Dead Man's Tales: HSOTD

Miku slumped over her desk, tapping her pen absently against her notebook as she tried, and failed, to focus on the lesson. Her thoughts kept drifting back to Kozen, and the way he'd turned her down so casually that morning. She couldn't help feeling a pang of disappointment every time she replayed the conversation in her head.

He was her boyfriend. They'd had such a great time together over the past week, going on dates, talking for hours, laughing until their cheeks hurt. So why was he choosing to spend time with Saeko instead of her? Especially today, when she'd finally gotten the courage to plan a date herself. She'd been so excited, and he'd turned her down without a second thought.

Am I just overthinking this? She wondered, glancing down at the crumpled movie tickets in her bag. Maybe he really is just helping her with kendo. I mean… he said it was for the tournament. He wouldn't…

The sound of someone sliding into the chair next to her broke through her thoughts. Miku looked up to see Hana grinning at her, her pink hair pulled back in its usual messy ponytail.

"Hey, earth to Miku! You look like someone stole your dessert," Hana teased, poking her arm. "What's got you so down?"

Miku sighed, closing her notebook. "It's Kozen. He bailed on our date tonight to go train with Saeko."

Hana raised an eyebrow, her grin fading. "Wait, seriously? He ditched you to hang out with Saeko?"

Miku nodded, trying to keep her expression neutral, but she knew Hana could see right through her. "I mean… I know it's for the kendo tournament and all, but it's like… he could've rescheduled with her, right? I'm his girlfriend. Shouldn't he want to be with me?"

Hana shrugged, leaning back in her chair with an exasperated sigh. "Look, if I were in your shoes, I'd be pissed too. It's not like you're asking for much, right? Just… a little bit of priority."

Miku smiled a little, but her heart still felt heavy. Just as she was about to respond, the unmistakable roar of a motorcycle engine rumbled from outside. She glanced out the classroom window, her heart dropping at the sight.

There he was—Kozen pulling out of the school parking lot on his bike. And right behind him, clinging to his back, was Saeko. Her arms were wrapped around his waist, and she was leaning into him, her head close to his shoulder.

Miku felt a sharp, sinking sensation in her chest, like someone had just punched all the air out of her. She didn't want to believe it, but the sight was right there, undeniable. Saeko's arms around him, his casual, easy smile as he drove away with her on the back of his bike. It looked like… like they were closer than they were supposed to be.

Her throat tightened as she tried to swallow down the hurt. No… no, he wouldn't… Kozen isn't like that, she thought desperately, clinging to the trust she had in him. He wouldn't betray me like this. He said he was just helping her train.

But still, her heart twisted with jealousy, with the feeling that she was somehow being pushed aside. What if he did like Saeko? What if she was… more exciting? Stronger? She was the kendo club captain, after all. And Miku… well, she wasn't exactly the most impressive person.

Hana's voice broke through her thoughts. "Hey, Miku? You okay?"

Miku quickly wiped her eyes, realizing only then that her cheeks were wet. "Y-yeah, I'm fine," she lied, but her voice betrayed her, shaking just slightly.

"Then… why are you crying?"

Miku forced a smile, but the dam broke, and she let out a choked sob. "I don't know, Hana. I just… I feel so stupid."

Hana reached over, rubbing her arm gently. "You're not stupid, Miku. Look, if you're upset, then it means something's wrong. Talk to me."

Miku took a shaky breath, staring down at her hands. "It's just… I thought things were going well, you know? We've had all these amazing dates, he seems like he cares about me… so why is he spending time with other girls? Am I… not enough? Is he already bored of me? Did I do something wrong?"

Hana shook her head firmly. "Miku, listen to me. This isn't about you not being enough. Kozen has his own life and his own reasons, but that doesn't mean he's bored of you. Guys can be dumb, okay? Sometimes they don't think about things the way we do."

Miku sniffed, looking up at Hana with a faint, hopeful smile. "You really think it's just… him being clueless?"

Hana chuckled softly. "Oh, definitely. I mean, he's a guy, right? Half the time they don't realize they're hurting you until you spell it out for them in big, bold letters. And besides, if he's the kind of guy who'd ditch you for someone else… then he doesn't deserve you."

Miku let Hana's words sink in, feeling a bit of the weight lift from her chest. Maybe… maybe Hana was right. Maybe she just needed to talk to Kozen, to tell him how she was feeling. He wouldn't know unless she spoke up.

"What do I do, Hana?" Miku whispered, her voice small and uncertain. "How do I… fix this?"

Hana was silent for a moment, chewing thoughtfully on her lip. Then, a mischievous spark lit up her eyes. "You know… you could always take things to the next level."

"The… next level? Isn't that a little… fast?"

"Actually, according to this article I read, taking that step in the first two weeks of a relationship can strengthen the bond. Apparently, it makes them feel more committed."

Miku's eyes went wide. "What the hell are you talking about?" she asked, laughing a little despite herself.

Hana pulled out her phone, scrolling through her feed until she found the article and showed it to her. 

"Well, I'll be damned…" Miku muttered, feeling her cheeks heat up. "I mean, I don't know, Hana. Isn't that… a big step?"

Hana shrugged, her smile turning a bit sheepish. "Hey, it worked for me."

Miku's mouth dropped open, her brain struggling to catch up. "Wait, wait, wait. You? You've… you've done this?"

Hana looked away, scratching the back of her head awkwardly. "Uh… yeah. With Kohta."

Miku's jaw practically hit the floor. "Kohta? As in, the guy who you took to the cheesecake factory so that Kozen and I can have some free time? You and Kohta?"

