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padmerrie · 3 years

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Bookends [3k, ongoing; AO3 link here]

book·end [ ˈbu̇k-ˌend ] n. a support, one of two usually similar things that begin and end something.

Summary: Kakashi Hatake is no stranger to taking in strays. But when his former comrade and friend mysteriously disappears after the murder of his entire family, leaving behind his little brother, Kakashi learns that there's more to getting lost on the path of life when you pick up an Uchiha brat along the way.

A modern adoption AU exploring various moments in the life of Kakashi, Sasuke, eight dogs, and one vengeful cat.

a/n: Did I expect to become obsessed with Naruto in my 30s? Short answer: no. I guess you could say I got lost on the path of life. XD

It’s the same thing almost every night lately.

“I picked up dinner on the way home. Hope you don’t mind.”

He doesn’t. Kakashi knows this by now. The passive hn of acknowledgement that greets him when he steps through the door and into their apartment tells him as much. If it really bothered him, he’d have made it known by now. What Sasuke lacks in words he more than makes up for in opinions - something he’s never short of.

The dogs, at the very least, are happy to see him.

“Yes, yes, I missed you too,” Kakashi says a little exasperatedly, holding the takeout bags out of reach for their overly excitable noses and trying to return their enthusiastic welcome without the use of his hands. Sasuke stays seated at the table, pouring over a textbook, and decidedly choosing not to offer any assistance. Beside him, Pakkun, the oldest and most loyal of his four-legged companions, raises his head from his crossed front paws. Sleepy eyes meet Kakashi’s for a moment, blink, then slip shut as he lowers his head and goes back to his nap.

Loyal, indeed.

It takes Kakashi a minute to break through the wall of dogs barricading him against the door after slipping off his shoes. They follow at his heels as he crosses over to the kitchen, tossing the keys onto the counter island that overlooks the living room before setting down the bags of food.

“I thought we’d go a little greasy tonight,” Kakashi continues, starting to unpack the bags. The small apartment is quickly filled with the sinful smell of fried food and seasoned vegetables. The dogs eagerly circling his feet quickly devolve into a panting mess.

“We’ve talked about this,” Kakashi chastises Biscuit, who is not nearly tall enough to reach the counter but nevertheless tries, standing on his short hind legs and nose snuffling frantically back and forth along the edge of the counter like it's being pulled by an invisible fishing line. He’s going to have to deal with them first if there’s to be any chance of getting the food safety to the table.

“Hey, give me a hand, will ya?” he calls to Sasuke as he wades through the dogs to get to the cabinet with the cups and plates. They get impossibly more hysterical at the sound of the clinking dishes, a tell-tale sign that they’re almost close to the main event. This isn’t the first time it’s occurred to Kakashi that this apartment is too small for two people, let alone eight dogs.

“Oh, for the love of- Sasuke.”

Sasuke, it turns out, isn’t listening - or so it would appear given that Kakashi’s appearance hasn’t prompted anything but deafening nothing since he walked through the door. However, Kakashi has lived with Sasuke for a couple years and observed him for longer. He’s learned to read the subtle shifts in the boy's silences. Sasuke has so much to say if one takes the time to listen.

Sating his (and the dogs’) appetite suddenly doesn’t seem so pressing.

“Alright, have at it,” Kakashi relents, dumping the contents of one of the take-out cartons onto the plate and setting it down at his feet for the dogs to fight over. He’ll clean up the mess later. For now, he grabs the carton of udon, a pair of chopsticks, and leaves the dogs to their feast, carefully stepping over them and making his way out to Sasuke.

He sits down, looking far more relaxed than his much younger counterpart. Sasuke’s eyes remain downturned and concentrated on his homework. Kakashi lets him be and turns his attention to his food. He can multi-task after all. He breaks apart his chopsticks and opens the carton, then picks at the noodles a bit before twirling them around and raising a helping into his mouth. It doesn’t quite pack the punch he’d been fantasizing about on his walk home from the shop.

“Trouble with homework?” Kakashi eventually asks, his tone light.

The pen in Sasuke’s hand stills. Then, after a moment - and without meeting his gaze - Sasuke slides a folder across the table with his free hand.

Kakashi’s chewing slows and he looks over his carton. Sasuke is content with providing no further explanation, already pursuing his assignment like nothing happened.

Kakashi doesn’t need to read past the over-the-top swirly cursive heading to know what’s soured Sasuke’s mood. The pink and read hearts dotting the top of the single sheet of paper tucked neatly in the folder’s pocket are a dead giveaway. He shuts the folder, then picks up the carton and digs into his noodles a little more enthusiastically than before.

“So… it’s that time of year, huh?”

Sasuke makes no indication that he’s heard his question. Kakashi understands. He would have had a similar reaction at his age. But he’d like Sasuke to be different.

“Should be simple enough,” he goes on, surreptitiously glancing up from his carton, but Sasuke is stubborn. And naive. Because Sasuke has already given himself up.

In some ways, Sasuke is exceptionally mature for his age. But at the end of the day, he is still a twelve-year-old boy and not immune to acting as such. He’s not above shutting himself up in his room and blaring his music at some wholly unnecessary volume until neighbors get involved (“This is the only apartment complex in Konoha that will take 8 dogs,” Kakashi is reduced to shouting through the door in his bathrobe and slippers at 1 in the morning. “Are you trying to get us kicked out?”), or staying out much too late roaming the streets and only slipping through his bedroom window when he thinks Kakashi is in bed (He’s not. He’s (once again) in his bathrobe and slippers waiting outside his bedroom door and prepping a lecture that is sure to be ill-received.)

In other words, if he truly wanted to avoid facing Kakashi, he wouldn’t be here.

So Kakashi waits.

And waits.

Until…

“Look, Sasuke-”

“It’s so- annoying.”

Sasuke glowers at the space in front of him, refusing to look at Kakashi. It was a slip, one he quickly recovers from, however. The grip around his pen tightens and he attacks the page in front of him with conviction. He’s clearly annoyed. With himself, with the predicament Iruka has so unjustly put him in. Kakashi allows him a couple sentences to take his frustration out on his assignment before moving forward.

“I think it’s nice.”

Sasuke drops his pen and his head snaps up.

“Nice?” He says the word with such fierce disdain that Kakashi can’t help but chuckle. He merely picks at his noodles with amusement.

“Nice??” Sasuke repeats, eyes narrowing incredulously. “As if you would have ever lowered yourself to something so meaningless.”

Kakashi chews thoughtfully. He’s not wrong. Still, he simply shrugs.

“Sure, it’s a little silly. But there are very few things in life that are truly meaningless. What holds no value to one person could mean the world to another.” He pauses. The intensity of Sasuke’s stare doesn’t waver. “There’s nothing wrong with building relationships among your peers and having a little fun. A hard word for you, I know,” he adds dryly, poking at a mushroom, “But give it a shot. These opportunities won’t be around forever.”

“I don’t even like these people,” Sasuke mutters with a bitterness that most adults would find unnerving coming from a 12-year-old.

