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If there’s anything Ryuunosuke Naruhodou is good at, especially under pressure, it’s putting his foot in his mouth. That morning, he and Susato Mikotoba, after fifty long days, had finally arrived to the great metropolis of London. Immediately, they had both made their way to the Lord Chief Justice’s office to make their case.
It was supposed to be easy, to just announce who they were, and that they had intended to continue the study tour, in Kazuma Asougi’s memory— He’d even rehearsed in his head what he was going to say!
However, every word that Ryuunosuke knew, in both English and Japanese, managed to shrivel up and disappear once he caught the gaze of the imposing Lord Chief Justice, Mael Stronghart.
His cold blue eyes stared down at him, the very stature of the man himself dwarfed Ryuunosuke, and he pointed his staff at the pair, causing the doves behind him to flutter away as the massive clock ticked behind him.
“If you would just hear us out,” Susato finally piped up, bowing her head politely, “Lord Stronghart.”
He quirked an eyebrow and tilted his head to the young woman, there was a slight glint in his eye as he examined her.
“What do you have to say, madam…?”
“It is about the study tour…” Susato replied. “Mr. Naruhodou here would like to make a proposal.”
The relief from the pressure of the British man was short lived, for Stronghart then stared down at Ryuunosuke once more, causing the latter to gulp as he tried to open his mouth to speak. His hands were shaking and his palms were sweaty, he wanted nothing more than to run out and pack himself into the safe confines of Kazuma’s trunk— to simply close his eyes and wish that it had all been some elaborate dream.
This is it then, the moment of truth… Ryuunosuke thought. I can do this! I can do this!
“T-The thing is, Lord Chief Stronghart, well…” he stammered. “I was wondering if perhaps you would consider… er… possibly allowing the study tour to go ahead…?”
Great, fantastic work, he’ll definitely allow it… he thought.
“Do not misunderstand me, Britain would love nothing more than to see the study tour go ahead,” Stronghart replied. “But without a lawyer from your country, there’s nothing to be done.”
“Well… in that case, what if there was someone else?” Ryuunosuke asked. “Another lawyer from Japan, I mean!”
Stronghart simply stared at him, his face was stoic. While he was silent, Ryuunosuke glanced over to Susato, who smiled at him reassuringly, causing his knees to weaken.
“Is there something I don’t know?” Stronghart finally asked.
Okay, okay, just say it… just spit it out! Ryuunosuke thought. Just come out and say it! I am the lawyer!
“Only a single lawyer was invited to Great Britain from your country, and that was Mr. Asougi,” Stronghart continued.
“W-Well, um… the thing is…”
It’s impossible! This really isn’t going well at all! He thought. I just can’t seem to find the right words to say to this man!
“Mr. Naruhodou…!” Susato’s voice brought him back down to earth.
She stared at him with coal black eyes, as if she were staring into his very soul, with the strongest resolve that he had ever seen— even stronger than Kazuma’s the day of Ryuunosuke’s own trial. She was unbreakable, like a mountain facing the sea, she was unshakable.
His entire mind had gone blank, the sound of the ticking clock drowned out as the room seemed to darken. He slowly took a deep breath, and opened his eyes. He slapped his hands against his cheeks twice as he regained his posture. His heart hammered in his throat, threatening to sink into his stomach at any moment.
“It… it can only be…” Ryuunosuke started.
There’s only one right choice… after all that time on the ship… Ryuunosuke thought. Like a bolt of lightning, it all makes sense now, I can’t let her down now…!
“Yes! Miss Susato!” Ryuunosuke blurted out.
The silence between Susato and Stronghart was so thick, it threatened to suffocate Ryuunosuke. Susato stared with wide eyes and brought her hands over her chest, and she simply blinked, dumbfounded, as Ryuunosuke’s words echoed in her ears.
Stronghart, meanwhile, pulled out his pocket watch and started to wind it. He drew his lips into a thin taut line and glanced up at Ryuunosuke, his face was flat and unreadable.
