Foreword: Itazura AU. In which, Kotoko has as much self-respect as she does feelings for Naoki. In which, Naoki promptly learns to appreciate Kotoko for not being able to do the things he can do easily, yet is everything he could never be effortlessly. In which, their relationship ultimately arrives at the same fateful destination, only with a few detours that help them both find something(s) important along the way.

Disclaimer: I do not own Itazura na Kiss or any of its content. This was written for personal entertainment purposes only. Most plot points closely follow the Anime and Live Actions (Love in Tokyo S1 and S2 and a little bit from Miss in Kiss) Changes in characters and timeline of the plot are inspired by memorable quotes from the anime and from both seasons of the live actions. Also slightly influenced by StarryNights513's fanfiction "Enough" as well as kotokodainetohru's fic "Wabi-Sabi"(which unfortunately seems to be on hiatus; unfortunate, because it's really well-written)

A/N: Italicized for a character's thought process. Bolded for emphasis. Both for stronger emphasis.

Passages with * mark means there are words or phrases explained in the footnotes.

"Kotoko, that's my actual arm! You have not even strapped on the dummy yet. Even if I am not going to play any instrument, I still need these arms of mine to help Narasaki-kun transport his band's precious gear!"

The headphone sporting bobbed haired girl squawked in fear when her nervous friend gripped her arm.

"Don't they teach you step by step in class and make you practice for the entire lab? You even wrote it all down in this notebook under this lengthy entry ' Syringe Draw Procedure'."

Satomi read each step as Kotoko followed suit clumsily, only resulting in the glaring red dot of failure as she tried to insert the needle, rather than the green beacon of success. The latter a signal she only got once, by pure luck, earlier today during lab, after multiple attempts. Frustratingly, she had no recollection of what she did right, to result in that.

"She for sure got the first step down. Wait, weren't you doing super well in this class? What happened? Why do you have to do a retake lab?"

Jinko questioned, quickly passing the fake arm to Satomi, who reluctantly put it on, nervousness in her large eyes.

"The first half of the semester was all things I got practice in, from my lifeguard training during high school and procedures I did for the tennis club members occasionally. CPR, simple bandaging, bed making, treating small burns, abrasions and cut treatments. I managed to not faint since there was not a lot of blood or needles involved. But this later half of class… It's all centered on injections and moving heavily wounded/ incapacitated patients, which are not my strong suits. Seeing this dip in my performance, the Head Nurse arranged a retake lab for me to pass if I want to take part in the capping ceremony and become an intern at Tonan University Hospital. If I fail, I have to retake this course, meaning I won't graduate the program next semester. My group mates all had things to do, and could not be my practice partners. Satomi, Jinko, I am glad the two of you could help me out. I'll treat you both to a meal once I pass!"

"Speaking of meals, why don't the three of you take a break and taste this new menu item for me."

The two spooked girls silently thanked the heavens for this opportunity to opt out of being Kotoko's practice dummy.

"Wah, Kin-chan it looks amazing! What is it?"

Kotoko studied the dish curiously.

"Chikuzenni."*

"No way! I have never seen this home-style dish so fancy. You really are becoming a true pro Kin-chan!"

Jinko remarked, surprised by her friend's delicate handiwork.

"Part of Japanese cuisine is feasting with the eyes. I love the simplicity of home-cooked dishes and the way it exemplifies each ingredient. But I thought normally, these dishes are not that visually interesting, so by combining the visual arrangement aspect of Aihara's style gives everyday meals a new life."

"You are right. You can taste each ingredient, but they work in harmony in this one dish. The fact that it's presented like an art piece makes dinner so much more interesting. Ryo-kun would really like this dish, share your recipe with me Kin-chan!"

Satomi hummed in bliss as the taro melted in her mouth bursting with flavor from the meat.

"Maybe later, it's still not finalized. I also need to ask permission from Taishou. He is going to use this as a menu item here after all."

"Congrats Kin-chan! Otou-san told me he is going to let you be in charge of some appetizers in addition to the Hors d'oeuvres. Keep it up and he will definitely let you come up with an actual entree for Aihara's one day."

"I still have ways to go to Kotoko, but thank you. Let's both do our best, we promised to, didn't we?"

