amidst the folders, papers, and other supplies haphazardly strewn across carpet, a pair of louboutins cautiously yet bravely made their way to the colossal figure who stood in front the tall moonlit office window. the room was dark and the air was thick with heavy tension, and it was waaay unfamiliar with what she was used to whenever she visited. but even so, it wasn’t enough for the star to turn on her heel. albeit the tiniest bit uncertain (and frightened), she entered the lion’s den on her own accord, and she wasn’t about to back out. not without seeing the lion get back on its feet again.
with his broad back before her, the actress couldn’t make out what expression he was making. all he knew was that his breathing seemed heavy and his fists looked like they were clenched tightly. ❛ hiro? ❜
she waited for a moment; waited for the izumi clan head to turn around like he always did whenever she was there, and when he didn’t, the brunette finally reached forward. lithe fingers gently grabbed ahold of his curled fist. one at first and then the other until he was facing her. ❛ hey, hey … ❜
thumbs fondly danced across either side of his knuckles, as coral pink hues tried to peer into his ruby red hues. when his attention turned the other way instead, sachiko’s heart sank. what could’ve bothered him this much? not only isn’t he responsive but for him to stay this late in the office too?!
gaze briefly scanned around the unkempt room until her sight landed on the lone piece of furniture that had space for the both of them. ❛ come here with me for a bit? ❜ the actress led them to the plush sofa, seating herself first before tugging her childhood friend to take the space beside her. once he followed, an effervescent smile broke through her gentle features. ❛ that’s right. we’ll stay here together ’til you’re okay, hm? ❜
the details of what he was going through will have to be uncovered later, for now, i have to stop ichiro from spiraling further.
slipping out a hand from his grasp, she carefully reached towards his bangs that covered his scarlet irises and affectionately parted them. ❛ heh, i haven’t seen you this discouraged since we were young … ❜ the agency’s number 1 star tried for a small chuckle, hoping their shared memory beyond their recent rekindling, beyond their hostile first reunion, beyond every other memory, would at least rouse him up. but even that didn’t work, alarm bells started ringing in her head. he’s really not okay.
brows worriedly furrowed as small pout swiped across her lips.
h-hey, why aren’t you looking at me? hiro? hiro! … please come back. you have to come back to me.
hand then fell from his raven-hued locks and landed on his cheek instead. after a shaky breath and several beats of her
heart, sachiko realized there she could no longer think of another way to reach ichiro without crossing a boundary she can never uncross again. it would be a complete betrayal to the promise she once made to herself after their reunion: keeping him from entering her heart once again.
[ … ] but in this moment her was concern far more powerful than her pride; if this meant bringing ichiro back then so be it.
boldy, sachiko slowly leaned forward. for the first time ever, gently and lightly did she brush her soft cherry-tinted lips against his. a brash act to tell the man that she was here with him, yet a simple kiss that allowed him to pull away should he decide to withdraw.
i’m here… i’m here… you have to come back. / for ichiro 🥹♡
plotted / always accepting !
🗡 — whenever he saw red it was just like they described. his judgement so cloudy that the walls of the room would melt away , every sound drowned out by some incessant ringing and the unrelenting need to expel his anger through physical destruction. it's like he was driving one moment when then all of a sudden he was chained to the backseat , his emotions behind the wheel and letting the car spin out of control before an inevitable crash.
he felt powerless to it , which is why he had to get into his own space away from prying eyes. especially in this setting , under the roof of this company , her company , he could not have sachiko witness him this way. even if it were late , there was still surveillance in the common areas. she didn't know this version of him and never wished for her to know it , though it would only be a matter of moments before he realised his wishes were futile.
it was her voice calling him by his childhood nickname that singlehandedly cut through the ringing and placed every puzzle piece of that room back before his eyes. he almost wished it hadn't once he took in the state of the office. stopping dead in his tracks he blinks but he doesn't turn to her , not yet. his mind is still making sense of the scene while grappling with one of his biggest fears coming true.
she shouldn't be here. he could have sworn she was done for the day. she shouldn't be here.
fingers twitch as the shame begins to creep in , but otherwise his body remains frozen. then came her touch warm , gentle , caring. sachiko was searching for the human soul inside the beast , yet he wouldn't let her find it. he hides from her eyes , unable to handle his behaviour being placed under the microscope that was her gaze. it wasn't supposed to be like this. this wasn't apart of the plan. his fist squeeze tighter under her soft caress as the thoughts swirl around his head. his mind reprimanding himself for being so careless , so stupid before something strikes him :
it was only his own internal monologue uttering those words. not once did sachi reprimand him , nor utter words of fear. on top of that , she wasn't leaving. she was wasn't horrified , she was worried.
why was he was trying so hard to hide from her when she was choosing to be at his side ? even when he was at his lowest. thus came clarity , it all made sense now.
she wanted to be there , even when it would have been easier to turn a blind eye , she wanted to be with him and in turn he wanted to hold onto her and not let go. like a ship lost in a merciless sea , she was his anchor and she would not let him be swallowed by the waves.
so he lets her lead him to the sofa and he almost fails to release her hand once she retracts it. but still he can't look up , even when she tenderly parts his bangs. he still leans into her touch , he wants more of it but he doesn't quite feel entitled to take it yet.
we'll stay here together — that line was enough to eclipse an entire a lifetime of self deprecating thoughts. her voice meant more , her opinion meant more. in that very moment she could say anything and he swore he would believe it. a flinch comes when she mentions their childhood , funny how it stung just as much as he yearned for it. things were so much simpler back then , despite the fact that they were so tragically powerless. above all else it served as a reminder , a reminder of what this was all for.
it was for her. to be near her. to have her. sachiko was the goal. so see her smile was the goal. so then why was he sitting here making her upset ?
that train of thought was soon interrupted by the actress leaning into his orbit , and thus he finally looks up. with her lids fluttered shut , disbelief fills him with every passing moment until her glossed lips meet his. ichiro was certain she had no idea what she was getting herself into , because this would only solidify the fact that he would never let her leave him , even if she wanted to.
his own eyes fall shut as he's consumed with her. her scent , her taste , her aura … his hands find her possessive and strong as he draws her closer by her waist. then fingers tangle into her brunette locks as her cradles the back of her head as he deepens their kiss without remorse. there was an ever present need in the way he kissed her that spoke much louder than words. it said stay with me forever , you're all i want forever.
