Chapter 4 - Breaking The Barriers

"My poor darling!" Nanami, my mother, cried, hugging me tight.

"I'm fine mom, really." I said softly.

"But look at you!" she said, turning me towards the bathroom mirror. A large band aid was covering a deep purple bruise on my left cheek, making me look like thug. A thug with glasses. A scrawny, dorky, glasses-wearing thug. I sighed and pushed passed my mother, heading towards my room. I just wanted a packet of strawberry pocky and some sleep.

"I'm worried..." she said softly to my father, Hidetoshi. He put his arm around Nanami and hugged her gently.

"He's a good kid, I'm sure he'll be fine." he reassured her softly. Natsuru, Haru, and Fuyuki all swarmed my door just as I shut it. I could hear their noisy whispers and frantic worries from behind the door, but I didn't have the energy to tell them that they were being too loud. I flopped down on my bed, reaching over to my nightstand and pulling a pocky box out from the drawer. I smiled softly, opening the box and sliding a single stick out.

"I wonder..." I whispered to myself, rolling over so I was lying flat on my back, arms and legs stretched out. "Could Mikoto...really like me?" I pondered the question silently as I nibbled on the cream covered end of my pocky stick.

My initial thoughts told me that was simply impossible, but that reaction Mikoto had given me at lunch. He'd actually gotten angry enough to punch Yuujirou. Perhaps it really was possible? He was much closer to me than he was to Yuujirou or Tooru, but he was also the most guarded of the four of us. Even if he did like me, would he ever admit to it? Something told me Mikoto would rather jump off a cliff before admitting he actually did, in fact, like men.

"A-Akira!" I heard Harumi's muffled voice before he broke into my room, sending Fuyuki and Natsuru (who had both been leaning against my door) tumbling down to my floor. I sat up slowly, staring curiously at my siblings as I snapped my pocky stick in half with my teeth.

"Yeah?" I asked softly, waiting patiently for an explanation.

"Haru!" Natsuru growelled as she got back to her feet and helped Fuyuki up.

"Tell us whats up!" Harumi said angrily, ignoring Natsuru. I simply stared at my older brother.

"Whatever do you mean?"

"You know exactly what I mean." he said, crossing his arms and pouting like a small child.

"Haru..." I said with a half smile.

"Its not just Haru..." Natsuru said softly, her eyes falling to the floor. "We've all noticed."

"Noticed what?" I asked, feeling confusion and fear swirling in my stomach.

"You haven't been smiling." Fuyuki stated softly, the worry swirling in the highlights of her big, innocent eyes.

"And don't think you can hide those bags under you eyes!" Harumi added.

"It seems like all you ever do is sit in your room these days." Natsuru said, glaring softly.

"And then you come home with a huge bruise on your face and won't say a thing..." Harumi sighed and took a few steps towards me. "We're just worried about you." I couldn't help but to smile at these words of kindness.

"I'm really fine, guys." I said, my gaze making a round trip from Haru to Natsuru and then Fuyuki. "But if you must know..." I sighed heavily, ruffling my hair slightly with one hand as I began to explain what had happened earlier that day.

"Do you like him?" Fuyuki asked with wide eyes full of curiosity.

"I-I...that is, uhh..." I stuttered, trying to suppress the rosy blush on my cheeks.

"You do, don't you!" Natsuru and Harumi chimed in unison. My head fell in utter defeat.

"Yeah...I do." I admitted softly as Harumi took me by the shoulders and shook me softly.

"Well then you've got to tell him!" he said excitedly. Natsuru shoved Haru aside, her smaller hands replacing his.

"Definitely!" she agreed wholeheartedly.

"I don't think thats a good idea..." I said softly. Natsuru backed off slightly as she and Haru exchanged a glance.

"Why not?" Fuyuki questioned me as she came to sit on my bed.

"Uhh..." I began unintelligently. "Well, Mikoto...he's sort of a homophobe..."

"But he obviously likes you!" Natsuru pointed out.

"Well yes, but he'll never admit it." I sighed softly, adjusting my glasses gently.

