A/N: Sorry for the wait! Thank you to keepsakeformemory, Icha Klauser, HARD-YAOI-RP, DokiDokiDiao and Itzelda-chan for your reviews! We all agree that Masamune's mother is awful, it's just gonna get worse from here.
Enjoy!
Yukimura sat in the kitchen with a hot mug of tea in hand, feeling cold and numb all over. His tears were gone now and felt nothing as he ran a finger around the lip of the mug. Sasuke had lain out sleeping bags and rearranged the futon in the living room to a bed for the others. The time read two in the morning.
Mitsunari, Sakon and Keiji had taken the futon and sleeping bags respectively. They slept soundly while Yukimura stayed up. Sasuke sighed as he sipped his tea.
"Danna, I can ask Oyakata-sama to let you skip school tomorrow if that's what you wish. He'll understand." He paused to yawn tiredly. Yukimura cracked a little smile.
"I'll be fine. Go rest, Sasuke. You have attempted to stay up with me for too long." Sasuke reached over at patted his shoulder, then went upstairs. Yukimura did the same, silently shutting his door. He plopped onto his bed and buried his face into a pillow. His head weighed more than a ton.
What to do about Masamune tomorrow? He wasn't going to ditch school over something like this. People would know about their little affair and with Megohime in the picture, it was more complicating and embarrassing. It would be best to shut all the feelings out and live his life like a normal student. He had soccer and the opening of Matsu's café to worry about. And he could just have a rivalry with Masamune like they had before they started sleeping together. It hurt him that it turned out like this, but he preferred giving up rather than fighting right now.
His heart felt heavy as he closed his eyes into a dreamless sleep.
Morning came around and Keiji was the first to wake up at the smell of breakfast being made in the kitchen. He rose like the sun.
"Food?" he asked, scrambling out of his sleeping bag. Mitsunari grunted and cracked an eye open, scowling as he managed to sit up. Sakon rolled around to sleep some more and woke up when Mitsunari tucked his foot under the bag and kicked him over.
Keiji raced over to the kitchen and saw Yukimura rolling an omelet in a pan. A pot of miso soup was simmering and Sasuke was spooning rice into five bowls for them. Yukimura turned to Keiji and smiled brightly.
"Keiji-dono, we were about to wake you guys! Breakfast is almost done. You can eat and Sasuke will drive you home to get ready for school." Yukimura was as happy as ever with no sign of fatigue or tears like last night. He wondered if maybe he hit his head…
"You wanna go to school, Yuki?" he asked. Yukimura shrugged.
"We have to practice before the game and I need to give Mogami-sensei our assignment." Mitsunari and Sakon joined them. The silver haired boy stared at his friend, easily seeing the shield he had put up. He said nothing and took a seat to eat.
At school, the entire class was talking about the party. More importantly, they were talking about the dance. Masamune could hear them whispering behind his back thinking that he couldn't hear them. Idiots. Yukimura and his friends hadn't arrived yet, but Ieyasu, Motochika, Kasuga, and Motonari had. Kasuga was shooting him looks of disappointment. Ieyasu and Motochika looked sympathetic. Motonari was emotionless.
"I feel bad for Yukimura," whispered a girl. Another gasped.
"He was there?!"
"Yeah!" A boy snorted.
"So what if he was there? What does he have to do with this?" 'Everything,' thought Masamune. One girl whacked the boy's arm.
"He and Masamune were pretty close!" she hissed. The boy couldn't figure it out.
"And?" The other girl waved him off.
"Just forget it!" Another boy chuckled.
"Who cares? Megohime's pretty hot. He's lucky." 'You have no idea,' he thought sarcastically. He didn't flinch when Motochika swept over to him, grabbing his chair to sit at his desk.
"You okay?" he asked. Masamune grunted.
"Do I look it?" Motochika put his hands up in surrender.
"I'm being a friend." Masamune said nothing, letting him continue. "Ieyasu told me the aftermath. Why didn't you just admit to your mom that you guys were something?"
