Chapter Text
Summary: Neji is an idiot. [ Warnings: Neji Route ending spoilers ]
Song Inspiration: "Lets Kiss and Make Up" by Bonnie Pink
A frenzied stream of typing clacked loudly which drowned out the summer’s call of cicadas just beyond an open window. A warm breeze quietly drifted in, making all the stacks of papers piled along Neji’s desk flutter slightly beneath the weight of books and other knickknacks he happened to grab to keep his messy but intricate system of research and notes intact.
The bright orange sunlight that spilled into the room slowly began to fade into the horizon as time pressed on. Neji was hard at work perfecting his debut script for the Tamasaka Troupe. He really didn’t feel pressure that probably would have crushed the average person. He was simply excited to push the boundaries in his work and expand past the ridged structure of a system that was so steeped with tradition. The hardest part since joining was getting his creative bearings at first while trying to soak in his new surroundings.
While he wasn’t sure if his time here could ever be as impactful his time in Univeil was, he had every confidence he was on the brink of writing and directing his most influential work yet. Every new script he produced became another brick in his life’s work to build something greater. Still, he did find himself slowly approaching a crossroads of which direction he wanted run towards. There were so many possibilities. Should he keep his focus on the world of theater or expand outside of it to new untested heights? Film had crossed his mind before as an unknown challenge of that medium. Also thanks to his mentor role at Univeil now teaching had also crossed his mind… there was something about molding diamonds (or onyx) in the rough to truly shine at their fullest potential that he couldn’t help but genuinely enjoy being part of the journey. Watching new students struggle but ultimately flourish with a little guidance along the way was really satisfying to watch unfold.
Of course, that was one of the many reasons why he fell in love with Kisa… but aside from her breathtaking talent he loved her for who she was. Caring, loyal, thoughtful, smart, and unbelievably cute in so many ways. He simply couldn’t wait to spend the rest of his life with her. Out of everything that made him unsure of the unknown, it was comforting to know that she would be part of his future. There was still time to figure out once she graduated what their next step together would be, but no matter what path they chose he wanted to ensure they both reached their next dream or goal together.
“Kisa,” he murmured fondly, somewhat waking him from his train of thought.
Just now noticing the room he was in was only being illuminated by his laptop screen, he suddenly realized it was night outside. He glanced at the time from the corner of his laptop window and gasped in shock.
HE WAS SUPPOSED TO MEET KISA LIKE 4 HOURS AGO!!
Jolting from his chair, he nearly tipped over a mug of now lukewarm tea while fumbling to grab his cell phone. It was odd that he didn’t at least receive any calls from Kisa or that his alarm didn’t go off when he was due for meeting or event. Keeping track of his scheduling thanks to his nearly endless color-coded Calander reminders and alarms between his phone and laptop was the only way he was able to keep on track with so many tasks and meetings he constantly had to juggle.
After selecting Kisa’s number from his quick dial contact list, he held his breath as he was ready to spill out desperate apologies the moment she picked up.
He felt like such an idiot.
How could he have completely spaced out on the time and forget to meet up on a date with his fiancée? It was hard enough to find time to meet given both of their demanding obligations, but so far they always managed to make it work usually finding spare time each week. It never felt long enough though, but he knew was just being greedy. He couldn’t help it. Her smile and warm company always seemed to uplift his soul that could carry him throughout the week.
The phone continued to ring with no answer until her automated voice mail greeting sounded. His heart sank. She wasn’t still waiting… was she? Or was she so upset she refused to answer? Not that he could blame her. After dialing once more time with no avail, he quickly grabbed his wallet and keys before bolting out the door.
His feet carried him quickly to outside lobby of his apartment complex, feet nearly skidding on circular brick entryway that led towards the bustling street. Thankfully he resided in a busy part of the city that was close enough to the troupe theater, but far away enough to keep some level of privacy if Kisa decided to stop by, but luckily no matter the time of day he could hail a cab rather quickly.
Every second that passed felt like an hour. Adjusting his slipping glasses, he sighed while staring at the outbound missed call phone log before trying to call again with still no answer.
Did he just screw up big time?
Would she ever speak to him again? What the hell could he do to make it up to her? His mind was spinning of every worst-case scenario he could imagine. Arriving at his destination, he paid the cab fare and quickly exited. Panic had gripped his chest as he saw the lights of the café were completely dark, only his faint reflection stared back at him thanks to the glow of the nearby streetlights.
It was closed already?
Gripping his phone tightly, he stood a bit dumbfounded what to do now. She wasn’t returning his calls… was there anything left he could do? Should he go to the dorm? But what if anyone saw him? It would be difficult to explain why exactly a former student had any business there in the middle of the night. During the day he could pass it off as dropping by to give a helpful eye over his former classmates… or even talk to his former teachers about advice or borrow past Univeil scrips for reference.
Every part of his being wanted to rush into the dorm and fall to his knees to beg for forgiveness but for the sake of Kisa’s secret and risk of causing a big scene, he knew he shouldn’t as much as he wanted to.
Opening up the messages app on his phone, Neji began to type out, ‘Kisa… I’m so sorry.’
He began to ramble in his usual ways before deleting the entire message. Rewriting this time to keep it simple, he kept his original first few words of sorry and asking her to let him meet with her soon as possible to apologize in person.
