Chapter Text
Fortunately, mom doesn't harass me with questions when she sees me, once she's back from work. She asks what happened, I tell her I can't speak, but that it's nothing serious, and despite looking at me with horrible concern she leaves me alone.
I wish I could skip school. But I'm not quite allowed to do that. Besides, eventually I will have to deal with the fact that Okuyasu exists, albeit not in my life anymore.
And that hurts. It hurts more than any wound, any wood stabbed in my body. It hurts so much that it keeps bringing tears to my eyes even hours after I fought him.
Although my stressful day promises a hard and sleepless night, the exhaustion of having cried so much sends me to bed earlier than usual and I sleep like a log. I wake up only with the alarm the next morning.
Sadly, my eyes are still quite swollen, I don't look perfect, but that's something beyond my power. I do what I can and I'm ready to face a new day.
What I'm not ready for, though, is to see Okuyasu waiting for me, sitting on the front steps of my house.
For a moment, I stop, doorknob still in hand, not knowing whether to run pass by him or come back inside. He turns when he hears the door opening, and I can't help looking at his face. He blushes hard and smiles sadly.
"Mornin', Josuke".
I don't reply. I'm still speechless. I can't believe he has the nerve to come here, to do this. To come like every other day as if nothing had happened. After all he hurt me. After all I said.
Yet, it doesn't take me long to remember that what he does doesn't concern me anymore. I have decided so, didn't I? He's allowed to exist.
I look away, trying to look as indifferent as possible, and I shut the door before getting on my way to school. I can see him standing up and I avoid looking at him as I pass by him, walking fast, never answering his greeting.
It takes him a few seconds to start walking, and when he does, he still remains a few steps behind me. It feels like he's willingly staying behind, trying to avoid looking at my face too. But he still goes quite near me, and it's clear that his intention is to, well, walk to school with me like any other time.
I'm trying to decide whether is best to ignore him, or to ask him to leave me alone. Because, right now, I can't even bear to have him close. I'm still so pissed, so hurt, and this bothers me even more. The fact that after what happened he still thinks it was nothing? Was I just exaggerating to him? Does he take me seriously at all? I want to be mad at him, to fight him.
On the other hand I don't want to give him the privilege to be acknowledged by me.
So I keep walking, just a bit faster, if anything, but he fastens his pace just as much.
It's ridiculous.
But around two blocks away from home, he speaks.
"Y'know, I know yer pissed. 'course you are. But, huh, I want ta apologize. Guess I said somethin' real mean, without even noticing".
Hah. He's apologizing but he doesn't even know what for. He's guessing he said something mean. I roll my eyes for myself.
He doesn't say anything else for a long time, until he speaks again.
"Of course you can like, take yer time and all but. I'll keep tryin'. Until ya wanna talk again".
My stupid lip trembles a bit, with me unable to control the motion. All I can do is bite my lip and walk even faster.
I don't want to hear this. I don't want to...
And then, he says something else.
"I'm really used to this cold treatment, y'know. My bro had his temper. And ya should see me trying to have a conversation with dad. I ain't made of sugar, I can survive yer cold treatment too. Still not givin' up".
A pang of hurt and guilt rushes through me and all I can do is to start running. I literally start running like the dramatic main character in a teenagers drama, and I don't stop until I'm safe in my classroom. I know I'm sweaty, I know my hair is falling apart. Nothing matters. That stupid... Okuyasu and his manipulative pitiful words.
I'm not ready to... Even think about forgiving him. I can't. I'm afraid of what he would say. I know well that he doesn't feel what I feel for him. I don't need his pity. And he doesn't need me. He doesn't need my friendship. He has other people, and now it's more than clear that he can make friends on his own without my assistance or playing the unwanted role of a weird chaperone.
At the first break, I expect him to be with his girl, somewhere. But he's already at the door, waiting for me.
"Not ready yet?", He asks as I pass by him. "Take yer time", he insists louder, behind me.
This is harassment.
And yet, I can't help spying on him from the corners, to see what he's doing or what he stops doing. He's talking with Koichi and Yukako during the first break, and spends only a few minutes with Murasaki.
