"- Promise? - Promise."
Shohei Ohtani, a baseball superstar worldwide, carried the weight of an injury that threatened to shatter his dreams. He now faced not only the painful physical injury, but also a disease that posed threat to his mental healt...
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As our bond grew stronger, Shohei's trust in me deepened, and he began to follow my guidance more closely. It was evident in the way he diligently took his medication, adhering to the prescribed schedule without hesitation. The once-neglected pills became a part of his daily routine, a symbol of his commitment to his recovery. I would sit beside him, holding out the small bottle, and he would accept it without resistance. The flicker of determination in his eyes showed his willingness to take control of his own well-being.
His obedience extended beyond medication. He would listen attentively as I shared advice and strategies for managing his emotions and coping with the challenges he faced. Whether it was implementing mindfulness techniques or engaging in activities that brought him joy, Shohei displayed a newfound willingness to embrace the guidance I offered. It wasn't always easy for him, as his internal struggles and the remnants of his mental trauma occasionally threatened to overpower his progress. But he remained resilient, drawing strength from our bond and the shared belief that he could overcome the obstacles in his path.
I gently stirred the simmering pot on the stove, the aroma of the savory dish filling the air. Shohei sat at the kitchen counter, his eyes fixed on me as I prepared our meal. There was a newfound sense of comfort between us, a connection that seemed to deepen with each passing day. Lost in my thoughts, I didn't notice Shohei's presence behind me until I felt his hand gently graze mine. Startled, I turned to face him, my cheeks flushing with a mixture of surprise and intrigue.
"I...uh...I'm sorry if I startled you," Shohei stammered, his eyes filled with a mix of vulnerability and longing.
My lips parted slightly as I struggled to find the right words to say. How could I not have noticed how cute he looked sitting there next to me?
"You don't need to apologize, Sho." I finally said, turning my attention back to the task at hand. I tried to ignore the way my heart raced when Shohei placed his hand over mine. My pulse quickened even more when I caught a whiff of the delicious smell wafting from the pan.
"Do you want some tea?"
Shohei nodded, his eyes never leaving mine. The blush on his cheeks deepened as I reached for the kettle. He watched as I poured the boiling water into two cups before handing one over to him. As he took it from me, Shohei's fingers brushed against mine, sending shivers down my spine. I quickly pulled away from him.
Feeling the electric touch of his fingers against mine, I couldn't deny the flutter of excitement that danced within me. It was as if our connection had suddenly intensified, a subtle shift in the air that hinted at something more. Yet, I couldn't let myself get carried away. We had been through so much together, and crossing that line could jeopardize the fragile balance we had achieved.
As the evening sun began to cast a warm, golden glow through the kitchen window, the aroma of freshly cut vegetables filled the air. Shohei and I stood side by side at the countertop, preparing dinner for the night.
Our task for the moment was to slice the cucumbers, a seemingly simple task that turned out to be quite challenging for Shohei.
With a slight chuckle, I watched as Shohei clumsily attempted to cut the cucumber, his movements lacking finesse and precision. Seeing his struggle, I couldn't help but feel a surge of affectionate amusement. I reached out and gently took hold of his hand, guiding it along the cucumber with a sense of tenderness.
As I stood there, my back against Shohei's solid frame, I felt an unexpected sensation. His breath, deep and heavy, caressed the nape of my neck, sending a shiver down my spine. It was a breath I had never noticed before, one that held a hint of nervousness and anticipation. The connection between us seemed to intensify in that moment, our hands intertwined as we worked together to slice the cucumber. The kitchen hummed with an electric energy, and I couldn't ignore the magnetic pull drawing me towards Shohei.
I felt his gaze upon me.
I turned around, meeting his gaze directly. Time seemed to slow as we stood there, locked in a silent exchange of emotions.
Without hesitation, Shohei closed the distance between us, his lips softly pressing against mine.I didn't know how to explain.
It was the first time that he'd ever touched me like this. An inexplicable warmth that radiated through my entire body. A rush of excitement and adrenaline that sent my heart beating rapidly in my chest. My eyes fluttered shut instinctively as a tingle swept across the tip of my nose and lips. And yet, nothing could have prepared me for what was to come next.
When we finally broke apart, a breathless silence enveloped us.
"I'm sorry, I couldn't help it" he said breathlessly, still his eyes on mine.
I went silent for a bit.
"You're beautiful," he replied simply.
The sincerity of his confession caused heat to rise into my face, and the butterflies to take flight again. My heart pounded furiously inside my chest and my palms grew slick with sweat.
My heart raced as his words washed over my skin. I was speechless at first, but then my cheeks flushed red from embarrassment. A small smile tugged at my lips. "Well...thank you..."
"I..." He moved forward, resting both his hands on my arms. His thumbs brushed against my skin.
A flicker of longing passed through Shohei's eyes before he let go of my arms, his fingers tracing the rim of the teacup. "I... I care about you, Y/N," he whispered, his voice barely audible. "More than I should, perhaps."
My heart skipped a beat at his confession, emotions swirling within me. The air around us crackled with anticipation, the unspoken words hanging in the space between us. My throat tightened and suddenly it wasn't just the words that I wanted to say that I could no longer find the right words for, but also the courage.
"Shohei..." My voice cracked as I uttered his name in a quiet, trembling whisper.
We stared each other in the eye. For several moments neither of us said a word. Finally, his gaze softened. "What is it?"
"Do you know that..." I asked. I paused for only a second before adding, "...good things take time?"
A mix of relief and understanding washed over Shohei's features, a soft smile gracing his lips. "You're right, Y/N," he said, his voice filled with a newfound sense of determination. "One step at a time."
