I'm Going Somewhere

The tatami mats of the traditional Japanese style house were surprisingly comfortable beneath Tan-Tan's bottom. Her hands subconsciously traced the woven rice straw under her fingers, caressing the patterns purely out of habit. She was inside Nishi's father's home, sitting alone in the middle of the living room, waiting for her senpai to bring over some tea and snacks. She was definitely feeling anxious that Souichi could make an unexpected appearance at any moment, or worse, Nishi's father. Tan-Tan began practicing greetings in her head as she sat and pondered.

"Here, Tan-Tan. It's just green tea, nothing special."

Nishi gently placed two cups on the table in front of her, secretly taking a few glances at her school uniform's skirt, riding up her thighs as she leaned in for a sip of tea.

"Thank you, Nishi-senpai. I like this home, it's cozy."

She leaned back as she savored the taste of Nishi's homemade tea.

"Really? I think it's ugly and run down. My dad always had poor taste."

He sipped his own tea, closing his eyes.

"So... the manga got rejected."

Tan-Tan shifted uncomfortably, trying not to trigger her senpai with her words. Surprisingly, Nishi looked calm. 

"Yeah, it did. They said it wasn't quite what they were looking for at the moment. They told me to keep applying myself, and to not get discouraged... But it's so damn hard."

Nishi buried his eyes in his palms, his fingers clawing at the messy brown bangs surrounding his forehead.

Tan-Tan made a spur of the moment decision. She rested her head against his shoulder, gently wrapping her slender arms around his forearm. Nishi glanced down at the small girl cuddled up to his side, admiring her boldness.

"Nishi-senpai... I want to be here for you. I want you to rely on me. You can take all of your anger out on me, just please don't fight Sakai-senpai and Minami-chan anymore."

She squeezed tightly around his arm, her body trembling slightly from nervousness.

"Tan-Tan, you don't need to-"

"I want to, Nishi-senpai. I want to be your rock."

She finally met his gaze, her face inches from his. She could smell the faint aroma of green tea escaping his lips, the gentle scent of shampoo in his hair. Her body was hot, burning with need and desire.

He gently cupped her cheek in his palm, studying her eyes; though, he couldn't see without his glasses, her face was completely visible to him. 

"Tan-Tan. You look so beautiful."

Her cheeks burned deep red, but she didn't flinch away. Instead, she shifted even closer, practically resting against his lap. Her own hand glided up to his chest, lightly feeling his muscles beneath his shirt.

"And you look so hot, Nishi-senpai. Like, super hot."

He let out a breathless chuckle, pulling her onto his lap. She straddled Nishi's waist, her hair draping over his face like a privacy shield. Nishi's hands wrapped around her petite waist, shamelessly feeling her figure in his large fingers.

"How can you say that? I'm impulsive, sarcastic, and I can't even write a decent manga without help."

Tan-Tan gently traced the outline of his lips with her thumb, her nose gently nuzzling against his. She shifted her body weight slightly, allowing for her to get even closer than she already was.

"I don't care that you're impulsive, I can't get enough of you. Who cares if you can't write? That just means I'll have to stay by your side to give you ideas."

The two locked eyes, savoring the moment of intimacy between them. The tension was red hot, and the sensual aura surrounding them released their inhibitions. The whole situation felt natural.

"You would be willing to stay with a guy like me?" 

Nishi gently rested his upper lip against hers, teasing an awaiting kiss. He was still unsure of himself, silently judging if she truly wanted him the same way he wanted her.

Tan-Tan spoke against his lips, her voice barely above a whisper.

"I'm the one who should be asking that, Nishi-senpai. I'm a tiny girl living in a tall person's world. If you'll have me, I would love to be with you."

Her eyes fluttered shut, her lips parted tastefully against his. The two shared a long, deep kiss, their tongues mingling with one another. Letting out a gentle whimper, Tan-Tan wrapped her arms around Nishi's neck, savoring the moment she had yearned for her entire life.

