Okay, first of all, I'm glad that most readers are beginning to accept this
pairing. I'm really happy! 2nd of all, this is going to be my longest story
ever. I mean, it's not even reached the point of thought in which it all
started! So I hope that everyone will continue to support MitKosh.
Thanks to all the readers and supporters.
Note to everyone: Guest appearances by the Wei( boys from this chapter onwards - since I made them neighbors with our SD boys. You'll see later on!
TO HOLD ON 5
Mitsui slammed the door shut behind him, as he staggered to the living room with several empty boxes piled up in his arms. Koshino followed in suit, with several boxes in his arms as well. It had been a rough day.
"Phew! Thanks Koshino! I really appreciate this!" Mitsui said, taking a long drag from the can of Pepsi he dug out from the fridge. Koshino took a small sip from his and simply smiled at the senior.
"Anytime sempai!" Koshino took another sip of his drink. "Need any help in packing?"
Mitsui hesitated. "I'll be fine! But I could use a little company!" He grinned sheepishly.
Koshino punched him playfully on the shoulder. "Baka! You know I would have stayed."
Mitsui laughed heartily at the boy. "Yes, I know."
Both boys began moving about the house, packing everything that was necessary. Mitsui's house would be up for rent while he moved in to this nice three bed roomed apartment near Tokyo University, which had a nice flower shop just beneath it. It was a simple two storeyed building and it had a quiet environment, plus it was clean. There was a 24-hour supermarket across it, and the library was a walking distance away. All in all it was a good place. Mitsui's aunt had bought it for him, saying that his parents had kept money aside for times like these. Mitsui was eternally grateful. Koshino had seen the apartment. It had wooden floors, off white walls, two bathrooms - one in blue the other in white, a kitchen with a dishwasher, along with beige and maroon tiles, a balcony and an emergency fire exit. It was a really nice house, and Koshino swore that he'd try to make it to Tokyo University. The state university itself was amazing; with more that 20 hectares of greenery, most advanced computer technology and science facilities, a friendly environment and fully qualified staff.
Mitsui had gone to his room to pack his clothes. Koshino had been placing the books from the shelves that Mitsui had told him to. He pulled out the last two books when a picture of Mitsui in a black suit, with a dark blue dress shirt underneath fell. It was a passport sized photograph. Koshino placed the books in to the box before picking up the picture. He held it in his hands, staring at the handsome senior staring back at him with a serious expression, but had that mischievous glint within the depths of his midnight blue eyes. Reflex took over Koshino. He slipped the picture in to the back pocket of his jeans continued clearing the CD's next to the stereo.
*
The bright summer of 2002 was frying everyone. Mitsui and Koshino had hired a delivery truck to get all of Mitsui's things and some of his furniture - namely the bed, the couch, coffee table and his dresser, since the room he would be using already had a built in cabinet - to his new apartment. All of his things were kept outside the front door of his apartment. The people next-door, where friendly people, and had greeted them with a pleasant smile and a nice steaming pan of apple pie.
They were really nice people, except for one of them who seemed to be as stiff as a rock - personality wise. They were four young men, and they ran the flower shop below Mitsui's new abode. It was called 'Kitty in the house' flower shop, a rather cute name for a flower shop. The young man who was the first to greet Mitsui and Koshino when they were checking out the apartment was called Omi Tsukiyono. Omi was the one who baked the pie for their 'tea' as he put it. That afternoon, after all the boxes were brought up and were piled neatly next to Mitsui's front door, only then did he have the pleasure of meeting all four boys in person, of course Koshino was with him.
Apart from Omi - the sixteen year old teen, with ash blonde hair, big and wide innocent blue eyes and a rather skinny frame - there was Ken Hidaka, the all around soccer fan who had teal green eyes, a bob of messy brown hair, a rather clumsy attitude and tends to whine a lot. There was the local playboy (nickname courtesy of Ken) called Yoji Kudou, who had shoulder length dirty blonde hair in soft waves, pretty forest jade eyes and an all around flirtatious smile plastered on his face 24/7. Last but not least, was the redhead, with amethyst eyes and a very pale complexion - he immediately reminded both Koshino and Mitsui about their own ice king on the court, Rukawa Kaede. His name was Fujimaya Aya. They we're all pleasant and Mitsui found himself growing fond of them.
After that afternoon of pushing and heaving boxes and furniture, Mitsui and Koshino decided that they would spend that night in the empty apartment. It was a waste to go all the way back to Kannagawa and then return the next morning. So instead, they spent the rest of the evening getting cleaning supplies and detergents along with some paint. It was a long and boring summer, at least the task of making Mitsui's apartment look nice would keep both basketball players busy and have their mind occupied.
