Okay! I know that I said that the pervious chapter would be a summary of an
entire year college year for Mitsui/school year for Koshino - but I was
mistaken. It's going to be longer than I thought it would be. This fic is
going to be chapters 15 and above. I've aimed till the point in which
Mitsui becomes a failure/success after his higher studies. Damn! Long way!
But I'll make it!
Okay, on with the story!
TO HOLD ON 6
Mitsui found a job as a basketball coach assistant in an elementary school. Apparently they offered summer activities to children who want to make it to the team next year and to those who had nothing to do all summer. Mitsui was very lucky, since he got paid quite well. Other than his two hours sessions with the children everyday except Saturdays and Sundays, he was also offered a summer job at the flower shop, and boy did the place made loads of money in the summer. He worked mornings in the elementary school and afternoons in the flower shop. After that, he had a nigh job in a petrol station - again. It was something about petrol stations and him that clicked. He did not get it himself. Overall, he estimated that he would be earning at least 500,000 yen in a month, which was enough to get his electricity and water bills paid and enough to get him food. He was in Tokyo University in a scholarship after all.
It was his second week working in the flower shop. He dressed casually in jeans and a t-shirt. He noticed that the 'fan girls' that came to the shop always did buy something - either it was a single rose or a bouquet of white daisies. He also noticed that they like to ogle over the florists - and soon he was one of the objects of their ogling. He would often get a headache when it was too much but was helped by the cold redhead. He always shooed them out when the screeching got beyond deafening level.
That lazy Friday afternoon, the flower shop was a lot peaceful. Mitsui was arranging the sunflowers in one neat row, trimming the stems with a pair of gardening scissors, when he heard the jingling sound of the bell, indicating that someone had just entered the shop.
"I didn't think you were serious when you said you would take the job up of a florist."
Mitsui turned sharply and found Koshino standing by the doorway, a box of cheesecake in hand. "Koshino!" Mitsui gasped, suddenly cutting his hand with the scissors he was holding to trim the stems of the sunflowers. "Ouch!" He quickly shoved his bleeding thumb in to his mouth.
"Oh god! I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to startle you!" Koshino gasped, digging out his handkerchief and taking Mitsui's finger out of his mouth and tightly pressing the piece of cloth to it, applying pressure. Mitsui winced a bit as Koshino pressed quite hard.
"I didn't know you were coming." Mitsui stated, a sheepish grin creeping up to his face.
"I wanted to surprise you." Koshino said, taking a look at the cut. "Oh - umm would you mind if Sendoh and Miyagi dropped by?"
Mitsui blinked. "No. It's been rather quiet around. I could use a bit of old friends." He smiled. Mitsui reached out behind the counter and took out the first aid kit. Koshino opened it and took out some rubbing alcohol, cleaning the wound and applying some ointment on the cut before wrapping a small brown bandage on it. "Nice of you to drop by."
Koshino nodded and gave him a small smile. "I got your neighbors cheesecake."
"And me?" Mitsui asked giving a small pout.
"I'm treating you to dinner." Koshino replied.
"Do I get to choose?" Mitsui asked, beaming happily.
"As you like." Koshino shrugged, and began to clear the first aid kit, when Yoji walked in from the back room.
"Why hello Koshino! How nice of you to drop by." Yoji shooked hands with the shorter boy. "How have you been?"
"I've been okay, Yoji-san, thank you. And you?" Koshino asked politely.
"Ah! Never been better." He gave him his sexy smile, when Aya walked in as well.
"Oh that reminds me!" Koshino said and headed for the counter, taking the yellow box and handing it to Yoji. "I got this for you guys. Enjoy!"
"Oh you shouldn't have!" Yoji said peeking in to the box. "Looks good too."
Koshino turned to look at Mitsui. "Anou, sempai, on my way here, I spotted a basketball court. Would you like to play?"
Mitsui smiled. "Sure! Why not - err -" He turned to look towards the two elder boys and met Aya's hard eyes. "I can go, can't I?"
