#future toman

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: Draken, Baji, Chifuyu :)

‘Just gonna say this is the second time I ever write, please dont judge and no hate😁🫶’

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:Draken

Draken don't know when it started, but he thinks it might have started when you started working at the shop.

Or maybe it started when you started to bring him extra food everyday when you noticed he doesn't bring his own. But either way, it had him fucked.

Oh, those bikes he was supposed to fix for his customers a week ago? Already forgotten.

All he could think off was how prettily you styled your job shirt with the first buttons unbuttoned.

And how you always seemed to light up every time you saw him. And like these moments when you made him take a break for lunch to eat the bento you made for him. You always made his favorites without knowing it.

Here you two were, sitting in the back eating hot curry.

“How do you keep it hot until lunch?”

He tilted his head to look at her while stuffing his mouth with his favorite meal.

He couldn't look away when your pretty eyes turned to look at him. You were so happy that he liked your food that you almost forgot to answer him.

“Oh, I just heat them up in the microwave?”

It should have been obvious, but he didn't even know he had one here.

Draken let out a soft chuckle, rubbing the back of his neck as if to cover for his moment of cluelessness. “Guess I don’t use it much,” he muttered, his voice quieter now, like his thoughts were somewhere else. Like they were stuck on you.

You laughed, that soft sound that always seemed to echo in his chest, and he realized—this was what he looked forward to every day. Not the bikes, not even the break. Just you. The way you showed up, full of warmth and little gestures that made him feel like more than just some grease-covered guy in a shop.

He took another bite of curry, chewing slowly, but his focus wasn’t on the food anymore. It was on you, the way the sunlight hit your face, the way you smiled like you were happy just to be here with him. It made something tighten in his chest, something he’d been trying to ignore for weeks.

“Draken? You okay?” Your voice snapped him out of his thoughts, and when he realized he’d been staring, his ears burned.

He cleared his throat, setting the bento box aside. “Yeah. Just thinkin’.”

You tilted your head, waiting for him to go on. He hesitated, the words caught somewhere between his mind and his mouth. But when your brows furrowed, the worry in your expression too much to bear, he couldn’t stop himself.

“I, uh…” He scratched at the back of his neck again, avoiding your gaze. “I think I’m in trouble.”

You blinked, clearly confused. “Trouble? What do you mean?”

“It’s you,” he blurted out, finally looking at you. The intensity in his eyes made your breath hitch. “Every time I see you, I can’t think straight. You—you make my life brighter, easier. And the thing is… I can’t help it anymore. I can’t help falling in love with you.”

The silence that followed was deafening. For a moment, he thought he’d completely blown it, his heart pounding in his chest as he searched your face for a reaction.

But then, you smiled—a slow, beautiful thing that made his world tilt.

“I… I didn’t think you felt the same,” you murmured, your cheeks turning pink. “I’ve been falling for you too, Draken.”

He let out a breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding, his lips twitching into a rare smile. “Guess we’re both in trouble, huh?”

You laughed, and this time, when he looked at you, he didn’t feel any of the doubt that had haunted him before. Just the warmth of your shared feelings, the promise of something good—something real.

:Baji

Working at the pet shop wasn’t Baji’s first choice for a job. Honestly, it wasn’t even his second. But when Chifuyu and Kazutora dragged him into it, insisting they needed his help, he couldn’t say no. And, to his surprise, it wasn’t all bad. He got to spend his days with animals, mess around with his friends, and, most importantly, see you.

You first walked into the shop about three months ago, asking about food for your new kitten. Baji barely noticed at first—until Kazutora nudged him and hissed, “Oi, you’ve been staring.”

Since then, you’d been coming back almost every week, sometimes for supplies, sometimes just to chat about your cat and ask for advice. And every time, Baji found himself looking forward to your visits more and more.

It wasn’t just because you were pretty, though that didn’t hurt. It was the way you smiled when you talked about your kitten, the way you genuinely seemed to care about what he had to say, even when he stumbled over his words. You made him feel something he hadn’t felt in a long time—something warm, something good.

“Dude, she’s here again,” Chifuyu teased one day, elbowing Baji as you stepped into the shop. “Go talk to her before she starts thinking Kazutora knows more about cats than you do.”

“Shut up,” Baji muttered, but he couldn’t hide the way his lips twitched into a grin.

He made his way over to you, his heart beating a little faster when you looked up and smiled. “Hey, Baji. Got any new toys for Mochi? He’s been tearing through the old ones like crazy.”

“Uh, yeah,” he said, scratching the back of his neck. “We just got some new stuff in the other day. I’ll show you.”

As you followed him to the shelves, you started chatting about your week, and Baji couldn’t help but feel at ease. You always had that effect on him, like nothing else mattered when you were around.

But then, he said something stupid.

You’d mentioned how you’d spent the entire weekend knitting a little sweater for Mochi, and Baji, without thinking, laughed. “You knit sweaters for your cat? Isn’t that kinda… overkill? He’s already got fur, y’know.”

You froze, the smile slipping from your face. “Overkill?” you repeated, your tone sharp. “I just thought it’d be fun to make something for him. I didn’t realize that was stupid.”

Baji’s eyes widened, realizing too late that he’d seriously messed up. “Wait, that’s not what I—”

“It’s fine,” you cut him off, your voice cold. “Maybe I should just stop spoiling him so much, huh? Thanks for the help, Baji.”