They had arrived 'home' late, tired and exhausted from all the shopping - the supplies they bought were not a featherweight. Just as Mitsui was placing the last tin of paint inside the house, Omi's head poked out of their apartment door and smiled at Mitsui.
"Mitsui-kun? Have you had dinner yet? We got you pizza!" The boy beamed.
Mitsui blinked. "Umm - no we haven't had dinner yet." Omi disappeared for a few seconds before appearing with a box of steaming cheese and pepperoni pizza in hand. "Uh - thanks."
"I hope pepperoni and cheese is okay." He handed the box to Mitsui, who was grateful. They had completely forgotten about food.
"They're great!" Mitsui heard Koshino drop a can of paint somewhere in one of the rooms and winced. He then turned to the boy in front of him who was eyeing the hallways with worry. "He'll be fine. By the way, Omi, why did you umm -"
"Bother getting you a pizza?" Omi finished the question for him. Mitsui nodded. "Simple! We never really had neighbors because this apartment was not really set up for sale. The owner before you never really came and stayed here. Plus it's good to have neighbors. I - no - we just want you feel more at home. So if you ever need anything, don't hesitate to knock next door or come to the shop okay?"
Koshino appeared, wiping a black smear off his arm, before he sneezed. "Oh hi Omi!" He greeted, giving him a small wave.
"Omi got us pizza." Mitsui gestured to the box in his hand.
"Oh that's so kind of you Omi. We still have that pie you made to finish." Koshino smiled at the boy.
Just then a loud yell echoed from next door. "Omi! Get your skinny butt down here now!" It was Aya, and he was furious - their monotonic red head.
"Oh! Gotta go! Goodnight you guys!" Omi bounded out of the barren apartment closing the door behind him.
Mitsui went to the kitchen with Koshino, which was still plain and rather dead, and sat on one of the stools. Koshino sat opposite him and they began to devour the pizza. Soon the pizza was over, and they were attacking the pie. They were both growing boys after all. Mitsui decided that a shower could wait after all work was done tomorrow. He and Koshino pulled the couch in and shared the little sleeping space they could get.
"Good night Sempai."
"Good night Koshino."
The two boys succumbed to their night slumber.
*
The next day had started out pretty heavily. Koshino woke up way before Mitsui. He dug out the broom they bought from the store and began to sweep the wooden floors clean. . He was just about done with one half of the living room, when Mitsui walked out, stretching and yawning, his jeans worn from yesterday riding way below his waistline, that Koshino had to turn away sharply and blush beetroot - to top that, Mitsui was shirtless. He just looked unendingly cute like that. Koshino joined him for breakfast of Cocoa Pebbles and cold milk, along with a cup of hot coffee. By then Mitsui had pulled on an old gray vest.
They began by sweeping the entire house, collecting more than three dustpans full of gray and nose-tickling dust. They had to sweep the entire place twice to make sure that there was no more dust. Once the task of sweeping was done, they each took a mop and began to clean the floors with warm water mixed with disinfectant, and once the floors were dry, they covered the entire place up with plastic sheets.
"Koshino, do you think that we should paint the living room baby blue or sunny yellow?" Mitsui asked debating which can on either side of his hands should he open.
"Yellow would be good. Besides, we got white curtains, so I guess yellow would be nice. You can paint your room blue." Koshino suggested.
"I guess so." Mitsui set the can of blue paint down and began to open the can of yellow paint. "The living room should be lively. I'll paint my room blue." He took a flat-ended screwdriver and worked the sides of the can with it. "What color would you like your room to be?"
"My room?" Koshino asked, very, very surprised.
"Why yes!" Mitsui popped the lid of the can off and winced when he got a whiff of the awful smelling paint. "You will be coming here and staying here sometime in the holidays. And besides - you want to get in to Tokyo University right?" Koshino nodded. "Then you'll need a place to stay. So why not here?"
Koshino was speechless. "I don't know what to say." He said shyly, a tinge of pink on his cheeks.
Mitsui held up a paintbrush. "What color would it be?"
*
The sun began to set, casting an orange glow on in the newly furnished apartment of Mitsui. The entire living room was already painted in sunny yellow. The floors were swept and mopped again, and finally waxed - now shining with all its glory under the final few rays of the setting sun. They had hung the curtains, an abstract painting on the wall, mounted the shelves, put a round plush rug on the floor in front of the couch and TV along with the stereo, placed the coffee table on the rug, cleaned the kitchen, stocked up on food, made sure bathroom was in proper working order and was in proper hygienic conditions, painted one room blue, on room pistachio green and one room dark violet, furnished the rooms, dusted out apartment corridor, installed phone, hooked up computer and finally, they were just putting the bed sheets and pillow cases on all the beds in the room.
