#SP's Headespace

[pernesophe]

Wind Breaker Boys x Touch Starved Reader

(Minors, Ageless and Blank Blogs DNI)

Synopsis: How the Wind Breaker boys would handle a touch averse / touch starved S/O.

Characters in this post are:

Enomoto Takeshi (TW: mention of parental death / grief, reader is caretaker of younger sister, comfort, fluff)

Kusumi Yuto (TW: comfort, fluff, suggestive at the end)

Kaji Ren (TW: comfort, fluff)

Master List (I have no rights to these characters, the works they come from, or the art/screenshots/manga panels used in this post)

Enomoto Takeshi

(~2580 WC)

One year ago now your parents passed away. Leaving you as the guardian and caretaker to your younger sister - who was only 5 at the time. As a young girl and all throughout your childhood you got ample love and affection - all of it - but your sister only has you to provide that to her,. You do your best despite the immense grief you feel, but at times you worry that your sister is getting a subpar experience compared to you. Other than your little sister, you don’t really give or accept physical affection from anyone.

That is until Enomoto Takeshi walks into your life.

It's a sunny day in the Furin neighborhood and your sister is nowhere to be found. Frantically you search high and low around the buildings and down darkened alleys until you turn a corner and walk right into a Furin high schooler with slicked back black hair. Immediately he grabs you by the arms to keep you from falling backwards and you tense under his touch. After righting you he swiftly releases you from his hold and peers down at your panicked expression.

“Hey, my name is Enomoto Takeshi - I go to Furin High. You seem really worried about something - is there anything I can do to help?” Asking in a gentle and concerned tone as his brow creases, but a kind smile pulls at his lips. A small sob escapes your throat as you nod vehemently, and he leans a little closer to hear you.

In one breath you rush to tell him about your sister and that she’s missing. Before you can give her description he asks if you need to let your parents know causing you to take a step back in shock - as if you had been struck.

“I’m sorry - I didn’t mean,” he says gently. Seeing that he touched a nerve, he holds a hand out in front of him as if to convey that he means you no harm.

“No, no - you’re good. They’re just, um… dead.” The word drops from your lips like a stone and plunks into the dirt at your feet. Still, you had no idea how to work that detail into conversation and it was apparent by the shock on Enomoto’s face.

“I’m so sorry-” he starts to apologize profusely, in a genuinely remorseful tone. Shaking your head quickly with a wave of your hand to cut him off.

“It’s okay,” you say quickly with a sad smile. “I’m her guardian. I-I just need to find her, please.” Whispering softly as you look up at him with pleadingly teary eyes. Enomoto nods vigorously and asks for her description - once he has it he sends a few texts and makes a phone call before turning back to you.

“Let’s go,” he says with a nod as he starts to lead you in the direction you were heading. Together the two of you begin searching everywhere, and unbeknownst to you, an entire army was searching through the neighborhood for her as well.

Apparently, Enomoto made one call to Kaji and then sent a text to Sakura and the Jokuku Second Grade Captain who was on patrol today. With that, the entire Jokuku team and the entire first and second grade classes of the Tamon team were out looking for her. As you see more and more guys in uniforms like Enomoto’s - waving at the two of you and calling reassurances that they’ll find your sister - you turn to your companion and genuinely thank him for getting so many people to help. Enomoto bashfully waves off your thanks and says, "It's what we're here for."

As it turns out, your sister got lost and wandered into Shishitoren turf and was spotted being escorted back by Choji and Togame personally. Choji keeps her laughing the whole way back as she holds onto both his and Togame’s pointer fingers. Enomoto stays with you and helps you look until he gets word that she’s safe and where she is, and then escorts you over to Main street to meet up with her.

As she walks up, you’re holding back tears just from seeing her safe and unharmed. Ever since your parents died you’ve been terrified of her getting lost or hurt, so once you can see she’s okay you turn and thank everyone profusely for their help. They all wave you off with wide smiles and tell you to come find Furin or Shishitoren members if you ever need help with anything again.

Enomoto offers to walk both of you home - you agree as you shoot him a grateful smile and take your sister's hand. Immediately she holds a tiny hand up to Enomoto - who pauses for a moment - but before you can tell him he doesn’t have to he reaches down and gently takes her hand in between his fingers and thumb. 

On the way home he makes conversation with your sister and asks her about her likes and dislikes. Absolutely delighted by how he and your sister are interacting, you can’t help the amused smile twisting your lips as Enomoto converses with your sister like an old friend.

Once at the door, you thank him again and bid him goodbye, but before he leaves he offers you his number. A little surprised, but you swiftly accept with a wide grin as you thank him once again for all his help today. After he left your sister makes sure to tell you that she really likes him and hopes the two of you would become friends. Though you don’t voice it to her, a small part of you wanted to be friends with him too.

Luckily, the two of you saw a lot more of each other around Furin after that. Every time you did Enomoto would make conversation with your sister and ask how she’s doing - she thought he was the coolest guy and told him she really likes how he talks. And truthfully, you did too. After talking to him day in and day out - his familiar face, the roll of his R’s, his comforting presence - you found that you really like him too.

Enomoto starts walking with you and your sister outside of his patrol pretty often, and eventually asks if you want to actually plan a hang out. When you tell him that it would be difficult since you watch your sister basically 24/7, he asks if it would be okay if the three of you hung out together. Completely thrown by his offer at first, until you shake off your disbelief and gratefuly agree.

The Hang Out ends up being a trip to the local children's science museum that’s closer to the city. The three of you ride the train together - Enomoto having a full conversation with your sister like normal so you can enjoy the views out the window for a bit.

At the museum, Enomoto shows your sister some of his favorite sections - you adore watching how good he is with her, and he really seemed to enjoy her company too. Then he takes her to the play area and helps her meet some other kids to play with before coming to sit with you on the bench. You thank him for everything he’s done today and tell him that he’s really, really good with kids. He just smiles and tells you that it’s easy since your sister is such a great kid. The two of you talk about a ton of things while your sister plays - Enomoto remaining conscious and helping you watch her as well - and then the conversation turns to your parents, sister and your situation.

You end up telling him everything. Even divulging some of your fears about being responsible for someone else, and how you just really want to give her a fair shot. Enomoto listens intently, and when you’re finished he tells you that he’s incredibly impressed by you. Even going as far to say that you’re approaching the entire situation with a much more level head than most parents he’s met. A little overwhelmed by his kindness as tears prick your eyes, but you let him know that his words mean the world to you.

After a long moment Enomoto pipes up again and says with an earnest expression, “I know I just talked about how well you’rrre doing, but if you everrr need help, someone to lean on, orrr just to talk to - I’m rrright herrre.” 

Again, you’re taken aback, but immensely grateful as you tentatively accept his offer. After that day, you do start to lean on Enomoto for things. Like when you wanted to finally complete a night school program that you’ve been putting off doing to help you find a better job - Enomoto stepped right up and offered to watch your sister during your in person classes (2 days a week).

At first you weren’t sure about it, but he insisted. Between him and the help of several people around Furin - Kaji and Kusumi for one, Hiragi who found out from them who told Umemiya. Who was overjoyed to help, and even asked Tsubaki and Kotoha if they would be willing to pitch in as well - of course they agreed. Nirei heard about it from Kotoha at Pothos one morning, and was quick to offer his help too, which enlisted Suo, Sakura and the rest of Class One…

Long story short - your sister is wealthy in babysitters now.

Frequently, she comes home with stories about all the different people she gets to spend time with and how cool they are. Of course, after you finished your program and got a job in bookkeeping, you made one of your mom's old cookie recipes with your sister's help and gave them out as a thank you.

It wasn’t too long before you and your sister became regular faces to Bofurin - everyone waves and greets you, even the members you don’t know super well - which only makes you feel safer knowing so many eyes are on your sister. After this, Enomoto starts occasionally having dinner with the two of you and over time he gets up the courage to confess his feelings for you. 

At first you were stunned, which made him second guess himself, but you were quick to quell his worry by confessing too. Even though you just told him your feelings, he asks why you seem apprehensive. A little ashamed, you admit that he’s already given you so much and that you feel guilty taking more. A long moment passes and then Enomoto breaks the silence with his earnest voice.

”Take it all.” He says bluntly, which makes you gawk openly at him. “Whateverrr I have - it’s yourrrs, I wanna give you everrrything I’ve got,” he assures you with a firm nod.

Again you’re stunned, but you slowly nod in disbelief and murmur, “O-okay.” 

After that the two of you are official, but Enomoto doesn’t push physical affection with you beyond when he’s holding your sister and hands her over to you. He’s just so grateful that you opened up your heart and home to him, so he didn’t want to jeopardize the place he’s earned in your life.

Eventually, one night - when Tsubaki and Kotoha offered (begged) to watch your sister and give her a “spa” night, to which you gratefully agreed - you finally moved to Enomoto deliberately.

The two of you are sitting on the couch in your living room watching some silly movie - about a foot of space between the two of you. Ever so slowly, you reach out and gently take hold of Enomoto’s hand and he just peers at you curiously out of the corner of his eye. 

Quietly, you explain that you want to touch him, but you’re also afraid. You go out of your way to give that love to your sister because you received it from your parents, but she won’t ever get that chance so you have to make up for it.

But you don’t seek that kind of love, because you already got it - so much of it - from two people who died. Who left you - even if they didn’t want to. It terrifies you to love someone else like that when they could leave you too, or worse die. You’re fearful that you can’t handle missing another person like that again.

Or if your relationship doesn’t work out, your sister might feel abandoned by him and you were honestly barely dealing with your own abandonment issues as is. You just couldn’t shoulder any more.

Once you sadly trail off - gaze focused on the fraying arm of the couch - Enomoto reaches forward and scoops you into his lap, holding you tight against his chest.

“Just because you’re afraid doesn’t mean that you don’t deserve this,” whispering into your hair as he squeezes you tighter to make his point. As the pressure mounts around you, a warbling sob bubbles its way out of your throat. He lets you cry and keeps speaking. “And you know that you need it, because you go out of your way to give it to your sister because you know she needs it. Now, I know I can’t make that fear go away, but I can love you through it if you’ll let me,” he whispers earnestly while pressing a kiss to your tear stained cheek. Then he gently takes your chin in his hand and makes you look at him. “And as far as your sister goes - I love that little girl so much. It won’t matter if we end up breaking up in the future, because she’s my friend now. I never have and I never will abandon my friends.” Speaking firmly as he pins you with a solemn look, and you absolutely crumble sobbing into his chest. Enomoto holds you for the rest of the night, and puts you to bed after you’ve fallen asleep in his arms.

After this, you lean into him so much more. Going out of your way to hold his hand as the two of you stroll through Furin. Hugging him the moment he comes in your home with matching smiles tugging at both of your lips. Kissing him on the cheek before you bid him goodbye - the first time you did this, he turned so red that he was still a light shade of pink when you saw him later that day.

Now Enomoto will go out of his way to touch you too. Eagerly grinning at you whenever you take his hand, and holding yours back tightly. Lovingly tucking your hair behind your ear before kissing you on the cheek or forehead, which always leaves you blushing madly with a bright smile on your face.

The two of you are more prone to PDA as far as the above things go as well as the occasional peck in public. At first you were nervous about it, but the first time your sister saw you kiss Enomoto she released this joyous squeal and clapped excitedly at the display. She absolutely adores Enomoto and the relationship you two have, and that's when you realize your sister seeing you and Enomoto be affectionate to each other is actually really good for her.

In no time the two of you become Furin’s favorite couple. Especially after you and Enomoto were seen holding your sister’s hands while walking down the street. Sometimes swinging her between the two of you as she babbled to you both about starting school and how excited she was.

Now, years after the fact, your favorite thing Enomoto does is when you’re speaking to your children and he’ll come up behind you and wrap his arms around you before pressing a kiss to your cheek. It always makes you and your kids devolve into a fit of giggles as you lean back into his chest. He and your sister are still close - he’s extremely protective of her, especially after she started dating - but now he calls her his sister (in law) as well as his friend.

Often when she comes to visit from university, she’ll give you a big hug before beelining to Enomoto. A lot of her home time is spent telling him about her classes and friends while helping him with her nieces and nephews. She tells you too, but you and your sister text every day so you’re always up to date, and she only gets to really talk to Enomoto when she comes home.

Kusumi Yuto

(~1142 wc)

Kusumi has been your friend since childhood, so he is very aware of your relationship with physical touch or lack thereof. The two of you became romantically involved at the end of middle school. Kusumi had a crush on you for the longest time, and confessed to you on the last day of school.

You were completely thrown, because you’ve been in love with your childhood friend for as long as you could remember - so you confessed immediately after him. Using the opportunity, he asked you to be his girlfriend right there, and you gleefully agreed.

Both of you were overjoyed, but you were terrified that he would try to initiate physical affection after that. But he never did, even now, 2 years into your relationship and he’s never touched you romantically - nor have you touched him.

One day during literature lessons, when you were learning Romeo and Juliet, is how you found out they shared a kiss of death - so young, so sad, and such a short lived tryst. And then it dawned on you that you and Kusumi have never kissed… the two of you haven’t even held hands. The thought plagues your mind for a week and a half, which Kusumi of course noticed but assumed you would tell him in your own time, and on this Friday - sitting on his bedroom floor next to him with your backs resting on the end of his bed - you finally do.

”Hey Kusumi?” Murmuring quietly to your shaggy haired boyfriend, and he hums in response. ”Why haven’t we ever held hands?” Posing the question timidly, and he tilts his head so he can look at you through the part in his hair.

”Because you seem uncomfortable by it,” he responded simply. Bewildered, you furrow your brow, and Kusumi sits up a bit more as he pushes his hair away from his eyes so he can see and talk to you more directly.

”So… you’re just okay with that?” Uttering softly, in disbelief. Guilt and fear douse your nerves as the muscles tense up in all through your body.

”Well, yeah… you’re my girlfriend, and I’ve known you forever, so I know how you feel about physical affection. It would be really shitty if I pressured you into doing anything when I’m fully aware of your discomfort,” he explained calmly. As if this was some math problem he was helping you work out. Releasing a slightly frustrated sigh through your nose - the same one from your childhood days that makes Kusumi’s lips twitch into a smile.

”But… What if I’m never comfortable… Are you okay with that?” Muttering softly, voice steeped with apprehension - terrified that he’ll suddenly abandon you for this indiscretion.

”If that’s how you feel, then yes…” he reassured you with that same simple tone, and you blink at him dubiously as tears start to well up in your eyes.

”I don’t think that’s fair to you though…” warbling out quietly as you curled your fists into the fabric of your shirt. “Why shouldn’t you receive physical affection just because of me?” You asked in a cracked voice, the first tear dripping onto your knee and soaking into your pants.

”But I don’t want to touch anyone else, and if I have to choose between feeling your touch or experiencing you, then I’ll choose you every time. Easy.” He spoke without missing a beat, and you looked up at him as more tears began spilling down your cheeks - an unspoken question in your eyes. “But, if you think that you’re uncomfortable because it’s just not something you’ve had before, then I’ll stay right here until you do feel comfortable.” He assured you gently while answering your question at the same time. With slightly parted lips, you mutely nod at him with rounded eyes like the full moon.

”I-I think it’s the second one,” you whispered gently, ashamed, but he just nods slowly with no judgment in his eyes. 

”Then let me know when you feel ready, and if you need my help figuring out how to become comfortable with it, then I can do that.” He said gently, and it’s like your prayers have been answered - all you ever wanted was someone to show you how.

