Present Day – Usagi's POV:
Okami-kun's hand suddenly grabbed my bare thigh, making me jolt out of my thoughts.
I slapped his hand. "Baka! Don't touch me! I told you—I won't forgive you if you try anything!"
He let out a nervous laugh. "Hehe… you were zoning out, so I thought I should take advant—ah, I mean, snap you out of it!"
I shot him a glare, my cheeks heating up as I crossed my arms. "Hah?! Taking advantage, huh? You really have a death wish, Okami-kun!"
He chuckled, completely unfazed, leaning back lazily. "Hey, I corrected myself, didn't I? Besides, you were lost in thought for so long—I was starting to think you forgot I was here."
I huffed, looking away. Of course, I didn't forget… I was just thinking about everything that led us here—how much things had changed, how much he had changed.
But instead of saying that, I smacked his shoulder lightly. "Next time, try a normal way to get my attention, okay? Like, I don't know—talking?"
He grinned, completely amused. "Where's the fun in that?"
"Am I just fun to you?" I narrowed my eyes at him.
He leaned in slightly, a playful glint in his gaze. "I mean, you're fun to tease… and fun to—"
I immediately shoved my hand against his face, pushing him back before he could get any closer. "Hah?! Finish that sentence properly, you idiot!"
Okami-kun laughed, his warm breath brushing against my fingers as he let me push him. "I meant… fun to be around," he said with a smirk. "What were you thinking, bunny?"
My face flushed instantly. I turned away, arms crossed. "Tch. As if I expected anything decent from you."
He tilted his head, still grinning. "So, you did expect something?"
"Shut up!" I smacked his arm, and he just laughed again.
This guy… how does he switch from brooding to teasing so damn fast?
He rubbed his arm dramatically, pretending like I'd actually hurt him. "Abuse! I'm being bullied by my own precious Usagi-chan!"
"Keep talking and you'll be eating your next lunchbox with a black eye," I muttered, cheeks still hot.
He leaned back on his hands, eyes on the sky, but his smile softened. "Still… I like this. Just… being with you like this. It feels... peaceful."
My heart skipped a beat. That smile—the real one, not his usual smirk—always caught me off guard.
"...You really are impossible sometimes," I said, my voice quieter now.
"And yet, here you are." He looked at me from the corner of his eye. "Still choosing to stay beside someone like me."
I met his gaze, steady this time. "Because you're not 'someone like you'... You're you. And that's enough for me."
For a moment, neither of us said anything. The breeze swayed gently around us, and everything else just… faded.
He clapped his hands together with a grin. "So, Usagi, tell me—what will I get from you?"
"Hmm? What do you mean? You want more of Usagi's Special Delight?" I smirked, tilting my head.
He chuckled, then waved it off. "Ahh—on second thought, that name's still way too cheesy. Not that. I meant next month—what are you giving me then?"
I paused for a second, then my eyes widened. "Whoaaa!! Next month… the 23rd—it's your birthday!"
He raised an eyebrow, clearly amused.
"Tell me what you want as a present!" I grinned. "I'll give you anything… well, almost anything~"
He grinned mockingly, clearly amused by my reaction. "You actually remembered my birthday?"
I puffed my cheeks and crossed my arms. "Of course I did, I'm not that heartless! Even if you're an annoying flirt."
"Hehe, My bunny really is too cute when she's flustered." He leaned forward a bit. "Alright then… if you insist on giving me a present..."
I blinked, suddenly cautious. "Yeah...? What do you want?"
He smirked, that teasing glint back in his eyes. "Hmm… how about… you, in a cute dress, spending the whole day with me?"
I nearly choked. "Wha—?! Th-That's not a present, that's a date!"
"Exactly," he said, resting his chin in his palm. "Best birthday gift, no?"
I looked away, my face heating up again. "I-I'll think about it…"
He chuckled softly. "I'll take that as a yes."
"Tch. Baka…" I mumbled—but inside, I was already wondering which dress I'd wear.
"But that's it?? Isn't this what we always do?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
He shrugged, giving me that infuriatingly charming smile. "Well, every time with you is special… but if you insist—"
He leaned in a little, voice dropping to a playful whisper. "How about… after the date, you let me have my way?"
My eyes widened as I smacked his arm, flustered. "Baka! Keep dreaming!"
He laughed, clearly enjoying every second of my reaction.
My face went bright red as I smacked his shoulder—hard. "Y-You pervert!! What the hell do you mean by have your way?!"
He winced dramatically, rubbing his arm with a pout. "Oww, hey! I didn't say anything bad! You're the one imagining weird stuff, bunny!"
"Liar! You totally meant something weird!!" I yelled at him as i'm still flustered beyond saving.
He leaned back with that usual smug grin. "Hehe~ I was just joking… mostly."
"M-Mostly?! I swear to god, Okami-kun—!" I fumed, turning around to hide how red my face had gotten.
He laughed softly behind me. "You're cute when you're mad, you know that?"
I huffed, arms still crossed, but my lips twitched just a bit. "Tch… idiot."
But deep down… my heart wouldn't stop racing.
