ProfessionalPirateSiren: I swear the miscommunication was getting on MY nerves lol Thanks!
Guest: Thank you!
Alnitak8: Thank you! I'm happy you feel that way. Writing a long chapter that's just one conversation seemed like it might turn out not-so-great.
argenteusvipera: Ahhh thank you so much! I'm so happy you liked it!
Wishfulhamadryad: It only took us 59 chapters! WOO!
So, yes, it has been a hot minute since I updated. Since then, a LOT of changes have happened in my life. I moved and started a new job, for starters, so not a lot of time to sit down and write. Thing is, I actually DID write a chapter, but something about it just felt...off. I sat on it for a while, then decided to scrap it and start anew, hence now we are here. Anyway, thank you guys so much for your patience! It's much appreciated.
Things change slowly, not all at once.
Handing her phone back to Shigeo when she returns makes Kosuke's mouth go bitter. Even so, she falls asleep hopeful rather than lying awake in fear that her escape will be discovered. She will not be naïve, but neither will she let Shigeo dominate her life—and she will not let him ruin her happiness.
Kosuke goes through her honeymoon phase, all lovestruck and swoony because Kyoya feels the same way, he wants to be with her too, she didn't ruin anything. Minami even asks if she's sick because she's "really pink, all the time". After it wears off, there is peace. Kosuke spends her time in the present rather than the future. She wakes in the morning without dread. Though the world is as she remembers it, she's lighter now.
She has changed, now aware of all her cracks and chips and how hard she'd tried to mask them, even from herself. They won't heal overnight, of course, but she must start somewhere. So, when she returns to school that Monday, she explains to her friends why she hasn't been answering their texts and calls.
Kosuke doesn't tell them everything, but only because she doesn't have the energy to do it seven times over. She is straightforward: "My father has taken my phone because I left the mansion without permission. He's a terrible person, but I can't go into everything right now, and you CANNOT tell anyone else or even imply to him that I've told you."
Not every conversation goes the same. Mori and Reiko must assuage Hani from asking a thousand questions. Renge is shockingly serious and swears upon her life that she won't tell a soul. Kaoru asks her again and again if she is safe, whereas Kosuke has to keep a hand on Hikaru's arm for fear of him running off to throttle Shigeo right then.
It isn't easy. Kosuke goes to and from each talk with shame like a stone in her stomach. Still, she pushes through them—not for Kyoya, but for herself.
She speaks to Tamaki last, because he will get the full story. She and Kyoya meet with him during their lunch hour, though no matter how much Kosuke urges them both, neither Tamaki nor Kyoya eat much at all.
Of course, Tamaki is stunned, horrified, and livid. Worse, he's betrayed. First her money troubles, then the loan sharks, and then Shigeo—the last secret is the worst to Tamaki, because he had always disliked Shigeo, and Kosuke had always scolded him for it just as a cover-up.
Kosuke was never going to mention the compensated date (for healing or not, some things are simply too private), but she's certain that if she did, Tamaki would be in a blind rage. Although, he isn't too far from that now.
"This is ridiculous!" Kosuke flinches at Tamaki's shout, but they're in an empty classroom for a reason. "There must be something that we can do! Anything!"
Kosuke shakes her head fervently. She cannot, will not, have Tamaki's kind heart cause him to confront Shigeo in any manner. "I've thought this over a million times and then some, Tamaki. He's too unpredictable. I can't risk the children or my grandparents."
Tamaki's eyes flutter, disbelieving. Then he turns to Kyoya. "Can't your family do anything?"
"The only people in my family aware of what's happening are myself, and Fuyumi." Kyoya gives Tamaki a look over his glasses that warns, And it will stay that way. "Even if that were not the case, Kosuke is right. If we don't know what he'll do, there's no way for us to prevent it."
"Surely your father could do something. Kosuke is going to be his daughter-in-law!"
Kyoya's frown deepens. "I don't know how my father would respond. I don't trust him enough to tell him about this."
Tamaki's head snakes back on his neck, and even Kosuke can't help but gape. Not that she isn't proud to hear it, but Kyoya daring to speak ill of his father to someone else is a shock.