“An unusual introduction, but I presume you must mean this charming lady beside you…” Stronghart said, before turning to face Susato. “You’re a lawyer… aren’t you…?”
Susato simply stared in shock, far too stunned to even speak. Instead, she turned to face Ryuunosuke, eyes wide, with a threatening glint, and her jaw was agape.
“Very well then!” Stronghart said, raising his arms out, and ignoring the protestations of his Japanese guests. “It is unorthodox, but we are on the precipice of a new century!”
As Stronghart delivered a long winded speech, and as he assigned Susato her very first assignment (A not guilty verdict for a man whose trial was within mere hours), Ryuunosuke stood still, trying his best not to look to his right. He did not need to look to know that Susato was staring daggers behind him.
I can hear that ‘Toh!’ any second now… Ryuunosuke thought as soon as Stronghart had departed.
Susato did not say anything. When he finally gathered the strength to face her, Susato had lowered her head, and her eyes were closed— a very stern look that he had memorized as she tutored him for days on end after Kazuma’s death.
“Susato-san—“
“I will not waste precious time asking what on earth you were thinking, Naruhodou-san,” Susato said. “Nor will I waste a Susato Takedown on you… but now we are in a far greater mess than we were to begin with!”
“I… I’m sorry, I just panicked!” Ryuunosuke stammered. “I just couldn’t handle him… my mind went blank!”
If I couldn’t handle the man who would want me here, what makes me think I can handle the prosecutors in this country… he wondered.
She finally opened her eyes and looked at him with pity, raising a hand to her temple.
“After all that time and effort…” She sighed. “And you still doubt yourself in the eleventh hour…”
“That’s… exactly why… you are far more qualified for this than I ever was, Susato-San!”
“Huh…?”
“Even in Japan, with my trial! It’s because of you that I’m right here right now!” Ryuunosuke said. “And even then, you weren’t allowed inside of the courtroom!”
“I don’t think that is our problem at the moment…”
“But, what better way to prove everyone wrong? To prove that prosecutor and that judge wrong?” Ryuunosuke asked. “Prove them wrong by taking the British court system by storm! The most powerful country in the world!”
Susato did not say anything, she studied the man in front of him, pondering his words. Ryuunosuke watched for any indication of emotion that dared to creep in, he swore he could see pink flushing, ever so slightly, under her cheeks.
“You took a speech contest by storm… you studied the law out of respect for Kazuma-sama’s memory…” Susato said. “And still you doubt yourself…”
The look in her eye was enough to pierce her heart, there was a sadness in her eyes. Before he could respond, she adjusted her shawl and started towards the giant doors.
“Susato-san…?”
Susato turned and smiled, beckoning him to walk by her side.
“We only have a few hours, so we had better make the most of it if we’re going to prove our client’s innocence… and I will need a capable judicial assistant by my side,” Susato said. “I can’t think of anyone else who is more deserving, Naruhodou-san…”
Warmth blossomed in Ryuunosuke’s chest, and he smiled. With enthusiasm, he quickly caught up to Susato and he took off Kazuma’s old attorney’s badge. He watched as she took out her book from her sleeves.
“It’s not much but… it really does help to show everyone you belong here,” Ryuunosuke said while he adjusted the band around her arm.
His heart thundered as his fingers brushed against Susato’s arms, even more as he realized how close his face was to hers. His breath hitched when he finally noticed that Susato had slight dimples when she smiled. Once the badge was secured, she gingerly placed the book in his hands, her fingers had brushed over his own.
“I know you will take good care of this, and that you will take diligent notes when needed…” Susato said. “After all, you’re an important factor in this study trip as well…”
Ryuunosuke nodded and held the book while placing a hand on the hilt of Karuma. He held the door open for Susato and walked behind her, gearing himself for the most important trial yet.
