A/N: Don't hate me for this chapter- keep reading- I'll just tell you that something good will happen in the next chapter which will be released soon uwub If you get triggered, you can probably read the ending and then go to the next chapter, but I mean, you'd miss some drama and development. owo

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-Stolen-

"Yato, I know I don't need a man, but I think I'm ready for a boyfriend!" The 14-year-old Hiyori stood up with her fist in front of her chest. Yato was surprised, but he wouldn't let this chance go to waste. "Do you still have that crush?" Hiyori brought her fist to her chin. "Actually, yes. I want it to be serious with him, however, and I don't want a serious one quite yet." Yato scratched his head. "Why not?"

"Well... I guess I just want to try it out first. I suppose I could ask my crush to go out with me, but... I think I'd freak out a little too much..." Hiyori blushed and put her hands behind her neck.

Yato and Hiyori were on a walk. She invited him to walk with her after school because she thought that she probably needed exercise anyways. It was a rather pretty day, the sun was shining on its way to the horizon, and the birds were huddled up in trees as the air got cooler. The clouds were orange and pink, swirling all over the sky, stars not yet shining. The colorful leaves were falling from trees like confetti, and it all just created a nice atmosphere. However, it didn't seem as nice to Yato, because Hiyori was going to be in high school next year. She wanted a boyfriend, one that probably was not him, and that meant a lot of changes most likely.

---

That all happened on one November evening, which was actually about 7 months ago, now that Yato realized it. It was June, and it was actually the 8th anniversary that they met. Now, he was sitting on Hiyori's front porch with her. Hiyori said that she had a surprise for Yato to see. She said that she had first known about it in December, but she wouldn't say anything more.

Suddenly, Hiyori gasped and ran off the front porch to meet... Someone. Yato felt sick to his stomach right away. "Yato! This is my boyfriend, Kanshou!"

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A/N: Kanshou means a few things, but in this case, we'll take the interference and irritability meanings!

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Yato's heart was racing and Hiyori was giggling. "Kanshou, this is my best friend, Yato!" She dragged Kanshou over to Yato and he just looked a bit duller up close. "Hi Yato," he said just as plain. "H-Hey..." Kanshou was about the same height as Hiyori was, and Yato was a bit taller than him. He had shoulder length red hair and hazel eyes to match. Kanshou wasn't exactly that bad looking, he just seemed very dull in his appearance a bit and in his personality. He was wearing a black t-shirt, jeans, and sneakers... Hiyori clung onto his arm. "We met in December and we started dating in January!" Hiyori smiled innocently and Kanshou shrugged. "It's a bit serious, I told her that we could get married someday if she wanted to. Of course, that's up to her! She's just so sweet and pretty, and I'd like that if she would." He smiled when Hiyori blushed. "M-maybe!" She looked up at him and just smiled for a few seconds. "So, Yato, how long have you known Hiyori for? I've known her since 6th grade." Yato looked back up at him. "I met her in the park, exactly 8 years ago..."

"Oh, so it's your anniversary? If you had plans I won't keep her, but if not-"

"A-actually... I did have plans, but I don't know now..." Hiyori looked over at Yato, and she suddenly felt sick herself. "O-oh yeah! I completely forgot, Kanshou! I... We can go on a date for dinner this evening if you want?" Kanshou shrugged. "That's okay, and sure we can meet up later, text me and I'll come to pick you up." Hiyori nodded and waved goodbye to him as he waved back. They waited until he was out of sight before either one of them spoke. "Yato... I-" Hiyori began. "No... It's okay, you're in love, and that's fine, Hiyori. I'm really sorry, I just-" Hiyori shook her head. "I do like him but... There's someone that I still like more. I'm not ready to tell you who yet, so... Can we go do those plans for now?" She went up closer to Yato and threw her arms around him. Yato's mind was blank right now. "Hiyori... I had a plan for later but I think you need to go on that date with Kanshou."