And just like that, you were gone.

Kazutora smacked him upside the head as soon as the door closed behind you. “Nice going, idiot.”

Baji groaned, running a hand through his hair. “I didn’t mean it like that. She probably hates me now.”

“Only one way to find out,” Chifuyu said, tossing him a pack of cat treats. “Go apologize. And, I don’t know, maybe tell her how you feel while you’re at it?”

---

It took him two days to work up the courage, but eventually, Baji found himself standing outside your apartment with a bag of treats in one hand and a toy mouse in the other. He hesitated for a moment before knocking, his stomach churning with nerves.

When you opened the door, you looked surprised to see him—and not exactly happy.

“What are you doing here?” you asked, crossing your arms.

Baji held out the treats like a peace offering. “I, uh… I came to apologize. For what I said the other day. I didn’t mean it. I was just being stupid, and I’m sorry.”

You stared at him for a moment before sighing. “It’s fine, Baji. You didn’t have to come all the way here just to say that.”

“I did,” he said, stepping closer. “Because it’s not just about that. I’ve been… I’ve been trying to find the right words for a while now, and I keep screwing it up. But the truth is, I can’t stop thinking about you. Every time you walk into the shop, it’s like my whole day gets better. I’ve never felt like this before, and… I can’t help falling in love with you.”

Your eyes widened, and for a moment, he thought he’d completely blown it. But then, you smiled—the same smile that had been driving him crazy for months.

“I was mad,” you admitted, your voice soft. “But I couldn’t stay mad for long. Because, honestly? I think I’ve been falling for you, too.”

Baji let out a breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding, his lips curving into a rare, genuine smile. “Really?”

“Really.”

And as you stepped aside to let him in, he couldn’t help but think that maybe, just maybe, working at the pet shop wasn’t so bad after all.

:Chifuyu

Chifuyu Matsuno wasn’t unfamiliar with romance—at least, not in the pages of the shounen manga he devoured. He loved the over-the-top confessions, the cheesy yet heartfelt moments, and the nerve-wracking buildup. But real life? That was a whole other story.

It started one unassuming Tuesday after his shift at the pet store. As he walked past a cozy café near his work, he spotted her. She was standing behind the counter, her warm smile making customers’ days a little brighter. Chifuyu froze, staring through the window like a deer caught in headlights.

“She’s… so cute,” he muttered to himself, heart pounding like a drum. Without even thinking, he pushed the door open, the little bell jingling overhead.

“Welcome!” she greeted, her voice soft and melodic. Chifuyu barely managed a nod, suddenly all too aware of how awkward he was. He ordered the first thing he could think of—a black coffee, even though he didn’t like it—and left before he could embarrass himself further.

---

The next day, he found himself walking back to the café. And the day after that. It became a routine, his awkward shyness no match for his hopelessly romantic heart. He’d watch her from a distance, pretending to read the latest volume of his manga while stealing glances. He admired everything about her—her laugh, the way she tied her hair back, and how she treated every customer like they were the highlight of her day.

“Why do you keep coming here if you never finish your coffee?” she asked one day, catching him completely off guard.

Chifuyu fumbled, his cheeks flushing. “Uh, I-I… like the atmosphere?”

She tilted her head, a playful smirk on her lips. “Is that so? Well, I’m glad you like it.”

It was that moment he decided he had to ask her out. But how? He wasn’t exactly a smooth-talking protagonist like the ones in his manga. He needed help.

---

That night, he called the one person he trusted most—Baji Keisuke.

“Wait, let me get this straight,” Baji said between bites of food. “You’re asking me for advice on how to confess to a girl? Man, this is too good.”

“Baji-san, I’m serious!” Chifuyu groaned, burying his face in his hands. “I really like her, but I don’t know how to… you know, say it.”

“Alright, alright,” Baji said, smirking. “Why don’t you use one of your manga scenes? Girls love that corny stuff, don’t they?”

Chifuyu hesitated. Was that really a good idea? Still, he couldn’t come up with anything better.

---

The next afternoon, he went to the café, heart pounding harder than ever. She greeted him as usual, but this time, he didn’t sit down. Instead, he walked right up to the counter.

“Hey,” he said, trying to keep his voice steady. “Do you, um, maybe want to hang out sometime? Outside of here?”

She blinked in surprise, but then her face broke into a smile. “I’d love to.”

Chifuyu felt like his chest might explode. He handed her his phone with shaking hands, and she entered her number.

---

Their first outing was casual—just a walk in the park with ice cream. But as they spent more time together, Chifuyu started to relax. They talked about everything, from favorite books to embarrassing childhood stories. She even laughed when he told her about his love for manga, and to his surprise, she was genuinely interested.

One evening, while they sat under the stars, Chifuyu decided it was time. He pulled out a small notebook where he’d scribbled down lines inspired by his favorite manga.

“Okay, this might be a little cheesy, but…” He cleared his throat, his cheeks turning pink. “Meeting you feels like one of those moments in my manga. Like the protagonist finally meeting the person they’re destined to be with. And I guess what I’m trying to say is…” He paused, looking her in the eyes. “I can’t help falling in love with you.”

Her face softened, and she reached out to take his hand. “Chifuyu, you’re such a dork. But I think that’s why I like you.”