Flashback 1 year 5 months ago:
Usagi's POV:
He looked right into my eyes, no hesitation this time.
"Say yes to my confession."
Ah—oh… right. We were in the middle of that... That was a confession... I totally forgot with everything going on!
My heart skipped. My brain scrambled.
Guhhh how do I say yes again?! Why is it so sudden?! Now I feel all shy…
I looked away, cheeks warming up, fiddling with the hem of my sleeve. "U-um… c-can I… say it with a nod instead…?"
He just chuckled, and the way he looked at me in that moment—like I was the most precious thing in his entire world—yeah, maybe that was my answer too.
It felt like the world had paused—just us under the sky, with the wind gently brushing past and his eyes looking straight into mine.
It's happening… right? My heart thumped loudly in my chest. Okami-kun… he really just asked me out, right?
I could barely believe it.
"I-It's happening, right? Okami-kun, I mean... this is real, right?" I mumbled, eyes still a little wide as I looked at him. "You asked me out… and we're… we're a thing now… right?"
He blinked once, twice—and then smiled.
Not that half-hearted polite smile, not that broken smile he used to wear around others—this one was different. This one… was real. And it was just for me.
"Yeah," he said softly, stepping closer until our foreheads almost touched. "We are now… a thing. You and me."
I swear my heart melted right there. Yep. It's real.
"Okami-kun, can you… step back, please?" I stammered, feeling my entire face light up like a firework.
He blinked, looking a little startled, then hesitantly took a step back. "Ah… s-sorry…"
"N-no! Don't get me wrong!" I quickly waved my hands, flustered beyond belief. "It's not that I didn't like it or anything—it's just that… you're suddenly so bold and it completely caught me off guard!"
He looked at me, confused at first… then a small, teasing smirk curled on his lips.
And now my heart was racing even more.
"Stop looking at me like that!" I squeaked, burying half my face in my hands. "Geez, you're not supposed to win this fast!"
He looked down, voice trembling with sincerity.
"I'm sorry… I didn't mean to rush you or anything. It's just… I never imagined I'd confess to anyone, not really. I never even realized I felt this way about you… not until I thought you were ignoring me."
He let out a quiet laugh, the kind that hides a storm of emotions behind it.
"And now… now that I know you feel the same way, I just… I can't help it. I want to hold you, even if just once… like it's real. Like you're really here… with me."
His words felt like a soft wind brushing against my heart—gentle, but impossible to ignore.
Hold me? My heart fluttered at the thought. Wait… I want him to hold me too but… hehe, not just yet!
I cleared my throat, trying to hide the pink blooming on my cheeks, and gave him a cheeky grin.
"Uhm~ ahm~ you want to hold me?" I teased, raising a brow.
He gave a small, eager nod, eyes soft and hopeful.
"Then go ahead."
He stepped closer, arms gently reaching for me, and just as he was about to pull me into a hug—
Boop.
I raised a finger between us, pressing it to his chest.
"Nope. Not yet."
His face froze, completely confused, and I smirked.
"Forget it. You're not getting a hug today, mister."
The look on his face? Absolutely priceless.
"Wait, why? Did I do something wrong? Is it too soon for us to be at that point? Sorry, I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable," he said, sounding genuinely worried that he might have overstepped.
Pfft, haha, you're so cute when you're like this, Okami-kun~ Well, you kind of ruined my surprise for your birthday, so now you're getting punished. But don't worry, tomorrow, on your birthday, I'll let you hug me~
He blinked, a little stunned by my laughter, then pouted like a kicked puppy.
"I… messed up your surprise? So this is my punishment…?" he mumbled, scratching the back of his neck, clearly still processing everything.
I leaned closer with a playful grin, "Yup~ You totally ruined it, baka! So, no hugs today!"
"But…" he looked at me with those soft, pleading eyes, and for a second, I almost caved.
Almost.
I gently poked his forehead, giggling. "Nope! Tomorrow, on your birthday—I'll let you hug me then, okay? So be a good boy till then~"
He finally smiled, that soft, genuine smile that always made my heart flutter.
"Okay… I'll wait," he said quietly. "But only because you said it with that smile."
I turned away, cheeks glowing. "Baka… don't say cheesy stuff like that out loud…"
I narrowed my eyes, teasing, "Uhm, I didn't know you could be so cheeky, Okami-kun."
He smiled sheepishly, scratching his cheek. "I'm… surprised myself. I've never felt this way before, never wanted to act like this. But with you… it just feels natural. It's thrilling—and kind of amazing—that you're the reason behind it."
