Chapter 5: Rhythm.
Smut Warning. Yes, it's pointless to warn this far lol but putting it here just in case. ;)
Dancing has always been one of life's pleasures for her. So much so that even Mitsuru took lessons so she won't partner with anyone else anymore. He has learned the steps, has spent hours practicing with her...until he became so skilled, so good at it, he took her breath away each time he danced.
She stopped dancing after they broke up. Kokoro simply couldn't bear it. Their last year in Junior High, was also the last school festival they've spent together before he got drafted to be a Stamen.
It had been Zero Two's idea. To perform a foreign dance known as a Bachata from Latin America for their class participation in the festival. It was like Salsa, only more intimate.
So sensual, so seductive—watching Zero Two and Hiro demonstrate the dance had been so mesmerizing and made a lot of people blush.
Kokoro didn't think she would be able to dance in such a way, until Mitsuru told her to simply trust him, to entrust herself to him. The result had been pure magic.
They were too young but so in love, and he had known that to take her then when she still wasn't ready might scar her for life. That dance had been one of those instances that were the closest they've been to having sex.
On the dance floor as their bodies moved together as one, as she entrusted herself to him and matched his steps...desire slowly awakened, blossomed within her young body.
As their hearts beat faster, their breath raced harder, the entire world was forgotten in that instant, and with the frenzied thumping of the music, Kokoro felt all inhibition melt away as her body moved with graceful abandon, answering the urgent, sensual rhythm of his own...and as the music drummed up a breathless, delirious crescendo, a small cry broke from her lips, a cry of discovery, a taste of what it's like to be reborn.
She had forgotten how much she'd loved dancing until Zero Two and Miku pulled her in the middle of the room and began to playfully gyrate their hips against her.
"Oh my god, Zero Two!" Miku gasped as the pink haired girl began to undulate her body in such a fluid, sexy manner she and Kokoro blushed. "Teach me how to dance like that!"
"Just follow my lead, sweetie." Zero Two said as she slowed down her movements for Miku to imitate. "It's hard to do this for long without a partner. Whew!" She smiled.
Behind them, Ikuno sat with apt interest while Ichigo besides her ate a slice of cake.
"Looks like they're having fun. Why not join them?" Ichigo suggested.
"Never really cared much for dancing." Ikuno murmured quietly. "But got to admit, they look great."
"Karaoke time! Karaoke time!" Miku suddenly announced.
Ikuno groaned. "I really regret Nana allowed that thing to be installed in here."
"Why not?" Ichigo asked with a smile. "It's fun."
And then winced as Miku began to sing loudly but off key.
"'Cause I'm the Queen of the Night!
Queen of the Night!
Oh yeah! Oh yeah!
Take it Zero Two!"
"I've got the stuff that you want.
I've got the things that you need.
I've got more than enough,
to make you drop to your knees..."
The wild singing reached the boys' meeting, breaking the gloomy atmosphere in the room.
Hiro smiled as he heard Zero Two's voice. "Let's adjourn for now guys. I'll update you later."
"No complaints from here." Goro said. "I'm actually starving."
Mitsuru waited for the others to leave before quietly approaching Hiro. There were some things he needed to ask.
-o-
The first year after he broke up with Kokoro had been the worst and now his greatest insecurity. He didn't exactly live like a saint...on the contrary, he had been on the path of self-destruction until Hiro pulled him away from the abyss.
There had been some casualties. Girls who got caught in his crazed mission to forget, to purge Kokoro from his system. And there were things he did that he can't undo, sins that can never be washed away.
How will Kokoro handle it once she finds out about his past?
That had been his greatest fear. It's too late for him now, he's hooked in too deep, she had become too much a part of him, there would be nothing left if she walked away.
"Better that it comes from you, than have her know about it from someone else." Hiro advised him in that quiet, calm voice that had made his words easier to accept, no matter how unpleasant.
"I know." Mitsuru rubbed his face as if tired.
"It's not going to be easy." Hiro continued, "And it will definitely hurt her. But ultimately, once she embraces the truth, it would set you both free."
