Once a mobster, now Masachika Kuze100.00%

Alya, will you be my girlfriend?

Ryan's voice came, low and hesitant, yet sharp as a blade:

"Alya… Can I kiss you?"

The world seemed to stop. Alya's heart leaped, and an intense heat washed over her face. She felt her cheeks burn, and her fingers tightened slightly against the fabric of her clothes.

Her mind went into a whirlwind.

"H-he's really asking me this? A kiss? For real?"

The thought hit her like a sudden wave. "B-but we're not even dating yet… This isn't something he'd say jokingly, is it?"

Her eyes met Ryan's. The depth of his gaze disarmed her. He wasn't laughing, there were no traces of mockery or hesitation. Just raw sincerity and an intensity that made her breath falter.

It was at that moment that dormant memories surfaced.

The first year in new school in Japan. The fear of the unknown, the anxiety of starting a new life in a different country. Despite having been well-received for her impeccable performance on the entrance exam, that environment still felt cold, distant.

It was then that she saw him for the first time.

In the midst of the classroom bustle, while everyone was talking and getting ready, a boy slept peacefully on the desk, oblivious to the chaos around him. This intrigued her. How could someone be so nonchalant?

Alya approached and spoke in a low voice.

"Hey, class is about to start!"

He raised his head, eyes half-closed, and let out a lazy yawn before giving her a calm smile. Her first impression was terrible. He seemed too carefree, forgetting books, dozing off between classes, and practically collapsing during physical activities.

But then came the school festival.

There were only fourteen days left, and the theme decided by the class was a haunted house. For Alya, it was a perfect opportunity to stand out, to prove her dedication. But she soon realized that her classmates did not share the same enthusiasm.

"If I don't do this right… then what's the point?"

She lost herself in the preparations, sewing, decorating, organizing every little detail alone. In the process, she pricked her fingers so many times that she had to cover them with bandages. But it didn't matter. She would make everything work out, even if she was alone.

"If this is going to leave me alone, then that's okay… it doesn't matter."

It was then that he appeared.

Kuze Masachika opened the door abruptly, making her teary eyes widen in surprise.

"Knew you'd still be here."

He spoke in the same calm voice as always, leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed.

"Kuze-kun…? What are you doing here?"

He smiled and entered the room, carefree.

"Well, work. Had to sort some things out…"

That's when she knew. He had convinced other clubs to help at the festival, motivating the students, showing that the experience wasn't just about the final result, but about the journey traveled together.

The next day, the atmosphere changed. Everyone was collaborating, laughing, having fun. And all because of him. Alya began to see Kuze-kun with different eyes. He was more capable than he seemed. More than that… He made people feel good around him.

In the end, her class won as the best at the festival. She barely knew how to react to the announcement. But she felt genuine happiness.

And all… because of him.

That night, during the folk dance, Alya decided to look for him. She wanted to thank him. Apologize for having doubted him. Offer something as a reward. But the funniest thing was his request…

"Let me call you Alya."

She barely had time to answer when a group of boys appeared, inviting her to dance. Before she could even open her mouth, she felt a slight tug on her hand.

"Sorry, guys. She's already busy."

Kuze Masachika spoke with a confident smile, holding her hand firmly. Her heart raced.

"Let's go, Alya!"

That voice… that tone… The confidence in his words…

I think it was there that something inside me ignited for him.

And now, there was Ryan, waiting for her answer. The present and the past intertwining in her mind.

Her heart raced even faster.

"He really wants this…"

Alya's eyes glistened, moist, charged with an intense and difficult-to-decipher emotion. Her trembling lips curved into an adorable pout, and her voice came out in a low whisper, full of contained feelings:

"Mooou~ Kuze-kun no baka…"

She closed her eyes softly, leaning forward, waiting for him to take the initiative—just like that day.

Her heart pounded in her chest, a whirlwind of emotions swirled in her mind. She knew she liked him, but the fear of what he really felt still haunted her.

Then, their lips touched.

The hot shock of contact made Alya's body tremble. The fit was perfect, as if destiny had molded them for each other in that moment. His lips were firm, and his hands, large and secure, conveyed a comforting warmth that made her breath falter for an instant.

Driven by the moment, Ryan pulled her closer, wrapping her body in a firm embrace. Alya felt her heart race even more as she realized just how close they were now—her waist trapped by his strong arms, her delicate body pressed against his. The heat they shared seemed to ignite the air around them.

And then, all doubts vanished.

Alya finally surrendered, sliding her hand over Ryan's chest as her delicate fingers intertwined in his hair. Her heart screamed within her:

"I really love Kuze-kun!"

His breath was warm against her skin, and she felt a shiver run up her spine as Ryan's hands slid down her back, reaching her waist and then lower, firmly gripping her butt. An electric shock coursed through her body.

Her thoughts grew hazy, and, almost childishly but with a touch of sweetness, she thought:

"Mooou~ Kuze-kun, you pervert... But... I kinda don't mind if it's you..."

Without missing a beat, Ryan gently laid her down on the sofa, holding her as if she were the most precious thing in the world. The kisses grew slower, more intense, an intimate and meaningful moment between the two.

Seconds passed until Ryan pulled away, their breaths still uneven.

Alya slowly opened her eyes, her bright irises overflowing with emotions as her trembling voice escaped in a whisper:

"K-Kuze-kun... Why did you—"

He didn't let her finish. Instead, Ryan hugged her tightly, burying his face between her breasts. His voice, low and sincere, reverberated against Alya's warm skin:

"Because I love you, Alya... Do you still have doubts about that?"

But what made her heart stop for a moment wasn't just his words—it was the way he said them. His accent was perfect, his tone filled with familiarity. Alya felt a chill run through her body.

Ryan had spoken in fluent Russian, even with a Vladivostok accent.

Her already racing heart seemed to nearly explode in her chest, and she knew Ryan could hear every frantic beat.

Her mind completely scrambled as she stumbled over her own words:

"Y-You know... Y-You speak Russian!?"

Her face burned, shame overwhelming her.

"You mean... YOU MEAN YOU ALWAYS UNDERSTOOD WHAT I WAS SAYING!?"

Ryan's lips curled into an amused smile, still using the same language to tease her:

"You said I needed to learn Russian to understand when you told me you loved me..."

Alya felt her face burn as she kicked her legs slightly, her voice almost whining:

"Mooou~, Kuze-kuuuun! Why didn't you tell me sooner!? Mooou~!"

Shame overflowed, and she covered part of her face with her hands, trying to hide. But Ryan just smiled, pulling her closer in a warm embrace.

"I always found it adorable how you hid your feelings in Russian... So, please, don't stop, okay?"

Alya peeked through the silver strands of her hair, her face still red, her eyes glistening with small tears.

Ryan then whispered with a soft smile:

"You always expressed your feelings in Russian, Alya... So now, I'll tell you mine in some languages I know."

He raised a finger and began to speak, his voice filled with emotion:

"Я тебя люблю, te quiero, te amo, 我爱你, 愛してる, Je t'aime..."

Alya's eyes widened, bringing a hand to her mouth, completely stunned. Her voice came out low, almost a whisper:

"R-Really...?"

Ryan held her hand firmly, his gaze determined as he answered without hesitation:

"Of course."

She felt a wave of warmth rush through her body. Her heart, once filled with doubts, was now completely surrendered.

Alya slid her fingers through Ryan's hair, playing with the soft strands, as her hesitant voice escaped: