All of Me
Yu Narukami was in his room alone, sitting on his bed. He opened a blue, velvet box again and again. Each time he stared at the contents inside the box; his heart began to race in his chest. He couldn't remember ever being this nervous. His heel bounced against the ground as he tried to relax.
"Naoto. Will you…?" The words caught in his throat, and he sighed, closing the box one last time. The words didn't sound right. No matter how many times he uttered them, no matter how he said them, the words fell short of perfect. Very, very short...
Relax, Yu. You saved the whole world. You can ask the girl of your dreams to marry you.
The silverette dropped the small box into a large, plastic bag, one of several, and sighed.
Part of him couldn't believe he was doing this. Was it crazy? It felt right, Yu thought. He loved Naoto. He adored her. Isn't this what people in love do?
It all made sense to him, yet he couldn't shake his nerves. Oh, how things change. The young man laughed at the ironic turn his life had taken. Once he was a liar and a manipulator, and now he was… well, better. And it was all thanks to Naoto and his friends.
Yu glanced at his phone, and looked at the time. He had to get going. He didn't want to keep his girlfriend waiting, after all.
He grabbed several plastic bags from the floor and walked out of the room. Despite his nerves, he felt excited. Like his skin was electric. Like his heart was about to blast off.
A whole day with girlfriend, Naoto Shirogane… It was a dream come true.
Naoto cleaned the table for the third time that morning. She made sure it was spotless, before she looked her apartment over for the second time that morning. The place was clean, and everything was in its proper place. Her mind checked off a list of chores, nervously tapping her foot on the ground.
She wanted this day to be perfect. She had pondered, she had planned, and she even asked Yakushiji-san and her grandfather for advice. Naoto had done everything in her power to prepare for this day, yet that didn't stop her nerves from eating away at her.
Nor did it stop her from jumping in surprise as someone knocked on her door.
"C-coming!" Naoto took a deep breath, steeling herself. She exhaled quickly and moved to answer the door.
Except Naoto's feet wouldn't even move for a full second. She growled, finally tearing her sock-covered feet off of the carpet. She walked to the door as her fingers nervously scratched at her hair, trying to smooth it out.
She opened the door, and, just as she expected, Yu Narukami stood on the other side, smiling at her with bags in his hands.
"Hey, gorgeous."
"Y-Yu. Hello."
He smiled at her, and she peered into his silver eyes. Somehow that may everything… okay. A tranquility washed over Naoto as she realized she had nothing to hide. Not from him. Never from him. He was her boyfriend, and more than that, he was her best friend.
Everything felt right when she looked into those silver eyes...
"Nervous?" he inquired, lifting up his brow.
"Not anymore," she replied, smiling at him. "Please, come in. Let me help you with those bags." He nodded his head and handed her some of the smaller bags as he stepped in. She closed the door behind him as he placed the rest of the bags on the ground.
"Here okay?"
"Yes, that should be fine. What did you bring?" she asked, placing the other bags with Yu's pile.
"Just some groceries I needed, but wanted to cover for. Movies. Books. A Gift."
"Oh." Naoto blushed slightly at that last word, and Yu smirked at her.
"So, what shall we do first, my love? The day is ours."
He knew exactly what he was doing with that simple statement. She accepted the title with a more pride than she'd like to admit. "We have the entire day to ourselves. I suppose we can do just about anything."
Those words brought a warmth to Naoto's chest. They were together. They were a couple… Naoto found her lips creating a wide grin as she looked at her boyfriend. He smiled back at her, as if reading her mind and coming to the same conclusion.
They were together. They were in love. This was their day.
"Have you eaten yet?" Yu reached into one of the plastic bags and pulled out a smaller, white, paper bag. "I bought pastries."
"That sounds perfect. I'll make us some coffee to go with them."
"Alright. Cream and sugar, please." Naoto paused, turning her head to look at Yu with an arched brow. "What? Nanako got me hooked on the stuff," he laughed.
"Sometimes I feel like I'm dating a child," the detective sighed.
"A sexy child," Yu replied, before blinking. He groaned, rubbing his forehead. "Wow, I think some of Kanji's stupid has rubbed off on me. I used to be really good at this, I swear."
Naoto chuckled at his joke, and he grinned victoriously. "Wanna watch something while we eat?" he asked, looking through one of the bags.
"Sure. You can pick what we watch."
He nodded his head as Naoto quietly began to work on their coffees, humming a quiet tune to herself. This feeling was so strange. She almost felt like a child again. Carefree. Relaxed. At peace… No crime to solve, no mystery to unravel… It was just a peaceful morning with her boyfriend.
A peaceful morning that was interrupted by an explosion. Naoto's eyes widened as she turned to the sound, grabbing a nearby mug to use a weapon. She was about to throw it towards the possible attackers when she realized it was just the television.
"Sorry, sorry. Volume was louder than I expected," Yu apologized, pressing down on the remote. But Naoto didn't look at him, she was looking at the TV.
"Phoenix Feathermen Shining Defenders! Protecting the universe from the evil forces of Night Cross!" the TV narrator declared.
"Feathermen…? You actually bought a DVD of a children's show?"
"Hey, this is quality TV here," Yu replied. "I used to watch this all the time as a kid, and I know you did too."
Naoto's eyes widened, and her boyfriend smirked as he read her like a book. "You are a huge Tokusatsu fan, just like me.I remember your Shadow's lair, not to mention Halloween."
Her mouth opened, but nothing came out as he grinned. Eventually she did speak, a blush on her cheeks. "...You enjoy the genre as well?"