Idiot. Now that he can be with her properly, he's wasting his chances?
When the break is over and I'm back on my classroom, Koichi comes to my desk. I sigh, already expecting an inquisition.
"Josuke..."
"What", I mumble, crossing my arms and looking away.
"... I know you had a fight with Okuyasu", he says and I snort.
"He told you?"
"Yes, well... I asked. I saw how you... Reacted when you saw him at the door, and heard what he said. I was curious-"
"Did he tell you why we fought?", I look up at him now - I'm sitting, but he's so short that I don't really have to look that up to meet his eyes-, raising an eyebrow.
"Well, no-"
"Hah", I scoff, shaking my head. Of course he didn't.
"He said he hurt you. And that he was deeply sorry, but you weren't giving him the chance to apologize", Koichi added, ignoring my disdain. "He looked truly sad, Josuke. And... You know you mean a lot to him. Don't treat him like that".
Oh, great. The last thing I needed. Me being the bad guy. Me treating the poor boy cruelly. My ice cold glare pierces through Koichi and I notice him taking a step back.
"Jo-josuke?"
"He fucked with me. Literally", I squint, "and then had the nerve to say we were just friends. Just friends, yes?", I speak slowly, controlling my voice not to be heard by basically everyone else in the room. "He's still chasing ass after that. He used me, Koichi. Oh?", I say, because he's making a face, "is this too gross for you? Too shocking? Does this change my, huh, reputation? Or Okuyasu's? Does it bother you?"
Koichi blushes and looks down, embarrassed.
"N-no, Josuke, I... I'm sorry... I shouldn't butt in. Forgive me", he says and then walks away.
Fucking coward.
I fold my arms on my desk, and hide my face there, so nobody sees the tears forming in my eyes.
In the following break, Okuyasu is no longer waiting for me at the door. But when I see him next time he's again sitting with Koichi and Yukako.
Okuyasu is crying. Koichi looks uncomfortable. Yukako looks mad.
I wonder if I said too much. I wonder if they're... Being mean to Okuyasu. A sudden urge to intervene to protect him fills me entirely, but I control myself. Yet I don't stop watching them. Ready to jump in if I must.
But eventually, when the bell announces the end of the break, Koichi gets up and hugs Okuyasu's shoulders fast. He gives him his handkerchief and then waves to Yukako, before walking away, presumably to our classroom.
Traitor. So he's still on Okuyasu's side.
I stay where I am for a longer moment though, watching Okuyasu and his company. She gestures to him to get up when she does, and he follows her to their classroom. But I don't miss the moment when she softly pats his shoulder.
So everyone is on his side. Despite of everything he did.
I can't believe it.
Naturally, he's following me back home like a stray dog, despite my huge efforts to ignore him. Sometimes, he even says something. Talks about the weather, the way the days are becoming a bit longer, the cute snowmen he sees here and there. I ignore him... As much as I can. But he's cute. He's too damn cute for my own good.
When it's time for him to cross the street towards his house, he rushes to reach me finally and pinches my cheek. Despite my audible gasp, and visibly rejecting reaction, he waves and smiles embarrassed.
"See ya tomorrow. G'night".
I turn away from him and fasten my pace, rubbing my cheek. Asshole.
I can't stop thinking about his pinch on my cheek during the rest of the evening. I may or may not rub one off thinking of the times when we did things together, barely days ago, yet I feel as if it was longer than that.
I miss him. I desperately miss him. But I can't just forget what happened. It's still bugging me, circling around my mind. "We're fine! We can still do those things. No need to get dramatic, bro. Besides, we have a reputation. I have a reputation. Cannot be seen datin' a dude, can I?"
We can still do those things, he has said. I have a reputation.
No, I cannot forgive him. Not when he openly admits he'd used me in private, but he's ashamed to love me in public.
Definitely not. I'm not forgiving him. And I will avoid him as much as I can.
So the next morning, even though it's brutally dreadful to do so, I wake up an hour earlier and get out of the house way earlier, all so I don't have to meet Okuyasu who's probably going to be on my front steps again.
