Well, well, look like we have another contender for my favorite chapter so far.
Btw, I hope you enjoy my musical treat this chapter. Now read on ;)
Kokabiel Arc Chapter 25: Heavenly Confessions
It was now Sunday morning. Jiro had woken up in his bed still slightly flustered from the previous night. He got up and walked out of his room to see Irina in the hallway having also just woken up, her long chestnut hair disheveled as she yawns while stretching her arms upwards. The two lock eyes and smile.
"Morning sleepyhead, I hope you're ready for training today," Irina said, smiling enthusiastically.
Jiro blushes slightly at the way her crop top and booty shorts emphasize her curves and leaves little to the imagination. "Heh, that's my line, miss major bed head." Jiro said fighting off his blush.
"Hey, don't act like I don't look good in the morning. I can tell from the look on your face," Irina said teasingly, walking towards him with a slight sway of her hips. She stopped right in front of him, put her hands behind her back, and leaned forward slightly.
Jiro's blush deepened as she did so and couldn't help but look at her chest that was jutting out by her pose. "I got no idea what you're talking about. Anyway time for breakfast." Jiro said, turning and walking towards the stairs while saying "Don't go doing sexy poses like that, damn it!" in his head while trying to fight off a nosebleed.
Irina gave a satisfied and amused smirk at his reaction, although she secretly blushed in excitement at the thought that Jiro might find her attractive. She also secretly felt flustered as well from her gesture the previous night. "Whatever you say." Irina said as she followed him downstairs with her hands on her cheeks.
They go to the kitchen and Jiro makes bacon, eggs, and miso soup for breakfast. They eat in peace, Irina enjoying the food way too much. They finished eating and started to wash the dishes together.
"I'll never get tired of your cooking, Jiro-kun. It always tastes amazing." Irina said, the taste of their breakfast still lingering in her mouth.
"Heh, what can I say, I'm good at more than just fighting." Jiro said, smiling smugly.
Irina chuckled at his response. "Oh really? I can see that, and I'm glad to hear that." Irina said with an amused smile.
They finished washing the dishes and dried their hands. "Well we have some time to kill before we have to meet everyone at Kuoh Academy for training, want to have a quick bath and go for a walk while we wait?" Jiro asked, putting the towel down.
Irina beams in excitement at the suggestion. "That sounds like an excellent plan, Jiro-kun. After a relaxing bath, we can go for a walk in the park together. It's the perfect way to unwind and enjoy each other's company before things get serious." Irina said, nodding.
"Great, then let's go." Jiro said as they started walking towards the bathroom
"I look forward to spending some quality time with you, Jiro-kun. You always know how to make our free time enjoyable," Irina said, following close behind him.
"I sure do and try to get used to it cause you're stuck with me." Jiro said, letting her walk up beside him and putting and arm around her shoulder, making her blush and nod.
Jiro and Irina enter the bath together, allowing the soothing warm water to envelop their weary bodies. They sink in, enjoying the tranquility of the moment. Irina leans back, closes her eyes, and takes a deep breath. She then glances at Jiro with a content smile.
"Ah... We needed this. Soaking in a warm bath with you is the perfect way to start the day. How do you feel, Jiro-kun? Comfortable and relaxed, I hope." Irina said as she stretches out her arms and legs, feeling the tension release from her muscles.
"Of course, especially with you here," Jiro said, cracking one eye open and smiling.
Irina blushes again, feeling comforted by Jiro's response. She scoots closer to him in the bath, enjoying their closeness.
"Good. We deserve this moment of relaxation. Let's enjoy the hot water and let our worries dissolve. The stress of the Kokabiel threat and everything else will fade away for a while, leaving us with nothing but each other's company." Irina said, leaning against him gently, basking in the peacefulness of the bath and his presence beside her.
"You said it, this feels great." Jiro said putting his arm around shoulder and pulling her closer as she leans her head against him.
Jiro and Irina continue to cuddle in the bathtub, their bodies pressed close together as they revel in the comfort of each other's presence. The warm water surrounds them, creating an intimate and soothing atmosphere. Irina rests her head on Jiro's chest, feeling content and at peace.
"This is perfect. Just you and me, soaking in warm water, connected in this serene moment. We don't need anything or anyone else right now. It's just us in this little bubble of peace. And I wouldn't have it any other way." Irina said, nuzzling her face against his chest.
