Sharp-O's One-Shots! "Optography" 27/12/24

[Sharp-O]

“Here; lemme help you with that.”

A friendly voice called out to Kaori Yamamoto as she fumbled between the large box in her hands and the door. She peeked over her shoulder to see a bulky arm reach past her and pull one of the double doors to the girls’ dorms open. She looked at a red-tinged clear plastic bag entwined around the wrist and followed the length of the arm back to its owner.

A tall boy, she observed, but still just a little shorter than her. While she couldn’t recognise his face, there was no mistaking his size. She’d met him a few times and that was his most distinguishing and memorable feature, physically.

“Oh, thank you.” She smiled at Taro Arai, an art clubmate of her dear friend Saki Enomoto.

“No problem. You need a helping hand?” He asked with a tilt of his head as she manoeuvred the large box in her arms, the contents rustling noisily as she shifted it’s position.

“I’ve got it. It’s not particularly heavy, just big and awkward.” Kaori said, but she looked at Taro confused when he chuckled with a bassy tone.

“I know the feeling. Are those decorations? A bit late to be putting those out, isn’t it?” Taro inquired and Kaori blushed a little, knowing full well that the contents of the box wasn’t Christmas decorations but costumes. For both her and Saki. They wanted to do a cute thing while delivering Christmas cards and Kaori had asked a friend in the theatre club if they had anything. The taped-up box in her arms was what she was given.

“No; just something silly for me and Saki.” Kaori commented as they entered the elevator. Taro hit the button for the top floor then looked back the other occupant. Kaori held up two fingers from the corner of the box and Taro pressed the button for the second floor.

“Christmas is the perfect time for silly! I’m just on my way to drop off some silly presents, myself.” Taro raised his left arm, shaking the bag wrapped around his wrist. “If you’re on your way to Saki’s room, would you mind doing me a favour?”

Kaori considered it for a moment before nodding, placing the box in her arms down on the floor of the elevator as Taro allowed one strap of his bag to slide loose and proffered it toward her.

“It’s one of the first ones in there.” He smiled as Kaori carefully reached in and retrieved the bundle of red A4-sized envelopes. She shuffled through them before finding the one addressed to Saki. She showed it to Taro, who nodded in acknowledgement. “That’s the one. Would you mind giving that to her? I have a bunch to hand out and since you’re heading that way…”

“What is it? If you don’t mind me asking?” Kaori pondered, turning the envelope over in her hands. It was thin and light, maybe holding just a single piece of paper. An odd present to give.

“Just a drawing. I don’t have a lot of money at the moment so I thought I’d do something special for my friends that I know I can do, y’know?” He proudly stated, rising a little. The elevator stops at the second floor with a shudder and the doors open with a soft ka-thunk.

“That’s nice. I’m doing something similar for my girlfriend. I wrote her a little song and I’m going to play it for her tonight.” Kaori says with a grin, placing the envelope on the box as she retrieved it. She’d barely gotten onto the floor when Taro followed her and called out. “Oh! Wait!”

Kaori looked at him confused as the elevator doors closed behind him, no doubt heading up to the third floor.

“I actually have one for Lilly too!” Taro grins widely and offers out the bag again. Kaori’s eyebrows curled further in confusion and dug into the half-dozen envelopes, flicking through them until she found one without a name. She pulled it out and observed a series of soft, elevated bumps on the envelope.

“That’s the one. I had to get some help with how to spell her name in braille.” Taro readjusted the strap onto his wrist and scratched his cheek. “Hope I got it right.”

“That’s very kind of you, Taro, but… How do you draw for a blind person?” Kaori pondered, wondering how he’d accomplish such a thing.

“Ah, that took a little thinking! I drew what I wanted and then tried an embossing thing, like with the braille, where I pressed the line art until it was raised on the other side. It took a couple of attempts before I realised cardstock would be better but I think it worked out. Hopefully.” Taro chuckled nervously as he explained his process to the confused girl and he could see she wasn’t quite sure of what he meant.

“I’m sure she’ll love that you made such a considerate effort.” Kaori couldn’t wait to see Lilly open it, if for nothing else than her own curiosity.

“Thanks. She helped me with Hanako’s drawing so I thought it only right to try to do something nice for her too.”

“She’s good like that.” Kaori blushed.

“Yeah. Anyway, I’ve got more to hand out but thanks for delivering those two. If you ever need anything; let me know!” Taro smiled, raising his good arm and giving a little salute as he headed towards the stairwell. With the two envelopes balanced on her box, Kaori continued on to Saki’s room.

She took fleeting glances between the hallway and the envelopes sitting just under her eyeline. It was nice of Taro to think of Saki and Lilly but Kaori felt a little conflicted about giving Lilly a present from a boy at the same time she was going to give her present.

What if it was amazing? What if Lilly really liked it? What if she liked it more than my song? All these thoughts ran through Kaori’s mind as she arrived at Saki’s door and, without a free hand, delicately kicked the door in lieu of knocking. The door slid open to reveal Kaori’s best friend; Saki Enomoto.

“Mail call, sweetie.” Kaori smirked as Saki gestured her to enter.

“I didn’t know you had such a big package, dear.” Saki teased with a thoughtful finger on her chin.

“You stop that.” Kaori shook her head with an amused smile and placed the box on her friend’s desk. She turned in place and proffered the red envelope out to Saki. “This is from Taro.”

“Taro? Aw, he’s such a sweetheart. Do you think he’d mind if I opened it now?”

Kaori thought for a second before shaking her head. Taro hadn’t given her specific instructions so it was fair game in her mind. Saki excitedly unfolded the envelope’s flap and pulled the sheet of paper out. Her cheeks grew pink as a genuine smile began to form.

“Silly boy…” She whispered as wistful eyes poured over every inch of the image before she slide it back into the envelope.

“May I see it?” Kaori asked but Saki’s cheeks only turned pinker as she deflected the question.

“I’ll show you later!” She waved her hand in front of her face with a crooked smile before turning her attention to the box. “Let’s see what we have in here first!”

Saki excitedly scored the tape of the box and opened it up. She rummaged through the costume contents before pulling free a garment that was less festive costume and more fuzzy bikini.

“I think the theatre club played a prank on you, sweetie. These are definitely not the kind of thing we should be wearing in winter…” Saki chewed her lip as she pulled out a few more articles of clothing, each more ridiculous than the last. Kaori frowned, digging through the box herself and finding the only two pieces that they could use; a pair of Santa hats, one of which had mistletoe at it’s peak rather than a pom-pom.

“Ooh! Dibs!” Saki grinned, snatching the mistletoe hat out of Kaori’s hand and pulling it onto her head. Kaori shook her head with a smirk while shaking the hat in her hand then putting it on. It was a little more snug that she’d like but it served it’s purpose.

Later, Taro had finished his work delivering his gifts to his female friends left in the dorms. Hanako, Miki, Suzu, Molly, and Rin. He’d given them each a unique drawing following his own superhero sensibilities but incorporating aspects of their personalities.

