#kn8 fluff

he had been the one to bring it up, the talk of children, that is, which took you by surprise. it wasn't something you often introduced into your daily conversations. the responsibilities you had on your shoulders were far too much to begin thinking about a family, but on the day where no one was out to bother you, hoshina had somehow mustered the courage to confess a different form of love for your future.

"we'll have to carry on the names, of course," he grinned. "since my brother has the kanji for 'ichi' and i have it for 'shi', maybe we can have somethin' like that?"

you tilted your head to the side. "what, like, hoshina sogoro?"

digging his head into the crook of your neck, his laugh was like a remedy, soothing the knots in your stomach. "we'll think about it."

at that time, you didn't know whether that meant he was ready or if he was simply fond of the idea. maybe it was a small mix of both, but you were never sure.

yet around two months ago, you found yourself sat deathly still on your bed, pulling your brain apart for ideas on how you're going to tell him that you're pregnant with his kid. since that talk, neither of you had the time to bring it up again and still, you didn't think that this would become your reality so soon.

and so now, you find yourself lingering outside the operations lab where hoshina's currently stationed. judging from the roars and crashes, you can only assume that he's battling out his limits with weapons 10.

"vice-captain!"

you lift your head up at the sound of okonogi's voice echoing throughout the lab. then, the clanging from inside the simulation room comes to a halt.

"sorry for the interruption," she announces, "but (name) is here to see─"

you bolt up from your seat and slap your hand to your earpiece, whispering in frantic hushes. "konomi! nonono! i'll wait, i'll wait!"

"─you, uah!" she interrupts herself and you hear her stumble about. "vice-captain! nevermind!"

there's incoherent murmurs coming from the end of your line and you stay rooted to your spot until okonogi enters the call again. you can only sigh, rubbing your temples as she scrambles through her speech.

"uh, she... is not ready yet!"

it's not the best save, but you hope that it does at least buy you some time to think this through.

another buzz rings and your stomach drops at the sound of someone else.

"bring her in, i wanted a break anyway."

there's a pause before okonogi babbles a rapid cycle of apologies and you watch the door hiss open, revealing hoshina standing in the centre of the room. he's in the middle of reprimanding 10 again, his face contorted into a deep frown as they squabble back and forth.

once you start walking, though, his face lights up like a flash, as if the stress concerning the sentient suit goes flying out his head. he looks up at the window of the lab and shoots a quick thumbs up, signalling that he's finished with training for the day and within minutes, the screens surrounding him power off.

he grins as he meets you in the middle, tail swishing about like it's been eagerly waiting. "hoh, i didn't think i'd be visited by my lovely lady here of all places."

you don't miss the way the dot in his chest drills its glares into your skull or how hoshina has his head tilted with interest. honestly, with the way they're both staring─you have essentially interrupted their training, the fact that you haven't thought of single way to tell him hits you harder than you expected.

hoshina notices you waver and reaches out to touch your elbow. "everythin' ok?"

"yeah," you answer, but hoshina doesn't look convinced. "i mean, i have something to tell you. can we go back to my room?"

you bite your lip and his eyes flick down to them. he takes a step forward and opens his mouth, but 10's obnoxious growl takes over.

"clearly not important enough that she isn't saying it right now," it scoffs, but hoshina clicks his tongue and pokes its eye with the end of his blade.

"it's important enough that she came to find me," he argues, his expression scrunched up as he hisses at his chest. "don't speak like that about her, ya stupid suit."

"it's not my fault," it bites back, tail dangerously lurking around your feet until hoshina kicks it to the side. "besides, this could be a trap. something hasn't awoken within her."

the colour drains from your face as 10's eye flicks towards you. "woman, are you hiding some sort of innate power?"

hoshina huffs. "what the hell are ya talkin' about? did training make ya more dumb?"

dread seeps into your bones as the shield of courage you built up for this moment starts shrinking under their loud volume. you know exactly what 10 means by that, but you wonder if hoshina caught onto it too or was ignoring it as one of its usual nonsense.

you're viciously pulled out of your thoughts as 10 raises its tail past your legs, but luckily for you, hoshina grabs and chucks it away again.

"don't touch her!"

"i'm pointing out the thing!"

hoshina exhales through his nose, angrily. "what thing?!"

"soshiro," you call and the two stop. "let's just go─"

suddenly, the tail whips up and points at your stomach. "there's something in there!"

you feel your world stop as hoshina goes silent. his lips are parted as his stare lingers at the very spot where 10's tail hovers and you watch, without a word, at how his mouth trembles ever so slightly as if he can't devise a proper structure of words, as if nothing he'll say will make sense to him.

there's only one answer as to what it could be, there's only one thing that repeats in hoshina's mind because you literally had a deep conversation about this. it's too convenient, the timing is too right.

a long pause ensues as the two of you─three, or if 10 wants its way, four of you stay absolutely still. only the whir of the machines around you fill the room.

"soshiro," you whisper, looking down at your palms. "i'm sorry, you've always made it clear to me that communication is important, and i know that, so i wanted to tell you as soon as possible."

you sense his eyes on you, right on the top of your head like the usual affectionate pokes he gives you, and it's light with no blame to hold, no grudge or any drop of resentment. it doesn't feel heavy and you're tempted to look into his eyes and start this whole conversation from the beginning again.

you've known hoshina for a long time and throughout those years, he's never raised his voice and even now, he mirrors the same look he gives you when no words are exchanged but the message and emotions are so clear.

he'll dedicate his everything to you, and he means it.

impatient under the gruelling stillness, 10 grumbles. "how long are─"

"(name)," hoshina breathes. he sucks in a deep breath. "you're being serious?"

hoshina sounds... hopeful. his delicate tone just about reaches your ears and you find yourself looking up, searching for the small joke he normally makes, but all you see is how he yearns for an answer he wants to hear from you.

you nod. "i'm being serious."

it happens gradually, but hoshina winds his arms around your waist more gently than ordinary. he looks down as he traces lines on your hip, but when he stops just there, you watch him let out a shaky sigh, his thumb hesitant to inch any closer.

"it's ok," you say, calmly. you glance up with a small smile, catching his cautious gaze and take a hold of his hand. "i mean, he or she isn't completely there yet, but it's real."

"i swear, i'm gonna make 10 pay for this," hoshina murmurs, his body close so that only you can hear. "lemme get this off and we'll go back, ok?"

shockingly, 10 stays strangely quiet throughout the process of removing the suit, like it realises its mistake of blurting out what was meant to be a happy surprise. it returns to its glass pod and soon, you're walking back to your room with hoshina besides you.

you hear him chuckle to himself and when you turn to him he has his forehead pressed to his palm as he lets out puffs of short laughter.

"what?" you ask and he stops, letting his hand slide back down to his side.

he tilts his head back and stares up at the ceiling with a wide smile. "ah, nothin'. i just... can't believe it, can't believe that stupid suit."

"soshiro, trust me," you start, running a hand through your hair. "i wanted to tell you, but it─"

"i don't blame you for that, love, don't worry," he says, shaking his head as you both turn the corner. "it's my bad, i should've taken it off sooner."

"well, i guess no that it knows too, we can attach a baby strap to 10 and teach it how to handle babies, yeah?"

hoshina bursts out laughing as he playfully nudges your shoulder. "ya think that stupid suit's gonna agree to that?"

"why not?" you shrug, letting the smile on your lips run free. "our baby will be well-protected from anything!"

mimicking each other's jokes, you enter your room and as soon as you do, hoshina has his arms around you again, his nose tucked into your collarbone as if you hold the most precious scent he's ever known. he mumbles into you, sending streams of tingles up your neck as you nestle into his tenderness all the same.

"we might not be perfect," he whispers, "i might not be, but we'll do our best. i'll do whatever i can."

"me too," you reply, resting your chin on his shoulder. "gotta make sure vice-cap hoshina knows how to use baby straps and baby talk."

you hear him scoff as he pulls back, sliding his hand up and down your arm with squeezes. you can still feel his breath on your skin as he glances between your face and stomach with a bright shine in his red hues.

"i'll make sure the both of you are always loved," he promises, then he catches your eyes again and shoots you a smirk, "well, not that i wasn't good at that before you became the mother of my kid anyway."

