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Subaru: Good morning, Natsusawa-kun.
Saku: Ah, good morning.
Saku: Something the matter?
Subaru: Oh, I just wanted to ask if you were open to meeting up sometime?
Subaru: To study, I mean.
Saku: Oh, sure, I'm free the whole week.
Subaru: Meet you at the cafe, 2pm?
Saku: Of course, meet you there.
Subaru: You too.
1:50 p.m.
It is a normal study session with Subaru, again. Saku himself is sure of it, but he felt something strange creeping up in his mind. It felt warm, fuzzy, but at the same time it’s killing him inside. Saku couldn’t explain what is it, but he knows…
It’s something that burns.
It’s not a fever, Saku isn’t sick. It’s not the coat either, Saku can still feel bits of coldness invading in his skin. It’s not the walk to the cafe as well, Saku only used 1 or 2 minutes to go there on foot, safe to say he hadn’t break a single sweat doing so.
Would it be her, to be the reason why?
Ah, speak of the devil angel.
Subaru stood just outside the cafe, with her hands tightly clasped together, her posture being stiff, but shaky. Her eyebrows furrowed as she looked straight on the floor, avoiding any eye contact. As always.
Saku walks up to his study buddy and greets her. "Good afternoon, Hoshina-san." he says, breaking her out of her trance on the floor. "Shall we… head in?"
Subaru, after hearing a familiar voice, looks up at him and smiled. "Yes, of course." she says, leading him into the store.
"Welco- oh, Hoshina-san. And your friend! Welcome, welcome!" the barista greeted. Subaru smiled.
"Good afternoon, Hayashi-san. Ah, and I suppose you should get to know him." she said. She step to the side to reveal Saku, whom promptly bowed and introduced himself.
"My name is Natsusawa Saku, pleasure to meet you." he said.
Hayashi giggled as Saku got up from his bow, confused.
"You're quite formal. My name is Hayashi Asuka, pleasure to meet you."
"Like the singer?"
"Yes. Now, might I show you to your usual spot? It's a little emptier today, so if you'd like we can seat you two somewhere else." she suggested. Subaru thought.
"Hmm, I do think our usual spot is a little cramped. Can we find a different spot?" she asked.
Hayashi nodded and led them into the café.
She stopped at a small table, with two chairs facing each other. "Would this be fine?"
Subaru smiled at her, Saku nodded.
"Yes, I think this will be fine.
4:27 p.m.
"… then you'd have to bring this here and now you can solve." Saku said, turning the book back to Subaru. Subaru took the book and read it back, a little surprised. Honestly, she shouldn't have, this wasn't a rare occurrence, it’s not the first time she witnessed Saku being able to solve this sort of question, and yet it seemed every question was too easy for Saku.
"You're really smart, aren't you, Natsusawa-sensei?" Subaru teased. Saku's cheeks turned red and he looked to the ground, embarrassed. Subaru giggled.
“Don’t call me that…” He murmured.
“Natsusawa-sensei.”
"I-I…" he stammered. Before he could respond, though, Subaru's phone rang.
He sighed out of relief.
"Sorry. Just a moment…" she says before picking the phone up. "Hello? Ah…" she starts. Who could that be?
A guy?
Saku shakes his head. No way, he doubts that she is in contact with another guy that wasn't him.
Not that Saku thought she wasn't capable of that, just that he didn't think that Subaru would have any other male friends besides him and his group. But, if she did, then good on her.
"…alright. Yeah… okay, right. Bye."
Subaru put the phone down and looked up at him. "Sorry. I have to go."
"What happened, if you don’t mind telling me?"
"My sister has work tonight, so I have to get home early to look over the house." she said.
Saku nodded, placing his pen back in his pencil case.
"Well, that's that then, is it not?" he replied.
"But I still have stuff I'm not sure about." she says, deflated.
Then she seemed to have an idea.
"What if you… come over to my place?"
…
Her… place? Is she comfortable with it?
"Well… we could always call each other, no?"
"I’d rather have you by my side, it’s more effective this way."
