Scene #1801: Confessions Not of the Love Kind

Owner	Pose
Katsumi Cora	It's been a few days since Katsumi's dramatic return from Paris, and the buzz around school is relentless. Though his trip was shrouded in the secrecy of a high-stakes battle against Beryl, his current appearance is more mysterious than ever. Katsumi sports a conspicuous bandage wrapped around his eyes, topped with a pair of sleek, dark sunglasses that obscure his gaze. The usual confident stride of the formidable warrior is now tempered by the careful guidance of Fupo, who has replaced Katsumi's familiar walking stick with a steadying hand. The rumor mill is in overdrive, speculating that Katsumi's Parisian jaunt was less about adventure and more about a covert eye surgery, and that he's now back to recover in the familiar halls of his school. As Katsumi and Fupo enter the bustling cafeteria, the atmosphere is thick with curiosity and whispers. Katsumi's head turns slightly as he adjusts to the sensory landscape around him, though his sight remains cloaked in darkness. He's not truly scanning the room, but rather reorienting himself to the ambient sounds and the familiar, if somewhat altered, environment. The cafeteria's hum of conversation and clatter of trays creates a backdrop for his introspective silence, hinting at a resilience and determination that goes beyond mere physical recovery.
Kaori Jira	Kaori had not been in the battle, truth be told, she'd barely been in control for a while and she'd had to take sollace and shelter after the overcharge of energy had pushed her way over the line and into that wild 'Queen of the Monsters' form that could have easily ended with her laying waste to the entire city (or coast) as easily as any witch or grand villian might but for chance and a message calling her to dinner. If only she knew what she missed... Still, despite her delinquency, Kaori was here, her slightly damaged school uniform on her form and her hair down. She was here, human again, and silently looking out the window.
Katsumi Cora	Kobo, with his keen senses and an uncanny ability to sniff out the extraordinary, catches sight of Kaori in the bustling cafeteria. Without hesitation, he tugs on Katsumi's sleeve, guiding him with a determined but gentle urgency through the maze of tables and chatter. Katsumi, still adjusting to his new reality with the bandage and sunglasses, is momentarily disoriented by the sudden shift in direction. As they draw nearer, Kobo's bark cuts through the cafeteria's clamor like a clarion call, drawing curious glances from students and teachers alike. With a decisive yank, Kobo pulls Katsumi into the range of Kaori's embrace. Katsumi is momentarily confused by the abrupt transition from his desire for a simple slice of pizza to this unexpected encounter. "Hi?" he asks, his voice carrying a note of bewilderment as he tries to piece together where he is instead of the pizza counter. His confusion is palpable, but so is a subtle undercurrent of curiosity about this unforeseen detour orchestrated by his loyal companion.
Kaori Jira	Compared to most, even those magical in this place, Kaori's aura was indeed that pure, primal power flowing through her very veins... But a puppo pulling her way the errant yourh to her has her blinking a moment until she finds herself looking at the injured figure. That press of her form as she pulled him roughly by one arm to her form was probably familiar enough. "Who or what injured you?" Well...he definately knew that voice.
Katsumi Cora	As Kaori draws him into a warm embrace, Katsumi feels the comforting blend of her familiar warmth and her subtle, enchanting fragrance. His face light up with genuine delight as he exclaims, "Kaori, hi!" He wraps his arm around her with a sense of relief and affection. "I'm alright, really. No one hurt me," he reassures her, his voice steady but laced with a hint of discomfort. "I had surgery to correct my vision." He offers a soft chuckle, his face tinged with a mix of embarrassment and vulnerability. "Remember when I told you I got hit by a pitch? They took care of the swelling. But, uh, could we maybe discuss this somewhere a bit more private?" His grip on her tightens slightly, an unspoken plea for her presence and understanding as he seeks a more secluded spot for their conversation.
Kaori Jira	He didn't know the truth of her yet, not really...so she didn't share what had sent her into hiding for a while...nor did she really know the truth of him. Still, she didn't really need to. Trust, fondness or more, it didn't matter. Maybe it was all of the above, but the Kaiju in human form nodded, her arm offered as she stabilized him...but not before she reached back to steal a slice of pizza from her tray. It served neither of them to go hungry after all! "Lead the way."