"Then… can I have what I want on my birthday night?" he asked, his tone softer—more sincere this time.
I blinked, caught off guard by the sudden shift.
"I mean it, Bunny," he added, his eyes locking with mine. No teasing, no smirk—just quiet honesty.
My heart skipped a beat, and for a second, I forgot how to breathe.
I turned around slowly, narrowing my eyes with a warning glare. "Okami-kun…" I said in a low voice.
He just leaned in a little with that mischievous smile, his voice dropping to a playful whisper. "Come on, bunny... just one night where you let me have what I want."
My heart skipped. My brain almost like it got short-circuited. And my hand smacked him on the forehead again.
"Baka!! Stop saying things that make it sound like you're asking for that!" I shouted, my face now crimson.
"Owww~ I didn't even say anything dirty this time!" he whined dramatically, rubbing his head. "I could be asking for… a midnight cake party! Or you dressing up in a bunny outfit for me!"
"That's not helping your case!" I growled, steam practically coming out of my ears. "Pervert! Pervert wolf!"
"But Bunny… I'm really expecting my present," he said, inching closer with that dangerously innocent look.
"You did say 'anything'—you'll give me whatever I ask for as a present, remember?"
I narrowed my eyes, already sensing where this was going.
"So that's what I want," he finished, his voice low and teasing.
My face turned red in an instant. "Y-You... You're seriously using my words against me now?!"
He smirked, resting his chin in his hand like he had all the time in the world. "Hey, a promise is a promise, Bunny~"
I groaned, covering my face. "Ugh, why do I always fall for that stupid smile?"
He laughed softly. "Because deep down… you like it."
This idiot… why does he make my heart race like this?
"Tch… maybe you can," I murmured under my breath.
His eyes lit up instantly. "Wait—You mean it? You mean it??" he said, practically bouncing with excitement.
"Gruhh! Not if you keep acting like a perv!" I snapped, smacking his arm. "Never mind—no, you can't!"
"Ehhh?! Sorry, sorry! I'll behave now, I swear!" he pleaded, hands raised in surrender.
I crossed my arms, turning away. "No means no!"
"Aww come on, Bunny..."
"Keep talking and it'll turn into never."
He shut up real quick. Good. But still… why did I even say "maybe" in the first place?!
His shoulders slumped dramatically like a kicked puppy. "Nooo… bunny, you can't just give hope and snatch it away like that! That's so cruel~"
I crossed my arms, turning my nose up. "Serves you right. Who told you to go full gremlin mode the second I said something sweet?"
"I got excited! It's rare you say something that might be romantic!" he whined.
"Tch. I was trying to be romantic," I muttered under my breath.
"Huh? What was that?"
"Nothing! You misheard!" heat rushing up my face again.
He leaned in, grin back in full force. "Ohhh? My bunny is being sweet~? I feel special now."
"You'll feel something alright if you don't shut up," I said, raising my hand threateningly.
He chuckled, ducking a bit. "Okay, okay! I'll stop. But… even if it's a no for now… I'll keep hoping. Because maybe means it's not a never."
"…Tch. You're seriously annoying," I muttered—but I didn't move away.
And he just smiled… like that was all he needed.
"See? I've been very obedient since that kiss scene—doing exactly what you said. So… I deserve this much, right?" he said, giving me that look.
I raised an eyebrow. "I'll think abou—"
"No!"
"Hm?"
"Okami-kun—"
Before I could finish, he leaned in, his face inches from mine. His eyes weren't playful anymore—they were serious, intense… hungry. Like a predator about to pounce.
"I can't control myself anymore, Bunny," he whispered, his voice low and heavy. "Don't tease my patience."
"I… I'll think abo—"
He cut me off, his voice firm and unwavering. "No. I said I want it. I didn't ask. I told you. Got it?"
My breath caught in my throat. His words hit harder than I expected, sending a shiver down my spine. What… is this heat I'm feeling?
"But... I won't do anything you don't want," he murmured, lowering his gaze. "Even if I want you more than anything, I want you to choose it... not feel pushed."
I blinked. For a moment, I saw the real him—not the teasing, smug Okami-kun, but the boy who feared being too much, who thought he'd ruin things just by being himself.
I smiled, cheeks red. "Baka... who said I'm scared of you?" I whispered. "I'll think about it, okay?"
He looked up, surprised. Then that playful smirk slowly returned. "Just don't make me wait too long, Bunny. I'm not that patient..."
"I still don't get why you're so hard to control..." I muttered, trying to steady my breath.
He chuckled softly, brushing his fingers against my cheek. "Can you blame me? You're just too cute—it's fun."
I lowered my gaze, my voice barely a whisper. "I… I'm not just fun."
His smile faltered, and I finally looked up, meeting his eyes.
"Look at me… like I'm more than that," I said quietly, "especially when you show desire for me."
His expression shifted—no more teasing, no more playfulness. Just that quiet intensity again, as if he finally saw what I was really feeling.
his gaze softened, his hand reached up gently, brushing hair behind my ear. The warmth of his touch made my breath hitch.
