u.

You look back, exasperated. “Left is on fire, Yoichi!”

He grins. “Yeah, but the lighting’s romantic!”

Before you can retort, the entire floor shudders beneath your feet. A violent tremor splits the ground between you and him. Metal beams twist. For a single, horrifying heartbeat, you lock eyes. His grin faltering just enough for you to see the panic beneath it.

Then the floor gives way.

The world slows. Gravity vanishes. Everything becomes weightless chaos. Dust, papers, chunks of ceiling, even the smell of gunpowder seem to hang suspended in midair. You see Nagumo above, his coat snapping like a flag, blood streaking his face, and that damn grin still carved into his lips.

He dives after you.

You barely process it before his hand locks around your wrist, pulling you against him mid-fall. The two of you tumble together through the collapsing air, a mess of limbs, debris, and adrenaline. His laughter rings out over the opera’s rising chorus.

“Damn, we really don’t do boring dates, huh?”

“This isn’t a date!” you shout back, clutching his coat like it might save you.

“Sure feels like one!” he says, utterly unbothered as the entire floor disintegrates beneath.

Sparks shower past like divine confetti. The opera swells – violins screaming, sopranos crying out for mercy and for one surreal heartbeat, the world slows. Dust floats. Fire glows. His eyes meet yours through the blur of motion.

He flashes you a grin that’s a little too sincere. “You know...”

“Now isn't the time!”

“– if we make it out alive…” He adjusts his grip, his voice steady even as you both spin through open air.

“Yoichi, I'm warning you!”

“I’m totally marrying you!”

Your heart stops. “WHAT?!”

He’s laughing, full-bodied, absurd, that kind of laughter that shouldn’t exist when death’s an inch away. The opera hits its peak. The two of you keep falling. You see a flash of light as another explosion rips through the building below, painting his grin in gold and smoke.

You yell, half terrified, half furious, “You’re proposing to me while we’re falling to our deaths?!”

“Timing is everything, sweetheart!” he shouts back, gleeful. “Also, I didn’t buy this ring just for it to collect dust!”

“You brought a ring?!”

“Of course I did!”

Then comes another impact, the building still trembling, fragile to its core. He twists midair, wrapping around you as you both crash through the next floor, through glass, through dust, and through chaos. Papers scatter everywhere, the opera fading into a muffled hum beneath the debris.

You land in a heap of rubble and adrenaline. Your heartbeat drowns out everything else. He groans beneath you, then wheezes out a laugh.

“Still alive,” he says, grinning through the dust. “That’s a good sign.”

You lift your head. He’s bruised, bleeding, ridiculous and absolutely radiant. And your injuries are not different from his.

And then, like it’s the most natural thing in the world, he reaches into his coat and pulls out a small, soot-stained velvet box.

“Better now than never, yeah?”

You blink. “You really carried that through all this?”

“Didn’t wanna lose it before giving it to you.”

“Yoichi.”

He grins. “C’mon, say yes before the ceiling decides to join us.”

The opera swells again, faint but insistent; Nessun Dorma bleeding softly through the smoke. You can’t help it; laughter bursts out of you. It’s wild, cracked, and full of disbelief. You shake your head, smiling despite the tears threatening your eyes.

“You’re insane.”

“Yeah,” he says softly, brushing dust from your hair, “but you love me.”

You let out a sigh. The world still humming around you. “Yeah... I do.”

He grins. “There you go. See? It's quite easy.”

“Easy for you to say.”

He chuckles again, brushing a thumb against your cheek, smudging away dust. His hand slides to the back of your head, pulling you close until your forehead rests against his chest.

“Guess that means we’re even,” he murmurs.

You roll your eyes, but your smile is soft, unguarded.

Then, because he can’t resist even now, he adds quietly, “If I die before the ceremony, you still owe me a honeymoon.”

You muffled through his coat, “If you die before I do, I’m haunting you. Fair warning.”

He laughs. Loud. Free. The sound fills the ruined room like sunlight breaking through smoke.

And when he finally leans down to kiss the top of your head, the opera hits its final crescendo and Nessun Dorma soaring like the world itself is clapping for the two idiots who fell in love somewhere between chaos and comedy.

The building groans one last time, dust raining around you both, but neither of you move. For the first time all day, the world feels almost still.

He exhales against your hair. “You know, this might actually top our first date.”

You snort softly. “That was a shootout in a flower shop.”

“Exactly. Romantic.”

