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antimiya88) wrote2017-11-25 12:53 pm
Mind vs Heart (Part 2/3)
antimiya88 )Written for
yukitsubute 's Wish Meme!
Part 2
Sho hadn’t slept much during the night. The truth was that he hadn’t slept well since they had been to Chiba but this time it was different. He wasn’t moody like always. It was 7:30 and he found himself taking a quick shower before he got dressed for the school.
He got out of his room, surprised to find his parents speaking in a low voice.
“Sho! You’re early! Good morning!” his mum said with a smile.
“Morning…” he muttered, with his head lowered. It was still difficult for him to accept seeing his father in a laborer’s uniform. Since he was a little kid, he had always liked his father’s tailored suits. He used to sneak into his parents’ bedroom to put them on while pretending to be him at work.
“I’ve got to go…” his father said in a low voice and pecked softly his wife’s cheek. “Have a good day at school, son.”
“You too, dad…” Sho muttered, angry with himself for causing his father to sigh before he left the house.
His mother remained pensive for several seconds before she stood up to take his bento out of the refrigerator. “Sho, are you ok with omelet and onigiri?”
“Eh?!” Sho asked, his mind still at his father.
“For your bento… Are you ok with omelet and onigiri? I’ll add some broccoli and an apple… Do you want an orange juice? Maybe some chocolate?”
Sho sighed. He could sense anxiety in her and he knew it wasn’t for the bento. He stood up next to her side. “Mum… It’s really ok… and I’m sorry about dad… I didn’t mean to… It’s just hard for me to see him like this…”
His mum sighed. “Believe me, for no one is easy… neither for me and what is more, nor for your father…”
“He was targeted, wasn’t he?” Sho said in an angrier tone, his hands clenching into fists. “He was made to leave the company… and he’s-”
“Trying his best for his family…!” his mother cut him off. “But sometimes we can’t always avoid what luck brings to our lives…” she turned a bit so she could see her son in the eyes. “We’ll do our best not to destroy your future.”
“I know, mum, and you don’t have to worry. I’m not a kid depended on you anymore… There’s always Todai. Its prestige is exactly like Keio, even higher in many aspects. It might not have the elite aura of Keio due to being a public university but that automatically means that getting into it gains more value since the competition is a lot higher. I’m sure I can pull it off and if necessary, I’ll find a part-time job for cram school classes next summer. I won’t allow anyone to determine my future…”
“Sho…” Sho felt his mother’s voice trembling.
“And… I’m really sorry for not speaking to you… I admit it was a shock for me and a lot to cope with but I never held grudge or anything against you, nor dad… I know that you’re trying your best… I promise I’ll try my best, as well!” He saw his mother’s eyes watering up and hugged her. “I’m sorry for being a jerk all this time. There’s still much to accept and adapt to but I’m sure I’ll somehow manage it… I’m a Sakurai after all!”
“I love you, Sho!” his mother whispered with a trembling voice. “Just know that if it’s something that we felt terrible for, that was you… We didn’t want to cause you such a distress now that you’re at one of the most important phases of your life…”
“I know… I know it, mum!” Sho hugged her tighter, feeling better for the first time after the big changes in his family. They remained like that until they heard soft bangs on the door. Sho frowned. Who could that be this early in the morning?
Sho’s mum quickly wiped her tears away and after making sure she looked appropriate, she went to open the door.
“Good morning, Sakurai-san!” Sho felt his heart suddenly pounding painfully in his heart. He knew that voice. It was way too distinctive not to remember it… especially when it belonged to someone that had caught his attention from the very first day at school. What was he doing there? He ran to the door, his eyes meeting a cheerful and absolutely stunning Aiba Masaki. “Ah! Sakurai-kun! Good morning! Thought it would be nice to walk down the school together since we live this close!”
“Ai- Aiba-kun… good… morning…” Sho felt his cheeks getting warmer and warmer word by word.
He hated it that his voice was trembling this much, betraying his nervousness. He wasn’t used to having friends knocking on his door this early to walk to school together but above all he wasn’t mentally ready to see the other in front of him.
“Are you Sho’s friend?” his mum asked, smiling at his new classmate.
“I’m Aiba Masaki. Sakurai-kun’s classmate! We also met last night at Yamada-san’s market!”
“Is that so? I’m happy to meet you, then, Aiba-kun. Please, come in!”
“I wouldn’t like to cause any-”
“Please, my son’s friends are always welcome! Would you like some orange juice?”
“That’s really kind of you, Sakurai-san, but I already had my breakfast!”
“Uhm… I’ll just grab my bag and we’re leaving…” Sho muttered rather awkwardly and ran to his room as if he was chased down.
Why had the other appeared like that? And why had his smile to be this refreshing? Sho closed his eyes and sighed. He could still feel his heart beating faster than it should. Last night, he had slept with this particular figure capturing his thoughts. He could still remember how beautiful the other looked with the few street lights falling onto his face. This morning, he knew he had wanted to meet him. It was the reason why he had woken up earlier than usually. He had made sure to check himself in the mirror and style his hair a bit with the help of some gel. He wanted to look good and deep inside, even he hated to admit it, he knew he was doing it for the very person in front of him; he was wishing he’d bump onto him at his way but now, that he was actually there, Sho was nervous… perhaps more nervous than he was supposed to. Sho, calm down. He’s just someone you met yesterday and offered to walk with you at school! He closed his eyes and took a few deep breaths. There was no reason for feeling like this, right…?!
He grabbed his bag and got out of his room finding Masaki waiting for him in the living room while looking at some of those photos. His heart clenched painfully. He didn’t want to remember their existence… He had wanted to tell his parents to throw them away but couldn’t… It would only cause them more sadness and he had already done enough. He knew it was something his parents were proud of and would never take them away from the living room but for now, it was something he wanted to just forget about. It was unfair to him to constantly remember it and now that there was this particular person seeing them it actually made him feel worse… He didn’t want the other to find his weaknesses… all the things that he was missing and had tried to lock up in the smallest corner of his mind.
“Sho! You didn’t take your bento earlier! Here…” his mum called from the kitchen causing Sho to take his eyes away from the other.
Sho went to her and took his bento rather awkwardly. He could see the hint of guilt in her eyes and tried to curve his lips into a reassuring smile but wasn’t sure, if he was successful at it.
“Thanks, mum…” he muttered and headed to the door without uttering a single word to the other or even looking at him. He felt… exposed…
“Ah! You’re ready to go?” Masaki said in his usual cheerful tone as he hurried to follow him. “Good bye, Sakurai-san! It was a pleasure meeting you!” he said bowing a little to Sho’s mum before he followed the other out.
