kenma kozume never cared for people. all throughout his childhood and into his last year of high school.

and yet you persisted.

you always went out of your way to see him, sit by him, and making small talk. staying by his side even if it seemed like he never truly cared.

you were walking home with him one night, your houses were close enough together where early on he decided he could tolerate walking with you. it was normal at this point. he would wait for you after school on the days he doesn’t have practice, and then the two of you would walk home together in almost complete silence.

you bite the bait that nobody had casted.

“how was your day?” you ask, hoping to spark up conversation.

“good” kenma kept his eyes forward and kept walking, almost like it was programmed in him.

“did you do good on that math test? i bombed it” you pried farther.

“yeah. i studied”

you decide to just fall back into the normal silence. sometimes you question why you wait for him. he only sometimes acknowledges your existence it feels.

the rest of the walk was silent, only the soft breeze against the trees and the zip of bikes passing you made noise. kenma turns to face you once you make it to his house. normally, he would just mutter a quick ‘bye’ and head inside. but today he looked at you for a long time. examining you with his eyes like he’s trying to beat a difficult level in his games.

and after what feels like a lifetime of kenma simply studying you, he speaks.

“why do you always have to be around me?”

the tiniest piece of hope you had in your heart had shattered. you fiddled with the buttons on your uniform, looking for any sort of grounding.

“i dunno, i just-” you struggled to find the words “i guess i just enjoy your company. even if you don’t really acknowledge me, it’s still nice to just be around you”

he nods. another silence fell between the two of you.

“i’m sorry, i’ll let you go home” you defeatedly declared. you turned on you heel and began to walk the rest of the way home.

“y/n!”

you turn around, confused. you see kenma jogging in your direction. that’s the most effort it seems he’s put into anything.

“i’m sorry. i didn’t mean it in a bad way” he pauses.

“i look forward to walking home with you everyday after school, i love when you sit by me in class even if i say nothing, i love when you support me at volleyball games even when i’m not playing good. i know it feels like your presence isn’t noticed but i promise i love every moment with you” he finished his rant, out of breath and blushing a bright pink.

“you mean it? for the longest time i swore you hated me but i just liked you so much to back down” you confessed. every single emotion you’ve ever felt is coursing through your brain right now.

“i mean it.” he answered.

your feet began walking before your brain could say otherwise. you walk over to kenma and without a second thought wrapped your arms around him. he was stiff at first, but soon eased into your touch. basking in the feeling of being in your arms.

when you pulled away he had a small smile on his face.

“so i’ll see you tomorrow?” you asked.

“always”

When it comes to career talks, you and Kenma would very much send other people straight home packing.

You're in the modeling industry. Schedule always packed due to events and runways, your face in magazines and billboards across the world, and mail full of sponsorship and collaborations.

Kenma, on the other hand, is more into business and his passion. His profit continuously rising with the help of stock trading and being the CEO of his successful company, and his name being known due to his gaming streams in YouTube. He became "the richest of them all", or whatever his orange-head friend said.

To say the very least, the two of you are in the list of the current most influential and eminent people in Japan. Everyone knows your skincare routine and what you eat in a day—and everyone knows Kenma's cat and his gaming setup.

However, despite the publicity, they know nothing about you and Kenma’s relationship.

Your relationship is hidden from the world. Although, it wasn't because the two of you are well-known and have a huge amount of supporters, but because it has always been like that since you two were in college. You and Kenma have always liked it private. The only ones who know about your relationship was your close friends along with his.

You know your lover as someone introverted, so when the two of you were rising in terms of assets and fame, you'd thought to never let a single thing about your relationship with Kenma spill in front of the media, also given the fact how toxic it is in today's culture.

As for Kenma, he thought you're a respectable woman on your own. So, whatever you've decided, he's in total support for it.

That didn't make you feel any less love from Kenma though. He has his own ways of showing you that he loves you, and you're already content with how things are going.

You didn’t need the public to define or control your relationship.

That was, until, the two of you woke up one morning with phones vibrating and bombarded with notifications.

Your groggy eyes immediately widen as you scroll on every post about you and Kenma.

Apparently, someone leaked—or more like spotted the two of you last month during your vacation. The photo was you taking a bite of your pastry treat, while Kenma was in front of you, taking your picture, and it’s all over social media.

The fact that the photo that Kenma took of you is posted in your Instagram, netizens made even more speculation about it.

There was even one post where they laid out "proofs" that you two are indeed dating. That proof? More photos that made your relationship obvious.

A photo of you in France, placed beside Kenma's Instagram story highlight of the same place. The dates when it was posted were encircled, making the point that the timelines match.

Another proof is a photo of you and Apple, Kenma's cat. The feline's collar gave it away, letting his fans confirm that it is indeed Apple.