"So…" Tamaki looks around for someone to back him up, but no one comes. "So—Nothing? We just have to sit back and let him do this to you and the children?"
"He isn't going to do anything to the children," says Kosuke. "I'll make sure of it. We'll figure out what to do eventually, but for right now, I just need you and everyone else to keep quiet about this. Lips sealed. Okay?"
Tamaki shakes his head. His hands are trembling, even as he has them in fists at his sides. "Why didn't you tell us about this sooner? Any of us?"
While Kosuke takes a deep breath, Kyoya gives her shoulder a squeeze.
"Because I thought that I needed to do everything by myself, because I'm the big sister and everything is my responsibility. Now I know that it doesn't have to be that way." Kosuke leans forward, putting her hands on the edge of the table between them. "I'm sorry that I didn't tell you. I really am. But I'm telling you now, and I'm asking you to please, just don't do anything yet."
Tamaki looks between the two of them, perhaps waiting for the twins to jump out and say it was all a prank, or for someone to pull out a battle plan for how they're going to bring Shigeo down. Instead, they just look back at him, grim-faced and silent.
Finally, Tamaki stands, storms to the door, and leaves.
Kosuke is somewhat proud of herself for getting it all out, but it doesn't stop the disappointment. She'd hoped that after the shock, Tamaki would be giving the most vocal support. Having him of all people storm out on her is almost gutting, even though she knows it's deserved.
"He'll be upset for a while, but he won't tell anyone," Kyoya says. "Just give him time."
Kosuke looks away from the door to the bento that she had packed just for Tamaki. "He hardly ate anything!"
He holds in it for a second, at least, but Kyoya sighs. "A big sister, indeed…"
"Come on, Kyoya, we'll have to split this. I can't let Hitsuji see that Tamaki didn't eat his tako sausage."
She puts one in Kyoya's bento and the other in hers. Kyoya squints at it. "That's what they are?"
In fairness, they look less like octopuses and more like malformed jellyfishes, but her baby brother made them, and so Kosuke must give Kyoya a slug to the arm. At least a small one.
"Apologies, apologies. My compliments to the chef."
"That's what I thought."
They lapse into silence as they dig into the rest of Tamaki's lunch. Kosuke becomes aware of how close they are sitting. Their hips are touching, and their elbows brush together as they eat.
It's true that change has been slow since their talk under the bridge, and that includes their relationship. Considering the worst outcome Kosuke had predicted was the complete annihilation of their friendship, she is thankful. One thing that has changed for them is touch, now that they're…"allowed" to do so.
This is the first relationship Kosuke has been in since she and Kohta had broken up so…messily. This is the first relationship that Kyoya has ever been in. Add in the fact that they're both engaged already, and they're in very uncharted waters, no map in sight.
They haven't even held hands yet, let alone kissed. Which is not to say that the thought of either hasn't crossed Kosuke's mind—very much so, with alarming frequency—but she's vigilant of moving too fast for Kyoya. Besides the frequent embraces from Tamaki and Fuyumi, he's not used to being touched in any way. She can't just start showering him with smooches when he still goes rigid just at a hand on his shoulder.
She's more than happy with just brushing elbows while they eat jellyfish sausage. They have all the time in the world.
"I was thinking," Kyoya says suddenly, "that we should go on a date."
Kosuke lowers her bento to her lap. "Oh yeah? Why?"
"No particular reason. It just came to my attention that that's a typical activity for people engaged to be married."
"Yeah, I get it. Ask a stupid question…Did you have something in mind?"
"Have you heard of Let's Play Our Old Song?"
Kosuke thinks. Familiar, familiar…"Isn't that the new movie about the singers?"
"It is. We could see that, if you would like."
"Oh my gosh, I would love that! Can I ask you something?"
"Yes?"
"How many fingers am I holding up?"
Kyoya refuses to even look, so Kosuke goes on, "Since when do you like romcoms? Or movies? Fuyumi says getting you to watch them is like pulling teeth."
"As I've said before, I can enjoy something if the company is good."
"Alright, if you say so. When?"
"Would Friday evening work for you?"