"Yes, you may." Aya replied in his baritone.
Mitsui untied the apron around his waist, folded it neatly and chucked it under the counter. He rummaged through the back room and came out with a brand new orange basketball. "Let's go." He said, beaming.
Koshino nodded and both of them left, leaving Aya and Yoji watching them disappear down the streets, laughing and smiling.
*
Mitsui collapsed on the concrete floor of the court, sucking in deep breathes. They've been playing for nearly an hour, either just shooting or occasionally having a one-on-one game. Koshino was lying just next to him, breathing heavily and had his eyes closed.
"That was good! It's been a while since I actually played with an experienced partner." Mitsui said, grinning at the now dark sky.
"You've been busy." Koshino said.
"Yes." Mitsui closed his eyes. "I guess I have."
Several minutes passed by and they both just laid there. The minutes turned to half an hour. Only then did Koshino sit up and smiled down at Mitsui. "I'm hungry. Let's go to your place, change and then go for dinner."
"Yes, o mighty one." Mitsui got up and dusted his clothes. "Shall we?"
"Lead the way!"
They made their way back to Mitsui's apartment, and both took a quick shower and changed in to clean clothes. Koshino did remember to bring a set of clothes to change into. Both boys bounded out of the building once again and headed for a Chinese restaurant. Koshino ordered fried noodles, dumplings, buns, chicken and some soft drinks. Both teenagers ate and told each other stories about what has been happening on their side of town. Apparently Rukawa and Sakuragi had gone hiking in Mt. Fuji. Mitsui just could imagine how romantic it must be to be in such a breath-taking place. Dinner had turned out lovely. On their way home, they passed by a musical instrument shop. Mitsui found a black electric guitar with lightning sequences in blue on it. He smiled when he remembered how he learned how to play that instrument. Tetsuo had taught him. Who would have thought that the local big bad boy would know how to play an electric guitar? It was him who fired Mitsui's passion for the instrument. It was just a bit sad that he no longer play it anymore.
"It's nice isn't it?" Koshino asked, noticing how Mitsui has been staring at the instrument for quite some time.
"Yes. It is a fine piece." Mitsui nodded, his eyes still locked on the guitar.
"Do you know how to play it?" Koshino asked. Mitsui turned towards his direction and began to look at him in a funny way. "Sempai?"
"No." Mitsui said, shaking his head. "I - I don't know how to play an electric guitar." He answered, shrugging but once again looking at the instrument. "I don't know how to play an electric guitar." He repeated. He wondered what possessed him to lie to Koshino. Was it the look in the shorter boy's eyes? Those unknown emotions that lay hidden beneath those dark depths? He did not know. But there was something - something that told him to hide something very personal. "Let's go home."
Koshino followed Mitsui in silence, every once in a while looking behind him at the shop Mitsui had allowed his attention to linger for a long time. Koshino did not understand what was going on.
*
Koshino spent the night in Mitsui's apartment. After their dinner, they had taken a shower and changed in to their pajamas. Koshino had left a few clothes in his unoccupied room so that he did not have to worry about a set of change.
The night had been peaceful, and both boys spent their evening sitting in front of the TV watching some cheesy movie that was on. Koshino sat in one end of the couch, knees drawn to his chest. Mitsui occasionally would flick glances towards him, and noticed that the younger boy's head was lolling occasionally.
"You know, you can go to sleep." Mitsui announced, his eyes laughing.
"Don't you ever feel alone here sempai? It's very quiet." Koshino mumbled.
"Sometimes." He said, stretching his arms. "I am alone, Koshino. I learned it a long time ago, the hard way." He said, and sighed, switching the TV off. "It is quiet around here and I do miss Kannagawa, but I made this decision, so I will have to bear the burdens of the consequences." He turned to find Koshino staring at him with some unknown glow in his eyes.
"You're so -" Koshino stared at his eyes, and then trailed down to his nose then finally to his lips. He blinked, and then looked up in to his eyes again. "You're so brave sempai."