"Then… we could meet up on a different day; it doesn't have to be today."
"I'm quite busy the rest of this week, today's the only day that fits into my schedule. It's fine if you don't want to come."
Shoot, that's not what I meant.
"Oh, no, I didn't mean that. I'll… I'll come over."
Subaru gleams. "Really? That would help out so much, thank you." she says, placing her stationary back into her pencil case.
Oh man…
I’m scared.
4:45 p.m.
Am I really gonna set my foot into her house?
Not that I don’t want to, it’s just way too sudden…
What am I gonna do? I haven’t even bring anything to make a good first impression…
Aaaaaaahhh, I’m in shambles…
This is the worst.
“Natsusawa-kun?”
Subaru managed to wake him up from his inner thoughts.
“Wh-huh?”
“We’re here.”
Just seeing the building itself makes Saku seem like an outcast. Of course, the sudden invitation surprised him, plus this is his first time staying in a house that belonged to the opposite-sex.
This wasn’t like the same old study sessions with his bros, this is literally Hoshina Subaru’s house in front of him. Imagine the pressure he felt.
“So… this is your house?”
“Yeah, why wouldn’t it be?”
“Aha, sorry for asking such a stupid question.”
"It's fine; you think it's rather large, no?" she asked.
"That… and the fact that there is a huge gate in front of me." he says.
Subaru giggled. "It is a little jarring at first. Anyway, should we go in?"
Saku hesitated. This was it, there was no turning back past this point. Once he goes in, he'd be in a house, Subaru's house, for God knows how long.
"Ah, Suba-chan! Who's that?" a voice suddenly pierced through, both of the focus shifted into the person walking out of the door.
It is Subaru’s sister.
"Hey sis. Ah, Natsusawa-kun, meet my sister, Hoshina Hodaka." she says, stepping to the left.
“Heya.” Hoda waved.
"It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance." Saku said, bowing.
"Pssh, no need to act all formal ‘round here. Come in." she said, taking a hand out of her hoodie to wave him off.
Hodaka lead them into the building. The walk from the gate to the entrance was… a little long, but nothing impossible.
Hodaka opened the door, and revealed the house to their guest.
"Pardon my intrusion… wow." he said, stepping into the house. "A-Ah, no offence." he added.
"It's fine, it's fine. It is quite large." she said, reassuring him. "So what did Suba-chan invite you over for?" she asked as he lead them in. The house was large. Cathedral like. Everything was so tidy, so neat. They climbed the staircase up.
"Up here," Hodaka started. "Is Suba-chan's room. Feel free to get comfy." she said, ushering him in. He goes in, hoping they don't notice his shaking. Hodaka turns to Subaru.
“Ah, also Suba-chan…”
“Yeah?” Subaru replies. Hodaka pulls her out of the room momentarily and talks in a whisper.
“I didn’t know you already found one.”
“Huh? Found what?”
“I don’t remember you inviting people here, not even Kao-chan."
“Is that not okay for you?”
“No no, but…”
“Is he someone special~?”
“Wha- It’s not like that!”
“How is it not…? I mean you two had to be couples, no?”
“Urgghh, stop…”
Hodaka 'ahh'd in realisation. "Ahh, oookay then, if you say so.” she said with a smirk.
“Look, I'll head to the kitchen, make some snacks for you two. I'll leave you and your friend to settle in, yeah?" Hodaka said, winking.
Subaru pushed her out of her room. "Ugh, please stop…" she said. Hodaka giggled as she walked down the stairs.
"Don't get frisky now~!"
"H-Hodaka…!"
"Say, Hoshina-san," Saku called out, nearly scaring Subaru down the stairs too.
“You have a pretty unique room…”
Subaru turned a bright red as she shook her head. "I-It's a loft!"
“I like it though. Must’ve been nice having all this space alone.” he said, walking back to the room. "Shall we… get to it?" he said, looking back at her.
Subaru nodded, walking back into the room. "… Alright."
5:13 p.m.