He wasn’t sure how much time had passed by the time his heavy feet slowly dragged up the cement steps to his apartment, he couldn’t help but feel… scared?
What if she wanted to call everything off and return the ring? It was probably the most replayed horror scenario that looped in his mind during the cab ride back to his place. A familiar fear began to creep within his chest as he glanced around at the stacks of books and papers that dotted throughout his living room. The bursting inspiration he had earlier in the day had quickly vanished without trace.
His heart began to race. It was a completely normal reaction, he rationalized. He was just worried about Kisa and how much he must have hurt her to spark her current silence.
His green eyes lingered towards the door once more, suppressing the urge to leave again. He just had to wait until she was ready to talk to him as much as it was tormenting him. Then and only then would he know for sure where they stood.
With a sigh, he sat down on his couch and felt immediate wave of relief in his body not realizing how exhausted he was. Placing his phone on a small corner of his coffee table, he cleared the few book stacks so that his entire couch was free for him to lay down on. He couldn’t find the strength to carry himself up the stairs to his bedroom to attempt to get any proper sleep.
Loosening his tie from around his shirt collar, he stretched out along the couch and stared up at the white ceiling for a moment in silence. He wasn’t sure what was worse. His intrusive thoughts or the deafening silence.
. . .
“...Neji-senpai...”
It sounded like Kisa. Great, now his dreams were beginning to torment him too.
“Kokuto-kun?”
His slowly stirred awake to find Kisa’s amber eyes worriedly staring back at him. She had leaned gently against his chest as she sat on the floor next to the couch. The living room was brightly filled with light from the bright morning sun. He must have dozed off at some point.
“K-Kisa,” he stammered, still half wondering if he had wished hard enough for her to suddenly appear like this. Everything that he rehearsed in his mind as an apology completely went blank from his mind.
“What’s going on?” Kisa asked earnestly. “I saw all your missed calls and messages and thought something terrible must have happened. I rushed over soon as I could. What happened…? Are you okay?”
“I… just… I…” he softly stammered.
“I forgot my phone in my locker last night, I just saw this morning. I’m so sorry I missed your calls,” she stated. “I accidently fell asleep early before I could say goodnight to you like usual.”
“Kisa… I’m… so sorry.”
“You mentioned you were sorry in your texts… I don’t quite understand what you’re apologizing for?”
Neji stared at Kisa blankly. Wasn’t she upset?
“…What are you sorry for?” she asked again. The look on her face was complete confusion. “Did something happen last night that I missed?”
Neji was perplexed. “…I didn’t… show up at the café.”
“…Huh? Wait. Did you think we were meeting yesterday?” Kisa asked.
There was a long silence.
“…Yes?” he finally replied.
“We’re supposed to meet today, silly.”
“…What?”
“We were going to meet yesterday but changed it to today since I had extra practice scheduled at the last minute… Did you forget to write in your calendar?”
He quickly fumbled for his phone from the coffee table to check. She was right, he had jotted down that their meeting was planned for today. Wait… did he even think to double check his schedule last night to know for sure that he was supposed to meet Kisa? What the hell was he thinking?
He let out a long sigh and fell back into the couch with a grimaced look on his face. Dropping his phone off to the side he slipped off his glasses, and pressed one his forearms across his face to hide his inward despair.
He. Was. An. Idiot.
Kisa slowly formed a knowing smile. “…Did you think you stood me up?”
“…”
“You know even if you did… I’d still love you, right?”
Neji’s heart further sank for even doubting Kisa for even a second as his sleeve that was still covering his face in shame began to feel damp. He was so pent up and worried all throughout the night that it felt like a tight string inside of him snapped in relief.
“..Kuro-Kun?” Kisa asked as he still continued to avoid her gaze. “Are you okay?”
Why was he such an idiot jumping to conclusions?
Kisa gently pulled his arm away and gave him one of her brightest smiles that filled his heart with warmth. He always loved it when she smiled.
He knew he must have really worried her as she shyly leaned in and placed a gentle reassuring kiss against his lips, perhaps just in case he really didn’t believe how sincere she was in how much she loved him and would forgive him for anything no matter how big or small. Her cheeks were flushed with a dusty pink, but that only made her even more impossibly cuter in his eyes. He eagerly kissed her back in response, tilting her chin towards him so she didn’t have a chance to bashfully pull away. Her cheeks seemed to have gotten even redder.
Without warning, he suddenly squeezed her in close for a bear hug. “That’s it, I can’t stand it. You’re too cute,” he practically squealed, completely forgetting how distraught he was earlier.
“N-Neji..!”
He pulled her back and intensely looked into her eyes with renewed purpose. "Kisa.”
“Y-yes?”
“Let’s get married now,” he stated matter-of-factly.
“N-now?”
He glanced at the clock as if she meant the literal time. “Oh, you’re right it’s still a bit early, then let’s have breakfast first.”
Kisa laughed, not entirely sure how serious he was but agreed breakfast sounded like a good idea. He suddenly had a second wind of energy and picked her up from the couch and spun her around gleefully. She was glad he was back in good spirits, making a mental to make sure she never forgot her phone again. Better yet, maybe they should think about moving in together? They were going to be married… after all.
The End