Bloom

The smell of antiseptic and tattoo ink hung heavy in the air as Daison “Daigo” Harrison stepped into the shop. The low hum of a tattoo gun buzzed from the back, a familiar soundtrack to his visits here.

He spotted Asa, his usual artist, hunched over a client he didn’t recognize—a rarity, since Daigo knew most of Asa’s regulars by face if not by name. The girl in the chair had pale skin, pink-tinted hair tied loosely back, and an easy stillness that made her stand out even under the harsh studio lights.

When Asa finally noticed him, she blinked out of her trance.

“Sorry, Daigo. Got in the zone again.”

Daigo chuckled. “All good. Take your time.”

Asa smiled, wiping down her gloves. “Almost done anyway.”

The girl she was working on stretched, shifting as Asa pulled back. She slid off the chair—topless, unfazed, her bare skin gleaming under the studio lights. Daigo instinctively averted his eyes, but when she turned to face him, he found himself looking straight into her gaze instead.

“Wow,” she said, tilting her head. “You’re tall.”

“Not really,” Daigo replied, keeping his eyes locked on hers. “Sorry for interrupting.”

She grinned, clearly amused. “You know, you’re the first guy not to sneak a look.”

Daigo shrugged, deadpan. “You’ve got a cute face. Figured that was more interesting.”

Her grin widened. “Smooth. Give me your number.”

Before he could even react, she handed him her phone. While she talked to Asa about her next appointment, Daigo typed in his number—and, on a whim, attached a picture of a Valstrax from her gallery. One of his favorite monsters from Monster Hunter.

When she turned back, she accepted the phone with a satisfied smirk. “See you later, Daigo.” Then she sauntered out toward the parking lot, still shirtless, as if the world itself was her runway.

Asa let out a low whistle. “Damn. Sakura must really like you. She’s never that open.”

Daigo blinked. “That was Sakura?”

“Yeah. As in that Sakura.” Asa grinned.

A moment later, the door chimed again. Sakura popped her head back in, pretending to pout. “Oops—I forgot my top.”

She sauntered past him, retrieved it from the chair, and—to make sure he noticed—slowly pulled it back on while keeping eye contact.

“See you later, Daigo,” she said again, her smile impossibly bright. Then she disappeared out the door for good this time.

Daigo exhaled, shaking his head. “Okay,” he muttered to Asa, “yeah… I see it now.”

Asa wiped her hands on a towel, glancing back at Daison with a knowing grin.

“Come on, big guy. You’re up next.”

Daison stood, rolling his shoulders as he walked over. “So,” he asked, settling into the chair, “how did you end up meeting the Sakura Miyawaki?”

Asa laughed under her breath. “Instagram, of all places. She messaged me out of nowhere—said she wanted a Monster Hunter tattoo.”

Daison raised an eyebrow. “Seriously? What’d she pick—and where?”

Asa’s grin turned sly. “You’ll have to wait till it’s finished. But if today’s any indication…” She trailed off with a teasing look.

Daison chuckled. “Yeah, fair enough.”

Asa started prepping her needles again, glancing at him sideways. “So how do youknow Sakura Miyawaki?”

“I don’t,” Daison said with a small laugh. “I just saw her in that Ninninger movie—she played the Purple Ranger. Been following her career ever since. Never thought she’d end up here getting inked by you, though.”

Asa smirked, fitting a fresh needle into her machine. “Hey, crazier things have happened. But I gotta say—she looked really interested in you.”

Daison gave a noncommittal shrug, but the faintest smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.

As Asa prepped her tools, Daison pulled off his shirt, revealing the half-finished expanse of his shoulder. The ink sprawled from shoulder to bicep — an intricate irezumi-style piece depicting a massive dinosaur across a jagged mountain range.

“Still looks incredible, even halfway done,” Daison said, glancing at the mirror.

Asa grinned, snapping on her gloves. “Let’s make it even better.”

The steady tapping of the tebori sticks filled the air. For three hours, Asa worked in quiet focus, each stroke deliberate, each color layered with patience. Daison sat still, jaw tight, eyes drifting between the wall art and Asa’s calm expression.

