"Aki! Aki! You'll never guess what happened today!"
"Whoa, slow down, Ume! Put on your shoes first, and then you can tell me."
The two girls stood in front of their shoe lockers, changing their grey school slippers for their outdoor shoes. It was time to go home, and the one named Ume was obviously riddled with excitement. Her friend Aki waited patiently as Ume stuffed her feet into her shoes, and the two of them headed outside.
"So, what happened?"
"Well, I was heading back to homeroom after lunch, and I tripped and fell. Hard. I dropped my backpack, and banged my knee."
"Ouch! That doesn't sound like a good thing, are you ok now?"
"Oh yes, I'm fine. That's not the important part, though! So, I fell, and it just so happened that Sohma was walking by with his friends right as it happened."
"Ume! Your Sohma? That must have been awful, how embarrassing!"
"See, that's what I thought at first, too! But it wasn't, not at all! He stopped right away and asked if I was ok, then he gave me his hand to help me get up. He actually took my hand, Aki! And then he told me that if my knee was bothering me I should probably go see the nurse...and then he told me to take care." Ume could barely breathe, she was so excited, and Aki's eyes were round.
"Oh my gosh, that's amazing! I can't believe after all this time, he's the one who helped you! Just think if he'd been a little bit closer, maybe he could have actually caught you when you started to fall! Just think how romantic that would have been."
Ume had definitely thought about that, too, and she let out a little sigh. "Yeah...that would have been great, wouldn't it? But this was still really great, too!"
"So, what did you do? What did you say? Please tell me you kept your cool!"
"I did, but it was so hard! I told him I was ok, and I told him thank you, of course."
"Did you tell him your name? Or your class?"
"No, I didn't. There wasn't really time, and I was just too...distracted," Ume said with another happy sigh.
"I bet you were! Distracted with admiration, huh?"
"Maybe just a little," Ume admitted sheepishly. "He's just so cute, you know? I thought he was scary looking for so long, especially with those eyes of his, but when he's not glaring they're actually warm. Like little candles."
"Aww, you would think so. Better not let Shimada hear you say things like that, though!"
"Who?"
"You know, Shimada? Suzume Shimada, in my class? She's been carrying a major torch for Sohma for over two years now, and she even confessed to him on the class trip last year!"
Ume's eyes rounded. "She did? I never heard!"
"Well, I did. Apparently she tried to confess and he just brushed her off. Didn't stop her from hoping, though, and as far as I know she's still super into him."
Ume didn't like the sound of that, but she didn't care, either. "Well, if she confessed and he said no, then that's that. He doesn't like her, end of story, she should just move on. I'm not afraid of her, I can tell you that."
Aki laughed and patted her friend's shoulder. "Good! Because she's not the only one, you know."
Ume sighed, this time in resignation. "I know. It only makes sense he's popular, he's sooooo cute! But knowing there's so much competition only makes me that much more determined to press my advantage," she said, clenching a fist.
"That's the spirit, Ume! And it could be a lot worse; just imagine if Sohma had an actual fan-club, like the Prince."
"Eww, don't remind me. I've never understood why so many girls get so hot and bothered about him. He's super pretty, of course, but...he's a guy, you know? Guys aren't supposed to be that pretty. Guys are supposed to be strong and muscular and handsome-"
"With red eyes and orange hair, maybe?" Aki's voice was teasing, and Ume blushed, but her face was defiant.
"Maybe! Why not?"
Aki giggled, then looked ahead thoughtfully. "Though you know, maybe the one you actually ought to worry about is Honda."
"Who?"
Aki shot her friend an exasperated look. "Honda, Ume. You know, brown hair, kinda mousey, in 3-D along with Sohma? The one who just got back from being in the hospital for a while? The one who's always been all buddy-buddy with Sohma and the Prince? That Honda?"
"Oh yeah, her." Ume knew who Aki was talking about; it was hard not to, seeing how often Ume had seen her near Sohma since she'd started watching him nearly a year ago. But worry about her? "Why would I worry about her? She's always been friends with the Sohma guys, all of them."
Ume did have a point there, and Aki nodded. "Well, yeah, but-"
"Not just Sohma and the Prince, either, but the other two, the ones in second year," Ume continued. "They always seemed to spend a ton of time together."