Kikoru would never voice her true intentions out loud but it was clear that she was as invested as her companions were if her constant questions about the matter said anything about it. She was influenced by her close peers and their enthusiasm definitely fed that.

Reno didn’t want anything to do with it… at first. He changed his mind after only an hour and he thinks it’s due to spending too much time with a certain someone who loved entertainment. Iharu sneezes in the distance. 

Kafka was simultaneously wanting to join the younger members in their antics, though he wasn’t sure he wanted to risk another week of pushups. While he would admit that his arms were tougher, those exercises reminded him of the embarrassment every time he miscalled his commander. But the thought of having some knowledge about Hoshina was interesting, to say the least. 

It seemed they were all bored overall. 

Ultimately, they all decided to make a plan and figure it out separately. Your division was visiting for a week and reconvening would wait until the weekend. It was time to investigate. 

Minase was the one to kick it off, prompting her fellow members to gain more confidence. It all started with an innocent encounter in the operations room when she, Kikoru, and Hakua passed by. 

There were voices inside but the most prominent ones were yours and Hoshina’s. The Vice-Commander was a little surprised to see them when they intercepted at the door but it is quickly masked when you step out, a hint of a smile on your face possibly due to the joke he told you only moments before.

“Now, what’re you three doin’ here?” The Vice-Commander asks, hands in his pockets while you stand slightly behind him with your head tilted. 

Minase always had a good ear being a great listener for her peers and was able to hear what he had said to you. It was a flirty quip, but not enough to not be told to a close friend. Upon seeing that she had caught both of your attention, she smiles.

“Good afternoon!” You greet her as well but a silence falls over you five. It’s a bit awkward–Kikoru side-eyes her friend to see what the whole stopping and rushing over here was for, but Minase had a plan already set. “We were actually looking for you, Commander,” she looks directly at you and you raise a brow at the implication of her tone.

“Oh?” You take a step forward. “What for?”

“Some training tips, is all. After the last session you gave us, it motivated us to work on our blade work even more!” Like Hoshina, your preferred way of fighting had nothing to do with the guns everyone else used. You hum in acknowledgement. 

The Third was full of promising new officers and it would be a waste to not help them hone their skills even more. But you were sure Hoshina was pushing them enough with his own swordsmanship. You even learned a lot from him yourself. 

Hakua stifles a choked sound when Minase elbows her gently, not expecting to be put on the spot just like that. And despite already being told of their group’s plan beforehand and having her outgoing personality, it was still a nerve-racking request. 

“Y-Yeah! You seem close to Commander Narumi so we thought you guys would have similar fighting styles.” In your head, you think they’re referring to how he’s the strongest and anyone would want to learn from the best of the best. Gen wasn’t the easiest to get a hold of and you felt flattered they would ask you directly, so of course you would help out.

On the side, Kikoru is tasked with watching the Vice-Commander. Not all reactions were verbal and she was the most observant of the three, but she couldn’t maintain her eyes on him the whole time lest he get suspicious. 

But now she thinks her eyes have deceived her. At the mention of Commander Narumi, Hoshina’s eyes peek open. She sees how they darken more as Hakua talks about your fighting styles but just like his initial surprise earlier, that expression left as quickly as it came. 

She tucks that away.

Vice-Commander Hoshina had his “Kaiju killing eyes” at the mention of Commander Narumi. Don’t know what that could mean. - Kikoru

That’s jealousy! - Minase

Now you see what I mean about his eyes?? - Kafka

Iharu was infatuated with you from the get-go, though you would say that his first inspiration was Commander Ashiro. Saving him that day was what began his journey into the Defense Force, but it was you who motivated him to alter his fighting style to keep up with Reno. 

Speaking of the latter, he was sitting beside him in the cafeteria as the two tried to think of a plan for their part. They caught wind that Kikoru’s group got a promising lead and it was up to the rest to solidify it. But they’ve been stuck for the past hour trying to come up with their own thing and asking for training would be a stolen idea.

Reno watches as more and more officers walk into the shared area and grab their meals from the line. They’re a mix of your division and the Third Division members conversing among themselves and he immediately sits up with his idea. Iharu turns his head in surprise to find Reno’s attention already turned to him.

“What? Got an idea?” Reno nods fervently and brings both of their heads down to speak more quietly. Iharu raises his brows at the proposal and his cheeks turn pink. He’s outspoken, yeah, and confident, sure, but this was you. 

His friend pleads with him. He relents.

It’s not too long before you step into the cafeteria with the goal of lunch like everyone else. Spending time with Okonogi was great and all but she fried your brain with data only she and your Operations Leader Sora could keep up with. This was grounds for a well-deserved meal before your joint training session as well. 

Iharu watches as you get in line and as he stands up to line up behind you, and like Reno predicted as you grab your tray, you see the officer. To his and Iharu’s surprise, you greet him first. 

“Officer Furuhashi, right?” You ask after grabbing your tray. There’s a bright look on your face at the excitement of seeing the man who impressed your previous Commander. He shakily nods and you smile in response. “Commander Ogata said a lot of things about you.”

Iharu lets out a polite chuckle. “All good things, I hope?” He gets a laugh out of you and you both fall into a comfortable conversation as you move down the line. Reno watches the door and he hopes the timing works out, or Plan B would have to be used. At least Iharu was having a good time. 

It’s when the two of you reach the end of the line and walk towards Reno’s table does Hoshina appear from the doorway. The red-haired officer doesn’t see him yet and your conversation is at the point when you have a hand on his arm as you’re gushing over his newfound ability with his Kaiju suit. He feels a strong hand clamp down on his shoulder and Iharu freezes, looking to his side to see his Vice-Commander. 

“Vice–”

“Afternoon, Officer Furuhashi. Whatcha two talkin’ about?” By then your hand still hasn’t left his arm and he feels Hoshina’s grip get tighter. Iharu places his tray down onto the nearest table and your hand drops to your side but you didn’t notice. 

“His new ability,” you answer, “we were talking about it earlier with the operations team, remember? I was just looking for you, Officer Furuhashi, I’m so glad I got to talk to you.” Your answer is so sincere and he feels like he could melt right then and there. But to the side of him, there was also a strange sensation in the air. 

It was akin to bloodlust. 

“The same here.” Iharu answers and bows, “Please, enjoy your lunchtime.” Before you can say anything more, he turns on his heel straight towards Reno with his head down. 

The two sit there in silence as you look on in confusion before Hoshina pulls you along with him for his lunch. They aren’t looking at the two of you but Reno already got what he needed.

Vice-Commander Hoshina almost broke Furuhashi’s shoulder. I saw he also had one of his blades behind him while they were all talking. - Reno

WHAT?? - Iharu

By the way, what was plan B? - Kikoru

Iharu asks her directly if she’s dating the Vice-Commander. - Reno

HELLO?? - Iharu

Hi. - Kafka

Kafka knew he was going to be the last of the bunch to get this done. The digital community board on their group chat was a smart idea by Minase and he was able to see what the younger officers were trying to do with this mission. 

Kikoru and her friends got the first response but it needed more. Reno and Iharu got the “more” and all-in-all needed one final piece to set the puzzle. Kafka was proud of them but was currently in a situation with absolutely no idea as to what he was going to do. He thought that was more than enough to assume there was a relationship between the two of you, but Kikoru kicked him for that, too.

Was there any way to get you to confess about it? He thought about asking you directly but even though you were younger than him, you still held a higher title. And he didn’t want to face the potential wrath you could unleash for asking such a question. Were you the type to dish out punishments like the Vice-Commander? Again, he didn’t want to risk it. 

He had to do it soon too, you and your division were leaving in the morning and it would be another month or so before you and Hoshina would be seen in the same vicinity. 

Kafka sighs and runs a hand through his hair. This was troublesome but they were counting on him. 

He looks around the library he’s doing his nightly study session and sees that the time is very close to midnight. He’s shocked and now there’s absolutely no way he’s going to catch you at this hour, not unless you were training anyway. His best bet was to find you early in the morning but even that was a bit of a gamble.

Deciding on his defeat, Kafka puts his books and pens away before heading out into the hallway back to his room. He gets a sense of deja vu when he sees the light of the training room still on and assumes it’s the Vice-Commander again, and it wouldn’t hurt to watch him in action, right?

