Futari no Himitsu:

Chapter 11:

Yes!

Long lashes fluttered opened, the first thing Nanami Haruka saw was the blank white ceiling. The smell of medicine enveloped the air; she guessed that the slightly hard surface she was sleeping on was a bed. No doubt, since she used to be a frequent visitor of this place, she was currently inside the clinic.

She looked around and wondered how she got here in the first place. Haruka tried sitting up, only to feel an intense throb on the left hemisphere of her head. Wincing, she fell back on the bed, making a soft creaking sound.

"Oh," A familiar voice said. "You're awake."

Golden eyes widened, Haruka froze as the bed curtains were slid aside. She saw her boyfriend, Ichinose Tokiya, standing in front of her with a smile on his face.

Tomo-chan's voice echoed in her mind, the rosette couldn't help but look away. She remembered now. She shouted at her best friend, couldn't take the effect, and was about to walk out when something hit her on the head and Kami knew what happened next.

Tokiya mistook her action as pain; he went closer and gave her the water bottle.

"Careful, Nanami-san. The nurse said your wounds aren't deep, but it's not a good idea to move around that—"

"Are you gay?"

Blue eyes widen, Tokiya raised an eyebrow as if contemplating if he heard it right. Haruka knew this question would shock the heck out of him, but it was better to bring it up than later! She was not a woman of patience, if she wanted to know anything, she'll seek out the answer as fast as possible. Dilly-dallying only made matters worse, she'd want to prevent that.

Of course, she knew it was stupid to doubt her boyfriend's sexuality. She, of all people, knew how manly Tokiya can be. But after hearing Tomo-chan's words, she could not help but think of the possibility. She didn't want to think about it too much, but everything her best friend said just made sense.

Tokiya continued to stare at her, the longer he did, the more her doubt felt like reality. She clenched the sheets with her hands, waiting for his answer.

After a few more seconds, he closed his eyes and sighed. An amused smile decorated his lips, he began shaking his head. Haruka tensed as she sat on the bed, she did not anticipate such reaction. She would expect him to be flustered and deny such accusations. Or maybe get angry, for even asking him that question. Not this, he looked as if he wanted to laugh at a joke that he hear for the nth time so the effectiveness completely disappeared.

"I assume you heard the rumors circulating around the campus?" He asked, opening his eyes. Haruka nodded and he continued. "That I'm apparently homosexual and I happen to have a relationship with Otoya, my best friend. Or in some stories, my other good friend, Hijirikawa. Or any other people they fancy to pair up with me.

"And because I'm the president and it would not do well for my reputation to have such accusations being passed throughout the school, I decided to date some random girl just to eliminate those allegations."

He paused and took a deep breath; looking at the rosette with serious eyes it gave shivers to her spines. "People have the hard time distinguishing whether a gossip is true or not. It may be the truth, but if the people think it isn't, then it is not. It may be lies, but if they believed in those tales, people consider it as the true. It doesn't matter if it's real or not, but if the people believe in it or not. So, Nanami-san, I ask you, do you think I am?"

Haruka bit her lips, looking away. Tokiya smiled sadly, sitting on the clinic bed to be closer to her. She moved away, refusing to be close to him but the bluenet grabbed her and pulled her to his chest. Golden eyes widened, a gasp escaped from her lips.

"Out of all the people in this world," He whispered close to her air, hand patting her head. "I did not expect you to doubt me."

She could not take it anymore, guilt won over as tears streamed from her eyes. She buried her face on his chest, hands clutching his shirt.

"I'm sorry." She cried, her sobs grew louder. "I'm sorry for asking such thing even if I already knew the answer."

"Shh," Tokiya tried to calm her down. "It's alright. I know how powerful the power of suggestion can be. I will not blame you if you've heard someone tell stories about me and had your doubts." He paused. "But I wonder, who was that person and what did he tell you to make you think that I'm homosexual."

Haruka pulled away, wiping her eyes with the sleeve of her uniform. "It was Tomo-chan," She whispered. "My best friend."

"Ah," He nodded. "I understand. Of course, you'll believe the words of your longtime friend rather than a man who suspiciously forced you to date him out of nowhere."

"That's not it." She shook her head. "She gave me her reason why she thought you might be gay. I have been pondering about for some time, but now that someone else seemed to notice it, I couldn't help but wonder myself."

"Is that so?" He said. "Care to tell me about those reasons?"

Haruka looked up, eyes wide in shock. She looked away once more, afraid to tell him the reason she heard that was enough for her to almost turn her back on him. Tokiya patted her on the head, telling her that it was fine. She sniffed and nodded, proceeding to talk.

"First, she told me that you don't hang out with women. You were always around men, especially Ittoki-san." She said, making sure not to say the wrong words so that she could not offend him. "But now that I think of it, you don't like hanging out with other people in general. I think the possible reason is that you're afraid Hayato would appear and hurt those people. Which happened exactly to me." The bluenet nodded, meaning she stated it correctly. "And about 'you're always with men' part, you do not have any gender preferences on which should be your friends, but the boys, STARISH," She corrected. "Has always been there with you so you got stuck with them without a choice. It's not because they're boys so you hang out with them, they just happen to be. If one of STARISH was a girl, I doubt you would mind it."