"Yep. I mean—if Shigeo allows it, but since it would be the end of the two weeks, and it's you, I'd think he would. Can't have you getting suspicious…So, what time should I come? Would we still be able to do it at your place?"
Kyoya turns to her. "I'm sorry?"
"I mean, does the theater at your mansion still work? I know you're just about to move out, so I don't know if it's been shut down, or something."
"I meant that we could go to a public theater."
"Oh!" Kosuke wants to ask about that, but does she need to be so interrogative? "Okay, yeah. Would eight be good?"
"It should be."
"This Friday at eight. You've got a date. Now, finish your lunch."
They do so in silence, though Kosuke almost laughs. Her first real date with her fiancé. They really are doing everything out of order.
It is early the next morning—so early that Kosuke and the children haven't even been served breakfast yet—when Miyuri comes into the dining room with a delivery: a bouquet of red roses that look too perfect to be real.
"From Mr. Kyoya Ootori, Miss," Miyuri explains as she hands them over. She bows and leaves.
They're easily the most beautiful flowers Kosuke has ever seen. But...from Kyoya?
At the table, Minami teases, "He looooves yooooou!"
Hitsuji's face pinches together. "Ew."
Maybe he's trying to cheer me up, after everything? Kosuke looks for a note, but there is none. She heads for the kitchen to find something to put them in. That must be it. How sweet.
Kosuke can't believe it, but for once, she's annoyed at how slow the rumor mill is turning.
Everyone should know by now that she and Kyoya have made amends. Her friends would have told people that much. Yet, as she walks down the halls, she swears she keeps catching pitying glances. The faces that stop whispering when she draws near look more ashamed than they had before. It really puts a damper on her good-for-once mood.
As she exits the classroom that afternoon, Kosuke catches Kyoya's eye across the way. In tandem, they move to the outskirts of the winding crowd, meeting together beside a marble column.
"Hey," she greets. "Thanks for the flowers this morning. That was sweet."
"There's no need to thank me."
"I'll figure out a way to make it up to you by Friday. I can buy the tick—Oh. Wait, no, that's not a problem for either of us, is it?"
Kyoya's mouth opens to reply, but just as quickly closes when he glances aside. A pair of students on the other side of the hall are suddenly engrossed in how green the rose bushes look despite the dropping temperature. Yes, yes, indeed. Very impressive.
Kosuke glances around and sees more than one pair of eyes glancing right back. One student hastens from a stroll to a speedwalk.
"I don't get it," she whispers to Kyoya. "They're watching us like we're still fighting."
"It may take some more time for word to get around. It's frustrating, but I'm not planning on standing on a podium and declaring the news."
She jokes, "We should put it in the school newspaper!"
"No." Kosuke flinches. Kyoya clears his throat. "I'm sorry—bad experiences. I'm sure it'll resolve itself soon."
"Sure. I need to get going. See you later?"
"Of course. Goodbye."
"Bye!"
She would have walked away happier with just that, but as soon as she and Kyoya turn from one another, she hears a tsk. Someone is walking the other way, shaking his head. It's not paranoia—it was definitely directed at her and Kyoya.
Kosuke walks to her next class wondering if she's the one that's in the dark.
The next morning, another bouquet arrives. This time, tulips.
Kosuke puts them in another vase next to the roses on her desk. Already she's scant on room to do her homework on.
"Can I have one?" Minami asks once they're set. Kosuke gives her one, then another to Hitsuji, just to be fair.
Two bouquets in two days. As she brushes her teeth that morning, Kosuke muses, He must REALLY be trying to make me feel better.
At school, Renge invites her to eat lunch together. Kosuke appreciates it, truly. But, she should have known better than to expect just a normal meal.
No, this meal has them in an empty parlor room, Kosuke laid out on a chaise while Renge sits in an armchair, scribbling on a notepad and peering over chained glasses that are probably just there for effect.
"And then what did you say?" Renge presses.
Kosuke shifts on the chaise. "I said 'good morning'."
"And what did he say?"
"He said 'good morning' back to me."
"Mm-hm. Mm-hm." Scribble, scribble. "How did that make you feel?"
