-so i just realized that some of you are going to have your little hearts ripped out before the end of this story and i apologize for that before hand o.o-
-luckily there is still quite some time to prepare and get further attached to character's happiness as they exist-
monsters are
Giroro- Ganrougel
Keroro- Kurse
Tamama- Taiki
Dororo- Aldmora
Kururu- Krueger
Mois- Molioke
Later in the evening, Koyuki left for home and Natsumi was cooking dinner. She hummed and slightly danced as she shaped beef patties. Her attention was only diverted when she heard the sliding glass doors open and close.
Ganrougel quickly turned his eyes away from her and crossed his arms. "Sorry I was gone so long."
"It's alright." Natsumi turned back to her station. "Sorry if I seemed weird and running off earlier when I was calling Koyuki."
"I figured that was because I pretty much cornered you." Ganrougel sighed.
"Well no, it was because I didn't know how I felt." Natsumi gave a small smile over her shoulder. "You didn't do anything wrong. I'm happy you felt like you could confide in me. Everyone needs someone for support and trust."
"You're too kind." Ganrougel blushed slightly.
"I just want to make sure I understand everything correctly." Natsumi set a few patties on a pan and turned back to Ganrougel, wiping her hands clean on her apron.
"L-like what?" Ganrougel stuttered and rubbed his neck.
"Earlier you were talking about how you had these feelings about me..." Natsumi blushed and struggled to maintain eye contact but powered through it. "Just what kind of feelings are they? Do you just really want to keep me safe? Do you really just want to be friends or... is there another meaning?"
Ganrougel lost his breath. He feel his chest and throat stiffen. "W-what do you mean?"
"I mean, do you like me like a crush or significant other?" Natsumi's face flush completely red. Her eyes squinted like she wanted to hide and glanced to the floor. She felt scared when he didn't answer. Her voice trembled and her hands gripped the edges of her apron. "Or did I just feel like you were saying that because I might?"
Ganrougel's eyes locked onto Natsumi. Onto her shaking body that looked like it was going to break if he didn't say something. Once again only Natsumi could leave him surprised. He couldn't manage any voice or words. Not even a half gagged attempt would escape him even as his mind flurried.
"I'm sorry if I read it wrong." Natsumi choked, trying to swallow the disgusting lump in her throat as she turned back to the stove and wiped her cheek. She tried to stop the tears but she couldn't. She gasped when warm arms wrapped around her shoulders and over her chest. Natsumi placed her hands on his as he rested his forehead on the top of her head.
"Natsumi I-I... I didn't want to say it like that earlier because I don't really know if I am. I've never cared or loved someone before and I didn't know if it would be too much for you. If it would be an abomination to be like that with something like me." Ganrougel whispered.
"It's kinda the same for me. I only know family love and I've had small crushes before but, you treat me like me and everything you've done lately has been to help me and protect me." Natsumi whimpered as she wiped her cheeks again. "I realized something today too. I think the side of you that I knew as a child and feared and hated, was just misguided and angry. Kurse said that you forgot what happened to you before you woke up hunting traitors. That alone says you must have been human before and when you were tearing out your horns and bones you were so disgusted by what happened. I don't think you hunted all those people just because they were traitors.
This new side of you I see, has feelings and can care. You're loyal to your friends and won't hurt the innocent. You even cared about me before we found out I was actually a special human with magic. I think I love this new side, the true side."
"I can't just be summed up into a changed man. I enjoy the hunt. The feel of the kill is a rush." Ganrougel admitted. He waited for Natsumi to send him away but when she didn't he continued. "I don't want to disappoint you if you don't see that first."
"You hunted me when I was a kid, I can remember the things you would tell me and how you laughed a little darkly. I think I know better than anyone else already." Natsumi chuckled.
"You're right." Ganrougel smirked.
Natsumi pulled Ganrougel's arms open and turned. She looked up to him with tear stained cheeks and sparkling eyes. She looked upon his features again, taking them in with new affection. She knew he wasn't this way by choice and she felt bad for him.
"I hope you don't love me out of pity either." Ganrougel chuckled as he watched her wondering eyes.
"What kind of girl do you think I am?" Natsumi stuck out her tongue and winked.
"You're perfect to me is what I think." Ganrougel sighed. Natsumi almost melted under his words. No one complimented her like that. She blushed as he leaned down and pressed his forehead to hers.