"I don't want to lose her. I can't lose her."
"Have faith in her love." Hiro patted his shoulder. "Kokoro may seem timid and easily influenced, but never underestimate what love can do."
Earlier, Goro had forewarned him that Kokoro was assigned in the same classroom where Minako, his ex-girlfriend was. Also known by her Code 375, she was supposed to be his Franxx partner until Mitsuru callously allowed another Stamen to take his place. Nevermind all the strings Minako pulled just to partner with him.
But to Mitsuru, she crossed the line he had explicitly told her never to attempt. After his disastrous first year in Mistilteinn, he had carefully chosen his girlfriends. All he could offer was some physical affection...but not emotional intimacy. The moment he sensed that they're falling in love with him, he'd dropped them without the slightest hesitation.
He's not exactly proud of the way he'd acted these past two years, but what can anyone expect from him who was simply surviving each day instead of living? He'd been dead inside since leaving Kokoro. A functional zombie.
Mitsuru sighed as he walked to his room. It would be a while before the girls released Kokoro from their clutches. He needed some time to think about how to tell her, she starts school on Monday, that's two days from now.
He thought he was too distressed to fall asleep but he was wrong, it was already late afternoon when he came back to consciousness. Cursing himself for the lost time, Mitsuru immediately went to look for Kokoro.
He found her in the greenhouse, digging up the soil in preparation for planting. In a different circumstance, the sight of the green watering can would have made him smile, but the heavy burden of what he's about to tell her wiped away any joy of seeing how much she'd treasured his gift.
"Hey." Kokoro smiled at him as he pushed the glass door to enter.
Dressed in the shabbiest clothes, strands of ash blonde hair framed her face in glorious disarray, even with the smear of dirt on her cheeks...she still looked so lovely to him, Mitsuru felt his chest tighten with emotion.
"We've got to talk." He said quietly.
-o-
She didn't understand why he looked so upset. Why he looked so much in pain. She didn't particularly care to hear about the things he had done to forget her. Or about his past girlfriends. Or even that one of them will be her classmate come Monday.
Kokoro could only look at him and wondered how to ease his obvious anguish.
Her lack of words, however, only magnified the dread in his chest.
His heart broke into tiny pieces with each second of her continued silence. And that pained expression on her face could only mean one thing. She couldn't accept his past, and now was preparing to break up with him in the gentlest way possible.
Something inside him snapped. No...even if she no longer wants him, he can never let her go.
"It's too late now..." Abruptly he stopped talking about his misdeeds. His voice now low, urgent. "I'm never letting you go."
Maybe, if he hadn't made her his...maybe if he hadn't known what it's like to die and be reborn in her arms, he could have kept his distance.
But no.
He has already experienced her love, has tasted the sweet surrender of her body, has known what it's like to share his very soul...there's no way he can ever let her go now.
"It's too late now." He said again, closing his eyes. "I'll never let you go. Even if you hate me now...Kokoro, I'll never let you go."
"Mitsuru...you're acting strange..." Kokoro said, confusion slowly seeping into her eyes. Hate him? "I don't under—"
He cupped her face as he leaned closer to her. "I will never harm a single hair on your head...but I can't let you go. I just can't. You will have to kill me."
Not understanding what's torturing him so much, Kokoro was at a complete loss for words and could only reach out to kiss him, hoping she could convey her feelings for him through touch instead.
Her kiss was completely unexpected, stole the breath from his body as if he'd been hit by a truck. But her lips were soft, gentle and so loving that somehow calmed the dark, raging storm within him. And stirred another.
Kokoro gasped but simply arched her head as he kissed his way down her throat— hard, biting kisses that would leave marks on her skin. His hands urgently sliding beneath her skirt dragging her underwear down until it fell around her ankles. She held his face with both hands as he pressed her against the glass wall of the greenhouse. Good lord, what if someone walks in on them? Can they be seen from the outside?
