh… I liked One-Punch Man Better."

"You heathen… Hey. Hey, Ikki. Guess what?"

He looked at me suspiciously and with tolerance. "What is it?"

"The day has come, Ikki. The day has COOOOOOOME!"

"Of course it has…"

After a few episodes with many outbursts from me at Ikki's expense, we headed out. Kent and Sawa were waiting by the entrance of the building.

"Heyyy, Michi!" Sawa grinned brightly, a newfound pep in her step and sparkle in her eyes. It was obvious she was floating on some distant cloud.

"Good day." Kent smiled as well but was obviously more grounded.

"Good to see you." I gently bumped his shoulder with a fist, trying to read his expression. Somehow his smile didn't seem fully genuine.

He turned away before I could discern anything. "Let us be off, then."

"Hm…" I looked at his back as, true to his habit, he strode ahead of us. "Does he seem okay to you?" I whispered to Ikki while watching Sawa keep up surprisingly well.

"I don't know. Something seems off." He frowned and shook his head.

"You have an idea?"

"Yes, but I'll keep it to myself. It's probably wrong anyways."

"Okay then… Maybe that's just what Kent is like, even as a boyfriend?" Ikki and I were holding hands almost without even noticing it, but Kent wasn't doing that. He didn't even seem to be making conversation.

"He did say he was nervous."

"Alright! We will help our little cinnamon roll grow into a full loaf of bread!"

Ikki laughed. "Whatever you say."

"Where are we going to eat again?"

"Sawa requested we go to the café. Apparently she said she wants to see what it's like when she's not the one doing the maid act."

"So who's working today? Shin and Mine, I guess?" Toma had apparently sent in his job resignation the night of the fireworks festival. "That'll be interesting." I couldn't decide who would be more fun to tease as our server.

"I don't really care either way." Ikki shrugged.

"Eh, that's no fun." I sighed. "'Scuze me." I slipped off one of my shoes, reeled back and hurled right at Kent's head. "Slow down, you asshole!"

He jumped and turned around slowly after bending to pick up the shoe, giving us a chance to catch up with him. "… That hurt a surprising amount."

"You're being rude." I cut a glance at Sawa, who was at this point huffing slightly. "Get out of your own head." I snatched my shoe back and glared at Ikki, who was trying hard to smother laughter.

"I am sorry," Kent mumbled to Sawa.

"It's fine." She took his hand. "Just relax, okay?"

He nodded, cheeks reddening slightly.

"Phew…" I sighed. "I think that got rid of some of the tension."

"You think so?" Ikki snickered.

"Oh, shut up. Let's get a move on." The café wasn't particularly crowded at this time since it was less than an hour away from closing, the Friday hours being just a bit longer than the rest of the days. "Haha, Shinny boy!" I waved to him once I caught sight of his figure dashing around in the kitchen.

"Oh please," he muttered as he came over to seat our group. "Why would you come here on your day off?"

"Don't question my lifestyle choices." I grinned.

He rolled his eyes, but there was a hint of a smile on his face. "Whatever." He drifted away after we placed our orders, and it was left with Sawa and I on one side of the table and Kent and Ikki on the other.

"So, tell me." I stared at Sawa excitedly.

She smiled brightly, knowing exactly what I meant. "Okay, so what happened was, I just went up to him and asked him to come talk to me. It was obvious he had no idea what was about to happen."

"As expected."

"I know, right? So then after I confessed he just stared at me for the longest time. I thought he was about to faint or something. But then, finally, he said, "Why?" and I said, "Why what?" and he said "Why do you have feelings for someone like me?" and so I explained to him all of the things I like."

"It's really good that you're so forward, because he's a bit useless. In a cute puppy kind of way, you know what I mean."

"Right!?" She squealed happily. "So then he just stood there nodding for a while, and then he gave me a calculated list of my good qualities too."

I laughed. It was just so very like him. "That's adorable."

"And then he accepted! And now we're on our very first date!"

"You look so freaking happy," I informed her. "Seriously. I can see it all over your face. It's pretty charming."

"Really?" Sawa blushed.

"Don't go trying to seduce other people's girlfriends, Michi," Ikki chimed in.

"I can't help it if I'm debonair." I winked at him. "But hey, Kent. Hearing about your love story is nice. Sort of like the ending of a tame teenage lifetime network movie."

"Is that supposed to be a good thing?" He raised his eyebrows as he asked.

"Yeah, sure." I bounced with excitement as Shin came back with food. "Yayyyy…"

"Stop yelling like that," he ordered Sawa and I flatly. "You're distracting. Mine almost ran out here to join in. Could barely restrain her…"

"You wouldn't understand the mysteries of a maiden's heart." I shrugged.

"Clearly…" He glanced at Ikki before sighing. "See you later, then."

"Thanks. Bye."

"You got tiramisu?" Ikki asked.

"Yup." I nodded.

"I thought you hated coffee."

"I do. I hate drinking coffee. But I love coffee-flavored items."

"How does that even make sense?"

"It just does, okay? Until you have tasted the mystery of a chocolate-covered coffee bean, you would never understand someone like me."

"Okay? Is it good?"

"Have you never tried it?"

"We only get to eat the food that gets messed up, and since I never mess up on my shift I don't get to try anything."

"Eh… That's what you get for being too perfect. No food for you, sir." Even so I got a small bit in my spoon and held it out across the table. "Here."

"Oh, thanks." He leaned forward and took it, chewing thoughtfully afterwards. "It's not bad… I'm honored that you would share food with me." He smiled.

"You should be. Only my favorite people receive such gifts."

"Oh man…" Sawa muttered beside me.

"What?"

"I never thought that you would be in one of those couples that's all mushy and gross together…"

"What? We're not mushy and gross!"

"You totally are."

"Eh, fine then! I am a mushy and gross human being and the rest of the world can deal with it," I harrumphed, crossing my arms.

"Don't pout. Here," Ikki offered me a bit of his food and I took it. It was just a sign that we were comfortable with each other was the way I thought about it.

"Kent? You're being quiet," Sawa worried over him.

"I'm just observing the proper rites of behavior. As a couple Ikkyu and Michi do such things as feeding each other, and yet you, Sawa, seem to find this kind of behavior disagreeable. This means that different couples have different standards, and that I must come to know your standards. For example, I must not feed you because you find it… mushy, and gross. Correct?"