Somewhere far above, the ceiling cracks, dust rains down, and you both lie there in the ruins – ridiculous, invincible, and in love. The opera fades into silence, leaving only the sound of your laughter, and the faint, impossible hope that somehow, love could survive even this.

You look back, exasperated. “Left is on fire, Yoichi!”

He grins. “Yeah, but the lighting’s romantic!”

Before you can retort, the entire floor shudders beneath your feet. A violent tremor splits the ground between you and him. Metal beams twist. For a single, horrifying heartbeat, you lock eyes. His grin faltering just enough for you to see the panic beneath it.

Then the floor gives way.

The world slows. Gravity vanishes. Everything becomes weightless chaos. Dust, papers, chunks of ceiling, even the smell of gunpowder seem to hang suspended in midair. You see Nagumo above, his coat snapping like a flag, blood streaking his face, and that damn grin still carved into his lips.

He dives after you.

You barely process it before his hand locks around your wrist, pulling you against him mid-fall. The two of you tumble together through the collapsing air, a mess of limbs, debris, and adrenaline. His laughter rings out over the opera’s rising chorus.

“Damn, we really don’t do boring dates, huh?”

“This isn’t a date!” you shout back, clutching his coat like it might save you.

“Sure feels like one!” he says, utterly unbothered as the entire floor disintegrates beneath.

Sparks shower past like divine confetti. The opera swells – violins screaming, sopranos crying out for mercy and for one surreal heartbeat, the world slows. Dust floats. Fire glows. His eyes meet yours through the blur of motion.

He flashes you a grin that’s a little too sincere. “You know...”

“Now isn't the time!”

“– if we make it out alive…” He adjusts his grip, his voice steady even as you both spin through open air.

“Yoichi, I'm warning you!”

“I’m totally marrying you!”

Your heart stops. “WHAT?!”

He’s laughing, full-bodied, absurd, that kind of laughter that shouldn’t exist when death’s an inch away. The opera hits its peak. The two of you keep falling. You see a flash of light as another explosion rips through the building below, painting his grin in gold and smoke.

You yell, half terrified, half furious, “You’re proposing to me while we’re falling to our deaths?!”

“Timing is everything, sweetheart!” he shouts back, gleeful. “Also, I didn’t buy this ring just for it to collect dust!”

“You brought a ring?!”

“Of course I did!”

Then comes another impact, the building still trembling, fragile to its core. He twists midair, wrapping around you as you both crash through the next floor, through glass, through dust, and through chaos. Papers scatter everywhere, the opera fading into a muffled hum beneath the debris.

You land in a heap of rubble and adrenaline. Your heartbeat drowns out everything else. He groans beneath you, then wheezes out a laugh.

“Still alive,” he says, grinning through the dust. “That’s a good sign.”

You lift your head. He’s bruised, bleeding, ridiculous and absolutely radiant. And your injuries are not different from his.

And then, like it’s the most natural thing in the world, he reaches into his coat and pulls out a small, soot-stained velvet box.

“Better now than never, yeah?”

You blink. “You really carried that through all this?”

“Didn’t wanna lose it before giving it to you.”

“Yoichi.”

He grins. “C’mon, say yes before the ceiling decides to join us.”

The opera swells again, faint but insistent; Nessun Dorma bleeding softly through the smoke. You can’t help it; laughter bursts out of you. It’s wild, cracked, and full of disbelief. You shake your head, smiling despite the tears threatening your eyes.

“You’re insane.”

“Yeah,” he says softly, brushing dust from your hair, “but you love me.”

You let out a sigh. The world still humming around you. “Yeah... I do.”

He grins. “There you go. See? It's quite easy.”

“Easy for you to say.”

He chuckles again, brushing a thumb against your cheek, smudging away dust. His hand slides to the back of your head, pulling you close until your forehead rests against his chest.

“Guess that means we’re even,” he murmurs.

You roll your eyes, but your smile is soft, unguarded.

Then, because he can’t resist even now, he adds quietly, “If I die before the ceremony, you still owe me a honeymoon.”

You muffled through his coat, “If you die before I do, I’m haunting you. Fair warning.”

He laughs. Loud. Free. The sound fills the ruined room like sunlight breaking through smoke.

And when he finally leans down to kiss the top of your head, the opera hits its final crescendo and Nessun Dorma soaring like the world itself is clapping for the two idiots who fell in love somewhere between chaos and comedy.