"Oh my shoulder." Koshino said, face smeared with dust, hair messed up, face pale from fatigue, eyes hollow, nose red from all the chemicals from the paint and finally the entire body numb from the day's work. Mitsui was a taller mirror image of Koshino. "I can't feel it."
"Sorry." Mitsui said, not meeting his eye.
"No sempai. I chose to do this. Besides, look at this place! It's beautiful!" Koshino spoke the truth. For a gangster-wielding attitude, Mitsui's house was rather - homey. "I'm going to hit the showers. Oh crappo!" He cursed.
"What's wrong?" Mitsui asked, turning to look at Koshino, who had a hand on his forehead.
"I should have brought a set of clothes to change in to!" Koshino said, trying his best to make the current pair of jeans he was wearing - and the night before - look a bit more decent, but in vain.
Mitsui disappeared in to his room. He dug out a pair of old rather small jeans that belonged to him, a white t-shirt and a black sweatshirt. He had a new pack of boxers that he bought a few weeks ago. He took one out from the pack and went back to the living room, to find Koshino still trying to straighten his clothes out. He handed Koshino the set of clothes, startling the poor boy.
"Here you go! They're kinda small on me, but they'll fit you! I'm a bit - umm - bigger built than you."
"Are you saying that I'm a skeleton by built?" Koshino asked, raising an eyebrow.
"You said it! Not me!" Mitsui laughed and soon Koshino joined him. "Go on and used that bathroom." Mitsui indicated the white one. "I'll use the one in my room."
"Okay! Boy do I reek!" Koshino mumbled as he made his way to the bathroom.
Mitsui made his own way to his room before stripping off completely. He hurried to the bathroom, turned on the hot tap and allowed the hot spray to cleanse his dirty body. He remained like that for a long time, just allowing the hot water to soothe his aching and sore muscles. After ten minutes of just standing there with his eyes closed, he took the bottle of musk scented shampoo that he had bought along with the groceries and began to lather his hair with the white gooey substance. He lathered, and lathered, then came the bar of lemon soap that he used to scrub every inch and centimeter of his body until his nose was intoxicated with the smell of lemons. Only then did he rinse himself and dried off with a huge white towel that he wrapped around his waist, the length covering him till his knees. He changed in to a pair of blue baggy loose soft jeans (as in it is jeans but really soft) and a white sleeveless shirt. He combed his hair and made his way to the living room to call for a pizza and some garlic bread. They were straving and Pizza Hut sounded good.
Koshino came out of his 'violet' room, the scent of mint and musk surrounding him. Mitsui and him had argued on whether to buy the plain Heads and Shoulders shampoo or the one with mint. Koshino insisted that it would be mint, and in the end, because Mitsui found him pouting so adorable, he agreed - of course this 'adorable' issue thingy was done in secret.
"So what would it be? Hawaiian? Pepperoni? Super supreme? Or stuffed crust New Yorker?" Mitsui asked.
"Stuffed crust New Yorker! Oh and please get some potato salad." Koshino said, and sat down, turning on the stereo to play some music. The WANDS CD was on, and Koshino allowed the music to fill the room, as he turned to listen to what Mitsui was ordering.
"Hi! I'd like to place an order for a large stuffed crust New Yorker with extra cheese, eight garlic bread supreme, a bottle of Pepsi, one large potato salad and two slices of chocolate cake." Koshino blinked at the order Mitsui made. The senior must be really hungry; they had skipped lunch after all. "Yeah well, do you know the Kitty in the house flower shop? You do? Great, well, we're in apartment number two. Yeah, no, I'm not one of the florists. I'm their neighbor! Fifteen minutes? Great! Thanks!" Mitsui hung up, and faced a gaping Koshino. "What?"
"All that?" Koshino asked.
"I'm hungry." Mitsui shrugged.
Both sat in silence, too tired to say anything and just listened to WANDS sing. Fifteen minutes went by fast. The doorbell rang and Mitsui stood up to pay the deliveryman, who was beaming happily. He said that the boys next door were regular customers, nearly every night he delivers for them - funny thing was it was always after twelve midnight.
Mitsui and Koshino sat down on the couch, placing their food on the coffee table as each began to dig out their own plate. Mitsui chewed slowly, savoring the cheesiness of the pizza, while Koshino dug in to the salad.
"I love anything with potatoes. I can practically live on potatoes." Koshino said, when he found Mitsui blinking at the sight of him just devouring the potatoes and not giving the garlic bread or the pizza any notice. "Here!" Koshino took a forkful from the aluminum container he held in has hand and held it under Mitsui's nose, a smile on his face. "Try it!" Mitsui stared at him, a slow blush creeping up to his cheeks. He kept his eyes on Koshino and slowly took the potato from the fork, his lips moving in intimidating and arousing manner. Koshino had swallowed hard, and blushed redder than a tomato. Mitsui found it so cute that he completely forgot he had a chunk of potato in his mouth. Koshino stammered to say something to cover his blush. "W-Well?"