Sho was already walking down the hill, his pace getting faster minute after minute, still not talking. His heart was pounding in the same fast rhythm but now, it wasn’t just the impact of his new classmate. His mind had filled with memories… if he closed his eyes, he knew that it wouldn’t take more than a second to relive those moments that gave him a completeness as a person… his hands were suddenly itchy… they wanted to feel it again… This was the one thing he missed the most or more correctly the one he truly missed…
“Hey… Sakurai-kun!” Masaki said from behind but that didn’t make Sho slow down. He could tell that the other was too far into his thoughts to actually hear him calling. “Sakurai-kun! Wait!” Masaki repeated louder this time and managed to catch him a few meters away, his hand holding softly his new classmate’s wrist but Sho still didn’t say anything, making Masaki sigh. Perhaps he had acted a bit too recklessly. He had thought that walking to school together was a good idea to make the other relax and adapt easier to the new environment. He had seen how he had been watching him with Jun and Nino the previous day and their small talk last evening had given him courage but now, he wasn’t sure anymore… and he hated it. The last thing he wanted was to make the other distance himself. Sakurai Sho was still someone he didn’t actually know but for some reason, he wanted to get to know… he wanted to spend time with him… he wanted to feel the way he had last night. “I’m sorry for having popped up at your door like this… I didn’t think much before I did it…” he mumbled in a low voice that reflected how insecure he felt at the moment. “I hope I haven’t brought you in a difficult position… Sometimes, I act like this… Sor-”
It was those words that made Sho pay attention, as if he was waking up from a dream. “No… It’s… not that…”
“I don’t know how people are in Tokyo… I mean how they interact in their everyday life… The neighbors… if you are this open… Here, you could say in a way we feel like one big family…” Masaki’s lips curved into a shy smile. “The town is a bit too small not to feel like that! But still… if you don’t want me to ever appear like that on your door, you can-”
“I was surprised to see you, yes! But… uhm… in a good way…” Sho mumbled in a tiny voice avoiding to look at the other whose cheeks were getting hotter and heart was beating faster. “I’ve never had someone to walk to school with... So, please, don’t think that you did wrong.”
“Really?!” Masaki whispered with a lowered head and a shy smile appearing on his face.
“Yes. It was just that…” Sho began saying but in the end hushed, letting out a long sigh. “It’s nothing… Let’s go…”
Masaki wished the other told him what had troubled him but knew that he couldn’t demand much. They still didn’t know each other well and judging from yesterday, he might have already pulled more strings than necessary. He felt that he wanted to get to know him, really know him, but that had to be done at Sho’s pace. He mumbled an ok and walked by Sho’s side, lost in his thoughts. The truth was that the other had looked ok until he went to get his bag. There was no hostility, unlike the previous day… What did I…? Ah! Masaki looked thoughtful at his new classmate’s profile, his lips slowly curving into a smile. I know what would be the best for you!
They were about to turn right when they came across an awkwardly standing Jun a few meters behind a smirking Nino who kept his eyes on them while his arms were folded in front of his chest.
“I should have known!” the latter said out loud in a triumphant way, sounding as if his theory had turned out correctly. “Good morning!”
“Good morning, Nino.” Masaki muttered under his breath, avoiding his friend’s scanning gaze. “Let’s go…”
Nino could see from the corner of his eye the way Masaki’s hands were fidgeting in the air as if he was caught red-handed. He would have his chance to tease him and bring him in a difficult situation. But for now, the new student seemed more alluring. He knew he might upset him but couldn’t control himself. A part of him wanted to get back at him for his attitude the day before.
“Good morning, Sakurai-kun! I see that you decided to give it a try with us who have no manners…” Nino noticed how the other cleared his throat without saying anything. It seems that you mean it… he thought as he turned his gaze towards Jun who avoided his gaze. Before Sho or Masaki had the chance to say anything, he continued with a wider smile. “Glad you did! Not that you could do differently anyway…” a small giggle escaped from his lips. He placed a hand on top of Sho’s left shoulder as he leaned closer. “If you got into Aiba-chan’s radar, then there’s no way out!”
Jun cleared his throat and stepped closer. “Stop the teasing, Nino… Please, excuse him!” and with that grabbed Nino’s left wrist dragging him down the road.
“Oh… C’mon, J!” Nino’s voice was heard as they were walking away. “Now, you can be sure that what I told you was right! Admit it already!”
Both Sho and Masaki were left staring at them without uttering a single word for several minutes. The latter looked at his side trying to notice any signs that proved the other was uncomfortable with the whole scene but to his surprise, he couldn’t distinguish any.
After what it felt an eternity, Masaki cleared his throat. “Don’t take him seriously… he’s like that with everyone but he doesn’t mean any bad… I mean… He teases me all the time…”
“No… it’s ok…” Sho mumbled.
“Really?”
Sho let out a shy smile. “Really… I wasn’t exactly surprised… I mean… I had seen him yesterday… with you…” the last word came out as a whisper.
Masaki beamed him a wide smile. He was about to speak again but then, they heard the bell ringing.
“Shit!” Sho cursed and started running, quickly followed by Masaki. There were several meters ahead of them and he was never good at it… he was panting after a couple of seconds and unfortunately, this morning wasn’t proved to be any different. He was about to quit when he felt a hand grabbing his and dragging him along. He looked up and watched Masaki winking at him before starting running fast. The image of him running around the court came to his mind as his eyes kept staring at his slim figure in front of him. Undoubtedly, there was an elegance in him when he was running, even when he was wearing the school uniform.
It was only when they reached the main building that Masaki freed his hand and that Sho felt how much he was panting.
“I’m sorry for that but I somehow knew you wouldn’t make it otherwise… Are you… ok?” he asked rather reluctantly. Perhaps once again he had overdone it.
Sho looked up at the other who seemed to be as if he hadn’t just run. He spent a few minutes staring at the other. He was undoubtedly beautiful… especially when his cheeks were flushed like this. Without realizing, his lips curved into a smile. It was when he saw his classmate tilting his head on one side that he realized he must have been staring more than he was supposed to.
“I’m… glad you did. I wouldn’t have made it… I’m not like you…”
Masaki let out a joyful laugh; a bit breathy but certainly cute. “I’m nothing special…” Sho looked at him with a raised eyebrow, causing Masaki to smile wider. “I mean it… You can’t imagine how much training changes your body!”
Sho only nodded. He could feel that Masaki wouldn’t accept it no matter how much he insisted. Was he this humble? He looked like he truly meant it… Something he had never seen among his former classmates… even himself, in some aspect.
They both changed their shoes and started climbing up the stairs when Masaki spoke again. “Love also plays a role…”
Sho didn’t realize at first what Masaki meant though. How could he when he was left admiring the other’s profile. There were two moles on his right cheek, one of them really close to his lips.
“I’m sure everyone’s this good at whatever it is they love…” the other continued.