”Mhm, I want your help Kusumi - I’m ready… please,” pleading softly as you scooted slightly closer to him. Kusumi’s breath hitched in his throat, not expecting you to want his help now, but he doesn’t hesitate to reach forward and pull you into his lap.

Situating you so you’re sitting in between his legs with your back flush to his chest and his arms wrapped lightly around you - his hands holding your hands gently in your lap. Leaning forward, he rested his chin on the top of your head silently. 

”How’s this?” He asked cautiously, and you inhale deeply and then exhale slowly, relaxing more into his arms - the tension slowly seeped out of your muscles.

”Go-good…” breathing out slowly, and Kusumi gently tightened his arms around you. “Mmm, that feels good.” you whispered softly as you leaned back into his chest more and curled your body up into him. Kusumi let out a shaky breath and just relished in being able to hold you for the first time since you two were kids. 

The only other time you’ve willingly sought out the physical comfort of another was when your parents' marriage was spiraling towards divorce and they were fighting all the time. Unable to stand it any longer, you climbed over the fence into Kusumi’s backyard where you hid. When he came outside to water the plants and saw you, he asked if you were okay. Wordlessly, you started bawling and ran straight into his arms. Little Kusumi was stunned - not having the chance to meet you until just then - but still, he hugged you tightly while you sobbed and sniffled into his graphic shark t-shirt. He made it his mission to be your friend after that, and once he officially was - Kusumi stayed faithfully by your side through everything. Years he waited for the day that you felt you could lean on him again. 

The two of you stayed like that on his bedroom floor for hours until you drifted off to sleep. Eventually, he gingerly scooped you up and tucked you into his bed before he laid down next to you over the covers with one arm draped around you in your sleep. You awoke to your face buried in his chest with your arms twined around his torso with his arms wrapped snugly around you.

After this you and Kusumi hold hands all of the time - wherever you go - and sometimes he’ll even kiss your cheek or forehead in public. In private, your time is spent with lengthy cuddle and tender makeout sessions. From outside the relationship, it would be hard to believe that there was a drastic change, but - to Kusumi - the fact that you lean into him without tensing up at all is like night and day.

Kaji Ren

(~2938 wc)

The day you met your snowy haired boyfriend was random and by chance. You were scavenging for your favorite sucker at the one Konbini you’ve been frequenting since moving into town. Finally - at long last - you had found them!

But there was only one bag left, so you rushed to grab it, completely missing the guy reaching for them at the same time. Neither of you saw the other as your fingertips touched over the bag. Immediately, both of you had pulled back and stared at each other in shock. He looked rather upset about you taking the last bag, but didn’t say a word as he turned and walked away - leaving you in the aisle with the bag still on the shelf.

After you recovered from the shock, you grabbed the bag and rushed to the register to pay. Once you handed the money over you didn’t even wait for the change - apologizing profusely - as you sprinted out of the store. Stopping out front, you whipped your head back and forth until you see him - the severe looking teen with his hands shoved in his pockets, headphones on, and shoulders slumped forward as he marched away. 

“Hey, wait up!” Calling to him as you chased after him, but he didn’t turn - like he didn’t hear you at all. But then you fully face palmed yourself as you remembered the headphones on his head. So, you sprinted after him at full speed to close the distance before he rounded a corner, and since he couldn’t hear you - you reached out and grabbed his sleeve. 

Whirling around, body completely tense, he glared down at you like you were a threat, so you flinch and shrink away. For a moment he just stared at you - his glare changing from anger to confusion - until you sheepishly held up the bag of Chupa Chups in front of you. Rocking it back and forth in your hands you nervously swallowed before trying to speak.

“Um, sorry - I took the last bag - do you want to split it?” Mouthing the words to him since your voice completely failed you, but thank God he was used to reading lips. Slowly, with brows still furrowed, he reached up and removed his headphones - eyes darting between the bag and your face.

“You wanna share them with me?” He asked, completely incredulous of the mere notion, but then you nod eagerly at him. Taking a step back he slowly shook his head at you in disbelief. “Why?” This time he asked in an accusing tone.

“U-um, because… These are my favorite and it’s taken me like… two months to find them, so if they’re your favorite too then I know how it feels when they’re out of stock…” explaining quietly as you slowly started to open the bag. He just gawked at you in absolute bewilderment as you take out about half a bag’s worth of suckers and thrust them into his hands. 

“Thank you - for letting me take the last bag by the way,” thanking him genuinely as you tossed him a small, grateful smile. “I just moved here, and it’s been really stressful - it’s probably not good for me, but they’ve been a nice stress reliever.” You added, and finally the guy’s severe expression smoothed out to one of understanding.

“No problem…” he spoke quietly, “they are for me too,” he added with a grateful nod towards the suckers piled in his hands. “I’m Ren Kaji. What’s your name?” He asked - genuinely curious.

“Y/N L/N! It’s nice to meet you,” chirping as you beamed up at him. Kaji basically had to squint away from your bright eyes and smile, but he enjoyed it all the same. After that, the two of you would often run into each other at the Konbini, and whenever they were down to their last bag of Chupa Chups the two of you would split the bag.

The budding friendship continued like this for months, until one day the Konbini was out of the Chupa Chups for 4 weeks due to shipping issues. Kaji was noticeably more on edge than usual because of it. Your theory was only supported more when you started seeing other Furin members in the Konbini asking about the suckers too. Finally after 4 weeks, much of your customer loyalty had waned, so you ventured out to other areas around the city until you struck the motherload! 

A small, run down Konbini stood at the edge of the Red Light District, and in the back of the store were boxes and boxes filled to the brim with bags of your favorite Chupa Chups. Even better - everything was still in date!

Apparently, this is where the shipping issue had happened, but the shipper just charged this Konbini for them and sent another shipment to your regular Konbini - so everything here was extremely discounted.Maybe you went a little overboard, but you bought three boxes worth. It made sense to you - one box for you, one box for Kaji and one box to act as a ‘rainy day fund’ for the both of you.

The next day, you ventured into the Furin neighborhood for the first time with Kaji’s designated box of suckers in tow. The looks you received as some of the older shopkeepers shot you knowing glances before smiling and waving at you, to which you just smiled back and nodded at them. Completely oblivious to their knowing smirks and whispers about a certain white haired Furin member.

It didn’t take you long to find Kaji, especially since he was screaming at some thug at the top of his lungs while some guy with a shaggy bowl cut stood close by clutching his headphones. You approached as Kaji got to the end of his rant, dropping the man who crawled into a sprint, before he whirled around to find you standing right behind him.

The expression on your face was bright as ever and completely unbothered by the display you just saw. The shaggy haired guy as well as a few others in the same uniform stared at you as if you were insane - one with slicked back hair stepped forward to intervene before Kaji blew up on you. Especially since their Captain was staring at you with wide eyes and a deep furrow in his brow, but then you spoke.

“Shipping problem, but I fixed it,” speaking in a sing-songy voice with a bright grin as you held the box up to Kaji. Who finally tore his gaze away from your face to see a box overflowing with bags of his favorite suckers.

He just stood there frozen as he looked back at your face - expression unchanging. Tilting your head slightly, a small notch forms in your brow as you look down at the suckers and then back up to his face. “These are still your favorite, right?” You inquired, innocently unaware of the range of emotions Kaji was going through.

“Ye-yes,” he murmured quietly. “Why?” He demanded in an accusing tone immediately after, but you just giggled at his confusion.

“Because the Konbini has been out of them for four weeks, and I’ve been spending all of my free time searching for them because I’ve been going kind of crazy,” you laughed out sheepishly. “So, when I found a huge stock - super discounted by the way - I thought I’d grab some extra because you may not be having a great time either,” making a cautious guess as you held the box out for Kaji again. He blinked rapidly at you, but finally accepted the box and easily held it under one arm before he turned back to look at you with a perplexed expression. After a moment of silence you smiled awkwardly and clapped your hands together - breaking him from his stupor.