Mitsui chewed fast and savored it. It did taste good - it was a potato - duh! "It's good." Mitsui said, nodding. "It's very good." He stole the fork off Koshino's hand and took a huge forkful of it, shoving it in to his mouth. He still had a pizza in his hand that he held out to Koshino. "Pizza?"
Koshino raised an eyebrow and stole Mitsui's half eaten pizza. "Yes please!"
They both collapsed in a heap of laughter - although there was nothing really funny about it. They continued eating, a movie called 'Rush Hour' playing the Movie Channel 2. While eating, they laughed, either at the movie or at their own silliness. Everything was going fine, until a shrill ringing of a cell phone stopped everything in motion.
"Excuse me." Koshino said, digging out his cell phone and took the call. "Hello?" Mitsui watched from the corner of his eye as Koshino paled immensely. "I'm in Tokyo. Business. I know. I can't make it. Have someone fill up for me. I don't know, figure something out. I can't!" The last phrase had a tinge of begging, a tinge of sorrow, and a tinge of fear. Mitsui wondered whom Koshino was speaking too. "Look I'll be back tomorrow. I'll make it up then okay?" The call ended and Koshino sighed deeply. He rubbed his temples, and Mitsui could only guess that it was an upcoming headache.
"You all right?" Mitsui asked, since it was obvious that Koshino did not want to talk about anything just now.
"Yes, I'm fine sempai." Koshino nodded.
"You sure?" Mitsui asked again and Koshino nodded in affirmation, the mood entirely put off now. "If you are tired, you could go to sleep."
Koshino sighed and turned to look at Mitsui. "Sempai, can I ask for a favor?"
"Sure." Mitsui nodded, sitting up, setting his glass of Pepsi down.
"Can I - could I - h-hug you?" Koshino asked, looking so lost and small that Mitsui wondered if he was hurting inside. Mitsui stood up and pulled Koshino in to a warm hug. Koshino hugged back, holding on to Mitsui really tight. Mitsui smiled and buried his nose in to the minty scent of Koshino's hair. He was so small, so delicate and so fragile just there in his arms - he fitted perfectly. Mitsui held on tighter, savoring the moment - the first hug from his true love, though it was currently unknown to the latter.
Koshino pulled back, smiling, a hint of pink in his cheeks. "Thanks! It's been a while since I ever got a hug. Sakura use to give me one every time she sees me - but now -" Mitsui shook his head. "Thanks sempai! I feel much better now."
"I'm glad." Mitsui said, nodding.
"I think I'll hit the sack. I'll clear up." Koshino made a move to clear the coffee table when he felt Mitsui pick him off his feet and carry him on his shoulders. "What the - MITSUI-SEMPAI!" He shrieked. Mitsui ignored him and carried him to the violet room - Koshino's room. He plopped him down on the bed, set him straight, pulled the covers over him and ruffled his hair.
"Good night, Koshino!" Mitsui winked. "Get some sleep. See you in the morning." Mitsui left the room and closed the door behind him. It was a sweet thing to do, Koshino thought. So kind, so considerate, so - loving? Koshino blushed. He hugged himself under the covers, the clothes he had on, intoxicating him with the smell of lemony musk. Mitsui smelled like that when he was on his shoulder. Koshino unconsciously tightened the hug around himself before closing his eyes for sleep.
*
Mitsui woke up the next morning to find no sound whatsoever in his entire house. He bolted up from bed and headed for Koshino's room. He knocked twice before entering, only to be greeted with a neat looking room, the bed made and the clothes he lent Koshino neatly folded on top of the bed, except the jumper was missing. He rushed to the living room, and found it empty. He turned to the kitchen and blinked. He blinked, once, twice, before approaching the small breakfast table good for four people.
On the table was a plate of steaming waffles, a pitcher of dark coffee, a cup ready for use, chocolate syrup, a bouquet of yellow roses and finally a neatly folded piece of paper. Mitsui opened the paper and read the neatly written kanji and the occasional hiragana.
Sorry for leaving in such short notice. But I promise to drop by next Friday. I made breakfast for you - and those yellow roses were from the guys next door. I thought it would look nice in the house.
Thanks for everything, sempai.
Koshino.
Mitsui folded the paper and looked at the bouquet of yellow roses, then at the breakfast. He sat down and began to eat.
He made a good discovery.
Koshino can cook really well.
TBC
WOW! They hugged! And don't you think Omi makes such a sweet neighbor? This is turning out to be a crossover. Yoji and Aya will play a big role in future, future chapters. That I can assure you. But wow! They hugged! WOOOOW! AWWWW! So cute!!!!