"Maybe, but-"
"In fact, the blonde one, what's-his-name? The one who had the massive growth spurt and got super-hot last term? I've actually saw him hugging her when they were all together in the hallway today. If she's dating any of the Sohmas, it has to be him," Ume said with a firm nod.
Ume sounded so confident that Aki decided it was best to drop the subject. She wasn't so sure, but didn't want to rain on her friend's parade. Besides, who was to say that Ume was wrong? Honda was definitely close enough to all four of the Sohmas that any girl interested in any of them would have reason to be rightfully nervous.
The 'Honda' subject closed, Aki gave her friend a grin. "So, after your exciting hallway rescue, what are you gonna do next? Not stand around and wait to trip again, I hope."
"No! I was thinking that maybe I'd...I don't know, just talk to him. Thank him. Maybe see if he'd want to go get some bubble tea or something," Ume said with a blush.
"Ai, you're gonna actually try to ask him out? That's so brave, Ume!"
Ume was still blushing. "Well, I've got to try, right? I feel like today has to have been a sign."
Aki nodded, then suddenly froze, grabbing at her friend's arm as they approached the school gate. "Ohmygosh, Ume, look!"
Ume was looking. Up ahead, she could see the Prince standing with Sohma, the two of them discussing something she and Aki were too far away to hear. She could see Sohma's face as he spoke, his expression shifting from neutrality to amusement, back to neutrality, then into mild annoyance, complete with an eye roll. She'd seen all of those expression on his face at one point or another, but the thing she found interesting lately was just how much less annoyance there was, and just how much less anger.
How had she ever thought he was scary? Intense, yes, but scary? How could anyone ever be scared of him?
Aki poked at her. "Are you gonna go up and talk to him?"
"He's with his cousin, Aki!"
"So? It's just the two of them, and it's the Prince. You know he's not about to make you feel uncomfortable, I bet the second he figures out you want to talk to Sohma he'd excuse himself all on his own."
Ume could believe that. Even though Yuki Sohma wasn't her type, she'd seen and heard enough about the outgoing Student Body President to believe that he was the soul of consideration.
Maybe Aki was right. Maybe this was another sign. First him helping her in the hall, then catching him nearly alone like this...maybe this was the universe telling her it was time.
She had almost worked up the nerve to go over when the Sohmas stopped talking, both of them looking back into the courtyard towards someone or something Aki and Ume couldn't see. Then the Prince touched Sohma's shoulder and said something before turning and walking away.
"Ume! He's alone! Now's your chance!"
Ume had already taken two steps when she froze again, disappointed, as Honda came up and joined Sohma. Damnit, didn't she get to spend enough time with him at school? Even knowing that she usually walked with one or both of the third-year Sohmas, it was very hard for Ume not to be annoyed with her right now. But really...was Honda any more of a hindrance than the Prince? Girls needed to support other girls when it came to matters of the heart, maybe Honda would excuse herself, too.
That was the hope, anyway, and Ume was about to try again when suddenly, her world shattered to pieces right in front of her eyes.
Sohma and Honda had been smiling at each other, saying something Ume couldn't hear. Then they both laughed, and Honda playfully pushed at Sohma's arm. He had said something else, then suddenly caught Honda's hand, linking his fingers through hers, and before Aki and Ume's stunned eyes he lifted their hands and kissed the back of Honda's. They couldn't see Honda's face from where they were standing, but they could definitely see his.
Ume could feel Aki's pitying look, but she couldn't bring herself to acknowledge it. Sohma and Honda had left the school grounds, her hand still in his. And all Ume could think was that sometimes, the universe could be a real bitch.
"So how did it feel, being back? You didn't push yourself too hard or anything, did you?"
Tohru couldn't help but smile at the note of concern in Kyo's voice, and she turned to glance at him affectionately as the two of them made their way down the sidewalk. "It felt really good! After being stuck in the hospital for so long, it was nice to be back and to be around our classmates again."
Kyo could understand that; Tohru had always been one for other people, and even if, as he'd heard, her hospital room had been a revolving door of visitors, it could hardly be the same. And he knew she wasn't lying; every time that day he'd looked over at her, she'd been smiling.
And he'd looked over at her a lot. Maybe even too much, if Sensei's sharp 'Sohma! Eyes to the front!' during lit class had been any indication. Or math class. Or English class.
But right now, there was no one to tell him where else to look, and therefore he was free to look at Tohru, smiling, as she continued to talk about her day.