"I'm not super proud to admit it, but yes. Under this sexy exterior lies a sexier, but also surprisingly geeky interior. Guess we're both just a couple of nerds," Yu laughed. "Watch with me?" he offered, holding his hand out to her. "Come on, we can play along and pretend it's still Halloween."
That suggestion made Naoto's cheeks light up even brighter. "I'll watch, but I'm not playing along." Yu just winked at her, a wryly grin on his face.
Unfortunately, Naoto was proven a liar. The two agreed to watch the first three episodes of the show together, and by the end of the last episode, both were on the edge of their seats.
Despite their superficial differences of being a liar and a detective, the two truly were alike. They both hid their true selves to appear more mature, and while both were trying to open up to others, it was only with each other that they could truly be themselves.
"Oh, oh, they're gonna do the finishing move!" Yu grinned. Naoto wasn't as vocal about her admiration for the show, but she still mouthed the words as two of the Feathermen Rangers flew into the air, spinning around one another.
The three-parter introduce each of the Rangers, their roles on the team, and their enemy. Red was the arrogant bad boy, but also the group's leader, while Blue was the cooler-headed strategist. In the end they were the ones to deal the final blow against the Monster of the Week.
Yu and Naoto grinned as they watched the two costumed heroes leap into the air, and unleash their attacks. They both glowed their respective colors as they leaned in close to one another and fired a beam of energy.
"Phoenix Ranger Red!"
"Phoenix Ranger Blue!"
"Fusion Dual Strike Attack!"
The monster screamed as it was hit by the blast, before falling to the ground and exploding. The two heroes fell to the ground and posed as the explosion made their capes dance in the wind. Yu grinned as the battle ended and the other Rangers congratulated the two.
"Man, I loved this show so much as a kid."
"It… is a good show," Naoto admitted.
"Good? Oh, come on. I saw you smiling when they combined their weapons. This is quality stuff," he remarked. "You love it."
"It's for children," she replied, crossing her arms as she relaxed into the couch's cushion.
"Doesn't mean it can't be enjoyed by us. I really liked it," he confessed. "You can too, babe. I won't tell anyone," he teased, winking at her.
She blushed under the gesture, a defeated smile on her lips. "It doesn't leave this room."
"Deal."
Naoto nodded her head, before admitting her true thoughts. "It was very entertaining. Thank you for convincing me to watch it again. It felt… nice. Reminded me of when I was young and I would watch the episodes every Friday morning with my parents."
Yu smiled with her, before his brow wrinkled. He stared at Naoto, and she noticed the distant look in his eyes. She reached out to touch his shoulder, gently holding it as she arched her brow.
"Can you tell me about them? Your parents?" he sighed.
The question surprised Naoto, and Yu was quick to try and downplay his curiosity."If you don't want to, that's fine. I don't want to bring up any bad memories, I just… wanted to know what they were like."
"It's okay." Her hand slipped from his shoulder to his hand, sympathetically holding it as she pondered the request. "Of course you can know about them, I just don't know where to start."
"Anywhere. Tell me anything about them."
"My mother hated coffee." Yu raised his brow, and Naoto chuckled at the memory. "She always complained about the smell."
"What did she drink in the morning? Or late at night?"
"Tea."
Yu's brow wrinkled, taken back by the answer. "And your dad?"
"Addicted to the stuff, if I remember correctly. Mom always hated how the kitchen would smell," she reminisced.
"Huh. What else?"
"My mother had a garden," Naoto muttered. He blinked as she smiled into her coffee, holding the cup in her hand as she tipped it to and fro. "When she struggled with a difficult case, she'd sit down in her garden and just… take it all in. I think it relaxed her."
"Did you ever join her?"
"All the time," she replied, a smile on her face. "She and I would sit there together… Well, she'd want me to sit. I'd end up climbing the tree, trying to reach the top to stop the evil emperor that sat upon it. Sometimes dad would join us, and he'd let me jump into his arms from the top of the tree..."
Yu had rarely seen this kind of Naoto. She seemed so relaxed. So at ease, simply reminiscing. It didn't even seem like what she was saying was even registering at first, because a couple seconds after she spoke her cheeks turned a bright red.
"Uh, I-I mean-"
"Evil emperor, huh? At the top of a tree?" Yu's sly grin stretched across his face, mocking the young sleuth.
"I had a very active imagination as a child," she mumbled, avoiding his stare. "Sometimes the top of the tree was an evil lair, sometimes it was my secret base." She shrugged her shoulders as Yu scooted closer. As if naturally drawn to him, her head fell onto his shoulder as she relived the memories of youth. "Mother always hated me climbing it. I fell off of it several times trying to get to the top, but I made it eventually."
"Sounds like mother was overbearing," Yu commented, a slight edge to his voice. He hadn't met for him to sound that way, but it was too late. The young woman blinked, confused by the remark.
"No. Not at all. She just worried about me," Naoto explained. She looked at Yu, her head tilted slightly. "I would never call her overbearing. Just acting as a mother should."
"Hm."
The young man's silence alerted Naoto that something was wrong. One glance at him told her he was deep in thought. Just like he could understand her, she could read him like a book.
Naoto realized in moments just what was bothering the silverette. His own parents. It made sense. He was listening to her talk about her own parents; good, kind people that spent their lives helping others.
Meanwhile, Naoto didn't know either older Narukamis personally, but she had heard enough from her boyfriend. Both seemed like deplorable people, and she sometimes imagined how she would react to meeting them face to face. It was never a kind meeting.
"It's about your parents, isn't it...?"