It’s a bit unconventional, but I hope you don’t mind, Partner, Ryuunosuke thought. I only hope I just didn’t ruin everything for you or her…
There was an indistinguishable buzz about the courtroom in the Old Bailey, even after the recess, it somehow was more intimidating than the first disastrous trial. Jurors and spectators alike muttering and mumbling among themselves, a low noise not unlike bees working busily in their hives— first for the spectacle of a woman, a foreign woman at that, serving as an attorney, but now the spectacle of Susato Mikotoba questioning one of the jurors, one Joan Garrideb.
I could stand in here every day, and still feel like I'm back at the McGilded trial... Ryuunosuke thought. I wonder what's going through Susato-san's mind
Barok van Zieks stood coolly across the bench, he was silent and his eyes were shut as he contemplated the scene playing out before him.
He’s not unbroken the seal of his wine yet, Ryuunosuke thought. Perhaps this is a good sign!
“Miss Mikotoba, you intend to cross examine a juror?” The Judge asked. “You intend to imply that this woman was also a witness to the crime in question…?”
“Yes, my lord, not only that this woman was witness to the crime,” Susato replied, “But an important facet of the crime itself!”
“And how, pray tell, Nipponese Girl, do you intend to prove such an accusation…?” van Zieks asked, not even opening his eyes nor breaking from his statuesque stance. “Such heavy claims require substantial reason of course…”
Susato stood in silence, her hands rising up to cover her mouth as she gasped. Sweat trickled down from her brow and she was as rigid as a board.
“Susato-san, just take a deep breath,” Ryuunosuke assured her. “Just take this one step at a time…!”
“N-Naruhodou-san?”
“It’s a tall order, yes, but perhaps we could take it step by step,” Ryuunosuke said. “We’ve collected a lot of evidence from the Garrideb’s flat, I’m sure we can connect it if we explain what we did!”
Like a light, Susato suddenly lit up. She smiled confidently and nodded her head before pumping her fists up in the air triumphantly. Without another word, she pulled Ryuunosuke by the hand to the main floor of the courtroom, much to every Londoner’s shock and dismay.
“Miss Mikotoba…?” The judge gasped. “You already performed a summation examination, did you not?”
“Of course, My Lord, but this is not a summation examination!” Susato replied.
“Miss Susato…?” Ryuunosuke asked. “What the—“
“Ladies and gentlemen, though this may be unorthodox, the defense would like to explain what could have happened with a demonstration,” Susato said. “Please sit back, for Susato Mikotoba’s Logic and Reasoning Spectacular!”
The sound of a cork popping filled the air, followed by the unmistakable sound of wine being poured out, and filling a chalice.
I thought too soon…
With a clap of her hands, the courtroom silenced and all eyes fell onto the pair.
“In order to explain what had happened, we must establish one fact of the case,” Susato began. “That being, there was a small fire in the Garrideb’s flat on the night of the crime…”
“A true miracle that it was contained to one small corner indeed,” John Garrideb harrumphed, still standing with his left side facing the court. “What what in the Dickens does that have to do with anything?!”
“It has to do with why the fire was set, of course,” Ryuunosuke replied. “Even though it’s the dead of winter, and you’ve succeeded in bricking up the windows on the ground floor, no one would be so desperate as to burn the floor itself to stay warm— especially not with such a fine fireplace as you have to boast!”
“So the fire was an accident, what of it?” van Zieks asked.
“There is only one reason for a fire to spark in a flat unexpectedly, and it is because of this!” Susato replied, pulling out the framed wedding picture (much to the witness’ shock and dismay).
John Garrideb was a younger man, with a stronger leg, he held his wife in his arms, but the glass around her face had shattered, completely making her anonymous to any outsider.
“A wedding photograph and a subpar frame…” van Zieks sighed.
“Take a notice of the woman’s finger!” Ryuunosuke said before pointing to Joan Garrideb.
The woman gasped and hid her hand behind her back, her face was flushed pink and her eyes grew wide.
“If the court will direct its attention to the juror’s finger, it will find that these rings are identical!” Ryuunosuke continued. “Meaning that this fight was a lover’s quarrel!”
At the mention of a quarrel, John Garrideb seized up, gripping onto his cane tightly and drawing his lips tight as he played with his pointed beard.