He walks up to the slightly open door and stops in his tracks at the sight. Both you and Hoshina were holding blades. Your’s were slightly longer and his were the typical ones he used during outside missions. Needless to say, they were the real deal. 

In the blink of an eye, you’re lunging towards each other and Kafka thinks if he blinks even once, he’d miss about five slashes shared between you two. Following Hoshina alone was already too much but watching someone match his speed? It was out of this world. 

The match only lasts for about half a minute, ending with a knife to both of your throats from the other. A moment of heavy breathing follows before you groan and toss your head back in exasperation, both of you simultaneously lowering your weapons. 

“I still can’t get that last one right!” 

“It was close! And hey, ya got the blade to my neck.”

“I always get the blade to your neck.” You roll your eyes. Hoshina was the best swordsman there was and it was incomparable to your personal weapon, so of course he would be better than you at it. ‘Whatever, I’m heading to bed.” Hoshina lets out a laugh. You put away the practice weapons and as you head to the door, Hoshina pulls you back to him by your wrist. 

“Wait a second,” he says and leans his head down to yours. 

Kafka, in the meantime, ducked his head to avoid being seen at least a little longer knowing he was not running away to hide in time. There aren't any more words being exchanged and he thinks there’s something else going on in that small bit of silence. 

He pops his head up and makes eye contact with Hoshina’s open eye. 

Got pushups. - Kafka

Damn. Sorry old man. - Iharu

So you got caught? Amateur. - Kikoru

Leave me alone! I tried. - Kafka

So you really didn’t see anything? - Reno

Oh, yeah. They kissed. - Kafka

…

What? - Kikoru

I got caught by the Vice-Commander. Scared me. :(- Kafka

…

HUH?? - Kikoru

Bonus:

After Kafka leaves, his head hung low at the premonition of more punishment, your arms stay on Hoshina’s shoulders. 

“Did you have to do that?” You muse, playing with the shorter hairs near the nape of his neck. He shivers at the feeling but his eyes open slightly and they’re not looking at you so softly.

“Did ya have to talk about him before training?” He counters back. He knows what you’ve been doing. You scoff.

You also know what he’s been doing. The murderous intention at the mention of you and Gen, the physical warning during lunch at Iharu, and even a mark of possession to the poor older man who was just joining in the fun of his peers. 

“Of course,” you bring him down to you, your lips brushing against the shell of his ear. You feel his hands tighten on your waist. 

“What are you gonna do about it?”

You move to open your laptop, but your boyfriend interferes again, putting a hand on top of yours. 

“Ya, it’s late. There’s more time to do papers tomor- uh, no. Later, I mean.”

He’s right. To be honest, you’ve kind of been waiting for a reason to stop with this never-ending horde of paperwork. 

With the reconstruction of the Tachikawa base, lots of staff and officers had to be relocated. As the medical professional assigned to the division’s officers, you were in charge of sending endorsement notes and other reports to other division professionals, and providing updates about the new hires.

With a nod of your head, you close your laptop, letting his hand guide you. There’s now a softness to his smile.

“You’ve done enough work today.” He presses a kiss to your forehead, causing you to blush a little. 

Thank goodness the security camera system in the medical wing is still in need of repair.

“Hoshina,” you giggle and whisper. “Stop. You need to stop bribing me with kisses.”

“But they work, don’t they?”

You groan in response, but both of you know the truth. 

Hoshina, bless the man, finally rounds the corner of your desk so he can stand next to you. You turn your desk chair to face him, and with open arms, you let him crawl into your lap.

“You’re like a damn cat,” you snort, as you feel the weight of his body press into you.

“Meow.”

Instantly, the two of you snicker. He wraps his arms around you, laying his head on your shoulder.

“It’s fun practicing my stealth skills to get alone time with you,” he whispers in your ear. “But, I also want to show ya off.”

“I know. Me too. I wonder how the Director General did it.” You sigh. “The Shinomiyas were truly the power couple of the Defense Force.”

“We should be the next one.” Hoshina leaves a kiss on your cheek this time. “Soon.” 

“Soon,” you nod in agreement.

There weren’t any hard rules against having relationships with people within the Defense Force. However, you knew that relationships between superiors and subordinates were controversial. 

Even if the relationship was consensual, the imbalance in authority raised ethical concerns. At least there was the option for one to be reassigned or promoted, instead of forcing the relationship to dissolve right away.

With you and Hoshina, at least you had no issues regarding power dynamics. He was the vice-captain, and you were the head medical officer. You’re both on equal footing within the Third Division—you could give each other orders without question.

However, the concern about keeping things quiet was more about preserving your privacy. Word traveled around the division pretty quickly. Hoshina is also the kind of person who draws attention to himself, no matter where he goes. 

Ever since you decided to work here a few years ago, your co-workers had gossiped about him. The fact that he was voluntarily going to your office or laboratory during work hours had raised questions. 

“Why does he keep asking for you? He’s never had this many questions for the medical department.”

“What did you do? He seems so interested in you!”

And even though you didn’t have an answer to their questions, you were bad at hiding that you might have had a teeny tiny crush on the vice captain. Your coworkers’ teasing after they found out was relentless. They decided to play matchmaker, too.

Now, your coworkers were lovely people, and knew when to back down when needed. However, what you were afraid of were the other officers and staff in the division that you weren’t close to—people who didn’t know you well enough to prevent inaccurate assumptions or rumors.

If anything about your relationship got out, you were terrified of the gazes that would follow you everywhere you went. You didn’t want questions from people who did not need to know every detail. 

You and Hoshina have also reached the starting points of your personal dreams within the Defense Force. It was scary to think about the ways your reputation and credibility could be affected if more people started seeing you in a less professional light. Well, maybe that’s a stretch, but you didn’t want people considering your relationship a workplace distraction. 

(And, of course, a part of you hopes it won’t happen, but what if things don’t work out? You’ll be the talk of the town for who knows how long.)

“Hey.” Hoshina pokes your cheek, startling you out of your daze. “You zoned out.”

“Hmm? Yeah.”

You gaze at the way Hoshina’s face is pressed against your chest. In the time you’ve spent thinking, he has visibly relaxed and melted into you. It’s cute, really, how he can finally be like this around you, instead of being the one who always offers himself as the shoulder to lean on.

“You’re adorable,” you say without thinking.

“I know.” His fangs peek out a little with his cheeky grin. “That’s why you like me.”

You snort, kissing the top of his head. 

Suddenly, there’s a sharp knocking on your door. The two of you shoot up in alarm.

“Crap.”

You point to the bottom of your desk, which is thankfully covered all around. “Get in there,” you whisper-shout as he attempts to cram himself into the space.

“Come in!” you call out at the second round of knocking.

When the door opens, you see Okonogi…a rather sleep-deprived Okonogi, at that. You can only imagine the kinds of things she’s been handling at the operations division.

“Hi, Okonogi. What can I do for you?”

“I’m just taking a break,” she smiles at you. “Wanted to check in on you, fellow night owl.”

“Thanks. I actually might go and sleep after a few minutes. I can’t take any more of the endorsement notes. The medical abbreviations are no longer making sense to me.”  

She laughs lightly. “I can totally understand. I can’t even remember what the codes and abbreviations on my reports stand for either.”

“What a pain,” you comment, shaking your head.

“Anyway, I just wanted to ask you something personal, if that’s alright.”

“Oh?” Your eyebrows raise. “Shoot away.”

“Please be honest with me. Are you and Vice-Captain Hoshina together?”

Your eyes widen. Hoshina remains silent, but you can feel him squeeze your ankle a little.

“Me? And Ho- Vice-Captain Hoshina?”

“Sorry, I know it’s a surprising question. It’s just that two of you have been acting differently around each other lately.” Okonogi scratches the back of her neck. “I didn’t know if I was overthinking it or what, but you both couldn’t keep your eyes off of each other in the debriefing meeting today. And a couple of other meetings before that.”

“Oh. Um.”

“Actually, besides that…Vice-Captain Hoshina, you can come out from your hiding spot.”

“Wh- What are you talking about?”

“He’s under your desk, isn’t he?”

You can see him freeze in surprise.

“No? I don’t-”

“And if I go over and check myself?”

“What? No, you don’t- I mean…I-”

Okonogi takes a few steps forward, and you’re about to protest, but Hoshina crawls out and reveals himself.

