#41 | I LOVE YOU (FINALE)
When you got back from work, the events of the day were swirling in your head, begging to be told. You kicked off your shoes at the door, dropped your bag onto the couch, and instinctively reached for your phone to call Rin. She was always the first person you turned to—whether it was a stressful day, an exciting development, or just a need for someone to vent to.
But then you remembered.
Rin and her overly cheerful boyfriend, Shouyou, had taken off on a two-week vacation—a spontaneous trip he'd surprised her with, paid for entirely out of his own pocket. You smiled at the thought of Rin's face when she found out about the trip. She deserved the happiness, the love, the adventure.
Still, you couldn't help but feel a little lonely. This was something you would've talked through with her—processing the mix of emotions you'd felt since that fateful meeting with Kenma. Now, you had to deal with it on your own, including the date he had so earnestly proposed.
You sighed, tossing your phone onto the coffee table before collapsing onto the couch. The silence of your apartment seemed louder than usual. The faint hum of the fridge in the kitchen and the occasional sound of cars outside were your only company.
"Okay," you muttered to yourself. "I can do this."
The day of the date arrived faster than you anticipated.
You woke up feeling the kind of nervous excitement that made your stomach churn. It had been so long since you'd gone on a date—let alone with someone who had once been such a complicated part of your life.
After a long shower, you stared at your closet, debating for far too long about what to wear. Eventually, you settled on a floral maxi dress. It was soft, flowy, and kissed with warm hues of peach and lavender. It felt like springtime, and somehow, it matched the mood of the day. You paired it with a beige coat that hugged your frame just right.
Your hair was styled simply, a loose braid falling over one shoulder, with a few tendrils framing your face. You opted for minimal makeup—a touch of blush, a hint of eyeliner, and your favorite lip tint.
As you slipped on your sandals and gave yourself one last glance in the mirror, a nervous breath escaped your lips. "Here we go," you whispered, grabbing your purse and heading out.
Kenma was waiting for you at the entrance to the park.
The sun was beginning to dip below the horizon, casting the entire scene in shades of gold and amber. He leaned against his car, dressed in a black sweater and khaki pants, his usual understated style somehow looking effortlessly attractive.
When he saw you approach, his eyes widened slightly, a subtle flicker of awe crossing his face before he caught himself.
"You look... amazing," he said, his voice soft.
You felt your cheeks heat. "Thank you. You don't look too bad yourself."
He chuckled, stepping aside to open the passenger door for you. "Shall we?"
The two of you walked into the park, the path lined with lanterns that flickered gently in the evening breeze. Kenma led the way to a quiet spot near the lake, where a small picnic setup awaited—a blanket spread out with cushions, a basket of food, and fairy lights strung between the nearby trees.
"Wow," you breathed, taking it all in. "This is... beautiful."
Kenma scratched the back of his neck, looking almost bashful. "I wanted it to be special."
You sat down together, the conversation light at first. He asked about your day, your work, and you returned the questions, laughing at his stories about frustrating game glitches and his cat, Kuro, trying to climb his gaming setup.
But as the sun sank lower, painting the sky in rich hues of orange and pink, the mood shifted. Kenma reached into his pocket and pulled out a small velvet box.
"I wanted to give you something," he said, holding it out.
You blinked, caught off guard. "Kenma, you didn't have to—"
"Just open it," he interrupted gently.
With hesitant fingers, you opened the box to reveal a delicate necklace with a tiny star-shaped pendant. The craftsmanship was exquisite, the star catching the fading sunlight in a way that made it sparkle like it was alive.
"Kenma..." Your voice was barely above a whisper.
"It reminded me of you," he said, his gaze unwavering. "Bright. Constant. Even when we weren't talking, even when things were... messy, you were always there, in the back of my mind."
Your breath hitched as he continued.
"Y/N," he began, his voice trembling slightly. "I've never hated you. Not once. Even when we were kids, when we fought and called each other names... I didn't hate you. I was just... scared. Scared of how much I cared about you, even then. And when we got older, and things got even more complicated, that didn't change."
He paused, his fingers fidgeting with the edge of the blanket. "I like everything about you. The way you never back down, even when you're scared. The way you laugh when you're nervous. The way you care so deeply about the people around you, even when you're too stubborn to admit it."
Tears prickled at the corners of your eyes. You opened your mouth to speak, but he wasn't done.
"And I know I messed up. I should've said all of this a long time ago, but I didn't know how. I thought... maybe you were better off without me. But after everything—after seeing you again—I can't keep this to myself anymore."
His golden-brown eyes locked onto yours, filled with a vulnerability you'd never seen before. "I love you, Y/N. I've loved you for a long time. And I want to try again. I want to take things slow, at your pace, but... I don't want to lose you again."
For a moment, all you could do was stare at him, your chest tight with a whirlwind of emotions.
"Kenma," you finally managed, your voice trembling. "I... I love you too. I think I always have. Even when we were fighting, even when I was angry at you... I never stopped caring. And I'm sorry for all the ways I pushed you away."
He reached for your hand, his fingers warm and steady as they intertwined with yours. "You don't have to apologize. I just... I'm glad you're here."
You smiled through your tears, squeezing his hand. "I'm glad I'm here too."
The two of you sat in comfortable silence for a while, the weight of the moment settling around you like a warm embrace. As the first stars began to appear in the night sky, you couldn't help but feel like something new had begun—something that had been waiting for years to finally take shape.
"Does this mean you'll let me take you out on another date?" Kenma asked, his tone teasing but his eyes hopeful.
You laughed softly. "I guess it does."
"Good," he said, leaning back on his hands and gazing up at the sky. "Saturday, then?"
"Saturday," you agreed, your heart lighter than it had been in years.
And as the night wrapped around you, the future didn't seem so uncertain anymore.
────── end of chapter ──────
▸ "The past melts into the present as love, once unspoken, finds its voice under the stars."
authors note:
guys ill actually cry what
i appreciate any votes comments. stay safe, healthy, and hydrated :D take care of your mental health!!!
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blind date | kenma kozume
Fanfiction𝗕𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗗 𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘 - You, Y/n, a 22-year-old who had always sidestepped romance despite your mother's relentless efforts to set you up on blind dates, finally relented and agreed to one. You'd always managed to find an excuse to avoid these setups...