Hello everyone! I hope you're all staying at home and keeping safe. If you just got back because I've been away for too long, it would be great to re-read/skim through parts of the story.

Note: Aragawa is an actual restaurant with 2 Michelin Stars. They are known for beef (steak), particularly wagyu and Kobe. It is listed as one of the most expensive restaurants in Tokyo.

Chapter 29: Love by the Piano

He leaned in toward her, slowly moving his face closer to hers. She knew what was happening, but she can't seem to move away. Frozen in place, her eyes wide open, staring into his. His eyes closed, briefly pausing as the tips of their noses slightly brushed against each other.

Now or never, he thought to himself as he narrowed the gap between their faces for a kiss.

His lips rested on what felt like two soft, delicate, perfect little pillows, breathing in the subtle, sweet scent he had noticed from a while ago. He kissed her gently, carefully, trying not to overwhelm her with the emotions that had been raging in him. But as he parted his lips to deepen the kiss, he suddenly felt her kiss back, lips meeting his with small tentative movements.

And with that, a fire seemed to have ignited within both of them. Throwing all inhibitions out the window, he crushed her soft beautiful lips with his. Seiya put a hand to her waist and pulled her close to him, growling lowly as he felt her touch his face with both hands, then proceeding to put her arms around his neck. She was fighting for dominance one moment yet yielding to him at another, as she would lean back, almost hanging on to him. They continued to kiss as they stood from the piano chair, quickly leaning on one side, careful not to lean on any keys. Finally, they pulled away, allowing themselves to catch their breaths.

Her eyes half-open, she searched his as her chest rose and fell, taking quick, shallow breaths. His sapphire blue eyes that pierced through hers still told the same emotion. This wasn't their first kiss but this time, pulling away didn't make her feel any different. The fiery feeling in her chest had not subsided, and her desire for him had even grown in just over a minute of kissing him.

Sure, he was loud, he was sometimes annoying, and she can list several things she hated about him. This is Seiya, for crying out loud. The same person who challenged her to move forward. The same person who became her neighbor, watching out for her through many small things: thoughtful gestures, taking note of her favorite things, making sure she was all right. He was the same person who stuck with her, through her sleepless nights and sometimes slept through it, although she didn't mind that.

She liked women. they were softer and they were gentler, prettier. But she could not deny her attraction to him, not anymore. That well-defined jawline, those intense blue eyes, yes, even that weird haircut. That smile that loved to tease her or even pester her.

As they were catching their breaths for a few moments, he took the opportunity to have a glance at the rest of her—ash golden hair disheveled, glistening teal eyes, framed by her long lashes and her half-closed lids, and soft, moist pink lips, bruised from all the kissing. Her shirt had one button at the top loosened from all the pulling, giving him a preview of her defined, well-sculpted shoulders and tempting him with her ample cleavage. The setting sun giving light and shadow, like it was carefully painted all over her.

She was devastatingly beautiful to him and it took him quite a while to discover all this. And he can never be more certain about his feelings toward her. Cupping both her cheeks with his hands, he looked into her deep blue-green eyes once again.

"Haruka," he trailed off lowly once more. She drew a long deep breath, silently thanking her grand piano for support as her she fought off some shivers, her legs nearly buckling at the way he had said her name.

"I love you," he finally breathed out. He felt her tremble lightly, under his touch, her eyes widening at what he had said.

She felt like his words had stolen her thoughts and her breath away for a few moments once again. Her wide eyes searched his sapphire blue ones again, for answers to questions that she couldn't compose into coherent sentences at that moment.

Really? Was the only clear, coherent thought that came through. She had only clearly felt his feelings for her a while ago while they were playing the piano although looking back, it had been there for a while now. Unable to utter a word at the moment and knowing clearly how she felt for him anyway, she took his face with hands as well and pulled him toward her for a dominant, demanding kiss.

She didn't doubt it, but she wondered why he chose her. She wasn't all cute and delicate like Usagi and Minako, nor was she an ideal woman like Michiru. She was damaged, and she was going through one of the most baffling roller-coaster timelines anyone's ever experienced. She wasn't his type, as far as the kind of women she's seen him date and get attracted to.

He closed his eyes again and kissed her back with much vigor. He could definitely get used to this. Her hands searching to close the fallboard of the piano, she felt him pull her closer to him again as he led her toward the piano for more support. Lips clashing, her tongue skillfully sneaking to entangle with his. They could feel the heat emanate from their bodies, especially between their legs, with the wind senshi's pair nearly wrapping around him, bringing their hips together.

Not now, not this time. Not like this, he thought. He so desperately wanted to take all of her at that moment but felt that the time wasn't right. Not wanting to drown them both with the desire, he slowed down, until they only chased each other with tiny kisses. Gently, he brushed her hair away from her face, smiling as he admired her.

"Do you want dinner?" he suddenly asked. "We can go to Aragawa." his voice was light and obviously filled with excitement. The wind senshi blinked for a bit at the sudden change in topic, then slowly burst out laughing, breaking away from him as she did.

"Michelin Star. Steaks," she chuckled incredulously, remembering their "date with a girl" conversation.

"Oh wait, wait. I'm sure you'd want just a salad though. Shame," he quirked his eyebrow, faking a thoughtful look, getting his phone, looking like he was browsing online.

"I'm okay with anything, really. I don't want you to go hungry," she said making a face at him before making her way to pick up the empty bowls on the coffee table.

"Oh!" she stopped on her tracks and smirked back at him. "In case we're getting a salad, we can go get your burger first," she teased.

"Yes, sounds like a plan," he replied, the playful upward tone on his voice not going away. "but I've just… booked Aragawa at 7:30 pm …so get dressed," he held out his phone for her to see, following her to the kitchen. She laughed again, while she washed the bowls from the kitchen sink, her raven-haired neighbor tailing her whichever corner she went.

They've only just kissed and he's already showering her with so much attention. She wasn't used to this kind of treatment.

"We've known each other for a while, Seiya. You really don't have to."

"Oh but I want to." He wrapped his arms around her from behind as she finished drying her hands.

"Did I tell you that the girl I'm going out with is special? She's strong, she's intelligent she's funny," he said, before planting a quick kiss on her cheek. "She's definitely sexy and absolutely beautiful." Haruka blushed at his words, allowing him to take her hands.

"I haven't taken anyone to this restaurant. Except for my manager, because I wanted to eat there."

"Ah yeah, if I'm the same level with your manager then sure"— the wind senshi loved the idea of always being in charge, smiling as he planted light kisses on her neck.

"That's not what I meant," he cut her off, laughing. He didn't have to elaborate. Of course, they will be equals. The raven-haired starlight breathed into her ear, not stopping with the kisses, earning a nearly soundless gasp from the wind senshi.

"You're the most beautiful woman in the entire universe." Haruka shivered at his words, but a part of her cringed a little at the cliché.

"That's a bit cheesy," she teased again, making a face that he didn't see.

"Hey, you know a good amount cheese is actually pretty good? Especially if it's melting." The ash-blonde senshi rolled her eyes at her alien neighbor, scowling lighting.

"You're with a hopeless romantic now, you will have to get used to it," he added earning a little sharp nudge from her elbow, breaking away from him as he burst out laughing.

"See you in a few then," she shrugged, throwing her nose up in the air as she started to make her way upstairs. "Oh and I'm driving ok?" stopping in her tracks, she made sure to make a point.

"Whatever works for you," a sided smile on him, as he made his way out. "See you then."

I'm debating whether I should do the date or not, since I've written a date in another fic and I felt like I botched it. Let me know what you think? Hope you liked it!