Going from cheerleader to curse user was not how you expected to start your Highschool years, but neither was your best friend becoming the host of the devil incarnate. Now you have a whole new set of issues to worry about, but luckily for you, you can find the answers in your dreams. The only problem is, you have no idea how to control it. With the help of new professors, new friends, and a new Highschool, maybe you can make this work.
rave boyfriend!yutaxreader. suggestive. 1.3k. he shows you something new. 18+ ONLY (as always, but i really really REALLY insist. dni under 18.) warnings: taking molly impulsively and making out
the song (listen to when prompted by “now”)
It’s hot in the pit during this set, and you’re having a hard time trying to convince yourself this is fun. It’s sweaty, the music is choppy and loud, and the $6 bottle of water you bought is empty now.
You’re eyes are trained on a woman dressed in barely a bikini dance and shuffle around to the music nearby you when your attention is taken away by Yuta’s hand leaving your exposed waist.
You turn around and you’re not so surprised to see him dap up a shirtless guy wearing rainbow aviators and what looks like a billion beaded bracelets on his wrist. Yuta’s friends with everyone, he’s well known in the scene and generally in the community. Even you knew his name long before you met him at a concert much more mellow than this music festivals a year ago. No sooner that the man comes by you, he leaves.
“Who was that?” You stand on your tippy toes to speak into Yuta’s ear. You’re practically yelling, the music is loud. It comes with the territory, of course.
“He’s a friend of mine. He’s at every rave.” He yells back into your ear. You lean back to give your boyfriend a frown before leaning back into his ear.
“Why did he leave so fast then if he’s your friend?”
Yuta’s face turns into a sly smirk as he opens his palm and notches his head down to move your attention to show you what was inside.
Now, you’ve been with your boyfriend for a couple months now, and he’s told you everything about his habits and activities every time he goes to a rave. This just happens to be the first time he convinced you to come with him. You knew about the drugs and the partying, but it didn’t necessarily hit you until right now as you stared at the little pink pills in a baggie in his hand.
“Now we wait.” He speaks again into your ear, pressing a kiss to your cheek and leaning back to give you his signature smirk.
You don’t know what possessed you in that moment to say what you said next. Maybe it was the boredom, maybe it was the fact that you’ve always been curious but never had the opportunity to try such a thing, or maybe you just simply wanted to join your boyfriend in on the fun.
“Can I have one?” And he gives you an absolutely shocked look before smiling a bit.
“You sure?” But he’s already opening the baggy again, placing one in your hand. You nod and before you have the time to think too hard about it, you’re placing the pink tablet on your tongue.
It takes a while for things to kick in, you’re half convinced Yuta had bought sugar pills until it hit you. Hard.
Night has fallen over the fair grounds, but it’s just as bright as morning with all of the colorful accessories people are wearing and the lights from the stage in front of you. Things are brighter, prettier even, and you’re having a difficult time remembering why you were so upset to be here in the first place.
Yuta’s hands on your waist feel electric as you dance to the beat, slightly grinding on him. You hear him giggle and it’s the greatest sound you’ve ever heard.
He leans down to whisper in your ears and it sends another shock of electricity and warmth through you, a flush rising on your cheeks.
“Feeling good?” That makes you giggle, turning and kissing him on the cheek. You really like him. Like really, really, really like him. He smiles at you and you stare into his wide eyes, the color barely visible with his pupils so blown out.
now
You didn’t even realize the artist had changed until the crowd started to cheer. In pure adrenaline you joined in, jumping up and down forcing Yuta to jump with you. The song starts with a fast and easy beat, the blue lights entrancing you as Yuta grabs you by your hips and pulls your ass up against his front, squeezing tighter. You begin to move your hips slightly and close your eyes, enjoying the new beat.
As the trumpet begins to play the crowd is blanketed in pink and you can’t seem to tear your eyes away from the beautiful lights as the beat picks up and Yuta holds you somehow closer. You feel warm, far too warm for the environment but you can’t seem to care.
Soon but not soon enough your racing heartbeat urges you to make a move on the man with the firey hands behind you. You slip, turning around to face him. He’s smirking down at you once you finally make eye contact. Your eyes roll back into your head as you close them to lean in, your lips making contact with his right as the bass drops. It’s a slightly sexy song, the beat thrumming up through your feet and into your heart. You feel euphoric, absolutely in love with the moment and with the man in front of you. You don’t even know how you went so long in your life without him.
Yuta’s hands pull you closer as you move your own arms up to rest on his shoulders. With your eyes closed, the brightest colors dance on the inside of your eyelids and his kisses feel like fireworks. He’s so warm and his kiss is so soft, sensual, and perfect. You can’t explain it, but it’s nothing like you’ve ever felt before and you want to rest here forever with your lips against his.
As you move your lips against his, you open up to allow his tongue to slip in. He tastes bitter, just like your own mouth does. You figure that’s due to your little pink friend you both indulged in. His hands leave a warm trail as they move down to your ass, grabbing a tight handful. You moan into his mouth and you can feel him smirk against you. You want him. More than you’ve ever wanted him, you think. Your entire body feels like it’s on fire. You feel both lazy and like you have the entire world at your disposal. You want to run a mile, or spend that same energy fucking Yuta into the first surface you can find to push him up against. Either or, you’d be happy either way.
He leans back when he feels your arms tighten around his neck a little more, he can read you like a book. He knows you want him but for now, you can’t have him. Not when there’s so many things he’s yet to show you while you’re in this state. You want to frown at the loss of contact but you can’t find it in you to be disappointed at much of anything, you’re just so happy.
He leans back and gives you a kiss on your forehead. You look absolutely gone. Your pupils are wide and your smile is permanent. He gives you another kiss and that leaves you to giggle as the song ends.
Even though you know this won’t last forever, you can feel it in your bones that everything will be alright as long as you have Yuta to kiss you again.
note: I’ve never done molly or gone to a rave (I don’t like edm and I had one bad shrooms experience I will never explain in detail) so don’t get mad at me for realism ok! love and light besties
Reader is certain Yuta is the perfect man for her. But when ghosts from his past come back to haunt them, she finds herself reevaluating their relationship, digging deeper and deeper until she isn’t sure what is true anymore.
“This is why people cry at the movies: because everybody’s doomed. No one in a movie can help themselves in any way. Their fate has already staked its claim on them from the moment they appear onscreen.” —John Darnielle
“ORESTES: This was always going to happen. She’s been dead since the beginning.” —Aeschylus, The Oresteia
Characters: Yuta, Female Reader
Genre: horror, angst, ghosts and spirits, mystery
Warnings: discussion of suicide (no graphic depiction), blood, gore, horror, major character death, unhappy ending (kinda), some brief and nongraphic sex scenes, emotional manipulation, mental health issues, murder, violence, emotional and physical abuse, um like spooky shit (japanese onryō myth!)
Rating: Mature; Teen & Up for the teaser
Length: around 15k; 850 for the teaser
Projected Release Date: Saturday, October 30th
i feel like it goes without saying, but please read the warnings. also, obviously this, like all my other works, does not represent how I actually see yuta. I’m just having fun. I hope you will, too.
ask if u wanna be on the taglist!
“[Y/N?]” The fortune-teller called from further within the shop, appearing around a corner. “Hello,” they said. “You may call me Aoi. This way, please.”
You followed them down a short hallway to a sitting room. There were beautiful, lush plants everywhere, and they gestured you to a few comfortable-looking armchairs arranged on one side of a small table, sweeping around the other side to sit in the chair opposite.
You picked the one in the middle, scooting it forward as best you could as they got settled. “Now,” they said. “What can I do for you today?”
“I’ve been having strange dreams,” you explained, feeling somewhat silly. “My mother is worried about me, so she told me to come… seek spiritual advice. She just wants to see how my future looks, I think.”
“Certainly. May I have your hand?” Aoi reached out with both of theirs; you extended your dominant hand, and they enveloped it in their own. Their touch was cool, their skin soft. “Ah,” they said after a moment. “You seem to be a very righteous person—worried about fairness, easily affected by injustices—which, given your line of work, unfortunately have not been scarce.” You were a little startled; it was true that you valued fairness and constantly worried over doing what was right. You liked to think it was how you kept yourself honest when you were surrounded by money-hungry crooks. Aoi blinked at you. “You work in a… fast-paced, male-dominated field, do you not?”
You smiled tentatively. “Yes,” you admitted. “Uh, I’m in finance.”
They nodded. “You should unlearn this. No one in your field values righteousness and virtue.” That’s true, you thought to yourself. Almost everyone in finance is corrupt as hell. “It will not serve you in your romantic life, either,” Aoi continued.
“How?” you asked, curious in spite of yourself.