Katsumi Cora	His arms gently encircle her arm as they walk side by side, Katsumi feeling a profound sense of safety in her presence. The subtle scent of the sea that clings to her always brings him comfort, its familiarity soothing as they navigate their way together. When they finally reach a secluded spot, Katsumi comes to a stop, turning to face her with a mixture of determination and vulnerability. "I have two things to tell you," he begins, his voice steady but tinged with an undercurrent of emotion. "The second thing will depend on how you respond to the first." He releases her arm, stepping in front of her so their eyes meet. "I've regained my sight," he continues, his tone both hopeful and hesitant. "I just need a little time to adjust to the light, but I'm about to take off my bandages." He pauses, letting his words hang in the air as he gazes at her earnestly. "The reason I wanted to see you first... is because you're the person I wanted to share this moment with."
Kaori Jira	Kaori didn't actually know what 'Surgery' or 'Procedure' ment. A little point she'd yet to admit, even to Katsumi. But she absolutely understood what it meant to regain his sight...and it was clearly a fact plain on her features given the shock he'd be able to see plain on the tall, raven-haired girl's face. "You can...see me now?" she speaks slowly, disbelief hanging on her tone slowly melting into wonder. Sure she could heal, but a 'limitation' such as his always seemed so very permanent. "You held off showing anyone...till you found me?"
Katsumi Cora	"I'm about to!" Katsumi declares, his voice brimming with a mixture of excitement and nerves as he hesitates at the final bandage. His fingers tremble slightly as they hover over the pads covering his eyes, the moment heavy with anticipation. However, he pauses, hearing a subtle shift in her tone that hints at discomfort or hesitation. His heart skips a beat, and he takes a deep breath, trying to steady himself. "I wanted you to be the first person I saw," he continues, his voice softer now, tinged with earnest vulnerability. "I... I really like you, Kaori. Like, really like you. You've been incredible; taking such good care of me and sharing so many moments of joy together. I find myself wanting more of that, more of us." "But I can wait."
Kaori Jira	Consideration, he'd feel it, though what went on beneath the surface beyond that was as mysterious as the girl's own origins to so many others might be. He'd probably sense movement, perhaps hear her breath now as she went to speak but didn't seem to be able to find words. She wasn't exactly known for being great at feelings, or talking, or pretty much anything other than intimidation and violence after all. "I..." she tries again before exhaling a breath, her hands coming up to touch his face, a soft touch with hands that don't offer a hint of the terrible power they could contain. Instead she leans in, a little nuzzle of her cheek and...a soft peck of her lips to his, a gesture of her kind and then one of this world's...assuming she'd got it right, before he's even lifted the bandages.
Katsumi Cora	He feels the comforting warmth and the reassuring strength of her hands enveloping his, a sensation he's familiar with but never quite like this. There's no fear in his heart, only a steady confidence. When she leans in for a kiss, he draws in a soft, appreciative breath, but the moment is fleeting. Not ready for it to end, he reaches up, his fingers gently tangling in her hair as he pulls her closer. Standing on his tiptoes, he deepens the kiss, savoring the connection and prolonging the intimacy. The kiss lasts several moments, filled with the unspoken emotions he's been holding back. As he finally breaks away, his bandages are gone, revealing his clear blue eyes that now look up at her with a mix of admiration and longing. His gaze takes in every detail of her face, absorbing the beauty before him. "...You're beautiful, Kaori," he says, his voice filled with earnest emotion. "Will you be my girlfriend?"
Kaori Jira	He'd see her, or at least the 'human' her that contained what she really was, or what she'd become. A monster dragged into the world intended to be some destructive weapon and now? Well, a delinquent teenage girl currently holding him, sharing a moment of deep, comforting importance with him. A moment only slightly undercut by the fact she had to take a moment to remember what 'Girlfriend' meant. Kaiju didn't really date after all. "I will...I will do my best to." Challenge accepted? Well, she was trying, and the way he looked at her for the first time was...well, she certainly felt that flutter of appreciation.