But there was no more time to think, she cried out as he pulled her leg over his hip, and then he was sliding, deep...deeper still. Oh god her body was still unprepared, his hard penetration burned, but she didn't push him away. Kokoro called his name as he pulled her hips closer, piercing her deeper until his cock touched the mouth of her womb.
Her fists clenched against his shoulders as she surrendered her body, his deep thrusts shocked her to the core, he was in too deep, too intimately locked in her flesh, she could feel the distinct beat of his heart, feel how their flesh tugged, rubbed together with the tiniest movement of his body, making her shudder from the indescribable pain/pleasure.
It was too much, he's way in too deep, he knew he should withdraw, ease up the pressure but he couldn't...this was bliss, heaven on earth, the fucking nirvana he'd always heard about...and he couldn't let her go. Never.
"What was that...all about?" Kokoro gasped moments later as she clung to him, her breath still erratic.
"I was afraid." Mitsuru groaned against her neck as he pulled her closer. Treacherous tears pricking his eyes.
"Afraid?" Kokoro repeated in shock, pulling back to look at his face. "Of what?" She asked as she cupped his cheeks.
"That you'd leave me...after knowing what I've done."
Oh god, was that why he'd looked at her that way? How could she have misunderstood him so completely?
"I can never do that." She said simply, touching the tear that slowly streaked down his cheek. Oh god, she can't bear to see him like this. "I don't care about your past...whoever this Michiko or...Minako or whatever is. She's in your past. All of them belong in your past. But I'm here to stay. It would be silly to be upset over someone who's already gone."
"Kokoro...baby, I don't deserve you."
"Hmm...but you're stuck with me." She smiled against his shoulder. "For better or worse."
-o-
"Have you managed to unpack anything?" He asked her, seeing that she wore a skirt and shirt, he had expected her to come wearing a nightgown or something.
"Only my clothes and toiletries." Kokoro smiled shyly as she stepped into his room. He was wearing nothing but white boxer shorts, and a shirt he didn't bother to button up, it was bedtime after all.
"Wait a sec, sweetheart." Mitsuru stopped her from closing the door behind her. Kokoro looked curiously as he took a necktie and hung it on the doorknob.
"What's that for?" She asked, gasping as he grabbed her by the hips and pulled her close.
Mitsuru kissed the tip of her nose and smiled. "Not sure about the girls, but among us boys, it's a sign not to disturb...unless urgent."
"Ohh." Kokoro suddenly felt shy. "Does this mean they'll know I'm here?"
"Trust me...it's better this way than have them barge in without warning." Mitsuru smiled.
"I'm not supposed to stay long. Miku is waiting for me." She whispered as she fiddled with the button of his shirt.
"I'm selfish. Especially when it comes to you." He murmured as he nuzzled her throat. "I don't want to share you with anyone."
Kokoro smiled as he leaned down to kiss her, their lips meeting softly at first. Affectionate, biting kisses that made her toes curl.
"I still feel like I'm dreaming..." She whispered as he pulled her close, and rested her cheek against his chest.
She heard the sharp intake of breath he made before he kissed the top of her head.
"Me too."
"Mitsuru...about the sleeping arrangement..."
"I know baby. I can wait until you're ready." He kissed the tip of her nose again. "I gave you the key so you can access my room anytime you like. No pressure to move in."
She smiled at him and kissed his cheek in silent thanks. He tugged her hand until they both sat on his bed. Kokoro leaned into him and simply basked in his presence. Moments like these, words weren't needed between them. They've always been comfortable with each other, whether in silence or in conversation.
She saw the rolls of paper on his desk and walked over to inspect them. Kokoro smiled when she saw the fountain pen she'd asked Kyou to give to him. It was the second and last gift, because Kyou's girlfriend had become suspicious of her. Kokoro was only grateful Mitsuru accepted it, she had feared he would dump them without a second look.
Mitsuru stood behind her and kissed her neck as she leaned down to pick a design sheet. The scent of apples rose from her hair, making him smile.