Being the kind of girl who took initiative, Natsumi grew curious and quickly stepped to her toes and kissed Ganrougel's cheek. She ignored the stitches and obvious skull and quickly turned back to the food as she blushed brightly. Ganrougel was stunned and allowed himself to smile a little too happily.
He wrapped his arms around her waist and rested his chin on her shoulder. "C-can I have another one?"
Natsumi giggled. "I didn't think you'd like it that much."
"I didn't either." Ganrougel nudged his cheek against hers. He now hungered for her affection knowing they both felt the same for each other. He tried not to pull her away from the stove but he couldn't stop his little tugs with his arms still around her waist.
"I can't let the food burn." Natsumi laughed.
"Sorry. You just make me feel so good and I don't want to let you go." Ganrougel smiled. "It feels good knowing I don't have to hide these feelings from you."
"But you should probably hide them from my brother who will probably loose his mind over it just the nerding out alone. Also Krueger would have a field day making fun of you." Natsumi began flipping the patties. "I promise I'm not going anywhere ok? No one's going to take me from you."
"That's true. I mean all of it, everything you just said is true." Ganrougel clarified. He sighed and pulled himself away from her.
"Has no one ever shown you love or affection?" Natsumi asked almost half joking.
"You're the first human I've approached who I won't kill and everyone else I know doesn't seem to care about me." Ganrougel answered easily. "Molioke's too chirpy too. I don't know how Krueger let's her stay in his house since he really hates those kind of people."
"Ouch. I'm sure Kurse and Aldmora think of you like a close friend. I mean you can all joke with each other right?" Natsumi winced. "Also I thought Krueger and Molioke were like kind of a thing."
"Oh no. Krueger was just accidentally nice to her once and for some reason he hasn't kicked her out yet. I think something happened between them that he won't admit so he's too afraid to do something about her, but he will always deny being in love with her or something." Ganrougel leaned against his spot of the wall.
"Wouldn't that just prove it even more?" Natsumi chuckled.
"It might. Just don't ask him about it he might kill you. I only get to mock him because he literally can't kill me." Ganrougel smirked.
"I'll do my best but letting an innocent and happy person like that walk over him really brings down the threat level." Natsumi finished the patties and began setting them on buns and plates. "One more thing is my mom is actually supposed to be home tonight and you definitely don't want her to find out about our feelings."
"What could a human do to me?" Ganrougel raised an eyebrow.
"Dude you can fight and have killed before but nothing compares to my mom when she's mad. She will hang you over a mantle she buys just to hang you over it." Natsumi casually described.
"Then why did you hide me from her all these years. You could have had some help." Ganrougel asked.
"I thought she would say I was crazy and put me into therapy. She already thought I was mentally scarred when I saw you as a deer with your rotting face." Natsumi explained.
"Ah." Ganrougel nodded.
"Now shoo everyone will be here soon." Natsumi walked up to Ganrougel and playful pushed against his arms.
"Fine but I'm hiding in your room so don't jump when you get in there." Ganrougel smiled as he watched her struggle more and more against him.
"OK just go." Natsumi huffed as she actually ended up trying to push him out but couldn't get him to move. He was like a stone statue. Ganrougel left the room and began to head up the stairs. Natsumi could hear his heavy hooves clopping over the carpet. She crossed her arms and sighed. "He better stay quiet up there."
"Who has to stay quiet?" Aki asked as she leaned in from the doorway.
"Oh mom! Hey welcome home!" Natsumi chirped up and smiled bright. She hoped enough distraction and love would make her forget. "Look I made burgers for dinner."
"They look great sweetie but I'm going to have to go back to work." Aki frowned. "I'm really sorry."
"No, it's no problem. I know you have to work." Natsumi forced her smile to stay as she quickly pulled a few things from the cupboard. She wrapped up a couple of the burgers and held them out to Aki. "Here you can enjoy them at work."
"Thanks hun." Aki smiled and hugged her daughter. "Tell you're brother I love him and I'll try to get some real time off soon."
"I will." Natsumi nodded.
"And I will give you some time to figure out how to explain who's hiding upstairs." Aki winked.
"What? Oh no that's just something I say sometimes you know. Kids say stupid things." Natsumi blushed and waved her hands dismissively.
"Don't worry, I trust you. I know you're just fifteen but you already can handle the house with just you and your brother. You can make good and strong decisions. Just make sure they know what kind of girl you are and what kind of mama you have." Aki smiled.
Natsumi smiled contently. "Ok. Thanks."
"I'll see you later hun." Aki waved as she grabbed a few papers, the burgers, and headed back outside.