"She'd go after him. She'd guilt him into leaving me for the sake of my clan. She'd hurt him if she had to. At least she'll leave him alone now." He couldn't meet Motochika's worried eyes.
"Yeah, but at what cost? Now the entire school thinks you're going out with Megohime. If you dump her to get with Yukimura, imagine the rumors." Masamune growled.
"Fuck the rumors. I just want him safe." He wanted more than that. He wanted things to go back to how they were before his mother arrived. Before he knew Megohime even existed.
"So what are you gonna do about Megohime? She's thinking you guys are going out." Masamune sighed.
"I'll go out with her until my mom leaves. I'll have to tell Yukimura everything so he knows that I wasn't...using him." He thought back to last night when Yukimura said that. He wasn't a toy, he should know that. Now he didn't think he could trust him. Motochika winced.
"Ouch. He said that? Damn." Before Masamune could reply, Yukimura burst into the classroom full of his usual energy. Mitsunari sped in and took his seat with a grimace. Sakon, Keiji and Sasuke walked in with some enthusiasm, but Yukimura's was like the sun.
"Good morning, all!" he greeted. The rest of the class stayed quiet awkwardly for a few seconds, then greeted him normally.
"Oi, Yukimura!" called out a boy. "Ready for the game?"
Yukimura grinned and pounded his chest. "We will absolutely win! Luckily, we have Sakon-dono who is an excellent player! I assure you that he will help lead us to victory."
The boy's eyes widened. "You're gonna let him play that quick? Damn, Sakon! You must be really good to get Yukimura to let you play."
Sakon shrugged, smiling. "What can I say? I'm pretty persuasive," he said flirtatiously, winking at the girls. They swooned. Kasuga had a cunning look in her eyes. Her hand tightened around the notebook she had written the menu in.
"Oh yes you are." He could draw in girls for the café. She walked over to his desk, sitting on Yukimura's. "Want a job?"
Sakon folded his hands, smirking. "Depends on the job."
"A barista at Matsu-san's café," she answered. Sakon's eyes widened.
"The same one you and these guys are gonna work at? Sold." She smirked and handed him her notebook.
"Good! Study the menu before opening! You can use mine, I'm done." Mitsunari banged his head on his desk.
"Now I have to work with you too?!" Yukimura laughed, clapping Mitsunari on the shoulder.
"Mitsunari-dono, you mustn't be so down! It's good to build friendships!" He looked up and met Masamune's eyes. He merely smiled and turned away. It felt like a slap to the face. After speaking to his friends for a few more moments, Yukimura shockingly started to walk to Masamune and Motochika. Almost everyone was watching them.
"Date-dono! Are you going to come to the game?" He put his fist out. "This time, you will admit that our strength and might is great!" He was talking as if normal, as if yesterday and their entire fight didn't exist. And he was calling him by his last name. Masamune was too shocked to reply. Everyone else was too. Yukimura wasn't bothered, turning to Motochika.
"Motochika-dono! You must force him to go!" Motochika jerked in his seat, breaking into a smile.
"Sure will, kid!" Satisfied, Yukimura went over to Motonari, who looked mildly surprised as they spoke. Motochika smiled to Masamune, who still had a bewildered look.
"Looks like it'll be easy to tell him!" Masamune shook his his head. He knew exactly what Yukimura was doing and he didn't like it.
"It's a lot harder. He's just seeing me as his rival now." More than half of their relationship was gone now. Now it was like when the two first met.
Ieyasu approached Masamune after class. The guy still had pity in his eyes, but put it away.
"Masamune, you can come to my house after school to do the assignment for Mogami-sensei." Masamune didn't reply, too busy staring at Yukimura as he and Sasuke knee kicked a paper ball to each other. Yukimura had a beaming smile on his face. He grumbled a 'yes' to his friend. Ieyasu paused for a second as if he wanted to say more, but shook his head and walked away.