He was inking the pencil lines, Kokoro sighed as she realized it was another gun model, a small one.
He smiled as he wrapped his arms around her waist. "I'm careful, baby." He bit her ear playfully. "Don't look so worried."
"But..."
"Times are different now..." Mitsuru said in a low voice. "And now that you're here, all the more reason for me to do this."
"Alright." She said, "I won't question your need to do this, but you can't stop me from worrying."
"Oh, sweetheart." Mitsuru smiled, "You're still adorably stubborn."
She turned to face him and just slid her arms around his waist and said nothing as she laid her cheek against his chest, simply breathing in his scent, the fragrance of the soap he'd used...enjoyed the warmth of his skin.
"So what did you girls do? Aside from dissecting us boys apart?" He teased, trying to lighten up her mood as he kissed the top of her head.
"It was fun, we had some cake, did some singing...and dancing."
Mitsuru went still for an instant. "Dancing, huh?" His voice sounded deeper.
"Yeah...I picked up a new move from Zero Two..."
"The very first training between partners is actually dancing together."
"Really?" Kokoro was immediately interested. "What kind of dancing?"
"Oh nothing really raunchy." He smiled. "Just some old, plain lead and follow kind of dance. At first, I thought it was stupid, but then, thinking about it now, it actually makes sense."
He gave her one of the wireless earbuds while he put on the other. He handed his phone to her and allowed her to select the song.
''It won't make sense right now for you, it will be much clearer tomorrow when we do the connection exercise."
They started slowly at first, simply letting their bodies move to the beat of the music as they held hands. Gradually their movements became more complex yet smooth, coordinated, moving as if they're one.
It had been too long since they had danced...but her body still recognized his signals, his cues, still so synced with his steps as though designed just to match him.
"Oh god, Kokoro..." He groaned as her body moved with sensuous, fluid rhythm, her hips swaying slowly at first as he guided her with his hands.
Mitsuru winced as he relived their early days of dancing. Touch but do not take. Feel but do not leave any mark.
It was maddening, seductive, pleasure and pain all in one package to be able to feel her body so close to his and yet he had to respect the boundaries. So close and yet always off limits.
And even now he tortured himself as he touched her the same way— slid his hands up her thighs again and again, caressed her hips, her waist as much as he wanted but never allowed himself the pleasure of her breasts, of touching the soft flesh between her thighs that even now was silently pleading for him.
"Baby..." He was getting aroused just watching her, he couldn't stop it. The sinuous movements of her body, the sound of her breathing, the pulse throbbing at the side of her neck...
Her skirt fluttered down to the floor, Mitsuru swallowed the sudden knot in his throat as she continued to dance with only her top fully clothed, below the waist she wore nothing but a white lacy thong that tied at the sides. Just one tug and it would unravel, leaving her naked.
"Oh god...where did you get that?" Mitsuru groaned.
"A gift from Zero Two..." Kokoro said, blushing to the tips of her ears, but she didn't stop.
She rode his thigh without hesitation, resting her weight lightly on him as she arched her head, exposing the graceful curve of her throat...as if tempting him to bite.
Just one misstep, just one slip of the hand, she could end up dropping on the floor, but Kokoro trusted him implicitly, knowing he will never let her fall.
"Fuck!" Mitsuru hissed as he discovered the lacy thong was completely crotchless. The slick, soft folds of her pussy rubbed against his thigh as Kokoro continued to undulate her hips against him, still moving with him to the rhythm of the dance.
Her face...she has never looked so seductive, so damn sexy as she did right now as she entrusted herself to him, and allowed herself to be carried away by the music, all inhibitions gone, secure in the knowledge she was safe in his arms.
"Mitsuru..." She whispered his name as she held his face and pulled him down until their foreheads touched. Kokoro gasped as he pulled her higher up his thigh, his hips moving in that sensual, provocative masculine way and yet still so graceful.
"Kokoro...God, baby you're so sexy..." He groaned, unable to resist anymore, breaking the taboo in dancing, kissing her throat as she continued to move her body against his, her hips swaying in that seductive rhythm that made blood rush furiously through his veins.