“Yes. Okonogi. I’m here. Incredible. I expected nothing less from you.”

“Mhm.” She regards him with an unimpressed stare. “Okay. Listen, the cameras here have started working again. It’s a pretty good thing that I’m friends with the security officers during this shift.” 

“Oh.” A chill runs through your body.

“They gave me the update on the cameras, so I went over to check how the footage was. Then, the officer tells me that they saw Vice-Captain come here to your office, and they were wondering what reason he'd have to visit outside of regular office hours.”

“Well. I had…medical questions.” Hoshina tilts his head.

“Then why were you hiding under the desk?”

“I was…uh…”

“Okonogi?” You pipe up.

“Mm?”

“Would you be mad or anything if I said that we were in a relationship?”

Recognition flashes in her eyes. “No. I wouldn’t be. I was expecting it at some point, to be honest. The Vice-Captain’s also been talking about you a lot more often. I don’t even think he realized.”

You hear a small ‘oops’ coming from Hoshina.

“So, it’s true that you’re together?”

You and Hoshina look at each other. Okonogi is someone you both trust wholeheartedly, so the two of you nod.

“Okay.” A smile appears on her face. “That’s good. So, you’ve been trying to keep it a secret, I assume?”

“Yes,” Hoshina responds. “I didn’t want to bring untoward attention to them.”

“I felt the same way about him as well,” you add.

“Mm. I understand,” Okonogi hums. “That’s actually why I asked. The security officer seemed a little curious. Luckily, I made up an excuse about sending the vice-captain to the medical department earlier in the day.”

“That was a close one,” you sigh. “Thanks for covering, Okonogi.”

“Any time,” she waves a hand. “Anyway, considering what I’ve walked in on, I suppose the two of you are having trouble getting time alone without being suspicious.”

Hoshina laughs nervously. “Their co-workers have gotten rather curious about how often I visit. But their office or the library are our safest spots at the moment.”

Okonogi inhales deeply, pausing to think about something. “Okay. Well, do you guys remember that small storage room in my office?”

“Yeah.”

“Right. Come to think of it, I’ve never been inside it,” Hoshina comments. “Well, I tried to check, but you shooed me away.”

“Hmph. You’re too nosy, Vice-Captain,” Okonogi rolls her eyes. “But I was thinking of letting you guys use that room whenever you’d like to see each other. Not too suspicious since it’s my office, and we have reasons to talk to each other often.”

“Wait. You’re seriously letting us…” You blink at her. “Are you sure? What about all the stuff inside?”

“I’ve started organizing things and clearing the room out, actually. The operations team has started digitizing more files too, so there’s no need to keep the older papers.” Okonogi waves her hands around as she explains. “I’ve also thought of donating my older collections of mystery novels and other books to the library. They’re just collecting dust in there…”

You and Hoshina glance at each other again, but this time, there’s no worry or fear on both of your faces.

“Okonogi? You are a godsend,” you immediately hug her, cutting her off in the middle of her ramble.

“Oh! Well, I wouldn’t say I’m a godsend, but you’re welcome,” she says, adjusting her glasses. “At the very least, the couch inside will actually be used for sitting, instead of holding up piles and boxes of stuff.”

“There’s a couch?!” Hoshina exclaims in disbelief.

“Yes. Please don’t do anything unacceptable on it,” she narrows her eyes.

“No! We’d never- Oh my gosh.” You hide your face in your hands. 

“Okonogi, why are you only looking at me?” Hoshina whines.

“You know very well.”

“I don’t.”

“Promise, Okonogi. Nothing out of the ordinary. It’s still your place after all. Thank you so much.” You bow to her in gratitude, and Hoshina does the same.

“You’re welcome.” She exhales, looking at her watch. “Well, I’m gonna get back to the last bit of my work. Wanna check out the spare room?”

“Sure. ‘Bout you, Hoshina?”

Your boyfriend agrees in response, patting your shoulder.

“Okay. Let me just shut my computer down.”

Hoshina takes care of the air conditioning unit and the lights, and the three of you leave your office.

By the time you all arrive at Okonogi’s spare room, she leaves the two of you to it. 

When you sit down on the couch that she talked about, the fact that it is now three in the morning suddenly hits.

“Man, I’m tired,” you yawn, sinking into the leather cushion. Hoshina plops down beside you, also seeming to realize his exhaustion.

“Something tells me we’ll end up sleeping here,” he mutters with a soft giggle, pulling you closer to him by the waist.

“Guess we’ll fall asleep in our work clothes again.” You rest your head on his shoulder. “Better set an alarm so we have time for a quick shower or change of uniform before clocking in tomorrow.”

You whip your phone out for a short moment, making sure you actually set an alarm, lest the two of you get in trouble for going missing tomorrow. Or…later, to be more accurate.

“Glad we can do this without having to worry much,” Hoshina whispers, giving you one last kiss on the lips.

You smile against his kiss, closing your eyes. “Me too. Also, I know I’m guilty, but please don’t stare at me too much during the next meeting. Your squinting still can’t hide it well.”

“Hush.”

“My mom,” you answer quickly. Too quickly.

“Mm.” He flicks his thumb across the joystick, leaning forward as if sheer body weight will help him win. “Everything okay?”

“Yeah. She, um…” You shift your weight, fiddling with your phone. “She asked if I’d come home this weekend. Help out with the autumn festival prep.”

Finally, he glances at you, brow lifting underneath his messy bangs. “Festival?”

You nod, mouth dry. “Yeah. They’re running a booth. Could use extra hands.”

Gen turns back to his game, but you catch the way his expression softens. “Sounds nice.”

You swallow, heart hammering. This is it. Now or never. “She, uh… also asked if I was seeing someone. And I… told her yes.”

Gen’s game-over screen flashes red, but he doesn’t even curse this time. He sets the controller down, really looking at you now. “And?”

You rub your palms together, suddenly wishing you had stayed in the kitchen. “And… I was thinking… maybe… if you don’t mind… you could come with me? Meet them?”

For a beat, silence. Your nerves spike, the worst possibilities racing through your mind. Reminding him of what he never had, dragging him into something uncomfortable, too much too soon.

Then Gen leans back against the couch, lips quirking into the faintest, lopsided smile. “...You’re serious?”

You nod, chewing your lip. “Only if you want to. I know it’s—”

“—I’ll go.” No hesitation. His voice is steady, quiet but sure. “If your family wants me there, I’ll go.”

Your chest tightens with relief, and maybe something more.

"What? You've been side eyeing me for the past hour. Is it because I chose the wrong clothes? I wasn't sure. I've never been to meet anyone's parents." Gen says defensively, keeping his eyes on the road. You snort. "No it's just...I've never seen you dressed like this." It's not that Gen is dressed particular fancy, he’s wearing a simple brown knit sweater, dark denim jeans, sneakers that he secretly cleaned yesterday evening and a brown Barbour type jacket on top. "I knew I should've worn a button up...I have one in my bag, I'll change before we arrive." He groans.

You squeeze his thigh and he shoots you a quick look. "Gen, you look great. It's just surprising to see you in something that's not your uniform or oversized home wear." The tips of his ears tint pink. "They won't care what you wear, and I know they'll like you. Don't worry so much."

He huffs. "That's easy for you to say...but...I want them to think I'm...worthy I guess."

You give his bulky thigh another squeeze. "That's for me to decide. And my conviction is that you are, and no one gets to meddle with that." Gen blushes even more, then nods.

"Just around the corner, you can park in the driveway behind the big gate." You instruct and Gens eyes widen as he pulls up to a fenced in complex of traditional wooden houses. The cars wheels crunch on the gravel as he parks it effortlessly. "This is...a dojo?" He mumbles. "Hey, why didn't you tell me you grew up in a dojo?!"

You shrug. "Didn't think it mattered."

“What—of course it matters! That’s so cool!” Gen blurts, eyes wide and sparkling with genuine awe. You can’t help but smile at his enthusiasm.

You shrug lightly, glancing up at the curved rooflines and wooden beams. “I never thought of it as special. The dojo’s been in my family for generations. Growing up, almost every classmate had something similar—a shrine, a dojo, a tea house. That’s just how it is out here in the countryside.”

Gen lets out a low whistle, gaze sweeping across the courtyard. “Still… yours feels different. Feels like it has so much history.”