“Well, that’s all I really came here to do…” murmuring awkwardly as you turned to leave, but then you remembered the extra box.

“Oh, by the way,” pulling out your phone and swiped to your photos before showing him one of the three boxes - one labeled ‘rainy day fund’.

“I have an extra box in case we run out!” Trilling as you presented the treasure proudly, which only made Kaji sputter a little bit as an entire zoo stampede in his stomach. As you turned to leave, he quickly spoke, making you stop.

“Can I have your number?” Kaji asked urgently, and then his entire face flushed red - his companions’ eyes went wide as they exchanged worried glances. You stared at Kaji curiously for a moment before your face lit up. 

“Oh, duh, of course - for the ‘rainy day fund’!” You said cluelessly as you swiped over to “New Contact” and handed him your phone with a bright smile. Kaji gulped and then nodded before entering his information. Truthfully, you hoped he wanted more than just suckers from you, but you really didn’t expect him to like you like that, so this was good enough.

The friendship progressed like that, every so often meeting up to exchange a stock of suckers between each other (usually you to him since he goes through them so quickly). The whole time you were clueless to Kaji’s signals actually being signals: the shared playlists, him eventually walking you to school every day, to him asking you to hang out with him on the weekends.

Finally, when he asked you out on a date (without actually using that term) - surprised you with flowers, and took you to dinner before going on a romantic walk along the canal - and you still hadn’t picked up that he liked you, Kaji was beyond frustrated. When you said he was the sweetest friend you’ve ever had, he finally lost it.

“Y/N. Do you think I do this for my friends?” He asked incredulously as the two of you stopped on a bridge to look over the water, annoyance seeping into his tone. Turning to him in shock, you were surprised to see a vulnerable look in his eyes behind his angry expression.

“I’m not sure… I don’t see you hang out with a lot of girls,” you admitted softly. You’ve never dated anyone before, and you never had any ‘guy friends’ so, honestly, you had no idea if Kaji was just being nice this whole time. The second year grade captain sighed heavily at your response as his head dropped into his hands, his elbows resting on the railing.

“Exactly, Y/N.” He finally spoke after raising his face from his hands and giving you a tired look. “It’s not that I’m against being friends with a girl, but I’ve been trying to show you for months that I want to be more with you.” He confessed desperately, hoping and praying that you finally got it. But, you just stared at him in silence for an incredibly long time, until understanding dawned over your features like a slow sunrise.

“Ohhhh…” you whispered out so quietly. All Kaji’s tension and frustration dissipated into laughter in that moment as he watched you completely flounder as everything he’s done in the past few months and every time you were just clueless ran through your mind. Slowly, he nods as a blush creeps over your cheeks to the tips of your ears and you clap a hand over your mouth. “I didn’t know… I’m so sorry Kaji!” You gasped out from behind your hand.

“I realize that now,” he said simply with the most amused expression on his face. Still, you can’t recover from the embarrassment as you just shake your head and blush deeper under his gaze.

“Will you be my girlfriend?” He blurted out, shocking you out of your embarrassment, as he stared down at you intensely. You blinked up at him in surprise before nodding vehemently - your bright smile returning to your lips. After that the two of you were official, though for the most part your relationship didn’t change much from when you were just ‘friends’, especially when neither of you initiated physical contact with each other.

Now, almost a year into the relationship, the two of you are sitting on a bench at the park - it’s midday on a Saturday with a spring breeze fluttering past. He’s listening to music and you’re reading one of your books. For the past hour, you’ve been sneaking peeks at your boyfriend, which he has been kind enough not to mention.

Suddenly you feel confidence well in your chest as you reach out and gently take his free hand in yours. Immediately Kaji gives you a confused look, which you interpret as anger and drop his hand before pulling back and looking back down at your book without reading.

”Um, sorry! I didn’t mean to…” you say softly as your cheeks burn. Refusing to lift your gaze, you begin smoothing out the folded corner of your page - most of your books had them from being thrifted.

”You didn’t mean to… hold my hand?” Inquiring suspiciously as his eyebrows furrow at you. Looking at your boyfriend only makes you more nervous as anxiety convinces you that you crossed a line.

”Um, no… Well, yes. I did mean to, but I’m sorry if that wasn’t okay to do,” whispering softly, and averting your gaze to anywhere but him. A bluebird catches your eye so you focus up on that. Kaji just stares at you bewildered - he knew you were an anxious person, but sometimes when you apologized for things you didn’t need to he just felt guilty, like he did something wrong.

Suddenly, he pulls out two Chupa Chups and hands one to you, which you gingerly take. Unwrapping the sucker in unison, you both stick them in your mouths at the same time which makes you giggle as some of the tension dissipates. Kaji will never tell you - and you never pay enough attention to figure it out - but he always times it when he gives you a sucker so it’ll go exactly like this because you giggle every time and he loves the sound. After a long moment, you begin speaking again - just like he knew you would.

”I want to touch you Kaji,” you say bluntly which makes him jump and choke on his sucker as he shoots you a desperate look of ‘mercy please, Y/N’

“No, not like that… Well yes, maybe like that eventually?” Speaking slowly as to not risk Kaji going into cardiac arrest. “For right now, I just wanna be able to hold your hand sometimes… Maybe feel confident enough to kiss you one day?” Musing softly as your gaze returns to the bluebird. Kaji blinks slowly at you. Feel confident enough? What?

”What do you mean? You’re way more confident than I am with this stuff…” He says quietly, leaning closer to you subconciously to study the expression of your side profile.

”Well, yeah, but… I mean,” sighing softly before meeting his concerned cerulean eyes again. “It’s not like I got a ton of physical affection growing up, so it’s still really hard for me…” explaining slowly - deliberately - as you splay your fingers out in your lap to calm your nerves a bit. “I have to force myself through the discomfort of it, because it’s not natural to me… But I want to be physically affectionate with you, so I want to work on it for me and you…” trailing off quietly, suddenly self conscious that you aren’t making any sense.

Kaji blinks rapidly, stunned. Never did he consider his bubbly girlfriend who is always bouncing at his side and brightening his day had been pushing herself through something that he always thought was easy for her. Slowly, Kaji reaches out and awkwardly takes your hand in his, and just like him you jump and choke on your sucker a bit. Leaning back into the bench, Kaji turns his gaze forward before he speaks.

”I’m sorry…” he whispers out, and you don’t even know what to say, you're so stunned. “I never knew - I just thought it was natural for you. I didn’t really consider that you’ve been fighting through this the whole time, alone.” He murmurs softly, in a genuinely apologetic tone.

”It’s not like that…” Protesting quietly, but he just shakes his head as he looks at you with guilt ridden eyes causing you to pause and wait for him to speak again.

”It kind of is though…” he says gently and before you can protest further, he’s squeezing your hand to keep your attention.

“I’ll do better,” he promises genuinely. Slowly, you nod, because his expression is leaving no room for argument. The rest of the hangout is spent in silence, doing your separate activities, but still holding hands - albeit awkwardly, but sweetly too.

Kaji keeps a firm hold on your hand the whole way back to your house as well. The change in your relationship isn’t night and day, but there are some things that anyone who knows you or Kaji would notice. After that day, Kaji starts initiating more physical contact with you: he goes out of his way to hold your hand, and when you seem a little down or stressed he would give you a sucker (like normal) but now he pats your head afterwards. It's a little awkward at first, but you still blush and throw him a bashful smile every time. 

The biggest surprise to everyone, including you, are the forehead kisses. Kaji was awkward the first time he did it but he never let the awkwardness stop him - because, well, you never did. Now, he greets and bids you goodbye - anytime, anywhere - by pressing a chaste kiss to your forehead and smiling serenely at you afterwards. You're reduced to a blushing, stuttering mess every single time.

[pernesophe]

I’m so glad this series is gaining traction - I’ll be posting remastered ones for each character in the near future that are more in depth like Umemiya’s Tsubaki’s and Choji’s (they will be in separate posts completely to kind of mark my progress with these works).