“Love?” Sho suddenly stopped, frowning.
It seemed that Masaki took notice of how he had frozen and didn’t continue on the subject.
“Damn!” Sho heard him cursing. “Hurry!” Masaki continued as he pointed at the clock across the wall. They had only one minute before the teacher entered and they still had one floor to go.
When they reached the classroom, everyone was already inside. Sho was the first to enter. He could see everyone’s the gazes on him and tried to play it cool but some didn’t share the same opinion.
“Look who’s here! Keio-boy!” Yoshida said with a smirk.
Sho was about to tell him to shut up when he saw Masaki walking fast till he was standing in front of the other student’s desk.
“Taichi-kun, no offence but he’s not a student of Keio anymore, so technically your characterization makes no sense!”
“Oh… C’mon, now, Masaki-kun! He’s an arrogant asshole who feels superior to us! You’re just nice with everyone! Don’t tell me that you didn’t see it!”
“Actually I did and I did tell him off yesterday, at our first encounter but then, I realized I hadn’t taken into consideration what the other might feel. As for arrogant, it’s not like you gave him a chance in the first place…” Masaki continued to defend his new classmate.
Yoshida smirked. “As if… His arrogance is bigger than-”
“That’s weird…” someone said from the back of the classroom, cutting Yoshida off. To Sho’s surprise, it was no one else but Nino the one who spoke. “Earlier, he just passed my test and you know how severe I am!” Nino smirked having gained all his classmates’ attention before he turned his gaze to Sho who was looking at him with a gaze between question and thankfulness. “Aren’t I right, Sakurai-chan?” he said in a rather playful way, tilting his head to the right.
Both Jun and Masaki’s eyes bulged at Nino’s choice of characterization. Chan?! They were used to be called by nickname but Sho? Wasn’t it a bit too much?! Masaki immediately looked at Sho worried for his reaction but to his surprise, he saw that he was smiling. “You are…, Nino-kun!”
Nino looked at Yoshida with a triumphant smirk. “See?!”
Sho just smiled and went to sit down on his desk. He could admit that he didn’t expect that and deep inside wasn’t that happy either but seeing everyone looking at him dumbfounded, was worth it. He threw a fast glance at Nino who winked at him with a wide smirk. He shook his head without being able to hide a hint of smile. Perhaps, it wouldn’t be as bad as he had thought of in the first place.
He had taken out his books and was waiting for the professor, his eyes averting out of the window. From here, he could see the horizon, not a few trees along with tall buildings… It’s not that he missed Tokyo as city. He was missing what Tokyo was offering to him… His gaze was left following the leaves that were following the rhythm of the morning breeze. He couldn’t help but wonder what kind of rhythm that was? Was it happy or melancholic? I guess I will never find out here… A long sigh escaped from his lips just before the classroom door opened. He cleared his throat.
He frowned when he felt a gaze locked on him. He slowly turned on his side just to see Masaki smiling at him. He smiled back. Yes… he had to focus on those things that were still left for him… What he didn’t know was that the same pair of eyes had been staring at him all this time that he had remained lost in his thoughts, with concern.
***
It was the end of lunch break when Masaki opened the door at the rooftop, knowing well that he’d find his two friends here.
The whole day Nino seemed to tease Jun more than usually so it wasn’t any surprise when Masaki saw the latter fleeing away the moment the bell rang for lunch break. Nino grabbed his bento and followed their friend without saying a single word, making Masaki shake his head. It was obvious that something had happened between them. He, on the other hand, had spent the time with Sho, eating together at the yard close to the track field. It was amusing seeing Sho shoving large portions of food into his mouth. This time they hadn’t talked much; probably, the other was afraid that Masaki would bring up something relative to the photos he had seen in his house, so he remained silent. Masaki respected his wish and ate in silence which was strangely not awkward. When Sho was called by one of their teachers to follow him to the office concerning his transfer, Masaki found the chance to speak to his friend.
He didn’t need to take more than a couple of steps to be greeted with the picture of his two friends being in the middle of something that looked like “consenting sexual harassment” since Nino was shamelessly all over Jun who was trying to push him away (but in a not so convincing way). The latter’s cheeks were covered in a deep shade of red but the most surprising was the way Nino’s cheeks seemed to have a similar effect. That’s something new…
“Hey, guys!” Masaki said cheerfully but no one seemed to have taken notice of him, as no response reached his ears.
“Come on, J…” Nino said in a rather pleading way close to Jun’s ear who only blinked. “Why are you like this? I thought that-”
“Masaki!” Jun exclaimed surprised, his eyes bulging once he realized their friend was standing only a few meters away.
“Did I perhaps interrupt anything here?”
Jun immediately pushed Nino off of his lap. “No! Of course, not”
Nino let out a moan as he landed with force on the ground. “It’s not that I’m against you being dynamic and a bit rough but only under certain circumstances, J!”
“Nino!” Jun said in a louder, embarrassed tone.
Masaki sighed. “You’ll never change, Nino! Even teasing has its limits!”
“It’s not my fault. J is just too proud to accept it!” Nino said with a raised eyebrow.
“Accept what?!” Jun said with a slight frown.
“That you’re in love with me?”
“I…” Jun was at a loss of words. He was biting his lower lip before he jumped up and left, running away as if he was chased down.
Masaki could see the blush in Jun’s cheeks and the disappointment in Nino’s eyes. “You know you won’t get him if you continue to tease him like this… You should speak to him… Seriously, I mean.” He muttered once the door behind them closed, leaving them alone on the rooftop.
Nino sighed, suddenly turning serious. “I…”
“You constantly make him jealous with Ohno-kun and don’t try to convince me for the opposite, Nino! You know that it hurts him… and yet you continue…”
“I want to make him accept it…! I want him to say the damn words out loud! Shouldn’t he do that if it hurt him so much as you say?”
“I can understand that you’re doing what you’re doing because you’re embarrassed or even afraid to talk to him but this won’t get you anywhere… I think you only succeed into multiplying his doubts…”
“Last night, I damn kissed him!” Nino said louder than before. It was obvious that he himself was turning somewhat desperate. “On the cheek… yet nothing!”
So, that’s what happened... Masaki thought as he listened to his friend’s last phrases. “Look, Nino. He may believe that you’re playing with him…. or that you tease me just for fun. I don’t say that he should be like that because you’re far too obvious that that’s not the case with you and him but I can’t judge him either. He’s afraid of being rejected. He’s been like this since before he got his acne treatment. You can’t blame him but I think you should get over your own insecurities and go and talk to him. No teasing but serious talk.”
Nino was left with his mouth half-agape. It took him some seconds before he could react. “Since when did you become a love expert, Masaki? I know that our new classmate has had a big impact on you but never expected such a change!”
