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y2kuromi · 10 months ago

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#. THE KISS OF THE SIREN

featuring 𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗶𝘆𝗮 𝗵𝗮𝗷𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝘅 𝗳𝗲𝗺!𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿

romance + angst. the captain of the seven seas, always wanted to see a siren, but never expected to fall in love with one.

wc :: 11,2k. thank you my lovely @kiurona for the amazing art of pirate ume! this is our mini collab, so go support her amazing art right now ♡

at such a young age, pirate captain!umemiya hajime became a threat to all on the seven seas, be it to other pirate crews, sea monsters or creatures, name it he fought it, causing fear and terror only by the mention of his name. he had faced countless dangers, still there was one mystery that had always kept him with so many questions in his mind—the legendary sirens.

legends spoke of their voices luring sailors to their doom, of the riches that could be gained from a single siren scale, and even of wishes being granted to those who managed to capture one. yet, despite all the tales, he had never once seen a siren himself. this kept him on his toes over the years, a curiosity that grew stronger with each passing sail with the ship.

the older pirates would laugh, with the memory of their own youthful days. "they’re everywhere, son," they would say, "but you’ll find them mostly where the sea is the most dangerous. deep waters, where the rocks cut through ships and the storms never seem to end. that’s where they make their homes, creating oases in the middle of nowhere, drawing in sailors with their voices." they spoke of siren scales as treasures more valuable than gold, rumored to grant wishes. but pirate captain!umemiya hajime didn’t care about wishes. all he wanted was to see one of these creatures with his own eyes since no one had seen one, and even if they did — they never came back.

the captain set sail towards the treacherous waters the old sailors had described. his crew watched as their captain steered them into the heart of danger. as the days passed, they began to grow tired and restless. one by one, they succumbed to deep slumber until only umemiya remained awake.

he heard it—a voice unlike any he’d ever known. gentle, melodic, and so enchanting. the sound stirred him from his half-slumber, pulling him from his quarters up to the deck. he stumbled, still caught between the real and dream world, searching for the source of the song.

and then he saw her beneath the moonlight, perched on a rock just beyond the reach of his ship, was the most beautiful creature he had ever laid eyes on. her skin shimmered like pearls, her e/c eyes reflected the night sky, and her voice—oh, her voice was the sweetest sound he’d ever heard. she opened her arms, beckoning him to join her in the water below, her song filling his head with thoughts of peace, of numerous illusions about him being the pirate king, the strongest and richest of them all.

he felt himself stepping closer, the rail of the ship pressing against his waist as he prepared to leap overboard. but something snapped him back to reality. he realized he was on the brink of being pulled under, of losing himself to the siren’s call. as he tore his gaze away and stumbled back, breathing heavily as he watched her continue to sing, he had never seen such beauty, it was dangerous, so unreal and magical and then she dived gracefully back into the ocean, disappearing, leaving him alone with the memory of her haunting melody.

the next day, the bofurin crew reached a port town, the older pirates immediately asked about his quest, and they were surprised to see him alive. "so captain, did you see one of them?" but they decided to be kind to him and to get him a drink. "i did, sir." the young man answered putting his hat down as he received his drink, "she was only one, but her voice was so powerful that it enchanted everyone on board, i almost died too." pirate captain!umemiya hajime recounted the encounter, leaving out no detail until the moment he stopped himself from jumping. the old man nodded, some laughing softly, others looking at him with respect. “you’ve seen one and lived to tell the tale. that’s more than most can say,” they remarked, patting him on the back.

but the memory of that song, that face, wouldn’t leave him. days passed, and though the crew indulged in the town’s distractions, pirate captain!umemiya hajime found himself wandering, with no direction in mind during one of these aimless strolls, in the bustling heart of the town, when he heard it—the same melody carried on the wind like a whisper from the sea.

he froze, his heart pounding as he followed the sound through the crowd. there, in the center of the square, surrounded by laughing children and townsfolk, was the girl from the ocean. no, not a girl—a siren, as beautiful and mesmerizing as the night he first saw her, but now she had legs and her skin wasn't as silver as the moon, she was like a human now, but her eyes and hair color were still the same.

"big sister y/n is so pretty! she is like a princess!" the little kids watched her in awe as they danced around her. she sang with the same divine voice, but this time there was no danger in her song, only joy and light. as she finished, she turned and locked eyes with him. recognition flashed across her face, and without hesitation, she bolted, leaving the crowd bewildered.

pirate captain!umemiya hajime didn’t think; he just ran, chasing her through winding alleys and down narrow streets, his heart racing faster than his legs could carry him. the town blurred around him as he pursued the fleeting figure of the siren. "y/n..." he memorized her name as she was always just out of reach, her laughter—soft and melodic—taunting him as she led him deeper into the outskirts.

finally, umemiya found himself at an old, abandoned dock, the wood creaking beneath his boots. it was foggy, the air was still, the silence oppressive as he looked around, panting, searching for any sign of her. but she was gone, vanished as suddenly as she’d appeared.

then he noticed something—caught on a jagged piece of wood at the dock’s edge was a hanging piece of fabric, torn, and his mind raced as everything clicked into place—the voice, the sudden disappearance, the water below. he walked to the edge of the dock, staring into the dark waters, knowing she was down there, watching him as he had watched her.

he crouched down reaching for the water, it was cold his fingers were starting to freeze slightly until he felt something else touch him, something scaly and with all its strength it pulled him up and he fell into the water. the young sailor was used to diving into the sea, but now he was fighting for his life when he opened his eyes—it was the siren, leading him deeper and he tried to pull himself up until she stopped and turned to face him.

pirate captain!umemiya hajime was no longer drowning in the water, but in the depth of her gaze. she reached out, her fingers brushing his face with a gentle touch that caught him off guard. he was about to lose consciousness when she pulled him closer, her lips pressing against his in a soft, unexpected kiss. but then something even more unexpected happened—he could breathe. it wasn’t just that he could breathe; it was like he’d been given a part of her world, the water no longer felt cold or suffocating; it was like air, filling his lungs. but even more, mesmerizing was the way her lips felt against his—soft, warm, and lingering.

when he finally surfaced, he lay there on the cool sand, chest heaving as he looked up at the sky. it wasn’t fully dark yet, but the sun was setting, the golden hue showing across the horizon, trying to make sense of what had just happened, he heard a soft, splashing sound.

pirate captain!umemiya hajime's instincts kicked in, and he turned his head towards the water. there, emerging from the ocean, was the siren. first, he saw her upper body—her wet hair clinging to her face, her eyes locked onto him, making his heart skip a beat. then, as she pulled herself further onto the shore, he saw her tail, shimmering in the fading light, its scales reflecting the colors of the setting sun. the sight of her struggling to move onto the sand, he pushed himself up from the ground, intending to help her. it wasn’t just a reflex—he felt and wanted to be near her, to protect her from whatever might come. but as he approached, she reacted suddenly, hissing at him with a sharp and defensive sound.

he knew that apart from looking somehow human, she was still a child of the ocean, a monster of the deep. instead, he crouched next to her while she looked the other way so she wouldn't see his face. "so you are ... y/n right?" he asked, tucking a lock of wet hair behind her ear, his hands were so gentle, and unlike other pirates or men, he wasn't looking down at her nakedness but straight into her eyes. "you are so beautiful..." it felt strange. everything was a bit weird right now. it didn’t make sense for a creature like her to suddenly drown him in water, kiss him, and let him live.

pirate captain!umemiya hajime didn’t know you had to do this, to kiss him, so he can have your scent because the captain of the seven seas was in great danger with sirens targeting him and your kiss, can protect him, for now, but not forever.

a siren's main drive is their need to be loved, and will seek it in any way; be it sexual, platonic, or familial, but now she did it because she had fallen in love with the sailor, and she would not let others have him or kill him. "don't think anything else, that night i showed up to save you... and now," her voice still so melodious, even if she wasn't singing he was still mesmerized. "when a siren kisses someone, they can breathe underwater right?" he asked his hand still on her face, caressing her cheek, "apparently those old bastards have told you a lot, it's not like they're looking for us and want to have our scales for selfish reasons." the siren raised her tail and she splashed the water, her hands in the sand until she decided to look at him, "why are you looking at me like that? i saved you but i can still kill you." he just smiled as he removed his hand and stood up, squeezing the water out of his clothes looking at the horizon "i've always dreamed of seeing a siren, with the endless legends about you i couldn't just sit still, and when you appeared."

he was telling the truth, and she knew it. no song of hers could deceive him, for she could not deceive herself anymore. she fell in love with a sailor, not to kill him, but to love him, and if any of her sisters found out about it, she and he would both be victims. "a captain of the seven seas has seen everything but sirens and mermaids, has he?" the devilish energy returned to her as she lay on her stomach and tossed her tail in the air, small waves crashing through her body "and your name is so famous both on water and land, isn't it captain umemiya?" the way she said his name, the very tone gentle yet playful, made him want to drown. what had she done to him? enchanted him for sure, but he didn't need magic to know that his heart beats faster than the waves when there's a storm. he looked down at her, the sun's rays coloring the grays and pearls of her skin, smirking "ah, you're very famous on land too, aren't you y/n?" he shrugged, his white shirt slightly unbuttoned clinging to his toned muscles. “this is the second time i've seen you, but it's like i’ve known you all my life, isn't it strange?”

she played with her hair, twirled a lock on her finger and giggled "if i'm so famous why haven't i seen you in the audience when i sing? the children will be very happy, don't you think, to see their hero who can tell them so many stories.”

pirate captain!umemiya hajime really wondered why he had never attended such entertainment in the center of the town, perhaps because he was constantly sitting in the pub and gaining experience and knowledge from the old pirates, but even if he had the time, he filled it with buying food and weapons for the next voyage. “i'll come next time, i promise you that. i have heard your song before, and can't wait to hear it again until you make me fall entirely for you.” she didn't expect this, he was serious and it showed, she knew he was true to his word as her gray face began to acquire a slight red tint, but that didn't stop her from answering. “then i will wait for you tomorrow at the same time, alright captain? make sure to show and give me flowers, make me feel like a normal human.” and with that she slowly went into the water as she dipped, making herself disappear.

his eyes widened as he walked towards the water, up to his knees when she reappeared his hat and jacket in her hands. “we don't want you to lose anything valuable do we? so you're welcome, captain.” good thing the water was up to his knees, or he didn't know if he would have been alive by her honeyed voice. he took the clothes and put them on himself and she just smiled at him and would dive in again, until he stopped her, “wait…come closer.” she looked at him, confused but came closer to him and he crouched down again looking at her so lovingly and then kissed her gently on the lips. “i promise you everything, my little seashell.” she was left without words, without a voice, and without further ado she swam to the depths, leaving him alone in the salty water, “i will wait for you.”

pirate captain!umemiya hajime was still looking in that direction she swam away with a gentle smile on his face until someone called out “umemiya, you idiot! what are you doing in the water all soaked?” it was the quartermaster, hiragi toma as he stood at the wooden deck just a little higher from the sand on the shore. “get up at once and change your clothes, the captain must not get sick.” but the captain didn't look at his first mate but smiled at the setting sun, wondering if you liked lily and beach roses. just how and why he fell for a siren? he doesn't know, but he knew he loved you.

the next day pirate captain!umemiya hajime was making his way to the center with a bouquet of flowers and a warm smile on his face, his step more hurried than usual, because he couldn't wait to see her, to hear her. and he finally noticed the siren in her human form, eyes were closed and her voice was so pleasant, but what impressed him was the red cloth that was tied around her waist … it was his. wait a minute, when did she manage to get it? well, it didn't matter, she looked good with something that was his. the thunderous applause woke him from his trance and she bowed to the audience, as he approached her, she wanted him to appear with a bouquet, and here he was keeping his promise. “captain, you showed up, huh?” she jumped off the small stage, face to face with the whitehead as he handed her the flowers, “i will always keep my promise”. she took the bouquet and smelled it. so beautiful with so many colorful petals, she didn't expect that he would do something like that, especially with everyone's eyes on them.

“big sister y/n and captain umemiya, are you two together?” the little kids surrounded them and giggled looking at them with curious eyes, and an idea came to pirate captain!umemiya hajime. he wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her closer to his body and her eyes widened and she blushed. “y/n and hajime, sitting in a tree, k-i-s-s-i-n-g!” she looked at him slightly shocked at what the kids were saying but he was smiling even more at them "it's not what it see–”

“first comes love, then comes marriage, then comes a baby, in a baby carriage!” here she already turned red from the crabs and lobsters in the sea. she didn't know where and how to hide and just put her head on his chest raising the bouquet to cover her face completely. “all right kiddos, leave big sister y/n to rest, hmm? next time i stop by, i will tell you stories about the giant kraken i fought with hiragi!”

