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Prerequisite: Music helps set the mood, so as much as possible, I guess you should listen to the songs I put before the chapter starts. I mean, that is if you want to.

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— "People can change", "And when they do, it is supposed to make them better than who they used to be."

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CHAPTER NINE :: PINEAPPLE

FOURTH MONTH

SATURDAY
7:25 AM

After that visit to your parents and your hometown, you and Keigo had become inseparable since then. A lot of people from the university (especially your friends and your tutor students) have noticed this. However, they support the two of you because they've seen great improvements in you individual selves.

Both of you didn't notice this though.

Until today, that is.

Today marks the fourth month of you two dating. It saddens Keigo because he is reminded of how little time he has left to spend with you. When Dabi arrives, he knows that it would be the end of the happy days and back with the old, sad ones. He twisted and turned on his bed, sighing.

You two weren't going to meet up today because you were also going out with a few friends, leaving Keigo in his own den of thoughts. Keigo thought about going out today too but he didn't really want to bother dressing up. So, he decided to work on his recordings.

Too many times that your heart has been let down.
And you're picking up pieces from the ground

"It's been four months since I've been recording my thoughts..." He said to nobody but himself. He grabbed the recorder and went to the first recording he did. Keigo chuckled at his own disgusting voice–nobody really liked their own voices on tape. The sounds bouncing on and off his walls, the thoughts he suppressed, now clearer in his head.

The more he listened, the more his intentions became clearer and his goals were aligned. On the second week of recording, he was already getting serious about his studies as a redemption for whatever happened to him. He smiled as he remembered the recorded audio of him realizing for the first time that he had fallen for you.

It was quick but he always replayed it on his head.

"She was just sitting there, looking at a book and smiling." He said along with the recorder–reminiscing when your smile first made his heart skip a beat.

It had been the time when the most drastic second week of the school year was happening and he had found himself in some sort of misunderstanding with you. His mind and thoughts were all over the place and at that moment, he wanted to give up.

That's when he saw you.

You were sitting at the university park bench, reading a book, smiling probably because the storyline had made you feel the emotions that cause someone to curve their lips upward. Your slender fingers curling the paper and flipping it to the next page. He felt as if the world around him slowed down for a bit–it felt like he had known you for a long while.

He directly went to the cafeteria, grabbed your favorite food and a bottle of water before texting you asking where you were even though he already knew.

And you feel like screaming out.
But there's no one to help you.

"And when I gave her the food, the look on her face over my thoughtfulness was worth it. It may mean nothing to her but it meant a lot to me that time. I want to be better now."

Keigo paused the recorder and placed it on his lap. He pursed his lips before sighing. It felt good to look back on it and realizing that if it weren't for him reaching out to you, both of you wouldn't be where you are now.

And he still wouldn't be able to remember the accident.

He scrolled through the recorder again and his eyes stopped at a familiar one. Keigo wasn't sure if this brought a smile to his face or not but listening to it again made him kind of warm. It was the happenings at the beach, right after you ran away.

"I felt mad at myself," his voice had started speaking again. "I wouldn't have forgiven myself if something terrible happened to her that day..."

He felt a sharp pang on his chest. He did really mean that with all his heart. He really would have blamed himself if the worst case scenario did happen. He clutched his shirt right where the heart should be and sighed.

"That's why, from here on out, I will be better and if not, I will be the best for her. Nothing can stop me."

Keigo smiled while closing his eyes, still clutching his shirt. Remembering your words, people can change, you were right. Change is the only thing inevitable in this world and sometimes, two people change by bringing the best out of themselves.

He got up and turned off the recorder, proceeding to write something down.

SATURDAY
10:30 AM

The city streets were bustling today considering that it was the weekend. You have just gotten out of the salon with some of your friends who had asked for your time to hang out with them. Of course, who could say no? However, your thoughts often go back to Keigo who you were supposed to be celebrating with as well.

Again, today marks the fourth month of the two of you dating and it had been quite the ride for the two of you. You smiled at the thought and was only placed back to your surroundings when Momo waved her hand in front of you. Momo Yaoyorozu had been your friend since middle school up to high school and she decided to visit you while you weren't so caught up in your relationship.

Too many times you been told
that they can change.

"You thinking about him again?" She said, smiling lightly at you.

"Yeah, sorry about that. It's just been so... crazy lately." You admitted, not trying to deny the obvious anymore.

"Do you miss him?" Mina butted in and nudged your sides, causing you to blush.

"I do but he knows I'm with you guys."

Mina and Momo continued to pester you about your situation and you couldn't help but feel all warm and happy inside. You haven't been this joyful in a while and you didn't want to trade it with anything else. When did you start feeling like this?

'Oh, right.' You inhaled as you recalled. 'It was that time he kissed my forehead and called me sunflower.'

In all honesty, he made you so happy after that forehead kiss that you weren't able to sleep directly and you had to wait for an hour before you could calm down and get some shut eye. Then, he started filling up the gaps you both had day by day by day. And soon enough, you couldn't find yourself not being able to at least have a conversation with him, even if it was through text or calls.

You chuckled inaudibly when you thought about the first time he called you. It was a night where both of you couldn't go to each others apartments because of midterms but you were feeling lonely. He called you to make sure you were alright but he was a stuttering mess and you could definitely feel the blush he had on his cheeks through the speakers of your phone.

You talked for a long time while studying. The call would be silent for 10 minutes before he would speak up again asking if you were there or if you were feeling lonely. It stayed like that for an hour or two and you were starting to feel a little groggy. He took notice of this and told you to take a little nap and he'd wake you up in 30 minutes.

