"So you literally just picked up a tray and started working?" Suguru laughed at me.

I laughed with him, "Look! It's not as bad as it sounds. I just really needed a job, and they were overworked, so I offered myself the position."

"Haven't changed a bit," he smirked as he shook his head.

"Ok, but I don't want to charge people for healthcare out there so I had to do something to pay my rent! Serving and bartending seems like just a good a job as any."

Suguru and I had left the school and walked into the city, finding a small restaurant to eat dinner at. It only took maybe 10 minutes before things felt normal again.

No matter what had ever happened between us, nothing ever seemed to change. He was like a magnet constantly pulling me in whenever we saw each other.

When he was around, nothing else seemed to matter.

"So, how's Japan? Does it miss me?" I teased.

"You know, it's home," he shrugged. "Definitely not the same without you."

I nodded, a little hesitant about his response, "Yea, it's nice to be back for a bit."

"Have you decided if you want to stay or not?"

I rested my head in my hands, "I'm not really sure I guess. I've thought about it, but I've also just thought about moving somewhere new."

"Hmm," he mumbled out.

I scrunched my face at him, "What? You don't think it's a good idea?"

"Well, since you're asking, I think you should move back home."

I sighed, "This isn't home Suguru. It hasn't been for quite some time."

"But it could be," his voice softened as his eyes intensified.

"A lot of places could be."

I watched as he pushed his food around a bit, avoiding my gaze altogether now.

"Is there, uh, is there a reason you want to go back? Is someone there waiting for you?" he asked, barely even audible.

"What, like a dog?" I laughed. "You know I've never really been into pets. Seems like a big commitment."

He laughed as he shook his head, "No, not like a dog. You know what I mean..."

"I am not in a relationship, no." I couldn't help but to smile at him as he quickly glanced up, a visible look of relief on his face.

"So what about you? Are you dating anyone?" I asked, trying to sound casual. Not like it should matter who he's dating, but I was curious.

"Um, well, to be honest, I was with someone for a little over a year, but we broke up a couple months ago."

I smiled and nodded, taking a deep breath as I tried to keep my composure. Still, I felt a tinge of anger bubbling up.

I hadn't dated anyone seriously, and he was with someone for over a year?

Not that he owed me anything, but a part of me broke inside when he said that. At least he was finally being honest with me though. I guess that's some improvement.

It took a moment, but I put together the timeline. A couple months ago they broke up, huh?...

"So did you break up before or after you found out I was coming?" I shot him a flirty smirk. Ok, so, I guess I hadn't changed much because I really wanted to watch him squirm.

His eyes widened and he quickly looked away, causing me to laugh a little more, "I'm just teasing you Suguru. It doesn't actually matter, what happened with us was a long time ago."

"Of course it matters," he looked back at me. "It's always been you, Y/n. I promise."

I smiled as I nodded softly, not fully believing him but also not interested in the conversation. I got the reaction I wanted.

The silence thickened and Suguru's voice was barely able to crack through, "Well, um, do you have to get back? Or would you want to walk around for a bit?"

"Sure, sounds fun!"

I let him pay and followed him into the city street. I loved how the people here always enjoyed the nighttime.

I smiled as I watched large groups of people gathering in conversation, the sound of sizzling food stands in the air, the bustling of traffic.

Tokyo had its own magic, and I really did miss it.

"Now for the real test. Is the fruit better here or over there!?" he yelled excitedly, snapping me out of my trance.

"Hmm? Ooh, good question."

He quickly grabbed my hand and jogged towards a cart, dragging me along with him, "See! This is why you need me around every once in awhile!"

"Ok! Ok!" I laughed as we stopped in front of a fresh fruit stand. "What should I try?"

"Let's try everything. Let me order." I stood back and watched as he started a conversation with the young man at the stand.

I couldn't help but to smile softly at the sight of him smiling and laughing with excitement. He seemed so much more relaxed than he used to be. He didn't appear to be nearly as closed off.

"Here, try this!!" he called out as he handed me a peach.

I laughed as I took a bite and the juice immediately dribbled down my chin. It wasn't necessarily better than the fruit back where I live, but it was sweet with nostalgia, and I loved it.

I licked my lips and wiped my face as I looked back at Suguru, "I don't know, it's a close call."

He smiled, "Mm, everything is better here."

•••••

**Geto POV**

I watched as she took a bite of the peach I had just handed her. I didn't want to stare, but the way her lips wrapped around it was enough to make me squirm.

The juice was falling on her face and it was so cute to watch how much she was enjoying it.

I remembered how much she was always eating fruit. It didn't matter what kind, she always wanted to snack on some type of it.

She licked the juice off her lips, and I wanted so badly to help. I wanted to taste the sweetness of her tongue. It was taking everything I had not to kiss her.

Her smile was so bright as she wiped the juice off her face and looked at me again, "I don't know. It's a close call."

"Mm, everything is better here."

I knew she wasn't sold on the idea yet, but I'd do anything to keep her from leaving again.

She grabbed the cup from my hand and kept eating the various fruits, trying them all.

"Are you going to leave me any?" I teased.

She laughed loudly, "I wasn't really planning on it. But here." She fed me a piece of watermelon.

"Is that all I get?"

She bit her lip as she smiled and nodded at me. Her beauty was astounding. Every time I looked into her eyes, I melted further into her hands.

How, after all these years, do I still feel like that same guy just falling in love for the first time?

"Come on, let's keep walking," she smiled as she linked her arm with mine. My heart skipped as we touched, but she seemed totally unfazed.

I just needed to know how she felt about me. If she still thought about me too.

I kept glancing over at her as we walked. Her dress was cut low, showing the top of her chest, and I needed to look. I needed to see all of her.

She had always been beautiful, but now her body was almost irresistible. Every part of her filled out and I wanted so badly to be pressed up against her, grabbing her flesh in my hands.

I couldn't help but think about being the one to be with her. Make her laugh and smile, be there while she works and when she wakes up in the morning. The one to make her moan out in pleasure.

It should be me.

She stopped suddenly and I realized I wasn't glancing over anymore but just full on staring. I was grateful she hadn't noticed, instead, she was watching a small group of street musicians.

She smiled as she watched the crowd of people dancing and I took her hand, "Y/n, do you want to dance with me?"

"Really?" she asked with bright eyes, and I quickly pulled her out to into the crowd.

I spun her around before pulling her into me, holding her waist tightly, moving with her to the music.

"I don't remember you being much of a dancer," she teased.

I laughed as I turned her around, bringing the backside of her body as close to me as it would come, letting her hips sway as she pressed into me.

"And, what do you think now?" I asked her softly as I leaned my head near her shoulder.

She held my arms with her own, laughing, "Not bad, Suguru. It seems like you're finally relaxing. You were always so uptight."

I carefully moved some of her hair away from her neck and gave it a soft kiss. She gently and kindly pulled away from my grasp, and I cursed myself for pushing it too far.

Why would I do that? Why couldn't I just enjoy seeing her again?

But still, I couldn't get the thought out of my head, would she want to come home to me?

"You ok?" she asked, pulling me back into reality.

"Hmm? Yea... Sorry about that," I mumbled out awkwardly.

"Don't worry about it," she smiled softly. "Want to keep walking?"

I nodded, still feeling disappointed, but as she lightly grabbed my hand and intertwined our fingers, a small smile curled up on my lips.

Maybe our time with each other wasn't up after all.

••••
must be that whip that i ordered 🥵