“really, captain? will it be possible to tell us when you went to the secret city of gold?” with his free hand he ruffled the boy's hair laughing "of course! i'll even show you the golden sword i found.” with that the kids were happy and left you alone with him looking at her still hiding. “y/n, they are gone now.” he was still hugging her and she lifted her head and exhaled and looked around, "thank you, captain! you really can be counted on from this to the rest of the six seas.” and then she looked into his blue eyes, they were as beautiful as the sea, calm but full of secrets and she could feel her face coming closer to his, their lips inches away until she stopped and removed herself from his grip. “eh, you didn't have a problem kissing me yesterday?” he asked, slightly mocking but not malicious, as they still maintained eye contact. "it's okay, my precious pearl."

pirate captain!umemiya hajime who was watching her and trying to read her body language, she looked slightly worried but relaxed at the same time. was the idea of her being with him embarrassing her? but that wasn't going to stop him from showing his love, no matter what. he cleared his throat, putting one hand behind his back and holding out the other to her "my lady, would you like to go out with me tonight?" she hesitated, but she had nothing to lose, it wasn't every day she was around people as a human, and she had more to learn to be more like one. the siren took his hand and he kissed her knuckles "then it is settled." they let go of their hands and he put his hat on her head, the feather still sticking out, but it looked so good on her. "but i have no other clothes than these." he simply smiled at her so sweetly that the salt on her body could turn to sugar "don't worry about that, everyone likes you already." yes, everyone likes her because she is human. if they find out it's a siren from the sea, they'll probably kill her and put the head on the market too, use the magic of the scales and... she’ll just become their next prize. "i'll trust you for what you say now." it was slightly threatening, this statement of hers, but the captain smiled widely that his tea teeth were visible. "take it easy, stay with me until it's time for dinner."

and so he took her around the city, she saw streets and shops she had never seen before. the citizens smiled, rejoiced in her presence, or rather rejoiced in the captain who walked behind her as she ran and shop-windowed. until she stopped in front of one and he became curious as to what she was staring at that caused her eyes to sparkle. there was a long white dress displayed, the color of the sea foam. "do you want it?"

pirate captain!umemiya hajime was so kind and generous as he walked into the store without thinking about the price "wait, no… i was just looking." she lowered her head, but that didn't stop him from entering the shop and she quickly followed him. "captain, long time no see? how is it, have you finally found a bride?" he chuckled slightly at the nice old lady "not yet but i'm working on it." he looked around the shop where there were so many dresses but really the one in the window was the most beautiful. "how much will this dr–?" before he could finish the door bell rang and she walked into the boutique "hajime, i told you i don't want you…" the voice trailed off as she looked at the old woman "...to buy me anything." it only took one look at the woman to know who she was and what her relationship was with the young sailor. "how can you lie to old people? you've found the perfect bride!” she immediately came to the young girl and began to measure her. then he took her cheeks with both hands and looked at her "beautiful eyes, never seen such a color. and that lovely face!" she immediately went to the window and removed the dress from the mannequin "i give it to you for free, young lady, or should I say mrs. umemiya~” they both blushed at her comment as the young miss played with her hair and the captain placed a hand behind his neck. "thank you very much!" he said as he took the bag of the dress and she didn't even try it on but the old lady had been in the business enough years to know what would look good on who.

he took her hand and as they hurried out of the store they went into some building, it was a large one and she had heard that these were hotels where people slept for one or more nights. "will we...sleep together?" she asked hurriedly, she had never been so close to a pirate before, "only if you want. i'm bringing you here so you can change in peace, there will be a lot more people on the ship." a ship was equal to being in the water, which meant that the moment her skin touched the water, she would turn into a siren. she knew that he either knew too or was just looking out for her. without realizing it they were already outside the room, and he unlocked it. it was nothing much to him, just a place where he could sleep, but to her, it was something completely new, she knew about how humans lived but she had never been taken to such a place, especially with a man, a man who loved her. “i won't look so please change!” he turned his back on her, as she took the dress from the bag with her. it was really a very nice model and she put it on right away, his hat still on top of her head. did it fit her well, she asked herself. on land, she always wore the same clothes without thinking about it much. “how do i look?”

pirate captain!umemiya hajime swears he has never seen anything more graceful and elegant. he was just looking at her so lovingly, so tenderly, and smiling, she really looked like a bride. and if he could he would have married her on the spot. "beautiful as the day i saw you.” he approached her and took both of her hands, caressing them with his thumb "i don't even need to think, it's a fact. you are the most beautiful on this land, and on this sea.” she blushed terribly, even more than before but quickly masked it with confidence, "you look good too, captain.”

without even saying a word, they were already leaving the room and were the center of attention. everyone looked at them, both young and old, and everyone was happy as they kept hearing 'for the newlyweds!' whatever that was supposed to mean, she didn't know but she didn't care, not when his hand was in hers and she could feel the warmth. ”are you nervous, princess?” it was new, too new. a princess, huh? her heart began to beat faster and she didn't know if she had cast a spell on him or herself. but she just smiled no matter what others were saying. "i'm not. thanks for looking after me.” he squeezed her hand tighter and they were already in front of the restaurant, not long before they were ordering food. this time the captain decided not only to spoil himself, but also her.

“so what will the lovebirds want to eat? may i offer you some of our new fresh fish dishes?” the waitress was so kind and his eyes lit up when he heard the word fish, “i will have your two best main fish dishes!” and then he looked over at her and she was literally discriminating against his food choices right in front of her. “oh! never mind that, give me your best pork dish, as for the lady–”

she quickly cut him off, "salad, please.” she wasn't used to human food yet, but the salads were enough to fill her up. smiling at him and the waitress, and she took the menus out. “coming right away!” and she left you alone and you quickly crossed your arms "did you seriously want to eat fish in front of such?”

as they waited for their meal, he couldn’t help but laugh at his order. "i didn’t think that through, did i?” she shook her head, a smile tugging at her lips. "no, you didn’t." he reached across the table, taking her hand in his. "i’ll get it right next time, i promise."

after their dinner, the night air greeted them outside once more. they strolled down quiet streets, it was during this walk that pirate captain!umemiya hajime finally mustered the courage to ask her, "will you go back to the sea tonight? or would you stay... with me?"

her heart raced at the question. the dress felt too precious to cast aside just yet. "just for tonight," she whispered, wanting to say more but she couldn't do that yet. and so, they returned to his room, where the space now felt too little and suffocating.

it was quiet, the world outside forgotten as they lay side by side on the bed. they had only reunited the day before, yet the bond between them felt like they knew each other forever. he couldn't sleep; neither could she.

"can i kiss you?" he asked, his voice tentative, as he recalled how she had avoided his kiss earlier. the siren responded only with a soft hum, a sound so delicate it was almost lost in the stillness. he turned to face her, his heart pounding as he leaned closer, his breath mingling with hers before he finally pressed his lips to hers.

the kiss seemed to hold those unspoken thoughts and feelings, a tender love. he pulled back, his breath ragged as he whispered, "please, be mine from now on. i swear to protect you, i vow to love you until my last breath."

her chest tightened at his words. how could this human make her—a creature born of the sea—feel so fragile, so exposed? but she didn't care. “the night is still young, my beautiful siren. let me hear your song once more.” at that moment, she yearned to be human, to experience the love he offered. and so, she let herself be vulnerable, let him show her how humans express their love, their devotion.

hours passed, though neither noticed the time. they were lost in each other, learning and experiencing newfound heights of affection. the man who had never loved someone so much, and the siren who cried at the fact that she felt like a human, and completely forgot that she was a creature with a tail and magic. when the sun began to paint the sky in soft hues of pink and gold, they were still wrapped in each other's arms, unwilling to let go of the night they had shared. because that night was like a honeymoon, so sweet and full of passion.

pirate captain!umemiya hajime woke up slowly opening his eyes expecting to see her sleeping body next to him but there was no sign of her. he immediately got up and moaned slightly from the stinging feeling on his neck. he walked over to the mirror and saw red-purple teeth marks, apparently he wasn't the only one marking. he looked again at the bed and saw something shiny, it was as small as a coin, he came closer and ... it was a scale. “eh, so that's why my little pearl left?” but his eyes were fixated on the chair, her dress was hanging there, and his shirt was gone, but his jacket and hat were there. he looked at it some more before getting dressed and putting it in his pants pocket. who knew, he might need to wish for something someday.

almost the whole day passed and she was still gone. there was no one to sing on stage, no one to entertain the children, no one to warm his hand. it was sad honestly, he felt somehow empty, but the young adventurer won't let anyone see this side of him. leaned against some wall, tossing a coin, heads that he would see her again and tails if he didn't. “captain idiot, where were you the whole night? were you with that girl that the whole town talks about?” it was hiragi toma again, the coin landed in the crease between his palm and index finger but he looked away to see his best friend "hiragi! is everything okay with the others? sakura didn't throw up did he?" he rubbed his temple, irritated by the crew captain's behavior and disappearance. although they had stopped here for a little rest, it was not a break from the duties of the ship. "umemiya, i know you're young, we all are. but you have to understand that you shouldn't disappear like this for some girl from the city."

umemiya’s blue eyes narrowed at hiragi's words. the usual cheerful and carefree attitude that marked his demeanor was absent, replaced by a sharp glare that made the other man take a step back. “don’t tell me what to do, hiragi,” the captain said, his voice low and steely. he wasn’t joking, wasn’t teasing. there was no trace of the charming captain who could usually talk his way out of anything. instead, he was all business, his tone leaving no room for argument.

hiragi's brow furrowed in concern, but he didn't back down. “i’m just looking out for you. for all of us. we can’t afford to have you distracted—” the whitehead cut him off, his tone growing colder. “i can perfectly balance the crew and her,” he said, his gaze locking onto his with a seriousness that made his first mate flinch. he tossed the coin into the air again, catching it without looking. hiragi had never seen his captain like this, and for the first time, he wasn’t sure if he could read umemiya at all. it was like looking at a stranger.

as he finally glanced down at the coin in his palm, hiragi noticed something—something that made his blood run cold. there, around umemiya’s neck, were red marks, deep and fresh, as if someone—or something—had claimed him. hiragi’s eyes widened in shock. “did you—?” the captain’s expression didn’t change. if anything, it hardened. he slipped the coin into his pocket and turned his back on him as if dismissing the question entirely. “i told you, i can handle it,” he said, the tone he spoke in making it clear the discussion was over.

but the first mate wasn’t convinced. the red marks and the captain's uncharacteristic mood—they all pointed to something far beyond the usual meet-and-greets with monsters. “this isn’t like you,” hiragi said softly, hoping to reach the friend buried under the captain's mask. “i don’t know what happened last night, but it’s messing with your head.”

he froze at those words, his shoulders stiffening. but then he straightened, with an unbelievable amount of pride, “she’s none of your concern, neither am i. focus on the crew. that’s an order.” hiragi was worried as this was more than just a fling, more than just another adventure. whatever had happened between him and that girl had changed him, and not for the better.

as the captain walked away, hiragi could only watch, his mind racing. he had a sinking feeling that whatever this was, it was far from over—and it was only a matter of time before it would come back to haunt them all.

it had been several days since pirate captain!umemiya hajime had last seen her, and now he hanging around on the deck, leaning against the bars and looking up at the night sky reflected in the sea. it was nice to feel the gentle breeze of the wind and the sound of the waves, but it would be even more peaceful if she was here with him. he was humming something to himself, almost singing “y/n and hajime, sitting in a tree k-i-s-s-i-n-g…” he sighed looking up at the moon which was the same color as her skin color. when would he see her again? last week's coin showed heads, and a pirate's coin never lies. then he remembered that he had her scale, and the white dress sitting in his cabin. for some strange reason, it was shining very brightly, more than the full moon in the sky and then he saw the same light in the water, it was moving fast and the scale seemed to react by getting brighter and brighter. and then something appeared a head, he narrowed his eyes and couldn't believe it, it was her. she showed herself more, the light reflecting off her face made his heart skip a beat. it was as if the moon itself had descended from the sky and taken on the form of the woman he loved.

“you—” she just swam away to the direction he knew all to well. the old docks. without a second thought, he ran as fast as he could. as he neared their secret place he could see her more clearly. she was already there, waiting for him, her tails splashing playfully in the water as she stared up at the moon. but as he drew closer, she was crying. her tears sparkled like diamonds, falling silently into the sea as she wept. umemiya’s heart twisted in his chest, and he scrambled onto the dock, not caring that he was soaked to the bone.

“y/n!” he called out, his voice filled with worry. he reached out to her, his hand trembling as it hovered just above her shoulder. “what’s wrong, my pearl? why are you crying?” she didn’t turn to face him, but he could see the pain in her expression as she continued to gaze up at the moon. “i made a mistake, hajime,” she whispered, her voice quieter over the gentle waves. “the biggest mistake of my life…” his heart pounded in his chest. “what are you talking about? what mistake?” she closed her eyes, another tear slipping down her cheek. “i let a human mark me as his. i let you mark me as yours. i let myself fall in love.”

he felt his breath catch in his throat. “but…isn’t that what we wanted? to be together, for you to feel like a human?”