"… so then you-" a knock at the door interrupted him.
"Oh, excuse me." she says, getting up. She walks over to the door. "Here, let me help you with that." she said, taking a tray from her sister.
"Thank you." Hodaka thanked. "I hope that's enough food for you two; I assumed you two had some food already from the cafe." she said. Saku nodded, holding up a bag from the cafe.
"A few tidbits, here and there, nothing much, but enough for a little bit." he said, placing the bag back down. "You didn't have to make us anything, you know."
"Oh, it's nothing. Now, you two study hard, alright? Are you aiming for T-University too, Natsusawa-kun?" Hodaka asked, leaning on the door frame.
"…did Hoshina-san tell you that?"
"Hoshina-san? Hun, I'm a Hoshina too."
"Then… your sister, did she tell you?"
"My sister? What might her name be?"
Saku turned a little red, praying Subaru didn't see. Luckily, she was also a little red.
"S-Sis… and no, Natsusawa-kun, I didn't tell her."
"A-Ah… yes, I'm aiming to go to T-University too."
Hodaka smugged. "Alright, alright. You two have fun, alright? I'm off to work." she said. Waving them off, she shut the door.
She didn't turn back, even after hearing the cluttering and noises of stuff falling.
'Eh, shouldn't be a problem.'
7:23 p.m.
Tick.
Tick.
Tick.
Saku turned, looking through the window. Seeing the sky has turned into pitch black, he thought that it was time for him to go home. Subaru on the other hand, decided to continue working on her studies, although she has been studying a few hours.
"It’s getting pretty late."
“Oh?”
“It’s 7:23pm, I have to go.”
“Okay, sorry for letting you stay for so long.”
“It’s fine, don’t mention it.”
Saku made his way to the door, his hand placed on to the door knob.
“Thanks, Natsusawa-kun, you helped me a lot today.”
“Just don’t overwork yourself okay?”
“Mm. Be careful on your way home.”
He waved, before twisting the door knob, heading out from the room.
…
… was originally how Saku thought things would go, but…
The door knob is stuck.
The door won’t open.
Saku tried again, and again. Twisting as hard as he could, pushing as hard as he could.
But the door…
The door still wouldn’t open.
It’s stuck.
“H-Hoshina-san…”
“Is something the matter, Natsusawa-kun?”
“The door…”
“… We’re locked inside.”
“W-wait, what?!”
Subaru immediately stood up, shocked. Her hand reached to the door knob, trying the same desperate moves as Saku had done earlier, pushing and twisting the door knob.
“No... It cannot be, right..?”
“We’re definitely stuck inside, Hoshina-san…”
Saku covered his face, hiding the frustration in his face.
“H-how…? The door worked perfectly fine much earlier!” she exclaims, still quite exasperated.
Saku shrugged.
"L-Let me call Hodaka."
And thus she did so. Multiple times. But her job had a very strict no phone policy, especially when they just arrived. And so nobody responded.
She tried again. And again, and again and again and again. Before giving up, slumping down against the door.
"Wha… what do we do?" she asked, a little hopeless.
"I-I mean… there isn't much we can do. Gosh… how do I tell my parents about this… ugh, Mio too…" he started to mumble.
"This… this is bad."
"No kidding."
Talk about first impressions…
9:57 p.m.
It was getting supremely late. There was probably no end to this night in sight. They'd probably have to-
No, he mustn't think of that. That's a dangerous slope right there. There's got to be a way out here.
"You got anyone?" Saku asked, turning his phone off. Subaru turned her phone off and looked at him.
"N-No…"
Saku sighed. What was this, what was happening? Why was this happening?
Suddenly, Saku's phone rang.
"A-Ah, Mio."
Saku accepts the call. "H-Hello-"
"Onii-chan!" the voice rang out, scaring him. He recoiled, but brought the phone back to his ear.
“Are you okay?! Where have you been?!” she asks, worry in her voice apparent.
“It’s a bit… complicated.” he responds, and takes a breath.
