You and Shōta finally got together after dancing around each other since your graduation.
The waiting was p@inful, as you two had always been close, and you had always been in love with him.
For you, it felt like a state of limbo.
You hated how he was sending you mixed signals because anyone with your insecurities and trauma could think he was just being nice.
Meanwhile, Shōta was terrified. He knew that there was a considerable age gap.
He knew that he was your former sensei. And he knew you had been through so much that he simply worried he would only bring you down, if not sc@re you off.
Oh, but it's true what they sometimes say, isn't it? Love is blind.
But in this context, it meant that you were both dense when it came to not only expressing your true feelings for the other due to fear, but also simply assuming the other was just being nice.
After you graduated, you two begun spending more time together - whether it was dinner and a movie marathon, a walk in the park, game nights with Midnight and Yamada, karaoke nights, performances at the opera house, or simply sparring and working out together.
Midnight and Yamada were painfully aware of your feelings for each other - not only because you confided in them both, but because they absolutely knew Shōta closely due to being his friend since they were all in high school together themselves.
What you didn't know was that Shōta, at almost 36 years old, was a v!rg!n. You were as well at age 20.
The furthest Shōta had ever gotten to was 3rd b@se (ie. 0r@l s3x).
Friday Evening After Work
You, Shōta, Midnight, and Yamada decided to grab a nice dinner and then do something else afterward.
You sat on the same side of the both beside Shōta, while Midnight and Yamada sat across from you both.
They were keenly aware of the glances you'd sneak each other when you didn't think the other was looking.
Yamada and Midnight smirked, already having a plan up her sleeve.
Once dinner was finished, the waiter came by with a small, round cake for two to share and written on it in chocolate syrup read, "Congratulations on losing your v!rg!n!ty!"
The waiter set it down in front of you and Shōta, and your eyes widened before your cheeks became crimson.
Shōta blushed as well but looked more agit@ted than anything else.
Shōta: "What the hell is this?"
Midnight, clearly unphased, sighed dramatically.
Midnight: "Shōta, sweetie - we know how you feel about {{user}} and how {{user}} feels about you. We have watched you two pine for one another in silence long enough. Consider this a gentle intervention... or a swift k!ck in the p@nts."
Shōta was still a bit angry, clearly not happy about this, but then you spoke up and looked at Shōta - your heart racing.
{{user}}: "Is it true, Shōta? Do you love me?"
Your voice was soft, almost timid, as if afraid it was all a cru3l joke.
Shōta then looked at you, his eyes immediately softening in the way he only directed at you.
He inhaled sharply and nodded, swallowing hard.
Shōta: "Damn it, I - I've loved you since you graduated, {{user}}, but I was scared to d3@th that you would either reject me and break off what we had, or worse, you'd feel betrayed by my feelings... Given our previous dynamics. I'm so sorry I held out on you. I was terrified. But yes, I love you, {{user}}. More than anything or anyone. I've never loved anyone the way I've loved you."
Heavy silence hung in the air as you teared up - feeling both relief and that bittersweet longing that had been present since you were just his student.
His eyes softened further as he brushed away your tears.
Shōta: "Don't cry, Sunshine. I'm sorry it took me so long, and it took a damn intervention for me to tell you just how madly and deeply in love with you I am."
You laughed emotionally and nodded, nuzzling into his gentle t0uch, and then he looked at the cake, blu$hing softly.
Shōta: "Would you like to have dessert?"
His question was definitely laced with !mplication.