Daiki felt his own heart pounding, fast breathing rate and his head thumping all at once, making him stop and regain composure.The boy reached one of the playgrounds, not so far away from his old work place. This is where he usually hangs out with Ryosuke whenever they want to escape an ever so stressful office day. He tried to catch his breath and decided to sit on one of the park swings with his mind still filled with the thoughts of Amu. 

He bent over, folded his arms and slumped his head down, “I feel so stupid”, he mumbled to himself with his breath slowing down. He initially thought his life would get easier if he ran away, but instead, it turned more complicated especially after meeting Amu and Rio. He never intended for the two girls to be caught up with his and Ryosuke’s family dilemmas but somehow, they’re already tangled in the loop.  

—

“I finally found you…” Suddenly, Daiki heard a familiar voice took over the sound of his heavy breathing. Instantly, he looked up and saw the girl he likes panting like she had ran a full marathon. With sweat dripping at the side of her forehead, she gave off a familiar subtle smile - the same smile Daiki adored. 

Amu sighed in relief after finally seeing Daiki. After what happened earlier, the girl didn’t have second thoughts and followed his tracks. She looked down and saw Daiki, his face full of worry and guilt for lying to Amu. 

Hearing utter silence from the latter, Amu decided to take the swing next to the boy and subtly pushed herself back and forth with her feet never leaving the ground.

“I’m sorry I never told you…” With much courage, the boy finally spoke. He could see Amu in his peripheral view but decided not to look at her fully. His heart pounded knowing that Amu is listening to his every word and is expecting full explanation. He can’t help but think that after all this, Amu might end up hating him. “I’m Arioka Daiki - one of the candidates to become the heir of Takizaki Corporation. Ryosuke, Chinen and I have known each other since middle school. Our families worked their way up in the company and now, Chinen and I are competing against each other to become the next CEO. Ryosuke, on the other hand was fixed to marry Satoko, the only grandchild of Takizaki”. Daiki explained with his eyes starting to water.

“I didn’t mean to keep secrets from you. I just didn’t want to go back being trapped, always doing what my parents wishes. Never in my life have I decided anything for myself… except now…” Daiki paused for awhile and finally had the courage to look at Amu. He watched her intently listen to his every word and just couldn’t help but notice her blank expression, making the poor boy worry even more about the reaction he’s going to get after this. He gave off a small puff of air before continuing, “Except now… I decided I want to stay with you… but I feel like I’m going to lose you”

Silence. 

Amu blinked thrice trying to process what Daiki had said. It’s only been 20 seconds but to them, it felt like eternity. Amu noticed herself panic after seeing Daiki's face looking so vulnerable. Without even thinking, she stood from her seat and faced the sulking boy. She rested both her hands on her knees and leaned down to the latter, “I told you before, it’s okay not to be Mr Perfect. Sure, I would’ve preferred to have known who you really are but none of that matters because I like you just the way you are now - not the fancy Mister Arioka Daiki everyone in the office knows. I like the Arioka Daiki who took us in when we were about to be homeless, the one who took care of me when I was sick and the Arioka Daiki who never fails to make me smile”, Amu’s hand travelled on Daiki’s left cheek, with her usual subtle smile that always gives him an overwhelming feeling on his chest. 

Still feeling Amu’s warmth on his cheek, Daiki fought hard not to pull Amu to an embrace. He found himself losing to his own senses when out of impulse, he grabbed Amu’s arm and pulled her closer. He stood forward, almost leaving the swing. Daiki then leaned in, making sure his lips lands on Amu’s tender ones. 

With eyes widen, Amu held her breath after feeling a warm sensation on her lips. Daiki’s warmth diffused from her face down to her chest then finally sent butterflies in her stomach. What the heck just happened?

—

“… So, Amu-chan likes me, huh?” Seeing Amu still frozen in her place, Daiki teased. He pulled off a smirk before patting the top of her head. To be honest, he didn’t feel guilty for stealing a kiss from Amu. He wants to let her know that he likes her and taking Chinen’s advice, he’s not planning on running away from this. 

“E-Eh??”

“You said: ‘I like you just the way you are’…” Daiki repeated what Amu said earlier which was enough to make the girl taken aback. “Unless… you don’t mean it?”

“No no… I do mean it! But…” She blinked twice trying to process what the boy just said. Did she just accidentally confess to the boy he likes without even realising? Amu panicked at this thought and couldn’t help but to cover her flustered face. Indeed, Daiki is the only one who can make her feel this way - it’s almost making her crazy. “I didn’t mean to tell you like this… I - I…”

Daiki chuckled at how the girl reacted to his teasing. He wouldn’t mind seeing Amu like this every day. After noticing her blushed face, he took the initiative to pull her closer and plant a soft kiss on centre of her forehead, “I like you… and I’m going to fight for it”, Daiki whispered, still trapping Amu in his embrace. The girl could smell his intoxicating perfume linger through her nostrils - a smell so addicting, she’s struggling to keep her own sanity.