Sawa blushed. "I-I didn't mean… I wouldn't be upset if you… Er…"

"Ahaha, it's only mushy and gross if someone else does it, huh, Sawa? It's fine if it's you?" I teased. "That's so cute."

"Er…" She blushed harder and slouched.

"Is that so?" Kent tilted his head and held out a bite of his food. "Here you are, then."

"Wh-wh-wh…" Sawa jumped out of her seat. "M-Michi! Bathroom with me!"

"Huh? Hey!" I stumbled as she yanked me out of my chair and towards the restrooms. "Dude…" I sighed after she had burst inside. "What's the deal?"

"I-I can't keep up with him! One second he's all stony and the other second he does something like that! Waah, I can't figure out which side is cuter."

"They're both pretty cute, right?"

Sawa frowned. "Can I ask you something?"

"What's up?"

"Do you still have any feelings for Kent?"

"Huh?" I just blinked at her, too surprised.

"I'm asking you if you like my boyfriend. At all."

"Well, no. I'm dating Ikki, and he's the only one I like now."

"Good…" Even after that she still looked troubled.

"Sawa?" I patted her head. "Come on… Talk to me."

"It's really not you I'm worried about. Kent, he… he still looks at you like…"

"I…" Saying sorry to that really wouldn't help a thing.

"And I can't get mad at him for it, I just can't… So then I just get mad at you. Sorry. I feel a bit messed up right now."

"Really… I don't know what to tell you except that… I think loving someone means looking at only them, unless you know multiple people is your thing… But if it's not, and if you want to be with only one person, that person needs to be the one light in your eyes. I dunno."

"… Why did he even say yes? He told me the things he liked about me, but if he liked you still, he could have told me and maybe we could have waited and I wouldn't be feeling like this!"

"Hey. Calm down." I took her shoulders. "You're asking the wrong person these questions."

"I… What if he breaks up with me?"

"Then I'll buy you all the ice cream you want. It's fine, Sawa." It just showed how young we were, getting so wrapped up in stuff like this. At the same time, it was one of the pleasures of youth to be able to do so.

"Thanks, Michi. And I'm sorry. Don't worry about me."

"Whatever, dude. Just text or call me if you need me. I can always kick Kent's ass too."

She laughed. "Come on, let's go."

"Alright." I made up my mind to watch them carefully for the rest of the night and hope for the best. This of course led to questions about why I was staring so intently during dinner but that was resolved by me telling them to shut up and act natural.

"Are you really okay?" Ikki didn't seem to be sure whether to be concerned or amused as we started making our way toward the bowling alley.

"I'm just doing my duty of protecting a fellow maiden's heart. No problems here."

"Okay." He nodded. "I understand. You and Sawa must do stuff like that for each other."

"We're best friends, so of course."

"Best friends, huh?" Ikki frowned.

"What's up?" I asked, concerned slightly.

"Nothing."

"Huh." I didn't believe him but opted to ask about later and just focus on Kent and Sawa for now. Geez. It felt more like babysitting than a date, but then again that was entirely my fault for choosing to act like I was. "Whatever…" I sighed as we all payed for shoes that were appropriate for the floor.

"Let's do versus teams!" Sawa declared. "Kent and me against you and Ikki, Michi. We won't lose!"

"Oh yeah? Bring it on. I'll show you my… SPECIAL MOVE." I cracked my knuckles and grinned.

"You have one?" Kent raised his eyebrows, seeming to believe me.

"Haha. You shall see, worm."

"I thought you said you were a terrible bowler," Ikki whispered to me, confused.

"Like I said. You'll see."

"I don't know whether to be anticipatory or scared."

"Both, probably." I snickered as we entered our names into the machine. Ikki and I were up first.

"You go," he urged.

"Okay…" I grabbed a fifteen pound ball and stood before the lane, gathering my energy. "Ommm… Nommm… Ommmm…"

"I'm shivering…" Sawa whispered behind me. "This is intense…"

"RASHOWAH!" The ball skidded down the lane, bouncing once before skittering into the gutter. "SPECIAL MOVE! ROLLING ROCKET!" I yelled, attracting the stares of the remainder of the people in the establishment.

"… That was very special indeed." Ikki tried to look solemn as he came up beside me but he failed and broke out into laughter. "I should have known it would be something like that."

"I can see that fact that you've accepted our defeat written on your face."

"Yeah…" He shrugged and of course got a strike in one easy swing.

"Wah… Not fair." I crossed my arms as we sat back down and Sawa leaped up for her turn. "But good job redeeming our team."

"Care to reward me?" He leaned forward, teasing.

"Not really…" I muttered. "But fine, since you were classy enough to admire my special move." I pressed a kiss to his cheek.

"Ha…" he smiled. "I didn't think you'd actually do it."

"I have nothing against public affection or public violence."

"Noted."

"Spare! Nice." Sawa grinned triumphantly as she sat back down.

"Good…" Kent looked at the floor and back at her a few times. "Good job." He stood, still bent over slightly, and placed a clumsy kiss to her forehead before moving to take his turn.

"Wah…" Smoke basically came out of Sawa's ears as her face turned red.

"Ah. He's learning… He's evolving. Hahaha! Wonderful!" I grinned.

"Never underestimate his powers of observation." Ikki nodded.

Despite Ikki's best efforts, Kent and Sawa more than doubled our score due to the fact that my special attack was nothing more than a guaranteed gutter ball.

"You did good, son." I clapped him on the shoulder.

"I think you hit a pin or two there at the end."

"Aww… That's nice of you to say. I own my ineptitude though."

"Good…" He laughed.

"We won!" Sawa hugged Kent's neck. "But even if we hadn't, that was a lot of fun."

"Yes, it was." He hugged her back awkwardly but sweetly.

"Eh…" I yawned. "I guess it's time to go home." We had played three games, right up about until the lanes were closing down. "Kent and I live in the same building, so I guess we can go back together."

"Hm…" Ikki frowned.

"Would you mind walking Sawa back as far as you can? Please?"

He sighed at the genuine concern crinkling my brow. "Alright. But you be careful too." He spoke pointedly before turning to Sawa. Then he paused and spun back around before pushing a hard kiss on my mouth. "Careful, okay?" He whispered before leaving with Sawa for good.

"Good night, Michi!" She called, waving happily.

"Looks like she feels better…" I sighed. "Good."

"Was she ill?" Kent frowned as we started ambling down the sidewalk outside.

