Chapter Two
Maehara Hiroto was having a lot of fun with this whole charade. There was something about the way his composed best friend got flustered that gave him a sick thrill. The way he stammered when they held hands… The way he would heat up when he was pulled in by the waist... It was adorable. It reminded him of some of his earlier girlfriends, many of whom had been in their first relationship with him.
He spared a glance over to Isogai, who was raptly paying attention to whatever Bitch-sensei was rattling off. It would be good for him to have this experience, he mused. When he eventually found a real boyfriend, he would know what to expect and what to do. He smiled to himself. It would be cute to watch, really, his best friend fumbling around his first boyfriend, trying to impress him (and eventually coming to Maehara for advice, who would naturally have a harem of at least five girls).
Yeah, he'd enjoy that.
Bitch-sensei stopped as she glanced at the clock.
"Alright brats, that's enough for today, go get ready for PE," she said, slamming her book shut. Maehara closed their textbook, putting it in his desk. He stood up, immediately heading over to his (fake) boyfriend's desk. He placed his hand on the desk, grinning as Isogai looked up to meet his eyes.
"Today is knife work, wanna partner to take Karasuma-sensei down?"
"When don't we partner in PE anyway?" Isogai asked, shaking his head. He stood up. "But sure, I don't see why not." Maehara held out his hand, and Isogai took it with only a moment's hesitation. It was cute how shy his friend was about public displays of affection (he would have to ramp those up when Isogai got more comfortable). It wouldn't do any good for Isogai's future boyfriend if he continued to be shy.
They followed closely behind the class as they filed out of the room to the locker rooms. Maehara glanced back to see Bitch-sensei sending them an odd look. He wasn't sure if he was supposed to be concerned about that or not (it was probably fine).
"So…you guys are really dating, huh?" Nagisa asked.
"Yeah," Isogai confirmed. Maehara felt Isogai's hand twitch like it always did when he lied about this. "We started dating a few weeks ago."
"Oh," he said, "I guess we were just surprised."
"Surprised?" Isogai repeated.
"We?" Maehara asked. Nagisa looked a little flustered.
"Sorry, Maehara-kun, we just didn't think you'd show interest in Isogai-kun."
"Why not?" he asked, somewhat offended, "My boyfriend is great!" He pulled Isogai in, opting to wrap his arm around his waist. He liked how his hand settled on his side. Were Isogai's legs getting wobbly? God, he's so cute.
"I think you're exaggerating a bit, Hiroto," Isogai admonished, pushing away. Hiroto reluctantly complied.
"Not at all!" he protested.
"It's not that we didn't think you'd date a guy, Maehara-kun," Kimura protested, "It's just…well…"
"It does explain how close you to have been lately," Mimura commented, "Especially after summer." Maehara didn't let the flicker of confusion show. Had they been closer than usual? Sure, it was true that they hung out whenever they could, but he hadn't thought it had been any more than usual. Although… he thought, glancing at Isogai, The Island incident did affect Yuuma a lot. Was I subconsciously picking up on that? Isogai had the same brief look of confusion, but quickly smothered it.
"Eh? Was that it then?" Okajima crooned, patting them both on the back, "A steamy love confession after a near-death experience?"
"Th-that's not," Isogai stuttered.
"I wouldn't call it steamy, Okajima," Maehara said, "Also it came a few weeks after that." Maehara pulled open his locker, throwing his bag inside and taking out his PE uniform.
"Oh? Did it?" Okajima asked, "Any deets?"
"No," Isogai said firmly, cutting him off, "Come on guys, let's not let our relationship distract you from class." There were some grumblings about Isogai being a killjoy. Maehara chuckled as he threw his shirt off and changed into his PE uniform. That was their incredible class rep in action, always keeping the boys in line. He spared a glance back at Isogai, who was putting on the uniform's undershirt.
Yeah, he was really cute.
"We should go on a date," Maehara said on their walk home. Isogai cocked an eyebrow at him.
"A date?"
"Yeah, you know, to keep the illusion up," he said, feeling a little hot for some reason, "If our classmates ask what we've done, we should have a good answer. If we're lucky, someone will spot us and they'll be convinced! Nothing will break the illusion more if we can't say we've been on dates!"
"We could just make something up," Isogai suggested.
"But that's less fun! Besides, I'll always take an excuse to hang out with my best friend!" He hooked their arms together. "It won't be that different from how we usually hang out anyway."
"What would we be doing?"
"Well~" Maehara sing-songed, "We could go to the movies, I think the new Sonic Ninja movie is finally in theaters here. Have dinner together, go to the park, typical date stuff."
