Last Second Power-Up pt 2 (Nao and Hibiki)

Nao watched as Hibiki's cheeks turned a delicate shade of pink, her reaction to his words causing his heart to beat faster as though it was going to burst out of his chest. The setting sun casting golden hues across the park as they stood by the edge of a small pond, the gentle ripple of water reflecting the soft light, surrounded by the lush greenery of late spring. Birds chirped softly in the distance, and a gentle breeze rustled the leaves above them, creating a serene backdrop for their moment. "I'm really glad you feel that way, Hibiki," Nao said softly, his voice carrying a warmth that mirrored that of the evening air. Taking a step closer to her, the space between them narrowing as he reached out and entwined her fingers in his once more.

He would stand there mere inches away from her as he looked into her eyes, trying to gather his courage. "To know that my words can make you feel seen, it means a lot to me. You are truly extraordinary, you deserve to feel that way and I will do my best to ensure you do. Always." He said, a smile forming on his face before leaning in and giving her a soft peck on the cheek. He wanted to kiss her for a long time now, but he also didn't want to rush things. He knew if it was meant to be then it would be, but sharing this moment with her caused him to remember what he had read in his mother's letter about his dad. He couldn't help but wonder if Hibiki could be 'the one' like how his mother said his father was for her.

A sudden wave of uncertainty would wash over him as he feared he might have overstepped, friends don't do that do they he thought to himself, silently kicking himself for what he had just done. His cheeks turned a bright red as he shifted his gaze back to the view that was before them, unsure what to say after what he had just done. "I've always found this place calming," he began, his voice full of nervousness as he attempted to change the subject. "It's like a little sanctuary within the chaos of the village, a touch of nature. I like to come here at night on the days that I can't make it out to the forest, just to help me unwind from the day. It’s like the world pauses for a moment, and everything feels just right."

There was a moment of silence and Nao was unsure if he should apologize for kissing her cheek or not, ultimately he would decide not to as it wasn't something he was sorry for doing. He liked her, it was that simple, he just hoped that the peck on her cheek wouldn't make her rethink their friendship. "Thank you for sharing this moment with me," he continued, his voice as soft as her's had been when she thanked him for making her feel seen. "I truly enjoy spending time with you, and I wouldn't want to spend this evening with anyone else." Nao realized just how much Hibiki meant to him, and he hoped she could understand the sincerity and depth of his feelings.

Nao watched Hibiki's reactions with bated breath, a mix of hope and nervousness tightening his chest. She seemed lost in thought, not responding at first. When she put on her playful, dramatic act, his tension started to ease, a smile tugging at his lips. Her reaction was so quintessentially Hibiki, and he couldn't help but laugh at her exaggerated gestures. The tension he had been feeling melted away, replaced by a warm sense of contentment. When Hibiki turned to him with that soft, sincere smile, Nao's breath hitched slightly. He felt a warmth spread through him, more comforting than the setting sun's golden light. When she teased him about setting the bar high and joking about a serenade, Nao chuckled, shaking his head.

"I don't know about that, I'm no bard." He began, a wide smile spread across his face. "I doubt I can even carry a tune, but for you, I’d give anything a try. I will need some time to practice," he continued, pausing briefly, "but you got to promise not to laugh when I make a fool of myself." He took a deep breath, looking into her eyes as he gathered his thoughts. “I’m glad you thought it was sweet,” he said, his voice a little shaky but sincere. “I didn't exactly plan for it to happen, but I couldn't help myself. You're really beautiful Hibiki, and I think I just got lost in the moment of it all. You make me feel a way that I have never felt about anyone else before, more than I can put into words." Nao looked down briefly, his embarrassment evident on his face.

"You’re not just extraordinary because of moments like this, but because of who you are every day. Your kindness, your laughter, the way you see the world, everything about you is just wonderful.” Nao squeezed her hand slightly as he looked back up into her eyes,  “I don’t want to pressure you or make you feel overwhelmed,” he said, his voice soft. "You don't even have to say anything, if you don't want to. I just needed you to know how I felt, I'm just happy being around you, knowing that I have a friend like you means everything to me." The world seemed to pause, just for a moment, as they stood side by side, fingers intertwined, his eyes locked onto hers. With each passing second, Nao felt a deep sense of contentment wash over him, he was truly happy in this moment with her.

Hibiki felt a whirlwind of emotions surge through her as Nao spoke, his words washing over her like a gentle wave. She had always known there was something special about their bond, but hearing Nao articulate his feelings with such heartfelt sincerity left her both exhilarated and slightly dazed.


She couldn't help but laugh at his comment about serenading her. "Nao, I promise I won't laugh," she said with a playful grin. "Okay, maybe just a little, but only because it'll be adorable." Her eyes sparkled with amusement, but there was a depth of feeling behind her teasing.

As he continued to speak, his words grew more earnest, and Hibiki felt her heart swell with emotion. The way he described her, the way he saw her—no one had ever made her feel so cherished, so genuinely appreciated. She listened intently, her eyes never leaving his, absorbing every word and the emotions behind them.

When Nao squeezed her hand and looked back into her eyes, Hibiki felt a lump form in her throat. She realized just how much he meant to her, how deeply his presence had become intertwined with her happiness.

