**Cat Café…**
Today, Tadano finds himself in a cat café, which surprised him a lot. While he knew of their existence and had seen references in his memories, knowing about them superficially and experiencing them firsthand were two completely different things.
Around him was a small group of kittens of various colors. If a regular person saw him, they would think he was very popular among the cats. However, the truly popular person in this place wasn't Tadano, but rather the girl sitting not far away.
Kaede: "Hehe, they're all so cute~," the girl said as she scratched the belly of a spotted cat.
On each of her shoulders sat a cat, purring happily. Not to forget, on her head was a little striped kitten curled up into a ball. A small army of cats surrounded her, waiting for their turn.
Today, in a rare occurrence, Kaede had asked for a date on her own. Lately, Kaede had been very busy with training given by her grandmother. Luckily for her, her grandmother had gone on a business trip, giving her some free time. True to her personality, she approached Tadano and asked for a date.
The group's reaction at that moment was, in Kaede's opinion, priceless.
"Hehe, Yamai's annoyed face was such a delight to see at that moment…" Kaede thought with joy in her heart as she played with the kitten in her hands.
Tadano watched Kaede have fun and smiled happily. This girl had been very busy lately, which made their meetings less frequent. So, he decided to make her as happy as possible, this little turtle of his.
Kaede: "Hey… Hito-kun, let's take a picture with these kittens…" she said cheerfully while patting an empty spot next to her.
Tadano: "Alright…"
He took the phone with one hand and with the other pulled Kaede into his embrace. Kaede raised both hands, making peace signs. Tadano rested his head against hers and smiled happily.
3…
2…
1…
"Cheese."
…
Once outside the café, the couple walked hand in hand. Kaede was happily looking at her new wallpaper.
Tadano: "So, where do you want to go now?" he asked.
Kaede: "Hmm, since it's still early enough to do something fun, then…" she said thoughtfully.
Then, she seemed to think of something and pulled Tadano in a certain direction. Tadano had a sense of déjà vu. Kaede's eyes were wide open, with a tempting pink glow in them. Seeing this, Tadano gulped.
…
Tadano: "Well, this wasn't what I expected…" he said, a bit puzzled.
Kaede: "Hehe, I tricked you, didn't I?" she said playfully.
Tadano: "Eh? Do you really think I'm that kind of person?" he said, surprised.
Kaede: "Hmm, well, this little friend of yours says otherwise."
After finishing her words, Kaede, who was sitting on Tadano's lap, playfully wiggled her hips, which provoked the sleeping dragon, who began to rise proudly and pierce the enemy that dared to bother it.
Tadano: "Kaede, you!" said the young man, his face flushed from the bold actions of the usually calm girl.
The little turtle's ahoge wiggled with amusement, and she gave him a soft kiss.
Kaede: "Hehe, for now, be content with that. I really just brought you here to show you my favorite spot and spend some time together," she said as she turned to look forward again.
They were in a small room, hundreds of lava lamps of various colors in front of them. They were sitting on a comfortable sofa, watching the lamps and listening to some ambient music.
This room was located in the back of a shop that sold such items. The shop was owned by the Otori Group, and Kaede had taken it as a place to relax and unwind.
Tadano: "Well, if that's what you want, I'll respect it," he said, wrapping his arms around the green-eyed girl.
Kaede placed her hands on Tadano's and said lovingly, "Would you mind if I made a selfish request?"
Tadano: "Even if you ask me to bring down the moon, I'll do my best!"
Kaede: "Hehe, you dummy… but I believe you," she said sweetly.
Tadano: "Tell me, and I'll make it happen…"
Kaede: "Then… would you mind rubbing my head?"
Not long after, Kaede felt a warm hand stroking her hair.
Kaede: "Now say you love me…"
Tadano: "Hehe, you're so spoiled today…"
Kaede: "Don't you want to?"
Tadano: "I love you, Kaede ♡," he said, and after finishing his words, he gently kissed her head.
Tadano swore he saw the little turtle's ahoge form a heart when he did that.
Kaede: "Hehe… I love you too. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to be even bolder and borrow you as my pillow for a while."
After saying those words, the girl got into a more comfortable position and slowly fell asleep. Tadano looked at the sleeping girl in his arms with a helpless smile.
"How hard are you working to fall asleep so quickly… looks like I, as your boyfriend, need to try harder," Tadano said as he rested his head on hers.
…
Tadano: "Are you sure this is what you want?" the young man asked, feeling unsure.
Kaede nodded energetically, her emerald eyes shining with anticipation.
*Sigh*
Tadano: "Alright, come closer…" he said, keeping a low but constant whistle.
As he did this, the people around them seemed not to notice them at all. When Kaede was close enough, with a touch of his hand, her appearance changed. After placing his hand on his face, Tadano's appearance also changed.
