Okumara café was closed for the day, a rare occurrence.

Everyone knew why, the whole world seemed to be frozen in place for Akira. He had barely blinked behind his thick black glasses, eyes fixated desperately on the television screen before him.

'He is sweating a lot…and breathing heavily.'

Sitting at his side was Futaba, who long abandoned her awful sitting habit. She was now instead leaning forward, screaming at the top of her lungs with enthusiasm. Next to her was Makoto, trying to calm her partner down and despite all the hand rubbing in the world, the Sakura blood was fiercely burning in her veins tonight. The lawyer couldn't help but feel excited, despite biting her lip with tension.

Yusuke was his usual calm self, arms crossed and face stoic. He watched the event upon the screen unfold as if it were another model for him, another subject to study.

Ann was somehow even louder than Futaba, almost as if the two were competing for a cheerleading contest. She gripped tightly at the sofa's

'He looks hurt.'

Haru noticed Akira's stiff shoulders, and the paper thin sheen of sweat collected at his forehead. She came over, and offered a wet rag. Akira took it with a very gentle nod, dabbing his skin over as he tried not to look away even for a second. Even Morganna, whose face was turning gray and voice becoming cracked, rubbed his face into the leader's stomach. "You know he's going to do fine."

They all collected together on the sofa together, watching along with the world as Ryuji Sakamoto was about to win the Olympic championship for Japan. It was the final stretch of the 5000m men's event. Ryuji had made a great start, but he was beginning to falter.

His muscles looked as if they were about to burst. His short, black hair was bristling with the wind. His teeth were clenching, and his veins popping from his neck. Akira knew this was part of the process, but despite that, he felt his heart swell with a mixture of pride and fear.

He didn't like seeing him struggle. And he knew he was.

Ryuji ran, and ran, and ran for what seemed like forever. All the while his team reacted in their own unique ways. The runners started to approach the finish.

Ryuji stumbled.

Gold was won by Australlia. Silver by Germany. Bronze by Ryuji Sakamoto representing all of Japan.

His face was skewed in anger, but back at home his team joyfully celebrated.

Akira felt his breath finally escape him and his lungs refill. Morganna laughed very gently, "I guess he isn't that big of a failure after all…"

As soon as he could, Akira quickly whipped out his phone. He pulled up the video chat and his heart stammered at seeing Ryuji's sweaty face staring back.

"You did it!"

"I didn't do jack shit…" Ryuji snarled softly, slamming his head against the back of the locker he stood by. The disappointment was apparent on his face.

Akira pouted, "Ryuji you got a bronze! A bronze in the longest track of the Olympic games! You competed against the entire world!"

The athlete just smiled a tad, but slammed his fist against the metal. "Damn it. I just want to be there. With you…with everyone." He gazed down for a moment, but just long enough for Akira to notice the red tint about his cheeks.

"I know. When does your plane leave?"

"Soon. I think the day after tomorrow." He wrung out his towel and chugged down a bottle of water.

The leader felt his throat swell. "Ryuji…" He had to tell him, had to get it out.

"What's up? You got that look on your face…"

Akira knew exactly what look he talked about too. The thin line of a mouth, the stern eyes…it reflected his deep thinking. Trying to relax, he gave a deep breath.

"Do you remember what I told you before you left?"

Ryuji thought for a moment, scratching the back of his head, "That whole thing about the house? Yeah…"

"I want you to take up the offer."

The champion nearly choked on his next swig of water, "Akira, are you for real? Are you sure it wouldn't be too much on you?"

"No! Of course not. You're our champion after all."

Akira bit his lip hard now, 'Don't say it now. Don't say it over the phone'

"Sure man, I'll take the offer." He gave a playful shrug, and exposed his teeth in that signature grin. Akira felt his heart skip a few beats, and his own face flush over quickly. "Living with the savior of humanity? Ain't I a lucky dog?"

'Why does he have to make this so difficult?' Akira swallowed hard.

And the world went silent. The only thing he could hear was his heartbeat and Ryuji beginning to clamber through a few of his belongings. Everything else was drowned out by the pulsing noise, and his racing thoughts.

'God please just hold it down' he begged, vaguely hearing the bottle of champagne being opened.

"They're sure making a lot of noise aren't they?"

"Ryuji…" Akira's tone was slow, more thought out…begging internally. The athlete's eyes widened as full as they could be on his face, exposing all of the beautiful emotions mingling within those deep brown orbs. At full attention, he cocked his head slightly. "What's up?"

Akira could not convince himself anymore, but he could barely hold it any longer. It was a long time coming. The two saw each other every day. Were closer than ever…the lingering hugging and sneaky handholding was going to end. He wanted to be more than a best friend to this man, this person he valued so much more than anything else in this world.

Saying it was as natural as breathing, and just as refreshing, "I love you."

Ryuji froze. He stared through the screen, it was barely able to capture the extent of his shock and his body language. Tears welled up in the corners of his eyes as he sniffled a bit, and grinned. "T…took you long enough you…incredible trickster. I love you too…"

"I'm so sorry. I was trying to wait for you to get home. But seeing you succeed today at the race, it just made me realize…" Akira held his chest. "I want you to live with me Ryuji. I want you to be with me. I want you here always."