He clasped her hips as they moved together, the seducer has become the seduced as he guided her, urged her to let go...to entrust to him everything.
Suddenly she pushed him towards the chair at his desk. "Sit down."
Pleasantly surprised by this little bit of sudden assertiveness of her, Mitsuru obeyed and smiled, waiting to see what she'll do next.
"Kokoro..." He groaned as she unbuttoned her shirt but not completely. Just enough to expose her curvy bosom, she wore no bra that would have limited the seductive bouncing of her breasts with each movement. Her pink nipples titillated his senses as they played hide and seek with his eyes.
She walked closer and climbed up his lap, making Mitsuru gasp. She was never this bold before. The change excited him. Kokoro reached between their bodies and slid her hand beneath his shorts. He was fully aroused, hard and throbbing against her palm. Without visual comparison, he felt unexpectedly bigger.
"Sweetheart..." Mitsuru groaned against her breasts as she touched the sensitive head with her fingers. She gathered the moist droplet and gently rubbed him, making him hiss and curse beneath his breath.
"Your mouth...please." He pleaded. God, he's dying to feel her mouth on him. Had dreamed of it long before they began dating, practically almost from the moment they first met.
He saw the hesitation on her face and didn't want to force her. But before he could speak, Kokoro slid off his hips and went down to the floor.
"Kokoro..." He groaned as she knelt between his thighs and released his cock from confinement. But instead of sucking him as he wanted her to, she puckered her lips to kiss the tip, then lightly flicked her tongue to steal the pearl of moisture that formed at the eyelet. God, she's going to drive him insane!
"Damn it all, Kokoro, suck me!" Mitsuru hissed through clenched teeth. He's about to expire from the sheer suspense of anticipation, of wondering how her mouth would feel like around his cock.
"Oh. Holy. Fuck!" He cursed as her mouth parted and slowly took him in. She was soft, moist, so warm, and god, the velvet texture of her tongue as she curled it around his cock...it was beyond expectations.
She was shy, inexperienced, but so eager to please him...he barely noticed her lack of technique, could only draw in ragged breaths as she took as much of him as she can and began to suck him, occasionally sliding him out just to kiss the tip. Oh lord, those display of affection hit him the hardest.
"Baby..." He groaned, his hips arching against her lips. "Baby, I'm about to come..."
She didn't release him as he'd expected, instead, she drew him deeper, as much as she comfortably could, and sucked him, sucked him until he could no longer hold back.
"Oh god, Kokoro!" He cried out as he cupped her face. The sight of her red lips around his cock, her blue eyes that looked back at him that was both shy and wanton at the same time was the last thing he saw before his vision shattered with white-hot pleasure.
Mitsuru bucked his hips as he cried out his release, coming in her mouth with hard spurts of semen that she willingly accepted down her throat.
"Baby, you're so fucking incredible!" He breathed as he slowly came down from an all-time high. He touched her lips, unable to believe just how giving she was.
Kokoro licked his thumb playfully as he stroked her lower lip, making him groan as his cock twitched in response. Shit. He's truly a monster when it comes to her.
"Sweetheart...sorry..." Mitsuru whispered, "You didn't mind?"
She looked a bit confused at first, then shook her head. "Of course not." She smiled as she kissed his fingertips. "You're mine."
-o-
A low but steady knocking brought him back to consciousness, hours later.
Kokoro has pillowed her head with his arm, and now Mitsuru silently prayed he won't wake her as he slowly pulled away. She murmured something but promptly fell back to sleep, he couldn't help but smile as he tugged the sheet to cover her slender form. He had exhausted her again.
Hearing another insistent low knock, Mitsuru dragged himself out of bed and pulled up his pants.
"Dammit bro, are you even human?" Mitsuru groaned as he saw Goro at the door, already showered and dressed up. "What time is it?"
"Six a.m." Goro smiled as Mitsuru squinted against the light. "Coffee?"