(He knows; his colleagues have told him as much.)

“That’s not true. You have Naruto and Sakura-”

“Annoying and annoying-er.”

Kakashi frowns a little at that. He sets the carton aside. “Look, I’m going to tell you what I told you last year. If you really don’t want to do this, I’m not going to make you. I’ll understand… but your friends might not. And despite what you say, when your classmates come to you with their cards, I think you’re going to realize too late that you might like to give them something in return.”

Kakashi lets the words sink in. Sasuke’s expression is unreadable. It takes some time - a long time, really - but eventually, his shoulders slump forward, and after a tense moment, he relents.

“Fine.”

“Good,” Kakashi says, satisfaction evident in his tone. “I think we still have supplies leftover from last year somewhere in here,” he muses aloud, rising from the table and disappearing into the hall that leads to their respective bedrooms. The sound of him rummaging around in the hall closet fills the air until eventually a pleased Ah interrupts the silence. When Kakashi returns cradling an assortment of craft supplies in his arms, Sasuke looks as though he’s already regretting his decision.

“Here, I’ll even do it with you,” Kakashi says in a show of solidarity once he spreads out his findings on the table. There’s still several paper heart cut-outs leftover from the previous year. Kakashi’s hand hovers thoughtfully over the pile before making his selection and pulling them towards his end of the table.

A sharp, derisive snort comes from the seat next to him. Kakashi looks up.

“Yes?”

“There’s no way you have that many people to give valentines to,” Sasuke retorts with all the bluntness of a kunai knife.

Kakashi blinks at him, then peers down at the pile, a puzzled frown tugging at his brow underneath his silver fringe like Sasuke’s right. That he’s made some sort of horrible mistake. A split-second later, his expression clears.

“Actually,” he replies, reaching across the table and grabbing an additional heart, “I missed one. How could I forget my most cherished pup?” He shakes his head somberly, giving Sasuke a meaningful look.

It takes Sasuke a moment to understand.

“You’re making valentines for the dogs.” It’s not a question, and there’s no mistaking what he thinks about that.

“Well,” Kakashi acquiesces, eyes crinkling, “I can’t play favorites.”

They hold each other’s gaze. Despite the pleasant smile Kakashi puts forward, Sasuke’s eyes remain cold and unfeeling.

In the end, Kakashi exhales a patient breath.

“Go get dinner, Sasuke.”

It's going to be a long night.

* * *

It’s when he’s sorting through his mail on Valentine’s Day that Kakashi runs into Iruka.

“Yo.” The word is barely out of his mouth before being promptly met with an angry grunt, after which Iruka slams his apartment door shut so violently that the decorative Cupid hanging there falls to the floor.

Kakashi slow-blinks down the empty hallway, hand halfway raised in greeting. With a small shake of his head, he sticks the mail under his arm and digs into his pocket for his keys.

The dogs are on him the instant he opens the door. Unfazed, he glances around the apartment expecting to hear the sounds of Sasuke’s self-imposed banishment to his room, the kind that expressly tells him that under no circumstances is he to be disturbed. Only there’s no pulsating bass. It’s quiet. And Sasuke’s not in his room but on the couch by the open sliding glass door, back propped against a slumbering Bull and a book open in his lap. He surprises Kakashi further when he deigns to look up.

“Hey.”

“Hey,” Kakashi greets back, closing the door behind him. It should be a welcomed sight, but he can’t help but feel a little wary. It’s not often that he sees Sasuke so... at peace.

He walks over to the kitchen and drops the mail on the counter beside what can only be the fruits of his and Sasuke’s labor. He smiles to himself.

Popular as ever, I see.

With a sense of satisfaction, he sifts through the sizable pile of valentines, familiar names popping out at him. He pauses on one in particular. Sakura’s careful craftsmanship stands out from the rest, the evidence of her feelings clear as day. Kakashi only hopes that Sasuke didn’t say anything unkind.

Naruto’s stands out too - though, for entirely different reasons.

“I see Naruto’s scissor skills haven’t improved.” With two fingers, Kakashi picks up the pitiful thing and gives it a good once over. He can only assume that it was supposed to be a heart, though he can’t be sure. It’s a sharp contrast to Sakura’s, which Kakashi knows she probably spent days laboring over. A glob of glitter glue drips from Naruto’s abstract creation pinched between his fingers and drops onto the counter. He shakes his head and hangs it up on the fridge anyway, Sakura’s joining soon after. He lingers on them for a moment, eyes crinkling with a familiar fondness before he turns away to join Sasuke in the living room.

“I take it everything went well today,” he says, plopping down onto the adjoining couch and humming contentedly when he props his feet on the coffee table and leans back. Pakkun leaps up and settles himself next to him, a low, warm growl rumbling underneath his hand when he begins to massage his wrinkled head.

“You could say that.” Sasuke has his back to him, but Kakashi detects something in his voice.

“Meaning?”

There’s a pause before Sasuke shuts his book and looks over his shoulder at Kakashi. “Let’s just say I got what I wanted for Valentine’s Day.”

What Sasuke wanted for Valentine’s Day was for all its practices to be dismantled and done away with for the greater good of humanity - or so he claimed in a rare moment of awakeness on their way to the academy that morning. Somehow Kakashi doesn’t think exchanging a couple valentines with his classmates is responsible for this drastic - some may say, miraculous - shift in perspective.

“This wouldn’t have anything to do with Iruka, would it?” He jerks his thumb at the door. “I just ran into him in the hallway and he didn’t look too happy.”

The corner of Sasuke’s mouth twitches, but he only shrugs, facing forward and cracking open his book once more.

Kakashi exchanges a look with Pakkun whose doleful eyes stare up at him, equally suspicious and, if he’s not mistaken, wholeheartedly unimpressed. With some reluctance, Kakashi swings his legs off the coffee table and gets to his feet in one languid motion. He crosses the short distance to where Sasuke sits, plucking the book out of his hands as he comes up behind him.

“Hey!”

“I’d like your undivided attention for this if you don’t mind,” Kakashi says calmly, perching himself on the arm of the couch, one foot on the ground, the other propped on the seat cushion. Sasuke glares at him resentfully, but keeps his mouth shut, albeit with the air of one whose time is being profoundly wasted.

“Ok,” Kakashi starts, folding his arms across his chest. “What happened at school today?”

“Nothing.”

“Sasuke.”

“Nothing,” Sasuke repeats, drawing out the word. When Kakashi continues to stare at him, he huffs in irritation. “Tch, I didn’t do anything.”

“I didn’t say you did,” Kakashi replies smoothly. “However, it’s not like you to take pleasure at Iruka’s expense. I thought you liked Iruka.”

There’s a pause. Sasuke averts his eyes out the window, uncomfortable. A gentle breeze rustles the overgrown jungle habitating the balcony.

“Yeah, I do,” he confirms grudgingly.

“Ok,” Kakashi continues ever so patiently, “so what’s got you in such a good mood?”