“It may blind you,” they said simply. “Yes, your romantic life… will be passionate, but tumultuous.” A tremor ran through your body. You were sure Aoi felt it, but they did not comment. “This new love you’ve found—he will be the last love you will ever know.”
“I’m sorry?” you asked. To be fair, you had thought it before—that Yuta checked all your boxes—but you hadn’t wanted to get ahead of yourself. They’re just saying it, you thought to yourself. It doesn’t necessarily mean anything.
Aoi hummed to themself softly, then gasped and nearly dropped your hand. “I’m sorry,” they said quickly. “Your future is very… cloudy. I can’t see very far—only a few years ahead, and then… Nothing.”
It did make you tense up a little, though you tried to stay calm. “Ah,” you said with a nervous laugh. “Does that mean I’m going to die soon?”
Aoi narrowed their eyes, shaking their head slowly. “Maybe,” they said, which was not reassuring in the slightest. “Maybe not. Sometimes, it simply means there are so many moving pieces now that it’s difficult to tell.”
“Does it happen often—that you cannot see far into someone’s future?” You fought to keep derision and skepticism out of your tone.
Aoi must have detected it, anyway. Their eyes flashed. “No,” they said, somewhat sharply. “It is not common. I do not say this to scare you, or to try to scam you into coming back frequently for more readings or advice. I am simply telling you what I see.”
“Right,” you replied, feeling chastised somehow. “So… okay, then when will I know? Like, where does it cut off—if I do come back, when should I?”
Aoi was silent for a minute. “You will experience great turmoil within the next year. It will last for many months. You will be faced with a difficult decision.” Their voice had gained some odd quality to it that made you listen more intently. “You cannot play both sides. Make your choice quickly, and move on, one way or another. When the past no longer haunts you, when it walks free, your path will be set.”
They released your hand. “I—that’s it?” you asked.
“That’s all I can see,” Aoi replied.
Feeling shaken, you got to your feet. “Um—is there some kind of… protective, like, talisman or something that could help me?” You felt strange asking for it, but despite your own skepticism, you couldn’t help but worry about what was to come if Aoi was right.
But Aoi shook their head. “There is nothing I can sell you that can protect you from your future,” they said. “You are smart, strong of heart and of will. Those traits will be your best defense.”
“Right,” you said again, not sure how else to reply. They led you to the door. “Um, thank you.” You smiled politely at them as you reached for the handle.
“You’re welcome.” They did not return your smile; instead, they watched you with an intense sort of curiosity. It wasn’t until you got home that you realized they also looked a little sad.
You hear the blurry voice of people around you. You slowly come out of consciousness and feel the dampness of a facecloth on your head.
“Mom?”
You asks as you slowly open your eyes.
“Yes,dear?”
“What happened?”
Groaning in pain as you sit up from your bed.
“Oh you fainted out of shock your fine.”
She replies as she goes to help someone. You take a double look and everything comes back to you.
“WAIT, YOU’RE A WEREWOLF!”
You yell at the boy who was helping your mother in the kitchen.
“Yes.”
He sends you a smile as he turns his back to you.
“Mom, are you not scared?”
“No he’s a sweet boy and having him here is nice.”
She replies as they continue to bake, sugar cookies or something.
You get over the initial shock and go onto the kitchen to actually get to know the wolf in your kitchen.
“So, I didn’t quite catch you name.”
You ask as you come up to the boy.
“Shotaro.”
Sticking his hand out, you return it.
“Well nice to officially meet you.”
“Yeah, thank you for helping me out of the trap.”
“Yeah, no problem it was my trap after all.”
You grimace at that but shotaro just shrugs it off.
“If you don’t mind but I couldn’t help but wonder who was after you that night.”
“No not at all, that’s just my rival pack.”
Telling you calmly as he finishes cleaning up the mess on the counters while you help him clean.
“Oh, just you?”
“No, I have a pack.”
“Then why are you still here, would they be worried about you?”
You ask with nothing but concern.
“I don’t think I should go back right now.”
Sitting down in frustration he looks at his feet. He really did look like a sad puppy dog.
“Oh, I am sure you can go back aren’t packs supposed to be like family.”
You council him on the couch.
“Yeah, but they whole reason that pack wants to get rid of me is-, is-.”
“It’s okay Shotaro, you can trust me you tell the boy with complete honesty.
“My mate, she’s in the pack, but she’s in a arranged marriage with someone else for the strength of their pack.
“Oh, at least you know she won’t be hurt.”
You tell him your heart going out to him loading all of this on you somebody he just met a day ago but he trusted you with this you were going to be with him to help him.
“You know what, we’re going to save your mate.”
You declare jumping up with determination. Nothing really scared you, you always took care of your problems well. Werewolf’s were a daunting thought but you only live once.
“Y/n I don’t think I can do it.”
“No, thoughts like that make you fail.”
“You and your mate are destined to be together, a stupid little marriage isn’t going to get in the way of that.”
“Y/n, are you being serious?”
“Dead.”
Shotaro jumped with a smile just like you.
“We’re going to do it.”
You say with no doubt in your mind.
As the week went on you and Shotaro started to get close and preparing for your so called mission.
“All we want is to get in and get out.”
“Yes, these wolves are deadly and won’t hesitate to kill.”
“Shotaro, are you sure that you can’t ask for any help of your pack?”
You ask as you guys sit down for dinner the last day before you would be taking off.
“No, I have to do this without them.”
Shotaro proudly explains to you.
“You two better not get killed, I like you two very much you know.”
Your mom winks at the both of you in a playful way.
With that you finish dinner and head to sleep for the night. As you lay awake in your bed, the moon shining into your small room. The stars were out, they were beautiful.
Focusing on the log roof above you can’t help but think that something else had to happen for Shotaro to not want to ask for his packs assistants. It concerned you, you hadn’t known him for long but at this point you thought of him as a brother. You thought it was super cute when he was in his wolf from and how he would always play with Jasper and how he helped you with hunting, made things way faster. You hoped that everything in the end would turn out good and Shotaro could find his mate. Slowly drifting into sleep fast without realizing it.
Tweet,tweet
Your waken up by the birds chirping and the sun breaking through your window curtains.
You struggle out of bed like you do everytime.
About after 20 minutes of fighting the comfy bed you trudge downstairs of course Shotaro’s all ready and still eating, a lot, he was a werewolf after all.
“Y/n, are you ready?”
He also excitedly ready to see his mate safe and sound.
“Yep.”
Popping the p you respond to the boy.
After your mom made sure you were absolutely ready and you said your goodbyes the two of you headed out.
It was a day long journey to the packs house, Shotaro lead you while you were up on Jasper. The plan was to just wait until nightfall, sneak in to the packhouse and grab his mate. Simple.
The sun was setting as you and Shotaro set up camp down wind so you guys wouldn’t be found out. Waiting until nightfall you make finally make your way into the packs land. The house it’s self was huge, how you were going to find his mate was a troubling thought.
“Shotaro can you hear her?”
Asking about the whole mate connection that you didn’t really understand but thought it was cool.
“I am getting something, give me a sec.”
“Well we don’t have a many secs to spare. The two of you were sneaking into the back of the house. “She’s downstairs they kept her down there
“Ok let’s go.”
After successfully getting in you continue to venture into the house. Your heart was beating, you knew something was going to happen. Suddenly it just occurred to you, you’re human, what the fuck can I do?”
asking your self in your head your mind becomes filled with dread You had been so hyped to help Shotaro that you failed to think, why did your mother always go along with your crazy ideas.
“Shotaro, I can’t do this.”
You whisper behind you as your panic rises.
“What do you mean, y/n your the strongest person I have actually ever met that’s not a lie.”
“Ok,ok I can do this.”
“Yes we can do this.”
After the little pit stop you guys continue walking down a scary looking hallway.
“I can sense her, she’s here.”
“Nice.”
Sarcastically commented on the situation.
Shotaro brushes past you wanting to see his mate, you run after him not wanting to be left alone. When you get to the room it shocks you. A single cell. A young girl who was obviously Shotaro’s mate was tied to a chair in the centre and looked like she had been tortured for a week. That was strange to you considering that she was supposed to be set up for marriage, why would they hurt her like that. She didn’t look good.she was looking down, looking completely exhausted. The place was damp and gross. Shotaro ran to her and she looked at him with so much happiness her eyes lifted up and shined with love towards him. It was incredibly cute. Shotaro took her in his arms and lifted her up effortlessly.
“Ok let’s move.”
You tell Shotaro as he was still looking at his mate with love.
With that the three of you moved out again but you couldn’t be as smooth as before considering. You made it of the house but you had failed to notice that there was a hunting party coming back. They hadn’t failed to notice you though. You turned your head as you heard howling.
“SHIT.”
You yell out as three large black wolves start to give chase.
You knew you had to think fast Shotaro couldn’t take all three, you had to do something.