Be nice people and give wittle Shi-chan some eye candy? Ne? Ne?
Note to everyone: Guest appearances by the Wei( boys from this chapter onwards - since I made them neighbors with our SD boys. You'll see later on!
TO HOLD ON 5
Mitsui slammed the door shut behind him, as he staggered to the living room with several empty boxes piled up in his arms. Koshino followed in suit, with several boxes in his arms as well. It had been a rough day.
"Phew! Thanks Koshino! I really appreciate this!" Mitsui said, taking a long drag from the can of Pepsi he dug out from the fridge. Koshino took a small sip from his and simply smiled at the senior.
"Anytime sempai!" Koshino took another sip of his drink. "Need any help in packing?"
Mitsui hesitated. "I'll be fine! But I could use a little company!" He grinned sheepishly.
Koshino punched him playfully on the shoulder. "Baka! You know I would have stayed."
Mitsui laughed heartily at the boy. "Yes, I know."
Both boys began moving about the house, packing everything that was necessary. Mitsui's house would be up for rent while he moved in to this nice three bed roomed apartment near Tokyo University, which had a nice flower shop just beneath it. It was a simple two storeyed building and it had a quiet environment, plus it was clean. There was a 24-hour supermarket across it, and the library was a walking distance away. All in all it was a good place. Mitsui's aunt had bought it for him, saying that his parents had kept money aside for times like these. Mitsui was eternally grateful. Koshino had seen the apartment. It had wooden floors, off white walls, two bathrooms - one in blue the other in white, a kitchen with a dishwasher, along with beige and maroon tiles, a balcony and an emergency fire exit. It was a really nice house, and Koshino swore that he'd try to make it to Tokyo University. The state university itself was amazing; with more that 20 hectares of greenery, most advanced computer technology and science facilities, a friendly environment and fully qualified staff.
Mitsui had gone to his room to pack his clothes. Koshino had been placing the books from the shelves that Mitsui had told him to. He pulled out the last two books when a picture of Mitsui in a black suit, with a dark blue dress shirt underneath fell. It was a passport sized photograph. Koshino placed the books in to the box before picking up the picture. He held it in his hands, staring at the handsome senior staring back at him with a serious expression, but had that mischievous glint within the depths of his midnight blue eyes. Reflex took over Koshino. He slipped the picture in to the back pocket of his jeans continued clearing the CD's next to the stereo.
*
The bright summer of 2002 was frying everyone. Mitsui and Koshino had hired a delivery truck to get all of Mitsui's things and some of his furniture - namely the bed, the couch, coffee table and his dresser, since the room he would be using already had a built in cabinet - to his new apartment. All of his things were kept outside the front door of his apartment. The people next-door, where friendly people, and had greeted them with a pleasant smile and a nice steaming pan of apple pie.
They were really nice people, except for one of them who seemed to be as stiff as a rock - personality wise. They were four young men, and they ran the flower shop below Mitsui's new abode. It was called 'Kitty in the house' flower shop, a rather cute name for a flower shop. The young man who was the first to greet Mitsui and Koshino when they were checking out the apartment was called Omi Tsukiyono. Omi was the one who baked the pie for their 'tea' as he put it. That afternoon, after all the boxes were brought up and were piled neatly next to Mitsui's front door, only then did he have the pleasure of meeting all four boys in person, of course Koshino was with him.
Apart from Omi - the sixteen year old teen, with ash blonde hair, big and wide innocent blue eyes and a rather skinny frame - there was Ken Hidaka, the all around soccer fan who had teal green eyes, a bob of messy brown hair, a rather clumsy attitude and tends to whine a lot. There was the local playboy (nickname courtesy of Ken) called Yoji Kudou, who had shoulder length dirty blonde hair in soft waves, pretty forest jade eyes and an all around flirtatious smile plastered on his face 24/7. Last but not least, was the redhead, with amethyst eyes and a very pale complexion - he immediately reminded both Koshino and Mitsui about their own ice king on the court, Rukawa Kaede. His name was Fujimaya Aya. They we're all pleasant and Mitsui found himself growing fond of them.
After that afternoon of pushing and heaving boxes and furniture, Mitsui and Koshino decided that they would spend that night in the empty apartment. It was a waste to go all the way back to Kannagawa and then return the next morning. So instead, they spent the rest of the evening getting cleaning supplies and detergents along with some paint. It was a long and boring summer, at least the task of making Mitsui's apartment look nice would keep both basketball players busy and have their mind occupied.
They had arrived 'home' late, tired and exhausted from all the shopping - the supplies they bought were not a featherweight. Just as Mitsui was placing the last tin of paint inside the house, Omi's head poked out of their apartment door and smiled at Mitsui.
