Night had settled over Yukio's dorm, where Shiina sat nestled in his lap, engrossed in a library book she'd recently borrowed. She turned the final page and closed the novel with a satisfied smile, still visibly immersed in its fictional world.
"Finished?" Yukio asked as he took the book from her, setting it aside on the small nearby table.
"Mhm," Shiina hummed softly, standing up with a practiced ease—only to pivot her feet and settle back into his lap, facing him this time. One moment earlier, she was perched lightly on his lap with her back to him; now she'd turned around, seamlessly falling into another gentle embrace.
It was all so natural for them. What once would have been an awkward maneuver had become routine. She leaned her head against his chest, the top of her softly-colored hair brushing under his chin as she gave a contented sigh. "It was a rather wonderful story, wasn't it?"
Holding Shiina, one arm around her slender waist and one gently brushing through her hair, Yukio could feel how closely she wanted to be with him, as though she was trying to merge her entire being into his heart. That unspoken devotion stirred his own unspoken guilt. "I suppose your talk with Ibuki was exhausting," he murmured. "Thank you for handling it."
Shiina's mouth curled into a silent smile. "So, you'd better remember just how good I am to you. Besides," she added, "Ibuki-san is actually quite sweet. She even vowed to show me the 'tenacity of a samurai daughter.'"
She paused, then chuckled a bit. "Oh, and speaking of which… I'm guessing you didn't go too far earlier; you overheard everything we discussed, right?" Although it came out as a question, her tone suggested she already knew the answer.
Yukio felt no need to lie. "Yeah, I heard your entire conversation with Ibuki," he admitted, letting his fingers pass gently through Shiina's hair.
Shiina nodded, her face buried against his chest. "Then, aren't there any questions you want to ask me?" She knew her so-called "love strategy" had been a bit extreme—some might even call it manipulative—and she was prepared to explain if he doubted her motives.
But to her surprise, he simply tightened his arms around her, resting his chin lightly on her head. "No," he said. "Not at all."
Shiina blinked. "None? Really?" Her face was hidden, but beneath her calm exterior, she was bracing to clarify everything if necessary. Yet here he was, not even asking.
For Yukio, there was no need to probe any further. It didn't matter if her "love strategy" was just a convenient fabrication to win Ibuki's cooperation, or if it genuinely reflected Shiina's true feelings. He trusted her completely.
If it was the former—a lie for his sake—well, that was nothing to get hung up about. She had been helping him. If it was the latter, that simply showed how determined she was to stay by his side forever, come what may—a decision that only made him feel an even deeper sense of gratitude and admiration.
Sensing this trust, Shiina's internal worries—her fear that her scheming might make him uncomfortable—vanished. If she was a book, then Yukio had read it cover to cover, multiple times, thoroughly enough that no further explanations were necessary. She was grateful for that level of acceptance.
In a rare display of boldness, she pulled her face away from his chest, tilting her head up to kiss him lightly—just a momentary touch of lips—then broke away with a dazzling smile. "I love you so much, Yukio," she whispered.
"And I love you," he echoed, his lips turning up in a gentle smile as he returned the kiss. Then, as though remembering a topic quite dear to his heart, he added, "I've even been thinking about a name for… our future kids, you know."
"Huh?" Shiina's cheeks instantly flared pink at the mention of children. The idea made her heart thunder in her chest, but at the same time, hearing him talk about it filled her with warmth and anticipation.
It might have been a bit premature—here they were, still high school students—but for them to dream about names for their future children was so… sweet. Her curiosity overtook her shyness. "What name do you have in mind?" she asked quietly.
Yukio's eyes shone with affection. "I figure we'll need two sets of names, right? One for my side and one for here in Japan. Our child can't spend their entire life in my homeland, after all. Sometimes they'll want to come here and visit your family—like I promised you."
Shiina's heart fluttered at the memory of her earlier decision to follow him to a faraway land, a place full of unfamiliar faces, and his promise that they would return to Japan regularly. The fact that he'd fully retained every word they'd exchanged was touching beyond measure, so much so that she leaned in for another kiss, her face going an even rosier shade.
Finally, catching her breath, she asked, "Then… how about the name here in Japan? I'm not very familiar with the naming customs from your side, so at least here, I can help choose something."
"Sure," he said, encouraged by her enthusiasm. Meanwhile, his hands had begun to wander a bit, but he didn't neglect the conversation. "Actually, I'm thinking our child could take your surname. For the name where I come from, it can just take my family name. A foreign name can be quite casual."
"R-really?" Shiina's eyes glistened with emotion. In Japan's deeply rooted traditions, children almost always took the father's surname. She'd never imagined they could do otherwise. Her eyes brimmed with tears, mixing joy and astonishment. She wasn't sure if it was the tender sentiment or maybe his hands drifting a little too freely.
"Of course," he assured her. "When did I ever lie to you?"
Feeling overwhelmingly content, Shiina nodded quickly, her voice trembling with emotion. "Then… what do you think for a name?"
"Hmm… maybe Mashiro."
"Mashiro? Shiina Mashiro… That sounds… lovely. If it's a girl, Mashiro is perfect," she murmured, her cheeks warming even more. "Yes, it's a beautiful name. I love it."
"Ah? You like it? Then Mashiro it is," he responded. That was all it took—if Shiina liked it, the decision was made.
***
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