Masaki cleared his throat awkwardly. “It has nothing to do with him… I… I just can’t stand seeing you two like that anymore. You both stubbornly chase your happiness away!”
Nino sighed and to Masaki’s surprise, said nothing. “So… where is Sakurai-chan?”
Masaki shook his head but nevertheless didn’t push more since it brought the other in a difficult situation. “He was asked to go to the professors’ room. I guess it has something to do with determining revising stuff…? I don’t know.”
“Oh… ok… So what is it that you want?” Nino asked having found his usual tone back.
“Because I know you want something… I can see it in your puppy eyes! Spill it already!”
“Do you think you could convince Tachibana-sensei to let Sakurai-kun play the piano?”
“Sorry, what?”
“Well… this morning I went to get him from his house…” Masaki started saying in a rather embarrassed tone.
“Like a good boyfriend…!” Nino remarked under his breath with a hint of smirk but let the other continue.
“There were photos of him playing the piano and I’m not talking about him playing in his house… I mean like concert style… I saw no piano at the house and after he saw me watching them, he got absent-minded… lost in his thoughts… I’d dare to say stiff. I think he truly misses it.”
“You know he can’t join in right now. It’s-”
“I mean once you’ve finished your orchestra practice in the music club… like… simple personal practice? Could you speak to her? I know you can convince her if you want! Please…”
“I can’t promise you anything but I’ll try to talk to her. By the way, is that something Sakurai does know or he has no clue?”
Masaki lowered his head. “He doesn’t know a thing. I didn’t want to raise any hopes just to crush them afterwards… I could tell that it’s something he fondly loves.”
Nino was staring closely at his friend as the latter was speaking. “You know, you have been lecturing me earlier about me and J but you, yourself, are in deep shit, Masaki… Look, I don’t say that he’s a bad guy or anything but he just came. He’s different and you can’t know for sure if he’ll ever respond to these feelings that you may have for him… because it’s obviously that you like him. I don’t try to discourage you or anything but I do not want to see you getting hurt…”
Masaki gulped. This time, there was no trace of mood for tease. He knew that Nino meant every single word; the same way he knew that his friend was right. “I do know it, Nino. I do. It’s just that-”
“I just say that you have to be careful, Masaki.” Nino walked towards the door. “But I promise you. I’ll try my best!”
Masaki ran to hug his friend, a huge smile appearing on his face. “Thank you, Nino!”
***
The lessons had finished and everyone headed to their club activities. Masaki felt his heart skipping a beat once he noticed that Sho was sitting at the same spot they had spent together having their bentos. He only managed to wave at him before they were asked to gather for the day’s practice routine. He could feel that pair of eyes never leaving him out of their field of view… It was weird but not in a negative way. He felt the need to try harder than usually. He put more effort, more energy into everything he was asked to do. He hadn’t realized he was actually doing it until he was left almost out of breath after the usual track of 800 meters. That happened only during real competition; not at school practice.
“Aiba-kun, as much as I enjoy seeing your enthusiasm, the competitions are still ahead. I wouldn’t want to risk an injury… Take it easier…”
Masaki, who was still breathing heavily, nodded, his hands holding his waist, before he turned towards his new classmate. He met those dark brown eyes staring at him and he was almost sure there was a hint of astonishment in them… something that made him smile widely. The heat on his cheeks grew bigger… He felt an overwhelming rush of excitement running through his body.
The practice continued for thirty more minutes before they were finally free to go and have a shower. Masaki rushed to the showers and fifteen minutes later he was running towards Sho back into his school uniform.
“Hey!”
“Hey!” Sho mirrored Masaki, his voice somehow low, timid. “Your practice is quite… intense… Is it always like this?”
“More or less, yes… It’s just that I usually don’t put all my energy into it.”
“You were truly amazing… but I think I’ll agree with your coach, even if I’m not an expert. You may get hurt… and it’s only a practice.”
Masaki’s lips curved into a shy smile. “You are a caring person…, Sakurai Sho…” the words were spoken almost in a whisper before Sho’s hand found its place into Masaki’s. “But now, let’s go! Nino and Jun will be waiting!”
Sho had no choice but to follow.
“Again?!”
“Nino!” Masaki told his friend warningly and the other surprisingly limited his reaction to a sigh.
Sho couldn’t help but muffle a laugh. He could now see that Nino was the one who liked to provoke not only Jun but also Masaki… he knew though that he cared for them. Their friendship was true and deep… despite how they all seemed to bicker on the surface. It was only the second day but he could somehow see himself being a part of this group.
***
“I can’t believe we’re already having a test!” Nino exclaimed rather dramatically once they were out in the main school yard.
“It’s logical, Nino. We’re not in junior high anymore!” Jun said while following the other closely.
“J, please stop being a perfectionist for once, and share my point of view! We’re talking about two weeks after the new school year started. I repeat. Two. Weeks!”
“Actually, in Keio, we had tests every single week.” Sho replied.
It had been two weeks since he had been a part of their little group and somehow was staring feeling more and more relaxed.
Nino looked at him with frowned eyes before he turned his gaze to Masaki. “You, Aiba-chan? Don’t tell me that you are with them!”
“Well… you know that I hate tests… but I think they’re inevitable in our grade.”
Nino said nothing in reply but it was obvious that he was sulking.
“Hey! What do you say we gather, tomorrow afternoon, in order to study all together? You will join us, too, right, Sho-chan?”
Sho looked at him with his eyes wide open. Jun and Nino looked at each other but both chose to say nothing.
“Do you prefer to study on your own?” It seemed that Masaki hadn’t realized how he had called him.
“I…” Sho was at a loss for words. Why had his hands gotten all sweaty in a glimpse of the eye? Why was he feeling embarrassed to look straight into the other’s eyes?
“You’ve never done it or you think you will fall behind, if you study with us?” Nino asked him with a raised eyebrow. Sho looked at him grateful instead of being angry or offended. He somehow could tell by the tone of the smaller student’s voice that he was doing it in order to get him out of this awkwardness he had gotten himself into.
“Of course, not! It’s just that… I’ve never had such an invitation before! The competitive spirits were way too high in my old school…”
“No surprise, you seemed this stiff in the beginning… Now, that you’re starting to relax a bit, you’re much better!”
“Nino!”
“What now?! I can’t even share a compliment for our new dearest friend, Masaki?”
“Masaki! Don’t answer.” Jun jumped in the conversation. “We gather in your place, my place?”
“How about my place around five?” Masaki suggested immediately with a wide smile.
“Can you tell your mum to prepare for us her famous cookies, too?”
“You know she doesn’t need me to tell her! They’ll be waiting for you!”
Nino turned to Sho. “Tomorrow, when you’ll taste them, you’ll understand!” and with a small wink he grabbed Jun’s hand leading him to the corner that led to their houses. “See ya!”