"Heh. I haven't seen my parents in what feels like forever." He closed his eyes and laughed bitterly. "I don't know what I'm supposed to do when I see them. I mean, I'm nothing like the person who they sent here. I'm… I mean, I'm not good, but…"
"You are good, Yu," she reminded. "You aren't like them."
"I'm not so sure about that, Naoto." He looked at her, wrapping an arm around her body to pull her close. His lips touched her forehead, before he whispered. "They made me. I am who I am because of them."
"We are more than our parents' child. You taught me that." He tilted his head, and she smiled as her fingers gently caressed his cheeks. "I spent so long trying to live up to my parents' legacy, to be who they were, I almost forgot myself. When I did remember who I really was, I saw myself as nothing more than a child, a little girl. I hated myself," she sighed.
The glimmer of melancholy faded from her eyes as she kissed Yu's soft lips. She smiled at him nuzzling him with her cheek. "Then my life changed when I met you. You taught me to not only accept my true self, but… but to like who I am. I don't need to be a boy. I don't need to be an adult just yet. I just need you."
Those words made his eyes widen, before she kissed him again. His fingers clumsily scratched at her clothed figure, before she pulled back.
"I am more than a Shirogane. With you, I am Naoto, and that is all I need to be." He closed his eyes and pulled her tighter, taking in her scent as he quietly moaned.
"You really think I did that, huh…?"
"I know you did. You saved me."
"Just returning the favor," he replied. "If I never met you, I'd still be a selfish, arrogant prick. Instead I'm a selfless, arrogant prick."
The two laughed, and they wrapped their arms around one another. The physical embrace made Naoto's cheeks burn, but she endured it. Yu was clearly comfortable with it, and she just… felt safe to try it around him. She was never one for physical contact, but that was one of the traits that just rubbed off on her.
It wasn't so bad, she admitted.
They held each other for what felt like forever, before Yu muttered into her shoulder. "If my parents were different, if I wasn't… me, do you think you and I would have still gotten together?" He kissed her neck, his eyes closed as he enjoyed the sensation of her soft skin.
"I don't know," she confessed. "All I know is that I love you. I don't want to think of what ifs. I want to think about what is and will be. What is, is that you and I are here, together. What will be is that we will continue to be happy, because I love you, Yu."
"And what will happen after today?"
"We'll still be in love." The words made her heart pound. Those simple words made her feel a tidal wave of emotion as she imagined their future together. She almost felt light-headed as she experienced the surge of raw euphoria. "I love you, Yu Narukami. Forever…"
"And I you, Naoto Shirogane…"
After the dramatic moment, both greed that they needed something simple to relax with. Naoto held a book in her hands, with Yu leaning against her, right by her side. The book was 'One Hundred and One Mysteries,' the same one they bought together back in January.
They read the book in silence together as Yu shifted slightly. "Are you uncomfortable?" Naoto inquired, glancing at him.
"Just hard leaning over your shoulder."
"Do you have a better position in mind?"
About a dozen sexual jokes shot through Yu's mind, but he refrained from blurting them out for Naoto's sake. Instead he made the simplest, least offensive of jokes.
"I mean, you could sit on my lap." The look on her face lit Yu's eyes up, and he chuckled as she blushed. "I'm kidding, I'm-"
"Very well."
"Wait, what?" Yu looked like he had just ran into a wall. His eyes widened as his mouth froze mid-word. He looked at Naoto, who glared back at him. She wasn't smiling, but she wasn't frowning either. There was a look of determination in her eyes as she stared into his, as if she was daring him to argue.
Another similarity the two shared: Both of them loved a challenge, and while this wasn't the detective's usual battleground, it seemed she was just as eager to dominate it as she had dominated the world of mysteries.
"Y-you're seri-?" She didn't let him finish, scooting her body and picking herself up to sit on his lap. Yu's cheeks turned a bright shade of pink as she sat there, his head right behind her shoulder. She fidgeted slightly, making Yu's body stiffen as she got comfortable.
"There. Now, shall we continue?"
"O-okay…" Yu blushed under Naoto, gulping down his nerves as he quietly read the book with her. "S-so who do you think did it?"
"T-the son would be my guess. Yours…?"
"Um, same. Yeah." Yu's heart was racing in his chest. He felt a familiar fire in him, a hunger, but he pushed his hands behind his back, refusing to act on them.
But god, he loved Naoto. She was so gorgeous. The kind of ethereal beauty most men only dream about. He took a deep breath, and quietly groaned as he smelled her sweet, vanilla aroma. Desire bubbled in his chest as she moved her hips against him.
Did she know what she was doing to him…?
"I'm going to turn the page," she suddenly muttered, knocking Yu out of his fantasy.
"R-right. Go ahead. Um, how about after this, we exchange gifts and work on something to eat?"
"That sounds like an excellent idea," the sleuth replied, turning the page of the book.
Naoto was screaming in her mind. She did her best to remain calm, but it felt so impossible. She was sure she was going to break, yet she still maintained a calm exterior.
She just wanted to challenge her boyfriend. To try something different, to not simply be the blushing victim. Now here she was, sitting on his lap. It made her feel such a rush of embarrassment, yet at the same time, there was something exhilarating about being so… forward.
The Naoto of one year ago could never imagine herself in this situation. It was only because of Yu's influence that Naoto could be so explorative. She shifted on his lap once more, and she smiled with crimson cheeks at his quiet grunts.
This new side of Naoto was… different. Passionate. She savored the feel of Yu's body, and she almost melted against him. This new part of her was just as much her as any other piece, but it terrified Naoto nonetheless.
