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His morning routine before school was: getting up, showering, blow-drying his hair (and never doing anything else with it- as he kept it untame as if his life depended on it), putting on clothes, brushing his teeth, and eating breakfast.
Kou would forget to brush his teeth this morning, which he only realized later. This wouldn’t stop him from what he prepared himself to do today. He starts on his short walk to Kamome Academy.
But he trips over a pebble and falls on his face, leaving quite a bruise on his cheek and quite the bloody nose.
And now he will not be confessing to his best friend, Mitsuba Sousuke today.
(Tomorrow, I swear it!)
His morning routine before school was: getting up (30 minutes before his normal alarm), showering (with the best body wash, which was Teru’s), blow-drying his hair (and combing it afterwards too! And hairspray! This is the hairspray, right? Yup, it’s the hairspray), putting on his Sunday best (his school uniform), brushing his teeth ( don’t you forget this time!), and eating breakfast (a fruit bowl).
The day before, when Kou backtracked home to fix his bloody nose, Teru had told him that “It’s because you barely even get yourself ready in the morning that this happens.” And, “You know, Kou, bad things happen to those who don’t try to look presentable…” He wasn’t exactly scolding him, but he definitely had a tone as if he were lying (which was a tone that Kou didn’t quite recognize easily). He definitely believed him, and he took it to heart. That’s his older brother after all.
“Well, it sure looks like you took my word,” Teru said with an unsure voice as he watched Kou strut to the front door.
“Today is the day Teru-nii ,” Kou said unwittingly.
“The day for what?” Teru questioned, then he seemed to come to a realization. “Don’t tell me, Kou.” He looked at Kou disappointingly.
Don’t tell him… what? I never even told him I-
“You still haven’t raised your grade in art?” Teru then stared at him disappointingly and said, “It’s been months since you said you were going to raise that up. So what? Today’s the day now?”
Oh.
“Y-Yeah! Today’s the day! To get that art grade up!” Kou trembled through his words. “Gotta get that up!” And with that he abruptly shut the door behind him on his way out, and starts his short walk to Kamome Academy.
He makes sure not to trip over any pebbles.
Mitsuba Sousuke’s least favorite class was math, and he had his reasons. One- he was just “too cute” for math, two- the teacher was a complete and utter asshole, three- well, he had to sit by Kou Minamoto.
Kou was his best friend. They have been for quite some time now actually, so why does Mitsuba hate having to sit next to him?
“So, Sousuke, there’s this thing I wanted to talk about with you… I- I don’t know if you quite understand it yet but, uhm, how do I say this…” Says Sousuke’s mother a couple months back. “You’ve been acting differently lately. I just thought, you may like someone now!”
His mother was a busy woman, and she wasn’t really home a lot, meaning she doesn’t know a lot about what’s going on with her own son, (she’s trying her best though!) The boy was shocked. His mother- who never knows what’s going on in his life- thinks he has a crush?
Was he being that obvious?
He stares at his mom wide-eyed and attempts to deny her revelation but his mother cuts him off.
“I knew it! I knew it!“ She grabs his shoulders and hugs him tightly. “My baby’s first crush!” (How does she know he didn’t have crushes before?! Well- it’s not like he did, or at least not like the one he has now).
She pulls back from her son’s stiffened body. “I bet she’s really pretty! I’m gonna have to meet her!”
Maybe Sousuke’s mother didn’t know much about him after all.
Anyways- Mitsuba hated that he had to sit by Kou Minamoto.
His flashy earring was a distraction, he had a distinct scent to him (which wasn’t necessarily bad, just a bit different), which was also a distraction, and his overall aura was a nuisance. Yet, he keeps on hanging out with him, and recently he had just figured out why he just isn’t able to leave his side.
Mitsuba was in love with Kou Minamoto… or maybe in love was a stretch (which it definitely was not, unfortunately).
He’s had to come to terms with the sad news a couple months back when they both went with Amane and Nene to go stargazing, Amane’s favorite activity, (“The stars are the brightest they’ve ever been tonight! We should all go!”) Mitsuba knew that Amane only invited him and Kou because he didn't want it to be weird between him and Nene, as if their conspicuous crushes on each other could get anymore obvious. Kou begs Mitsuba if he can go, and he somehow can’t refuse.
To sum it up, Mitsuba was only watching Kou during the entire stargazing experience, and his heart started to ache, and he started to sweat a little, and his face turned beet-red every time he saw Kou gaze in excitement at a shooting star, and- dammit. The worst possible thing has officially happened to Mitsuba Sousuke. He fell in love with his idiot of a best friend.
Mitsuba's jaw dropped when he saw Kou walk into class today. Kou’s uniform was buttoned and tied up, (which during this time of day it usually wasn’t). Kou’s hair was actually… put together? Like, he actually combed through it? Whatever Mitsuba just witnessed come into the classroom, couldn’t be Kou Minamoto, until he sat right next to him.
Mitsuba didn’t know what to think. Even he smells nice! Does he have something to go to after school? What’s going on?
“Hey, Mitsuba!” Kou greeted as he settled in his seat.