"Emotionally ill, I guess." I shoved my hands in my pockets, trying to decide whether or not to confront him about what Sawa had said earlier.

"Michi… May I be candid?"

"Of course. You know you always can."

He smiled slightly, but it was a smile filled with hurt all the same. "You are still very special to me."

"… I see. This… That's what Sawa was so worried about earlier, you know."

"I understand." He nodded, looking at the ground in front of us. "It's very perplexing. My feelings… But I can tell you this for the sake of reassurance. My feelings of wanting to make Sawa happy are coming from a genuine place. Her genuine feelings swayed mine. Everything I'm doing right now… It's not false."

"Good… But still. Try to be a bit nicer to her, okay? She's seriously head over heels for you."

"I understand, and I will. At the same time, it will take me a moment… A moment to recover from this strange tearing."

"Strange tearing?" I echoed, puzzled.

"… My first love… is in turn in love with my closest friend. This… This is the first time I've experienced this sort of loss. Saying it, the sound is so trivial. Yet… To have this feeling at all is both precious and bittersweet." He smiled with less pain now. "You taught me this."

"Kent…" I smiled back. "That means a lot to me. And… I'm really rooting for you guys." Even so, I couldn't apologize for causing him pain. I had made my choice; that wasn't something to be sorry for. It was an insult for a victor to apologize to the one who felt that they had lost.

"Thank you." He bowed his head and took a deep breath of fresh night air. "Ikkyu is surprisingly a worrier. He knows deep down that I would never do anything so uncouth to you in this circumstance…"

"Eh. It's endearing." I shrugged. "Anyways… If you do anything bad to Sawa… I'll come after you with one of my special attacks. Although I know you better than that too… But still. It's fair to give warning."

"I understand." He almost laughed but looked nervous at the same time.

"But seriously… I trust you to treat my best friend like she deserves."

"I will, Michi. I'll treat her just like…" He shook his head, deciding not to finish whatever he had been going to say. "I will treat her well."

"Good." Then we were at the apartment building. "I'll see you later."

"Farewell for now." Kent paused. "And thank you. For everything."

"Yeah…" I waved to his back as he vanished up the stairs. "Man…" I muttered to my empty apartment. "I feel bad."

"About what?" A voice drifted from the darkness, so I grabbed my purse and hurled it in the direction of the sound before flipping on the lights. "Ow." Ikki was rubbing his head as he stooped to pick up my belongings.

"Why are you here?" I snapped. "You scared me!"

"I just… wanted to make sure." He blushed and looked away as he held my purse out.

I sighed. "There's nothing to worry about. We just talked, and everything is fine. He's an honest, good guy."

"I know. But still… I couldn't stop worrying."

"And now you're here…" I heaved another sigh. "Well… It's late. Take the couch. I don't want you to walk back home in the dark alone."

"I still can't sleep in the bed with you?"

"No way." That spot felt a bit precious, somehow. As if it was already occupied by something or someone intangible. Not a lover, but… I couldn't quite place it. "Don't try sneaking in either."

"Fine, fine…" He laughed.

"Hmph." I frowned and headed to my room to change into more comfortable clothes, a tank top and baggy plaid pants. What was this feeling? This sense of something missing. "Whatever…" When I went back out into the living room Ikki was settling down, shaking his hair out after removing his own hair pin and slipping out of his shirt. I looked away, embarrassed despite myself. "You can use my toothbrush… But I don't have any spares."

"I don't mind if you don't." He shrugged.

"You go on first, then… I'll get blankets, and stuff." I shut my eyes as he walked past me. Geez. I had a major thing for his hair being down, for some reason. When he returned I wordlessly threw a blanket at his chest and then ducked into the bathroom to brush my own teeth.

And it was there again. The feeling that someone… was supposed to be there. As if… "The narrator to my life is missing…? No, that's stupid. That's not it. Eh…" I groaned, unable to come to a conclusion. Best to discard it, then, so it wouldn't keep confusing me. "Are you gonna sleep in your jeans?" I asked once heading to check on Ikki one last time. "That'll be uncomfortable."

"No. Once you go to bed I'll just take them off."

"Ah. Eek!" I jumped back at the thought. "O-okay then. You have a good night." I hesitated. I was his girlfriend, right? Even if it felt weird to think about it… Maybe, just like I'd told Kent, I could try to be a bit nicer. Try my best to do these sorts of couple-y things. "Um!" I spun back around and he raised his eyebrows at me.

"What?" He flapped a blanket open, laying it over the couch to sleep on.

"Um…" Sleeping in the same bed was still a bit too soon I felt, but… "Can… can we like… cuddle, or something?"

Ikki looked surprised at first but started smiling. "Of course."

"So... What now?"

He laughed and sat down with the back to the arm of the couch. "Come here."

"O-kay…" I awkwardly got between his legs and leaned on him, resting my head on his chest. I jumped a bit when his arms went around me but made myself relax, stretching out my legs and getting my body to be less stiff. "… This okay?" I carefully wrapped my arms around his back, hands shaking slightly as they slid along his smooth skin.

"Of course." He sighed lightly and closed his eyes.

I just couldn't help but by shyer around him as compared to the others. He was experienced, and lovely, and so many other things that I couldn't compare to. "How are you so calm?" I murmured.

"What? I'm not calm at all."

"Liar…"

He laughed. "But seriously… Is everything okay between you and Kent?"

"Yeah. It's gonna be fine."

"Good… I'm happy to be with you. Even so, I hate the thought of him being depressed about it."

"Same. But he and Sawa are gonna be fine. They're the cutest couple, aren't they?"

"Second, behind us."

"Eh." I shrugged. "We're a bit mismatched, I think."

"Come on, Michi," Ikki chastised.

"That's just what I think. I mean, like… You wear blue all the time. And I wear a bunch of red. It's like… Naw, dude. Not always great."

"So it's just color coordination that bothers you…? That's better than the alternative, I guess."

"Sawa and Kent even both wear clovers… It's so precious."

"Hey, I have a question. What were you saying earlier? About a dream you had."

"Uh. It's nothing. I was just sleepy, and talking out of my ass, you know how that happens…"

"You're lying, but I won't push you."

"… Now you make me feel bad. Okay, well… I was thinking that I could… Maybe, um… I have a lot of dreams, you know. I thought it would be a lot of fun if one day I opened my own bakery."

"A bakery?"