"Uh...Satisfied? Renge, I only have twenty minutes left. Can I please eat now?"
"I wonder, what word would you use to describe how you feel right now?"
"Hungry."
"Hungry for what? Attention? Affection? Understanding, perhaps?"
"An egg sandwich, actually." Kosuke sits up and swings her feet back down to the floor. "Look, we made a deal. If you want to use me for writing inspiration, fine. But you have to make an appointment first."
"Writing inspiration?" Renge whips her glasses off, affronted. "You think I'm trying to use this conversation as a reference for fiction?"
Kosuke raises a brow.
"I most certainly am not! I'm speaking to you as a concerned friend."
"I'd appreciate it, except you won't even tell me why you're concerned to begin with."
"The first step towards healing is acknowledging the problem. This is no time for eating!"
Kosuke hums around a big bite of sandwich.
"I'm trying to help you!"
"With what?"
"You know what. You know, in your heart. Hey! Sit back down! I'm not done—"
Kosuke hands her the other half of her sandwich.
"Fine. But we will be continuing this discussion at our next session!"
Over her shoulder on the way to the door, Kosuke calls, "There won't be one!"
Another day, another bouquet. Carnations.
Now Kosuke has a garden under her window. Her whole room is perfumed. Minami watches her as she squeezes the flowers together under the sunlight, then says, "Last week, a boy in my class gave me a flower from outside."
"Oh yeah?"
"Yeah. Just one. Was he being lazy?"
"No, Kyoya is just going above and beyond. And beyond."
Minami leaves unconvinced. Kosuke isn't much convinced, herself. What's going on?
Kosuke decides to ask Kyoya about it the next time she sees him, which is just after her class that same day. She can see him across the courtyard, speaking to a few of his classmates.
She changes direction, but it's for naught.
"Kosuke!" Amaya comes around the corner right at that second. Kosuke is convinced that Amaya is borderline obsessed with her, but surely she wasn't just waiting there the whole time? "I was hoping I could catch you!"
She steps in front of Kosuke and blocks Kyoya from view. Kosuke grips the strap of her schoolbag and bites back a groan. She had been so happy for the past few days that she had blissfully forgotten that Amaya Domen existed.
"Amaya, good morning. Is something wrong?"
"I hope not! I was coming to see if you're okay."
Surely. Kosuke puts on a big smile. "Yes, I'm perfectly fine, thank you! Why do you ask?"
"Oh, well, I heard about what happened between you and Kyoya. Not that I mean to pry, of course, I only heard through word of mouth. I'm so sorry that I didn't say anything sooner. I wasn't sure if it was my place. But I've been so worried, and I just can't take it anymore. Is everything okay between you two?"
"Yes, everything is great! We made amends ages ago."
"You have? Huh. That isn't what I heard..."
"Oh? What have you heard?"
"I'm not one to gossip, Kosuke, honestly. I'm sure it was merely a misunderstanding, news being twisted from mouth to ear, you know?" Amaya looks left and right, making sure no one will hear. Read: making sure that plenty will hear. "I've heard whispers that your engagement has been ended."
Kosuke laughs, genuinely. "Have you! And who said that?"
"Maybe I shouldn't name them. I'm sure they didn't mean anything by it. I wouldn't want you to be upset with them over a misunderstanding."
"No, no, of course not. It would be nice to clear things up with them, though."
"So it was only a rumor, then? Ah, thank goodness." Drat. Nice dodge. "I'm so relieved to hear it. I wonder, though, what would make anyone think such a thing?"
"I haven't the slightest clue. Kyoya and I have been getting along just swell lately. I have no idea why anyone would think just the opposite."
"Yes, it is a strange rumor to spread around, isn't it?"
"It is. If you hear someone mention it again, would you mind telling them that's not the case, and that Kyoya and I are perfectly happy together?" Kosuke puts a hand over her heart. "I'd appreciate it so much."
"Of course! Though I really shouldn't have to, it's so ridiculous. As if a relationship like yours and Kyoya's could be ruined so easily. Such an important engagement for the Ootoris and the Amidas, ended over a tiny little spat? Ha!"
"Ha!"