Before you can reply, two small figures dart out from behind the main building, voices bright and high. “You’re here! You’re here!”

You laugh as they crash into you, arms wrapping around your waist. “Hey, Hanako! Kanao! You’ve both gotten so tall!”

They peer up at Gen with wide, curious eyes, whispering loudly to each other before one finally blurts, “And who’s that?”

You glance up at him. He’s standing there awkwardly, one hand rubbing the back of his neck, trying to look smaller than his broad frame will allow.

“This is Gen,” you say, voice warm. “My… boyfriend.”

Gen bows instinctively. “Nice to meet you both.”

The twins exchange a look, then giggle. “Boyfriend! Oooooh.” They scurry off toward the main house, shouting, “Auntie! She brought her boyfriend!”

You groan softly, burying your face in your hands. “Oh god, that’s it. The entire family will know in five seconds.”

Gen laughs, the sound bubbling out of him. “I think they’d find out anyway. You said ‘boyfriend’ pretty loud, you know.”

You elbow him gently, though your cheeks are warm. “Don’t start.”

The sound of sliding doors announces your mother’s arrival, a towel draped over her shoulder and an apron tied around her waist. Her expression brightens immediately. “You made it! And you must be Captain Narumi. I’ve heard plenty about you.”

Gen straightens up so fast it’s almost comical. “Ma’am, thank you for having me.”

Your mother’s smile softens. “Oh, such polite manners. You’ll fit right in here. Come, come—your father’s already setting up the booth for the festival. We could use some strong hands.”

“Strong hands? You’re in luck,” you tease, glancing up at Gen as he follows your mother into the courtyard. “I brought the strongest one I know.”

Gen snorts. “Don’t jinx it, or I’ll accidentally drop a booth wall on myself.”

You grin. “That’d still impress Dad more than if you didn’t try at all.”

Your mother leads the two of you through the open courtyard, the old wooden boards creaking softly beneath your feet. The scent of cedar and tatami fills the air, carried by the crisp autumn breeze. Paper lanterns hang from the eaves, half-finished, ready for the festival.

From the corner of your eye, you can already spot your father, in his old indigo gi, sleeves rolled to his elbows, hammering away at a wooden stall frame with focused precision. He doesn’t look up until your mother calls out, “Dear! They’re here!”

Your father straightens, setting his tools aside and wiping his hands on a rag. His sharp eyes land on Gen immediately. For a moment, he says nothing. Just studies him. You feel Gen tense next to you, shoulders drawn back like he’s standing at inspection.

Then your father smiles, slow and approving. “So, this is the one who’s been making my daughter smile lately.”

Gen bows, deep and respectful, you've never seen him like this. “Yes, sir. Gen Narumi. It’s an honor to meet you.”

Your father’s grin widens just a touch. “Hmm. Good stance. You train?”

“A little,” Gen admits, rubbing at his neck. “Mostly combat drills, nothing traditional. I’d probably embarrass myself here.”

“Every man embarrasses himself the first time in my dojo,” your father says, chuckling. “It’s what makes him better the second time.”

You watch as the two of them shake hands — your father’s strong, calloused grip meeting Gen’s equally rough one. The gesture feels like a test and an acceptance all at once.

“Come,” your father says, gesturing to the half-built booth. “If you’re going to steal my daughter’s time this weekend, you can make yourself useful.”

“Yes, sir,” Gen replies instantly, already rolling up his sleeves. You catch the faintest trace of a smile tugging at your father’s lips as he turns away.

Your mother leans toward you with a grin. “He’s wonderful,” she whispers, before heading off toward the kitchen. Luckily she gets to see the behaved side of him, not the screaming tantrum throwing toddler that he can be and that somehow, you also love just as much as the rest of him.

And as Gen starts helping buildingthe wooden booth to sell traditional candy, hammering boards into place and stringing decorations, you catch your cousins spying from behind the sliding door, giggling again. Every time you glance their way, they vanish in a flurry of whispers and tiny feet.

Gen notices too, smirking. “Are they always like that?”

“Only when they think they’re being sneaky,” you reply, trying not to laugh.

“They’re terrible spies,” Gen says under his breath, his eyes soft with amusement. “Cute, though. Guess I’m not as scary as they thought.”

You tilt your head, watching him tie a beam into place with practiced ease. “You? Scary? Not when you’re smiling like that.”

He pauses, glancing over at you, that small, genuine smile still lingering. "Like what?" He asks playfully, and you asnwer "Like an idiot."

He chuckles, “Then I’ll make sure to keep smiling. Don’t want to ruin my first impression with the in-laws.”

You snort. “You’re doing great already.”

While Gen stays outside helping your father assemble the booth frame, you head into the kitchen, where the air is filled with the smell of simmering broth and sizzling tempura oil. Your mother and aunt are in their element — aprons on, sleeves rolled up, moving with a kind of wordless rhythm only people who’ve cooked together for decades can have. You feel like a small girl again, standing beside them, admiring and hoping to get handed some snacks to bridge the time to dinner.

The moment you step inside, though, both pairs of eyes land on you.

“So,” your aunt begins, a sly smile tugging at her lips. “That’s him, isn’t it?”

You can’t help the small laugh that escapes you. “If you mean Gen—yes, that’s him.”

Your mother hums thoughtfully, stirring the miso soup. “He’s very polite. A little stiff, but that’s to be expected. He’s nervous.”

“He’s cute when he’s nervous,” your aunt adds. “But more importantly—” she points a wooden spoon at you “—he treats you right, doesn’t he?”

“Yes!” you say quickly, holding up your hands as if to defend him. “He’s the best, honestly. I don’t think I’ve ever been treated with this much patience before.”

Your mother pauses mid-stir. “Patience? You mean he’s kind to you when you’re upset?”

The lump in your throat forms before you can stop it. You glance at the steaming pot, watching the way the light reflects off the surface. “Yeah… I had a bad episode a few months ago. My ex—he showed up at work. Things got… ugly.”

Your aunt’s eyes narrow instantly and she frowns. The type of expression she'd look at a rodent with. But to her, your ex and a rodent are one and the same, perhaps he's even worse. “Ugly how?”

“He said some cruel things. I panicked and blacked out. Gen—he got to me right away, stayed until I woke up in the infirmary. Apparently, he… might have broken my ex’s nose.” You smile faintly at the memory. At the secret satisfaction you had felt. “I’ve never seen him that angry before. Not even when fighting Kaiju. But afterward, he was just...gentle. Took care of me. Never blamed me for anything. Just said he was glad I was safe.”

Your mother and aunt exchange a look, a soft kind of approval passing between them. “You two really love each other, don’t you?”

You nod, cheeks warming. “Yeah. We do.”

And right on cue, the sliding door creaks open behind you.

Strong arms wrap around your waist, a familiar warmth of a muscular chest pressing against your back. “Booth’s done,” Gen murmurs against your neck, his voice low and content. “Dinner smells great, can’t wait.”

You laugh, leaning into him. “You’ll have to. Another thirty minutes at least. Go relax in the living room, alright?”

He hums in acknowledgment and presses a kiss to your cheek before letting go. “Yes, ma’am.”

Your aunt watches him leave, shaking her head. “He really doesn’t take his eyes off you, does he?”

You can only smile. “Not if he can help it.”

When you finally go to call everyone for dinner, you stop in the doorway. The sight that greets you makes your heart ache in the sweetest way.

Gen is sitting cross-legged on the tatami, surrounded by your cousins and an army of Kaiju and Gundam figures. He’s mid-story, dramatically reenacting a battle scene with full sound effects and gestures. The kids are hanging off every word, eyes wide and sparkling with wonder.

“And then,” Gen says, holding up a toy mech suit, “the Captain swoops in—bam! Right hook! Kaiju down!”

The kids cheer, clapping and bouncing in place. You lean against the doorframe, smiling so wide your cheeks hurt.

Your mother appears beside you, whispering softly, “He fits right in.”

“Yeah,” you whisper back, eyes never leaving him. “He really does.”

The dining table is laid out beautifully — lacquered bowls, steaming plates of grilled fish, vegetables, and rice, the smell of home and hearth mixing with faint sandalwood from the tatami mats. Everyone settles in, cross-legged around the low table, and you can tell Gen’s trying very hard to sit politely despite being far too tall for the setup. His knees are nearly touching his chest, and you have to bite back a grin.