He’s not sure Rin quite understood but that was par for the course; at least she appreciated the personal gift all the same. Ritsu, his girlfriend, had already received her gift before she left for home. Taro smiled to himself as he made his way toward the dorms’ entrance when a familiar figure came in from the cold.

Bundled in a cozy-looking fur-lined jacket was Lilly, guiding herself along with her cane whilst holding a gift bag in her free hand. Taro went to wave instinctively but thought better of himself.

“Hey Lilly.” Taro called out and Lilly’s head twitched upwards from it’s slightly downward angle.

“Taro? Is that you?” Lilly questioned, her expression becoming puzzled.

“Yup. Don’t worry, you didn’t walk into the wrong dorms. I was just dropping off some presents.” He explained and Lilly stopped when her cane tapped his ankle lightly.

“That’s lovely. I hope everyone enjoyed them.” She smiled sincerely and Taro nodded before realising he’d done it again. Out of everyone, he found it most difficult to communicate with Lilly. The sly looks and smirks he was used to exchanging with his friend group had no meaning for a blind person so he was constantly having to rethink his approach with her.

“They did. Well, mostly. I left Saki’s and your pictures with Kaori so you’ll have to let me know what you think.”

“I’ll be sure to do that. I didn’t know you knew Kaori.”

“I don’t; just helped her with a door.” Taro chuckled a little to himself. “Anyways, take care and have a good Christmas, yeah?”

“To you as well, Taro.”

The pair bowed their heads to each other and continued on their opposite yet parallel journeys.

---

Just a goofy little writing exercise for myself and it turned into a combination of mine and Razoredge's worlds. Hope ya'll enjoyed it!

[hdkv]

That was the best recommendation for me to finally read Beyond the Haze. Also, comfy.

Merry Christmas, Sharp-O!

[Sharp-O]

The Universe In Ecstatic Motion, According to Emi Ibarazaki by Feurox

Gotcha! Feurox and I attempted to write in each others' styles for these New Years stories. Much love to him for a brilliant idea and you all for being wonderful rubes

[hdkv]

Awwww, why so bittersweet

Miki carrying around vodka bottle is awfully in character for her, lol.

Until you paired Emi with Akio I thought this was another *myth story. Anyway, nice one-shot!

Happy New Year!

[Sharp-O]

Until you paired Emi with Akio I thought this was another *myth story. Anyway, nice one-shot!

This is the problem any time I use Taro, Akio, et al While I will often use those characters, it's not always a Myth story lol

[StealthyWolf]

Really enjoyed this short! I think the interpretation that this is a bittersweet story erring on the side of sadness is valid, but that's not how I interpret it. Sure, there's a bit of mourning to be had with the loss of what could have been - the good times that slipped through their fingers - but there's also hope to be had with what could be. Emi and Akio clearly know that they made mistakes in the past, and that they still do care for each other, but I think it's unlikely they'll make the same mistake a second time. It might take a bit, but given the right motivation and drive (which they both seem to have in plenty), a second chance at a future could work out for them. That's just how I read it anyways.

As always the character interactions were fluid, fun, and natural with a lot of implications involved. I loved Miki and Emi's dynamic. There's a fine line it's walking between best friend/sibling level relationship and best friend that flirts just a liiiitle to much for it to just be a joke type relationship (That or the implication is that they have experimented with each other in the past and decided it wasn't where they wanted their relation ship to go, seeing as both characters are commonly depicted as Bi).

Then Taro and Miki are walking the fine line between just having fun until maybe it turns into something real or the fun finally fades and the possibility that one of them gets hurt (likely miki?) when the other finds someone to settle down with finally.

The history/future of this verse is fun to interpret, and honestly I could probably keep going but I think that's the end of what's directly relevant here. Great story Sharp-O. As always, keep it up!

[Sharp-O]

Cheers, Stealth! Emi is a character that I haven't played with extensively so putting her in amongst a somewhat familiar cast really helped me define how she'd bounce off the others. I've been leaning toward and focusing more toward raw emotions recently rather than playful banter and it's great that people have been enjoying it and encouraging it

[Mirage_GSM]

I see Akio and I kissing...
I see Akio and I eating

"Akio and me" in both cases.

Miki carrying around vodka bottle is awfully in character for her, lol.

Though probably a bit unnecessary, considering Taro has a whole nightclub in his appartment

I also would not necessarily call this story "bittersweet" - just "open-ended".

[Sharp-O]

The pure present is an ungraspable advance of the past devouring the future. In truth, all sensation is already memory. To exist is to change, to change is to mature, to mature is to go on creating oneself endlessly. - Henri Bergson, Matter and Memory

“I don’t appreciate the theatrics, Hanako…” I gripe in a quiet tone to my pseudo-date, tugging at the bowtie around my neck as if it were a noose that was slowly choking me.

The idea seemed almost appealing when I first caught sight of my ex-girlfriend ten minutes ago but when I realised this had to be my former classmate’s idea; I thought about throttling her instead. The darkest parts of my imagination conjured worse but I would never entertain those, no matter how painful this evening may end up being.

“I don’t have a clue what you’re talking about, Mr Nakai. And remember; it’s ‘Ikaneko’ while we’re here.” The up-and-coming young adult author sways merrily with a drink in her gloved hand. Her asymmetrical attire only accentuates her mysterious masquerade amongst the other costumed party-goers.

“You know exactly what I mean.” I adjust the crimson mask on my own face, unsure how unrecognisable I might be compared to Hanako, whose faded mask of make-up and unusual dress affords her a degree of anonymity even amongst her co-workers. I gelled my hair back but now I’m feeling very conscious about how well it’ll keep its integrity. “Misaki’s going to spot me a mile away. Especially with that lens of hers.”

“Misaki is here for a job; not for you. She needed the work and I happened to know my editor wanted some professional photos taken of the New Year’s Gala.” Hanako rolls her eyes as she pulls a few bangs from the slicked-back body of hair and drapes them across my vision. “Paranoia doesn’t suit you, Hisao.”

“It’s not paranoia when you are clearly out to get me.” I narrow my eyes at my raven-haired friend before offering a smirk.

“Now why would I ever be out to get you?” She smirks back knowingly and I’m reminded of the numerous times I’ve tried to set her up with some of the nicer guys in my teaching class. The types that Hanako might take to for her usual reasons; their humour or their smarts. I can never seem to pick a good one though, much to Hanako’s amusement.

“Okay, fair point but if you’ll excuse me, Ms Ikaneko…” I bow with an elaborate flourish - an act that Hanako giggles at and reciprocates with a slight curtsy. “I’m going to make like a Lagrange point and get the hell out of your orbit before you attract trouble.”

“Go find Mrs Yamato; she loves when young men talk nerdy to her!” Hanako calls after me and I have to suppress the desire to flip her the bird. Hanako is a long way from the shy girl I met once upon a time ago and what I’ve discovered is an immensely childish, yet sadistic, sense of playfulness.

It’s not hard to think back on my time at Yamaku six years ago; that summer that seemed to last forever. That crawled along like a tired beetle along a baking log. That changed my life forever. I can’t really remember how I fell in with the Newspaper Club alongside Hanako but I do recall when I first truly met Misaki Kawana.

