Day 1: Learning To Be A Couple
Hiiiii everyone! I'm so excited to be writing for heizuhaweek this year, especially after Heiji and Kazuha finally became canon! This is for the first day of Heizuha week, Day 1: Learning to be a Couple. Hope you enjoy! @heizuhaevents
Kazuha always knew that Heiji wasn't the most romantic person, but she never realized it wasn't because of his lack of trying; rather, it was the opposite. He was trying too much and thinking too much, and as a result, it was awkward.
She first noticed it after he confessed to her on the roof of Naniwa Harukas, the way his look changed from determination to sheepish. He took her hand to hold it, but every new second, he would shift his hands. At first, he held her hand normally, then he entwined their fingers, then he held it normally again, but then he decided against it and entwined their fingers a second time, but this time it was a bit uncomfortable. She almost giggled, but she held it in, knowing it would make it worse for him at that moment.
Then, she noticed it again on their first date as a couple. It took some time for them to go on a date, not because he was busy with studying or cases, but because he was taking so much time researching the best spot for a first date in Osaka.
She would lie if she said she hated it. After all, it showed just how he cared about her and how much effort he was willing to put in just to make her happy. But she hated how much he was overthinking it. She didn't need the perfect confession (to say she was shocked after she found out about his confession attempts would be an understatement), or the perfect first date, or the perfect gift. Although she appreciated all of them, she needed Heiji to know that all she needed was him.
Sitting across from him, on their first date, she noticed how stressed he looked. He chose a beautiful restaurant. It was Italian with amazing interior design and delicious food. It wasn't too fancy, but she knew it wasn't cheap either. But he wasn't present like he usually was; if anything, he looked a little lost. He stared at his untouched fork, eyes flicking around the room like he was looking for something that had gone missing.
"What's wrong, Heiji?" Kazuha asked him, worried.
Heiji looked up at her when she called his name. "Ah-nothin' nothin'."
Kazuha looked at him silently, waiting for him to continue and say his honest answer, but Heiji deflected, "Anyway, what were ya sayin'?"
"'Ya would know if ya were listenin'. What's going on inside yer head, Heiji?"
"I told ya, it's nothin'!"
He froze when she gave a look that could kill a thousand men.
"Heiji, we're in a relationship now; that means we gotta be honest with each other. What's botherin' ya? And don't bother ta tell me nothin' because I know ya better than ya know yourself."
Heiji looked at her for a moment, then sighed and leaned back in his chair.
She knew it wasn't going to be easy for Heiji to suddenly change and be vulnerable with her just because they started dating. It would take time, but she knew that eventually in the future, he would be able to be vulnerable with her and maybe even come to her for comfort.
She was right when she said she knew Heiji better than he knew himself. He didn't need to say what was causing him to pout like a toddler for her to know.
The flowers that were supposed to be delivered in the morning got delivered after Heiji came to pick her up. Then they were late to their reservation because of a sudden accident that happened on the street, causing traffic. After Heiji's many attempts with the staff, they finally agreed to seat them, but in the corner inside, instead of the outdoor seating with the beautiful view that he originally booked.
"You know the food was really tasty; I loved it. Didn't ya?" Kazuha said.
Heiji looked at her, surprised by her sudden change in demeanor. "Uhโyeah. It tasted really good."
"And look at the interior design; honestly, it's almost like I'm in Italy, and I get to see it clearly from here."
Heiji smiled when she said that, happy to know that she was enjoying this date that he deemed a failure, that he thought was doomed. But that was one of the things he loved about Kazuha; she always looked at the bright side. Finding light in the darkest places.
"But do ya know what I love most about this restaurant?"
Heiji looked at her curiously. "What?"
He was clearly taken aback, not expecting that answer.
"You, here with me, sitting in front of me. Because that's all I need. You."
His gaze softened, and his shoulders visibly relaxed.
"Yeah, because what better view than this?" He said as he gestured to himself.
Kazuha looked at him deadpan. "Seriously, Heiji?"
"Come on, Kazuha. There's a reason people call me the Naniwa Lady Killer, just a wink and ya would fall right off this chair."
Finally, he was back, her stupid, teasing boyfriend, and that made her feel like the happiest girl in the world.
Their first date went perfectly after that. They laughed, talked, teased, and enjoyed each other's company. And at the end of their date, he gave her a kiss, so soft, gentle, and promising.
She knew she needed to remind Heiji every now and then, that all she needed was him. That she didn't love him because of the gifts, dates, and trips, even though she loved and appreciated those things. But she loved him for him, his soul, his heart, everything that made him Heiji.
She couldn't blame him for the awkward moments and overthinking; it was his first relationship, and Kazuha's too. And Kazuha had her fair share of awkward moments, especially when Heiji kissed her for the first time and she turned into a tomato and bumped her head on the door trying to escape from her shyness. Or when she would overthink and try to decide for hours on what to wear, even though Heiji would find her beautiful in any outfit.
It was normal, and as much as Kazuha thinks she knows better, she is just as clueless as Heiji is. They were both teenagers, trying their best, but what mattered was that they both loved each other, and they made sure the other person knew it too.