"We did, but I am not sure if I am holding on to my end of our deal at this rate."

"Promise? What is with this secret between you two?"

"Deal? Yea, you two are fishy... Kotoko, you and Kin-chan have been getting along very well as of late..."

"What do you mean? We always got along. All four of us."

"Kotoko, I know that look. You are hiding something from us! Spill!"

"Exactly, it's the same face you had when you were first living with Irie Naoki and didn't tell us squat."

"We promised to find what we wanted to do in the future and work hard to get there! That's it, right Kin-chan?"

"Yup. Don't the two of you have dates to go on? It's already 4pm."

"Already? I promised to meet Ryo at his place in half an hour, with this traffic… I guess I have to take the subway. Sorry Kotoko, I got to go."

"Narasaki-kun wanted to bring me to an indie's concert in Ginza, it starts in two hours, but we were going to grab dinner first. Sorry Kotoko, I can't stay either."

The two girls gave Kotoko a quick hug.

"Thanks again for letting me use your arms Satomi, Jinko!"

She smiled understandingly at her best girlfriends before they turned to leave the restaurant. Kotoko looked at the limp dummy arm and sighed, before clearing the counter of the remnant dishes from their tasting session to join her friend in the kitchen.

"But Kotoko, what makes you say you aren't keeping your promise? You are working very hard towards becoming a nurse, we can all see it."

The concerned Kansai-lad asked at his long-time crush's crestfallen face, recalling her previous statement concerning their "deal".

"Kin-chan, how did you overcome your fear of live chickens, specifically turning said chicken into a beautiful dish, such as the one we ate?"

Kotoko asked casually as she wiped the bowl Kin-chan handed her dry.

"With practice. Not just physical, but mental training. I thought of the happy looks on peoples faces when they eat the food, and it made it easier to lower the knife. I still feel bad for the chicken, but I had a grateful attitude towards it, so it probably won't blame me. It also helped to have Ogata-san show me the proper methods so the chicken didn't suffer more than need be. Kotoko, you will make a great nurse, because you are loving and kind. I don't think it matters so much whether you can draw blood this way or not, besides, most hospitals have machines for that don't they? So don't worry about that."

"Mental training? My legs turn to jelly at the thought of blood and needles. I don't think that would help me at all. But thinking about a greater cause while performing the procedure might help lessen the fear. As for the machines, I guess so, but there will probably situations we need to draw by hand. But thanks anyway, Kin-chan! It's getting late, I should go home and help Oba-san with meal prep."

"Don't you still need to practice? Need my arm?"

"It's alright Kin-chan, dinner service is starting soon, you need to prep the line. I'll figure something out!"

The fledgling nurse hurriedly packed up her blood drawing/ injection kit and headed home in a rush, re-energized by the young chef's advice. Her friend smiled, pitying the folks that awaited her back at the Irie-residence, for he knew upon that glint in her eye, at least one member would somehow be susceptible to the girl's quivering needle. Even with the practice dummy arm, its an experience which should be on the list as one of Japan's top horrors: according to Kotoko's group mates and her two high-school besties.

"Irie-kun! Welcome home, was it busy at the hospital today? Did you eat yet? Oba-san saved you a portion of her lasagna, need me to reheat it for you?"

"It was quite busy today, there was a three way collision with a bus, a truck, and a Sudan. I got sent to emergency since they were low on staff. If you were there, you would have most definitely fainted. Better get used to seeing blood before you start your internship. I ate dinner at the hospital, I'm going to head up."

Did I seem to eager? I can't let this chance pass. Let's try again. The desperate girl attempted to rope in the genius once more with an offer he would never refuse.

"Ah I filled the bath already. Did you want coffee after?"

"Kotoko, what did you really want to ask me?"

Drat, he caught on after all. Well then, if it comes down to it, I should just be honest.

"Can you let me use your arm? Just for one- no, half an hour!"

She pleaded with hands clasped.

"I heard from the Head Nurse there was a special retake case among the graduating class of nursing students this year. I figured it'd be you. I'll help. Under the condition that you present the best cup coffee I've ever had, Aihara."

"When has my coffee ever let you down, Irie?"

She grinned smugly.

"Never, but how many times did you have to brew coffee in your life before getting that perfect cup?"

"More than I could count."