Jun waved at them, before turning around and throwing his free arm around Nino’s waist. Giggles reached both Sho and Masaki’s ears as they watched the couple walking away.
“Are you sure they’re not together?” Sho asked Masaki still watching the other two.
“Well… not officially… It’s… complicated… Come!”
Sho followed Masaki till they reached the latter’s street. “My house is the one with the big tree in the yard. There!”
“Oh ok!”
“So, tomorrow at five?”
Sho only nodded. He was afraid of how his voice would sound.
“Can’t wait. Sho-chan! Bye-bye!”
“Bye…” Sho whispered, his heart pounding fast.
Masaki had said it again… he had called him Sho-chan…
***
Sho had placed all the notes and books he needed in his bag. It was the first time he’d have a group study like this and somehow it made him feel excited. During these past couple of weeks, he had come to feel more and more accustomed to his new life style. He was also spending more time with his parents. Every night, they would pass some time after dinner talking like they used to, back in Tokyo. He had also insisted on asking his father about his work… In the past, he found it fascinating. Now, he found it admiring and inspiring. Seeing this man being so strong about his family how could it not be inspiring? Little by little, his family was finding its rhythm… and Sho could admit he liked it. There was less stress and more genuineness, if he could use this word to describe the atmosphere in that small town in Chiba.
He had made good friends. Nino was making him forget any trouble he might had… Jun was someone with whom he could speak for hours… he liked his point of view on many things and then, it was Masaki… Masaki was someone was making both his body and soul feel warm. He was someone that made him want to work on bringing out the best of himself… someone he wanted by his side.
He checked himself in the mirror one last time to make sure he looked ok. He had chosen to wear his favorite pair of dark blue jeans along with a beige parka on top. It was simple but Sho was satisfied with the result. He wanted to look good but without betraying the effort he’d put for it.
“That’s ok… I guess…” he muttered to himself before he grabbed his bag and got out of his room.
The closer he walked to Masaki’s house, the more anxious he became. He checked his watch. It was 5:01. “I guess I can ring the bell…” Trying to ignore his fast heartbeat he pressed his index against the button next to the wooden door.
Seconds later, the door opened, revealing a woman that could pass for a female version of Masaki. They even shared the same smile. “You must be Sho. Welcome!”
Sho bowed and entered into Masaki’s house. It had a simple decoration but it was warmer than any other house he had been to. It may be the case for all the houses in this town, he thought. “Thank you, Aiba-san.”
“Masaki is up in his room. First door on your left.”
Sho bowed again and started climbing up the stairs. He knocked on the door that had a small plate made out of clay with the word ‘Masaki’ on it.
Within seconds, the door opened revealing the most beautiful version of Masaki, Sho had ever seen. He was wearing skinny jeans with a white T-shirt that was embracing his upper body perfectly. There was something stylish and sexy in him that Sho couldn’t put in words. He wasn’t sure for how long he had been staring at him but he couldn’t do differently. The sight in front of him was simply gorgeous.
“Co… come…”
The stuttering way the other had told him to enter and the intense blush on his cheeks told Sho that he was caught red-handed. He only gulped as he followed the other inside.
“The others?” he asked reluctantly in an attempt to lighten the atmosphere up.
“Don’t expect them before six. Nino’s watch goes always slower than the ones of the rest of us!”
Sho felt suddenly his heartbeat raising dangerously. Did that mean that he would be alone with Masaki for one hour?
“We can start! Don’t worry! Do you want orange juice? Tea perhaps?”
Sho cleared his throat. “Orange juice would be great.”
“It’s fresh! Wait a minute! I’ll be right back!” and with that Masaki left him alone.
Sho had the chance to see Masaki’s bedroom. He felt that he could learn more about the other… This was his personal space… Sho found himself looking through the photos of the three friends that Masaki kept on his small bookcase. In each one of them, he was shining like a star with his beautiful smile. Without realizing what he was doing, he took one of them in his hands, letting his fingers trace the glass, as if he could actually touch him. His lips had curved into a soft, shy smile.
You are so beautiful…
He didn’t know how much time he spent staring at the photo but hurried to put it back on place when he heard steps.
“I’m sorry for the delay, Sir! The chef hadn’t organized her time as she should have!” Masaki announced in a tone that reminded that of a waiter in a good restaurant causing Sho to laugh.
“As long as it doesn’t happen again!” Sho found himself following Masaki’s lead.
He always was someone too stuck up in seriousness. He would easily criticize people who didn’t care and simply had fun… only that now, he was actually having fun, he realized it wasn’t them but probably him who was wrong.
“The cookies are an offer. Hope you’ll find them of your taste, Sir.” Masaki replied in the same tone, trying with difficulty not to burst into laughs.
Sho took a large bite of the cookie he had taken into his hand, moaning. “This is delicious!”
Masaki smiled and spoke in his normal voice again. “I’m glad! These are the cookies Nino ordered yesterday!”
“He surely knew what he was talking about!” Sho said before an awkward silence covered the room.
They were both sitting on Masaki’s bed, Sho close at its feet and Masaki on the other end, close to the head. Sho continued eating cookies while the other insisted on playing with the hem of his T-shirt.
“Your room is nice… it gives off a warm feeling…!” Sho whispered after what it seemed an eternity.
Masaki turned his gaze to him, a blush covering his face. “That’s the first time someone says so about my room. Usually, Nino calls it showy… Because of the photos and the medals I keep on my shelves….”
“I know that you don’t do it to show off but to give yourself motivation, strength to continue… a reminder of what you can achieve… of what you felt when you achieved it, making you want to experience it again…”
Masaki said nothing more. All this time, Sho wasn’t looking at him but at the photos. It was the first time that someone understood the reason so well. However, he could feel the trace of sadness and melancholy in the other’s voice, piercing his heart painfully. He wished he could surprise him… tell him that he would have the opportunity to play again but the music teacher still hadn’t given Nino an answer yet. So far, Sho had shown any interest of participating in any club but Masaki had seen it… the way he had closed his eyes when they went to wait for Nino outside the music room. He didn’t dare to ask him why wouldn’t he speak with the teacher and ask to participate… His reasons may vary… There was a chance he didn’t want to meddle in the school more than he already had… the criticism would still follow him everywhere. Perhaps, he simply wanted not to be reminded of the past because he felt it couldn’t be the same.
I hope you’ll be able to find yourself this motivation and strength again… Masaki thought before he spoke again in a more cheerful way wanting to take Sho’s mind away from the piano. “Should… should we start? It seems that Nino will be late!”
“I guess you’re right!” Sho mumbled finding his smile back.
They sat on the floor side by side, their back leaning against Masaki’s bed and their books open on the small table he had in the middle of the room. When Sho opened all his books, Masaki couldn’t help but gasp. It was the first time he was seeing such detailed and organized notes. Of course, there was Jun but still they weren’t comparable.