There’s another long pause. However, this time it’s Kakashi who breaks the silence. The answer hits him over the head and leaves him feeling - if he’s perfectly honest - like a fool.

“What did Naruto do this time?”

Sasuke hasn’t looked away from the window, but Kakashi sees a flicker of something cross his face.

“Well?”

Sasuke mulls it over, then simply relies, “Naruto was very generous with his valentines this year."

An image of the limp heart dripping with barely dried glue on their fridge comes to Kakashi’s mind. “How generous are we talking?”

“500 ryō worth.”

Kakashi can see where this is going. He suppresses a sigh.

“And where on earth did Naruto get the money for such a selfless gesture?”

Sasuke’s eyes slide to meet Kakashi’s. “Iruka.”

“Knowingly?”

A flash of annoyance flares in Sasuke’s dark eyes, again, like he’s wasting his time. In fairness, he is; the answer is obvious.

Kakashi leans his head back against the bookshelf behind him and briefly closes his eyes. A sigh falls heavily from his lips.

“Well, as long as he doesn’t come knocking on our door looking for money…” He glances down at Sasuke. “Was it worth it, at least?”

“Was what worth it?”

“Whatever it was that constituted stealing 500 ryō?”

Sasuke’s eyes narrow almost imperceptibly, but his reply is void of any feeling. “How should I know? I’m not Sakura. Now, do you mind? I was in the middle of something.” He holds out his hand then, waiting.

Kakashi regards him with patience, not entirely content to end the conversation there. It’s the familiar way in which Sasuke holds his hand out to him that cautions him to hold back. Patience, it whispers. Remember how you found him. Reading. At peace. At home.

He hands the book to Sasuke, who takes it without thanks, and thinks as he watches him leaf through its pages and settle against Bull that he could do with some light reading too.

#naruto #kakashi hatake #sasuke uchiha #naruto au #fic #bookends #he's like me #this is the most indulgent thing i've ever done #exactly one (1) person is going to read it

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shintorikhazumi · 7 years

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Hikari No Jukyo (Dwelling PLace of Light Pt. 2

@croissantrose71 I will tag you forever with this fic xD Since this idea was super fun… and super dokidokinowakuwaku to write, I swear, I’m giddy and that’s not normal towards your own story. I think.

A/N: So...Hikari no Jukyo part two… festival and confession and going home… excitable Akko like old… Dokidokinowakuwaku

Dad interrogation? Maybe? Nah?

Maybe dianakko kiss goodbye? This is a messed up A/N: brought on by a sleepy student who just got free time from school. I’m sorry for spoilers… If this is how it ends up?

Ok, also… you guys noticed too, right? Akko’s waist is like… thin… like what? Then again, everyone’s is! And before you say ‘What about Jasna’, don’t even go there, coz you know I’m all about that bass. And this was irrelevant in so many ways.

I beg you, don’t expect too much. This might be horrible compared to chap 1 XD… and I’m honestly not laughing. I’m yawning and dead- dying, rather…

Enjoy?

~Shintori Khazumi

~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~

Was it a dream?

-A tale of fiction, romance and drama interlaced, woven by a dream weaver’s thread to form a pattern for the figment of an imagination of a love-struck human being?

Diana hoped it was not. Wished it weren’t. Prayed it was all real.

And as she opened her eyes that morning, as she breathed in the fragrance of the flowers, felt the coolness of the morning brought on by the sea breeze, Diana Cavendish was capable of concluding that indeed, there was no mistaking it.

Each and every love-filled moment was her reality.

Loving Akko, and potentially being loved back was no false image on her part.

Every touch, every step, every word, every breath-

Every kiss…

It had all been real.

And if it still remained unbelievable, a thorn-less red rose- she didn’t care how it got there, accompanied by a card addressed to her, scribbled in the same neat calligraphy as the names the day before, lay right by her, the first things she’d ever see once she opened her eyes. This was a symbol of proof, of truth, of love.

Good morning, beautiful~ Enjoy your day! <3

The sender was so obvious and sweet, Diana felt giddy, her heart pounding hard so early into the morning as she took the rose, twirling it between her fingers, before bringing it to her lips, kissing the velvety petals, feeling totally in love.

She was ecstatic, very much so, but at the same time, incredibly embarrassed at how she had acted last night, as well as at all the exchanges she and Akko had done.

If any outsider were to come into her sleeping quarters at that exact moment, they’d find it comical: Diana’s frequent change in demeanor, from all happy and giddy, to flushed and embarrassed, face buried in her hands or a pillow.

Twenty minutes of rolling around, and a knock from Professor Ursula later, and the blonde heiress had made her way out of the smaller room, still in her night gown, head disheveled, and she, herself not in a state most were used to seeing her in.

The rest, already dressed for breakfast in casual wear as they were going to be enjoying the sun and waves later in the day, stared at her in surprise, the always punctual Diana Cavendish not yet ready for the day’s activities.

But there was something else they realized.

“Why are you so happy?” Sucy asked, visible brow quirked, slight amusement playing on her lips.

“I don’t know, am I?” Diana returned, feeling her flushed cheeks.

“You are.” Amanda deadpanned, arms crossed as the rest waited patiently.

“Then I am.” She giggled, grinning, an expression that made Amanda shiver, unaccustomed to such.

“Just go get ready for breakfast!”

~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~

Breakfast was composed of sneaking peeks across a long table, accidentally hitting each other’s chopsticks/silverware, some exchange of words, and a few eye-rolls from the audience as they watched the ‘couple’, Akko and Diana be total awkward messes in front of them.

Akko’s parents had their daughter’s visitors eat in the room where the family and servants ate, private and apart from all the other residents of the inn who dined in the general dining room of the place.

Akko and Diana had seated across from each other, with Amanda to Akko’s right, and Sucy and Lotte to her left; their teacher opted to sit next to the Cavendish girl.

After more fidgeting and tension between a certain pair, someone could not take it anymore.

“Can you just-!” Amanda, who was beginning to get annoyed, reached out to hold a hand each with her own to stop the fidgeting as she fixed them a stern glare. “Eat.” She commanded, and it seemed to have worked as breakfast settled into a more comfortable and calm atmosphere, nothing too special, but still a wonderful experience for them all.

That, and Ursula, Kentarou, and Akiko cried tears of joy from every bite they took from the god-given meal prepared by Akko for breakfast.

~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~

Two hours, and a dress rehearsal from Akko’s mom later, and the girls found themselves each in a set of swimwear, all owned by the inn for renting purposes, standing in front of individual body-length mirrors, each having their own reactions.

Of course, most reactions were of embarrassment as none of them had quite wanted to show so much skin if they were permitted to choose their own attire- the main reason why Akiko had stepped in, although Ursula and Akko managed to escape her clutches and chose something the older Kagari would write off as passing.

Lotte was wearing what most would have expected. A two-piece with ruffles that showed-off her slim midriff; a top and skirt. Cute just like her, and very innocent-looking.

