[Chapter 12: Once More, Smiles]

My eyes snapped open.

"Khisss...!" I gasped sharply, sitting straight up from my bed. Ah— ow! I quickly began to regret that as the whiplash caused a splitting headache to form. Reaching for my forehead, I couldn't help but groan. "Wh... what the hell happened...?" I barely processed mumbling groggily.

And then it hit me. The original world, Tae-young, Ashley, fear, relief, happiness, mom—

"Am I back?!" Scrambling off of my bed, I almost tripped over my covers as I ran to the bathroom. Roughly jostling with the doorknob, I practically threw the door open as I briskly stepped in.

Ah.

Leaning against the unused sink, I could only stare at the familiar. I— with the familiar jet black hair and dark eyes— was back.

I was back in this world.

"Well, at least nothing changed in this body," I noted, twisting my body around. My lips pressed into a small line as I went on my tippy toes. Goodbye, those extra inches of height: I will miss you. "Oh, but," Pushing a hair strand back before placing a hand over my mouth, I tilted my head in thought. "Was that all a dream?"

No, it can't be. My brows furrowed in slight anger. Those feelings... I pressed my hand over my chest, leaning against the bathroom wall. Were real.

Ah. I blinked, my heart seeming to jump at a sudden thought. I...

I want to go there.

I couldn't help it— the urge. Before I knew it, I was already bolting out of the bathroom and hastily putting on my sandals. I didn't even process how I burst out of my apartment, cold sweat dripping down my face as I ran.

I— I need to go there!

To Shangri-La.

Ah, I ended up coming here. I thought, panting as I stared at the building in front of me. In pristine and welcoming colors, the early sun lights of dawn seemed to illuminate the cafe, really living up to its name.

I wiped off the sweat from my forehead. God... I really didn't think this through. I giggled, rubbing my arm sheepishly. "Haaah... of course he wouldn't be here."

Oh, wait. Blinking, I let out a low hum as I honed in my senses, detecting a familiar chakra source, heading my way. There he is. Sitting against the wall of the cafe, I glanced up at the sky. It was pretty cloudy, though I guess it's better than me waiting in the blaring sun.

Hurry up, Hiro... I pressed my knees to my chest, hanging my head low. God, I wonder if the three really did lose their memories. That would be kinda sad— though I know that it would be for the better.

How's Hinata-tan doing? Aah, it feels so long~! I need my weekly cuddles! Oh, and Hanabi-tan too! Honestly, most women nowadays are just— muah!

...I should visit Shisui, though, I bet he's happy about me. I... I finally got better with my emotional baggage, I think. I hope.

Ah, hope. I'm starting to like that word again.

Now... I just hope that Hiro would just hurry his ass up and—

"Megumi...!" Craning my head up, I let out a giggle as Hiro slouched in front of me.

I giggled as he fucking heaved with strangled breaths. "Took you long enough."

"That's...!" The Hyuuga panted, gasping for air before straightening his back. I noticed how his hair was tousled and messy with stray locks. He really rushed— didn't even have the time to take care of his hair. "It's... it's not my fault that... the compound is farther away!"

Standing up, I dusted away any dirt from my body before interlocking my hands behind my back. Smiling, I leaned closer to the teen. "I'm glad you came," I told him earnestly, tilting my head. I would've looked like a fucking idiot if he didn't.

His shoulders hunched at the sudden closeness but the boy didn't look away. "Uh, yeah, yeah," He awkwardly replied, running a hand through his hair.

Reeling back, I turned my back on him and faced the building in front of us. Now, let's go and... shit. "Bruh, I think we came here too early."

"Pfft—" Turning my heel back at him, I saw him breathlessly chuckle with a small grin. "You just realized that?"

I shrugged, though I just realized that I was still in my PJs. "I mean, you didn't either." I pointed out, with a finger right at him. But, I couldn't help but join in. We're— well, I guess we're both idiots.