"How many times have you injected a needle into a patient, fake or not?"

"Maybe 20 times so far. Why?"

"If you have practiced injections as many times as you have brewed coffee, wouldn't that be perfected too? I don't understand why you are so worried, silly. Set up your station in Otou-san's study, I'll be down in ten minutes."

"Thanks, Irie-kun."

"Don't thank me yet. Thank me, when you pass your retake lab. If you pass."

He teased, before ascending the staircase.

Was that a smile? Did he go crazy after a hectic day at the hospital? I thought he would refuse, and was about to ask Oba-sama for help. Who would have thought he would volunteer?

Kotoko's mind spun in circles much like the motion of the kettle over the coffee grounds as she made her hand drip, trying to figure out what brought about this sudden charity from Tonan-U's top pre-med student.

The refreshed medical intern, calmly held out his arm towards Kotoko, sipping on his favorite drink with no hint of fear in his being. She noticed the clench in his jaw after her latest (34th) failed attempt and braced herself for a snapping remark, or for him to simply get up and leave, as he unstrapped the dummy. But neither came; instead, his next words, made her want to leave.

"Try without the dummy."

"No way! I will hurt you."

"If you can succeed on an actual arm, nothing can stop you. Especially not this plastic limb. The reason you are so afraid is because you are visualizing this thing as a real arm anyway, why not use an actual arm and get over your fear once and for all?."

"How did you know that? Kin-chan taught me to visualize, so I pretended to be actually treating a patient."

"What horrible advice, as expected from that guy. Stop pretending. It's not going to help you. If you can't get over this, you can forget nursing."

"I am trying! Don't mock Kin-chan, he can give good advice. You should know that."

She defended her best guy friend - don't tell Irie-kun: He'll flip, if he knew he shared that title with Kin-chan- referring back to that night in the hospital (and another event, soon revealed) shooting Irie a knowing glare.

"Fine, he gave sound advice, that one maybe two time(s), but his ways isn't helping you in this situation now, is it? So forget about it, and try another way."

He insisted holding up his arm.

"I can't! I won't!"

She shook her head furiously, starting to pack up her things to leave to practice in her own room with the dummy. He stopped her in her tracks by grabbing her squarely by the shoulders.

"Yes you can. You won't fail. I won't let you. It's my arm. I am letting you do this. Do you think I would, if I did not believe in you, Kotoko? You are not, and won't ever be doing this by yourself. If there is nothing else I've learned from my internship so far, it's that everyone there is a team, all working together for the sake of the patients. No one in their right mind will let you screw up, even if you wanted to. You have your notes in front of you, just take it one step at a time. Read it out loud, so we know exactly what needs to be done."

Irie laid out her gear once again before them, sat down and motioned for her to take her place beside him. She met his eyes and found utter trust as he gave her a prodding nod. She took a deep breath and began.

"Who said anything about wanting to screw up? One, wear PPE."

She slipped on nitrite gloves with a huff. Rising up to the the challenge he set for her, with her eyes ablaze.

"Good start."

"I only put on gloves." She chuckled at his untimely encouragement attempt.

"Believe or not, I've seen people put on gloves wrong."

"Really? Who?"

"Not important, next step?"

"Two, secure dummy to subject's arm, hit power on."

"You can skip this one for now."

"Three, secure the tourniquet."

"Not so tight! You are not trying to cut off circulation."

"Sorry. Four, use the index and middle finger of your non-dominant hand to find the median cubital, cephalic, or basilic vein with slight pressure."

"Stop poking around. You will never find the vein this way. If you really have trouble, you can ask the patient to clench their fist a couple times."

"Found it! Five, loosen the tourniquet. Six, attach needle to barrel syringe. Seven, remove the safety guard of the needle."

She shut her eyes and gulped at the sight of the sharp object.

"Focus. Now, you should pretend. Are you afraid of sewing needles?"

"No. What does that have to do with anything?"

"This needle is no different. Have a good look at just the needle portion, ignore the syringe."

"You're right Irie-kun! It does look like a sewing needle. Eight, sterilize contact surfaces. Nine, secure tourniquet again."

"Remember this tightness level. It's good."

"Ten, insert ¼ of needle at 15-25 degree angle, pull back plunger slowly to draw blood."