But it was important she test the water now. Tonight was going to be night Naoto showed Yu a different side of her… The side of her he helped create.
She really hoped she wasn't going to make a fool of herself...
The two eventually broke apart with little discussion. They were both embarrased by the contact, but neither spoke about it as they moved on.
Yu and Naoto sat in the latter's bedroom for their gift exchange. It was a simple, but welcomed change of scenery. Naoto sat on her bed, her gift hidden behind her back as Yu stepped inside with a smile on his face.
"Hey," he greeted. "So, how do you want to do this?"
"W-well, I suppose I can go first, i-if you want." The silverette nodded his head, and Naoto took a deep breath. She held out her hands, and offered the small box to her boyfriend. It was wrapped in plain, solid blue paper, with a small, navy bow on top.
Yu took the offered gift and with meticulous fingers, pulled at the wrappings. Naoto almost asked him to hurry, but she held back the plea. Eventually the paper opened to reveal the lid, and Yu pulled that off to find two watches staring back at him, one silver, one a dark shade of blue.
"Watches?"
Was that disappointment she heard? Naoto gulped, trying to calm herself down as she nodded her head. "Y-yes. I made them."
"You made watches?!" Yu repeated, his eyes widening.
"Yes. Well, I suppose the word 'modify might be better," she confessed. "I-I made sure they still had all the functions of a normal watch, but with two additional features.."
She reached forward and took the blue watch out of the case and wrapped it around her wrist. Naoto pressed a small button on the side, and a short tune played, just barely loud enough for the two to hear.
"The Featherman theme song!" Yu beamed. "That's amazing!"
His approval gave Naoto a sense of relief, and she released a breath of air she hadn't realized she'd been holding. "Really? You think so? I-I remembered our time together during Halloween, and I thought it would be nice to include that in the gift. You really like it?"
"I love it!" Yu took the silver watch out and placed the box onto the ground as he dashed to sit by Naoto's side on the bed. He pressed one of the buttons, but instead of a short musical tune, the numbers on the digital watch changed. "Huh?"
"That's the other feature. It can tell you where the other watch is. M-my watch. I have a similar function. That way, we'll always know where the other is."
Yu felt something in his heart. It was hard to describe. He was sad knowing he had to go, but Naoto's words were making his heart soar. He blushed as his fingers gently stroked the watch, as if he was just handed a sacred artifact, or perhaps Naoto's heart itself…
He tried to hide just how honored he was by the gift with a mumbled joke. "Heh. Are you stalking me, detective?"
"N-no! I'm not a-!" Naoto's eyes widened, before she looked down at the empty space between them. "Actually, on second thought? Maybe I am." Yu's smirk fell flat as she confessed her feelings, her own cheeks aglow with red as his burst into flames. "I'm always thinking about you, and I always want to be close to you."
She was smiling, her eyes glowing with a warmth. She looked at him, and he saw just how in love she was with him. She meant it. She loved him, and she wanted to be a part of him.
Yu felt that similar hunger burn inside of him, urging him forward. This time he couldn't stop himself, and his hands reached forward to embrace his beautiful lover. He pulled her close, and she gasped in surprise as his lips caught hers. Her arms were trapped between their bodies, but rather than push him away, her fingers caressed his chest. Naoto closed her eyes as she and Yu kissed, their lips gently nibbling one another's.
Neither realized both of their watches beeped and showed the same, simple message. 'Distance 1m.'
Naoto's tongue brushed against Yu's lips, before he pushed his own tongue to lick her mouth. The kiss steadily grew more passionate as their tongues touched, before the two pulled apart for air. Yu was the first to apologize.
"S-sorry, I-I just…"
"No, I'm sorry! I-I don't know what came over me."
That was a lie, Naoto knew exactly what came over her. They both knew. Neither mentioned it though as they stared into one another's eyes, smiling.
"I love you so damn much," he whispered.
"A-and I you…" They leaned into each other to share another kiss, before pulling apart before things got too passionate.
"Let me get your gift. I hope you like it."
"I'm sure I will," she replied as he stood up and walked to the bag he had dropped on the ground. He opened it and pulled out something relatively small, just big enough to hold with both of his hands.
"Here. From me, to you."
It was a book. Hardcover. Judging by the amount of pages, a novel? But it was the title that truly stunned her. Written in silver letters on the blue leather was her name.
"'Naoto Shirogane and… and the Shadows of Inaba.'"
"You love detective novels," Yu quickly explained, his foot quickly bouncing on the ground. His hands fell from her body and pinched the blanket cover, gently pulling at it. "So I made you the star of one. It's about you coming to a small town in pursuit of a dangerous criminal, only to… y'know," he chuckled, nervously. "Fall for him, and his dashing, roguish smile."
"How did you…?"
"Called in some favors around town. Spent long nights working on it. I mean, it's far from perfect, and it's the only one of it's kind, but I just wanted to make you something special for today. I hope you like it," Yu explained, his cheeks burning hot.
His mind was wracked with worry. What if she didn't like the gift? What if she was offended by it? What if she thought it was strange, or bizarre? Yu had never been in a real relationship before, was this gift too much, too fast? Or not enough?"
Rather than be upset like he feared, Naoto lunged forward to peck her boyfriend's cheek. The small gesture made the Detective Prince blush, but she still gave him a bright, beautiful smile.
"I love it," she whispered. "This is the greatest thing anyone has ever given me. Thank you." Tears pooled in the corners of her eyes, but the detective tried to hide her emotional weakness. It was a force of habit, even though she knew her boyfriend would not think less of her.
