⚠️Quick Warning! There is a mention of previous domestic ab*se in this, so I figured I'd let ya knw before you continue!⚠️
After going out with Shinichiro and almost fighting with that guy at our hangout spot, there had been much talk about us maybe being together. I wouldn't say we were together, but we kept giving people things to discuss.
"So, you two dating yet?" My best friend loved to poke at me, walking alongside me; meanwhile, Shinichiro was on my other side, heading to the yearly festival.
"Don't you have your own little boy toy you should be worrying about?" I whispered, eyes on Takeomi on her other side as we went together.
The way she blushed made me laugh, subconsciously holding Shinichiro's hand and offering:
"How about we get something to snack on? Every year, there's a stand that makes some delicious gyoza."
"Let's go get some then," Shinichiro smiled, allowing me to lead the way.
It was in the same spot as last year, and this 'double date' was already so much fun. We ate and checked out some of the other stands with all kinds of collectibles, jewelry, you name it.
We were smiling the whole time too, excited as a firework show was going to happen soon, my best friend jumping at the thought:
"Ooo! Can we go get some ice cream before we watch the fireworks?"
"Sure thing, babe," Takeomi was really trying to charm her up. I couldn't wait to tease her about it, but we all got an ice cream cone, went to where we planned to sit and watch the fireworks till Shinichiro squeezed my hand:
"Is it okay if we talk for a second?"
He wanted us to be alone, fighting a smile, and I couldn't say no, finishing my ice cream and nodding:
"Yeah, let's go."
Heading away from the crowd, we stood by a staircase, my heart fluttering as Shinichiro was reaching into his pocket, whispering with his cheeks turning pink:
"I just wanted to give you something special, that's all."
"What is it?" Watching his hand open to me, I saw a bracelet with little charms, one standing out compared to the others, a crown. It appeared to be handmade, those flutters getting stronger as he took my hand gently, clipping the bracelet around my wrist:
"I remembered when you would make charm bracelets when we were kids. So, I made one for you."
"You made it?" This gift touched my heart, and I held my hand up to admire it more; a smile formed as he nodded, explaining and giggling:
"It might not look the best, but I even welded the metal into a crown. A princess needs her crown, right?"
Staring at the crown, my smile grew brighter, finding his eyes, "I think it looks beautiful, Shinichiro. Thank you."
He just smiled back at me, our smiles so bright we broke out into giggles, but my chest seized as his eyes twinkled, taking my hand and his head leaning down to me.
Was he going to kiss me? This was it. I could feel it, letting my eyes shut gently as he inched closer, but flashing back open at the sound of a voice I knew:
"They are together, huh?"
The last bit of fear in my heart returned, shaking as I stared off toward who was talking; Shinichiro quickly noticed something was wrong.
"Hey-" He whispered, looking in the direction I was, seeing my ex-boyfriend, "That's your ex, right?"
"Yeah," I whispered back shakily, my eyes briefly connecting with my ex's, and my shaking worsened.
"Y/N," Taking my shoulders, Shinichiro moved his head to meet my eyes, calm and only wanting to help, "If he's bothering you somehow, tell me. Please."
"I-I just-" I swallowed, finally growing the courage to tell him what I've only told my best friend, putting my head down, "Remember the end of senior year, when I missed a few days of school? I came back all messed up, and no one knew why?"
"I remember," He nodded, having an idea of what I was going to say, staying silent as I cried softly:
"It was him. He 'put me in my place' to try and show off in front of some gang he joined."
His hands were still on my shoulders, and he felt stiff, the tears of sadness turning into rage as I picked my head up, huffing and explaining:
"And that's why I created my gang. To show stupid boys that us girls can lead and, more importantly, kick ass too."
Shinichiro was staring at me, his eyes darkening, and it almost scared me as I had never seen such a look in his eyes before.
"Guys! You done? The fireworks are about to go off!"
My best friend and Takeomi were coming for us, shaking again as Shinichiro stood up straight, turning to Takeomi and commanding:
"Takeomi, stay here with them. Don't let a soul near them. Got it?"
"Got it," Takeomi didn't bother to question him; Shinichiro's eyes said it all, but I was still paranoid, reaching out for him:
"Shinichiro-"
There was no stopping him. He walked right up to my ex, who was laughing with some guy, trying to be all cocky:
"Yo, Shinichiro. Heard you got my sloppy seconds!"
"Did you think she'd never tell me?" Hearing their exchange, my heart wouldn't stop pounding, panting even as my best friend kept me in a hug, Takeomi watching in case someone else was to step in.
My ex only stared. He knew what Shinichiro was talking about, going to speak just for his jaw to be met with Shinichiro's fist, the impact louder than any punch I ever heard, making my ex drop like a ton of bricks, the fireworks starting to blast and explode into the sky as Shinichiro hit him with another punch.
"DID YOU REALLY THINK SHE'D NEVER TELL ME?!"
That buddy of my ex's was so scared he ran away, Shinichiro picking him up by the shirt and punching him over and over.
His yelling started to attract attention; Takeomi looked as we saw a bystander dialing their phone.
"Shinichiro!" Running to him, even Takeomi could barely pull Shinichiro away, "Someone saw! We have to go!"
Shinichiro wasn't exactly a prizefighter, but seeing him in a rage, this unseen strength. I'll never forget it. He finally let go and backed away with Takeomi, who was pulling out his keys:
"Sorry, girls, we have to go."
"It's, it's okay-" I heaved, clinging to Shinichiro's arm as he came to me, his keys in hand, whispering:
"We can go to my place."
We didn't say anything after that. I just followed him, hopping on the back of his bike, and clung to him the entire ride. We stopped with Takeomi to make sure my best friend got home safe, then went to his place.
"I need a cigarette," He mumbled, lighting one up as we stepped inside, and I sat on the couch in silence, fidgeting with my hands and the bracelet he gave me.
Halfway through his cigarette, he came to sit next to me, whispering softly:
"I'm sorry for ruining our fun at the festival. When you told me that, I just-"
"It's okay, really," I cooed, taking his hand, fighting tears again, "No one has ever stood up for me like that before."
"I will always be here for you," Finding my gaze, I started to cry, knowing his every word was true, "I'll fight the whole world for you if I have to, Y/N."
All I wanted to do was hug him, doing so and squeezing, never wanting to let go. He ashed out his cigarette so he could embrace me back with both arms, my head against his chest as I confessed:
"I love you, Shinichiro. You really are my prince charming."
Unlike the festival, nothing stopped him as he pushed my head up so his lips could finally kiss mine.
As our lips danced, something was pouring into my heart. This strong sense in both my brain and heart. It was true love. I just knew it. The same sense was beaming from him as he guided me back on the couch, our kiss deepening and less intertwining.
"I love you too, princess," Lips just hovering above me, his dark eyes were back to soft and precious like usual, the cute smile that lifted his cheeks making me fall for him even harder than I already had, paying great attention to his following words, "There's nothing to hide anymore. We can be happy."
I couldn't get enough of him, kissing softly and ensuring he knew, "I'm always happy when I'm with you."