Just a little short fic, because I need more Souta/Suzume goodness in my life!

I was actually in the middle of writing another Suzume fic when I started getting ideas for this one. Getting this out a little quick, but I just saw the movie for a 3rd time in theatres, and I absolutely can't wait to buy it on bluray so I can rewatch it as many times as I want.

Enjoy!

It was just a quick hop off of the train, suitcase in hand, before Suzume found herself back in the bustled heart of Tokyo.

How long had it been since she'd felt that rush of people and energy?

Far too long for her — over sixteen months, in fact.

Sixteen months since she'd trekked across Japan with a child's chair — whose mission was to close gateways to the afterlife — and all because of a mischievous cat god who just wanted a friend to play with.

Needless to say, trying to explain everything to her Aunt Tamaki had been an ordeal. But once they'd gotten back home, and Suzume had thoroughly reassured her aunt that there wasn't another possible chance of that happening again, Tamaki started to give her the much needed space she'd been craving.

Now, she had graduated high school, and was heading off to university… in Tokyo.

Sure, she could've gone to more local schools; stayed close to her family and friends. But Suzume had her reasons for wanting to move to Tokyo. She even had Tamaki's blessing, which gave her all the confidence she needed to make this big step in her life.

She immediately headed for the university dorms and checked in, getting settled into her new home for the next few years. But once she'd gotten mostly unpacked, she pulled out her phone, and looked up the phone number of the one person she wanted to see more than anything else.

She held the phone to her ear as she listened to the ringer, waiting anxiously for the other end to pick up.

"Hey stranger," she heard that smooth, charismatic voice she so vividly remembered and immediately felt her knees go a little weak.

"Hey Souta!" she replied sweetly.

"I'm so sorry! Excuse me!" Suzume shouted apologetically as she was running through crowds of people at the station, mentally berating herself for running late.

She'd somehow spent far more time getting ready to meet up with Souta than she had intended, and as a result, she had missed the connection she was supposed to make. How was it that no matter what, she always ended up in a mad dash in this city?

Suzume ran out of the station and along the sidewalk into Shinjuku, hoping she wasn't too late.

As she paused to catch her breath and make sure her hair wasn't out of place, Suzume took a quick look around the area, and finally spotted the person she'd waited months to see again.

Souta was sitting casually on a bench, book in hand, looking like it was the only natural place in the world for him to be. Suzume felt her heart flutter a little at the sight of him. She'd always known he was beautiful, but seeing him so relaxed and at ease… she just wanted to take it all in before she approached.

She didn't have to say anything before she saw Souta look up from his book, catching her looking his way, and seeing that handsome smile as he waved her over. He slid his book away just as Suzume walked up to him, and he stood to greet her, "Welcome back to Tokyo, Suzume."

She didn't even have to respond before he opened his arms to her and she immediately felt him envelope her in a hug so warm, she thought she might melt. It was so reminiscent of when he'd left her on the train platform after everything had happened, and he promised quietly that he would come to visit her. A promise which he kept, but was a bittersweet memory.

"I hope I didn't keep you waiting long," she said in an apologetic tone.

"Not at all," he replied back, pulling away from her, but staying close, "Did you find your way okay? I thought maybe we should've met up somewhere closer to you."

"It was fine. Just missed a connection is all," she casually waved away, "Besides, I've been wanting to check out Shinjuku for ages!"

Souta chuckled at her eagerness, making her blush, "Sounds good."

He grabbed his bag, and they headed out to a cafe around the corner he'd gone to multiple times to study at. It was quiet, and would give them a chance to catch up and talk.

After ordering their drinks and a few pastries to split, they grabbed a table by the window so they could enjoy the warmth of the spring sun.

"How does it feel to be done-done with school? No more exams ever again!" Suzume asked him, knowing he had already completed his teaching licence exams, and was getting settled into finding work.

"It's weird, actually. I've spent so much of my life studying and preparing for tests, and now, I'll be on the other side — giving the tests and assignments to students. Who knows? Maybe I'll miss it, and go back to school in a few years. Get my masters or something."