Amanda, on the other hand, was the opposite, looking more adventurous, wild and free with her single short-sleeved top that exposed her fit waist, and short, fitting boy trunks.

Most had thought Sucy would be donning an old-school striped swimsuit, like those you saw in foreign movies, a one-piece akin to those that men wore, but due to Akiko’s vehement refusal to let the girls dress themselves in anything less fitting for their image, she ended up in a goth-ish one piece, part lace, with a flowing mini-skirt. Her hair had been fixed into a messy bun.

Ursula, despite having the best body, had chosen swimwear that resembled what surfers or divers would wear, because to her, she needed to be modest as a teacher- a choice that made Sucy and Akiko click their tongues in disappointment as the professor smiled helplessly. Still, the fitting suit hugged her curves quite well, and it left more to the imagination.

Akko had been heading to a separate room- her room, to be exact, to change, but she had managed a peek into the others’ changing room and caught a glimpse of Diana that sent an immediate rush of heat to her cheeks.

Clad in a modest, yet elegant looking swimsuit, Dian wore a two-piece, much like the rest of them, a strapless top, simple in design, yet it hugged the contours of her upper body, while she refused to wear just the bottom and covered up with a slit skirt that displayed a generous amount of her gorgeous leg.

The blonde looked herself over in the mirror, shyly, pink dusting her cheeks as she seemed to be muttering things about modesty, and about how her body wasn’t suited to such apparel, something Akko totally disagreed with.

Staring at Diana was becoming Akko’s habit as of late and the only way that she would stop admiring the other girl was if someone caught her in the act, usually teasing her to no end (Sucy).

It just so happened that the last person she wanted to see her, one who was not Diana or Sucy, spotted her, giving her a coy smirk as she raised a brow, nearing Diana as she was helping the younger complete her look, adding a single white lily behind her ear after pulling the heiress hair into a high ponytail.

Akiko winked at her daughter, who immediately did an about-face and shuffled to her own quarters to change, humiliated that her mom had caught her staring at the girl she liked.

She hoped she didn’t have a weird face on.

Unbeknownst to her, Diana had seen her through the mirror, and was now burning up in sheer embarrassment as her crush’s mother showered her with admiration and teasing words.

~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~

If the breeze felt from the room was nothing short of refreshing, it couldn’t top the burst of cool and relaxing the guests felt as they finally stood on the ryoukan’s private section of the beach, reserved only to guests.

The beach was a sight to behold, and to the natives, the addition of not only one, but five foreign beauties walking on their Japanese sand, made it all the more mesmerizing, especially with how they flaunted this beauty so candidly.

Of course, two people caught the most attention, a woman with a body nothing short of stunning, and a fair beauty, modestly clothed, exuding elegance.

But as jaw-dropping as they were, no doubt they had an aura of standoff-ishness. Like untouchable beings.

Diana breathed in the fresh air, and relished the way it combed through her curled tresses, the new source of freedom and stress-relief running in her veins. She had looked out into the vast ocean, admiring the sparkle in the waters as the waves rolled towards her, the sea beckoning her to swim.

But she was still waiting for someone to come out as that person’s servants informed her that they were still changing.

With their bags left to Akko’s father to watch over under his large umbrella and lounge chair, the girl’s proceeded to do anything as they wished for the day

Sucy had accompanied Lotte along the shoreline to pick up pretty shells and such, finding a mushroom shaped one with odd amounts of luck.

Ursula was stuck to watch Amanda as she yelled ‘Freedom’ and dashed off to splash in the water, the teacher frantically reminding her to stretch so she would not get cramps and such, and to watch where she was swimming since it could be dangerous.

The red head had chosen to add more panic to her teacher as she declared she’d take part in a long distance swimming competition taking place just nearby, pointing to a registration booth a few meters away from where they stood.

It was supposedly a yearly competition, sponsored by the inn.

With no other choice but to follow, the teacher had found herself dragged into participating as well, already lined up and in position with the rest of the swimmers as the announcer pointed to a barely visible buoy about five kilometers away in the water, floating in its place serving as the turning point for the swimmers.

A few boats had been stationed here and there as well, in case of emergency.

Ursula sighed, wondering what she had gotten herself into as she wore the goggles and swimcap provided after registration.

Just as the gun start was about to blow, a brown figure, shouted wait, running as she announced a last minute entry, the crowds cheering at the sight of her, but Ursula had no time to check and confirm whoever it was, just that she had sounded familiar.

“All swimmers to your positions!” The gun had been held up high, everyone preparing themselves for the signal. “Ready… set… GO!”

And what some would see as a frenzy of splashes, much like fish, were actually the mixture of good and okay swimmers, all racing their way to the top in this roughly ten kilometer- or so, race as was the usual distance for these things.

Ursula could only manage a small amount of her awareness for the rest of the competitors, as she was more focused on watching Amanda, who she had accidentally overtaken a moment ago and was now swimming beside, somewhere at the head of the whole group, just behind that brown bundle they had seen earlier.

Though the said bundle was pulling away from them faster, already leading this whole fray as she reached the turning point first, tapping it and turning back, Ursula only managing a small glimpse, and nearly swallowed salt water as she gasped in recognition, now exasperated that she had to keep an eye on, not one, but two of her beloved students.

-But more on Amanda since her movements were getting slightly sloppy which was worrying if it was due to her getting tired.

Needless to say, by the end of the long distance swim, Amanda stood proudly on the little platform stage of the beach, managing to snag fifth place thanks to her athletic ability (plus pure luck), though she was looking quite exhausted, while Ursula stood at third, a bronze medal on her neck, as she didn’t look the least bit out of breath, shocking the two male competitors at either side of her at second and fourth place.

What was more surprising to the witches- all five of them, the rest of the trio having watched the performance, and not to the rest of the audience was the proud beaming of a brunette Japanese as she accepted the gold medal, humbly, waving at the cheers she received.

“So, Miss Kagari, how does it feel to win your third consecutive win this summer? I mean, after only receiving bronze or silver before it.” The announcer handed the mic to a dripping Akko, jovial in her win and looking refreshed rather than tired.

“Of course, it’s awesome! And it really tells me my hard work was worth it.”

The words Akko spoke… it seemed she was referring to other things, not only in swimming.

Ursula felt like tearing up. She would wait patiently for the day Akko would be able to say that about her studies in magic… She’d wait patiently. She knew it would happen. She was so sure.

That girl was a miracle in her life.

And now, there were more people to support her. She could do it.

All her hard work would be worth it.

~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~

After claiming their prizes, they had a regroup, but Akko was now walking shyly, using Ursula as a shield to hide from a certain blonde.

Earlier, Diana was far too mesmerized by the brightness of Akko’s joy that she hadn’t paid much attention to the girl’s swimwear. But now, now that she had been given enough time to take a good look, steam could be seen pouring out of her ears, as she tried, and failed to avert her eyes so many times.

“Wow Akko! I didn’t know you could swim so well!” Lotte gushed over the gold medal, praising her friend for this surprising ability.