"Give me a moment." He grumbled, closing the door again and went through his usual morning routine, except the shorter version this time.
"This better be good." Mitsuru yawned then cursed beneath his breath as he slipped his foot into the wrong slipper and realized it was Kokoro's.
"Hiro's done." Goro said simply as they walked down the stairs. Mitsuru was instantly alert.
"Good or bad?"
"I'd call it optimistic." Goro smiled as he pressed the bridge of his eyeglasses with a finger. "Hiro wants to set up another meeting this evening. Most probably with the girls this time."
"Alright." Mitsuru grabbed a cup and poured himself some black coffee. He didn't bother to add cream or sugar then joined Goro at the table, a plate of muffins sat on the middle and Mitsuru picked one.
"There's one more thing." Goro said as he waited for Mitsuru to put his cup down first. Better safe than sorry, and he doesn't particularly care to dress up again in case Mitsuru exploded from what he's about to hear.
"Futoshi is arriving today, ahead of schedule."
"Am I supposed to recognize the name?" Mitsuru grumbled as he bit into the muffin. "C'mon bro, not in the mood for guessing games."
"Futoshi aka Code 214, he contested the partner shuffle. He's still Kokoro's official partner until you've settled the claim."
"Fuck."
For a moment, Goro thought Mitsuru would throw his cup against the wall, but he didn't.
"What time will he arrive?"
"I'd say about an hour or two from now." Goro looked at his wristwatch. "Listen bro, Futoshi is here to stay, most likely as Ikuno's partner. So...try to settle it amicably. Alright?"
"I'd rip his guts out and smear them all over his fucking face...dammit." Mitsuru slammed his fist.
"Hiro and I will help mediate...given with your sweet and gentle nature, I'm sure it would be quite a challenge." Goro chuckled slightly.
"Oh go away." Mitsuru grumbled but without heat.
"Your reputation with the ladies didn't help." Goro said with a teasing smile. "Futoshi probably thinks you'll just let him have Kokoro."
"Over my dead body. He's in for a rude awakening. Him and any other fools to challenge me now." Mitsuru clenched his fists. "Fuck."
Goro patted his shoulder. "Welcome to the club, son." He winked and then chuckled before grabbing one of the muffins.
-o-
"Mitsuru?" Her sleepy voice stopped him and his face softened as he turned to her.
"Hey, morning sleepy head." He sat back at the edge of the bed and reached out to stroke her cheekbone.
"You're up so early. It's Saturday." Kokoro yawned, then rubbed her eyes.
"Yeah...well your old partner decided to arrive early and has contested the shuffle, so I've got to take care of it."
"Futoshi?" Kokoro frowned, "I met him only once, I didn't think he'd care so much who his partner would be."
"Where did you meet him?"
"We were asked to report to the local APE headquarters on the same day. I found him sniffling in a corner. Apparently, he was hungry but we were not allowed to leave the building until given permission to. I gave him my bento box."
"What the hell?" Mitsuru muttered. "You went hungry because some whiny loser was crying over food? I'd wipe the floor with his sorry ass."
"Mitsuru..." Kokoro reached out to touch his arm. "It's alright, we didn't stay very long."
"Still, how can he be so fucking immature?"
"Do I have to come?" Kokoro was about to sit up but he stopped her.
"No, let me handle this. It may get nasty. Go back to sleep, sweetheart."
"Are you going to hurt him?" Her eyes were huge at the thought of violence.
"That would really depend on him...I don't mind spilling a bit of blood..."
"Mitsuru..." Now she looked worried.
"His blood baby, not mine." He smirked as he leaned down to kiss her. "Hiro and Goro want this settled amicably, they'll help mediate between us. I don't really care whatever way he wants this done. I'm not handing you over to him."
"Just be careful." Kokoro said, yawning again. "And try to be friends if you can."
"Yes, ma'am." He smiled as he kissed her nose. "Now go back to sleep."