"Bye." Natsumi waved. Once the door was closed Natsumi sighed and returned to the kitchen. She removed her apron and grabbed a burger for herself. She walked upstairs and knocked on Fuyuki's door to let him know about the food and Aki's schedule. Natsumi then opened her door and dropped down on her bed. Ganrougel stood in the middle of the room.
"What's wrong?" Ganrougel asked worried.
"Mom has to go back to work so she only grabbed a couple burgers and left again." Natsumi bit into her burger casually.
"That sucks." Ganrougel didn't know what else to say she clearly was used to it but he knew it still got to her.
Natsumi held out her burger. "Here, wanna try a bite?"
"I don't need to eat food remember? I'm dead." Ganrougel gestured to his body.
"Have you at least tried eating food? It might not be necessary but you might like it." Natsumi frowned.
Ganrougel accepted the burger and scrutinized it. Soon he opened his mouth of fangs and easily swallowed it whole. The juicy meat was a surprise for him. Every vegetable and spice brought a new element. "It's very good."
Natsumi smiled and giggled for the first time since she got back. "You got some mustard on your cheek."
"What?" Ganrougel wasn't adjusted to getting food on him. He only ever wiped dirt and blood from himself. Natsumi walked over to him and wiped the yellow sauce from his lip and licked it from her fingertip. She giggled and winked to Ganrougel as he melted from her attention and cuteness. "You little human, have too much power over me."
"You know you love it." Natsumi teased. She gasped softly and held her breath when he grabbed her hand and pulled her close.
"I do." Ganrougel ran his fingers over her cheek and tilted her head as she lulled under his gaze. He had seen humans treating others with tender care and declaring that they were in love with each other but he never really understood it until now when he had Natsumi before him and returning his feelings. "If I ever do anything you don't like, stop me."
Natsumi nodded as she let him lean closer. She closed her eyes and waited for the contact. The explosion of a new sensitive experience. Ganrougel closed his eye and slowly waited for her to shove him away. He carefully brushed his lips to hers. A tingle shot through his chest. Natsumi burnt bright pink. Her first kiss being given and accepted so carefully with love. She leaned closer, as if to give him permission. Ganrougel slowly and eagerly kissed more passionately. His heart started warming with a flame as he and Natsumi continued.
Ganrougel placed a hand behind her head and held her tight to him. Natsumi still held onto his hand as her head spun. She swore she would have fallen from her weak knees if he wasn't holding her. They parted only when Natsumi was short of breath and she stumbled. "Are you ok?"
"Yeah... I just think I'm a little dizzy." Natsumi smiled slightly ashamed of her display of weakness.
"Then you should sit down." Ganrougel swiftly picked her up like a bride and carried her to her bed. "Sorry about that. I should have noticed sooner."
"It's ok." Natsumi blushed and fiddled with her skirt even though it was straight. "I-I liked it."
"Really?" Ganrougel stumbled slightly. He rubbed the back of his neck. "I'm surprised I don't taste or smell like death or something."
"No, you remind me more of like warm food." Natsumi giggled. "And you smell like an earthy kind of tone.
"If you're comparing me to food, you must be starving." Ganrougel teased as he sat on the edge of her bed.
"I'm just really comfortable around you." Natsumi replied. "I should probably get ready for bed though. I'm sure my friends at school are going to ask about you."
"Wait, can you explain that please?" Ganrougel looked down on her, confused.
"They kept asking about what I always seemed to avoid them and everyone else and I made up a story about some boyfriend in witness protection and I could only think of you at the time but I couldn't give them your name so I said I would call you red around them." Natsumi laughed.
"Then I guess it's convenient that you and I happen to have a thing." Ganrougel teased and leaned forward, resting his hands on his knees.
"I guess so." Natsumi took a deep breath and after deciding that her head was clear enough she stood up and walked over to her dresser, pulling out a matching pink set of shorts and a tank top. "Now get out so I can change."
"I guess there's still boundaries huh?" Ganrougel teased as he stood up and walked to the door.
"Hey, if you want to see me naked, you have to work up to that." Natsumi blushed at the forwardness of her own statement. "I have standards."
"I'll see you in the morning then." Ganrougel snuck around her and kissed her cheek before stepping into the hall. Natsumi slowly closed the door and leaned against it as her heart fluttered. The wave of the days events crashed over her and she didn't regret any of it. She took pleasure in the happiness it all brought her. Although the day was good, long, and tiring, Natsumi found it extremely hard to sleep.