Currently I’m reworking Sakura’s and I’ll be working backwards from there!

Thank you to everyone who’s liked, commented and reblogged for this series - it’s been a huge motivator for me as a new writer! 🫶🏻

Wind Breaker Boys x Touch Starved Reader

Synopsis: How the Wind Breaker boys would handle a touch averse / touch starved S/O.

Characters in this post are:

Enomoto Takeshi (TW: mention of parental death / grief, reader is caretaker of younger sister, comfort, fluff)

Kusumi Yuto (TW: comfort, fluff, suggestive at the end)

Kaji Ren (TW: comfort, fluff)

Master List (I have no rights to these characters, the works they come from, or the art/screenshots/manga panels used in this post)

Enomoto Takeshi

(~2580 WC)

One year ago now your parents passed away. Leaving you as the guardian and caretaker to your younger sister - who was only 5 at the time. As a young girl and all throughout your childhood you got ample love and affection - all of it - but your sister only has you to provide that to her,. You do your best despite the immense grief you feel, but at times you worry that your sister is getting a subpar experience compared to you. Other than your little sister, you don’t really give or accept physical affection from anyone.

That is until Enomoto Takeshi walks into your life.

It's a sunny day in the Furin neighborhood and your sister is nowhere to be found. Frantically you search high and low around the buildings and down darkened alleys until you turn a corner and walk right into a Furin high schooler with slicked back black hair. Immediately he grabs you by the arms to keep you from falling backwards and you tense under his touch. After righting you he swiftly releases you from his hold and peers down at your panicked expression.

“Hey, my name is Enomoto Takeshi - I go to Furin High. You seem really worried about something - is there anything I can do to help?” Asking in a gentle and concerned tone as his brow creases, but a kind smile pulls at his lips. A small sob escapes your throat as you nod vehemently, and he leans a little closer to hear you.

In one breath you rush to tell him about your sister and that she’s missing. Before you can give her description he asks if you need to let your parents know causing you to take a step back in shock - as if you had been struck.

“I’m sorry - I didn’t mean,” he says gently. Seeing that he touched a nerve, he holds a hand out in front of him as if to convey that he means you no harm.

“No, no - you’re good. They’re just, um… dead.” The word drops from your lips like a stone and plunks into the dirt at your feet. Still, you had no idea how to work that detail into conversation and it was apparent by the shock on Enomoto’s face.

“I’m so sorry-” he starts to apologize profusely, in a genuinely remorseful tone. Shaking your head quickly with a wave of your hand to cut him off.

“It’s okay,” you say quickly with a sad smile. “I’m her guardian. I-I just need to find her, please.” Whispering softly as you look up at him with pleadingly teary eyes. Enomoto nods vigorously and asks for her description - once he has it he sends a few texts and makes a phone call before turning back to you.

“Let’s go,” he says with a nod as he starts to lead you in the direction you were heading. Together the two of you begin searching everywhere, and unbeknownst to you, an entire army was searching through the neighborhood for her as well.

Apparently, Enomoto made one call to Kaji and then sent a text to Sakura and the Jokuku Second Grade Captain who was on patrol today. With that, the entire Jokuku team and the entire first and second grade classes of the Tamon team were out looking for her. As you see more and more guys in uniforms like Enomoto’s - waving at the two of you and calling reassurances that they’ll find your sister - you turn to your companion and genuinely thank him for getting so many people to help. Enomoto bashfully waves off your thanks and says, "It's what we're here for."

As it turns out, your sister got lost and wandered into Shishitoren turf and was spotted being escorted back by Choji and Togame personally. Choji keeps her laughing the whole way back as she holds onto both his and Togame’s pointer fingers. Enomoto stays with you and helps you look until he gets word that she’s safe and where she is, and then escorts you over to Main street to meet up with her.

As she walks up, you’re holding back tears just from seeing her safe and unharmed. Ever since your parents died you’ve been terrified of her getting lost or hurt, so once you can see she’s okay you turn and thank everyone profusely for their help. They all wave you off with wide smiles and tell you to come find Furin or Shishitoren members if you ever need help with anything again.

Enomoto offers to walk both of you home - you agree as you shoot him a grateful smile and take your sister's hand. Immediately she holds a tiny hand up to Enomoto - who pauses for a moment - but before you can tell him he doesn’t have to he reaches down and gently takes her hand in between his fingers and thumb. 

On the way home he makes conversation with your sister and asks her about her likes and dislikes. Absolutely delighted by how he and your sister are interacting, you can’t help the amused smile twisting your lips as Enomoto converses with your sister like an old friend.

Once at the door, you thank him again and bid him goodbye, but before he leaves he offers you his number. A little surprised, but you swiftly accept with a wide grin as you thank him once again for all his help today. After he left your sister makes sure to tell you that she really likes him and hopes the two of you would become friends. Though you don’t voice it to her, a small part of you wanted to be friends with him too.

Luckily, the two of you saw a lot more of each other around Furin after that. Every time you did Enomoto would make conversation with your sister and ask how she’s doing - she thought he was the coolest guy and told him she really likes how he talks. And truthfully, you did too. After talking to him day in and day out - his familiar face, the roll of his R’s, his comforting presence - you found that you really like him too.

Enomoto starts walking with you and your sister outside of his patrol pretty often, and eventually asks if you want to actually plan a hang out. When you tell him that it would be difficult since you watch your sister basically 24/7, he asks if it would be okay if the three of you hung out together. Completely thrown by his offer at first, until you shake off your disbelief and gratefuly agree.

The Hang Out ends up being a trip to the local children's science museum that’s closer to the city. The three of you ride the train together - Enomoto having a full conversation with your sister like normal so you can enjoy the views out the window for a bit.

At the museum, Enomoto shows your sister some of his favorite sections - you adore watching how good he is with her, and he really seemed to enjoy her company too. Then he takes her to the play area and helps her meet some other kids to play with before coming to sit with you on the bench. You thank him for everything he’s done today and tell him that he’s really, really good with kids. He just smiles and tells you that it’s easy since your sister is such a great kid. The two of you talk about a ton of things while your sister plays - Enomoto remaining conscious and helping you watch her as well - and then the conversation turns to your parents, sister and your situation.

You end up telling him everything. Even divulging some of your fears about being responsible for someone else, and how you just really want to give her a fair shot. Enomoto listens intently, and when you’re finished he tells you that he’s incredibly impressed by you. Even going as far to say that you’re approaching the entire situation with a much more level head than most parents he’s met. A little overwhelmed by his kindness as tears prick your eyes, but you let him know that his words mean the world to you.

After a long moment Enomoto pipes up again and says with an earnest expression, “I know I just talked about how well you’rrre doing, but if you everrr need help, someone to lean on, orrr just to talk to - I’m rrright herrre.” 

Again, you’re taken aback, but immensely grateful as you tentatively accept his offer. After that day, you do start to lean on Enomoto for things. Like when you wanted to finally complete a night school program that you’ve been putting off doing to help you find a better job - Enomoto stepped right up and offered to watch your sister during your in person classes (2 days a week).

At first you weren’t sure about it, but he insisted. Between him and the help of several people around Furin - Kaji and Kusumi for one, Hiragi who found out from them who told Umemiya. Who was overjoyed to help, and even asked Tsubaki and Kotoha if they would be willing to pitch in as well - of course they agreed. Nirei heard about it from Kotoha at Pothos one morning, and was quick to offer his help too, which enlisted Suo, Sakura and the rest of Class One…

Long story short - your sister is wealthy in babysitters now.

Frequently, she comes home with stories about all the different people she gets to spend time with and how cool they are. Of course, after you finished your program and got a job in bookkeeping, you made one of your mom's old cookie recipes with your sister's help and gave them out as a thank you.