"Man…I just…" Ryuji grunted, "Hang on…" He moved to his private room and sat down on the expansive bed. Akira wanted to be right beside him, perched on silky sheets…they looked so inviting. Ryuji laughed at first, and then flopped on his back holding the phone over his face. The two just looked at one another for a moment, and Haru whispered to a few of the team to settle down and leave him be.

Ryuji dropped the phone on his nose. Akira laughed wholehearidtly.

"Ow…"

"You okay there trooper?"

"Yeah…" Ryuji blushed softly again and hummed, "You know it's funny. The whole time I was bolting out there, kicking my ass…I wasn't thinking about running away like I used to. I was thinking about getting back to Japan, and what I was going to do for the rest of my life once this is done."

"It's going to be nice having you back."

"Yeah…now even more cause I got something special to look forward to…" He trailed off. "Are…are we going to kiss and stuff?"

Akira only warmly smiled at his question, "We will do whatever we want to do. As long as you're with me, that's all that's gonna matter."

Ryuji beamed, but soon it faded. "Hey…uh…how's Mona doing?"

Akira nearly forgot about the cat. But he turned to find that he was sound asleep. "Old and tired."

"Damn…I was worried about him. I thought with him being the hope of humanity and all, he wouldn't get old like that. It's been hard seeing him…" His voice faded. "You don't think he'll…."

"Ryuji…"

He shook his head, "It's fine. He'll be okay right?"

"Of course." Akira confirmed, not entirely sure of himself. "And you know what he would tell you right?"

"Yeah, yeah. Go to sleep. It's good for you." He waved softly and gazed at him one last time. "Goodnight. I love you."

"I love you too." Akira tapped his phone closed, and looked back. The entire team was gazing at him, giving knowing smirks.

Yusuke chuckled, shaking his head a bit, "I suppose this will make two celebrations."

"Jeez…how many years did that take?" Ann asked as she wrapped her arm around Yusuke's waist and he planted a small kiss on her forehead.

"Only all of high school, college and until now soooo…." Haru shrugged, playfully pushing her former leader.

"These things take time." Akira defended.

Futaba lifted her glass, already slightly intoxicated. "Well…to the happy couple!"

Makoto lowered her arm a tad, "Did he take your offer?"

"To stay with me? Yeah…"

"You must be so happy. I'm proud of you Akira." She lifted her own cup to him. "Well like Futaba said!"

"Hell yeah!" The redhead quickly stepped in front of her and violently smashed their mouths together. Makoto willingly kissed her girlfriend, the two parting with a sloppily wet sound that made her blush.

"Don't drink too much." Haru demanded of Akira, "You do have to manage the shop tomorrow."

"Hey as long as I can go see Ryuji when he gets back in the country that's fine by me. I'll deal with the crazy seniors."

"Boss told me he might swing by tomorrow." His boss mentioned.

"Dad's coming by? He probably wants to be smug about your pastries Haru."

"They'll be Akira's pastries tomorrow." She sighed, "Not everyone can be as talented as you, miss curry fingers."

"That's what they called me in the sheets!" Futaba chuckled, wiggling her fingers, "Cause I was so spicy!"

"That….doesn't even make any sense dear…" Makoto cocked an eyebrow.

The party continued jovially. Akira was so busy with his own thoughts, he barely engaged in any conversation involved. Yusuke had to literally snap in front of the former leader's nose. "Hey."

"Sorry…"

"I can understand. The thrall of new love is exciting." Yusuke produced a deep chuckle, "There is a matter I want to speak with you about privately, perhaps over a cup of Haru's lovely coffee?"

The team had disbanded slightly. Makoto had to drag Futaba back to their abode, seeing as the redhead was snoring loudly on the couch after about three large cups. Haru remained still, organizing shelves and cleaning counters for the morning crowd. She reached and pet Morganna, who purred softly. Ann was lazily leaning against Yusuke, but disbanded once he gave her a reassuring pat to the back.

The two stepped outside into the dull heat of the late summer air. The song of cicadas reverberated, even surpassing the sound of traffic in the distance.

Akira noticed now more than ever in the evening light how much Yusuke had grown. He still had those beautiful eyelashes, but his face was fuller now. He had grown a thick of facial hair, continuing the sideburns along his face and running to his chin. He kept the long hair, but often now tied it into a sloppy ponytail. The artist turned to him.

"So…what's going on Yusuke?"

"I believe…I am ready. To subject myself to the ultimate commitment of love. I want to propose to Ann."

Akira's eyes lit up, "Really?"

"Seeing your confidence as you spoke with Ryuji inspired me…something that seems to run in your spirit. You always inspire me to act and be myself. But the feeling you elicited inside me…I cherish her more than anything. She is more than just a model to me, she is my art. She is the very light to me. And I want to prove that to her. But how can I do this? How can I show her how much she means to me?"

Akira hummed thoughtfully, "Yusuke…it's you. You have so much talent and creativity. You will find the perfect way to propose. Knowing you, it will be fitting."

"Thank you, you always have the upmost faith in me." He set his hand on his shoulder, and tightly embraced. "And good luck. When you go to see him."

"Yeah…I'll need it. Love you man."

"Sentiments to you. I am making my leave. Ann worked herself up quite a lot.

Akira sighed, listening to the bell ring. He heard the sound of an airplane taking off, glancing in the sky. He watched a streak of light fly in the distance and pouted, "Please be safe." He softly prayed, and returned back inside.