The building groans one last time, dust raining around you both, but neither of you move. For the first time all day, the world feels almost still.

He exhales against your hair. “You know, this might actually top our first date.”

You snort softly. “That was a shootout in a flower shop.”

“Exactly. Romantic.”

Somewhere far above, the ceiling cracks, dust rains down, and you both lie there in the ruins – ridiculous, invincible, and in love. The opera fades into silence, leaving only the sound of your laughter, and the faint, impossible hope that somehow, love could survive even this.

For a moment, he didn’t say anything. Just sat there, letting the rain fill the silence between you. Then, with a quiet exhale, he turned slightly, slipping his hand into his pocket.

And when he pulled it out—

You blinked.

A thread.

A simple, unremarkable piece of red thread, loosely coiled between his fingers.

Confused, you looked up at him, but his gaze was fixed on the thread itself, as if it carried the weight of something he wasn’t sure how to say.

“When I was a kid,” he began, voice unusually soft, “my grandma used to tell me this story. About how soulmates are tied together by an invisible red thread.”

You remained silent, watching as he unraveled the thread with careful fingers.

“She said no matter how far apart they were, no matter what happened, they’d always find their way back to each other.” His lips twitched, almost like he was amused at himself. “I used to think that was just a dumb fairytale.”

You let out a small breath of laughter, but something about his tone kept you quiet.

He finally looked up, his eyes meeting yours in the dim light.

“But then I met you.”

Your breath caught.

His fingers found yours, rough and warm, his touch familiar yet oddly reverent as he took your left hand. Slowly, carefully, he looped the thread around your ring finger, tying it into a simple knot.

“I don’t know if fate exists,” he admitted, voice steady, “but what I do know is that every time I’ve had to make a choice in my life—somehow, some way—it always leads me back to you.”

Your chest tightened.

The thread sat snug around your finger, delicate yet firm, its presence barely noticeable—and yet, with the way Iwaizumi was looking at you, it felt like the most significant thing in the world.

Then, with one small tug—

Something slid down the thread.

A ring.

Gliding effortlessly, it followed the path of the thread, slipping down until it landed perfectly against the base of your finger.

You didn’t move. Couldn’t.

Your pulse thundered in your ears as you stared at it—the simple, silver band resting against your skin like it had always belonged there.

And when you finally looked up at him, he was already watching you.

“I don’t need fate to tell me that it’s you,” he murmured, voice rough with emotion. “I just know.”

The weight of his words crashed over you all at once, overwhelming in the most breathtaking way. He wasn’t just asking you to marry him.

He wanting to be a part of you, bound by love.

To be the one he’d come home to after long days.

The one he’d turn to, always.

The one he’d choose—over and over again.

His fingers tightened slightly around yours, as if grounding himself. “So?” His lips twitched into a nervous, almost boyish smirk. “Are you gonna leave me hanging, or what?”

A laugh bubbled up from your chest, a breathless, overwhelmed laugh, because gosh, Hajime.

You threw yourself into his arms.

His breath hitched in surprise before his arms wrapped around you instinctively, strong and secure, like he’d been holding you his whole life. You buried your face in the crook of his neck, heart hammering against his.

“Yes,” you whispered against his skin. “Yes, you idiot.”

A chuckle rumbled through his chest, deep and warm, as if your words had been a weight lifted off his shoulders. He pulled back just enough to gently place a soft kiss on your forehead, the kind that carried all the love he couldn’t say aloud. His lips lingered for a moment, as if imprinting his affection onto your skin.

Outside, the rain continued to fall.

But inside—Inside, in the warmth of his arms, in the way your fingers fit perfectly within his—

You had never felt more at home.

For a moment, he didn’t say anything. Just sat there, letting the rain fill the silence between you. Then, with a quiet exhale, he turned slightly, slipping his hand into his pocket.

And when he pulled it out—

You blinked.

A thread.

A simple, unremarkable piece of red thread, loosely coiled between his fingers.

Confused, you looked up at him, but his gaze was fixed on the thread itself, as if it carried the weight of something he wasn’t sure how to say.

“When I was a kid,” he began, voice unusually soft, “my grandma used to tell me this story. About how soulmates are tied together by an invisible red thread.”

You remained silent, watching as he unraveled the thread with careful fingers.

“She said no matter how far apart they were, no matter what happened, they’d always find their way back to each other.” His lips twitched, almost like he was amused at himself. “I used to think that was just a dumb fairytale.”

You let out a small breath of laughter, but something about his tone kept you quiet.