When I arrive to school, it's open, but only some people who work there can be seen. I don't see a single student. Well, I do not care. I go to my classroom and wait patiently.
I don't realize I fall asleep on my desk until a schoolmate taps me on the shoulder.
"Josuke kun?", It's a girl. I think her name is Hina or something. I'm not sure. "Are you alright?"
"Uh-huh", I nod, yawning, and wave dismissively, "I'm very sorry. I'm just tired".
She doesn't say anything. She just stares with huge eyes and nods. Moments later, when her friends arrive, I hear her high pitched voice whispering, "I saw Josuke's sleeping face!"
I roll my eyes. Girls.
Koichi is arriving a bit later than usual, and as he rushes to his desk he waves at me, to which I respond with a lazy nod. Behind him, the teacher comes in and I sigh, long enough for it to become a yawn, as I get up to greet him.
I'm feeling successful. I managed to avoid Okuyasu completely. This is a great start. I notice that I feel less sad if I don't see his face. It's a bit worrying; we will meet eventually. But right now I must take care of myself the best I can.
I'm thinking about this when someone knocks on the door. The teacher indicates the person to come in, and I'm only half surprised to see that it's Okuyasu.
I look away as fast as I can, frowning, but my cheeks betray me and I blush furiously.
"Oh, morning", Okuyasu tells the teacher. "Forgive me for interruptin' and all, but I really gotta give Josuke kun something".
"Make it fast", the old man answers.
I still don't look at him, and I hear some of my schoolmates whispering things and even a giggle. What do they care? Mind your business.
"Hey", Okuyasu says, standing next to my desk. "I waited at the front of yer house for a while. Got damn cold before yer mom came out and told me Josuke had left earlier. She was surprised to see me there. Guess ya didn't tell her we fought. I take that as a good sign".
"Why".
Is the first word I say to him in what feels like ages. I missed talking to him, damn...
"'Coz maybe you still feel we'll work it out and she won't have ta find out".
"Bullshit", I mumble. "I just don't need anyone meddling with my problems. Unlike you, telling Koichi and Yukako that I'm being a bitch".
"Not doin' that. Just... Just talking-"
"Nijimura", the teacher interrupts him.
We both look at him, a cold ice glare, until he clears his throat and looks away.
"Well, what the hell did you want", I snap finally, looking down again.
"Just... Makin' sure ya were safe here. I'm glad we talked a bit. Hopefully we can talk more soon and ya will let me apologize".
"I wouldn't be that hopeful, Nijimura", I mumble and I can hear him sigh.
"... I guess so. Well. Whenever yer ready. Gotcha this", he says and...
The bastard puts a flower on my desk. Another yellow flower. I squint at it and then I look up at Okuyasu, but he's already turning and walking away.
Some girls gasp, some giggle, but I hear a lot of whispering. My cheeks are burning.
He didn't... Just do that, did he?
"Poof", one of the boys says. Every single muscle in me tenses. I'm ready to snap, to jump over him and beat him senseless.
But then I hear Okuyasu shoving a chair out of his way to reach the guy, and I look up.
"Come yell that to my face, asshole!", He growls, and I see the boy he's talking too more or less hiding behind a friend.
He's cool, isn't he...
"Nijimura!", The teacher yells, "is that what you came here for? To cause trouble?"
"Why ya scold me, man, he just called me a word, a-a, what you say, a slur!", Okuyasu defends himself and I nod, without meaning to.
"Go to your classroom before I send you to the principal! Now!"
Okuyasu mumbles a complaint, but turns and leaves, not before flipping the bird at the boy who is now sighing with relief.
I can't help but smile softly. That was... That was daring.
My eyes land on the flower, the yellow flower on my desk. This one is different. It has six petals, and a second line of a single petal surrounding the central part that looks like a little tube. The stem is long and sturdy. It's really pretty.
But I can't help remember that giving flowers means nothing to him. He's just doing it because he thinks of it as a cute gesture. There's nothing romantic in it. I sigh, looking away and ignoring my schoolmates gossip.