It wasn’t too long before you and your sister became regular faces to Bofurin - everyone waves and greets you, even the members you don’t know super well - which only makes you feel safer knowing so many eyes are on your sister. After this, Enomoto starts occasionally having dinner with the two of you and over time he gets up the courage to confess his feelings for you. 

At first you were stunned, which made him second guess himself, but you were quick to quell his worry by confessing too. Even though you just told him your feelings, he asks why you seem apprehensive. A little ashamed, you admit that he’s already given you so much and that you feel guilty taking more. A long moment passes and then Enomoto breaks the silence with his earnest voice.

”Take it all.” He says bluntly, which makes you gawk openly at him. “Whateverrr I have - it’s yourrrs, I wanna give you everrrything I’ve got,” he assures you with a firm nod.

Again you’re stunned, but you slowly nod in disbelief and murmur, “O-okay.” 

After that the two of you are official, but Enomoto doesn’t push physical affection with you beyond when he’s holding your sister and hands her over to you. He’s just so grateful that you opened up your heart and home to him, so he didn’t want to jeopardize the place he’s earned in your life.

Eventually, one night - when Tsubaki and Kotoha offered (begged) to watch your sister and give her a “spa” night, to which you gratefully agreed - you finally moved to Enomoto deliberately.

The two of you are sitting on the couch in your living room watching some silly movie - about a foot of space between the two of you. Ever so slowly, you reach out and gently take hold of Enomoto’s hand and he just peers at you curiously out of the corner of his eye. 

Quietly, you explain that you want to touch him, but you’re also afraid. You go out of your way to give that love to your sister because you received it from your parents, but she won’t ever get that chance so you have to make up for it.

But you don’t seek that kind of love, because you already got it - so much of it - from two people who died. Who left you - even if they didn’t want to. It terrifies you to love someone else like that when they could leave you too, or worse die. You’re fearful that you can’t handle missing another person like that again.

Or if your relationship doesn’t work out, your sister might feel abandoned by him and you were honestly barely dealing with your own abandonment issues as is. You just couldn’t shoulder any more.

Once you sadly trail off - gaze focused on the fraying arm of the couch - Enomoto reaches forward and scoops you into his lap, holding you tight against his chest.

“Just because you’re afraid doesn’t mean that you don’t deserve this,” whispering into your hair as he squeezes you tighter to make his point. As the pressure mounts around you, a warbling sob bubbles its way out of your throat. He lets you cry and keeps speaking. “And you know that you need it, because you go out of your way to give it to your sister because you know she needs it. Now, I know I can’t make that fear go away, but I can love you through it if you’ll let me,” he whispers earnestly while pressing a kiss to your tear stained cheek. Then he gently takes your chin in his hand and makes you look at him. “And as far as your sister goes - I love that little girl so much. It won’t matter if we end up breaking up in the future, because she’s my friend now. I never have and I never will abandon my friends.” Speaking firmly as he pins you with a solemn look, and you absolutely crumble sobbing into his chest. Enomoto holds you for the rest of the night, and puts you to bed after you’ve fallen asleep in his arms.

After this, you lean into him so much more. Going out of your way to hold his hand as the two of you stroll through Furin. Hugging him the moment he comes in your home with matching smiles tugging at both of your lips. Kissing him on the cheek before you bid him goodbye - the first time you did this, he turned so red that he was still a light shade of pink when you saw him later that day.

Now Enomoto will go out of his way to touch you too. Eagerly grinning at you whenever you take his hand, and holding yours back tightly. Lovingly tucking your hair behind your ear before kissing you on the cheek or forehead, which always leaves you blushing madly with a bright smile on your face.

The two of you are more prone to PDA as far as the above things go as well as the occasional peck in public. At first you were nervous about it, but the first time your sister saw you kiss Enomoto she released this joyous squeal and clapped excitedly at the display. She absolutely adores Enomoto and the relationship you two have, and that's when you realize your sister seeing you and Enomoto be affectionate to each other is actually really good for her.

In no time the two of you become Furin’s favorite couple. Especially after you and Enomoto were seen holding your sister’s hands while walking down the street. Sometimes swinging her between the two of you as she babbled to you both about starting school and how excited she was.

Now, years after the fact, your favorite thing Enomoto does is when you’re speaking to your children and he’ll come up behind you and wrap his arms around you before pressing a kiss to your cheek. It always makes you and your kids devolve into a fit of giggles as you lean back into his chest. He and your sister are still close - he’s extremely protective of her, especially after she started dating - but now he calls her his sister (in law) as well as his friend.

Often when she comes to visit from university, she’ll give you a big hug before beelining to Enomoto. A lot of her home time is spent telling him about her classes and friends while helping him with her nieces and nephews. She tells you too, but you and your sister text every day so you’re always up to date, and she only gets to really talk to Enomoto when she comes home.

Kusumi Yuto

(~1142 wc)

Kusumi has been your friend since childhood, so he is very aware of your relationship with physical touch or lack thereof. The two of you became romantically involved at the end of middle school. Kusumi had a crush on you for the longest time, and confessed to you on the last day of school.

You were completely thrown, because you’ve been in love with your childhood friend for as long as you could remember - so you confessed immediately after him. Using the opportunity, he asked you to be his girlfriend right there, and you gleefully agreed.

Both of you were overjoyed, but you were terrified that he would try to initiate physical affection after that. But he never did, even now, 2 years into your relationship and he’s never touched you romantically - nor have you touched him.

One day during literature lessons, when you were learning Romeo and Juliet, is how you found out they shared a kiss of death - so young, so sad, and such a short lived tryst. And then it dawned on you that you and Kusumi have never kissed… the two of you haven’t even held hands. The thought plagues your mind for a week and a half, which Kusumi of course noticed but assumed you would tell him in your own time, and on this Friday - sitting on his bedroom floor next to him with your backs resting on the end of his bed - you finally do.

”Hey Kusumi?” Murmuring quietly to your shaggy haired boyfriend, and he hums in response. ”Why haven’t we ever held hands?” Posing the question timidly, and he tilts his head so he can look at you through the part in his hair.

”Because you seem uncomfortable by it,” he responded simply. Bewildered, you furrow your brow, and Kusumi sits up a bit more as he pushes his hair away from his eyes so he can see and talk to you more directly.

”So… you’re just okay with that?” Uttering softly, in disbelief. Guilt and fear douse your nerves as the muscles tense up in all through your body.

”Well, yeah… you’re my girlfriend, and I’ve known you forever, so I know how you feel about physical affection. It would be really shitty if I pressured you into doing anything when I’m fully aware of your discomfort,” he explained calmly. As if this was some math problem he was helping you work out. Releasing a slightly frustrated sigh through your nose - the same one from your childhood days that makes Kusumi’s lips twitch into a smile.

”But… What if I’m never comfortable… Are you okay with that?” Muttering softly, voice steeped with apprehension - terrified that he’ll suddenly abandon you for this indiscretion.

”If that’s how you feel, then yes…” he reassured you with that same simple tone, and you blink at him dubiously as tears start to well up in your eyes.

”I don’t think that’s fair to you though…” warbling out quietly as you curled your fists into the fabric of your shirt. “Why shouldn’t you receive physical affection just because of me?” You asked in a cracked voice, the first tear dripping onto your knee and soaking into your pants.

”But I don’t want to touch anyone else, and if I have to choose between feeling your touch or experiencing you, then I’ll choose you every time. Easy.” He spoke without missing a beat, and you looked up at him as more tears began spilling down your cheeks - an unspoken question in your eyes. “But, if you think that you’re uncomfortable because it’s just not something you’ve had before, then I’ll stay right here until you do feel comfortable.” He assured you gently while answering your question at the same time. With slightly parted lips, you mutely nod at him with rounded eyes like the full moon.

”I-I think it’s the second one,” you whispered gently, ashamed, but he just nods slowly with no judgment in his eyes. 

”Then let me know when you feel ready, and if you need my help figuring out how to become comfortable with it, then I can do that.” He said gently, and it’s like your prayers have been answered - all you ever wanted was someone to show you how.