"No! Yato, I'd rather be somewhere with you... I'm serious..." Hiyori tried not to be too loud. "This is an important part of your life, Hiyori... I want you to go with him because you deserve a good boyfriend. He seems like he really wants to make you happy, and I could never take that away from you..." Yato gulped and put effort into making his voice sound normal. "We can always have those plans after your dinner, yeah? Besides, I really should go help Yukine get in some training. I really want you to have this." He ran his fingers through her hair and she shook her head. Yato sighed. "Please, Hiyori? I can't do this for much longer." Yato's voice was growing shakier and his body was as well. Hiyori let go of him and checked her phone. "Yato, I can't-"

"You love him and he loves you. You can't let him down because of your friend. I could never do that to you. This is something you need and want to do, so please do it- it would make me so glad to see you happy and not torn between something, okay?" He looked at his own phone. "Hah... A job. I'll see you later, yeah?" Hiyori watched him and nodded slowly. "I promise, Yato. I promise that I'll see you soon." He smiled so happily, but it seemed so shattered at the same time, and disappeared. Once he left, Hiyori clutched her heart and texted Kanshou. She wanted to get this over with. She knew for a fact that she loved Yato and she wanted to tell him so badly... Hiyori just wanted to try it out with Kanshou. She told the truth when she told Yato that she did like him, because she did, but she really wanted Yato more.

---

Hiyori and Kanshou had gone to a nice but affordable restaurant for dinner that evening. It was dark out and Hiyori was checking her phone's clock practically the whole time. Kanshou seemed to notice. "Hiyori, you keep checking your phone, is something the matter?" He was finishing up his food and Hiyori had barely touched hers, she felt a little too sick to eat anything at the moment. She was waiting for Yato to text her back, and she's gotten nothing in the past 2 hours. "Not really... It's just that Yato hasn't texted me for a while and I'm worried. I told him we'd do something tonight, but he insisted that I came here with you."

"Did you not want to come with me?"

"No! No, it's not that... It's just- Yato is always texting me..." She tried not to let the tears forming in her eyes stay for very long. "You sure are infatuated with that guy. I can't even remember what he looks like..." Kanshou's tone was a bit deeper than normal. "No... He's just a really nice guy. We've been best friends for so long and he's just so amazing. He's childish and adorable, he's immature but so funny... He's so handsome and I just wanna-" Hiyori stopped and felt her face heat up a little. She couldn't help but smile. "He has the prettiest eyes and the most delightful scent... I can't help but feel so happy and... Special when I'm with him..." Kanshou was beginning to look a bit irritated. "It sounds to me like you're in love with him." Hiyori shook her head. "I-"

"You never get all cutesy and embarrassed around me. I heard you talking about some boy to your friends all the time when I first noticed you. You always were so giddy and cute. Whenever you're with me, though, you never act like that. You're always so frustrating and unfocused! You're good looking but you aren't as cute when I'm with you." A part of Hiyori's heart broke just then. "Does this Yato person you're obsessed with like your personality?" Hiyori looked at her untouched food, only growing sicker. "I... I think so..."

"Then go make love or something to him then! I'm done with you. You may be a pretty girl but you sure can only be loyal to your best friend. That's pathetic." Kanshou stood up and walked out the door. Hiyori held her head in her hands and just cried. It only took a couple of minutes before she just needed Yato, so she left too. She dropped her body on the way to Kofuku's shrine, but she didn't care. Her spirit sobbed and her tail waved behind her as she ran. The breeze was soft and warm on her face, calming her a little bit. She hugged her arms tightly. Hiyori wasn't sure why she was as sad as she was. Maybe it was because she was just insulted by a guy she used to admire so much. Hiyori ran and jumped up high as quickly as her spirit legs could carry her- soon enough she saw the shrine and she leaped down to it and went inside in a hurry. 