"Y-yeah! Kind of like the café, but with less fetishism. I just… I have a lot of fun doing this sort of stuff, you know. I'm good with my hands, and I think I could handle culinary school… and the loans. But I just… I dunno. I was thinking about it."

"I see…" Ikki said thoughtfully. "You know… That's something I can help you with. Affording college."

"N-no! I mean, not that I don't appreciate it, but I want to do this myself. Even if it's hard… It's my dream. Not yours. I'll forge it on my own."

He frowned. "But still…"

"I just… We haven't been together long. I can't assume anything about the future, even if that would be nice… Sorry. Eek!" I squeaked when he tightened his hold on me enough to hurt.

"Just assume things. Go ahead and fantasize things, even if they feel stupid."

"Er…" I felt my face heating up with embarrassment already but slid my body upward to be able to look at him more comfortably. "I-I want to live above a bakery, and you could teach me the accounting and how to deal with the people because I suck at that shit and I could open in the morning and close in the late or middle afternoons and then it'd be cool to spend time together then and I could visit you at your job, like bring you lunch and stuff because I'm such a better cook than you are…" I took a deep breath. "And then…" I blushed harder when he put a finger to my lips.

"First of all…"

My heart skipped a beat fearfully. "I-I'm sorry… I know it's weird."

"No way you're a better cook than I am. I demand a contest. Second, you don't suck at dealing with people. You're just fine. Accounting is simple. I can definitely teach you. Last… Why were you so embarrassed about this? It's adorable."

"I just… All of my dreams… You're in them now… Isn't that weird…?"

"I don't think so, personally. I'm glad, to be honest." He smiled warmly and tucked hair behind my ear. "It makes me happy to know you think like this."

"You're just… You're so…" I shook my head and slid up a bit more to kiss him hard, changing my hold to his shoulders in order to steady myself. His hands on my back bunched up my shirt at first but then slid downwards to go under it and trailing back up my spine. I twitched at his touch but pressed against him, looping my arms around his neck to get closer now that I trusted myself not to fall over. "Mm…" I let out a soft utterance when I felt my top slipping down from what movements I had made. "W-w-w-wait," I gasped, jerking away to yank my neckline back up and letting my head fall against his collarbone to catch my breath. "… Cuddling, huh?" I muttered, feeling the draft on my back.

"You started it," Ikki murmured, pulling my shirt back down from where he had pushed it upwards almost to my shoulder blades.

"… But thanks. For saying that. I'm happy." I smiled shyly at him before looking away.

"Seriously…" Ikki groaned. "Are you sure I can't sleep in the same bed with you tonight?"

"I'm sure."

"Agh." He sighed. "Fine…"

I kissed his cheek. "Goodnight…"

"Yeah. Sleep well." He smiled but still seemed to be pouting a little.

I laughed. "See you in the morning."

"I might be awake to go to work before you get up. I'll be quiet if you're asleep."

"No, just wake me up when you do so I can say bye."

"You sure?"

"I'm sure. Okay. Sleep well." I went back to my room. This empty feeling… Even now, it wouldn't go away. It was severely tempting to let Ikki sleep next to me in order to abate it, but there was no telling what he would try. For now I just wrapped myself in a fluffy blanket and curled up for sleep, out like a light for more of these sweet ridiculous dreams.

I slept deeply and was woken up softly, with nudges to my shoulders and whispers. "Michi… Hey. You told me to get you up."

"Hnn…" I groaned, blinking up at Ikki. "But… Nn… Eh."

"You were sleeping so well that I couldn't. I've got to go."

"But… Wait…" I sat up and yawned. "Just… gimme a minute… come back to bed…"

"I can't," Ikki laughed. "I'll be late."

"But you said you'd wake me up when you got up," I said, starting to become coherent.

"I just couldn't. You were too cute." Ikki bent down to kiss my forehead. "But I said goodbye, at least."

"No, you don't get any partial credit."

"Hm. Too bad." He smiled. "Go back to sleep. I'll see you later."

"Uh…" I took his wrist. "Will… will you come see me again?" Leftover feelings of loneliness still plagued me in these early hours. "I mean, will you come back…? Bring, um… clothes… overnight bag… something…" I dropped my hand. "You don't have to."

He blushed, eyes lighting up with excitement. "Of course. Bye for now, Michi." He snuck a kiss to my lips before departing.

I flopped back down, groaning. "Oh my gosh, I'm such an idiot…" But I loved him. It was an almost unbearably sweet kind of love, one that made me feel delicate and aflutter constantly. "… Hope he comes back soon…"


~ An Epic Contest, as well as... Yet Another Gratuitous Sex Scene, Ohoho! ~

"Alright!" Sawa raised her arms.

"Alright," Kent echoed her.

"The dishes served will be a dinner entrée and a dessert. The judges will be Kent and I, and the competitors are Michi and Ikki." She grinned. "Let the cooking contest begin!"

"Bring it on!" I dashed and started chopping vegetables.

"No way I'm going to lose…" Ikki murmured, all concentration.

"We're on the edges of our seats, folks!"

"Why are you announcing? Who are you announcing to?" Ikki raised his eyebrows at Sawa.

"And clearly Michi is going to win just based on coolness!"

"Hey!" He laughed.

"Lalala, bread pudding, lalala…" I sang under my breath. "Goooonna kick Ikki's ass."

"Why do I feel like I've already lost?" He shook his head.

"Onions!" I started chopping them and had watery eyes very soon into the process.

"You okay?" Ikki stopped what he was doing.

"You concentrate on what you're doing!" I sniffed. "I am the ninja cutting onions coming right at you!"

"Okay…"

"But thanks…" I was secretly pleased at his concern.

"Of course." Ikki smiled.

"Stop flirting, competitors! This is a contest!" Sawa declared.

"Ah! She's right! I have to destroy you!" I declared.

"And this isn't even Michi's scary side, folks!" Sawa laughed.

We both rushed around the kitchen, untimed yet feeling the fire and trying to do it in the shortest amount of time possible.

"Done!" I gasped, slamming my hands on the table.

"Wha…" Ikki sighed, finishing less than two minutes later.

"And now the judges sit with anticipation, ready to taste the best the chefs have to offer…!" Sawa bounced with excitement. "Chef Michi, please present your dish!"

"Present? Uh. Spaghetti. Bread pudding." I pointed to each in turn. "I'm so freakin' hungry, you guys."

"You basically just made the things you were currently craving, didn't you?" Ikki laughed.

"Eh? So what?"

