(Mitsuki pov)
I had been waiting for over an hour, standing alone on the sidewalk, watching the endless flow of Shibuya traffic blur past like a restless river of lights and sound. A freezing gust of wind bit at my exposed skin, slipping beneath the thin coat that did little to shield it. The dress I wore—elegant but revealing—left my back and shoulders bare, and the cold crept in with every passing minute.
We had promised to meet here.
Yet Yuji still hadn't shown up.
"I forgot…" I muttered, finally reaching into my bag.
I hadn't turned on my phone the entire time. The screen lit up with a flurry of missed notifications, but it was his message that caught my eye first. I'm sorry, urgent work. That's all it said.
I stared at the words, unsure whether to believe him. But some part of me still hoped. What if he was already waiting at the hotel ballroom?
I hurried there, my heels echoing faintly against the polished marble floors. The grand room shimmered with soft music and laughter, echoes of old classmates reconnecting under golden chandeliers.
But there was no sign of Yuji.
And somehow, I ended up beside Haruka again.
"Where is he, Mitsuki-san?"
I shrugged, taking a sip of champagne. "He had something to do. But he'll come, Haruka."
Haruka smiled at me, bright as ever. "That's cute. Mitsuki-san really trusts him, hehe. I'm gonna see the others first—wanna come along?"
I shook my head. "Nah, I'm good."
Haruka drifted off. She'd always been like that—bubbly, effortlessly liked, even back in high school. Me? I didn't have that kind of reputation. Not back then. Not even now.
About half an hour passed.
"Hey, that's our old school gang leader."
"Keke~ so lame~ I heard she'd bring a guy tonight. I was kinda excited to see him."
"Gosh, someone like her? I mean—she's not even... girly. No way she has a boyfriend."
"You're right. Bet she made him up."
Ah... I could hear it all, every word. And the worst part? They weren't entirely wrong. Someone like me… having someone like Yuji? Whether as a lover or even a friend? Meh.
We met by accident. Some dumb shit situation. Most of it—honestly, it was my fault.
"Whoa~!"
"Hey, look. Who's that?"
"Was he our classmate?"
The crowd turned. I followed their gazes—and there he was. A man in a fitted suit and a dark turtleneck, scanning the room like he was looking for someone.
Shit. Our eyes met.
In a panic, I ducked behind my coat. But the sound of approaching footsteps was all too familiar.
"Sorry I'm late."
"…you don't have to be sorry."
I felt the warmth before I saw him—Yuji sitting beside me, calm and unbothered as always. One hand gently pushed my coat aside.
"You look great, Mitsuki."
"This is the last thing I'd choose to wear. It's tight, and I hate showing this much skin."
He chuckled softly, his firm, rough hand wrapping around mine.
"Let's go. I heard people talking shit about you. Wanna go shut them up with a dance?"
"What—no, I can't. I can't do something like that. Wait!"
He didn't listen. Of course he didn't. He pulled me toward the center of the ballroom where others were already dancing.
"Wait, this is stupid. I can't handle this many eyes on me, you fuck—"
"Don't worry," he said, his voice low. "Just follow my lead."
He slid one arm around my waist and pulled me closer. Somehow—awkward as it was—I managed to follow his rhythm.
"Ow—sorry." I stepped on his foot again, but his face didn't even twitch.
"So, how was work?" I asked.
"Done." He clicked his tongue. "I hate to admit it, but I finished as fast as I could. Especially since it was supposed to be my vacation. Fuck them all."
It must've been rough. I could see it in the lines of his face, the tension in his jaw.
"Haha… I mean, that's kinda cool. They must really need you."
"Afraid so. I wish I could just disappear and live somewhere quiet."
Since when did he want that kind of life…?
"Yuji, could we talk somewhere?"
He looked down at me. "Right now? What about socializing with your former classmates first?"
Like hell I cared. "Fuck normies. Let's go now. Please kidnap me."
He smirked. That damn smirk. "Sure."