Hana grinned, a slight blush creeping onto her cheeks. "What can I say? He's sweet, we have a lot of things in common, and he doesn't think my fanfiction is weird. I took a chance, and honestly… I'm loving it."

"Wait, so that's why you're late to school every other day?"

Hana just grinned, looking away with a guilty shrug. "Maybe."

Miku laughed, genuinely amused and a little amazed. She'd never imagined that her best friend, of all people, would be giving her relationship advice like this. It was comforting, in a strange way, to know that Hana had taken that leap and hadn't regretted it.

As the laughter faded, Miku's mind wandered back to Kozen, to the way he'd been with her all week, to the warmth in his eyes every time he looked at her. She trusted him… she did. But the thought of taking that next step, of showing him just how much she cared… it made her heart pound.

Could I really… take things further with Kozen? 

Hana squeezed her hand, sensing her hesitation. "Hey, whatever you decide, Miku… just remember, you're worth it. Don't let anyone make you feel like you're not. If Kozen's the right guy, he'll know that, too."

Miku nodded, feeling a little more confident, though her heart was still racing. She had a lot to think about, but for now, at least, she knew one thing.

She wasn't going to let her insecurities get in the way. If Kozen was worth fighting for, then she was going to make sure he knew just how much he meant to her.

Miku sat on the edge of the bed, her fingers nervously twisting the edge of her nightgown as she glanced around the dimly lit room. The soft pink glow from the lamps, the flower petals she'd scattered over the bed, the low, romantic music playing faintly in the background—it all felt strangely staged, but she had convinced herself this was what she was supposed to do. This was what being a good girlfriend looked like… right?

Her phone screen was still lit up with a paused video on sex. She'd been trying to ease her nerves by watching some basic "how-to" videos, but it only seemed to be making her feel more anxious. Am I ready for this? She wondered, swallowing hard. What if I mess everything up?

A knock on the door made her jump, pulling her out of her thoughts. She heard Kozen's voice from the other side, warm but tinged with his usual casual detachment. "Uh… is this the right address?"

Taking a deep breath, Miku got up and opened the door, feeling her heart skip as she took him in. Kozen stood there, looking as calm and confident as always, but when he saw her in the silky pink nightgown she'd chosen—soft lace tracing the edges, the fabric draping delicately over her figure—his eyes widened. For a moment, his mask slipped, and she thought she saw a flash of surprise… and something like delight.

"Miku?" he murmured, his eyes lingering on her a little longer than usual. "Wow… I wasn't expecting… all this."

She blushed under his gaze, suddenly feeling self-conscious. "I… I wanted to do something special. You know, for us." Her voice was barely a whisper.

Kozen stepped inside, letting the door close softly behind him as he took in the room—the soft lighting, the carefully arranged petals, the nervous expression on her face. "You really went all out," he said. "I didn't realize this was the kind of night you had planned."

His tone was casual, but his eyes held something calculating, as if he were assessing just how much effort she'd put into this. 

Miku bit her lip.

"Is… is that okay?" she asked, searching his face. "I thought maybe… it would be nice. For us to… I don't know, take things a bit further."

He tilted his head, his eyes softening as he reached out to touch her cheek. "Miku, you didn't have to do all this," he murmured, his voice gentle. "I mean… It's sweet. Really. But I don't want you to feel like you have to do anything just because you think it's what I want."

She let out a shaky breath, feeling her nerves start to ease under his touch. "I just… I wanted to show you that I care. That I'm serious about us."

He smiled, and though it looked warm, there was a flicker of something else in his eyes, something more controlled. "And I appreciate that," he said softly, brushing his thumb along her cheek. "But you don't need to prove anything to me, Miku. I'm here, aren't I? I wouldn't be if I didn't want to be."

"You… really mean that?"

"Of course," he replied, his gaze steady, even as a hint of a smirk played at the corner of his mouth. "You're perfect as you are, Miku. You don't need all this… decoration to keep me around."

She smiled, feeling a little silly now for going to all this trouble. He really does care, she thought, her heart lifting. She felt foolish for doubting him, for assuming that she had to do something so elaborate to make him stay.

"You're the one I want to be with," Kozen continued, his voice a low, soothing murmur. "Not some idea of what a 'perfect girlfriend' should be. Just… you."

She felt herself melt a little, the tension in her shoulders easing as he leaned in, pressing his forehead to hers. "Really?" she whispered, still wanting to hear it, to feel that security from his words.

"Really," he replied, his voice soft and unhurried, as if he were savoring each word. "Just relax, okay? I want you to be comfortable. I'd hate for you to feel like you had to put on a show for me. That's not who we are, is it?"

Miku nodded, her heart fluttering. "No… I guess it's not."

She felt him pull her closer, his hand slipping around her waist as he leaned in, his breath warm on her skin. "So let's just… enjoy this," he murmured, his voice carrying a faint, coaxing edge. "We don't have to rush. We can take things as slowly—or as quickly—as you like."

His words washed over her, filling her with a strange mix of calm and excitement. She let herself lean into him, his presence warm and steady, grounding her in the moment. As his lips brushed hers, she felt the final traces of her nervousness slip away, replaced by a sense of belonging, of being wanted.

In that moment, Miku couldn't see the calculated glint in his eyes, the way he held her just firmly enough to keep her close, yet distant enough to remain in control. To her, he was simply being sweet, caring. To Kozen, however, this was exactly where he needed her—just close enough, just trusting enough, to keep her invested without ever needing to give more than he was willing.

They kissed slowly, her heart pounding as she let herself get lost in the warmth of his touch. And as they pulled back, she saw the same calm, confident smile on his face, a smile that seemed to say, Good girl. You're right where I want you.

Author Note: More chapters on [email protected]/LordCampione.