“I guess I joined a couple sports teams before entering Luna Nova. It just so happens that swimming was one of my favorites.” Akko grinned bashfully, happy to show that she was good at something at least. “Well, my hard work paid off and now… well I’m a bit good at it.”

“A bit?” Amanda chuckled, slinging an arm around Akko, bringing her out from behind their teacher, and shaking her, before releasing her as she met Diana’s gaze that had trailed after her arm. “You were awesome!” She chuckled, avoiding the heiress’ eyes. “Like you really are super fit, no wonder your body’s like that, handling all those falls back at school.” The comment was said with good intentions, and was accepted with such.

“That was quite the feat, Akko.” Ursula smiled at her pupil who smiled back.

“You were cool too, sensei!”

“You really have a real fit body.” Sucy commented. She then saw Diana walking away for a while from their group towards Akko’s dad who had been standing nearby with their bags as she grabbed some cloth, from what the one-eyed witch could decipher.

“Thanks, Sucy… Sucy?” Akko replied embarrassed at the comment, but then confused as her friend was no longer talking to her.

“Ah, yeah.” She turned her attention back to the group just as Diana had started coming back. Looking Akko over again, she whistled. “Yeah… you really do have a very good, fit body…” She grinned, making sure her voice was loud enough to be heard by someone before turning to the targeted blonde. “Right, Diana?”

“Wh-what is it?!” She glared, daring Sucy to say anything teasing.

“Nothing, I was just wondering if you had anything to tell Akko since you seem to be looking at her weirdly, like in an annoyed way?”

Akko felt like she had received a punch to the gut at the news.

Diana was annoyed with her? Why?

“Well, yes- no! Akko, no I don’t mean it in such ways, what I mean is…” Diana let out a huge breath, stepping closer to Akko, keeping her gaze leveled with appropriate places. She dared not look down.

Akko shivered at the contact of Diana’s hands momentarily with her skin, before she was draped with a light blue shawl, contrasting the color of Diana’s cheeks.

“I just wanted to know… did you really swim in that?’’ She asked, referring to Akko’s swimsuit, the compromise she had decided on with her mom. This elicited a blush from the girl, as she held the shawl tighter around her frame, nodding in gratefulness for Diana’s concern as she did not trust her tongue at the moment.

Her red swimsuit was a black two-piece with red accents, her top almost resembling a sports bra, but with thinner straps, and her bottoms looked to be a skirt, a very short fitting one, but Akko assured that she was wearing swim shorts underneath.

“How chivalrous~” Sucy teased, going a bit closer to Diana to poke her. “And they say Chivalry is dead.”

“That is… well if the person you… l-lo-like-“ Diana caught herself, she wouldn’t say those words… not until later tonight. “… of course you wouldn’t want others to see them like that. Th-that is the sole reason you portrayed me as annoyed. I respect Akko, and I respect her choices, but it also means I respect her body and hope she’d be more mindful. I want her to know that.” She told the brunette indirectly.

Their eyes met for a brief moment before both averted their gazes, as Sucy shrugged, now suggesting they go grab something to eat since it was nearly lunch time. Diana and Akko were thankful for the change in topic.

“We didn’t get to hang out and play together much because some people-“ Akko and Amanda gulped. “Decided that they’d much rather go racing.”

“Sorry.”

After apologizing, both stomachs rumbled and the group shared a laugh, as Lotte led the way towards a beach house nearby that served meals, and everyone followed behind her.

Akko’s dad was waving them over from the entrance, his task of watching the belongings taken over by a different servant, as he shouted that lunch was going to be his treat.

As Diana was about to follow as well, a hand tugging on her skirt stopped her.

Sparing a glance, she saw Akko’s still flushed face, mirroring hers.

“Th-thanks, Diana. For being so thoughtful.”

“You are most welcome.” Diana smiled, this time waiting for Akko to start moving so that they could walk together, but the girl was still glued to her spot, prompting Diana to raise a brow. “Akko? Is something wrong?”

Her other brow soon joined the first as she was left wide-eyed, the brunette braving herself and grabbing the heiress hand, and pulling her in to land a kiss on the other’s cheek before running in front of her, not releasing their joined hands and ended up dragging Diana all the way to the beach house, wondering what excuse they could give for how red their faces were… again.

Sunburn, perhaps?

~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~

The afternoon passed quickly enough, nothing more than a few games such as splitting watermelons, making sand castles (Sucy and Amanda created such realistically horrific creations.), and taking naps, were the happenings that took place.

Akko was laying on her side, curled up into a little ball with Diana’s bag as a makeshift pillow. The heiress offering it since there was nothing more than a towel and a few clothes inside, and it was softer in comparison to the leather pack Akko was using.

The blonde was sat just beside the sleeping girl, hand occupied, one flipping the pages of a book, while the other combed through the brown tresses of the girl who kept inching closer to her every minute and had attempted to hug Diana’s knees more than a few times.

The rest enjoyed their last few minutes, just sitting on the shore, close enough to the water that the waves could reach them as they watched the sinking sun.

Diana sighed in contentment.

The day was far too enjoyable that she would fear it all to be a mere dream, but with every breath- and snore, from the dear beside her, she felt each moment crystalize and embed into her mind that nothing could be fake or fabricated as long as Akko was with her.

“Diana…” She murmured, a smile tugging at the brunette’s lips as her arm went back to hugging the area around Diana’s knees. And this time, the blonde didn’t remove that warmth.

~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~

“Thanks for the ride, Ryuu-chan!” Akko exclaimed as her passengers got down from the car one by one after dinner and getting ready for the main event of the night, the festival.

Ryuunosuke, the driver, gave an embarrassed grunt in return, trying not to meet his master’s gaze as she used his pet name once more.

As he had been the one out of all the servants to spend the most time with the Young Miss, it was no wonder they were close. Still, he had yet to get used to the nickname.

“Please call me, Ryuunosuke, Atsuko-oujosama.”

“Ryuu-chan…” Akko warned, and the man groaned, rubbing the back of his head as he conceded.

With his best smile, he took off his usual shades, bent down to her eye level and patted her head.

“Take care, Akko.”

“Thanks. Bye-bye Ryuu-chan!” She waved, shutting the car door as the vehicle drove away, leaving the ladies to stand in awe at the grandeur of the celebrations.

“Everyone really looks really amazing! Like really!” Akko gushed for the –nth time since they had changed in their rooms.

“Akko, you’ve told us that so many times. And again, thank you… but stop. Amanda can’t handle being called beautiful for too long.” Sucy grinned, entering her teasing mode.

“Shut it.”

Amanda, with her hair combed neatly, was clothed in a refreshing minty grin yukata with violet flowers printed on, a similarly-colored belt to match.

Sucy wore one in purple with a yellow sash, while Lotte wore a yellow one with a purple sash, the designs of the kimonos matching nicely.

Ursula had been given a fiery red one, hints of orange and yellow made up for a gradient looking regal robe. It had the look of autumn and fire. Her hair was pulled into a braided bun, held in place by chopsticks.