Some are supporting it, some are commenting how come they didn’t notice it before, and some are just in total shock.

It was definitely the headline in articles and magazines, but you know these talks would die down anyway as time passes by. However, you should’ve known already that cases like this in the internet always come with hate.

There’s been a “fanbase war” going on between your supporters and Kenma’s. It was mostly just them throwing trashtalks at each other, but some comments were towards you and Kenma, along with the lines of:

“her and kenma? a model and a gamer? such a weird pair.”

“how did bro even pull a goddess like her? lololol.”

“is she even into gaming?”

“there are hundreds of other guys in her league, can’t believe she chose…him…”

“she’s probably just using kodzuken for more wealth.”

Kenma hates being perceived by other people, and as for you, it would be a lie if you said the comments weren’t getting into your head. So, you both knew you had to take damage control.

The day you’re invited to a talk show, is also the day you’ve decided to confirm the allegations.

All lights and eyes are on you, the atmosphere feels as if the audience are holding their breaths, awaiting for your statement. You sit on the sofa chair, looking demure as you possibly can as you too, wait for the host to speak.

“So,” the host starts, “it’s about time we talk about the photo that broke the internet.” The host giggles softly.

“You and the famous streamer, Kenma Kozume. In France. Together. What’s going on there?” The host asked.

You smile, “Yeah, well, that… wasn’t supposed to be out. Since it is now—yes, we were on a vacation together.”

“So you two are dating?”

“We are. We have been for a while now, since college,” you hear audible gasps from the audience, “and that vacation was actually during our fourth anniversary.”

Even the host couldn’t keep their surprise from your revelation, “That long!? And no one knew!?”

You laugh softly, “Only our close friends know, so technically some people still knew. But, we kept it private because… it was ours. We didn’t need the public to meddle in.”

“Speaking of the public, we all know fans have been very vocal of their thoughts about you and Kenma.” The host’s face suddenly turned serious.

“Yes, I know,” you purse your lips then you continue, “I’ve seen some comments and I admit, it hurts to read them. Not for me, but for Kenma.”

You look down on your hands that are resting on your lap, and you speak up again, “Ken is the most thoughtful person I’ve met. I couldn’t ask for anything more. Even in four years and counting of us being together, I still feel like a teenage girl in love.”

The host seems to be in awe then asks, “How did the two of you meet?”

Your eyes avert on the ceiling, as if recalling back memories, “We met back in our university, before the peak of our careers,” you look at the host again with a mischievous smile, “Not a lot of people know this, but he gets emotional and talkative when he’s tired. He once cursed the gravity when his books fell in front of me.”

The host chuckles, “Who knew Kenma has a side like that? Turns out there’s more that the public doesn’t know. Well, Is there anything you want to say, to everyone—your fans, or Kenma, maybe?”

You look directly at the camera, “I understand everyone’s concern, if there’s anything I could ask, is to please just be kind. Regardless, it won’t stop me and him,” you pause for a moment, “And for Kenma, my Kodzuken, just know I don’t regret a single thing—I will continue to choose you.”

At this moment, amidst the talk show that’s happening, Kenma sits on his gaming chair, camera and microphone on, as he’s streaming live on his channel.

“I’ll get straight to the point,” he starts, “It’s true. We’ve been together for years now.”

Kenma couldn’t keep up reading the amount of chats incoming, not that it would matter that much anyway.

“She’s not using me. She’s rich on her own. Still, I’d gladly give her everything and I’d be more than willing to do so.”

His feline-like eyes glint, “She was the one who named Apple, our cat, you know? ‘Cause I like apple pies.”

“I recognize that some people are saying she’s out of my league… I understand that—I mean, look at her…But, that doesn’t make me any less deserving of her. We deserve each other just as much.” He says, carrying on with his statement.

Kenma caught a glimpse of a comment asking how did the two of you start, to which he answered, “It was unusual for a guy like me, but when I first saw her, I got starstruck. We got together during our third year of college. I admit, I thought I didn’t deserve her at first. But, even when I thought I didn’t have what it takes, I strived to be the best, all just for her.”

Kenma continues, “She said no to me three times though,” then he pauses, as if reminiscing those moments, and then he softly smiles in front of the camera, “totally worth it.”

Hours later, even after the talk show and the livestream, the noise on the internet is still deafening. You just turned your phone off and called it a day.

You enter the passcode to your and Kenma’s house, a meow greeting you as you come in. Smiling, you pick the calico up to your arms, “Well hello there, miss Apple.”

You immediately spot Kenma in the living room, his eyes already on you, “Welcome home,” he greets. You walk your way towards him then Kenma pulls you in besides him, making you plop down on the couch.

“How are you?” He asks, as you rest your head on his shoulder and his arm drapes around you.

“Tired. Got in the building with an interview and got out of the building with more interviews from the paparazzi.”