"It's my pleasure. You deserve it, Naoto. I love you."
Naoto didn't believe in a perfect day. She wasn't even sure what a perfect day would entail if she ever found was an optimistic fantasy, unreasonable and unlikely...
That said, today was as close as her life had ever given her, and it was all thanks to her boyfriend, Yu Narukami. After they exchanged gifts, they spent time reading their own individual books. The silverette studied a cook book he had brought with him as Naoto dived into the mystery novel he had made for her.
It was an exhilarating read, and one that left her on the edge of her seat within the first few pages. She liked to think it wasn't simply because she was the main character, but because of her boyfriend's mastery over suspense and characters.
Fictitious versions of their friends also showed up in the story. Chie was an informant helping the fictional Naoto, Kanji was a witness to a crime, Rise was a singer at a bar, etc. Perhaps the biggest change from the source material was the book's antagonist. From the first chapter, it appeared as though Yu himself was the story's villain.
Fascinating, she thought to herself as Yu put his book down.
"I'm going to work on dinner. You okay?" She nodded her head and the silverette smiled knowingly. "Enjoying the book?"
"Well, yes, it's a good read," she answered, her cheeks turning a light shade of red.
"I'm glad. Keep reading. I can take care of dinner myself." He winked at her, knowing just how enthralled she was by the pages in her hand.
Naoto thanked the young man with a nod, before returning to the exciting story. Yet her mind found itself wandering as her eyes drifted from the pages. She looked at Yu as he cooked, a content smile on his face.
The young woman was naturally inquisitive, and despite the peaceful atmosphere of her home, one question plagued her mind. Is this my future…?
Naoto imagined herself older, a well-respected detective, and worthy successor of the Shirogane name. Yu was her… significant other, and he was cooking dinner for her the night after a particularly harrowing case.
Perhaps she would have a book in her hands, perhaps she would simply be content doing nothing. Either way, she would be at peace. Her eyes watched her significant other working in the kitchen, effortlessly chopping and cooking the ingredients.
"I love you," he suddenly declared, winking at her with those bright, silver eyes, before returning to his work. It was quick, seamless, yet it made her heart soar in her chest. That familiar desire burned in her, but she told it to stop. Not yet, she told it. Later.
As she watched her silver-haired boyfriend quietly work, Naoto realized something. If this really was her future, she wouldn't mind it…
Yu and Naoto ate their dinner together in her bedroom, one on each end of the bed. It was funny. They were so like children, sitting on a bed with plates on their laps, but maybe that was because of what they never had. Naoto lost her childhood when her parents left this world, and Yu never had the chance to experience what a childhood was meant to be.
Neither cared about the reason why. Being together like this was perfect. It made them happy, and that simple answer was all they needed.
"Alright, one thing you want to do, but know you shouldn't." The young man took bite of his food, smiling at his lover. They were taking turns in a game of questions, asking each other whatever came to mind.
Naoto pondered the question, poking at her noodles in quiet thought. "Participate in a car chase."
"Wait, like chasing after a crook? Would you be driving?"
"Perhaps. I honestly have no preference, I just remember watching it in old movies with my parents. The idea has simply stuck with me. The idea of chasing after a criminal, bullets soaring through the air… It violates several laws and regulations, but the idea is fun, if nothing else."
Yu chuckled at his girlfriend's matter of fact description. "We'll have to find a way to do that then. Sounds like a hell of a time. Alright, your turn." He took another bite of his noodles as his girlfriend contemplated her next question.
"What is one thing I don't know about you?"
"A bit broad, but okay." Yu tapped his chin once, twice, before answering with a smile. "I can sing."
"Really?" the sleuth inquired, arching a brow.
"Yeah. I'm no Risette, but I'm still pretty good. Even wrote my own lyrics."
"How humble of you. May I hear a sample?"
"Right now?" She nodded her head. "With no music?" She nodded again, clearly curious. Yu blinked, hoping she couldn't see his cheeks turning a light red. Despite his embarrassment, he smirked. "Alright. Why the hell not?"
He straightened up in his seat, before grabbing a glass of water and pouring it down his throat. He cleared his throat, before taking a deep breath with his eyes closed. Naoto watched his lips shift slightly, mouthing a passage before he spoke to her.
"This is an old song I wrote a couple years ago. I never did have a chance to sing it, so you'll be the first person to really hear it."
"Let me guess. It was to impress someone else?" she questioned.
"You are correct, my Detective Prince." He opened one eye, the silver orb gleaming. "Difference is, I really mean the words when I sing them to you." Naoto watched, curiously leaning forward as Yu's fingers gently tapped against the soft sheets in a slow, rhythmic beat.
"To keep from suffocation, I need a moment here with you… Eye to eye, you make me feel invincible, side by side, you help me through the impossible." Yu's voice was low, almost rough, yet there was a strength to it.
Naoto had never considered herself a master of the musical arts, yet she felt something in Yu's song. A genuine sense of self, as if Yu was singing from his heart and she could feel that in how he sang the words.
It was impossible, of course, yet Naoto couldn't deny the awe shining in her eyes, or the smile that grew on her lips.
"You captivate me. Set my heart to cruise. You hypnotize me. Together we are stars…"
Yu opened his eyes, signaling that the song had reached its end. Naoto was a bit disappointed by that fact, and she blushed as the silverette grinned at her.
"So, how was I?"