Keiji had leapt in to steal the paper ball, but wound up kicking it over under Masamune's desk. Yukimura blinked, jumping over the desks to get to Masamune. He didn't meet his eyes and grabbed the ball, ignoring him and going back to his friends. Masamune sensed the urgency he had, a sudden haste in his step as he went back.
Kenshin looked up at Masamune. "Date, you have cleaning duty after classes. Sanada, you too." Yukimura's eyes widened like a panicked animal, then he simply shook his head.
"Unfortunately I can't, Uesugi-sensei. I have practice right after for the game. I have a note excusing me from my coach. I will be able to after my game with Motonari-dono." He spoke fast, looking over at his acquaintance. Motonari simply nodded as if he already knew.
"That's fine with me." Masamune dug his fingernails into his palms. So that's what they were talking about. Yukimura was avoiding him. Kenshin looked back at his paper.
"Very well. Chosokabe, you will be substituting for Sanada and he will take your shift." Motochika gaped.
"You traitor!" he hissed at Yukimura. He blinked and tilted his head innocently. He didn't know that Motochika liked Motonari. Motonari shook his head.
"Don't listen to him." Yukimura smiled and turned, meeting Masamune's glare. He wavered, showing hesitation and guilt before calmly waving at him and turned away.
Yukimura's heart was beating like crazy in his chest. He had decided to just avoid Masamune instead of getting angry at him. If he did, he would look like a jealous weakling. Bottling it up sounded better than getting angry over it. At least this way, they could salvage a friendship, even though that hurt more than anything else. But it was right and respectful to both of them.
After class had finished, Mogami came in with his usual flamboyant flounce, giving a bow to Kenshin as he left.
"I hope you all have your assignments done to turn in tomorrow! Then you soccer boys," he nodded to Yukimura and his friends, "can focus on the game! I'm gonna be assigning another little project for you all once grades come in. For now, split up and work on your assignments!"
Everyone shifted to get with their partners. Yukimura and Sakon simply turned to one another and chatted away. Sasuke and Keiji started on theirs and Ieyasu and Mitsunari went to Masamune's desk.
"Yukimura is full of energy today, isn't he?" commented Ieyasu. Mitsunari merely stared as if he were crazy.
"He always is." Ieyasu slanted a look at Masamune, who was too busy staring at his tiger cub.
"I mean with what happened yesterday," he whispered to Mitsunari. For a second, he froze. Last night, Yukimura had cried to sleep and murmured Masamune's name over and over again. This morning, he had gotten up before everyone else and made breakfast with his normal smile. Mitsunari shrugged.
"This is how he copes."
At the end of class, Yukimura and Sakon turned in their assignment confidently to a surprised Mogami.
"So confident! I'll grade it right now!" he said with mirth. They shared a smile with each other, waiting patiently as he went over it. Yukimura hurried over to Mitsunari, ignoring Masamune's presence.
"Though with you on their side, Mitsunari-dono, I have a great feeling that you may best me!" Mitsunari smirked a little.
"It's not you I want to best. It's that moron you're partnered with." Sakon perked up and stuck his tongue out, then turned his attention back to the notebook in his hand.
"Aww, you mad I'm working with you? Nene-sama would be so happy that her little son has a friend willing to do everything with him." Mitsunari growled. Before he could snap, Mogami snapped his fingers gleefully.
"Well done, my boys! A 98 out of 100!" Yukimura flew back over to Sakon and high-fived him. He finally looked at Masamune.
"Truly you cannot beat such a high score!" For once, Masamune remained quiet. He didn't know exactly how to react to him anymore. Yukimura just wanted to be friends now and he couldn't accept that. He managed a smirk, just not his trademark.
"Ha! I bet you we'll get 100!" he shouted, trying to feel the rivalry more than the relationship. Mitsunari smirked. Ieyasu blinked.
"Eh?" Masamune was being himself, but Ieyasu could see the strain. He kept with his façade.
"Yes, we will! With our-" Mitsunari covered his mouth, his teeth like fangs bare at him.
