Things between you and Giyuu had changed recently. In a good way, of course!

You started spending a lot more time together. There was no more awkward tension or stupid arguments or misunderstandings.

Everything was peaceful, and you could finally say you were friends.

Now, early December, blankets of frost covered the university, and the leaves had fallen, leaving the trees and bushes bare.

The winter ball was just around the corner, and you were beaming with excitement at the thought of it.

The dress you had chosen hung proudly in your wardrobe. It was a beautiful midnight blue colour that flowed all the way down to the floor, with a slit that stretched up to the bottom of your thigh. The matching shoes spiralled up your calves, sculpting them with a soft wire that was painted with glitter.

There were a few days until the ball itself, and your classes had finally ended for the term, meaning you could relax.

You still hadn't told your dad what you were actually majoring in, despite him coming to your art show in April, and you didn't plan on telling him anytime soon.

-

Later that evening, Giyuu turned up at your dorm unannounced.

The gentle knock at the door alerted you, and you sprinted to open it.

"Tomioka...what are you doing here?"

"I wanted to see you." he shrugged before inviting himself in.

He was quite the regular guest here now, from movie nights to study sessions, you never ran out of things to do.

You weren't really doing much , so it was nice to have company, particularly because Mitsuri spent a lot of her time with Obanai.

You were in the middle of putting away some glasses and cutlery that you just finished washing.

The boy crashed on your sofa, and you joined him shortly afterwards.

"So,"

"So," he echoed back.

"What did you wanna do,"

"You tell me L/n,"

"Arcade."

"What?"

"I know it's kinda late, but there's a really good arcade nearbye,"

A soft chuckle left his lips.

"Sure,"

-

"Do you really need a gigantic cat plushie?" he raised an eyebrow as you glared at the claw machine.

"Yes." You slipped a coin into the slot before placing your hands on the control, guiding the claw left, then downwards.

But, unfortunately, your hand slipped, and in the end, you didn't end up with anything.

You looked at Giyuu in disappointment.

"Hold my jacket L/n,"

You did as he said and watched in amazement as he guided the claw with such ease and won what you wanted.

Your eyes lit up as he handed it to you.

"THANK YOU," you squealed, hugging him tight.

"Yeah, yeah, you're welcome," he half hugged you back.

The next hour was spent going from game to game.

"That was not fair." You grumbled as Giyuu beat you at Mario Kart for the 5th time.

"Get on my level, L/n," he teased, poking the side of your stomach.

"Where next?" he asked.

"I'm kinda hungry,"

"I think there's a Japanese place about 5 minutes away,"

"Perfect,"

As you left the arcade, a cold gust of winter air ran through you.

You shivered.

"Cold?"

"A little," you crossed your arms.

"Here," he placed his jacket over you.

"What about you?"

"I'll be fine,"

You slipped your arms through the sleeves, relieved at the sudden warmth.

When you arrived, Giyuu opened the door for you, allowing you to enter first.

It wasn't an enormous place. But it was cosy.

You and Giyuu slid inside one of the booths by the window, which gave you a pretty overview of the city.

"I'm paying," you stated, as your eyes roamed down the menu.

"Are you sure?"

"You won me sushi!" You gestured to the plushie.

"Sushi." he reiterated.

"Well, I had to give him a name," you shrugged.

"You're adorable," he mumbled under his breath, so quietly you could barely hear it.

"Whatcha gonna get?" you asked.

"Probably their sake daikon and uramaki," he closed the menu and leaned back.

"I'm gonna get their gyoza and vegetable maki," you pushed the menu to the side and placed your chin in your hands.

"Where next L/n?" he stated, interwining your fingers.

"You decide,"

"My place? We can watch a film or something,"

"Sure," you smiled.

It felt like a date.

Could you call it a date? There was clearly something between you.You couldn't deny it.

"I didn't realise you love simmered salmon and radishes so much," you noticed as he smiled at the plate in front of him.

He didn't respond but instead smiled at the bowl some more and ate the food.

You did the same, making small conversations in between.

"Not my fault. I'm better than you at Mario Kart,"

You put the chopsticks down and gave him a playful glare.

"Eat your food."

He grinned before popping another bit of sushi into his mouth.

"Did you want  dessert?" he asked you as the waiter came and took your plates and gave you the bill.

"I'm okay for now," you wrapped his jacket around you tighter.

-

By the time you arrived at Giyuu's apartment you were still full of energy.

He trailed behind you as you ran up the stairs to the second floor, smiling slightly at your enthusiasm.

His apartment was still as cosy as you remembered it. He seemed to have settled in more, so there was lesser clutter and boxes around.

"Make yourself comfy L/n," he proposed, placing his house keys on the side and hanging up the jacket you had been wearing earlier.

You didn't want to mess up his pristine sofa too much just yet, so perched yourself in the corner.

"It's your turn to choose the movie," you blurted out as he handed you a glass of water.

"Yes ma'am," he seated himself next to you and stretched an arm out behind your neck.

"Clueless?"

"I thought you liked it?"

"I love it, but I thought we were watching something you liked,"

"If you like it, I like it," he laid his head on your shoulder as the opening credits played.

You smiled.

For the first time in weeks, you were happy.

So happy.

-

a/n: IM SO IN LOVE WITH THIS CHAPTER OH MY GOD 😭