Taking a deep breath, she decided to embrace the moment. "Nao," she began softly, her voice steady despite the racing of her heart, "you have no idea how much your words mean to me. I've never felt as understood and seen as I do with you. You make everyday brighter, just by being yourself."

She took a small step closer, her free hand gently resting on his arm. "I’ve been trying to sort out my own feelings, and I think I was afraid of what it might mean for us. But hearing you say all this... it makes me realize that maybe I was just scared of how much I care about you, too."


With a shy smile, she added, "I like you, Nao. More than just as a friend. And while I might tease you about singing to me, I promise I won’t laugh when you do. I’ll probably just fall for you even more."

She paused, looking into his eyes, feeling the warmth of his presence. "Let's just take things one step at a time," she said softly. "I really cherish what we have, and I don't want to rush anything. But I'm really happy you told me how you feel. It means a lot."

The moment hung between them, filled with the warmth of the setting sun and the unspoken promise of something more. Hibiki felt a sense of peace settle over her, knowing that whatever came next, they would face it together.

[13]

As Hibiki confessed her own feelings, Nao felt a rush of relief wash over him, followed by a surge of joy as his heart skipped a beat. He couldn't contain the smile that spread across his face as she spoke, her words weaving a tapestry of warmth and affection around them. "One step at a time sounds perfect to me," he agreed, his voice filled with warmth and affection. "I don't want to make you feel rushed into anything, as long as I get to spend time with you I am happy." He added with a warm smile, looking back into her eyes with his own. He knew that there was nothing he wouldn't do for her, and he was willing to wait as long as it took for her to be ready.

As they lingered near the pond mere inches from each other, the silent moment they shared brought him a sense of satisfaction to him. Having told her how he felt about her and hearing that she felt the same, it was as if a weight had been lifted off of his shoulders. He wanted to stay right where they were, to forget about the rest of the world and just be there with her forever, but he knew that it couldn't last. He didn't want her to get in trouble, and so with one last look out over the pond he would nod his head. "I think I should finish escorting you home," he said softly in a pained tone. If only it could last longer, but he knew that there would be more days like it in the future.

As the evening sun dipped lower on the horizon, Nao offered Hibiki his arm, a silent gesture of support and companionship for the walk to her house. They walked together in companionable silence, the sounds of the village fading into the background as they strolled through the familiar streets. When they finally arrived at Hibiki's front door, Nao stopped, turning to face her with a gentle smile. "Here we are," he said softly, his eyes warm with affection as he took her hand in his once more. "Thank you again for tonight, Hibiki. I've enjoyed every moment spent with you." He lingered there for a moment longer, reluctant to part ways with her before finally submitting and taking a step back.

Nao remained grounded on the spot as he watched Hibiki disappear into the house, a sense of contentment washed over him, knowing that their bond had only grown stronger. Finally , he would turn to head home himself, Nao couldn't help but feel a renewed sense of hope for the future, knowing that whatever it held, he would face it with Hibiki by his side. The events of the evening replaying in his mind as he made his way through the streets, absentmindedly walking and looking up to the now dark sky of the night and the blanket of stars that cover the village.

Exit Thread

Hibiki felt her heart swell as Nao’s words wrapped around her like a comforting embrace. His warm smile and the genuine affection in his eyes made her feel truly cherished. As they stood by the pond, mere inches apart, she felt a profound connection, a moment of pure understanding and mutual feeling.

“One step at a time,” she repeated softly, her voice filled with emotion. “Thank you, Nao, for being so patient and understanding. Knowing that we can take our time, just enjoying each other’s company, means so much to me.” Her eyes met his, and she felt a rush of warmth and joy. This wasn’t just a confession; it was the beginning of something beautiful.

Lingering near the pond, the world seemed to melt away, leaving just the two of them in a bubble of shared feelings. The serene silence between them spoke volumes, each second spent together strengthening the bond they had. But as much as she wished this moment could last forever, she knew they had to return to reality.

When Nao mentioned escorting her home, his voice tinged with reluctance, Hibiki nodded, understanding his concern. “I wish this moment could last longer too,” she admitted softly. “But I’m grateful for every second we’ve had tonight.”

Taking his offered arm, she felt a comforting sense of support and companionship. As they walked through the familiar streets, the village’s sounds faded into the background, replaced by the quiet rhythm of their footsteps. The evening sun cast a warm, golden glow around them, adding to the magic of the evening.

Upon reaching her front door, Hibiki turned to face Nao, his gentle smile reflecting her own feelings. “Here we are,” he said softly, his hand holding hers with a warmth that sent a comforting tingle through her. “Thank you again for tonight, Hibiki. I’ve enjoyed every moment spent with you.” Hibiki squeezed his hand, her heart full of gratitude and affection. “Thank you, Nao. Tonight has been wonderful, and I’m so happy we had this time together. I look forward to many more moments like this.”

Reluctantly, she stepped back, feeling the bittersweet tug of parting. She watched Nao as he stood there for a moment, his eyes lingering on her before he finally turned to leave. As he walked away, Hibiki felt a deep sense of contentment and hope for the future. Their bond had grown stronger tonight, and she knew that whatever challenges lay ahead, they would face them together.

Closing the door behind her, Hibiki leaned against it for a moment, replaying the evening’s events in her mind. A smile spread across her face as she thought about Nao and the connection they shared. She felt a renewed sense of optimism, knowing that their journey together was just beginning.

[14]


Exit Thread