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bittergoldeneyes · 1 month ago

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-Life’s Sweetness-

Asaba Harumasa x Fem!Reader

Warnings: Just fluff. A Valentines at the office. (Lol, and I’m 2 days, almost 3, late to the party)

Word Count: 3.5K

Valentine’s Day, a day where people showed their affections for others through chocolates, flowers, or other obnoxious gifts. It was a holiday to poach money from people to persuade them if they didn’t somehow buy a gift for their lovers, their significant other didn’t care as much. A random act of kindness was much sweeter than any chocolate given on Valentine’s Day due to tradition or obligation.

But… you weren’t completely immune to falling into the scheme of buying gifts for the people you care for. Something small, but meaningful. Eacpsilly for a certain ebony haired man that just so happened to be your deskmate and partner.

Your sneakers made barely any noise as you stepped lightly through the H.S.O. Headquarters. A small fabric bag full of gifts slung on your shoulder and applying pressure to the muscles of your back from how heavy it was. Stepping around a corner, you noticed most of the desks in the office were already full of gifts already. Numerous bundles of flowers, plushies, and sugary sweets.

A small smile etched across your lips, and you walked into the quiet office before coming around to observe your desk. The white surface was bare, not a single gift or sickly sweet in sight. It shouldn’t affect you much, you were probably the most unpopular out of Section 6. Many people, especially Harumasa’s fans, disliked the idea of you being a part of Section 6. It was as if the public viewed you as an average among elites. You were still a rookie after all, but you always seemed to work best with Harumasa, which is why you were paired as partners a little while after your transfer.

Ignoring the bareness of your desk, you stepped over to Harumasa’s desk, which was -as you had predicted- the fullest of any other members. His fans were… what we like to called “unhinged.” There were numerous letters, some of which you could see had numbers in them, some with pictures, and even some with paragraphs upon paragraphs, likely pouring their heart out in hopes to ignite some parasocial relationship with him that was never going to happen. Hell, there were even plushies and fan drawings of him in some of this pile!

With a shake of your head, you dig around in your fabric bag, finally finding the bottle you were searching for. You placed a bitter gourd juice on his desk and a small bar of 99% cocoa dark chocolate. It was a far shot getting a chocolate bar, but you only hoped he would at least try it, seeing as it was one of the most bitter chocolates out there. A warmth blossomed on your cheeks seeing your gift differing so dramatically from others, surely he’d get suspicious. He was observant like that after all.

You couldn’t spend much time reminiscing, or else you would take back your gifts out of utter embarrassment and fear of getting found out. Before anyone else arrived, you went around to the other members desks, placing personalized gifts on their desks, pausing at Yanagi’s which was just as similar as yours, almost completely empty save for a few cards or sweets that splotched the space of her desk.

Once Yanagi arrived, you had already started on everyone’s coffee. A cup already made specifically for her ready with her name written prettily on the thick plastic holder with sharpie.

“Oh, (Y/N). Good morning.” She gives you a small smile, a stack of papers and a folder neatly pressed against her chest in her arms. “You’re here early?”

“Oh, good morning, Yanagi. I decided to come early to make everyone’s coffee. Thought it would be a nice start to the day.” Your expression remained cool and neutral, not giving away that you had come early to give everyone gifts. You handed her the coffee, watching her take a satisfied sip before sighing in bliss.

“It’s perfect. Thank you.” She says and places a gloved hand over your shoulder as a kind gesture of appreciation. Her glasses gleaming off the light of the lights above.

The other members of Section 6 filed in shortly after. Miyabi was practically drooling over the melon left on her desk, her eyes ignoring anything other than the voluptuous fruit. She wasted no time cutting into the juicy sphere and placing a slice into her watering mouth. Her ears shuddered in happiness, her eyes closing in bliss. Soukaku just devoured any snacks that sat on her desk, but especially enjoying the spicy snacks you had left her.

And last but not least, fashionably late as always, Asaba Harumasa. His slender frame walked through the entrance, his hands already crossed behind his head with a small yawn already leaving his mouth. Drowsiness blinked from his eyes as the glimmering gold of his eyes focused on the mountain of gifts and accessories laid practically covering his desk space.

“Oh? What’s all the fuss about? You shouldn’t have guys~” His lips tugged into a teasing grin, his frame shadowing behind you before he came to investigate the objects occupying his space. “Didn’t know I was so popular. It’s about ten or twenty gifts more than I got last year.”

Was he… seriously bragging right now?

“Well, ‘Mr. Popular’ your coffee is in the pot over there. Still warm.” You interject, pointing your finger over to the coffee machine, pure black coffee brewed to perfection from an intelligent machine sitting in the pot simmering.

“Awe~ just for me? I knew you liked me somewhere deep down!” His hands clasped together dramatically, bringing them to press against one of his cheeks while his mouth upturned into a wide appreciative smile. “You don’t seem as popular. Want some of my gifts? I’m not going to touch most of this just from a quick glance.”

“I want it!” Soukaku raised her hand wildly, sitting up from her desk.

“Hey! I was offering them to (Y/N) first!” Harumasa argued back, pouting as you beckoned Soukaku over without a seconds hesitation. “You know, now I’m starting to think you actually hate me…”

“Oh don’t be dramatic, Harumasa.” You scold lightly, rolling your eyes at his dramatics as you let Soukaku pick and choose what she wanted from Harumasa’s mountain of sweets and snacks. “I would much rather Soukaku enjoy them than me. I can always buy my own valentines stuff. I’ve done it before.”

Harumasa was oddly quiet after your comment, but you didn’t think too much about it.

Once Soukaku went back to her desk with a newfound spark of happiness with her newly acquired food, you sat back down with a sigh before looking at your thick stack of paperwork. Your fingers held your favorite pen loosely, wrist fluidly gliding over the wooden desk as you signed off and detailed your boring reports.

Every now and then, you would glance over at Harumasa. Of course, he wasn’t doing any paperwork whatsoever, and the due dates had long since past. His eyes were instead skimming through some of the obnoxious valentines gifts hoarding his space. A plethora of colorful expressions crossed his face, ranging from horror, disgust, and light hearted smiles. There was even one point he practically slammed a card closed with a red blush on his cheeks, obviously something he didn’t want to have seen or read.

After some time passed, Harumasa was shredding almost every card or picture he’d gotten. His fans really were unhinged. The only few he kept were either from kids or genuine words of appreciation and admiration from fans. Sugary sweet candies and chocolates were tossed in the trash, plushies given to Soukaku or if there was one of himself, offered to you with a flirtatiously teasing wink and a mischievous smile.

It was almost as if he had saved your gift especially for last. His gloved hands picked up the bitter chocolate you’d gotten him, inspecting it curiously before flipping it to the back to read more of the nutrition facts and ingredients. Curiosity got the better of him, and he decided to open the bar and break off a small piece of from the corner. The piece disappeared behind his soft plush pink lips, jaw moving slowly, savoring the bitter richness of the chocolate. A second piece was then broken off and slotted between his lips once more, his eyes closing in concentration.

And the ever clever mind of Asaba Harumasa was just that, clever.

He never really opened up much about himself, especially to the press or any fans or social media posts. He kept his personal life locked behind iron bars only few had the privilege of glimpsing inside. Section 6 was one of those privileged few, as well as the siblings that ran Random Play. It narrowed down his suspicions on who sent these gifts.