"Me neither," Jiro said as he looked down at her while blushing. Irina noticed Jiro looking down at her with a blush on his face, a faint smile playing on her lips.
"Oh, you're blushing. It's adorable when you get all flustered like that. But I must confess, I can't help but feel a bit giddy too knowing I have this effect on you." Irina said leaning in a little closer, her voice filled with warmth and affection.
"As if you're not blushing as much as I am," Jiro said with an amused smile as he brings his face closer in turn, their faces now inches apart.
They look into each other's eyes for a moment, the familiar yearning to kiss returning, but they once again resist the urge.
Irina takes a deep breath, trying to compose herself. "W-we should probably get out now b-before we get overheated." She manages to say shakily while turning her head away, blushing furiously, feeling the heat of their suppressed desires still lingering between them.
"Y-yeah, let's do that." Jiro said, also turning his head away also blushing furiously as they reluctantly separated, their bodies still yearning for each other's touch.
They carefully step out of the bathtub, warm water dripping off them. They quickly grab towels and begin drying themselves, trying to distract themselves from the lingering tension between them.
They both let out a shaky sigh, trying to regain their composure. Their cheeks are still flushed, and hearts racing. Despite their best efforts to focus on drying off, the heat of their suppressed desires remains palpable in the air.
They get dressed. Jiro wears his usual delinquent punk attire, and Irina wears a yellow dress with a white ribbon around the waist that ties into a bow on the back, short purple heels, and her usual silver cross necklace. They walk out the door and make their way to Kuoh Park. Jiro occasionally glances at Irina while blushing slightly, admiring how pretty she looks in the dress, but also feeling a strange sense of familiarity and nostalgia.
They entered the park, walking side by side, maintaining a small distance from each other. They walk in a comfortable silence for several minutes, stealing a couple of glances at each other, their faces still slightly red, their minds still replaying their time spent in the bath earlier. The quiet moments between them as they walk are filled with a mix of yearning and restraint, as they try to maintain their composure and figure out their growing desires.
After several minutes, Jiro eventually had enough. "Hey, come with me. I have a special place I want to show you. You might just like it," Jiro said with a knowing smile as he took Irina's hand and increased his walking pace.
"Huh, Jiro-kun...?" Irina said as she tried to match his pace while he pulled her along.
Jiro leads her deeper into the park and up a large hill. They stop at the top, then Jiro turns to her and gestures forward. Irina looks forward and is met with a gorgeous sight. From where they were standing on top of the hill, they could overlook a large field of flowers of various colors, cherry blossom trees surrounded the area, and the silhouettes of Kuoh Town's buildings were visible in the distance.
Irina looked around in awe as she took it all in. "Wow... this is the most beautiful view I've seen in a long time." Irina said her wide eyes glistening in the sunlight.
"Heh, I knew you'd like it," Jiro said, amused and satisfied by her reaction.
"Like it? I love it! I forgot how beautiful it was here. Don't get me wrong, England was a nice place, but I have to admit, I missed Japan so much." Irina said her expression and tone turning solemn.
"And now you're home, right where you belong," Jiro said, taking her hand again and they started walking.
"Yeah, I'm home. Right here with you. Right where I belong." Irina said, glancing at him affectionately, Jiro doing the same.
Insert song- Can You Feel The Love Tonight- by Joseph Williams and Sally Dworsky
"Can you feel~ the love tonight~ the peace the evening brings~ "
Jiro and Irina walked several feet and then started spinning with their hands together, making butterflies fly off the flowers all around them.
"The world for once~ in perfect harmony~ with all it's living things~ "
They stop spinning and look around at the butterflies surrounding them until they bump into each other, blushing.
Jiro: "So many things to tell her~ but how to make her see~ the truth about my past?~ Impossible!~ she'd turn away from me."
The butterflies passed, and they walked side by side on top of the hill, sparing glances at each other.
Irina: "I have to hold back~ keep hiding~ but what, I can't decide~ how would I know~ what these emotions are?~ and how I feel inside?"
Jiro smirks and suddenly starts running, catching Irina off guard, but she smirks as well and starts running after him.
"Can you feel~ the love tonight~ the peace the evening brings~ "
Irina unfurls her angel wings for a second to propel herself forward, before retracting them. She catches up to Jiro and tackles him, sending them rolling down the hill wrapped in each other's arms.
