I wonder if he even realized I was asking him out? Akihiko thought to himself as he knocked on the door to Misaki's apartment. The door swung open to reveal the innocent looking brunette's wide eyes gazing up at him with surprise.

"You're here early," Misaki exclaimed.

"Am I? That's unusual for me," he said more to himself than Misaki. "Either way, are you ready? I've got the car parked out front."

"Car? You have a car?" Misaki asked as he locked the door behind him.

"Yeah and a pretty nice one, if I may be permitted brag, which I usually don't do. Anyway, let's get going."

The two of them strolled down to the street in silence, Misaki too nervous to even try talking and Akihiko visibly thinking about something.

"Wow," Misaki could barely contain his surprise when he saw the shiny red sports car.

"Thank you, my father gave to me under the condition I give up writing in college," he opened up the passenger's side door for Misaki. "I'm not going to, but he doesn't know that." he said as Misaki got in.

He shut the door and climbed into the driver's seat.

"I didn't know your wrote. You'll have to tell me all about it sometime."

Akihiko smirked at the thought. "Maybe some day." Best not to frighten him off too early. He laughed inwardly.

"It's been awhile since I rode in a car," Misaki exclaimed. "I mainly just take the bus or the train since most of the time I just go to school. Where are we going for breakfast?" Misaki asked, as Akihiko pulled the car out.

"My usual place. I go here every morning."

"Why not just eat at home?" Misaki asked thinking of the amount of money he must spend on food.

"It's just easier this way," he said in a slightly tense manor.

Misaki frowned. "Whatever it is, if you ever need to talk, I'm here."

"Thank you. The same goes for you. If you ever want to talk about anything, you can always come to me," Akihiko said his voice tender.

The pair pulled in to a small café, the front walk of which was lined with a few blooming birch trees. The interior was small, cozy, and smelt of cinnamon.

"Go grab us a table. Is there anything special you want?"

Misaki shrugged. "Whatever you think is good is fine. I don't eat out much, but I'm not picky."

Misaki selected a secluded corner booth by a window overlooking the street, before pulled the book they were reading in English out of his bag, and waited for Akihiko. It wasn't very crowded, there were only three other people in the shop, and none of them were in line., so he didn't have long to wait.

When he saw Akihiko on his was back, Misaki started to get up.

"Don't worry, I can carry it," he called back insistent. "I got a hot chocolate, green tea, blueberry muffin, and a cinnamon bun. Which do you want?" Akihiko asked. "And don't say it doesn't matter I want you to pick."

Misaki smiled. "The hot chocolate and the cinnamon bun. How much do I owe you?" he started to pull out his wallet.

"No, it's my treat," akihiko insisted, handing Misaki his food. "I couldn't expect you to pay the first time I take you out. Especially since I was the one that asked."

Misaki cocked his head with more than a bit of surprise, but said nothing and let Akihiko have his way.

Akihiko sat down next to Misaki, squeezing in on the same side of the booth. Seeing the book, he picked it up with an ironic smile.

"Can you explain Romeo and Juliet to me. I don't really understand it." Misaki broke off a piece of his cinnamon bun.

"What don't you understand?"

"If I'm being honest, any of it."

"Why don't we start with the basics," he set the book aside. "Why can't Romeo and Juliet be together?"

Misaki thought for a minute. "Because she's engaged to Paris?"

"That's part of it, but there is something bigger. Something that is infused in every part of their relationship."

"Isn't there some kind of feud between the families?"

"Very good."

"But that's the next thing I don't understand. Why do they hate each other?"

"That's a very good question."

Misaki smiled.

"The play doesn't really get into it. It mentions that someone said something about the other a long time ago, but it was so long ago no one remembers what was said or even who said it."

"That's awful. They drove their kids to suicide because the can't get over a few harsh words?" Misaki furrowed his brow. "I don't understand how they can be so cruel."

"People are not always kind. Something I'm sure you know based on where we go to school."

I looked down.

"I thought this was the book you were reading in class, so I brought you something." he began digging through his backpack. He produced a worn paperback book. "Don't let your teacher see this. Its a sort of cheat sheet. It has she shakespearean on one side of the page, then modern english on the other."

"Thankyou! This should really help!"

"No problem."

Misaki looked down. "I guess you didn't have to pick me up so early."

"I didn't bring you here just to tutor you."

A glimmer of hope shown in Misaki's eyes. "Why else then?"?"

Akihiko snickered quietly. "Misaki, this is a date."

"R-really?" Misaki asked, turning red.

"Yes," akihiko took Misaki's hand. "As long as you're alright with that."

"I-I don't know." Misaki froze, his eyes locked on their joined hands. He had been so sure Akihiko was only interested in him as a tutor that he had no idea what he felt or what he wanted.

Akihiko released Misaki's hand, a sad smile on his face. "If you don't want it to be, its fine." he said sympathetically. "I won't be offended."

"I-I think I want it to be," Misaki whispered so quietly Akihiko could hardly hear him.

"As long as that's what you want, and you're comfortable with this, that's all that matters to me."

A small smile bloomed across Misaki's face as pink gathered in his cheeks.

"And don't worry, no one from school needs to know."

Misaki's smile faltered at the thought.

"Hey," Akihiko squeezed his date's hands. "Its nothing to worry about. I'll protect you if I have to."

Misaki smiled.

"Just make sure to stay away from me in front of anyone. Everyone knows I'm openly gay. If they see you with me rumors will start."

His heart sank, "Oh, okay."

"What is it?"

"I just hadn't realized we wouldn't even be able to speak."

"I just don't want you to get hurt, but don't worry. I will text you every spare minute I have, and as soon as school lets out, hang back and I'll drive you home. I promise If you let me, I will make this work."

"I would like that."

"Then it's settled." He glanced at the clock. "Oh crap. We need to get going."

The two stood and walked next to each other back to the older boy's car.