”Mhm, I want your help Kusumi - I’m ready… please,” pleading softly as you scooted slightly closer to him. Kusumi’s breath hitched in his throat, not expecting you to want his help now, but he doesn’t hesitate to reach forward and pull you into his lap.

Situating you so you’re sitting in between his legs with your back flush to his chest and his arms wrapped lightly around you - his hands holding your hands gently in your lap. Leaning forward, he rested his chin on the top of your head silently. 

”How’s this?” He asked cautiously, and you inhale deeply and then exhale slowly, relaxing more into his arms - the tension slowly seeped out of your muscles.

”Go-good…” breathing out slowly, and Kusumi gently tightened his arms around you. “Mmm, that feels good.” you whispered softly as you leaned back into his chest more and curled your body up into him. Kusumi let out a shaky breath and just relished in being able to hold you for the first time since you two were kids. 

The only other time you’ve willingly sought out the physical comfort of another was when your parents' marriage was spiraling towards divorce and they were fighting all the time. Unable to stand it any longer, you climbed over the fence into Kusumi’s backyard where you hid. When he came outside to water the plants and saw you, he asked if you were okay. Wordlessly, you started bawling and ran straight into his arms. Little Kusumi was stunned - not having the chance to meet you until just then - but still, he hugged you tightly while you sobbed and sniffled into his graphic shark t-shirt. He made it his mission to be your friend after that, and once he officially was - Kusumi stayed faithfully by your side through everything. Years he waited for the day that you felt you could lean on him again. 

The two of you stayed like that on his bedroom floor for hours until you drifted off to sleep. Eventually, he gingerly scooped you up and tucked you into his bed before he laid down next to you over the covers with one arm draped around you in your sleep. You awoke to your face buried in his chest with your arms twined around his torso with his arms wrapped snugly around you.

After this you and Kusumi hold hands all of the time - wherever you go - and sometimes he’ll even kiss your cheek or forehead in public. In private, your time is spent with lengthy cuddle and tender makeout sessions. From outside the relationship, it would be hard to believe that there was a drastic change, but - to Kusumi - the fact that you lean into him without tensing up at all is like night and day.

Kaji Ren

(~2938 wc)

The day you met your snowy haired boyfriend was random and by chance. You were scavenging for your favorite sucker at the one Konbini you’ve been frequenting since moving into town. Finally - at long last - you had found them!

But there was only one bag left, so you rushed to grab it, completely missing the guy reaching for them at the same time. Neither of you saw the other as your fingertips touched over the bag. Immediately, both of you had pulled back and stared at each other in shock. He looked rather upset about you taking the last bag, but didn’t say a word as he turned and walked away - leaving you in the aisle with the bag still on the shelf.

After you recovered from the shock, you grabbed the bag and rushed to the register to pay. Once you handed the money over you didn’t even wait for the change - apologizing profusely - as you sprinted out of the store. Stopping out front, you whipped your head back and forth until you see him - the severe looking teen with his hands shoved in his pockets, headphones on, and shoulders slumped forward as he marched away. 

“Hey, wait up!” Calling to him as you chased after him, but he didn’t turn - like he didn’t hear you at all. But then you fully face palmed yourself as you remembered the headphones on his head. So, you sprinted after him at full speed to close the distance before he rounded a corner, and since he couldn’t hear you - you reached out and grabbed his sleeve. 

Whirling around, body completely tense, he glared down at you like you were a threat, so you flinch and shrink away. For a moment he just stared at you - his glare changing from anger to confusion - until you sheepishly held up the bag of Chupa Chups in front of you. Rocking it back and forth in your hands you nervously swallowed before trying to speak.

“Um, sorry - I took the last bag - do you want to split it?” Mouthing the words to him since your voice completely failed you, but thank God he was used to reading lips. Slowly, with brows still furrowed, he reached up and removed his headphones - eyes darting between the bag and your face.

“You wanna share them with me?” He asked, completely incredulous of the mere notion, but then you nod eagerly at him. Taking a step back he slowly shook his head at you in disbelief. “Why?” This time he asked in an accusing tone.

“U-um, because… These are my favorite and it’s taken me like… two months to find them, so if they’re your favorite too then I know how it feels when they’re out of stock…” explaining quietly as you slowly started to open the bag. He just gawked at you in absolute bewilderment as you take out about half a bag’s worth of suckers and thrust them into his hands. 

“Thank you - for letting me take the last bag by the way,” thanking him genuinely as you tossed him a small, grateful smile. “I just moved here, and it’s been really stressful - it’s probably not good for me, but they’ve been a nice stress reliever.” You added, and finally the guy’s severe expression smoothed out to one of understanding.

“No problem…” he spoke quietly, “they are for me too,” he added with a grateful nod towards the suckers piled in his hands. “I’m Ren Kaji. What’s your name?” He asked - genuinely curious.

“Y/N L/N! It’s nice to meet you,” chirping as you beamed up at him. Kaji basically had to squint away from your bright eyes and smile, but he enjoyed it all the same. After that, the two of you would often run into each other at the Konbini, and whenever they were down to their last bag of Chupa Chups the two of you would split the bag.

The budding friendship continued like this for months, until one day the Konbini was out of the Chupa Chups for 4 weeks due to shipping issues. Kaji was noticeably more on edge than usual because of it. Your theory was only supported more when you started seeing other Furin members in the Konbini asking about the suckers too. Finally after 4 weeks, much of your customer loyalty had waned, so you ventured out to other areas around the city until you struck the motherload! 

A small, run down Konbini stood at the edge of the Red Light District, and in the back of the store were boxes and boxes filled to the brim with bags of your favorite Chupa Chups. Even better - everything was still in date!

Apparently, this is where the shipping issue had happened, but the shipper just charged this Konbini for them and sent another shipment to your regular Konbini - so everything here was extremely discounted.Maybe you went a little overboard, but you bought three boxes worth. It made sense to you - one box for you, one box for Kaji and one box to act as a ‘rainy day fund’ for the both of you.

The next day, you ventured into the Furin neighborhood for the first time with Kaji’s designated box of suckers in tow. The looks you received as some of the older shopkeepers shot you knowing glances before smiling and waving at you, to which you just smiled back and nodded at them. Completely oblivious to their knowing smirks and whispers about a certain white haired Furin member.

It didn’t take you long to find Kaji, especially since he was screaming at some thug at the top of his lungs while some guy with a shaggy bowl cut stood close by clutching his headphones. You approached as Kaji got to the end of his rant, dropping the man who crawled into a sprint, before he whirled around to find you standing right behind him.

The expression on your face was bright as ever and completely unbothered by the display you just saw. The shaggy haired guy as well as a few others in the same uniform stared at you as if you were insane - one with slicked back hair stepped forward to intervene before Kaji blew up on you. Especially since their Captain was staring at you with wide eyes and a deep furrow in his brow, but then you spoke.

“Shipping problem, but I fixed it,” speaking in a sing-songy voice with a bright grin as you held the box up to Kaji. Who finally tore his gaze away from your face to see a box overflowing with bags of his favorite suckers.

He just stood there frozen as he looked back at your face - expression unchanging. Tilting your head slightly, a small notch forms in your brow as you look down at the suckers and then back up to his face. “These are still your favorite, right?” You inquired, innocently unaware of the range of emotions Kaji was going through.

“Ye-yes,” he murmured quietly. “Why?” He demanded in an accusing tone immediately after, but you just giggled at his confusion.

“Because the Konbini has been out of them for four weeks, and I’ve been spending all of my free time searching for them because I’ve been going kind of crazy,” you laughed out sheepishly. “So, when I found a huge stock - super discounted by the way - I thought I’d grab some extra because you may not be having a great time either,” making a cautious guess as you held the box out for Kaji again. He blinked rapidly at you, but finally accepted the box and easily held it under one arm before he turned back to look at you with a perplexed expression. After a moment of silence you smiled awkwardly and clapped your hands together - breaking him from his stupor.

