𝕃𝕖𝕥'𝕤 𝕊𝕖𝕒 (FEM! Reader X Arataki Itto)

ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ²⁴

I exchanged my gaze from him to the gentle waves, staring into the waters wistfully. It reminded me of the time we spent on the island. It seemed so long ago yet it was just a few days prior to now.

"Hey... remember when we had that run-in with a sea monster?"
"I remember the almost dying part clearly..."
"Remember when we first met, how afraid I was of you?"
"Oh yeaaah. I don't see why though, just look at me! I'm so adorable, I wouldn't hurt a fly!" He fluttered his lashes at me innocently.

"Adorable? Yeah right. Oh, how about when we went down that cave, and found those Rift Hounds? You were pretty cool, not gonna lie." I smiled at the memory and he seemed confused.

"Don't get me wrong, I love compliments as much as the next guy but why bring all of this up now?" I shrugged, "Not sure. Just felt nostalgic I guess. Honestly, during our time on the island, I never really felt that I was in any real danger..."

He didn't quite understand what I meant. But before he could ask me to elaborate, I asked,
"You never told me how you ended up on that island in the first place?"
"W-Well! Ushi and I were in this little boat, same as you, and I might've fallen asleep..." I looked at him in disbelief. "You're kidding?" I found it more impressive than humourous.

"Yep! I don't even remember it that well. Next thing I knew, we were on an island. I thought it was awesome at first but then forgot to secure my boat and next morning, high tide took it away. Whoosh! Just like that."
"Aw, talk about bad luck..."
"I mean, it wasn't ALL bad." He said and leaned back, his hands supported him while his legs were spread out in front.

Intrigued, I tilted my head, "How so? Did you enjoy the 'Tropical Beach Life'?" I said, rolling my eyes sarcastically. "Kinda. I actually meant that if it weren't for me ending up there, I wouldn't have met you."

He looked at me and a dorky smile made it's way to his face and I felt heat rising up to my cheeks. "Th-Then I'm glad too, that we both washed up on that island..." I looked away but still felt his gaze on the side of my face.

"Hey, Shortie."
I cautiously glanced at him, "What?"
"Thanks. For cheering me up." I was very aware when he leaned a little closer to me, his hand was placed on the ground between us as he did. His eyes were trained intently onto mine and he lowered his voice, "You saw me at my lowest and I kinda feel... a little exposed." He looked to the side briefly in bashfulness before his eyes landed back on mine, his smile ever present.

"Not that that's anything new. You somehow get me to open up everytime... I wanted to ask-" He stopped himself, his mouth ajar. I blinked owlishly up at him, wondering what he was about to ask.

His eyes widened like he just realised something and he shut his mouth, leaning back as he cleared his throat. "U-Um, please tell no one of what happened here!" He clapped his hands together and held them above his head in a prayer.

I blinked again, calming my racing heart. I might be crazy but I had this distinct feeling that that wasn't what he was wanted to say. I had my suspicion of what he might've wanted to say but quickly dismissed it as thinking too highly of myself. 'There's no way he thinks of me like that...'

I pretended to think about it for a moment, "Hmm.... Maybe." His jaw dropped and I laughed again. "Relax, I'm just teasing." He breathed a sigh of relief, "Phew... If my boys saw me gettin' all soft it'll ruin my image."

I rolled my eyes, "I'm sure they wouldn't think of you any differently. You'll always be 'The Greatest' in their eyes. 'The Best'. 'The Supreme'..." I slowly grinned as I named a few of his many titles.

"You forgot 'Oni Sumo King'. And 'The Undefeated'." He added.
"Right. And 'The One and Oni'."
"Arataki 'Numero Uno' Itto!"
"Arataki 'The Man' Itto."
"Arataki 'The Strongest' Itto~"
"Can't forget Arataki 'The Unbeaten Troublemaker' Itto."
"How about Arataki 'To The Victor Goes The Spoils' Itto?"