Akko turned to the last, but certainly not the least of her visitors.

Now Diana… she was quite the sight to behold. Akko had her eyes stuck to the british descendant, in a pale blue, sparkling Kimono with the theme of winter and snow, her hair pulled to one side, bangs pulled back as well and ended in a loose side-bun of sorts, the lily flower back in her hair.

Akko’s mother had put make-up on all of them, just for fun, and it certainly did wonders in enhancing Diana’s already gorgeous features.

Her cheeks were healthy looking, and her high cheekbones had been accented, her lips were made to look even more delectable than usual, and the blue diamonds she called eyes, popped out.

She was the picture of grace and beauty, and strength and a lot of things that Akko had running through her mind, all summed up in one thought.

“Beautiful.”

It was an unconscious reaction, but everyone could agree with Akko’s statement as the admired Diana’s form in Japanese traditional clothing.

“Thank you.” Diana said in a near whisper. She gazed at Akko, also dressed for the occasion, and felt pleased with how the girl looked, so fitting in this setting. It was still quite the pleasant surprise to see her not dressed so gruffly or casually, and look the part of a young lady. “You look absolutely arresting as well. I can’t take my eyes off of you.”

And again, the rest agreed, taking the time to view Akko, dressed in Sakura-themed clothing that faded into red at the bottom, depicting the change in seasons from spring to summer. Akko had her hair loose and gathered at one side, bangs held back by pins, and away from her usual style.

“Can-Can you guys just stop staring? I’m not used to it either, okay? Looking like this.” She tugged at the edge of her sleeve.

“I surely do not mind getting accustomed to such.” Diana spoke up with an appreciative smile. “I’d very much like to see such a beautiful sight every day... if possible.” She scratched her cheek, now feeling shy after all her honest words.

“I-I-“ Akko tried finding a suitable reply as Lotte watched on with excitement, as if reading a volume of nightfall, and a scene was happening in real life. “I’m not too good with dressing myself up, though. And not too comfortable either.” She said, the last part quieter than the rest. “Will that still be okay?”

“What do you mean?” Diana seemed genuinely confused as her honest feelings kept resurfacing. “As long as I see you, there will not be such problems.” Akko looked at her curiously. “What I am trying to remind you of is that I’ve said it before, haven’t I? You are the most beautiful thing I have ever set my eyes on, and I will only ever look at your beauty.”

“Diana…”

“Akko.”

“How bold.” The poison-brewer snickered, ruining the moment as Lotte cried out her name, thinking of how much a waste it was since the atmosphere between the pair was so good.

“Shall we?” Akko beckoned with a smile to everyone, but only directing her gaze to Diana.

“With pleasure.”

~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~

The mood had been set. The night was young, moon up in the cloudless sky, as the stars were barely visible from the lights of the bright festival grounds, traditional festival music heard from all around, blending with all the hustle and bustle. Stalls lined the street, various attractions and games, snacks and meals being sold along the long road.

Akko and her guests wandered around through the sea of people, careful not to get separated from each other in the huge population of festival goers.

Despite their cautiousness, bumping into other people in this crowd, or losing sight of one another, even though it might only be for a moment, was always unavoidable as the tourist group found themselves looking at the usual sheepish, clumsy Akko, bowing in apology to an older man, somewhere in his early twenties, a college delinquent perhaps, as he held a now empty container of what was supposed to be blue Hawaiian shaved ice.

“Gomenasai… hontonii sumimasen deshita!” Akko repeated the bowing gesture, eyes tightly shut as she was ashamed to have shown this clumsy nature to her guests though they were well accustomed with it.

“Tsk.” The guy glared at first glance towards the prostrated girl, but as he took in her features, Diana saw the change in his countenance, one she did not fancy.

Ursula gripped Diana’s shoulder in a nervous way once the man had opened his mouth, speaking things to Akko and translating to the blonde, as she was the only one truly fluent in Japanese among the foriegn group.

“Diana… he’s telling Akko that there are other ways she can compensate for what she did.” The professor whispered as the girls eyed the male and the rest of his posse warily, Diana stepping in a bit closer.

“I’m sorry, but I don’t understand what you mean.” Akko replied in Japanese, possibly realizing what was going on, and deciding to feign ignorance as she had been taught, and trying her best not to appear intimidated by the dangerous glint in the male’s eyes. “I need to go, but I really am sorry for bumping into you. If you need money to replace that, I’d gladly pay for it.”

“Do you think the money was the issue? You embarrassed me, miss.” The man moved closer, prepared to grab the brunette’s wrist. “You will undo the embarrassment by letting me return the favor, but don’t worry, it will be in a more pleasurable way.”

Diana felt her face contort into an angry expression as she tried to reach Akko before the man could touch her with her filthy hands.

“Come ‘ere-“

-But she was beaten to the punch, well slap, as Amanda stepped in, hitting the man’s hand away.

“My friend said she was sorry.” The redhead glared into his eyes. “And she was kind enough to offer a reasonable compensation.”

Though the boy could not understand the different language, he felt as if he could sense what she was saying.

Amanda turned to Diana as she pushed the wide-eyed Akko close to her, almost in an embrace, as they quickly stepped away at the proximity.

“You forgive her right?” Amanda’s glare was one to be feared as she stared the man down, someone taller than her by at least five inches.

A woman’s voice sounded from in front of him, translating those words for him to understand.

He nodded, wondering why he was so intimidated by a highschool-looking girl. Sensing something else behind her, his eyes drifted and landed on a fiery red, hidden behind the rims of glass, looking like death, ready to consume him.

“Right?” Amanda pressed, going up in his face, hand pushing his chest back. “I can’t hear you.” She whispered threateningly.

“H-hai! W-wakatta yo… kuso...” He raised his hands in defense, now backing off.

“Great.” Amanda gave a sweet smile before it twisted into a scowl. “Now piss off.”

Sucy clapped at the first-class entertainment as Lotte thanked their teacher and inquired with Amanda and Akko if they were both alright, the latter giving a soft affirmative, while the other teen raised her thumb proudly, wide grin on her face.

Diana, however, felt disappointed as she was not able to take action right away, her worry must have been holding a part of her frozen as she was rendered helpless, watching the scene unfold.

Akko had gotten in trouble again, and as she was usually the one to swoop in and rescue the girl- in varying situations, it seemed that things were different this time around, different in the sense that her feelings toward Akko had become stronger and were enough to grip her with fear for the other.

“Don’t be so down, princess.” Amanda spoke with a low voice that only the heiress could hear as she passed by her, ready to go in front as Ursula decided she’d take the lead and find a spot for them in time for the fireworks. “You may not have been able to do something earlier, but you certainly can now.”

“?”

“I just felt the need to step in ‘cause Akko is my friend. And so are you. If it was hard, then I got your back. No need to ask for help. That’s what friends are.”

Blinking away her negative thoughts, she stared at the lean back of the person she constantly bickered with, suddenly grateful to any god for such loyal friends.