When he finished, he stopped whistling, and the crowd around them suddenly seemed to notice them. Currently, Tadano and Kaede were in the middle of a busy street.
And Kaede's request was…
A serenade.
…
Now, with the appearance of the Wandering Musician and a charming young girl with black hair, the crowd reacted immediately, but before they rushed over, a gentle smile from the young man froze them in place.
As he walked, the young man began.
Tadano: "Nice to meet you all today… my apologies for interrupting your day… but my companion here would like a serenade, so if you'll excuse me…" he said, and with a flick of his fingers, the melody began.
[BGM Enchanted - Owl City]
Tadano: "There I was again tonight forcing laughter, faking smiles, same old tired, lonely place…"
Tadano: "Walls of insincerity, shifting eyes and vacancy… vanished when I saw your face, all I can say is it… Was enchanting to meet you~"
His voice was soft and melodious, resonating warmly in everyone's hearts. It felt almost too close.
The lyrics were an open love letter from a young man to the girl of his dreams.
He poured the deep feelings of his eager heart into the song, all in an effort to best express the profound love he felt for the other person.
The young man kept singing as they both walked down the street. He circled around her occasionally, giving playful winks and glances.
His voice conveyed a warm and sweet feeling, along with a faint image.
The outside audience could almost see how the couple shared their days at school, enjoying their youth and trusting each other.
At some point, a small procession of people began following the couple, so absorbed in the song that they didn't realize they were trailing behind.
At the climax, Tadano stopped in front of a bench and sang:
Tadano: "This is me praying that… This was the very first page… Not where the story line ends… My thoughts will echo your name… Until I see you again… These are the words I held back… As I was leaving too soon… I was enchanted to meet you too~"
His voice started off energetic, then slowly calmed down and softened. With a conflicted and fearful expression, he continued:
Tadano: "Please don't be in love with someone else… Please don't have somebody waiting on you…"
Tadano: "Please don't be in love with someone else… Please don't have somebody waiting on you…"
As he sang, almost pleadingly, Tadano moved closer and closer to Kaede. He took her small hand in his, rubbing it against his cheek as he looked directly at her.
Before the girl could say anything, Tadano stepped back and, after taking a breath, continued:
Tadano: "This night is sparkling, don't you let it go… I'm wonderstruck, blushing all the way home… I'll spend forever wondering if you knew…"
As he held the high note, he placed a hand on his heart, while the other pointed to the girl.
Tadano: "This night is flawless, don't you let it go… I'm wonderstruck, dancing around all alone… Baby, I'll spend my whole life, Wondering if you knew… I was enchanted to meet you too~"
When the verse ended, he approached the girl again and spoke with a slightly embarrassed tone.
Tadano: "I was never in love with someone else… I never had somebody waiting on me… 'Cause you were all of my dreams come true… And I just wish you knew… Baby, I was so in love with you…"
With each line, he got closer to Kaede until he was standing right in front of her. At the end, he cupped her face in his hands and finished the song.
The young man's eyes were warm and sweet, his affectionate smile captivating more than one person in the crowd. He was radiant. So caring. So sweet.
And Kaede, who was at the center of it all, couldn't hold back her tears and hugged him tightly. Tadano felt his clothes dampen.
Before he could say anything, the girl spoke first.
Kaede: "That's not fair… you're a bully! On top of that, you want me all to yourself… how greedy… It's unfair… It's unfair for you to tell me in such a sweet way… I… I can't handle it… I'm so happy… So happy that you love me like this…" she said, her eyes filled with tears.
When Tadano finally saw the girl's face, his heart was moved.
Her tearful yet joyful expression.
He couldn't hold back and gently lifted her chin. Then they shared a soft, sweet kiss.
The crowd beside them whistled and cheered.
Kaede, realizing the large crowd that had gathered, felt very embarrassed to be seen like this. While she had asked for this, she now wasn't stable enough to handle so many people, so she tugged on Tadano's clothes and made a pitiful expression.
Tadano quickly understood and, after a quick goodbye, snapped his fingers.
A huge cloud of smoke burst out.
By the time it dispersed, the couple had vanished.
Not far from the spot, Kaede was happily resting on Tadano's broad back. She had a blissful expression on her face, laughing foolishly.
Tadano let her be. As long as she was happy, that was enough for him.
Without Tadano knowing…
[Affect: 100% (You're my only reason to exist!)]
...
Author's Note: "Here's another chapter. I know I used a song in English, but remember that Tadano's ability helps everyone understand what he's singing as long as he uses it. Besides, I thought the song was really sweet, though I liked it even more with the Kimi no Todoke AMV—call me old-fashioned if you want. That said, remember to drink plenty of water and that I love you all. Sincerely, your favorite depressed author."
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