“yes,” she said, her voice breaking. “but i didn’t realize what it would mean. i ran away from my sisters, and swam so far just to find you first. now you’re in even greater danger because of me.” the siren finally turned to look at him, her eyes filled with fear and regret. “you’re still under the magic of my song, hajime. i don’t know how much of your feelings are real, and how much is just…an enchantment. if my sisters find out…i don’t know what they’ll do to you.” he shook his head, stepping closer until he was right in front of her, their faces inches apart. “y/n, listen to me. i don’t care about any of that. i don’t care if it’s magic or fate or whatever it is. all i know is that i love you. i love you more than anything in this world, and nothing is going to keep us apart.”

her lower lip trembled as she looked up at him, searching his eyes for any hint of doubt, of lies. but all she saw was the honesty that had drawn her to him in the first place. “i swore to protect you,” pulling her into his arms, holding her close as the moon watched over them, the waves lapping gently against the old dock. the night was quiet, save for the sound of their breathing and the distant call of the ocean. they were the ones who could love each other until it hurt and even if they were in danger, dead or alive they would be together.

several months have passed since then, and the siren was inseparable from the pirate. they were together, they were a couple hiding their secrets, during the day they were both human and at night she turned back into the tailed creature. pirate captain!umemiya hajime has been so doting and loving, his cheerful self was back and never leaving, unless he had to travel, but he knew that he would come back right into her arms. "my love, i'm back!” he didn't even wait for them to release the ladder for everyone to go down but jumped to the ground next to her, and she laughed "i bring you so many gifts, almost spent all the money on you." she hugged him and he put his jacket on her shoulders. "welcome home, hajime!”

they stood like that for a while until voices began to be heard behind them. "lady y/n always waits for our captain, isn't that cute sakura?" that's what suo hayato said, the eye-patched boy who didn't want to say why he was wearing it, but everyone has their secrets anyway, "i think sakura is just sick again." akihiko nirei said the small blonde boy as they looked at sakura haruka who was all red, umemiya had mentioned to her that he blushes easily when someone shows affection in front of him. nevertheless, all of his crew liked her, and were glad that their captain was so happy and full of energy...except for one person, and that was hiragi toma. he knew there was more to her than she let on, something more behind that smile and he would do his best to find out who she really was, and why she made his best friend fall madly in love with her. and she behaved nicely with everyone, she behaved like a human being. she sensed that he didn't like her for some reason, and desperately hoped he didn't know she wasn't human. but apparently, people are like that, there are types like umemiya, and hiragi. but she didn't blame him, maybe if she had been born with limbs and lungs she would have reacted the same way and hated sirens. humans too must understand that every living organism survives differently, because they may have done a lot for the world, but the world will do nothing for them, not when monsters from the deep are hot on their heels. "my pearl, are you hungry?"

she broke eye contact with hiragi when her lover asked her the question, and she snuggled into him even more, feeling the warmth his jacket gave off, but also his strong shoulders covered in scars...scars and wounds. "umemiya hajime why didn't you tell me first that you have wounds?" there was no time for food, not when he was so badly wounded, and she was always worried when he sailed away, the question was not whether he would bring her gifts, but whether he would make it home alive. they quickly settled into the little house he bought, not just for her but for him as well. this was their place, and it was close to the bay in case the magic that kept her human wore off. it was all taken care of, but now she was thinking about how to take care of him. "couldn't you be more careful? what if it was the sirens, there's no getting away from them." he sat at the end of the bed and she between his legs applying bandages and plasters. and again that gentle smile appeared, though his hair was down and slightly obscured his eyes, he could see it perfectly "only your song can enchant me, darling." how he could say such things when he wanted to, she didn't know, but she liked it. "i'm glad to know that, but please take care. you're my one and only love."

pirate captain!umemiya hajime watched as she carefully treated his wounds, her fingers trembling slightly when he suddenly hugged her waist, pulling her closer until she lost her balance and fell on top of him on the bed. his strong arms wrapped around her as he began to plant kisses all over her face "my pretty girl, i have missed you so much," he murmured between kisses, his lips finding hers once, twice, and then again as if he couldn’t get enough. she smiled into the kiss, feeling the depth of his love. "i missed you too," she whispered back, her heart beating fast.

but their tender moment was interrupted by a knock on the door. she sighed and gently pushed herself up. "rest for now, i’ll go see who it is," she said softly, brushing a stray lock of hair from his forehead before slipping out of the bed.

when she opened the door, she was greeted by hiragi toma and kaji ren. hiragi’s expression changed the moment he saw her, his smile fading into a frown. "tell umemiya dinner is in two hours," he muttered, his tone distant and cold. he didn’t wait for a response before turning on his heel and walking away, leaving kaji to give her a small nod while nibbling on a sweet treat. she closed the door slowly, the hurt evident in her eyes.

as she turned, umemiya was already behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her close. "mmm, we have two hours," he whispered, his voice teasing as he nuzzled her neck. "sounds nice, yeah?" but she wasn’t in the mood, the sting of hiragi’s behavior still fresh, "why doesn’t your first mate like me? does he kno—" her voice faltered as her lover gently turned her around to face him.

"no one knows besides me, and no one will know, okay? I will keep you safe," he assured her as she exhaled heavily. "i just want to be held forever in your arms, hajime. i don't want to lose you.” she hugged him and wouldn't let him go, and he stroked her hair gently, reassuring her that he would never let anything separate them. “it's okay, cry it out. i’m here.” it was also hard sometimes, seeing someone dislike her or the way they treated her. hiragi toma clearly showed this when the captain was not around them. she calmed down, no more tears, and looked up at umemiya, her beaming smile once again making its way onto her pretty face. and to him, it didn't matter if she was a siren or a human — her heart was the same in both forms.

“there, love. you are more beautiful with a smile on.” he wiped away her tears with his thumbs, kissing her forehead "and now we have two hours, let's rest.”

pirate captain!umemiya hajime felt her move and got out of bed, apparently two hours had passed and it was time for dinner. he put his hand over his eyes and rubbed them before opening them to see her in the same white dress. no matter how many clothes he had bought for her, it was obvious that this one was her favorite, and just for that, there was a little gift for her, something that would go together perfectly. he also got up and started rummaging through his luggage until he found a small box, he wished there was an engagement ring inside but for now, the pearl necklace would do.

she was looking at herself in the mirror fixing her hair and he was behind her with his hands behind his back hiding the little red box. they made eye contact through their reflections in the glass and she put down the brush and turned around. “do you want me to comb your hair too?” he didn't say anything at all, he just put his hands out from behind and she saw the box. "what is this?”

“it's for you, one of the few things you deserve." and she was worth more than anything, and one day, perhaps very soon, he would truly make her his bride. she was a little confused. still, she took the box and opened it, and in it was a necklace with sparkling white pearls, her eyes just widened, and then she looked at her lover. he noticed her pupils dilating. “hajime, you shouldn't have, i don't know what to say,” the pearls were in her hands. she was touching them and looking at them, they were real and she knew it must have cost him a lot, for such quality. "my little pearl, you don't have to say anything, just let me love you.” he picked up a necklace and motioned with his eyes for her to turn her back on him again, taking her hair so he could put the necklace on. she heard the sound of the clasp. she let go of her hair, and his hands squeezed her waist.

“it matches your dress and i’m sure it will match your tail too!” he put his head on top of hers but as much as he wanted to stay here with her, he had to eat or he would pass out "now let's go eat, i'm starving.” leaving the house hand in hand, they went to join the others.

the restaurant was full but that didn't stop the pirates from getting special service, after all, they were the heroes of the town and probably many others. pirate captain!umemiya hajime had put one arm around her, and her head was resting on his shoulder, and with his other hand, he held a glass of liquor. how can you not love to eat in such fine company? they were all talking and laughing among themselves, but one man was not amused at all, his gaze fixed on her. it was strange to him how she didn't eat at all, and if she did it would be very little. she did not touch meat, especially fish. he remembered when umemiya said she just didn't like eating in front of people. another time is when everyone was in the water but her. the captain said that she was scared and had a phobia. it all sounded ridiculous to hiragi. just what and who is she? he swirled his glass, the ice melting rapidly into the yellow-brown drink. ice. dissolving in water. he stopped his hand and the ice melted completely as he looked at her. so that was her secret, huh? it all made sense now, the dots were connecting — she was a mermaid, or a siren. and there was one way for him to find that out.

but he would not act at once, he would wait a little longer, and watch some more. "sir, are you okay?" kaji asked sitting next to him and the older one quickly shifted his gaze to the boy. "don't worry, everything is under control." two, three, maybe more hours passed and nothing interesting happened. she never left umemiya's side, nor did she get up from her seat. and just because of that, hiragi will make her stand. everything was planned to perfection. one of the good parts of being a pirate, or a sailor in general. they act the second there is a threat.

and then the chance came, almost too easily. she shifted in her seat, a movement that drew his attention. hiragi rose from his chair, he moved until he was just next to her. the glass of water in his hand felt cool, its contents sloshing as he pretended to stumble, ‘accidentally’ spilling the liquid, splashing across her clothes and skin. the shock of it caused her to gasp, her body jerking upright. she looked up at him, her eyes wide with surprise, and then over at umemiya, whose expression had shifted from having fun to being in panic.

"y/n?" her lover asked, his voice laced with worry, but she didn’t answer. she was already standing, her breath coming in shallow, panicked gasps. hiragi watched her closely, smirking, his heart pounding in his chest, as she began to tremble. this was it. the moment of truth. without a word, she turned and bolted from the table, her feet carrying her out of the restaurant and toward the docks, as she must have run faster than she swam. the others exchanged glances, unsure of what had just happened, but the captain knew, and so did his first mate now. umemiya followed her, his eyes narrowing as he noticed the faint shimmer of something on her skin—scales. the transformation was beginning.

as she reached the docks, her breath came in like whimpers and panting, her ears sharpening to point a set of fins on each side, and those shimmering scales began to spread across her body. panic surged through her as she realized what was happening. her lungs tightened, her chest heaving as if the very air around her was turning toxic. there was only one escape, one place where she could breathe—beneath the waves.

throwing herself into the water, as she tore the dress away, the cool embrace of the ocean swallowing her whole. for a moment, there was only silence, the ripples on the surface of the water the only evidence of her presence. but then she heard it—the voices of those she loved, calling out to her, urging her to come back. and then, cutting through the others, hiragi's voice.

"why are you all confused?" he said, his tone sharp, carrying across the water. "don’t you know by now? she is a monster." umemiya’s reaction was horrifying, his fear and worry turned to anger as he stepped forward, glaring at him. "hiragi, you don't know what you're talking about!"

the younger pirates, suo, sakura, akihiko, and kaji, watched the two men in silence, their eyes darting between their captain and quartermaster.

"she put a spell on you, umemiya," hiragi continued, his voice growing more insistent. "that's why your behavior is different. she’s been controlling you, manipulating you."

“enough!” umemiya's voice was a low growl, but there was venom in his words. turning toward the water, he called out, "you don't know anything about her, she has done absolutely nothing to me. i am the one who fell in love with her." for a moment there was nothing. but then, slowly, she emerged from the water, her head breaking the surface. her eyes were wide with fear as she looked at the dock, now crowded with both the pirates and townsfolk who had been drawn by the commotion.

“lady y/n is—” suo started to say, but the first mate cut him off, “a siren.” his voice was cold and sure.

everyone was shocked except umemiya and hiragi. the citizens were disgusted by the girl whose voice they found to be art, something perfectly exquisite like herself, and she had lied to them all along. was this what they deserved after all they had given her? the old sailors and men stood behind the women and children until a small girl went to see what was going on in the water "big sister y/n is a princess! i knew she had magic-" but her mother quickly pulled her by the arm "she's no princess! don't you dare look at her, cover your ears right away!” the siren's heart was breaking as she watched the humans turn hostile towards her, and she looked at the captain. "hajime, please i-" if her heart was broken, she didn't want to know what was this doing to him. the secret they so closely guarded was revealed, and if she could drown herself, she would. "are you blind? crazy? how can you let yourself be with such a thing?” a liar, monster, freak — a killer. that was her for hiragi, that was her for everyone now. and the captain whom they all admired fell in their sight. but they preferred to have mercy on him, because he was the bewitched.

pirate captain!umemiya hajime looked at her, and she saw the emotions in his eyes. he was not enchanted by her song, maybe in small percentages, but he really loved her. but they did not know this. they didn't know the way she loved him, she treated him, and she cared. she felt like a human. alas, they didn't know that she meant them no harm. the moon was full again, and her tail began to glow, as did the scale he kept, now tucked in the inside pocket of his jacket. "swim," he turned and called to her "swim away, from this sea to the last, where only i can find you." she didn't have a minute to waste, she'd rather be killed by her sisters or some other monster than by a human. "you look like you're out of your mind, captain," shouted the men's voices "do you want to kill us too?" to some extent he wanted to because they were threatening someone precious to him, more precious than himself.

hiragi raised his hand to signal, and before the siren could get far a fishing net caught her and she became entangled in it. umemiya's anger could only grow, he was furious, but he held back as much as possible. "let her go, now." his gaze was fierce now, his blue eyes deeper than the depths of the ocean, his teeth were grinding, his heart was beating too fast, but before he could attack the hiragi, two muscular men stopped him. "will you let a murderer like her go free? her race has killed many of us and you ... want a life with her?" two pumped-up guys couldn't stop him umemiya hajime he's not the legend of the seven seas for nothing. with all his might he pushed them away and went to hiragi and grabbed him by the collar "just one hair, one scale has fallen from her. i will kill you." hiragi couldn't believe what he was saying, such a sensible and wise captain, turned into a little selfish boy. "and killing me won't change reality. pull yourself together." then he hit the captain, very hard on the cheek, knocking the pirate captain off balance.

the blow sent umemiya stumbling, but his rage only grew. he straightened himself, wiping the blood from his mouth, his eyes burning. "you don’t understand anything. she’s not what you think."

"she’s a killer!" hiragi roared back, pushing himself to his feet and charging at umemiya. the two men collided again, their bodies crashing together as the captain’s gists flew, each strike to protect her. but the first mate wasn’t the one to also back down, landing blows of his own, and soon both men were covered in blood—umemiya’s, hiragi’s, and some that wasn’t even theirs. as the fight raged on, his mind flashed back to her—her smile, the way she looked at him, the tenderness in her touch. she wasn’t like the stories. she was more human than anyone he had ever met.

the sound of her scream pierced through the air, and his body went rigid as the sound echoed in his ears. it was a scream of agony, of unbearable pain. his eyes snapped to the water, where she was still tangled in the net, but now something far worse was happening.

hiragi’s men had her pinned, and they were ripping her scales from her body. her shimmering, glowing scales, the reason for her power, were being torn away, piece by piece. each one that was removed sent a fresh wave of blood into the water, staining it a deep red. her cries grew more desperate, more heart-wrenching with every passing second. umemiya's breath caught in his throat. "no…" he couldn’t bear it. he couldn’t watch as they tortured her, as they stripped her of her very life force.