She held the needle above Irie's arm, but pulled back immediately.

"I really can't do it, Irie-kun."

"Bring the needle back to where you had it before."

"But…"

"No buts. Do you want to be a nurse or not?"

"Yes, more than anything!"

"Why?"

"For kids like Non-chan!"

She put on her brave game face and returned the needle to where she held it previously. He firmly took her hand and gently guided the needle into his vein, after she recovered from initial shock of his sudden touch. She held in the slight whimper at the sensation of piercing through skin, while looking to him for assurance, only relaxing when his features showed no sign of pain.

"Go on, draw the plunger back. How many cc?"

"Three. Oh my goodness, actual blood. I feel si-

"Kotoko. Visualize the plastic arm. If this was the dummy, you would have gotten the green blinker. You passed this portion of the test already. Before you get excited. what's next?"

At his reminder, the girl realized her success, but quickly contained her joy, seeing the needle was still stuck in her housemate's arm.

"Eleven, prepare gauge, fold twice, remove tourniquet. Twelve, remove needle, and apply pressure on the puncture site with gauze immediately, put safety cap on needle, set aside on sterile surface/ item tray, secure gauze with bandage tape."

"Ow. You don't need this much pressure, you'll bruise the patient. Use the same amount of pressure as a small cut, you are a pro at dressing those."

"Got it. Thirteen, Remove capped needle (put in bio hazard box), attach transfer device to syringe, turn syringe upside right. Fourteen, insert collection tube from the bottom, label-side away, and let vacuum do the work until blood is transferred. Fifteen, disengage tube (discard syringe and transfer device into bio hazard), invert tube three to four times, label sample and place into collection tray."

She looked around, only to remember they were in their home office and that there was no collection tray.

"What do I do with your blood though?"

"Keep it as a reminder that you, Aihara Kotoko, can now properly draw blood from an actual person."

"Thank you, Irie-kun. Keeping vials of blood in a private residence, is that even legal?"

Her faced scrunched up as she thought about being dragged away by the police as a suspect for bio-terrorism. She snapped out of her nightmarish day dream at his hearty chuckle, catching his eye roll at her far-fetched fear.

"I was joking, you should drop it off at the school lab when you go in for your test. Practice one last time."

He put his other arm on the table.

"You want me to stick a needle in your other arm too?"

She whispered warily, not believing he would be nice enough to give up both his limbs for her.

"On the fake arm, silly! You will end up forgetting step two during your practical if we leave off with real time practice. This time, try without your notes."

He's not that nice, as I thought. She joked to herself, before Kotoko successfully lit the little green indicator on the plastic arm. She beamed, launching herself into Naoki's arms (welcoming arms, unbeknownst to her).

"I did it! This time I remember exactly how! Thank-

"That's enough 'thank you's for the day, don't you think? If you really want to thank me, clean up this mess and let me go to sleep. It's quarter past one. So much for only borrowing my arm for half an hour."

He yawned, as she pulled away from him.

"One? That late? You must be tired from the long day. Good night, Irie-kun."

"Good luck tomorrow, Kotoko. Not that you'll need it."

Flicking the AB-type filled collection tube in her hand, he gave her a weary but rare genuine smile before heading up to his room.*

The grateful girl, also quite tired from the whole day of dealing with 'bloody' needles, did not have energy left to deeply ponder over the reason for this simmering warm feeling in her heart, only registering it as pride and a sense of accomplishment for stepping over this once-tall hurdle and being another step closer to her goal of becoming a pediatric nurse.

Little did she know, this misdiagnosed feeling will eventually boil over as she continues to bound towards this dream of hers, at the expense of one of her most precious friendships at that. If only reading her own heart could be perfected with practice much like reading vital signs, she would one day wish.

But right now, she had more impending things to wish for: Please let me pass tomorrow's retake.

**Footnotes**

Hors d'oeuvres - small bites before the appetizers

Chikuzenni (筑前煮) - Stewed dish from Chikuzen, Kyushu. Has root vegetables (taro, renkon/lotus root, burdock, carrots, konnyaku/yam jelly, hitake mushroom) and chicken that are simmered in dashi, soy sauce, and mirin. Also known as Nishime (煮しめ).

AB - Irie Naoki's blood type