Takehiro

Takehiro is the het ship between Takezou Kurata and Hiro Kurusu from the Kono Oto Tomare! fandom.

Canon
In the beginning of the ''Kono Oto Tomare! manga/anime series Kurata and Kurusu are both in the Koto Club and Class 2-A. They are currently both still in the Koto Club and are now third years. Kurata is the Koto Club president, while Kurusu is the vice president.''

Season 1
When Kurusu first joins the Koto Club, it is for ill intentions: she wants to ruin the Koto Club's friendship after seeing them having genuine fun on stage. She spouts lies about Hozuki to stir up the other members. But then Kudo easily sees through her lies and Kurata even catches her acting strangely. In the end, thanks to the members' genuine care and trust for Hozuki, Kurusu's plan backfires and instead makes their friendship stronger. She is appalled when Kurata thanks Hozuki for telling them the truth, contrary to the reaction she expected them to have. She runs away and Kurata chases after her. She then openly admits everything and throws rude remarks at Kurata and the club. Kurata, however, only responds with a disappointed tone and expression, saying she must have a lot of free time to come up with a plan of making a fool out of the club members. This agitates Kurusu, who hits the back of his head with her bag, before running away with tears in her eyes, recalling a bitter past that drove her to do what she did.

The next day, Kurata comes to the club in a very bad mood, exclaiming his irritation at Kurusu's senselessness. He is so enraged that even Kudo apologizes for bothering him. Thanks to what Hozuki says about the piece they are rehearsing, Kurata is propelled to face Kurusu and ask her about the reason why she cried the previous day, when he should've been the one offended. Kurusu sarcastically asks back whether he wants to comfort her if she'd tell him why but Kurata immediately debunks it. He tells her that if she has reasons behind what she did, and if she's willing to talk about them, then he's willing to listen. Kurusu denies and leaves, only to be followed by Hozuki who has been eavesdropping the entire time. In the end, thanks to the club members' thoughtfulness, Kurusu will summon up the courage to show up in the club room again and apologize for what she has done, making Kurata smile. With that, she becomes an official member of the club.

In their class, she sees Kurata who seems to have a lot on his mind, thanks to the koto piece they are practicing, and comments about how serious and hard working he is. Thinking she is trying to be sarcastic, Kurata gets a little mad, but then she confesses she's just jealous because unlike him, there's nothing she can actually dedicate herself to. To her surprise, Kurata suggests she give her all to the Koto Club, while smiling kindly at her. However, he breaks the serious atmosphere by immediately adding that they're aiming for the nationals, so it's gonna be a problem if she gives less than her all.

During their visit at Meiryo High, Kurata ends up meeting his old friends who make fun of him after finding out he's in the Koto Club but Kurata just laughs it off, pissing Kudo off and leading to an argument between them. Taking notice of his predicament, Kurusu visits him at his house and delivers the news about how she has volunteered to be the club's vice-president. She comments on his room and how serious he really is, then tells him he doesn't have to carry all the burden alone. She is now the vice-president so he can tell whatever it is that's bothering him. However, Kurata only gets more disheartened and apologizes for being too unreliable to the point of worrying and burdening others. Irked at his self-contempt, Kurusu cups his cheeks and orders him to look at her straight in the eyes, trying to make him understand that what's troubling them is how he is keeping all his problems to himself. Blushing, she tells him the reason why she joined the club is because she is amazed by how the club consisted of people with seemingly nothing in common but are supporting each other by compensating for what others lacked. Kurata then remarks that it wasn't the reason she told him previously, making her even more flustered. She diverts the conversation back to her main point, saying it's easier if he shares his problems. She tells him she's willing to listen to him like how we was willing to listen to her before. Still flustered, she hurries out of his room. Later, while fetching himself a drink, Kurata's dad comments about his "girlfriend" dropping by, startling Kurata. He quickly clarifies she isn't his girlfriend.

The next day, Kurata comes back after talking things out with Kudo. Kurusu and the others are glad that the two of them are getting along again.

In Episode 10, Kurata suggests they all go on a training camp, and Kurusu offers to ask her uncle who owns an inn for them to stay there. At first, Kurata is reluctant on accepting the offer but after Kurusu insists, he smiles and thanks her. Kurusu mirrors his smile as she stares at his happy expression, both with faint blushes on their faces.