“You’re in my shot.” The navy-haired girl said in an annoyed tone while simultaneously taking a photo of me, the audible shutter noise chittering inches from my face. When pressed on why she did that, she said it wasn’t a big deal, she’d taken photos of me before. I remember being annoyed at being photographed without my permission but Hanako explained it’s just what Misaki does and that there was no arguing with her.

“She’s right, y’know. It’s like, uh, freedom of the press.” Misaki smirked smugly but when I asked if she was part of the Newspaper Club, she laughed. She had a really nice laugh.

“That rag-sheet? Hell no. No offence, Hana.”

I shake the memory out of my mind as the bartender places a tumbler of whiskey in front of me. I take it in hand and scan the room as I lean against the bar. I find Hanako speaking with an older gentleman in a rather plain suit and tie with a feathered mask. It’s hardly the most lavish party but even those of us on a meagre budget managed to conjure up more than that. The plainly-dressed Misaki, on the other hand, is no where in sight which worries me no end.

Feeling a bit more exposed than I’d prefer, I down my drink and head towards the stairs to the upper lobby level. The publisher’s building isn’t the most modern but it is nicely designed with glass and steel. Aesthetics was never my thing, something Misaki would always point out to me.

“And what does a dutch angle do to a cinder block, Shutterbug?” I asked, frowning as Misaki got onto her stomach and rolled from side-to-side, taking shots of a grey brick from different angles. I didn’t understand then and I still don’t now.

“Soooo many things, Hisao. Trust the process.” She said, rolling onto her back and offering her free hand up to me while holding her camera in the other. I grabbed her hand with both of mine and pulled her up with more force than I really intended. She stumbled forward when she got to her feet. Despite all my concerns about my heart, my body moved to catch her and I did.

Time stood still as I held that dusty girl in my arms and we stared into each other's eyes. Her arms were braced against my shoulders while I held her forearms. The sound of her shutter going off right next to my face startled me enough that I stumbled backwards. Her free hand caught my shoulder and drew me back in, closer than last time.

“Guess that makes us even, huh.” Misaki chuckled, blushing as our noses practically touched. I don’t remember what compelled me to kiss her at that moment but it felt right at the time. And a bunch of other times after that. Until it didn’t.

I haul my body up the last few steps using the hand-railing. My chest heaves a little more heavily than is normal for that amount of stairs but the sharp pain in my chest and shoulder, along with the pulsing throb in the back of my head helps me diagnose the problem; I’m having an anxiety attack.

I take a seat on a nearby bench outside someone’s office, leaning against the cool wall and begin the recovery routine I developed for these situations. I reach for my phone and text Hanako; letting her know the situation and where I am. I close my eyes and begin a slow breathing exercise as I focus on the soft ambient jazz music in the lobby below.

I’m going to be out of commission for a while but hopefully Hanako will get here soon. I hate to drag her away from her own work party but I remind myself that this is her fault, really.

“I c-c-can’t be blamed f-f-for your f-failures, Hisao.” Hanako chided. Even with the remnants of her stutter, her new-found confidence in herself was something to behold. She handed my English comprehension paper back to me with a disapproving shake of her head. “I c-can only blame m-myself as your tu-tutor.”

“Nah, let him sink or swim, Hana.” Misaki smirked, snapping a picture of the two of us. “If Hisao can’t focus on what’s really important then that’s on him.”

I shot Misaki a look I often did; a look that conveyed my utter disbelief at her own lack of accountability in my then failing grades. She was the one who dragged me out into the setting sun of the fields surrounding Yamaku to get the perfect magic hour shot when I was supposed to be studying.

I didn’t know it at the time but she was setting the stage for the next step of our fledgling relationship. Something that I would never forget.

I rub the muscle cluster just below my clavicle and above my armpit. That specific pain tells me I’m not actually dying of a heart attack like the anxiety is telling me. A psychosomatic trick of the mind and body. It’s amazing how the two in tandem can betray you into thinking the worst… Though as an all-too familiar sound of a shutter firing off makes my eyes snap open - I feel I could have another heart attack all-too soon.

“You okay, mister?” A navy-haired woman asks as her lowering camera reveals a concerned look on her face. There’s Misaki. Looking as amazing as ever. “Had one too many?”

And I guess she doesn’t recognise me in this get-up after all… All that worrying for nothing. I nod rapidly, closing my eyes once again.

“Just needed a breather… And for the room to stop spinning.” I say through gritted teeth, the timbre of my voice lower than usual due to the pain.

“Need water or anything?” Misaki asks but my reclusive rescuer finally makes her entrance. Always with the theatrics.

“I have water for the poor fellow right here, Ms Photographer!” Hanako says in a very strange voice. Like she’s upper-class or royalty. She takes a seat next to me where her exposed face is hidden by the monolith-like pauldron that hides her burn scars.

“That’s good; he looks like he’s seen a ghost.” Misaki breathes a sigh of relief and turns away for a moment to take a shot of the crowd from this vantage point. I take the opportunity to raise a confused eyebrow at Hanako, who can only nod solemnly as she hands the glass of water to me.

“Ms Photographer, have you seen the darling young power couple near the tree? The blonde and the brunette in mirrored outfits?” Hanako asks, waltzing over to Misaki and pointing off to the far end of the room.

“Huh? Oh, those two? They’re a couple? Coulda fooled me.” Misaki shrugged, causing Hanako to laugh.

“I know! I wouldn’t have thought so either but if you get a good look at the brunette, you’ll notice she has heterochromia.”

“Really? Think I need to go get a picture of that then! Thanks for the tip.” Misaki grinned and trotted toward the stairs, taking them one-by-one like I often saw her do at school. I can’t really tell through her working attire but given her upright posture, I have to assume she’s wearing her corrective brace.

Hanako tilts her head upward, watching Misaki disappear down the stairs before allowing her own posture to slump as she steps towards me. Her exasperated expression meets mine and before she can even speak, I have to ask.

“What is this?” I asked as I studied the strange bundle of spandex and straps that Misaki’s uniform blouse was hiding. She shrugged the garment off her shoulders and spin a little on the spot, allowing me a full three-sixty of her torso.

When Misaki said she wanted to show me something and began to undo the buttons of her blouse, I was honestly expecting way more flesh than I saw on display that evening. She chuckled as she explained she was part of a trial for the apparatus she was wearing; a SpineCor corrective brace.

“I told you I have scoliosis, Hisao. This is the reason I don’t look like a hunchback most of the time.”

“So you have to wear that all the time?” I asked, stepping forward when Misaki offered her hand out and guided mine to the various straps. She knew I had a passing fascination with the assistance devices that people used and allowed me to touch and ask about hers. It was all very intimate.

“I have to wear it for around twenty hours a day; even when sleeping.”

“And it doesn’t hurt?”

“It…” She paused and looked down. I couldn’t see her face but I imagined it was sad at the time, though when I reached out to it, I only found a bittersweet smile. “It takes some getting used to.”

I nodded with a small degree of understanding. I loosened my tie and began to unbutton my own shirt, her eyes became laser-focused on my hands as I exposed my chest, and my scar, to her for the first time.