Okuyasu, what are you doing, I wonder... And I keep the flower safe in my desk the rest of the day until I can take it home with me.
I'm already expecting him to follow me on the way back home. This time, though, he has the decency of being quiet. He doesn't mention the fact that I have his motherfucking flower in my left hand.
It's a very sturdy young lady, this flower. Doesn't seem to be affected at all by the fact that it's cut and un-watered. It's really pretty.
I try my best to ignore the fact that Okuyasu's eyes are burning into my back. I'm still thinking of his reaction when he got called a poof. I'm not sure what to make of it. Is it positive, or negative? What I mean is, is he ready to leave his old reputation behind for this new one? Or is he still imposing bravado to keep the old reputation intact?
My pride and hurt push me to believe it's the second, and in order to protect me from further pain I decide not to forgive him today. Nor tomorrow. Nor any time soon.
I'm waiting for him to say something when we're arriving to the spot where we usually separate. And he doesn't disappoint, but my cheeks once more blush at his words.
"So glad ya kept the flower. I'll bring ya many more. See ya, bro".
Asshole.
But I'm grinning widely when I place the flower in a vase, in my bedroom. This back and forth is not good for my heart. And the way I miss him, plus the way he's trying so hard makes me want to give in. But I have a pride. And I've said what I've said. And he must learn a lesson. He has to suffer. He has to learn not to play with people's feelings.
So the next day, assuming he would be earlier at my door, knowing I've left earlier... I wake up even earlier. The school is not even open when I arrive, and I have to walk around until it's opened because it's so cold that I feel I'll die if I stay still. Stupid me. But it worked, anyways. Because, I didn't have to see Okuyasu at my front steps. Although, as expected, he arrives earlier, and the first thing he does is to walk towards me, in my classroom. We're alone, since we're so early, and this is the worst outcome possible, in the end.
"Mornin'", he says, and even though I'm not looking I can hear a grin in his voice, "yer really sneaky".
"What do you want", I roll my eyes, still not looking at him.
"Brought ya another one".
I can't fucking believe this. He's still trying to buy peace between us with the stupid flowers he keeps stealing from the innocent florist!
Yet, when I turn to see him, the furious expression I mean to show transforms into surprise, and I can't suppress a gasp.
This may be my favourite one this far. It's purple. It's gorgeous. It's not one flower but it's a lot of pretty flowers, small flowers with six, curled petals, groups of them very near each other growing from a very thick stem. And it smells so sweet...
He's handing me the flower with his hand, waiting patiently for me to take it, and I can't ignore the beautiful smile on his stupid face, clearly satisfied with my reaction.
Idiot.
I take the flower from his hand, and he makes sure to get our fingers to meet there. The touch burns. I miss his calloused hands on me. Even if the touch is small, is still lingering, and because I don't push him away, he may take it as an encouragement to go on, because now, as I hold the flower between my fingers, his hand is on my wrist, thumb drawing circles on my skin.
"Missed yer soft skin...", He exhales and it's almost against my ear. I haven't noticed he had gotten so close.
And when I turned my face, we're nose to nose. Again, another gasp.
Our eyes meet. My heart beats frantically. Time stops. It's only Okuyasu and I, and this beautiful purple flower that smells sweeter than Okuyasu's shampoo, the flower that combines perfectly with the gorgeous gems of Okuyasu's eyes.
"Okuyasu...", I whisper, slowly closing the gap between our lips when the screech of some girl startles the both of us, but he in particular reacts worse. He jumps, panicking as he turns around to check that nobody saw us, and then sighs in relief.
Oh, right. I forgot he has a fucking reputation.
I blush as I shake my head, indignant. Unbelievable.
"We'll talk, yeah?", He says and doesn't wait for an answer. He leaves after running his knuckles across my jawline.
No, we won't talk. I'm not a crime. I won't hide. I don't deserve to be treated like this. I will never forgive him. I will be strong and I won't be persuaded by pretty flowers and dimples and sparkling lilac eyes and his filthy, seductive manners. He can go fuck himself with a bouquet, for all I care.