"No, I respect it."

"Chef Ikki, what slop did you make?" Sawa asked.

"I'm sensing some definite favoritism." Ikki sighed, not even getting help from Kent who just shrugged at him. "London broil with asparagus, onion, mushroom, and red potatoes. Strawberry shortcake for dessert."

"Damn…" I bit my lip. He hadn't pulled his punches. We watched as Sawa and Kent tried the food and then whispered to each other, laughing intermittently.

"Okay… Judge Kent will now present the scores in the categories of taste, presentation, and unity! Ta-da!"

"Ahem…" Kent waved his hands in the air, trying to match Sawa's enthusiasm. "On taste, a ten for each competitor. On presentation, a nine for Ikkyu and an eight point five for Michi. On unity, a nine for Ikkyu and a seven for Michi. And so, Ikkyu is unfortunately the winner."

"Aww…" I sighed.

"Want me to console you?" Ikki teased. "And seriously? I'm unfortunately the winner?"

"No way! I just wanna eat!" I plopped down at the table and made a mixed plate of the things we had made. "Damn, Ikki… This is good. But you won't beat me next time!"

"We'll see."

"That was so fun! Ooh, can we do me against Kent next time?" Sawa asked.

"Sure! I'll be the announcer in that case. It'll be awesome," I laughed.

"Oh yeah! Drinks!" Sawa jumped up and lugged a few boxes of wine coolers to the table. "Come on, let's make this a real party!"

"You got these, Kent?"

He nodded. "Sawa requested them, so I did not mind."

"Are they good?"

"Yeah, try this one, Michi!" Sawa slid a bottle across the table.

"Okay…" I'd never drank before, so it was a bit of an adventure. "It's… fizzy?"

"Do you like it?" Sawa asked once I had finished sipping the drink down.

"Yeah…" It was a bit… tingly.

"Have another, then!"

"Eh…" As dinner continued, things just seemed to get funnier, even things that weren't jokes.

Eventually they all were looking at me and slowly realizing what they had done. "Uh, Michi? How many was that?" Ikki put his hands on my shoulders to steady my slight swaying.

"Thrrrree!" I giggled. "Plus four!"

"Dear God she's trashed," Sawa breathed.

"Why didn't we notice?" Ikki groaned.

"Because she was exhibiting her typical behaviors…" Kent murmured. "I believe that we should depart…" He suggested. "Michi seems to… need rest?"

"Aw, sorry Michi! But this is funny to watch," Sawa laughed.

"I'll watch her tonight. See you later, you two." Ikki pulled me to my feet after they had left, Sawa holding her hands together in apology. "Why didn't you stop?"

"Everything was so funny… Hehehe…" I giggled as he sighed and picked me up. "You're so strong… Am I not heavy?"

"Not all that heavy." He placed me on my bed and kept an arm around my back to keep me sitting up.

"Everything's all spinny…" I buried my head in his shoulder and squeezed my eyes shut. "Hnn… Now I'm so sleepy…"

"Was that your first time drinking?"

"Uh-huh…"

"No wonder… Sorry, Michi. I should have watched you more carefully."

"'S okay," I murmured.

"Listen… Can I stay here just until you fall asleep? I want to watch you, but I'll leave when you're settled."

"You… were drunk that night, weren't you?" I murmured. "I remember that…"

"Huh?"

"The night you gave me this…" I touched my hairpin. "You told me you were a little bit drunk. You really surprised me… But I kind of understand now. I just want to hold onto something warm and sleep… Hyaaah…" I sighed. "My tummy hurts… I drank too much."

"Oh, you think so?" Ikki laughed softly.

"Slosh, slosh…" I mumbled.

"Come on. Get into your pajamas." He handed me the clothes that had been tossed onto the corner of my bed that morning.

"Ehh… Nooo… Sleepy…"

He pursed his lips, then bent down and started unlacing my boots. "Don't lay down yet, okay?"

"Okay…" I sat there and swayed, laughing faintly as he pulled my shoes and socks off. "It was just like… Uhh…" I tilted my head as he slid his hands under my dress to start tugging my leggings down. "I tried one of each flavor… And then there were a few flavors I really really liked… So I just kinda drank them…"

"Okay, put these on," Ikki said gently as he pulled my pajama pants up my legs. I lifted my hips so he could get them on properly, then flopped down onto my back. "Not done yet, Michi…"

"What?" I frowned. "But…"

"Just a little bit longer. Sit back up."

"I don't want to… It feels better when I lay down like this."

"Oh come on… Think of the situation…" Ikki sighed. "Okay then…" He took my hands and pulled me back up. "Why are you like this, huh?"

"You know…" I yawned as he started to unbutton my dress. "I never wanted you to sleep in here because I always figured you'd try something… Because you're a total deviant…"

"Seriously?" He sighed, slipping my dress down my arms. "You're not totally wrong, but… Hey, lift your arms for a second." Once I obeyed he tugged my pajama shirt over my head.

"Bedtime?" I mumbled.

"Just a second…" He undid the messy bun my hair was tied in and took out my hairpin. "There we go…" He sighed and rubbed at his red cheeks as I settled on my side, curling into a ball. "I can't believe this is how you act when you're drunk… Such a kid."

"Hey… Don't… meh." I didn't have the energy or the mental faculties to retort. "Will you stay until I fall asleep?" I mumbled as he pulled the blankets up to my shoulders.

"Of course." He sat on the edge of the bed and alternately rubbed my back and stroked my hair.

"Hm…" I wriggled over to rest my head on his lap. "Will you stay after that too?"

He sighed, seeming to just give in. "Whatever you want, Michi."

"Stay here," I mumbled. "Right here…"

"Oh, come on…" He groaned. "Fine…" From the previous occasion he had learned to keep some of his possessions here just in case, so he changed his clothes in the bathroom and then came back out to get next to me in bed. "You're driving me insane right now, you know that? Not even reacting…"

"Hey hey…" I cuddled up to his chest. "You're the best… You're the nicest… But you beat me at cooking, you meanie…"

"You'll win next time, I bet."

"You're the sweetest and I love you…" I mumbled.

"I love you too, sweetheart." He put his arms around me and kissed the top of my head. "But seriously… I hope you have amnesia by the morning… Just don't remember any of this, okay?"

"Why not?"

"There's a strong chance you'll punch me for it."

"I swear I won't…"

"Again, whatever you say," he sighed.