The letter gave you away.

‘May the bitter tastes and flavors make life feel sweeter. Your life deserves the sweetest things.’

How cheesy. Only you would think of something that cheesy and heartfelt to write in a card accompanied by gifts he would enjoy. The letter was signed by a straight line, precise and strict, almost as if you were drawing a line you didn’t dare want to cross no matter how much you or him edged it.

Harumasa didn’t acknowledge you for the gifts you’d gotten him, much more interested to see what you would do next. Would you admit you were the one who placed them there in the wee hours of dawn? Would you remain anonymous, treating him the same as always, but locking your heart tightly away in fears of having him slip through your fingers too soon as he eventually would.

The next day came similarly to the last. Gifts appeared on the desks of Section 6, all except for yours. Yanagi got an expensive bottle of her favorite hair product and a new sleeping mask for small breaks in the office. Miyabi got a multitude of new brushes for her woven scrolls and another melon, this time bigger and flavored a bit differently. Soukaku got some new art supplies for her doodles in the office and some stickers.

Lastly, Harumasa got a new choker, an ink stamp of his signature (ahem, for his lazy nature to help with paperwork), and an expensive leather archery glove, much better than his current one that looked worn and tattered at the edges. The choker was a smooth and crisp leather, narrowed slightly where his Adam’s apple would press flush against the material. A yellow gem sparkled under the light, shimmering a similar shade to his smoldering golden eyes.

“Oh, that looks nice, Asaba.” Yanagi comments, papers hugged to her chest per usual as she adjusted her glasses and looked over the gifts he’d gotten. “Someone clearly admires you strongly.”

“It seems that way.” Harumasa comments, looking over the gifts with a strangely conflicted yet heartfelt expression. His deft fingers toyed with the choker in his hands, running a smooth thumb over the expanse of the light leather inked black. “Did you get some too, Tsukishiro?”

“I did.” She answers swiftly. “Everyone’s gotten very unique gifts these past two days. I suspect it’s someone from the agency. They’re all very carefully selected for each of us.” Her glasses shine off the light as her dark pink eyes shifted to your empty desk. “The only one who hasn’t gotten one of these gifts is (Y/N). She has been arriving early these past few days.”

Harumasa shifted his gaze to your desk, clean and empty albeit a neatly stacked pile of papers and a picture sat diagonally to your computer of you, him, and the rest of Section 6. Your chair sat vacant, as it had for hours as you helped out a different section with their reports and management of files.

A frown etched onto his pale pink lips, dark ebony brows furrowing as he thought to himself. Now that he had confirmed to himself that it was you giving him and everyone else these personal gifts, he needed to get you something right? His conscious (and heart) wouldn’t let your kindness go unpaid. After all, the gifts you got weren’t cheap by any means.

You were too kind for your own good sometimes. Always taking care of his gruesome paperwork when he was on sick leave or just too tired or lazy to do it. Making his coffee in the morning along with any other member that hadn’t been there at the office yet. Giving away any of your food or medical supplies to Soukaku or him in hollows when you yourself needed those things too. And even now, helping another section get out of whatever mess they’ve caused themselves with their files.

The day before valentines was no different than the last two, gifts once more on everyone’s desks. Except there was one thing different. There were flowers on your desk. A small vase full of tulips, roses, carnations, and hydrangeas. It was something you weren’t expecting at all, but it wasn’t something unpleasant you didn’t welcome. The card attached to the thin transparent plastic piece read ‘Thanks for helping Section 4, I owe you one. Let me know what you want ;).’ The note had the second in command of Section 4’s phone number signed with a winking face and his name on it, very clearly implying he had taken an interest in courting you somehow.

Your cheeks blossomed with warmth after reading the small letter card attached to the bouquet. It was at this time, Harumasa walked in, earlier than normal he might add. His eyes were immediately drawn to the decently sized object obscuring your desk. Naturally, his sharp golden gaze didn’t miss the tint of pink coloring your cheeks, a foreign feeling twisting in his gut.

“Oh? Who’s this from? You got a secret admirer or somethin’?” Harumasa inquires, a faux smile on his face as he leaned over you to snatch up the card from the thin plastic stick. Despite your protest, he turned himself around from you to keep your arms at bay from snatching it back before he finished investigating. “The guy from Section 4? Heh, how cute, he even left you his number. Such a gentleman!”

His tone was bitter, almost as bitter as the medicine he pocketed in his mouth on a regular basis. The expression he was making didn’t match the intensity his eyes shown. A teasing grin pulled taut over his mouth, but his brows creased and twitching ever so slightly, golden irises having a darker glint in them than their normal mischievous shine. It didn’t help his stomach was knotting up more and more and his heart was beating firmer against his ribcage.

“Don’t be mean, Harumasa!” You finally pulled the card out of his strong gloved hands and fitted the card back between the thin flimsy plastic in the vase of flowers. “I don’t need him to owe me anything. I was just doing my job. I am appreciative of the gesture.”

“In that case, want me to walk down and tell him you won’t be calling him then? I’d be more than happy to do that for my wonderfully kind partner!” His attitude perked up, gloved hands coming to rub together evilly, eager to shoot down a man’s flirtatious gesture towards you. He did have a knack for pissing people off.

“That… won’t be necessary, thank you.” You replied wearily, confused by his sudden change in behavior. “Oh!” Your eyes flickered to his throat, a new choker adorning his slender neck. The yellow gem gleamed in the light, brightening up his already pale skin and accentuating the features of his neck. “That new choker looks really good on you, Harumasa.”

“You think so?” The way he smiles makes you regret even saying anything. He raises his right hand, his new archers glove wrapped snuggly around. His fingers trailed suggestively down his Adam’s apple, down to flick the small gem before trailing his fingers down to the edge of his buttoned shirt. Your eyes couldn’t help but follow his pretty fingers, and he seemed to know that. “It does doesn’t it? An admirer of mine got it for me~ I’m so lucky~”

“That you are, Harumasa.” Your smile faltered slightly, your cheeks flushing as you finally tore your gaze away from his neck and half exposed clavicle “it’s nice to be admired from time to time.” Your fingers reached out to gently run the pads of your fingers over the petals of some of the roses that sat in a small corner of your desk. “Lets you know that someone cares enough to show it to you through small acts of service. Or words of praise and appreciation. Or even gifts. Though I much prefer something like that on a random non-special day than a holiday or occasion.”

Harumasa listened to your words intently, liquid gold eyes watching your fingers tenderly touch the flowers another man had gotten you. The first gift you’d gotten for the upcoming Valentine’s day. His cheeks puffed into a pout, strong yet thin arms coming to cross over his tone chest.

When Valentine’s Day officially arrived, Harumasa came into the office on time, frankly a little early. An incredibly large and obnoxious bouquet of flowers in tow as he sat it on your desk loudly, startling you out of your focused daze of paperwork. It startled the other members of Secruon 6 too, especially Harumasa arriving early! The flowers took up practically the entire space in front of your desk! You didn’t even believe they made bouquets that big!

“H-Harumasa what is this?” You ask bewildered, eyeing all the pretty flowers perfectly arranged to accentuate all the species of flora in their own aspects. Roses were the most common among them, varying in color and size. “I-it’s so big!”