"Mitsui-kun? Have you had dinner yet? We got you pizza!" The boy beamed.
Mitsui blinked. "Umm - no we haven't had dinner yet." Omi disappeared for a few seconds before appearing with a box of steaming cheese and pepperoni pizza in hand. "Uh - thanks."
"I hope pepperoni and cheese is okay." He handed the box to Mitsui, who was grateful. They had completely forgotten about food.
"They're great!" Mitsui heard Koshino drop a can of paint somewhere in one of the rooms and winced. He then turned to the boy in front of him who was eyeing the hallways with worry. "He'll be fine. By the way, Omi, why did you umm -"
"Bother getting you a pizza?" Omi finished the question for him. Mitsui nodded. "Simple! We never really had neighbors because this apartment was not really set up for sale. The owner before you never really came and stayed here. Plus it's good to have neighbors. I - no - we just want you feel more at home. So if you ever need anything, don't hesitate to knock next door or come to the shop okay?"
Koshino appeared, wiping a black smear off his arm, before he sneezed. "Oh hi Omi!" He greeted, giving him a small wave.
"Omi got us pizza." Mitsui gestured to the box in his hand.
"Oh that's so kind of you Omi. We still have that pie you made to finish." Koshino smiled at the boy.
Just then a loud yell echoed from next door. "Omi! Get your skinny butt down here now!" It was Aya, and he was furious - their monotonic red head.
"Oh! Gotta go! Goodnight you guys!" Omi bounded out of the barren apartment closing the door behind him.
Mitsui went to the kitchen with Koshino, which was still plain and rather dead, and sat on one of the stools. Koshino sat opposite him and they began to devour the pizza. Soon the pizza was over, and they were attacking the pie. They were both growing boys after all. Mitsui decided that a shower could wait after all work was done tomorrow. He and Koshino pulled the couch in and shared the little sleeping space they could get.
"Good night Sempai."
"Good night Koshino."
The two boys succumbed to their night slumber.
*
The next day had started out pretty heavily. Koshino woke up way before Mitsui. He dug out the broom they bought from the store and began to sweep the wooden floors clean. . He was just about done with one half of the living room, when Mitsui walked out, stretching and yawning, his jeans worn from yesterday riding way below his waistline, that Koshino had to turn away sharply and blush beetroot - to top that, Mitsui was shirtless. He just looked unendingly cute like that. Koshino joined him for breakfast of Cocoa Pebbles and cold milk, along with a cup of hot coffee. By then Mitsui had pulled on an old gray vest.
They began by sweeping the entire house, collecting more than three dustpans full of gray and nose-tickling dust. They had to sweep the entire place twice to make sure that there was no more dust. Once the task of sweeping was done, they each took a mop and began to clean the floors with warm water mixed with disinfectant, and once the floors were dry, they covered the entire place up with plastic sheets.
"Koshino, do you think that we should paint the living room baby blue or sunny yellow?" Mitsui asked debating which can on either side of his hands should he open.
"Yellow would be good. Besides, we got white curtains, so I guess yellow would be nice. You can paint your room blue." Koshino suggested.
"I guess so." Mitsui set the can of blue paint down and began to open the can of yellow paint. "The living room should be lively. I'll paint my room blue." He took a flat-ended screwdriver and worked the sides of the can with it. "What color would you like your room to be?"
"My room?" Koshino asked, very, very surprised.
"Why yes!" Mitsui popped the lid of the can off and winced when he got a whiff of the awful smelling paint. "You will be coming here and staying here sometime in the holidays. And besides - you want to get in to Tokyo University right?" Koshino nodded. "Then you'll need a place to stay. So why not here?"
Koshino was speechless. "I don't know what to say." He said shyly, a tinge of pink on his cheeks.
Mitsui held up a paintbrush. "What color would it be?"
*
The sun began to set, casting an orange glow on in the newly furnished apartment of Mitsui. The entire living room was already painted in sunny yellow. The floors were swept and mopped again, and finally waxed - now shining with all its glory under the final few rays of the setting sun. They had hung the curtains, an abstract painting on the wall, mounted the shelves, put a round plush rug on the floor in front of the couch and TV along with the stereo, placed the coffee table on the rug, cleaned the kitchen, stocked up on food, made sure bathroom was in proper working order and was in proper hygienic conditions, painted one room blue, on room pistachio green and one room dark violet, furnished the rooms, dusted out apartment corridor, installed phone, hooked up computer and finally, they were just putting the bed sheets and pillow cases on all the beds in the room.
"Oh my shoulder." Koshino said, face smeared with dust, hair messed up, face pale from fatigue, eyes hollow, nose red from all the chemicals from the paint and finally the entire body numb from the day's work. Mitsui was a taller mirror image of Koshino. "I can't feel it."