Murmurs filled the gallery, a low rumbling noise like thunder as the defense proved that the maid was also the woman of the household.
“And what makes this a lover’s quarrel?” The Judge asked. “Yes, it seems correct that this witness and juror are wed, but how can you be so sure of their argument having happened?”
“Do notice how Mr. Garrideb is intent upon only showing one side of his face, his left side, to be precise,” Susato explained. “And how Mrs. Garrideb seems to prefer her left hand when pouring tea…
“Perhaps, in the heat of the moment, were the Garridebs facing each other,” Susato continued, and she stepped out directly in front of Ryuunosuke.
Without warning, a loud slap reverberated across the court, echoing louder than the shrill gasps— van Zieks had even choked upon the wine he had been drinking, and had started to cough. Ryuunosuke staggered back as heat flushed through his cheeks, and as his heartbeat thundered.
Coming to her senses, Susato turned white and gasped as she covered her mouth with her hands.
“Oh goodness… I apologize, Mr. Naruhodou, I fear I may have gotten too in character…” Susato stammered. “Are you alright…?”
Why am I suddenly more alert now rather than in pain?! Ryuunosuke thought. Never mind that, that is something to think about later… alone…
Instead, Ryuunosuke regained his balance, and he pointed out his now reddened cheek for all to see.
“In the heat of a moment, one cannot control how hard one strikes!” Ryuunosuke said. “And with enough force, a mark can last a long while, isn’t that right, Mr. Garrideb?”
For the first time, John Garrideb turned to face the court— a hand print the size of Joan Garrideb’s own hand still marked his cheek red.
“Yes, it’s true… Joannie did strike me, though for what bally reason, I cannot say!” The man said. “I couldn’t get a word in edgewise!”
“Mr. Garrideb, you mentioned that you had lost your favorite book, The Lion’s Pride, during your quarrel,” Susato said, holding up a half burned book. “Was it perhaps this book?”
“My God, yes! That is my copy!”
“Witness! Are you sure of that book being your copy?!” van Zieks sputtered.
“The very book that the victim was holding!” Ryuunosuke nodded.
“But why did this happen?” The Judge asked.
“I believe it had to do with a note serving as a bookmark, My Lord,” Ryuunosuke said, clearing his throat, he read out loud, “’Oh James, I love you. Yours, Mary’”
As Joan Garrideb cried out once more, her husband waved his arms in the air and shouted, “I tell you woman, I don’t know a bloody Mary!”
“Hmph, so the Juror assumed the witness was committing an illicit affair,” van Zieks said. “What of it? What use is this ridiculous performance?”
“Lord van Zieks, it seems you are not well versed in the ways of the heart…” Susato said.
Prosecutor van Zieks sputtered, and he turned a faint shade of pink as he covered his face with a gloved hand.
“It’s said that that the stronger a person’s feelings are,” Ryuunosuke added, “the more fiercely they react to betrayal…”
Out of the corner of his eye, Ryuunosuke watched as Susato fiddled about with John Garrideb’s pipe. It was an old and cracked thing, barely put together, but something caught his eye— a little glint of silver shined when the light hit it just right.
“Miss Susato, do you see that?”
“See what?”
Gingerly taking the pipe from her hands, Ryuunosuke carefully pulled out a piece of pointed metal and held it out for the court to see. Susato stared with wide eyes and presented the jack knife that was found in the victim’s unconscious body. Together, Ryuunosuke and Susato pressed the two pieces of metal together, and their edges lined up perfectly.
“I… I don’t believe it!” van Zieks balked. “That fragment and the knife are a perfect match!”
“The knife hit this pipe before falling into the victim, that is the only explanation for this fragment!” Ryuunosuke added.
“I… I did not know what I had picked up… I will admit that,” Joan Garrideb shook. “I simply threw whatever I could get my hands on…”
It was then that Barok van Zieks cried out an objection. With a showman’s flourish, he slammed his iron heeled wellington against the wood bench, the wood cracked underneath the force of his attack.