“Well, I couldn’t just let someone show me up in getting my partner a gift can I?” He replies proudly, triumphantly picking up the bouquet of flowers you received yesterday. “There’s no need for these anymore right? I’ll help you clear them out!”

Without giving you any time to protest he dropped the other flowers into the garbage can, a sly and victorious smile plastered over his face. It was then you noticed a small red ribbon clipped to his inky bangs, sparkly with a little cat pendant in the middle. His hands placed on his hips proudly, holding his nose high.

“Besides! Your best gift is right in front of you.” He placed a dramatic hand on his chest, slender digits splaying over the expanse of his chest. “Having me as your ever so trustworthy, hardworking, dashing partner!” You couldn’t help but laugh at his sudden change in behavior. He was acting like a child, exaggerating himself for your praise and favor. “H-Hey! I’m trying to be serious here!”

You adored the way a gentle pink dusted his pale cheeks, his arms instead coming to cross over his chest with his lips puckered in a kiddish pout. His gaze was averted, ebony locks slightly obscuring the visage of his golden eyes. A warm hand came into contact with the exposed flesh of his arm, making him jump, but soon relax once he realized that warmth was coming from you and your tender touch.

“Harumasa.” You say his name gently, sweetly, almost as if you were addressing him as your lover. You squeezed against his forearm lightly, a genuine and incredibly warm smile painting over your lips. “Thank you. I’m very lucky, to have a partner like you. I wouldn’t want anyone else.”

Harumasa’s eyes widened, face exploding in blossoms of red that rivaled the roses on your desk. He pulled away from your touch quickly, coughing lightly before covering his mouth with a gloved hand, his other hand coming up to put some distance between the two of you.

“Ahem! Uh, it’s hot in here isn’t it? I’m going to grab some fresh air for maybe an hour or so, maybe I won’t even come back now that I think about it.” He turned on his heel, footsteps quick as he approached the entrance. His ears peeked out from beneath his dark hair, flushed just as red if not redder than his face. “Anyways! You guys got this without me, right? See ya!”

And just like that, Harumasa was gone. The office was quiet, everyone having witnessed the exchange between the two of you due to his boisterous entrance. Yanagi didn’t even try to stop him when he decided he was going to leave. You couldn’t help but think about what an odd, yet wonderful devoted companion he was. You truly were lucky to have him.

Your gaze suddenly caught the sight of a card nestled between some of the stems of the flowers, small and barely noticeable. Carefully extracting the card, you flipped it open carefully, Harumasa’s surprisingly neat and beautiful penmanship decorating the white paper. Your eyes widened slightly, a blush dusting over your cheeks before they closed with a shake of your head. You pocketed the card, a reminder to yourself to thank him. Your heart hammered against your ribcage, butterflies fluttering around in your stomach as you replayed the words written on the paper to yourself again.

‘Life is already sweet enough with you by my side. -Harumasa, your ever devoted partner ;3

“Done reading? Why don’t you take a break! Relax~ I’ll still be here when you come back.”

#harumasa x reader #asaba harumasa x reader #asaba harumasa #zzz harumasa #zenless zone zero harumasa #harumasa x you #zzz asaba #asaba x reader #zenless zone zero #section 6

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lesbosparrow · 4 months ago

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He's so silly

#zzz asaba haramusa #asaba harumasa #zzz haramusa #zzz asaba #zzz #zzzero #zzz 1.3 #zenless zone zero

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fictionfixations · 2 months ago

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spoilers for harumasa's story quest

ah...

i. genuinely cant remember which answer i picked in his story quest on whether i would or not so i wonder if that choice affects what he says or not.

dont joke about it 😭though i guess jokes are how people cope with stuff.

i mean thats not what you did in your story quest but i guess you also did have some warning due to the eyes...

ah..?

im happy he thinks of us as rlly important to him

dude doesnt like overexerting yourself make your illness worse or something i just kept having that information play on loop in my head while i was running around in like quality time looking for ur fun events and you kept asking ?? is this stamina training??? 😭😭😭

what if he turns into an ethereal in the future story 😭

uh huh... dude gives me same vibes as out of nowhere being like 'i want to be buried at sea' and then moving on or that one joke he made about jumping off (cause we were at the docks) but that it would be too cold or something and im just sat here like asaba please 😭

im worried im looking way too into this but at the same time...

#asaba harumasa #zzz asaba #zzz harumasa #zzz #zzzero #zenless zone zero

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77pink-prin-cess77 · 2 months ago

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HARUBELLE CANON I SWEAR I'M NOT CRAZY GUYS HOYO TOLD ME PLEASE BELIEVE ME HARUBELLE IS CANON!!!

#god I am SO starved for content with these two #all I see are pitiful crumbs😭#zenless zone zero #zzz #belle zzz #belle zenless zone zero #asaba harumasa #zzz asaba #asaba harumasa x belle #asaba x belle #belle x asaba #harubelle

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khys-treasure-box · 2 months ago

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AN: Still brainrotting hard, so here's even more Harumasa. I swear, I am working on a non-Harumasa related post though! This one just came to me as I woke up and I needed to write it down before I inevitably forgot it.

CW: Just Harumasa angst. If you like him then this will just make you sad, I fear. The thought literally made me sad when it came to me, and I'm just choosing to inflict it upon all of you too. :(

So, hear me out here, Harumasa is okay with the life he has now. I mean, that's obvious, isn't it? However, I think that sometimes, when his mind wanders off, he thinks about what his life could be like if he wasn't sick; all the things he could be doing if he was just a normal guy.

He could certainly do his job with a lot less worry, although he guesses he wouldn't be able to get sick leave so easily anymore, but he wouldn't be taking such a big risk every time he goes into a Hollow or comes into contact with ether in any way. Hell, maybe if he was just a normal guy, he'd have a more normal job. It's kinda weird for him to imagine himself just having a mundane desk job or something, but maybe if he hadn't ever been sick, that's where he'd be.

Outside of work, maybe he'd go out a bit more? What kinds of fun hobbies could he have had? Maybe he could've still gotten into archery regardless, but at the same time, maybe he would've ended up liking some other sport more? Who knows, maybe in another life he would've been a pro... skater, maybe? Something else fun like that? Hell, who knows, maybe he would've somehow gotten into something really slow and methodical like crochet instead of some super intense hobby. There's really so many possibilities it's almost paralyzing.

I also think that, somewhere deep down, although he'd never acknowledge it, Harumasa's mind does linger a lot on what it'd be like to have a family. Of course, for him, something like that is impossible, and if not impossible then it'd certainly be dangerous, but it doesn't stop him. He just can't help but think about what it'd be like being someone's life partner, being a dad and watching his kid grow up, growing old with someone... but that's all nothing more than a childish fantasy for someone who may not be among the living anymore within the next few years.

In short, I do believe he probably, whether he wants or likes to, thinks about who he could be without his illness a lot and I do think it really messes with him sometimes. :(

In extra short, this man really needs and absolutely deserves the world; and a hug, a big hug.

