Act 20: Confrontation

I stood before the man with nothing prepared. No rehearsed speech. Just my honesty. My legs trembled despite my efforts to steady them, his gaze sharp and unwelcoming. I understood why. To him, I was a stranger who had crossed into his home uninvited. The only reason I was standing here at all was because of connections I never expected to rely on.

~~~

When I first saw the headline, Natsuki’s name splashed across the screen beside a photo that was unmistakably us, although it mainly focused on Natsuki. I grabbed my phone and called her without thinking. It went unanswered. Only then did I notice the missed calls piling up from Chiaki, Benio, and Tatsumi. I didn’t need to guess why.

Worry set in fast.

When my doorbell rang, a foolish part of me hoped it would be Natsuki. Instead, it was the three of them, pushing their way inside before I could react. When I glanced past them, my stomach dropped. People with cameras lingered along the street, scanning faces, circling the neighborhood like vultures.

They’d come as soon as they saw the news, afraid something had already gone wrong. Nothing had happened to me yet, but Natsuki was another matter entirely.

“What are you going to do?” Chiaki asked, blowing gently over the tea I’d poured her.

“I need to see her,” I said. “She’s not answering her phone.” The thought stung more than I expected. “Even if I got near her place, I doubt they’d let me in.”

Kurogane came to mind, but if anyone was helping her right now, it was him.

“If only we knew someone who could get you in,” Benio muttered.

I froze.

I did know someone.

My fingers moved on instinct as I scrolled through my contacts. I hadn’t kept the business card, but I’d saved the number the moment it was handed to me.

There it was.

I called.

He answered immediately.

“Seems like you’re in trouble,” Yuuto said lightly.

“This involves her as much as it involves you,” I snapped, louder than I meant to. “I need to get to Natsuki. Now.”

He chuckled, unbothered. “I’m dealing with a few fires myself. I’ll contact you once I’m done.”

The line went dead.

“Who was that?” Tatsumi asked.

“Yuuto Sterling,” I replied.

The room erupted.

“S-Sterling?!” Tatsumi nearly leapt out of his seat. “As in Frank Sterling’s son?! The hammer throw legend?!”

So that was it. That was why the name had sounded familiar.

“Yeah,” I said slowly. “He gave me his number a while back.”

They exchanged stunned looks before Benio let out a disbelieving laugh.

“That’s one hell of a connection.”

“I wouldn’t call us friends,” I said. “But he told me to reach out if I ever needed help.”

And now I did.

Yuuto kept his word. He slipped into the neighborhood discreetly, his driver weaving us past the press without drawing attention. No one recognized me, but anyone who stepped outside was questioned relentlessly, all of them searching for the person in the photo.

We didn’t linger.

Within minutes, we were gone.

That brings us to now…

“I’m Tsukishiro Yukina,” I said, bowing once. “I’m the person in the photo. And I’m in a relationship with Koba Natsuki.”

He didn’t respond right away. Instead, he glanced down at the tablet in his hand.

“A sophomore at Kaisei University. Undecided major. This year’s 800-meter Nationals winner,” he read, voice flat. “A statistical anomaly. Your previous times suggest inconsistency at best.”

He looked up, unimpressed.

“You peaked in high school. One win doesn’t earn you a place beside someone like my daughter.”

My fingers curled at my sides.

“What do you want from her?” he asked sharply. “Money? Exposure? Or are you simply playing with her feelings?”

I drew a breath and answered before doubt could stop me.

“Natsuki doesn’t like bitter coffee.”

He paused.

“She prefers pumpkin lattes when they’re in season. When she’s nervous, she gets easier to tease. She pouts when she loses at claw machines, especially if the prize is an animal plush.” My voice steadied. “She hums when she’s thinking. She never notices.”

His brow furrowed.

“That’s the Natsuki I know,” I continued. “Not the actress. Not the name in headlines. Just her.”

Silence stretched between us.

“I didn’t fall for her because of what she is,” I said. “I fell for who she is when no one’s watching.”

My hands shook, but I held his gaze.

“I am aware of the world she lives in. I know what it will demand. I won’t pretend I’m ready for all of it.” I swallowed. “But I’m willing to learn, because I love her.”

My shoulders squared.

Then warmth closed around my hand.

I was startled, tension draining the moment I felt it.

When I turned, Natsuki was there. Her posture was straight, her presence unmistakable.

The soft light caught in her golden hair, her emerald eyes shining as if she’d stepped onto a stage meant only for this moment. She didn’t hesitate. Her fingers threaded through mine, firm and sure.

