A Lovely, Complex Life

Chapter 3 - Heartstrings

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It was a long, quiet walk home as Koizumi felt as if she was going to explode.

Even as they ate and then said goodbye at the restaurant there was something off about Otani, he held her hand but his mind seemed to be elsewhere as no conversation was attempted even as they boarded the train home. Walking up the long set of stairs as the elevator was under maintenance she hung her head as he walked ahead of her, once on their floor and at their door he fiddled with his keys before opening it for her and motioned her inside.

"Otani…" Risa piped up, feeling that clench of her chest when she'd made him angry before…but it was different now. She couldn't tell what he was thinking at all.

"Shut up, go inside." He muttered, looking up to her with those eyes…the ones which told her he was more than serious.

None the less she complied, hustling inside as she set her bag down on a side table while he closed and locked the door behind them; moving over to the couch and sitting down on it with a flop. Elbows on his knees and chin resting on his hands he wore an irritable expression, leaving Koizumi to stand against the wall wondering what she'd done.

"Can you sit with me?" He asked, not turning his head as he said so.

"Y-yes…." She breathed, inching around the back of the couch to sit on the very edge of the opposite side while nervously pulling at her hair.

Sighing deeply he wasn't sure how he was going to word this properly, he was never quite good with explaining how he was feeling ever since that comment he'd made about picked radish and crab…lord he'd never live that down.

"Koizumi…" He began, only to jump as she let out a shrill 'yes!' at the mere sound of his voice, in turn causing him to turn with a fist raised in front of him shaking. "Will you listen to me before freaking out!"

"Yes…Sorry…it just brings back…memories." The tall woman admitted quietly, ones she would have rather not have to think about but did turn her body to look at him; it was the least she could do.

"Alright…" Otani felt his cheeks burn, not terribly proud of a few of the moments she was referring to but putting that aside. "Why didn't you tell me sooner? Moving for a year…that's big Koizumi!" He kept his eyes on her, watching as she fidgeted nervously before him. His whole body was leaning in now; it was clearly upsetting for him. "Did you honestly expect me to react badly that you couldn't have said so in private?"

"That's not it!" Koizumi blurted out, her own cheeks red with her worried emotions. "That wasn't it at all..."

"Then what was it? Why couldn't you tell me?"

"It's because!" The amazon paused, her voice choking a little as she fell into herself with her back hunched over and her head dipped down. "It's because I was afraid. Afraid that it was actually real."

"…Real?" It was his turn to be stunned, giving her a blank expression as he couldn't quite pick out what she meant.

"Yes real!" She snapped, her shoulders shaking by now as her hands held on tightly to her dress. "To have graduated, gotten into technical school…having you as my boyfriend, even living together so I can share your life while you're at university. It's all too good to be true. Then to have gotten such an apprenticeship, I was sure it was some kind of joke and that it would fall through. I'm too blessed in my life…and this just seems over the top." She choked out, looking over to him with those teary eyes which tugged at his heartstrings.

"Now I'm afraid I will lose you if I go!"

"Koizumi…" Otani felt his heart sink, realizing now it wasn't because she didn't trust him…no, it was much simpler than that. She'd stood behind him since the moment they'd met…and now when she needed him to do the same she was worried. He'd tried his best to help her along with her goals and dreams, and now he'd gone and ruined one of the biggest accomplishments she'd received towards her career.

He was such an idiot.

Reaching out he grabbed her by the shoulders, pulling her down against him till her cheek was resting against his chest and his arms could wrap more comfortably around her. "Sorry…" He began, mumbling against her hair with his eyes closed. "I'm no good without you…you know that. It scares me you're going to be leaving…only because I won't have you here."

With her breath long gone as the motion had left her speechless, her hand snuck up to rest on his arm; gripping the grey fabric of his shirt. "Otani..."

"That was wrong of me though…I've been selfish. This is a big step towards your dream, one I will not be responsible for spoiling. I will make sure you are at the airport when it's time to go to America." He tightened his grip around her when he felt her shoulders continue to shake and the sniffles reaching his ears. "…and I will still be here waiting to pick you back up from the airport when it's time for you to come home. So do your best, Koizumi."