"He just needs a nudge in the right direction!" Haru said confidently.

"I'm not so sure!" I said frantically, recognizing that spark in Haru and Natsuru's eyes.

"All we're saying is you got to put the moves on him!" Natsuru explained with a mischievous grin.

"W-what moves?" I asked, feeling my face heat up once again.

"You know, like the yawn-stretch and put your arm around his shoulder trick!" Natsuru snickered.

"Or the 'trip' and fall into him trick!" Harumi said, placing air quotes around the word trip.

"Isn't that just for desperate girls?" I said with a frown.

"Maybe, but that doesn't change the fact that it works. Men love a classic ditz!" he explained with a sparkling smile and a thumbs up. My shoulders slumped forward and my head drooped.

"I don't want to be a classic ditz!" I cried. Natsuru sighed, I guess I just wasn't getting it.

"Look kid, at least invite him over for dinner." she said.

"Oh, thats a good idea, Natsuru!" Harumi agreed. I started to argue against it, but soon found myself heavily out numbered as even Fuyuki joined in.

"F-fine, if I promise to invite him for dinner, will you just leave me alone?" I asked, trying to look angry.

"Are you mad at us, Aki-chaaaan?" Harumi asked with a puppy dog pout. I sighed, shaking my head 'no'.

"I'm not mad, just tired."

"So you promise?" my siblings asked in perfect unison. I nodded my head wearily.

"Yes, I promise."

I felt my chest constrict as the door bell rang. "I-Ill get it!" I called, rushing to the door before any of my family could get there. My eyes locked on the door knob, my heart pounding in my chest. This was the first time we'd really be together since...that time.

"Come on little brother!" Natsuru encouraged with a soft slap on the back. I smiled softly, nodding. She was right, there was no reason to be so nervous! My small hand wrapped around the knob and opened to the door to reveal a very embarrassed looking Mikoto. My smile brightened.

"Hey Mikoto." I greeted, stepping aside so he could enter. Mikoto nodded as he took off his shoes.

"Hey..." he wouldn't look me in the eyes. Haru tapped me lightly on the shoulder whispering in my ear.

"Take his coat for him!" he said with a thumbs up.

"Wh-What!" I whispered back, a rosy blush on my pale cheeks.

"Remember? Put the moves on him!" Natsuru reminded me.

"No no no, I can't!"

"Just do it." Fuyuki agreed quietly.

"Sakamoto-san?" Mikoto asked softly, his shoes neatly placed by the matt. I laughed nervously.

"Mikoto! Ehh, these are my siblings." I said, gesturing to everyone who had gathered. "This is Harumi, Natsuru, and Fuyuki." I introduced them weakly. Mikoto stared at them for some time, obviously taking in the difference between boring old me and beautiful them.

"So we finally meet!" Natsuru broke the silence. "I've been waiting for Akira to invite you over."

"Ahh, you have...?" Mikoto asked nervously.

"Oh yeah," Haru chimed in. "Akira doesn't have many people he talks about often. Never was a horribly social person."

"I-I was too!" I argued. Fuyuki smiled but said nothing.

"Aki-chan, is your guest here?" my mother called as she entered the room. "Oh he is!" she said rushing over and taking Mikoto's hand. "Its so nice to meet you, I'm Nanami!" she gushed. Mikoto shook her hand nervously, obviously surprised by my mother's youthful appearance.

"And I'm Hidetoshi." my father added, taking his place next to my mother.

"Its very nice to meet you!" Mikoto replied politely, bowing his head.

"Oh, no no!" Mother squealed, waving her hand. "There's no need to be so formal."

"Uuum. Isn't dinner ready?" I asked.

"Yes, of course! Come in Mikoto, Nanami and I prepared a great meal for all of us."

"Don't forget to take his coat." Fuyuki whispered to me. I caught her eye, a soft, encouraging smile on her lips as she headed for the dining room. I guess I just couldn't get out of this one.

"Ah, Mikoto...?" I asked, trying my best to stifle the blush threatening to burn up my entire face.