I narrowed my eyes. "Wait. What are you doing?"
Without warning, he swept me into his arms and started walking across the room like it was nothing.
"I'm kidnapping Mitsuki."
"That's not what I meant, you dumb fuck!"
"Go get her, Mister Boyfriend!" Haruka cheered from the sidelines.
"I will!" he called back.
Fuck these two.
It's settled.
I'm never coming back to this reunion again.
---
"Hah..." I sighed deeply as we finally stepped into the elevator, heading down to the lobby.
"So, where are we going?" I asked, breaking the silence.
"I don't know," he said. "Wanna grab dinner?"
"That's not a bad idea... but I'm already full. I mean, I'm okay with anything."
"Anything?"
"You're thinking something gross, aren't you?"
He chuckled again, a low sound that made my stomach flutter. "Didn't you say you wanted to talk about something?"
I nodded. "Yeah. It's important."
"Shit... you sound really serious."
"I am." I gave a faint smile, turning my gaze forward. "I think we should stop doing... whatever this is."
A heavy silence settled between us.
"Why?" he asked.
"I don't think this is right, Yuji. In this life, things should be equal. But the world's not fair. For me, standing next to you feels like comparing caviar to yakisoba from a vending machine. It just tastes like shit, Yuji." I laughed weakly. "I'm not trying to be over dramatic, but... I think we should stop. I was never someone to you to begin with. I'm not worth it."
The elevator doors opened with a soft chime, revealing the grand lobby, gilded in warm light and quiet elegance.
"Thanks for coming, Yuji. I mean it."
He looked at me, his voice low. "I think you've got it backwards, Mitsuki. I'm the one who's not worthy of you—or anyone."
I blinked, thrown off. "Are you crazy?"
He was that Taurus Silver. How could he say that?
"Since things have come this far… I want to show you something."
"What?"
He grabbed my hand. "Come with me."
"…uhm, alright?" I followed, unsure of what he was up to.
We stopped at the hotel receptionist... huh?
"Good evening, sir. May I help you?"
"Good evening. I'd like to book a room."
What the—
"I'm sorry, sir. We don't have many options available right now. The only room left is the Presidential Suite."
"That's fine," Yuji said without hesitation.
"Very well. Please have a seat while we process the booking."
As the receptionist walked away, I grabbed his arm. "What the hell are you doing?"
He looked at me calmly. "I want to show you something."
"By booking a... room?"
"…uh, yeah?"
I stared at him, completely lost. What the hell is going on in that head of his? Wait—no way.Is he trying to show me how "manly" he is? Is he planning—
"Here's your key, sir," the receptionist returned with a polite smile. "Would you like assistance bringing anything to your room? Or perhaps a dinner reservation?"
"No, we're good," Yuji said, then took my hand again. "Let's go."
I didn't say a word. Not with people watching. We stepped into the elevator once more. Of course, someone else was there too. Just my luck.
When we finally reached the top floor, the doors opened to reveal a lavish corridor. The Presidential Suite, apparently.
"This way," he said, opening the door for me.
I sighed and walked in first.
Take it easy, Mitsuki. Maybe he's just a weirdo and not a perv.
"So… what do you want me to see?"
I followed him deeper into the suite, past the polished floors and soft lighting. Without saying a word, he took off his jacket.
Goddammit, I knew it!
"Wait… uh, Yuji?"
He didn't stop. He peeled off his sweater next!
Panicked, I turned around and covered my eyes. "Hey—this isn't what I was thinking! For your information, I don't do that outside of marriage, okay?! I'm not slut!"
"What the hell are you talking about? We're not here to fuck."
"Liar! Ah, fuck you, Yuji! I knew all men were the same!"
Still covering my face, I fought back against what I thought was an inevitable, awkward, and wildly inappropriate situation. I mean—I followed him here, and now he's stripping? Unless he's… gay. What else was I supposed to think?