“It’s beautiful, Hisao…” A coy little smile played on her lips as she looked up at my face and back to my chest. She reached out and ran a slender finger along its length as she pressed herself against me. Again, it all felt very intimate. “You’re beautiful.”

“I wasn’t l-l-lying when I said this w-wasn’t about y-you, Hisao.” Hanako sighs in annoyance as she plops down next to me, her chin resting on her hands. The tell-tale nervous stammer returning is a sure sign that whatever her plan was hasn’t worked.

“She didn’t recognise either of us.” I state the obvious and Hanako nods in agreement.

“N-nope. And you’re h-hardly incognito. No amount of gel is taming that d-doinker you have.” She waggles her finger towards my head and, sure enough, I can feel an obvious flip of hair defying gravity.

“Then what the hell is going on?”

“After… everything that happened…” Hanako shoots me a guilty look, as if bringing it up will somehow hurt me more than it already has. “I kept in contact with Misaki as best I could but eventually she stopped answering my messages. It was around then that her parents started talking to me. Giving me the odd update.”

“Well, you do have a way with parental figures.” I chuckle a little and Hanako tilts her head in begrudging acknowledgement. I don’t think I’ve met a parent of a Yamaku student who didn’t immediately take to Hanako. I know my parents did.

“But Misaki’s not been herself. Not since…” Again, Hanako looks at me guiltily. It wasn’t her fault but she can’t help but feel bad for what happened to me. Again. The memory is seared into my brain in the same way that a certain winter under a certain tree is.

Being caught up in a spontaneous moment, passion igniting as bodies are pressed together. Sudden, familiar, pain. Pain surged through my body as the air escaped my lungs. Panicked eyes met each other amongst tall grass and diffused magic hour light. Exposed, sweaty flesh feeling colder than it should and a desperate cry for help was the last thing I heard as everything went dark.

The next thing I remembered was the stark contrast of the cold fluorescent lights of the hospital compared to the golden hues of the fields. The next after that was fresh pains along my upper torso and arms as I came back to the land of the living.

“H-H-Hisao?” A quiet voice, somewhere else in the room. Familiar. Hanako. My view adjusted as the bed’s motors moved to raise me into a sitting position and I saw my parents and Hanako looking back at me. I couldn’t speak, my throat was so dry. Over the next few hours, I was let in on the mystery of what had happened to me.

I’d had another heart attack. I’d died in that field and Hanako, somehow, had saved my life. I now had a pacemaker and had been in the hospital for the better part of six months. I’d lost another six months of my life to another heart attack. To another girl.

The one who wasn’t there. I never saw Misaki again.

“I don’t think any of us have really been the same since that summer.” I offer solemnly with an appreciative pat of Hanako’s back. Words cannot express what she means to me but ‘family’ is the best descriptor I have for what we are now.

“No, I mean… Misaki doesn’t remember going to Yamaku at all.”

I stare at Hanako for longer than she would usually be comfortable with but the fact that she keeps her eyes on mine makes my blood run cold with realisation.

“What?” I double-take, shaking my head and breaking eye contact. The disbelief and anger in my voice radiates from the core of my follow-up question. “How?”

Hanako takes my hand in hers, as readily as she did back when she visited me in the hospital. After Lilly left, I like to think I helped Hanako adjust and to broaden her horizons but, if I’m really honest with myself, it’s when I became dependent on her that she came into her own.

Like a lioness protecting an injured cub, she helped me through what could have been the thing that destroyed me. Eventually, we found a way to support each other. She’s my best friend in the whole world.

“Misaki’s parents told me that a few weeks after she withdrew from Yamaku… Misaki had a nervous breakdown. She was so convinced that she’d killed you, despite being told otherwise, she… snapped.” Hanako explains calmly as my grip tightens.

If I’m hurting her, she doesn’t give it away, only looking on with the same look of compassion she had when she would visit in the hospital.

“But she seemed fine just now…” I say and Hanako shakes her head.

“She is from her perspective. She remembers her childhood, her condition, how to use a camera, everything that is Misaki Kawana; except the two-and-a-half years she spent at Yamaku. The most she recalls is that she went to a boring boarding school.”

“That’s… Fucking insane!” I growl incredulously. Whatever feelings of anxiety remained were now replaced with a growing anger as I stand, fists balled. “I lost another six months of my life in another fucking hospital because of her and she doesn’t even remember!”

“Hey! She lost two-and-a-half years b-b-because of you so l-let’s not start measuring trauma-dicks!” Hanako snaps, tugging me back around to face her. “I get y-your angry but don’t act like you didn’t play a p-p-part in this t-t-too.”

“What the hell, Hanako? You’re victim-blaming?!” I should really know better than to argue with her; she’s real mean when she’s angry but she’s out of line.

“You’re not b-blameless, Hisao.” She folds her arms across her chest, defiantly.

“Fu-” I almost get a curse out when Hanako interrupts me.

“You knew what g-going to that field with her w-would mean and you were moooore than willing. Couldn’t wipe the stupid smile off your face if I tried!”

“I…” Can’t argue with that. Hanako was more than privy to a lot of my relationship with Misaki. I hesitate to call her a third wheel but…

“This isn’t like Iwanako when you didn’t know sh-shit. You knew the risks and so did she. Both of you were prepared but it still w-w-went bad and you both suffered.”

“But at least I still remember it! All the pain, all of my recovery time, having to take all those catch-up exams! It’s not fair!”

“And she doesn’t remember her friends! She doesn’t have any memories of you or your time together. Your excursions into the city, to the art gallery, to the aquarium.” Hanako reels off many of my dates with Misaki with a pointed finger pressed into my shoulder. “Hell, I know more about her first kiss than she does.”

That… That stings. I cast my gaze down and try to imagine not knowing the people I met at Yamaku. Hanako, Nattie and Naomi, Akio… Even the others that… I couldn’t imagine not-knowing any of them. It would feel like there’s a hole in the world. I hope that’s not what Misaki feels.

“Does that sound like a fair thing to you, Hisao?” Hanako’s hand reaches for my face and I meet her eyes - those soothing pools of indigo.

“No… It doesn’t…” I answer quietly, resting my face in her palm.

“I’m sorry, Hisao. I didn’t mean to be so hard on you.” She offers a sympathetic smile and gestures towards the balcony overlooking the lobby. She links her arm with mine as she guides me to the railing.

“You were already dealing with s-so m-much… And after you made it clear you never wanted to see her again… I thought it best if I didn’t tell you.” Hanako’s face contorts into a sad frown. “I remember how sullen you were when we first met. I didn’t want to set you back to that or, god forbid, worse.”

I close my eyes and take a long breath, considering Hanako’s words with a little more thought and a little less emotion. I was already in a bad place and that knowledge would have made it so much worse. I agree with what she did…

“I get it. Thanks for looking out for me.” I smile at my best friend and she returns it in kind. “But now I really don’t buy that line about Misaki needing work.”

Hanako flashes her most mischievous grin and points out into the crowd. “Over there, the people I pointed out to her earlier. Do you recognise them?”