"Because you said first," Tokiya smiled, impressed with her answer. She seemed to have understood him more than he thought. "I guess there's a 'second' or possible a 'third'?"

Haruka nodded.

"Second, actually, this was what Tomo-chan first hinted but… okay." She rolled her eyes at her own lame explanation and continued. "You… are not p-p-p-physical with me."

Blue eyes widened, surprised at her reason. Haruka blushed, noticing his reaction. She gulped and continued.

"But the third reason was the real reason that made me wonder about you." She said. "You told me you don't know why you asked me out. Actually, after thinking about this reason, the two just popped out of nowhere to support the theory that you're gay but…" She shook her head and smiled at Tokiya. "It doesn't matter. I know you're not gay. You already showed enough of your sides to prove you aren't."

Tokiya chuckled, pulling her again in an embrace. Haruka was about to protest when he decided to lie down on the bed, dragging her with him. They fell on the bed with a loud thud, the rosette wasn't surprise that the nurse haven't told them to get out of the clinic yet.

"Though I am slightly hurt to think that you rather believed in them than me," Haruka sobbed, ready to cry in guilt when he laughed in amusement. She pouted and turned red, punching him playfully at the chest. "I suppose it was my fault for not explaining myself to you." He sighed, "I guess we still have to learn more about each other."

Haruka didn't say anything. Instead, she silently agreed by nodding. The bluenet chuckled before grabbing her waist and pulling her up, now they were face to face on the bed. Golden orbs stared at his sapphires, his warm breath against her pale skin.

"And because you were so kind of enough to tell me your reasons," He smiled at her. "I'll be willing to tell you my reasons for doing it."

The rosette nodded, waiting for his explanation.

"For your first reason," He paused before giving her a pat on the head, careful not to touch her injury. "I think I do not need to explain! You said my reason better than how I would elaborate it."

"So I was correct?" She asked in a shy voice.

He nodded. "More than correct, your explanation was exact to what I want to tell you. You're right about the fact that I don't like to socialize that much, I know it sounds horrible for I am the president of the student council, but I find it hassle when students come to talk to me."

Haruka nodded. She had seen what he was going through every day, at school. When they're together, students come to talk to him for different reasons. Some were representative from clubs who wanted a fund raise, some were students who wanted advice, some were his fans, while some just wanted to look popular because, 'Hey, look, I'm talking to the president!'. Just looking at it made her head spin, she didn't know what will happen to her if she was the one facing such trial every single day.

"And STARISH happened to be an all-boy group, I can't help it." He paused. "But I do have something I want to add so that you'll know about it…"

"What is it?"

"I do have something against hanging out with women. Well, most of the female population at least." Golden eyes widened, surprise at what he said. "It's not because I'm sexist or anything like that." He quickly added, before she could get any wrong ideas. "But when I was young, my parents had a divorced when I was one years old. I've always thought, if my mother was with me during the times my father would scream and hit me, don't you think she would have stopped it? I would not have suffered such a traumatizing childhood and I wouldn't have turned… like this?"

Haruka knew what he meant. If his mother was there to stop the abuse, Hayato might not have existed in the first place.

"It stuck to my mind that the first woman in my life abandoned me… So you can say it had an impact to my views. When I was in elementary school, I studied in an all-boys school. That's when I met my group, STARISH. We became friends since. And that's all the reason why we don't have a female member. During that time, I barely had any interaction with women aside from my teachers and servants at home.

"But when I was in middle school, I was enrolled in a co-ed school. The sudden appearance of many women in my life overwhelmed me." Tokiya made a face and shivered. "Let's also add the fact they treated me like a circus animal that was for show."

Haruka was about to ask what he meant by that when she realized. Middle school was the age when most children undergo the first stage of puberty; it wouldn't be surprising if Tokiya's male pheromones charmed her female classmates which in turn, scarred her views with the female race.

"I was stalked day and night." Tokiya said the encounters as if it all happened in one day. "Girls would take my picture without my permission. I found my locker being forced open, my gym clothes taken. My shoe locker was always filled with letters and gifts, it was maddening! Whenever I appear, girls would shout my name and call me on first name basis!"

The rosette watched his expression as he recounted his experiences to her. She couldn't help but smile in amusement at how expressive his tone and facial expressions were, it was nice hearing him talk about his past with such dread in his voice.

"So yes," He nodded, sighing as he finished remembering the terrors of women. "I have a hard time talking with women without having the feeling as if they were out to get me."

"It must have been hard for you." Haruka whispered.

His blue eyes that were once filled with terror as he recalled his memories were now gentle. The rosette once again realized how close they were it was making her uncomfortable. She looked away, but he cupped her face and forced her to look at him.

"Second reason, you said I wasn't physical with you." His voice became low; Haruka regretted saying that in the first place. "It was because I didn't want to force to."