Suzume laughed, "You're gonna be one of those people who never stops going to school, aren't you?"

"What can I say? I enjoy learning about everything I can," his reply was effortless. It was a trait he clearly understood well about himself, "What about you? You excited to be finished with high school, and going to university?"

Suzume took a bite of her pastry before she answered, "I guess. I can't imagine it'll be much different, just with more attention on the things I want to focus on."

"You got into the nursing program, right?" he asked as he lifted his coffee cup, confirming what he was pretty sure was her plan.

She nodded, "Yup!"

"I'm glad you got into the program you wanted. It really suits you," he continued.

Suzume smiled, "Same. I'm just glad I managed to get into Tokyo."

There was a brief pause before Souta replied a little wistfully, "Me too…"

They exchanged a look between them that spoke volumes; a mutual understanding.

Suzume nervously looked down at the table before she spoke, "Hey Souta…? Remember when you last came back to Kyushu?"

Souta nodded quietly.

"We had talked about… well…" her voice kept hitching in her throat, not allowing her to say what she felt she needed to.

"About waiting to meet again? I remember," he continued.

Yes… at the time, it had been about 2 months since they'd parted ways, and he returned to Kyushu to visit her like he promised he would.

He stayed on the island for a few days, her aunt even allowing him to stay at the house — although he was to sleep on the couch, which he was completely fine with and thankful for.

During that time, they'd had some discussions about what had happened, where they stood… and where they were going in their futures.

*Flashback to 14 months ago*

"Listen Suzume, I understand where you're coming from. And I don't want to make it seem like those feelings aren't the same for me," Souta explained calmly, "It's just… I don't want you to let these feelings cloud your judgement and get in the way of what you want for your life."

Suzume quietly listened to him as he spoke, her cheeks a fiery red and her eyes still wet from tears she'd long since cried out. Souta was leaving to go back to Tokyo, and he was telling her that he wasn't going to come visit again until they were both settled in their own paths. It had been painful for her to hear that, and still being a teeanger, she was emotional.

After all… she loved him.

And she knew he loved her as well.

After everything they'd been through together — not only saving Japan from multiple disasters, but saving Souta from the Ever After and from being a Keystone to seal away the Worm for another hundred years — she was sure she wanted to be together with him. She'd made an attempt to say she would come visit him, but he outright denied her offer, not wanting her to get distracted by this when she still had her future ahead of her to worry about.

"You still have so many choices you have to make for yourself that no one can make for you, and experiences that you should have, that I don't want you to make any kind of rash decision just because of how we feel about each other right now," Suzume wondered why he had to be so logical about this, "Who knows how we'll feel a year from now. This is all still pretty fresh, and I think it'll be better to take it slow."

"What if… what if we still feel the same… maybe in a year or two?" she asked, her voice cracking from overuse, and hoping he could give her answer.

Suzume felt his fingers touch her cheek lightly to draw her attention his way as he spoke in that airy tone he had, "It would be unfair of me to let you make that kind of decision before you've even finished high school."

"Then let me make it when I'm not a high schooler anymore," she begged, her eyes pleading with him.

Souta's brow furrowed a little at that, "Tell you what… once you've graduated high school AND you've started university for the program you really want to complete… and, if we still feel this way… we can revisit this conversation then. Sound alright?"

Suzume's bright smile came back to her face in almost an instant, because she knew what she could work towards, "That sounds like a deal!"

They agreed, Suzume prompting him with her pinky finger, and he submitted, intertwining their pinkies together.

Suzume played with her drink, swirling the liquid around as she tried to articulate what was running through her head, "I want you to know that… I know what I want to do with my life. I know the paths I want to take. I want to be a nurse. I want to help people. It's what I know how to do, and it's what drives me to do all I can every day. But… even if that changes… even if that path diverts… I know that all I want is to help others. And part of that… is helping you."

Souta's eyes refocused on her, his attention fixated on her completely.

Suzume continued, "I know you're the type of person to run yourself down because you feel like the weight of the world is on your shoulders. Being a Closer, a teacher… Those are big responsibilities… and more than anything, I just want to know that you're being taken care of too. That while you're out there saving the world from disaster… that you have someone who's looking out for you too."