#khy thoughts #asaba harumasa #zzz harumasa #zenless zone zero harumasa #zzz asaba #zzzero #zzz #zenless zone zero #angst #headcanons

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starguardianniom · 2 months ago

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When the arrow strikes twice

My first fic ever I am no writer at all but I needed to write a lil something about Harumasa and some angst after he survives his agent story, set after he defeated Kirishima and before he goes back to work, first time he wakes up fully in the hospital. Lots of angst because well, our boy didn't expect to be alive and freak out quite a bit about it because there's just no way. You can all thank @cozywithbooks who was persuasive talking me to write it.

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Harumasa slowly woke up, feeling extremely weak, he knew he was still alive somehow. How? What? Huh?

He opened his eyes to see his doctor standing next to him, looking relieved to see him awake. "Welcome back to the land of livings, mister Asaba." His doctor said warmly.

Harumasa just stared at him in utter confusion and shock. "What?" He asked.

"You gave us quite the scare and we were sure you weren't gonna survive but you miraculously pulled through." His doctor gently explained. "You still need to stay a few more days for more check-ups but so far you are recovering extremely well, it's a true miracle, sir." The excited glint in the doctor's eyes showed Harumasa that he was very happy with his condition.

Yet all Harumasa could feel at the moment was pure dread, terror and shock. "WHAT? HOW? I WAS SUPPOSED TO DIE HOW AM I STILL ALIVE????!!!!" Screamed the poor boy who was on the verge of a full blown panic attack.

"Calm down now, Harumasa. I know it's a lot to take in but I can assure you that you are doing well for now. I can't explain how you managed to survive though, it's also a mystery to us. You slowly got better just when we were out of options, your recovery is a real miracle that can't be explained by medicine as of yet, we are still waiting for your results." His doctor calmly said.

"There are no miracles for me. My illness was getting worse. I was losing my senses. I even injected myself with the perfected drug of my master which should have finished the job completely. So don't tell me that I'm fine. I should be dead twice over actually. What's next, my illness is gone?" Harumasa ranted, getting more and more agitated over the situation.

He didn't understand. He was supposed to be dead. The drug should have offed him off. He remembered collapsing with the proxy vainly trying to get him stay conscious, but it was his final mission. Yet here he was, in the hospital with his doctor.

The whole thing felt surreal to him about as much as ethereals walking outside of the Hollows. It didn't make any sense. He felt like reality had changed to a whole new set of laws of logic, and him being alive after what he went through was pratically defying all logic. His brain was trying hard and failing to do all the gymnastic needed to comprehend any of it.

He felt himself feeling sick with dread, wondering if it was a sick joke and if his condition somehow went a whole new direction never seen before.

The stress of the last week, plus him still breathing afterwhat, was eating him alive. His stomach was a twisted knot, he felt sweaty all over and he was trying to control his breathing, as he started to breathe a bit louder than usual as panic was slowly setting in over the whole mess.

"Rest assured, you are doing ok for now. We are all pleasantly surprised at how well you are doing currently. Sadly you still have your illness, but it is for now extremely stable. Actually, it is the most stable it has ever been for you so far." His doctor continued, while passing him down a glass of water to try to calm him down.

Harumasa took the cup with shaky hands. "So now what? Did my illness mutated into something new that we haven't seen before or something? You're not gonna tell me that the drug and the illness cancelled each other to make something new. Like fighting fire with fire. Does it changes my condition. Am I even more at risk now?" Harumasa shrieked.

"Well, uh, not as far as we can tell. B-but, we are monitoring you very closely. Y-you do need to calm down, your body endured a lot of stress, you need to rest." His doctor stammered.

"CALM DOWN???" Harumasa screamed. "I had the most stressful week of my life, I learned my former master who I had tried to catch for years became an ethereal rendering all my efforts of my life so far to nothing, I had to put him down, then I had to catch a criminal while slowly dying from my illness, while also trying to save a bunch of kids with the same condition as me from the criminal who was going to kill them all, and then inject myself with the drug the criminal wanted just to be sure it would not be used ever which should have ended my life, do not tell me to calm down, I will throttle you" Harumasa threatened.

"I understand Harumasa, but you are still weak from your illness you need to rest to recover." The Doctor was looking at him sympathically.

Harumasa really wanted to strangle him, but he felt exhausted, being angry and confused tired him out. Instead he asked for the next things that came to mind. "So what now? Did my illness change stuff for me? Do I need to change pills? Do I need to take more pills? What do I tell my pharmacist? Will I get new symptoms? Oh man if I start getting seizures I'll never be able to go back to work I'll have to retire please tell me I won't get new symptoms or need to change prescriptions." Harumasa swiftly rambled, getting more angsty at each question.

"So far yes it has changed, for the better for now. It is very stable so you are doing ok. Based on our observations you won't need to change pills or get more. We also don't think that you'll have new symptoms, on the contrary we feel you might experience them less often. You have to understand, your recovery is pratically a miracle of god, you came here with half your right side having corruption signs over you, your right eye was blue, and yet that all went away fast and you managed to wake up a bit before losing consciousness again, but it is extraordinary." The doctor spoke, clearly still in awe of witnessing the whole event happening.

Harumasa wasn't as enthusiastic. His thoughts were in all directions, trying to make sense of any of it. He had long lost hope of some miracle humbly getting send his way. Everything the doctor said just made him more confused and scared. Miracles happens to other people, not people like him, and expecially not him. Everytime it seemed to go his way, life would snatch it away. Like his master. Like his life.

And yet.

Here he was. Still breathing. Still alive. He didn't feel a headache coming over, his eyes didn't sting, his lungs were pain free, his hands weren't shaking, he didn't feel lightheaded or nauseous. Yes, minus the exhaustion, he hadn't felt that good in maybe never before in his life. His body was fine for now.

His mental breakdown was slowly going away too, but one thing at the time.

Feeling sleep creeping up on him, he felt like joking a little to calm himself: "So this is what Hell looks like, my life at the hospital, I am surprised though, I thought Hell would have been me stuck at work doing overtime for eternity." Harumasa lightly laughed.

"Now now, Harumasa, you are truly alive, and this isn't the afterlife. Now sleep for a while, you need it." His doctor fondly told him, chuckling at himself hearing his patient joking like usual.

Yes, he would be fine.

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So, how was it? I had this idea because to me it only makes sense that Harumasa would be beyond confused and scared when waking up at the hospital instead of being dead. So he gets a mental breakdown for a little bit before calming down. Which is why we're here. The title kind of reference when Harumasa injects himself with the drug, his target is to stop the drug from being in anyone's hands, and getting healed from it a bit is a bonus, so he strikes twice without meaning to as if he shot 2 targets with one arrow when he was just hoping to hit one target. I hope you guys liked it. ^^

Again my first fic be nice please.

#zzz #zenless zone zero #zzzero #zenless zone zero fanfic #zzz fanfic #asaba harumasa #zzz harumasa #zzz asaba harumasa #zzz asaba #section 6 #zzz section 6 #harumasa fanfic #my first fic #be nice please

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bellowbear · 3 months ago

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['Cause I've felt the joy of running through the wind']

Don't worry Harumasa, even if you can't feel it, your anemo counterpart *cough* Hat guy *cough* will help you feel it ^^

#random #art #artists on tumblr #digital art #send help #aaaaaaaaaa #i want to cry #artwork #idk man #zzz asaba #asaba harumasa #zzz asaba harumasa #zenless zone zero #zenless zone zero fanart #black and white

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astroshadowdeviant · 3 months ago

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Can someone please explain to me what the heck is going on here? Any time I try to search for an explanation I just keep getting standard build and team guides explaining his kit and no mention of this little oddity whatsoever- like I would at least like to know if this is some weird but deliberate exception for Harumasa and if so what that exception specifically is or if this is some kind of glitch that's not supposed to happen.