“So, should we start with theory first?”
Masaki only nodded. A shy smile appeared on his lips seeing the sparkle in the other’s eyes. “You really enjoy studying!”
Sho’s cheeks turned into a quite deep shade of red. “Well… I…”
“I didn’t say it in a negative way… It’s… admirable!”
Sho gulped before muttering a thank you with a trembling, weak voice.
The two of them tried to concentrate on maths since it was obvious that this way they wouldn’t go anywhere. Masaki was starting getting frustrated. Sho had already finished with the first page of equations but he was still stuck at the second last. It wasn’t that he was a competitive person outside the track but he didn’t want to give the impression of being weak. He frowned, grabbed his pen tighter restarting to lose the problem but the latter didn’t seem to want to be solved.
His heart skipped a beat when he felt Sho’s hand on his, taking his pen and writing down the solution. “You’re forgetting that you should first solve this one that’s in the brackets and then you continue with this and then you should use this formula to…”
Masaki tried to focus on what Sho was telling him. He really tried to but it was impossible. How could he when the other was pressing with his body his side, making him feel his warmth, his bare skin of his lower arm against his, his hot breath close to his cheek and ear. His mind was having difficulties registering Sho’s words when all it could think about was how it would feel to touch him more… to be closer…
At one point, he turned his gaze to his new classmate who was still explaining. How beautiful are you…?! He was; objectively… subjectively… Sho was the most beautiful person he had ever seen in his sixteen years of life… the only one that had made his heart flatter the way it did right at that moment.
“Did you underst-…?” Sho couldn’t finish his question. His eyes met Masaki’s staring directly into his. He could almost hear the pulse in his ears. Could it be that the other was looking at him the way he secretly wished for?
Neither dared to say anything but also neither dared to move away or break the intense gaze. It was as if the time had stopped and they had entered into a dimension where they were alone, cut off from this world.
They didn’t know how long they had stayed like this but awkwardly went back to their former positions once they saw Nino entering into Masaki’s room without knocking the door, followed by Jun.
Masaki tried to avoid his friend’s eyes, knowing well that the other could read him inside out. Luckily, Nino didn’t make any comment this time and to everyone’s -Masaki was sure- relief, they started studying all together.
After a couple of hours, they had finished more than planned.
“I thought with J was tiring enough, but now, with you, Sakurai-kun, it was just wow!” Nino said as he threw his hands up into the air.
“When you get a 100 you’ll be thanking us!” Jun said with a raised eyebrow. “And don’t start complaining because if I remember correctly you were a bit too enthusiastic with the idea!” Jun said leaning with a raised eyebrow closer to Nino, almost as if he was provoking him.
“But that’s doesn’t necessarily mean I was enthusiastic about mathematics in particular, J!” Nino said in his usual playful tone leaning even closer, leaving only a few centimeters between him and Jun.
Jun rolled his eyes but said nothing in return.
“So!” Nino exclaimed loud returning his attention to the other two who were left watching them between awkwardness and amusement. “Interested in having some fun, now that we’re finished? Because as much as I’ve enjoyed solving math problems all evening, I think there are other things way more joyful!”
“What do you have in mind, Nino?” Jun asked with a frown. Sho could tell by the tone of his voice that he already had an idea of what Nino was talking about.
“The club… of course!”
“Club?! What club?!” Sho asked frowning. He hadn’t seen any club in the town.
“In Chiba!” Nino replied. “You know, the prefecture capital city?!” he added once caught how Sho was staring at him.
“But we can’t go to a club! We’re minors…!”
Nino smirked. “Oh-chan, J’s cousin, will get us in!”
“I don’t-”
“It would be great!”
Sho and Masaki had spoken the exact same time. Sho hadn’t expect Masaki to agree… he was never someone to do something against the rules. It wasn’t that he was afraid; he just felt not good doing something he wasn’t supposed to.
“We’ll just dance and Ohno-kun will drive us back home early!” Masaki told him. Sho didn’t know what to say… It was as if a puppy was looking at him expectantly.
“I don’t know what kind of club it is that you’re imagining but I can assure you that this is a relatively small club and certainly a decent one. The owner is Oh-chan’s friend and we’ll go to have some fun… not to get drunk! Don’t worry!”
“It will be fun! You’ll see!” Masaki said still having his puppy eyes on Sho.
“O… ok…” was all Sho could whisper. He felt enchanted.
“Great!” Masaki exclaimed enthusiastically. “How about we meet at the corner half an hour later?”
“Make it one hour. Our diva, here, needs more time to be ready…” Nino said in between muffled giggles as he pointed at Jun.
“You may call me however you like… All I know is every time you see the result you eat me up with your eyes… which proves that this… diva, as you say,” Jun said pointing at himself “does something right!”
Sho was left staring at the couple. Usually, it was Nino the provocative one but now, it seemed that Jun was on fire having taken the lead of their little game.
Nino let out a defeated sigh before he got his things. “See you in an hour!” and with that stormed out of the room. It was obvious that he didn’t like the fact that the other had managed to shut him up.
“I have to go, too!” Jun said, hurriedly getting his stuff and getting out of the room following Nino.
“That was… something new…” Sho muttered more to himself rather than Masaki.
“It was because Nino mentioned Ohno-kun. He’s Jun’s older cousin and… Nino has… let’s say a unique way to behave around him; something that always triggers Jun.”
“Oh… I see…”
“So, see you in one hour?”
Sho looked at his watch. It was already almost 9 pm. “Sure!” He smiled at the other rather awkwardly before he stood up with all his things into his bag. He headed to the door, his hand having grabbed the door handle when he stopped. “It was great studying here with you, today…” the phrase was spoken almost like a whisper.
“I enjoyed it very much, too, Sho-chan!” Sho felt his heart stopping. He was called Sho-chan again… “In an hour!”
“Yes… bye!” Sho didn’t turn to look at the other. He was afraid his blush would betray his crazy feelings that had built up inside him.
He almost ran to his house. He was surprised to find his parents being totally ok with him going to a club. He opened his closet. He may not be a diva, like Nino had called Jun, but he wanted to look great… for him.
***
Sho had chosen to wear a black pair of jeans, not too skinny but well-fit, along with a wine red shirt on top. He looked at himself in the mirror satisfied with the result. This was definitely not his usual image and he hoped it would be appreciated by him… because it was him the reason he had tried his best to look good. These couple of weeks he had spent with him and his two friends had made him reevaluate many things in his life and starting seeing the bright side of the things… Sho’s lips curved into a soft smile as he brought that bright smile of his. It was without a doubt the brightest he had ever seen and the most powerful, because it had managed to catch his attention from the very beginning. He put on a few drops of cologne, the one he had received from his precious senpai before he left Tokyo, and took his wallet and keys. He was ready.
