It was a beautiful day.

The sun illuminated the city sky, casting beacons of light on all the buildings, and the air was warm but  not stuffy.

Shinobu and Mitsuri had helped you pick your outfit out the night before, and your professors excused your absence in their lessons so you could go and help set everything up.

You were doing your best to stay calm, but the thought of your dad showing and hating everything he saw bounced around your mind and made your stomach churn.

Giyuu wanted to make it, but they were so short staffed at the restaurant he worked at and had no one to cover for him.

He had wished you luck though, and promised to come and see you the next morning and ask you how everything went.

The site team had helped you set everything up. You were sharing the section with the other girl in your class who had been chosen, but you didn't mind.

You both had your respective art styles, but you didn't clash or anything.

After 2 hours of setting everything up, you were allowed to leave and return an hour before the show actually started.

As you were already out, you took the opportunity to grab a smoothie and something to eat to bring back.

You ended up bringing back these fancy sandwiches, which were scrumptious, but not for your bank account.

Mitsuri devoured the thing in seconds, but you had lost your appetite by the time you had gotten home, mainly from the anxiety about what was yet to come.

She pulled you into a hug, taking notice of your anxious expression.

"You've got this Y/n, I promise, and if your dad says anything stupid, Sanemi will probably throw something at him,"

A grin crept up on your face at that thought before Mitsuri encouraged you to eat something.

You agreed and ended up talking with Mitsuri for a whole hour, mainly to kill time and because she wanted to catch you up on everything with Obanai.

"We still have a few hours to kill until I need to start getting ready." You half complained, resting your head in your hands.

"How about we go get your nails done for later?" she suggested. "I'll invite Shinobu as well,"

Your eyes lit up.

"YES."

-

"Okay, so what are we thinking,"  Shinobu looked at the numerous samples that were on the wall.

"Well, I'm wearing mostly black, apart from the red top you got me earlier this year,"

"I'm thinking a deep red that goes with top,"

"You'd look STUNNING," Mitsuri hugged you once more.

Getting your nails done took just over an hour and distracted you enough, so by the time you had gotten back, it was nearly time to get ready.

You slipped on your outfit, taking notice of how nicely it hugged your figure.

Mitsuri and Shinobu showered you with compliments as per usual, giving you the boost of confidence you needed.

It wasn't long before you were on your way to venue, driving through the through the lively and atmospheric city you had been living in for nearly 8 months.

It was a short drive, and you felt thrilled as you parked your car and began walking up the steps towards the entrance.

The usually empty white walls were now covered with canvases and sculptures. The rest of the interior was a rather dark marble, a large chandelier hung in the centre, flooding the place with light, and on the wall was a beautiful glass clock, which could be seen just as you walked through the doors.

Thoughts about your father aside, it was going to be a beautiful night, and you prayed that your work would get the recognition it deserved, whether that be by the public or other famous artists.

-

People finally started slowly pouring in at around 7:30. It was surreal, the number of people that were there. You were required to stay at your section for while, talking about the relevance and significance of each painting to whoever passed by as well as answer any questions.

As promised, your parents ended up showing up. You didn't spot them at first, but your dad's scowling face drew attention to them.

After the first hour, you were given a break and went round to everyone you knew.

You ran over to your friends, and Rengoku immediately hugged you tight, followed by Mitsuri and everyone else. Even Sanemi didn't scream at you for once.

"This is incredible Y/n, we're all so proud,"  Mitsuri reinforced enthusiastically, wrapping her arms around you again.

"What do your parents think?" Sanemi asked.

"I have yet to find them," you sighed and shoved your hands in the pocket of your trousers.

You wandered around until you spotted the two of them by the side, talking and taking a sip of whatever drinks they were serving.

"Hey," you beamed, approaching them.

Your mum turned her head and  immediately hugged you.

"We're so proud of you honey, this is truly amazing,"

"Thank you," you smiled, returning the hug.

You made eye contact with your dad and pulled away from your mother's arms.

"You did good," was all he said.

Your dad wasn't a man of many words, so you didn't overthink what he said. You were just glad he had acknowledged the situation.

You thanked them both for coming one last time before turning on your heel and drifting back over to where you started to talk to the second group of people.

At around 9:30, you were given a break and made your way outside for a minute of fresh air.

But as you walked outside, you spotted a familiar looking figure getting out of a black Mercedes just a few metres away from the bottom of the stairs.

You stopped in your tracks as he turned to look you.

You began making your way down the stairs.

"I thought you weren't coming," you mumbled, jumping into his arms.

His arms found your waist as your feet returned to the ground.

"There was no way in hell I was missing this," he cupped your face in his hands.

After his hands left your cheeks, you grabbed him by the wrist and dragged him up the stairs and back inside.

You gave him a tour of the place, to which he smiled as you did so.

"This is my section,"  you looked up at it.

"I'm so proud," a smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

"And guess what? So many companies complimented my work and said they'd love to get in touch in the future and a publishing company asked if I'd be willing to do the cover art for one of their books," you smiled, eyes full of excitement.

Giyuu listened as you went on about how the evening had gone so far.

You grabbed a glass of water, dehydrated after being on the go for a good few hours now.

"Are you staying the whole time?" you inquired as you finished your drink and walked back to give another talk.

"Of course, I'll be watching you from the crowd," he said before blending into the group of people.

You had said the same thing ten times now, but you didn't mind. You were doing what you loved, with the people you loved.

The last round of people came through at 11pm and by almost 12 everything started to slowly die down, and people just hung about, using it as an opportunity to gain new business partners and make new friends.

The moon had risen, making the night even more peaceful than it was.

You were outside on the steps that led up the place, taking a minute for everything to sink in.

Everything had gone perfectly, and you couldn't have been more grateful.

"Hey," a voice gently spoke, snapping you out of your thoughts

"Hi," you smiled

"You seem happy,"

"I am," you turned your head back so you were looking out towards the city.

Everything was still, and the sounds of people's voices that came from inside were becoming like background noise the longer he stood next to you.

"The moon is beautiful, isn't it?" he said softly.

You turned your head back so you were facing him.

Your heart rate began to rise and Giyuu looked at you for merely a few seconds before tilting your chin and placing his lips on yours.

Everything around you stopped; blurred, disappeared. His lips were soft and gentle, and the scent of his cologne was one of  the only things you could focus on so as not to collapse and melt right there and then.

You pulled away, slightly breathless, catching a glimpse of the glass clock that hung inside the venue.

It was midnight.

You looked at each other for a few more seconds before breaking the silence.

"Let's get you home, beautiful," he said, before placing another quick kiss on your lips.

-

a/n: it only took 28 chapters 😀

you're welcome is all I have to say ❤️