"Hmm… Goodnight…" I smiled contentedly, slipping off into hazy rest.

"Goodnight, sweet girl."

Sleeping was good, but my head was slammed with a shattering headache from the moment I woke up. "Fucking shit…" I groaned, rolling over and hitting something solid. "… Huh?"

Ikki was sleeping peacefully, hair strewn over his face in spider webs of silver and chest rising and falling evenly. One of his arms was still thrown over me, the other curled under a pillow.

"Wh…" I bolted up as memories from the night before punched me in the face. "HOLY SHIIIIIIT!" I leaped off the bed screaming and slammed myself shut in the bathroom. "Ow, dammit…" I was only making my own headache worse. I brushed my teeth furiously, trying to fix my hair too. What must he have been thinking? I yelped when faint knocks came against the door.

"Michi…? Are you okay?" Ikki still sounded bleary with sleep. I'd probably woken him up with my outburst.

"Y-yeah… I mean, no! How embarrassing…!"

"Oh, so you remember… Damn."

I threw the door open, hiding my face. "U-um… Excuse me…" I skirted around him so he could have a turn in the bathroom and promptly sat on my bed with the blankets over my head to hide myself in a lump.

"Michi?" Ikki came up to poke me. "What are you doing?"

"Trying to die a peaceful heat death."

"Come on. Come out from under there." He yanked the covers off.

"But…!" I was left looking at his amused expression. "I-I'm sorry!" I bowed ceremoniously, hands on the bed and head against my fingertips.

"Huh?"

I sat back up and grabbed his hands tightly. "I'm so sorry for making you take care of me like that! I don't even know what I was thinking..." He'd even undressed me without flinching. "You were such a gentleman, and I…"

"Honestly, Michi, I don't mind. Something like that just brings us closer. Besides, you were completely adorable. And bonus, I finally got to sleep in the same bed with you." He winked.

"Geez…" I still smiled, relieved. "Thanks… for dealing with that."

"And I didn't try anything, see? I'm totally not that much of a deviant."

"Sorry for calling you that," I laughed. "… But I still think it's slightly true."

"Oh come on, go easy on me just this once."

"No way." I leaned forward to place a lingering kiss on his cheek. "Thank you, really. Let me know if I can make it up to you, okay?"

"Sure." He smiled. "You were so cute, though… I wouldn't mind taking care of you again. Anytime."

"You…" I blushed. "Sorry. You even had to change my clothes. I don't believe that…"

"Your ears are red," Ikki laughed.

"Because it's mortifying! I mean… I imagined it'd be different."

"Oh?" Ikki smiled slowly. "What, exactly, have you been imagining?"

"Wh… That's not important."

"No no no…" He took my cheeks in his hands to stop me from looking away. "Talk to me."

"I mean, you seeing me without any clothes on, that's supposed to be, like… a different kind of occasion, right?"

"Maybe. Why don't you tell me exactly what's on your mind, hm?"

"I swear…" I shook my head, then frowned. "You must be pretty frustrated with me by now, huh?"

"What?" He seemed genuinely confused.

"Girls in the past… They'd probably give you their bodies quickly, right?" I murmured. "So then, waiting so long with me. Well, comparatively long. It must be like… angering. Or something."

"I'm not angry. Of course I want to be with you, but at the same time it's not my place to push you. It happens when it happens."

"You were pretty frustrated at me last night, though…"

"I won't lie. That was pretty difficult," he mumbled.

"Sorry." I touched his cheek. "Really."

"Don't worry."

"… Honestly…" I sighed. "Come here... Touch me."

"What?"

"… I meant what I said, you know?" I muttered. "You're the sweetest… and I love you. So… Come here already. Help distract me from this headache."

"I can't believe you…" Ikki sighed. "It's impossible to keep up. But you know what? This is completely fine." He pushed me onto my back, caging me between his legs. "… I honestly did think I was going to go insane."

"Feel free to. I won't mind at all…" I trailed off as he pressed his mouth to mine. He kissed me slowly, weaving his tongue around mine while running his hands up my body gradually from the thighs upwards. I moaned and squirmed underneath him by the time he started kneading my breasts. "Wai… hn… t…" I could barely get anything intelligible out while I was still wrapped up in his kiss. It was only when he broke away that I gasped, trembling hands grasping and wrenching on the back of his shirt. "I'm… sen… sensitive… there."

"That's the kind of thing I want to know." Ikki smiled. "Even though you already let me know that without saying anything."

"Y-you…" I shivered as he pulled my shirt over my head. "Ikki…" I bit my lip and put my hands in his hair, pulling on it, as he lowered himself to my chest, gently teasing with his tongue and lips. "… Hey… Will you…" I let out a squeak as a tremor ran down my spine. "Bite down, just a little bit…?"

He looked up at me, hands stilling from where they had been steadying my hips. "I really wish you could see your expression right now," he murmured. "It's so… lovely."

I closed my eyes as his teeth gently scraped on my flesh. He was the lovely one here. His eyes were sparkling, positively on fire. And to have him looking at me like this… A whimper floated broken into the air when teeth tugged, and then my shorts and underwear were down to my knees.

"Thanks…" I whispered, kicking them off the rest of the way.

"Direct me any way you want." Ikki moved to kneel between my legs, pushing them apart by nudging my knees. "I want to pleasure you as much as possible."

Shit, he was killing me here. "What are you…?" I watched with confusion as he leaned down and started kissing along my inner thighs.

"Do you not want to be touched here, like this?"

"I… I don't know. I don't know what it's going to be like." I hadn't been dealt with so gently or so thoroughly before.

"Just let me know, then."

"Okay…" I flinched when he started licking between my legs, increasing fervor when I didn't protest. I hadn't thought it was something he would do. The whole exchange had been attention being lavished onto me. He honestly seemed to mean it, that his main goal was to take care of my feelings. This was the way he chose to direct his experience. "I-I love you," I gasped. "S-so much…" I clamped my hands over my mouth as an orgasm wracked my body but still let out a string of moans. "That… was…" I covered my face with my hands but peeked at him from between my fingers.

Ikki laughed softly, coming up licking his lips and wiping the corner of his mouth. "You're so cute."

I got up so we were both on our knees facing each other and lifted his shirt. "Th-thank you," I murmured, placing kisses to his collarbone and neck. "For treasuring me like this."

"I meant it, you know. I just want to make you feel as good as possible."

I put my hands on his waist, fingers hooking on the waistband of his pants. "S-so… Do you have one?"

