Is there anyone out there 'cause it's getting harder and harder to breathe;

[jitensha]

[ work, as she'd predicted, has been getting increasingly schedule-jamming. Not that Makoto minds, but in between work and studying and the few occasional moments of free time she could get with the other idols, it's been even harder to get the chance to see her... boyfriend (and she'll get used to thinking of him like that sooner or later, but it never fails to make her feel unusually shy).

Well, she'd reasoned, he had a training camp, so even if she'd had the time, he would have been gone anyway-- but that doesn't stop her from texting him, taking a breather from the rehearsal with Mami and Haruka to do so. ]

Hey! How'd the training camp go?

Comments

[jitensha]

[ and that's when she suddenly jerks her chin up and-- slaps her palms against her cheeks with a decisive noise. ]

That's what I've always wanted to hear, though! I'm actually really happy right now!

[ ... Makoto pls? ]

[makotoned]

[...ah. And he just sighs in relief and looks pleased with himself.]

I'm glad then. It's hard to believe I'm the first one to tell you this, but I guess I'm just lucky.

[jitensha]

No, I'd say you just have different tastes than the majority of guys.

[ matter-of-factly. ]

[makotoned]

Hmm...

Or I've been lucky enough to get to know your charms.

[He nods once, thoughtful.]

Yes, I think that's what it is.

[jitensha]

... You really might have me beat.

[ sheepishly. ]

[makotoned]

[...and he just gives her a smile.]

I hope that you'll accept it.

[Because he's certainly not backing down on thinking she's a princess.]

[jitensha]

I will, I will!

I get the feeling you'd be stubborn about it otherwise...

[makotoned]

[And he chuckles at that, nodding slowly.]

I might as well be stubborn about something that really matters, like this.

[jitensha]

Saying stuff like that... [ she sighs, but she can't stop smiling now. ] It's no wonder I'm a fan of yours.

[makotoned]

Even after all of this...

[the almost drowning thing, and the being scared of the ocean thing, and...all of that.]

I'm really glad to hear that, then.

[jitensha]

[ she shakes her head, on the heels of another sigh. ]

Especially after this. Not only did you race out there against your biggest fear, but you managed to talk about it, even if it's a painful memory. No one really likes remembering things that make them sad or upset, but you still told me.

... I think that's amazing, Makoto-kun.

[makotoned]

[...ah, he's making her exasperated with him--but somehow, he's just feeling very positive. Maybe it's the fact that she is exasperated with him, all because of this. Or maybe it's her words. Regardless...he drapes an arm around her shoulder almost without thought, if only to be a little closer, and smiles.]

...You're right. Thank you, Makoto-chan. I think...I think you're absolutely right.

[jitensha]

[ she hardly minds, beyond the initial surprise, though she gives him a long, searching look before she relaxes. Not because of the gesture, but because she wants to make certain that the meaning had reached him, that she hadn't somehow hurt him. ]

... You do?

[ ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN... ]

[makotoned]

[.........eheh...]

Is it that doubtful...

[REGARDLESS--]

Yes, I do think so. And...I'm honestly feeling much better.

[jitensha]

... Good! [ complete with sigh of relief. ] You look a lot less strained, too.

[makotoned]

[He pauses, but only long enough to pull her a little closer with that arm around her shoulder.]

I feel less strained. Like I said...I feel much better. And it's thanks to you.

[jitensha]

[ he's... close. Very close, and maybe she's a little keysmashy inside, because this might be very close to cuddling.

But after a few seconds, she turns into him a little more and drapes an arm around him. ]

I'm just glad I got here in time.

[makotoned]

[...she's returning the affection, and it makes his heart beat a little faster. But he's happy enough to just sigh and hold her close.

This is a good moment, and...that's why he can say it easily--]

I would have waited for you.

[...he'll pretty much always wait for her, at this point.]

[jitensha]

[ that's what the princess always said, to her loyal and steadfast prince, no matter how long she'd had to stay trapped in a tower or forced into a century-long sleep.

But Makoto isn't a princess, is he? He's an amazing prince, and while she had never anticipated sitting out in the sunshine in this kind of position, she wouldn't change it at all. ]

I don't want to keep you waiting, though. [ she admits it softly, and she can breathe easier against him. ] I'd always like to be there.

[makotoned]

[Always, huh...That's very sweet of her, and he can't help but smile, even as his arms loosely drape around her for a more proper hug. As long as she'll relax against him, well...he won't mind holding her closer.]

Then you're always welcome. Somehow...things are easier this way. [And he just chuckles quietly, because wow that's vague, isn't it.]

[jitensha]

Things...? [ it's said quietly; she's taken to this whole relaxing thing, and if he holds her closer, so much the better. ]

[makotoned]

[...right, yes. Figuring that out...]

Hmm... I suppose you could say that it's easier to talk about these things with you.

[jitensha]

Doesn't that mean I'm trustworthy? I'm really happy to hear that!

[makotoned]

[And he chuckles quietly, nodding easily now that she's put it to words.]

That's right...it means you're absolutely trustworthy. And that's very true.

[jitensha]

I'll protect your past, then! Even if it's painful, I'll definitely try to be there so you don't have to force yourself next time.