When Mizuhara goes missing, Kurusu, who feels guilty for her strict training on Mizuhara, steps up to help find him. However, Kurata grabs her by the wrist and pulls her back, saying it's dangerous for girls to go out at night. He advises her and Hozuki to stay inside and wait for them boys. Kurusu is shown to be stunned and blushing.

In Episode 11, the next day, after they have perfected their practice, Kurata kneels down before Kurusu to thank her for getting them a place to stay, which made concentration on their practice possible. He thanks her with a genuine smile and is surprised when he sees how Kurusu is blushing while staring at him agape. She quickly comes back to her senses and says he can just treat her to something nice. Agreeing, they both turn away with a blush. Kurusu fondly recalls his words of gratitude, smiling to herself.

In Episode 12, Kurata asks Kurusu if she's fine after noticing that she looks a bit gloomy. Even when Kurusu denies it, Kurata isn't convinced, looking over her as she trembles in anxiety. After the accident with the falling koto, Kurusu apologizes to Kudo and Hozuki, berating herself for her carelessness. However, Kurata reassures her that everything's alright. He relays to her what his senior told him before, about how performing on stage is a reward for all the hard work put into it, so it's best to enjoy it as much as they can. He tells her she doesn't have to worry about messing up and just enjoy playing, because after all, they've already done everything that they can. Kurusu is evidently touched by his effort to calm her down, blushing and smiling at him warmly.

Season 2
After the others learn about Kudo's hand injury, Kurusu is worried that she might have been the one to cause it, even when Takinami helps Kudo lie about its cause. She goes up to Kurata to confirm it and Kurata only smiles at her, wishing Kudo heals quickly so they can all perform together again. Kurusu tears up as her cheeks go red, nodding at Kurata.

In Episode 15, Kurata and Kurusu are in the same group for their preparations for the upcoming school festival. One of their groupmates whine about being lumped together with "boring" people, and tells Kurusu how she has mellowed down lately, saying she used to call Kurata by his mock nickname, "Pansy", much to Kurusu's embarrassment. Kurusu apologizes to Kurata but the latter only laughs it off, saying she used to say meaner things. Then, he tells her that she isn't like how she used to be anymore, so it's fine. Kurusu is flustered, feeling like she's about to cry. Her friend is shocked by her expression.

Later in the clubroom, Hozuki and Kurusu talk about their classmates who are dating. Hozuki says that she really is weird because she doesn't understand a thing about it at all. She bashfully asks Kurusu if there's anyone she likes. Kurusu is taken aback by her question. There is a pause, which Hozuki notes, before Kurusu answers no. It is then shown that Hozuki's question has bothered Kurusu. Even so, she wills herself to focus on their practice, clapping her hands on her cheeks.

When they are tasked to shop together for materials needed in their festival stall, Kurusu is surprised to see that there's only two of them available in their team. Kurata tells her it's okay if he goes alone if she doesn't want to, but in the end, she does come along with him. She walks behind him, blushing, thinking to herself what she's being nervous for. She thinks it's ridiculous to feel that way and tries to convince herself that it isn't a big deal; after all, they've already been alone once in his house, and they're only just on a shopping trip. However, Kurusu's ex-friend and ex-boyfriend chance upon them. Kurusu is horrified to see them as it brings back bad memories. Kurata asks if they were her friends, but is taken aback when he sees Kurusu's troubled expression. Naoya, Kurusu's ex-boyfriend, asks if Kurata is her new boyfriend which she denies. Naoya tells her he still hears bad things about her and asks if she's still doing the same thing she allegedly did to them. Kurusu tries to explain herself but isn't heard for the nth time. Naoya says she keeps telling that but has never apologized even once. Kurusu is disheartened, thinking what was there for her to apologize for when she did nothing wrong. It is then that Kurata steps up and covers her, telling the two that they are hurrying. He holds her hand and pulls her away. Naoya warns her to be careful around her but is cut mid-sentence when Kurata looks back and stares him down, startling the former. Kurata smiles without humor and tells him not to worry because he's a better judge of people compared to the two of them. Kurusu tears up, flustered, at his words. The two of them walk away, leaving Naoya and Minami speechless. When they got far away, Kurusu awkwardly calls Kurata out for still holding her hand. Kurata lets go of her hand and beams at her before walking ahead to go shopping. Kurusu is left behind with an utterly flustered expression, willing her heart to stop beating too fast.

