Kazuha-nee and I talked a bit more after that kiss that lasted a few minutes. We moved from topic to topic, mostly about our personal lives as we wanted to know more about each other. She asked about my childhood, clearly intrigued at what actually led to beco the person that I am now other than the things that I revealed to her. Likewise, Kazuha-nee told more about her life and her family. Her aspirations and what she's looking forward to in the future.
She's not looking to be a very successful woman but at the very least, she wants to be independent. Soone who can stand on her own two feet.
She told she's saving up to buy her own house.
Kazuha-nee’s aspirations painted an image of soone who valued both independence and self-reliance. Quite a contrast to the tangled web of emotions that had brought us together.
Listening to her talk about her dreams, I could see her in that house she wanted. Decorated in her style, a space where she could breathe freely, unburdened by obligations or expectations. Would I be there with her? I couldn't quite picture it yet but that's for Kazuha-nee to decide since I also have my own aspiration for us.
“You’ve really thought about this a lot,” I said as she finished outlining her plans, her eyes alight with determination.
“Of course. I’m not like you, Ruki-kun. I don’t have the luxury of just... floating around until things fall into place.” She gave a pointed look, though her tone was light.
“I don’t just float, Kazuha-nee. I’m more like a kite. Anchored, but I fly where the wind takes . It's not like I'm doing nothing. For my current capability, I'm maximizing everything that I can accomplish. Of course, as they say, money makes the world go round and even if it can't always buy happiness, it's a necessity for a comfortable life.”
“Sure, a shaless kite,” She muttered thoughtfully as she stared at as though looking at soone her age, “Anyway, what about you? Where do you see yourself in, say... five years?”
“Five years?” I echoed, leaning back on the bench to look up at the stars while my arm draped around her shoulder, “I'll probably be in a place where I can make everyone I care about happy. That includes you, Kazuha-nee.”
Her cheeks flushed at my response, and she quickly turned her head to avoid my gaze. “Idiot... You can’t just say things like that so casually. And you sounded so ambitious by then. You think you can accomplish that in five years?”
“I won't say I can since complacency is not equal to confidence. Without certainty, I can only hope my plans for the future will bear fruit."
She didn’t respond imdiately, but the way her fingers fidgeted with the edge of her hoodie betrayed her inner turmoil. Finally, she let out a resigned sigh and looked back at . “You’re impossible, Ruki-kun. But I'm intrigued. I want to see more of what you can do...”
She didn’t respond imdiately, but the way her fingers fidgeted with the edge of her hoodie betrayed her inner turmoil. Finally, she let out a resigned sigh and looked back at . “You’re impossible, Ruki-kun. But I'm intrigued. I want to see more of what you can do...”
"Hmm? Am I finally getting your sweet yes, Kazuha-nee?"
"Idiot. That's not it. Your relationships are too complex. Since you're still not bogged down by different responsibilities as an adult, you can still freely do anything you want. But what about the won around you? Not everyone is as mature as you. So may be illusioned by their feelings for you but once they enter the society, reality may slap them awake. I want to see more of what you can do by being close to you but, Ruki-kun, you can't expect to bet everything on you."
Kazuha-nee's words, as sharp as they were insightful, resonated deeply with .
She wasn't wrong. My relationships, tangled as they were, operated in a space shielded from many of the harsh realities of life. The kind of life adults like her had to navigate every day. The simplicity and purity of youthful love might not survive in the storm of societal expectations and real-world responsibilities.
But then again, this was a topic that many of us already touched on as soon as they signed up for our complex relationship. They were maturing alongside in order to keep up and stay with . That's why... I find all my girls precious. They're all willing to take on the challenges together with .
True. So of them still have outstanding problems that need to be solved. But once those were resolved, they'd also be the sa as everyone.
Kazuha-nee's gaze remained on , unwavering but tinged with sothing unreadable. Concern, surely. And maybe curiosity about how I would respond to her blunt observation.
"I don't expect you to bet on , Kazuha-nee. You've known as this shaless guy, after all. If anything, I respect that you're thinking this far ahead. You're considering not just yourself, but the consequences for everyone involved. That's sothing I admire about you. I may have slithered my way into your heart but that shouldn't satisfy you yet. Stay with and allow to show you that I can walk my talk."
Her lips pressed into a thin line as if my response had caught her off guard. Maybe she'd expected to argue or make so grand, sweeping declaration about overcoming all odds.
I continued, "There's a lot I still don't know. And you're right that things could change for any of us as we grow older and take on more responsibilities. But that's precisely why I don't make promises I can't keep, Kazuha-nee. I'm not asking you, or anyone else, for that matter, to bet everything on . I'm just asking for a chance to stand by your side, to prove myself every step of the way."
Kazuha-nee's expression softened, her posture relaxing slightly. She tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, the vulnerability in her movent was such a contrast to her usual confident deanor.
"I want to scold you on how glib you are with weaving your words but I cannot overlook your sincerity. Prove to . No. To us. That you're not just full of hot air. Never forget that."
"Mhm... I won't. Our connection won't just be all about sharing intimate monts."
"This pervert... It better be. I opened myself up to you because I'm expecting more than that."
"I know, Kazuha-nee." I cupped her cheek again before kissing her one more ti.
The mont lingered between us, comfortable and warm despite the cool night air. We finally understand each other on a deeper level.
When it was ti for her to head back, Kazuha-nee stood up reluctantly, brushing off invisible dust from her hoodie. “You better get ho too, Ruki-kun. Don’t make worry about you.”
“Worrying about already, huh? I feel so loved” I teased, earning an eye roll from her.
“Don’t push it.” She paused, her expression softening as she added, “But... ssage when you get ho, okay?”
“Of course, Kazuha-nee. Shall I bring you ho next ti?”
Kazuha-nee hesitated for a mont before nodding. "In your room."
Upon saying that, she quickly dashed away, her ponytail swaying as she turned to the corner. I stayed on the bench, watching her retreating figure until she disappeared into the shadows of the streetlamps.
With a satisfied sigh, I finally stood up and finished my other plans for the night before moving to the station.
The night had turned out far better than I’d expected, and I couldn’t help but feel a little lighter.
When I arrived ho, I sent Kazuha-nee a quick ssage letting her know I was back. Her reply ca almost imdiately:
"Good. Get so rest, Ruki-kun. And don’t stay up too late thinking about ."
I couldn’t help but chuckle, replying with:
"Too late. You’re always on my mind, Kazuha-nee."
Her response was a string of angry emojis followed by a single word:
"Idiot."
Smiling to myself, I pocketed my phone back and stepped into our house where Akane and Miwa-nee and Minoru were waiting for .
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