Notes: Not much…oh…warnings: this one's kinda sad. A bit tragic.

Arigatou to the reviewers!

PART EIGHT

The library in their school was big it was almost intimidating. The moment one enters, rows and rows of mahogany shelves was the first thing that met the eyes. It looked so solemn. Youshi never liked studying in libraries, the whole atmosphere was too quiet, plus, the air-conditioning really made the place comfortable. Too comfortable actually, for Youshi's taste. It was more conducive for sleeping. He only went there now because he and Aiji had this project in history and he had some researching o do. He was supposed to meet Aiji there, but after seeing no sign of the other boy, he placed his stuff on the table and proceeded to search for books.

The Great Depression…World War I…World War II…Dark…Ah, Colonizations of Spain and Portugal…

As he was heading to his table, he caught sight of a familiar figure, hunched on one of the shelves. He approached the person and, indeed, it was familiar. Tucking the book under his arm, he covered the person's eyes, "Guess."

Hisou was startled to find small, warm hands covering his eyes. He wanted to thrash and tackle the other person, but remembered he was in the library. So, he merely touched the hands, feeling it, trying to know who the owner was. He reached out back, trying to grasp the other person's body.

Youshi scooted away when Hisou started waving his hands, but kept his hands firmly on the other boy's eyes. The book tucked under his arm fell at the movement, but he paid it no heed.  This was a once in a lifetime and he intended to enjoy it.

Hisou tried to reach farther, but the other person kept moving away, never letting go of his eyes. Then, when the owner of the hands went as far as his arms can reach, they both fell. Hisou on his back, the other still had his eyes on hostage. He heard a giggle. He couldn't help but chuckle at the sound.

He tried to sharpen his hearing but totally focused on finding out who the giggler was, he failed to hear the sound of footsteps that headed his way. Youshi, on the other hand, heard it. In one swift move, he removed his hands from Hisou's eyes and pulled the taller man to the other side of the shelf. He giggled to himself. He looked at Hisou, who was still trying to get used to having his eyes back in action again. Hisou turned to him, about to say something, but Youshi clamped his hand over the other's mouth.

The footsteps stopped on the other side of the shelf they were hiding on, Youshi kept his hand on Hisou's mouth peering from side to side. He could he the rustle of cloth, while indicated that the person was bending down, probably to pick up the book he left.

Hisou regarded him with confused eyes. Youshi, realizing that his hand was still on Hisou's mouth, quickly removed it and bowed. When they heard the footsteps going the other direction, Youshi stood up, reaching a hand to help Hisou up. "Sorry," he said, still smiling.

The both straightened their uniforms, and looked at each other. They let out a sigh of relief at the same time and chuckled. "S'okay," Hisou said, smiling.

When they were both recovered, they headed to Youshi's table. "What are you doing here?" Hisou asked, placing his books on the table.

Youshi shrugged, "History project. All about Spain and Portugal's conquests. Oh!" he said, realizing something.

"What?"

Youshi smiled, albeit disappointed, "The librarian got the book I was supposed to research. Aiji's going to kill me!"

Hisou chuckled. "Well, that's what you get for attacking unprepared victims."

Youshi stuck out his tongue. "Well, since I'm out of research materials, I might as well just do homework," he got his notebook and a book out of the bag.

They studied for about three hours. Hisou doing some research, Youshi homework. They almost didn't notice how long time passed, if the librarian didn't approach them, "Boys, I know you're deeply immersed with studying. Unfortunately, the library's closing. You should get going," she said smiling.

Hisou glanced at his wristwatch, Youshi doing the same. It was 5:30 already. They gathered their stuff and headed out.

As they got out of the building, Youshi turned to Hisou, "Would you care to join me for dinner? I'm not used to eating out alone."

~*~

They were sitting in front of each other, sipping on their drinks. Youshi was looking at Hisou, studying his face. Hisou, never really comfortable with people looking at him openly, looked up and asked, quizzically, "What?'

Youshi laughed, clearly embarrassed, "Nothing. Just thinking…"

"Oh…"

"Hisou…" Youshi started, a bit hesitant.

Hisou looked up from his salad, "Yes?"

"Uhm…can I ask you something?" Youshi was nervous, and it was obvious. From the fiddling with his napkin, it kinda gave the emotion away. Hisou smiled, trying to ease the tension, "Okay."

"Uh…last Tuesday…Hisaki said…uh…I was just…what…"

Hisou knew where this was heading, but he himself couldn't face the subject just yet. He was about to dismiss the subject when Youshi continued, "What he was saying about…'getting married'…what was that about?"