"No Koshino." Mitsui said, staring back. "I'm just a survivor."
Silence plagued the room that I became so loud, that it was deafening. Koshino opened his mouth to say something, but suddenly stopped. He buried his face in his hands and sighed. "Sempai, have you ever been in any sort of relationship?"
Mitsui blinked. "Not in a serious one."
"How do you mean?" Koshino looked up at him.
"Before Rukawa and Hanamichi got together, Rukawa and I were -" Mitsui pursed his lips in thought. "How do you put it nicely? Fuck buddies?" Koshino's eyes widened a bit. "Yup! It was more like relief. Never took it serious, until one day, I told Rukawa that it had to stop, and that he should find himself someone whom he could share a relationship with." Mitsui quirked his eyebrows. "Never occurred to me that he would go after the red head. Freshmen - they never cease to surprise me, you know?"
Koshino felt a smile tug his lips. "I might sound a little bit sentimental or sappy, but if there is one thing in this world that you'd wish to have, what would it be, sempai?"
Mitsui turned towards him again, tilting his head a bit. He thought about it. What would be the one thing that he'd want to have? He'd want happiness and peace, and someone that would love him back. Someone that he'd see himself getting old with, someone to share sweet memories and to hold during the cold and empty nights. A smile slowly tugged at his lips.
"I'll answer that next time, Koshino." Koshino blinked as Mitsui got to his feet. He patted Koshino's head and messed up his hair. "Get some sleep."
Koshino swatted Mitsui's hand away, a scowl on his face. Mitsui laughed and continued messing up the silken strands with two hands. Koshino got annoyed and with all his might, tackled the taller boy to the ground as they both began to wrestle. Koshino was dominant at first, but the tables turned and Mitsui had him pinned on the ground, his wrists on the sides of his head. Mitsui smirked down at him, but his expression changed when he saw Koshino's face filled with cold fear. His face complexion had gone extremely pale, and his eyes were wide, pupils dilated, and his breathing has gone faster.
"Please." He begged. "Be gentle. Please don't hurt me."
Mitsui quickly released him, pulling himself off the shorter boy. "Koshino, I - I would never hurt you."
Koshino quickly got to his feet, and muttered a soft apology, followed by an almost inaudible good night and headed for his bedroom. Mitsui stared at his hands, the very hands that held Koshino's wrists. He then looked up once more to stare at the doorway Koshino had walked through.
One thought flashed in to his mind. Did I do something bad?
*
The next day, Mitsui found Koshino in the kitchen, sitting on a stool, his head resting in his folded arms on the kitchen counter, a cup of black coffee beside him. There was a packet of cereal and an empty bowl waiting to be used, an apple and a knife. Mitsui sat across him and waited for Koshino to move. When he got no response, he cleared his throat.
"Good morning." He said, taking the cereal and pouring some in to the bowl.
Koshino slowly looked up and he looked terrible. There were bags under his eyes, he was deathly pale, his eyes were a bit red as if he had been crying, his limbs shook from some unknown cold breeze and his hair simply hung on his face, no life in it in any form. "Good morning, sempai." His voice was low, and almost choked.
"Koshino you don't look too good." Mitsui reached out to touch his forehead when Koshino suddenly flinched before he could even make skin contact. Mitsui felt offended and decided not to do anything just yet. "Do you have a headache?"
"A little." Koshino mumbled. "I'm sorry."
Mitsui poured some milk in to his bowl. Mitsui spared a glance at Koshino and found him staring in to his cup of coffee. "Forget it, Koshino." He said, and took some aspirins from one of the kitchen cupboards, and gave two to Koshino. "Here."
"Thanks." Koshino swallowed it without another word, before allowing his head to drop in to his folded arms again. Mitsui ate his breakfast in silence, and began to clear up. Koshino was still in his half sitting, half bent position, unmoved.
"I'll be in the flower shop, okay? Need anything, I'll be down stairs." Mitsui said, and headed for the entrance.
"Bye." Koshino mumbled, and Mitsui left for work.
