𝙲𝙷𝙰𝙿𝚃𝙴𝚁 𝚃𝚆𝙴𝙽𝚃𝚈 𝚃𝙷𝚁𝙴𝙴
"Hey, get up," Kenma whispered softly as he gently nudged the girl that was sleeping next to him. She groaned loudly as she turned in the other direction and her bonnet fell off slightly revealing her hair slightly. Kenma sighed with a small smile as he fixed her bonnet and didn't even flinch when she opened her eyes and immediately glared at him.
"Good morning." He said with a smile as he backed away from her and walked towards the door. She could only look around with confusion because he vanished from the door without even giving her a chance to reply back. Instead of bothering her head about his weird behavior, she walked over to the bathroom to try to make herself look presentable.
When she heard him enter back into the room, she shook her head at the sound of hearing him fumbling around the room. Whatever he was doing, he was clearly in a rush.
"If you don't be careful, you'll break something," she said from the bathroom as she wiped her hands on a towel, shaking her head again as she heard the boy grumbling profanities. She stepped out of the room to see what was giving him such a hard time and also to question his weird behavior - when she saw what he did for her.
It was breakfast. Cinnamon pancakes, scrambled eggs, a bowl of oatmeal, and a glass of apple juice - all on a tray that was placed neatly onto a table that he probably dragged from the corner of this room. The meal was something her mom made for her back in high school - she was surprised that Kenma even knew about it because there was only one morning when he came over to have breakfast with her back then when her mom served them the same thing.
"You remembered?" she whispered before breaking out into a smile and going over to hug him. The breakfast was a simple gesture, a small thing compared to what else he wanted to do for her and for what else he had planned for today.
"How could I forget?" he mumbled as he accepted her hug and placed his head onto hers. And they stayed like that for a while before he ushered her to go and eat. He had a bunch of events planned for them today that he spent all week thinking about. He was excited and nervous to see how the whole day would play out. But there were things at hand they needed to deal with first.
Now, she had finished eating and they were downstairs in the kitchen, She sat on the corner behind Kenma as he was in front of her washing up the dishes.
"You have something planned for today, don't you?" she questioned while swinging her feet as she stared at the boy's back. He nodded a yes at her question before turning around and leaning against the sink, "I have several things planned for today actually." he said as he watched her facial expression turn to one of excitement. He chuckled softly as he walked towards her and placed himself in between her legs and looked at her.
"Hey." she smiled at him.
"Hey." he smiled back.
"Your hair color is fading" she spoke out loud while touching his hair and closely looking at the color. He leaned further into her at her touch, and she sighed, "you need to take better care of your hair, Kenma." she scolded slightly making him laugh inwardly.
"Do it for me then." He breathed into her chest. From the time they met, he knew how badly she always wanted to do his hair. He had allowed her to style it times before, but he never allowed her to dye it for him. So it wasn't shocking when she hopped off the counter and dragged him upstairs to do his hair for him. He saw that she had dyed her own hair a couple of times, so he wasn't scared of her experience.
He was just happy to see her happy. She smiled the whole time she did his hair, though he wasn't sure that she was aware. In her element, he swore she was the prettiest and as he watched her through the mirror - he knew it was true. And now as she was sitting in front of him criss-cross on the floor, she decided to dye a section of her hair to match him. He couldn't help but smile.
it was moments like this - the innocent ones, they swore they should, and would cherish forever.
And now as they actually began to follow Kenma's plans, he couldn't help but feel nervous.
"Where should we start?!" She beamed as she stared at the different stores and stands. The section of hair she dyed to match his was practically glowing as her hair bounced around with every movement she made. The outfit she wore was simple enough yet perfect to match all events he'd take her to see today.
She made him walk around for hours. Mostly window shopping but he did buy whatever he saw that seemed to catch her attention the most. So now they had matching jewelry and clothing. And after a bunch of walking around, they found a bakery. It was a cute place, she said it was like something out of her Pinterest feed.
"I can't get over how pretty in here is!" she said as she gazed around the shop for the millionth time in amazement, "How are we now discovering here?" she groaned as if she was missing something. But her actions were constantly putting a smile on the face of the boy sitting across from her.
"When you stare at me like that you make me feel like I'm ugly." she deadpanned but refused to look up from the menu on the table, frightened she might burst into laughter. But seeing how he quickly looked away with a frown, reminded her of a child that was just told they couldn't get something they really wanted from their parents - and it made her laugh.