The young silverette threw the blanket over the sofa, yawning as he stretched his arms to the ceiling. The night was getting late, and after watching a movie together, both Yu and Naoto seemed eager to sleep. The young detective had walked off to her room, stifling a yawn, and Yu took the chance to prepare his sleeping arrangements.
He simply assumed he was going to sleep on the couch. It only made sense, after all, despite all of the dirty thoughts that popped into the young man's mind. He would never force the issue with his girlfriend. He was content with this for now.
"Yu? Can you come in here for a moment?"
"Sure," he replied, walking towards his girlfriend's bedroom.
He didn't even hesitate as he opened the door, simply expecting Naoto to be sitting on her bed. Oh, how wrong he was. Yu's eyes widened and his jaw hit the floor as he saw Naoto waiting for him in a school uniform…
Naoto had been planning this since the beginning of the year. At first, it was merely a pipe dream. She had wanted to see that fire in Yu's eyes. The kind of fire that burned when he saw a beautiful woman walk by. When lust bubbled in his chest.
More importantly than see it, she wanted to summon it through her actions alone.
Countless times she had seen that hungry fire in his eyes, the memories of their first kiss being an excellent example, but Naoto wanted to entice the beast to come out. She wanted to wear something unlike her, and she wanted to draw that hungry fire with her own words and lips.
This was all a product of this new side of her. She had meant it when she had given Yu his watch. She couldn't stop thinking about him. She couldn't resist him. Naoto loved him, and more than that, if he would have her, she wanted him…
Love, desire, lust… it all blended together inside of her.
When Yu walked into her bedroom to see the surprise she had been planning for weeks, she saw exactly what she had hoped for and more in his eyes.
"N-Naoto…?"
Yu knew his girlfriend was beautiful. He knew she was gorgeous. He knew how absolutely perfect she was, yet he still found himself surprised by the sight of her. She looked like a goddess standing before him, her naked legs pressed together as her hands hid behind Naoto's radiant body.
She was wearing a school uniform from Yasogami, and Yu couldn't stop himself from noticing just how well she filled it. Her long, slender legs leading to her curvaceous and-
And-
And-
Naoto's bindings were undone. She wasn't binding down her chest. Her breasts were pushing against her clothes, stretching them, and Yu could behold their full size. They were big, and for a moment he wondered just how his girlfriend could hide such a bountiful bosom.
Yu tore his eyes from her chest and he glared at a nearby wall. It wasn't because he didn't want to look at his girlfriend, far from it. It was because he wanted to respect her. Not ogle her like some piece of meat… but god above, she was so sexy. He felt that familiar fire burn in his chest, and he fought it with every fiber of his being as he stepped back.
"W-wait!" Naoto's voice froze him, though he still found himself staring at the wall. "D-do you not like it?" she asked, her voice light and shaky.
"That's not it. I… I like it too much. I don't, I mean, I just… I-I should go." He stepped back again, but her hand caught his.
"Yu. Look at me."
He obeyed her, despite everything in his head telling him not too, and he was floored by her beauty. Her eyes lit up like pools of sapphire, her pale, moonlight skin only accented the way her dark, navy hair framed her face. She was so beautiful, so perfect, and he felt his hand rise up to stroke her cheek without even realizing it. Naoto really was a goddess to Yu...
"I wanted you to see me dressed like this. I wanted to try. For you. F-for us. I want you to see me like this," she whispered, her breath gently caressing his cheek. "You don't have to be afraid. I know you won't hurt me."
"I love you," he moaned, eyes silver eyes drinking in her beautiful body.
"And I y-mmph!" He kissed her, and everything fell into place. She wrapped her arms around his neck as his held her in his arms, his hands slowly slipping under her top to feel her smooth, unblemished skin.
They pulled apart for a moment, staring into each other's eyes.
"You… You are so gorgeous. You're like a goddess," he panted.
"Please, stop," she giggled, her cheeks a rosy red. "Don't embarrass me." Her voice was like a song, beckoning him to fall deeper in love with her.
They followed their hearts that night, turning off the lights together and falling onto Naoto's bed. The dim glow of the moon and stars, slipping in through the cracks of the curtains were the only light as their lips met once again.
Naoto was the one to take control this time, her tongue pushing into Yu's mouth and tasting his sweet lips. Yu returned the gesture, his hand climbing up her body to brush against her breast. She moaned in response, and the sound stole his breath away.
"N-Naoto… A-are you sure?" he whispered. He couldn't hold himself back much longer. He didn't want to hurt her. He didn't want to ruin what they had. But her hand found his, and she kissed him again.
She trusted him, and the lock on his desires began to turn.
"I don't know where tonight will lead," she admitted. "I don't know what will happen tomorrow. All I know is that I love you." Her navy eyes glowed in the dim light of the moon, and Yu felt his body shudder.
The look she was giving him was almost… predatory. Like she wanted to simultaneously give herself to him, and own him. The same force guided them, making them kiss, making their tongues wrestle, making Yu's leg brush against Naoto's…
It was love. It was lust. It was desire. It was all of this and more, and it was the greatest sensation Yu had ever experienced. He had been with many boys and girls in his life... None compared to Naoto. No one made him feel this way…
His hand brushed against her breast again, and Yu felt his body shudder as he realized she wasn't wearing a bra. She sucked on his lower lip, and they moaned together as their bodies clung to each other.
"You know, Senpai," her voice teased as she whispered into his ear. "It's not fair, stealing just my heart. If you're going to take part of me…" They kissed, tongues wrestling as her breasts were sandwiched between their bodies. She pulled apart as a thin line of saliva fell between them.
Naoto stared into his eyes as she whispered those fateful words… "Take all of me."