#asaba harumasa #zenless zone zero #zzzero #zzz #zzz asaba #hoyoverse #seth lowell #rina zzz #please help #also I KNOW seth isn't one of Harumasa's best team mates #but to my understanding ofcthe game mechanics that shouldn't affect THIS #it's literally an ALL ELECTRIC team everybody is supposed to have the yellow smiley face regardless of faction #what gives

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tinum · 2 months ago

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Longing from the Office - Harumasa x Reader

Summary: Section 6 play wingman for a struggling harumasa Warnings: So much sighing and sitting in chairs, probable abuse of as, maybe ooc, errors Word Count: 2.1k Notes: I'm trying to improve my writing guys so sorry if its bad but also not sorry. Drop a request or don't.. its fine...

Harumasa's longing for you manifested in many ways. Some of which were more embarrassing than he liked to admit. You hardly seemed to notice though, even if he was practically attached to your hip like a puppy.

"I'm going on my lunch now, Tsukishiro." You call out, pushing your chair out and putting on the coat hanging off the back. Despite not even scratching the surface of your work, your eyes are already stained, and you feel the throb of a headache coming on. A break is definitely in order.

"Alright—" She was swiftly cut off by a voice chiming in.

"Yeah, we'll be going on break now, Tsukishiro!" Her eyebrows raise at the man, who was, just moments ago, sleeping.

"Oh? I hope you realize your nap has been cutting into your break time." Her face was serious, but on the inside, she almost wanted to laugh at how obvious he was being. It's something she noticed for a while now, how he glances at you from time to time when you are doing paperwork, completely unaware. The way he perks up when he hears your name in conversation.

"I was just resting my eyes."

"So you admit you were taking a break?"

He scratches the back of his neck. "Aha… no?"

She sighs, pinching the space between her brows, "If you're going to take a break now, all of your paperwork better be turned in by the end of the day."

"Whoa, really? Thanks, Tsukishiro! You won't regret this!"

She totally would, but she would regret it more if she didn't allow him to go. Watching him make a fool of himself while you were blind was torture. She'd rather lose a few hours of sleep completing his paperwork than watch another moment.

"Ah, Asaba, we're going on break at the same time? What a funny coincidence."

She physically facepalms, causing both your heads to snap her way. "Ahem… my apologies, there was a… bug. Don't mind me."

"Yeah, pretty crazy. I mean, what are the chances, right?"

"It's almost like it was fate…" His heart practically skips a beat when you look at him and let out a giggle. "Well, just a silly thought! I'll be going now. Have fun on your break!"

He could only get out the start of his sentence before you promptly turned away, rushing towards the exit. Once you are gone, he lets out the loudest whine of his life. His upbeat posture deflates as he stares at the exit, jaw open. He only closes it when he hears the click of heels walking towards him.

"That was rather painful to watch." Yanagi places an awkward hand on his shoulder as some sort of means to comfort him.

"If you cringed by just watching it, imagine how I feel. I mean, seriously! How much more obvious do I have to get?"

Normally, Yanagi would not concern herself with her colleagues' personal lives, but the sight of his obvious pining and your obliviousness was giving her early wrinkles. "I find myself wondering the same thing."

Harumasa groans, running his hand down his face in frustration. He turns to Yanagi, places both of his hands on her shoulders, and shakes her lightly. "You see it too? C'mon, you gotta help me!"

She squints her eyes, looking at him, and Harumasa shakes her more, letting out a crybaby 'Pleaseee.' She had already planned on helping him. Otherwise, she would not have walked up to him, but she can't lie; it was sort of fun seeing him fumble so much. Perhaps you were rubbing off on her.

"First of all, stop shaking me." He drops his hand faster than she's ever seen him move when overtime is on the line. "I'll help you—"

"Thank you, Tsukishiro! Seriously, you're the-"

"I wasn't finished," she clears her throat. "I'll help you, but you have to promise me a full week of your undivided attention. In other words, no slacking and no naps."

He deflates, letting out another loud groan. "I should have known it wouldn't be that easy…" His chair rolls backward as he slumps down, throwing his arm over his eyes. "It's hopeless… I'm going to die all alone."

She rolls her eyes. "Fine, you're lucky I'm feeling generous I'll cut it to three workdays."

He immediately brightens up, his posture straight, and he bats his eyelashes at Yanagi. "Really? You'd do that for little old me?"

"No. I'm doing it for Soukaku. She also wonders when you would finally confess."

"Oh… well, what's the plan?"

She immediately zeroes in. Harumasa follows suit, with a serious look on their face. Yanagi slams a piece of paper on his desk.

"Here's what I was thinking."

-----

When you return from lunch, you are greeted with an unusually focused Harumasa and no Yanagi in sight. You sigh as you walk towards your desk; the piles of papers seem never-ending. Unfortunately, the only way out is through.

A few minutes into the first page, you hear Harumasa let out a loud sigh. "This is sooo hard." He whines. You look up at him to see him already staring at you. "You gotta help me with this! I just can't seem to remember!"

"What do you need help with?"

"I cannot, for the life of me, remember what… time! Our last hollow investigation began.."

"It began at-"

"No! I mean, can you write it for me?" he coughs out. "I suddenly feel really sick."

"I suppose if you are not feeling well… bring it here."

He scoots out of his chair, walking slowly with an exaggerated stagger. "Ah, I feel really dizzy. Can I rest on your shoulder?" He doesn't wait for an answer, rolling the chair from the empty desk next to you.

Your eyes widen. "Dizzy? Should I call in the doctor?" He places his hand on top of yours, stopping you from picking up your phone.

"No, no, I'll be fine." His head hesitantly creeps down, teetering on whether he should commit or not. Ultimately, he does. "I just need a moment."

"Oh…" A quick blush rose to your face as you grabbed the paper, which was… blank.

"Asaba, you—"

You turn to look at him, expecting to be met with the view of his hair. Instead, you are greeted by his face, which is inches apart from yours.

"Yes?"

"You must be super sick! You gave me the wrong paper!" You fuss, pressing a hand to his forehead. "I'll inform Tsukishiro!"

"No, there's no need," he sighed. "I'm feeling better now." He gets up, walking back to his desk, head hanging low.

"Asaba…" you call out, tone a bit more serious. He turns around to face you, a hopeful look in his eyes. "You forgot your paper."

"Right."

-----

"That didn't work?" Yanagi asked, her eyes wide.

"No! They just wanted to call you!"

"Hm… Well, they seemed worried; that's a start."

"I guess.." He slumps.

"Perhaps you should take a more direct approach. How about asking them on a date?"

"I practically did yesterday! Sharing a break with someone is a sacred thing, y'know!"

Suddenly, a cheerful voice chimes in, a bit muffled from a full mouth. "Why don't you give them candy!"