His heart was beating fast as he came closer to the meeting point. The closer he got, the crazier his pulse went. Sho felt his throat getting dry. Masaki was wearing a pair of greyish skinny jeans with a few cuts in the front along with a black, tight V-neck shirt. His clothes were stylish and showed off his spindly yet toned silhouette in the most alluring way. The silver long necklace around his neck just added to the whole look. This Masaki looked as if he had popped out from a fashion magazine… looking flawless, beautiful and sexy… sexier than Sho had ever imagined he could be.
Without realizing, his walking pace grew slower, his eyes still locked on his classmate who was checking his watch. Sho could only gulp. He used to have a crush over his senpai; a crush that had lasted for several years but he never remembered himself being in this state in front of him. This time, his mind seemed to have stopped thinking… All he could do was stare. At one point, he saw Masaki biting his lower lip as he nervously fixed his shirt. Suddenly, Sho felt the urge to run to him and claim his lips, pressing his body against the other’s… It was his turn to bite his lips painfully. He had to control himself. If there was the slightest chance for him, he knew he couldn’t ruin it.
He took several deep breaths with closed eyes before finally, decided to resume his steps and head closer to the other.
“Hey…” he said, unsure of how his voice sounded.
Masaki, who till then was looking down on the ground, lifted his gaze and looked at him. For a few seconds, it seemed as if time had stopped… This was not the first time, Sho had felt that way… the same had happened earlier at Masaki’s bedroom.
“Hey…” Masaki mumbled in a tiny voice back.
“The others haven’t arrived yet?” Sho asked trying to sound as indifferent as possible.
“No… Nino called me and said they’ll be here in five minutes.”
“Oh…” was all Sho could whisper. He got mad at himself. Really, Sho?! Oh?! That’s all you have to say?!
“You…” Masaki started speaking before he went silent for a few seconds. “You look really good, tonight, Sh- ah… Sakurai-kun…!”
Sho turned his gaze to the other. It was dark but something in his head told him that Masaki was blushing. He felt more courageous seeing his classmate be in a not better condition than him and went closer to him until their faces were only a couple of centimeters away from each other.
“Thank you. I must say that you, too, look really good. I’d say astounding! But can I ask you why did you call me Sakurai-kun?”
“Eh?”
“You have already called me Sho-chan… why back to Sakurai-kun?” Sho insisted and to his pleasant surprise, now that he was close to the other, he was sure that Masaki was blushing.
“That… It kind of… slipped… I didn’t know if-”
“I didn’t say anything against it, did I?” Sho whispered, having stepped even closer without taking notice of it. His eyes were locked on the pouty, full lips that looked as if they were inviting him to taste them.
“No…” Masaki whispered, his eyes staring on Sho’s luscious lips, as well. “No, you didn’t…”
Subconsciously, he closed his eyes parting slightly his mouth waiting for the other to lean closer. That night he had to play it all. The clothes he was wearing were bought the previous day after school with Jun. They had taken the train to go to Tokyo. He wasn’t the type that would dress up even when they got out but this time, he wanted to look good; really good… like the ones Sho was used to come across in Tokyo. He wasn’t feeling very comfortable, if he had to be honest with himself, but after noticing how his new classmate was looking at him, he knew it was worth it. His heart was dancing funnily in his chest seeing him look this gorgeous in his red shirt and his black jeans. He knew his cheeks had gotten red… but at this moment, he didn’t care. All he wanted to feel was the other’s hot lips on his. He slightly tilted his head to the right when he felt Sho’s hot breath so close to his mouth. He could feel his pulse in his ears… Sho would kiss him…
“Excuse us for the interruption!” a voice was heard from behind, making them both go back to their previous spots.
“Nino! Jun!” Masaki said in a way that betrayed his nervousness and awkwardness in the same time.
“Oh-chan will be here in a minute!” Nino said excitedly. “Can’t wait for this night to start!”
Masaki and Sho didn’t miss the way Jun’s arm wrapped around Nino’s slim waist bringing him closer, the moment the latter had uttered ‘Oh-chan’.
---
“Oh-chaaaaaaan!”
Nino left the others behind the moment Ohno Satoshi arrived and ran towards Jun’s older cousin to hug him. The hug itself was quick but it was enough to irritate Jun who cursed under his breath.
“I think that’s enough, Nino!”
With a roughness, Sho had never witnessed before, Jun grabbed Nino’s arm and took him away from his cousin’s side. “I think it’s better for us to go! Don’t you agree, Satoshi?”
His cousin, who was, surprisingly to Sho, smaller than he expected him to be, agreed and made him a nod to follow him to his car.
“But I want to sit in the front!”
“No! You’ll sit with Masaki and Sakurai-kun at the back seat.
“But-”
“You’re sitting back. End of discussion.” Jun replied calmly but coldly in the same time.
Masaki took notice of Sho’s gaze and leaned closer. “This is what I have to face these last couple of years! For some reason, Nino seems to find it the perfect game but I’m afraid he’s pulling the ropes too much… Jun may seem calm but I’m sure deep inside he’s burning and one time, he’ll explode for good…”
Sho only nodded before he followed Masaki into the car.
---
The club was indeed relatively small but had a nice atmosphere.
“The bartender is informed about your ages. No alcohol for you!”
“How about dance?” Nino said in a playful way. “Is that allowed?”
Ohno Satoshi shook his head. “I’ll go to find my friend. Have fun!”
“You owe me a dance!” Nino told him as Jun’s cousin was walking away from him. Before he could realize what was happening, he felt a hand grabbing his wrist and dragging him to the dance floor.
“You…” Nino whispered, this time sounding nothing alike his provocative and mischievous self.
“Tonight, you dance with me…”
He could only nod as Jun’s arms circled around his waist bringing him closer. “Yes…” he whispered, his hot breath landing on Jun’s half-parted lips. He brought his hands on top of Jun’s shoulders, letting them rest on them. “…Only with you…”
---
“I hope these two decide to speak openly!” Masaki mumbled as he looked at his two friends dancing.
“Yes…”
“Uhm… So… what would you like us to do? We could have a drink or…”
Sho looked at his side. He was about to ask Masaki to dance as well when he heard a way too familiar voice calling out his name. Could it be…? He turned around and saw no one else but Okada Junichi standing a few meters away from him.
“Senpai?!”
The other only winked at him. “It’s me!”
Sho felt his eyes getting teary as he threw himself on the other, hugging him tightly. He hadn’t seen him for more than two months only talking on the phone. He had missed him. “What are you doing here?”
“I found some time and came for the weekend. Your parents told me you were here with some friends and decided to come and find you. Have you gotten a drink?”