His eyes softened as Suzume dared to meet his gaze, her cheek flushing slightly, "I hope I can be that person for you. But if you don't feel about me that same way anymore, then I at least hope that you can still lean on me for help when you do need it. If you're ever injured, or need someone to help with the gates… Because no matter what happens, I will always be there to support you, Souta. My feelings for you… haven't changed. If anything they've only gotten stronger. And I just want you to know that… you'll always have someone in your corner."

There was a long pause after Suzume finished, and she was scared; scared to think that after all this time, maybe his feelings for her had changed. That maybe he had moved on, and was only interested in keeping their relationship platonic…

"Suzume…" he spoke her name so intently, it commanded her attention. Her eyes immediately drew back to him, and she was relieved to see that charming smirk of his before he said, "I'm so happy to have you in my corner… and I'll always be in yours too. No matter what happens."

She let out a relieved breath, one she was clearly holding. Souta immediately reached his hand out across the table, taking hers in them and comforting her.

After a second, he continued, "I honestly can't tell you how relieved I am to know that this is your own choice."

Suzume asked, "What do you mean?"

Souta elaborated, "I never got to choose to be a Closer. It was a responsibility that was passed down to me. Everything in my life has had to be dictated by this role. And while I know how important it is, and the weight that burden carries, I sometimes wish I could forge my own path. But… knowing that you accept that, and choose me anyways… I'm just… so grateful to have met you, Suzume."

Suzume turned her hands in his, taking hold of each other as they stared happily back at one another.

Before too long, they'd finished their drinks and snacks before heading out to explore the city together.

The evening started to wind down, and Souta offered to walk Suzume back to her dorm. As they walked through the city, Souta asked, "Did I ever tell you about when we first met, on that road up to your house… how I was sure we'd… well, I thought we'd met somewhere before?"

Suzume looked up at him, "Wait! You thought that too?!"

Souta laughed, "Yeah, when you biked past me… I dunno, something in me made me think I should ask you for directions. Even though I knew where the ruins were, I just thought… I feel like I've seen this girl before."

Suzume's eyes were wide as he explained the exact same sensation she'd felt the first time they'd met, "I felt the same way. It's strange. After you asked for those directions, I actually turned back and tried to find you again. That was when I wandered into the ruins and found the door and Daijin. I was actually looking for you. There was just… something about you that was familiar to me, and I couldn't get it out of my head."

Souta nodded, "It wasn't until we saw that younger version of yourself in the Ever After that it all clicked… Because time all falls together in that plain, it's almost like deja vu for something you haven't experienced yet. It feels familiar, but you can't explain why. And every day, I'm thankful that I listened to that feeling and asked you for those directions."

Suzume's heart warmed again, knowing that Souta had the same reaction she did, "I will admit, there was a part of me that did also just think you were very beautiful."

Souta looked down at her, "Wait, seriously?!"

Suzume laughed, "Oh, come on! You can't be going around looking the way you do and be oblivious to just how gorgeous you are!"

Souta seemed to accept the odd compliment, "Well, I mean I've guess people have told me that, but I never thought much of it. But, coming from you — someone who's beautiful, both inside and out… I definitely means a lot more."

Suzume was stunned to silence, her cheeks warming as she felt Souta's hand reach out for hers.

As Suzume walked up the short stairs that lead into her dorm building, she turned back to Souta, who had stayed back on the sidewalk. She rushed back to him, startling him a little as she stood on the bottom step — giving her just a little bit more height — and quickly gave him a kiss on his cheek.

Souta didn't have much time to react before she giggled, "I'll see you soon," and ran back up the stairs, waving goodnight to him as she passed through the door.

Souta stood a little dumbstruck, and smiled to himself before heading back to his own apartment and starting to count the minutes before he could see her again. Thankfully, it would definitely be sooner than later.

Hope you enjoyed this little bit of a post-canon story. Might do more that follow along this same thread, but let me know if you enjoyed this and want to read more!

Until Next Time…