"If you say the word 'bonds,' I'll throw you out the damn window!" Ieyasu licked his palm to get him to let go. Rage and something deeper pricked him like a needle in flames. Before he could start hitting him, Mogami stopped him.
"Ah ah ah! No fighting, Ishida-kun! The last thing I want to do is give detention. Can you imagine? You might not be able to practice for your game!" Yukimura gasped, running to grab Mitsunari and dragged him away from Ieyasu and Masamune. He went back over to them and bowed his head.
"Sorry for the disturbance!" he apologized. Ieyasu laughed.
"It's how Mitsunari is." Masamune and Yukimura looked at one another again. Yukimura, for a split second, looked at him with disappointment. But smiling beautifully, he merely turned away and didn't look at him for the rest of the day.
After class, Yukimura and his friends ran out of the classroom to practice. Masamune and Motochika stayed behind to clean the room while Mogami packed his things.
"Damn Yukimura for leaving me here! I wanted to clean up with Motonari but he changes it on me?!" Motochika grumbled away as he cleaned. Mogami chuckled as he moved to Masamune, who was looking out the window and scrubbing half-heartedly. Yukimura had made a goal past Fuma Kotaro and was cheering alongside his teammates. He wondered where Yukimura had gotten his strength from, unable to smile like he could. Was he just throwing everything between them away?
Mogami quietly went up to Masamune. "He looks quite happy from here. But if you look closer, he appears scared."
Masamune glared at him. "You're related to that old bitch. You know she's the one who did that to him. Stop playing dumb."
Mogami merely shrugged. "I have no idea what she's planning, dear boy. Though I am sorry." Masamune looked into his eyes to find any trace of a lie. Nothing.
"Masamune-san!" He looked up to see Megohime with rosy cheeks smiling nervously at him.
"What do you want?" he snapped. She winced, then bowed.
"My apologies! I'm sorry the school has talked about us all day. I just thought that after yesterday, we could try-" Masamune cut her off.
"Shut it!" She squeaked and jumped. "Leave!"
Megohime bowed and apologized profusely, then ran away. Mogami shook his head.
"It's not her fault, you know. You shouldn't be so cruel to her." Masamune said nothing.
Yoshihime was waiting patiently in her home when Masamune stormed in. Kojuuro was not far behind him. She looked up and nodded.
"Masamune. Megohime called me hysterical and apologetic. What did you do? Did you yell at her for dancing with you? You were the one who agreed." He growled, sitting across from her at the table. A cold cup of tea was waiting for him.
"If I didn't, what would you have done? Tell me, Mother, would you let me go for denying you?" She smiled.
"Ah, but I did nothing. I only encouraged you to dance with a girl lovely enough to bear children for our clan. You see, Masamune, you were the one who took her hand when you could have rejected. What would have happened? I obviously don't see Yukimura so heartbroken." She sipped the bitter black tea her maid provided her. Masamune froze when he heard Yukimura's name.
"He seems absolutely sweet, but such a boy is too soft for a business such as ours. You should be thanking me for luring him away. A cute boy like that would've been gobbled up in an instant. Then again." She smiled cruelly. "I'm sure you've done it before."
Masamune reacted before he could think. He grabbed the cold tea and flung the cup at his mother, making her shriek as her kimono was soaked.
"You insolent boy!" she shouted, darting forward. Kojuuro held her back.
"Okugata-sama! I will not allow you to harm my lord!" She glared at him, then at her son.
"I'd be very careful next time, Masamune. Now, you must right your wrong with Megohime at once. Because if you don't, a heartbroken young lady will tell that gossiping mother of hers what happened. Then word will go out about how Masamune is so cruel to an innocent girl. Your father will be sorely disappointed." Masamune glared heatedly.
"And whose fault is that?" She brushed the tea off her clothes, collecting herself and eyeing him with calm eyes.
"You have no proof I did anything."
A few days later, Megohime had approached Masamune at school, asking his forgiveness and wanting to make it up to him. He reluctantly agreed and a big smile reached her face.