"I do feel nervous about finals, though. Even though I tried my best to stay on top of my work in the hospital, there's just so much to make up!" Tohru sighed, feeling the familiar anxious twist in her gut when she thought about tests. All throughout high school, it had been the same; no matter how hard she tried, she had never been able to get comfortable with test taking. Among the many things she'd missed out on while she was in the hospital were first-term finals, and while she'd been given a little over a week to study and prepare before taking them the following Tuesday, there was...a lot to study.
And while it was true she had made an effort to study in the hospital, she admittedly hadn't had the best focus, not when it came to schoolwork.
Kyo was properly sympathetic, and did his best to encourage her. "Hey, I'm sure you'll do great. You and Yuki'll be studying together, and you know how good you always do with his help." Kyo and Yuki might still not be on the best of terms, but he could give credit where credit was due: the Rat was a damn good teacher.
"Yes, but he only has so much time, Kyo. You know how busy this week is, preparing for the student council handoff!"
There was so much Tohru couldn't believe about her life right now. So much had happened in the past two weeks, so much more in the past two days, that it was almost impossible to process. Thinking about things like school and finals and term schedules seemed almost laughably simplistic, but in a good way.
This is what things were supposed to be like when you were a high school student, right? Going to school, studying for tests, looking forward to summer break...
And holding hands with your boyfriend.
Just over two weeks ago, Tohru's entire world had felt like it was crashing down around her. She had stood barefoot in the rain, listening as Kyo told her how he'd been there, that horrible day that Kyoko died. How he'd seen the car coming, how he could have saved her, but hadn't, too afraid of transforming to risk grabbing her. How he'd seen her, lying there, and heard her tell him she'd never forgive him. And how he'd run, unable to face the guilt and shame. How he couldn't forgive himself, and never expected Tohru to, either.
There had been more, so much more, and telling her had nearly broken him. It had nearly broken her to hear it. But it didn't matter, none of it. She couldn't believe it, couldn't believe it was true. Couldn't believe that her mother, her amazing, kind, wonderful mother, could ever look at anyone and say that. And even if she could...
It didn't matter. It couldn't matter. Not what he did, not what he didn't do. She couldn't stand there and pass judgement, couldn't make that call to forgive or not. No matter what he thought, no matter how he felt, she couldn't blame him. She'd never be able to blame him.
Because she loved him.
And when she told him, she felt as though her heart was breaking. Breaking through the ties that held her bound to her mom, holding Kyoko close. But she didn't care, because she couldn't. It had taken her so long to get to this point, but she knew. And she had to tell him.
"I'm disappointed in you."
His words had cut through her even more sharply than Akito's knife. The voice that had so recently told her he never would now said those same words so coldly, so dispassionately. But his eyes...his eyes had been so scared. Wide and alight with fear, even while he tried to push her away. And then he'd run...
Everything that happened afterwards had felt so fast, so tumbled in her mind. Akito. The knife. Akito's fear. Running. The cliff. The pain...
Kyo's face, streaked with tears, crying over her...
"It'll be ok, Kyo, it's all going to be ok."
She didn't remember anything else until the hospital, lying in her bed with bandages on her head and arm, an IV, and enough pain meds to knock out a dragon. Her body hurt, badly, and once she was able to fully process what happened she understood why. But those bodily aches were nothing, not compared to the ache in her heart.
Everyone had been so kind to her while she was in the hospital; she had more visitors than she knew what to do with. Uo-chan and Hana-chan; Yuki. Momiji. Hatsuharu, Kisa, Shigure, Ayame, Hatori. Isuzu had come, even hating hospitals as she did. Kagura, even though they'd just had a fight. Yuki's friend Kakeru, for some strange reason. Grandpa.
Akito.
But no Kyo. In the two weeks she was there, he never came. And even with as many other visitors as she had, that absence hurt far worse than any physical pain. There could be only one reason, one explanation for why he wasn't there.
He didn't love her.
If anyone asked why she cried, she blamed it on her pain. And she wasn't lying; her heart hurt, just as badly as any part of her body. Even the sound of his name was like a knife to her nerves, enough to fill her eyes with tears and every fiber of her being with an ache that just wouldn't go away.
