A Quiet Kind of Love
Word Count: 991
Warnings: None Note: This is meant to take place a year before the main events of host club!!
Takeshi Morix Fem!Reader ︶꒦꒷♡꒷꒦︶︶꒦꒷♡꒷꒦︶︶꒦꒷♡꒷꒦︶︶꒦꒷♡꒷꒦︶
The kendo club was buzzing with energy as Y/N approached, clutching Mori’s forgotten notebook in her hand. She’d volunteered to bring it to him as an excuse to see him before their next class, but now that she was actually here, a hint of nervousness crept in. The faint sounds of wooden practice swords clashing mixed with laughter and loud chatter from the nearby track team warming up. The club room’s open doors allowed a rush of fresh winter air inside, bringing with it the familiar scents of the gym—slightly musty, mixed with wood and leather.
The kendo club was unusually lively today. Members were practicing in pairs, while others lingered by the benches, chatting and sharing snacks. Y/N noticed Mori instantly—he stood near the back, talking quietly with another member, his figure strong and grounded amidst the more animated crowd. Even from afar, he held an unshakeable calm, the kind of steady confidence that made him look perfectly at ease among the energy of his teammates.
One of Mori’s friends spotted her and grinned knowingly, nudging another member. “Hey, isn’t that Mori’s girl?” he whispered, a little too loudly, causing Y/N’s cheeks to flare red.
“Shut up,” another teammate replied, elbowing him. “Don’t embarrass her, she’s here for a reason.”
She took a steadying breath, then walked toward Mori, weaving her way past the chatting members and sparring pairs. She was nearly at the back of the room when Mori finally looked up, his gaze softening as he noticed her approaching. He inclined his head slightly, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. She couldn’t help but feel like everything around them faded a little.
“Y/N,” he greeted, his voice gentle but audible enough to cut through the noise. He took a step forward, shielding her from the bustling activity around them, creating an almost private bubble between them. His presence had a way of grounding her, calming her nerves even as her heart raced.
“Oh! Hi, Mori,” she stammered, immediately feeling her usual confident demeanor slipping away. “I… uh, I have your notebook. You left it behind in class.” She held it out, her fingers trembling slightly.
He accepted it, his fingers brushing against hers briefly. “Thank you. I would have missed it,” he said, his tone steady. His quiet gaze was fixed on her, and in that moment, the noise around them seemed to dim, the world shrinking down to just the two of them.
Before she could respond, a few of Mori’s teammates came over, waving at her cheerfully. One of them—a friend named Ryo—clapped Mori on the shoulder with a grin. “Wow, Y/N! You’ve saved Mori from another crisis, huh?”
Y/N laughed, her usual bubbly self peeking through. “Well, somebody has to look out for him!”
Another teammate chimed in, teasingly, “Hey, Mori, maybe you should leave stuff behind more often if it means Y/N will drop by. She livens up the place!”
Mori’s normally stoic expression softened slightly, a faint glimmer of amusement in his eyes as he listened to the banter. He didn’t say much, but the slight shift in his posture suggested he was relaxed and at ease, his usual reserved self letting down a guard he rarely showed anyone else.
Y/N shifted a bit, trying not to let her flustered smile turn into an awkward giggle. “I wouldn’t want him to forget anything important,” she replied, earning more laughs from the group. The noise and chatter around them made the moment feel normal and casual, though the spark between her and Mori was unmistakable.
Finally, Mori’s attention settled back on her, his gaze making her feel like she was the only one in the room. “Thank you again, Y/N. Really.” His tone was softer now, and for a brief moment, she forgot everyone else was there.
Realizing she might be overstaying her welcome, she cleared her throat. “Well, I should probably let you get back to practice,” she mumbled, her cheeks warming. She made a move to turn, but Mori took a small step forward, matching her pace and walking beside her toward the door.
A teammate raised an eyebrow, watching them with mild surprise. “Mori, leaving practice early?” he teased, but Mori didn’t respond, his focus entirely on her.
The two of them walked to the entrance in comfortable silence, and as they reached the door, Y/N turned to say a final goodbye. Mori held her gaze, and without another word, he leaned in, brushing a soft, warm kiss against her cheek.
Y/N’s eyes widened, her breath catching as he pulled back. She hadn’t expected that, not here in front of everyone, and especially not from him. Yet he looked completely unbothered, the hint of a smile still lingering as he stepped back.
A few teammates nearby saw the kiss, and their reactions ranged from shocked whispers to knowing smiles. A friend nearby chuckled, nudging his buddy. “Looks like Mori isn’t as reserved as we thought.”
Feeling her face heating up, Y/N stammered, “I… I’ll see you in class tomorrow!” She quickly turned, practically skipping out of the club room, her hand pressed to her cheek as if she could keep his warmth there a little longer.
As she walked down the hall, a huge grin spread across her face, her heart still fluttering with the memory of Mori’s quiet affection. Even though he’d barely said a word, his actions had spoken volumes, and she knew that was his way of showing her just how much she meant to him.
Back in the club room, Mori’s teammates surrounded him, grinning and asking questions about what had just happened. But he only gave them a calm smile, shrugging nonchalantly. His silent, affectionate gesture spoke volumes, and as he returned to practice, that small, quiet smile lingered on his face, visible only to those who truly knew him.