The flower shop was already packed. Mitsui quickly began to help Yoji with the orders, fixing up a bouquet for one customer, then cashing their payment, then taking in another order - the chain just went on and on. By mid-afternoon, Mitsui had a headache. His shift was over, and there he was sitting on one of the stools in the flower shop, his palms on his brows.
"You okay?" Yoji nudged him.
"I'm fine." He lied.
"Don't look to good."
"I have a headache."
"That's bad." Yoji shook something in front of him. Mitsui looked up and found Yoji handing him a bottle of aspirins. "Take some."
"Thanks." Mitsui mumbled and took two, swallowing them dry. His headache was a bit too much. He was exhausted from running about, carrying plants and pots. He shakily got to his feet and tried to stand, but his knees buckled and he felt himself falling.
"Whoa!" Yoji stuck his hands out just in time to catch Mitsui. "Easy there, Mit-chan!" Mitsui gave him a glare about the nickname. "What? Mit-chan sounds cute on you." Yoji winked. "Come on!" Yoji wrapped Mitsui's arm around his shoulders and held him by the waist. "I'll help you upstairs."
"Thanks." Mitsui breathed out shakily, as he made his way up the stairs to his apartment, Yoji helping him. He unlocked his door and entered, and was a bit surprised to find the place extra clean. "Would you like a drink?"
"Sure!" Yoji said, smiling and sitting himself on the couch. Mitsui disappeared in to the kitchen and found a plate with a sub-sandwich and some salad waiting for him. He knew that Koshino had left for Kannagawa, because leaving a snack on the table was a trademark of his, like a word of thanks, only in a more materialistic way.
Mitsui searched for some beer and went outside, handing one to Yoji. "So you and Koshino are together or something?"
Mitsui nearly choked on his drink. "What?" He gave Yoji his my-eyes-are- popping-out-because-of-what-you-just-said.
"Oh come one!" Yoji waved a hand, shaking his head, his wavy mop of blonde hair swinging with his head's movement a bit.
"What do you mean come on? Koshino is my friend, for crying out loud." Mitsui said, taking a long nervous sip from his can of beer.
"Oh I get it!" Yoji said, smirking. Mitsui looked up from his can, and raised an eyebrow towards the blonde. "You like him, but he doesn't know you like him. Or is it love now?"
Mitsui blushed a bit. Really, Yoji Kudou had a way with people. He can make the most complicated things look simple and child's play. He was a great guy, a bit of a playboy, but a great guy never the less. He's easy to talk too, and he's got style - although the style he uses tended to tilt towards the gothic fashion, nevertheless, he was still a great guy.
"It's none of that!" Mitsui said, drinking again from his can. "Why would you assume things like that anyway, Yoji-san?"
"I don't assume, Mit-chan! I know these things. It's so obvious." Yoji threw his arm behind the couch, looking at Mitsui from above the rim of his expensive sunglasses. "I've seen the way you look at him, the way you seem to be rather extra nice."
"That does not prove anything." Mitsui defended.
"Oh it proves a lot." Yoji said, smirking again. "Believe me, I know these things." Mitsui simply shrugged. "So are you two together?"
"No, we're not!" Mitsui said again, blushing. "He's a friend, and will remain as one."
"With you hurting in the background?" Yoji asked, emptying his can of beer. "Don't worry Mitsui, I've been through that phase before. It's hard, but if you don't do anything about, you'll hurt even more, especially if that special someone found someone else."
"What do you mean?" Mitsui asked.
"I mean," Yoji stood up and tilted Mitsui's face up towards his. "You should think about it." Mitsui blushed beetroot at their closeness, sure, Yoji was a great guy, but he was also sexy, irresistible and gorgeous. "Think about it, Mit-chan." He whispered, jade eyes flashing. "You never know how much one really means to you until they're gone." Mitsui nodded, and Yoji straightened, sauntering towards the door. "Good night, Mit-chan!"
The door closed lightly.
Mitsui stared at his can of beer. His mind was suddenly blank.