“Shotaro run back to camp and drop her off and came back to help me here.”
You tell him.
“You can’t take them all.”
“I can hold them for awhile until you help.”
“I-“
“Do it, I don’t call myself a hunter for nothing.”
You wink as you push him away.
You grab your bow and start to shoot. You didn’t know what you were going to do once they got close. You hit one in the eye taking him out for a minute, the two were getting closer and closer. About two strides away from you know.
“Oh fun.”
You saw their dark eyes and you were frozen.
𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕𝒔 𝒘𝒓𝒐𝒏𝒈 𝒀𝒖𝒕𝒂?
𝑰 𝒅𝒐𝒏𝒕 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘, 𝑰 𝒋𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒇𝒆𝒆𝒍 𝒐𝒇𝒇
Taeyong and Yuta were doing a life night patrol but they had both had been on edge for the entire time they both couldn’t put their fingers on it. Suddenly they picked the scent of Shotaro.
The two start to run to the scent wanting to make sure that he was ok, he had been missing for a week and he cut his mind link from the pack for reasons they both didn’t know. They finally see that Shotaro with a girl around a campsite. Shotaro quickly noticed them and looks away. The two of them come up to see what’s wrong.
"𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕𝒔 𝒈𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒐𝒏 𝑺𝒉𝒐𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒐?
"𝒊 𝒏𝒆𝒆𝒅 𝒚𝒐-."
Yuta suddenly left and booked it, he smelled something so heavenly it called him and moved him like a magnet. Yuta smelled the strong scent of cherries and dark chocolate it was odd. Yuta was like a flash of light in the forest. He knew what it was, it was his mate.
In the moment app you could see the eyes as the animal was about to pounce on you you closed your eyes.
But the attack never came you opened your eyes and saw a beautiful white wolf fighting the wolves with everything he had. Shotaro and another black wolf came soon too.
After that the group of you guys got the heck out of dodge. You and Jasper were surrounded by the three wolves. You held hope on your arms, considering she was unconscious at this point she couldn’t come with Shotaro. You hadn’t spoken to any of them because they hadn’t shifted yet. The white wolf tended to get closer to you, and he constantly looked at you it concerned you. He was so pretty, you couldn’t help be drawn to him. His hair literally looked like it was glowing, he didn’t look like how the typical werewolf’s had been portrayed in the old books. Then again none of the werewolf’s you had met recently filled that role.
The remark only received a giggle from the other party. “I’m not promising anything, Yuta. It will take time.”
Yuta took a final glance. There’s a hint of despair in the way he looked at her. “You packed everything?”
She nods. “I think so. Let me know if I left something. Well, that if you don’t mind. Else, you can throw them away.”
“Alright, I’ll let you know.” He smirked. There’s a pregnant pause before he continues. “I’ll see you when I see you, [Y/N]. Until then, please be well.”
Yuta could see she welled up, holding up her tears. He wished he could hug her and tell her that it will be fine, but that only contradicted the brave front he showed to her.
She finally waves her final goodbye, closing the door. It is a signal for Yuta to finally embrace his sadness. Legs gave in, he immediately crouched down, sighing.
“Damn, who would’ve thought I could fall for someone this much?” Brushing the hair that covers his forehead, he asked himself, with no one to answer.
Yuta walked to his bathroom, thinking that he would cool his head by taking a brisk shower. He took off his shirt, pausing in front of the sink before he entered the shower booth. He stared at his own reflection, blankly. No thoughts, head is empty. He just needs his time to process and to cope with his own heartbreak.
There are few objects that don't belong to him, and by then he noticed that she forgot to visit the bathroom when she cleared her stuff, leaving her toothbrush behind. He curled one side of his lips up, sighing regretfully before throwing the toothbrush to the trash bin nearby.
This is so I can forget about her faster.
Yuta taught to himself, before spotting another foreign item.
A pair of rose gold stud earrings. Yuta knows his pieces of jewelry because he never took off his. The simple design of the earrings is also a bit too plain for his liking, and the owner of them is no other than the person who just left this place.
He grabs it, about to throw them away. But hesitates, gripping the earrings inside his palm.
Yuta looks at the earring once more.
Maybe, just maybe, this is the only part of you that I could keep?
–
Days pass per normal for Yuta. Except that the people around him notice that he’s anything but it.
“You alright, bro?” Doyoung tapped his shoulder, waking Yuta from his daze.
“What do you mean?” Yuta leans to the wall, inhaling his IQOS.
“I don’t know man, you’re off these days.” Doyoung took a sip of his grapefruit drink. “It seems like you have something on your mind. Have you talked to [Y/N] about it?”
Ah, so she hasn’t told him.
Yuta thought to himself, not responding to Doyoung as he drew out a translucent smoke.
“She might not be the best at giving advice, cause even she had a hard time figuring out herself. But I promise she’s a good listener, I’m sure she'll be able to give you some sort of comfort.”
Yuta just nodded to his statement.
He nodded because he himself knew how comfortable it was to be around her.
–
Yuta holds grudges. It was hard for him to admit it at first, but eventually, he accepts the annoying part of his personality. Fast forward five months after she left, Yuta still refused to go out. This clearly weirded everyone out since Yuta is the social butterfly. For him to reject their offer to visit the bar after office makes the lines on their foreheads more apparent than ever.
Yuta just needs some time, alone. He doesn’t know for how long, but what he knows is that he’s just not in the mood to put on a fake happy smile when his own heart is like a shipwreck.
So he spent another night in at his apartment, opening a bottle of rye whiskey. Truthfully, Yuta prefers sweeter booze –something that is more fruity like his usual Cassis Orange. However these days, those cocktails couldn’t shred his woe. He needs something stronger. He needs to be able to feel the burning sensation on his chest, replacing the pain of his heartache.
He went off to flump into the leather couch, putting down the glass of whiskey. He grabs the remote, browsing through the Netflix catalog. He stops, at one move named Kimi no Na wa.
He probably already watched this for million times. He loves this movie. Not only because of the well-executed animation and storyline, but it also reminds him of home.
And it painfully reminds him of her too. How she loved anime, and how her eyes glimmered every time Yuta told her a fun fact about Japanese culture.
“Did you know there’s a trivia behind her name?”
“Who? Mitsuha?”
Yuta nods, “Her name means three leaves. Funnily enough, it started from her grandmother, Hitoha which means one leaf. And you guessed it, her mother’s name, Futaba, means two leaves and her little sister, Yotsuha, is four leaves.”
“Whoa!” She shrieked excitedly. “That’s cute!”
Yuta laughed at the sight of her getting excited over something simple like this. It’s nothing much for a Japanese man like him, but for her it’s something new and Yuta finds it very adorable.
If she was still here, he would cross his arm over her shoulder. Cuddling her.
But right now, all he could do is to rest his arm on the backrest of his couch. The only warmth that he could feel is from the whiskey.
Unable to focus on the movie, so he diverted his attention to see his phone.
Oh, how he regrets it.
He saw her social. She was with a group of people that Yuta knew from that party. But his finger reactively clicked on one of the tagged name’s profiles.
Just to see him posted a photo of her. It was a candid photo, the person captured in the picture seemingly asked the photographer to stop. Her hands were blurred because she attempted to cover her mouth.
But she wasn’t quick enough to stop the photographer from capturing her smile. A smile so bright Yuta knew he wasn’t able to create. A smile that Yuta definitely misses.
The agony he felt amplified once he read the capture below the photo.
“I was yours, before I knew; and you have always been mine too.”
Yuta rolled his tongue over his front teeth. He knew he shouldn’t feel this way, not when he is the one who let her go. But he is pissed, throwing his phone away.
He moves his palms to cover his eyes, resting his head. He lets out another sigh, but no matter how much he exhaled, no matter how much alcohol he drank, the rain cloud seems to follow him around.
“Fuck this shit.” He hummed to himself.
He took his phone again, this time opening a different app. It took him a bit longer this time, but at least whatever he was doing, managed to put a smile on Yuta’s face.
He then proceeds to dial a number.
“Hello, Doy? I’ll take a week off. I’m flying to Osaka tomorrow.”
–
“How could you come back home without noticing us?”
Yuta puts down his bag, worn out from the flight, “I can’t even visit my own home now, Nee-san?”
“What I meant was,” His sister crossed his arm. “Last time you visited Osaka, you’d stay at the hotel because you wouldn’t stay long. Mostly due to your business trip. What makes you suddenly miss home?”
“I just feel like taking some days off, Nee-san.” He replied without looking at this sister, busy unpacking his stuff. “Also, Imouto has been texting me, telling me to bring her some signed goods from TVXQ.”
“Well if you said so,” Her sister knows how stubborn Yuta is, so she decides that she won’t press him further. “Come down when you’re ready. If only you told us you were coming earlier, mom would’ve cooked us Nabe. But we don’t have the ingredients, so you have to settle with curry tonight.”
Yuta finally looked back to smile at his sister, “Curry sounds great, Nee-san.”
–
It’s great to be home, Yuta thought to himself.
The familiar road. People talking in his mother language. Food that is catered to fit his taste buds. He loves Korea, and everything it has to offer, but nothing could replace home.
“My, Yuta is that you?!” An elderly woman called for him, snapping him from his day daze.
“Oh, Baa-chan!” Yuta subconsciously lets out his signature radiant smile. “How are you? I hope your back is fine now.”
“Oh, you’re as sweet as I could remember, Yuta!” She giggled. “You never visit your home, this Baa-chan misses you a lot, you know? I don’t know how to use… what do they call those these days? Line?”
Yuta laughed. “Yes, Line, Baa-chan.”
“Right, I can’t contact you! You should come home more often. I could write you a letter but I don’t know your address in Korea.”
“I miss you too, Baa-chan. Sorry, I promise to visit again.”
Baa-chan sells taiyaki in his neighborhood. Yuta is her regular customer, and she has witnessed how much Yuta grew from a small boy who aspires to be an Ultraman to a successful businessman he is right now. Yuta settled on the bench in front of Baa-chan’s store, filling her with the missing information pieces where Yuta finally left home for his career.
“Now take this,” She offered him a bag of taiyakis.
“Oh, no Baa-chan. Let me pay,” He rustles his pant pocket, trying to find his wallet.
“My dear Yuta!” She pushes the paper bag to him, “This is a gift from me, as a thank you for visiting this old lady. Next time, bring your friend here so they can pay instead. Baa-chan wants to see your friends, I want to make sure they are good people.”
He lets out a soft chuckle. Baa-chan is always kind, and it touches his heart. Yuta treats her like she’s her own grandmother. “I’ll note that, Baa-chan.”
He waves goodbye to her and marches his way to a nearby park. The park used to be so big for the small Yuta. He used to think it would take forever to catch a ball that flies after his friend kicked it too high. But now that he’s a full-grown man, he even wonders how the hell he was able to play soccer with his friend in this field.
He sits down at the bench, taking a bite of the fresh taiyaki. Baa-chan’s taiyaki is the best. It might be a biased opinion, but every bite is like a memory lane for Yuta. The irreplaceable taste of childhood.
The dusk is near, and there is no child laughter at these hours since all of them have their curfews. With nothing to keep him entertained, he unlocked his phone, casually browsing through his social before pausing his munching at one post.
“Can’t believe this man asked me to spend the rest of my life with him while I’m about to throw the trash away. I hope your future daughter will experience a much more romantic proposal, you weirdo.”
Involuntarily the red bean paste from his bread squirted out, due to the fact Yuta unconsciously squeezed them. Was it out of anger? Out of disappointment? Or out of regret?
His blood is boiling, and with nobody around, nothing stops him. Yuta is usually calm, but right now he just wants to transfer the excessive anger somewhere. Heck, the tree next to him can be his punching bag.
My mom always told me to finish my meal so you’re not leaving until you eat everything.
But right now, Yuta is unable to take another bite. He even forced whatever he had left on his mouth down to his throat.
Why did I let you go?
He scoffed, mocking his own thought, “Damn, what a pathetic person you are, Yuta.”
-
Your first impression on Yuta is probably how strong his aura is. His gaze is sharp, complemented with a well-chiseled jawline. So you would never think that the same person has a sensitive soul. Ever since his trip to Japan, the Nakamato residence in Seoul is always decorated with fresh flowers, handpicked by Yuta himself. This is his way of finding peace. He always wanted to have a pet, but his busy schedule makes him unable to own one. Instead, he’s been paying more attention to greeneries in his home. He said it was a therapy for him, and having a living plant makes the place alive, so he claims.
The bell on the door jingles after Yuta pushes the door open, cueing the staff who were busy arranging a bouquet to greet him.
“Welcome to Paradise!”
Yuta nods at the staff, telling her to continue with her arrangement and let him browse the flower catalog by himself.
Soon after, the bell jingles once more —only to reveal a young man with a sparkly eyes.
“Sorry, __! Taeyong left his apron behind so I have to make a visit to Kitchen Beat first.”
The person at the counter chuckled, “Don’t sweat it, Mark. We’re not that busy today anyway.”
“Let me put my bag first, then I’ll help to cut the stems of the carnations—“ Mark’s eyes grow bigger once he sees the familiar figure. “Yuta-hyung? Ah, I mean, Sir!”
Yuta turned at the sound of his name. “Oh, if it isn’t Mark!”
“Didn’t expect you to come here, Sir.”
“You can talk to me comfortably, Mark. We’re no strangers.” Yuta smiles. “Fancy seeing you here, too. Are you part-timing here?”
Mark nods. “Other than my job as an English tutor, working here actually calms me down. Maybe the flower gives the peaceful atmosphere?”
Yuta hummed, agreeing with his statement.
“Also, I can rest a bit because working here is not as busy as working at a cafe.” Mark continues, “Though we’re going to be busy pretty soon since Jaehyun-hyung ordered so many orchids for his wedding. Man, not just any orchid! If only he knows how difficult it is to obtain—“
Mark stopped at the sight of Yuta’s awkward face.
“Shit, Mark, how could you forget that he was your Noona’s ex-lover.”
He whispered to himself, but the store was fairly quiet with only faint instrumental song in the background —enabling Yuta to listen to each of his words clearly.
Your noona.
“Mark, go change to your uniform.” A female voice breaks the tension, flinching Mark who reactively gives Yuta a deep bow afterward.
Yuta definitely needs time to process what just happened. Pressing his lips together while occasionally biting the skin.
“A cheerful young boy, isn’t he?”
Yuta woke up from his daydream following her calm voice. “Mark is energetic, and I love how positive his energy is. Though sometimes, that can cause him to be slightly dense, too.”
Yuta couldn’t help but to let a single soft chuckle.
“So please forgive him, yeah? I’m sorry I couldn’t help but to overheard your conversation. Don’t take it to the heart, Mark was probably too excited. He didn’t mean to hurt you.”
“I know. No offense is taken. I just need some time to digest it.”
“Take your time,” she continued with her bouquet, tying up the ribbon as the final touch. “Though, if I could suggest, I think our daffodils are very pretty today.”
“Daffodils?”
“Yes, the yellow ones on that corner,” she pointed at a bunch of yellow flowers. “I’ll help you with a bunch. It’s on a house, as an apology from making you uncomfortable just now. Are you going to put it on a vase like the usual or are you going to give it to someone?”
Yuta widened his eyes, quickly shook his head, “Oh please no need, I’m not offended by all means.”
“As the owner of this shop, I insist, Sir.”
Yuta hesitates, but eventually gives in. “The usual. Actually, a single bloom is fine. I would feel bad, you know, if you're going to give me a bunch. Business is still business after all.”
His remarks only caused the other party to scoff, “Our business is doing well, Sir. So please don’t fret on it. Anyway, it would mean a different thing if I don’t give you in a bunch.”
“Different thing?”
“Ah,” She closes her mouth with her hand. “Don’t mind too much on it.”
-
After spending the whole day outside, all Yuta needs is a refreshing shower to wash down his sweat. He placed his new floral arrangement on his dining table, before taking his shirt off when he walked towards the bathroom. He threw his shirt to the laundry bag, and unlocked his phone, ready to play his shower playlist.
Bunch of daffodils?
He suddenly remembered how the florist mentioned the different meaning of daffodils. He quickly changed the tab, typing the question on Google.
Smirk appeared on his face, after so many days shied away from the surface.
“Rebirth and new beginnings, huh?” He said to himself. “How cheeky.”
He puts down his phone on the countertop, resting his arms at the sink before looking at himself in the mirror.
Yuta is determined.
He picks up his phone once more, dialing a number.
“Doyoung, do you know the best hair salon here?”
A/N: We’re back with this!! I’m so so excited to continue this hehe~ To be honest... continuing this series gives me a lot of anxiety. What if the audience don’t like it? What if the one who loves Interlude won’t like my approach on continuing the story in Yuta’s POV? At some point it was difficult for me to write this, but as I persistently write this, it became more and more enjoyable and eventually those thoughts don’t appear as much!
Another thing to note, to prevent any confusion, the reader for Prelude will be ___ instead of the usual [Y/N]. [Y/N] belongs to Interlude! So think of her as another character for Prelude!
Also again, I’d like to remind you guys again since there’s only three additional songs, this would be a mini-series instead of a full series like Interlude. But hopefully, you would still give Prelude tons of love too!
"Okay but sending me in with zero training is a little nuts."
"How are there only four first years, that's literally nothing." Yuji asked biting on his popsicle.
"Think about it, how many people do you know that can see curses?" Megumi responded.