“I love her too,” she said, her voice steady even as color bloomed across her cheeks. “And I’m not leaving her side.”

The room felt different after that…lighter, like something had shifted back into place.

She glanced briefly at Yuuto. He only smiled, small and knowing.

Natsuki’s father sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose.

“I’ve seen what public scrutiny can destroy,” he said at last. “I won’t lie—I don’t want that for her…no, for either of you.”

His gaze locked onto mine.

“But if you intend to stand beside my daughter, understand this.” His voice dropped. “If you ever abandon her because it becomes difficult, I will not forgive you.”

My throat tightened.

“I wouldn’t dream of it, sir.”

He then turned to Yuuto.

“Are you aware of their relationship?”

“Well, I would be lying if I said I didn’t see it coming,” he chuckled as he glanced at me, “I’m well aware. That’s why I’d like to make a proposal.”

The man raised his eyebrows.

The words that came out of Yuuto’s mouth were so foreign to me that my brain had stopped processing. It was definitely some business politics related stuff, especially since he and Natsuki were, by social media standards, together.

At some point Natsuki’s Mom had approached us. I blinked a few times as I saw the heavy resemblance between her and Natsuki. She was absolutely stunning, so I couldn’t help but stare.

This is what Natsuki could look like in the future.

There was a sudden pain on my arm, my girlfriend had been pinching it to stop me from looking.

“You two really remind me of the old days,” she reached out a gentle hand and began stroking Natsuki’s head. “I know my husband was giving you a difficult time, but he’s nothing more than a worried father.”

I stared back at him as he continued his conversation with Yuuto, his expression a lot more lax than before.

“Nevertheless, as long as you keep your promise with our precious daughter there shouldn’t be any issue. The media likes to jump on trends, and like anything else that produces buzz, this incident will pass over in just a few days. But there are still a few formalities we’d have to address,” she continued.

I lowered my head, “Uhm…I should’ve said this first, but I apologize for all the trouble! If I had just been a little more careful, this probably wouldn’t have happened…”

The older woman chuckled, her voice so soft, “I’m just glad you turned out to be someone honest with their feelings. Especially when you started talking about Natsuki’s playful side.” Her mom seemed to have enjoyed the spectacle.

“M-Mother!” Natsuki retorted before glaring at me, “What made you want to say all of that, you know how embarrassing it was for me to hear you say those things?!”

“S-Sorry! I thought if your Dad heard more about yourself, he’d be a little more…chill?”

“I’ve personally never seen this side of Natsuki before, maybe it only comes out with you. She usually has a wall up.” I couldn’t tell if her mother was taking jabs at her, but it was good to know.

In a short while Yuuto and Natsuki’s father came walking towards us, the older man rubbing his chin lost in thought.

“Seems like Yuuto might have things under control on his end,” Natsuki’s father said.

“Heh,” the young man puffed his chest out, “I got it handled before we came here. But like I said, leave it to me and things should settle with little to no issue.”

I believe in what he said. The words had no ill intent from what I could tell at least. But a sense of relief washed through me.

“I’ll continue to take care of matters with my parents,” he walked to the entrance of the home, “I’ll reach out once things have settled.” He flashed a wave and just like that he was gone.

It was now just myself and Natsuki’s family, though it was a bit awkward especially after everything her Dad had said, but after hearing what his wife mentioned, I decided not to hold too much of a grudge. He turned to both Natsuki and I.

“I hope this has taught you both a lesson. The media is everywhere, you should be careful where you show your affection to each other, especially not until things have been made official,” for some reason he went right into scolding mode. Though it was better than being interrogated earlier.

By the end of it, we both had gotten an earful. Truth be told, there wasn’t much they could do about the paparazzi besides waiting for whatever plan Yuuto had in mind. But it was alot off my chest knowing that as long as Natsuki and I worked through this together, everything would be alright.

“Since you’re here and all,” Natsuki started, “how about you sleep over for tonight? Let your family know that everything is okay.”

I stared at her dumbfounded.

Sleep? Here?

My eyes scanned the high end home, imagining how expensive everything was made me sweat.

“I couldn’t possibly–”

She whipped out her pouty face expression, that I was oh so weak to.

It wasn’t fair.

“I-I’ll stay…”