Yukimura was preparing for his game that day with his friends assuring him that it would go well. Masamune walked over to him when the others ran to the cafeteria to grab food. Kasuga was watching them closely.
"Oi, Yukimura." The boy in question tensed a little, but looked at him and gave him a grin.
"Yes, Date-dono?" he asked. That fucking name again…
"Can we talk later sometime after your game?" He wanted to tell Yukimura what was going on once and for all, so he could understand and know that he loved him and not Megohime. Yukimura made a show of thinking for a moment, but he had his answer ready.
"I'm afraid not. I have to help Matsu-san with her café's grand opening. Surely you and Megohime will go?" he asked, ignoring the clenching pain in his chest. Masamune ignored his question. He was getting frustrated. Over the past few days, getting Yukimura alone was rare. Almost everywhere he went, he was accompanied by Sasuke, Mitsunari or Kasuga. Even when he was in the bathroom, Sasuke was not far behind.
"How long are you going to keep doing this?" he asked quietly. Yukimura was purposefully half-paying attention and engrossed in the menu book.
Megohime came in with a smile on her face. She bowed to Masamune and turned her attention to Yukimura.
"Sanada-sama?" Yukimura jolted. He looked up at her, feeling bitterness in his throat. He kept it aside.
"Yes?" She produced a bento box for him. Her eyes sparkled in admiration like a fan.
"As a cheerleader, we're each assigned a player to give a charm or food to as a deed of good fortune before a match. I begged my coach to allow me to make one for you! Good luck on the game tonight!" He smiled warmly, taking the box.
"Arigatou gozaimasu, Megohime-san." She beamed.
"Of course, anything for my favorite soccer player! I hope you enjoy it and good luck." She grasped his hand and shook, nothing short of genuine kindness in her eyes. "I will cheer for you on the sidelines!"
She dashed out and left Yukimura and Masamune speechless.
"She seems very nice," commented Yukimura, opening the bento to see the sandwiches she had made for him. Masamune grunted. Yukimura wasn't even looking at him.
"Sure, whatever. Don't try to-" Sasuke strode in with food, glaring at Masamune. Masamune cursed under his breath and went back to his seat. Yukimura brightened and shifted to talk normally with Sasuke. Inside, he was breathing sighs of relief.
"Oi, Masamune, you going to the soccer game tonight?" asked Motochika. Yukimura had left to warm up with his friends. Masamune tiredly rubbed his face with his palms.
"No. If I go, it's going to be awkward. Yukimura isn't listening to me. His friends are around. I need to get him alone." Motochika sighed.
"Well, he will be working real soon. Getting him alone might be easier since his friends will be working too." Masamune said nothing.
Megohime ran into the classroom, stopping in front of Masamune. He groaned inwardly.
"What do you want now?" he asked rudely. She bowed.
"I'm sorry, Masamune-san! But I wanted to ask you if you'd like to go with me to Tetorigawa Terrace Café's grand opening. Sanada-sama recommended that I ask you." Masamune's eyes widened. What the fuck was Yukimura doing? She looked nervous.
"Please say yes! I have to make it up for upsetting you." He wasn't interested period. But it would make Yoshihime less of a bitch if he went. And if Yukimura was going to be there…
"Fine."
Yukimura stretched his legs as everyone else was doing pushups or stretches with him. Megohime, in her cheerleader uniform, walked up to him with a huge smile on her face.
"Sanada-sama!" she greeted. He smiled.
"Hello, Megohime-san." She nodded.
"I asked Masamune-san out like you encouraged me to. He said yes!" Yukimura sighed deeply. It was for the best that he moved on. Megohime was a good person. She was lucky. He managed a smile to avoid the searing pain in his heart.
"That's great, Megohime-san!" She giggled.
"Maybe I should introduce you to someone as a thank you, Sanada-sama!" He quickly shook his head.
"Ah, that is unnecessary! I am not looking for a relationship right now." She pouted.