In Episode 16, the following day, Kurata takes notice of the strange tension among the four of them (Kurata, Kurusu, Kudo, and Hozuki) in the club room. Kurata approaches Kurusu to talk about the arrangement for the school festival. Kurusu averts her face, blushing. Asking her if she's unwell, Kurata kneels before her and leans close to see her face, flabbergasting the already flustered Kurusu. She quickly backs away with a beet-red face, worrying Kurata even more. She dismisses his worry and robotically walks away to start practice.

Later, when Takinami advises them to end practice and go home earlier than usual after noticing the troubled members, Kurusu berates herself for not being able to focus and consequentially affecting their performance's quality. After Adachi apologizes for not being good enough at playing the 17-string koto, Kurusu grows even more hateful of herself for letting her mind wander when everyone is giving their best. Kurusu encourages others to continue practicing, saying sorry for being distracted. She and Hozuki are both shown to be thinking that the awkward feelings they are experiencing need to go away.

After their practice, Kurata checks on her again. He notes how she seemed a bit off at the beginning of practice. Kurusu grins at him sheepishly, using the upcoming school festival as an excuse for being distracted. Then she apologizes for making him worry.

The day of their school festival, Kurusu who comes back from fetching stuff, halts at the doorway of their classroom and gapes at Kurata's getup. She blushes profusely and mentally calls him cute. Although, she quickly punches her face for it, alarming Kurata. Then he comments on how cute she looks in her outfit, with sparkles around him. The flattered Kurusu, in return, threatens him with a beating. Kurata shudders and apologizes.

Kurusu takes the role of barker as their classroom sells waffles. She sighs in relief, thanking her role for being an excuse to avoid Kurata. It is then that a girl stops by their classroom, looking for Kurata. Just as she wonders who the girl is, the latter calls Kurata and beams as she approaches him. The girl, who turns out to be the Koto Club's former president, converses with the surprised Kurata. Kurusu watches their exchange, stunned. After Mashiro, Kurata's senior, leaves, Kurata approaches her, saying she should've introduced the two to each other. Kurusu dismisses him saying it has nothing to do with her. However, she quickly regrets it, especially after seeing Kurata's dejected expression. She thinks that not only has she failed to get rid of her feelings, she has also become jealous and even lashed out. Then, she recalls how she barely knew anything about Kurata during their freshmen years. While she was busy making fun of and hurting others, Kurata is busy keeping up with the Koto Club, despite the teasing of others, herself included. She knew nothing of the history between Kurata and Mashiro, but even so, she wants to be a part of his life. So she quickly grabs him by the wrist and apologizes for what she said. She promises him that she'll do her best in their performance later that day, and Kurata thanks him with a genuine smile. Just before their performance, she fires the others up by letting them know that Kurata's senior, a Koto Club alumna, is going to watch them play. Meanwhile, Kurata only tells them not to worry too much and just enjoy playing. This reminds Kurusu of what Kurata told him back during the day of the Kanto Music Festival Competition. She realizes that the senior Kurata was talking about then was Mashiro, so it does have something to do with her after all. She and Mashiro have already been deeply connected through Kurata.

After their performance, as Mashiro compliments the club members for their magnificent performance, Kurusu steps up to stop the others from hogging her as she and Kurata must have a lot to catch up on. She tells Kurata to go ahead and have a chat with his senior. Mashiro then approaches her, thanking her for helping in taking a lot of the burden off Kurata by being the vice-president. She mentally comments about how Mashiro is really adorable. As Kurata and Mashiro leave for a catch up, Takinami asks Kurusu if she is sure about her decision. Takinami dismisses it but Kurusu blushes when she realizes that Takinami knows about her feelings. She literally drags Takinami out of the club room. She asks for confirmation about him noticing it but Takinami only feigns innocence. Kurusu then swears to deal with her feelings by getting rid of them, so she won't cause trouble for the club. Takinami asks her why she wanted to get rid of those feelings to which Kurusu replies that everyone is giving their best so it's selfish for her to get distracted. Takinami only retorts that he doesn't understand how liking someone is considered selfish, telling her that causing trouble is a part of life and that the strength of the club doesn't depend on one member having a crush on another, so she might as well turn her feelings into power. Kurusu is left behind crying at the realization.

Takehiro is the 2nd most known and loved ship. It was started because both characters have openly admitted to themselves in their thoughts that they like each other. Their bond can be seen as very deep because Kurata knows about her backstory. And they also show to know a lot about each other. The ship currently only has 11 works in AO3.

Fandom
FAN FICTION