Ren stared at his plate with a reddened face. He fought to hold back the tears that tried to form, though a few ran freely down his cheeks. He wished he had never agreed to this stupid plan. Opposite him, Ren glanced up to see Haru glaring openly at the three boys. He dared to look over and saw them all leaning in close to each other, staring back nervously and whispering things he couldn't hear.

"Haru, can we just go?" Ren pleaded.

"Tachibana-kun, is that you?" One of the boys dared to ask, standing from the table and coming closer to them. It looked as though the group had elected him to be their spokesperson. The other two waited anxiously behind him.

"Leave me alone." Ren replied, turning his face away.

"So it is you." The boy gulped, nervous under Haru's gaze. "Is, um, is this your, uh... boyfriend, or something?"

"Eh?!" Ren's eyes went wide and his face went even redder.

"Why would you assume that?" Haru asked coolly. The boy flinched.

"Well, um, y'know, it kind of looks like you two are on a date." The boy replied.

"So what if we are?" Haru's glare intensified, sending a visible shiver down the boy's spine. Ren could only stare at the floor and listen in his humiliation.

"I-it's just, I mean, weird." The boy stammered, and he instantly regretted his phrasing. "I mean, that is, I'm in the same class as Tachibana-kun, so to see him this way..."

"What about it?"

"Haru, please, can we just go?" Ren begged, covering his face with his hands.

"It's obvious these assholes have questions." Haru glowered at the two cowards still waiting and listening safely from their table. "It might be best for all if we clear the air right now."

"H-hey!" The standing boy objected. "Who are you calling assholes?"

"Anyone familiar enough with someone to use '-kun' but who doesn't even notice when they're upset is an asshole." Haru chided. "It's not like this is normal for him."

"Haru, please." Ren wished he could just disappear. Fall through the floor, turn invisible, get sucked into a wormhole, anything but to have to sit here and endure this.

"No, let him speak." The kid said indignantly, adding, "Tachibana-chan." with a grin. Haru stood up and glared down at him. The two boys at the table stood up and came over to stand behind their friend.

"Hey, what's going on?" One of them asked.

"Is this pervert threatening you or something?" The other spat.

"Stop it!" Ren cried. By now the entire restaurant had stopped to look at them and a manager was coming over.

"I never would've pegged you for this kind of kink, Tachibana-chan." One of the boys sneered.

"It's not a kink!" Ren responded furiously. "I lost a bet! It's my sister's fault!"

"Suuure."

"Excuse me," the manager interrupted. "Is there a problem?"

"Just a couple of perverts." The indignant boy replied.

"More like a few gossiping teens who don't know how to mind their own business." Haru added. Being the only adult in the group, the manager asked Haru what was going on, and politely requested that the three boys leave, but Haru said "don't bother," paid their bill, helped Ren up, and left.

Ren was mortified. Before they got there, he hadn't been feeling too bad about it. Even when the waitress realized it, he wasn't so bothered that he couldn't get over it. But when he saw his classmates walk in, when he heard them talking about him, he knew that was it. Still, he was surprised that they would approach him. The thought of what he would face in school the next day made him feel sick.

"I'm sorry." Haru apologized. "I shouldn't have invited a confrontation like that."

"No," Ren replied, flustered. "You stood up for me. Once they recognized me it was only a matter of time before I faced their teasing. I'm just afraid of what everyone at school will say."

"Do you want me to talk to your teacher?" Haru offered.

"No," Ren shook his head, his eyes finally starting to clear. "Maybe, if we tell Ran about it, she can intercept them and start asking what they thought of her handiwork, and maybe they'll be put off from teasing me over it."

"Maybe." Haru sighed. "I'm really sorry..." Ren grabbed Haru's hand.

"Why is it all I could do was sit there and cry?" He asked. "Maybe I really am a girl."

"It's okay for boys to cry." Haru replied soothingly. "My ex-boyfriend used to cry all the time."

"Wait, you've had a boyfriend?!" Ren blurted without thinking. He covered his mouth and looked away, embarrassed by his outburst.

"Yeah." Haru smiled wistfully. "I guess I never told you and Ran about it. But that doesn't matter now, it's in the past."

"So, you like boys?" Ren prompted. His heart was beating so fast he thought he it might explode. He wasn't sure why he dared to ask the question, but he decided to blame it on adrenaline.

"Does that make you uncomfortable?" Haru asked.

"N-no." Ren replied shyly. "Not at all, really!" He and Haru walked together quietly for a while. Ren still held on to Haru's hand, and Haru didn't seem to mind. Despite all that had just transpired, Ren found himself smiling a little. He could feel Haru's pulse through his hands and wondered if he had noticed that his heartbeat was quickening.

"When we get back, why don't you change back into your normal clothes?" Haru suggested.