I look to where Hanako is pointing and see Misaki photographing two young women; one blonde, one brunette. Their outfits are mirrored versions of the other’s and their masks are much the same. I then remember what Hanako had said about the brunette and the penny drops.

“Are they…?” I look to Hanako, who nods affirmatively before gesturing to a red-haired gentleman in a compound bug-eye mask. Then to a sandy brown-haired woman in a butterfly mask.

“Natsume. Naomi. Akio. Ikuno. Basically anyone within the industry and could get here on short-notice. Takashi couldn’t make it, unfortunately.” Hanako explains and I finally see the scale of her plan.

“Was this all one of your elaborate ruses to get her memories back?” I ask. Hanako’s smile fades as she breathes a sad little sigh and shakes her head.

“No. Well, maybe a little, but I knew that’d be unlikely. But this… This is everyone I could get hold of. Everyone who could be here.”

I know Miki moved back home to the country. Molly, Misha, and Lilly are all in different countries…

“Damn.” I add, mournfully remembering those of us that didn’t make it at all. Lezard, Taro, Suzu…

“We’ve lost touch with so many of our friends, Hisao… Do you see why I invited Misaki now?” Hanako asks and I nod, smirking at Hanako’s clever gambit. Ever the game player.

“I do… ‘From this day to the ending of the world, but we in it shall be remember’d…’” I quote Shakespeare and Hanako doesn’t disappoint me as she finishes the quote.
“‘We few, we happy few, we band of brothers’.” She smirks before resting her head on my shoulder. “I just wanted to get as many of us together as I could. One last time.”

“What d-d-do you mean?” I turn her to face me, worried what she could mean. Hanako blinks in confusion before raising a hand to her mouth.

“Oh! N-n-no! There’s n-n-nothing wrong, I just…” I breathe a sigh of relief as Hanako hugs me. “It was hard enough coordinating this. I just wanted us all to have one good memory to remember each other. Even Misaki.”

I wrap my arms around my best friend and squeeze her tight, eliciting one of her cute little ‘eeps’.

“You clever little sneak.” I chuckle, releasing her.

“H-hey! I resemble that remark.” Hanako purses her lips indignantly as she turns. “So what say we go make a few good memories, Hisao?”

“Do I take it you’re finally going to take a run at Akio? I know you always had a crush on him.” I tease my friend, joining her at the top of the stairs. Her wide-eye blush tells me I’m right on the money.

“D-d-don’t you dare try to set me up with th-that j-jackass!”

“Methinks the lady protests too much… I seem to recall you saying he made you laugh.” I shrug as I begin to descend the stairs. Hanako slinks a step behind me, staring daggers. We reach the bottom of the stairs and share a laugh.

“You’re in my shot.” My laughter dies as my blood runs cold. A familiar voice with an even more familiar phrase. If my neck could creak as I looked over my shoulder; I’m sure it would.

“Oh, s-sorry!” I mutter, stepping behind Misaki, out of her line of sight. Hanako gestures toward Misaki with her head as she mixes-in with the crowd and disappears. I watch Misaki go about her work and see the hallmarks of her process, including how she tilts the camera for more dynamic angles.

I look out at the crowd, at all these masked strangers and then back at a woman that I was very close to a long time ago. It feels wrong to wear a mask with her, even if she doesn’t recognise the face beneath it. I remove the crimson mask from my face, rubbing the indents where the elastic pressed into my flesh, and step towards Misaki.

“So what’s a dutch angle doing for the crowd tonight?” I ask, a neutral but curious expression on my face as Misaki looks down at me from the third step of the stairs I just descended. Her face tilts ever-so slightly at my bare face before returning to looking through her viewfinder.

“Hm? Oh, not much, but static crowd shots can be real boring. Wanted to offer something a little different to the client.” Misaki answers. “Know much about photography?”

“Not really, I just remember a few terms someone taught me at school. I know it’s not as easy as point-and-shoot with you photography types. It’s all about the process.” I say, knowing full well that I’m using her own words. I don’t know what I hope to accomplish by invoking the past but a small part of me hopes that she’ll recognise me or maybe someone else at the very least.

“Yeah, the process. Hm.” She lowers the camera for a second, a small look of contemplation on her face as she looks at the screen on the back of her camera. She looks at me again, with the scrutinising gaze I recognise before her eyes widen a little. Does she…

“Sorry, mister, I didn’t realise it was you. You feeling better now?”

“I am, thank you.” I look down with a bitter smile. “I think the mask was on too tight.”

“It’s why I declined to wear one. I don’t like feeling… Confined.” Misaki admits, rolling her shoulders a little. She gestures with her camera toward the other side of the room with a brilliant smile. “Anyway, glad you’re feeling better but I need to crack on with the assignment.”

“Of course, sorry to take up so much of your time.” I hold my hands up and take a step back. I slip my crimson mask back on with a resigned sigh. “Nice meeting you, Shutterbug.”

As I blend into the crowd, I watch as her enthusiastic smile doesn’t fade. I’m glad for that, if nothing else. Regardless if she doesn’t remember me; Misaki is, and always will be, Misaki.

And that’s the memory that truly matters.

---

No, I'm not stealing Feurox's work; I did actually write this piece in an attempt to emulate Feurox's style and he did much the same with his story The Universe In Ecstatic Motion, According to Emi Ibarazaki which I posted as Ecstasy in Motion. Hope you enjoyed both stories and our little New Years ruse

[hdkv]

You! You played me! ...and I liked it.

And given that no one raised a suspicion about the stories for a week — you both did really good job replicating each other's style. Making it this good is a property of very good writers — which you both are.

Thanks for these stories, don't hesitate to play with your audience again

[Sharp-O]

You! You played me! ...and I liked it.

And given that no one raised a suspicion about the stories for a week — you both did really good job replicating each other's style. Making it this good is a property of very good writers — which you both are.

Thanks for these stories, don't hesitate to play with your audience again

Thanks so much! It was so exciting and was one of the few highlights of December for me. I'm so glad it went off so flawlessly!

It was an interesting exercise and I would love to see someone else do another in the future!

[Sharp-O]

“Is that… Everything…?” Miki huffed, dropping her end of the couch onto the floor. She lifts her backwards baseball cap to wipe her brow with her bandaged arm. As she stood upright and her back popped in so many satisfying ways, I knew I had to do it too. Placing my hands on my lower back, I tilt my whole torso back and am rewarded with a series of pops up my spine.

“Ahhhh, so goooood~!” Damn that couch was heavy… Shame the boys we had available aren’t exactly built for hard labour but Miki and I made do - with a little direction from Shizune on the stairs.

“Thankfully! Thanks again for helping out, guys!” Akio answers Miki, bringing in the last of the boxes with Hisao and Shizune. “I’ll get these put away and make a beer run.”

Hisao went into a full squat to carefully place the box of books on the floor next to the bookcase while his girlfriend places a variety of framed photos on the mantle then hangs one of those framed inspirational quotes on a nail that I put into the wall leading to our bedroom earlier.