“Pray forgive the discourtesy,” he simply said once everyone had silenced. “But if the knife had fallen through the window, as the defense suggests, would it not have impaled the victim…? Killing her near instantly…?”
“A-Ah! You’re right…” Susato gasped.
The victim was found with a knife in her back, that’s why everyone assumed Natsume-san did the deed, think, how could the knife have ended up there? Ryuunosuke wondered. The knife and the fragment match, so it has to be from the Garrideb’s flat… unless… unless we all assumed incorrectly!
Ryuunosuke took hold of the burnt book, and gave it back to Susato. She looked up at him, her eyebrows knit together in confusion, and she tilted her head.
“Think, Susato-san, what would you do if a book fell from the sky?” he whispered, loud enough only for her to hear.
Realization hit her, and she smiled, placing her hand on top of his own before she turned to face the judge.
“If I may demonstrate to the court how it would be possible for the knife to not only fall from above but do so without killing the victim?” Susato said.
With that, she tossed the burnt book onto the ground in front of her. She leaned forward, bending down, as she moved to pick up the book.
Upon watching her demonstration, all of the jurors gasped, but Joan Garrideb turned a dreadful shade of white as she shook, horror had filled her features. With tears in her eyes, she leaned forward, all of the strength had escaped from her, even more as her memories of that fateful night had started to emerge.
“The first time you showed me that knife… I had my suspicions…” She shuddered. “I never meant for something so awful to happen…”
With a cry, Joan Garrideb confessed to it all, verifying Susato and Ryuunosuke’s deduction. As they both returned to the defense’s bench, Susato turned to Ryuunosuke and smiled. He could feel his stomach flutter as her eyes sparkled, his heart drummed even faster and faster and his knees turned to jelly.
He leaned in, brushing his lips against Susato’s ear to whisper, “Brilliant work, Susato-san, truly brilliant.”
And how his pride soared when the ghost of pink flushed through Susato’s cheeks when he pulled away.
That evening, was the celebration of their first successful trial (as neither Susato nor Ryuunosuke wished for the McGilded case to count). Both Susato and Iris had invited Soseki Natsume, their client, to 221b for tea and supper (both in parts of celebration, and an apology for Sholmes’ antics in getting him arrested in the first place). Despite feeling like a stranger in a strange land, Ryuunosuke felt himself at ease while Natsume and Susato debated the proper way to serve and brew tea— A little sliver of home had made itself known in the packed flat.
“Pshaw!” Sholmes cried out. “What use is tea if one cannot add as much sugar and creme as would satisfy?!”
It was then that everyone had stopped and stared at the detective, bot Susato and Natsume stared in shock— the former looked as if the world was crumbling all around her— and even Iris covered her mouth and stared with wide eyes.
Looks like Sholmes-san has earned himself a ‘Susato Takedown’… Ryuunosuke thought.
“Even if I am more of a coffee connoisseur, that is…” Sholmes added, returning once more to his Stradivarius with a mischievous grin.
As the night went on, Iris retired for bed when Natsume bid his farewell and one last thank you to Susato.
“Truly! A flower! From home!” He called out, posing dramatically for emphasis.
“Thank you for spending the evening with us, Natsume-Sama,” Susato bowed.
“And… sorry again about Sholmes-san!” Ryuunosuke added.
Soon enough, both Susato and Ryuunosuke retired into the attic where their makeshift office was slowly coming into its own.
“Thank you for your help today, Naruhodou-san,” Susato said. “You have been indispensable, and a true friend to me.”
Just then, Susato suddenly pressed forward, standing on her toes, and leaving behind a chaste kiss upon Ryuunosuke’s lips. It was feather light, like a bird landing on a branch of a tree. Ryuunosuke’s skin turned pink, and his heart fluttered, tenfold when he saw the look on Susato’s face.
Pink dusted across her cheeks, and she brought her hands to her mouth. As quickly as it had happened, Susato turned around, making a mad dash for her bedroom door when Ryuunosuke gently reached for her hand.