"I'll let you go, then. Tell Kyoya I said hello, will you? If you two really are on speaking terms!"
She laughs at her funny little quip, and Kosuke laughs with her. Amaya wishes her a good day, and Kosuke wishes her the same (and, silently, that she'll trip and fall on her way to class). Kyoya is gone now, nowhere to be seen.
It's annoying, but Kosuke brushes it off. She's not about to let Amaya of all people ruin her day. Besides, maybe she's just overthinking it. There's nothing about flowers to be upset about.
A fourth bouquet. Sunflowers.
There's no way they're going to fit under her bedroom window. Kosuke sets them under the nearest spot of sunlight she finds. Still no note.
This time, Kosuke feels like she needs a second opinion. She won't have her phone back until tomorrow, so her grandparents and Haruhi are out of the question. Tamaki is still upset, the twins will give her no shortage of teasing. She trusts Mori with her life, but their last talk about romance ended with a colossal miscommunication. She isn't asking Renge. Just—no.
Thus, today's lunch is spent with Hani and Reiko. The three of them sit at a table in the cafeteria. She would never say it aloud, but seeing Hani eat vegetables is almost uncanny.
He swallows a bite of lotus root, then repeats, "How often do I give Reiko flowers?"
"Is that a weird question to ask? I'm so sorry, just forget about it!"
"No, it's okay! But Reiko doesn't like flowers."
Reiko interjects, "I think spider lilies are beautiful. Sadly, they are uncommon for lovers to gift one another."
"Actually, Reiko doesn't really like any gifts." Hani tries to remember, but gives up, and turns to her. "What is it that you say about gifts?"
"The bond between Mitsukuni and I transcends any gesture that a physical gift could make."
"Ah." Kosuke taps her temple, laughing. I should've talked to Mori. "Right, right!"
Reiko takes a drink of tea, then says, "Why do you ask?"
"I was just..." Kosuke almost dismisses it as just an out-of-the-blue question, but then thinks, what the heck. "Kyoya's been getting me flowers every day. It's new for him."
Hani gives a long "Aww!" Reiko, however, tilts her head and asks, "Is something wrong with that?"
"Not wrong. Just new."
"Flowers have short lifespans. At least when you're given more, you can cycle them out."
Hani sets his chopsticks down, and to Kosuke's utmost shock, doesn't pull out a slice of cake to chow down on. "Kyoya's probably just trying something new!"
"You're probably right." Because again, there's nothing wrong with it. Even so, it's just so unlike his…style. "I'm probably overthinking it."
They shift the topic to their classes, updates in Hani and Reiko's wedding, and whether Kosuke has been able to contact the same baker for hers and Kyoya's. As they talk, Kosuke traces her fingertips on the lip of her teacup, and looks at the roses painted delicately on the porcelain. Whatever sent Emiko to Karuizawa, Kosuke is sure that it wasn't daily flowers.
At the end of Application of Culinary Skills II that day, Kosuke goes through her end-of-class routine: wiping down her station, rearranging her knives, and so on. She's so in the zone that she doesn't realize that, for once, she is not the last one out of the classroom. In fact, Benjiro, Rika, and Yoshiko have come to her station without her even noticing. She only sees them once she's tucked her clean cutting board away.
"Oh! Hey, guys. What's up?"
"Kosuke," says Rika, gravely, "we need to talk."
"Uh...Okay? About what?"
All together, they bring three items down on Kosuke's station: a box of tissues, a carton of ice cream, and a spoon.
Rika pulls a chair beside Kosuke, sits down, and puts a warm hand on her shoulder. "We don't want to push, but we're your friends, and we can't stand to see you like this. Let it out, honey. We're here for you."
While Yoshiko takes the lid off the ice cream carton, Kosuke can only say, "What?"
Benjiro makes her take the spoon. "We're talking about you and Kyoya. Talk it out. Cry it out. Do what you need to do."
Yoshiko pushes the ice cream carton to her. "We got this at a convenience store. I wasn't sure if you had a preference—this is chocolate, but I have strawberry and vanilla if you want them."
"You've got to be kidding me." Kosuke buries her face into her palms. A headache is suddenly coming on. "You guys, too?"