Kenma hums, “Should we tighten security? I’ll hire more guards.”

You sigh, “No need. I can manage,” you look at the television, “Were you watching the clip of my talk show earlier?”

Kenma nods, “You looked nervous.”

“I was, but I meant every word I said.”

There’s a comforting silence that fell between the two of you. You pet Apple, who’s now laying on your lap, as Kenma’s hand massages your scalp gently, then moving to your arm to rub it from time to time.

You love this moment with him—no noise, just warmth, intimate, and only for the two of you.

“You know,” Kenma breaks the silence and you look up at him, “I said in my stream that I do deserve you, but their remarks did make me overthink.”

This is one side you love about Kenma. He’s open to his vulnerability. Even so, if he does love something, he won’t stop until he reaches victory.

You cup his face, making him look at you, “They just don’t know how good you are at taking care of me, or how you’ll finish your games early just to spend time with me, or how you’ll try to cook me food, still half asleep, just to make sure I eat before a shoot.”

You chuckle and Kenma joins you—and there’s that small smile that only you get.

“You’re much more dear to me, Ken. More than you’ll ever know.”

He leans in towards you, then softly, sealing your lips with his.

Once he pulls back, his smile is still etched on his face, “I’ll stream with you one day. Just us, and I guess Apple too.”

You smile at him playfully, “Oh? Then maybe you should attend my next runway show.”

Kenma lightly groans, already thinking how many people would be surrounding him, “Fine, for you,” he gives in, nonetheless.

“Really!?” You exclaim with sparkles in your eyes.

“Yes, really.”

“Promise?”

“You know I don’t promise,” Kenma gives you a smug look, “I just straight up do it.”

Then, the same comforting silence engulf you and Kenma once again. Moments later, you speak up once more, “You know, Ken,” He hums, ushering you to continue.

“I was totally planning to reveal us to the public when we get engaged or married in the future, or something like that, but the rumors beat me to it.”

Kenma chuckles at your confession, “Then let’s just make that the next headline.”

© withered-primrose, 2025

then he pulls away, but not without stealing one more kiss. a final, teasing peck, like punctuation to the moment. he smiles as he does it too, something soft and a little smug pulling at his lips.

you… well… again…

you don’t even know how this became your life.

it’s been over a month since he first came over to your dorm, unexpectedly, takeout bags in hand, his usual hoodie slung over one shoulder like it belonged there.

you remember the way the light from your laptop glowed in the dim room, how the movie you picked played mostly as background noise while you talked.

that night was easy. great, even. it felt like pressing play on something long overdue.

from there, it unfolded naturally. he got your number, finally. and suddenly, he was around more—dropping by during your breaks, claiming the seat next to you in the library during your empty hours, walking beside you on grocery runs like it was the most normal thing in the world.

little by little, kenma threaded himself into the fabric of your life. until one day, you looked up and realized—he was already a part of it.

and then, things like this started happening.

this wasn’t even the first time, to be honest. you’ve learned a lot about kenma in the past few weeks, but something that stood out almost immediately was how smooth he could be when he wanted to.

he had a quiet way of slipping past your defenses, like water finding the smallest crack. it was the same energy he brought when he first kissed you—no warning, just his arms around your waist and his mouth on yours like he knew exactly where he belonged.

you couldn’t even blame him. not when you were just as guilty. and here you are again, limbs tangled on your couch in another one of these slow-burning, heart-thudding makeout sessions that leave your mind a little scrambled.

you like it. all of it. the way your life has shifted in this short span of time, the way it feels more full somehow. more real.

but even now, a question quietly stirs at the back of your mind. it’s been hovering there for a while now, unspoken and unaddressed:

where are you two right now?

it always seemed this unspoken thing between the two of you. the progression of the past month was definitely not forced—it did seem you both wanted it. it felt so effortless, so natural, like following a current.

huh. you got lost in all of these that you forgot to talk it through with him.

“again.”

he’s leaning in again, clearly not done with you yet, but you gently press your palm against his chest, holding him back. not forcefully—just enough.

“wait.”

kenma pauses, just barely, his golden eyes flicking up from your lips to your eyes. he looks a little confused, but he doesn’t move away completely.

“hmm?”

you take a breath. his closeness makes it harder to think, so you shift slightly, putting a bit more space between you. even then, you’re still facing him, your fingers curling slightly against his hoodie as you search for the right words.

“what… what’s happening?”

he tilts his head, like a cat hearing something unfamiliar.

“huh? we’re making out.”

his answer is so matter-of-fact, so kenma, it almost makes you laugh. but instead, you sigh and try again.

“no, i know that, just—” you falter, glancing away for a moment as you try to collect your thoughts.

you can tell he’s waiting for you to finish, to explain yourself, but under his quiet gaze, you falter. the words don’t come as smoothly as you want them to. you shake your head.

