you might think 'oh, now that they finally understand their own feelings, they should confess and get together now- right?'

well, that's where you're wrong my dear readers. because as much as the two dumb adults think about each other all of the damned time- they actually don't have the courage to confess their feelings.

kokonoi hajime thinks that he's going a little bit too fast if he'll ever tell the young manager about his feelings- and he isn't even sure if she likes him back!

l/n y/n wants to confess but couldn't find the right time to do so, always being busy with paperwork to even think about ways on how she would tell her dear assistant about her undeniable love for him.

what a load of bullshit.

you have a man here who works for a criminal organization and a woman who owns her own company- how the fuck do they not have the strength to tell each other 'hey, i like you. wanna date?'

so, what's been going on the past week if the two haven't confessed just yet? well, it's quite simple- the tension never leaving the office even if they tried.

it's not the type of tension that is uncomfortable however, it's the type of tension that just makes you want to burst your heart out.

the two of them could sense that the other has something to say- but even when they ask about it it just turns into a long and... not very assuring silence, to say the least.

to the silver-haired male, it seems as though y/n has been avoiding any sort of contact with him- whether that be eye contact, a small conversation, or even just physical contact with him. this makes the man wonder whether or not he should confess.

when in reality, the young woman was just busy with all of the things concerning the company.

and to top it all off, the news about her mother and her husband being sent to prison was sort of her breaking point- and work is the only thing that keeps her mind off of everything that's happening.

in his dark, narrow eyes- it may seem that she's avoiding him because of the kiss, and god help the poor man because he's about to break.

kokonoi was aware that he shouldn't have done that, but thinking back to that night under the dark, moonless sky- he wouldn't be aware of his feelings towards her in the first place.

but what was bothering her?!

fine, if she won't tell him then it's up to detective kokonoi hajime to solve the case.

right now the assistant was sitting on the sofa chair in front of her, logbook in hand that covered half of his face- eyes trained to her tired figure with a calculating gaze.

with a pen clutched between her (s/c) fingers, signing paper after paper- ink staining her pinky as she sighed for the nth time today.

her eyes landed on her mug beside her, reaching out for it in hopes that the caffeine will kick in and give her enough energy to last for the rest of the afternoon.

however, even before she can take a sip from her drink- kokonoi held a hand in front of it and took it away from her. this resulted in y/n looking at him with a tired glare, even though she likes him that doesn't mean that he's exempted from her well known death 'glare'.

"what are you doing?" she asked, the silver-haired man walking towards the drink station and switched out her mug of coffee into a glass of iced water.

"your hands are already shaking because of the caffeine that you consumed." he placed the cup in front of her, careful in handling it to avoid the condensation from dripping down onto the documents below.

the young woman said nothing, looking at the wobbling ice in her cup with a long gaze.

y/n didn't know why kokonoi would go through simple things such as getting her a cup of water when she can just get it all on her own? does he see her as a dependent woman? if so then she's got a bone to pick with him.

"i could've gotten it myself-"

"as your assistant, it is my job to ensure that you're in good shape." he said, silver hair cascading down his shoulders as he leaned in closer to the woman.

dark bags looking like parasites under her (e/c) eyes, but even with such obvious flaw- he couldn't help but still find her gorgeous.

y/n was flustered at the little space between them, wanting nothing more than to scoot back because of her embarrassment.

"what are you doing?" she asked, eyes narrowing down at his figure who pulled back with a hum.

it wasn't new news that kokonoi hajime is a very hard-working man- and seeing the (h/c) haired woman persevere through mountains of work with no breaks makes him fall for her even more.

but he was also aware that the body needs rest for it to function properly, setting the bulb above him to spark up.

"you did enough for the day miss manager, let's go take a walk."

"but that was barely anything, i haven't even started with the-" y/n was cut off when the silver-haired man walked around her table and went behind her, feeling the familiar weight of her blazer as he draped it on her shoulders.

under normal circumstances where she's all well rested and mind functioning properly, she would've blushed at such contact- but right now she's all confused and dazed.

"where are you taking me?" she asked, feeling a hand on her back as she was gently pushed out of her chair and out of the office.

dark eyes looked down on her with the softest of looks that he had mustered, chuckling at her confused state- sort of reminded him of a lost duckling that he had once seen back when he was in high school.

"don't worry your pretty little head on where we're going and relax, i got you."

l/n y/n was aware that she and kokonoi hajime swore on her contract that their relationship is and will only be professional- but you know, maybe she can make today an exception.

a small smile etched itself on her features, humming at him as the two boarded the elevators to the garage floor.