Fortunately, it didn't take long for the few who'd asked to get the hint. After that, it was a little bit easier; easier, because she didn't have to pretend anymore. When her friends were with her, she could smile, and laugh; talk about school, talk about her experiences with her doctors and nurses. Though really, that was all just a different form of pretending
It was only when she was alone that she'd allow herself to think about him, replaying that rainy conversation in her mind. His voice, his face. His horrible, gut-wrenching words. How much she'd felt...how much she was still feeling.
And she'd cry, thankful for having so many excuses if someone caught her.
It took several days, but finally, the pain felt like it might be lessening. Thinking about him still hurt, but that pain no longer stabbed; instead, it had become more like a dull, persistent throb. And it continued to throb, as she tried to come to terms with what she had to do.
She loved him, but that wasn't enough if he didn't love her. She couldn't do that to him, couldn't force herself on him. Couldn't make him keep reliving those horrible moments that he felt when he saw her, when she told him how she felt.
She needed to let him go.
And somehow, she would. She'd manage. She would take this time, time spent away from him and his smile, away from his voice, away from the way he'd turn to look at her, the way he'd roll his eyes at her affectionately when she said something silly. The way he'd ask if she was ok when she wasn't, the way he'd ask if she was cold when she was. The ways he always seemed to notice every little thing, things no one else ever saw.
She'd learn to ignore it, all of it. How he made her feel. The way she'd hoped...dreamed...imagined that he might have felt, too. She'd learn to smile when she saw him, with no hint of tears. To bring herself back to the way things had been before, when they were just friends.
She could be happy, being his friend.
Right?
Two days ago, she'd been released from the hospital. She still had bandages on her arm, and she would for some time; her stitches had started to dissolve, but her wounds had been nasty, and would need the protection for at least another week. But as far as the hospital was concerned, she was good to go; the danger was passed, and as long as she made a point to be careful and avoid strenuous activity or heavy lifting for a time, she could resume normal life.
She knew she should be excited about that. She'd been in the hospital for so long, it would be wonderful to be out again, resuming her normal routine. But it was difficult to be excited, at least right away. She knew it would be hard, seeing Kyo the first time. And probably a few times after that, maybe more.
But she'd do her best. She'd keep smiling, keep reminding him that it was ok. That all of it was ok, and he didn't have to worry about her.
That had been the plan, anyway, but it all went out the window the moment she turned and saw Kyo standing there outside of the hospital, looking at her. Everything she'd wanted, everything she'd practiced, flew right out the window as she turned and took off, running away from the hospital and Kyo as fast her legs would carry her.
It had been too soon. She couldn't do it, couldn't face him. She needed more time...
She hadn't seen him get ahead of her, but then he was there, breathing hard and looking at her. Saying her name, "Tohru," in that way that made her heart flip.
She couldn't do it. Changing direction she took off again, her feet moving without any direction. All that mattered was getting away, all that mattered was having a chance to collect herself. None of her practice had prepared her for this, for how hard it would be to actually see him.
She ran until she couldn't run anymore, then collapsed onto a long stone bench with tears in her eyes. She'd been lying to herself; she hadn't forgotten. She couldn't get over him, couldn't let him go. Couldn't face him, knowing that she couldn't be with him, that he didn't care.
And then he had been there once more, looking at her with a face she couldn't read. Ignoring her pleas to stay back, to give her space to collect herself. She hated having him see her like that, knew it would only make him upset. And whatever else she was feeling, he didn't deserve that.
None of it was his fault; not what had happened to her mom, not what had happened to her.
Not even if he didn't love her.
But he hadn't given her that time, hadn't been scared by her tears. He'd walked right up to her, taken her hand, and dropped to his knees. And then...
Everything after that had been like the most beautiful, unbelievable dream. He loved her. He loved her, and he wanted to be with her, always. He wanted her to stay with him, her and no one else. Her, holding his hand.
When he kissed her, Tohru didn't know what to think, or to feel. For so long she dreamed of him, dreamed of them. In the past two weeks she'd tried to forget him, tried to give up on this. But now he was here, and he was in front of her; he loved her, and he was kissing her. She could only look at him with wide eyes, even with his lips on hers, but it was enough.
Or it was, for that one moment. Until Kyo took her in his arms, the two of them accepting what would happen, but neither of them caring. Willing to risk it, willing to deal with it, just to have one precious moment together, one fleeting second where they could forget everything other than themselves.