Your father raises a cup of sake. “To family, and to the festival tomorrow.”

The others echo the toast, and then chopsticks clatter and conversation fills the air.

It doesn’t take long before the focus shifts.

“So, Gen,” your aunt starts innocently, and you already feel your stomach sink. “We’ve heard a lot about you.”

Gen swallows a bite of rice and smiles. “All good things, I hope?”

“Oh, mostly,” your mother chimes in, exchanging a mischievous glance with your aunt. “Though we’ve heard you have quite the temper when it comes to protecting our girl.”

He blinks, startled for just a second before his hand finds your thigh beneath the table. His thumb rubs slow, grounding circles against your skin. “Only when someone deserves it,” he answers smoothly.

Your uncle chuckles. “That’s fair enough. You’ll need that spirit for the festival setup tomorrow.”

Conversation drifts to the food, the weather, the dojo… until your aunt can’t help herself. “You know,” she says, setting down her chopsticks, “she used to think the west wing of the dojo was haunted.”

You groan softly. “Auntie, please—”

“She was convinced,” your mother adds, laughing, “that there was a ghost monk wandering the corridor. Wouldn’t go near it even in broad daylight.”

Gen’s shoulders shake with barely-contained laughter. He bites the inside of his cheek and still manages to giggle. “You? Afraid of a ghost monk?”

“I was seven!” you protest, but the damage is done, the whole table is laughing now, and Gen’s grin is wide and fond. He leans toward you just enough to whisper, “Don’t worry, if the monk shows up, I’ll protect you.”

You roll your eyes, but you’re smiling too. “You better!”

Your father clears his throat with mock seriousness. “She wasn’t afraid of everything, though. In fact, she used to be the best Kyudo archer in the prefecture. Her aim was flawless.”

You wave a hand. “That was ages ago.”

Gen looks genuinely impressed now. “You never told me that.”

You shrug. “Didn’t think it mattered.”

He shakes his head. “Everything about you matters.”

That earns him a few soft “awws” and a teasing whistle from your cousins. You can feel your cheeks warming, but his hand squeezes your thigh again, reassuring and steady. The smile he gives you, so bright, boyish, and adoring, makes the rest of the teasing fade into the background.

By the time the dishes are cleared and laughter still lingers in the air, it feels like something has settled, like Gen has quietly, seamlessly become part of this space. The old dojo, the family, the warmth.

It takes some convincing, but after dinner your father insists on pouring Gen a glass of sake “for the road to bed,” which turns into three. The laughter grows louder, cheeks flushed all around. Gen’s laugh, low, warm, and unguarded, mingles with your mother’s, and for a second it’s hard to remember that this man kills Kaiju for a living. Here, he’s just… part of it. Part of you.

When you finally stand, swaying just a little, Gen loops an arm around your waist. “We should probably call it a night before your uncle brings out the good bottle,” he murmurs against your temple. You giggle, bid everyone goodnight, and stumble up the narrow stairs together, trying your hardest to keep quiet.

Your room is exactly how you left it. The same pale walls, the soft lamp, the collage of photos tacked above the desk—friends, family, and a few younger versions of yourself. A row of stuffed animals guards the headboard, and the bed looks comically small compared to Gen’s broad frame.

He steps inside, blinking at the sight. “This is… cozy.”

“Tiny, you mean.”

“I was trying to be polite.”

You snort, setting your bag down. “It’s just for sleeping, so keep your thoughts clean, Captain.”

Gen raises a brow, mouth twitching. “What, no ‘welcome home’ sexy time in your old bed?”

“Not with my cousins sleeping next door!” you hiss, swatting at his arm.

He grins, hands up in mock surrender. “Right, right. Pure intentions only.”

You both change, him in a simple T-shirt and sweats, you in one of his shirts that’s somehow found its way into your overnight bag. The wooden floors creak softly as you climb into bed, and you can’t help but laugh when he follows, folding himself into the small space like a contortionist.

“See? Fits just fine,” he mumbles as you end up half on top of him, legs tangled. His chest is a solid pillow beneath your cheek, the steady beat of his heart syncing with yours. His hand finds your back, tracing idle patterns over your spine.

After a while, in the quiet hum of the countryside night, Gen’s voice rumbles low. “Your family is…”

“A lot?” you mumble sleepily, smiling against his chest.

He chuckles. “I was going to say warm. Welcoming. They made me feel like I belonged here.”

You tilt your head up to look at him. “You do. This can be your family too, if you want. Does it… hurt? Remind you of what you didn’t have?”

He’s quiet for a long moment, staring at the ceiling. When he finally speaks, it’s soft. “No. It just makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside. Like I get to have it now… with you.”

Your chest tightens at the honesty in his voice. You curl closer, brushing your lips against the skin of his throat. “Then it’s yours. Always.”

He hums, arms tightening around you until the world narrows to the smell of old wood and the sound of his heartbeat.

It’s strange, you think as your eyes flutter shut, how seamlessly Gen Narumi, your lazy, stubborn, paper-avoiding captain, has slipped so easily into the role of perfect son-in-law. Everyone took to him instantly, as if they’d been waiting for him all along.

Maybe he’s not the best behind a desk, but he’s perfect at this—at belonging, at loving, at making a family feel whole again. And as you drift toward sleep, his warmth and the sound of the crickets outside are all you need to know that he’s home now.

Sunlight filters through the paper shoji, a soft warmth brushing over Gen’s face. His first groggy thought is that the pillow smells like you. His second is that you’re not there.

He blinks himself awake, hair sticking up wildly, the faint echo of laughter floating in through the open window. Downstairs, someone’s clattering dishes, and the air smells faintly of miso and rice. He drags on a fresh T-shirt and a pair of shorts, runs a hand through his messy hair, and heads out, blinking against the crisp morning light.

Your mother spots him from the garden, hanging laundry. “Ah, Narumi-kun! Good morning!” she calls, cheerful as ever. “You slept well?”

Gen rubs his neck, sheepish. “Uh, yeah. Sorry for… sleeping in. Think the sake took me down.”

She laughs softly. “No need to apologize. She’s over at the archery range, the twins begged for a demonstration. They’re just across from the dojo building.”

“Archery range,” he repeats under his breath, smirking faintly. “Of course she’s showing off already.”

The morning air is cool and bright as he crosses the courtyard, gravel crunching under his feet. He hears it before he sees it, the twang of the bowstring, the quiet gasp of the twins, and then the crisp thunk of an arrow hitting the target.

You stand at the end of the range, clad in a black hakama, hair tied back neatly. The long bow gleams under the sun, and your posture is flawless, balanced, steady, graceful. You loose another arrow, and it sinks dead-center.

The twins cheer, jumping up and down, and you laugh, an easy, bright sound that makes something warm settle in Gen’s chest. Perhaps the most beautiful thing he's ever heard.

He leans against the doorway, grinning. “If I’d known you’re this good at shooting,” he calls, “I’d have hired you as a soldier instead of my secretary.”

You turn, raising a brow, bow still in hand. “You didn’t hire me at all, Captain. Eji did.”

Gen snorts. “Technicality.”

You smirk. “No, fact.”

He strolls closer, hands tucked in the pockets of his shorts, eyes running over the targets lined up at the far end. “Guess I should be glad, though. If you’d joined the ranks, you’d have my job by now.”

“Probably,” you say lightly, teasingly, not missing a beat.

He laughs, shaking his head. “God, you’re cocky when you’re holding a weapon.”

You ready another arrow, your lips quirking. “And you’re mouthy for someone who knows I could outshoot him blindfolded.”

That earns a low chuckle from him, warm and genuine. He stands behind you now, close enough that his shadow spills over yours. “Show me again,” he murmurs, softer. “How you breathe before you shoot.”

You glance at him over your shoulder, a teasing glint in your eyes. “So now you want to learn from me?”

“Maybe,” he says, voice low. “Or maybe I just like watching you do something that makes you shine.”

You roll your eyes, but your smile gives you away. The twins giggle nearby, oblivious, already asking for another round. You step back to let them try, and Gen watches, arms folded, a fond look softening his sharp features.

