Nashi-san Is Too Oblivious!

Practice No Longer Practicing!

{NASHI'S POV}
I wake up bound in magic seal stone. Figures. All the baddies seem to have access to this stuff.

Outside my prison cell, two guards stand at attention. One is on either side of the steel bars. The man on the left has a guild mark visible on his neck: a tall, faceless figure in a tailcoat, bowing.

Kiyoshi said the Gentleman's Alliance is taking me as collateral? So they want my parents and their team—which currently includes Storm's parents, btw—to exchange me for escape? I'll never let that happen.

I struggle against my bonds but I'm locked tight. I can't use my magic power (hey, it doesn't hurt to test if you're the exception to the rule).

Ways to escape? Hmm... okay! I have options!
A) Sit and wait for rescue: boooooring
B) Seduce the guard: viable
C) Steal the key: difficult
D) Mom's "I Have To Go Potty" strategy: cliché
E) Dumb luck: viable
F) All of the above: interesting

"Nashi!" A wave of icy water washes away my captors. Storm races into view.

While sitting here compiling a list of options for escape, I inadvertently chose option A. I wanted in on the action too! Drat.

Storm's expression is panicked and yet relieved. Of course he would be worried about me, he thinks of me as a sister and practice partner.

Storm quickly grabs a ring of keys off a hook on the wall. He unlocks the door to my cell then unlocked my wrists and hugs me tightly.

"Thank Mavis you're okay!" Storm trembles violently, his breathing heavy.

"I can't breathe." I protest. Then I hesitant, as my abnormally fast heartbeat syncopates with Storm's. My face probably only feels so hot because Storm is flush against me and he's always freezing.

Then, slowly and without orders from my brain, my arms reach up and wrap around him, returning the hug. I bury my burning face into the crook of his neck and inhale. The taste of fresh earth after a rainstorm fills my lungs, Storm's comforting scent making me realize how scared I was.

"I like you." Storm whispers. He's trying to lighten the mood with a practice confession.

"Thank you. But I think Emmy will accept your confession. You don't have to keep practicing... with me... anymore..."

A tear treks down my cheek.

Storm and I won't get to hang out together freely, lest it cause jealousy or confusion. No, no, that's stupid. Emmy knows we're best friends!

But the thought of him spending time with Emmy like he used to with me, or cooking for her or going on dates with her, attacks my heart—which is already fibrillating unhealthily.

I... don't want that! But why? I want Storm to be happy, don't I? I'm so confused right now!

"Nashi. I'm never going to confess to Emmy." Storm grabs my shoulders and pushes me away. I think he's mad, until I see his face. Storm's beet red but his grip is strong and his eyes shine determined.

"Eh? Why not?!"

"Damn it all!" Storm yells, squeezing his eyes shut. "Because the one that I like is you, Nashi. It's always been you! My confessions were never fake, they were all real. I have a crush on you. I want to make bentos for you. I want to go on dates with you. I want to kiss you. I like you, Nashi Dragneel, I always have!"

For a second, I think I'm dreaming. There's no way that this is real. I pinch my cheek and it hurts. So the one Storm likes is actually me? Seriously?

I finally realize that these possessive feelings I've been feeling aren't for a sibling or a best friend. My mind is in information overload, flying through all of the things we've done together. How could I not see it before? I like Storm and he likes me.

"Nashi?" Storm asks hesitantly.

When Storm cracks one eye open a second later, he finds me frozen, my soul exiting my body out of my slack-jawed mouth.

I like Storm and he likes me. I like Storm and he likes me. I like Storm and he likes me. I like Storm and he likes me. I like Storm and he likes me.

This means... I don't have to hold back anymore! Because admittedly, I really liked Storm's reaction when I kissed him in the aquarium.

"This means we're dating, right? You're my boyfriend now, right?" I insist.

Flabbergasted, Storm can barely nod affirmation. I grin broadly and tackle him. I lay on top of Storm and shower his cheeks, his nose, his forehead with kisses. I pause and my eyes sparkle because I made him blushing the darkest shade of red I've ever seen.

"Yes! Congratulations you two!" Emmy shouts. I look up and find my entire guild is peeking around the corner spying on us.

"S-Sorry to intrude." Mom says, pink with embarrassment and holding back a growling Dad. "We came to rescue you."

"We've only been here since Storm said, 'Thank Mavis you're okay!'" Emmy hisses helpfully. So they've been here from the beginning?!

"Congrats! Better now than never, eh Storm?"

"Took you long enough, Nashi. The rest of us have known for a while."

They all heard... oh Mavis. I blush, flaming red from the roots of my hair to the backs of my hands. I can't believe our entire guild witnessed that!

Since the S-class job is done, we collect the Jewel and all head back to the guild hall. Storm and I, who have been holding hands ever since he confessed, are the last ones to board the train home.

I have a thought. Something I wanted to do earlier but couldn't because we were sadly interrupted. First, I check to make sure no one's looking.

I lean against Storm and bite his neck.

Storm jumps, my actions unprovoked nor expected. Both his hands fly to his neck, covering the slightly embarrassing teeth marks. He stares at me, wide-eyed, open-mouthed, red-faced.

"Wha-Wha-Wha-Wha-Wha?!!" Storm has become incapable of forming a coherent sentence.

I smirk, sticking out my tongue a little. "Proof that you're mine."

Storm flushes. "Nashi-san!"

THE END