"Ah I see. I am sorry for bringing up something so boldly. Good luck for the game!" Yukimura waved as she went off. He buried his face in his hands to muffle his sobs. Someone patted his shoulder. He looked up to see Kasuga smiling at him.
"Hey, chin up! If you're sad, then your team will be! I'll treat you to some cake if you win," she tempted. It won her a chuckle.
"Okay!"
At home, Masamune picked at the food Kojuuro had made. Yoshihime was delicately eating as she smiled.
"You have made a date with Megohime, I see. Very well done." He glared at her.
"I'm not your fucking dog." He shoved his plate away from him and went to his room. He called Motochika, who was at the game to hit on Motonari.
"How's Yukimura doing?" he asked.
"We're winning! Why don't you come over to watch?" Masamune was torn. Either stay with his mother or go to a game to be ignored by his lover. He'd rather stay.
"I'll stay." He threw himself onto the bed and hung up. Calling up Yukimura, he wasn't surprised when he didn't answer.
"Hello! It's Sanada Genjirou Yukimura! I am not here to answer, please leave a message! I will be back shortly." The beep sounded to record Masamune's message. He hung up. He didn't know how to start. And it wasn't short enough for one message. He was gonna corner that bastard soon.
Yukimura dribbled the ball all the way to the goal, soaring over the opponent that tried to slide and passed the ball to Sakon.
'One last goal!' he thought, hoping Sakon would pass once they reached the net.
"Senpai!" Sakon shouted and kicked the ball to him. Yukimura caught on.
"This is for you, OYAKATA-SAMA!" shouting his familiar victory call, he kicked it past the poor goalie who looked ragged. Goal in.
The audience erupted in cheers, Yukimura's team running to him to hold him up on their shoulders. Shingen was proudly cheering on the sidelines. Masamune was nowhere in sight. Sadly, Yukimura drooped his head. 'He must hate me right now. But I don't understand. He danced with Megohime. He can't be mad at me.'
At home, his mind was put to ease when his friends surprised him with a cake and dinner.
"Congratulations on winning the game! All of you enjoy yourselves!" bellowed Shingen, heading to his study so they could celebrate without having an adult chaperoning them. Kasuga gave Yukimura a huge slice of cake and he was distracted by everyone's happy cheers. Sakon's phone buzzed in his pocket, prompting him to head outside to answer it. The name made sigh.
"Hello!"
"Shima-kun, how is everything? Is my son really dating someone?" Sakon inwardly groaned.
"Ah, about that. There's trouble here, Terumune-sama."
The next day was the grand opening of Matsu's café. Yukimura, Mitsunari, Sasuke, Sakon, Motonari and Keiji were dressed in a button up white long sleeve, black vest and pants. Kasuga and younger classmen Tsuruhime were in loose white blouses and black skirts. There was a small crowd waiting outside while Matsu inspected them.
The café was like a terrace with fine, modern wooden furniture with the walls painted in forest colors. A waterfall covered the wall of the opening with moss giving it a natural feel. Matsu frowned as she looked around the café's forest-like decorations and to their uniforms.
"Keiji, come with me. Everyone else, doors open in ten minutes! Make sure we have everything cleaned and stocked before the rush. Yukimura, Kasuga, I want you two to greet everyone and hand out menus so they can order as soon as they can." They all nodded and headed off to do what was asked.
"Welcome to Matsu's Tetorigawa Terrace Café!" greeted Kasuga. "We will be opening very soon and to save time waiting inside, we have menus for you all to look at."
Yukimura handed the customers menus, recognizing some of them as classmates. Motochika was staring into the window at Motonari, who was arranging napkins. Kasuga whacked him on the head with a menu. He yelped.
"Oi! You hit customers?!" She tapped her foot.
"There's a difference between a customer and a lech. You eat food here, not waiters." Motochika grumbled and took the menu from her. Yukimura chuckled.
"I hope she didn't hit too hard," he said as she walked away. Motochika shook his head.
"I'm okay." He gave him a weird look, like sympathy, but before Yukimura could remark, Kasuga dragged him back inside.