Yu whistled as he cooked breakfast, a smile on his face as the eggs cooked. He was rarely in this high of a spirit this early in the morning, and his good mood only grew as his girlfriend stumbled into the kitchen.
She had just woken up by the looks of it, her dark-blue locks a tangled mess. She wore one of his shirts, the fabric clinging loosely to her smaller frame.
"Morning, sweetie."
"Mmm," she muttered in reply, rubbing sleep from her eye.
"Heh. The machine was out of coffee grounds, so I made a stop at the store. Help yourself to it, it's in one of the bags over in the pile." Naoto nodded her head as Yu continued to prepare breakfast.
Breakfast was quickly finished, and Yu turned to Naoto to tell her breakfast was ready, but when he saw her, he froze. His eyes widened as silence overtook the room. The only sound was the low sizzle of the eggs and bacon as Naoto stared at a small, blue box, and the two rings that laid inside.
Oh. Shit. "Naoto, I can explain," he quickly declared, turning the oven off and walking towards his girlfriend, hands held out to her.
"Are these…?" The experienced and intelligent detective sounded stunned, as if she was holding something that her mind simply could not comprehend at first. "Are these wedding rings?"
"I mean… Yes." Yu wasn't sure how he could lie about that. He wasn't even sure if he wanted to lie. He just… didn't know what to say.
He had planned on popping the question, but he had forgotten about the rings as the day went by. Even when he did remember, it had never felt like the 'right moment.'
And now here they were, and he wasn't sure if he had a choice on when the 'right moment' was. But even if he didn't, he told himself to salvage it as best he could. He just wished he could stop his blushing cheeks, or his racing heart.
"This is not how I wanted you to find out. I was going to… well." He gulped down spit as he took the box from her. He was a mess, hair clinging to his skin as sweat fell down from his pores. His heart pounded. His throat felt tight.
Yu had never been this nervous in his entire life. He was scared, actually terrified, even though he didn't know why. There was no way she would say no, after all. He just had to say the words.
Naoto watched him take a long, deep breath, before he bent down on his knee. He took one ring out of the box, before closing it and slipping the container into his pocket with the other ring. Yu had wanted this to be perfect. He wanted this moment to be romantic, sweet, and memorable, but instead he felt panicked and rushed.
But he knew his feelings were true, and damn his hesitation as he held the ring in his hand. He needed to tell Naoto his true feelings.
"Not exactly how I wanted to do this, but… Naoto Shirogane, will you marry me?"
That single question seemed to silence the entire world as Naoto gawked at him. Her mouth was a small 'O,' and her hands fell limply by her sides. She stared down at him, as he looked up at her with a smile.
"You don't have to say anything... I know how this must sound, but I mean it, Naoto. I love you. You make me happy. You make me a better person. I don't know how else to describe the effect you have on me. You gave me a new life, you make my life everything I've ever wanted it to be. I love you, and… and…"
He waited for her to say yes. To interject. To say something. But all she did was stare at him, with her eyes still locked on the ring.
"Naoto?"
Nothing, and Yu felt a tremor of fear crawl down his spine.
"O-okay, Naoto. You don't have to say anything, but can you at least say something?" His confidence deflated, and the harsh pins of regret began to stab at his mind.
Finally Naoto gave a response. Her legs stepped back, before they seemed to give out, and she fell onto a chair. Yu was quick to reach her side as she finally blinked, mumbling to herself a single word.
"M-marry...?"
Naoto was at a lost of words. All of her skills, all of her knowledge, all of it added up to a zero against the current problem. She just didn't know how to proceed. The ring laid in her hand as she stared at it. She was silent as Yu sat beside her at her dining table, laying out food for them.
She imagined it was just so he could have something to do, some minor distraction as she tried to comprehend what he was asking of her. Minutes must have passed, before Naoto realized she had to say something else.
So Naoto simply spoke her thoughts aloud.
"You meant it, didn't you...?"
"Of course I did," he sounded surprised. "I wouldn't lie about this! I love you."
And she loved him. There wasn't a doubt in her mind that argued it. She loved him. But this… this wasn't just about love. It was about the future. "We haven't even know each other for a year," she quietly muttered, her voice lacking passion. .
"So? In that amount of time we've saved the world, and learned more about each other than anyone else. Seriously, you know me more than I know myself half the time!"
Naoto said nothing. She didn't know what to say. There was a logic to his words. A rationality. Yet she found her mind quiet as she tried to think of an answer.
"It just… it seems like we're rushing things," she finally confessed.
"But we love each other." He almost sounded pleading, and Naoto finally tore her eyes from the ring to look at him. It was the first time she truly looked at him since he popped the question, and she realized just what this meant for him…
He looked scared. His silver eyes were dull, a lifeless grey.
"Why are you proposing to me...?"
"Are you really asking me that?" He was surprised by the question, but he shrugged and answered it. "We don't have a lot of time left together. I had to ask..."
A spur of the moment decision…?
"I know we haven't been dating long, but I love you, and it just felt… right."
Naoto felt a pang of guilt. Was there something wrong with her if she didn't feel the same way? Was she meant to feel the same way? Was she supposed to just say yes?
She wanted to say it. Well, no, most of her did, though. But there was a seed of something else festering in her heart. Not anger, or hate, but something that made her pause. She opened her mouth, before her lips fell shut.
"Naoto…? Please, say something," he begged.
"I love you,Yu Narukami." Naoto's fingers wrapped around the ring as he leaned back.
"But… not in that way?" There was defeat in his voice.