Yet, the feelings of his fingers on my wrist and his knuckles on my face keep tingling through the following hours, and the flower fills my classroom with its perfume the whole time.
I avoid him incredibly well during the breaks, with Koichi's help who for once had agreed to please me and distract him as get out of the classroom, and when the time to go back home is arriving I leave earlier, telling my teacher I have to see a doctor because my bad leg had been acting up with the cold. A lie I promised not to use again to skip classes, but damn, this is an emergency. I don't want to see Okuyasu the Seducer ever again.
The next day, I finally understand that it would be stupid to leave the house even earlier. But, I have a very smart idea. Since now my mom has witnessed me leaving the house earlier than usual, I do wake up a few hours earlier, write a note saying I already left to school and leave it on the fridge, then go back to bed. It works perfectly. I hear my mom getting ready for work without suspecting her pride and joy is still cozy in bed. If Okuyasu is there, and if my mom tells him I left already, I don't know, I don't hear anything. I'm dozing off to the warmth of my bed and the sweet scent of the growing bouquet in the vase.
I arrive to school only 25 minutes late, though, but my beautiful hair is down. Yes, I grant people the privilege of seeing me with my hair down, only because it got a bit too late to style it, and also because staying in bed longer caused me to get colder when I got up, and I decided to finally wear a woolly hat.
I get twenty different types of squealing compliments when I enter my classroom, and an angry scold from my teacher, but I nod to everything without really hearing a word, only focused on the gorgeous red rose waiting for me on my desk.
When the break arrives after a lecture about chromosomes that I ignored entirely while sniffing the stupid flower, I rush to Koichi to ask for his help again. But he's already shaking his head.
"Stop putting me in the middle", he says.
"I ain't!", I scoff, "I'm asking for help! Since you're a friend".
"I'm also Okuyasu's friend, and I think it's very stupid of you to keep avoiding him like this. He's trying, Josuke!", He whines, apparently too tired of our extreme romantic gymnastics.
"He-I mean!", I try to find my words, indignation choking me, "like, he-- and, y'know? If he were, y'know, he wouldn't do... That!"
"He wouldn't do what?", Koichi sighs.
"Rejection!"
"Josuke, have you ever thought that he may be shy?", He rubs his temples and I snort.
"Yeah, right. Not so shy when I was sucking his-"
"In public!", Koichi screeches.
"But he's always flirting with Murasaki! Always! How is that shy?"
Koichi doesn't answer. He merely sighs again and shrugs.
"Look, I don't really know what happened between you guys, all I know is that Okuyasu is trying his best to win you back. And you're acting like a drama queen, and it's not fair".
I raise an eyebrow and laugh with disdain.
"I'm not a drama queen. I'm just a proud guy. And I know my worth. Anybody would be happy to have me. They wouldn't hide me. They would brag about having me. But he's ashamed, Koichi. He's ashamed of what he did with me. I won't forgive him until he writes in the sky that he loves me. If he truly does. But I don't think he does".
This seems to be enough for Koichi to look down, looking ashamed. Eventually, he pats my arm and walks by me.
"He's at the door spying us. I'll tell him to leave you alone for now".
And that's it. I'm alone again. He is not coming after me when I go back home. The weekend comes and I don't see Okuyasu at all. The flowers in my room are slowly dying, although they still look pretty. And I miss Okuyasu. I'm even thinking, what if I let go of my pride? What if I become his forbidden pleasure? His treat, his secret joy? I would suffer, but at least I'd have the crumbs of his love.
Sunday I cry when I see a huge sunflower on the ground, at the front door, on the little carpet that reads "welcome". He's not welcomed here, but I pick up the flower and take it to my bedroom with her friends. I cry too much. I think too much.
And I decide that no, I'm not ready to forgive him.
Monday comes and I get out of my house on time, as any normal day. Okuyasu is nowhere to be seen. It disappoints me as much as it relieves me. But I keep walking to school and aim to have a day as normal as possible.
But I can't. Because Okuyasu is ignoring me. He's deliberately ignoring me. All the time. And this should be a good thing, this would be supposed to give me the peace of mind I craved for, yet instead it hits me right on the face.
