Meeting 2 and counting

At the tournament, Saeko only got second place in their division but she was happy nonetheless because of the cheer of a certain someone. After the tournament, Nozomu invited Saeko to eat lunch which gain a positive response.

Saeko told her clubmates to go first but she was asked why and she told them while not noticing the blush on her face that she was invited to eat lunch with a friend. Her clubmates didn't press with some questions and just told her to be careful and have fun.

She did not get the meaning because she just thought that they were just gonna eat and nothing more. But it lasted for two hours and when they separated. The only thing in her mind was 'I wish it could have lasted longer.

After that day, they often spar when they meet at the dojo or just talk. Nozomu even goes to the tournament of Saeko which made her happy for his support every time and the best part is she always gets first place thanks to the spar with Nozomu.

He even helps her with her studies and she notices he is really an intelligent man. She asks him 'why not just go to college and finish your studies if you are that smart'. He just said 'I want to just experience life and be in the moment' while smiling.

'Ahh.. those eyes, it still is mesmerizing'. She thought.

If one were to look at them then they would think that these two people were a couple but the sad part was that they both are holding back their feelings for each other because of their personal circumstances.

But some things are meant to end.

At the end of their first year at Fujimi Academy. Nozomu gains the courage to ask Saeko to be his girlfriend. She invited her to sit on a bench where a sakura tree was beside it. Then he said.

N: "Saeko, you know that we've been friends for a long time, right?"

S: "That is right. Why do you ask?"

N: "Well... Ok, I will just say it... Will you, Busujima Saeko give me the honor to be my girlfriend?" *while holding her hands*

Saeko just stares at their holding hands. Then She suddenly stands up and lets go of his hands with some tears in her eye.

S: "I don't think I am qualified to be loved."

N: "What are you saying?... Let me guess, is it about your "true self" and your tendencies to overboard in a fight? That you might hurt the people that you care about?"

S: *looking at Nozomu's eyes * "What!... If you knew, why do you still... care about me?" *dropping his head down while some tears were falling*

N: "Because ... *raising her head, touching her chin* I love you..."

S: "But..."

N: "No buts... You see, with all that hard exterior that you are showing. There is a kind, caring and amazing girl inside and I love all of you. Besides, you never won a spar with me so I can certainly handle a girl like you." *while still looking into her eyes*

S: *slowly got near him and hug him* "Do you mean it?"

N: "I do."

S:*blushed and hug him tighter*

N: "Is that a yes?"

S:*looking up just staring at his eyes* {a/n: because she is 5'8 and he is 6' even}

Their lip slowly got close together and they kissed while the wind is blowing as if giving its blessing.

After that, they both come to the house where her grandfather lives and ask for his blessing. The aura that her grandfather gives sends shivers to his spine even though he is near the peak Houtian stage of cultivation. But her grandfather just smiles and approves of their relationship. He told Nozomu that he already approve of him to be his granddaughter's lover and considered him as his grandson-in-law already because he knows that Nozomu will not abandon her and love her with all of his heart and protect her when needed. He already saw it when they sparred here in his dojo. The looks of them were pure enjoyment of battle and even though at that time it looks like they will kill each other, he knows that no true harm will befall the both of them.

Nozomu and Saeko just sit there from being embarrassed by the story. The grandfather laughs at their reaction such as young love.

Then Nozomu asks if she could live with him and before they misunderstand something, he explains that there is an open apartment beside his own and thinks that Saeko could live there which is much closer to the school. He told them that he would pay her to stay there because he already have enough money from his "side job" so that she can be close to her and get to know her better.

The grandfather is not really opposing to the idea and Nozomu is a responsible man but he knows that the boy was an orphan who became independent as he could be after filling some documents and he knows of the boy's "side job" can feed one person and more but for two people, it might strain him and his studies might be affected. Saeko has the same idea as her grandfather but it seems that Nozomu is determined to be near Saeko. The grandfather approves and said that if ever he needs help, don't hesitate to ask.

Back to the current

Thinking about the past while cooking breakfast and looking at the person laying on his bed. It was all worth it.

Walking to the bed to wake up the sleeping beauty. He shakes her gently.

N: "Hey honey, it's time to wake up. Breakfast is ready."

S: "Just a few more minutes."

She stretches her arm and grabs him to be hugged him like a teddy bear.

N: "As much as I love to be in between these *touching her breast*. We really need to be ready for school."

S: "Are you sure everything is ready."

N: "As ready as it can be."