"The world for once~ in perfect harmony~ with all its living things~ "
They stopped at the bottom as multiple flower petals fly up and float around them from the force of their landing. They sit up while giggling then Irina looks at Jiro and suddenly gives him another kiss on his left cheek catching him off guard. Jiro looks at her with a large blush on his face as she smiles and jumped off of him gliding threw the air with her angel wings. Jiro regains his composure, smirks, and jumps after her.
"CAN YOU FEEL~ THE LOVE TONIIIIIGHT~ YOU NEEDN'T LOOK TO FAAAAR~ "
They chase each other around the cherry blossom trees with playful smiles until they go up another large hill. They reach the top of the hill and sit down next to each other. They pull each other close and cuddle, their legs tangled together as they enjoy each other's presence.
"Stealing through~ the nights uncertainties~ love is where~ they are."
Insert song end
The two cuddled on top of the hill for a long while until they decided to move on. They were now walking side by side, hand in hand.
"That was probably some of the most fun I've had in a long time. Thank you for showing me that beautiful area," Irina said, looking up at him with affection and gratitude.
"Heh, don't mention it. I was the one who suggested we take a walk through the park," Jiro said, looking back at her while smiling.
"Even so..." Irina said, feeling the urge to kiss his cheek again. Before she could, Jiro stopped in his tracks, making her do the same.
"Oh, hey, look what it is," Jiro said, pointing at a certain playground that was all too familiar to both of them.
"Wait, isn't that..." Irina said, turning to the playground.
"The playground where we first met? Yes, it is." Jiro said as he led her into it.
They entered the playground and sat down on a particular bench. The playground was completely empty, no kids around due to the early hour of the day. Cherry blossom petals fell from the trees and danced around them as the sun shone down onto them, the sunlight reflecting off the metal playground equipment.
"To think this is where we first met, this little playground," Irina said as she leaned on his left shoulder.
"I know right. And the where we reunited." Jiro said, leaning his head on her's.
Irina giggled as she thought about it. "Yeah, and I'm so glad we did." Irina said, closing her eyes.
Jiro's expression then turns more serious as he remembers his discussion with Ddraig the night before. "And... it might be the best place to tell you..." Jiro said vaguely.
Irina looked up at him with a questioning look as she said "huh?"
"...Remember I said that I had something I wanted to tell you yesterday, but hadn't?" Jiro asked, still looking forward.
"O-oh yeah, are you finally going to tell me?" Irina said, her eyes widening slightly.
Jiro stayed silent for a second as he contemplated his next words. "...Well, to start, remember when you asked what our connection was? Whether it was our bond of friendship... or something else?" Jiro asked, making Irina's face turn a shade of pink.
"Y-yeah, I remember. W-why do you ask?" Irina asked, looking at him with a sense of hope in her eyes. She waits for him to continue, her heart beating a little faster in anticipation.
Jiro blushes furiously as he turns his head to her. "Well... after what Gabriel said on Friday... I've been giving it some thought... I know this is a bit sudden, but… after all this time we've been living together… I started to feel… like I wanted to be... more close to you… I didn't know what this feeling was at first... but now... I think I know what it is…" Jiro said as he pauses for a second, trying to collect himself as he continues.
"I-I think I… really like you… Irina I... I love you." Jiro said, looking into her violet eyes, their faces inches apart.
Irina's eyes widened in surprise, her heart skipping a beat at Jiro's confession. Her cheeks flush a deep shade of red as she listens to him stumble over his words, voicing his feelings. She feels a mixture of shock and joy, her own feelings for him rising up.
"J-Jiro-kun... do you really... mean that?" Irina asked bringing her face slightly closer. She looks at him, her eyes searching his face for any sign of hesitation or regret. But all she sees is his bashful honesty and nervous vulnerability.
"Y-yeah, I do, I love you." Jiro said, now sporting a smile.
Irina's heart flutters, her mind swirling with a mix of emotions and happiness. She can see the sincerity and genuine feelings in his eyes and smile, and her own emotions start to overwhelm her.
"Jiro-kun... I... I feel the same way... I've been falling for you too. It started small, but these last few days... living together, spending so much time together... My feelings have grown much stronger as well. I... I love you too." Irina said, sporting a smile of her own, her gaze locked with his as she voices her own confession.
"Really? I'm happy to hear that, Irina." Jiro said, his smile widening. Irina smile widens in turn.
Their heart swell with a mix of relief and happiness. To hear each other openly express their feelings, and to have said feelings reciprocated, is a moment they hadn't expected, but feel incredibly grateful for.