“nevermind. let’s just talk about it later.”

you try to move past it, leaning in this time, but it’s his turn to stop you. he places his hand gently against your arm.

“what’s on your mind?”

his voice is softer now. more careful. he looks at you with real concern, brushing a strand of your hair behind your ear with the lightest touch.

“tell me.”

and god, you’re so weak for him when he’s like this.

“i mean,” your voice comes out quieter now, a little uncertain, “i guess we just never talked about... all of this.”

“what do you mean?”

“just…” you hesitate again, then push forward. “i feel like things have gone so fast we forgot to confirm what we are or something.”

you take a breath, eyes locked on him. “i mean, things are going great, but what is… us? what do you think?”

he listens. you see it in the way his eyes focus, the way he sits up straighter, more attentive now.

“i want to know what’s in your mind, kenma.”

a pause.

“i see.”

he shifts his weight a little, propping his elbow on the back of the couch as he faces you more fully. when he speaks, it’s after a moment of thoughtful silence.

“well, i guess, i’m… happy.”

happy? that’s it?

“that’s such a basic answer, but honestly, that’s what i’m thinking right now.”

he chuckles a little, looking toward the ceiling as if trying to put the right words together.

“up until a month ago, i used to be your acquaintance. i was just the guy who tagged along with your friend’s boyfriend… mostly so i could catch a glimpse of you.”

that makes your heart stop for a second. you weren’t expecting that.

“it was like i was close, but still far. and i hated it. i wanted to do something about it. i kept waiting for the chance.” he looks back at you now, eyes warm with memory.

“and then that night i talked to you, it happened.”

he laughs quietly, like he’s reliving it.

“did you know i was panicking inside before i followed you to the kitchen?”

you blink at him. “really?”

“of course.” he grins, a little bashful now. “it was my first proper conversation with you and i was going to tell you that i thought you were really pretty.”

your heart stutters.

you always thought he said that so casually that night. as if it meant nothing. but now…

“when i left the room i had to calm myself down. kuroo thought i was having a panic attack.”

you burst into laughter, and he smiles at the sound. it’s quiet, but genuine.

“but i’m happy i did that. after i talked to you, it’s like a big burden was off my chest. it felt easier, i guess.”

he reaches for your hand, intertwining his fingers with yours. he stares at them for a second, thumb brushing gently over your knuckles.

“well, that’s what i think.”

you stay quiet, watching him.

“i’m sorry if we haven’t talked about it. maybe i got too distracted with everything, too,” he murmurs, “but also… i get kind of panicky whenever i think about formally asking you to be my girlfriend. it’s stupid.”

you tilt your head, an amused look rising on your face.

“but you can kiss me as soon as you burst through my dorm?” you tease, lifting an eyebrow.

he shrugs, smiling. “well, i’m better in action.”

then he shifts, gaze locking with yours again. this time, there’s no hesitation in his expression. only clarity.

“and before we continue that—” he leans a little closer, still holding your hand.

“yn. can you be mine?”

you can’t help it—you grin. your cheeks warm as you chuckle, your fingers tightening slightly around his.

“i think i’ve been yours since that night, kenma.”

he lets out a breath of laughter, his smile soft and full of quiet relief. he looks down for a second, like he’s grounding himself in this moment. then he looks back at you.

“good.”

the silence that settles after is anything but awkward. his hand is warm on your waist, your other hand resting over his heart. everything around you feels still, like time itself is pausing to give you room to breathe this in.

you’re actually here with him. this close. and it feels… right.

you didn’t feel uncomfortable at all—which was weird, maybe. given that your first proper conversation was his confession, you thought you’d be more on guard about him.

but you’re not. since that encounter, he was all over your mind. and you’re feeling all of these things.

you feel steady. safe. at ease in a way that surprises you.

you want to get even closer. to curl up against him and stay like that for hours. you want to tell him how you spent your afternoon obsessively looking up that obscure artist he had playing from his phone the other day.

you want to listen to his stories. you wanted to hear more from him. you wanted to know his thoughts, and make you wonder why it took you this long to get to know him better.

you want everything. everything about him.

“kenma.”

he’s still looking at you.

“hmm?”

“thank you.”

his brows raise slightly. “what for?”

you don’t answer right away. instead, you bury yourself in his neck, breathing in the warmth of him. he stiffens for a moment—caught off guard—but then he relaxes, wrapping his arms around you with a quiet sigh.

“for talking to me that night,” you murmur against his skin. “i’m happy i got to know you like this.”

you pull back just enough to look at him, your lips tugging into a small, sincere smile.

“and i want to get to know you more. until i know every single thing about you.”

kenma chuckles quietly, heart thudding beneath your hand.

“alright.”

he leans down again, lips brushing yours with a tenderness that speaks volumes.