To Be or Not to Be
Pairings: jaydenshibaxfem!reader
Warnings: monster attack, not proofread, cute ending.
WC: 1.5k
Summary: The rest of the rangers, and Ji, become aware of your existence and give Jayden a choice.
a/n: This was literally written and completed back in March… it’s April. I have just been a little busy with school and work. Anyways, enjoy. Like always, comments, concerns, questions, likes, reblogs, etc., are all appreciated.
part 1, 2
Jayden would love to say that it has been a couple of weeks since he last visited you with some of the other rangers, but that would be a lie. Nighlock attacks have become more frequent this season, that he needed frequent visits to your store. So much so in fact that it was now a daily occurrence to see him come in and buy some random small thing just to talk to you. Somedays he just wanted some company, to feel the warmth of your presence. He figured since he was the red ranger, and trained his whole life, that him being a little absent during downtime wasn’t a big deal.
Oh how wrong he was.
One morning, instead of Jayden coming in to visit you, it was someone else— an older gentleman. You looked up at him and smiled that practiced customer service smile.
“Morning, what can I do for you today?”
For a moment the man studied you, like he was confused about your existence. “Erm… good morning. You know the boy that comes in everyday, what does he do when he is here?”
You look puzzled by his question, and albeit a little concerned for Jayden’s safety. “Can I ask why?”
He seems to register how insane he looks. “Oh! I am Jayden’s guardian, Ji, and I’ve noticed him rarely being at home.”
You nod slowly, a soft smirk playing on your lips. “Jayden just comes in, buys like a candy bar, and then we just talk.”
“You talk?”
“Yeah, about life, goals, ambitions, our favorite things. Stuff like that.” You shrug.
“He told you about his life?”
“Well yeah, it came up.”
“And… what do you think about his life?”
“I mean I feel sorry that his father passed away while at work. And I appreciate the effort he puts into his martial arts training and care-taking.”
“Martial arts and care-taking?” He blinks at you before realizing how much Jayden has stretched the truth. “Jayden told you about all of that?”
“Yeah, he basically said that any time throughout the day he isn’t here is because he is either training or taking care of people. Kind guy.”
Ji nods. “So you two seem pretty close?”
“I mean I guess so. But it feels weird talking about this to his parental figure.” You laugh nervously.
“Right. Well thank you for the talk.” Ji looks around, thinking, before returning back to you.
“Of course. Tell Jayden I say hi whenever you see him.”
Ji leaves the store.
After the rangers defeat another Nighlock and head back to the Shiba house. The celebration among the rangers evident but short-lived as Ji interrupts them, calling Jayden over.
“Jayden, can I talk to you for a moment?”
Jayden walks over. “What’s going on, Ji?”
“Martial arts and care-taking.” Ji speaks sarcastically.
Jayden’s face hardens. “I was going to tell you—”
“You are the red ranger- the leader of this team. You spending time with her not only hurts your team but also puts her life in danger.” He scolds.
“I understand.” Jayden's face drops.
“You know better than to let your personal life interfere with your responsibilities.” Ji warns.
Jayden nods and looks down as he walks away.
~
Over the next week, you began to wonder what happened to Jayden. He never came by your store anymore. You wondered if he was okay, whether your conversation with Ji had changed anything.
You weren’t working at the moment so you decided to go shopping for some new clothes and to keep your mind off Jayden. As you were walking to your car, you noticed a crowd of people running in all different directions. You set your things down in your trunk, and began to look around. That’s when you noticed a sort of monster and six colorful masked figures.
“What in the actual f-”
Just then a blast from the monster almost came your way, it being stopped only because the red masked figure stopped it from reaching you.
“Get as far away as you can!” The figure yelled behind him to you.
You froze in place. “Jayden?”
The masked man went rigid. Suddenly, another blast captivated both of your attention as you both dived behind a vehicle for cover.
“What is that? Where have you been? What are you doing? AND WHAT IS HAPPENING?” You launch into your questions.
“Long story for everything but right now we need to stay calm and get you out of here.” He rationalizes.
“ARE YOU INSANE?”
“Shh. I need you to focus right now.”
“Fine. But you will be answering my questions later.”