He looked at the Soukaku and then at Yanagi, who was deep in thought, muttering under her breath. "Yes, that could work." Yanagi finally says, pushing up her glasses. "Why don't you give them a gift?"

"That's perfect! You guys are so smart; what would I do without you?"

-----

The following day, you are greeted with a bundle of violets on your desk. It was certainly a strange gift. There was no note, just the flowers wrapped in heart-shaped plastic. You look around the room, noticing it was empty.

Maybe a fan left these? It wouldn't be surprising, considering they sometimes stand outside the building waiting to catch a glimpse of Section 6, but if it was from a fan, how could you know if it was for you? They definitely would not know which desk belongs to whom unless they were in the building.

You shiver, throwing the flowers in a nearby bin. Then you grab your phone and call Yanagi. Not today, stalker.

What you didn't know is that Harumasa was watching in the nearby printer room. A card in his hands.

-----

"And then they threw them away! Right in front of me!"

"Hm, that is troubling…"

"I'm beginning to think they just don't like me."

"Cheer up, Harumasa!" Soukaku smiles, hugging him. Yanagi stood in front of the desk, her eyebrows furrowed.

"I don't know what to do anymore." He exhales, standing up.

"Have you tried telling them directly?" Everyone snaps their heads to the source of the voice and is met with a pair of dark ears.

Harumasa's head drops back down, defeated. Walking to the door in an exaggerated slowness.. "Nah, I think this is it. I can take a hint."

-----

"Asaba likes you." You sputter on the water you had been drinking, causing your shirt to get wet.

"Miyabi!" You nervously laugh, drying your shirt with napkins from a nearby table. "I'm sorry, what did you say?"

"Asaba likes you."

"Oh! Well, I like him too." Walking back towards your desk, you smile. . "Speaking of which, where is he? I haven't seen him or the others at all today."

"No. Asaba likes you as more than a friend." She stops right in front of your chair, and you have to look up at her for the first time.

"Me too! He's pretty much my best friend!" Turning away from her, you gather a few papers left on your desk. "Miyabi, I have to go run these to another department. If the others come back, let them know that's why."

Miyabi watches as you walk by, letting out a sigh of her own. She know knows why Yanagi and Harumasa had been sighing at you these past three days. This was more difficult than she expected. Usually, a simple approach does the trick; less is more, after all.

"Well, that's it. I'm officially done." The other three members walk out from around the corner, a crushing look on their faces. He falls back on his chair and Miyabi is surprised it hasn't collapsed by how many times he has done that. "I'm sorry, Tsukishiro, but I'm gonna have to break our deal to sleep my sorrows away."

Soukaku speaks in a tearful tone. "Harumasa…"

"It's okay, Soukaku.. Sometimes things just don't work out how we want them to."

She grips his hand and jumps up with determination. "No! You can't—" She pauses, tears welling in her eyes.

"Miyabi, have you seen the other pa-" You stopped in your tracks. Everyone was surrounding Harumasa's desk, sullen looks on their faces.

"You can't give up your crush on—" She manages to get your name out before a hand on her mouth silences her.

All four of the members stare at you with shocked expressions. No one dares to speak up or move, too worried they might scare you off.

You stumble over your own tongue, a deep blush rising to your face. "Asaba has a crush on me?" and before Harumasa has the chance to ruin things for himself, the three other members speak up.

"Yes!" Their tone was almost annoyed. After all these attempts this is what it took? They aren't one to smoke but they'd be lying if they said they didn't need a cigarette right about now.

"Harumasa, is this true?"

He lets out a deep breath, "It is." Alright, here it comes; he's going to be rejected and—

"I like you too!"

"WHAT?" You had to be kidding him. This whole time, he was trying to get your attention with gifts and outrageous gestures, and all it took was for you to overhear a conversation? He's pretty sure you just triggered a heart attack. Maybe he should retire, yeah.. that's what he'll do

"I like you too, Harumasa. I have for a while now."

"No way! You turned down all my advances!"

"You didn't make any advances?"

"Yes, I did!"

"No?"

"Yes? Remember that time I asked to go on break after you did?"

"I thought that was just a coincidence."

"What about the flowers?"

"You didn't leave me any flowers."

"I left violets on your desk, and you just threw them away!"

"I thought they were from one of those creepy fans."

"Miyabi literally told you how I felt!"

"How was I supposed to know she meant it romantically?"

Harumasa resisted the urge to tackle you. You were seriously spiking his blood pressure with your absurd reasoning. How could someone be so incredibly smart and dumb at the same time? He's not sure the gods could even answer that.

"You're so lucky you're you. I'd be running for the hills if it was anyone else."

"Does that mean you guys are dating now?" Soukaku asks, not a single thought behind her eyes.

You look at Harumasa, and for the first time, he knows what he must do. "Let's try this again. I have liked you forever, and now I know you do, so… can we date? Pretty please?" He asks that question with such enthusiasm that you're sure if he had a tail it would be wagging

"Of course, silly! All you had to do was ask!" Something clicks in Harumasa once he hears you say that.

Oh. You sly dog. You knew this whole time, didn't you?

#zzz #zzz x reader #zenless zone zero #zenless zone zero x reader #asaba #asaba harumasa #asaba harumasa x reader #asaba x reader #harumasa #harumasa x reader #zzz asaba harumasa #zzz asaba #zzz harumasa #gender neutral reader #x reader #reader insert #fluff #harumasa fluff

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missrosiesworld · 3 months ago

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A New Year's Embrace

Warning: This story features an original character (Astraea Lunaris) in a romantic pairing with Harumasa from Zenless Zone Zero. If you’re not a fan of OC x Canon pairings, this story may not be for you. Please read with an open mind and enjoy! 💫

The apartment was steeped in a quiet warmth, the kind that only winter evenings could bring. Outside, snow fell steadily, blanketing New Eridu in a pristine white hush. The glow of streetlights reflected off the icy ground, painting the city in soft hues of silver and gold. From the wide windows in the kitchen, Astraea could see faint plumes of smoke rising from chimneys and the occasional silhouette of someone hurrying home through the cold. The world outside looked almost ethereal, as if touched by some celestial magic.

Inside, the atmosphere was a stark but welcome contrast. The small fireplace crackled softly, its golden light flickering across the walls and casting long, dancing shadows. The scent of spiced cider wafted through the air, mingling with the faint, smoky aroma of the firewood. The apartment felt like a world of its own—cozy, intimate, and untouched by the chaos that usually swirled through New Eridu’s streets.

Harumasa was sprawled on the couch, his lean frame draped across the cushions in a picture of nonchalance. One arm rested lazily on the backrest, while the other cradled a half-filled glass of wine that he swirled idly. His tie hung discarded over the armrest, and the top few buttons of his crisp white shirt were undone, revealing a tantalizing glimpse of his collarbone. He looked completely at ease, though the faint, ever-present smirk curling at the corners of his lips betrayed him. Harumasa wasn’t just lounging—he was waiting, his golden eyes gleaming with the promise of mischief.

“You’re staring,” he said, his tone light and teasing as he brought the glass of wine to his lips, his golden eyes fixed on her.