"Hiyor~in??" Kofuku jumped up to see her, "what's the matter?" Kofuku ran over to her right away. She put one hand on Hiyori's shoulder and the other on Hiyori's cheek. "I- I need Yato... Is he here?" Kofuku and the others looked worried- "Oh, did something happen? We haven't seen him all day..." Hiyori just hugged Kofuku. She didn't care anymore that she was a goddess of poverty... "I really want Yato- I just broke up with Kanshou... Earlier I introduced them and... Yato seemed so... Shattered inside and Kanshou told me that he only liked me because I was cute at first..." Hiyori sobbed harder and snuggled into Kofuku's shoulder. "Hiyori..." Kofuku rubbed her back. "Daikoku could you get some food ready? And Yukine could you try to call Yato?" Daikoku went into the kitchen to prepare her some food. She still hadn't eaten much. "I'll call him now." Yukine went upstairs. Kofuku gave Hiyori some tissues and brushed through her hair. "I'm really sorry, Hiyori..." Kofuku was getting a little emotional herself. Hiyori never realized how lucky she was to just know them.

---

Hiyori was finally calm enough to go look for Yato, so she did. 

"Bye, Hiyorin, we'll see you tomorrow okay?"

"Bye Hiyori!!"

"See ya Hiyori, and good luck."

They all called out to her and she waved back at them as she ran and ran for a while. She jumped up to the highest place in the area and she took a deep breath. "I think... He's over there." She leaped down and followed her nose the rest of the way. Hiyori ended up on top of a building, the moon giving her any light she might need. It was a nice roof, but there were a lot of boxes, and by a lot, that means tons. "Hiyori..?" Yato put his hand on her shoulder from behind her. "Y-Yato... I was looking for you-" Hiyori turned around and she put her arms around his neck tightly... "What's wrong, Hiyori?"

"Kanshou broke up with me..." Yato inhaled sharply- "it was my fault... Wasn't it?" Hiyori shook her head quickly and breathed in his scent. "It was mine... He only liked me because he thought I was pretty..." Yato froze under her grasp and exhaled. "That only makes me want to kill him even more," he laughed and muttered under his breath. "Hah... Um, but I kept checking my phone for texts... I was really worried about you, and I felt sick to my stomach... He evidently noticed that because he asked, and he..." She didn't want to tell him about any of the stuff that she or he had said regarding her and Yato... She did still like Yato and anything she said earlier only proved it. "I told him about you, and he just asked if you cared about me other than for my looks. I-I said yes which I really hope is true, but he said... That you could have me-" she shook her head furiously and hid her face from him. "Nevermind!" Yato ran his fingers through her hair. "I'm not sure if I'm glad or sad that he broke up with you, because he's obviously a , but... I know that that was important to you." He pulled apart from her and grabbed her shoulders to look her in the eyes. "Hiyori, I promise you that the next person you love will probably be the last and that they will never ever break your heart. I promise." He was right, actually. "I will make sure that your heart is never broken again, got it? Even if it is, I broke my promise, so whoever hurt you will regret it!" He finally had that determined look on his face, which Hiyori loved more than she could say. She giggled but smiled at his meaningful words, hugging him again. "Yato, I really love you." Hiyori realized what she'd said immediately. "Oh, I- I-"

"No, Hiyori. I love you too." Yato looked her in the eyes again. Neither one of them were sure if that meant that they were in love romantically, or they just loved each other as close friends- which, of course, neither of them asked... However, they held hands on the way to get Hiyori's body and then go to Hiyori's house. And once they walked in the door, Mr. and Mrs. Iki came right away. "Hiyori! I was so worried about you. You didn't text me! Were you with Yato this whole time?" Mrs. Iki said, hugging them both tightly. "Well... Kanshou dumped me. I'm fine with that now because he's a jerk. He didn't care about me, all he liked was my 'pretty face'. Besides, the only boy that I need in my life is Yato!" Hiyori squeezed Yato's hand and he couldn't help but smile.