"But the bet-"

"Ran will understand." Ren knew he was right. And he was glad. The sooner he changed back into his usual self the better he would feel. Still, the way Haru was absentmindedly running his thumb over his fingers made Ren wish the walk back could be just a little longer.

When they returned, the house was still empty, and Ren let them in with his key. He could still feel the warmth from where Haru's hand had been even after he let go and touched the cold doorknob. He tried to remember that feeling after they got inside and he went into his room to change, but once he was out of Haru's sight, Ren collapsed to the ground and began to cry. Unlike the restrained tears he'd shed in the restaurant, these tears came in uncontrollable sobs.

"I'm going to be the laughing stock of the whole school!" He wailed miserably. "I bet those three have already started telling their friends..." Ren picked himself up and dragged himself over to his bed, where he began to shed his feminine attire. With tears still flowing from his eyes and snot running from his nose, Ren grabbed his pillow and cried out into it, the skirt still hanging around his ankles and his bare chest taking no comfort from the soft cotton pillowcase as he squeezed it tighter.

Ren whimpered when he heard a knock at the door. "Ren?" Haru called. "Are you okay?"

"I'll come out when I'm ready!" Ren cried. "I want to be alone!" He didn't want Haru to see him this way. He was sure the make-up Ran had put on him was completely ruined- he could see it smeared all over his pillowcase. He probably looked just like a girl who got dumped, except for being only half dressed.

"I'm coming in." Haru replied, ignoring Ren's wishes.

"No!" The upset teen protested, but Haru had already opened the door. He stood in the doorway for a moment and stared at him, the slightest look of shock crossing his face before he closed the door behind himself and came inside. "Don't look at me!" Ren mumbled, burying himself in his pillow.

"Ren." Haru took him by the shoulders. "Look at me." He waited until Ren reluctantly peeked out at him. "I'm sorry. It's my fault. If you want to get mad at me, I understand, but please don't cry."

"But that's just it, Haru!" Ren yelled in exasperation. "It's not your fault! Stop apologizing! It's my fault! It's Ran's fault! We're the ones who came up with this stupid idea!"

"But I-"

"You were only reacting to their antagonism." Ren clenched his fists. "This was all Ran's idea, and I agreed to it! I was the one who agreed to leave the house, too! It's my own stupid fault!"

"Ren..." Haru appeared at a loss for words. Comforting was never his strong suit, and Ren was just as glad for him to be silent at this moment. All he could do was choke down more sobs and dig his fingers into his pillow.

"Leave me alone." He demanded hoarsely. Haru sighed and stood up, but he didn't leave. Instead, he dug through Ren's dresser and pulled out fresh clothes. "I can get dressed myself." Ren argued.

"I see that." Haru retorted. "You're doing such a fine job of it." He took the pillow from Ren, grabbed him firmly by the arm, and pulled him up off the bed.

"Hey!" The teen objected. "What are you doing?! Let go!"

"Your face is a mess." Haru said irritably. "Let's get you cleaned up before you try to pull your shirt on." Ren struggled against Haru, but he lost out to the older man's size and strength. He found himself being pulled to the washroom, where Haru started the hot water running.

"I can do it myself." Ren sniffled, grabbing a washcloth and some soap. Haru stood by and watched as Ren begrudgingly scrubbed his face. "See?"

"You have raccoon eyes." Haru commented, taking the washcloth and gently wiping around Ren's eyes until the black rings were gone. "Rinse." He instructed, and Ren obeyed. When he came back up there was still a smudge on his cheek that Haru quickly removed. "Doesn't that feel better?"

"I guess so." Ren grumbled. After drying himself off, he let Haru lead him back to his room and changed clothes. "Haru," he said meekly. "I'm sorry I snapped at you." Haru sighed with relief and pulled Ren into a hug.

"It's okay." He whispered. He held Ren long enough for their breathing to synchronize, and when they finally pulled apart, Ren thought he could see tears on Haru's cheeks. He didn't comment on it, or on the redness around Haru's eyes. Instead, he took Haru by the hand and led him out into the living room.

"Since everyone else will be out for a while, why don't we stay in and take it easy?" He suggested, falling back onto the couch with a sigh. Haru sat beside him and placed his hand atop Ren's.

"You're a good kid, Ren." He smiled. "Don't let anyone convince you otherwise."

"Thanks." Ren smiled shyly in return, a light blush on his cheeks. He couldn't help but think that this would be a good time to lean in and kiss Haru, which only made him blush harder. He dared not do it, though. He'd had enough humiliation for one day without taking that kind of risk. Instead, he resigned himself to leaning against Haru's shoulder. He thought he could fall asleep there after exhausting himself crying so much, but the next thing he knew, Haru was standing up again.