“You smell like you just came out of Juicy Couture’s ass,” was the only thing Mitsuba could come up with.
Kou gasped. “I- well-”
“You just look… and smell… more sharp today?” Mitsuba explained. “What’s up?”
Kou seemed to look down and he said, “I’ll tell you later. Not in here though.”
“Uh- uhm… okay…” and Mitsuba went back to his work.
Kou had never even planned a set time for him to confess today. Confessing during math class would be “lame,” as Mitsuba would call it. He would decide to bring Mitsuba to the closest park after school. It’s pretty enough for him there. He thought to himself.
The dismissal bell for lunch rang, and before Kou let Mitsuba out the classroom door he grabbed his hand. “Mitsuba,” He then asked, “I- meet me after school? Kamome Park. Got it?” He was still holding his hand.
Sousuke took a long pause to process what was going on. His face was completely flushed and he looked down to where Kou was still holding his hand, and in front of all these people at that!
“I- well- maybe I will if you let go of my hand pervert!” Mitsuba shouted.
(Kou would take that as a yes).
“Alright! See ya later, Mitsuba!” He cheesed like a little kid winning his first trophy while he went on his way to collect his bento box from his locker. (He would eat in the bathroom with Nene and Amane).
As Kou trotted into the bathroom to meet his friends, he was greeted by Amane’s sinister smirk and Nene’s look of uncertainty.
Oh no.
Amane hops up from his usual place on the bathroom window sill and reaches up (on his tiptoes), to pat Kou’s head like a puppy.
“Oh, Kid,” Amane sighed. “You’re growing up! You’re about to leave us for good!” He started to fake-cry.
Kou turns his head to Nene to where she starts shaking her head as if she’s saying, "I have no idea what he’s on about,” and Kou turns his head back to Amane.
“Just what exactly are you talking about?” Kou said.
“You know exactly what I’m talking about.” Amane says as he starts to wipe off his act. “You and the boy. You’re finally gonna make it happen, right?”
Nene jumps up from her spot on the sink. “Wait just one moment. What!?” She starts muttering to herself, “Kou-kun and Mitsuba-kun, Kou-kun and Mitsuba-kun, Kou-kun and Mitsuba-kun… so that’s- that’s why- it’s all coming together now!” Nene wraps up talking to herself about her new discovery while Amane stares at her with a lifted eyebrow. “Kou-kun, you never told me you and-”
“I never told anybody- yet!” Kou yelled (mostly at Amane, who was still snickering). “I don’t even know how this guy over here found out.”
“Boy, I have eyes around the school. I see everything! I’ve known you’ve had a thing for him since the beginning of the semester.” Amane says, which makes Kou a bit irritated.
“Well, since you both know now, I’m planning to confess to him after school and well- I’ve never really done this kind of stuff before y’know?” Kou says shyly.
“Well, I can tell you one thing for sure, Kid. Pinkie definitely likes you back.” Amane says, and he sounds- well- genuine.
Kou appears to be shocked. “What? Wait, how would you know that?” Kou says quietly but eagerly.
“I told you Kid, I got eyes around the school, and I’ve been watching how he behaves around you. He’s so obvious, I’m confused why you haven’t even caught on!” Amane states. “I guess I shouldn’t have expected too much from you though.”
“You’re seriously gonna be charged with stalking sooner or later,” says Kou. “At least I’m not as obvious as you when it comes to people I like! No one even has to stalk you to find out your little thing for-” Kou utters out.
Amane glares into Kou’s soul which Kou secretly found extremely intimidating. Kou decides to reciprocate the intense glare which soon erupts into a bathroom brawl (in which Amane wins), and Nene is yelling at the both of them to try and not make a mess of the bathroom she just recently cleaned. (There was no time for them to eat afterwards).
As the end of the day approaches, Kou gets more and more excited. Kou skips his last class, art.
Mitsuba hadn’t forgotten that he had to meet Kou at the park after school. In fact, it was all he could think about.
It’s not like Kou hasn’t asked for him to meet him in the park several times before, but this time it felt different. Like he had something important to show him? Do with him? Give him?
Tell him?
The moment that Kou grabbed Mitsuba’s hand after math class, Mitsuba could feel that his palms were sweating more than usual, and when he looked up to his face, he could see that he was as red as a tomato, and his bangs were sticking to his forehead (how he usually looks after P.E).
Mitsuba was about to ask him, “Was the math that hard?” But soon realized that Kou was nervous.
“Meet me after school? Kamome Park. Got it?”
Mitsuba would stare at the boy until he soon realized that Kou was still firmly holding his hand. Mitsuba’s mind went into a frenzy and he shot back a rude response to which he later hoped Kou knew was a “Yes.”
Mitsuba’s last period was English, and if the boy hadn't been anxious before, (which he has), he was definitely anxious now.
It’s probably nothing even that important. So why am I… ugh!
He didn’t know what to think. Was he getting all worked up for nothing? But that stupid idiot was acting so strange. Was it wrong for Sousuke to hope? Hope that maybe Kou… felt…
He dramatically slaps both of his cheeks to snap himself out of it, which attracts the class’s full attention towards him.