And then...nothing. Nothing. She had held him, and he had stayed there, strong and real and a man in her arms. No poof of smoke, no cat...just him. Just Kyo.
Watching Kyo step back, his hand coming up to wipe his tears, Tohru hadn't really been able to process what was happening. Then he turned, and she watched as he brought his right hand to his bracelet and ripped it right off, the beads flying off in every direction. And he still stood there...Kyo.
Tohru hadn't been able to contain herself then, and she broke into hysterical sobs. And those sobs had sank into Kyo's chest when he turned and held her tightly, his own tears dripping, unnoticed, onto her head.
So much had happened, in such a short amount of time. Trying to collect themselves long enough to find her friends, and act normally while they told Uotani and Hanajima that everything was going to be ok. Racing to the dojo, find Master Kazuma and telling him the unbelievable news. Seeing Hatsuharu, and learning that he and Isuzu were free, too.
Seeing Akito, and realizing the truth.
Tohru hadn't known what to think, or what to feel. It was like everything she'd wanted was coming to pass all at once, crowding in too fast and too furiously to allow her to properly appreciate it. She wanted to find all the Zodiacs, to cry with them, to hug them. This moment had been so long in coming for all of them, and they were all so dear to her...
'What is it that's most precious to you?'
But none of that mattered, not really. Not right away, not when she had Kyo's hand in hers. Not when she could hold him close.
Not when he told her he loved her.
That first day had been magical, the most beautiful of daydreams. But then the night had come, and with the darkness came the nightmares.
Tohru had been confused to wake in the night and hear Kyo on the roof. Then that confusion had become fear, as she looked at him and realized how hard he was shaking, how deeply he was breathing. How much he was struggling.
In the end, he had calmed down. And the two of them had sat together on the roof in the pre-dawn with Tohru held tightly in his arms, until her head started to nod and they both finally went back to bed. But they had both realized that first night that as beautiful as things were, even the most beautiful present could do nothing to change the past, or immediately dispel the fears it had brought.
They had both slept late the next morning, and when they awoke, they felt better. Greeting each other had felt strange; in spite of everything that had passed between them, they were each suddenly shy.
Or perhaps it was more because of everything that had passed between them.
Their awkwardness wasn't lost on either Yuki or Shigure, and Shigure wasted no time in teasing them, the same way he always did. And they'd turned red, the same way they always did, with only one small difference.
"Ah, the sweet and precious innocence of youth; one might almost think you two were in love."
Yes, they'd both blushed, but as they did they both turned to look at each other with a smile. And it was Kyo, who jutted out his jaw and looked at Shigure.
"So what if we are?"
A bomb going off in the room might have made less of an impact on Shigure.
"What? What? What is this, this thing happening right in front of me?"
Shigure had zipped across the room to take Tohru's hands, looking at her earnestly. "Tell me truly, Tohru, because my poor heart can't take any teasing on the subject. Are you, at long last, actually involved with this brute in a romantic way?"
Tohru was still crimson, and she wasn't quite sure how to respond. She certainly didn't agree with the characterization of Kyo, but as for the rest of it...
Her hands still captured by Shigure, she looked over at Kyo, who was also still red and glaring daggers at Shigure. But both her smile and her voice were soft and loving when she answered Shigure's question.
"Yes, we are."
Shigure had let go of her hands with an exaggerated exhale and collapsed at his place at the table. "My goodness...this certainly has been quite the weekend, hasn't it?" Then he smiled at them, his manner as bright and teasing as ever. "Congratulations, you two, or should I say 'it's about time?'"
Kyo couldn't take any more of this and he turned and retreated into the kitchen. But Tohru was smiling, shyly, but still happily.
"Though I would like to remind you both that, as your guardian, I will still be taking any and all chaperoning responsibilities seriously. As much as I adore young love, I'd like to remind you both that you are still in high school and ought to keep your hands and most other body parts to yourselves."
In the kitchen, Kyo practically choked on his milk. "Dammit, Shigure!"
And in the living room, Tohru had gotten about five shades redder.
Yuki had been sitting at the living room table the entire time, and Tohru finally looked at him as she tried to compose herself after Shigure's comment. He was looking at her thoughtfully, and at first she was anxious, not knowing exactly what to say to him.
But there was nothing he needed her to say. When she looked his way, he gave her a smile, that gentle, sweet Yuki smile that she knew and loved.
"If you're happy, Miss Honda, then I'm happy for you."