He finally looked up, his eyes meeting yours in the dim light.

“But then I met you.”

Your breath caught.

His fingers found yours, rough and warm, his touch familiar yet oddly reverent as he took your left hand. Slowly, carefully, he looped the thread around your ring finger, tying it into a simple knot.

“I don’t know if fate exists,” he admitted, voice steady, “but what I do know is that every time I’ve had to make a choice in my life—somehow, some way—it always leads me back to you.”

Your chest tightened.

The thread sat snug around your finger, delicate yet firm, its presence barely noticeable—and yet, with the way Iwaizumi was looking at you, it felt like the most significant thing in the world.

Then, with one small tug—

Something slid down the thread.

A ring.

Gliding effortlessly, it followed the path of the thread, slipping down until it landed perfectly against the base of your finger.

You didn’t move. Couldn’t.

Your pulse thundered in your ears as you stared at it—the simple, silver band resting against your skin like it had always belonged there.

And when you finally looked up at him, he was already watching you.

“I don’t need fate to tell me that it’s you,” he murmured, voice rough with emotion. “I just know.”

The weight of his words crashed over you all at once, overwhelming in the most breathtaking way. He wasn’t just asking you to marry him.

He wanting to be a part of you, bound by love.

To be the one he’d come home to after long days.

The one he’d turn to, always.

The one he’d choose—over and over again.

His fingers tightened slightly around yours, as if grounding himself. “So?” His lips twitched into a nervous, almost boyish smirk. “Are you gonna leave me hanging, or what?”

A laugh bubbled up from your chest, a breathless, overwhelmed laugh, because gosh, Hajime.

You threw yourself into his arms.

His breath hitched in surprise before his arms wrapped around you instinctively, strong and secure, like he’d been holding you his whole life. You buried your face in the crook of his neck, heart hammering against his.

“Yes,” you whispered against his skin. “Yes, you idiot.”

A chuckle rumbled through his chest, deep and warm, as if your words had been a weight lifted off his shoulders. He pulled back just enough to gently place a soft kiss on your forehead, the kind that carried all the love he couldn’t say aloud. His lips lingered for a moment, as if imprinting his affection onto your skin.

Outside, the rain continued to fall.

But inside—Inside, in the warmth of his arms, in the way your fingers fit perfectly within his—

You had never felt more at home.

The splash startled a flock of cranes nearby, their wings flapping as they disappeared into the endless sky. Yingxing surfaced a moment later, hair plastered to his face as he wiped water from his eyes. His glare was fierce but short-lived, melting into a crooked grin. “I’ll make you regret that.”

You were already laughing, taking a step back as he lunged toward you, his wet hands catching your wrist. “Yingxing!” you shrieked as he dragged you into the water with him, your laughter echoing across the lake.

The two of you wrestled in the shallows, your attempts to splash him thwarted by his quick reflexes. Finally, he caught both your wrists, his grip firm but gentle as he stilled your movements.

“You know,” he said, his voice softer now, “there’s no one else I’d let throw me into a lake.”

You raised an eyebrow. “Oh, what an honor.”

“I’m serious,” he continued, and for once, there was no teasing in his tone. “You make the world... quieter. Even when you’re loud.”

You blinked, caught off guard by his sudden sincerity. The sunlight danced on his features, and for a moment, you swore the lake envied him.

“You’re terrible at this whole ‘being sweet’ thing,” you said, but the warmth in your voice betrayed you.

“Maybe,” he admitted, a small smile tugging at his lips. “But only for you.”

The two of you collapsed onto the bank after that, soaking wet but breathless with laughter. He leaned over, brushing a damp strand of hair from your face. “If there’s a way to freeze time, I’d do it now,” he murmured.

“I’d keep us here, just like this.”

Somehow, the weight of his blade was heavier than the memories.

The cool metal kissed your throat, unmoving and absolute. His face—so familiar yet now so distant—betrayed nothing, his crimson eyes dull and lifeless.

You lying down, surrender, your weapon forgotten at your side. There was no point in fighting anymore. You knew it, and somehow, you felt he did too.

“Go on,” you said, your voice quiet but steady. “You’ve already taken everything else. What’s one more life to add to the pile?”

For a moment, his expression flickered—barely, like a shadow passing over the moon. Was it hesitation? Recognition? Or just your own desperate hope clawing at the edges of reality?

“Why don’t you finish it, Yingxing?” you whispered, and the name fell from your lips like a prayer.

