Chapter 27

**Yu's POV**

You know, I never really get to talk to Sasha. I've been putting it off for a long time. Too long. She's gotta know. Today. Today I'll do it, I tell myself. As I walk towards where the tide meets the shore, I notice a certain blonde-haired girl. I sigh, ruffle my hair awkwardly, and walk up to her. She turns around, startled. She looks back and forth between the sailboat Naoto asked me if I wanted to go on, and me. She looks really confused--it's adorable.

Sasha: Yu...? I thought you were--

Me: Nah. I hate boats.

Sasha looks at me with a quizzical look on her face. I direct my thumb towards the sand, motioning for her to sit. She squats down onto the sand, then winces.

Sasha: Can we not, you know, sit on the sand please? I just got these shorts today.

Me: Uh, sure.

She walks over to a small tree about 50 yards or so away. She climbs up into one of the higher clusters of branches, her legs dangling as she sits down. She leans back against one big branch, and I settle to sitting against the base of the tree. I look up at her, waiting for one of us to speak. I decide to "be a man," and break the silence.

Me: So...I was gonna tell you why I'm not with everyone else I guess.

She nods, motioning for me to continue. I close my eyes, preparing myself for a long, dramatic conversation.

Me: Well, I guess I'll start with what I said before. I really hate boats.

Sasha: Why...?

I can see that she's cautious, not sure whether she should pursue the topic or not.

Me: Well, when I was a little kid...

**Flashback to when Yu was 6 years old** (YU IS NARRATING WITH HIS SEXY VOICE)

Yu throws his book against the wall, angry with the ending.

Yu: Aw, man! Why did it have to do that!

Yu's mother looks over at him, pausing from knitting for a moment. She sternly looks at him, then directs her attention to a movie that plays on their living room television, Titanic.

Yu's mother: Yu, dear. Please don't throw your books at the wall. We payed for those.

Yu: Yes, Mother.

Yu's mother: Yu, you're such a good boy.

When Yu hears this, he grins and snuggles close to his mother. She rubs his back as his father sits down.

Yu's father: What's this about good boys?

Yu's mother: Dear, I was just saying that Yu here is our pride and joy, and is very special to us.

Yu's father: Damn right he is.

Yu looks at his father and grins. His father ruffles his hair, and Yu looks up at him. Yu's parents' attention is focused now on the movie, as the ship Titanic strikes the iceberg. Yu looks on in fear, then when the ship finishes sinking, he starts to bawl. He buries his head into the crook of his mother's arm, trying to unsee the horror, screaming, and death. His mother coos him until he cries himself to sleep.

---

Years pass before Yu has the courage to begin researching, discovering, and learning about the Titanic. As time goes on, Yu learns more of the story of the Titanic. Every time his parents would watch Titanic, he would occupy himself elsewhere. Anytime he saw anything that had to do with being on a boat, he would make an excuse for not being there. Any kind of boat. He was afraid that the boat would sink, just like the Titanic did. In a way, it is one of his deepest fears.

**End of flashback**

Me: And that's it. That's the story for why I'm not with everyone else.

I look up at Sasha, who's eyes are filled with complex wonder. She bends down to be closer to me.

Sasha: And you know why I'm not going, right?

Me: Yeah. Sorry about, y'know. Naoto like, having to take your ruined shit and wave it around like, "Whoo, yeah, I TOTALLY did this on accident!" Rise dared her to do it. Naoto really honestly didn't wanna.

Sasha: Yeah, I get it. It's a dare. But why the hell would Rise pick THAT for a dare?! It's gross.

Me: Yeah.

I sigh, and Sasha bends down, almost upside down to be as close to me as possible. As I close my eyes, I hear a loud crack! I snap my eyes open and I see the huge branch that Sasha was leaning on fall to the ground. Sasha follows and collapses into my lap. Her face goes bright red as she inhales fast and shallow breaths.

Sasha: Holy shit. Yu I'm so fucking sorry.

As Sasha starts to get out of my lap, I grab hold of her arm. It's soft, but underneath lay strong muscle. She inhales a sharp gasp as I drag her back down.

Sasha: Yu...?