"stop it!" he shouted, his voice cracking as he shoved hiragi away. the men around him were no match for his fury, as he rushed toward the dock where she was held, his heart racing, every instinct in him screaming to get to her. but hiragi wasn’t done. he grabbed umemiya by the collar, dragging him back. "you’re a fool!" he bellowed. "she’s a siren! they’ve killed us, killed your family…and you—"

umemiya spun, his fist connecting with the other pirate’s jaw. "you are the monster, all of you are!" he roared, "she’s not what you think. she cares about me, about all of us! you don’t see her for who she really is." but hiragi wasn’t finished. "you’ll regret this, umemiya," he hissed, wiping the blood from his split lip. "you’re throwing your life away for a monster."

"one more scale," pirate captain!umemiya hajime growled, grabbing hiragi again, and pulling him close, he didn't care that a whole decade ago the boat that his parents got on crashed in the siren's territory ."one more drop of her blood falls, it's over for you."

and hiragi stared at him, stunned. this wasn’t the rational, level-headed captain he had known. this was someone driven by insanity. but before either of them could act further, another scream tore through the night, and this time it was louder. it was her voice, filled with unbearable pain. umemiya’s heart shattered at the sound, and without another word, he released hiragi, letting him collapse to the ground.

he turned and ran to the dock, his bloodied hands trembling as he reached the edge where she was held. the moonlight illuminated the water, and there she was—her glowing scales now dim, her body trembling as the men ripped more from her. blood seeped from the wounds, her tears mixing with the saltwater as she cried out. the siren wanted to sing, but a cloth was placed over her mouth to silence her.

“y/n…no.” in his most powerful rage he knocked out the pirates who caused it. she was shaking all over, physically and mentally injured, and he sat down next to her and removed the towel and she could breathe again, somewhat. he hugged her and didn't care that his white clothes were turning scarlet. "my love, i'm here… it's me." she had no voice, lost it, and everything about her was torn out. it was crueler than her drowning a sailor, mankind was crueler than any sea creature. but only one person showed her what it was like to be one. “ha-” in her attempts to speak, blood came out of her mouth and he put his hand over to wipe it. "my lovely siren. don't speak, don't sing, i’ve heard enough.” the beauty she possessed until a little while ago was gone. it neither sparkled nor glowed, the life in her dying out, but not before she heard footsteps and voices, and she and the captain turned away. it was hiragi and the young sailors, "sir, this is too-"

"don't interfere." hiragi spoke but umemiya didn't want to see him, he didn't want to beat his fellow brother, and he did the best he could — to jump into danger. he got up and quickly grabbed her carrying her like a real bride and jumped into the water which shocked everyone again. there was only one place he could go while swimming underwater with her, luckily the water breathing effect was still working but he could feel its weakening. she was growing weak. a little more, a little more and they are there. she had to hold on a little longer. they floated to the surface, and he swam to the sand. where he saw her for the second time, where he fell in love. he let her body lie, he couldn't look at her like that, but she was still his siren. and she was looking at the night sky with tears in her eyes, stretching her hands to it. the moon, that beautiful moon that was supposed to keep their secret, revealed them to everyone. "the sky is…" the voice still had that honeyed ring to it, but she forced herself to speak "it's beautiful, isn't it hajime?" he took her hand and but she still did not look at him.

"please y/n…stay with me. please i can't lose you i don't want to." he was crying too, tears mixing with his blood, he tasted the iron but he didn't care. gripping her hand, feeling how the strength was leaving her. "no, no, my love. i'm here please don't…" then something lit up hellishly on his chest, so bright and alive. he realized ... the scale, the last shining scale.

and she looked up at him, smiling through the pain, clutching his hand with her last strength. "make a wish and i will grant it." it was too quiet what she said but as much as she could "come on, captain. don't keep a lady waiting." that made him smile, and he was still holding her hand. "i'll never keep you waiting. i promised you I'd keep you safe, i failed. i promised you i'd love you, i always will." she closed her eyes, and the scale in his hand glowed brighter. she was currently pouring all of her remaining energy, life, and magic into fulfilling his wish. but what was he to wish for? a happy life with her, for him to give a part of his life to her, to become a male mermaid, to make her forever...human. yes, that's exactly what it was. human, she would become human and nothing more would happen. they will run away, and live happily ever after, maybe with two children? it depends on her. and he will cook delicious feasts for her, without fish meat of course, but when she is human will she still mind that? he would think about that another time. he looked at the scale, then at her, and without hesitation, said his wish.

“make her a human for the rest of her life, make everyone forget about her siren life until they die.”

pirate captain!umemiya hajime said these words, but nothing happened. maybe the wish couldn't come true because she didn't have as much strength as before. but then the magic happened, the sea was pulling her in and he didn't want to let go of her hand, but the waves were stronger, even in the shallows. her body was starting to glow from deep within, and he just watched. he was scared, he didn't know exactly what such a wish could do. the water was rough, just like the two of them and their feelings, their lives. he got up from the sand and ran into the brightness, and then she, his beautiful siren, had not a scar, not a drop of blood, no tail and scales, and the gills had disappeared. instead, she had legs, most likely normal human organs as well. she was finally a real human. she looked around, clenching and unclenching her fists, splashing the water with her feet, breathing with her lungs. she finally saw with human eyes, the man who made her change, the man she owed and gave her life, only for him to give her a new one.

she ran to him in all her naked beauty and jumped in his arms. "hajime!" she was crying with joy, she couldn't believe what was happening. she looked into his eyes before kissing him. their lips met softly, her tears mingling with the kiss, a silent promise for keeping this love forever. he hugged her so tightly, he responded so lovingly, and it was as if time stopped. it did stop, she couldn't feel the warmth of his lips nor his strong grip. the world became black and white, the movement of the water, the rays of the moonlight stopped. "what-" she was very confused and worried "what's going on? hajime, love, can you hear me?" but he couldn't hear her, he was frozen in time, in that frame. was this what the wish was capable of? she didn't know, it was the first time she was doing something like this. and then everything sped up, and she hugged him again, and the world took on color again. "it doesn't matter as long as you're with me."

"excuse me, young lady...but who are you?" her heart stopped. why is he asking such a ridiculous question after all this. "stop joking, hajime." he tilted his head looking at her curiously "i'm flattered you know my name." his hands still held her, firmly but not so affectionately. "but that doesn't explain why a beauty like you is naked in my arms?" she laughed, giggled, missing him joking too, "hajime, you're not funny at all, stop it!" but he didn't answer, just kept looking at her and smiled slightly. he did not know how or why she was in the water, and why she was completely naked and embracing him. but somehow it felt familiar yet so far away. he looked at her some more, she had beautiful eyes, nice and distinctive features, soft hair, but her smile quickly turned down. "have we met before?"

pirate captain!umemiya hajime was now feeling dizzy as if something very important had been taken away from him. what he was doing in the water, and why was some unknown girl crying in his arms. "miss?" this made her cry even more, hugging him tighter. as she felt the pearl necklace slip from her neck, one by one the white gems began to fall from the string. he promised to love her forever, but not when her true self disappeared and would never come back. the siren he fell in love with would never come back. his memories will forever be lost in time because that was the price of being kissed by a siren, such were the consequences of using one's scale.

please leave a like and reblog, when you reach this! much appreciated!

taglist :: @maruflix @heartkaji @stunie @17020 @nyxypoo @slerixx @meidiary @mydream-synopsis @httpshujii @yueliie @kazuhaiku

#♡.. mimi's recs!#SPRAINED MY ANKLE #RUNNING TO REBLOG THIS #PIRATE UMEMIYA #AHHHHHH #WILL READ THIS IN STUDY HALL 🫶🏾

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y2kuromi · 11 months ago

Text

#. LOVE ME AS YOU TEAR ME APART

featuring 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗶 𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗸𝗮 𝘅 𝗳𝗲𝗺!𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿

angst + fluff + slight suggestive. being friends with takiishi chika, was equal to being on a super dangerous rollercoaster ride, well friends is a word you choose to use despite him not fitting into that category knowing that you are not friends and you will never be.

wc :: 13k. written without any new information about takiishi’s past. SHORT HAIRED CHIKA. original characters added for the sake of the story(not self insters). it's all a figment of my imagination. enjoy reading while listening.

taglist :: @maruflix @heartkaji @y2kuromi @stunie @haiaus @17020

Always be careful of men because you can get hurt if you play with fire for too long. Your mother's words had been ringing in your head every single second since you were born and you couldn't blame her even if you wanted to. Because she was always right about absolutely everything and everyone, as much as you didn't want to listen to her, thinking she didn't understand what it was like to be a teenager with raging emotions and a whole life ahead. Is love medicine or poison? Not even your mom knows the answer to that and you regret not listening to her, you regret calling her stupid and whatnot when you were the fool all along.

But that didn't stop you from seeing him, the boy who was his own hero and villain. His name was coming out of your mouth so sweetly when you asked him to play on the playground, but he pelted you with sand and you cried out loud. Why is a four-year-old so ill-mannered? Where are his parents? Everyone else was wondering this as your mother took you in her arms and started soothing you by gently stroking your hair. “It's okay darling, mommy is here…”

Her voice is always so sweet like honey, but her look directed at the little red-headed boy was so fierce and cruel. He did not react in any way — like a doll, just a body without a drop of soul. It was normal for kids to mess with others but it was not normal the way he behaved like some monster, it spoke enough for his upbringing. When your mother decided to raise her voice, he looked up at you with those golden eyes like the sun and smiled ever so slightly and imperceptibly, and your little childish brain under the influence of the strong emotion of sadness thought he was mocking you.

“You shouldn't bully children like that! Didn't your mother and father teach yo — ?” the little boy just turned his back and walked away not caring what your mother had to say, because who does she think she is to tell him what is right or wrong? She is no one to him like he is to hers. “Hey, boy, come right back here!” but he neither turned nor returned and your mom just looked at you and kissed your forehead, sighing heavily. “When you grow up, be careful who you fall in love with, I don't want you to be with boys like him.” you were too young to understand her words, but this was the first time Takiishi Chika made you cry.

“Can you believe that some boy just threw sand at our little girl?” Making dinner also meant time to share problems within the family. And your mother is still angry with the behavior of the little boy while cutting the carrots not so calmly that your dad had to take the knife away from her. “He's a little kid, most guys tease the girls they like.” If you could go back in time you would have told your father that it wasn't true, to some extent it is, but in this case, you were bullied by some stranger, not liked.

The memory of that day in the playground lingered in your mind, even as years went by and you began first grade with all the excitement and nerves that came with a new school year. Your parents had been busy preparing everything for you: new uniforms, new shoes, and the most important thing of all, a sweet obento packed with love.

Your first day of elementary school was filled with introductions and new faces. The classroom buzzed with the sounds of children's chatter and laughter. You found yourself making friends easily, joining in games during recess, and sharing stories about dolls over lunch. The obento your mother made was a hit among your new friends, who admired the neat arrangement of rice, vegetables, and little sausages shaped like octopuses.

As you sit at the lunch table with your classmates, enjoying your meal and the happy company, when suddenly you get a feeling that someone is watching you. Glancing up, you saw him — the same boy from the playground three years ago. He was sitting at the other table just a short distance away, staring at you with those same unsettling golden eyes. He looked slightly older, but there was no mistaking him with that short red hair.

For a moment, you froze, the memories of that day flashing back. The sand in your eyes, the sound of your mother's soothing voice, and his cold, emotionless stare. He looked away just as you made eye contact, his expression unreadable and that mocking smile was nowhere to be found.

One of your girl friends, noticing your sudden quietness, nudged you gently. “Y/N-chan, are you okay? Is that your boyfriend?”

You forced a smile and shook your head. “N-no! He’s just... someone I knew from before. He threw sand in my face when I was three!”

“He’s older, you know,” one of them said, nudging you with a playful smirk. “A whole year older. That makes him extra cool.” Another added voice in the choir, “And a bad boy! I heard he’s always getting into trouble. Isn’t that exciting, Y/N-chan?”

You felt your cheeks flush, embarrassment and frustration coloring your face. “No way. I would never be with someone like him!” Your friends exchanged glances, giggling. “You know what they say, right?” one of them teased. “If a boy likes you, he’ll tease you!”

You squint your eyes, being skeptical not wanting to give the idea any merit. Yeah, they can tease you, but not in a way that can make you go blind. “Don't be like my dad, Ami.” you retorted, recalling your dad’s words that echoed your friends' sentiments. Your mom always told you that teasing wasn't equal to affection, especially in such a harsh manner.

As the laughter continued, you watched him get up from the table, expecting him to come over or do something disruptive. But to your surprise, he just walked past you, not even glancing your way.

“See, you’re just like a princess waiting for her prince to save her from the poisoned apple with a kiss,” another friend teased, making everyone laugh again. “Maybe he’s just shy,” another one suggested with a smiling face, “Or maybe he’s planning something really special.”

If there was sand in this special thing you rather stay home and watch scary movies that make you unable to sleep. You didn't want to have anything to do with him, you were even starting to forget him, but apparently, life wanted you to remember the incident at the playground for the rest of your life.

When the bell rang, signaling the end of lunch, you and your friends headed back to class. It was P.E. time, and you were all excited to play outside. The sun was shining brightly, and the playground was bustling with activity. You and your friends decided to pretend you were mermaids, splashing around an imaginary ocean, while others were fairies fluttering about.

As you laughed and played, you noticed the second graders also had P.E. at the same time. They were on the other side of the field, playing various games. Out of the corner of your eye, you saw him, all alone, away from the group, kicking a football ball around.

You tried to ignore him, focusing on your game. But then, without warning, you felt a sharp pain in the back of your head. You crumpled to the ground, clutching your head and crying out in pain. Your friends gathered around you, their faces a mix of concern and confusion. Through the blur of tears, you saw the football ball that he had been playing with, now lying a few feet away from you. The teacher rushed over to check on you, while the second graders' teacher called out sternly, "Takiishi, to the principal's office!"