“Susato-san…”
He watched as she leaned against the doorway, her hand still shook, but she did not pull away.
He stepped closer, bridging the gap between them, slowly wrapping his arms around her waist and resting his head behind hers. She relaxed under his touch and sighed. They stayed like that for a moment, letting the fire crackle in their furnace and listening to the occasional horse clip-clop on the cobblestone street below them. He brought one of her hands to his lips, they were delicate, but there was still a coarseness to them— a testament to her prowess in the martial arts. They still smelled like the tea she and Iris brewed together, green tea with a hint of ginger.
“Ryuunosuke…”
His breath hitched, and he watched as Susato slowly turned around to face him. Her eyes shone in the low light, just enough to get lost into, and she parted her lips. She cupped his cheek and stroked the skin gently, smiling when Ryuunosuke closed his eyes and leaned into her touch.
“Susato...”
He felt her lips on his once more, and they lingered longer, enough for him to truly appreciate how soft and warm they were. He closed the gap even more, so that their chests were flush, and he kissed her once more. His hands traveled lower, landing squarely on her hips, as her hand rested on his chest, above his heart.
And then, the door clicked.
Ryuunosuke nearly jumped back, looking behind him to see if Sholmes had decided to pop in. However, the door at the base of the stairs was still shut. Susato turned his head to face her once more, and his heart thundered even more when he saw her door slightly ajar behind her.
A mutual understanding blossomed between the two, causing Ryuunosuke to suck in a deep breath. The ghost of Susato’s touch still lingered all over his skin, and his head was spinning, yet he followed her all the same.
He leaned in once more to kiss her, beckoning her mouth open with his tongue, brushing against her own. She raked her fingers through the hairs at the base of his neck, smiling and giggling at how deceptively soft his hair was.
Susato’s room was very much like the person she was— everything was neat, tidy, and perfectly put into place; she even had a fresh bouquet sitting on the window ledge.
I can’t believe I’m in here, this has to be some strange dream! Ryuunosuke thought as they fell on top of her bed.
He brushed a hair out from Susato’s face, cupping her cheek and stroking it with his thumb— the moonlight was more than enough to illuminate Susato. He pressed a gentle kiss onto her forehead, traveling down her cheek, before nestling beneath her jaw, drawing out sharp gasps as he peppered her with his lips.
Her hands wandered past his shoulders, and she wrapped her arms around him, pulling him close and flush against her chest.
They lingered like that still, Ryuunosuke still worshiping her with his lips, when Susato’s hands traveled lower and lower before reaching for the button on his trousers. As if he were struck by lightning, Ryuunosuke jerked up, staring down at her with wide eyes.
Susato’s skin was slowly turning a deep shade of burgundy, her hair, once immaculately pinned, had started to fall, and even her kimono was disheveled. A wave of fear flashed in her eyes as she tensed up, pulling her clothes tight and looking down at the floor as she trembled.
“I… I am sorry, Naruhodou-san… please forgive me…” She stammered. “I—“
“N-No, wait!” Ryuunosuke interrupted. “No, it’s alright… are you sure about this?”
Susato finally worked up the courage to look up at him, her eyes were glassy and she bit her lip and nodded. “I am, yes!” She replied. “Although… I’ve never really done this before…”
“Susato—“
She placed her hands on his shoulders and pressed her forehead against his, looking deeply into his eyes, with much the same conviction as she had in court.
“I want this…” She reiterated. “If… if you do as well…”
Ryuunosuke smiled and nodded, and he laid her down against the bed once more, “Alright! Just wait one moment!” he said giddily, gently pecking her on the lips as he dashed out.
He made sure the door at the bottom of the stairs was still shut, and he could not see any light peering out from underneath. He headed to the makeshift wall for his bed and pulled the sheet aside. Ryuunosuke rummaged around, underneath his cot, until he found a small wooden lacquered box tucked behind his trunk. He had bought it at a barbershop the week prior, mostly out of the novelty rather than any real practical use.
Until that moment, of course.