“No… We arrived a little earlier.”
“Come. It’s on me!”
Sho couldn’t believe it. His good friend was there. “Ok!” he looked around but frowned when he saw that Masaki wasn’t behind him.
“He probably went to the toilet.”
“Yeah… probably…” Sho muttered still not completely sure.
“We’ll sit right there. He’ll be able to see you. Come! We have a lot to talk about!”
Sho sighed but followed Junichi to the table he had pointed. After several minutes, though, he got really into the conversation, losing track of time. He also had so many things to talk about… Okada Junichi was his only friend… the only one who not only knew but also understood him so well. He was so engrossed in their talk that he hadn’t notice that a pair of eyes were staring at him sadly.
Masaki was hoping that night he would get to dance with Sho… flirt with him… be brave… a little bit more open… What he didn’t expect was to see this… senpai appear and steal Sho from him. His heart clenched painfully when he saw the way Sho hugged him. It was obvious that he had been missing him but wasn’t the hug a little too long? Didn’t he look flushed once they broke it? He went to the toilet to throw some water to his face. Most probably, he was overreacting about the whole thing. But when he came out and found Sho sitting this close with the other made him realize that he may have not. The fact that they were sitting this close wasn’t alarming in his eyes. It was a club and the music was loud… What bothered him was the fact that Sho’s hand was resting on top of the older man’s one, holding it… It was the subtle body language that made him fear the most. He hadn’t counted how much time had passed by with him simply standing there and watching the one he liked talking so lively, excitedly, smiling so fondly with this senpai of his. Hs body felt numb to feel any tiredness. Suddenly, he felt unneeded. Nino was dancing with Jun, Sho had found his senpai while he was there, having no one.
“Hey, cutie… Interested in having some fun?”
Masaki looked up to the man who had just spoken to him. He was much taller and from his breath, Masaki could tell he was also quite drunk.
“He already has someone! Go and try your luck elsewhere!”
Masaki turned around, surprised to find Jun. “Let’s go, Masaki!” Before Masaki could do or say anything he was dragged to the exit. “Nino went to ask Satoshi to drive us back home.”
Masaki only nodded. He felt tears blurring his eyesight. His friends must have seen the whole thing. “I’m sorry…” he whispered.
“What for?”
“Ruining your evening…?!”
“Masaki, don’t-”
“You’re lucky, Jun.” Masaki spoke again, lifting his gaze up to meet his friend’s. “You have Nino.”
“I don’t-”
“You do.” Masaki cut him off. “And I’m sure deep inside you know it, too.”
“Nino had to go the toilet. He’s coming.” Satoshi announced once he stood by Jun and Masaki’s side. “We’re leaving, in five.”
---
“Just wanted to tell you that we’re leaving.”
Sho looked up. It was Nino looking at him with a grim expression on his face.
“Already?”
“Already?!” Nino said in a sarcastic way. “It’s almost midnight.”
“Then, I should-”
“Enjoy your time with your… friend. He can always bring you back, can’t he?”
“But-”
“Enjoy the rest of your night, Sakurai.”
Nino walked away trying to control himself and not punch the other on the face. He was almost reached the main door when he felt a grab on his wrist. “Where’s Masaki?”
Nino ticked his tongue annoyed. “So, now, you remembered there’s someone who’s named Masaki?!”
“I-”
Nino freed himself from Sho and gripped the collar of his shirt. “Listen to me, capital boy. I don’t know what games you liked to play in Tokyo but here there are some things that are not acceptable.”
“But-” Sho tried to speak once again in vain.
“All this time you have been flirting with Masaki and don’t pretend the innocent now. I’m not someone you can trick! You were flirting with him. I’ve caught you several times being at the verge of kissing each other. I honestly thought that you genuinely liked him… yet, you simply threw him away the moment your precious senpai appeared in front of you. I don’t know if that’s canon in Tokyo but in Chiba is one big no-no. Especially when it comes to my friends!”
“What are you talking about? I never-”
“Have you realized that more than an hour passed by while sitting and talking with that guy? Have you realized how close you two were? That you were holding his hand? That my friend was staring at you all the time with tears on his face? And me the idiot who listened to him and tried to convince the music teacher to let you play the piano once the club activities were over! You’re not worth it, Sakurai, and if you can’t see it yourself, then I’m sorry.”
Sho made a move to get outside but was stopped by Nino who forcefully threw him on the wall. “Don’t even think about it. Be honest with yourself, reflect on your actions and behavior and once you’re 100% sure, you come and talk to him. Good night!”
Sho was left seeing his classmate going out. This time, he didn’t try to follow him. He only lowered his head…
“Sho, are-?”
“Senpai, I’d like to go home…”
***
Sho hadn’t slept that night. He couldn’t. Nino’s words were keeping replaying in his head. He couldn’t believe that Masaki had tried to find a way for him to play the piano again… as if he understood and realized how much it meant for him. He couldn’t believe that the other liked him back and that he had most probably destroyed everything. With a sigh, he got off his bed. They needed to talk. He needed to talk to Masaki.
He was about to turn on the corner when he saw him. Their eyes met for no more than seconds before Masaki pretended he hadn’t seen him and continued to run. Sho ran behind him. It was a bit too fast for him but he was determined to speak to him.
When Masaki realized Sho was behind him, he accelerated even more. It was only ten minutes later that Masaki stopped, unable to continue any longer.
“What… do you want? I’m in the middle of… my training…”
“Sorry…” Sho managed to whisper as he tried to find his breath back. “I’m really sorry…”
“What for?”
“Everything. For being a coward…. For not telling you… how beautiful and wonderful person you are…, how much you made me… almost like it being here…, that I agreed on coming last night for you…, that I dressed up… only for you…, how sexy I found you in those clothes…”
Masaki was about to turn around and leave but this time Sho was faster than him, forbidding him to escape.
“I’m sorry for not realizing that… I hurt you… and not telling you that… I…” Sho took a deep breath before he looked straight into Masaki’s eyes who were seeking the truth in him and his words. “…like you… not my senpai… not anyone else. You.”
TO BE CONTINUED…
A.N. Soooo minna surprise!!!! ^^ After 3 (almost 4 *runs and hides under a rock*) months here I am updating this fic!!! I don’t know how many of you actually remember it but for the first time, since I started writing fics, suffered from such a writer’s block. I knew where the story wanted to go yet couldn’t get to actually make it… ><” I don’t know whether it’s what you expected it to be but I hope it wasn’t disappointing!! At least, it’s super long to make it for you a tiny bit! ^^
The update will come very soon, this time! I promise!!
My dear, I hope you still remember this from your Wish Meme list and that you’ve liked the story so far! *bows apologetically*
I really hope you enjoyed it and as always your comments are <333!!!
See you soon,