"I love you, Nishi-senpai. I've loved you since the moment I laid eyes on you."

She spoke into his mouth, her lips still tingling from the kiss.

"Idiot, I love you, too. No, I love you more."

Nishi smirked against her lips, his nose caressing hers.

"That's impossible, Nishi-senpai. I love you more than chocolate pudding."

She couldn't help but giggle, knowing that her favorite food didn't even compare to her desire for Nishi.

He let out a hearty chuckle, his hands trailing the small of her back.

"I love you more than manga."

Tan-Tan gasped, she couldn't let him one-up her like that. She pulled back, resting her hands on his shoulders.

"What?! I love you more than... than the smell of fresh rain!"

He tapped his chin.

"I love you more than waking up on the first day of summer break."

Tan-Tan let out a high pitched laugh, wiping tears from her eyes.

"That's so cheesy."

He pulled her into another kiss, his tender lips gently nibbling around hers.

"Cheesy or not, it's how I feel. You're the most gorgeous girl I've ever seen."

Tan-Tan slowly pulled away, panting softly from the kisses.

"You really don't mind my height? The doctor said I won't grow anymore."

He smiled, lovingly petting her bright silver hair.

"I really don't mind, Tan-Tan. My love for you isn't superficial, it's deep and nurtured. I want to be your ladder when you can't reach a top shelf; your protector when you're squished on a crowded train car."

Tan-Tan gently laid across his chest, enjoying the feeling of being in his arms. She felt small and fragile, but for once, she loved it. She truly felt like she belonged somewhere, and that somewhere was right there in Nishi's grasp.

She broke the silence with a slightly serious tone in her voice.

"Sakai-senpai told me to tell you he's sorry..."

"Aki said that? I'm the one who should be apologizing to him. I was acting out of line, and I understand that now."

He propped himself on his elbow, admiring the small girl cuddled on his torso.

She met his gaze, gently tracing the bruises on his face.

"You should apologize to Minami-chan as well. Or I'll take back those kisses."

Nishi let out a small chuckle, nodding his head.

"I will. I just hope she'll forgive me. I said some pretty awful things to her."

"She will forgive you, Nishi-senpai. She's always been by your side when you needed her. Something as silly as this won't change her mind."

Nishi shifted awkwardly, not wanting to appear too excited at the moment he had just shared with his crush.

"Tan-Tan... Does this make us-"

"Boyfriend and girlfriend? Yes, a thousand times, yes!"

She gave him a cocky smirk, her eyes silently letting him know he was stuck with her now.

"I guess I should head back home tomorrow. I need to apologize to Aki and Minami over lunch."

He glanced at the clock, noticing it was well past midnight. 

"Oh, right. The trains have stopped for the night. I'll take the floor, Nishi."

Tan-Tan sat up, her legs settling on both sides of his lap.

"Are you crazy? We're sharing my bed, whether you want to or not."

He lifted her up, carrying her bridal style to the bedroom.

Her face began to steam, she was a stuttering mess.

"N-N-Nishi-senpai! I-I don't think I'm r-ready for- Kya!"

She bounced a few times as she was tossed onto the soft mattress. Her hair made a beautiful halo around her head, and her skirt sprawled cutely around her thighs. Crawling on top of her, Nishi smirked.

"You said you'd let me take my anger out on you, correct?"

He wore a mischievous grin on his face.

"N-N-Nishi-senpai... If you must..."

Tan-Tan's gaze flickered to the bed, her bright pink cheeks quivering around her lips.

He let out a giggle, flopping down next to her. He gently scooted closer, hugging her from behind.

"Relax, I'm not an animal. I was just seeing how far you would go for me."

She settled into his embrace, her body fitting like a puzzle piece against his. She wrapped her hands around his arm, quietly letting out a sigh of relief; and perhaps a hint of frustration. She couldn't believe how ready she was for him, and it made her feel vulnerable. 

"Tease."

She whispered as her eyes closed.