Behind Closed Doors

Nightime

A/U : The story i'm writing takes place during chapter 109 of the manga titled : "Nighttime"

For some background if you haven't read it, Nishikata and Takagi are walking home after meeting up at a bathhouse, and when they are walking home it is night.

I'll use part of the manga to transition into the main plot, so here goes :

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Nishikata and Takagi walked among the dark streets of their once familiar neighborhood. The path was dully lit, and radiated some small sense of danger.

After winning a contest she had just proposed, Takagi seemed to be more alert then at ease, celebrations were far from her mind.

Along side her walked Nishikata, currently lost in thought. He was annoyed, Takagi had just managed to make him blush for the 'god knows what time'th today. His brow furrowed as he tried hard to concoct a plan of retaliation, but to no avail.

Awoken from his deep bout of deliberation, he felt a tug at his arm.

"Takagi-san?"

"..."

"What's wrong?" a hint of concern rang in his voice, for the expression on her face was comparable to a lost child.

"I'm...scared."

Those two words echoed in his brain, and a sly smile inwardly formed. She was scared! The once unstoppable teasing queen that had ruled over his every victory, had now shown weakness in front of him.

Ohhhh, just thinking about it made him excited. He imagined and thought up every scenario where he won, and where she finally lost. Yes! Today would be the day!

And as he looked to his side, all motivation ceased. His heart locked up and sank, as he peered to his fellow companion. He would definitely regret the decision, but he couldn't bear to see her like this, even if it meant taking the loss.

Nishikata looked forward, his unwavering determination to now keep her safe presided.

"Don't worry, it'll be alright" he cooed subconsciously moving closer to her.

In response to this Takagi snaked her own arm around his shoulder, her other arm found a home clutching on to him.

He felt some panic at first, but his inhibitions diminished as instincts kicked in, he moved closer and walked in pace with her.

They shared a special instance in the dark. Rather then the wonder that filled their camping trip, this moment was more intimate.

The damp street lights lit the paved path, once enveloped in a shroud of moonlight.
Their foots pounded the pavement anxiously, waiting for the intersection where they would seperate.

Alas their time had ended, and they arrived.

Takagi relinquished her grip on Nishikta, and eyed him with a sad look.

Nishikata returned the expression, as much as didn't want to admit it, he wanted to be with her longer.

"Sure you won't be scared going home?" Nishikata tried to poke fun at the gloomy separation.

Takagi looked up and smirked, "not unless I have my night in shining armor to save me."

With this, his face turned red, and he found the old Takagi ever present.

"But. Thank you Nishikata, for walking me back." She smiled warmly at him, a smile that could indefinitely make his heart flutter.

"No problem, Taka-"

'Mwah'

His sentence was cut short with a brief but warm foreign trace on his cheek.

Before a dumbfounded Nishikata could respond, she was gone like the wind. There he stood, not knowing if he did right or wrong.

Either way, he was currently riding a high of glee.

Drunken on such a simple yet personal interchange of feelings, he stumbled through the night to his own home.

He arrived home to dinner, baffling with his parents with his expression of euphoria.

At that moment he wasn't sure about the why, or the how. But to hell with that. He was just glad for one time in forever, that he lost his chance at teasing.

But what he lost in a chance of teasing, he gained in delight.

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And that's the end! Let me know what you guys think, and if I should continue any short stories like this. :)