You looked up, still crying, and saw him walking away, a big red dot retreating into the distance. Tears streamed down your tender face as you held your head in your hands.

As the teachers helped you to your feet and checked for any serious injury, your friends whispered among themselves, some still giggling nervously. "He did it on purpose," one of them said. "Or it was just an accident," another suggested, but this wasn't Snow White or Sleeping Beauty waiting for their prince when they fell to be awakened by a kiss. It was real bullying but the other girls thought it was something romantic straight out of a fairy tale or a movie.

You didn't want to hear his name or see him anymore. But your parents taught you not to judge people, trying to push away the idea that he might have hurt you on accidnet knowing he did it on purpose. And speaking of parents, surely they will be angry, well at least your mom will be pissed knowing what this boy has done before and your dad will take it as an accident. You wished he was like the other boys, or maybe to behave like a real prince. At six years old you asked yourself the question: What did I do wrong?

The teachers decided it was best for you to sit out the rest of P.E. in the shade, and your friends stayed close, trying to cheer you up. “It’s okay, Y/N-chan!” Ami said hooking her arms with yours “My big sister cries all the time because of the boy she likes!”. Despite their efforts, the incident left another core memory in your childish brain — Takiishi Chika made you cry for a second time.

For your ninth birthday, you got the toy you saw on commercials every day. Yes, you may be a little too old for such things, but you're never too young to have fun. And that's why you and your friends agreed that tomorrow in class everyone should bring their dolls so that you can play.

It was supposed to be fun, you were supposed to run in the classroom, not in a circle trying to get your doll from a group of boys who were neither your age nor a year older, it seemed that they were at least twelve. Your heart races as you sprint down the hall, tears blurring your vision. Your precious doll, a cherished birthday gift, is clutched in the rough hands of boys who tower over you, their laughter echoing like cruel music in your ears. "Please, give it back! I won't tell the teacher, I promise!" you plead, voice trembling.

The boys laugh louder, one of them tossing your doll down the hall. You flinch, expecting to hear the sickening thud of your doll hitting the ground, but instead, you hear rapid footsteps. In an instant, the boys are on the ground, sprawled out in various states of shock and pain.

You freeze, fear tightening your chest. What if you're next? What if you never see another Winx transformation or find out what happens in One Piece? Shivering, you try to move but your body refuses to obey.

The figure before you is unmistakable. The red and yellow hues, the aura of danger—it's him. He stares at you, blinking a few times before that same mocking smile from six years ago spreads across his face. His gaze, cold and intense, feels like it's piercing through you. He doesn't speak, doesn't move—just stares. The silence stretches, heavy and uncomfortable. You wonder what he's thinking, why he's acting this way, but no answers come.

Before you can react, another voice pierces the tension. "Hey, don't cry now, here is your doll!" It's another boy, holding your now broken doll. You recognize him, he is with the redhead all the time, but his name eludes you. He hands it gently, and you accept it, despite its broken state. It's still yours.

"Takiishi, is that your girlfriend?" the blue-eyed boy asked but Takiishi ignored him. He steps over the fallen bodies, giving you one last look with those warm eyes that showed coldness, unwavering, as if searching for something within you.

"Hey, wait up for me~ It was nice meeting you!" the same boy shouts, running after the delinquent. You stand there, hugging your doll, still covered in goosebumps. Even though the fear was overpowering, you felt relieved at the same time.

For the first time, Takiishi Chika made you smile. It was a small, tentative smile, but it was there. The boy who once haunted your nightmares has given you a reason not to buy Dreamcatchers.

Being thirteen meant you were growing up, entering your teenage years, and you had to be cool, even if you had a strong obsession with that one band and several dozen movies and TV shows. You kept it cool, but when you were with your friends you were giggling like the middle school girls, in fact you are in middle school. For the past four years, you had a strange relationship with Takiishi Chika, the boy who had once been the monster in your fairy tale. After the doll incident, things changed. No one dared to cause you any harm or say anything to your address, knowing you had something going on with and although your friends jokingly call him your boyfriend, you know better. He is not and never will be your Prince Charming. Yet, you've grown used to his presence, tolerating him as best as you can.

Today was special, you felt like it was going to be. You had borrowed your mother's makeup, hoping she wouldn't notice. The thrill of trying something new made your heart race as you carefully applied pink lip gloss and mascara. It was simple, but the compliments from your friends made you feel like you had discovered a hidden superpower, even thinking that your favorite idol would ask you to be his girlfriend. You wore your makeup all day, and the compliments and flattery did not stop even after your school club activities ended, you decided to visit your favorite spot, the rooftop, with some leftover snacks.

The rooftop was your hiding place where you could escape and dream. The open sky seemed to stretch forever, and you loved the feeling of the breeze playing with your hair. Here, you could be yourself, indulging in daydreams about your favorite group and the countless movies and TV shows you adored.

As you stood admiring the view, just staring at the horizon, lost in thought. That was until you heard a familiar voice. Turning your head slightly you saw the source of the voice that belonged to Endo Yamato, and Takiishi Chika had climbed up and was watching from above. You tensed slightly, hoping they wouldn't notice you, but luck wasn't on your side.

"Hey, Takiishi, your girlfriend is here!" Endo's voice rang out, making you sigh. Not again with the boyfriend-girlfriend thing. Why does everyone have to call you that? He more or less tried to kill you, and he did it twice either with sand or a football ball.

"I am not his girlfriend, Endo," you said, annoyance clear in your voice. His teasing smile widened as he replied, "Then why are you wearing makeup? The whole school talked about how cute Takiishi's girlfriend is."

That left you confused. Other students talked about you being pretty? Being Takiishi Chika's pretty girlfriend? That couldn't be true, as he always talked nonsense, and expecting an answer from the red-haired boy was like expecting a lion to eat plants - it would never happen.

"You are so weird. No one said anything like that," you retorted, crossing your arms, and glaring at Endo, who still had that teasing smile plastered on his face. Before you could say anything more, Takiishi jumped down from a slightly higher place, landing between you and Endo.

"See, he is coming to greet you. He never leaves this spot—" Endo's words were cut off as Takiishi swung at him. Endo dodged the punch, grinning as he realized it was his cue to leave.

Now it was just you and Takiishi Chika. When you are with him, your heart burns and you don't know why. As always, he looked at you with that soulless look, his eyes still radiating emptiness, even though all his expression was something, it was nothing to you. You tried to find the right words. "Do you have always to do that?" you finally asked, referring to his sudden appearance and equally sudden aggression. His only response was a slight shrug as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

"Why do you always show up out of nowhere?" you pressed on. "And why does everyone think we're dating?"

Takiishi's eyes flickered for a moment, a hint of something passing through them, but it was gone as quickly as it came. "Does it matter?" he said flatly, his voice devoid of emotion. You couldn't stand the silence, the lack of answers, the emptiness that seemed to consume every interaction with him. Each time you tried to break through his cold exterior, you felt yourself growing more frustrated, more desperate for some sign of humanity. Today, though, was different, you have reached your limit.

"Why don't you care?" Your voice wavered your anger and hurt mingling in your words. "For the past ten years, you've done nothing but humiliate me, throwing things my way, harshly shoving me out of your way. Why do you behave like some monster?" A hiccup escaped your lips, and you could feel the tears welling up, the dam finally breaking once again.

Takiishi just stared at you, his eyes as empty as ever. His lack of reaction only fueled your rage. "I tried my best to be good, to be a human and a friend to you. But you haven't changed." The words tumbled out of your mouth, unfiltered and raw. You didn't know what had possessed you to admit what you felt to someone who seemed incapable of feeling anything.

Was it because of last week when he tripped you on the stairs, and you had to lie to your mom about falling during a volleyball game? Or when he almost punched you just because you told him he had to go to class?

You tried to find the right words, to make him understand, to make him care. "Why?" you finally asked, your voice trembling. "Why do you show up out of nowhere and act like I'm some sort of target?"

Chika harshly grabbed your wrist, he was holding it very tight, and could have broken your arm at any second, as you winced at the sudden pain. "Let me go!" you demanded, trying to wrench your hand free. But he didn't let go. Instead, he pulled you closer, his breath warm against your face. And then, without warning, he kissed you on the lips. Your mind went blank. Not knowing how to react or what to think. The kiss was rough and forceful, lacking any tenderness or affection. It felt more like a punishment than a gesture of what others could call love. When he finally pulled away, you were left gasping for breath, your heart pounding in your chest like it was going to burst out at any moment.

You stumbled back, your wrist still aching from his grip. "What is wrong with you?" you shouted, your voice cracking with a mix of anger and confusion. You wiped your mouth with the back of your hand as if trying to erase the memory of his kiss.

He just stood there, watching you with that same inscrutable expression. "You can't just do that to people," you continued, your voice trembling as you were breathing heavily. "You can't just… do whatever you want."

But his eyes never wavered, and his expression never changed. It was as if he hadn't heard a word you said, as if your pain and unknown emotions deep inside your heart hidden away, meant nothing to him. And in that moment, you realized that maybe they didn't.

You took a step back, needing to put some distance between yourself and him. "Stay away from me, I hate you." you said, your voice steadier now. Hate was a strong word and it wasn't just said out of nowhere, but he deserved it. "Monster."

That special moment for every single girl who was or was about to fall in love was taken away from you, your first kiss stolen by someone like him. You knew you should hate him, despise him for what he had done. But a part of you, a small, irrational part, still wanted to understand him, to reach out to the person hidden behind the locked doors of his soul. But as you turned to leave, you couldn't shake the feeling that this wasn't the end, that he wasn't done with you yet. Takiishi Chika made you cry for a third time. And that thought was more terrifying than anything else.

Words came out of his mouth after you were no longer here, but only he heard them, almost as a whisper to himself. "You are pretty." They were meant to be an aside, a secret confession cloaked in madness, but now they felt like a ghost, haunting the empty space where you used to be.

The sweet sixteen — from caterpillar to a beautiful butterfly in the endless garden called life. You grew, mentally and physically, more mature than you were a few years ago in middle school. And now look at you, first year in high school, new place and with new people, it was so nostalgic when you thought about your first day of school.

The laughter, the smiles... and the tears. Despite everything that had happened a whole decade ago, the past is past — forgive and forget. There was no room in your head to think about it anymore, not when your boyfriend was waiting for you. Was your mother showing him baby pictures of you again? This woman loves to embarrass you, but it can't be helped, you are her only daughter.

"Ah, here she is three years old, she loved playing in this sandbox until some spoiled brat threw sand at her." you overhear her say. She still holds a grudge against him. His name has become a taboo subject, and she’d freak out if she found out he kissed you — that’s why she doesn’t know. In fact, no one does. "Mom, you should stop showing Kirihito my baby photos every time he is here," you say as your boyfriend chuckles, and your mom gets up and goes to the kitchen.

"Come and get your lunch," she calls, but before you leave the house, she tells you to be careful with Kirihito Yuu. It's your first boyfriend, and not every first try is going to be good or as expected, she wanted to protect you from bad news.

"Be careful, darling. Don't play with fire for too long or you will get burned." She doesn't understand what it's like to be a teenager with raging emotions and a whole life ahead. Your mother should stop being so judgy. She doesn't know Kirihito like you do.

"You are ridiculous, Mom," you roll your eyes as you put the bento in your bag. This conversation has been going on for almost 5 months since they found out you had a boyfriend and apparently they won't stop hinting at it.

"Just don't come back crying when he breaks your heart."

You don't say anything, your scoff is enough. Everyone likes him; why can't she? Even your dad is on her side with this. But you pay them no mind like you started doing when you entered puberty. You know everything; your parents know nothing.

Arriving at your school's gate, he holds both of your hands. "I'll see you later?" you ask, feeling his body warmth. The thing is you're going to an all-girls high school, and your boyfriend attends Furin High School. Its reputation isn't great, and your parents don't like him because they see him as one of those vulgar hooligans.

But no one could beat Takiishi Chika in terms of being the most horrible person you've ever met. He had a reputation for being extremely violent. He didn't care about anything and you knew it best by being his play toy. Even in his first year of junior school, he beat someone supposedly stronger than him, and he caused fear wherever he walked.

Wait... Did you just think about him again?

"Are you okay, love?" your boyfriend asks, his voice pulling you back to the present. You nod your head, trying to shake off the unsettling memories. "Just being nervous is all." You smile at Kirihito, unlike someone else, he's never bullied you or been cold. Instead, he's always been your safe haven. You're not ready to say those three words yet, but you know your feelings for him run deep.

“You got this. Call me if you need anything, all right?” he said as you nodded your head, blushing as he went on his way to Furin High. It always felt like the beginning of a different world, one that you were both a part of and completely separate from. As he walked through the school gates, he was always on time for classes, or "meetings," as they liked to call them.

A whistle made its way to his ears as he saw his team leader and bowed his head. "Unusual for you to be late," the leader said, voice teasing. "Did you rob a bank or something? You look a little bit too happy."

Kirihito looked up, his piercing red eyes meeting his upper's blue ones. The leader's smirk grew wider, sensing something out of the ordinary. "I was just walking my girlfriend to her school," Kirihito said nonchalantly, though a slight tinge of pride colored his usually stoic tone.

The main reason why Furin was like it was, a place where chaos and destruction ruled was because of Endo Yamato, he was pretty well known in and outside most schools. "Oh! Girlfriend, you say? Is she cute?" curiosity piqued, as he leaned in slightly, eager for more details about this unexpected aspect of Kirihito's life.

"I guess she is," he replied, his voice flat and devoid of enthusiasm.