Astraea, standing by the kitchen counter, glanced up from the platter of snacks she was arranging. Her radiant presence was a sharp contrast to the wintry scene outside. She wore a deep sapphire-blue sweater, soft and oversized, with a plunging V-neck that revealed the delicate line of her collarbone and just a hint of the smooth tan skin beneath. The long sleeves brushed against her hands, the relaxed fit giving her an effortlessly cozy appearance. The rich color made her starlit pupils gleam, their faint iridescent glow catching the firelight like scattered constellations.

Her silver-blue hair was swept into a loose braid, a few strands escaping to frame her face in soft waves that shimmered in the warm light. A pair of fitted black leggings hugged her legs, accentuating her graceful frame, and her feet were wrapped in thick, fluffy socks

“You’re imagining things,” she replied, arching an eyebrow as a faint smile tugged at her lips. She didn’t look away, letting the comfortable heat of his gaze wash over her.

“Am I?” he drawled as he lowered the glass. His eyes never left hers, the warm gold of his gaze now smoldering in the flickering light. “Because if I had a Denny for every time you got lost in my dazzling looks—”

“You’d have exactly zero Dennies,” she interrupted smoothly, her voice cutting through his teasing with practiced ease. Picking up the platter, she began walking toward the couch, the soft sound of her steps filling the space between them. “Your overconfidence is showing again, Harumasa.”

His grin widened, lazy and unrepentant, as he straightened slightly and patted the cushion beside him in an exaggerated gesture of invitation. The firelight flickered across his face, highlighting the sharp curve of his smirk and the teasing glint in his golden eyes.

“Overconfidence?” he repeated, his tone a mockery of shock as he leaned back against the couch, one arm draping across the backrest. “It’s not overconfidence—it’s part of my charm. And admit it,” he added, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial murmur as his gaze locked onto hers, “you love it.”

Astraea rolled her eyes, though the fondness in her expression was unmistakable as she set the platter down on the coffee table. The careful arrangement of slices of fresh fruit, assorted crackers, and small cubes of cheese showed her thoughtful touch, each piece meticulously placed as though she were creating a small, edible masterpiece. The soft glow of the firelight danced across the glossy fruit and the edges of the golden crackers, making the humble offering feel somehow luxurious.

She settled onto the couch beside Harumasa, tucking her legs beneath her as she leaned into the cozy warmth of the fire. The deep V-neck of her sapphire-blue sweater dipped slightly as she adjusted herself, the movement catching Harumasa’s eye for a moment before he leaned back with an air of exaggerated nonchalance.

“I tolerate it,” she said at last, her voice carrying a teasing lilt, though the affection beneath was impossible to miss.

Harumasa chuckled, his golden eyes glinting as he regarded her with a look that was both amused and content. “Whatever you need to tell yourself,” he replied smoothly, reaching for a piece of fruit from the platter. He popped it into his mouth, savoring it with a satisfied hum as though it were the most decadent thing he’d ever tasted.

The television played softly in the background, the countdown to midnight ticking away in a corner of the screen. Astraea glanced at it briefly, noting there were still about twenty minutes left before the fireworks would begin. The city outside was still for now, its usual hum muted beneath the snowfall, but Astraea knew the quiet wouldn’t last. Soon, the night sky would explode in a kaleidoscope of colors, the celebrations bursting forth with the energy of a city that never truly slept.

“So,” Harumasa began, his voice cutting through the comfortable quiet like the crackle of the fire, “what’s the deal with New Year’s resolutions, anyway? You make one, and then you spend the rest of the year breaking it.”

He leaned back with a relaxed air, his golden eyes glinting with mischief as he popped another piece of fruit into his mouth. The firelight danced across his features, casting flickering shadows that softened his usual sharpness. There was something inherently easy about him in this moment—something Astraea found both infuriating and endearing.

Astraea turned her head to look at him, one eyebrow arching in amusement and challenge. The glow from the fire reflected faintly in her iridescent pupils, their shimmering starlight hue catching his attention briefly before she spoke. “Not if you’re serious about it,” she countered, her tone carrying an effortless confidence as she nudged him lightly with her elbow. “Do you even have a resolution?”

Harumasa feigned a thoughtful expression, tapping his chin with exaggerated deliberation before placing a hand dramatically over his heart. “Of course, I have one,” he said, his voice dripping with mock indignation. “I resolve to stay just as charming and irresistible as I’ve always been.”

Astraea let out a laugh, warm and genuine, her shoulders shaking slightly as she leaned back against the couch. Her silver-blue hair, still loosely braided, shimmered faintly in the light, and her expression softened with an affection she didn’t bother to hide. “Wow,” she said, her voice laced with playful disbelief as she shook her head. “Aim high, why don’t you?”

“I prefer to think of it as maintaining perfection,” he replied smoothly, his grin widening as he leaned closer to her. The teasing curve of his lips was highlighted by the firelight, the sharp edges of his smirk softened just enough to be disarming. “Fine,” he said, his tone shifting to a mock-seriousness that made her laugh again. “What’s yours, then?”

For a moment, Astraea didn’t answer. Her gaze drifted toward the sliding doors, where the snowfall outside had intensified, each flake catching the golden glow of the city lights as they tumbled through the darkened sky. The faint hum of the city beyond was muted, leaving the room steeped in a tranquil stillness punctuated only by the soft crackle of the fire and the rhythmic ticking of the countdown clock on the television.

Her expression shifted, the teasing light in her eyes giving way to something softer, more contemplative. “I resolve to make the most of every moment,” she said finally, her voice quiet but steady. “To spend more time with the people I care about.”

Harumasa’s smirk faded, the teasing light in his golden eyes giving way to uncharacteristic sincerity. His gaze softened, steady and unguarded as it rested on hers, mirroring the quiet earnestness she’d shown. Without breaking eye contact, he reached for her hand, his fingers brushing hers before lacing them together with deliberate care. The warmth of his touch was steady and grounding, a silent assurance that spoke louder than any words he could have offered.

“Not bad,” he murmured, his voice low and quiet, as though he were afraid to disturb the moment. His gaze held hers, the flickering light of the fire casting shadows across his face. “Guess I’ll have to stick around to make sure you follow through.”

Astraea smiled at that, her own hand tightening slightly around his. “I wouldn’t have it any other way,” she replied, her voice barely more than a whisper, the words carrying a weight that needed no further explanation.

As the clock ticked closer to midnight, a soft stillness settled over the room, broken only by the rhythmic crackle of the fire. Astraea shifted, sitting up slightly, her starlit pupils glimmering faintly as they caught the warm glow of the flames. Her gaze wandered toward the sliding doors, where the snow-covered streets of New Eridu stretched out in quiet tranquility. The world outside seemed suspended in time, cloaked in a serene silence that felt almost otherworldly.

Harumasa leaned back on the couch, his golden eyes resting on her with a quiet fondness. He was no stranger to the warmth that bloomed in his chest whenever he looked at her—he’d felt it countless times before, and it was as familiar to him now as the sound of her laugh or the way she always claimed the fluffiest socks as her own. Yet, it still managed to catch him off guard, a gentle ache of affection that he’d stopped trying to fight long ago.

