"Mika-san, can I ask your opinion on something?" Eiji asked, appearing on his roommate's bedroom's door.
"Sure." She was on her bed, using her computer. "What's it?"
"I want to choose an inn to go with Oishi-san." He entered her room. "But I never went to one, so I don't know what to look for. Also, it must be inside Tokyo area."
"Ah, you're really going to do it, right?" she showed him a small smile. "Sit down. What's the date you're looking for?"
"Sunday, November 28th." He smiled when sat down by her side. "It's going to be my birthday."
"Oh, I didn't know that. I'll put on my calendar and we need to arrange something on the day before, then."
"Thank you!" he smiled. "I'm going to ask Natsuya-san for a day off. Do you think she would accept it?"
"For your birthday? Sure." She said, while typing. "What range of prices are you looking at?"
"Something nice but affordable, since I'm the one who's going to pay."
"But, it's your birthday. Are you sure Oishi-san wouldn't pay for you?"
"I want to do something for him." He said, seriously. "I was never able to do it."
"I see." She showed him the screen of the computer and her search.
"These are the ones I found." She pointed the prices part. "Here's the most affordable one. It's on the temples' area."
"Onsen Ryokan Yuen Shinjuku. Almost 12 thousand ien a night for two people."
"Let's see the photos." She clicked on the website.
"Wow, it's amazing! Look at their open-air hot spring!"
"It's a very beautiful place. And romantic too."
He blushed a little.
"Do you think Oishi-san would like that?"
"He's definitely going to."
"It's decided then! I will just have to do more part time hours to be able to do it. Thinking about foods and drinks, it will probably be around 15 thousand yen."
"You will have to work the whole week to have this extra money. Are you sure?" she was worried. Eiji was usually very tired just with college and working 3 times a week.
"It will be just a month, no problems." He smiled. "I will only have a 20th birthday once. I want to share it with Oishi-san."
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Eiji entered Shuichirou's home silently and slowly. He was so tired, every step seemed like he was carring a thousand kilos on his back. It was already 5 a.m. on Sunday and it was his second week of working nonstop at Sakurai. He hadn't told his boyfriend about the changes of his work schedule, since he wanted to be a surprised and it was incredible hard to avoid showing how exhausted he was.
Kikumaru watched the warm water falling down from his hair, using all his strength to be awake. Since Oishi had proposed he would spend the weekends, he had brought some home clothes to spend the day and a couple of pajamas too. He got out of the shower, dried himself and his hair, got dressed and brushed his teeth before going to Shuichirou's room.
He stopped for a moment at the door and admired him sleeping. He would always do that before going to bed. Eiji liked to observe his handsome and relaxed expression and he wished he wasn't so terribly sleepy so he could do it for more time.
Oishi was sleeping on his back and he had a small smile on his face when felt the smaller body holding him close under the covers. Eiji had rested his face on his chest and his boyfriend gently caressed the red hair. His shampoo was sweet and he liked the scent of it.
"Good morning." His boyfriend whispered.
"Good morning." Even half asleep, he would always answer. Asking him to spend the night was a great way to make them closer. Eiji was less nervous on being touched by him and they were also more intimate towards each other. Even if the kisses were still chaste and brief they were always very tender. "And welcome."
"Are you okay?"
"I'm just fine." He hugged him back with one arm and kissed his forehead. "Sleep well."
"Thank you." He answered already dozing off.
Shuichirou's hand lazily caressed Eiji's back, up and down, until he also returned to sleep.
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Eiji was inside Oishi's arms, his back on his chest. The alarm clock marked 8:15 a.m. They were deep asleep, so they didn't notice when the rain started to get stronger and the wind was blowing fiercely against the windows.
Suddenly, a lighting exploded in the skies and, soon after, a thunder crashed. The blue eyes opened with the loud noise and Eiji's heart trembled immediately. He jumped from the bed, going to his backpack that was on the floor next to the nightstand. With the sudden move, Shuichirou woke up and sat down slowly, still half asleep, not understanding what had happened.
"Eiji-kun?" he asked, rubbing his eyes. "What are you doing?"
"It's not here!" he was desperately pulling things out of his backpack. "It's not here!"
"What… what are you talking about?"
Another lightning, followed by thunder and Oishi was finally fully awake and aware of the situation. Kikumaru held his body tightly and he was shaking.
"Eiji-kun." he kneeled by his side. "Where are your phones?"
"They are not here!" he was already crying. "I must have… forgotten them at home!"
Another thunder and he put his hands over his ears, trying to protect himself. His heart was about to jump from his chest and he couldn't breathe. Oishi sat down on the floor and pulled him to his lap, hugging him tightly.
"It's okay, it's okay. I'm here with you." he rubbed his back, wanting to comfort him.
Eiji grabbed his pajama shirt tightly with his trembling hands and his forehead was on Shuichirou's chest while his tears continued to fall.
"It's going to be over soon. It's okay." he whispered in the most caring tone while he cried silently.
The storm continued for almost an hour and Oishi never let go.
