#helloseashell

You never even expected your relationship to progress to something more than just friends the moment you first saw him. It was during that time when you were at the train station, waiting for the train with your headphones on your ears, the sound of your favorite band blaring to isolate yourself from the rest of the crowd. You were quiet, nodding and tapping your feet along the rhythm occasionally as you read your favorite book. You were so calm; so serene and beautiful to look like while you were immersed in your own world.

You didn’t even notice that he sat down right there next to you as he waits for the next train as well. The volume of your music was loud enough for him to hear it, recognizing it as the song of one of his favorite bands, as well. He mutters the name of the said band, and surprisingly, you were able to hear it no matter how loud the volume was.

“Yes, yes it’s them. Are you a fan too?” You were calm on the outside, but you were totally feeling giddy inside. Why? Because ever since you moved to Japan, you rarely hear a Japanese talk about the music that you were used to. You do enjoy a few Japanese pop and rock music, but from time to time, listening to ones which are sung in English makes you feel calm.

In response to your quest, he quickly nods with a bright smile on his face. “Oh, you might be wondering.. I’m a native Japanese, but I spent my first year of middle school up until my freshmen year in high school at Australia.. my friends influenced me and I actually came to love their music.” He flashes you a smile and you raise your eyebrow at his weird, shark-like teeth. You wanted to point that out, but you don’t want to offend your new friend so you just kept it to yourself as you two continued chatting until the next train finally stopped at the station.

**

Eventually, you learned that his name was Rin Matsuoka. He is a professional Olympic Swimmer who swims for Japan’s national team. You weren’t quite a huge fan of competitive swimming, but ever since the two of you became close, you’ve started to slowly gain an interest to the sport. You even tried watching that one competition on television when you happened to be flipping from one channel to another in boredom during that evening. And you had the most fun when he invited you to a tiny event he was competing for. The beauty and grace that he possess with every stroke was a sight that you truly haven’t seen before, and here he was right now– showing it to you in all of its glory.

You could’ve sworn that your crush on him started from that day on.

**

4 months after the two of you first met each other, you went out to the concert of one of your favorite band for the first time. Your heart was pounding loudly against your chest, not only because you were abuot to see them for the first time in person, but also because the guy that you like was there next to you, having fun and singing along with his favorite song. It was your favorite song too, but you were too dazed as you watched him happily sing along with that cute smile on his face. To you, he was the most beautiful being that you’d ever saw and if possible, you wanted time to pause just so you could preserve such a beautiful scene.

“Hey, are you okay?” He asks in concern after the concert has ended and the two of you are walking out of the concert hall. You raised your eyebrows at him in confusion, as if asking him ‘What do  you mean?’

“I mean,” He says with a pout as his cheeks flushes slightly. “You had that smile on your face since we were in the concert.. until now..” You blush as you realized that you’ve been caught. You tried to think of some sort of excuse and was about to say it to him when suddenly–

“You actually look cute when you smile. You look like you were glowing earlier.” He chuckles and you blush as you two continue walking alongside each other.

You slept with a huge grin on your face that night.

**

A year later, after all those sleepless nights, tons of heart to heart talk with your other friends and contemplating your decision, you’ve finally decided to tell him about what you feel for him. It’s hard to keep the truth from him. You face him on an everyday basis, knowing that you loved him since day one, but your fear of rejection was getting the best of you, preventing you from telling him the truth.

But today’s finally the day. There’s no turning back anymore. Especially now that you two have went again together, alone, to a concert of your favorite artist this time. While your mind was occupied with what you’re going to say, making sure that it’ll go out perfectly just like how you rehearsed it for the past few weeks, the lights suddenly dims and the artist starts to take an acoustic take of your favorite love song.

“Here it is! He’s singing it!” Rin pats your shoulder and he starts singing along, you smile at him and sang as well, reciting every lyrics as if they, alone, were already speaking out your feelings for him. Everything was just like the first time you met him and you felt your heart clench with love and adoration for him. God, you love him so much that your heart felt like it was about to explode.

“R-Rin..” You whispered and you were sure he didn’t hear it from the volume of everyone’s voice singing along so you tugged on the hem of his shirt. He looks at you, focusing his attention on your flushed face as you suddenly grab his hoodie’s collar and crashed your lips against his.

You didn’t know exactly why, but it felt like time has stopped while you have your lips pressed up against his. It felt so good, even though it was just a mere press of lips. You were glad, for a moment, that everyone was too busy with the song that they didn’t notice two people kissing in the middle of the crowd.

When you pulled away, your whole face flushed a darker red and you immediately spat out your apologies for suddenly kissing him. But the fear that you have in your heart immediately disappeared as soon as he leaned down to kiss your lips again, smiling as he deepens it this time.

From that moment on, you knew that what you two have was love.