For a man who’s spent his life fighting monsters, he looks utterly at peace here, watching you laugh in the sunlight, bow in hand, surrounded by family.

By the time the sun starts to dip, the festival grounds are nearly ready. The air hums with the sound of cicadas and laughter, paper lanterns swaying gently from the eaves. From somewhere near the house, the smell of grilled yakitori drifts through the air.

Your mother and aunt had swept you away hours ago, insisting you had to wear one of their old kimono. It’s deep crimson silk, soft against your skin, tied with a cream obi that your mother adjusted at least three times. “You’ll steal his breath,” she’d murmured proudly, and you rolled your eyes but couldn’t quite fight the smile tugging at your lips.

Meanwhile, your father had apparently taken it upon himself to make Gen presentable. You hear faint curses from down the hall, his voice muffled, exasperated, followed by your dad’s easy laughter.

You’re halfway down the engawa when Gen looks up from where your father is fussing with the collar of his borrowed kimono. The world stops.

The chatter, the cicadas, the smell of grilled yakitori somewhere beyond the garden — all of it just fades. For a beat, there’s only the soft rustle of silk as you step into the light.

He blinks once, twice, as if his brain needs time to catch up. The deep brown of his borrowed hakama suddenly feels too warm, too heavy. You’re radiant, the deep crimson of your mother’s kimono blooming with cream colored leaves and gold thread, hair pinned up with an ornate hair pin so a few strands brush your neck. The late-afternoon sun catches on you like it’s jealous of your glow.

“...I might just go down on my knees,” he mutters before his brain can filter the thought.

Your eyes widen. “Don’t you dare,” you whisper, cheeks already burning.

“Can you blame me?” His voice comes out rough, half a laugh, half a confession. “You look— I don’t even have words. You’re like…” He trails off, shaking his head. “You’re unreal.”

You roll your eyes, but you’re smiling. He takes a hesitant step closer, the wood creaks softly beneath his sandals. When his hand finds yours, his thumb brushes over your knuckles with a trembling gentleness that betrays how undone he is.

“You clean up pretty well yourself, Captain,” you tease, eyes gliding over the dark fabric that suits him far too well. “Didn’t think traditional wear could look that good on a soldier.”

“Don’t say that,” he murmurs, gaze dropping to where your fingers rest against his chest. “My heart’s already working overtime.”

You can feel it, that wild, erratic thump beneath your palm. He laughs quietly, breath unsteady. “It’s embarrassing,” he admits, leaning closer so only you can hear. “Every time I look at you, it feels like I’m being hit by something big. Like a kaiju-sized emotion I can’t fight.”

You tilt your head, meeting his eyes. They’re wide and soft and so full of you. “Then don’t fight it,” you whisper softly.

For a second, it’s just the two of you, the smell of cedar, the weight of his heartbeat under your hand, the distant laughter of your family somewhere behind you.

Gen exhales slowly, the sound almost reverent. “You’re going to kill me,” he says, smiling, voice breaking with affection. “And I think I’d die happy.”

You can’t tell who moves first,, maybe it’s both of you, pulled in by the same invisible thread. Gen dips his head, his breath brushing against your temple before his lips find the crown of your head. It’s barely a kiss, just the softest press of warmth and reverence, but it sends something fluttering through you all the same.

He lingers there for a second longer, breathing you in, grounding himself in the scent of your shampoo and the quiet hum of the moment. His hands tighten around yours, thumbs still tracing idle patterns like he’s afraid you’ll slip away if he stops.

Then—

“Alright, lovebirds!” your aunt’s voice cuts through the still air like a blade.“Pictures! Before the light’s gone!”

The spell shatters.

You jump slightly, face heating, while Gen straightens so fast he nearly trips on his own kimono. His ears are bright red.

Your mother’s laughing softly from the porch, waving her phone. “Come on now, get closer! You two look like you just walked out of a wedding catalogue!”

Gen blinks, mortified, but your father’s already ushering everyone into place, the twins tugging on Gen’s sleeve, the aunts adjusting your sash, your grandmother fussing about how tall he is and how well he fills out the kimono.

And then it’s all laughter and shuffling feet and the clicking of cameras, but even as Gen wraps an arm carefully around your waist for the photo, you can feel the faint tremor in his hand, the afterglow of that quiet, private moment still echoing between you.

When the flash goes off, you glance up at him, he’s still looking at you, smiling like he can’t quite believe any of this is real.

By the time the lanterns are lit, the whole town feels dipped in gold. The air hums with the sound of drums, laughter, and the faint crackle of food stalls heating oil. Paper ribbons flutter from bamboo poles, and the smell of grilled squid, sweet soy, and roasted chestnuts laces the night breeze.

You walk beside Gen, your hand tucked easily into his, though “tucked” might be generous. His hand completely engulfs yours, warm and protective, his thumb brushing over your knuckles in a rhythm that matches the music. Every time someone calls his name, one of your cousins or the festival volunteers, he gives a polite nod but never really looks away from you.

You stop at a takoyaki stand, the vendor already smiling at you knowingly. “A couple’s portion?” he teases, and you both stammer out denials that fool absolutely no one.

Gen tries to blow on one of the steaming balls and promptly burns his tongue. You can’t help laughing, and he glares, or tries to, cheeks puffed, eyes watering. You offer him one from your own tray, holding it out with the toothpick, and he leans in obediently, lips brushing your fingers as he takes it. The tiny, accidental touch makes you go still for a second.

“You’re doing that on purpose,” you mutter.

He grins, a little sheepish, a little smug. “Maybe.”

From there it’s easy, games, snacks, the rhythm of taiko drums echoing somewhere in the distance. He wins you a tiny plush fox at the ring toss, then insists it’s good luck and clips it to your small bag. You laugh so hard your cheeks ache.

When the fireworks are about to start, you tug him toward a small hill at the edge of the festival grounds, away from the crowds, where you used to sit as a kid with your friends to watch the lights. The grass is cool beneath your feet; the night sky stretches wide and waiting.

Gen lowers himself beside you with a sigh, stretching his legs out and leaning back on his palms. For a moment, it’s quiet, just cicadas singing, distant chatter, and the soft sound of your breaths falling in sync.

Then he breaks the silence, voice low. “Thank you.”

You turn to him, surprised. “For what?”

He glances at you, eyes reflecting the lanterns below. “For bringing me here. For… letting me have this.” His hand gestures vaguely toward the glow of the festival, the laughter drifting up the hill, then toward you. “For giving me a family. For being my family.”

Your chest tightens, warmth blooming behind your ribs.

He swallows hard, gaze dropping. “I didn’t know what I was missing until I saw it. All this noise, this warmth. It’s like my world just… got bigger.”

You squeeze his hand. “Then I’m glad. Because you’re stuck with us now.”

His head tilts, eyes soft. “That’s the best thing anyone’s ever told me.”

The first firework cracks open the sky, a bloom of gold and silver that spills across both of your faces. You turn to look at Gen, just as he turns to look at you, and the world seems to still between one heartbeat and the next.

For a moment he just watches you, his eyes searching, reverent. The lights flicker across his features, highlighting the faint curve of a smile, the softness that’s rarely visible in daylight. His hand finds your cheek, rough thumb brushing over your skin like he’s memorizing every inch.

Then, quietly, like a prayer, he leans in.

His nose brushes yours first, a small, almost clumsy touch that makes you both smile. The scent of summer rain and faint smoke lingers on him, familiar and grounding. He hesitates, his breath catching, a silent question, and when you tilt forward, closing that last sliver of space, his breath leaves him in a sigh.

The kiss is gentle at first. Warm. Testing. The kind that speaks of awe more than hunger. He kisses you again, slower this time, his hand sliding from your cheek to cradle the back of your head, holding you like something precious.

The fireworks explode above, painting the night in red and blue, their light flashing behind your closed eyelids. It feels as though the whole world has folded down to this, his mouth moving softly against yours, his heartbeat thudding steady under your palm, your breath mingling in the narrow space between.

When he finally pulls back, he doesn’t go far. His forehead rests against yours, his breath trembling with something too big for words. You can feel his smile, the faint curve of it brushing your skin.

“You know,” he murmurs, voice roughened by emotion, “I think this is what peace feels like.”

You smile, your thumb tracing the stubble on his jaw. “Yeah,” you whisper, eyes still closed. “Me too.”