And Tohru's relieved smile had been bright enough to light up the room as she replied, "Thank you, Yuki; I really, really am."
That had been yesterday; today had been her first day back at school. And it had been strange, after everything that had happened, to be back in school, worrying about how far behind she was on her classwork and wondering just how she was going to manage to prepare for her finals in only a week. But it had been nice, too, seeing her friends and classmates, to settle back into routine.
A routine that had gotten even better with time.
Momiji's voice had carried the entire length of the hallway when he happily cried out "Tohru!" and raced up to hug her. Hugging him, feeling him and knowing he wouldn't transform, was the absolutely wonderful. Hatsuharu had hugged her too, though his hug had made her blush. But it had been amazing, too, and as she stood looking at the four Sohmas she realized with a jolt that this was how it would be, going forward.
This was how they would be, all of them.
It had been enough to start her crying again, which had resulted in Yuki, Kyo and Momiji all practically falling over themselves to make sure that she hadn't somehow injured her arm hugging someone while Haru simply handed her a hankie. And as she'd wiped her eyes, she'd done her best to reassure them all that she was actually ok.
Much, much, better than ok.
Tohru's desk was further forward than Kyo's, so she couldn't look at him without actually turning her head. That meant that over the course of the day she was relegated to merely thinking about him, or trying not to think about him in a somewhat desperate attempt to focus on her lessons and the work she needed to do to catch up. But every time one of the teachers stopped, glancing to the back of the room with a frown and saying "Eyes to the front, Mr. Sohma," Tohru would smile and try not to blush.
Once class was dismissed, Tohru had needed to stay behind for a little while to talk to Sensei Shiraki about her makeup work. But once that meeting was over, Tohru hurried as fast as she could to change her school slippers for shoes and find Kyo, hoping to see him before he was gone to the dojo.
She hadn't needed to worry; as she came out of the school, she saw him immediately, standing by the gate and talking to Yuki.
Waiting for her.
And when he saw her coming, his whole face lit up. Yuki had smiled, and given Tohru a little wave before touching Kyo's shoulder and saying something to him. Then, to Tohru's surprise, Yuki simply turned and walked away, not even waiting for Tohru to reach them before he left.
But that surprise only lasted for a moment. Then a warm feeling settled inside of her as she realized that Yuki was giving her a chance to be alone with Kyo, something that hadn't happened yet that day.
As her eyes went right to Kyo's, she couldn't be more grateful.
"Hey, you," he said, his voice soft as she approached, and she felt herself blushing in response. But she was smiling; as strange and new as this all felt, it was a good strange.
"Hi," she said, her voice strangely shy. "Thank you so much for waiting! I know you have to go to the dojo today, so I wasn't sure if you would."
Kyo was smiling back. "Of course I would, I wanted to. You really think I was gonna leave you to walk home alone on your first day back?"
When he put it that way, then of course he wouldn't, and she couldn't believe she'd ever thought he might.
"Well...I'm glad you waited," she admitted, and he chuckled.
"Me too, Tohru." His expression turned lightly teasing, as did his voice as he said "I wasn't sure if you'd be even able to walk, given you had to meet with Sensei Shiraki. She can be pretty intimidating!"
Tohru giggled at that, and reached out to playfully push at his arm. "I was not nervous to talk to Sensei, Kyo! I was really happy, actually; she was so nice, letting me know the timeline for my makeups and giving me some suggestions for how to maximize my study time." Tohru tapped at her bookbag, where she'd put the papers from Sensei, and Kyo smiled before reaching out to take her hand.
He'd held her hand a several times over the past two days, but the touch still sent a thrill right through her. His hands were strong and rough against hers, his fingers threading easily through her smaller ones. And she could only look at him, a blush on her face and a smile on her lips, as he picked up their joined hands and gently kissed the back of hers.
"Well, I'm glad, Tohru. Glad your talk went well, glad I get to walk home with you, just...glad," he said, smiling as he lowered their hands.
And as they left the school grounds side by side, Tohru could only be glad, too.
Author's Note: Hello and welcome to my latest foray into Kyoru land; this time, we're going right back to the beginning, the start of the OTP to end all OTPs (at least for me). I'll be pulling from both the 2019 anime and the manga for this story, though as my first love is the manga that means I'll usually defer to the manga where the story differs. I hope you enjoy!