𝑬𝒙𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒍𝒚 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒔 | 𝑫𝒂𝒊𝒔𝒖𝒌𝒆 𝒙 𝑹𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒓

₊· ͟͟͞͞➳Love On The Clock

The days following the New Year's kiss felt surreal, as if you were walking through a dream you didn't want to wake from.

It wasn't just the fireworks or the lingering warmth of Daisuke's lips against yours; it was the quiet understanding that something between you had shifted.
The wall you had both tiptoed around for so long was finally gone, leaving the two of you in uncharted but exciting territory.

The holiday break had been slow but sweet, giving you both time to settle into this new chapter together. Daisuke, true to his straightforward nature, had finally asked you the question you knew was coming but had secretly feared.

"Be my girlfriend."
He had said it in the middle of a quiet evening, his voice steady but his expression betraying a flicker of nervousness.

You'd almost laughed—not because it was funny, but because the tension that had been building between you for months had finally snapped, leaving only relief.

You said yes, of course.

How could you not? Being with Daisuke felt safe in a way you hadn't thought possible after everything you'd been through.
Now, with your relationship official, the butterflies that had once been excitement were now a mix of nerves and anticipation.

Meeting his parents was one thing, but the thought of him meeting yours?
That was a whole other level of terrifying.
The meetings were weeks away, yet the weight of them loomed over you like an unspoken challenge.

But for now, life was calling you back to reality.

The first day back at Pony Express felt like walking into a world that hadn't quite caught up with your new reality. The office hummed with the usual post-holiday buzz.
You walked in with Daisuke at your side, his hand brushing yours as you entered.

It wasn't intentional—at least, you didn't think it was—but the touch sent a ripple of warmth through you.

"You nervous?"
Daisuke's voice was low, laced with teasing, as the two of you lingered by your lockers in the Pony Express break room.

"A little,"
you admitted, reaching for your work gloves and pretending to focus on adjusting their fit.
The truth was, you weren't sure what you were nervous about.

Was it being back at work after the holidays? Or the fact that this was the first day back since you and Daisuke had made it official?

"But mostly just tired.
Late nights, you know?"
You added.

He hummed knowingly, leaning against the locker beside yours with an exaggerated casualness.
The faint smirk tugging at his lips already warned you that he wasn't going to let this go.

"Ah, yeah,"
he drawled, tilting his head so his eyes glinted mischievously.
"Late nights... like New Year's?"

Your hands froze mid-adjustment, and your heart did an awkward flip.
New Year's—the kiss—flooded back into your mind in vivid detail:
his lips brushing yours, warm and soft, the fireworks bursting in the background, and the way your heart raced when you finally took that leap.

"Daisuke,"
you said firmly, trying to keep your voice steady as you shot him a warning look.

"What can I say? I did wear you out, didn't I?"