I just finished rewatching Suzume for the second time, and I knew I needed to write a one shot, at least, because I seriously loved this movie!

I wanted to add a short scene into a part of the movie I wish had gotten a little more romantic time/banter, so it is canon-compliant… but also divergent?

Enjoy!

They'd been reading these books and journals for hours, with no leads on where the other keystone could be located. Suzume leaned back, stretching her arms over her head as she tried to loosen the stiffness that had developed in her back before she lightly moaned, "Ugh, my back is sore."

Souta turned towards her so she'd know he was looking at her, and asked, "Do you want to take a break? Maybe you should get something to eat?"

Suzume tried to wave it off politely, not wanting to waste any time, "It's alright, I'm fine. I can keep going."

The loud, echoing grumble that emitted from her stomach said otherwise.

"Mmm, maaaaybe food wouldn't be such a bad idea…?" she relented sheepishly.

Souta lightly laughed before offering whatever he had in his apartment, "Feel free to take whatever you'd like. What's mine is yours."

Suzume started going through his fridge, only to find it mostly empty, save for some condiments and a few takeaway containers with very old food in them. The pantry didn't fare much better, as it looked like he hadn't done much shopping.

Souta explained, "Right… I made sure to clean out anything that would spoil before I left. I figured I'd be gone for a while, and I'd already been travelling for about two weeks before I made it to Ehime."

"That makes sense. You knew you'd be away, so it's only reasonable that you wouldn't have a stocked fridge," Suzume added.

"I'm sorry, Suzume," Souta sighed regretfully before asking, "Why don't you go get some food? It's on me. You can use some of the spare cash I have in that drawer there."

His chair leg pointed towards the desk beneath his bed. Suzume followed it and asked, "You sure? You don't have to do that."

"No worries," Souta immediately countered politely, "Besides, I already owe you for the train tickets, as well as for helping me with all this nonsense with Daijen anyways, so take as much as you need."

Suzume gave him a warm smile, "Thanks, Souta."

She quickly found the bit of cash and only took what she knew she needed to get a meal, leaving the rest in his drawer.

While Souta had resumed his reading of a journal, hoping to find any clues about the keystone, he was interrupted by Suzume picking him up and placing him in the duffle bag, "Wha—? Suzume, you don't have to bring me along."

"Why not? I'm sure you could use a break too. And besides, I don't know where any of the hot spots are in Tokyo for a good meal. I'm counting on you to direct me."

Souta was taken aback by that. Thank the gods Suzume couldn't see his face turning red, "You sure?" his tone sounding unsure, "People might stare."

"Of course!" Suzume replied gleefully as she left the apartment, locking it behind her and heading down the stairs of the building and onto the street, "Where would I be if I didn't have you with me? I'd appreciate the company anyway."

Souta knew she was right — she was so new to big cities, it wasn't like she would know where to go — but it also made him happy to know she just wanted his company. Part of him felt guilty for dragging her into this mess, and often wondered if he should have insisted she go back home. But by now, he knew she was stubborn… and courageous… and she was a good person who just wanted to help.

"Alright then! How about I take you to my favorite ramen spot in the city?" he said excitedly.

Suzume's cheeks went a little pink at his phrasing, though luckily Souta couldn't see it, "Uh, sure! Lead the way."

They entered the corner shop just a few blocks away from his apartment, and Suzume found a spot to the side that allowed her to take Souta out of the bag without him being conspicuous to other customers. She asked him what he recommended, and he told her his go-to order, which she ordered verbatim with the server.

As they waited for the food to be prepared, Suzume looked out the shop window at the busy street around them, "It's so hectic here. Almost like there's a pulse to the city."

"Yeah, there kinda is," Souta agreed, "I've always loved living here. There's an energy to Tokyo unlike anywhere else."

"You would know, too," Suzume replied, leaning her elbows onto the table, her chin resting into her hand as she looked back at her tiny chair companion, "What with all your travels around the country, closing doors and preventing disasters."

Souta chuckled, "I guess. But in all honesty, I don't know if I'd want to stay here for long after I graduate."

"Why's that?" Suzume asked curiously.

"I've always kinda wanted to see what it's like to live in a quieter place… someplace a little slower," his voice grew soft and wistful, "Being on the road as much as I and my family have been… being Closers and all, sometimes… you just crave stability. Whether it's a place, a routine, or… a person."

Suzume's eyes widened a little at his admission before she smiled. But before she could ask him any other questions, her bowl of ramen arrived, steaming hot and smelling amazing. Her mouth was practically salivating at the impending broth and savoury delights.

"Enjoy your meal!" the server said happily before leaving Suzume to eat. She quickly broke open her chopsticks and grabbed the spoon, saying aloud, "Thank you for the meal!"

She started to eat her bowl, commenting on how delicious it was, and Souta felt happily content that she was enjoying it so heartily.

As she slowed down, finishing the last bits of the noodles in her bowl, Souta thought for a moment before asking, "Hey, Suzume?"

She looked up from her bowl, "Yeah, Souta?"

"What were your plans? You know, after you finish high school?"

She leaned back against her chair, setting down her utensils as she answered, "Well… I've always wanted to go into nursing."

Souta's attention peaked at that, "You said your mom was a nurse, right?"

He thought it was interesting that they both seemed to have paths for their futures that were strongly influenced by their families.

She nodded as she replied, "Yeah…"

Souta paused for a moment, wanting to let her speak if she wanted, but Suzume withheld. He wasn't sure why, but clearly, there was a history with her mom that she wasn't fully ready to discuss.

"I think it suits you," he said without really thinking.

"Huh?"

"Uh, nursing, I mean!" he clarified, sounding a little flustered, "You're the kind of person who jumps head first to help others, even when you know it may be dangerous. It takes a lot of courage to do that, and you have that in spades."

He could see Suzume get embarrassed at that, "Oh, I'm not all that!"

"Don't sell yourself short, Suzume," he said, almost quiet enough that she could have missed it had she not been paying attention.

After a few more moments, Suzume paid the bill, and they left to go back to his apartment and continue their research. As they walked together, Souta thought about how big Suzume's heart was, and how much he admired her.

A short little story that kind of acts as a pseudo-date for Suzume and Souta during all the chaos of that movie. Just giving a moment of pause for them to get to know more about each other.

I hope you enjoyed it, and please let me know if you want more Suzume fanfics!

Until next time…