By the time he had returned to Susato’s room, she had already taken her hair down, and folded her kimono up and placed it in her dresser. The crisp white fabric of her nagajuban practically glowed in the dark, like she was a creature sent from the heavens itself.
He watched as she brushed her black hair, there were slight tremors in her hands as the brush descended. Tentatively, he reached out for her shoulder, leaving only a ghost of a touch so as to not frighten her. Her lips parted with a gasp and she turned to face him.
She kissed him, smiling as she brought him closer, and her small fingers traced the brass buttons on Ryuunosuke’s uniform. As Susato unbuttoned the coat, Ryuunosuke ran his fingers through her silky hair.
“Did you save that for any particular moment…?” she giggled. “Or for a special occasion…?
Ryuunosuke tensed up, nervously chuckling as he fumbled with the box, his face turned red, but his blood rushed elsewhere.
“I didn’t go in specifically to buy it!” he stammered, unbuttoning his pants and unbuckling his belt as Susato set to work on his shirt. “They just had this sign to ask about ‘Something for the Weekend’, and I was curious…!”
She giggled once more, pressing her nose against his, and allowed her lips to brush against Ryuunosuke’s as she whispered, “I find it rather sweet...”
As Ryuunosuke kicked off his trousers, he opened the box and set about putting the rubber condom on, tying it at the base of his cock. He shrugged off his shirt, but not before slowly untying the sash that was tied around her waist. His cock twitched as he felt the warmth of Susato’s skin beneath his fingers, he gasped when her hands went on top of his own, and she pulled it away.
Hand in hand, she guided him to her bed, the soft quilt sent shock waves through his skin, amplified even more by the gentle touch of her hand cradling his cheek.
And still, she trembled, through pink flushed skin and dark eyes, she still trembled.
“Are you—“
“Yes, more than anything,”
“Susato…”
“I want this… don’t you…?”
Ryuunosuke’s mouth was dry, his throat clenched and his heart stuttered. The moonlight made her skin glow, she was like a goddess hovering over him, her thighs twisted against his own, threatening his own arousal enticingly. He wanted nothing more than to take her into his arms, to take her and never let go; he wanted to pepper her with kisses, explore every single inch of her body with his mouth, properly venerating her as she deserved; He wanted to shout from the rooftops, to anyone who would be able to hear, that he loved and wanted Susato Mikotoba— hopelessly and terrifyingly and with all his heart.
She smiled, leaning forward and pressing her lips against his own, soft breath dancing across them as she whispered, “I love you too…”
“You are right… I have loud thoughts,” He said as she guided Ryuunosuke up, so that he towered over her, framing her with his arms as she wrapped her own around his shoulders.
“And if I said I love that most about you…?” Susato replied. “That you not only wear your heart on your sleeve, but say whatever comes to mind without any fear or hesitation…?”
He cupped her breast, traveling up and down the column of her neck with his lips before settling at the base of her ear, “Then I’d say that it’s all because of you…”
“Me?”
He rose up, staring down at her, admiring how her jet black hair made a halo as it sprawled against the pillows. He raked his hands up the smooth expanse of her thighs, feather light touches against the delicate skin before he pressed a chaste kiss against her knee, earning a shudder from Susato as she unconsciously spread her legs wider.
“I don’t know how else to say it… I stumble with my words around you,” Ryuunosuke replied, brushing his lips further down her leg. “In fact, I’d say you make me nervous…”
“Hah… you’re nervous…” Susato gasped, her breath hitched when Ryuunosuke kissed her hip.
“So beautiful…”
Leaning forward, he kissed her slick slit, prying the lips open with his tongue, eliciting a sharp gasp from Susato. Instinctively, her hands flew to his head and her thighs clamped tightly around him. He groaned and stroked his cock, only to keep himself satiated as his own arousal threatened him.
With his free hand, he held Susato’s thigh down, enough for him to move. He trailed up and down with his tongue, until he found her clitoris, to which he focused his attention, earning a sharp cry from Susato.
