When their first exams were returned to them, they found out that Misaki failed his Mathematics test. Saruhiko was really worried. He doesn't know why, but he somehow blames himself. He knows that there's no reason to do so, but he does. Maybe he's just being overly fearful, as he is used to blaming himself for everything anyway.
After class, Misaki approached him and said, "Saruhiko, you're great in Math, right? Can you teach me?"
'Of course.' That is what Saruhiko wanted to say. But he cannot say something so blunt like that. It might sound like he is very eager to hang out with Misaki too much. So what he did was just carefully nod.
"Sweet!" Misaki exclaimed. "Do I go to your room or do you to mine?"
Before Saruhiko was able to respond, Misaki spoke again and said, "Can I go to yours? I really want to see your room, Saruhiko!"
Saruhiko can never say no to Misaki. So of course he agreed.
That night, Misaki went to Saruhiko's room as expected. What he did as soon as he entered the room was to lie on Saruhiko's bed, but Saruhiko doesn't mind, of course. Saruhiko was the one who closed the door and readied the notebooks they will need for that night.
Quadratic and linear sequence. It seems that Misaki already knows how to, but he just forgot their respective formulas. It seems that Misaki used A sub n is equal to An plus B for both, the formula for the linear sequence. He decided to give a few linear examples just for a quick review and then focus on the quadratic sequence.
By eleven PM, Misaki finally mastered everything that Saruhiko taught to him. Saruhiko felt glad that he was able to help; he didn't mind staying up late for Misaki. He feels like Misaki has done so much for him as well, so it's only natural that he helped him as much as he can.
"Hey, Saruhiko, thank you very much. You're really awesome, you know." Misaki said, giving him a thumbs-up sign.
He blushed, but managed to say without stuttering, "No, you're awesome too. We wouldn't be able to do it if you're not."
"Hahaha. Really? You're so humble! Anyways…" Misaki said, sitting beside Saruhiko. "Are you tired already? Is it fine to talk with you more?"
"Of… course it's fine. I don't mind."
"Cool. I just really wanted to tell you something for a while now."
"What… is it?"
"I like you."
"E-Eh?!"
He didn't know how to react that time. His face felt really hot, hotter than ever. He's probably hyperventilating. His heart started beating so fast that it hurts already. What did Misaki just say? He cannot believe his ears. Misaki likes him? But what did Misaki see in him? Doesn't he look so plain? He's just quiet and cannot even initiate conversations. What's there to like about him?
Misaki inched closer to him and Saruhiko moved backwards as a reflex. Misaki sighed and said, "I'm really sorry. Have I pushed it?"
"N-No… I… The truth is… I like you too…"
Misaki blinked, still looking at Saruhiko. "R-Really?"
He nodded, hiding his face on his hands. He's probably as red as a tomato now. He also feels the need to cry because of embarrassment. He felt Misaki hugging him gently, and that was when he actually cried. Maybe it wasn't because of embarrassment. Maybe it was because of happiness. Maybe it was because of the feeling that somebody actually cares for someone like him.
"Shhh… It's okay." Misaki whispered, not letting go of him. He continued crying, leaning on Misaki's chest, thinking that he should probably apologize of getting Misaki's shirt wet.
Misaki's hand touched his face and wiped his tears, tilting his head slightly so that their eyes would meet. Misaki closed his eyes and moved closer, their lips touching. Saruhiko's eyes widened, but he decided to relax and trust Misaki, closing his eyes as well.
"I lied when I said I like you. The truth is… I love you. Very much."
That was how they shared their first kiss.
And that was also the start of their romantic relationship.