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]

[ 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.

[makotoned]

[.......oh.

He blinks at that, very clearly stunned, and then flushes a little--but smiles at her.]

That's... You don't have to worry about me that much, but...

I appreciate it.

[jitensha]

You're my boyfriend. And even if you weren't, you'd still be someone important to me.

So it's my privilege to worry!

[makotoned]

[...ah...]

In that case...I suppose I'm honored that you think so.

[NOBODY HAS EVER SAID THEY'RE PRIVILEGED FOR SOMETHING LIKE THAT...]

[jitensha]

You say that, but...

... No, I guess if the situation was reversed, I'd probably feel the same way.

[makotoned]

[He chuckles at that, because how is she so adorable...but he nods.]

You have to know by now that I feel the same way, right?

[jitensha]

I know you'd worry. [ and she flashes him a smile. ] But I don't think you'll have to.

[makotoned]

You know...somehow, I don't think I will either. At least, not for now.

You seem pretty good at taking care of yourself.

[...]

And other people, too.

[jitensha]

You think so? [ and she seems cheerily pleased at this. ] My dad said I should always be strong enough to protect the people who needed it [ because they weren't manly enough ] so maybe that's why. And I've just always liked making people happy.

[makotoned]

[...right, it's completely about manliness, okay makoto's father okay.]

Well...you're definitely very good at it. You make me happy every time I see you.

[jitensha]

Well, if that's all it takes to cheer you up, I'll have to show up a lot!

[makotoned]

[...and even if she's joking, he has to be honest to that--]

...I'd like that. I know it's difficult sometimes with how far away we are, but...it's always so nice to see you.

[jitensha]

[ maybe just a little, but this is Makoto, and if he was serious about her cheering him up, then she's more than willing to do her best to keep it up. ]

Like they say, the important things are worth fighting for! [ a swift nod. ] It might take some work on my end, and I might not always be able to make it... but wanting to be with you isn't a bad thing, so I'll work really hard to make that happen!

[makotoned]

[ah, well, he doesn't want to put all of the pressure on her, so he smiles, tilting his head.]

I can do my part as well. If the both of us make the effort, then...We'll definitely succeed. Isn't that right?

[jitensha]

That's right! And in the meantime, we can still talk to each other.

[makotoned]

Of course we can.

[...............and that does remind him--]

I'll...try to tell you right away when things happen from now on.

[jitensha]

You'd better. [ with a warm huff, promptly ruined by her grin. ]

I'm... maybe not as good at being the one to rely on someone else, but if something happens on my end, I'll tell you too.