When Asa finally leaned back, she exhaled. “Break time,” she said, wiping her hands.

Daison passed her the takeout bag he’d brought. “Your favorite — that burger place down the street.”

Asa’s eyes lit up. “Ahh, yes. I love this one,” she said, switching briefly into her native Japanese, her tone soft with gratitude.

As she unwrapped her burger, Daison's phone buzzed. He glanced down — Sakura, “Guess Who?” The text read

He smirked and typed back:

Daigo: The Naruto character?

A few seconds later:

Sakura: 🙄 You’re lucky you’re funny.

He chuckled.

Daigo: I do try. Okay then — since you practically threw yourself at me, when’s our first date?

A pause. Then:

Sakura: Who says I want to go on a date with you?

Daison grinned, fingers already flying.

Daigo: Oh, right — my bad. You were just embracing “free the titty,” not flirting. My mistake. Won’t happen again.

There was a longer pause this time — then her reply popped up:

Sakura: Thank you for your consideration. I’ll graciously accept your offer, though. 😆

He exhaled through a laugh.

Daigo: What time?

Asa crumpled her burger wrapper and stretched, catching his smirk. “You’ve been grinning at your phone for ten minutes,” she said. “Who’s got you smiling like that?”

Daigo didn’t look up. “Kura.”

Asa raised a brow. “Oh, we’re on nickname terms already?”

Daison shrugged, still scrolling back to reread her last text. “Guess so.”

Asa just shook her head with a knowing smile, then put down her tebori needles again. The machine hummed back to life, and the scent of ink and antiseptic filled the air once more as the session continued.

After another couple of hours, Asa finally set her tools down and stretched her back.

“Well, big guy, you’re all done for today.”

Daison exhaled, rolling his shoulders. The fresh ink gleamed under the shop lights.

“I’ll pencil you in for your next session,” Asa said, wiping her hands, “same day Sakura’s coming back in.”

Daigo frowned. “Wait—why would you do that?”

Asa smirked, crossing her arms. “Because, let’s be honest, by then you two are probably gonna be dating.”

Daigo rolled his eyes. “Oh, really?”

Right on cue, his phone buzzed. Asa raised a brow. “And who’s that?”

Daigo checked the screen — Sakura.

He tried to hide the grin tugging at his lips. “No one,” he said casually, slipping the phone into his pocket.

⸻

That night, Daigo found himself standing outside Sakura’s apartment, Switch in hand, a six-pack dangling from the other. She’d texted: “Bring drinks and your Switch. Let’s make it fun.”

He knocked.

The door opened — but it wasn’t Sakura. Instead, a tall, dark-haired girl stood there. She looked like she could bench-press a Vespa, with a sharp jawline and easy smirk giving her a tomboy edge.

She looked him up and down once, then shouted over her shoulder, “Yo, Kura! Your boyfriend’s here!”

From inside came a flustered reply in rapid Japanese, followed by the sound of footsteps.

Then Sakura appeared, hair tied up messily, oversized T-shirt hanging just low enough to make his brain short-circuit. Her expression softened into that same playful grin from the tattoo shop.

“Hey,” she said, tilting her head slightly. “You actually came.”

Daigo held up the drinks and his Switch. “Would’ve been rude not to.”

Her smile deepened. “Come in, Daigo.”

Sakura’s apartment was cozy but stylish — walls lined with plants, vinyl records, and a shelf full of anime figures. The faint scent of vanilla filled the air as she set down two bottles of peach soju and plopped beside Daison on the couch.

“You ready to lose?” she said, grabbing her Switch controller.

Daigo smirked. “You’re assuming I play fair.”

She gave a mock gasp. “Oh? So you’re a cheater and an arrogant person? Great combo.”

The match started. Rainbow Road. Neon lights reflected off their faces as they leaned forward in unison, fingers flying across buttons. Daison played steadily, drifting perfectly through corners, but his movements were calculated — safe, precise. A far cry from the cheater he advertised.

Sakura, meanwhile, was chaos personified. She boosted off ramps, spammed items, and nearly fell off the edge every few seconds — yet somehow still managed to stay ahead.

Halfway through the race, she side-eyed him.