“Sounds good, sir! I think we-” Hisao pauses as he looks over to his girlfriend and I follow his line of sight, catching only the last few flourishes of a secret message between them in sign. “Actually, I don’t think we can stick around; we have an early start tomorrow morning.”

[What are you scheming?] I only caught the words ‘night together in peace’ but as Shizune smirks in my direction, I feel like I get the gist of what she meant.

[Nothing at all. We are genuinely busy tomorrow.] The nuance of understanding sarcasm in sign is still a little new to me but Shizune’s animated face fills in the gaps. [But I hope you enjoy your first night in your new home, Hanako.]

I beam as I trot around the newly place couch to hug my friend and offer a thank you in sign as I step back. “Thank you for all your help today.” I say clearly so Shizune can read my lips and Hisao can hear me before the pair leave hand-in-hand.

“I’d stick around but I’ve gotta make sure I still have a roommate…” Miki groans, turning her cap around so the brim faces forward.

“Tell Taro he still owes us for bailing.” Akio says pointedly. “He knew we needed him.”

“That’s n-not fair, Akio.” I chide but Miki jumps to my boyfriend’s defence.

“Nah, it’s entirely fair! His stupid fuckin’ argument with Ritsu coulda waited.” Miki says before muttering under her breath. “It’s not like this’ll be the last time.”

I can understand their annoyance to an extent. Taro and Ritsu break-up and get back together so regularly now that it’s treated more like a change to bad weather than a schism between lovers. They’ll probably be made-up by the time Miki gets back to the apartment she shares with Taro but still… I don’t like seeing my friends fight…

“Drive s-safe, Miki.” I give her a little smile as I squeeze her tight and she reciprocates in earnest.

“Will do, sis. Give me a call when you really want to break this place in!” Miki grins, stepping back and turning as she leaves as well.

Akio closes the door behind me as I step back into the living room, taking it all in. There’s plenty of unpacking to do; between our own stuff and the various bits-and-pieces that Akio’s grandparents gifted to us but for the moment I’m just in awe of having my own home.

A modest third-floor walk-up; one bedroom, a pretty decent bathroom for the price, and a living room and kitchen separated by a long counter. Not to mention the balcony! I always wanted a balcony!

Yes, we’re renting, but after living at the orphanage, then at Yamaku, and then with Akio’s wonderful grandparents - to have a space that is all mine? I can’t help but bounce a little on the balls of my feet while my eyes begin to water.

“Feeling a little giddy, huh?” Akio’s arms wrap around my torso and my head naturally nuzzles against his. Not just mine. His space too. The man I love’s. Ours.

“More th-than I c-can say…” I whisper as the emotion begins to get too much. “Suh-sorry…” I wipe a few errant tears from my eyes as Akio chuckles, kissing the back of my head.

“Don’t be, I can hardly believe it myself…” Akio sighs and, as I tilt my head to look at the sentimental smile on his lips, his gaze meets mine. “Welcome home, Hana.”

I turn my body fully to properly embrace the gorgeous red-haired rascal who won my heart; our lips meeting in a tender, loving kiss followed by an affectionate kunik nose rub.

“Since our friends aren’t going to help us celebrate; how do you want to warm our house?” Akio asks. I extend my arms fully and sway back and forth while I look at the ceiling.

“Ummmm, well I want to m-make sure our bed is m-made for tonight. I want a b-bath because I’m sweaty and gross…”

“I’m feeling pretty grody too.”

“Then I think we should j-just have a nice evening on the couch. Movies, c-cuddling, beer…”

“I have three guesses on what movie you want to watch…” A small, begrudging smirk forms on his lips.

“And the first two d-don’t count!” I playfully smirk back. He likes my favourite movie well enough but I can concede that making it the first movie we watch in our new home is a little cheeky on my part. “I’ll m-make it w-worth your while though~.”

“Oh?” Akio’s eyebrow rises curiously as he guides my hips around and presses me against the kitchen counter with a sultry smile. “And how’re you going to do that?”

“You get t-to use the bath first.” I peck his lips before rolling us along the edge of the counter and pressing him against it instead. “And I’ll go g-get the b-beer.”

“Have I told you you’re perfect recently?” He gazes at me with loving, amber eyes.

“Not r-recently…” I bite my lower lip as I fib.

“Well, you are.”

Despite our obvious smiles, our lips lock and we explore each other’s mouths, all the while our hands press against the others’ back. Any plans quickly evaporate into the ether as our bodies do their best to meld together.

Maybe it’s all the excitement of moving into our own place, or the newfound freedom that affords, but finding ourselves alone with no one to answer to presents an enticing opportunity…

“Wh-What d-did Miki say about b-breaking this place in?” I breathe lustfully at Akio as I run my hands through the hair on the back of his head. The gears turn in Akio’s head as he stares at me with just as much lustful intent, if not more.

“Kitchen first?” He asks, but since he’s already grabbed my butt and is attempting to hoist me onto counter, I think it’s been decided. I clumsily unbuckle my jeans and slide them off before helping him get me onto the counter top with a giggle. He runs his hands up my inner thighs and separates them as I scoot my butt into a more accessible position for him.

“And you always c-complain about me making a m-mess in the kitchen…” I feign indignation, running my hands through Akio’s hair with a grin as he begins to make a meal out of me.

“I’ll forgive you this time.” Akio’s response is muffled as he buries his face in my nether region but the vibration of his voice against my sensitive parts is delightful in all the best ways. His slight hum of amusement at my reactions only heightens my pleasure, which feeds back into his teasing.

“It’s, haaaah, always nice, mmmm, when you use your mouth, ahhh~, for something useful!” I pant and moan at his oral assault but my teasing unlocks one of his worst habits as he blows a raspberry onto my clitoris.

The shock of the attack, along with the giggling fit that follows, derails my horniness for the moment as I fall onto my side laughing.

“Y-you b-bastard!” I cackle as I softly kick his shoulders as he tries to wrestle my legs under control. “I t-told you n-not to do th-that!”

“Then stop talking when my mouth is full!” Akio laughs, opening my legs enough to plant soft kisses up my inner thighs as an apology. Nope, not trusting him down there again. Not right now anyway…

“The next time you d-do that; I’ll b-bite you!” I threaten as I slide off the edge of the counter and begin to unzip his fly. Akio’s smile is as warm as his erect penis as I pull it out of his slacks. I stroke it back-and-forth as we kiss again before I’m turned around on the spot and pushed forward a little, Akio taking up position behind me.

“Threaten me with a good time…” Akio breathes lustfully into my ear as he enters me and I gasp, one hand holding the counter while the other holds his arms as they wrap around my stomach. His pace is immediately fast and powerful, like a lot of the times when we would have to sneak away from his grandparents’ house and into the surrounding wilderness.

Unlike our outdoor trysts, there’s no reason for me to stay quiet in our new home and I revel in letting Akio know how much his desperate, animalistic thrusting is driving me wild. He holds me tight and I reach back to hold his head to my neck as our respective orgasms rapidly approach.

“Wh-Where?” Akio’s quivering voice reaches my ear and I decide to reward him for asking this time.