"Oh?" I wasn't surprised to hear that, but I guess Hiro was, according to his sudden tense posture. Rotating my head, I came to face a familiar Chiaddo's curious expression. "You two are early." He commented, smiling warmly at us.

"Chiaddo!" I exclaimed, walking up to him enthusiastically, raising my arms at him. "I missed you!" Wrapping my arms around him, his charming laughter was bells to me.

I mean, I bet he was also still curious by how he said his next words, "We just saw each other yesterday, though?" Releasing him, I noted how his eyes darted to Hiro. "Another date, then?"

"Ah!" Hiro let out, red rising from his neck. "It's— it's not a da—" But then his lips clamped shut, trembling as his shifty eyes focused on me. "Is it?"

My eyes widened, instantly realizing the implications. "I mean— well," I sighed when my face got warm. Walking away from Chiaddo, I took the Hyuuga's hand in mine. "We'll discuss that when we get in, okay?" I told him with a small smile, his light eyes staring back at mine.

"Then it's fortunate that I'm here then!" Chiaddo piped up, the sound of keys jingling in my ears. Patiently, we took in a short silence as the civilian fiddled with the cafe doors, welcoming us with open arms when the door flew open. "Come in— you two are special so I'll let you in early!"

Hell yeah, I said internally, pulling my crush along. He didn't seem to mind, as we quickly settled into our usual table. Of course, since it just opened, we weren't gonna order any food soon so we just sat down on our respective seats.

"It wasn't a dream," I said after a moment of silence, drumming my fingertips against the flat, wooden table. My eyes darted to him, watching as he stared back at me. "Thank god."

He sighed, "It would be... a really weird dream if it was one." The Hyuuga leaned forward, his crossed arms hitting the table. "But... are you okay?" He asked with slightly creased eyes. "You— you just talked to your mom."

I sucked in a deep breath, "I... I don't know." It was a bit hard to admit, but that was how I truly felt. Pushing back a lock of hair, oh yeah, it's short now, I glanced away. "That whole thing was kinda... kinda too much for me?" My head cocked to the side as I thought back at what happened. My mom... well, past mom doesn't hate me. That's... I smiled. "But I feel like I'll get better. Which is why," I turned back to him, narrowing my eyes. "I want to talk about us now."

It's a bit weird doing that now when we already knew how we felt each other. But— it's better than just endlessly pinning each other until the end of time.

I saw him gulp. "...Yeah, I... I wanted to talk about that as well." Hiro nodded hesitantly with straitened eyes. "When— when did you realize that I had feelings for you?"

Going back that far, huh? "Around you and Hinata-tan's birthday, I think." My eyes glanced up to the ceiling as I recalled back. "Funny thing— I got told by Ino."

"What." He looked like a total goldfish. The teen slammed his hands onto the table in utter shock.

"Pfffft—" I snorted, slapping a hand over my mouth. He looked like an idiot— big eyes with his jaw dropped. "I know right?! Apparently, everyone thought we were already dating!"

He did a total facepalm as if that would hide away his flushing face. Note: it did not. "I— idiots, all of them."

I giggled at his exasperated yet embarrassed sigh, leaning back in my seat. "Yeah, I'm pretty sure that I also realized my feelings towards you by then but like, uh," I struggled to get the words out, feeling the awkwardness creep up on me. My head lowered as my shoulders hunched together. "I... I just wasn't ready or if you really deserved me."

Aah...! My lips pressed together. Now I'm embarrassed! "I didn't think so either." I blinked, raising my head. The boy in front of me then raised his hands in defense. "You deserving me, I mean!" He corrected, rubbing the back of his neck. His clear eyes darted away. "I... I also didn't think you deserved me. At least, not then." His lips pressed together as his brows furrowed. "I planned to confess to you when we finished shit and saved the world but then," He waved a hand as if indicating something. "That whole thing happened."

Yeah, I couldn't help but agree. That really messed things up. I should have pinched Dae's cheeks a bit. If only for a bit. I sighed. "I should have done it when I had the chance..." I whined weakly, earning a distant laugh from Hiro.