…
“I’m staying over at Hoshina-san’s house.” He distanced the phone from his ear waiting for the impeding reaction Mio would let out.
“E-EH?! Just- wait, did she…!?”
“Wait wait..! It’s not like that!” he said, desperately trying to get her to understand.
“We were going to finish off the study session, but as I was about to leave, the door wouldn’t open…” he stopped for a moment.
“It’s stuck.”
“Oh… so you both can’t get out?” Mio asked, oddly calm now.
“Yeah…” Saku admitted.
“Do you need help? I can call the police if you want to!”
“No need, I think we can survive a night stuck in the room.”
“Problem is… it’s with Hoshina-san…”
“Ah, I get how you feel…”
Saku perked up, confused. “Huh?”
“Nothing.” she said really quickly.
Saku sighed.
“I’ll call you after everything’s settled.”
“Stay safe..! Mom and Dad are worried sick, y’know!”
“Alright alright… have a good night, Mio.”
“Night night!” he hangs up.
…
“Was that Mio-chan..?” Subaru asks.
“Yeah…” Saku sighs.
“Hehe, you still suck at explaining…” she teases, riling him up a little more.
“Don’t blame me… I’m actually really nervous.” he confesses, to the surprise of no one.
“Sorry, but it is funny to see you nervous.”
“Yeah yeah…” he says, trying to hide a red face. Then a new thought hits his mind.
“Where am I supposed to sleep anyways?”
“You look tired… you deserve to sleep on the be-”
“Nope, I’m so gonna sleep on the floor.” he shuts her down. Subaru shakes her head.
Thus begin their back and forth:
“No no, please sleep on the bed.”
“The floor is comfortable enough.”
“I hate to see you being tired, you helped me a lot today, so let me repay you back.”
“It’s okay…”
“Just let me sleep on the floor.”
Saku takes initiative and lays down on the floor, using his bag as a pillow. It… it looked sad.
“How about this?” he said, stiffing a comment about the hard ground.
Subaru grabs a spare pillow, splitting the bed in half.
“Is this fine?”
“…”
“F-fine.”
Why is she so forward… about this?
10:02 p.m.
I’m…
I’m sleeping on her bed..?
Saku stared at the ceiling. The fan being turned to the lowest setting because it was already cold enough, the heating warmed the room up.
Saku turned to his right. The table and desk that donned her stuff and their studying materials. He didn't really want to look the other way.
"You… can't sleep either, can you?”
Saku would have fallen out of the bed if it weren't for him being so scared he froze up. He reluctantly turned over to his left.
"Y-Yeah, sorry if I woke you up." he said, looking back at Subaru. After the whole… debacle about having her change clothes — he had to stand in the corner — looking at her was a little difficult.
"Oh, no. It's just… jarring to have a friend in bed with me," she said, her voice above a whisper. "Let alone a man."
"See," he began. "I knew I should have slept on the floor." he started. Subaru shook her head so vigorously he could hear the sheet rustle.
"N-No, I trust you.” she said. Saku was stunned, and she cleared her throat realising what she'd done. "Sorry. I just… I think I'd have even more problems if you slept on the floor."
Saku blinked. "You're… very accommodating." he said. Subaru giggled. It sent Saku's heart into a flutter.
"I try to be." Subaru replies. They look at each other in silence for a bit, Saku decided to let himself get lost in her eyes.
Dazzling.
He always thought her eyes were just so alluring. It wasn't because he was so fond of Aquamarine. But he might just be now; at least this specific shade. Even without any lights, the moonlight provided ample lighting to see her.
This shade, this particular shade. He'd never seen it anywhere else before. It was that odd shade of Aquamarine you get when you think Cyan. Both green and blue at the same time. Not that odd was bad.
It was… beautiful.
“You’re beautiful.”
Saku unintentionally blurted that out. His eyes widen as he scrambles for an answer. He didn't register the look on her face.
"I-I… uh… good night..!”
Oh my days…! I just went and said that right at her face.
I’m so stupid.
He turned to his right and shut his eyes, terrified of what Subaru had to say.