Of course, who wouldn't take the offer, right?

Keigo waited until you were finally napping at that time and proceeded to tell you sweet things every 5 minutes. You heard this because you were still listening to him while closing your eyes. The human body's basic functions are still active for a few minutes before they sleep. He would tell you how amazing you were or how he liked the way your voice sounded. Some time, he would compliment your appearance and intelligence. This went on until 30 minutes had passed and the last thing he told you really stuck to you until now.

"You changed me for the better. I like it."

You swear you could felt your lips twitch into a smile despite you napping. He then proceeded to wake you up and you opened your eyes, wanting to tell him that you heard everything in your sleep.

But all the words you could say were;

"People can change." You said out loud which startled him a bit. "And when they do, it is supposed to make them better that who they used to be."

But they don't, yeah, they always stay the same.
And leave you in the pouring rain.

With the snap of Mina's fingers ringing in your ears, you were pulled away from your thoughts and back to the coffee cup that was now in your hands. How the fuck did it even get there? You may never know. You sipped on it and you smiled.

It tastes just like how Keigo would like his coffee–not too bitter and not too sweet.

"You know, (your name). You've changed a lot." Momo said while sipping on her frappe. "But in a really positive note. You're glowing from happiness."

"I–" you stopped for a while before chuckling and standing up from your seat. "I guess I am. I need to go. I have to do something."

You quickly ran out of the cafe, ignoring the calls of your friends behind you. There was something you needed to do and write right now. There was no more time needed to be wasted on waiting.

I'm right here to tell you, I won't.

SATURDAY
1:50 PM

You had finally reached your apartment, grabbing a piece of stationary and your trusty pen. You wrote down a lot of your thoughts and feelings unto that piece of stationary and placed it inside an envelope, closing it with a glue. Words may never be enough to describe how you truly feel and why you felt it but it may be something worthwhile to read over and over again.

Keigo had done the same thing in his apartment and was already on his way to yours. He had finished his earlier this morning and he was nervous in giving it to you. Words may never be enough to speak the volumes of his intended actions in the future but he has hope that it might be enough for you to take as a reminder.

Both of you changed.

And both of you are glad that it was for a good cause.

Now, both of you had no time to waste especially since you only have less than a month left to show each other that you truly loved one another.

I'll love you in all of the ways that they don't.

Keigo finally arrived and knocked on your door. You were confused as to who was knocking but when you opened the door, you saw Keigo's tall figure, messy hair, and cheeky smile plastered in front of you. Oh, how you love this guy. You gestured him to come in and he followed.

"There's something–" he started but you cut him off by handing him the yellow envelope. You watched as he slowly took the envelope in his own hands and placing another yellow envelope on your own hands. "I guess we both had the same plans."

You laughed and saw that there was a small note written on your envelope;

A month from now, we may not be able to see or even speak to one another as often as we like. We may drift apart but 5 years from now, open this envelope and read its contents.

Keigo had read the note that you had also left in his envelope. It read;

Time may overlook the two of us and it may be a new challenge that we face. We often try to anchor ourselves to people so the stormy seas don't drown us. 5 years from now, open this envelope. Find me, love me once again.

Both of you looked at one another and smiled. You held on to the envelope for a whole minute before putting it inside your bedroom. It wouldn't be a lie to say that both of you really wanted to read the contents of the letter. But it is only ethical and needed that both of you must wait for 5 years before it is read.

"We shouldn't be wasting any more time, Keigo." You said randomly, holding his shoulders. "Dabi will be back soon and... we won't be hanging out much anymore."

And help you pick up all the pieces they broke

Keigo felt a heavy weight on his shoulder when you said those words. He felt a sharp pain in his chest and his first impulse was to pull you in for a hug. You quickly wrapped your arms around the sides of his body and rested your head on his chest.

"God, sunflower. I really wish I could turn back the time and make it all worth it again."

"Well, there's nothing much that we can do now, honestly. It's pessimistic to say it but... it is still bound to happen."

I promise I'll always be with you 'cause
You don't wanna waste your time.

You felt him lifting your chin with his hand so you were now staring at him. He leaned in and kissed your forehead, your nose, your eyes, your cheeks, and finally, his lips found their way on yours. You wrapped your hands over his shoulders, your fingers tangling themselves in his yellow locks, pulling him closer to deepen the kiss.

As you passionately kissed, his hands ran up and down your side until they finally snaked around your waist, pressing your warm bodies together. He left your lips, trailing butterfly kisses down your cheeks, jawline, and neck. He nibbled on your soft skin which caused you to giggle and push him lightly.

"Since we're supposed to celebrate..." Keigo's warm breath was now blowing near your ear, causing you to blush. "Why don't we eat dinner and have a little fun after~?"

Even though he was a suggestive little bitch, you knew he held his principles over not having to do it before marriage. That part of him made you like him even more. You slapped his chest lightly, causing him to chuckle.

"Why don't we just have dinner and do romantic stuff like we always do~?" You said smiling.

"As long as I'm with you, I'm always down for it, sunflower."

Later that evening, both of you did have fun with each other's companies and conversations. You enjoyed the time you spent with each other and it was always bothering you that it was coming to an end. The world is unfair and Dabi had always been right about that.

But the world was also running on fate and destiny–it was giving to those who need it.

And both of you deeply hoped that even if things may change starting the time Dabi returns, the love you both have for each other would remain constant until the next time you are able to see each other.

I swear you'll never waste your time with me.

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A/N: I am hyped. Sorry for the late update, I was dealing with a lot of people right now and phew, that was distracting.

Anyways, prepare for the next chapters because it's going to be one hell of a bumpy ride!