"Have one of what?"

"A condom. Obviously. I certainly don't have one laying around."

His eyes widened. "… Oh. Shit."

"So… You don't…" I frowned, disappointed. "Then…"

"Wait here!" He jumped off the bed and was out the door to the apartment before I could ask him what the hell he was thinking.

"Um… What?" I wrapped myself in a blanket, conscious of being naked now that I was alone. Seriously, what was he doing? I yelped when, about five minutes later, he came huffing back into the apartment and slammed the door shut behind him. "Ikki? What just happened, exactly?"

"Yeah…" He held up a small square wrapper, pushing hair out of his face as he sat back on the bed. "I just… went up and grabbed one from Kent. He's cautious like that."

"Seriously…? Now he knows what's going on in here!"

"Sawa was there too."

"Now they both know!" I blushed furiously. "You ran up there without even putting your shirt back on!"

"Can you blame me?"

"You honestly didn't have to do that. I was drafting a backup plan."

"What kind of plan?" He seemed both guarded and mildly interested.

"You know what, never mind." I shook my head. "How am I even going to look at them normally again?"

"We'll cross that bridge when we get to it. For now, will you come back out from there?" He smiled at my blanket cocoon.

"I dunno if I want to," I mumbled begrudgingly.

"Come on, darling…" He laughed and kissed my cheeks.

"Fine…" I squeezed my eyes shut and rubbed at my temples.

"Are you alright?"

"Yeah." I nuzzled his hand as he placed his palm against my cheek. "Can we stay in bed all day?"

"Fine by me." He laughed as I flopped onto my back.

"Okay…" I shrugged the blanket off finally. "I-I'm ready." He finished undressing and took care of the condom before lifting one of my knees. I squeaked as he went deep inside with a single push, helped by how wet I already was. "A-ah, that's…" He moved in circles, creating unfamiliar sensations.

"Your expressions tell me a lot, you know," he murmured, reaching out to push my hair away from my face.

"Like what…?" I shifted my hips to push against him.

"What you like, or if you're in pain."

"What's it telling you right now?"

"Both of those things at the same time."

I laughed softly. It was unsurprising. Those things didn't have to be separate, necessarily. "It doesn't hurt that much…" His movements were slow, yet strong, giving me time to work around any pain that did come up. "You can hurt me even more…"

He tilted his head, seeming to consider something. "So that's how it is," he murmured. "You're the first in multiple senses, you know."

"Mm?" I looked away shyly as he smiled at me. "First, what are you talking about?"

"You're the first person I've done this with that I love… and the first who seems to like being hurt. Both of these things… I feel completely different. Better than I ever have."

"Ikki…" True feelings. He finally found them. "Haha!" I opened my arms. "Let me hug you, come here."

"What's funny?" He came down to me to let me wrap my arms around his back.

I shifted to accommodate the change in position. "I'm just so happy… That you've come so far. That we're here together."

He smiled gently and warmly, embarrassment and vulnerable emotion touching his expression. "The person I was. That person who didn't trust himself to feel anything real. Thank you for helping me get rid of him."

I leaned up to brush my lips against his. "I love you."

"I love you so much, Michi." He kissed me firmly, one arm moving to wrap around my lower back and the other hand cradling the back of my neck.

I shyly licked at his lips and he chuckled low in the back of his throat before taking over to play his tongue around mine. The hand that was on my neck slid downwards to tease at my chest, rougher than he had been earlier. He had learned quickly exactly where to push me in a way that was both delightful and infuriating since I had no idea how to push back.

"Damn," I moaned when he pulled back to start kissing my neck and let me breathe. "Again…" I dug my nails into his back and scraped at his skin as I was shaken through another orgasm. Before I stopped crying out he crushed his lips to mine again, hands twining and pulling in my hair. His movements became erratic and then he stilled at the end, me left clinging to him until his hold on me loosened and he pulled away slowly.

He rolled over to lay at my side, getting his breathing back into proper order as well. "Wow…"

"Hey, let me see your back." I examined him once he rolled over. "I scratched you some. Sorry."

"I barely even felt it, but now that you point it out…" He shrugged. "It's no big deal."

I placed kisses on the cuts, then hugged his chest from behind, pressing against his back. "All better…"

"How's your head feeling?"

"Not great, but it's fine." After everything I was right back to being pleasantly lethargic, just as I had been the night before. "I wanna go back to sleep."

"Do it then."

"Mm…" I rolled over as my phone beeped only because the ringtone was the one assigned to Sawa. It was a text that read:

Hey, Michi… So did you have fun? ; )

"I'm going to fucking kill her. Kent too. No witnesses."

"I can drive the getaway car," Ikki offered.

"Deal. Let's do this. But not right now. I don't feel like it." I stretched out luxuriously before curling back up.

"Rest well." Ikki gently kissed my forehead.

"Hey…" I took his hand. "I like having you here."

"See?" He smiled.

"… Wanna move in?"

"Huh?"

"I like my apartment better than yours," I sighed. "So why don't you just move in with me?"

"Are you still drunk?"

"Oh, shut up. Just think about it."

"No need." He laughed and kissed me quickly, drawing me into his arms. "Sounds like a plan."

It wasn't so scary anymore, trying to imagine some kind of future with him. Not when each and every moment was so precious.


~ Proposal ~

"Who'd have thought, huh?" I stared at the ring adorning Sawa's finger. "That you'd be getting married after just six months…" Ikki and I had moved in together but were otherwise taking it slow, and here Sawa and Kent were tying the knot.

"What can I say? Kent has good taste."

"I won't argue with that." He'd picked my best friend, after all. No one better.

"Thanks for this, by the way, Michi. It's your best design yet." Sawa swirled in her dress, a lacy yet modest number that hugged her down to the hips before flaring out like a princess' ball gown.

"Haha… It was for you, so I worked extra hard."

"Stay still! I'm almost done," Mine huffed from her place standing before Sawa doing her hair. "And… There." She finished it off by sliding Sawa's clover hairpins into the base of a French braid.

"Dude… You look gorgeous." I was honestly awed.

Sawa blushed and laughed. "I can't believe this is happening." She offered me her arm with joking gallantry. "Come on, maid of honor. I'll escort you."

I in turn offered my arm to Mine. "Come on, you. I'll escort ya."