"Sorry." Mitsui said, not meeting his eye.
"No sempai. I chose to do this. Besides, look at this place! It's beautiful!" Koshino spoke the truth. For a gangster-wielding attitude, Mitsui's house was rather - homey. "I'm going to hit the showers. Oh crappo!" He cursed.
"What's wrong?" Mitsui asked, turning to look at Koshino, who had a hand on his forehead.
"I should have brought a set of clothes to change in to!" Koshino said, trying his best to make the current pair of jeans he was wearing - and the night before - look a bit more decent, but in vain.
Mitsui disappeared in to his room. He dug out a pair of old rather small jeans that belonged to him, a white t-shirt and a black sweatshirt. He had a new pack of boxers that he bought a few weeks ago. He took one out from the pack and went back to the living room, to find Koshino still trying to straighten his clothes out. He handed Koshino the set of clothes, startling the poor boy.
"Here you go! They're kinda small on me, but they'll fit you! I'm a bit - umm - bigger built than you."
"Are you saying that I'm a skeleton by built?" Koshino asked, raising an eyebrow.
"You said it! Not me!" Mitsui laughed and soon Koshino joined him. "Go on and used that bathroom." Mitsui indicated the white one. "I'll use the one in my room."
"Okay! Boy do I reek!" Koshino mumbled as he made his way to the bathroom.
Mitsui made his own way to his room before stripping off completely. He hurried to the bathroom, turned on the hot tap and allowed the hot spray to cleanse his dirty body. He remained like that for a long time, just allowing the hot water to soothe his aching and sore muscles. After ten minutes of just standing there with his eyes closed, he took the bottle of musk scented shampoo that he had bought along with the groceries and began to lather his hair with the white gooey substance. He lathered, and lathered, then came the bar of lemon soap that he used to scrub every inch and centimeter of his body until his nose was intoxicated with the smell of lemons. Only then did he rinse himself and dried off with a huge white towel that he wrapped around his waist, the length covering him till his knees. He changed in to a pair of blue baggy loose soft jeans (as in it is jeans but really soft) and a white sleeveless shirt. He combed his hair and made his way to the living room to call for a pizza and some garlic bread. They were straving and Pizza Hut sounded good.
Koshino came out of his 'violet' room, the scent of mint and musk surrounding him. Mitsui and him had argued on whether to buy the plain Heads and Shoulders shampoo or the one with mint. Koshino insisted that it would be mint, and in the end, because Mitsui found him pouting so adorable, he agreed - of course this 'adorable' issue thingy was done in secret.
"So what would it be? Hawaiian? Pepperoni? Super supreme? Or stuffed crust New Yorker?" Mitsui asked.
"Stuffed crust New Yorker! Oh and please get some potato salad." Koshino said, and sat down, turning on the stereo to play some music. The WANDS CD was on, and Koshino allowed the music to fill the room, as he turned to listen to what Mitsui was ordering.
"Hi! I'd like to place an order for a large stuffed crust New Yorker with extra cheese, eight garlic bread supreme, a bottle of Pepsi, one large potato salad and two slices of chocolate cake." Koshino blinked at the order Mitsui made. The senior must be really hungry; they had skipped lunch after all. "Yeah well, do you know the Kitty in the house flower shop? You do? Great, well, we're in apartment number two. Yeah, no, I'm not one of the florists. I'm their neighbor! Fifteen minutes? Great! Thanks!" Mitsui hung up, and faced a gaping Koshino. "What?"
"All that?" Koshino asked.
"I'm hungry." Mitsui shrugged.
Both sat in silence, too tired to say anything and just listened to WANDS sing. Fifteen minutes went by fast. The doorbell rang and Mitsui stood up to pay the deliveryman, who was beaming happily. He said that the boys next door were regular customers, nearly every night he delivers for them - funny thing was it was always after twelve midnight.
Mitsui and Koshino sat down on the couch, placing their food on the coffee table as each began to dig out their own plate. Mitsui chewed slowly, savoring the cheesiness of the pizza, while Koshino dug in to the salad.
"I love anything with potatoes. I can practically live on potatoes." Koshino said, when he found Mitsui blinking at the sight of him just devouring the potatoes and not giving the garlic bread or the pizza any notice. "Here!" Koshino took a forkful from the aluminum container he held in has hand and held it under Mitsui's nose, a smile on his face. "Try it!" Mitsui stared at him, a slow blush creeping up to his cheeks. He kept his eyes on Koshino and slowly took the potato from the fork, his lips moving in intimidating and arousing manner. Koshino had swallowed hard, and blushed redder than a tomato. Mitsui found it so cute that he completely forgot he had a chunk of potato in his mouth. Koshino stammered to say something to cover his blush. "W-Well?"