Diana would have thanked her if she hadn’t already scurried to the front, assisting Ursula in looking over other people’s heads as they were taller than the rest, Sucy and Lotte also moving in front of the red-blue pair, following closely behind their teacher in order to offer some semblance of privacy.

Diana really was grateful.

But now, she was left to look at a shaken and slouched figure of the person her heart longed for, making it ache in a different, less favorable way.

“Are you okay?”

The girl nodded, but still seemed upset. “I was hoping to be a good host and show you a good time, but I just did the opposite. I made you all worry, and Amanda and Ursula-sensei mad.” She sounded as though she might cry, and Diana felt her throat run dry. “I’m sorry.” Her voice cracked.

Swiftly, the prodigious witch, managed to recover her voice, wanting to make everything better, not wanting to have another setback tonight.

After all, it was going to become special.

“H-here” Diana held out her hand to Akko, not wanting to be pulled apart from the other girl lest she get lost. Truly no ulterior motive. Maybe.

Akko gave her hand a glance and then offered an appreciative smile, reaching her hand out to grab it, bringing it close to her face before planting a kiss on Diana’s fingers as she turned the color of her love’s eyes.

“I-If it is of any help, we can stick together… unless you prefer crashing into more people.” Diana tried to be sarcastic, as Akko giggled at the failed attempt on the blonde’s part. “This way you won’t have to worry about me and keep turning around to check on all of us… A-and… I did ask you to hold my hand last night… and smile at me.”

Their faces were sprinkled with pink as they recalled the previous night, Diana glowing more and more, a shining red. In her shyness, she attempted to turn her face away, but gentle fingers caressing the side of her cheek and prompting her to face Akko again, made her brave the embarrassment.

She found her wish granted as Akko showed her a bright smile, one of her favorite sights in the world. Diana’s hand felt warm as it was squeezed tightly by Akko’s free one, her heart in the same situation, warm and thumping, in the palm of the usual mischief-maker’s hand.

“Thank you~.” The girl sighed, leaning forward to brush their noses against each other, even if she had to stand on her toes to do so, Diana standing a good few inches taller than her. “You’re absolutely, a hundred percent right. This is a date after all, isn’t it?”

The blonde could only nod, tongue-tied and mesmerized by Akko’s tender gaze.

“Hey, love birds. Now, don’t go getting lost on us or anything.” Sucy teased as the said pair was made aware of their current situation that the rest of their companions had been waiting for them patiently to follow as to not be apart and add more mishaps.

They both stepped a part, only a tiny bit, nodding as their blushes remained nearly permanent on their faces after so many returns.

They continued their festival adventure, stopping by stalls every once in a while to taste new food, and try their skills at various games, winning a few prizes along the way.

And the whole time, no matter what they did, neither Diana nor Akko released their joined hands.

~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~

Akko felt her phone vibrate in her small pouch as she chewed on some takoyaki that Diana had fed her. With her free hand, she dug her bag for it and saw the alarm blinking back at her telling her it was almost time for the fireworks- maybe in about twenty minutes.

Akko was glad she had thought to prepare early to take everyone to her special viewing spot and now tugged them along through the crowds again, leading them out and up a twisting road that led to the top of a hill.

It was a fairly long trek, about fifteen minutes up a poorly lit path, Akko helping Diana every step of the way, but after turning a curve, the witches found themselves looking over an expanse of festival lights, a glowing sea with twinkling stars above, and fresh clean air.

It was a jaw-dropping sight.

There was something akin to a balcony or terrace by the edge, stone benches lining the border and everyone had taken seat. Well, Amanda wanted to stand by the railings.

“So Akko, why are we in this deserted place?” Sucy, blunt as ever, asked.

“You’ll thank me soon enough. After all,” She grinned, hearing the sounds of countdown, before a brighter color of light flashed right before them. “These are the best seats in the house!”

She laughed good-naturedly at the entranced state of her guests as Lotte squealed in wonder at all the fascinating lights, the rest being more quiet in their admiration of the light show.

Even Akko was captivated, no matter how many times she’d seen them, they’d never fail to spirit her away into an enchanted state.

There was one person, however, who wasn’t bedazzled by all the glowing lights, but rather, she was bewitched by the beauty beside her.

Out of reflex, she had squeezed the girl’s hand, Diana watching Akko, cheers and all, like a child, sweat forming on her brow, hair sticking to her neck and face, with that smile that was beautiful as ever.

She was just absolutely breath-taking. And Diana would admit that over and over again.

With the attention far from them, Diana firmed herself, deciding it was the time. Now was the time.

In the most subtle way, she called for Akko’s attention, her hand squeezing Akko’s and tracing her thumb over the back of the brunette’s while whispering her name.

It was a miracle the Japanese girl could hear her with all the booms and bang, but her ruby reds had granted Diana her undivided attention, looking slightly confused, but hidden in that was anxiety and anticipation for what she was hoping was it.

“Diana? What’s wrong?” She tried her hardest to keep her voice leveled and composed, despite her excitement.

“Akko I’m ready.”

Akko had smiled for her, held her hand in the festival, keeping her end of the deal. It was high time Diana did her share.

And those words were enough to make the girl’s heart come to a complete stop, only to start racing so fast, it was almost painful.

This was it.

Diana’s confession.

With a nod, she signaled the other to proceed, no longer having the strength to speak, as their hands linked tighter, gripping so hard they turned pale.

“Akko… for quite some time… I have been watching over you. And earlier on in our knowing one another, we did not exactly get along. But I was always drawn to you for some reason.” Diana began, swallowing a lump in her throat. “I’ve realized I’ve held you in a different regard… After a while I realized it was love. And now, it’s our second year in Luna Nova. We’ve grown closer… I know we have.”

Akko nodded, urging the other to keep going.

“We have spent more and more time together. Tutor sessions, partnerships, library rendezvous?” Diana giggled bashfully. “And to tell you the truth, I embraced them all so closely to my heart. They were the best experiences of my life.”

Diana took both of Akko’s hands in her now, facing each other.

“I don’t think I need to say more… because all the words in the world wouldn’t amount to any of my feelings for you so… Akko…” It was coming, and Akko braced her heart for it, as did Diana, eyes tightly shut, hands shaking in nervousness, “Would you do me the honor of becoming my one and only? My first and last… because I doubt I’d find or even need someone that’s not you.”

There was no response, and a painful void filled Diana as she slowly opened her eyes.

And a more gut wrenching sight was shown to her.

Akko had begun crying.

“Akko?!” She asked worriedly, now thinking if she had gone wrong somewhere. She was about to release their hands when the brunette spoke up.

“N-No! Diana, Ahahahaha…” She took a moment to wipe away her tears. She then gave a smile that split from ear to ear. “It’s just…You sound so serious. Almost like this is a proposal.” Akko giggled, informing Diana that those were tears of joy, and never sorrow.

“It might as well be.” Bashfully, Diana tightened her grip again, not being able to meet Akko’s nervous gaze.

“D-Diana?”

Was she really saying something like this? Such a commitment to Akko; was it something she, Diana, was okay with having?