"Why am I just "you?" I'm a bridesmaid, you know…" Mine muttered but still smiled and hooked her elbow around my arm. The three of us made an awkward and giggling procession out to the lawn; the wedding was being held as a lavish garden party, Kent's parents having been unable to tolerate any less. Sawa had been able to impress them in the end, at least.

"Hey!" Ikki came up to us with Kent trailing after him. "It's almost time. Are you finally ready?"

"Hey! Don't you dare try to rush a bride on her big day!" Mine huffed at him.

"She's got a point. You can't do that sort of beauty in just a few minutes." I pinched his cheek. "We're not all as lucky as you are."

"Oh come on. Half the time you barely spend twenty minutes."

"Well today is special!" I extracted myself from Sawa and Mine and took Ikki's arm. We were Sawa and Kent's respective maid of honor and best man, so we were the first to walk down the aisle and take place at the altar for the ceremony.

"I saw Kent's parents glaring at you earlier…" Ikki murmured as we got into place.

"Yeah, they kind of hate me. It… It was just a small thing. Ehehe. Long time ago, but first impressions can be like that…"

"I can't imagine what you did…" Ikki sighed. "What do you think of all this?" He gestured to the crowd and decorations.

"Eh. I'd rather have a small ceremony. Less hectic."

"I think that's better," he agreed. "You know, I can't wait for the after party."

"Of course that's what you're excited about…" I sighed. "But it'll be fun to relax." Weddings were unexpectedly hard work. Between both designing the dress and baking the grand cake I had almost strangled someone.

"Music started… That's our cue."

"Yay…" I sighed. Really I was only here for Sawa and Kent. The rest of the people being there made me want to go hide in a corner and eat cheesecake.

"Come on. Smile."

I laughed. "Easy for you to say. You've got that fake smile down pat."

"It's not fake. At least not right now."

"Of course." We parted ways at the end of the aisle and I zoned out for a minute until Kent and Sawa were standing there ready to say their vows.

Sawa's were bubbly and excited, getting a lot of laughs from the audience, and sweet and loving until the end. Kent ambled a lot, going off on a few tangents, but got to the point of his desire to be with her and make her happy forever in a somewhat timely and definitely loving manner.

Midway through I looked over to Ikki and our eyes met while he was laughing. I grinned and winked before smiling warmly, affected by the love of the main couple despite my whole attitude towards the fanfare of the wedding. Ikki blinked at me from across before I turned my attention back to the couple.

At the end, they kissed passionately, smiling and clearly overjoyed. Sawa yelled with joy and spun around to leap and throw her arms around my neck.

I swung her around, laughing. "I might just run off with your bride, Kent!"

"I would prefer that you not, Michi, although I don't doubt that you could make a clean getaway…" He smiled and took Sawa from my arms, carrying her away while she laughed.

"Damn… they're so friggin' cute!" I sighed. "I think they'll be super happy together." I smoothed my dress, a grey knee-length with a green bow at the waist, and stretched. "But now I'm tired. Do we really have to stay for cleanup after?" I pouted at Ikki even though I knew we definitely did.

"Don't worry about that right now." He held his hand out. "Come on."

I laughed, grabbed his hand and ran out onto the lawn where couples had gathered to dance. The number of times I stepped on his feet did not need to be mentioned.

"It would be easier if we were able to decide who leads," Ikki sighed.

"I just dunno which step to put where," I mumbled. "Your feet okay?"

"It's no big deal." Ikki smiled. "I didn't tell you, but you look gorgeous today."

"Heh. You too." I smiled, pleased.

"Your hair is long again…" Nostalgia glimmered briefly in his eyes.

"It grows back fast. Do you like long hair better?"

"Hm." He tilted his head and tucked hair behind my ears. "The lengths of a woman's hair give off different vibes."

"Huh? Do tell?"

"Short hair can be professional and severe as well as light and cute. Long hair can also be professional, but also wild and sexy when it's messy… On you at least."

"So your answer is, you just don't care what length my hair is?"

"Basically."

"Eh. I'll keep it long for now."

"Hey, Michi?" He pulled me in closer to sway slowly even though the song was fast.

"What is it?" I closed my eyes and breathed in the faint cologne wafting about him mixing with my flowery perfume.

"Will you marry me?"

"What?!" I leaped back to stare at him. "Wh…" I trailed off as he stood there looking at me earnestly.

"I don't have a ring yet. I just looked at you while they were doing their vows and realized that I'd like to be with you forever."

"I… Me too. I mean, of course." I laughed and flew back into his arms. "Yeah!"

Ikki kissed the top of my head as he spun me around, then tilted my head up for a kiss to my mouth after he set me down. "I love you," he whispered.

"I love you too."

"Huh. I guess you should meet my family now."

"Wait, what? You have a family?"

"How do you think I got onto the planet?"

"But you have white hair."

"What does that have to do with anything?"

"White-haired characters aren't supposed to have whole families. It's an unspoken rule. They're tragic."

"Uh, no. I have parents and a sister. Completely normal stuff."

"Seriously…? How disappointing." I frowned.

"You're disappointed…?"

"Just kidding!"

"No you're not."

"I was thirty percent not kidding."

"That still feels like a very large number."

"Aw, take a joke!" I laughed. "Really, I'm excited to meet them."

"They'll absolutely love you." He looked over my head. "I think they're cutting the cake now."

"Hey! I wanna watch!" I grabbed his hand and ran off. I was headed off to culinary school in the fall, so I wanted to watch everyone's impressions carefully.

"I hope you're this excited at our wedding," Ikki laughed.

"Just you wait." I winked and hugged him as we watched Sawa and Kent clumsily feed each other bites of cake and break into laughter. "I'm absolutely going to love you forever."

"Me too. I love you more than anyone else in the world, Michi."

Neither of us had been so happy before, and this was only the start.


A/N

Hyaa! That's the Ikster's ending. It was unexpectedly fun to write this. I'm a lot fonder of Ikki's character now that I've spent some time writing him. We all love a suave bastard with a sweet side, eh?

White-haired anime characters usually are the tragic ones. I guess Ikki counts…? But not really.

I didn't add this scene since it was a bit boring (if not sweet) and just dragging the chapter on, but I do imagine that Michi kicks culinary school and the ass and gets her bakery while Ikki works at his dad's company like he plans to do in the game. They spend their lunchbreaks together and all that good stuff. Michi makes him his favorite cupcakes for his birthday.

I hope you enjoyed the chapter, and thanks for reading! Kent's ending next.