Work Text:
Note In case you haven't read Chapter 71 but are reading anyway. Akari’s birthday is December 25, Jirou's is December 26 they both just turned 18.
December 26, 20## Seishun Academy Apartment 603.
A blank bedroom door opened.
“I get it now!”
A sleepy eyed Akari in a tank top and a pair of shorts stopped in surprise. Her classmate, couple practical “husband”, and now boyfriend, was holding the sign that should be on her door.
“Akari, I get it now!”
“Get what?”
He pointed back and forth from the sign in his hand to the star on the Christmas tree.
“Why your name is written with the character for star!” He held the star shaped sign in front of the tree.“ You're the Christmas star!”
She rubbed her eyes and yawned.
“That's me, do you want a prize or something?”
“A prize, no. It just kind of came to me as I got up this morning.”
“Well you're getting one anyway, Jirou.”
She lifted herself up on tiptoes and pecked him on the lips, then stepped over to the kitchen while he stood frozen in surprise.
“Come on, don't stand there like a fish. Today isn't Sunday.”
“Akari, you kissed me.”
“So? You said it was ok, last night.“
“Listen, I'm sorry. That wasn't a very nice thing to say. So, don't force yourself.”
“Hmm, it was like a super awkward thing to say, but I thought about it and I'm super ok with it.”
“Okay? With kissing?” He awkwardly fidgeted with his hands. “Even…?”
She remembered her intense feelings when they had been making out on the futon with her underneath him as he ran his hands, the hands that made her heart flutter, over her bare skin. A tableau she had seen play out hundreds of times in fiction had happened to her right here in this room. How much more might have happened if Jirou’s study alarm hadn’t interrupted them, had kept her up for hours.
“Okay? I mean totally stoked. Today, you can pretend it's because it's your birthday, or whatever, and we can stop tomorrow if you hate it.”
He scratched the back of his head.
“You’re studying for entrance exams, like what's something that’s denser than lead like super super freaking dense?
“Uh, osmium, it’s the densest element in nature.”
“Listen up, my hunky hunk of osmium. I’ve liked you for a long time and I've been trying every way I could to get your attention since the test of courage at the beach.”
“That long?”
“Duh, Remember our awesome summer date.”
“I thought you just wanted to have some fun. Actually I thought it was a prank.”
“A prank?! What about our “family time” with your cousins?”
“I thought you were bored and you saw an opportunity to tease me. Which you did, but I was used to that by then.”
“Teasing you?!”
She walked back over.
“Like that maid cosplay, the “Jirou's eyes only” swimsuit, and all the times you've rubbed up against me without a bra.”
“The maid cosplay? Oh my gawd, you were such a jerk! If I hadn’t been in love with you no amount of dishwashing would have smoothed that over.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Apology accepted.”
She closed her eyes and tilted her head upwards. Fifteen seconds later she opened her right eye, to find Jirou staring at her. She grabbed the back of his head and then just as their lips touched he finished closing the distance. The seconds and heartbeats ticked away as she melted into his embrace. All too soon, he stopped, as he tried to step back. She stopped him by throwing her arms behind his neck. She hoped he could see the hearts in her eyes as she looked up at him.
“Get used to the idea of kissing to make up, kay.”
She leaned into him, squeezing her chest against his. He overheated and squirmed in her embrace.
“As far as cuddling up against you. Sometimes I was teasing you a little,”
She hugged him tighter and wiggled until her breasts looked like they were about to spill out.
“And sometimes I was teasing you a lot. Who wouldn’t, your reactions are just so freaking adorable. You don’t think I'd do that with just anyone, do you? Because you should understand by now that I wouldn't. I was showing you. I am showing you right now just how safe, happy, and lovey-dovey your Akari feels when she’s close to you.”
“I thought it was…”
She cut him off by pressing a finger to his lips.