The blue-haired detective placed a hand on the table, and her hand slipped off of it as the ring remained there. "Exactly that way," she replied, closing her eyes.
"Wait, what? I-I don't understand."
"I love you. I adore you." And she meant every word. Her mind was consumed with thoughts of him, and of course she had thought about marrying him. It was a reoccuring fantasy, but it felt years away.
Now here it was, inches away from her hands…. Why didn't she take it?
"It's because I love you that I can't say yes." He stared into her eyes, confused and desperate for answers. "I love you, Yu. I love you with all of my heart, but… you deserve all of my heart, soul, and mind. I need to be sure that if I say yes to this, I am sure of it. You deserve that much... "
"When will you be sure…?"
"I don't know. I just need time," she confessed with a sigh. "I need to go over everything. Us. Our futures. Our families…"
Yu nodded his head, his mouth opening and closing as if he was trying to breathe. She stared at him as he considered her words, and she watched as his dull grey eyes became a dim silver. "Did I ruin today?" he wondered, closing his eyes. Before Naoto could deny the notion, he growled. "I'm sorry. I was stupid. I shouldn't done that. It's too early, and I-"
"Yu." Naoto's voice made him stop. "You didn't make a mistake. I think, this is just one of our differences. I think it's good we recognize it now," she explained. She could tell from his eyes that he was confused. "You think with your heart more than your mind. Is that wrong to say?"
"Well, no. It isn't."
"For me, I think with my mind first, then my heart. I think we're both learning to adjust. We balance each other out, but we still have our differences. My heart loves you, but I just.. I need to be sure…"
Yu nodded his head slowly. "I think I understand… This is a big question, after all. Life changing."
"Exactly… I just need time to be sure. I'm not saying no." She prayed he understand. "I just need time."
He nodded his head again, slightly faster this time. "I understand." He took a deep breath, and sighed. "I understand."
"Are… are you sure?" she inquired, and he smiled at her. It was a tired, beaten smile, but a genuine one. Naoto felt relief when she saw that smile, and his words took the weight off of her shoulders.
"Yeah… This doesn't change us, right? I mean, we're still… good, right?" Yu questioned, his voice shaking.
"Of course, we are," Naoto promised, a blushing smile on her lips. "I love you." They embraced the other, holding one another with loving arms and gentle kisses. Naoto kissed his cheek as he sighed in relief.
"Take all the time you need, Naoto. When you're ready, I'll be ready too." The way he said those words… It brought a sense of contentment to the detective. "I'm sorry for the dramatic morning."
"It's alright," Naoto chuckled. She felt exhausted. Suddenly the breakfast, cold as it may be now, sounded delicious. She pulled away from Yu and picked the ring up from the table. She was going to hand it back to him, but the silverette stopped her, placing his hand on hers.
"Keep it. When you're ready, find me. I know you'll know how to," he chuckled, holding up his wrist to reveal his silver watch. They laughed together, and Naoto nodded her head, accepting the ring. "Now then, how about we eat?"
"That sounds like a good idea to me." She nodded her head, and the two fell back into their flow. The tension in the room dissipated. It'd be a lie to say they forget all about their talk moments ago, but for now, both agreed to simply leave the topic alone.
Naoto ate her food quietly as she thought about the ring that was now resting in her pocket. In all the excitement, she hadn't had the chance to tell Yu how beautiful the ring was. A gorgeous silver band, with a beautiful sapphire orb on top, with several smaller sapphires beside it on each side.
She had never been the type to put much weight in superficial things, like what a ring looked like, or how it sparkled in the light, but she had to admit, it was… nice. Just intricate enough to catch the eye, while still maintaining simplicity.
Yu knew her well…
She glanced up from her food and she saw Yu sitting across from her, biting into his own breakfast. He smiled at her, and she smiled back.
Naoto just needed time. Time to process. Time to think. Time to fear, to hope, to understand…
But she hoped, no, she knew that one day she would be ready, and she would wear that ring proudly on her finger.
END
This story was hard to write, and that's mostly cause of me. You imagine writing something for so long, you put an impossible standard on it… I can't say this story met that standard, but I'm happy with what I made, I think. It's a lot of fluff, and I finally got Yu to sing.
Fun fact, the song he's singing is 'You Captivate Me,' by Eyeshine. Eyeshine's lead singer is Johnny Yong Bosch. I think you know why I couldn't resist making Yu sing it.
In regards to the story, I believe the longer two people date each other, if they're happy and in love, the more they tend to rub off one another. Hence a more sexual Naoto, and, of course, Yu being a more moral person.
I also wanted to share my thoughts on proposals and marriage. They're a hell of a thing. This story reflects my thoughts on them, I think. I did the same thing Yu did. I asked someone to marry me, and I was so sure they would say yes…
I won't dive into my life story, but they didn't say yes, but don't think that makes them a bad person. They just weren't ready. We're still close.
It's an important choice. I believe people have a right to think about it. I believe a man or a woman can say no, but still date their partner. Just because you're not ready to marry, doesn't mean you can't date.
It's just… something big, and it deserves to be treated as such. That said, you will be seeing the end to this little 'wedding arc,' so look forward to that.
With the end of this chapter, there are only four chapters left of Just a Delinquent. Three story chapters based on the end of the game, and one epilogue. We're getting close to the end, folks. It's… a crazy thing to think I'm actually going to finish this story. It's been a part of me for over two years…
I'll have more thoughts on this story when I actually end it, but for now, stay strong, know that you are loved, leave a review if you can, and I'll see you next time. Bye!
Next Update: October 16th, 2018