"What?" Golden eyes widened.

"I don't think you're ready for more." He whispered. "I saw your reaction when I kissed you on the cheek, you looked as if you're about to explode in embarrassment."

Haruka turned as red as her hair. Well, yes. She has been thinking that they were going too fast, and it troubled her. But now, why did it sounded as if she wanted for more? She doesn't really know. Maybe it was because of Tomo-chan's suggestion…

"And let me remind you of what Hayato did." His expression darkened, she really didn't need to be reminded. "I'm scared that I might have traumatized you. I love you, Nanami-san. I don't want to open a wound that's nearly healed." He paused, chuckling. "But it seemed like you also want me to—"

The rosette shoved her hand on his face, shutting him up. Tokiya chuckled; she put her hand away with a blush.

"But if it's physical affection you want…" He said. "I've always wanted to do more. But I'm scared that I might be hurting you so I don't want to push my luck. But only if you knew," He leaned closer, Haruka thought their lips would touch so she moved her face away. "Every night, I dream of wanting to touch you—"

She blushed, knowing where this was going. "Ichinose-san," She said. "Please, I do not need the details of how you masturbate thinking about me."

Tokiya blushed, but smirked.

"I didn't even say I was." He teased. "You have such a lascivious mind, Nanami-san."

Haruka opened her mouth for some retort, but no words came. She looked away, trying to act calm when she was caught red-handed.

"But If you're wondering," He added, just to make her even more flustered. "I do—"

"Ah!" She covered her ears, closing her eyes. "I can't hear you, I can't HEAR YOU!"

Tokiya laughed, pulling her hands off her ears. Haruka struggled, annoyed that her boyfriend was still not done with his teasing.

"But if it's physical affection you want," He repeated, but now with a much calmer tone. "Let's go on a date."

She blinked.

"What?"

"I mean think of it," He said. "During dates, we could hold hands, flirt around, and have our first kiss if you want! I think it's the perfect event for physical affection-"

"How could you say those things without feeling embarrassed?!" She shouted, covering her face to hide her blush.

Tokiya laughed, he loved it when he's on the upper hand!

"So…" He stopped laughing, instead there was a smile implanted on his lips. "After we finish our exams, on Sunday, let's have a date!"

"Wait a minute!" She protested. "You still haven't told me why you asked me out!"

"I'll tell you on our date!" He promised. "Are you in?"

Haruka pouted, it took a moment before she answered.

"Yes."

With his free hand, the bluenet fist-pumped. She couldn't help but laugh at how cute he looked. After he stopped acting like an idiot, he sat up and pulled Haruka with him. Like a ragdoll, she followed. He smiled at her and leaned, once more, their faces were so close. Her breath hitched.

"I love you." He whispered. "Even if you don't, even if a day would come that you would detest me, I love you. Forever."

"I—" Before Haruka could finish her sentence, Tokiya grabbed her on the back of her head.

Golden eyes widened, as their lips finally touched. His lips were soft, just like how he imagined. Now that she thinks of it, maybe she the reason why Hayato avoided her kiss.

Because, he knew, that her first kiss should be with her boyfriend, not him.

Suddenly she felt his tongue probing her lips, Haruka gasped. Tokiya quickly grabbed the opportunity and pushed his tongue in. She moaned, their tongues glide around each other in a languid motion. First, it was only sweet. Tokiya wanted to make sure she can get a hang of it. After a while, he got impatient and became aggressive. Haruka didn't know why, but she like this feeling. It was making her light-headed, her mind devoid of any thought but 'It feels good'. It was all too much for the innocent girl, her body weakened and she fell on the bed, Tokiya followed her anyway, still continuing their tongue war even with the sudden change of position. After a few more seconds, they both ran out of air and pulled away.

"Is that enough physical affection for you?" He said in sexy breathless voice, wiping the string of saliva off his mouth.

Haruka blushed and opened her mouth to answer.

"YES!"

The two abruptly looked to their left, where the door is. Or was. Because of the weight placed on the door, the hinges broke and the door landed on the floor with a thud. As soon as the entrance fell, so did several men and one female.

"STARISH...?" Haruka blinked, wiping her mouth. "Tomo-chan?"

They immediately stood up, fixing themselves. They all laughed warily, silently panicking that they were caught. The rosette didn't seem to mind, but the blue-haired boy was already out of the bed, a dark aura emitting from his body. They all gulped in fear as he wore a deadly expression on his face.

"Care to explain why you people are spying on us?"

Oh, yes, indeed.

Author's Notes:

WHO HAS BEEN WAITING FOR THE KISS?! I AM! ;D

Did my writing style change? Hm. Sorry if I didn't go very detailed with the kiss. Maybe this STORY MIGHT BECOME EXPLICIT and get TAKEN DOWN -_-. Enough about that. Oh no, Monday is getting closer! I don't want my summer to end! I'll be updating as much as possible while I still can because I'm serious, I'll be disappearing from the face of fanfiction dot net until Friday afternoon comes!