TBC
This is a short one. Normally, I write 9 pages in MS Word, but this is only 8 pages. Yah, I like writing long.
Eye candy, minna?
Okay, on with the story!
TO HOLD ON 6
Mitsui found a job as a basketball coach assistant in an elementary school. Apparently they offered summer activities to children who want to make it to the team next year and to those who had nothing to do all summer. Mitsui was very lucky, since he got paid quite well. Other than his two hours sessions with the children everyday except Saturdays and Sundays, he was also offered a summer job at the flower shop, and boy did the place made loads of money in the summer. He worked mornings in the elementary school and afternoons in the flower shop. After that, he had a nigh job in a petrol station - again. It was something about petrol stations and him that clicked. He did not get it himself. Overall, he estimated that he would be earning at least 500,000 yen in a month, which was enough to get his electricity and water bills paid and enough to get him food. He was in Tokyo University in a scholarship after all.
It was his second week working in the flower shop. He dressed casually in jeans and a t-shirt. He noticed that the 'fan girls' that came to the shop always did buy something - either it was a single rose or a bouquet of white daisies. He also noticed that they like to ogle over the florists - and soon he was one of the objects of their ogling. He would often get a headache when it was too much but was helped by the cold redhead. He always shooed them out when the screeching got beyond deafening level.
That lazy Friday afternoon, the flower shop was a lot peaceful. Mitsui was arranging the sunflowers in one neat row, trimming the stems with a pair of gardening scissors, when he heard the jingling sound of the bell, indicating that someone had just entered the shop.
"I didn't think you were serious when you said you would take the job up of a florist."
Mitsui turned sharply and found Koshino standing by the doorway, a box of cheesecake in hand. "Koshino!" Mitsui gasped, suddenly cutting his hand with the scissors he was holding to trim the stems of the sunflowers. "Ouch!" He quickly shoved his bleeding thumb in to his mouth.
"Oh god! I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to startle you!" Koshino gasped, digging out his handkerchief and taking Mitsui's finger out of his mouth and tightly pressing the piece of cloth to it, applying pressure. Mitsui winced a bit as Koshino pressed quite hard.
"I didn't know you were coming." Mitsui stated, a sheepish grin creeping up to his face.
"I wanted to surprise you." Koshino said, taking a look at the cut. "Oh - umm would you mind if Sendoh and Miyagi dropped by?"
Mitsui blinked. "No. It's been rather quiet around. I could use a bit of old friends." He smiled. Mitsui reached out behind the counter and took out the first aid kit. Koshino opened it and took out some rubbing alcohol, cleaning the wound and applying some ointment on the cut before wrapping a small brown bandage on it. "Nice of you to drop by."
Koshino nodded and gave him a small smile. "I got your neighbors cheesecake."
"And me?" Mitsui asked giving a small pout.
"I'm treating you to dinner." Koshino replied.
"Do I get to choose?" Mitsui asked, beaming happily.
"As you like." Koshino shrugged, and began to clear the first aid kit, when Yoji walked in from the back room.
"Why hello Koshino! How nice of you to drop by." Yoji shooked hands with the shorter boy. "How have you been?"
"I've been okay, Yoji-san, thank you. And you?" Koshino asked politely.
"Ah! Never been better." He gave him his sexy smile, when Aya walked in as well.
"Oh that reminds me!" Koshino said and headed for the counter, taking the yellow box and handing it to Yoji. "I got this for you guys. Enjoy!"
"Oh you shouldn't have!" Yoji said peeking in to the box. "Looks good too."
Koshino turned to look at Mitsui. "Anou, sempai, on my way here, I spotted a basketball court. Would you like to play?"
Mitsui smiled. "Sure! Why not - err -" He turned to look towards the two elder boys and met Aya's hard eyes. "I can go, can't I?"
"Yes, you may." Aya replied in his baritone.
Mitsui untied the apron around his waist, folded it neatly and chucked it under the counter. He rummaged through the back room and came out with a brand new orange basketball. "Let's go." He said, beaming.