“Sorry.” He fake-smiles to the class and apologizes timidly, obviously embarrassed.
Kamome Park was the second most romantic spot in town (first being the Confession Tree right outside the school). Sakura trees blossomed as the rays of sunlight peeked through the spaces where cherry blossoms weren’t covering the sky, and you could hear the small waterfall from the nearby river trickle down. The scenery was picturesque. If Mitsuba had only brought his camera.
Although the park was renowned for it being a place that couples flock to, Kou had no idea. He had no idea that bringing someone to Kamome Park most likely meant that you were on a date with them. Mitsuba, however, he knew. The first time Kou had ever asked him to hang out at Kamome Park, he called him a pervert and how he had “no decorum!”, until he soon realized that Kou was clueless about Kamome Park.
Did he let him know?
Nope. He didn’t really feel like telling him.
The moment Mitsuba walked inside the park, he could see a swingset, and on that swingset was no other than his best friend, Kou. The blonde mess on his head, now disheveled and unkempt after a long school day, waved in the wind, along with his massive earring, and the sunlight on his tannish skin looked like it brought out a couple freckles on his cheeks. He rocked back and forth on the swing casually.
He’s pretty, Mitsuba thought as he walked towards him.
Kou wouldn’t notice Mitsuba in front of him until Mitsuba loudly greeted him with a “What’s up?”
Kou flinched and fell backwards out of the swing, and Mitsuba would help him up by reaching his hand out while simultaneously calling him an idiotic clutz.
Kou got up and tried to regain his composure, and Mitsuba let go of his hand, just for Kou to abruptly grab onto it again. Then, an awkward silence.
“Umm… what are you doing?” Mitsuba asked as his face began to fluster.
Kou looked down at Mitsuba’s hand that was basically enclosed in his own and began to speak.
“I- I had-” He started. “I had something that I needed to tell you.”
Mitsuba’s eyes had widened and he was almost out of breath from nervousness.
“I wanted to tell you that… for a long time I’ve… I’ve…”
Then, something unexpected happened.
Mitsuba began to cry.
He began to cry so hard that the other people around the area looked at the both of them as if something were extremely wrong. Kou hastily pulled Mitsuba back behind a nearby tree and sat down with him.
“Hey, Mitsuba, what’s going on?” He whispered while rubbing his back, while at the same time being extremely confused and wondering if he screwed up.
Mitsuba wiped the tears and snot and covered his face with his hands, so he doesn’t have to look at Kou while being a complete disaster. He was waiting for this moment, and he ruined it, all because he's too emotional to handle this lovey-dovey stuff. Pathetic, right?
“I’m so stupid… I- I’m sorry. I’m sorry. God…” Mitsuba said. “Uhm, can you continue what you were going to say?”
Kou looked down again hesitantly, then scooted until he was sitting right in front of Mitsuba. He then took his own hands and slowly took Mitsuba’s own off of his face. Kou wiped the remaining tears Mitsuba had left on his face which led to a slow caress across the cheek. This led Mitsuba to take his own hand and caress Kou’s cheek. In silence, both of them slowly- hesitantly- started leaning towards each other.
“Mitsuba… I wanted to tell you that…” Kou whispered while their noses were almost touching.
“Just kiss me already dammit,” Mitsuba whispered back.
And finally, both of their lips met in a long-awaited kiss.
Pulling back, Mitsuba quietly and timidly told Kou, “And I love you too.”
Kou exhaled a huge breath he seemed to have been holding in. “What a relief!” He sighed.
“Did me kissing you not tell you that, idiot?” Mitsuba said.
“I just wanted full confirmation,” Kou chuckled. “So, does this mean we’re boyfriend and boyfriend now?!” Kou eagerly asked.
Mitsuba cocked an eyebrow at him and gave a slight smile. “Yeah, we’re boyfriends!”
After spending the rest of the day at the park, they both sent each other off with a peck on the cheek, and walked their separate ways.
The next day, Kou would have to hear from Amane’s mouth again.
“So… Boy. How’d it go?” Amane asked inquisitively.
Kou smiled at his feet. “Well, since you’re so curious, it went well. He feels the same way.”
“Awh, that’s so sweet and romantic! Are you guys gonna be kissing in the back of the class like this-” He started imitating a couple kissing by turning around and putting his arms around his back while making kissing noises.
“Ugh, cut it out!” Kou interrupted him. He then glanced at Nene sitting on the sink watching them bicker and looked back at Amane. “It’s not like I didn’t see you two smooching around at the festival last week!” Kou smirked triumphantly.
Amane and Nene gasped and the bathroom was met with silence.
“We. Were. Not.” Amane replied breathlessly. “Right, Yashiro?”
She nodded her head.
Kou’s smirk of victory slowly turned into an awkward grimace as the two stared appalled at him.
“Well, I’ll be making my way now.” Kou says as he hastily walks out the bathroom. Nene and Amane have their own thing going on, better than to bother them.
At the end of the day, Kou goes home and gets himself ready. He has a date with Sousuke tonight!