Another firework bursts overhead, showering you both in light, and when you open your eyes, his are already on you, full of wonder and quiet devotion, like you’re the brightest thing in the whole world.

A/N: Yayy another part and another opportunity for me to remind you all of the fact that Gen is an orphan ヾ(*'ω'*)ﾉ tee hee

"yes. it's very rare—too rare. in fact, i'm starting to think you got possessed." hasegawa sighs but didn't protest further. oh well, who is he to complain? at least he doesn't have to go out of his way to drag narumi out of the office. he thinks that this is a great first step to the guy becoming a better captain.

what's happening in narumi's head, though, is strikingly different compared to what hasegawa thinks.

he bought a new pomade, a new cologne, and even got a new pair of shoes to walk around in—something that he rarely spends his money on, just to impress you. and you haven't blushed at the spectacular sight of him at all. not even once. heck, you even avoid his gaze when he looks at you.

why?! is he not attractive enough?! and even if that is the case to you, then that must mean you're blind! not that he'd care that much, of course. maybe just a little. probably. besides, narumi knows very well how people in the first division look at him—with respect, awe, and admiration.

so, why is it that whenever you talk to him, you always look at him as if he's a regular civilian and not japan's strongest?

he grits his teeth in annoyance before muttering under his breath, "tch, what went wrong..?!" and, to be honest, hasegawa would like to know, too. because narumi hasn't moved a single inch from his position in the doorway. if anyone were to pass by the two right now, they'd think narumi is insane.

"ooh, vice captain hasegawa! and captain narumi, too!"

narumi snapped out of his thoughts the moment he heard a familiar voice. it's you. you?! wait, he's not ready yet! his entire posture stiffened for a second, like his soul was just yanked away from his body. he immediately looked away, avoiding your gaze.

"platoon leader... why're you not training yet, ay?" he blurted out, intentionally making his voice sound ominous. "are ya tryin' to slack off? huh? huh?? that's not good, ya know..." he scolded you while staring at the ground—one hand dramatically covering his left eye like some kind of a middle school villain.

you physically cringed at the sight. "vice captain, what's with him?"

"i don't know. don't associate me with him."

narumi purses his lips as he mentally beat himself up for acting so childish. why did he even do that? now you'll think he's weird and creepy! what if you take a picture of this and post it online, too? now everyone's going to think he's weird and creepy!

he quickly thought of a way to save himself from the embarrassment:

a) composes himself and tell you to never mention this to anyone. b) act nonchalant and walk to the training ground. c) apologize for acting weird. d) flee

and of course, being the responsible captain of the first divison he is, narumi chooses to—"woah! captain, wait up!" you try to reach out to grab narumi's hand, but he was way faster than you. "... he ran away." you mutter to yourself while looking at narumi's back.

"he said he was going to train, but that's not even the direction of the training ground." hasegawa places his hands on his hips like a disappointed mother. really, why can't narumi just be a good example for once?

"awh, i was gonna give these to him ..." you sighed, clutching the brown paper bag tighter in your hands. hasegawa quirks a brow. "oh, i didn't notice it earlier. but," he points. "what is that in your hands?"

"hm? ah, i... bought a few donuts earlier. and i wanted to give these to him. but it seems like he didn't even want to talk to me..." you mutter lowly in disappointment. maybe you shouldn't give these to him after all? "...oh." hasegawa's mouth curls into a small smile.

"oh?" you repeat.

"i can't believe there's one more dense people in this division."

"w-what do you mean?"

"you should go ahead and search for narumi."

narumi crouched behind the medical department, face buried in his hands. why did he even go all the way from his office to here anyway? so stupid. he shouldn't have ran away like that.

"gaah, this is so stupid. i did all that and for what?" his shoulders slumped in shame. he assumed you thought that he was embarrassing before. but now? it's dead end. you probably also think he's weird.

"now they're not gonna give me a chance ..."

"who's not gonna give you a chance?"

he quickly straightens his posture upon hearing your voice, though he immediately regrets the motion—because now his back hurts like hell. "you! uh, i mean ... you. why'd ya keep showing up wherever i am? stalking me or something?" he narrows his eyes. "if you want my autograph, you could've—"

his words were interrupted when he felt a sense of warmth on his cheek. it was a brown paper bag, and it smelled like donuts. "sorry for startling you, captain. but i bought a few donuts for you, and i didn't want it to go cold without you taking a bite from it."

"donuts?" he finally looked at you in the eyes, his head tilted curiously. when you nodded at his words, he scoffed lightly. "... 'm not some type of kid who'll forgive you if you give me food, y'know." he muttered lowly. forgive? what did you even do?

"i know you're not a kid. you look old enough to have kids."

"huh? i'm actually still pretty young, thank you very much."

you two stared at each other in silent before you laughed. this interaction felt so ridiculous—it reminded you of that one time you sneaked out of the orphanage with narumi to buy a new game. "why are you acting all awkward with me? we used to be friends, you know."

"i'm not acting all awkward! i'm acting pretty normal." he scowls at you, though the corner of his eye twitches at the word 'used'. are the two of you not friends anymore? he admits that you rarely spend time together due to the difference in ranks. but still, what is he to you?

"sooo—are you not gonna say something?" you whistled, breaking the awkward silence once again.

"what're you trying to say?" he furrowed his brows.

"i'm trying to get you to say something."

narumi exhales sharply, like he's forcing words that got stuck halfway up his throat. his voice is lower now as he looks away from you. "... i don't know if all that fight with kaijus made you dumb or what," he lets out a breathless laugh when you gasp dramatically. "but is it that hard to notice?"

"i got a new cologne. even got new shoes." he paused, still not looking at you. though when his scowl turned into a pout, you can't help but let out a snort. "what's funny?! i'm getting in my feels here."

"pfft, sorry. you kinda look like a kid there. congrats about your new stuff, though." you mockingly mimicked his pout, making his ears flush red in embarrassment. "shut up. thought you said i'm old enough to have kids ... ehem, anyways. what i'm tryin' to say is, i did all that for you."

"for me?"

"yeah." he finally looks at you now. "but you still talked to me like i'm some loser in the neighborhood. like i'm not your captain. like i ain't japan's strongest." he takes a step forward. his voice may sound harsh and stern, but his face is a deep shade of red.

narumi isn't one to be vulnerable about his feelings. even you, his childhood friend, never really see his true side. so, to see him getting this worked up over something makes you feel a little guilty for whatever you did to him.

"but y'know what annoys me most? that it bothers me. you, not noticing me at all. it's getting to my head, and we're not even high schoolers anymore." he clenches his fist, "and i'd rather die than saying this again, so you better listen to me."

"i like you."

"i like you so much, it's messing with my head. i keep losing in my games, can't sleep right, or fight without trying to make sure you're okay. or something." he confessed, though his gaze was anywhere but on you. narumi is trying everything to not break from how embarrassingly childish this confession was, and you can see it clearly with how he keeps fiddling with his own thumbs.

"so if you're gonna reject me, do it now. i'll get over it easily anyway. eventually, maybe. probably."

your response, however, confuses narumi even more. "pfft—bwahaha! you.. you like me? narumi gen, the strongest there is, likes me? a platoon leader?" you continue to laugh at his confession, irritating narumi.

"so what if i do?!"

"haha ... huft, i mean, it's not like you weren't obvious about it." you stopped laughing once you saw his face contort into that of despair. "you suddenly walked into training one day with a new watch on your wrist, new shoes, and you smelled like a perfume shop. it's very easy to guess that you're trying to impress someone."

he crosses his arms, giving you a look that says, 'so what?'. you smile at the sight. "though i'd never guess that 'that someone' would be me. i'm very honored, you know. to have caught the gaze of japan's strongest."

"you should be."

"sigh, you and your ego ..."

"so, is that it? not gonna give me a speech about how you're disgusted by me or something? well, that's not possible, actually. i'm so good looking that flowers bloom everywhere i go." now this time, it's your turn to scowl at him. how can someone be so bad at flirting and also dense at the same time?

"are you stupid?" you quipped.

"hey, there's no need to call me stupid! you were the one who—"

"i like you too, idiot."

.

.

bonus:

ping!

narumi : do you at least liked the cologne? narumi : i spent 8k yen on it 😕 you : girl sybau 😭💔