Chapter Text
The Next Morning
Haruka stirred from sleep to the sounds of heavy machinery. She shifted in distress, trying to get away from the noise. However, from that attempted movement she realized two things: a pair of strong arms around her waist held her firmly in place, and she was completely naked. Haruka’s eyes shot open as the events of the night before came back to her in a rush. She looked up to see Tokiya already awake, calmly observing the door that was now haphazardly propped against the frame in a poor attempt at privacy.
“It appears that we can get out now,” Tokiya commented by way of good morning.
Haruka burrowed deeper into the covers and his warm embrace. “Do we have to?”
Tokiya stared down at her, lips twitching in amusement. “I thought you were a morning person?”
“I am,” Haruka agreed, “But for some reason I just don’t feel like getting up today.”
Tokiya smiled and held her tighter. “I know what you mean,” he said before letting out a soft sigh. “However, I think we better get out of bed before the door simply falls over and someone finds us in a compromising position.”
Haruka reluctantly agreed, shifting out of his embrace and getting out of bed. “That probably wouldn’t be the best way to explain things to everyone, would it,” she said with a slight blush.
“Probably not,” Tokiya agreed, rising from bed as well. The two took their time getting dressed, simply enjoying basking in one another’s comforting presence. Before the two headed for breakfast, Haruka stopped Tokiya with a hand on his wrist.
“You’re sure everyone will accept us?” she asked worriedly.
Tokiya gave her a comforting smile before breaking her hold to heave the door out of the way. “Positive,” he said reassuringly as he put the door to the side.
“Took you long enough,” Tokiya heard Cecil complain, and the two found themselves surrounded by STARISH (sans Otoya; unfortunately he was missing all the excitement), who apparently had been waiting for pair in the hallway.
Tokiya closed his eyes for a moment. Just because they’ll accept it doesn’t mean they’re not going to be mad about it, he thought, mentally bracing himself. “Good morning guys,” he greeted.
Haruka was surprised to find everyone outside the door. “Hello everyone,” she greeted as well, “What are you all doing here?”
“Just checking that you didn’t have any problems overnight,” Masa explained.
“Oh!” Haruka nodded in understanding, “No problems,” she continued with a nervous chuckle, “Tokiya’s room has a wall, so everything was fine!” There was a small laugh shared amongst the group before a moment of awkward silence came upon them.
“So…” Natsuki said finally, trying to be diplomatic, “Did you guys sleep well?”
“Yes, thank you,” Tokiya said neutrally, but Haruka was unable to keep her face from turning an impressive shade of red as she remembered what exactly happened the night before. The group recoiled upon seeing her expression, and everyone started talking at once.
“What the hell, Tokiya—“
“I thought we could trust you—“
“After all you said to us—“
“I—“ Tokiya started, but it was no use. They came closer and closer, leaving no opportunity for him to get a word in edgewise.
“Stop!” A female voice yelled suddenly, and everyone went silent, focusing on Haruka who had stepped in front of Tokiya, arms out in a defensive gesture. No one said anything more, impressed by the display of determination and protectiveness by their beloved composer. “I’m sorry that you’re upset,” she said, and it was clear that she was genuinely affected by their distress. “But please don’t take it out on Tokiya…take it out on me.”
“Haruka—“ Tokiya started. Not this again, he thought, but everyone else drowned out anything else he planned to say.
“Haruka, no—“
“What do you mean—“
Haruka held up a hand, effectively silencing everyone once again. “Tokiya was a perfect gentleman last night; he did nothing untoward at all. It was me that came to him, that confessed to him, that…gave myself to him completely,” she said, ignoring her burning face. She wanted to be completely honest. She had to be. “I know this is unexpected, and it will probably cause a lot of changes, but I don’t want to apologize for how I feel.” She took Tokiya’s hand. “I love Tokiya very much, and he loves me too. Tokiya assures me that you will accept us, and I really hope you will, but…I can’t help but feel horrible at how suddenly this has all happened…” she said, looking down at the floor, “I feel like I just slapped all of you in the face, and for that I can’t apologize enough. Will you ever be able to forgive me?”
It was Masa who stepped forward, tilting her chin upwards so she could see all of their kind expressions. “Haruka,” he said gently, we want nothing more than your happiness.”
Syo gave her a crooked grin. “You love him; we would never get mad at you for that, no matter how sudden it seems.”
“Don’t worry, Lady,” Ren said with a warm smile, “we will always support you…even if that means giving in to Ichi.”
Haruka smiled back at them all, eyes sparkling with happiness. “Thank you everyone,” she said softly, looking at each of them in turn. “I love you all very much…I was really worried,” she admitted.
Tokiya gave her an affectionate pat on the head. “I told you everything would turn out alright,” he said, giving each of his group members a significant look. Thanks. Each gave him varying nods of affirmation and assurance; no one was going to outright deny their relationship when it made Haruka so happy.
Haruka smiled up at him before directing her good mood back towards the group. “How about breakfast?” she suggested, and the group concurred, starting to move down the hall.
“Otoya’s going to be super angry that he missed this,” Syo murmured to Natsuki, who nodded in agreement.
Tokiya held Haruka back to the end of the procession, stealing a quick kiss. “Can I get in one last ‘I told you so?’” he said with a playful smile.
Haruka giggled before wrapping her arms around his shoulders. “I guess,” she joked, kissing him once more.
Tokiya pulled away, a smile of pure contentment and love on his face. And so it begins, he thought, staring deeply into Haruka’s eyes.
“Oi!” Syo called back, “Just because you’re dating her doesn’t mean you get to hog her!”
Tokiya rolled his eyes, guiding Haruka down the hall with a hand at her waist. And so it begins.
----((The Actual End!))---