"Ah... That's awful! I'm glad that he's gone though. I never liked him anyway. But... Does that mean you and Yato are dating now?" Hiyori's mother seemed a bit eager and... Happy. "M-mom... No...t yet..." She whispered the last part, hoping Yato wouldn't hear. They were both pretty red, and Hiyori's parents just chuckled. "She's only partially kidding!" Her dad rubbed their heads. "Oh, Hiyori, dear, you can go take a shower to get all freshened up. We kind of need to talk to Yato." Her mother smiled at her and her father waved her off jokingly. She wondered what they wanted to talk to him about- she was partly hoping and partly not wanting it to be about their relationship.

"Yato," Mr. Iki sighed. "Thank you, again. Hiyori really couldn't be where she is now if it weren't for you. She loves you, she says it quite often. She is always telling us about how amazing you are to her, and how you're her closest friend. I know how much you care for her, and I'm really grateful that Hiyori's met you." He put his hand on Yato's shoulder. Hiyori's mother smiled, "I have a favor to ask of you." Yato nodded and was hoping that Hiyori's parents would really be okay if he was in love with her. "Will you keep Hiyori safe?"

"Y-yes, I will."

"Okay. Thank you... I get worried because she gets a lot of stares in public. I'll be honest and humble when I say that she is a very pretty little girl, and I don't want anything done to her that she wouldn't... Want. I never want Hiyori to go through anything horrible, ever... But I know you, Yato. I know that you'd keep her safe, and I know that you will stay by her side. That's such a big favor to ask, but... I don't think you have any idea how much I trust you." Yato couldn't bring himself to think about Hiyori or anyone else going through anything bad- Hiyori was a good and sweet girl, and no one wanted that to be affected in any way. "I... I promise." Mrs. Iki had tears forming in her eyes. "Yato, you've got to be about the most good-hearted person that I know." She put her arms around him and kissed his head. She sighed happily. "Do you love her Yato?" Mr. Iki asked. "...Yeah... But I feel like it was partially my fault that Hiyori broke up with him-"

"I'd much, much rather you be with her than with anyone like that." He chuckled. "Do you want to be with her?" Yato flushed but he nodded. Hiyori's parents smiled. Her mother then asked, "do you want to get married and... Have kids with her?" He flushed even harder now and he gulped. "Yeah. I do." They chuckled again. "Those children would be the most precious adorable things that the world could have," Mr. Iki smiled proudly. Mrs. Iki nodded and giggled. "I'm sorry dear if we embarrassed you. We love you so much, though, and we're rooting for you- Ah, Hiyori finished in the shower! I'll go get her room ready for you two." Hiyori's mother went up the stairs and into her room, and her father happily sighed, patted Yato lightly on the back, and went to his and Mrs. Iki's room. Yato was still flushed, but he smiled and went up to Hiyori's room.

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Yato was laying on Hiyori's bed when she finished getting dressed. She smiled and laid down next to Yato, wrapping her legs around his waist and her arms around his neck playfully. "I'm happy that I don't have a boyfriend now... He'd never let me do this..." She said as she drifted off to sleep. Yato tried to stay calm because she could probably hear his heartbeat from where she had her head... She smiled and giggled sleepily, half taken by sleep already. The poor girl had such a rough day, and this is exactly what she needed now. Yato seemed a little hesitant, though. "Should I go? Or at least sleep somewhere else?"

"No... Please stay..." She somehow had a tighter and closer grip on him the closer she got to falling asleep. He sighed and wrapped his arms around her, a little tired himself. "Y...Yato..." She whispered as she went to sleep. Yato was just a little too nervous to go to sleep yet, but he wanted to stay with Hiyori, and she wanted him to stay too, so he didn't go anywhere.

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A/N: YEET!

(All characters belong to Adachitoka except for Kanshou... Who is made up and is definitely not my proudest creation.)  

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