Nitori felt himself crying for about the millionth time in his life. His parents skipped out yet again this year on helping him move all of his things into his dorm. All he got was a "see ya Christmas" from his dad. He could tell that his mom wanted to say something; she wanted desperately to help her child but like all of the times his father verbally abused him before, she wouldn't say a damn word. Last year one of the people who assisted with move in helped him move in, but that same nice person isn't helping with their building this year. So, Nitori was sitting on his unmade bunk crying his eyes out because of how pathetic his life is. It's not like he even really needed help… it was the principle of the thing. The fact that his father barely looked at him when he said "see ya Christmas" it was eating him up inside.
"Senpai…?"
Nitori looked up at the two Mikoshiba brothers staring at him with concern. Nitori was kind of glad that after what went down between them yesterday Momo hadn't decided to change rooms. Nitori took a deep breath and like every other time in his life dried his tears and put on a fake smile.
"I'm alright!"
"Senpai we could both see you crying!"
"Yeah you aren't fooling anyone," Seijuro added before sighing. "Your dad again?"
Saying nothing, Nitori just depressingly nodded his head. Without delving deeper Seijuro got onto his bed and gave Nitori a brotherly noogie. Well I better hurry up and help you two get unpacked. Judging from his brotherly behavior Nitori knew that Seijuro hadn't been told what went on last night. Momo was probably too embarrassed to tell him.
They spent a few hours unpacking, stopping at one point for a lunch break because Momo, and Seijuro's stomach's started to complain. Nitori decided that those two are defiantly cut from the same cloth! Once the unpacking process was done Seijuro gave them both long, brotherly goodbye hugs before leaving to begin the process all over again at his college. Thinking about college made Nitori wonder how Matosuka-Sempai was doing in college. From what he knew he and Nanase-kun were going to the same college and rooming together this year.
"Hey Senpai…" Momotaru spoke up, knocking Nitori out of his thoughts. "About what happened last night… I forgive you."
Nitori let out a sigh of relief. "Arigato, to be honest I was afraid you would choose to dorm with someone else this year…"
"No," Momo nearly shouted. "You're still one of my best friends' senpai! Besides even if I wanted to switch rooms I couldn't because everything was set in stone."
"Arigato…"
After a long pause Momo spoke up again. "Does your dad abuse you Nitori-Senpai?"
The question took Nitori off guard; he hadn't really spoken of his father to anyone but Seijuro and Rin. Rin didn't even get the whole story until the middle of last year before regionals. "Do you want the truth?"
"Hai the whole story senpai!"
Nitori took a deep breath, "Hai he does. He used to beat me when I was really, really small. Mom's solution for it was to put me on the swim team. The beatings stopped mainly because of the fact that I had to be shirtless while I was swimming… bruises would have stuck out like a sore thumb and even he wasn't that stupid. Occasionally I would suffer a random hit or two, I would always tell the coach that I ran into the counter or wall at home or fell down."
"Why didn't your mom stop it?"Momo exclaimed in horror.
"Because she was scared to… she would always just stand and watch, quaking in the corner. He hit her too but she's too scared to leave him. Mom signed the papers for me to come here when I came home with them. She wanted me out of the house and out of danger as much as I did. I can't hate her… but I suppose I can't love her either. Originally I was swimming to stay away from him… now I'm swimming because I love it… I love being a part of a team." His voice was quaking now with emotion. "To feel like I matter and that I'm cared for. Mikoshiba and Matosuka sempai always treated me like I was their little brother."
Nitori's reasoning for now telling him about his identity last night now became as clear as the shark teeth in Rin's mouth. Momo had made him feel cared for last night. With his flirting and flattery, it was probably something his senpai had never experienced before! Momo crawled down from his bunk and pulled Nitori into his arms. "It's going to be okay Senpai I'm here for you now." He smiled at him lovingly. Nitori stiffened up at first, but when Momo's heartbeat filled his ears with its calming tune he calmed down. Nitori snuggled himself into Momo's chest so he could hear better and closed his eyes. Momo felt himself blush. 'He's so effeminate… just like a cute girl!'
"You've been acting off today yourself Momo," Nitori's voice interrupted his thoughts. "Is something wrong? I mean I just assumed it was because of what happened last night…"
Momo shook his head. "No…"
"Then what is it?"
"Nii-San proposed to Gou-Chan last night…"
Nitori looked up at him, Momo looked sad, but at the same time Nitori could tell that he could tell it was coming and prepared himself.
"She said yes, their wedding is scheduled for next summer."
"Are you okay Momo…?"
"Yeah, I mean it's not like I hadn't seen it coming. They've been dating for like a year and a half now…"
"I know but you really liked her…"
"I'll get over it, it's not like I ever expected her to say yes to me. No girl ever has."
"I wonder why…" Nitori replied with a slight blush.
"That's why I was so excited last night… because here was a gorgeous kind lady who liked me, and giggled at my jokes, danced with me which you kind of fail at by the way senpai…"
"I know," Nitori chucked.
Momo chuckled himself. "I did a lot of thinking last night senpai… and I guess what I'm trying to say is… WILLYOUGOOUTWITHME!?" it all came out as a loud jumble of words that Nitori wasn't even sure was English.
"Eh?"
"Will you go out with me!" His face was crimson because he was forced to say it so Nitori could understand it.
Nitori felt his face grow hot. "R-really but you like girls."
"I like you!"
Nitori gulped. "H-hai…" he stuttered out.
"You will," Momo's eyes sparked because someone was finally saying yes to him so maybe he wouldn't remain alone for the rest of his life.
Nitori chuckled. "Hai I will…" the two hugged and after that stayed up until the wee hours of the morning talking and laughing. They fell asleep cuddled up in each other's arms, dreaming about what their first date would bring.