Matsu nodded to them.
"Good work! Head to the kitchen and Keiji will have something for you all." They bowed.
"Hai."
Mitsunari was lounging on a chair when they came in. Everyone was waiting patiently as they kept an eye on the back door to open. Yukimura poked Sasuke's shoulder.
"What are we waiting for exactly?" he asked. Sasuke shrugged. It didn't take long to find out.
Keiji burst through the door with a big cardboard box on his shoulder, a huge grin on his face. "Hey guys! Lookie what I got! The boss asked for a change in uniform and I got just what she wanted!"
He put the box on the kitchen desk, humming to himself as he opened it and rummaged through. Everyone had gathered around, curious to what he was getting. In a flash, he was up from the box and placed a headband right on Yukimura's head. The youth jumped, grabbing at the headband.
"What is this?!" he asked, alarmed. Kasuga and Tsuruhime cooed.
"You look adorable, Yukimura!" they squealed, turning red. He blushed.
"E-eh?" he murmured, trying to tug the band off. Kasuga hissed.
"Oi! Don't take it off! It looks adorable! Gimme the mirror, Motonari!" she ordered, fixing the headband so it stayed in place. Motonari wordlessly passed her the mirror on the desk, looking at him in disdain.
"He looks like a fool," he remarked. She shoved at his shoulder.
"No he doesn't! Look!" She showed Yukimura his reflection. On his head was a tiger ears headband. The ears were pointy and soft to the touch.
"Is this appropriate?" he asked softly. Keiji nodded.
"Yup! It's a forest terrace theme! Tigers live in forests. Here's your tail!" He handed him a small tail to clip onto his pants. Yukimura shook his head.
"No thank you! I'll be fine with just the ears." Keiji's smile dropped.
"But the uniform would be incomplete."
"Then people would think they this is a half-assed concept," said Kasuga emotionlessly, giving Yukimura a blank stare. He squeaked.
"Eh?" Tsuruhime kicked at the ground, biting back a smile.
"Poor Matsu-san will have to close the café once people find out that the waiters don't listen to her," she said sagely.
"Eh?!" They were all teasing him, but he didn't catch on. He hung his head, the ears drooped.
"Okay…"
He was sitting with the tail hanging over his seat cushion as everyone else was putting on their costumes. Sasuke had on crow wings that barely made it past his shoulders so he wouldn't be bumping into things with them on. Motonari had his arms crossed as Tsuruhime helped put falcon wings on him, crane wings on her back. Keiji had on round monkey ears and a tail. Kasuga wore owl wings. Sakon was adjusting the raccoon ears on his head with the tail swishing behind him. Both Keiji and Sasuke had to wrestle Mitsunari to get him to wear silver fox ears and the pretty tail.
"I look ridiculous!" shouted Mitsunari. Sasuke shook his shoulder.
"Get over it. We need to get girls to come here. If girls come, then guys do. Then we get paid." Kasuga grinned as the doors at the front opened.
"It's time! Let's go!"
"Welcome to Matsu's Tetorigawa Terrace Café!" they said in unison, bowing to the customers. The customers flooded in and Yukimura quickly went to work in greeting and taking orders. Despite the fast pace, he found himself at home and was refilling drinks with ease. Sasuke was mixing up some drinks when the door opened, turning his head to welcome them. He stopped, frown etching his face.
"Ah shit, they're here…" Yukimura stopped mid-pour to check what he meant, heart dropping when he saw Masamune and Megohime at the front waiting to be seated. Sakon saw this and acted quickly.
"Tsuru-chan!" Tsuruhime, who was waiting to serve éclairs, jumped.
"Yes?" He pointed at Masamune, giving her a look.
"Serve those two. Yukimura will serve for you." She quickly caught on and agreed, giving Yukimura a wink as she went to seat the new couple.
Yukimura briefly locked eyes with Masamune, freezing when the One-Eyed Dragon gave him a piercing glare. Shuffling nervously, he looked away to help carry desserts to tables.