His grip faltered.

The silence between you was deafening. You stared into his eyes, searching for any trace of the man who once chased you across sunlit fields, who once swore he’d freeze time just to keep you by his side.

It wasn’t there.

Or maybe it was. Just for a moment, fleeting as the last rays of sunlight on a dying day, you thought you saw it—the glint of a memory neither of you could bear to let go of.

“You’ve always been stubborn,” you said, a soft smile curling your lips. “Even now, you can’t decide whether to hate me or miss me.”

His jaw clenched, his hand trembling slightly as the blade pressed closer. You felt the sting, sharp and cold, but you didn’t flinch.

Instead, you closed your eyes, letting the memories wash over you. The laughter, the sunlight, the way he had looked at you as if you were his entire world.

“I’ll remember for both of us,” you murmured, your voice fading as the warmth drained from your body. “I’ll carry it all.”

You opened your eyes one last time, meeting his gaze. The tears there were silent, unacknowledged, but undeniable.

“Yingxing,” you said softly, your smile bittersweet. “You were always the sun. I was just lucky enough to orbit you.”

And as the darkness claimed you, you swore you saw it again—that flicker of a memory, brighter than the blade, softer than the past, lingering in the once azure depths of his eyes.

For all your seriousness, though, his calmness was maddening. The faint quirk of his lips, the glint of amusement in his golden eyes—Jingyuan wasn’t just matching your skill; he was reveling in your determination.

“I wonder,” he began, his tone light and teasing as he deflected another strike, “do you always spar with the intention of glaring holes into your opponent, or am I just lucky today?”

You didn’t falter. Your blade arced again, faster this time, forcing him to sidestep. “Perhaps I’m simply trying to make sure you take me seriously,” you replied, voice cool yet laced with underlying challenge. “Though, with how easily you’re dodging, it seems you aren’t.”

His laugh was quiet, like the rustle of leaves in the evening breeze. “Oh, I’m taking you seriously,” he assured, his tone dipping into something quieter, something softer. “I simply don’t want to hurt you, yùzhú.”

The nickname caught you off guard, a term of endearment he used sparingly—‘Jade Bamboo,’ elegant and unyielding, as he once described you. It was a fleeting distraction, and Jingyuan, ever observant, didn’t let it slip unnoticed.

He advanced suddenly, closing the distance between you with a graceful step. His blade locked with yours, and for a moment, the two of you were frozen in a delicate balance—steel meeting steel, neither willing to yield. The closeness was suffocating, the tension between you as sharp as the edges of your weapons.

“You’re hesitating,” he murmured, his voice a low hum. “That’s not like you.”

Your eyes narrowed, meeting his gaze with unwavering resolve. “I don’t hesitate,” you countered, pushing back with enough force to break the lock. “Perhaps you’re mistaking focus for something else.”

The corners of his mouth twitched upward, but he didn’t press the matter. Instead, he resumed his measured defense, letting you set the pace. The twilight deepened around you, shadows creeping closer as the sun dipped further, but neither of you seemed to notice.

“Is this how you always are?” you asked, your voice steady as you circled him. “Calm, collected, untouchable?”

Jingyuan tilted his head, as if genuinely considering your question. “It depends on the company,” he said finally, his tone light but with an edge that hinted at something deeper. “Though, I admit, sparring with you does bring out a side of me I don’t often show.”

“And what side is that?”

“The side that enjoys the challenge,” he said simply, though his gaze lingered on you a moment too long. “And perhaps... something more.”

Your blade struck again, cutting through the air with precision, but Jingyuan deflected it effortlessly. This time, though, he didn’t step away. Instead, he stepped closer, his golden eyes locking onto yours.

“You fight beautifully,” he said, his voice quiet yet firm, carrying the weight of a truth he hadn’t intended to voice.

You stilled, your weapon lowering slightly as his words sank in. The air between you felt charged, the unspoken tension that had lingered throughout the spar now palpable. But before you could respond, he spoke again.

“You don’t have to prove yourself to me,” he said softly, his voice dipping into something almost tender. “You already have.”

For a moment, you were at a loss for words. The sincerity in his tone, the way his gaze held yours—it was disarming in a way you hadn’t expected. But you weren’t one to back down so easily.

With a faint smile, you stepped back, lowering your weapon entirely. “You’ve already won me over,” you said, your voice steady but with a flicker of something teasing. “The question is whether you realize what kind of victory that is.”