Japan x Reader: All I ever wanted

Christmas.

Full of gift giving, family reunions and laughter. Or at least, meant to be.

Normally, you were used to spending Christmas by yourself. You had been living in Japan for three years, alone in your apartment, family and friends too far away for any attempted get-together. Normally, sitting watching TV and perhaps going out to a solo dinner was enough. Normally, you were content.

Normally.

This year, however, you had made an acquaintance. Kiku Honda was his name. You had many of the same interests, such as similar tastes in food and, well, anime. You could even say you were friends.

On the 22nd of December, you had been informed (by the man himself) that Kiku Honda was to be hosting a business meeting at the company he worked for, on none other than the 24th of December. Personally, you had wanted to catch up with him on Christmas eve, then perhaps even do something the next day together. You enjoyed his company very much.

Well, maybe a little too much.

Was it so wrong to desire to be more than friends? You had known each other a good eleven months already. Perhaps even he desired something more out of your relationship. You doubted that, though. Why would such a handsome, accomplished man take any interest in you?

Sighing, you dragged yourself out of your pessimistic thoughts, as your oven timer dinged loudly. Dragging yourself out of your chair, you glanced at the clock before walking over to the oven. 7 pm. Another 5 hours of your lonely evening to go.

Pulling open the oven door, the smell of honey and batter wafted through the apartment. Honey was one of Kiku's favourite sweet foods - as were cookies. So you had decided to bake him a combined batch of the two to give him whenever you saw him next.

As you pulled the cookies off of the tray to put into a jar, you paused. Why were you sitting around moping? It wouldn't do you any good - the meeting would still go on regardless of your feelings. Why not go outside instead of secluding yourself away like usual?

Closing the lid tightly on the jar, you popped it into a bag, shouldered it, then walked towards the front door. You might catch Kiku coming home late from work, if you were lucky. Plus, a walk in fresh air would probably do you some good, clear your thoughts even.

Probably.

~

Unconsciously, you had ended up walking to your local park. It was a tiny place, often ignored, but not by you. It was almost like your private sanctuary, save for the animals. And Kiku, every so often.

The place you usually sat was on a white concrete bench, situated underneath a small Sakura tree. When one sat down on this bench, you could view the entire park with ease. As you sat down, you revelled in the silent beauty in front and around you. The leaves from the nearly barren trees swirled downwards to the ground, dancing around in the harsh winter wind. You smiled, wishing it was you who was dancing with Kiku instead of the flora.

"I wish you were here, Kiku…" You whispered to no one in particular.

The snap of a twig behind you caused you to jolt. You whipped around, adrenaline pumping through you, only to come face to face with soft chocolate eyes.

"_________-san?"

"Kiku-san…" You said, breathing out a sigh of relief. "You scared me."

"Sorry, I didn't mean to." Kiku said, smiling. He walked around the bench, sitting himself down on your right. "What are you doing out here, all alone on Christmas eve?"

"I could ask the same of you." You stated, smiling slightly. He chuckled.

"I asked first, _________-san."

"That's true I suppose." You sighed, averting your eyes.

"__________-san?"

"Yes?"

"Please answer my question." Kiku said, smiling at your reluctance. You sighed, blushing.

"...I was waiting for you."

Kiku's eyes widened at your statement. He was silent for a few moments, while you sat there avoiding eye contact and fidgeting, seemingly content at just watching you.

"...I was waiting for you too, __________."

Your eyes widened as you looked up to meet his gaze. Not only had he been waiting for you as well, but he had dropped the san from your name! That was only reserved for very close friends - mainly lovers. And this is constantly polite Kiku here! You searched his eyes for some kind of reluctance to simply say your name, but all you saw was happiness and adoration… perhaps love?

Kiku smiled once again. "Thank you."

You shook your head, glancing downwards before you became too carried away with your feelings.

"… You're welcome, Kiku. But what are you thanking me for?" You asked softly, trying your best to suppress the possibility that he might love you back. You squeezed your left hand into a fist, waiting impatiently for his answer. He sat in thought for a moment, before he reached over and grabbed your right hand in his own.

"For making me fall in love with you."

You froze.

"W-What are you-"

"_________." Kiku said, leaning closer to you, hope evident in his eyes. "あいしてる."

At that moment, something inside you clicked. He loved you. HE. LOVED. YOU. Of all the gifts you could have been given this Christmas, there was none greater than the gift of love.

Leaning closer, you smiled more happily than you had done in a long time, and brought your free hand up against his cheek.

"I love you too, Kiku."

As soon as those words left your mouth, Kiku's face lit up in happiness. Leaning heavily against your hand, he grinned, moving his face so close to yours that your noses were almost touching. You were blushing like a maniac, but you couldn't wipe the huge grin off your face.

"Merry Christmas, __________."

And with that, he closed the distance between your lips.

You thought he would be hesitant, polite like normal, but you were obviously seeing another side of him. One of his hands resting on your neck, the other around your waist, he pulled you close, causing warmth to spread throughout your body that could easily counteract any winter's chill. You wrapped your arms securely around his neck, wanting to let him know just how much you felt for him. Breaking the kiss, he pressed his forehead to yours.

"I'm sorry." You whispered, leaning into him. "I only made you cookies for Christmas. There's no way they could add up to what you've given me."

Kiku smiled gently, kissing the corner of your lips.

"__________. You've already given me everything I could have ever hoped for."