"No the real reason is who would want Giju as a teacher." You said matter of factly, resting your back on the railing next to Yuji.
"Awe n/n~ and I thought we had a moment~" Gojo mused appearing out of nowhere per usual. You narrowed your eyes at him mouthing a shut up in his direction.
"I have a feeling you'll warm up to me soon n/n, and I'm glad to see that your uniforms came in." You glanced down at the uniform you were currently wearing, and had to admit it was incredibly cute. The navy, pleated skirt, stopped an inch or two above your knees, and it was paired with a white long sleeve that you tucked into the skirt. It felt very reminiscent of your cheer uniform, comfortable and easy to move around in. The outfit also came with a cropped jacket of the same color. You paired the whole thing with some tights and some f/c leg warmers just for cuteness reasons.
If you were gonna spend all day everyday fighting literal monsters, you were gonna look cute doing so.
"Yeah I must say that it is pretty nice." You responded with a smile, stretching out your arms above your head.
"Thank you~ I put my whole heart and soul into designing these for you both!"
"Nevermind I hate it."
"You're so mean to me ಥ‿ಥ."
You stood to the left of Yuji as the three of you watched your classmate argue with a modeling scout. Though the streets of Harajuku were busy, you could still here her voice clearly as she practically harassed the man.
"Wait so this is the girl we have to talk to? This is real embarrassing." Yuji claimed, holding his sweet treats close to his chest and displaying the ugliest pair of sunglasses known to human kind.
"Yeah and so are you." Megumi sighed, he glanced past Yuji to get your reaction, only to find your spot empty. When he looked forward at the scene before him, he realized where you had gone.
"Honestly sir, open you eyes! Do you see how flawless her skin is? She is total billboard material!" You claimed, framing Nobara's face with your hands.
"Not to mention her feminine yet athletic build, she'd be the perfect model you blind fart." You said, pointing out her features while Nobara posed.
Megumi sighed heavily. 'Why do I have to be the only normal one' He thought as he stared at his three idiot classmates. Someone please put me out of my misery
"Hey over here!"
"Students this is-"
"Nobara Kugisaki, you all should be lucky that I'm your classmate."
~Stare~
"Hi I'm Yuji Itadori from Sendai!" Yuji exclaimed with a huge smile, pointing to himself.
"Y/n L/n also from Sendai." You waved with a grin. Megumi stood beside you silent, until you gave him a small nudge.
"Fushiguro..."
Nobara continued to look at the three of you. She stared down the two boys with the harshest glare you've ever seen, 'He looks like a potato, definitely the kind of kid who ate his own boogers.' She thought as she stared at the pink haired boy. Her gaze then shifted to Megumi who continued to blankly stare. 'And just his name? I can't stand high and might dudes! I bet he likes setting oil-slicked seagulls on fire.' Nobara shuddered at the thought, and then her gaze turned to you.
She swore she could see a halo floating ever so slightly above your head. Nobara could cry, thank god she had you and didn't have to deal with these losers on her own. Nobara grabbed you and pulled you to her side.
"This is what us girls have to deal with? Utterly ridiculous." She groaned. You laughed at the expressions her statement left on Yuji and Megumi's faces, a mix of hurt and displeasure.
"Are we going somewhere from here?" Megumi asked grumpily. There was no way that Gojo had gotten all of you together, if he wasn't gonna make you guys do anything.
"Well since we have all four of you here, and three of you are country folk, how about we go to Tokyo?" Gojo said with a large smile. Said three country folk immediately jumped into action, jumping around their white haired teacher, spouting different places you all could go while in the city.
Megumi watched in distaste as Gojo sucked in all the excitement. This was not at all going to end well for the three of you.
"We will be traveling to Roppongi!" Gojo shouted, watching you, Nobara, and Yuji light up like christmas trees.
Only for your lights to dim as soon as your arrived at the actual location.
"Gejo you jerk!" You screamed, launching yourself at the adult, only of course to be blocked by his forcefield. You pouted from your place on the ground, you were going to get the bastard one day. Gojo ignored your failed attack and the outcry from Yuji and Nobara.
"There is a pretty large cemetery nearby. Pair that with an abandoned building and you've got a curse." Gojo explained. Nobara continued to rant in the background while you and Yuji listened intently.
"So curses are more active around cemeteries?" Yuji asked.
"No, it's more the fact that people associate cemeteries with negative emotions. Sadness, fear, unease, thats what makes it a curse hotspot." You nodded along to Megumi's explanation.
"Yeah, like the school right?" You asked, Sasuke 2.0 nodded. Nobara stopped dead in her tracks.
"Wait you guys didn't even know that yet?" You and Yuji shook your heads. Megumi sighed heavily, explaining the situation that the two of you had gotten yourselves into.
"Wait so let me get this straight," Nobara pointed to Yuji, "He's the vessel for Sukuna," Nobara then pointed to you, "And she has somehow managed to form a connection with the evil lord of all things dark and gruesome, Sukuna." You nodded with a tight lipped smile. Nobara scooted away from the group, crossing her fingers and muttering 'no way' over and over.
"I want to know what the four of you are capable of. Nobara, Y/n, Yuji, you go into the building and exorcise that curse."
"But wait, I thought only curses could exorcise curses? And I can't use Jujutsu yet." Yuji said, you nodded just as confused.
"Well if you look at it, your technically half curse already, luckily for you both however, I didn't plan on sending you in empty handed." Gojo handed Yuji a blade.
"These are cursed tools. Weapons imbued with cursed energy, since the two of you haven't mastered the art of Jujutsu, you guys will rely on these for the time being."
"I swear to god if you hand me pom poms, I will lose my mind." You threatened.
Gojo just smiled.
"You've got to be literally joking!?" You screamed, frustration dripping from your tone. Nobara and Yuji watched as you paced back and forth holding a pair of silver and navy pom poms.
"How the hell am I supposed to kill a curse with these?! They're literally glued together pieces of glitter paper!" You shouted, then mumbling about how much you hate Gojo under your breath. While throwing your tantrum, you missed the entirety of the plan that Nobara had informed Yuji about, so by the time you had calmed down, you couldn't see either one of them.
"Oh great..." You groaned, dragging your feet up the stairs in the hopes you would be able to find your pink haired friend.
As you went floor to floor you could understand why curses felt so drawn to this place. The building was damp and freezing cold. The wall were covered in varying degrees of dust and decay, with every nest of dust bunnies you walked through, a cloud of smoke blew in your face causing you to cough.
You could feel a dull ache begin to rest in your head.
'Oh great here comes a migraine' You decided you would blame the pain on Gojo as well. However, with each step you took, the pain grew worse and worse. When the world began to spin, you decided that stopping your search for a moment and sitting down would be your best option. As soon as your back slid down the wall, your vision went black.
Freezing. It was freezing cold. You grasped at the sides of your arms, rubbing up and down, trying to generate some sort of heat to warm your body with. But nothing was working. It just seemed to get colder.
The darkness infiltrating the room didn't help much either. You slid your hand across the wall, hoping that if you continued to follow one path that it would bring you to the exit. Your journey along the wall seemed to go on forever. You could feel yourself growing frustrated at the lack of progress made. Then you tripped, skinning your knee on the concrete.
When you tried to collect your bearings, you felt a puddle. You brought your hand that was covered in the strange substance puddling on the floor up to your face.
Just then a light flickered, leaving you to come face to face with your hand covered in blood. When you looked up you saw the head of a dog plastered into the wall, dripping blood.
You woke up with a start, hearing the sound of Nobara screaming coming from the floor above you. You shook off the dizziness to the best of your ability and tore up the steps. However, when you arrived it seemed as though you had missed the action entirely.
You walked up Yuji and Nobara who seemed to be having a heart to heart about this random child who stood with them.
What they didn't notice was another ugly fucker trying to sneak up on them. You did the only thing you could do and punched the pom pom through the stomach of the creature. The being disintegrated, letting you see the shocked faces of your two classmates.
side note: reader does not meet her mate(Yuta) during this part,
“Hey where have you been?”
“Out.”
“Y/n, you know that you have to be careful out there.”
“I know I was just going for an evening walk, mom calm down.”
“They are slowly closing in and we’re right outside of the town, if they come we’ll be the first to be killed.”
“Mom calm down the animal attacks haven’t even been that bad.”
“I know I am just worried about you that’s all.”
“Don’t worry I can handle it.”
You tell her as you put your bow and arrow down on the old creaky table you had.
You and your mother had lived in the outskirts of the village that was a few miles away. Your mother used to love living there but it all changed when your dad was killed under mysterious circumstances but you knew it was a evil creature that was meant to be destroyed. That’s why you started to get better at hunting and plus you needed to put food on the table to help your mother.
“How was the market?”
She asks as she tells you to sit down for dinner.