"I'll be right back." He said, walking away. Ren's shoulders sagged and he waited quietly for him to return. When he did, he was carrying some of Ran's things. "Here." He said, handing them to Ren. He could see now that they were hair accessories and make-up. "I'll finish the bet for you. I can't fit into the clothes, but you can do my hair and put make-up on me."

"Haru, no, this is silly." Ren said dismissively, handing the things back to Haru.

"Is that what you thought when you did it?" Haru asked.

"Well, yeah." Ren replied.

"It didn't stop you then." Haru pushed the accessories and make-up back to Ren. "Go ahead. If nothing else it'll make me feel better, and hopefully we can both have a laugh when you're done."

"Do you think Ran will mind that we're messing with her make-up?"

"Once she sees me she'll probably be too busy laughing to say anything." Haru grinned mischievously.

"What if I surprise you and do a good job of it?" Ren asked teasingly.

"Then she has nothing to be upset over." Haru positioned himself so that Ren could easily reach his face and closed his eyes while Ren was working. Ren found it harder than it looked to apply the make-up, especially around the eyes. He knew this wasn't going to be any sort of make-up masterpiece, but he was still a little proud of himself for getting the eyeliner to match on both eyes. Granted, it was too thick and the attempted wing-tips were more like black blobs, but they matched!

When Ran returned from her date with Momoka-chan, she stopped dead in her tracks as soon as she spotted Haru and Ren. "What the-" she started, dropping her purse to the floor and stepping closer. Ren had finished with Haru, topping off his look with some hair clips, and now Haru was putting clips in Ren's hair.

"Welcome home." Haru called.

"H-Haru-chan, your face!" Ran couldn't contain herself. She burst into laughter, falling down to the ground before she could finally stop and breathe for a moment. "Why are you guys doing this? Why'd Ren change?" She wheezed.

"There was a bit of an incident at the restaurant." Haru replied, his embarrassed smile falling to a frown. "I thought this might cheer Ren up."

"Incident?" Ran asked seriously, her humor gone.

"Three guys from our class were there." Ren replied without making eye contact. "They recognized me, and, in short, I'm kind of terrified of going to school tomorrow."

"Oh, no." Ran's face wrinkled with worry. "Ren, are you okay?"

"I'm alright now," he replied, putting on a brave face. "Haru got me through it."

"Is he really okay, Haru-chan?" Ran asked, seeing through Ren's facade and noting his still-reddened eyes.

"He cried it all out." Haru told her. "He seems to be okay now."

"Don't talk about me like I'm not here!" Ren grumbled, adding an "ouch!" when Haru tugged too hard on his hair to make a clip stay in.

"How did things go with Momoka-chan?" Haru asked, changing the topic before Ren grew too uncomfortable. He was sure he would fill his sister in on the details in private later.

"Wonderful!" Ran exclaimed, bouncing up to her feet again. "She's decided to defy her mom and rely on her dad for support, and keep dating me despite her mother's threats! We're officially back together!"

"That's great." Haru smiled softly at her.

"I bet you were happy to hear that." Ren commented.

"Of course!" Ran beamed. "Man, I was feeling great until just now, hearing what happened to you. I wish things had gone better. I should never have suggested that, huh?"

"Yeah, well," Ren fumbled. He didn't want to pin all of the blame on her, even though it was her idea. "I still agreed to it."

"I think the lesson here," Haru added, "is not to go betting on my shopping habits anymore."

"Sorry about that, Haru-chan." Ran grinned innocently. "Well, I think I'm going to hang out in my room for a bit. When you guys are done making a mess of yourselves, make sure you put everything back where you got it."

"Right." Haru replied. He pulled a compact out from the make-up kit and held it out for Ren.

"Hey, not half bad!" Ren exclaimed, examining his hair.

"I used to do Ran's hair when you guys were little." Haru reminded him. "Is it really so surprising?"

"Heh, I guess not." Ren put the compact back and swished his head back and forth to feel the weight of the clips. "How do girls put up with this stuff all day?"

"Dunno." Haru shrugged. "But it's cute."

"What, me, or girls?"

"Both." Haru grinned. Ren suppressed a smile at the compliment, but his cheeks went red against his wishes. "You're cute, Ren."

"Th-that's not something you say to a guy!" Ren objected, his face growing redder as he broke eye contact.

"Sorry." Haru chuckled. Ren composed himself and looked up at Haru.

"Geez, that really looks ridiculous." He sighed. "Why don't you go wash it off?"

"What, don't I look cute?" Haru asked teasingly.

"No, not like that." Ren replied. "You're much cuter when you're yourself."

"Is that so?" Haru smirked, leaving to remove the offending cosmetics before Ren had a chance to correct himself. Ren sat, red-faced, wondering if he had just been tricked.