You quickly and stealthily move from behind the vehicle and rush towards your car with Jayden covering you.
“I need you to go home, I’ll be fine.”
“Yeah I would but there are little monster men creatures that are seeping out through the ground.”
“I’ll clear a path okay?”
“Okay.” You nod at him before muttering under your breath. “This is the wildest day ever.”
You made your way through the group and headed back home.
~
The next day at work, you are anxiously waiting at the counter, looking out for the boy in red. Once spotted, you sprang up.
“What? Why? and How? Right now.”
Jayden sighs as he begins to speak. “Those were Nighlock monsters, they want to take over our world. I am the red samurai power ranger leading the team of samurai rangers to make sure they don’t take over the world and win.”
“You told me you did martial arts, and were a caretaker. You lied to me.”
“Halfway true, right?” He shrugs as he smiles haphazardly trying to lighten the mood.
You glare at him in return.
“I’m sorry I lied to you, but telling you the truth could put you in danger.”
“Not telling me put me in danger.”
The rest of the rangers come out from behind him.
“He is right, even spending time with you could make you a target for the Nighlock.” Emily softly admits.
“So what? You aren’t gonna see me again?” You maintain looking at Jayden.
“Did you not understand what he just said?” One of the boys chimes in softly.
“You must be Kevin.” You turn to him.
“How’d you know?” Kevin asks.
“Stickler for the rules and codes.” You turn back to Jayden. “I want you to look me in my face and tell me that you don’t think we should see each other again.”
“I could put you in danger–”
“That’s not what I asked. And you saw yesterday that even not telling me and walking about the town could put me in danger. So I want you to say it to my face, that you don’t want to see me again.”
You and Jayden look at each other, in tense silence.
“I don’t know Jay, I like this girl.” Mike breaks the moment.
This earns Mike a soft scolding from Mia.
“Jayden, you know our duty as samurai.” Kevin softly speaks.
“Just… Give us a minute.” Jayden says to his team.
They all look at Jayden before nodding and leaving the store. You raise an eyebrow as you watch him watch them leave.
Once they leave, he returns his gaze back to you, and your gaze softens.
“Say it.” You dare him, a soft smirk on your lips.
“Okay, at least try to look like I’m going to do the justful thing.” He smiles.
“Say it, Jayden.”
“This is the most reckless, selfish thing I have ever done. But, I can’t live with myself if I let you go like this.”
“Say it.” Your teasing smile sending his heart into a frenzy.
“I’m getting to it, woman, relax.” He laughs softly. “Will you be my girlfriend? And deal with all of these monsters that may come after you because you are with me?”
“Hmm.. Let me think about it.” You smirk.
“Oh come on.” He playfully rolls his eyes
“Yes.” You feign neutrality.
“Yeah? You’re my girlfriend now?” Jayden tries, and fails, to hide his excitement.
“Yes, and you’re my boyfriend now.” You smile softly and nod.
“I should warn you, I have never been in a relationship before.” Jayden admits.
“I can tell, you never gave me your number.”
“Right! I should probably do that.” He takes out his morpher.
“God, what is that?”
“It’s my morpher, I can receive calls on this.”
You take out your phone and exchange numbers.
“I should probably go out there now.” He looks down at your number.
“Yeah, before they start to catch on.”
“Call you tonight?”
“I will be waiting.”
~
Jayden joins his team outside, glancing one more time at your contact before putting away his morpher.
“So how’d she take it?” Mike asked, earning a nudge from Kevin.
“It was a tough conversation, but I am sure she will be okay.”
“You did the right thing Jayden, we as samurai have a duty to protect her and the rest of the world. So ending things with her is the best way to keep her safe.” Kevin supports.
“Yeah, but Jayden always seemed so calm and happy after coming back from seeing her.” Emil says.
“And it would be nice to have another girl around.” Mia adds.
“What is done is done.” Jayden says.
“I’m sorry man, she seemed really into you.” Mike pats his shoulder.
“Yeah, me too. Jayden agrees.
~
a/n: quite literally went into the version history of the document that this was written in and it was completed on March 11, 2025. sad really. I have just procrastinated making this pretty.