"I won't touch you. That's a promise. Just open your eyes."
Slowly, I lowered my hands.
"…" I froze. My breath caught in my throat.
His chest—his back—scarred.
"Wh... Wait… you said you're Taurus Silver…"
Yuji looked at me. There was no smile now. No smirk.
"I am Taurus Silver. I work part-time under that name. But knowledge and awareness are always ambiguous. One person's reality is another's illusion. We all live inside our own fantasies, Mitsuki. Like you, thinking I'm a good man and that you're not worthy to stand beside me. Both of those ideas are wrong."
He looked straight into my eyes.
"I'm not a good man nor I'm not worthy of you."
I felt a lump rising in my throat. "What… are you saying?"
"Have you seen the news lately? About Amai Mask's disappearance?"
I nodded, slowly.
"I killed him."
The words hit like a gunshot.
My voice caught. I couldn't speak. Couldn't move.
Amai Mask was strong. Respected. Flashy. And suddenly he vanished without a trace.
Yuji… killed the Eighth Hero?
"Silver is my mask. I'm a killer," Yuji said, pulling his sweater back on. "That's who I really am."
He glanced at me, waiting. "What do you think?"
I couldn't answer right away. The words were still settling inside me, heavy and surreal.
"I guess… this is goodbye then?" he said, walking past me toward the door. "Take care, Mitsuki."
"Hey!" I called after him. "I never said that, you know. Come here—wait, no, I'm coming to you."
I crossed the room and stood in front of him.
"You know what? I don't care. About your past."
He blinked. "Huh? Wait…" His hand came to rest gently on my shoulder. "Mitsuki, I am a killer. I've killed heroes. I'm dangerous. Just being near me puts you at risk."
"We can talk about that. Thanks for telling me the truth, but honestly? I don't really care, Yuji."
"Even after I confessed that I killed Mask?"
"Maybe I'm just a crazy bitch," I said, grinning slightly. "Happy now?"
Yuji paused. Then he laughed. "I think you are."
"Call me that again and I'll kill you for real."
He chuckled, "I hope so."
We sat down on the bed, side by side. I just listened—to his story, his past, the weight he carried for so long. He told me things no one else knew, not even heroes or villains. Only his godmother, Recovery Girl.
"I'm sorry you had to go through that," I said quietly. "To think they forced you into that life so young…"
"Yeah. The world's never fair, right?"
"Don't steal my line." I nudged him gently. "Still… thank you. For telling me."
Our eyes met again. Something softened in his gaze. Yuji reached out, held my face in his rough, battle-worn hands, and pulled me close. His lips touched mine—tenderly, gently.
The moment felt surreal, like we were suspended in time.
And somehow... I didn't care.
I think, I really like this guy.
.
.
.
.
.
"What in the world..."
I woke up the next morning, NAKED! Maybe I am a crazy bitch after all. I sighed, slipping out of bed and pulling on a simple white robe.
---
(Yuji POV)
The same day.
I opened my eyes.
Same ceiling as the night I spent with Mitsuki.
I sat up on the bed, greeted by the morning view of Tokyo beyond the window—hazy sunlight pouring over the cityscape.
Damn... since when do I wake up feeling this fresh in the morning?
And more than that—I finally met someone who accepts me.
Although... I'm worried about our future.
I should probably start thinking about retirement—and tracking down AFO, fast. But for now, I need to put some distance between me and Mitsuki, at least until things calm down. The question is… how do I even begin to convince her?
"Uh... Yuji?"
"Yes?" I turned my head with a smile.
Mitsuki had just stepped out of the bathroom, holding something white in her hand. Her face was pale, eyes wide, lips slightly trembling. She looked straight at me.
"...I'm pregnant."
---
A/N: Author here. Finally, I managed to write it, haha! Sorry if it's really bad—this is all new world for me. I'm used to writing adults in teen bodies, but this time I really wanted to try writing an actual adult main character. Ask me if this story worth it or not. Thanks.