The Silence I Needed (Mori x Reader)

Shinais and Shiny Eyes

Quick note: I actually looked at kendo rules, terminology, and matches to make sure I could write the upcoming scene at the dojo accurately. I hope to write about it properly. Here are some things you should know so you can better understand what's going on.

It's a barefoot sport with a lot of yelling. Getting hit by an opponent's shinai shouldn't hurt all that much unless they swing too hard. There are terms to yell based on where you hit your opponent. "Men" means head. "Tsuki" means a direct jab at the throat. "Kote" means forearms. "Do" means torso, or the body. Also, women play kendo too, and I don't think men and women ever fight each other, but I'm making an exception so Mori and (Y/N) can have a match. Oh and also, the "hit terms" are meant to be yelled after making the hit so as to not warn your opponent.

I'm done ranting now. Go back to enjoying my writing, please.

I ran out of the school to see Lewis waiting with the limo, ready to go. "Do we have a guest, Miss (Y/N)?" Guest? What is-? I turned and saw Mori headed for the sidewalk with his own kendo bag.

"Yes, actually." I near-yelled with embarrassment, grabbing Mori by the arm. "As long as it's okay with you, Lewis." He nodded towards me and then Mori. "This is Takashi Morinozuka. We're classmates, and I also take lessons at his family's kendo dojo now. Mori, this is my chauffeur, Lewis. He's a riot." They shook hands and then the two of us were sliding into the back of the limo. It was quiet for a minute or two. Like, an awkward uncomfortable quiet.

"Sorry about them." I almost hadn't heard him say it. His voice was so low, and I kind of wanted to hear it again.

"It's okay Mori. You had nothing to do with it, and I think there was some fault on both sides. I made a real mess of things, didn't I? I made a scene in the music room. Plus, I didn't pay any attention in my classes because I was thinking too much about the music room. There's also Haruhi's secret, and I cried in front of you, and everyone else." Mori only brought a hand up and ran his thumb across my cheek. Shit. I'm crying again, aren't I? I started fanning my face and taking deep breaths. There were too many feelings tying my stomach in knots. "I'm sorry you have to see me like this. I'm probably just as bad as one of your guests, getting emotional over you." Mori blushed, brows raised, and I realized what I had said. "In front of you!" I laughed. "I meant to say, 'in front of you '. Oh look here's our stop. Better get inside and get changed. Bye Lewis!"

Nice save, (L/N). Real smooth. At least I don't have to see him again after this..."

Welp... I was wrong. I had left the changing rooms to go to the women's side of the dojo, and I heard worried whispers about the new girl. A.K.A me. One woman, college age from the looks of it, walked in my direction and removed her mask. "Hey newbie."

"(Y/N)." I corrected.

"Right, I'm Sandra. Anyway, how good are you at this sport?"

"Pretty good. At least I like to think so." I shrugged. "Why do you ask?"

Sandra leaned down closer to me, as if what she was about to tell me was something the room could never know. "Whenever there's a new student, Mr. Morinozuka makes them challenge the best student at the end of the day. It's to get stats on them but the strongest one here is his son, Takashi. He's apparently been doing this stuff since he was a little kid."

I swelled at the thought of taking on Mori in a duel. I couldn't tell if this feeling was a good or bad one. Sandra patted my back and left in response to the blank, awkward face I was making. What's there to worry about? It's only a test. Against Mori. The dojo's number one hottie kendoka. Wait... what? No. Yes? What did I just think?