Speaking of…
Subaru stared at the back if Saku's head, having an integer imit episode or whatever they called it. Basically, she was panicking.
'Did he just… it's objective but… I know…'
For once, words failed her. She needed some sleep though. Thus she turned her back to Saku and tried to catch some sleep.
I shouldn’t have said that…
That caught me off-guard…
1:18 a.m.
Subaru shivered. What on Earth, why was it so cold?
The fan above her…
Subaru opened her eyes to look at the ceiling.
The fan stopped.
Oh, no wonder it was cold.
The power went out.
"Na… Natsusawa-kun?" she whispered, inching closer to the dividing pillow. "Hey, are you awake?" she asked.
Suddenly Saku twirled around. He'd distanced himself from the dividing pillow but turning around seemed to have closed that distance.
Result? They were now exceptionally close to each other, nearly nose to nose. Both their eyes widened.
Saku immediately recoiled. So much so it would have made him fall off the bed. Well, would have. For he didn't, after Subaru took it into her own hands. Literally.
She leapt over the pillow, throwing her hands over him as he himself extended his arms.
"Oof. Got you."
She managed to stop him from falling off the bed. They were now, however in a very precarious position.
For those of you like Shohei; they were hugging.
EH?! THEY WERE HUGGING?!
Yes, Shohei… they were hugging.
Anyways.
Subaru's arms had flung across him, meaning he had been caught. His hands were scrunched up between her and him, not really able to move without grazing her… her…
"A-Are you okay, Natsusawa?" Subaru asked, looking down at the now horrified Saku. He was… well, a little afraid. Why? He hadn't the clue. "You were falling so I… caught you."
"I-I…. alright. Thank you." he musters out. He is so, so disoriented and he surely won't be able to sleep tonight.
Subaru was about to let go when she suddenly felt the warmth radiating from him. Oh, it was so so warm. She hugged tighter, shutting her eyes and bringing a hand to his head.
Saku, meanwhile, was having an absolute panic attack. He was afraid of enjoying it when she was probably tired and not in the write mind, but he was also afraid that he would unintentionally hurt her in a way. "H-Hoshina-san…" he whispered, right next to her ear.
"Sorry," she says, but still not letting him go. "I don't know if you noticed… I'm very cold because the power went out. And…" she trailed off. She breathed before saying the next part.
"And you're very warm. I think… we should stay like this for a while." she says, fighting their blush. "Y-Y'know… because it's kinda extremely cold now."
Saku made a sound in response. "A-Alright…"
'No, this is NOT alright. I'm… I'm taking advantage of her. She's sleepy, clearly not in the right mind. Yeah…'
'But what if she isn't? What if… she just needs to feel warm?'
'… I need to clarify things.'
"S-Say, can we… talk?" he asked, bracing out of her shoulder. Subaru released her grip on him slightly. "About… what I said earlier. I want to clear some things up."
Subaru made a sound of approval. "I'm… listening."
Saku breathed. Alright, here he goes.
"…I meant what I said earlier." he started. "That… you are beautiful. I know that maybe that is a little overused to you but I can't put into words on how… how…” he trailed off. Subaru was stunned, but kept a hold of him, while loosening to let him and her be face to face — exceptionally close together as well.
"… i-it's harder to say this when you're right there."
"I won't bite, don’t worry.”
Saku gulped.
“Hoshina-san…”
“I think I love you.”
Saku's heart was beating as fast as Subaru's. That is, quite fast. Like, supremely. His cheeks glowed as bright as the moon behind her, as he shut his eyes in embarrassment. "Y-Y'know. Just ought you'd know if you want to do… this."
The words made Subaru feel ecstatic. Truthfully. She didn't in her wildest dreams think this could be a reality, her reality. She was… happy. Truly. This was different than when she was with Kaoruko or her own friends. She was happier than ever, and it was with Saku.
"… I'm glad."
Saku's eyes flashed open. "… Huh?"
"Saku," she said, intentionally using his first name to rile him up. "I'm glad."