“I don't want to hear the next part. Take it outta your head and bury it in the trash where it belongs. I have always been super super duper aware that you’re a man. Dummy, my favorite thing in the world is wrapping myself up in your masculine aura and chillaxing. I think you’re a man with a capital M!
Jirou, You helped me with my cheerleader outfit. Did you think I picked 26 because it's my lucky number?”
He looked nervous and she giggled.
“It is now, but I picked it then because it was your name and your student number. You do remember your own name and number.”
“I’m painfully aware, that little joke has followed me from school to school.”
“So just one more joke at your expense?”
“It wasn't?”
“Of course not, Jirou, what did I tell you on sports day?”
“Not to listen to people who don't know me.”
“That's right and what else?”
He looked like he was wracking his brain.
“That if something bad happens I could come home to you.”
“Did you think I meant as a friend? That we would hug it out like bros and play video games?”
“I didn't know how to take it?”
“Why, because the obvious meaning was I liked you and a girl couldn't like a guy like you?”
His expression told her she was exactly right and it made her frown.
“Starting with how “manly” you are ya gotta accept my opinions about you are like a kagillion times more important than some rando’s. Then we're going to increase your self-confidence, because it’s causing a lot of problems.”
“I’m sorry.”
“For what? Jirou, I'm glad you're not some arrogant douche, kay. As for me, I don’t have nearly the courage I wish I had. Courage that would have made this year easier for both of us. But, when you’re being nice to me it’s easier to be brave.You and I, let's help each other. It might be hard work but it doesn't have to be unpleasant.”
This time when she closed her eyes. She felt his lips immediately. Their mouths opened to allow their tongues to dance together. Akari felt her excitement flow through her body again like an arc of electricity going from her mouth to between her legs and fogging her brain.
Jirou's mind and heart were racing, wondering what he should do. While he was distracted his hand slid down her back and fell past her waist. He pulled it back like he had touched the stove. Confidence, Jirou, she said be more confident. A hip is like a shoulder and it isn't even naked he reasoned. He slowly settled his hand on her hip and butt and left it there. His hand followed as she pressed herself against his thigh. Then there was no more thought, only sensation.
She agonized over how unfair it was that being touched by him felt so good when they couldn’t finish what they were starting. She fantasized about ambushing him right after the last exam. She would be outside the building holding a giant cardboard heart ready to crush him in a big hug in front of everyone. Afterwards, they would go get a bite to eat, but not at a restaurant or cafe. The room service menu at a love hotel was more what she had in mind. That was the compromise she made with herself that let her push him away and not into her bedroom. Now her red cheeks were a matching set with his.
“Wow, maybe that's enough confidence boosting for now.”
“Hahaha, yeah, I don't want to be late for class.”
Jirou saw how happy she looked and compared it to the rush he had just felt. He wondered. Does that mean she likes kissing me?
“Akari, am I a good kisser?”
“Silly, who could I compare you to?”
She stroked the side of his face.
“My racing heart tells me we are on our way to becoming pros.”
“So, I didn’t do anything wrong?”
“Nope, 15 out of 10, will kiss again, but that doesn’t excuse you from kitchen duty.”
They went to the kitchen and made breakfast and packed Jirou a bento from the leftovers of last night's feast. Jirou was finishing setting the table when Akari came over with a plate in each hand. She noticed that he had signed their renewal form she had left on the table and stole another peck as she put them down.
“Sit down before it gets cold. Oh and we toates have to kiss again right before we leave. Actually, I want you to kiss me like you mean it whenever we are going out somewhere.”
“Akari.”
His face looked serious. She thought maybe that last part was too far and he was going to tell her to back off. She told herself, he's not rejecting you. He likes you. He loves you. He's just frightened.
“Yes, Jirou.”
“For the rest of my life, I’m always going to kiss you like I mean it.”
Akari’s face lit up.
“Oh my, more of that, please, that's the way your Christmas star wants to be loved by the MAN she loves.”
As always thanks for reading. ^_^