“You really don’t do the tricks, huh?”

“Tricks get you killed,” Daison said, dodging a blue shell.

She laughed — bright, musical. “You play Mario Kart like it’s a tax return. All caution, no fun.” as the blue shell he dodged hit her

Daigo grinned. “Someone’s gotta keep the game fair.”

“Fair?” She leaned in closer, bumping her shoulder against his. “This isn’t football or basketball Daigo. You’re supposed to live dangerously!”

He raised an eyebrow. “Pretty sure that’s how you fell off the map twice.”

Sakura gasped dramatically, pressing pause. “Excuse me, that was a strategy.”

“Oh yeah? Falling off the stage is a strategy now?”

“Yes,” she said with mock seriousness, eyes narrowing. “It’s called psychological warfare.”

They stared at each other for a beat before both cracked up. The next race started, and she immediately body-checked him again — on screen and off.

“Okay,” he said, laughing, “that’s an intentional foul.”

“Maybe,” she teased, stealing one of his fries from the snack tray. “But I’m just teaching you something.”

“Oh yeah? What’s that?”

“That playing it safe,” she said, grinning as her kart flew off a ramp in a perfect stunt flip, “is boring.”

Daigo shook his head, but the smile tugging at his lips betrayed him. “You’re trouble.”

Sakura’s eyes sparkled. “You like trouble.”

The laughter between races faded into a softer kind of silence.

Sakura’s grin lingered, her eyes glinting in the screen’s shifting light. When she leaned in just a little, Daigo felt the moment—an invitation hiding behind her teasing smile.

He reached for the controller and paused the game.

The world froze—except for the sound of their breathing.

Sakura tilted her chin up, her usual confidence melting into something quieter, warmer.

Daigo brushed a stray lock of hair behind her ear before closing the distance between them.

Their lips met—slow at first, tentative, then deepening into something that made the room tilt just slightly.

Sakura let out a soft laugh against his mouth, half-surprised, half-thrilled. Her hands slid up to his shoulders, pulling him closer as she murmured, “Finally.”

When they parted, her cheeks were flushed, her eyes bright with mischief.

She lingered there for a second, still close enough that he could feel her breath, then smiled in that way only she could—equal parts sweet and daring.

“Give me a sec,” she said softly, standing up.

As she headed toward the hall, Daigo caught the playful sway in her step—just exaggerated enough to make sure he noticed.

He sat there grinning, controller forgotten, as the game’s frozen race shimmered on the screen behind him.

Sakura closed the bathroom door and leaned against it, exhaling slowly. The quiet hit her all at once — no laughter, no game music, just her pulse drumming in her ears.

She caught her reflection in the mirror. Her lips were still tingling, her cheeks faintly flushed. “Okay, Sakura,” she whispered to herself in Japanese, “what was that?”

Her own reflection gave her a mischievous smirk, and she groaned softly. “You were supposed to tease him, not—” she gestured vaguely, “—not turn into a total schoolgirl.”

She turned on the tap, splashing cool water onto her face. The mirror fogged slightly, softening her image, and she found herself smiling despite the flutter in her stomach.

Daigo had been… different. He didn’t fawn over her or try too hard. He just was.Steady, thoughtful, and—she admitted to herself—kind of grounding in a way she hadn’t realized she needed.

Her fingers toyed absently with the edge of the sink.

“This is fast,” she murmured. “Way too fast.”

But then she remembered the look on his face right before the kiss — that little smile, equal parts nervous and sure — and her heart did that stupid, traitorous leap again.

“Ugh, stop smiling,” she told herself, catching her reflection doing exactly that. She bit her lip to hide it, which only made her grin widen.

She grabbed a towel and dabbed her face, shaking her head.

“Okay, Sakura Miyawaki,” she said under her breath, “you’re a grown woman, not a teenager in a drama.”

A beat. Then, quieter: “But… it felt nice, didn’t it?”

Her shoulders slumped in gentle defeat. “Yeah,” she sighed, a soft laugh slipping out. “It really did.”

She checked her reflection one last time, straightened her hair, and took a deep breath.

Time to go back out there — maybe play it cool, maybe not.