My insides quiver on the edge as I pull myself away from him. I turn and squat to take Akio into my mouth just as his orgasm erupts from his manhood. The jet of warm liquid sends my quivering into full-on euphoric convulsions, so-much-so that I collapse onto my knees as I moan with his meat in my mouth.

Akio braces against the counter but lovingly strokes my hair as he finishes his orgasm. Akio slumps down onto his knees to meet me with a slight grunt and I swallow the bitter gloop. As his lips meet mine, we embrace, having succeeded in ticking the first room off our list.

“Seriously; you’re perfect.” Akio says with weak smile, cupping my face in his hand. “Also ow.”

I giggle before planting both hands on his shoulders and using him to rise to my feet, then offering to help my weak-boned boyfriend up onto his. He groans as he rises, somewhat regretting the last five minutes but only a little given his ridiculous grin.

I go about putting my jeans back on as Akio holds his back and hobbles towards the bathroom. I sneak up behind my boyfriend and wrap my arms around his chest.

“Ow…” Akio winces but turns his head with a pathetic smile. “I’m sorry. I’m such an old man.”

“Well I wouldn’t want to be accused of elder abuse… You go have a nice hot soak and I’ll be back soon, old timer.” I giggle, patting Akio’s butt as I head towards the front door. “Make sure to use the bath stuff Shizune gave us because I want to jump in when I get back!”

---

I slide open the door to the bathroom, following the muffled music coming from inside. Akio lazes in the tub, rocking his head from side-to-side to the sound of some British ska punk.

“Hey, how was the trip?” Akio opens his eyes and sits up to greet me.

“The store clerk didn’t m-make a big d-deal out of my scars so I th-think we can shop there again.” I answer with a chuckle, slipping into the steamy room and taking a seat on the edge of the tub.

“That’s good to know.” He nods as he accepts the can I offer from the six-pack I bought. “Beer and a bath? Sex on tap? Damn, this cohabitation business is looking sweeter all the time.”

“Keep thinking that and you’ll find yourself living the bachelor life!” I scoop a handful of bath water and toss it in his face. He laughs, holding his open beer away from the splash zone. “How’s your back?”

“Better, thanks.” He sighs, closing his eyes and taking a long gulp of beer. He lets out a satisfied sigh before looking me over as I open a beer for myself.

“What’re you thinking, dear?”

“Nothing, beloved. Just… Thinking about how lucky I am.” Awww! I blush profusely at the compliment and turn the can in my hand.

“I’m the lucky one.” I say quietly. I really am. The sheer amount of coincidence and luck, not to mention tragedy, it took to put us together… It’s astronomical.

“Then I guess we both lucked out then, huh?” Akio places a hand on my jeans with that debonair smile of his that allows him to get away with almost anything. Almost.

“Akio! You’re getting my jeans wet!” I jump up, knocking his hand away.

“Wouldn’t be the first time today!” He grins cheekily and I have a hard time arguing as my face becomes flushed. I was thinking about what we did most of the way to the convenience store…

“Ugh! You’re so lucky you’re cute!” I huff; placing my beer can on the back of the toilet as I begin to strip off. Akio’s face becomes redder as more-and-more of my flesh is exposed but he never takes his eyes off me. My heart races when he looks at me at the best of times but I know his does the same when I look at him.

We can be intimate in ways we can’t with others; even our closest friends. We can bear our scars and our souls without judgement and that is just one of the reasons why I love him.

I throw my clothes out of the bathroom, pick up my beer, and squeeze into the tub with my boyfriend. I sink into the hot water, which runs over onto the tiled floor.

“Ahhhh~! Holy f-fuck, that feels amazing!” I moan, sinking further into the water and resting against Akio’s chest. He plucks the beer out of my hand as I submerge up to my clavicle.

“Yeah, the bath bomb wrapper said it’s good for rough skin and has essential oils and shit.” Akio explains, holding both our beers above the water. “So I imagine it’s making your scars tingle too, huh?”

“Mm-hmm!” I hum, rubbing the water against my skin. It feels silky and tingly at the same time. Weird but in a good way.

“Hey, I’m not a beer caddy; come drink this beer before I do!” Akio softly clonks the can against the side of my head and I slide back up to a more comfortable angle for us both.

“I don’t think I want to get out of this tub ever~.” I happily nestle against Akio and take a huge gulp of cold beer as my body is heated by the bath water.

“Well, we’re going to have to go to work at some point…” Akio argues and I throw him one of my signature pouts. “Alright but you’re gonna get all pruney.”

“Will you still love me if I’m pruney like an old lady?”

“I will love you when you become a pruney old lady, yes.”

“Yaaaay.” I cheer quietly.

“Will you love me when I’m so old that I can’t give you that sweet, sweet loving?” Akio asks before taking another sip of beer.

“So old you can’t get it up any more?” I ask for clarification. “Or so old that you’re just a vegetable?”

“The second one.”

“Then I will love you even if you’re a v-vegetable.” I answer honestly.

“That’s good to know because I intend to love you for as long as I’m able; I hope you know that.” Akio wraps his free arm around my chest and squeezes me tight against him. That is good; because I intend to keep you for as long as I’m able.

I take another gulp of beer before leaning out of the bath and placing the can delicately on the closed lid of the toilet. I return to the tub, this time facing Akio and snake my arms around his neck as I lay on his front. Our wet, naked bodies stick to each other as we gaze at one another.

“Hey.” I purr, playing with Akio’s hair; one of my absolute favourite thing to do.

“Hey, you.” Akio smirks, finishing his beer and tossing the can onto the floor.

“Hey!” I stare at the can rolling across my new bathroom floor and then back at Akio, who takes me by surprise by kissing me on the lips. “Heeeey-yuh! You can’t distractme like that! That’s cheating!”

“I know; you do it all the time!” Akio laughs at me and I have no other choice but to retaliate by pulling on his shoulders and attempting to dunk him into the water. More bath water washes over the lip of the tub but he doesn’t move. His legs are wedged against the tub because I’m between them!

“Didn’t think that through, huh?” He mocks me and it only annoys me more. Well, there’s only one thing for it… I plant my hands on either side of the tub and lift myself out of it. I saunter across the bathroom, making damn sure that my hips sway. I pick up my beer and the other four cans, giving Akio a good view of my backside. I step out of the steamy bathroom and before I close the door on him, I glare at him.

“No l-loving for you t-tonight!” I slide the door closed. Then open it again. “Or-or ever!”

Yeah, that’ll show him!

---

The movie plays in front of us while I make a point to sit the furthest I can away from Akio, nestled in my favourite hoodie and nursing the last of the beers. I had to concede and give Akio the two he was owed. I’m not an asshole!

“God creates dinosaurs. God destroys dinosaurs. God creates man. Man destroys God. Man creates dinosaurs.”

“Dinosaurs eat man.” I quote, almost reflexively.

“Woman inherits the earth.” Akio finishes the quote and smirks over at me. I beam at him before I remember I’m supposed to be mad at him. Ugh, how do people like Ritsu do this, even as a bit? It’s exhausting! I yawn, as if to illustrate my own internal thought and notice Akio shift his legs and pat his lap, all without taking his eyes off the movie.