"You don't sound like you love her," the leader remarked, raising an eyebrow at Kirihito's indifference "That's because I don't," face dull and his voice detached from emotion. His eyes, however, held a fleeting sadness, hinting at deeper complexities within him. Endo watched him for a moment longer, intrigued by the contradiction of Kirihito's actions and his apparent lack of feelings. "Well, best of luck breaking up with her."

But his curiosity didn't stop there, it was after a few hours when Endo's eyes followed Kirihito as he moved through the bustling schoolyard, a catlike grace to his steps that belied the darkness within him. He trailed behind, his presence unnoticed by the rest of the students who were preoccupied with their own dramas and distractions.

It wasn't long before he saw Kirihito meet up with a girl who broke into a smile as she approached him, her eyes lighting up at the sight of her boyfriend. A very familiar face. Hold on… Is that you? Kirihito's demeanor shifted slightly, a faint, almost imperceptible softness in his otherwise cold exterior. He reached out and took your hand, guiding you away from the crowd of students and towards a quieter part of the campus.

It was really you. L/N Y/N.

Endo Yamato hit the jackpot, he couldn't believe it. After three years he finally saw you again. He snapped a photo of the two of you with his phone, the click of the camera shutter masked by the noise of the school around him. As he reviewed the image, a slow smile spread across his face. You had grown even prettier since he last saw you before you transferred to another middle school, your features more refined, your presence more captivating. It was no wonder Takiishi was infatuated with you.

He lingered in the shadows, watching as the both of you turned to leave in the direction of the city center. “On a date, huh?” prying eyes remained fixed on you, noting the way you stood for a moment, watching Kirihito retreat before holding your hand.

He knew exactly where to find you now, how you looked, and who you were with. Takiishi would be very interested in this information because he didn't bother to like anything else besides violence. The thought of delivering such news to him filled Endo with such happiness.

As you walked hand in hand with Kirihito, the city around you seemed to fade into the background. You were lost in the moment, the warmth of his hand in yours grounding you, making you feel safe and cherished. You had longed for something like this—for love, a simple date just the two of you, enjoying each other's company without any worries.

You both decided to stop by your favorite café, the soft murmur of conversations and the gentle clinking of cups created a cozy atmosphere. As you settled into a corner booth, you couldn't help but notice Kirihito's face clouded with a hint of sadness.

"Baby, what's wrong? Did a fight break out again?" you asked, your voice filled with concern and anxiety.

Kirihito glanced up, his eyes meeting yours. "Don't worry, just a rough start to the day. Nothing that your smile can't fix," he replied, a small smile tugging at his lips.

You blushed at his comment, warmth spreading through you. Kirihito's words had a way of making you feel special, even when he was hiding his own troubles. Meanwhile, he couldn't shake the thought of how annoying and clingy you were. But despite that, he couldn't deny that you were pretty — the only thing he liked about you.

Meanwhile, Endo's mind was racing with plans. He knew Takiishi would want to know about your relationship with Kirihito. He couldn't wait to see the chaos that would unfold. Slipping away from the busy street, making his way through the narrow alleyways his sharp eyes scanning every corner. The scent of damp asphalt mixed with the faint metallic tang of blood. He found a tall dark silhouette against the dim alleyway lights, standing over several unconscious bodies. Takiishi’s fists were clenched, his breath coming in heavy, angry bursts.

"Takiishi," Endo called out, his voice steady despite the chaotic scene. Chika turned, his golden eyes blazing with a fire that seemed to burn through the shadows. "You fought these guys a week ago. Give them a break."

Endo stepped closer, carefully avoiding the bodies sprawled on the ground. "I was about to tell you something," he said, a smirk playing on his lips. "But I realized you might need one more day."

Takiishi's anger could have been seen, an almost physical force radiating from him. "One more day for what?" he demanded, his voice a low, dangerous rumble.

"To enjoy," Endo replied, his tone teasing as ever. "Before everything changes." He knew well enough that telling Takiishi about you would ignite a firestorm; his temper was like a blazing inferno, consuming everything in its path when provoked.

Takiishi's eyes narrowed, suspicion flickering across his face. "What are you planning?"

Endo shrugged "You'll find out soon enough, don’t wanna spoil the birthday surprise."

Takiishi stared at him, the fire in his eyes dimming slightly as he processed Endo's words, but the redhead paid him no mind because he always talked like that. He left the scene, probably in search of something else to entertain him, as the other followed him like a loyal dog.

As they walk around the city, the usual noise of traffic and chatter blends into a monotonous hum. The streets are busy, and the neon lights cast a colorful glow on the pavement. Takiishi barely listens to Endo's stories about the latest drama in Furin, his mind wandering.

Then, out of nowhere, you appear. Standing alone at the bus stop, your presence strikes Takiishi like a bolt of lightning. He doesn’t know how he spotted you in the crowd, and he doesn’t care. All he knows is that his chest tightens and his brain goes numb. He doesn't care about you. He won't question why you left, won't let himself feel anything. But why is his body moving towards you?

Endo's voice calls out to him, urging him to stop. "Takiishi, wait!" His friend's hand grabs his arm, trying to pull him back. Without thinking, Takiishi spins around and punches Endo hard in the face. The crack of bone against bone is a well-known melody by now.

"Don't get in my way," Takiishi snarls, his voice a low growl. It's not just a warning—it's an order.

But when he looks back to the bus stop, you're gone. The bus pulls away, carrying you out of his reach. The moment passes, and he’s left staring at the taillights disappearing into the distance.

Takiishi turns back to Endo, who is clutching his jaw and staring at him in shock. The fire in his eyes dims slightly as he processes what he’s done, but he doesn’t apologize, he never does. Endo mutters something under his breath, probably a curse, expecting something like this to happen.

Chika walks alone now, and the reality of what just happened sinks in. The city buzzes around him, indifferent to his mess. He feels the sting of regret but pushes it down. There’s no room for that now. Not when he wasn't done with you, not when he needed you.

It was hard work, even when you put in extra hours after school. With one of your coworkers out sick, you had to juggle the cash register and sorting products in the warehouse simultaneously. The bell over the door jingled, and your remaining coworker nudged you, urging you to check on the new arrival.

"Hello, sorry for making you wait. What can I do for y—?" Your sentence trailed off in shock as you looked up and saw the customer. "Endo?" Standing in front of the register, he appeared taller and more fit than you remembered, but his expression was unchanged, though you noticed a few bloodstains on his face.

"Long time no see, cutie~," he greeted you with a teasing tone.

You forced a smile, masking your panic. "What are you doing here?" It was a stupid question, you knew, but his sudden appearance and choice of a nickname threw you off.

"What? I can't buy myself a drink now?" he pouted playfully as he placed two energy drinks on the counter. "You live on the other side of town, where they certainly have the same drinks."

You scanned the items, and he paid with more than necessary. "Keep the change." He took the drinks but didn't leave. "What?" you asked, feeling uneasy.

"I came here to talk to you. As they say, the customer is always right, and you should attend to his needs."

You sighed, glancing at the clock. It was nearly closing time, and as much as you wanted to say no, you reluctantly agreed. Sitting outside, he opened one drink and handed you the other, claiming it was his treat. You murmured a thanks, sipping it quietly. Despite the silence, it wasn't awkward. Questions swirled in your mind: why was he here? Had he been in a fight?

"Who did you fight this time?" you asked, curiosity getting the better of you, knowing how he was getting targeted.

"Your boyfriend," he replied calmly. Kirihito had landed a punch on Endo? That couldn't be true. Kirihito wasn't the type to get into fights, especially not with someone like Endo. Besides, you and Kirihito kept things private, away from the Furin guys. "Takiishi's been doing well, though it's been rough after you broke up with him," he continued, poking at an old wound.

Not this again. Takiishi Chika wasn't your boyfriend. You never broke up with him; you ended whatever twisted relationship you had after he treated you like nothing. But explaining that to Endo would be pointless. He thrived on these messy entanglements, relishing the drama.

"Endo, I'm not in the mood for this," you said, hoping to steer the conversation away from painful memories, but deep down you wanted to ask him so many things

"Come on, Y/N, don't be like that. I'm just here to catch up," he said, his tone mockingly innocent. "It's been too long. You can't tell me you haven't missed me a little."

You sighed again, knowing this conversation wasn't going to end quickly. "What do you want from me?" He leaned back, looking up at the sky and then at you. "I want to know how you've been. And maybe... just maybe, I want to see if you wanted to hang out someday, just like the old times."

You rolled your eyes. "No, thank you. I have a boyfriend.” and before you could say more, he chuckled. Oh, how much he loves knowing things other people didn’t. Your boyfriend was a complete jerk, a weakling, someone who was a waste of air on the Furin grounds. But he will make you see it yourself, the morning is wiser than yesterday, and he will look forward to it.

The night air was cool and refreshing the street lights casting a faint glow on Endo's face. He sipped his drink, a smirk on his lips as if he were savoring every moment. You could tell he was playing games like he always did. He was more like a mastermind, instead of a player.

Endo’s gaze lingered on you, and he finally said, “You know, Y/N, it's strange. I always thought we had a good thing going. Even if it was a bit chaotic.”

You frowned, not sure where he was headed. It was chaotic for him, but it was traumatic for you. “We had a lot of things going on, but I wouldn’t call it good.” He shrugged, unaffected by your words. “Fair enough. I suppose I’m just nostalgic. Those days had a certain charm.”

It was clear he wanted to probe deeper, to stir up emotions you’d rather leave in the past. But you decided to change the subject. “Where are you hitting at?.”

He tilted his head, considering your question with a thoughtful look. “I missed you,” he said finally, though his tone was light, almost playful. “Or maybe I just wanted to see how you’re doing, to remind you that not everything is as perfect as it seems.”

You didn’t want to dwell on his riddles. Instead, you took a deep breath and tried to focus on the present. “Look, it’s late, and I have a busy day tomorrow. It’s probably best if we wrap this up.”

Endo’s expression softened, and he gave you a small, almost genuine smile. “Alright, alright. I’ll let you a VIP pass.” He stood up, stretching a bit as if preparing to leave. “But before I go, I want you to remember something.”

You looked up at him, waiting. “What is it?”

He took a moment, studying you with an intensity that made you shiver slightly. “Life has a way of throwing surprises at us, and sometimes, it’s worth keeping an open mind. Don’t be too quick to dismiss what’s right in front of you.”

Before you could respond, he took a step back, his expression shifting to one of casual indifference. “Goodnight, Y/N. Sweet dreams~”

With that, he turned and walked away, disappearing into the night. You watched him go, very confused, wondering what kind of mess you had gotten yourself into without knowing it. The encounter had left you with more questions than answers, and as you headed back inside, you couldn’t shake the feeling that Endo’s words would linger in your mind long after he was gone. Just like you were thinking about another man when you were already in a relationship, sometimes you can't get rid of the past if it just keeps coming back to you.

You groaned softly as you woke up from the weird dream, feeling the remnants of confusion like a hungover. Endo, of all people, was in your dream, and yet, there had been something unsettlingly real about it. Blinking in the morning light, your eyes fell on the pitcher of the drink he’d given you yesterday. It was still there as if mocking the boundaries between your dreams and reality.

Rubbing your eyes, you reached for your phone to check the date. June 21st stared back at you from the screen, bringing with it the gentle reminder of an important milestone. A message from Kirihito popped up, as you read his sweet, heartfelt message, a smile tugged at the corners of your lips. He had planned a special dinner for the two of you tonight, a gesture that spoke volumes about how much he cared.

Happy seven months to us, my love! It's hard to believe it's already been seven months since we started this incredible journey together. Every day with you has been a blessing, filled with laughter, love, and countless memories that I cherish deeply, every moment spent with you is a moment I hold dear. You bring so much joy and light into my life, and I’m grateful for your love, kindness, and the beautiful soul that you are. You’ve made me a better person, and I can’t wait to see where our journey takes us next. Thank you for being my partner, my best friend, and my everything. I love you more than words can express. I love you <3

But as the warmth of his words enveloped you, a nagging thought wormed its way into your mind. There was something else you were supposed to remember today, something that felt like it was just out of reach. But as hard as you tried to remember, it slipped through your fingers like sand. You were looking forward to the evening with your boyfriend; it would be special, just like every moment you spent together.

As you tried to push the nagging thought aside, the memory of last night crept back in. The way Endo just appeared out of nowhere and started saying things to you that somehow made sense. You shook your head, determined to focus on the present. Kirihito’s message was a bright spot in your day, a reminder of the love and connection you shared. You set your phone aside, mentally preparing yourself for the evening ahead, and resolved to enjoy every moment of it.

After all, the present was where your heart truly lay. The past, with its fleeting dreams and unresolved questions, could wait until you were ready to confront it.

You got up, getting ready for school when you heard a knock on your bedroom door. "Come in!" you said as the door opened and your mother entered, holding a decorated pink box.

"Special delivery for you," she announced as she got closer to you and you took the box from her. It was elegantly wrapped, with a delicate ribbon tied perfectly around it. You recognized the handwriting on the attached card immediately: it was from Kirihito. Your heart skipped a beat as you carefully opened the box. Inside, nestled in soft tissue paper, was a stunning golden bracelet with the letter K elegantly engraved. It shimmered in the morning light, and a smile spread across your face.

Your mother's presence, however, quickly brought you back to reality. She stood there, a complicated expression on her face, of concern and disapproval. Sensing her impending lecture, you felt a wave of frustration rise within you.

"If you are going to say something bad about him, leave. I don't want to deal with your antics today," you snapped, the harshness of your tone surprising even yourself. You slipped the bracelet onto your wrist, admiring how it looked against your skin.