"We couldn't help but hear, Kosuke, we were right outside the room," sighs Rika. "There's nothing to be embarrassed about. Let's just talk about how you're feeling."
"I'm feeling annoyed."
Yoshiko nods. "That's completely understandable."
"Do you need a pillow?" asks Benjiro. He stands. "When my cousin went through a break up, having a pillow to scream into and punch really helped."
"Kyoya and I aren't breaking up, and I'm not annoyed at him." Kosuke waves her hand around. "I'm annoyed at this."
This only makes Yoshiko take the ice cream back. "I have chocolates, chips, and candy. Whatever you want, just say so."
"Oh, for crying out loud!" Kosuke stands, shrugging off Rika's arm and thrusting her spoon into Benjiro's hand. "Kyoya and I are perfectly fine. It's everyone else who keeps saying that we're done for. We've made up! Why is everyone acting so weird?"
Her three friends glance at one another, looking very skeptical. Rika is the first to break the silence, gently. "Have you really made up, though?"
"We apologized to each other. We're going on a date tomorrow night. Sounds like we made up, to me!"
"But..."
"But what?"
Benjiro rubs at the back of his neck, not meeting her eyes. "The two of you have been acting so strangely ever since it happened."
"What?" Kosuke's whole face is scrunched into a knot. "Strange how?"
"You guys were so passionate before," cries Yoshiko. "He would kiss your hand, and sometimes you guys would see each other across the room and just smile. You'd both tell everyone how in love you were. Now you both just—say hello and keep walking!"
That's what's been happening?
Her and Kyoya's acting was so good that now that they don't have to act anymore, everyone thinks they hate each other?
Kosuke takes back her spoon and takes a big bite of chocolate ice cream.
"There, there, that's it." Rika rubs soothing circles between her shoulder blades. "Let it out."
"I swear that Kyoya and I's relationship is as strong as ever, even if you guys don't see it. Cross my heart." For good measure, though it leaves a taste in her mouth that the ice cream can't cover, she adds, "Kyoya sends me flowers every morning. That's not something you do for someone you've broken up with."
All three of them light up.
"Really?"
"He does?"
"Yes. Now, if you guys really want to help me, you could spread the word. I'm tired of being stared at all over campus."
"Sure we will." Yoshiko sighs as though all is right with the world once again. "Everyone will be happy to hear it. We were all so worried about you."
Kosuke almost snaps back that complete strangers have no right to be worried about her relationship, let alone so openly that they watch her every movement. She only stops herself by shoveling more ice cream into her mouth. She'll take a brain freeze over this headache.
Her friends start laughing with relief and poking fun at one another for their worry. Kosuke laughs along with them, mostly for good measure, but she must admit that it's frustratingly hilarious how badly the rumor mill turns.
In the chatter, Kosuke takes a glance at the ice cream brand. The logo is one she doesn't recognize, sparkly and framed in posies.
Flowers are very pretty, she thinks, but she thinks she's tired of seeing them.
The bouquet that arrives Friday morning does not go in a vase. Kosuke instead sets it on her nightstand and leaves it there until that evening, when she grabs it on her way out of the door.
She's never been to the theater that she and Kyoya decided on. Only in the back of the limousine does she start to worry that it'll be some high-end venue that will make her sweater and jeans look like rags. Thankfully, it's just a normal, everyday movie theater, and aside from stepping out of a limousine, Kosuke feels for a minute like she's leading a normal life. She's just a woman going on a movie date with her boyfriend.
Kyoya is waiting for her at the entrance between two movie posters. He's not in jeans (Has he ever worn denim, she wonders?), but neither is he in a suit with a pocket square on his breast. He smiles when he sees her, but then frowns when he sees the bouquet.
"Was there a problem with this one?" he asks, but he doesn't even sound sure of his own question.
"There's nothing wrong with the flowers." Kosuke holds them out until he takes them. "But I'm worried there might be a problem with something else."
"What do you mean?"
"Will you be honest with me?"
"I made a promise."
"I love the flowers, Kyoya, I really do. But I need to know—are you giving them to me as a gift, or as an apology? Because if it's the latter, I don't want you to send any more. You don't need to."