"You're not funny," he mumbled, "I actually thought I made you uncomfortable." He rolled his eyes before picking up the menu and reading it as she continued to laugh at his actions.
"I'm sorry! It's been a while since I've been able to trick you like that. Sorry." She apologized but he just dismissed it, as he knew that she was joking - so an apology wasn't needed.
It had been a while since they had joked around in such a manner. He was glad that now, she was able to behave more freely around him, she wasn't hiding in her shell in constant fear she would say the wrong thing. In a way, it felt like a dream. A dream in the way how her beauty seemed almost unreal. He couldn't stop looking at her face - her lips, and the way they shined with her favorite brand of lip gloss on them - and how plump and pretty they looked.
But that wasn't his favorite thing. Her eyes, that chocolate color. It was something about her eyes and the way she looked at him that made his heart flutter. And he wasn't exaggerating, her eyes were beautiful. The coat of mascara that she wore helped bring it out even more.
Every time he looked at her, he felt like he was falling in love with her all over again.
And maybe this time, that was a good thing.
"Do you want the apple pie?" Kenma asked looking at her. His gaze never faltered from her face, watching her every slightest moment like a newborn baby watches its mother. The gaze wasn't uncomfortable to her, but that didn't exactly mean that she could keep eye contact with him - she just couldn't look up at him. She was eyeing the menu even though she had read through it before.
She nodded and only watched him when he got up to place the orders.
"So, what's the plan for today?" she asked as she twirled her fork around him her hand looking directly at him. This was the only time she could fully look at him - when she had somewhat control of the situation. He stopped eating and gave her a quick glance before shaking his head and continuing to eat with a small smile on his face. He wasn't going to give up answers that easily and she knew that.
"So, is this our first official date?" she smiled as she lifted her fork to her lip - trying to get him to falter and distract him into telling her his plans. But it never worked. So it was like that for the rest of their time in the bakery. Small talk, soft smiles, and kind gestures. They both left with a content feeling in their hearts and foolish smiles on their faces.
"So, where to now?" she questioned as she sat in the passenger seat of his car. It was still early in the evening, maybe around three. But Kenma simply shrugged and began to drive. He knew it was bad to ignore her, but if he told her where they were going, she would probably beg him to go home so she could change. So instead, he just turned on the radio.
Feel like summer and I don't wanna miss you
If we don't touch lips, not an issue
I don't wanna talk 'bout nobody else
Know I said no love but I want to
"What you know about Keshi, Kenma?!" she said as she side-eyed him. She was sure that he knew that Keshi was one of her favorite artists, so it was safe to say that she put him on. It was something about this kind of music that relaxed her and gave her peace of mind. The song also reminds her of herself in a way.
He smiled as he watched her sing along. She wouldn't and shouldn't know that he purposely put together a playlist of her most recent favorite songs.
"Have no idea what you mean, I just simply turned on the radio." He shrugged as the song filled his ears.
Said we goin' bye bye in a minute
I'ma chill on the Southside, caught feelings
When the leaves turn, no more favors
Nice to meet ya, catch you later, yeah
His fingers tapped the steering wheel along to the rhythm of the song. He wondered if she also felt herself relating to the song and pointing out some similarities.
Kiss my wounds but not forever
Fill me up 'cause I'm runnin' on empty
Kiss my wounds but not forever
And it's fine if we're only pretending
Kenma wondered if he could say the same thing.
He stopped the car at their location and watched her get out before following her.
"The beach?" her eyebrows furrowed in thought before she finally got it, "to watch the sunset?" the idea was something she always wanted to do. It was all making her very happy, and she was sure kenma knew that from the way she smiled up at him.
They both walked along the sand, dangerously close, but not holding hands.
"Thank you for this." she spoke up from beside him, "It was all very nice, I loved it." she wasn't lying, everything Kenma did for her so far was more than she could ever think about asking for - she was truly grateful for him.
He grabbed her hand and joined their hands together. Another simple gesture that made them feel way more than they could've.
"You're cute, you know that?" he asked, but it was more of a statement than anything, "I love looking at you." his face got dangerously close to hers and a smile broke out across his lips, as well as hers.
"Are you going to kiss me, Kozume?" she taunted as she watched the boy study her lips. The sun began to set around them slowly, the moment couldn't get more magical. "Cause if you are, I might just let you."
And if possible, his smile grew even bigger. He closed the space between them, bringing their lips together.