"But always!" We can't get off track here! I told myself with a mental slap as I stood up. I heard him take a sharp intake at my actions. "I..." I pressed a hand over my chest. Here I go! "Even if I still need some time, I want to— to, um, to be together!"

"Aah." His voice cracked. Cracked so hard I swore his vocal chords broke. He— Hiro just stared at me. Like— he was a deer in headlights: stunned beyond belief.

It was to the point that I was slightly worried, leaning forward to wave at him. "Uh, hello? Hiro? Tae? Tae-young? Tsun Tsu—"

"Ho—" His lip trembled, the Hyuuga Heir's composure practically shattering before my eyes. "How the fuck can you just that?!" Hiro shouted, flushing red.

Oh. I thought. My lips quirked up. "Awww, are you embarrassed~?" I teased gleefully, my smile widening as he tensed, reeling away just after. Shameless giggles fell out of my mouth. "Don't worry, my adorable Tsun Tsun, I'll take care of you!"

"I— you—!" Awww, he's a tomato now! With his shoulders practically touching his neck, the boy reeled back with shouts. "That's— you're just an idiot!" The classic! "An idiot! was supposed to confess first!"

"That's your problem." I sank back down from my spot, smiling at his adorable face. My stomachs felt like there were butterflies fluttering inside. I feel so much better now. I thought, before feeling sudden warmth on my hand. Hm? I let out a curious hum as I looked down, where a hand was placed gently on mine. Trailing up, I just tilted my head at the teen.

The dark blush was still very prominent on his face: though, the different expression— more assertive and determined— made my lips go silent. "I— I like you too," He confessed softly, leaning in. My breath hitched, our noses were almost touching as our breaths intertwined. With his hand curling over mine, he practically pulled me over to his side. "So— so um, go out with me!"

I—

Um— I—

My brain just went poof.

Mind? Simply does not exist. do not exist. Wha?? Ex— me?! Megumi.exe has stopped working.

my heart is getting so giddy!

Lub, lub, lub, lub, lub.

I whined with heat burning on my face, my body feeling tingly. But— but in a way!!! Feeling weak, my body practically melted on the flat surface of the cafe table, my cheek squishing against it as I buried my head in my arm. My hand was still interlocked with— with his hand, oh my fucking "You— you can't just that!"

Came his confused and slightly exasperation voice. Though, I could tell that he was just as flustered. "But you— you did the exact same thing?!"

"Still!"

"How does that even make sense?!"

Despite this, I couldn't help but smile. Hell, it kinda hurt by how much I was doing it.

Everything just felt good— it was like I was on cloud nine.

Cuz, I finally was letting myself push forward.

And, with Hiro, Black Rose, and everyone else by my side, I hope that I can continue doing so.

Extra:

"Wait..." Hiro's face in front of me scrunched, eyes narrowed before trailing up to my gaze. "What time is it?"

"It's been 59 years. You've been stuck in a coma since then. You have to wake up. Please— you have to move on. The incident wasn't your fault—"

"Oh my fucking god."

I giggled at his exasperation, before glancing up at the clock. "Oh, it's 8:28 am..." Wait. Why— why does that ring a... oh shit. Abruptly standing up, screw chairs, I slammed my hands on the table. Ow. "Shi-Shi's gonna kill me!" Hell, it's way past the time for my run with Lee!

"I have my shift in 10 minutes!" The boy suddenly exclaimed in an absolute panic. Oh fuck, oh fuck, oh fuck, oh we are

I reached out for him. "Grab my hand!" please I don't wanna deal with the poison aftermath!

"Wh—

"Just shut the fuck up and take it!" I stressed out while roughing grabbing hold of his wrist. The table in between us made it a bit uncomfortable, but I threw open the curtains, disabling the silence seals. "Chiaddo, we're going!" I'll have to pay later but— that's a later thing.

From behind the corner, the waiter's head perked up, saluting us with two fingers. "See you!"

Nodding frantically, I spared Hiro one last glance as I poured my chakra into my legs. And then—

We were off.