Whenever Koichi hung out with Josuke he felt comforted and happy. Josuke's smile could brighten an entire room. Koichi had been feeling this way for a while before he started to think it was a crush. It had to be, the butterflies that fluttered every time he saw the other was enough to let him know that he had feelings for his friend.

He had been actively avoiding him for a while. He knew that Josuke was intelligent and picked up on things that Koichi wished that he didn't. He noticed that Josuke would suddenly appear in random places around the town. Places that Koichi never saw him before.

One afternoon Koichi was walking home from doing his homework at the park and ran into Josuke of all people at the crosswalk.

Koichi took a deep breath before bolting the other way and to his dismay, Josuke sprinted after him,''Why are you stalking me Josuke!?''

''What are you hiding!?'' Josuke growled ganging up on the shorter man.

''I'm not hiding anything! You've just been creeping me out!'' Koichi screamed.

Josuke jumped on the other's back and gripped his neck,''What are you hiding Koichi!? Are you working with an enemy stand?''

''No! No! Why would I!?'' Koichi screamed.

''You are the first person the enemies like to target!' Josuke huffed looking for traces of another enemy.

''I'm fine!'' Koichi yelled.

''Then what is it? And don't give me any bullshit about me just seeing things!''

''I...I wanted...to...'' Koichi began but was too embarrassed to finish his sentence.

''You wanted to what?'' Josuke questioned looking skeptical.

''I wanted...t-to...ask you out on a date!'' Koichi screamed.

Josuke stopped dead for a second before laughing loudly. Koichi blushed and looked down embarrassed. After a while, Josuke noticed this change in demeanor and stopped laughing,''C'mon Koichi! You can come up with a better excuse than that!''

''What? Don't you trust me? I...I like you...suki desu...'' Koichi said looking down blushing trying to look cute and apparently succeeding. It was Josuke's turn to blush just as hard. He backed up a little bit.

There was a beat before Josuke said,''Um...I kind of like you too Koichi...I've become quite fond of you...you're sweet and gentle and cute...So um...I guess we can try?''

Koichi's face lit up like a Christmas Tree,''R-really!?''

''Yeah..really...''Josuke whispered looking away shyly.

Koichi beamed,''Um...the ice cream shop is still open...''

''Are you asking for a date or to go steady?''

''Both? I mean we know each other well enough?'' Koichi said awkwardly. Josuke nods awkwardly. Koichi noticed the amount of distance between the two. Koichi looked up at him and pouted.

''What?'' Josuke said uncomfortably.

''You're a giant...'' Koichi complained trying to hold his hand.

Josuke snickered and made it easier by lacing their fingers together. Koichi's hand was completely dwarfed by the other's strong grip. Koichi blushes and lets himself be guided to the ice cream shop. The two sat awkwardly in front of each other eating ice cream,''Um...no need to be so cold Josuke...'' Koichi said awkwardly.

''Oh-Um...it's just...this feels weird...you're my friend after all...''

''I know what you mean...'' Koichi answers softly.

''Soooo when did you start feeling this way?'' Josuke asks nervously.

''Um...not too long ago...you just have a smile that can brighten my entire day and your sense of humor and your eyes and how awesome you look fighting and your cool-headedness...muscles...hair...um...um...'' Koichi looked like he'd blow a fuse. Josuke chuckled amusedly.

''I'm surprised I hadn't noticed sooner Koichi...what with you falling apart just by looking into my eyes.'' Josuke teased cheekily.

Koichi pouted definitely and looked away.

''Cute.'' Josuke cooed smiling.

XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXx

Their relationship continued on like that for a week. Meeting after school, after Okuyasu went home the two of them would head out to the manga store or the park or a diner. They had even had their first chaste kiss.

Okuyasu had caught on at this point and was hiding behind a bush as Josuke and Koichi set on a bench holding hands and talking happily.

Okuyasu was a mess of tears. He didn't know where to go other than Rohan's house. He knocked frantically. Rohan opened the door livid,''What the hell do you want you buffoon!'' Rohan barked.

Okuyasu cried harder making Rohan roll his eyes in disgust. After catching his breath Okuyasu cried out,''J-Josuke and Koichi! They!''

Rohan's eyes widened in interest,''They what!? Josuke better not have hurt him!''

''No! Worse!'' Okuyasu cried.

Rohan's hackles rose and his eyes grew dark,''What?'' He growled.

''T-They! I think they're dating!'' Okuyasu sobbed out.

Rohan went stiff before laughing loudly in the other's face,''Aaah, you're a funny guy Okuyasu...go home.'' Rohan moved to close the door.

''Seriously! Josuke and Koichi are a couple!'' Okuyasu yelled defiantly.

''And what makes you think that?'' Rohan said skeptically.

''T-They...go places after school every day when they think no one will notice...tonight they went to the park...and they kissed and held hands and everything...''

Rohan rolled his eyes,''You need to stop drinking man!''

''I don't drink!'' Okuyasu yelled.

''Yeah...right...'' Rohan said smirking.

''Well...I haven't had a drink tonight! Don't believe me! Come with me tomorrow. They usually meet at the manga store or library!''

''I'm not listening to your drunken ramblings.'' Rohan sighed before slamming the door in Okuyasu's face.

The high schooler felt utterly alone. He didn't know anyone else that he could talk to. Josuke was his only friend other than Koichi.