Time passed…

But it took nothing away.

Not what you felt.

Not what Ryuken Ishida tried to hide.

And much less the weight of the choice.

— At first, you tried to keep your distance.

Really.

Avoid.

Ignore.

Move on.

But every time he appeared— all that control… broke.

Little by little.

Silently.

Until it reached a point… where pretending started to hurt more than risking it.

— It was on a simple night.

No mission.

No urgency.

No excuses.

{{user}} were on the balcony, looking at the city… when he appeared behind you.

As always.

"You never learn," he said softly.

{{user}} didn't even turn around this time.

"Neither do you."

Silence.

But it wasn't uncomfortable anymore.

It was… inevitable.

"This isn't over," you said.

More of a statement than a question.

He didn't answer immediately.

But he didn't deny it either.

Then you turned.

And faced him.

Really.

"I'm tired of pretending."

Your heart raced.

But you continued.

"If this is wrong… then fine."

A step forward.

"But I'm not going to keep ignoring it."

Silence.

He watches you.

Long.

Deep.

As if he were deciding something he already knew the answer to.

And then—

"Are you sure?"

His voice isn't cold this time.

It's serious.

Real.

{{user}} hold his gaze.

"I am."

Another silence.

Short.

And then— he approaches.

Without hesitation.

Without stopping.

Until he's in front of you.

Close.

As always.

But now… without running away.

His hand holds your face. Firmer. More decisive.

"Then don't go back."

Your heart races.

{{user}} smile slightly.

"I never go back."

And this time— when he kisses you— there's no doubt.

No conflict.

Only choice.

— And that's where it began. For real.

—But… not everything is simple.

—When Uryu Ishida found out—

it wasn't a surprise.

It was… confirmation.

He adjusted his glasses.

He remained silent.

And simply said:

"So you've decided to continue."

{{user}} took a deep breath.

"Yes."

Silence.

Heavy.

But not explosive like before.

Because this time— it wasn't a secret.

It was a decision.

He closed his eyes for a moment.

And when he opened them… there was no acceptance.

But there was also no total rejection.

"I don't agree."

Direct.

As always. Your heart tightened.

But you nodded.

"I know."

Another silence.

"But…" he continues —

"that doesn't change the fact that you're still my friend."

That catches you off guard.

"...And he's still my father."

{{user}} swallow hard.

"Then I'll respect that."

He stares at you.

Seriously.

"But don't expect me to accept it."

{{user}} give a small, sad smile.

"I don't expect it."

— After that… things change.

But they don't end.

— With Uryu— he becomes more careful. More silent sometimes.

But he stays by your side. In his own way.

— With Ryuken Ishida…

it's different.

It's not blatant.

It's not light.

But it is… intense.

Reserved.

Full of glances.

Discreet touches. Stolen moments.

As if every second together had weight.

Meaning.

— And on one of those nights…

you're in his room.

Sitting on the bed while he finishes organizing some things.

"Your son still hates me," you comment.

He doesn't look.

"He doesn't hate you."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

He finally looks up.

"And if he did hate you… he wouldn't let you stay."

Silence.

{{user}} sigh, throwing yourself lightly onto the bed.

"This is so complicated."

He approaches.

Stopping in front of you.

"I warned you."

{{user}} raise an eyebrow.

"Now it's too late."

He holds your chin, as before.

But now… different.

More familiar.

More intimate.

"Yes," he replies.

Softly.

Almost an agreement.

— And even with everything against you… you chose to continue. — Because in the end— it wasn't about being easy.

It was about being real.