"Huh?" he asked as I stood square in front of him and began untying his light scarf.

"Let me take your these..." I said softly, almost a whisper, as I lifted the knitted outerwear from his slim neck.

"U-Uh...sure." he said, his surprise quickly giving way to anger as he turned his head from me and glared. I sheepishly chanced a glance up at him as I slid the coat of his shoulders. He met my eyes, quickly looking away. I nodded, understanding.

"Are you two coming?" Natsuru asked snidely.

"Y-Yes!" I shouted, hanging up Mikoto's coat and scarf before leading him to the dining room.

The rest of the night was pretty much just like that, full of awkward and embarrassing glances. Massive amounts of blushing and stuttering ensued, and plenty of off handed remarks from my brother and sisters.

Finally we had escaped to my room after dinner was finished, away from my family's chaos. I sighed, turning to face Mikoto.

"Ahah, sorry. I know my family is very...energetic." I apologized lamely. Mikoto shook his head.

"Nah, they're alright." he said softly, his eyes running over my room curiously.

"I'm glad you think so." I laughed.

"Um..." I could barely hear it, his voice was so soft. "Is it just me, or were you being a little more...friendly...than usual." he asked, his eyes downcast. A dark feeling crawled into my heart that made my blood run cold. I couldn't find the words to answer his question. What did he want me to say?

"What would you do if I said yes...?" I said, cautiously looking up to meet Mikoto's piercing gaze.

"What would I say?" he growled. I flinched away, causing Mikoto regain composure. "What would I say...?" he repeated softly, throwing a hand in his hair angrily. "I'm not gay! Thats what I'd say!" he finally answered. I nearly heard my heart shatter.

"Th-Then the answer is no..." I said, hugging myself. "And you can leave any time."

"Wait..." he whispered. "I...I wasn't finished..." I stilled myself, unable to guess anything he could want to add to what he'd already said, and unsure if I wanted to hear it. "I'd say I'm not gay, but then...then..." he turned away from me, his voice cracking. "But then I'd say that I'm really just...s-scared..." I could hardly speak as I took in every word as a precious gift.

"Scared of what, Mikoto...?" I asked, taking a step closer.

"Nothing!" he answered hastily from pure habit. "I-I mean...its just...my family."

"What about them?" I slowly laid a gentle hand on his shoulder. He turned, finally facing me once more.

"They aren't so kind like your family, not about most things...but homosexuality is just..." he cringed.

"Mikoto!" I said, taking his hand tightly in my own. "Maybe...Maybe its not my place to say, but you should never be afraid to love because of your family!"

"Saka...moto...?" Mikoto gasped as I squeezed his hand.

"And I'd do everything to keep you safe from them!" I declared, my heart racing. As I spoke my heart out, I couldn't help feeling like I could never say enough. That there just weren't enough words to express what lengths I'd go to protect Mikoto, or to keep him near.

"Just...let me think about it...please." Mikoto said desperately, and I noticed just how close we had gotten. My arms reached out, wrapping Mikoto in a firm hug. I couldn't stop them, it was all just too right.

"I don't know if you really feel the same," I started softly. "but if you do, please don't let anyone stop you. Its not fair for yourself." a thrill ran through me as I felt the other male return the hug, his shaky hands resting on my lower back.

"I...I won't." he said softly into my ear. I lifted my head, meeting his tired, stress filled eyes.

"Mikoto..." I whispered, leaning in ever so slightly. Mikoto did the same and we met in a soft, secret, brush of the lips.

Author's Notes

Aww~ so cute, neh? So for anyone who has read the manga that is all about Mikoto's sister and eventually Mikoto, I have not. And have no idea what his parents are like or whatever. Yeahh. Also, all of the info for Akira's family matters come from a book called Family Complex, which has a chapter on each member of Akira's six person family. Very very very VERY funny. And, the back cover has a picture of Akira all grown up! The artist says he's a late bloomer and actually grows to be taller than his older brother Harumi. Gotta love it.

So leave a review, they keep me from withering away to nothing!

-AppleLove