Are You The One Jo Togame?

Chapter 26 - We Are One

Content Warning: The following chapter contains explicit material. Reader discretion is advised. If you are under 18, please skip this chapter.

I stare into Togame's eyes, his gaze is pained, and there's a vulnerability there that I haven't seen before. A twinge of sympathy creeps in. What if he's been experiencing the same kind of turmoil that I have? The thought is unsettling, and I can't help but wonder if he's been utterly alone in his struggle. My mind drifts to Choji and the gang. Togame is a part of that world, a world that seems so distant from my own. It dawns on me with a sharp clarity: Maybe he hasn't had anyone to confide in. Maybe, just maybe, he's been battling these demons all by himself. Is that why he's become this wretched figure before me? But then, I question: has he really tried? Has he ever made a genuine effort to bridge the chasm between us, or did he always pick the wrong moments to confront me? The bitterness of his actions stings sharply. He never tried coming home or reaching out to me in any meaningful way. He didn't try hard enough. I should be the one who's more hurt, not him. I wrestle with my thoughts, grappling with the idea that this might be my chance to confront him. To ask him the questions that have been gnawing at me. But looking at him now, so drunk, I wonder if he's even capable of giving me honest answers. Is he in any state to be rational, or will his state of despair just cloud the truth even more?

Then, amidst the turmoil, his voice cuts through the fog of my thoughts. "You are the love of my life, Ruby," he says, his words dripping with emotion. Tears well up in his eyes, and they reflect a depth of feeling that I can't ignore. For a moment, I am caught between wanting to believe him and the pain of his past actions. The vulnerability in his eyes tugs at my heart, even as it fights against the anger and hurt I feel.
"Togame, can we talk, please?" I ask softly, my voice trembling with a mix of fear and longing. He slowly shifts off me and sits beside me on the bed. I sit up, facing him, my heart racing as I try to find the right words.
"Will you be able to have a conversation with me right now?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper. His eyes, intense and deeply focused, lock onto mine. There's a softness in his gaze, a vulnerability that makes my heart ache.
"I don't think I'm capable of speaking right now," he murmurs, his voice thick with emotion. "I don't know what I would say to you in this state. All I want right now is just to be with you, Ruby." His words are like a balm, but they also stir a storm within me. He takes my hand in his, bringing it to his lips. His kisses are gentle and lingering, each one filled with a tenderness that makes my breath catch. The warmth of his breath and the soft pressure of his lips against my skin send shivers through me. His gaze, full of desire, makes my heart pound harder. I try to steady myself, but the intensity of his look and the warmth of his touch make it hard to think clearly.
"You still didn't answer my question," he says, his tone carrying a gentle but insistent note. I pull my hand back, my frustration mingling with my desire. "Togame, I was going to give you an answer, but you just pinned me down. It feels like you don't really want to hear it." He looks at me with a mixture of longing and regret, his eyes pleading for my understanding. Without another word, he pulls me close, our faces just inches apart. I can feel the warmth of his body and the faint, heady scent of alcohol on his breath. His proximity is both comforting and overwhelming.
"Go on," he whispers, his voice tender yet firm. "I'm listening to you, darling." The closeness of his lips makes it hard for me to stay composed. I turn my head away, unable to meet his intense gaze. "Look at me," he says softly, but with an earnest edge. When I don't respond immediately, he gently but firmly repeats, "Look at me." His voice, though firm, carries a note of vulnerability that pulls at my heart.
I turn my gaze back to him, our eyes meeting with a mixture of longing and unresolved tension. His eyes hold mine with a depth of emotion that makes me feel both cherished and vulnerable. His hands are placed gently on my hips, and I can feel the heat of his touch through the thin fabric of mine. He moves his hands slowly, tracing a path up my sides, his fingers grazing my skin with a feather-light touch. Every caress sends shivers through me, a blend of confusion and desire swirling in my chest. Why am I allowing this right now? The question echoes in my mind, but the truth is, part of me craves this connection, despite the chaos around us. My heart races as his hands finally rest at the back of my neck. The warmth of his palms against my skin feels electrifying, grounding me in the present moment. We lock eyes, and there's a silent understanding between us, a shared recognition of what's about to unfold. He pulls me closer, his body pressing against mine, and I can feel the steady beat of his heart matching the frantic rhythm of my own. His eyes never leave mine, and as he draws nearer, I sense the intensity of his longing.