Koshino nodded and both of them left, leaving Aya and Yoji watching them disappear down the streets, laughing and smiling.
*
Mitsui collapsed on the concrete floor of the court, sucking in deep breathes. They've been playing for nearly an hour, either just shooting or occasionally having a one-on-one game. Koshino was lying just next to him, breathing heavily and had his eyes closed.
"That was good! It's been a while since I actually played with an experienced partner." Mitsui said, grinning at the now dark sky.
"You've been busy." Koshino said.
"Yes." Mitsui closed his eyes. "I guess I have."
Several minutes passed by and they both just laid there. The minutes turned to half an hour. Only then did Koshino sit up and smiled down at Mitsui. "I'm hungry. Let's go to your place, change and then go for dinner."
"Yes, o mighty one." Mitsui got up and dusted his clothes. "Shall we?"
"Lead the way!"
They made their way back to Mitsui's apartment, and both took a quick shower and changed in to clean clothes. Koshino did remember to bring a set of clothes to change into. Both boys bounded out of the building once again and headed for a Chinese restaurant. Koshino ordered fried noodles, dumplings, buns, chicken and some soft drinks. Both teenagers ate and told each other stories about what has been happening on their side of town. Apparently Rukawa and Sakuragi had gone hiking in Mt. Fuji. Mitsui just could imagine how romantic it must be to be in such a breath-taking place. Dinner had turned out lovely. On their way home, they passed by a musical instrument shop. Mitsui found a black electric guitar with lightning sequences in blue on it. He smiled when he remembered how he learned how to play that instrument. Tetsuo had taught him. Who would have thought that the local big bad boy would know how to play an electric guitar? It was him who fired Mitsui's passion for the instrument. It was just a bit sad that he no longer play it anymore.
"It's nice isn't it?" Koshino asked, noticing how Mitsui has been staring at the instrument for quite some time.
"Yes. It is a fine piece." Mitsui nodded, his eyes still locked on the guitar.
"Do you know how to play it?" Koshino asked. Mitsui turned towards his direction and began to look at him in a funny way. "Sempai?"
"No." Mitsui said, shaking his head. "I - I don't know how to play an electric guitar." He answered, shrugging but once again looking at the instrument. "I don't know how to play an electric guitar." He repeated. He wondered what possessed him to lie to Koshino. Was it the look in the shorter boy's eyes? Those unknown emotions that lay hidden beneath those dark depths? He did not know. But there was something - something that told him to hide something very personal. "Let's go home."
Koshino followed Mitsui in silence, every once in a while looking behind him at the shop Mitsui had allowed his attention to linger for a long time. Koshino did not understand what was going on.
*
Koshino spent the night in Mitsui's apartment. After their dinner, they had taken a shower and changed in to their pajamas. Koshino had left a few clothes in his unoccupied room so that he did not have to worry about a set of change.
The night had been peaceful, and both boys spent their evening sitting in front of the TV watching some cheesy movie that was on. Koshino sat in one end of the couch, knees drawn to his chest. Mitsui occasionally would flick glances towards him, and noticed that the younger boy's head was lolling occasionally.
"You know, you can go to sleep." Mitsui announced, his eyes laughing.
"Don't you ever feel alone here sempai? It's very quiet." Koshino mumbled.
"Sometimes." He said, stretching his arms. "I am alone, Koshino. I learned it a long time ago, the hard way." He said, and sighed, switching the TV off. "It is quiet around here and I do miss Kannagawa, but I made this decision, so I will have to bear the burdens of the consequences." He turned to find Koshino staring at him with some unknown glow in his eyes.
"You're so -" Koshino stared at his eyes, and then trailed down to his nose then finally to his lips. He blinked, and then looked up in to his eyes again. "You're so brave sempai."
"No Koshino." Mitsui said, staring back. "I'm just a survivor."
Silence plagued the room that I became so loud, that it was deafening. Koshino opened his mouth to say something, but suddenly stopped. He buried his face in his hands and sighed. "Sempai, have you ever been in any sort of relationship?"