“It was busy as usual, Ron wouldnt leave me alone again.”
“That stupid boy, when’s he going to learn that you aren’t interested.”
Pushing her eyebrows in frustration your mother shakes her head.
“He’s not bad, just annoying.”
You tell her trying to calm her down, you found it funny actually you knew that you could probably put him in his place if you wanted but it was easy to get him to do stuff for you. Yes it was mean but you didn’t really care, you weren’t forcing him to do it.
You two finish your meal as you laugh and talk about the rest of the day.
“Well I should check my traps for the night.”
You tell your mother as you get up and get ready to go outside.
“Ok, be quick and safe, honey.”
“Of course,I won’t be long.”
You quickly saddle up your black mountain pony Jasper and head off.
The sky was a dark blue now as you headed onto the beaten trail into the forest. You only had five traps to check, the night was surprisingly warm but you still held tightly onto your cloak for more comfort then anything else. The night and forest never scared you before but something felt off. You had checked all but the last one was a bit further so you had awhile. Once you arrived to your trap what fell before your eyes surprised you. A smaller black wolf had gotten into your trap. The traps you set were more for smaller animals like rabbits and squirrels, not wolves.
You were standing there for awhile decided what to do. The black wolf was surprisingly calm and sitting only shifting slightly to move its paw for less pain. The animals dark brown eyes looked at you pleading for you to do something.
You were at a crossroads, it was beast like this who killed your father it was their fault that he was gone. You anted you just ignore it and leave it to starve but when you looked at it’s eyes you couldn’t look the other way.
“Can’t believe I am going to help a wolf.”
You say aloud for yourself.
Carefully approaching the animal you talk to it like a pet. It doesn’t attack or even growl as you come forward. This was odd to you but you continued to work and with one last snap it was lose.
Really surprising you it came up to you just like a dog licking your face as a thank you.
“Ok,ok stop that tickles.”
Know you were talking to it like it was a dog. The animal calmed down and went to run off but let out a whine as it came down on its paw.
“Oh no.”
You knew you were going to need to deal with this. As you walked up to him again you heard a lot of howling and his eyes immediately changed he looked exactly like a monster know. He was facing away from you and snapped his head your way and softly barked at you. You knew that whoever was howling was not his friend and he wouldn’t be able to do much against them, he was a small, injured wolf what was he going to do. Jasper was getting impatient and restless.
“Come here, come here.”
Calling out to the wolf as you held Jasper.
He limped towards your pony as he stood still as you calmed him down. Jasper was completely calm around the small wolf as he took a small hop to reach Jaspers back, You weren’t surprised when this wolf acted more like a dog then a wolf.
As the howling grew louder and closer you hopped on Jasper and went straight home in a gallop. Jasper had no problem carrying the extra weight. You kept looking back making sure nothing was following you as the black wolf infront of you curled into you.
Cute you thought. It was completely dark when you arrived at your cabin that was only lit up by the single lantern that hung outside and the lamp in the living room was still on.
You quickly got Jasper settled down into the small pasture you had. Sadi your good nights as you carried the small wolf in your arms into your home.
“How wa-
Your mom cuts her self off as she looks at the animal in your arms.
“Get that thing away from me!”
“Mom calm down please.”
Your mother panics and stars running around like a chicken with whet head cut off.
“Mom please.”
She continues to scream and knock furniture down in the process the wolf wakes up and jumps out of your arms scared. He starts to run around too. Total chaos is filled in the room you continue to shout to get someone’s attention.
No one pays you any kind until you let out a loud whistle making both of them stop in their tracks.
“Ok you two, let’s get the introductions.
“Mom, meet cute, small wolf.”
“Cute,small wolf meet mom.”
After you get everything sorted and cleaned up your mother calms down and doesn’t mind you taking care of the wolf until his paw heals and other injuries. You take the small wolf with you in your room. You wanted nothing more then to lay in your soft welcoming bed. The wolf had decided to glue its self to your legs, he only reached a little bit above your knees,he was just so cute. The wolf would look at you with big doe eyes, you couldn’t help but wonder something, why did he act so calm around you and not run or attack you like a normal wolf. Then again animals where smart so maybe he could just sense that you wanted to help. Anyways once you reach your room you start to change with the wolf and he suddenly turns aggressively towards the corner,strange. You simply shake it off and continue to get ready for bed. Hopping into bed you pat your bed and invite the wolf in your bed. He jumps up excitedly You didn’t care about having animals in your bed and you felt safe with the animal surprisingly. As you laid next to the wolf curled up against you you couldn’t help but think of the irony, you hated them or maybe it was just anger over your dads death. He offered comfort to you in a strange way, but you couldn’t help something else was different about him. You simply drift into dreamland without realizing it.
Shining brightly into your room the sun wakes you up before your mom can. You struggle out of bed fighting against the control your soft blankets have over you.
Come on (y/n) you can do this.
Patting the place beside you expecting fur but you feel something different this time. You feel human hair? Human hair?
Wait what, that’s not supposed to be there.
You turn your head slowly bit knowing what to expect. You make eye contact with a boy.
A boy!!!! What the hell was a boy doing in your room and more importantly why was he in your bed.
Out of shock you fall off of the bed, your fall scares the boy off of the his side. Two loud thumps fill the room.
“Who are you?”
You ask as you gather yourself
“Well, I am actually the wolf that you caught in your trap.”
He scratches his head looking at the ground avoiding your eyes.
Then it clicked in your mind, he was a werewolf.
“You’re a-a-a-a-a-
Not finishing your sentence you faint due to unbelief and shock.
“Just by your existence, you already shine radiantly like this.”
Prev
Read Interlude: No More Drama
Tag list: @justineasian @elauniesdream
A/N: I started Interlude: No More Drama series back in March, and I never knew that the series would go this far. Prelude: After Story is a mini-sequel that I actually didn’t plan –since I started to write Interlude during the Neozone era and I didn’t know how they would bring the repackage album, but truthfully I’m very proud of where it is. I think it is quite interesting to see things from Yuta’s POV!
I hope you’re not bored at this, but I wish I could convey my gratitude better. I already wrote my thank you during the end of Interlude, but I’d like to say thanks again. Really, receiving warm messages especially during the current world situation does brighten up my day. So I hope that my writings could help to entertain you, to make your day (no puns intended hahaha).
This marks the end of Interlude: No More Drama and Prelude: After Story series! I personally think this is a milestone for me as a writer (especially this is one of my first published work). In the future, I would probably go cringe when I re-read this when I’m able to write a better story, but nevertheless this is the first stepping stone and it doesn’t change the fact that I will always feel proud of this. I really like how the story unfolds and how the character develops, and I think this is the perfect closure to end the series.
Thank you for loving them, and enjoying the ride with the characters!
Much love,
Dee
The same reaction, always, whenever Yuta received a guest.
You took a moment to admire his house. It’s late, but after stepping inside, you are greeted with the large window –displaying the amazing view of the cityscape.
He took off his suit, throwing it to the armchair. “Please be comfortable. Sorry for the sudden invitation, I realized I might be slightly pushy now that I've started to sober up. I can’t believe I let a woman drive me home.”
You giggled softly. “Please, gender shouldn’t prevent you from driving safely. Anyway, you have a very nice place.”
He scoffed. “It’s humble, but I like this place. The view is very charming from here. Well, sit down, I’ll grab our glasses and some ice.”
Of course, his apartment is anything but humble. You quickly scanned the room as you make your way to where he pointed his couch is. There are weird ornaments as a part of the house decorations here and there, like a vase with Japanese ceramic technique with a single dark crimson rose and few decorations of octopuses —you never knew how those could blend in together. Nevertheless, it has its own charm and the place screams his personality.
“Here,” He passes you a glass that is filled with caramel-colored liquid. The sound of the ice touching the glass snaps you from your daydream. “It’s Hibiki 12. I hope you don’t mind whiskey?”
You accepted the glass with both of your hands. “I’m good with anything. Out of curiosity though, do you always have a Japanese liquor on hand?”
A wide grin appears on his face, showcasing the perfectly aligned teeth. “To be precise, I always have Hibiki around because they are easier to drink. I managed to snatch a bottle of champagne and bourbon, though. Do you prefer those instead?”
“Would never refuse an invitation for a bottle of good quality champagne.”
“Seems like you’re a heavy drinker, Miss. I must say I think I’m pretty good at handling my alcohol, but I want to make sure there’s no accident tonight.”
You slightly flinched at his last sentence but managed to control your expression.
“Ah, I think just normal? I could manage if we could keep the pace slow –though I’m pretty sure that’s not what you wanted tonight.”
Yuta smirked, taking a seat on the floor across you. You followed him, taking a seat near him since it would be rude for you to remain seated on the couch while the house owner is being casual and sitting on the floor.