"Ughhh—don't say stuff like that, you're gonna make my heart bounce out of my chest, baka," I muttered, turning away for a second to cool my cheeks. "A-anyway! Let's talk about your birthday, okay?"
I cleared my throat, trying to get back on track. "What about everyone? You think you've got acting skills? 'Cause you have to pretend like you don't know anything, okay? All this surprise stuff—it'll only work if you keep your clueless face on till the very end."
He chuckled and nodded. "I'll do my best… but I might sneak a peek or two at your face for strength."
"Baka…" I whispered under my breath with a smile. Then, hesitating for a moment, I leaned in a little and added softly,
"Uhm… and maybe… after the surprise, we should tell everyone… about us."
"About us?" he murmured, eyes blinking slowly like the words were sinking in.
My face heated up instantly. "Oh—um! No, I mean—only if you want to! Like, really, it's totally up to you. I'm even okay with us keeping it secret for a while if that makes you comfortable. It's your decision too—"
He chuckled softly, and the way he smiled… it melted me a little.
"No. I don't think I could be happier than this, Usagi-chan."
He looked down for a moment, then back at me, eyes softer than ever.
"I… I'd like that. I want to tell them. There's nothing to hide."
He paused, voice gentle now. "I never imagined I'd ever be someone others would be proud to be with… I didn't think I was even worthy of being related to anyone like that. So when you say those words—'about us'—it feels strange... but also kind of…"
He let out a quiet breath, his fingers brushing mine,
"It makes me feel happy. Like I finally found peace."
I stepped a little closer, my voice soft but firm, "I don't know why you always think so lowly of yourself… and honestly, I don't care who made you believe those things. Because deciding whether you're worthy or not... that's not something you get to decide. It's up to the one standing in front of you. The one who sees you."
His lips parted slightly, but no words came out.
I smiled gently, holding his hand. "And anyone who truly gets to know you—truly—would be more than grateful to have someone like you in their life. You're worth cherishing, Okami-kun."
His grip on my hand tightened, just a little.
"People might only see the quiet, gloomy side of you," I continued, "but what they miss… is the real you. The one who's kind, considerate, who cares without expecting anything back."
I looked into his eyes. "You deserve love, Okami-kun. Even if you doubt your worth, know this… You're someone I want to hold close. You're not just worthy. You're precious."
He let go of my hand and turned his back to me, wiping at his eyes quickly—too quickly, like he didn't want me to notice.
I smiled softly, stepping just a little closer.
"Fufu… am I not worthy enough to see your tears, Okami-kun?"
His shoulders tensed. "N-no… it's not that," his voice trembled, low and hesitant. "I just… remembered something."
He paused, and I waited patiently.
"Someone I cared about once said… anyone who chooses to stay by my side will just end up regretting it."
I could hear the weight of those words on him, how deeply they'd settled.
"But now… hearing what you said, I just… I can't hold it back. I'm sorry, it's lame…"
I stepped even closer and gently placed my hand on his back—his broad frame towering over mine. "You're not lame, Okami-kun… not even close."
He didn't turn around yet, but his shoulders trembled beneath my touch.
"That person who said that to you? They were wrong," I whispered gently. "So, so wrong."
"You know what's really lame?" I said, my voice warm but firm. "Thinking love is only for the perfect. Believing someone has to be flawless to be loved, to be chosen. But you… you're real. You're honest. You're growing."
I paused for a second, my fingers curling slightly into his sleeve.
"And even knowing all your flaws and fears… I still choose you, Okami-kun. With all my heart. So no—I will never regret this. Not even for a single second."
I tilted my head, watching him with a curious smile. "Okami-kun… you like writing, right?"
He blinked, finally turning a little to glance down at me confused by suddun question. He just nod.
"Then tell me," I asked gently, "how would you describe love? Is it something perfect? Does someone have to be 'worthy' to deserve it?"
He paused, thoughtful, lips parting as if to answer but nothing came right away.
So, I continued, voice softer now.
"For me… love isn't about perfection. It's not about being worthy either. It's that quiet, stubborn urge to stay by someone's side—just so they never feel lonely."
His eyes locked onto mine.
"It's being a place where they can let down every wall, every mask… show their hidden sides without fear. To feel safe, to feel seen and still loved."
I smiled warmly, reaching up and gently touching the edge of his sleeve. "The world is already so harsh, Okami-kun… so if someone chooses to come to me after all that, I want them to feel like they've finally come home."