Mitsui blinked. "Not in a serious one."
"How do you mean?" Koshino looked up at him.
"Before Rukawa and Hanamichi got together, Rukawa and I were -" Mitsui pursed his lips in thought. "How do you put it nicely? Fuck buddies?" Koshino's eyes widened a bit. "Yup! It was more like relief. Never took it serious, until one day, I told Rukawa that it had to stop, and that he should find himself someone whom he could share a relationship with." Mitsui quirked his eyebrows. "Never occurred to me that he would go after the red head. Freshmen - they never cease to surprise me, you know?"
Koshino felt a smile tug his lips. "I might sound a little bit sentimental or sappy, but if there is one thing in this world that you'd wish to have, what would it be, sempai?"
Mitsui turned towards him again, tilting his head a bit. He thought about it. What would be the one thing that he'd want to have? He'd want happiness and peace, and someone that would love him back. Someone that he'd see himself getting old with, someone to share sweet memories and to hold during the cold and empty nights. A smile slowly tugged at his lips.
"I'll answer that next time, Koshino." Koshino blinked as Mitsui got to his feet. He patted Koshino's head and messed up his hair. "Get some sleep."
Koshino swatted Mitsui's hand away, a scowl on his face. Mitsui laughed and continued messing up the silken strands with two hands. Koshino got annoyed and with all his might, tackled the taller boy to the ground as they both began to wrestle. Koshino was dominant at first, but the tables turned and Mitsui had him pinned on the ground, his wrists on the sides of his head. Mitsui smirked down at him, but his expression changed when he saw Koshino's face filled with cold fear. His face complexion had gone extremely pale, and his eyes were wide, pupils dilated, and his breathing has gone faster.
"Please." He begged. "Be gentle. Please don't hurt me."
Mitsui quickly released him, pulling himself off the shorter boy. "Koshino, I - I would never hurt you."
Koshino quickly got to his feet, and muttered a soft apology, followed by an almost inaudible good night and headed for his bedroom. Mitsui stared at his hands, the very hands that held Koshino's wrists. He then looked up once more to stare at the doorway Koshino had walked through.
One thought flashed in to his mind. Did I do something bad?
*
The next day, Mitsui found Koshino in the kitchen, sitting on a stool, his head resting in his folded arms on the kitchen counter, a cup of black coffee beside him. There was a packet of cereal and an empty bowl waiting to be used, an apple and a knife. Mitsui sat across him and waited for Koshino to move. When he got no response, he cleared his throat.
"Good morning." He said, taking the cereal and pouring some in to the bowl.
Koshino slowly looked up and he looked terrible. There were bags under his eyes, he was deathly pale, his eyes were a bit red as if he had been crying, his limbs shook from some unknown cold breeze and his hair simply hung on his face, no life in it in any form. "Good morning, sempai." His voice was low, and almost choked.
"Koshino you don't look too good." Mitsui reached out to touch his forehead when Koshino suddenly flinched before he could even make skin contact. Mitsui felt offended and decided not to do anything just yet. "Do you have a headache?"
"A little." Koshino mumbled. "I'm sorry."
Mitsui poured some milk in to his bowl. Mitsui spared a glance at Koshino and found him staring in to his cup of coffee. "Forget it, Koshino." He said, and took some aspirins from one of the kitchen cupboards, and gave two to Koshino. "Here."
"Thanks." Koshino swallowed it without another word, before allowing his head to drop in to his folded arms again. Mitsui ate his breakfast in silence, and began to clear up. Koshino was still in his half sitting, half bent position, unmoved.
"I'll be in the flower shop, okay? Need anything, I'll be down stairs." Mitsui said, and headed for the entrance.
"Bye." Koshino mumbled, and Mitsui left for work.
The flower shop was already packed. Mitsui quickly began to help Yoji with the orders, fixing up a bouquet for one customer, then cashing their payment, then taking in another order - the chain just went on and on. By mid-afternoon, Mitsui had a headache. His shift was over, and there he was sitting on one of the stools in the flower shop, his palms on his brows.