Mitsui chewed fast and savored it. It did taste good - it was a potato - duh! "It's good." Mitsui said, nodding. "It's very good." He stole the fork off Koshino's hand and took a huge forkful of it, shoving it in to his mouth. He still had a pizza in his hand that he held out to Koshino. "Pizza?"
Koshino raised an eyebrow and stole Mitsui's half eaten pizza. "Yes please!"
They both collapsed in a heap of laughter - although there was nothing really funny about it. They continued eating, a movie called 'Rush Hour' playing the Movie Channel 2. While eating, they laughed, either at the movie or at their own silliness. Everything was going fine, until a shrill ringing of a cell phone stopped everything in motion.
"Excuse me." Koshino said, digging out his cell phone and took the call. "Hello?" Mitsui watched from the corner of his eye as Koshino paled immensely. "I'm in Tokyo. Business. I know. I can't make it. Have someone fill up for me. I don't know, figure something out. I can't!" The last phrase had a tinge of begging, a tinge of sorrow, and a tinge of fear. Mitsui wondered whom Koshino was speaking too. "Look I'll be back tomorrow. I'll make it up then okay?" The call ended and Koshino sighed deeply. He rubbed his temples, and Mitsui could only guess that it was an upcoming headache.
"You all right?" Mitsui asked, since it was obvious that Koshino did not want to talk about anything just now.
"Yes, I'm fine sempai." Koshino nodded.
"You sure?" Mitsui asked again and Koshino nodded in affirmation, the mood entirely put off now. "If you are tired, you could go to sleep."
Koshino sighed and turned to look at Mitsui. "Sempai, can I ask for a favor?"
"Sure." Mitsui nodded, sitting up, setting his glass of Pepsi down.
"Can I - could I - h-hug you?" Koshino asked, looking so lost and small that Mitsui wondered if he was hurting inside. Mitsui stood up and pulled Koshino in to a warm hug. Koshino hugged back, holding on to Mitsui really tight. Mitsui smiled and buried his nose in to the minty scent of Koshino's hair. He was so small, so delicate and so fragile just there in his arms - he fitted perfectly. Mitsui held on tighter, savoring the moment - the first hug from his true love, though it was currently unknown to the latter.
Koshino pulled back, smiling, a hint of pink in his cheeks. "Thanks! It's been a while since I ever got a hug. Sakura use to give me one every time she sees me - but now -" Mitsui shook his head. "Thanks sempai! I feel much better now."
"I'm glad." Mitsui said, nodding.
"I think I'll hit the sack. I'll clear up." Koshino made a move to clear the coffee table when he felt Mitsui pick him off his feet and carry him on his shoulders. "What the - MITSUI-SEMPAI!" He shrieked. Mitsui ignored him and carried him to the violet room - Koshino's room. He plopped him down on the bed, set him straight, pulled the covers over him and ruffled his hair.
"Good night, Koshino!" Mitsui winked. "Get some sleep. See you in the morning." Mitsui left the room and closed the door behind him. It was a sweet thing to do, Koshino thought. So kind, so considerate, so - loving? Koshino blushed. He hugged himself under the covers, the clothes he had on, intoxicating him with the smell of lemony musk. Mitsui smelled like that when he was on his shoulder. Koshino unconsciously tightened the hug around himself before closing his eyes for sleep.
*
Mitsui woke up the next morning to find no sound whatsoever in his entire house. He bolted up from bed and headed for Koshino's room. He knocked twice before entering, only to be greeted with a neat looking room, the bed made and the clothes he lent Koshino neatly folded on top of the bed, except the jumper was missing. He rushed to the living room, and found it empty. He turned to the kitchen and blinked. He blinked, once, twice, before approaching the small breakfast table good for four people.
On the table was a plate of steaming waffles, a pitcher of dark coffee, a cup ready for use, chocolate syrup, a bouquet of yellow roses and finally a neatly folded piece of paper. Mitsui opened the paper and read the neatly written kanji and the occasional hiragana.
Sorry for leaving in such short notice. But I promise to drop by next Friday. I made breakfast for you - and those yellow roses were from the guys next door. I thought it would look nice in the house.
Thanks for everything, sempai.
Koshino.
Mitsui folded the paper and looked at the bouquet of yellow roses, then at the breakfast. He sat down and began to eat.
He made a good discovery.
Koshino can cook really well.
TBC
WOW! They hugged! And don't you think Omi makes such a sweet neighbor? This is turning out to be a crossover. Yoji and Aya will play a big role in future, future chapters. That I can assure you. But wow! They hugged! WOOOOW! AWWWW! So cute!!!!
Be nice people and give wittle Shi-chan some eye candy? Ne? Ne?