The rest of the academic year flew by.

Jam packed with coursework and exams nonetheless, but still, it went quickly, and all of a sudden, it was June.

-

"Bring Giyuu." Mitsuri firmly grabbed your shoulders.

"Pardon?"

"To the dinner party we're throwing tomorrow,"

"Do you think I should?" You eyes shifted towards the rest of the group.

They all nodded.

"Yeah, it would be great to see him again after so long," Tengen added.

"Okay," you half smiled, reaching for your phone so you could call him.

It rang thrice before he picked up.

"Giyuu...hey,"

"Hey pretty girl, everything okay?"

"Yeah, my friends and I are hosting a dinner party tomorrow, and I was wondering if you wanted to come,"

"I'll be there. Just text me the address,"

"Okay," you breathed a sigh of relief before Giyuu hung up shortly after.

"That's how you guys talk to each other, and you still haven't made it official?"

"Yes...?" you said, somewhat reluctantly.

Sanemi's comment got you thinking.

What the hell were you?

Friends was obviously completely off the table.

But nothing other than that had truly been confirmed.

You for sure acted like a couple. All that was missing was the label.

You tried to push the thoughts to the side, but your mind kept bringing you back to the idea. A part of you was starting to really need reassurance.

It wouldn't hurt to ask, right?

Maybe you could bring it up with him.

Or maybe you were better off just leaving it.

Now it was summer, and you were off until September. There was no need to stress about school. You were finally able to relax and spend time with those you loved.

-

Later that evening, you got a call from your mum.

"Hey," you said cheerily.

"Hi honey, it's good to hear from you. Listen, I wanted to ask when you and your boyfriend are next coming home?"

There was a mildy awkward silence on your end.

"What...?"

"Well, Giyuu's mum told me the great news that you guys were finally officially together, and we miss you and -"

You cut her off as respectfully as you could.

"Mum, Giyuu, and I aren't dating, I mean, at least I don't think we are,"

"Oh..."

More silence.

"y/n... I think you and Giyuu need to have a talk,"

"I think you're right," You leaned back against the wall, feelings of both dread and confusion in your stomach.

-

"Are you driving with us y/n?" Mitsuri asked as she turned the light off and locked the door.

"I think I'm going with Giyuu,"

"Perfect," she smiled.

The dinner party was on a beach, just a 45-minute drive away from the city.

The dress you had chosen was backless and a beautiful dark green shade. It stretched down to your mid thigh, with a slight flare.

You spotted him parked, where Tengen's car was.

His eyes widened as you walked towards him.

"Hey," you smiled, greeting everyone that was there before turning so you were facing him.

His hands made their way to your waist, and he closed the gap between you with a kiss. He reluctantly pulled away after a few seconds.

"Let's go?" he gave your hand a squeeze.

You nodded, making your way into his car before he started driving.

-

As you drove to the beach, the conversation you'd had with your mother was on your mind.

And unfortunately, you weren't that good at hiding it, especially since you were in a car with him.

"Are you okay? You're oddly quiet,"

"Mhm," you pressed your lips in a line, nodding slightly.

"I spoke to my mum earlier," you stated.

"Yeah? How is she?"

"She's good, I think she wants to see us soon,"

"We can make a trip soon if you'd like,"

"Sure," you half smiled as he finally pulled into the car park.

Unable to keep your mouth shut, you blurted out the question you had been waiting to ask.

"Giyuu...what are we?"

He stopped the car and turned to look at you.

"What do you mean?" his face contorted with both curiosity and confusion.

"I don't know, I'm just... confused? I mean, I didn't think we had label but then I spoke to my mum and she said your mum had had told her that we were officially together but I thought we weren't and I just need some clarity and-"

"Y/n," he stopped you before you went on a tangent. "It's clear how I feel about you, yes?"

You nodded.

"If you needed clarity, you should've just asked me, okay? I thought we were dating,"

You apologised after the delayed realisation of how Giyuu viewed your relationship.

"Can I then? Make you mine, officially?"

Your heart fluttered as a smile crept up on your lips.

"I'd like that,"

-

"Sanemi isn't that bad," you said as you and Giyuu walked to the table where everyone was.

"He clearly hasn't tried throw a brick at you before in high school,"

"He just a little rough around the edges," you justified.

"If you say so, Y/n," a small smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.

"There you are!" Mitsuri beamed, "we saved two seats just for you,"

"Thanks, girl," you slid into the seat before she handed you a drinks menu.

Giyuu's hand rested on your thigh as conversation was made.

He was a little quiet at first but warmed up to everyone eventually.

As it was so hot outside and as you were by the beach, the group decided on different sea food platters as well as other drinks and appetisers.

"So?" Mitsuri whispered into your ear as the guys were talking.

"We made it official," you said back in a similar volume.

"YAYYY!" she said, a little too loudly.

Obanai shook his head at Mitsuri's sudden shrill voice.

"Sorry," she whispered, head hanging low.

"Love, I'm gonna go and order us another round of drinks. Would you like anything?" Giyuu asked tenderly.

"I'll have whatever you're having," you assured before your boyfriend headed off to the bar.

"You guys are the cutest," Mitsuri gushed, slushing around the ice in her drink with a straw.

"You're cuter," you grinned playfully, which earned you a half teasing glare from Obanai.

-

The sun eventually began to set, reflecting on the ocean, giving it a shimmery glow.

"Giyuu, don't you DARE throw me in the ocean," you said, after he picked you up after a game of volleyball with the others.

You clung onto him even tighter as he walked towards the sea.

But instead of dropping you, he placed you down gently before placing a long and soft kiss on your lips.

He pulled away for just a second, tucking a strand of hair behind your ear.

You turned your head, noticing how the others had started another game of volleyball.

"Shall we?" you asked, turning your head so your eyes were on his.

"Sure," he smiled before you both walked back, hands interlocked.

-

a/n: thank you for reading, as per usual 🤍🫶