Your mother's eyes narrowed, and she took a step back, hurt flickering across her face. "You will regret talking like that to me," she said quietly, but with a firmness that made you pause. "But it's your choice if love is medicine or poison."

With that, she turned and walked out of your room, leaving you standing there, the bracelet suddenly feeling heavier than it did a moment ago.

You leave for school, the golden accessory gleaming on your wrist as a reminder of Kirihito's gift. The morning air is crisp, and you try to shake off the uneasy feeling your mother's words left behind. Your mind drifts as you walk, lost in thoughts of your boyfriend and the complicated web of emotions surrounding you.

But then you see it. That unmistakable flash of red hair in the distance, the distinctive black gakuran jacket that seems to draw all light into its inky depths, and those golden eyes that watch you from afar. Everything around you becomes silent and extinguished, as if the world itself has faded away, leaving only a singular path that leads to him.

Your breath hitches in your throat, and your steps falter as you stare. His hair, still in the same short style, catches the morning light just right. Face was still so gentle yet rough, and his eyes were still full of nothingness, but this time it seemed like the golden and warm color didn't cotranslate with his soul when his pupils dilated. He's grown, no longer the boy you remember, but the change is striking. He used to be shorter than you, but now he stands tall, almost imposing, a figure out of a memory that feels both distant and hauntingly close.

Time seems to stretch as you both stand there, locked in each other's gaze. The world around you ceases to exist; there's only him and the unspoken history that ties you together. He begins to move, each step bringing him closer, his eyes never leaving yours.

Panic surged through you. Without thinking, you turned on your heel and started running. The sound of your footsteps echoed in your ears, but the only thing you could focus on was the sensation of his gaze following you. Your surroundings became a blur as you dashed down the street, your heart pounding louder with each step.

You didn't dare look back, afraid of what you might see—or feel—if you did. The world felt like it was closing in, the path ahead narrowing as you sprinted towards the school gates, seeking refuge in the familiar bustle of your classmates and the routines of the day.

Finally, you slowed down, breathless and shaken. You glanced back over your shoulder, but there was no sign of him. Yet the feeling of his eyes on you lingered, a reminder that some things from the past have a way of catching up, no matter how fast you run.

Behind you, you sense him still coming, a relentless presence that refuses to fade. Your breath comes in ragged gasps as you push yourself harder, desperate to put distance between you and the figure from your past. The bracelet on your wrist feels like a burning brand, a reminder of the tangled emotions you can't escape.

You finally entered the school, the sight of familiar faces and the usual morning chaos offering a semblance of comfort. But the pounding of your heart and the image of his golden eyes wouldn't leave your mind. You made a beeline for the restrooms, seeking a moment of solitude to collect yourself.

Inside the quiet, sterile space, you approached the sink and turned on the tap. Cold water gushed out, and you cupped your hands to catch it, splashing your face repeatedly. The shock of the cold helped, but only slightly. As you lifted your head and looked into the mirror, your reflection stared back at you, water droplets mingling with the tears that had escaped your eyes.

Why do you feel this way? The question hung in the air, as you watched the tears and water flow down your face, leaving trails of confusion and heartache in their wake. You had everything you were supposed to want: a boyfriend who cared for you, a life that was steady and predictable. So why were you crying now?

Why does your heart beat so much for him but not for your boyfriend? The thought gnawed at you, your chest tightening with the realization. Kirihito was kind, caring, and had always been there for you. But the sight of Takiishi Chika had stirred something deep within you, something that had lain dormant for years.

Why do you love Takiishi Chika? You whispered the question to your reflection, the words feeling both foreign and familiar. He had always been a part of your life, he might have been an asshole to you but seeing him again had brought back a flood of memories, emotions you thought you had buried long ago. Takiishi Chika made you cry for the fourth time. Instead of being scared, you are more attracted to him, now.

The realization hit you like a wave, and you clutched the edge of the sink for support. The pain of the present and the echoes of the past merged into a confusing whirlwind inside you. How could you explain these feelings, even to yourself? The tears kept flowing, each drop a testament to the storm in your heart. You took a deep breath, trying to steady yourself, but the questions persisted, their answers just didn’t exist.

As you stood there, lost in the labyrinth of your emotions, the school bell rang, jolting you back to reality. You quickly wiped your face, trying to compose yourself. The day had to go on, but the image of Chika, and the emotions he had stirred, lingered at the edges of your mind, refusing to be ignored.

The rest of the school day passed slow. You attended classes, answered questions when asked, and even smiled at your friends, but everything felt distant and detached. Your mind was elsewhere, lost in the tangled web of your emotions. Every time you glanced at your wrist, the bracelet Kirihito gave you shimmered back, reminding you of his presence, his love, and how different your feelings were now.

You barely tasted your lunch, pushing the food around your tray while your thoughts drifted back to Chika. The memories of him, the way he had looked at you that morning, kept replaying in your mind. It was a struggle to focus on anyone else.

By the time the final bell rang, signaling the end of the school day, you felt exhausted. The prospect of going home should have been a relief, but you knew it meant facing the evening ahead—a dinner with Kirihito that you now dreaded.

As you walked home, the air felt heavy, and each step took more effort than the last. When you reached your house, the usual comfort it provided felt hollow. You opened the door, expecting to be greeted by your mom and dad, but the house was eerily quiet.

You spotted a note on the living room table and picked it up, recognizing your mother's handwriting. "We'll be back at 10pm. If anything happens, call us. We love you. Mom and Dad."

The silence in the house amplified the turmoil inside you. You were completely alone, with nothing but your thoughts and the looming dinner with Kirihito to prepare for. The emptiness of the house mirrored the emptiness you felt creeping into your heart.

You made your way to your room, dropping your bag by the door. The thought of seeing Kirihito, of pretending everything was fine, felt overwhelming. You stood in front of the mirror, looking at your reflection again. The tears from the morning had dried, but the confusion and heartache remained etched on your face.

Taking a deep breath, you began to get ready for the night. You chose an outfit carefully, one that you knew Kirihito liked, but the act felt mechanical, devoid of the excitement you used to feel. As you brushed your hair and applied a light touch of makeup, you couldn't shake the thought that this dinner might be the last.

Your mind kept drifting back to Chika, to the way he had looked at you, the unspoken connection that had reignited the feelings you had tried so hard to forget. The realization that your heart was drifting further away from Kirihito and towards Chika was painful, but undeniable.

You finished getting ready and sat on your bed, staring at your reflection one last time. Tonight, you would see Kirihito, and you hoped that somehow, you would find the strength to face the truth—both for his sake and your own.

As the time for dinner drew closer, you knew you had to leave soon. The house was still empty, your parents' absence a reminder that you were on your own in this. Taking one last deep breath, you stood up and headed towards the door, hoping that whatever happened tonight would bring you the clarity you desperately needed.

You took one last glance in the mirror, ensuring that your makeup was intact and your expression was as composed as possible. It was going to be rough to break up on an anniversary, but you knew it was better to end things now than to continue living a lie. You smoothed down your bright short red dress, feeling the soft fabric beneath your fingertips. The color was bold, perhaps too bold for how you felt inside, but you wanted to put on a brave front for Kirihito.

Deciding against heels, you slipped into a pair of comfortable sneakers and a black purse to match them. They were elegant enough to match your dress but practical, much like the decision you were about to make. The bracelet on your wrist glittered in the light, and you took a deep breath, steeling yourself for what was to come.

Stepping outside, you saw Kirihito waiting for you by the gate. His face lit up with a smile as soon as he saw you. His enthusiasm and warmth were always so genuine, and it pained you to know that you were about to hurt him.

"Wow," he said, eyes widening as you approached. "You look stunning."

"Thank you," you replied, forcing a smile. His compliment meant a lot, but the weight of what you had to do made it hard to fully appreciate it. Kirihito's gaze fell on the bracelet on your wrist, and his smile grew even wider. "I'm glad you liked the bracelet. It looks beautiful on you."

You glanced at the bracelet and then back at him, the words you needed to say heavy on your tongue. "It's lovely, Kirihito. Thank you."

He reached out, taking your hand in his. "Ready to go?"

You nodded, swallowing the lump in your throat. "Yes, let's go."

The walk to the restaurant was filled with casual conversation, Kirihito chatting animatedly about his day and plans for the future. You tried your best to engage, nodding and responding where appropriate, but your mind was elsewhere, already rehearsing the words you needed to say.

For two hours, you endured, trying to distract yourself by focusing on the person in front of you, rather than the one who had invaded your thoughts. Every time you glanced at Kirihito, you felt a pang of guilt. He deserved to know the truth, even if it would hurt him. You owed him that much.

After dinner, you walked hand in hand through the dimly lit streets, the tension between you growing with each step. You took a deep breath, knowing the moment had come.

"Kirihito, I think—" you started, but he cut you off.

"Please forgive me," he said urgently, his voice trembling. Before you could react, he dragged you into a dark alley nearby, his grip on your hand tightening.

"Kirihito, what are you—" Your words were cut off as he pinned you against the wall, his lips crashing into yours. His kisses trailed down your neck and collarbone, each touch making your heart race, but not in the way it once did.

"W-what—?" you moaned, confusion and discomfort mingling in your voice. This wasn't right. This wasn't what you had planned, and it certainly wasn't how you wanted things to go.

He pulled back slightly, his eyes dark and intense. "I just... I need to feel close to you," he whispered, his breath hot against your skin.

Your body responded instinctively, but your mind screamed in protest. You had talked about this before, about waiting until you felt ready, whether it was with him or someone else. This wasn't how you had imagined it. This wasn't what you wanted.

"Kirihito, stop," you said firmly, trying to push him away. "This isn't right."

Instead of listening, he laughed—a harsh, cruel sound that bore no resemblance to his usual sweet laughter. "Listen here," he said, his voice empty of any affection. "You are just a stupid doll with a beautiful body. Too bad you can’t do anything."

The words hit you like a physical blow. I wanted to remind you that not everything is as perfect as it seems. Panic surged through you as he grabbed your hands and kissed you forcefully, his touch making your skin crawl. You felt sick, and the realization that your mother had been right about him crashed over you with like a sudden and rapid tsunami.

Desperation fueled your actions as you struggled to break free. You kicked him between the legs, and he staggered back, a pained groan escaping his lips. But before you could escape, he pulled something from his pocket—a small, sharp object.

In a flash, he cut your wrist, and you cried out in pain. The searing sting made you gasp, but there was no time to react further. Adrenaline surged through your veins as you realized the immediate danger you were in. Summoning every ounce of strength, you tore away from him, kicking and hitting him, and ran away. The alley seemed to stretch endlessly, but you didn’t stop. The pain in your arm was sharp, but the fear of being caught was sharper.

You burst out of the dark place and into the street, your heart pounding in your chest. You glanced back only briefly to see Kirihito's shadowed figure retreating into the darkness. The world felt like it was spinning around you, and you ran as fast as you could, seeking safety out of the darkness.

Humiliated and betrayed. The sweet, loving facade Kirihito had presented was nothing more than a cruel act. All this time, he had been playing you, pretending to care just to satisfy his own desires. His words replayed in your mind: "You are just a stupid doll with a beautiful body." The disgust and hurt were overwhelming. You had been fooled into believing in a love that turned out to be nothing more than manipulation and deceit.

The pain in your wrist, while not life-threatening, was a constant, stinging reminder of how wrong things had gone. The cut hurt, but the emotional wounds were deeper, more painful. The agony of being used and belittled was a brutal blow, especially on what was supposed to be your anniversary—a day meant for celebration, now marred by violence and betrayal.

With your makeup smudged and your vision blurred by tears, you walked alone through the dark streets, feeling like a mess. The cold night air felt harsh against your skin, but the real chill was in the emptiness you felt inside. You stumbled, your heart shattered and your spirit crushed. You had no idea where you were going or what to do next.

In your daze, you collided with something—or rather, someone. You staggered back, mumbling an apology, "I-I am sorry." Your gaze was fixed on the ground, unable to meet the eyes of whoever you had bumped into.

"Who did this to you?" The voice was gentle but held a tone of underlying anger that made you shiver. You looked up slowly and were stunned to see the one man you thought about all day, Takiishi Chika standing before you. The sight of him was almost a mirage in your confused state.

His eyes were filled with nothing but pure rage and as he took in your disheveled appearance and the bloody wound on your wrist, his expression darkened. You have never seen him like that. "Y/N," he said, taking your hand in his, the movement was a bit harsh. "Who did this to you?"

You tried to speak, but your throat was tight with emotion. All the memories you had with him appeared in your head like a movie. As for him, he didn't care if you were at school or not, he didn't care when you left him three years ago, he didn't care when you ignored him, he didn't care after seeing you in tears because of another person.

Only he was allowed to make you cry.

Without waiting for an answer, Chika’s anger surged. “Come here, you bitch.” The voice was cold and determined as he turned towards the direction you had come from, storming off in the direction of Kirihito. You watched as he took off his jacket and draped it over your shoulders, a small gesture of comfort amid the chaos.

But as Takiishi moved past you, another figure emerged. Endo, with a smirk that sent a shiver down your spine, placed a hand on your arm. “I knew he would like his birthday present, though I didn’t expect him to find you in such a state,” Endo said with a twisted grin. “Don’t worry, I’ll keep you safe.”

The realization hit you like a punch to the gut—today was Takiishi’s birthday. You had forgotten in the midst of everything, and now everything felt like a cruel twist of fate. As Endo’s hand covered your eyes, you felt a surge of fear. “It’s better not to watch,” he said softly.

Confusion and fear mixed with the anger you felt. “Why is this happening? Kirihito, then you, Takiishi—What is going on?” you stuttered, your voice trembling.