"I wouldn't mind that," Isogai agreed, "We haven't had time to go out together anyway." Maehara loved the way his face lit up at the idea. It was true, since the fall trimester started, they hadn't had the chance to hang out together. Real date or not, it'd be good to spend time with him that didn't involve laying on his couch and eating his food.
"It's a date then!"
"Yeah, it's a date then."
It was Thursday afternoon and day four of their fake dating escapades. They had only about ten days left, according to the deadline that Isogai had set. It was also their first "official" date together. Isogai had pushed to wait until Saturday or Sunday, but Maehara was impatient and also really wanted to see the new movie.
"Where are you guys going?" Kataoka asked, following them outside the school. She had a genuinely curious look on her face (although Maehara was certain the girls were now hyperaware of what they were doing at all times).
"We're going on a date," Isogai said. Maehara was impressed, Isogai was becoming better at lying, he barely even twitched.
"A date?" Okano asked, interested, "What're you guys doing?"
"We're going to see a movie and then dinner, right Hiroto?"
"Yep," Maehara agreed with a nod.
"We'll hang out tomorrow, okay?" Isogai promised.
"Alright, Isogai-kun," Kataoka said, "We'll see you tomorrow." She gave them a knowing smile as the two girls turned away to go talk to some of their other friends. Maehara made the mistake of glancing back towards them, they quickly quieted when they saw him watching. He let out a little chuckle. They were falling right into their trap.
"Hiroto?" Isogai prompted, giving him an odd look, "What're you laughing at?"
"Nothing much, just watching our class fall for our scam." He grabbed Isogai's hand and twined their fingers together. It was amazing how soft his hands were, especially given how much he worked. He would've thought they'd be rough from handing food, serving customers, and taking care of his siblings. Isogai glanced backwards, seeing his classmates giggling faces. He rolled his eyes.
"I really didn't think they'd be so taken in by our relationship," Isogai commented, his thumb brushing over the top of Maehara's hand.
"Well, think about it this way. If Kataoka and Okano started dating, wouldn't you be interested?" Isogai hummed at the thought.
"I would," he admitted after a beat, "I never thought of it that way."
"That's why you have me," Maehara boasted, "I'm the smart one between us!" Isogai laughed.
"We make a good couple."
"Yeah," Maehara agreed, unsure why those words made his stomach flip. They'd always been a good duo, always complementing each other. Where Isogai was serious, he was fun. When Maehara needed a second set of eyes for something, Isogai was always there to give him his thoughts. They were so different, but they always clicked.
They walked to the movie theater in comfortable silence. It's been a while since I've been here, Maehara mused to himself. It was almost his default first date location, having brought four of his give girlfriends there. Sakura was his first, way back in his second year of junior high. She had been a very pretty girl and it had taken Maehara several attempts to get the courage to ask her out. She had been very nice to look out, but pretty boring personality-wise.
He broke it off two weeks later.
The second girl was Miyu, a sweet girl from the class above him. She was average in just about every way, but had a killer sense of humor and loved to tease Maehara at every possible moment. She actually lasted longer than Sakura, but by the third week he was bored and disinterested in her. Something hadn't clicked between them.
Noa became his fourth girlfriend and the third he took to this movie theater. She was his second girlfriend of his third year. She was shy and Maehara had thought she was pretty cute. Although she turned out to be a particularly obnoxious chatterbox and gossip once she opened up. She barely lasted a week.
His fifth girlfriend, Fuka, wasn't actually too bad, and if it weren't for all of the craziness in Maehara's personal life and school life this year, she might have lasted. She tolerated Maehara's antics and actually helped tutor him a bit. She had been sweet, smart, and was remarkably good a balancing school and her personal life. But Maehara couldn't balance her, the assassination, and exams. So he broke it off after three weeks. He let her down easy though, and she was understanding.
He hadn't dated anyone since her. Well, at least until now. Isogai would be the fifth date he had taken to see movies here. Maehara vaguely wondered if he was being unoriginal (although it wasn't like he and Isogai hadn't come here before as friends), but he dismissed the thought. Nah, movies are classic date material. He gets to see a movie, cuddle a little, and eat popcorn. What downsides could there be?
He took his seat next to Isogai.
"You didn't have to pay," Isogai said.
"It's a date, I'm going to pay," Maehara insisted. Why did his friend always insist on these kind of things? It was his treat.
"A fake date," Isogai said quietly.
"Well, I like to go all out," Maehara defended. He settled the popcorn between them, taking a delicious bite of the unhealthy buttery mess.
"I'm going to pay for our next one," Isogai insisted. He rolled his eyes, his friend was so ridiculous.
"Alright," Maehara agreed to appease his friend (although Maehara resolved to make sure Isogai never spent a dime of his own money). Isogai sat back in his seat, satisfied. They went quiet as the theater darkened and the opening credits began to roll.
Maehara was engrossed the moment the movie began playing. He had always been a sucker for action/adventure movies, and this series was the top of the top. Isogai shared his love, although not quite as severely. There was nothing cooler than big budget American films, with their unnecessary explosions, shooting, and hackneyed plots. It was the best.
He was so lost in the world of Sonic Ninja, that it was only during an emotional romantic scene (about 67 minutes into the film), that he realized that at some point they had finished their popcorn and that Isogai had snaked his hand out to hold his own. Isogai's head rested comfortably on his shoulder, making his heart flutter for some reason. Maehara's confusion about his feelings were forgotten the second he watched Sonic Ninja's love interest die in a fiery explosion (or did she?). By the time the end credits rolled, Isogai had the remnants of the popcorn bag in his hand and his head had left its place on his shoulder.
"What'd you think?" Maehara asked excitedly as they exited.
"It was fun. I can't wait for the next one," Isogai said, "I wasn't too crazy about the beginning, but it got better."
"Yeah, the special effects have gotten better too!"
"When do you think the sequel is coming out?"
"They announced that'll be in two years. Man I can't wait that long!" he exclaimed dramatically. Isogai chuckled. "Eh? What is it?"
"You're just funny when you get excited about things. I like it." Maehara grinned at the praise, slapping Isogai's back. His hand rested on his shoulder.
"Well then, are you ready for the next part of our date?"
"Dinner?" Isogai asked.
"Something like that," Maehara teased, pulling Isogai closer, "Follow me."
Maehara was taking Isogai to a nearby park. It wasn't unfamiliar territory for either of them. When they were growing up, they often played in the playground together. Isogai gripped his arm as familiar memories resurfaced.
"Ah, do you remember when we played hide-and-seek over there?" Maehara reminisced, "And you got stuck in that tree there and your dad had to fish you down?" Isogai chuckled.
"Why is that the first thing you remember?" he said, "What about that time you got into a fight with fifth year boys because you gave a flower to his sister and I had to step in for you?"
"I was eight."
"I got a black eye!"
"Minor details," Maehara waved off. Isogai rolled his eyes. Maehara led Isogai to a spot under a tree. He sat underneath it, his (fake) boyfriend following suit. He was quiet as he watched Maehara pull out food from his backpack. It was a simple cold meal.
"Did you make these yourself?"
"You bet! I knew we wouldn't be too hungry after the movie, but I wanted to prepare something."
"So…you made these yourself?" Isogai repeated, his face betraying his curiosity.
"Hey! I'm not totally useless in the kitchen!" Maehara protested, "Why do you think everything I make is poisonous!?"
"Last time you cooked I ended up sick all night," Isogai countered.
"Okay, I made a sandwich this time, you should be fine!" Maehara held the box up to Isogai, who reluctantly took it. He handled it with two fingers, like it was diseased or something. He carefully opened the box, revealing the sandwich. Maehara glared at him, daring him to say something. It wasn't exactly world class cuisine, but it wasn't bad.
Isogai lifted the sandwich to his mouth, taking the first bite. He carefully chewed it, trying to sort out any oddities (there weren't any!) before swallowing.
"It's not bad!"
"Don't sound surprised!"
Isogai laughed, kindly taking another bite of the sandwich. Maehara's annoyance slowly faded away into a contentedness. Unlike other dates he had gone on, there wasn't any pressure to continuously entertain or talk. They were satisfied just by being in each other's presence. They could sit in comfortable silence, or make light conversation. They didn't have to take the time to get to know each other, since they already knew everything about the other.
It wouldn't be so bad, Maehara mused, to actually date your best friend.
"I think we have visitors," Isogai said, throwing Maehara out of his thoughts.
"Huh?" Isogai subtley gestured behind him. He spoke, lowering his voice.
"I think I heard Koro-sensei giggling behind me."
"You wanna go in for an assassination attempt?"
"And ruin our lovely date?" Isogai scooted closer to Maehara. Damn, he learns quickly. Before you know it, he'll have me flustered. I'm so proud. But Maehara was the master and Isogai was the student. Maehara gave him a predatory grin that made the black-haired boy falter for a moment. He cupped his face and brought him in for a quick kiss. When he pulled back, he was satisfied to see that Isogai was bright red.
"What was that for?"
"Well~ We've got to keep the illusion up when people are watching right?" Maehara grinned, resting his hand on Isogai's. Even his hand was hot, Isogai was really embarrassed. It was so cute. He definitely loved making people flustered.
After a beat, Isogai said, "You're my first real kiss you know. Bitch-sensei not included."
Maehara wasn't quite sure why those words made him feel funny inside.
im embarrassed at how long i've had this chapter written and just haven't posted it