“Actually, not really.” He said while twirling his class, taking another sip. “I was thinking of taking it slow tonight.”
You shifted your stare to see him. “Is that so.”
While you thought it was quite careless for him to invite a stranger –technically you are up until the car ride where you briefly introduce each other– to his house, you’re not the one to talk since you also waltzed into his apartment without any second thoughts.
Both of you don’t mind the silence, as he continues to spin his middle finger around the rim of his glass. Either the alcohol starts to kick in, or he is consumed by his own thoughts. His cheeks start to flushed like cherry blossoms, and his mind is in a daze.
“I–” Yuta finally breaks the silence. “Was thinking a lot about my own feelings. On the contrary to my look, I think I’m actually the type of person who feels a lot. Most of the time I decide things based on my feelings.”
You didn’t respond, so there’s a momentary pause before he bridges his story together. You didn’t respond because you didn’t pay him any attention, but you just feel like right now what he needs is to let out his feelings, bare to the table.
“When I received my invitation, I feel like the ground below my feet shattered. But at the same time, it would be rude of me to reject it when she was so excited about her wedding. I was thinking how could this person be so dense to invite me that are still wallowing in sorrow?”
You took another sip of your whiskey, keeping your mouth shut while listening to his story.
“As I entered the venue today, each and every of my step seems harder. Like, I was regretting saying yes to her invitation.”
He then looked down at his almost empty glass. “Then I saw her face. And it feels like... all the answers that I’ve been looking for was there. That today was the day where I truly feel thankful that I made that decision. I’m glad she looked happy,”
He took another sip, finishing whatever left on his glass. “I’m glad that I could end this and make it into a proper memory.”
There it is.
The man in front of you smiled when he reached the end of his sentence. But you can see how that smile was wrapped in sadness.
You know by the way he talks, he is a man full of passion. His directness that is sometimes always too spontaneous. But it’s not the blazing-type of passion. Maybe because of his past, there’s always a trail of woe that surrounds him. That keeps him from burning his surroundings.
Like a blue flame.
“I’m sorry, it must be weird to suddenly listen to my sad story,” He said as he rises up. “Let me refill your glass. Should we take other liquor? I was thinking of switching it up to wine. I didn’t lie when I said there’s no more regret, but in order for me to truly accept it, I guess I kinda need to feel my feelings? I need something to dull the pain.”
“I thought you only stole bourbon and champagne?”
“You can’t call it a Nakamoto residence without a vast amount of alcohol gallery, you know?”
Finally, a hint of delight starts to replace the somber mood. “Again, I’m a guest so I’ll take anything. For your reference, though, I’m more of a red wine person.”
He curls his lips upwards, chiseling his well-structured cheekbones, “Got it. Also, please be more comfortable. I’m the one who suddenly invites you, after all.”
As he walks toward his wine fridge, you reactively rise up, about to offer your help. You’ve been sitting on your feet for quite a while, and your legs are definitely not ready for the sudden movement. You almost slip to the ground, but as if it was a shoujo manga, Yuta manages to catch you.
“Careful!” He said as he holds your upper arm, preventing you from falling.
It feels like the universe planned this all along, as cliche as it might sound.
You get to see his face, up close. The way his eyes pull you in, glistening from the alcohol that he had consumed.
It would be a lie if you told him that you’re not attracted. How could you not? The man in front of you is obviously good looking, but his demeanor, the way his voice travels through the air.
It was all just too alluring.
You avoided of the what-could-have-happened-next scenario by breaking the eye contact, looking away. It is a different case for Yuta. Because the sight of your neck, now burning in the vibrant pink flush is like an open invitation for him.
And he is not Yuta if he is not a decisive person.
He leans in, giving you a soft kiss on the lips. A kiss you didn’t see coming, but most definitely sending electrifying feels to your spine. A kiss that is mixed with the bitterness from alcohol. Yet Hibiki is sweet, so you long for more, kissing him back in the process.
The kiss that was started gently, suddenly rises up as both of you wanting for more. He dives in, checking if you felt the same way. You reciprocated, biting his lower lips. Asking him to pace up the speed.
You thought he would gladly eat you. To your disappointment, however, he separates his lips from yours.
“Are you fine with this?”
His whispers are gentle, yet able to give you goosebumps. He knows, that even under influence he should earn your consent before moving on to the next step. That surprises you because you thought the alcohol would turn him into a beast. But Yuta remains as a gentleman.
So you shyly give him a nod of approval, much to gain his wonderful smile. He leans forward to kiss you, but this time in a much more aggressive manner.
As he trails his lips to your neck, soft moans escape from your lips.
“Wait,” You stopped him half-way, which he only responded with a confused face. “Can we, uhm, perhaps move somewhere else? I… never done this… so I don’t know if I’m doing this right,”
Seeing how nervous you are, and the way you panicked over this, Yuta couldn’t help to chuckle softly.
“Of course, that is rude of me,” He kissed your temple, followed by gentle strokes on your head.
“Come.”
He stands up, offering his hand in which you immediately accept. He guides you to his room. His room didn’t shy away from being loud, some might even perceive it as odd since he opts to choose eccentric pieces to decorate his sanctuary. But everything seems to mesh well together with his plain beige wallpaper. There are a few unfinished canvases at the corner, most notably a painting of roses.
You were busy admiring his room to realize that he was waiting for you at the corner of his bed. Arms wide open ready to embrace you.
You giggled at the scene, but then you remember that you fall into his arms means it won’t stop at just there.
“Can I... use your bathroom first?”
You can feel the heat collecting on your cheek. You were embarrassed to ask such a question, but Yuta understands where you are coming from in a heartbeat, and you are glad for that.
“Please,” He said, gesturing to you to find his bathroom. “But once you’re done, we’re not stopping, yeah? I think I’ve been good for being patient, don’t you think?”
You smiled at his remarks. “I’ll be quick.”
You practically skipped your way to the bathroom. You checked yourself, at least making sure you smell pleasant. Then before leaving the bathroom door, you took your time in front of the sink. Contemplating with yourself in the mirror.
You are about to fuck Yuta.
The words repeated inside your head but soon vanished at the sight of a foreign object. Not that you are used to his apartment, but everything in his apartment was coated with his character, except this dainty jewelry.
It was a delicate, simple rose gold earrings. You noticed that Yuta rocks multiple piercings on both of his ears. But none are this delicate. It seems these were too plain for his liking.
Who am I to judge?
You said to yourself. You literally just know this man tonight and you’d be damned to judge his taste. Who knows, maybe he has those days where he wants to lay low. Whenever he’s going to meet his clients, perhaps? But you feel like keeping such delicate pieces in the bathroom has a potential of him losing it, so you call him out.
“Yuta?”
He hummed as a form of reply.
“You shouldn’t keep your earrings near the sink, you know. You might wash them away by accident.”
Suddenly you can hear his footsteps, rushing. You didn’t lock the door and you are glad that you didn’t because he would probably break the door open. He rushed to grab the pair of earrings, and the color on his face fades away. The smile that once appeared on his face was no longer there.
This gains your confusion. What does a rose gold earring mean to him that he had to act this way?
A rose gold earring.
A painting of roses.
A single rose that was fresh, as if it was treated with the utmost care.
Then you remember that the sight of a rose is definitely not a stranger for you, especially the last three days.
You decorated the hall with roses.
The couple carefully selected the specific color of the roses, making the last few weeks like a nightmare looking out for the vendors.
Of course, you even arranged her bouquet with roses.
“Ah, I just like roses,” She said to you when you asked why she picked roses as one of the main flowers. “As cliché as it might sound, I think roses are one of the most stunning flowers out there. They’re beautiful but surrounded by their thorns so you got to treat them gently unless you want them to prick you. Also, I think it’s because of the roses that we’re back together.”
“Did we?” Her fiancé finally looked at her after busy playing with the ring on her fingers.
“Don’t you dare to forget you add water to my shower gel.”
You could remember the laughter vividly in your head, but the last thing that you would want right now is to laugh.
“I get it.” You tried to act though, but there’s a crack in your voice. “I get that you just told me you were trying to forget about her a few minutes ago.”
You can feel like your vision is about to start to blur, but you took a deep breath to prevent a single tear to drop.
“I’d like to blame it on the alcohol, but I guess I’m at fault too.”
Was it the way he always smiled so brilliantly? His weird and odd taste that makes you furrow your brows the moment you step into his place? The way he comes to your shop every week to buy fresh flowers and look at them so lovingly?
Perhaps, because he could enter your heart so easily. Who knows, you might have already fallen for him the moment he requested for roses the first time you met him.
You get that you only get along well, and what are the chances that these things happen so smoothly? You’re not a princess out of a Disney movie.
He evidently holds the pair of earrings so dearly, and even though you’re not the type of person who puts your feelings on your sleeve, it is inevitable that you felt the sharp pain on your chest.
“I never do this, Yuta. And I don’t plan on doing these things, if that someone doesn’t think about me at this very moment.”
Your words startled him, and before he could speak up, you gave him your last words. “Please, don’t ever take this so lightly, especially to me.”
You walked past him, grabbing your belongings in the living room before walking outside. You are glad Yuta didn’t chase you, because it would hurt your pride if he knows that you cried a river when you walk your way to your car.
--
It’s nearly a week since you closed your flower shop. This is your business and to be frank you are still upset about what happened after the wedding party. The newlyweds paid a hefty amount of money so you can survive a bit without operating. Though, this small shop that is also connected to your home upstairs will need to open soon in order for you to be able to pay your bills. Furthermore, your love for flowers is far too great for you to leave them without any attention.
You closed your shop, telling your customers (especially your regulars) and putting a sign in front of the shop that you will be back after a week of break. You also told Mark that he wouldn’t need to come. He accepted it without pressing for further questions, but it’s so like Mark to make sure you’re alright.
“I’m fine, really. You don’t need to pay for my shift this week either.”
“Are you sure? I was thinking I could give you half of it.”
“No, I wouldn’t feel good taking money without putting any effort into it. But most importantly, you sure you’re fine, Noona?”
You sighed in relief, glad that Mark is well-raised and how he always cares about the people around him. “I’m fine, Mark. I think the wedding frenzy got the best of me, so I was thinking of having a short break so I could have a fresh start.”
“Well, it was overwhelming, not gonna lie,” Mark said as he recalled how he helped you prepare for his brother’s and new sis wedding. “I guess if you say so. Please if there’s anything I could do to help, let me know Noona.”
You replied with a simple yes, throwing your phone to the bed after you ended the call.
The past week, all you’ve been doing is to wake up early in the morning, tend the flowers, eat your breakfast, and go straight to nap. It’s a bad habit, yes, but that is how you cope with sadness.
Sad? Am I entitled to feel so?
You only know Yuta briefly, he is a regular. The fact that you know that he’s a Japanese before he told you so is probably trivial to him.
“We’re out of camellias, I’m terribly sorry sir.”
“Do you know when the next batch will come?”
“Unfortunately camellias are not in season, so it will take a while for us to restock it.”
He sighed, then he looked at his wristwatch. It seems like he doesn’t have that much time to browse the catalog.
“Is there a reason why you’re looking for camellias?”
“Ah, not really. It reminds me of home. I just came back from there last week. I thought of getting roses, but I changed my mind.”
“Home?”
“Oh, sorry. I wasn’t from here. I’m a Japanese, you see.”
“Oh! I didn’t notice.”
He shyly scratched the back of his head, still not used to people complimenting his bilingual ability. You find his reaction charming, unconsciously giggling at it.
“Then, sir, I assume you’re in a hurry. May I give you a suggestion?”
“How do you know I was in a hurry?”
“Well it was easy since you immediately asked for camellia and looked at your watch the moment I told you we don’t have one.”
He lets out a smile. A smile so warm that sunflowers might face toward his direction immediately. “Indeed, I have to meet someone this evening. So your help will actually good for my favor. I was thinking of buying flowers for my dining table, do you have any suggestions?”
Now it’s your turn to smile. “I think buttercups would be perfect.”
—
Yuta has been thinking a lot about what happened last Saturday.
Especially how he should talk to her.
It’s easy to spot her store, Yuta and Doyoung practically passed by it every single morning on their way to the office. The sun hits the flower store perfectly. Not too harsh, just a bask of the golden ray. Usually, he would see how the beautifully bloomed flowers were displayed on the store windows. But it’s already day six and the store shows no sign of operations.
He reads the announcement board in front of the store; “Paradise will be closed for an inventory check. We will be back to serve you next week!”
He feels dejected. Yuta couldn’t just ask Mark for her number, that would have raised so many questions. Yes, Yuta kissed her, but was their relationship that close for him to ask for her number? The fact that both of them are not sober is also a part of Yuta’s concern.
So instead, Yuta planned to visit the florist (especially since he’s been skipping buying flowers for a week —his vase longed to be filled with any arrangement) as an excuse to meet her. But now he even lost that very reason.
He was about to step away before a tune leaked out from the front door.
Someone is here.
Without hesitation, Yuta knocked on the front door. The one inside, however, did not expect any visitor. Yuta can hear how the person inside scrambles their way to open the door.
“Yes?”
She lets out a professional smile, and it fades almost instantly as soon as she sees Yuta standing in front of her door.
“Hi.”
“Yuta!” She closes her mouth, surprised that she shrieked. “Uhm, I… didn’t expect you to come. But our store is currently close, so if you’re looking for flowers, unfortunately we—“
“I want to talk to you.”
Again, it’s so very Yuta to cut to the chase.
“I want to clarify a few things.”
She finally looked at him. She tried to remain calm, keeping the expressionless upfront. But Yuta could see how her pupils were quivering. She was trying to be brave.
“I’d like to apologize for three things. One, the way I reacted at that time. It was only mere minutes after I said that I’m truly happy for her. As a human being, don’t you think it’s understandable that I reacted that way?”
She nods but remained silent.
“I’m typically an extrovert, but I’m very territorial with my personal space, and I let her go beyond the lines that I created. In a way, she is precious to me.”
This time, she didn’t respond.
“And she would probably always be. But that doesn’t mean I could only have one precious person in my life.”
She furrowed her brows, and Yuta smirked as he continued.
“After that night, I think a lot about my feelings. How I truly felt.” He scratches the back of his head that is not itchy, but because it takes a lot for Yuta to bare his feelings like this while being sober.
“And the answer remains the same. I genuinely feel happy for her. So I thought, it would only be right to properly keep everything away, little by little instead of throwing it away out of anger. Forcing myself to move on from her. Because I, too believe –as narcissistic as this might sound, that I was a part of a chapter in her life that she holds dear too. It might be slow progress, but I will get there, eventually.”
“Secondly, I apologize for not apologizing for kissing you that night. There is no regret, the attraction is mutual anyway.”
She tilted her head, before realizing what Yuta actually meant. “Wait, you knew?”
He chuckles. “Going back to Osaka was the turning point. Probably everything that I need. It forces me to start fresh, exactly like what I did when I first set foot in this country. It let me accept that I’m actually the type of person who feels a lot. Like how I admit that I’m hopelessly romantic.”
The cold atmosphere starts to melt away, with the addition of the sun seeps in between the leaves on the nearby tree.
“So afterward I’ve been looking into subjects that I never knew I would be interested in, for example, flower languages. Might be the very first reason why I came to receive buttercups from this place.”
“So what you said…”
“Well, I guess I can say my third and last apology. I’m sorry that I am a hopeless romantic kind of guy. I’m very direct, people often told me that I intimidate them sometimes just by doing nothing. But it is just my outer shell. I might not be as strong as the way people view me. Now that you know, it might put you off, huh.”
She finally laughs, “Yuta, I am a florist. This is my field.”
As if her laugh is contagious, Yuta too, unconsciously smiling back.
“I guess, it’s been quite a journey. At least for me. Maybe I’m the one who holds onto the feelings, thinking that I should hold into it for as long as I could possibly can. But life doesn’t work that way, you know? And probably the time you gave me daffodils is one of the signs, too. I just brushed them off because of my stubbornness.”
“Maybe, just maybe, I want to start seeing life as it is. To enjoy the present. To enjoy life as moments. To experience the wonderful charm of its magic. One of the magical moments started here, and I love to cherish them while the magic is still here. In fact, it’s been a long time since things are going smoothly for me. So if I can be ever so selfish, would you let me?”
She was stunned by his remarks. Eyes blinking rapidly, completely unprepared for his sudden proposal.
Yuta had expected it. It’s barely a week, and to receive this kind of confession —although not necessarily a boyfriend-girlfriend confession— from a man who just told you his grief can be confusing.
The confused face started to fade, and she left without replying to a single word.
Yuta thought she rejected him, asking him to leave the shop.
Well, you deserve this, Nakamoto.
As he was about to walk away, she came back with anthuriums on her hand. Taking a moment to catch for her breath as she was rushing to grab these flowers.
“This is?”
“You don’t want an answer?”
He shook his head. “It’s not that. I mean, yes I told you I’ve been learning about flower languages but it’s mostly from Google, and I can’t possibly remember the meaning of every single flower?”
“I can.”
“You are a florist, my dear.”
She laughed lightly, a tone that was like jiggles of bells to Yuta’s ears.
“Can you move closer? I want to whisper these words to you.”
Yuta motioned to her immediately, obediently following her request. As her lips almost touch his ear, Yuta can feel his blood rushing to his ears.
She said, gently to his ears. “I hope you’ll be happy today.”