I close my eyes momentarily. Now's the time, Yu. Do it! You won't get another chance, I think. I sigh and snap open my eyes.

Me: Sasha.

Sasha: Yeah...?

Yu: Look. This is something I've been meaning to ask you. I really need to ask you this. Like, right now.

Sasha: What is it...?

She knows what I'm going to ask, and I blush as I realize I've made things awkward and I'm gripping her arm white. She looks at me worriedly, begging me to ask her just one sentence.

Me: Look...Sasha, I really like you. I mean, like, really. I gotta ask you this now, otherwise-

She cuts me off as she pulls my face to hers. I cup my her soft, pink cheeks in my hands. She pulls away abruptly, a serious look on her face.

Sasha: Yes, Yu. Of course I'll go out with you. I'd be an idiot if I said no.

She smiles a bright and beautiful grin. She pulls me into a kiss yet again. Inside, I'm cheering, whooping, hollering, whatever. On the outside, I keep a strong, cool façade. I grin, dragging both me and Sasha to our feet, then let go of Sasha. She laughs awkwardly against my lips. I run my hand through her long hair. I must've not been paying attention before, but now I realize that Sasha has braids in her hair. It's pretty, interwoven with different color hair strings, which shimmer in the setting sunlight.

**Sasha's POV**

7:54 p.m.

We watched the sun set for a while. It seems so foreign that this boy...He's my...boyfriend. Yup. He asked me out. When he stumbled around with his words, I could SO tell he was nervous. I could tell his thoughts from there. I can hardly believe it, though. This guy, I had always had a crush on, even if he was from an anime or whatever, he asks someone like me out. It's like a fairytale dream come true. I'm nobody, I'm the Cinderella of story, he's the sexy prince to whisk me away into a happy ending.

Yu pulls himself to his feet, brushing the sand off himself. I follow his lead, noting that the sailboat we saw before has vanished. I think of calling Naoto, wondering if we should meet at the seaside cafe that she mentioned. I tug my iPhone out of my bag, pushing the ON button. I scroll through my contacts, reaching Shirogane, Naoto. I push the call button. After about 6 rings or so, I hear a muffled voice on the other end.

Naoto: Hey. Where are you guys?

Me: I should be askin' you the same thing.

Naoto: We're at the suite.

Me: So should we meet up with you there, and then go to the cafe or-

Naoto: We already went to the cafe, Sasha.

Me: What...?

Naoto: Yeah. Sorry.

Me: Really...?

Naoto: Yeah. Are you with Yu?

Me: Yeah.

I drop my voice to a whisper. I rush the next few words hurriedly and excitedly into the receiver.

Me: Naoto, you're not gonna believe what happened.

Naoto: What?

Me: He asked me out.

I hear a couple squeals, and groan when I realize that Naoto must've put it on speakerphone. I hear the guys whooping, and I push END CALL. I sigh, then hurriedly walk over to Yu.

Me: Turns out they already ate.

Yu: Oh.

Me: Yeah.

I think for a moment. Yu wants to just go and eat by ourselves. I'm fine with it; actually, that would be nice.

Me: Yu, can I ask you something?

Yu: You just did.

I let out a chuckle, then proceed to what I was going to ask.

Me: Are you purposely trying to have me hear your thoughts?

Yu: No...Why? Is it obvious?

Me: Well no shit, Sherlock. I can read minds. Is it really that surprising?

Yu smirks, taking me by the hand.

--

*Holy shit, guys! I feel so nostalgic re-writing all of this! It brings me back! Honestly, I never took the time to re-read my writing until now. And thank you so much to a bunch of people who gave a bunch of positive feedback on my story since I updated last night! I would have updated around 9 a.m. PT, but I instead watched YouTube for 6 HOURS. SIX. Six. Hours. S.I.X. H.O.U.R.S.

What the fuckles am I doing with my life, someone help. 

IF YOU VOTE AND COMMENT AND SHIT, THEN....idk honestly...a...cupcake...? An 'ask the author?'

Here's an ultimatum: If I come back next week and this chapter alone has 300+ reads, comments, or votes, then I'll do an "Ask the Author" on Tumblr. So...we'll see! Ciao for now!

~Mako~