Without any hesitation, she grabbed for his hand and held onto it tightly as she rode out the sudden pleasure. Ryuunosuke closed his eyes as he held her hand, moaning as she tugged on his hair with her free hand, the moans she made were like music to his ears, a symphony that hypnotized him.
As he continued his ministrations, Susato’s hips suddenly bucked up, and she gasped for air. Ryuunosuke opened his eyes to see her flushed face falling back against the pillows, her legs trembled as pleasure coursed through her body. Before long, her body became lax, and she fell against the mattress, releasing Ryuunosuke from her vice, and gasping for air, all while trembling.
He rose up from the bed before lying down next to her, wiping her come off from his mouth. He held her hand in his, and be brushed her hair from her face and waited until she fluttered her eyes open.
Together, they laid in silence, the sounds of their breaths mingled in the warm air, and sweat clung to their skin. Tentatively, Susato turned to her side to face Ryuunosuke, and she brushed her fingers against the underside of his jaw.
“O-Oh my…” was all that she could muster.
“Are you alright…?”
She nodded her head and pressed her lips against his, pressing their chests flushed together. Ryuunosuke bit back a moan as she brushed against his straining erection, his fingers dug into the flesh of her bottom as he took in a shuddering breath.
Immediately, Susato’s face took on a bright shade of burgundy as her eyes fluttered downward. Bashfully, she covered her mouth and gasped before looking back into Ryuunosuke’s eyes.
“You’re not done yet…”
His heart thumped and he stammered hopelessly, heat flushed through his cheeks and he squirmed ever so slightly.
“It’s alright, I don’t want to for—“
She brushed his fringe to the side, commanding attention with just her eyes alone. Susato smiled kindly, there was a sparkle in her dark eyes, and she pressed her forehead against his own.
“I want you to feel good too… please,” she whispered. “I want it too…”
With yet another kiss, Susato pulled Ryuunosuke on top of her. Ryuunosuke stared deeply into her eyes, memorizing every single detail, from the dark rings around her pupils to the russet rims around the base of her iris. She spread her legs beneath him and ran her fingers through his hair.
He separated from Susato, rising up to properly line himself up to her. With a deep breath, his cock head pressed into Susato. Slowly, ever so slowly, Ryuunosuke breached her
Susato cried out before biting her lip, her hands traveled down the expanse of Ryuunosuke’s back as she sought an anchor.
Heat enveloped around Ryuunosuke, and once he had blissfully bottomed out, he buried his face into her neck and pressed his lips against her skin.
Rising up on his elbows, he started to pump his hips, slowly pulling away before snapping back. Susato’s legs hooked around his hips as he pumped, and she pressed back trying to keep up the same rhythm.
Their hushed breaths intertwined, Susato mewled beneath Ryuunosuke while he groaned as Susato’s hands pulled him closer and closer.
“Yes…! Yes, more…!” Susato panted. “Please, more…!”
More and more, Ryuunosuke thrust his hips forward, his blood was rushing through his skin, roaring in his ears as heat traveled all throughout his body. Soon enough, his hips started to stutter, his rhythm became nonexistent, and pleasure coursed through his body.
As adrenaline shot through his body, he jerked up into the air, choking out a cry as he spent into the rubber condom. Beneath him, he felt Susato’s hips chasing after him, gasping not long after.
White filled the corners of Ryuunosuke’s eyes as he fell back onto the bed beside Susato. As he caught his breath, Susato leaned over him to reach over to the bedside table. She poured water out from the pitcher into the basin and brought out a towel and removed the rubber condom after wiping the sweat from his body. She dropped it unceremoniously into the ceramic basin before snuggling up against Ryuunosuke’s side and pulling the blankets over their bodies.
“I’m too tired to deal with that now,” she yawned, resting her head into the crook of Ryuunosuke’s neck.
He wrapped his arm around her, stroking her shoulder with his thumb as he pressed one final chaste kiss against her forehead. He allowed himself to sink into the pillows and mattress, the sounds of Susato’s breathing lulled him into sleep as the warmth of the plush quilt wrapped around them both— and contentment washed over the pair.