Without a word, Astraea rose from the couch, the soft padding of her fuzzy socks—both a pale cream that perfectly complemented her sapphire-blue sweater—barely making a sound against the wooden floor. Her sweater swayed gently with her movements, the loose V-neckline hinting at the elegant line of her collarbone. The cozy, oversized fabric seemed to envelop her, a striking contrast to the ethereal glow of her starlit pupils and the graceful confidence in her stride.

She stopped in front of the sliding doors, her hands resting lightly on the cool glass. The city beyond was quiet, the snow reflecting the faint glow of streetlights and giving the darkened streets an almost magical sheen. Astraea gazed out at the serene scene, her breath fogging the glass slightly as she leaned closer, her expression thoughtful and serene.

Harumasa stood after her without hesitation, the creak of the floorboards marking his approach. He slid his hands into his pockets as he stopped just behind her, his gaze briefly catching her reflection in the glass. There was something grounding in moments like this—seeing her surrounded by the world she seemed so effortlessly connected to and knowing she chose to share it with him.

“You know,” he began softly, his voice cutting through the quiet but carrying no urgency, “I didn’t really do this kind of stuff before. Celebrating. It always felt… pointless.”

Astraea turned her head slightly, her brows knitting together as she studied him. Her gaze searched his face, the vulnerability in his tone drawing her full attention. “What changed?” she asked softly.

His golden eyes met hers, steady and unflinching, though a hint of something raw flickered beneath the surface. “You,” he said simply, the weight of the word hanging between them like the spark before a firework. “You made it feel like it matters. Like I matter.”

Her breath hitched at the honesty in his voice. She reached up without hesitation, her fingers brushing gently against his cheek before her hand settled there, cradling his face. Her thumb traced a soft line along his cheekbone, the tender gesture grounding both of them. “You do matter, Harumasa,” she said, her voice low and filled with quiet conviction. “To me. More than you know.”

He leaned into her touch, his eyes closing briefly as he let her words sink in. When he opened them again, a small, genuine smile played on his lips, the kind of smile that rarely broke through his usual smirking façade. “Guess I’ve got a resolution after all,” he murmured.

Astraea tilted her head, her lips curving slightly as she asked, “Oh? What’s that?”

“To keep making you happy,” he replied, his voice soft but steady, a quiet promise carried in the words. “And to stop pretending like this isn’t the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”

Her heart clenched, her hand slipping from his cheek to rest lightly against his chest. The sincerity in his tone was almost overwhelming, and for a moment, she was speechless. Before she could find the words to respond, the clock on the television struck midnight, and the first burst of fireworks lit up the sky.

The cascade of colors reflected in the glass before them, illuminating the room in bursts of red, gold, and blue. The sound of the fireworks echoed through the night, but neither of them moved. Harumasa leaned forward, his forehead pressing lightly against hers, their shared breath fogging the window slightly.

“Happy New Year, Astraea,” he whispered, his voice barely audible over the celebrations outside.

She smiled, her starlit pupils shimmering as her lips curved. “Happy New Year, Harumasa,” she replied, her voice warm and filled with quiet sincerity.

He didn’t wait any longer. The moment hung suspended, like the stars above, as he leaned in, closing the distance between them. When his lips met hers, it was slow and deliberate, carrying the weight of everything he couldn’t put into words. The warmth of the kiss spread like a flame, chasing away the cold of the snowy night outside.

Harumasa’s hand slid gently to her waist, his fingers brushing against the soft fabric of her sweater before settling there with a firm but tender hold. With a quiet intensity, he guided her backward, turning her until her back met the cool surface of the sliding glass door. The contrast between the icy glass and the warmth radiating from him sent a shiver through her, but she didn’t pull away. Instead, she let herself be drawn closer, her body melting into his as though they were two pieces of a puzzle fitting perfectly together.

His hand at her waist tightened slightly, anchoring her in place, while his other hand moved to cradle her face. His thumb brushed lightly along her jawline, the tender gesture a stark contrast to the intensity of the kiss. Astraea’s fingers curled into the fabric of his shirt, gripping it tightly as if to anchor herself to him, her heart pounding against her ribcage in a rhythm that matched his.

The cool glass at her back and the warmth of his body pressing against hers created a perfect dichotomy, grounding her in the moment while the world around them blurred into insignificance. The crackle of the fire and the faint echoes of distant fireworks dissolved into the background, leaving only the sound of their mingled breaths and the rapid beats of their hearts.

When they finally broke apart, their foreheads rested together, their breaths mingling in the small, heated space between them. Astraea’s starlit pupils shimmered, reflecting the faint glow of the fogged glass behind her. The firelight from the room flickered over their faces, illuminating the lingering flush on her cheeks and the slightly uneven rise and fall of Harumasa’s chest.

“So,” she said after a moment, her voice soft and laced with warmth, “do you think you’ll keep that resolution?”

Harumasa chuckled, the sound low and rough as he leaned back just enough to meet her gaze fully. His golden eyes held a steady certainty as his fingers moved, sliding into her silver-blue hair. He began undoing her braid, letting the shimmering strands fall free past her shoulders. “I don’t break promises,” he murmured, his hand brushing through her now-loose hair with deliberate tenderness. “Especially not to you.”

Before she could respond, he leaned in again, his lips capturing hers in a kiss that was no longer slow and measured but hungry and desperate, as though he couldn’t stand the thought of any space between them. His hand moved from her hair to her waist, gripping her firmly as he pressed her back against the glass with a renewed intensity.

Astraea responded in kind, her arms looping around his neck as her fingers tangled in his hair. The kiss deepened, their shared breaths coming faster, each moment charged with an electric intensity that seemed to reverberate through the room. When Harumasa’s hands slid to her thighs, lifting her effortlessly, she instinctively wrapped her legs around his waist. The movement brought them impossibly closer, her body molding to his as he supported her easily, his grip secure and grounding.

The soft pads of her fingers brushed against his scalp, her touch sending a shiver through him as he tightened his hold on her. His hands rested firmly on her bottom, steadying her as he turned from the window. Their lips never broke contact as he carried her toward the couch, each step deliberate, his focus entirely on her. The fire crackled softly in the background, its warm glow bathing them in a golden light.

When he reached the couch, he lowered them both with careful ease, their kisses unbroken and their movements fluid. Astraea’s breath hitched as his lips trailed along her jawline, his name spilling from her lips in a breathless murmur. He responded in kind, her name a quiet prayer against her skin, his tone raw with affection and need.

The world outside faded entirely as they lost themselves in each other, the gentle hum of their whispered words and the soft sounds of their shared passion filling the room. Gasps, quiet laughter, and murmured declarations of love wove together, creating a symphony that was entirely their own. The night stretched out ahead of them, each moment more intimate and meaningful than the last, until the fire burned low, casting faint embers that danced in the hearth, and the city outside stirred with the first whispers of dawn. Wrapped in each other’s arms, the world around them felt distant, the only reality that mattered found in the warmth of their shared embrace.

Harumasa traced lazy circles on Astraea’s back, her head resting against his chest, her breath soft and even. His golden eyes, half-lidded but still watchful, caught the faint glow of her starlit pupils as she tilted her head up to meet his gaze.

“Happy New Year,” she whispered, her voice tender, as though the words themselves carried a quiet promise.

“Happy New Year,” he murmured back, leaning down to press a lingering kiss to her temple. “And here’s to all the ones we’ll spend together.”

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