"Glad… of wha-!"
Subaru closed the distance, pulling his head in as she kissed him silly. Saku's eyes widened, but slowly fluttered shut as he relaxed.
This… this is nice…
Subaru pulled away, though Saku was lead on by the beauty straddling him. The moon illuminated a streak of saliva between their mouths.
"Glad that we are mutual."
She smiles at him, and places her forehead on his, pulling the blanket over them.
"I love you too."
“You’re way too forward sometimes, Hoshina-san.”
Somehow I’m able to confess while being stuck in my partner’s room… I’m happy that it worked, though.
This might probably be the funniest yet weirdest time to be couples. I’m glad he actually confessed, though.
1:50 a.m.
Well… they still can’t sleep.
Obviously not, considering what just happened 42 minutes before.
They were both hyper aware of each other; they always were. But even more so now that they were as close as people could ever be, bar… that.
Of course, they didn't have to. They've been together for 44 minutes and counting, there was no need to rush anything.
They were just happy to be there with each other.
"Still can't sleep, can we?" Saku asked. Having snuggled up and relaxed in the blanket, Saku hugged Subaru from behind, keeping her nice and warm. Subaru shook her head.
"Unfortunately. Can I… spin around to face you for a bit?" she asked, a little hesitant. Saku nodded and raised his arms for her to shift, and feeling those two hands release her, she spun round.
"Hi."
"Hello."
She looked at him for a little.
"…"
"Got something on my face?"
Subaru giggled. "You're pretty." she teased. She swept a strand of hair from his face.
Saku smiled her way, chuckling lightly. "I could say the same for you."
They looked at each other, longingly and lovingly.
…
Are we married already…?
Where did all his hesitation go…?
"S-So… uh…"
"…"
"… why is talking so hard now?"
Saku chuckled. "No clue. This is… well, certainly nice, but… what do we talk about? What do we say?"
"No clue."
They laid in silence, looking back at each other still, a little embarrassed.
"Maybe… maybe we don't have to."
Subaru blinked. "Eh?"
"We could just… not talk. Your presence in front of me… it elates me." Saku elaborates, looking down a little.
Subaru's smile was restored. "Y'know, that sounds nice." She yawned. "Ah, I think I'm getting sleepy."
"Do rest, it's already 1 something in the morning."
"Alright. Good night then."
Saku pulled her closer, letting Subaru rest her head on his chest. "Comfy…?"
"Yes…" Subaru trailed off, eyes fluttering shut. Saku smiled down, stroking her hair.
"Good night… Subaru-san."
7:29 a.m.
Saku's eyes flutter open. He'd been sleeping on his left side, thus in his eyes should be the window; light penetrating his eyes.
Instead, he was met with the comforting warmth of another person.
Subaru, as he would now call her.
"Good morning," he suddenly heard. "Saku."
Saku looked up, up at Subaru, and smiled lovingly. "Good morning, Subaru-san. Still cold?"
"Mmm not really. You've thawed my heart, after all."
"Aw shucks…"
Suddenly a loud rumble echoed through both of them.
"Ah."
"Eh."
"… do you want breakfast?"
"Yeah… b-but the door is-"
"Suba-chan~”
Both their heads snapped towards the door, to see Hodaka standing in the doorway, watching the couple with a smug face. Both their cheeks turned redder than they ever had.
"S-Sis?!"
"H-Hodaka-san!?"
“… Well, what a view, heh…”
“S-Sis! Get out!”
And she did.
Only after she snapped a photo. "Have fun~!"
“HEY! DELETE THAT!” Subaru shouted.
They shot out of bed, and Subaru trailed behind Saku as they chased her down.
"Ah."
As they descended the stairs, Saku heard a sound behind him. He turned around just in time for him to catch Subaru, falling.
He cushioned the fall. Luckily they were on the last few steps, so a fall wouldn't be too bad.
"Oof… got you."
“T-thanks…”
What they didn’t realise though…
Hodaka was standing right in front of them.
“Cheese~!”
Click.