His voice came low, serious—more real than ever.
"Usagi... I do look at you like that."
He leaned in closer, our faces barely apart now. My heart thudded so loud I was scared he could hear it.
"It's easier to mess around than admit how much you mean to me... but don't ever think you're just fun to me. I want everything about you."
The way he said it—so gently, like I was fragile and important at the same time—made my chest tighten.
I couldn't even respond. My lips parted slightly, but no sound came out.
Okami-kun who always teased and smirked... was now looking at me like I'm the only thing in his world.
He chuckled, scratching the back of his neck like he always did when he got shy but tried to play it cool.
"Hehe~ you just sound so honest, Okami-kun," I said, tilting my head with a playful smile, "Just like when you confessed your love~ fufufu."
He glanced away, clearly flustered. "Oi, don't bring that up now... I was trying to be serious, you know."
"Aww~ but it was cute," I teased, leaning a little closer, "You were all nervous, couldn't even look me in the eye properly."
"Tch... I was being real, okay?" he muttered, cheeks turning a bit red. "You have no idea how hard it was to say that without messing it up."
I giggled softly. "Mhm~ but you didn't mess up. You said it perfectly."
Our eyes met for a second—his still a bit shy, mine warm and teasing.
Being with him like this—his teasing words, the quiet moments we shared, even the way he looked at me like I'm his whole world—it isn't just playful anymore. It felt like my heart is finally finding its place... beside his. Like all the scattered feelings inside me are gently being pieced together by him, without him even realizing it.
"So... don't ever say again that you are just fun for me, bunny."
"Hehe, I know that already, you baka."
Yeah... I do know him—how sincere his love is. I've seen it, felt it. But that hunger in his eyes... that intense desire he sometimes shows...
"It's just..." I looked away, gripping my sleeves nervously. "I want you to know... when you look at me like that—so wild, so hungry—it scares me a little. I know you love me, I do. But sometimes, I just want the warmth, not the fire..."
In moment he leaned closer I felt my breath hitch as his lips hovered just a breath away from mine, his voice low and deep, like a gentle growl wrapped in velvet.
"Is it my eyes that scare you, bunny… or the way I try to have my way with you?"
His gaze was intense—not just hungry, but full of something deeper… like he was searching for my answer inside my soul.
I gulped softly, my heart racing.
"It's… both," I whispered. "The way you look at me… it's like I'm the only thing you want in the world. And when you act like that, it's overwhelming."
I paused, my voice trembling a little.
"But... it's not that I hate it, Okami-kun. It just… it scares me because you make me feel things I've never felt before."
"Then why do you keep resisting me?" he asked softly, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear. "Let me have my way… I'll be a good guy, I'll be gentle."
His voice was warm, coaxing—dangerously persuasive.
"Hm?"
I looked away, gripping the hem of my sleeve. "No… I'm just… scared."
His hand gently touched my cheek, his thumb brushing under my eye as he looked at me—not with hunger this time, but with something far gentler, far more human.
"You're scared..." he echoed, his voice softening. "...Of me?"
I shook my head slowly.
"No... not you. I'm scared of... everything I feel when I'm with you."
I looked down, trying to steady the beating of my heart.
"You're intense, Okami-kun. When you want something, it's like the whole world disappears for you. I just... I'm not used to being wanted like that. It's a lot."
He was quiet for a second, then leaned his forehead against mine.
"I'll slow down... if you want me to."
His breath mingled with mine, no pressure, no teasing—just him, holding back for me.
"You don't have to give me anything, Usagi. Not even your comfort... until you're ready. Just... don't push me away because you think I'll break you. I never would."
My chest tightened. Why does this guy always hit right where it hurts the most—but also where I need it the most?
"I want you too, Okami-kun," I whispered, heart pounding. "I want to feel you more… I want you to have me—"
Before I could finish, his lips crashed onto mine, full of raw hunger.
He pushed me back gently onto the dining table, his breath shaky against my skin as his hand slid beneath my oversized t-shirt, fingers grazing my waist with an urgency that made my body tremble.
But just as his touch trailed higher, I placed my hand firmly over his.
"Stop… Okami-kun," I whispered, breathless yet firm.
His eyes widened, surprised, as I slowly sat up. "Just… just wait till your birthday, okay?" I said softly, looking away as my heart pounded in my chest. "I want to give myself to you… but not like this. Not yet."
Okami-kun didn't say a word at first. His hand remained still beneath mine, his breath catching as he watched me—really watched me—as if seeing me for the first time in a new light.
Then he slowly pulled his hand back, fingers brushing gently over mine like a silent apology.
"...Alright," he murmured, voice low and shaken. "I'll wait. For as long as you want me to."
I looked up at him, eyes soft. He really meant it. The wild, teasing Okami I knew was still there—but in that moment, he was just a boy in love, holding himself back for the girl he cared for.
I gave him a small smile and reached out, cupping his cheek. "Thanks… for being patient with me."
He leaned into my touch, his forehead pressing gently against mine.
"I'm not just hungry for your body, Usagi… I'm starving for your heart too. So take all the time you need. I'll be here."