Ikémen Sengoku: Transcriptioned Romances Across Time (Masamune)

Masamune Date Romantic Route Epilogue

Every night, there's a moment right before I fall asleep--

Here it comes again.  In that hazy state between dreams and consciousness, when I'm resting comfortably in Masamune's arms, I hear his voice--

Masamune: "Mai. I love you." And then he places a gentle kiss on my forehead. Masamune would repeat this sweet ritual each night, just as I fell asleep.

But I'm too sleepy to answer him.  I couldn't lift my heavy eyelids to look at him. I couldn't open my exhausted lips to respond. It was like Masamune waited for that very moment to tell me. Every night, he wouldn't let me him that I loved him too.

---
Mai: "Mmmm. Masamune--"

Masamune: "Hmm? What is it?" Oh, it's morning already.  I woke up to find Masamune, looking well-rested, beside me.

The morning sun brightened our room, and I lay just the way I had fallen asleep, cradled in his arms. "Good morning, sleepy kitten."

Mai: "Good morning." Masamune gently tucked a stray strand of hair behind my ear before greeting me with a kiss. By our third caress, I was fully awake. This is my favorite part about getting up.

These good morning kisses had become our custom since my arrival at Aoba Castle. This is such bliss.  I sighed, basking in the glow. A funny little smile fixed on Masamune's face. "What is it?"

Masamune: "Nothing. I was just thinking about how cute you are. That look of sheer happiness on your face. It looks good."

Mai: "Is that how I look?"

Masamune: "It is." Haha. Am I that easy to read?  "If only you could see all the pretty things your face does. You'd be surprised." Masamune placed a kiss on my cheek, and I felt heat lingering there even as he drew away.

I don't know what I look like to him. But I don't mind if he knows how utterly happy I am.  I rested my warm cheek against Masamune's chest. He kissed my other cheek, and I smiled, laughing. "There you go again."

Mai: "What? My face?"

Masamune: "I'm not saying anything." He touched my head and gently brushed my bangs aside to kiss my brow. It reminded me of his mysterious kisses goodnight. I'm not dreaming those, am I?

I wanted to hear him tell me he loved me now, when I could respond to him. I looked up at him through my lashes.

Mai: "Masamune. Can I ask you something?"

Masamune: "Yeah?"

Mai: "Those words you always say to me before I fall asleep. Say them again."

Masamune: "What words?"

Mai: "I think you know what I'm talking about. They start with 'I.'"

Masamune: "I don't know." You are absolutely messing with me! Now that I think about it, I can't recall the last time he told me "I love you" while we're awake. He used to say it all the time. I want him to tell me when I'm awake!

I looked up at him, searching his face for the answer to this curious riddle. "That cute frown is going to get you another kiss, kitten."

Mai: "I'm not going to complain about a kiss, but--Mmm!" He kissed me where I was still molten with heat from last night, and the rush of fresh fire swept my thoughts away.

He still showers me with praise, calling me cute, and sweet. I don't doubt he loves me.  Masamune flt strongly about expressing himself with actions, and his actions told me how much I meant to him. But he'll actually say it when I'm falling asleep. Why won't he tell me when I'm awake? I don't know, but I'm not giving up until I hear him admit it!