"No, they weren't meant as an apology." Kyoya turns the bouquet over in his hands to see if they really are "lovable". "What made you think so?"
"Well, it's new, that's all. I knew I was probably overthinking it, but I also made a promise."
"They were only gifts." Kyoya purses his lips. "You're not wrong, however. It's unlike me."
"It's not weird." Kosuke leads them to the doors. "There's nothing wrong with it at all. Like I said: overthinking. Do you want popcorn?"
To his credit, the sneer on his face is very slight. "Not particularly, but if you do, then let's get some."
They join the line at the concession stand. It makes Kosuke unreasonably happy how they blend right in with the other couples.
She buys a small popcorn and a box of candy that Hitsuji loves but she can't seem to find anywhere but in movie theaters. She and Kyoya are walking through the dim hall toward their theater when he says, "Perhaps I was being overeager."
"What do you mean?"
They navigate their way through the rows to their seats. Though it's only the previews playing, Kyoya drops his voice to a hush. "I've never been with someone before, as you know. This is already unfamiliar to me, and I knew that my idea of dating was going to be different from yours."
"Well...we're not exactly dating. Kinda passed that stage a while ago."
"Which also crossed my mind. I thought maybe you'd like it if I did what I was 'supposed' to do. I thought you'd be more comfortable."
Kosuke looks around at all the seats, the cupholders, the lights that line the aisles. "Is that why you suggested this place?"
"Yes, but don't mistake me. I do want to be here."
"I sure hope so, or the next two hours are going to be rough for you." Kyoya shakes his head, and Kosuke giggles. "So you thought I'd like it if you did everything by the book? Flowers and movie dates?"
"Something like that, yes."
"Do you want to hear something that's infuriating, but funny? The reason that everyone at school has been acting so weird is because we're not acting all lovey-dovey anymore. I had to tell my friends that you were sending me flowers just to get them off my back."
Kyoya pinches his nose. "Why do I feel as though everything about this is going wrong?"
"I know, it's exhausting. Let's break up."
"That's what I was thinking."
Kosuke settles in her seat and starts sifting for a good piece of popcorn. "We're not 'supposed' to do anything. We can just do what feels like us, you know?"
"I know—but I'm not quite sure what 'us' looks like just yet."
"Then that's something we'll figure out together."
The lights dim, and the opening titles roll. The music is romantic and sweeping, like this romance between two high school sweethearts who have become rival musicians is going to match Shakespeare's loves. Already Kosuke can feel her lips stinging from the salt on the popcorn, but as always, she refuses to waste food.
The title proper has only just appeared when she leans over to whisper to Kyoya, "What else were you planning on doing? Long walks on the beach? Pet names?"
He looks sideways at her, looking half befuddled and half amused. "Pet names?"
"You know. Honey. Sweetheart. Baby."
His nose wrinkles just so. "If I ever refer to anyone as 'baby', bring me to the nearest hospital."
"You're no fun. Fine. Can I call you 'baby'?"
"Absolutely not."
"What about 'darling'?"
"It doesn't suit you."
"'Honey'?"
He thinks about it for a moment. "Maybe. Now stop flirting before we're kicked out for being disruptive."
"Yes, honey."
Kyoya's jaw clenches, and Kosuke stifles her laughter with more popcorn. Just as the first scene starts, she whispers to him, "I know it's still new, but I like the way 'us' looks right now."
Chapter Summary:
Things begin to change after Kyoya and Kosuke's talk, including her feeling comfortable enough to tell her friends about Shigeo's true nature. She and Kyoya are trying to navigate how their relationship is different now, if at all, and the two decide to go on a date. Each morning, Kyoya sends Kosuke a bouquet of flowers, which she appreciates but finds odd. Meanwhile, peers and friends alike ar treating her and Kyoya strangely, as though they are still fighting. Kosuke eventually learns that it's because her and Kyoya not acting as lovey-dovey as they had before has convinced everyone that they're done for. At their date, Kosuke and Kyoya talk about the expectations that they have for their relationship, and agree that there is no way they are "supposed" to go about it.