~~~

I wasn’t pressured into staying. I agreed on my own, though admittedly with a bit of hesitation. I didn’t have spare clothes, for one, but more than that, the reality of staying over at my girlfriend’s house was finally sinking in. My nerves buzzed beneath my skin. Maybe this was how Natsuki had felt when she stayed at mine.

Her parents invited me to join them for dinner. I hadn’t expected the table to be so large when there were only three of them seated around it. The first half passed quietly as the maids brought out carefully plated dishes, each one prepared by a private chef. No one seemed eager to speak. It felt less awkward than it might have, like we were all simply worn down by the day.

Later, I called home to reassure my family. They had been worried after seeing the news, but I told them everything had settled for now. All that was left was to wait and let the noise die down. The thought of living constantly under that kind of scrutiny made my head ache. Every word twisted, every action examined. I didn’t know how Natsuki endured it.

That was a thought for later.

I followed her up the spiral staircase after we said good night to her parents. The curve of the steps felt unreal, like something out of a movie. I took a quick bath and changed into a pair of pajamas she offered me, gray-blue, the color of a stormy sky. They smelled faintly like her detergent.

Waiting for her to finish bathing was… unsettling in a way I hadn’t expected.

Her room was spacious and carefully arranged, warm lighting reflecting off pale walls. The bed alone was large enough for the both of us without question. My thoughts tried to run ahead of me, but I forced myself to slow down.

I wandered instead.

That was when I spotted it. The stuffed animal I had won for her on our first date sat neatly on a shelf. My lips curved upward without me realizing it. Beside it was a framed photo of Natsuki with her parents. She couldn’t have been more than ten, clutching a trophy with a bright, unguarded smile.

Her room was filled with memories.

Just not ones with me in them yet.

A small ache formed in my chest, quiet but persistent.

Maybe I should win her more plushies.

I barely had time to process the thought before a soft breath brushed my ear. I flinched on instinct, hands flying up to cover them.

“That’s new,” Natsuki said, amusement lacing her voice.

I turned to see her leaning against the doorway, hair still slightly damp, eyes sparkling with mischief. “T-They’re sensitive,” I muttered.

“Good to know,” she hummed, circling me slowly, playful and unthreatening. “Did you look around?”

“Yeah,” I admitted. “Your room’s incredible. You even kept the plush.”

Her expression softened immediately. “Of course I did. It’s special.”

I reached for her hand without thinking, thumb brushing over her knuckles. “I’ll… do my best to make you happy.”

Her cheeks warmed instantly. “W-What brought that on?”

“Today,” I said honestly. “And seeing all this.” I glanced around the room before meeting her eyes again. “It made me realize how many memories you already have. And I thought… if something ever happened, all you’d have of me would be that plush.”

The loneliness slipped out before I could stop it.

She didn’t interrupt. She just looked at me, fully present.

“I want to make more memories with you,” I finished quietly.

The next thing I felt was warmth against my lips.

It took me a second to realize she had leaned in. My eyes stayed open in surprise while hers were gently closed, her touch soft and unhurried. I didn’t pull away.

When she finally drew back, her gaze was glassy, affectionate. “We’re already doing that,” she whispered, resting her forehead against mine.

“M-Maybe we should–,” I started, though my voice lacked conviction.

She kissed me again, brief and teasing this time, and I found myself leaning forward instead of retreating, hands hovering awkwardly before settling at her sides. I laughed softly into the space between us, nerves dissolving into something lighter.

The rest of the night passed gently.

We ended up curled beneath the covers, shoulders touching, fingers loosely intertwined. Just warmth, shared breaths, and the quiet comfort of being there together.

As I drifted off, I found myself wishing that one day, the shelves in her room would be filled with memories that belonged to the both of us.