Kokoro burrowed her face against his pillow as he tugged the sheets to cover her, as if instinctively seeking his scent. Mitsuru stroked her hair one last time before standing up and then walked towards the door, picking up a metal baseball bat sitting beside the exit.
-o-
"I don't give a fuck about protocol. You care about it so much you can just shove it up your ass." Mitsuru said coldly as Futoshi insisted on following the default partner designation.
Futoshi looked like he's about to cry again, making Mitsuru feel disgusted. Kids like him shouldn't even be here. And he scored, what, 214? There's something wrong with the system.
"We can discuss this quietly like pansy gentlemen, or I can beat the shit out of you until you agree. Your choice. Either way, Kokoro is staying with me."
"Mitsuru..."
He looked at Hiro's worried, placating face and sighed. He reined in his temper and listened quietly as Hiro spoke.
"Futoshi I understand you're upset about the partner set up, but Mitsuru and Kokoro have known each other for years, and they're more than just partners or friends. They want to be together...can you find it in your heart to be generous and let them continue being partners?"
But Futoshi merely crumpled to the floor and began to bawl his eyes out. "But I love Kokoro so much! I love her so much!"
Hiro touched Mitsuru's arm before he could react. He shook his head at his friend. "Try to see where he's coming from."
"But...all she did was show him an act of kindness. Just one." Mitsuru muttered beneath his breath. "How can he think he's in love with her?"
"It's not the same for everyone, Mitsuru." Hiro said gently.
Mitsuru released a long breath and nodded his head. "Alright fine. I'll try to be nice, but I'll never agree to a partner shuffle."
"We know that, no worries." Hiro said, smiling and then looked at him. "You know...you've changed a little. And I mean, change in a good way. You're slowly going back to the boy I used to know. Normally you would have lost your temper by now, but you haven't."
Mitsuru didn't react except for the slight tint of color on his cheeks. In front of them, Goro still talked with Futoshi, trying to comfort the new guy. Somehow Goro managed to calm him down and convinced Futoshi to stand up.
"The strawberry parfait in the cafeteria is really good. How about we have one right now? My treat." He nodded at the two as they walked away and out of the conference room.
-o-
"He has agreed." Goro said later, "on the condition that you buy him his favorite snacks for a month. We've already submitted the forms to Nana. Futoshi will be Ikuno's partner."
"God, I'll get him an entire bakery if he fucking wants it, just tell him to stop sniveling." Mitsuru groaned. Then remembering his manners, he lightly punched Goro at the shoulder. "Thanks bro, I owe you one. You too, Hiro."
"Oh, it was nothing. I just feel kinda bad for Futoshi." Hiro said with his usual gentle smile. "It must be hard for a kid like him to be snatched away from his family without warning."
"Just think about it...an only child, pampered and spoiled by his parents, waited upon by servants...and then all of a sudden, taken away by APE." Goro added.
"If you two are trying to guilt trip me it's not working!" Mitsuru snorted, although he was actually affected by what he heard. "We all had to give up our old lives after APE conscripted us."
"That's true." Hiro said, "That's why we must support each other. The only way we can survive this war is if we all work together."
"I get it." Mitsuru grunted. "As long as Futoshi respects personal boundaries, we will get along."
A/N: I think I need to perform an exorcism on the muse. ;') The greenhouse scene was unplanned, but I saw a NSFW fanart of Mitsukoko in the greenhouse and just had to include one here. I think it's one of the earliest fanart, because his hairstyle was still slicked back.
Blame Mato's comic panel where the girls were singing, even Futoshi was singing in one chapter, after the partner shuffle. Yes, like I said, the muse need some exorcism. lol
Dancing - I think co-pilots will be good dance partners as well, because couple dances require trust with each other and understanding in reading non-verbal cues/signals. Otherwise, they'll be out of sync...pretty much what is described when the pilots connect, yes? ;)
Thank you RosieDia for writing a review. I know I still owe Oswald one lol. I'm not yet done with my favorite Odin Sphere couple. :)
Thank you SagiriEro I'm always happy to hear that my story had been a good reading experience. ;)