The sun hung low in the sky, casting a golden glow over the campus as Shoji finished his last class of the day. He had been eagerly waiting for this moment—the chance to spend uninterrupted time with Y/N. They had been inseparable since their days in Class 1A of high school, ever since they confessed their feelings for each other after a late-night study session. The sparks had flown then, just as they continued to do now in their freshman year of college.
As Shoji made his way back to his dorm, he couldn't help but smile at the thought of Y/N. Although they had shared countless moments, there were still aspects of Y/N's life that remained shrouded in mystery. Y/N loved to wear oversized hoodies and a face mask, especially when they were out in public or even in the comfort of his dorm. Shoji often wondered why, but he never pressed the issue, wanting to respect their boundaries. Today, however, he felt a flicker of determination.
When he arrived at his room, Y/N was already there, sitting comfortably on the bed and scrolling through their phone. Shoji felt a rush of warmth at the sight of them. "Hey there!" he said, plopping down beside them. "How was your day?"
"Not too bad, just classes and a little homework," Y/N replied, offering a small smile but keeping their hood drawn tightly around their face as usual.
Shoji could no longer contain his curiosity. "Can I ask you something?" he ventured, turning to face them, his expression serious yet gentle.
Y/N glanced at him, their fingers pausing above the screen of their phone. "Sure," they said, though their eyes were clouded with uncertainty.
"Why do you always wear the hood and mask?" he asked softly, his heart racing a bit. He didn't want to intrude on something personal, but the concern for Y/N weighed heavily on him. "You know you can tell me anything, right?"
Y/N's shoulders slumped as they took a deep breath, the weight of their secret pressing down on them. They hesitated for a moment, then slowly pulled the hood back just a bit. "I… I've just always felt embarrassed," they admitted, their voice barely above a whisper. "I don't want you to see… well, what I look like."
Shoji felt a pang of sadness for them. "Y/N, you are beautiful. Nothing could ever change that," he said firmly, taking their hand in his. "Please trust me enough to show me."
With trembling fingers, Y/N reached up, removing the mask and fully revealing the red skull markings that adorned their cheeks and the two striking red horns that curled atop their head. Shoji's breath caught in his throat for a moment, processing the sight before him. But shock quickly melted away into something more profound.
"You look… perfect," he said, his voice filled with earnestness. A smile spread across his face as he leaned in closer, placing a gentle kiss on their lips. "You're absolutely beautiful, and I mean that."
Y/N's eyes widened slightly, their heart racing at Shoji's reaction. They had feared rejection, but instead, they found unwavering acceptance. Shoji wrapped his arms around them, pulling Y/N close.
"Can we just cuddle for a bit?" Y/N asked, their voice barely above a whisper, still slightly vulnerable but eager for the comfort of Shoji's embrace.
"Of course," Shoji replied, settling back against the pillows with Y/N snuggling against him. They melted into each other, feeling safe in the cocoon of blankets and warmth.
They turned on a movie, background noises mixing with quiet laughter and whispered secrets shared between them. The rest of the day was a compilation of stolen glances, gentle touches, and quiet conversations. As the credits rolled, Shoji could feel Y/N's heartbeat beneath his hand, a steady reminder of the bond they shared.
"Thank you for being you," Shoji said, breaking the brief silence that had wrapped around them like a blanket. "You're amazing, and I love you—every unique part of you."
Y/N looked up at him, their eyes shimmering with emotion. "I love you too, Shoji. I really do."
And in that cozy dorm room, surrounded by the laughter of friends and the distant sounds of campus life, Shoji and Y/N held each other tightly, knowing that no matter what, they would always face the world together—side by side, heart to heart, just as they had always dreamed.