I don't want to cry at school. It was enough shame that one time when a balloon exploded and I had a panic attack in front of my schoolmates. Crying for the unrequited love of a friend would be even worse.
And yet, my strength and composure is being challenged. Especially when, as the day ends, I find Okuyasu standing against one of the pillars, and I hide behind a tree when I notice he's waiting for someone.
The someone, being Murasaki, unsurprisingly.
I bite my trembling lip, waiting for the worst.
And then I hear their conversation, after the stupid greets and smiles they share.
"So, Murasaki san", he says softly, it's almost hard to hear him, "why did ya want ta see me for?"
The girl looks embarrassed, blushing cutely. It could be the cold, but it intensifies when she looks up at him, and she tries to hide her face behind her long hair.
"... Well, Oku-chan..."
Eh?
EH????
Oku-chan??!
The audacity!
"This... This is very hard for me to say, especially after... What happened between us", she continues. "But... The truth is, I have seen you a lot lately, and... I have seen how sweet you are, how caring, how sensitive..."
Oh boy. I don't like where this is going.
"... A-and well, the truth is... I-I did like you when you first told me, b-but I was too... Too shy about... Being seen with you. In that way. Be-because of your reputation. People used to say you were a delinquent".
Forget about it. I do like where this is going. So, she rejected him because of his reputation? Take your own medicine, Nijimura.
"But... But you've shown so much gentleness lately, and I know... You're not that way at all! You're so sweet. So... So I kinda... I-I would very much like to... Date you, if you still like me that way".
Yeah, no. I hate where this is going.
I stop breathing. I know I'm turning pale, because I feel all the warmth in my body slipping away from me. I have to hold onto the tree firmly not to slip in the snow and fall.
I can't believe this. I can't, I cannot.
There. There, I lost him forever. I lost my chance. Goodbye to the idea of me being his guilty pleasure.
I'm biting my lip so hard it hurts, but I don't stop. I just stare at them, Okuyasu quiet and shocked and Murasaki all nervous, playing with her scarf, looking up at him with pleading eyes.
I don't want to know how this ends. But I need to know.
And then, he finally speaks.
"... I'm sorry, Murasaki san", he says softly, "I'm in love with Josuke. You know this".
And that's it. I'm falling, slipping down, still holding the tree so as I fall my cheek gets seriously scratched against the trunk. My fall makes a sound, but I manage to squat and hide properly even though they both turn to see what was the noise.
"What was that?", He asks.
"A squirrel", she replies and I squint. A what?
"Oh", Okuyasu doesn't sound convinced, but he sighs and continues, "as I was sayin'... I did like you, a lot, and like, I still do and all but... As a friend, y'know".
What is with this boy and that phrase?!
"I... I was just messed up. I didn't know how much I liked Josuke until I lost him. I'm dyin' here, Murasaki. Ya know how I feel".
He sounds so, so hurt. So I dare to spy again from behind the tree and he was almost crying.
And he's not alone. Tears are falling down my cheeks like crazy already, and I'm trying hard not to sniffle.
He loves me.
He's dyin' without me.
"And I appreciate all yer help, I mean, I suppose he doesn't know shit about the flowers' meanings, but I still thank ya for yer help. Thanks for teaching me this stuff".
Oh?! Flowers have meanings?
Oh, my god. Of course they have. Grandma was obsessed with it. I'm a disgrace for my Japanese family.
And not only that, it was Murasaki telling him which flowers to get me? How bizarre.
"I-I know!", She whines, finally, and she rubs her teary eyes, "b-but, he's not forgiving you and... And I just find your stubbornness and your struggles so romantic and cute and... And if he doesn't want you anymore, why not... Try with someone else?", She cries. And I can't deny, she has a point.
But he's shaking his head, looking sad.
"I can't, man. I mean, Murasaki. I just can't. Don't want anyone now. It's him or no one. I'm so, so sorry. But... I would really, really like to still be yer friend. Ya really did help me a lot".