She felt giddy yet excited. The way his hands roughly pulled her closer, yet softly holds her. His lips are soft almost like cotton candy. And it reminds her of the first time they kissed, only this time, there were so much more emotions. The kiss wasn't one of lust, it was one of meaning. There was a reason behind why he held her so gently and why he was hesitant to let her go. A goal for everything he did today—a reason why he was still holding on.
And he'd be damned if the kiss didn't explain it all for him. He had a point to prove and words to say, and now she was more than open to listen.
After they pulled apart, they both headed back to the car. Kenma had suggested the idea of sitting on the roof of his car and he brought out snacks for them as they positioned themselves to finish watching what was left of the sunset.
"I've never been on the roof of a car before." she turned her head to look at him while laying down, "And in case you didn't notice, we missed the sunset."
"So then we'll watch the stars." he nonchalantly suggested. His body was positioned to the side and he had his hands on his head for support. He wasn't watching the stars.
"You're not watching the stars though." she pouted before rolling her eyes at the smile on his face.
"I'm watching you watch the stars." he confirmed, "You look pretty." he said as he continued to look at her. All she did was smile and continue stargazing. She didn't know what was influencing his actions, but if he could've watched her the whole night, he would.
Slowly, music played through the speakers of his car - highlighting the mood. Another one of her favorite artists, Rini, voice seeped through the speakers.
It's the way you are
One look and I'm electrified
A sight for sore eyes
You don't wait around me
I'm lost in my own desire
What's in the way?
There's an open world out there for me
But not very often, you find your self-esteem
"Telling me you didn't stalk my Spotify, Kozume?" she laughed at him. She found it funny how he planned a bunch of things for her today, and now they were on top of his car, listening to music and stargazing. She couldn't see the point of it all - Was it just a regular date? Or was something else awaiting her?
Baby, it's the way you touch my heart
Her whisper alone, can freeze the time
A kiss on her face turns days to nights
The thrill of the chase, you keep me high
As if the gods were agreeing with his decisions, the song playing seem to capture everything Kenma seemed to be thinking. Her smile was truly beautiful to him, as well as all the other parts of her too. It was hard to even think about hating her now, even if he did before - now, it was the last thing he wanted to do. She was special to him, she made him happy.
The good time always outdid the bad. Always.
"Hey." Kenma called out to her. But once those chocolate brown eyes met his, he froze.
It's the way you are
It's the way you are
Although he planned it out in his head so many times and thought about what he wanted to say. When it came to it now, he didn't know what to say.
Wе had our doubt
I could be on the other sidе, but I won't cross the line
Look at what I found, yeah
Who's dumb enough to fool around?
Couldn't be me
To him, this moment now was his 'next time'. There wasn't going to be another moment after this - the moment he dreamed and planned for was right in front of him. The love of his life was right in front of him. And the only other thing he really had to lose again was...himself. He wasn't sure if he could handle rejection from her again, but he was still hopeful.
Hopeful that these past couple of months wasn't a part of his imagination and that she was feeling what he was too.
She studied him carefully and the way he was looking at everything but her. He had something on his mind and the thought that it has something to do with all the events that happened today made her nervous. So she sat up and grabbed a bag of chips as she waited on him to speak to her.
There's an open world out there for me
But not very often, you find your self-esteem
Baby, it's the way you touch my heart
Her whisper alone, can freeze the time
A kiss on her face turns days to nights
The thrill of the chase, you keep me high
"I really like being with you Y/n." he breathed, "And I know you've been through a lot, and the reason you left me behind back then was because you wanted what was best for me. But right now, the best thing for me is you."
He began to sit up as well. Slowly moving his body to position himself directly in front of her. This was the part he was afraid of. And as they made eye contact, he realized that he didn't need to be. That if he didn't put his all into this now, and she left, he'd regret it again.
So as he promised, he'll give it his all, so even if she does leave - his heart would stay here on this beach, in Japan.
"I don't know what I would do if you left me again to go back to America, but for now, as we're here in Japan and you're with me, can we be together?"
It's the way you are
"What..what are you trying to say, Kenma?" she stuttered slightly. It wasn't that she didn't understand, she wanted to make sure that she didn't misunderstand. Because if she was understanding correctly - then she was glad she got on that flight to Japan. Because the minute she got here, the feelings she swore she buried followed her around everywhere.
The emotions she felt for the boy in front of her were really way more than she could deal with. But one thing she knew for sure was that she did love the boy in front of her.
She always did.
It's the way you are
"What I'm trying to say is..Can I be your boyfriend?"