“I reiterate… Kagari Atsuko. I don’t care if someone says they are better. I don’t care if we get into messes… especially when they are caused by you.” Diana had started, playing with their joined hands, swinging them side to side. She needed Akko to know this.

“Hey!” She received a playful hit for the last bit, causing her to smile.

“I will mind when we fight, but I will always try to make up with you because…”

“Because?”

Deep breath.

“To me, you are the best. Whatever problem, together or alone, we’ll just have to go over it together. We might fight but I will never allow such things to break or come between us… I won’t find or need anyone else. Just you. My one and only.”

Akko felt a fresh wave of tears come back as one of her hands slipped free from Diana’s, and went to cover her mouth, muffling the cries of happiness, despite them not being heard anyway due to the still ongoing fireworks.

Diana was ready. Far too ready. Her emotions now too strong to hold back any longer.

“Kagari Atsuko, I love you. SO, so much. Everything I said, and will say and do is my love for you.” Finally the blonde says ‘I love you’. She lets out all her feelings in those words, words that she swore not to use until now. Words reserved for this special moment. Reserved because they were far too special to just be thrown about.

They were words that could only be spoken to her world. She now poured those words out.

“No fair.” The Japanese witch muttered, once her hiccups had died down, wiping away her tears on her sleeve.

“Whatever do you mean?” Diana asked, trying to make sense of things.

“I didn’t get to tell you anything like that! I can’t think of words to say. I don’t know how to put my feelings into words…I’m not good at that, but I want you to know how much I love you too.”

Diana felt so much warmth encompass her at that revelation. Akko’s reply, her feelings. Though the blonde had already known they held mutual emotions for one another, hearing them expressed out in the open was too good to be true.

She smiled, knowing how to respond.

“I already know.” She reassured. “I don’t need too many fancy wordings, Akko. All I have ever longed for was for my reciprocated feelings. I know. I feel your love. So you don’t need to say anything.”

“But still-!”

“Then show me.” Diana cut in boldly, now claiming a deeper blush. “Show me Akko.”

The said girl’s breath hitched in her throat as her freed hand was now lifted, shakily reaching for Diana’s face.

“Show me how much you love me.”

It was almost a dare. And Akko loved a challenge.

Akko leaned in to initiate, hand cupping Diana’s cheek. Their breaths mingled for a few seconds, nerves all over the place, and with one last look of confirmation, Akko pushed through to meet her love’s waiting lips

The kiss started slow, Akko’s hands moved along Diana’s face in a teasing caress with nails raking over the blonde’s cheek and neck. Every inch of skin she touched left a burning feel in its wake.

The blonde gasped as she felt her counterpart run her tongue testingly against her bottom lip, to which she responded to by opening her mouth the slightest bit before her lips were ravished by the other.

Akko loved the addicting taste, immediately deciding that Diana tasted sweet, a refreshingly sweet taste, more delectable than the nectar and ambrosia consumed by the gods themselves.

Diana thanked the gods they were seated, for her legs were far too weak after that mind-blowing kiss.

They parted to allow a few breaths of fresh air for their lungs.

The speakers from below blasted the words of the announcer into the night air. The next set of fireworks would be the last. Diana slightly regretted not being able to watch them, though the fire burning in Akko’s eyes were far more interesting than those.

“Where… did you…learn to do that?” She asked between puffs of air, as her forehead was now leaned against Akko’s. Her lips pulled into a breathy smile, as her eyes remained close, hearing her heart drum louder than the beat from the festival, and feeling every heartbeat pound through her entire system.

“Practice?” She replied, feeling silly.

“What? With who?” Diana almost felt betrayed, if it weren’t for Akko’s adorable giggles, and sheepish demeanor.

“My pillow.”

The two of them stayed like that a minute more, sneaking a glance at their companions who were still taken in by the final set of fireworks that now started.

Diana let Akko’s hand go, before drawing closer and clinging to the front of her host’s robes, her ear positioned against the girl’s chest as she listened to a similar heart to hers, running so fast as she felt so safe and warm as Akko wrapped an arm around her.

“I’m happy.” Diana whispered.

“W-well I am too.” Akko replied, her hold tightening.

“Hehehe…” With a giggle, Diana shifted her head to look into eyes she loved so much. With all her sincerity and feelings, each and every little or large thing she felt for the girl, before, now and ever, she poured into words she’d be saying for years to come.

“I love you.”

Akko felt her heart go wild, hand now reaching to tilt Diana’s chin up, eyes filled with an intense gaze as she stared Diana down. The blonde was being far too cute right now, and Akko’s emotions towards her were not helping in the slightest to quell her desperate urges to just smother the heiress in all her love.

“Can I… kiss you… again?” She looked for much needed permission.

With a lift of a brow, almost as if she were saying ‘are you really asking that?’, Diana lifted a hand, snaking it around Akko’s neck before it rested on the back of the brunette’s neck, paying with loose strands of hair as she pulled her ever so close.

“Be my guest.”

The moment was magical, the final display of light becoming their background. The sounds were all drowned out by their synchronized hearts, soaring and singing as their lips moved as one.

At that moment, Diana realized one thing. One interestingly amusing fact, but also endearing, so much so that she’d never forget it a day of her life. Though she doubted she’d forget anything when it came to matters Akko.

She realized it.

The Inn wasn’t the only Hikari no Jukyo, not the only dwelling place of light.

The one who held the light of Diana’s life, who made her feel warm inside. Her own dwelling place of light,

-Akko was her “Hikari no Jukyo”.

As they separated, the brunette giggled, breathing in puffs of air, fireworks going off behind them, but everything was silent to them, only seeing, hearing, and feeling each other as they nuzzled, forehead to forehead, nose to nose.

The lights slowly dimmed, as the remaining sizzles dissipated into the young morning.

A new day, a new light. A new experience, a new place, a new emotion, a new heart.

The inn, Hikari no Jukyo. Her love, her personal dwelling place of light that held all the warmth she’d ever need in her life.

Even if she left, Diana knew, in this place, she’d always be safe to return, greeted by the exact same words she’d hear tonight, over and over again as many times as she could. For as long as she would live.

Akko offered one last smile, planting a kiss on her forehead as they stood up, ready to head back home, back to that Inn. To the place that had arms open wide. Diana would return to it, to the arms that beckoned her in, always home.

She knew she was welcome.

Leaning close to Diana’s ear, Akko managed a whisper that would forever be engrained in Diana’s mind.

“Welcome, my love, to Hikari no Jukyo.”

A/N: That… was bad. Well, Guess what? There might be a following chapter featuring the going home. Since like… uh… I still want to see a Jasna and Constanze who followed up and Akko’s mom fawning over the little girl. Should I? Tell me! And I have whole cute scene planned out in my head!

Did you enjoy? Like it? Nah? Reblog? Review? Thanks!

~Shintori Khazumi

#hikari no jukyo #fanfic #lwa #dianakko #diakko #diana cavendish #akko kagari #little witch academia

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