lend me your ears | bokuto kotaro

24 ' nagoya

And that's how they ended up in the bullet train right after the end of the training camp. "Are you sure about this, Kotaro?" she asked for the third time as they walked to their seats.

"Nanao, I told you, it's fine! It'll be fine, we'll be fine!" he repeated and quickly held her hand.

"What did your parents say about this? Plus it's all so sudden, it's okay if we go back, I swear," she told him, still worrying.

"I told them that I'll meet your granny in Nagoya and we'll stay there for a night. It's like a sleep over!" he answered and gave her hand a soft squeeze.

"They're okay with it? Really?"

"Yes, really. And oh, our seats!" he said and pointed at the seat next to him.

"Can I sit on the window side please?" he requested with a bright smile.

"Sure, of course."

Hoshino let him sit first but wondered what view he was so excited for. After all, it was already getting late and there wouldn't be much of a view for him. And she bet that he'd be asleep for the entirety of the ride.

She sat down right next to him while he opened his bag to get his phone. "Nanao, how long is the ride again?" he asked, looking at the time.

"Around two hours, more or less," she answered.

"Also, your granny knows I'm coming too, right?" he confirmed then put away his phone again.

"Yes, of course. She was surprised but before I even brought it up, she wanted to meet you."

"R-Really? Nice!"

"Yes, really. Also, you should rest for a while. I brought a neck pillow, use it if you like, Kotaro."

"Hmmm," he hummed then looked at her, then at her shoulder.

"Can you lean on my shoulder, Nanao?" he asked, then pointed at his shoulder.

Curious with what he's trying to do, she simply followed. "Like this?" she mumbled.

"This is better than a pillow," he commented and rested his head on hers. With a big height difference, this is the only way he could lean on her.

"Oh, and, hand please," he added and placed his hand on her lap. He opened it, showing her his empty palm. She also did as he asked and quickly intertwined her fingers with his.

"I love you, Nanao," he said, giving her hand another soft squeeze.

"I love you too, Kotaro," she said it back but in a softer, shyer tone.

After giving it his all for the last day of summer camp, Bokuto had to regain his energy with a two-hour sleep. The night was still long and he still had to meet her grandmother, which he hoped was going to be as nice as Hoshino was.

Hoshino, on the other hand, couldn't have a wink of sleep during the ride, all thanks to Bokuto. As she sat there, fully frozen, she felt her heart race. Everything about Bokuto made her feel things; just too many emotions happening all at the same time.

"Attention, all passengers. We are now arriving in Nagoya station. Again, we are now arriving in Nagoya station."

"Oh, we're here already?" she muttered and looked at the window to check.

"Kotaro," she called and squeezed his hand, "Kotaro, Kotaro."

"Huh?" He slowly woke up from his slumber, "Are we there yet?" he asked as he opened his eyes.