"Wow, it's so lively!" You said in excitement, your hands tightening in Shinichiro's hold as you pulled him along.
"It is the Tsukimi festival after all," Shinichiro grinned, his eyes sparkling in amusement as he looked around.
The Tsukimi festival is the Japanese variant of the Mid-Autumn festival where people celebrate the beauty of the moon and go 'moon viewing', marvelling at its symbol of harmony and unity.
Lanterns were strung up everywhere, glowing like a ball of fire, lighting the dark sky up. Stalls were packed with festival-goers, and laughter and excited chatter rang through the vibrant atmosphere.
"It's so colourful and pretty," You said, delighted by the decorations and efforts put in to make the place seem so effortless and full of life.
"Yeah, but you're prettier," Shinichiro replied, looking straight at you.
You rolled your eyes and nudged him, blushing. "Stop it."
Behind you, Wakasa pretended to gag, making Emma and Senju - Takeomi's little sister, laugh.
"Can we go buy some takiyaki?" Mikey deadpanned, looking bored as ever despite the liveliness dancing around him.
Haruchiyo - Takeomi's little brother, raised a brow, "Didn't you just have some a minute ago?"
Mikey shrugged, "They were just starters."
"Mikey, you're gonna get fat." Baji tutted, making you bite back a chuckle.
"Well, we're gonna leave you two lovebirds to it," Takeomi said to you and Shinichiro. "Me, Waka and Benkei will look after the kids."
"Wait, what- I did not agree to this," Wakasa exclaimed.
"You agreed to this when you decided to tag along," Shinichiro said.
"I didn't realise babysitting was involved," Wakasa frowned.
Benkei shoved a lollipop into Wakasa's mouth, effectively shutting him up.
"Catch you two later!"
As the group disappeared into the sea of crowd, Shinichiro looked down at you. "Sooo, pretty girl, what do you wanna do first?"
"I don't know. What do you wanna do first?" You bounced the question back. Looking around, your eyes lit up. "Ooh, I know! Let's go get some tsukimi dangos!"
Shinichiro looked to the direction you were pointing and nodded. "Let's go!" He tugged you along, keeping you close to his side so he that he wouldn't lose you in the mass of people.
Your mouth watered at the sight of the yellow and white dangos in your hand. You happily took a bite and chewed them, savouring the sweet filling as they filled your mouth. They were so worth the wait.
Shinichiro smiled softly as you ate to your heart's content. He loved it when you were happy. When you were happy, so was he. Your smiles always soften his heart and make the butterflies dance around it. It was his favourite feeling.
"They taste so good, don't they?" You sighed contentedly.
Shinichiro nodded, "It tastes even better with you next to me,"
You let out a loud laugh. I swear to god, this boy will be the undoing of me. Always so cheesy, but you loved it - secretly.
When he noticed that you were already on your last dango, he offered you his. He was too busy staring at you to eat his dangos anyway, besides he wanted to keep you happy.
You arched your brow.
"Like I said before. Anything for you, pretty girl." He replied, holding his stick of dangos against your lips, lightly prodding your mouth to open.
The sweet scent was too tempting. You took a bite.
"Mmm," You hummed in appreciation.
Shinichiro smiled broadly, his cheeks wide and cute. "I can't believe you're really my girl, here with me and all. I swear you're an angel sent from heaven just for me. My angel. I wanna take care of you for the rest of my life, I love taking care of you, seeing you happy, but what I love the most is you. I love you so much and- shit I'm just rambling on and on aren't I?"
"Shin, I love you too." You laughed, your heart bubbling with warmth and love for the boy in front of you. He was way too fucking cute and a complete dork.
"I think the moon is making me all sappy and lovesick," He said, looking up to the beautiful full moon.
"Aren't you always like that anyway?" You joked.
"Hmm you're right and you're the cause of it, pretty girl." He said pulling you by your hand so that you fall into his chest.
His eyes sparkled with mischief and sincerity that you couldn't help but stare up at him softly. You smile and so does he. You lean your head closer and so does he. Until he presses his lips against yours. It was almost like a caress but intense all the same because of the raw emotions being poured into it. You could feel his love and he could feel yours. It was sugary and sweet. Gentle and warm. It was just you and him. No words were needed.
All too soon, the two of you slowly pulled back, cheeks flushed pink and shy grins tugging your lips.
"That was..." Shinichiro started to say, his fingers grazing his lips as his gaze drifted from your lips to your eyes.
"Unpleasant to see."
Turning your head, you saw Wakasa and the rest of the gang making their way towards you and Shinichiro.
"Bit unnecessary," Shinichiro replied, throwing his arm around his friend. And to add salt to the wound, Shinichiro smirked, "No need to sulk just because you lost all your pack of lollipops to Takeomi,"
"I will fucking drop-kick you to the North Pole," Wakasa growled.
"A free ticket to see the polar bears? Thank you for your generosity, Waka." Shinichiro grinned, patting Wakasa's shoulder.
Wakasa slapped his hand away. "I hope you freeze to death there,"
"The polar bears will adopt me and keep me warm,"
"Won't the polar bears eat you?" Emma frowned cutely.
"Of course not, they're just like your cute lil' teddy bears," Shinichiro replied with a reassuring smile.
You let out a snort. Stupid Shinichiro.
"Okay, let's find a seat and go moon viewing! I bought some moon cakes from a stall!" Takeomi said, holding up a tray of golden brown moon cakes.
"They look so good!" You said, intertwining your arm with Shinichiro's.
Benkei found a quiet spot under a large tree, a little distance away from the bustling festival for everyone.
Sitting down on the grass, Shinichiro pulled you down and snuggled you between his legs. You leant back into his chest, smiling up to the bright moon.
Takeomi laid the tray of mooncakes on the grass and everyone reached over for one.
"They're so yummy, aren't they, Haru nii-chan?" Senju smiled at her older brother.
"Mhm," Haru agreed, smiling back at her.
The younger Akashi siblings are so adorable, you thought to yourself.
Mikey, Emma and Baji sat beside them, laughing and chatting animatedly. They were so carefree. It almost made you want to be a kid again, where you didn't have worries and stress weighing down on your shoulders. Childhood are the best years. You miss it.
"Whatcha thinking about, angel?" Shinichiro asked, absent-mindedly brushing your hair with his fingers.
"I miss being a kid," You replied, twirling a strand of your hair.
"You do?"
"Yes, don't you?" You asked, looking up.
He deliberated over the question for a few seconds and answered. "Maybe a bit. But to be honest, I can't wait to grow older."
"Really?" You asked, curious.
He nodded, "I've decided that soon, maybe a year or a few, I'll be stepping down as the president of Black Dragon,"
"You're gonna quit and let someone else take over ?" You said, surprised since Black Dragon had a rep of being the most influential gang and unparalled fame
within the district. Led by Shinichiro, it rules over Shibuya and continues to spread its prominent influence from day to day.
"Yeah, I can't be a delinquent for all my life, silly." Shinichiro laughed, "I need to earn a living to look after my family... and you," He said, tapping your nose.
You blushed, nudging his legs, "Are you hinting at something?"
"We both know it'll happen one day, pretty girl," He grinned cheekily. "But for the time being, I'm already content enough by being your boyfriend."
Your heartbeat quickened and you tilted your head so you could look at the boy who's stolen your heart. He was looking down at you too, his dark eyes filled with tenderness and silent promises.
You looked away bashfully after a few seconds, and pointed up to the sky, "The moon is beautiful isn't it?"
He looked up to where you were pointing and rested his head on yours. "The moon has always been beautiful," He whispered.