I looked up at him and asked softly, "So... what does love mean to you, Okami-kun?"
He wiped his eyes one last time and finally turned to face me. "I don't know," he admitted. "I mean... I write romance stories, yeah. But I've never really received love. Not the romantic kind—and honestly, not even the basic kind."
His voice was calm, but there was a quiet ache in his tone that stung deeper than any shout ever could.
"So… most of the time, I just write the kind of love I wish I had. The kind I dream about getting. I don't know if that counts as knowing love."
I watched him in silence for a moment. His words were so raw, so unguarded. Never received love? Not even in the smallest, simplest way?
Still smiling softly, I leaned closer and teased gently, "Then... tell me, what kind of love would you like to receive, Okami-kun~?"
He blinked at me, surprised by the question, and then, slowly, his lips curved into a small smile. Without warning, he plopped down right where he stood. "You know," he said, looking up at the sky, "exactly what you said earlier—that's the kind of love I want."
I joined him, sitting down beside him in the quiet.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
His voice was quiet, but steady. "Love where I can take off every mask… every wall. Where I don't have to worry about being judged for being myself."
He laughed softly, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Someone once told me I eat too much for someone as skinny as me. That I should stop eating like a pig and save food for someone more 'worthy.'"
I stared at him, frozen. What...?
"And once," he added with a light chuckle, "someone told me I was useless. That I have no talent. That I shouldn't have been born at all. Just a burden on the world."
He smiled again… and I hated that smile. Not because it was fake, but because it hurt. Because it was the kind of smile someone wears when they've already convinced themselves that pain is normal.
He laughed again—but softer this time. More fragile. "And... there's someone I once cared about deeply who told me my voice was trash. Said it hurt their ears. That I was ugly too—like, actually hard to look at."
My breath caught. I couldn't say a word—just watched as he continued, still smiling like it didn't break him.
"Maybe I'm just not someone worth showing off, y'know? I got used to it. Started believing it." He lowered his gaze. "Oh—and there's this one thing that always stuck with me… they told me I smile too much. Said it made me look like an idiot."
His voice cracked, just slightly.
"I used to smile a lot... every day, for no reason. Just to feel okay, I guess." He chuckled again, but there was no joy in it. "They said my smile was ugly. So eventually… I just stopped."
Silence fell between us, only the sound of the wind brushing through the leaves.
"But," he whispered, "sometimes I wonder… if someone out there could just let me be. Not mind how much I eat... or how much I smile. Someone who'd just let me exist, the way I am."
"And now… after meeting you," he continued, his voice barely above a whisper, "and with you here beside me… I think I can finally dream of it. Of being like that… just me."
His eyes met mine, soft and open.
"Yeah… love that doesn't come with conditions. That's what love means to me."
And in that moment, I couldn't hold it anymore.
I lunged forward and hugged him tightly—so tightly that we both tumbled back, him landing on his back. My arms wrapped around him like I was afraid he'd vanish, like he was sand slipping through my fingers.
Tears poured down without permission. I pressed my face into his chest and sobbed.
"O-Okami-kun…" I choked out, voice trembling. "D-Don't say things like that… please…"
Each word hitched in my throat.
"It hurts… it hurts so much hearing you say those things… How could anyone—how dare anyone—say that to you?"
My fingers clutched the fabric of his shirt as I cried harder.
"You're not useless… you're not trash… you're not ugly, or too much, or too little. You're you, Okami-kun. And you deserve love more than anyone I know…"
I cried against his chest, hugging him tighter, my fingers digging into his arms as he held me close. And then… he cried too. Maybe it was the first time he'd ever shared this—ever let himself cry in front of someone.
We both cried for a while, just holding onto each other like we were the only solid things in the world. After a few minutes, the sobs faded. We were breathing hard from all the crying, and I realized I was still on top of him, probably making it hard for him to breathe. I slowly lifted myself up.
Our faces were a mess—eyes red, noses running like waterfalls. We looked at each other and just burst out laughing like a couple of idiots.
As we wiped our tears and sniffled through the laughter, I realized something… For the first time, I wasn't worried about how I looked in front of him. I didn't look cute—and I didn't care. And neither did he.
And when he finally cried, he wasn't embarrassed. He didn't apologize or try to play it off.
That's what love means to us.
Love where you can be completely yourself—and still feel loved. A kind of love that doesn't ask you to hide your pain or wear a mask. A love that feels like home. Safe.