Amu stayed silent for awhile. She then fully faced the boy, his face smiling so bright as if he’s in the right place at the right time. “You’re going to… fight? How?”

“Just stay here right beside me and I’ll cope. I’m going to face Chinen full on” 

—

The couple stayed in the park for a couple more minutes, enjoying each other’s company. Daiki treasured every moment with her and just wished they could stay like this forever. Being in a playground, minding their own business with no worries in the world, somehow made him feel like he’s right where he should be - right beside Amu. 

Daiki was about to reach for Amu’s hand when a sudden tug was felt from behind. 

“Onii-chan… you made me drop my ice cream” A random kid, aged around 6 years old pouted in front of Daiki. The boy was almost in the verge of crying. It so seems that Daiki didn’t notice a little one just behind him and accidentally knocked his ice cream off his hand. Feeling guilty, Daiki immediately kneeled down and tried to comfort the latter.

“Shhh… I’m so sorry. I’ll buy you another one” Daiki tried to reassure the little kid who is now crying continuously, making him panic a bit. 

“What happened?!” Amu asked after kneeling down to check up on the small child. 

“This bad onii-chan made me drop my ice cream!” The poor boy cried out. He seems to have a liking to the girl as Daiki saw him immediately went to Amu's side, almost hugging her. 

“EHH?! It wasn’t me! I mean, it was me but I didn’t mean it! I was just reaching out to hold your hand and I must’ve knocked him accidentally” Daiki explained. Amu looked at Daiki's guilty face as he tried his best to comfort the kid. However, the little boy continued to cry. Daiki hushed him but to no avail. Who can blame him? He has no experience with children at all! 

“Don’t worry, I’ll punish that bad onii-chan later. Let me buy you ice cream. Is chocolate flavour okay?” Amu patted the young boy’s head and almost immediately, he smiled brightly at her after hearing his favourite treat. Amu then turned to Daiki and pushed the young one slightly to his side, “Dai-chan, I’ll just buy his ice cream. Just stay with him for awhile ne?” Amu entrusted the little kid to Daiki and soon, she went towards the ice cream truck parked near the playground. 

“That onee-chan is nice and pretty. Maybe I can ask her to be my girlfriend” The little boy remarked, enough to make Daiki’s eye twitch. One second, he was crying, and now, this boy is trying to make a move on Amu.

“Huh?”

“Surely she’s not your girlfriend right? She’s too good for you!” The little devil continued and tried to push Daiki’s patience. It seems like this little brat was just acting to try and gain Amu’s attention. 

“What?! For your information little kid, I AM her boyfriend!” Daiki countered and next thing he knew, he was already bantering with a 6 year-old. 

“No way! You’re too short… and a bully! You made me lose my ice cream! Besides, I’m sure she’ll choose me since I’m cuter than you!” 

“You brat!” Daiki pinched his cheeks slightly, not wanting to hurt the boy but was enough to show him that he was annoyed. The boy didn’t allow himself to be beaten and pinched Daiki back.

“AMU-CHAN IS MINE!” Daiki uttered, still clutching the little boy’s cheek whilst feeling a pinch on his own. 

—

“Amu-chan is whose now?” Amu chuckled at the two boys bantering. They then stopped and behaved like two little angels in front of Amu as if tamed by the latter. She then leaned down and offered the ice cream cone to the small boy, earning a bright smile in return. 

“Arigatou, nee-chan…” The young boy started before his ice cream, “I was just wondering, if I can be your boyfriend?”, he said normally, as if it was something he would say casually to someone. Even Daiki was shocked by his sudden confession - he made it too easy. If only he had the same courage to ask Amu the same question… but he was already beaten by a 6 year-old kid!

“Gomen ne, I actually like someone” Amu smiled before scuffling his head, she then turned to Daiki who seems to be frozen from his place. 

“Souka, but if this bad onii-chan treated you badly, I’ll definitely take you away from him when I’m older” The little kid pulled his raspberry-coloured tongue towards Daiki then soon headed away from the couple. 

“That kid sure is something. I never thought I'll have a rival that young!”

“He’s cute though…” Amu giggled while watching the boy’s fading figure. 

“Pfff, I’m obviously cuter” Daiki sounded betrayed, making Amu turn back to him, giggling as she intertwined her fingers to his.

——

“Oh wait! I forgot to get my change from that ice cream vendor!” Amu suddenly realised. Since she couldn’t bear leaving Daiki alone with