He glanced over at the sleeping figure of his counterpart, watched as that small chest rose and fell with every breath the young male took.
Suddenly, those closed eyes snapped open.
"Wh-what just... Senpai, what time is it now?" he burst out saying.
"Uh... It's 5 in the afternoon. I saw you sleeping really soundly, so I didn't wake you," Mikuo explained, attempting to hide his faint blush beneath his disheveled hair.
Len stared blankly into space for moments, unconsciously rubbing at the red spot on his face that had formed as he napped.
"Wasn't I supposed to be doing something...?" Len mumbled to himself, puzzled. Mikuo raised an eyebrow questioningly at the blonde's antics.
"I'm not sure, but you did seem pretty tired when you came in, did something happen?" Mikuo asked soothingly, patting his junior's hand gently. He honestly wanted to help the little thing badly, how could he shoulder all those burdens he carried with those meager shoulders of his?
"The leaflets! I forgot to give them out..." Len cried out in agony, finally remembering his ever important task.
"Leaflets? Might you be referring to the ones for next week's festival preparations?"
"Yeah, exactly those... Oh no... I was supposed to give them out before school ended but I was too tired during lessons I couldn't concentrate at all and decided to come here for a short rest instead..." Len's voice slowly faded off, and the disappointment he held towards himself was prominent in the tone he used to condemn his own actions.
"If you're talking about those, I gave them out already," Mikuo said calmly, stroking the blonde's hair in an attempt to console him.
"Senpai! Thank you so much! You shouldn't have..." Len jumped up, embracing the taller male in a warm hug, before pulling back and direction a grateful gaze towards his respected senior, eyes sparkling in relief.
Mikuo smiled at him, and started to get up.
"Wait, Mikuo-senpai!" Len called out bashfully.
"What is it, Len?" Mikuo turned, combing back his teal fringe with elegant fingers.
Len blushed at his senior's habit, looking at the floor, as an unknown feeling suddenly overcame him and he found himself unable to look the suave teal male properly in the eye. He stammered out an invitation for dinner to repay the elder's kindness, disappointment flooded his insides as Mikuo rejected the offer, saying there was no such need.
"But..." Len tried once again, feeling his face heat up.
"Let's just head out for a normal dinner, okay? I don't owe you anything, and neither do you owe me anything." Len's blush intensified upon hearing such words come out from his senior's mouth, spoken in a voice smooth as velvet. He hurriedly pushed past Mikuo, mumbling something about grabbing his bag from class when he was stopped in his tracks by a firm, extended arm. Surprised, he stepped back, only to be mere millimeters away from his senior, so close he could feel the warmth radiating from the broad figure. Again, he directed his gaze towards the floor.
"No need, I've already retrieved it for you," Mikuo whispered into Len's ear, and Len shuddered at the warm breath caressing his earlobe.
"O-Okay..." came Len's stunted reply.
"Now then, shall we go?" Mikuo said, turning away from Len to retrieve both their bags, as if nothing had happened. Len found himself yearning for the warmth of that body, for the proximity they shared even though he had only the chance to experience it for mere moments.
Len stood rooted to the spot, not saying anything. Mikuo's eyebrows furrowed and he lifted Len's chin gently in order to see his face clearer. He wasn't feeling ill, or was he?
Glazed eyes met those laden with concern, and in an instant, Mikuo's intentions changed entirely. His conscience snapped and before he could stop himself nor even try to comprehend the reason behind his actions, he found himself pressing his lips to his junior's – all he knew was that he wanted to do so, and that he wanted it badly.
Len leaned into the kiss, and whimpered slightly when they separated. He was slightly out of breath, and the insistent thumping in his chest made it difficult for him to think clearly.
"Hello, could the two of you leave? I need to close up the infirmary and return the key to the teachers' office," came a voice from the doorway, and the duo turned in time to see a head of blue pop in to check on the people still inside.
"Sure, we were just going out. Sorry for bothering you," Mikuo said smoothly, and left the room without a hurry, Len following close behind.
They walked through the silent corridors briskly, rushing to get out of the suffocating place – anywhere, anywhere else would do. Len grabbed on shyly to Mikuo's shirt, clinging on to his senior, shielding himself from his fear of the dark. No other students were left in the school, the only people still present were the teachers working overtime in the teachers' office. This, the both of them knew quite clearly. Mikuo pulled Len over to stand beside him instead of following behind, putting an arm around his shoulder as a form of protection. Len leaned into the warmth of Mikuo's arm, hesitantly breathing in the smell of Mikuo on his sweater. He did not feel the slightest bit cold, despite it being in the peak of winter, in empty corridors haunted by cold drafts of wind from outside the school.
Mikuo watched on as Len bent to retrieve his outdoor shoes from the lockers, having already put his on. He held out a hand to the shivering Len, and grasped it tightly, huddling close as the two stepped out of the school entrance, ready to brave the cold of the wintry evening.
"It's late out," said Mikuo, to the Len that was trembling with nervousness. "Let's have dinner another day, okay?"
Len nodded in response, relief overcoming initial disappointment, at the chance to escape for the time being, and to be able to get home to think about what had happened that day.
They walked without saying another word to one another, doing nothing more but staying close to each other, and as they separated ways in the directions of their own homes, they turned away slowly as if in synchronization, carrying equally sad expressions each as they once again greeted the cold with bodies no longer able to feel the warmth of their counterpart.