"I'm happy too, Jiro-kun. I really am. I never thought I'd feel this way about you, but these past few days... being so close to you, learning more about you... it's made me realize that my feelings are real... and that I love you dearly." Irina said as they intertwine their fingers.
"Yeah, same here. I will admit though, I was kinda scared of telling you at first because… I didn't know if you felt the same way… and I was afraid I would make things awkward… between us." Jiro said, looking away and rubbing the back of his neck.
Irina squeezes his hands slightly, making him look at her. Her expression gentle and reassuring. "Jiro-kun... there's no need to be afraid to express your feelings. I understand that it can be scary not knowing how the other person feels. But I want you to know, I feel the same way you do. I love you as well. I didn't know if my own feelings were reciprocated either, but... I'm so glad they are." Irina said, her voice is soft and caring.
She shifts closer to him, a small smile on her face as she reassuringly squeezes his hand. "Yeah, me too," Jiro says, shifting closer to her in turn and pressing their foreheads together.
Irina gently closes her eyes, feeling the slight pressure of Jiro's forehead against hers. Their faces are now mere inches apart, their breaths mingling together. Irina can feel her heart hammering in her chest, the closeness between them making her feel both excited and nervous at the same time.
"I'm so glad we talked about this... About how we feel..." Irina said, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Me too… So... is this the part where we… start a relationship? A real one?" Jiro asked, opening his eyes, their foreheads still pressed together.
Irina opens her eyes, her smile widening at Jiro's question. Her heart skips a beat at the prospect of officially being in a relationship with him.
"Yeah, I suppose it is. But before we do... there's something I want to say." Irina said, her gaze fixed on Jiro's red eyes, her expression serious and sincere.
"Of course, what is it." Jiro said as she takes a deep breath.
Irina takes a moment to gather her thoughts, her emotions swirling inside of her. "Jiro-kun... you're special to me. I never thought I'd find someone who understands me the way you do as a little girl. You make me feel safe, and happy, and complete. I...I want us to be... official. I want to be with you... as your girlfriend." Irina said, her voice soft, yet determined while reaching up to gently caress his cheek, her grip firm and warm.
Jiro smiled as he heard her words. "And I never thought I would find someone like you to be my first and only friend as kids, who while can be bossy, demanding, and overly worrying at times, I know you only act that way because you care deeply about me and look out for me, so how can I not fall for you… I also want us to be official… I also want to be with you… as your boyfriend." Jiro said, reaching out and putting his right hand on her left cheek, while looking into her eyes.
Irina's heart swells at Jiro's words, her eyes shimmering with emotion. His honest confession, coupled with his acknowledgment of her nature, which stems from caring, touches her deeply. A wave of affection washes over her as she listens to him profess his feelings and desires, echoing her own. She leans into his touch, enjoying the feeling.
"Oh, Jiro-kun... you don't know how long I've waited to hear you say that" Irina said, almost welling up.
"You don't know how long I've wanted to say that, Irina," Jiro said, his expression mirroring Irina's.
"Jiro-kun..."
"Irina..."
They lean forward and finally share a lovingly and passionately kiss. They melt into the kiss, their eyes fluttering shut as the cherry blossoms fall around them. They surrender themselves to the moment, Irina wrapping her arms around Jiro's neck and Jiro putting his hands on her hips pulling each other closer as their legs tangle together, hanging off the bench. The weight of her longing and desire is finally released in this moment.
After several seconds, they slowly pull away and look into each other's eyes. Their hearts are still beating fast with the adrenaline of their intense kiss. The air around them is filled with a mix of passion and sweetness as cherry blossoms fall and the sun shines down on them while they take a moment to catch their breath.
"That was... perfect." Irina said, her fingers graze over the nape of his neck, her touch gentle and affectionate.
"Beyond perfect..." Jiro said, caressing her hips as they get lost in each other's eyes.
"Jiro-kun, I love you," Irina said, her eyes glistening with affection.
"I love you too, Ri-Ri-chan," Jiro said, his expression mirroring Irina's.
They pull each other into a loving embrace in complete bliss.
To be continued
God I love this chapter
I hope you all did too, and I hope you all liked Jiro and Irina's little duet cover of "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" from The Lion King. I feel it fit the moment and their characters very well.
Next time we get our first training session with the team and bring in our final member of the team for the moment. See you there :)