Hmmm… This feels like a trap… I eye Akio cautiously as I crawl over and gently lay my head on his lap. He still stares at the screen intently but I see the creeping smile on his face. I turn my head to watch the movie again but suddenly feel Akio’s hand gently stroking my ear. I naturally nuzzle against his lap as a tingle runs through my body. Hmm, that’s nice.

Wait! I sit upright and glare at Akio, smirking like the butt that he is.

“I know wh-what you’re doing!”

“And what am I doing?”

“You’re t-trying to s-seduce me!”

“I thought we were just watching a movie but if you want to sit over on that end of the couch; be my guest.” He thinks he’s sooo cool! Sitting there with his stupid handsome face!

“J-Just because I’ve drank…”

“Three beers.” Akio snorts with amusement. “Pfft.”

“D-Doesn’t mean I’m g-gonna go back on what I said! N-No loving!” I point at him and he holds his hands up.

“Never even crossed my mind!” He plays innocent and I crawl over to him.

“So if I curled up in your lap, you w-wouldn’t do anything to me?”

“Not if you didn’t want me to.”

“N-Not even the ear thing…?” I press my fingers together slightly.

“You said ‘no loving’ and you are the boss.”

“That’s r-right! I am!” I lay my head down on his lap again and brush my hair behind my left ear. “C-Continue…”

His fingers tentatively caress my ear once again and I can’t help the contented sigh that escapes my lips. I melt into the couch and dreamily watch my favourite movie with my favourite person as pure bliss takes me over.

As the movie goes on, we shift positions to where I’m lying on top of Akio, my hand under his t-shirt and his hand is stroking my spine under my hoodie. I know what I said earlier but I can’t keep my hands off him sometimes.

The amount of times at school when I’d just reach across the gap between our desks and touch his arm, or when we lived with his grandparents and I would pinch his butt… And those are the more PG-friendly things I’d do. As we became more experimental and I grew confident that I couldn’t scare him off, we’d be more daring.

In the same way that we would trade barbs, we’d sometimes purposely frustrate each other in public. It was another of our games but, unlike most, it’s not one I could always win.

Just like now; I want him to grab my ass so badly but he’s frustratingly staying above the hem of my pyjama pants. That’s why I’ve been teasing his areole for the better part of ten minutes, not quite making contact with his nipples. I can feel him getting harder but he is being so nonchalant about it that it’s just pissing me off now.

And, yes, I said no loving but he knows that I don’t mean it and this is just to get back at me!

My fingers finally reach their intended target and I watch Akio’s eyes closes and his mouth open slightly for a sharp inhale of air. His body shifts and he pulls me tight against his body, pressing his hardness against my stomach.

I slide his t-shirt up to his neck and begin kissing his torso. Each of the scars on his ribs, one-by-one, showing reverence to them and earning a small gasp each time.

“I thought you said no lo-” I cut Akio off by tucking the front of his shirt over his head as my face becomes more flushed. “Huh, this feels familiar…”

“Shuuush.” I kiss further up his chest, fingers pressed into his flesh, warm lips meeting pinkening skin. I trace a line between his pecs with my tongue, sending a shiver through his body. That finally flips his switch and both his hands plunge beneath the waistband of my pyjama bottoms and grabs hold of my ass. Got you!

I moan into his chest with a huge smile and I can tell he’s smiling too. I pull the shirt from his face and sure enough; that cheeky smile is my reward.

“I knew you’d break before me.” He says smugly and I slide up his body to meet his face.

“I’ll break you if you d-don’t do as your told! I’m the b-boss, remember?” I try to do my best Shizune impression but the tingles erupting through my body at his touch make that very difficult.

“Yeah, yeah, just tell me what you want.” He says, palming my rear end in rhythm, making my body rub up against him. I grab his face a plant a passionate kiss on his lips, wrestling his tongue while our body’s grind against each other.

“I want you…” I breathe into his face, locking eyes with him.

“Yeah?”

“I just want you…” I wrap my arms around his head and hug him close as I straddle him. His arms tuck under my hoodie and wrap around my back as he nuzzles my neck with kisses.

“You got me.” He reassures as he grinds against my own rhythmic riding, rubbing our clothed lower halves together. The sound of the movie fades into the background of our shared moans and the sound of rustling clothing.

I remember us doing our fair share of dry-humping like this at Yamaku, before we finally slept together. It’s weirdly nostalgic to do this now when we could just go to our bedroom but I like the comfiness of this and I certainly don’t hear Akio complaining.

In fact, his lustful smile in-between kisses tells me he’s more than happy for us to do this for the rest of the night but as the television screeches in an all-too familiar way and the triumphant Jurassic Park score kicks-in for the finale of the movie; we both freeze.

There’s a beat of heavy breathing and utter bewilderment before we both collapse into giggling fits, my head buried into his chest almost out of embarrassment.

“Oh man! If you came to the theme song, that’d probably have killed me!” Akio howls, his whole body shaking with laughter beneath me. Not that I’m in any better shape, quaking with laughter as I am.

“Th-The roar! If I c-came with the r-r-roar!” I offer meekly as I giggle. I sit up, still straddling his still firm dick, and wipe my face. “I don’t think I’d ever be able to w-watch the movie again w-without laughing.”

“Or getting horny! That’s why we can’t watch half my favourites any more.”

“No one is stopping you!”

“You are! When you try to jump my bones twenty minutes into Too Tired To Die!”

We both laugh uncontrollably again as I lean against his chest.

“Hahaha… Is this what living with you is going to be like?” I ask, mostly rhetorically, because this is exactly what I’ve always wanted. Love and laughter.

“Heh, I really, really hope so.” Akio leans up and gives me another kunik nose rub. “Can’t think of anything better than this.”

We share a loving gaze, touching our foreheads together, before another tender kiss.

“Come to bed with me, funny guy. The sofa is no place for what I want to do to you.” I get up from the couch, gently pulling on his arm, urging him to follow. He smirks and gets up gingerly, hobbling ever so slightly.

“You’re not going to break me, right?” He gives me a crooked smile and I only offer a devilish smirk in response, pulling him along to our bedroom and past the framed quote that Shizune gifted to us. “Hana?”

---

“Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars.” - Kahlil Gibran.

[hdkv]

[But I hope you enjoy your first night in your new home, Hanako.]

And enjoying the first night she did.

This one-shot contains a perfect amount of horniness and laughter in it. Kudos, Sharp-O!

And yes, she will definitely break him at least once in the first few months. Speaking from experience.

[Sharp-O]

Thanks, dude! It's always fun to revisit these two occasionally.

[crimeedge]

I shake the memory out of my mind as the bartender places a tumbler of whiskey in front of me. I take it in hand and scan the room as I lean against the bar. I find Hanako speaking with an older gentleman in a rather plain suit and tie with a feathered mask. It’s hardly the most lavish party but even those of us on a meagre budget managed to conjure up more than that. The plainly-dressed Misaki, on the other hand, is no where in sight which worries me no end.

one spag, should be nowhere instead of no where I think