Tangent Lines [Kenma x Reader]

“I like you. Please accept my feelings!”

It has been three months since [Name] pronounced those words. Three months since that shy, introverted boy accepted her feelings. Those were the most perfect three months of her life, in which she got the honour to be called Kozume Kenma’s girlfriend. There were times when she found herself unable to believe how in the world she managed to conquer his heart; but stopped thinking about that as soon as his blonde hair came into view. She’d pass all the time talking with him, laughing, being happy.

“O-ok.”

Afternoons with Kenma were always the same, seated on his room’s floor, watching him play ―she played too, sometimes―. It varied a little from day to day, one he’d play some RPG in his PSP, other he’d be playing first person shooters on the console. It was like a routine for the girl, going to his place after school and staying until noon. They’d talk a little and she’d go home. The lack of dialogue didn’t matter for her, as long as she could spend time with her lover.

It wasn’t like the setter did it on purpose, but it was still hard for him to stop feeling uncomfortable when she showered him with affection. The female was energetic and really open about her feelings for him, and there were times Kenma couldn’t handle it. Although he had to admit it, being close did feel awesome, and the boy couldn’t stop the hammering of his heart whenever she was around.

Those three months were not only great for [Name], who felt her love for the volleyball player increase day by day; it was the same for the pudding haired male, who learned how to cherish and reciprocate her liking. Step by step, their relation started to grow stronger. And they finally started to accept the other’s quirks.

It was like a dream.

“Kenma, I made you lunch today!” She said happily, taking an empty seat in front of him.

“Ah, thanks…” He answered, trailing off at the end. The corner of his lips curling upwards, regardless.

“I’m gonna feed you today.” She teased, and upon seeing his boyfriend’s blushed, troubled expression she bursted out laughing. “Hahaha, it was a joke. Just a joke.”

“Don’t say such things, [Name]...”

At the beginning of the fourth month, they thought things were keep going better.

“I’m happy you accepted my feelings, you know?” She started the conversation. They were sitting on a bench in the park, enjoying the breeze. “I never thought you would, actually.”

“I never thought of you that way… I just… found you pretty and all that.” It took him a while to reply, but when he did, a huge smile appeared on her face.

“I think you are attractive too, Kenma.” It was intended to be a joke, but she said it too seriously. She was also looking at him with those called ‘bedroom eyes’, and Nekoma’s setter felt his face burning.

Slowly, inch by inch, she got closer. So close that he could even smell her fresh breath. It surprised the boy how fast desire could bubble within him. After a few minutes in that position, with their lips almost touching, the boy collected enough courage to lean in and close that minuscular gap.

The first kiss was short; sweet but short. They stared into each other’s eyes for a couple of seconds before kissing again. The second one was surprisingly longer, the moisture of the  other’s lips, their taste, their warmth. They drank all the pleasant sensations on a sole moment.  

They kissed for the first time, they had sleepovers, and the relationship kept blooming. Their joy seemed to have no peek.

But everything that has a beginning has an ending, and so they realized their relationship was too good to last.

On that fourth month, [Name] found out that she was going to moving to Sapporo because of her mother’s job.

Her parents told her she only had one month left in Tokyo.

As the days passed, the girl was forced to inform his boyfriend about the situation. That day, at lunch time, she stared into those entrancing, golden orbs and communicated the bad news. Kenma remained silent the whole time, but had a hard time limiting himself from talking. When she asked for a response, he only replied saying it was ‘ok’ and that she had to enjoy her last days on the city.

However, their routine didn’t change.       

Staying the night over, playing video games, cuddling and sleeping; it was always the same ―but neither wanted to renounce to their relationship. They kept acting as usual, trying to forget about the reality, making an effort to erase the painful memories.

“I love you, Kenma.” She whispered, smiling after giving his neck a quick kiss. “Good night.”

“Good night.” He replied drowsily. He’d said those three words before, but they were harder for him to pronounce.

She knew his true feelings, though. He always made sure of that.

The couple did their best to make the most out of their time together. But as days passed and the date got closer, they decided to face the crude reality and make plans for the future of their relation.

They were cuddling on the male’s bed that evening. Only two more days until [Name]’s departure. They were silent, enjoying the other’s company and warmth. Breathing softly, the girl spoke first.

“I love you, Kenma. I really do.” She said blinking the tears back. A mere hum was his response. “I’ve been thinking about it. I know Sapporo is 9 hours away from Tokyo but maybe I can―”

“[Name].” He cut her off, and the female sighed at how pleasant her name sounded when he said it. “You know my feelings for you, right?” He asked, and she nodded on his chest.

“I think we should break up.”

The setter felt her body stiffen, and heard her labored breath. He was nervous as well, but decided it was the best thing to do. They were going to be far away from the other, and the best thing to do was to be separated. After a while, he decided to caress her back, in order to calm her down. He painted thousands of transparent pictures on her skin. Only a few minutes were needed before he noticed her muscles soften and her hand clutching on his shirt.

“We can still be friends, though. I don’t want to lose you.”

“No… I don’t want that…” She mumbled, unsure if her partner heard her.

“Kenma…” She looked up searching for another solution on his eyes, but she found him looking away with a sad expression. The [h/c] haired girl sobbed, realizing it was hard for him too.

“Tomorrow we will no longer be a couple.” He felt his throat going dry, his voice hoarse.

“Ok.” She cried.

And Kenma tried his best not to cry too.

Two days after that talk, Kozume remained silent, watching as her train disappeared from his sight. Was breaking up the best thing to do? He started doubting that, but having a long distance relationship was too much effort for him, and he’d end up stressing over it. He also wanted to give her the opportunity to fall for someone else. 

They texted that night, the night after that, and the other. About the trip, [Name]’s new house, her neighbors, the new school, her classmates ―and how much they were going to miss each other. They sent messages almost every day, keeping in touch.