Either way, she couldn’t wipe the smile off her face. As Daigo waited for Sakura to return he got a call from his friend Marcus

“What's up Dai?”

“Just wondering where you were. You went to Asa and never came back,”

“Oh I'm on a “date””

“Oh, a date. With a woman?”

“Yes. I'm not like you I don't swing both ways,”

“Why am I catching strays?” Daichi asked

Daigo laughed and said “Well, because you assumed I couldn't be on a date with a girl?”

“Nah I never said that I only asked that because I was confused,” Daichi responded

Daigo laughed as Kura came back out to talk to him

Sakura came back from the bathroom acting as if nothing had happened.

Daigo immediately noticed everything had happened.

She dropped onto the couch beside him with a little too much distance between them, hands folded neatly in her lap, eyes fixed very intently on the paused Mario Kart screen.

“Okay,” she said brightly. “We can continue.”

Daigo nodded. “Yeah. Totally.”

Neither of them reached for their controllers.

The silence stretched. Not awkward—just… heavy. Like the air itself had leaned closer.

Daigo shifted, resting his elbows on his knees. Sakura mirrored him without realizing it, their shoulders brushing. She froze. He froze.

“…So,” Sakura said, voice a touch higher than usual, “you were saying something about playing safely.”

He glanced at her. She was staring straight ahead, lips pressed together like she was trying very hard not to smile.

“I might’ve lied,” he said quietly.

That got her. She turned, eyebrow raised. “Oh?”

“Yeah,” he admitted. “Turns out I’m not great at pretending nothing happened.”

Sakura laughed softly, the sound bubbling out of her like she couldn’t hold it in anymore. “Good. Because I’m terrible at it.”

She tucked one leg under herself, angling toward him now, their knees touching. The contact sent a spark through both of them, and Sakura inhaled sharply.

They sat like that for a moment—close, aware, pretending not to notice how close they were.

Then Sakura spoke, barely above a whisper.

“…Daigo.”

He met her eyes. Whatever he’d been about to say disappeared.

She didn’t plan the kiss this time. She just leaned in—slow, giving him every chance to stop her. He didn’t.

Their lips met again, softer than before, but somehow heavier. Less heat, more meaning. Sakura smiled into the kiss, a quiet, breathy laugh escaping her when he kissed her back just as gently.

When they finally pulled apart, she rested her forehead against his.

“Okay,” she murmured, amused and a little breathless. “We’re really bad at recovering.”

Daigo smiled. “Yeah.” A beat. “Wanna not recover together?”

She laughed again, warm and genuine, nudging his shoulder. “You’re lucky I like you.”

The controller slipped off the couch and hit the floor with a soft clack.

Neither of them noticed.

Sakura didn’t hesitate.

One second she was close, the next she was straddling Daigo’s lap, her knees planted on either side of him as she’d always belonged there. Daigo let out a surprised breath, then laughed softly, hands instinctively settling at her waist as he looked up at her.

She stared down at him, pupils blown wide, lips slightly parted — all playful confidence and barely-contained excitement.

“Well,” she said lightly, tilting her head, “you got me up here, all worked up.” A slow smile curved her lips. “What’s the next move, big boy?”

Daigo met her gaze, something warm and unmistakably fond settling in his eyes. For a moment, he didn’t see the teasing idol who’d invited him over. He saw his girl — bold, radiant, completely disarming.

He smirked.

“I don’t know,” he said casually. “Maybe I'll take you back to my place and we'll settle this once and for all.”

Sakura blinked. Once.

Then frowned.

“…You wanna play games?” she asked, genuinely confused.

Daigo groaned softly, tilting his head back for a second before looking at her again.

“Kura,” he said patiently, nodding his chin toward the room.

Only then did she notice it — the small group nearby, pretending not to stare while very obviously staring, eyes glued to the spectacle they were making.

Her face lit up in sudden understanding.

“Ohhh.” She laughed, a little embarrassed but still amused. “Right. No audience.”

Daigo nodded. “Exactly.”

Before she could say another word, he stood up smoothly, lifting her bridal-style without effort. Sakura yelped in surprise, then immediately laughed, arms looping around his neck.