Your question was swallowed by the sounds of a struggle as Takiishi and Kirihito faced off. The alleyway seemed to close in around you as Chika and Kirihito came into view. Kirihito, his demeanor now vicious and cruel, snarled at Chika.

Takiishi moved fast, faster than any beast or monster, his anger driving him. He charged at Kirihito, his movements a blur of strength and precision. Kirihito tried to block the assault, but Takiishi’s punches were relentless. Each blow landed with a sickening thud, and Kirihito struggled to keep up, his defenses crumbling under the onslaught. Chika’s fists connected with Kirihito’s jaw, sending him reeling against the wall. The force of the impact left Kirihito gasping for breath.

“Don't play with what's mine.” Takiishi growled, his voice dripping with fury. He grabbed Kirihito by the collar and slammed him against the wall, his eyes burning with a mixture of rage and determination. That boy was a monster and he was becoming one because of you.

Kirihito’s attempts to fight back were feeble compared to Takiishi’s relentless assault. He tried to push him away, but Chika’s strength was overwhelming. With a final, powerful punch, Takiishi sent Kirihito sprawling to the ground. The force of the blow left Kirihito sprawled on the pavement, barely conscious.

Breathing heavily, Takiishi stood over him, his chest heaving with the exertion of the fight. Kirihito, defeated and battered, looked up with a mixture of fear and pain.

“Touch her one more time,” Takiishi said coldly, his voice low and dangerous. ”And you are dead.”

As Kirihito tried to rise, Takiishi moved in, making it clear that he was done with him. The fight was over, and Kirihito’s attempts to get up were weak and futile. He slumped against the wall, his strength gone, as Takiishi stepped back.

Endo, still standing beside you, looked at the scene with a satisfied smirk. He removed his hand from your eyes, and you saw Takiishi standing tall, victorious, and Kirihito defeated on the ground. The sight was both a relief and a painful reminder of the turmoil you had just endured.

Chika’s gaze softened as he turned back to you, he reached out to touch your face gently, wiping away the remnants of your tears and smudged makeup. You didn’t seem fazed by the blood on his hands or the stains on his clothes. What mattered to him was the look of concern in his eyes this time they were not empty and cold, but warm and full of the sight of you.

He leaned in, his thumb gently caressing your cheek leaving a tint of your already red blush, lips brushing against yours with a tenderness that contrasted sharply with the violence. The kiss was a desperate, passionate connection—a promise of solace amidst the chaos.

His lips moved against yours, each touch a balm to the emotional wounds that had been inflicted. There was an overwhelming sense of reassurance in his kiss, a silent vow that he would be there for you no matter what. It was both a declaration and a comfort, a way of saying everything he couldn’t express in words, everything he was being regretful for.

Endo, unable to resist making a final comment, let out a dry chuckle. “I’m still here, you know,” he said, his voice laced with a hint of mockery. “Not that it matters now.”

As the kiss deepened, you felt the world slipping further away, your senses dimming. Takiishi’s touch, and his kiss, were the last things you felt before the darkness enveloped you completely. The last thing you felt was the comforting solidity of Takiishi's arms as he caught you and held you close. The stressful night had taken its toll, but as you passed out in his arms, you knew that for now, you were safe.

Takiishi cradled your limp body in his arms, lifting you effortlessly into a bridal carry. His grip was gentle, as the weight of your unconscious form seemed to worry him, fueling his resolve to get you to safety. His gaze was locked on your face, a look of protectiveness in his eyes.

As he began to walk, the night air was cool against his skin, but his focus was solely on you. Each step he took was deliberate, each movement careful to ensure your comfort. Endo, trailing behind with a satisfied smirk, observed the scene with a sense. His role in the evening's events had gone according to plan, and he was content with the unfolding of the night. He walked leisurely, his hands in his pockets, his eyes occasionally glancing towards the scene before him.

Takiishi’s thoughts were focused on you, your well-being, and getting you home safely. Endo, on the other hand, seemed to view the situation in another way, as if the events were merely a dramatic play unfolding before him.

The clock had long struck midnight when they arrived at your home. The darkness of the night was only pierced by the dim, flickering light from a lamp inside. Takiishi, still holding you carefully in his arms, as Endo knocked on the door and rang the bell, the sound echoing in the stillness of the night. The minutes ticked by slowly as they waited, the flickering lamp casting uneasy shadows across the front yard.

From inside, there was a murmured exchange, followed by the sound of shuffling footsteps. The door creaked open, revealing a disheveled figure. Your mother’s tired eyes widened in shock as she took in the sight of you, unconscious and cradled in Takiishi’s arms.

"Who the hell—" her voice cut off as she saw your limp form. Her gaze darted between you, Takiishi, and Endo, recognition dawning as she remembered the redhead from past encounters. "Y/N?" Her voice broke with worry and anger as she took in the blood on your wrist and the disheveled state you were in.

"What have you done to my daughter?" she demanded, her voice rising with both fear and rage. The sight of you in such a vulnerable state was more than she could bear.

Before she could say more, Endo stepped forward, his demeanor smooth, “We’re sorry for the way we’re bringing your daughter in,” he said, his tone deliberately calm. “But I think we’d better take care of her first and then explain the situation.”

Your mother’s eyes flitted between Endo and Takiishi, the latter still holding you with unwavering care. Her maternal instincts and concern for your health won out over her anger. Though her expression remained tight, she nodded reluctantly. “Right,” she said, her voice trembling. “First, her health. Then we’ll talk.”

She opened the door wider, allowing them to step inside. As they entered, your mother instructed, her tone sharp but her eyes filled with a mix of desperation and worry. “You come with me,” She directed Chika to follow her, clearly intending to discuss the situation in private.

Endo, with his characteristic smirk, raised an eyebrow. “And, you don’t touch anything or think about it,” he looked around the beautifully decorated living room said, his voice dripping with casual menace. “Yes, ma’am.”

Your mother’s eyes narrowed at Endo, but she didn’t have the luxury of confronting him at the moment. Her priority was to ensure your safety and to understand what had happened. She led Takiishi to a quieter part of the house, her steps brisk and purposeful.

As Takiishi followed, he glanced back once more at you, his face a mask of determined concern. The weight of the night’s events hung heavy, but a promise to take care of you. The confrontation with Kirihito had left its scars, but for now, the focus was on you.

Your mother’s eyes held a fierce determination as she led Takiishi through the dimly lit hallway. The sound of your breathing, shallow and uneven, filled the silence between them. She opened the bathroom door, the light from the ceiling casting a soft glow in the small room.

Without hesitation, she motioned for him to place you gently into the bathtub. The porcelain surface seemed stark and cold, but it was necessary for what needed to be done. As he carefully set you down, your mother began to unfasten the straps of your dress with a practiced efficiency born of both urgency and care.

Takiishi stood by, his eyes never leaving you, he could see the pain and vulnerability you were exposed to, and it weighed heavily on him. His heart ached for you, and his mind was consumed with worry.

Seeing your mother struggling slightly, he stepped forward to assist. “Are you going to watch or help?” her words were not meant to be harsh but rather a nudge to refocus the task at hand.

Your mother, though tense, appreciated the help. Takiishi removed your shoes and helped her ease off your dress. As the garment fell away, leaving you in your underwear, your mother worked quickly to assess your wounds. Her hands were steady, though her eyes revealed the depth of her concern.

“Go to your friend downstairs,” she instructed. “I’ll call you when we need to carry her.” There was an unspoken agreement in her tone—a mutual understanding that your immediate care took precedence over everything else.

Takiishi nodded, his expression serious as he stepped back. He cast one last look at you, his heart heavy with the burden. The bathroom door closed behind him, leaving your mother to tend to you.

The silence in the bathroom was filled only with the soft sounds of water and the gentle rustling of fabric as your mother carefully cleaned your wounds. Each motion was precise, driven by her need to help you heal and to make sense of the situation. “I told you that you would get burned. But I am glad you are safe.” she saw the golden bracelet and removed it, you won't need it anymore, so she will sell it, it's gold after all.

Outside, Takiishi’s steps were swift but measured as he made his way back downstairs and saw Endo fast asleep on the couch. A short while later, your mother called him back to the bathroom. “We’re ready,” she said softly, as he stepped inside, she motioned to the sink. “Wash your hands first.”

Takiishi nodded, moving quickly to comply. The water ran cold at first, then warm as he scrubbed away the remnants of the foreign blood. With clean hands, he turned back to you, now dressed in a clean shirt and pants, looking so peaceful and divine despite the hell you went through.

Gently, he lifted you into his arms again, cradling you with a tenderness that was so unnatural for him. As he carried you through the hallway to your room, your mother followed closely, her eyes never leaving you. Maybe he's not so bad, she thought. She always remembered him and saw him as some bad kid, a big troublemaker, and no matter how much your mother kept you out of trouble, it always came to you. Takiishi Chika was a big problem, but your mother knew that he was your big love.

Once in your room, Takiishi laid you down on your bed his touch lingering on your face as he leaned in, his lips mere inches from yours. It was a kiss filled with all the emotions he couldn’t put into words—a kiss that, if your friends from first grade were here, would have made them giggle and say: I told you so, he was a prince!

He didn't know what was wrong with him or why he kept wanting to kiss you, he just knew that he could still taste your lipgloss when he kissed you for the first time. He was intoxicated. The only way he could get your attention was to be aggressive, that's what he was best at.

Just as his lips were about to touch yours, a gentle cough came from the doorway. “You, go shower,” your mother said softly. “I will let you and your friend sleep for tonight, the least I can do.”

Takiishi pulled back, reluctantly tearing himself away from you. He stood up and moved past your mother, who still commanded a certain presence that made him respect her, even if he’d never admit that she scared him when he was four. “I put my husband’s clothes out for you. And thank you,” she added, her voice sincere. If you wonder where your dad was, he was probably in a deep slumber, hard to wake up. But he will surely be more than grateful when he finds out what happened.

In the bathroom, Takiishi showered quickly, washing away the blood and sweat of the night. The warm water was soothing, providing a momentary escape from the weight of the past. Once clean, he dressed in the clothes your mother had left for him—simple, comfortable, and clean a contrast to the violence and tension he had just endured.

Returning to your room, he found it quiet and dimly lit. Your mother had left some food and water on a small table, a silent gesture of care. Takiishi approached the bed, his heart softening at the sight of you, as he already let you in it. He laid down next to you, careful not to disturb your rest. His fingers played gently with your hair, the soft strands a comforting distraction. You are pretty, inside and out.

He pulled you into his arms, holding you close. He didn't care that you were so close, and he probably didn't care that he loved you. Leaving you one last kiss on your lips, before falling asleep as he already fell for you thirteen years ago. You are mine. And he was yours.

The next morning, you wake up feeling extremely tired, your body sore and aching. A sharp pain shot through your hand as you tried to move it, reminding you of the events of the previous night. Groggy and disoriented, you attempted to sit up but found yourself unable to move. Someone’s arms were wrapped around you, holding you securely in place.

Panic surged through you, and you instinctively opened your mouth to scream, but before any sound could escape, a hand gently but firmly covered your mouth.

“Shut up and sleep,” a familiar voice murmured in your ear. It was Takiishi Chika.

His voice, though commanding, had a hint of softness to it. The initial shock started to fade as you realized who it was. The memories of the previous night began to flood back—Kirihito’s betrayal, Takiishi’s rescue, and the tender care he had shown you. Your breathing steadied as you processed the situation. He was in your bed, under the same blanket, your bodies closer than ever,

“We didn’t do anything, right?” you asked, your voice barely above a whisper as you gulped. The question hung in the air, filled with a mix of apprehension and hope.

Takiishi didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he rested his head gently against your shoulder, his warm breath brushing your skin. “No,” he finally said, his voice sleepy and hoarse. “We didn’t.”

Relief washed over you. It felt strange, like there was no weight pulling you back, free from the chains that were made of lies. You were ready to say those three words to the person who deserved them. “I love you, Chika,” you whispered. The way you said his name, instead of his surname or whatever nickname, felt intimate and personal. It made him feel strange. I love you. He was still learning, still getting used to you. To being soft, to feeling, to showing—to love. It was unfamiliar territory for him, but the sincerity in your voice and the trust you placed in him stirred something deep within.

As you closed your eyes, you felt his grip tighten briefly, a silent promise of protection and care, drifting back to sleep, Takiishi watched over you, his thoughts a whirlwind of emotions. He didn’t fully understand what he was feeling, but he knew that he wanted to be there for you, to protect you, to make sure you never felt that kind of pain again. And in that moment, as he held you close, he vowed to do just that. Despite his broken state. He’s still yours.

You got your answer, even if you play with fire and get burned, love is the medicine that will cure you of the poison. Takiishi Chika made you feel loved for the first time.

#♡.. mimi's recs!#WAKE UP CHAT KIKI POSTED #ANOTHER MASTERPIECE FROM WIFEY #thank you for doing the universe a service!#kiki you’re THE takiishi writer #believe me when i say your writing #never fails to amaze me #i could go on and on #about how perfect your attention to detail is #and how talented you are #tysm for letting me beta read ilyyy #i dont usually like childhood enemies to lovers #but this was life changing #their entire dynamic makes my heart swoon #i’m holding this fic v close to my heart 🫶🏾#he went from pelting us with sand #to beating assholes up for us #💳💥💳💥💳💥#GIVE HIM TO ME NEOWWW #YOUR WRITING IS SO GOOD #i’m obsessed with everything about this #the banter between us and endo #the hallway scene #the show down???#THE PLAYLIST??#HIM CARRYING US HOME #WAKING UP NEXT TO HIM #I HASHTAG NEED BOTH #YOUR HANDS IN MARRIAGE 💍#wind breaker x reader

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