"You okay?" Yoji nudged him.
"I'm fine." He lied.
"Don't look to good."
"I have a headache."
"That's bad." Yoji shook something in front of him. Mitsui looked up and found Yoji handing him a bottle of aspirins. "Take some."
"Thanks." Mitsui mumbled and took two, swallowing them dry. His headache was a bit too much. He was exhausted from running about, carrying plants and pots. He shakily got to his feet and tried to stand, but his knees buckled and he felt himself falling.
"Whoa!" Yoji stuck his hands out just in time to catch Mitsui. "Easy there, Mit-chan!" Mitsui gave him a glare about the nickname. "What? Mit-chan sounds cute on you." Yoji winked. "Come on!" Yoji wrapped Mitsui's arm around his shoulders and held him by the waist. "I'll help you upstairs."
"Thanks." Mitsui breathed out shakily, as he made his way up the stairs to his apartment, Yoji helping him. He unlocked his door and entered, and was a bit surprised to find the place extra clean. "Would you like a drink?"
"Sure!" Yoji said, smiling and sitting himself on the couch. Mitsui disappeared in to the kitchen and found a plate with a sub-sandwich and some salad waiting for him. He knew that Koshino had left for Kannagawa, because leaving a snack on the table was a trademark of his, like a word of thanks, only in a more materialistic way.
Mitsui searched for some beer and went outside, handing one to Yoji. "So you and Koshino are together or something?"
Mitsui nearly choked on his drink. "What?" He gave Yoji his my-eyes-are- popping-out-because-of-what-you-just-said.
"Oh come one!" Yoji waved a hand, shaking his head, his wavy mop of blonde hair swinging with his head's movement a bit.
"What do you mean come on? Koshino is my friend, for crying out loud." Mitsui said, taking a long nervous sip from his can of beer.
"Oh I get it!" Yoji said, smirking. Mitsui looked up from his can, and raised an eyebrow towards the blonde. "You like him, but he doesn't know you like him. Or is it love now?"
Mitsui blushed a bit. Really, Yoji Kudou had a way with people. He can make the most complicated things look simple and child's play. He was a great guy, a bit of a playboy, but a great guy never the less. He's easy to talk too, and he's got style - although the style he uses tended to tilt towards the gothic fashion, nevertheless, he was still a great guy.
"It's none of that!" Mitsui said, drinking again from his can. "Why would you assume things like that anyway, Yoji-san?"
"I don't assume, Mit-chan! I know these things. It's so obvious." Yoji threw his arm behind the couch, looking at Mitsui from above the rim of his expensive sunglasses. "I've seen the way you look at him, the way you seem to be rather extra nice."
"That does not prove anything." Mitsui defended.
"Oh it proves a lot." Yoji said, smirking again. "Believe me, I know these things." Mitsui simply shrugged. "So are you two together?"
"No, we're not!" Mitsui said again, blushing. "He's a friend, and will remain as one."
"With you hurting in the background?" Yoji asked, emptying his can of beer. "Don't worry Mitsui, I've been through that phase before. It's hard, but if you don't do anything about, you'll hurt even more, especially if that special someone found someone else."
"What do you mean?" Mitsui asked.
"I mean," Yoji stood up and tilted Mitsui's face up towards his. "You should think about it." Mitsui blushed beetroot at their closeness, sure, Yoji was a great guy, but he was also sexy, irresistible and gorgeous. "Think about it, Mit-chan." He whispered, jade eyes flashing. "You never know how much one really means to you until they're gone." Mitsui nodded, and Yoji straightened, sauntering towards the door. "Good night, Mit-chan!"
The door closed lightly.
Mitsui stared at his can of beer. His mind was suddenly blank.
TBC
This is a short one. Normally, I write 9 pages in MS Word, but this is only 8 pages. Yah, I like writing long.
Eye candy, minna?