"O….O-o-o-ota-n-n-n-i…." Koizumi wailed, her arms moving to wrap around his torso to hold him tightly as he simply smiled sadly, stroking her hair while she got it all out. "I'm going t-to miss y-you…"

"I know. I'll miss you too idiot. Of course it's my luck to wear such nice clothes when you want to cry a river…" He teased only to jump when she pinched his back with her fingers.

"It's your own fault!" She retorted, but couldn't help the small chuckle lacing her voice.

It is…for falling so hard for you. Otani admitted only in his mind.

"Regardless, we have the whole summer together and school will be done in a few weeks. We have lots of time, but I think now we should get some rest." He offered, helping her as she sat up on the couch rubbing her eyes. "I'll run you a bath."

Only once Koizumi was up and had made her way into her bedroom to change did he head off into the bathroom to run the bath, watching as the hot water came from the bunny fountain she'd gotten for her birthday a year or so back. Chucking at the memory and of course reminded of that necklace she cherished like none other from him he dipped his hand into the bath once it was high enough; turning off the water and drying his dripping hand on a towel. Turning to the sink he removed his tie and observed all of the water marks on his shirt, shaking his head slowly before exiting the bathroom and walking to Koizumi's door.

"Oi Koizumi! Bath's ready for you." Otani knocked twice as he shouted through the door.

"Y-yes! I'll be there in a few thank you!" She called from behind as she was trying to compose herself, and as it was good enough for him he headed to his own room and closed the door behind him.

He wasn't sure how long it had been but he'd already gotten into his pajama pants with no shirt and was tucked away in his bed; sleeping soundly when he stirred, hearing a gentle tap on the door.

"Wha…?" He groaned, pulling the blankets down from his face and looking around in the dark when the tapping came again. "Koizumi?"

"Otani…?" Her rather quiet voice came from the other wise, sounding nervous as all hell.

"Well come in, it's rude to talk through the door you know…" Otani sat up in bed as the door opened, revealing the tall woman with her bunny jammies on. It didn't do much for sex appeal, but it gave her that charm he loved so much to begin with.

"Sorry….is it….is it okay….if…." Koizumi stammered, her cheeks red and visible even in the darkness.

"Well spill it; I'd like to get some sleep tonight!" He snapped, perhaps a little too crankily but it had been emotional for him too today.

"….c-can we sleep together?" Koizumi blurted out, her hands coming up to cover her lips as Otani blinked blankly, before hunching over and clutching his heart.

"Oh…my heartstrings…" He teased, only to earn an ugly look from Koizumi.

"Don't mock me! I only want to spend more time with Otani…" She pouted, turning to go back to her own room when a pillow made impact with the back of her head. Snapping around she glared, only to see him smile as he'd moved over and was holding the covers for her.

"Oi, hurry up then."

Smiling warmly she skipped over to his bed and curled into the bed, Otani curling up behind her as he wrapped his arm around her waist lightly. It might have been an odd image to see such a small guy lying behind such a tall woman; but she didn't care. Much like in her arms, he was a perfect fit behind her even if his feet were nearly resting against the back of her calves.

Perhaps it would have been seen differently if they were anyone else, but for Koizumi, this was all she was asking for; the chance just to be with him.

"Goodnight… Risa." Otani murmured, holding her close as he nuzzled his face into her shoulder and began to doze off again.

"Goodnight…A-channnnnnn…." Koizumi grinned impishly as she heard his breath hitch with a grumble, but her tease backfired as his hand on her stomach began to tickle her side as she burst out laughing and flailing as he held on and continued his attack.

"Don't call me A-chan you amazon!" Otani tried to snap but ended up laughing out instead.

"S-s-s-s-s-tooooooop! I give, I give Ot-t-t-ani senseeeiiiiiI!"

Who knew how long their little war went on for, but by the time the sun began to rise again Otani had been pushed right up against the wall by one of her legs digging into his hip while his hand was outstretched across the bed and pressed against her cheek as they snored soundly. Even tangled in the blankets of their own apartment, the pair couldn't escape the stigma that was their All Hanshin-Kyojin tendencies.