“Okay, okay,” she said, grinning. “Show-off.”

He carried her toward the door, unbothered, until she suddenly tapped his shoulder.

“Wait!”

He paused.

“I need an overnight bag.”

Daigo arched a brow. “Wow. Presumptuous.”

Sakura smiled sweetly — far too sweet.

“We’re gonna be up all night,” she said, sing-song. “And I have schedules tomorrow.”

He laughed, shaking his head. “Fair enough. I’ll wait.”

She slipped out of his arms and hurried back to grab her things. As Daigo gathered his own bag, Sakura’s eyes landed on the controller he’d set aside — sleek, black, unmistakable.

She picked it up, smiling.

“Oh,” she said, amused. “I didn’t know you had this.”

Daigo smirked. “Good taste recognizes good taste.”

She turned it over in her hands, eyes sparkling.

“I think I’m gonna call you Ibushi from now on.”

He laughed. “Oh yeah?”

A beat. “Does that make you my Narwa?”

Sakura beamed, absolutely delighted.

“Of course,” she said without hesitation.

The couple got into Daigo’s car and drove off to his place Sakura’s nerves getting the better of her before she began tying her hair into a ponytail. She stared at Daigo as he drove focused and the carnal part of her just took over. She pulled Daigo’s sweats down and gently palmed his cock.

Daigo moans into Sakura’s grip as she slowly begins stroking him.

Her eyes grow wide and dark with desire, “I wanna fucking drain this cock,” she says possessively. “I wanna have it shoved so deep in me I can feel it in my throat!” She continues. “And when you’re spent. I’m gonna take my strap on and fuck you till your hard again,” Sakura says before she takes Daigo into her mouth. Daigo jolts overwhelmed by everything and just cums in the poor actress's mouth.

Sakura spurred on by nothing but pure lust drinks each spurt after she feels him softening in her mouth. She looks up before opening her mouth cum pooled in her mouth as Daigo comes to a red light before she aggressively swallows.

Daigo is already getting hard again from that alone which Sakura notices and smiles.

She spends the rest of the drive with her hand possessively on Daigo’s shaft stroking just enough to keep him hard but not enough to give him release. For him, it’s unbearable, while for her rigorously entertaining.

They finally arrive at his place, a small home on the outskirts of the city with a very bright vibe. Sakura nods,

“You have good taste, for an old man of course, Ibiushi,” she teases

Daigo rolls his eyes as they head in. After both settle in Sakura smiles and says “strip” Daigo does and Sakura smirks. She notices his tattoos and laughs before saying “Wow, so many,” Daigo shrugs, and then, in a flash, Sakura takes off her oversized t-shirt, revealing her bare body save for a pair of boy shirts. She pounces on Daigo pinning him to the couch.

Sakura smiled before undoing her boy shorts leaving her completely bare. Her pale skin glowed ethereally in the night light. She smiled viciously at Daigo before leaning in. She whispered in his ear.

“Whose cock is this,” Daigo shuddered as she sank on him.

“Yours,” he whispered. Sakura smiled viciously then said, “Good boy,” She slammed herself down twice as she got a feel for Daigo, and as she bottomed out she smiled.

Sakura began to ride Daigo in earnest her moans filling the room as she climbed on top of him before bouncing on his cock. Her walls coiled tightly around him. Sakura smirked as Daigo’s hands found her waist before inching up to her chest. She laughed as he got a firm grip on her breasts. “You like them?” She asked. Daigo nodded as he palmed the firm yet supple flesh. Sakura moaned and said, they’re so sensitive and they’re all yours,”

Her words in conjunction with her overwhelmingly tight pussy force another orgasm out of Daigo. As he cums Sakura smiles and says, “Good boy,”

Daigo’s cock refused to go down though as he keeps fucling Sakura. The overstimulation sets in for both of them as the pain becomes pleasure that drowns their rational minds. Sakura rides Daigo lost in her primal urges as Daigo tries to cream her pussy again. Sakura moans when another orgasm hits her.

“Fuck!” She whines unable to come down from the high fully. She smiles and says “We’re exclusive now,”

Daigo smiles and says sure.