“Well, that’s all I really came here to do…” murmuring awkwardly as you turned to leave, but then you remembered the extra box.

“Oh, by the way,” pulling out your phone and swiped to your photos before showing him one of the three boxes - one labeled ‘rainy day fund’.

“I have an extra box in case we run out!” Trilling as you presented the treasure proudly, which only made Kaji sputter a little bit as an entire zoo stampede in his stomach. As you turned to leave, he quickly spoke, making you stop.

“Can I have your number?” Kaji asked urgently, and then his entire face flushed red - his companions’ eyes went wide as they exchanged worried glances. You stared at Kaji curiously for a moment before your face lit up. 

“Oh, duh, of course - for the ‘rainy day fund’!” You said cluelessly as you swiped over to “New Contact” and handed him your phone with a bright smile. Kaji gulped and then nodded before entering his information. Truthfully, you hoped he wanted more than just suckers from you, but you really didn’t expect him to like you like that, so this was good enough.

The friendship progressed like that, every so often meeting up to exchange a stock of suckers between each other (usually you to him since he goes through them so quickly). The whole time you were clueless to Kaji’s signals actually being signals: the shared playlists, him eventually walking you to school every day, to him asking you to hang out with him on the weekends.

Finally, when he asked you out on a date (without actually using that term) - surprised you with flowers, and took you to dinner before going on a romantic walk along the canal - and you still hadn’t picked up that he liked you, Kaji was beyond frustrated. When you said he was the sweetest friend you’ve ever had, he finally lost it.

“Y/N. Do you think I do this for my friends?” He asked incredulously as the two of you stopped on a bridge to look over the water, annoyance seeping into his tone. Turning to him in shock, you were surprised to see a vulnerable look in his eyes behind his angry expression.

“I’m not sure… I don’t see you hang out with a lot of girls,” you admitted softly. You’ve never dated anyone before, and you never had any ‘guy friends’ so, honestly, you had no idea if Kaji was just being nice this whole time. The second year grade captain sighed heavily at your response as his head dropped into his hands, his elbows resting on the railing.

“Exactly, Y/N.” He finally spoke after raising his face from his hands and giving you a tired look. “It’s not that I’m against being friends with a girl, but I’ve been trying to show you for months that I want to be more with you.” He confessed desperately, hoping and praying that you finally got it. But, you just stared at him in silence for an incredibly long time, until understanding dawned over your features like a slow sunrise.

“Ohhhh…” you whispered out so quietly. All Kaji’s tension and frustration dissipated into laughter in that moment as he watched you completely flounder as everything he’s done in the past few months and every time you were just clueless ran through your mind. Slowly, he nods as a blush creeps over your cheeks to the tips of your ears and you clap a hand over your mouth. “I didn’t know… I’m so sorry Kaji!” You gasped out from behind your hand.

“I realize that now,” he said simply with the most amused expression on his face. Still, you can’t recover from the embarrassment as you just shake your head and blush deeper under his gaze.

“Will you be my girlfriend?” He blurted out, shocking you out of your embarrassment, as he stared down at you intensely. You blinked up at him in surprise before nodding vehemently - your bright smile returning to your lips. After that the two of you were official, though for the most part your relationship didn’t change much from when you were just ‘friends’, especially when neither of you initiated physical contact with each other.

Now, almost a year into the relationship, the two of you are sitting on a bench at the park - it’s midday on a Saturday with a spring breeze fluttering past. He’s listening to music and you’re reading one of your books. For the past hour, you’ve been sneaking peeks at your boyfriend, which he has been kind enough not to mention.

Suddenly you feel confidence well in your chest as you reach out and gently take his free hand in yours. Immediately Kaji gives you a confused look, which you interpret as anger and drop his hand before pulling back and looking back down at your book without reading.

”Um, sorry! I didn’t mean to…” you say softly as your cheeks burn. Refusing to lift your gaze, you begin smoothing out the folded corner of your page - most of your books had them from being thrifted.

”You didn’t mean to… hold my hand?” Inquiring suspiciously as his eyebrows furrow at you. Looking at your boyfriend only makes you more nervous as anxiety convinces you that you crossed a line.

”Um, no… Well, yes. I did mean to, but I’m sorry if that wasn’t okay to do,” whispering softly, and averting your gaze to anywhere but him. A bluebird catches your eye so you focus up on that. Kaji just stares at you bewildered - he knew you were an anxious person, but sometimes when you apologized for things you didn’t need to he just felt guilty, like he did something wrong.

Suddenly, he pulls out two Chupa Chups and hands one to you, which you gingerly take. Unwrapping the sucker in unison, you both stick them in your mouths at the same time which makes you giggle as some of the tension dissipates. Kaji will never tell you - and you never pay enough attention to figure it out - but he always times it when he gives you a sucker so it’ll go exactly like this because you giggle every time and he loves the sound. After a long moment, you begin speaking again - just like he knew you would.

”I want to touch you Kaji,” you say bluntly which makes him jump and choke on his sucker as he shoots you a desperate look of ‘mercy please, Y/N’

“No, not like that… Well yes, maybe like that eventually?” Speaking slowly as to not risk Kaji going into cardiac arrest. “For right now, I just wanna be able to hold your hand sometimes… Maybe feel confident enough to kiss you one day?” Musing softly as your gaze returns to the bluebird. Kaji blinks slowly at you. Feel confident enough? What?

”What do you mean? You’re way more confident than I am with this stuff…” He says quietly, leaning closer to you subconciously to study the expression of your side profile.

”Well, yeah, but… I mean,” sighing softly before meeting his concerned cerulean eyes again. “It’s not like I got a ton of physical affection growing up, so it’s still really hard for me…” explaining slowly - deliberately - as you splay your fingers out in your lap to calm your nerves a bit. “I have to force myself through the discomfort of it, because it’s not natural to me… But I want to be physically affectionate with you, so I want to work on it for me and you…” trailing off quietly, suddenly self conscious that you aren’t making any sense.

Kaji blinks rapidly, stunned. Never did he consider his bubbly girlfriend who is always bouncing at his side and brightening his day had been pushing herself through something that he always thought was easy for her. Slowly, Kaji reaches out and awkwardly takes your hand in his, and just like him you jump and choke on your sucker a bit. Leaning back into the bench, Kaji turns his gaze forward before he speaks.

”I’m sorry…” he whispers out, and you don’t even know what to say, you're so stunned. “I never knew - I just thought it was natural for you. I didn’t really consider that you’ve been fighting through this the whole time, alone.” He murmurs softly, in a genuinely apologetic tone.

”It’s not like that…” Protesting quietly, but he just shakes his head as he looks at you with guilt ridden eyes causing you to pause and wait for him to speak again.

”It kind of is though…” he says gently and before you can protest further, he’s squeezing your hand to keep your attention.

“I’ll do better,” he promises genuinely. Slowly, you nod, because his expression is leaving no room for argument. The rest of the hangout is spent in silence, doing your separate activities, but still holding hands - albeit awkwardly, but sweetly too.

Kaji keeps a firm hold on your hand the whole way back to your house as well. The change in your relationship isn’t night and day, but there are some things that anyone who knows you or Kaji would notice. After that day, Kaji starts initiating more physical contact with you: he goes out of his way to hold your hand, and when you seem a little down or stressed he would give you a sucker (like normal) but now he pats your head afterwards. It's a little awkward at first, but you still blush and throw him a bashful smile every time. 

The biggest surprise to everyone, including you, are the forehead kisses. Kaji was awkward the first time he did it but he never let the awkwardness stop him - because, well, you never did. Now, he greets and bids you goodbye - anytime, anywhere - by pressing a chaste kiss to your forehead and smiling serenely at you afterwards. You're reduced to a blushing, stuttering mess every single time.