He was about to tell him that Hisaki was just being a jerk, but he saw the expression written on Youshi's face: curiosity, embarrassment, with a little touch of fear. He began, "Oh, that…it…well…I…" he was stuttering again. Just like how he was last Saturday. He breathed deeply, then smiled, "Uhm…can we please not talk about this just yet? I…I promise I'll tell you soon, but…" was what was supposed to come out of his mouth, but instead, "I don't think we should talk about that here…would you like to drive somewhere?" was what came out.

They drove around for a while before they reached the park. It wasn't exactly the 'perfect place' for Hisou, but he can't take any more of the uneasy silence that reigned the car. They got out and headed for the swings.

They just sat there for a while, Hisou trying to summon the confidence to just say it, Youshi trying to gather his reins on reality, he felt something important was up.

Hisou cleared his throat, Youshi looked at him. "I…well…when I…do you remember the first time we bumped into each other?"

Youshi looked at him confused, "Yyyyyyeeees."

It's now or never, Migoto.

"Well, when I…when I first saw you, I felt this weird pulling thing. I thought it was just out of curiosity, but then, I found myself thinking of you more and more…" He desperately wanted to look at Youshi's reactions, but he was afraid. Youshi might end up disgusted with him, the way Hisaki was. But, he had to say it, otherwise, he'd burst. He continued, "Last…last Saturday, Hisaki saw my notebook…it had…sketches…of you."

The last two words were said so softly; Youshi didn't know if he heard it right. He turned wide eyes at Hisou. He…he liked me…?

…

…wait.

Hisou's gay?

He was busy trying to digest the recent revelation, he didn't see Hisou look at him, or his stricken expression. But, he felt more than heard when Hisou let out a strangled gasp and got out of the swing, running.

Youshi stared at Hisou's retreating form, himself firmly planted on his swing.

I should go after him…

…but…

…he liked me?

When he realized he was alone, he tried to follow Hisou, heading in the direction the taller man went. He was peering down the road the other went. It was dark now; it wouldn't do to have two people lost in the city. Besides, he doesn't know enough of the place to be assured he'd be able to go back in one piece. So instead, he went in the direction of the car. Hisou won't go home without it.

Besides, they both needed time to think.

---

Hisou ran. He didn't know where he was heading. All he knew was he was running. He was trying to get away. Away from Youshi's disgust, Hisaki's disgust, and the idea of being a failure to his parents.

For years, he fought with the idea of being gay. At first, he thought it was normal. He read of kids having a time of confusion. He thought it would come to pass.

Then, he turned fifteen. They just had a new neighbor. He and his family moved in a week after his birthday. He was tall, slim, kind eyes and an easy smile. He was older so Hisou thought it was just a case of admiration. He tried to focus on girls. He went out with as much as he can. Unfortunately, he found out, he can only go out with three.

He didn't know who to turn to. He can't talk to his mother and sister, much less his dad. He was the only boy. The heir to the business, the one to continue the family line. He can't be gay.

He couldn't tell Hisaki about it. Look where it got him now.

And now, he tried to tell the man who had been occupying his mind for the longest time, and he gets rejected.

He continued running. He was on the verge of passing out. Water trickled on his face, whether it was sweat of tears, he can't tell.

He tried to make out his current location, but before any form of recognition reached him, he fell.

---

Youshi had been waiting for almost an hour and a half. He's really starting to get worried. He almost called the police, but what would he tell them? Officer, I'm looking for my friend. He just professed his love for me, but alas, due to my lack of reaction, he ran off. Could you find him?

He was looking around frantically. He went back to the swings to check if Hisou went back there. No.

He checked other parts of the park, still no sign of Hisou.

He was about to go back to the car when he saw a figure, lying facedown on the other side of the street. His heart pounded in his ears. Starting to really panic, he rushed to the other side. He almost fainted at the sight that appeared before him.

There, lying prone on the sidewalk was Hisou. Panting heavily, but seeming unconscious.

AN: AAAAAHHHHH!!!! Poor Hisou! What did I do? First his best friend, and now Youshi!!!! What the hell possessed me to write this?!

*sinffle* so…what do you think? Will Youshi accept Hisou's feelings? Will they get together and run off into the sunset? Would I ever be a good writer? Would people review? Would I shut up?

Hisou: *gets up from the street and whacks author in the head* SHUT UP!!!

Q: ahhhhh itai….