"alright then, i trust you."

it's been ten years since she had experienced such a feeling of thrill and plain adoration to someone other than mitsuya takashi.

she once thought that she would only feel a sense of freedom and life whenever she was with him.

but she was proven to be mistaken when kokonoi hajime entered her life- a wave of endearment and gratefulness filling her heart whenever he was around.

maybe now she can finally find the courage to enter a new chapter where her future lies in his hands- blood tainted or not.

y/n didn't know where they were going nor does she care- she entrusts her safety to the silver-haired man beside him who was sitting in the driver's seat.

although she really does want to know where they were going- just a general idea will do.

even when she pestered him for a good five minutes, kokonoi wouldn't budge and tell her where they were going- only telling her to be patient and enjoy the ride.

the man chuckled when he saw a pout forming on her face, turning back to look at the road with a small smile on his face- let's not forget the thumping of his heart that seemed to not want to calm down.

"we're almost there, just a few more. so stop pouting and relax your head."

she playfully rolled her eyes at him, hand on her chin as she watched the buildings and trees that they were passing with a dazed look on her face.

y/n wasn't really paying attention to her surroundings- the only thing on her mind was the thought of finally confessing towards the man that took her heart.

and although she wasn't fully too sure of what his feelings are towards her, it wouldn't hurt to try and take the leap of fate.

she may sound like a high school girl who was excited about asking her crush out under the sakura tree behind the school courtyard- but the young manager couldn't help but just feel the familiar tingles that flooded her heart.

a smile etched itself on her face, subconsciously looking like a dazed teenager in love.

because of how deep she was in her thoughts, the (h/c) haired girl failed to notice the vehicle coming to a stop until she saw kokonoi hajime walk around to where she was and open the door.

the man gave her a small smile, stepping back to give her room as the smell of dandelions and peaches flooded her senses.

"we're here." he said, although y/n didn't pay no mind to his words, too starstruck at the lovely view in front of her.

endless rows of dandelions could be seen stretching all throughout the land, a peach tree hanging above them where the silver-haired man decided to park.

the fluffy balls of wishes gently swayed with the wind, waving their greetings at the young woman.

"where are we...?" she muttered, crouching down like a child and plucked a dandelion plant with her fingers- gently lifting it to her lips with a soft blow.

dark eyes watched her marvel at the sight, heart beating in his chest at the view of her happily blowing an infinite amount of dandelions that all danced in the wind.

"this is one of the private lands that bonten owns. it was supposed to be turned into a warehouse but we didn't have the time to look into it." he explained, hands inside of his pockets as he walked closer to her.

even when he and the haitani brother's visited this place before for inspection- he couldn't help but also be amazed at the sight.

"you like it?"

"i love it." kokonoi looked down to see y/n smiling up at him, getting up from her crouching position as she took a deep breath in.

she was so busy being cooped in that office of hers to even remember the smell of freshly grown peaches that subtly reminded her of the pies that her grandmother used to make.

the silver-haired man let out a chuckle, scratching the part of his head where his bonten tattoo was seen in an anxious manner.

'this is the time hajime- just say that you like her and go!'

'now's your chance y/n- do it and don't chicken out!"

even with the perfect view in front of them- and even when they're both adults nearing the age of thirty, they acted like middle schoolers when it comes to confessing.

(e/c) eyes darted around, not knowing how to start or even where to begin.

"hey-"

"um-"

they both looked at each other with wide eyes before they burst into laughter, a bit entertained that they decided to speak up at the same time.

"you go first." kokonoi said, giving her an amused smile at the sight of red coating her cheeks.

the man couldn't help but hope that maybe this was it- maybe y/n did share the same feelings towards him.

she chuckled, nodding as she gazed into his dark eyes.

"i want to-"

a loud ringing coming from the woman's phone cut her off- albeit cursing under her breath as she took the device from the pocket of her blazer and answered it without looking at the caller id, wanting to know who was behind the interruption of her confession.

kokonoi watched her annoyed look turn to a look of shock, muttering a few incoherent words as she ended the call.

he can sense that she was on the edge, the tension back in the office returning to haunt them like a phantom.

"is everything alright?" despite being cut off from a potential confession, the man couldn't help but feel concerned towards y/n.

(e/c) eyes looked at him apologetically.

"it was my father."

"oh? did he need anything?"

they say that dandelions smell of freedom and laughter, carrying children's wish through the air and flying up to heaven for it to be granted.

however, we should all be aware that freedom isn't for everyone- especially to those who crave it so dearly.

"he said that my mother is asking for me."