A good hour later, he was serving tea to Uesugi-sensei, who was making Kasuga blush, when he heard Megohime called out his name.
"Sanada-sama!" she called. Yukimura took a deep breath, trying to avoid looking at Masamune. He smiled at Megohime.
"Megohime-san, thank you for coming!" She giggled.
"Thank you for inviting us. I owe you for this. Everything was delicious." She fidgeted a little, holding a letter in her hands. Concerned, Yukimura leaned towards her.
"Are you alright, Megohime-san?" Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a flash of jealousy in Masamune, his own mood plummeting as he realized that maybe Masamune really liked Megohime. How disappointing…
But he turned his attention to Megohime, who finally handed the letter to him. "My best friend Akihime pleaded for me to give you this." At his surprised expression, she quickly continued. "I know you said you weren't looking for a relationship right now, but Akihime just wanted to tell you her feelings. Akihime is a very kind person just like you. I just thought that if you do want to have a relationship with someone, please think of Akihime."
Yukimura felt a respect for them both. "Akihime is very brave to want to confess. You are a good friend, Megohime-san. But I cannot accept the letter. It's disrespectful to take a letter only to reject the sender. I will give Akihime my apologies in person."
At his words, Masamune was breathing sighs of relief. There was no way he was going to let another girl was going to wedge herself between them. Megohime smiled sadly, tucking the letter into her purse.
"You are very kind, Sanada-sama. I apologize for bothering you once more." Yukimura bowed his head and went off to the back, not noticing that he was being followed.
His heart beat fiercely as he leaned against the wall where no one could see him near the employee locker room. Though he was flattered, he couldn't help but wish that he was with Masamune again. But he was with Megohime now. Tears clouded his vision, wiping them away to get back to work.
Then that was when he saw Masamune staring at him. His jaw dropped open.
"D-Date-" Masamune grabbed him by the arm and dragged him into the locker room, shutting the door behind him.
Yukimura stumbled, wrenching his hand out of Masamune's hold. "You should not be in here. Please leave." He didn't look at him as he spoke.
Masamune didn't like that. "Oi." He grabbed Yukimura by the jaw, forcing him to look at him. "Since when do you not say things to my face?"
Yukimura flinched. The walls he had built up around Masamune were gone. "This is not appropriate. I will not stand for you playing with me and then dating her."
Masamune glared. "What the fuck are you talking about? I'm playing with you? I love you, you fucking idiot."
On any other day, Yukimura would've gladly accepted his words. But he couldn't.
"You are out of your mind. You don't love me. If you did, you wouldn't have danced with Megohime." Masamune was getting frustrated.
"I know I shouldn't have danced with her. I need to tell you what's really going on. I don't love Megohime. But I have to for just a few weeks until I can find out some things. I don't want you to get involved, but I don't want to lose you. Forget what you saw at the party because-" At this, Yukimura saw red. The nerve of him, asking him to just forget! This was becoming way too complicated and it was better to cut it off before he would get tangled up.
"Date-dono, you cannot ask me to forget what happened and continue our relationship when you have her waiting for you. I will not be part of an arduous love triangle. I will be more than happy to forget what happened between us and leave you alone while you can be with someone who can help you extend your lineage." Masamune's eye widened. This was getting worse.
"I don't want us to end." For a second, Yukimura wavered, but he forced himself to stay strong.
"And I don't want to be with someone who is going to put me off to make appearances with everyone. Leave or I will have you escorted out." Masamune wasn't hearing his warning. Yukimura was a real fucking idiot if he thought that he loved Megohime more than him. They were sleeping together, for God's sake! He growled at the cub.
"How many times do I have to say it, you bastard? I love you." He crashed his lips to Yukimura's.
END HERE! It was getting way too long! I will be back in a month's time! School and life awaits…
Next chapter preview:
"Let go! SOMEONE HELP!"
"A new project, everybody! Gather 'round!"
"I saw someone watching you from the soccer field."