It takes her a while to answer. She searches in her pocket and produces a pink handkerchief. The way she blows her nose is cute, it sounds like a little trumpet.
When she recovers she nods, looks up at him and smiles through the tears.
"Of course! You're the best friend I have. And... I do wish you good luck, Oku-chan".
I don't even feel jealous when they smile at each other and hug. I'm practically sobbing here, my heart so full and my face stinging with the scratches and the salty tears. But I remain as quiet as possible until they separate after soft goodbyes, and they take different paths.
I do begin to panic when her path is aimed directly towards my tree.
I don't have many options. I just stay still. And when she stands next to me, looking down as I squat there, her eyes all red, puffy and angry, I blush, feeling humiliated.
"Well, go get him!", She squeaks, upset, "stop stalking him!"
It's then when I react. I shake my head, stand up and look towards the gates. I can still reach him.
But before that, I grab Murasaki by the shoulders and give her a kiss on the cheek.
"I'm sorry", I tell her, "I wish the best for you".
"Hmph!", She pouts, but I could swear that when she turns I can see the hint of a smile on her lips.
And now it's time for me to shine. Not the most romantic development of events, though, what with my reddened crying face, the scratches on my cheek, my bad leg actually acting up after the weird fall and me slipping on the snow every four steps.
I can see him ahead of me. Way far away from me. I can't reach him. I'm slow. I'm disabled. I'm tired. I have gained weight during the holidays, if I may be honest.
He's slipping away from me. Again.
But I summon Crazy Diamond and watch him make a big snowball. The impulse he takes before throwing the ball makes me worry for a second. If the aim is good, Okuyasu is about to get his ass beaten.
And indeed. When the snowball hits his head, Okuyasu falls a metre ahead of himself, and I can't help cackling at the sight.
At least, I got his attention now. When he gets up, confused and angry, he looks around and his face changes as he sees me. He grins with the strength of the sun and waves, and I wave back. Soon, The Hand is next to him, erasing the space between us until we're face to face again.
And it's the best feeling ever. To be in front of him. To be looked at with such happiness. Makes me feel loved even though he hasn't told me yet.
"... Hey", I smile.
"Hey", he replies, and adds a bit shyly, "wanna hear my apology, at last?"
I chuckle.
"Please".
He nods and clears his throat.
"... I'm so sorry, Josuke. I really am. I think I was just... Tryin' hard to be... Well, like I was supposed to be. What... Other people had wanted me to be. But I ain't any of it. I mean, I dunno, maybe I am a delinquent. But my biggest crime was breaking yer heart".
Then, I fake a gagging noise -to hide the fact that I want to cry my heart out.
"Corny!", I keep gagging until he laughs.
"But I mean it tho! I'm really sorry, bro. I love you. Not just as a friend. I love you for reals, like a man. Like my man. Don't like it here without you. So, please, give me a chance. I'll show you".
I let out a shaky sigh, feeling weak in the knees.
He sees me as his man. Holy fuck.
And then, I look around and I notice. Open stores. Some kids still going back to their homes. We're not alone in the world. So I look at Okuyasu.
"I have a condition", I say, and he looks eager to find out what I'll ask of him, "... Show me you're not ashamed of being my boyfriend".
The way he grins at that promises me something good. And I'm not disappointed.
He wraps my waist with an arm, pushes me against him and the next thing I know he's kissing the brains out of me, there, in the middle of the sidewalk, and all I can do is to kiss back. To claim what is mine. To hold him close, ignoring the whistles, the laughs, the gasps, the girly coos coming from around us. I just kiss my boyfriend with forgiveness, hope and love, and he kisses me back the same way, and with passion.
When we break the kiss, he still kisses the tip of my nose, my cheek, my ear, and I giggle.
"I missed ya...", He whispers as he hugs me close.
"Missed you too...", I coo against his neck, sniffing his scent.
And then I remember an important question I wanted to ask.
"Okuyasu".
"Mh?"
"We are boyfriends now, aren't we?"
He chuckles and kisses my lips again.
"Husbands, even".
I nod. A very satisfactory response. But I must insist:
"But we are still friends, right?".
The end :'3
