It was a miracle that Minato hadn't laughed in Toji's face at his ludicrous confession. In an even bigger surprise, he found himself walking side by side making small talk together. Out of fear he'd suddenly lose sight of Minato again, he's reluctant to look anywhere else. He doesn't watch where he's going, causing him to nearly collide with other pedestrians along the sidewalk.

Toji can't stop himself from asking the unavoidable question.

"So…You're a guy?"

"For right now. This is how I usually am when I go out, but sometimes it suits me fine to be a woman," Minato replies.

"Like when you're going on a date?" he asks, piecing together the snippets of what he remembered from their last encounter. Minato, as a woman, mentioned two men's names. Judging by the way she was dressed, it was clear what the intentions of that night would have been.

"Hey, it's not my fault all the men I meet are homophobic. They get one look at me in a skirt and that gets their motor going, but when I put on their clothes the next morning to make breakfast, they freak out."

Testingly, he glares sideways at Toji. "Are you going to freak out on me since I'm dressed like this?"

"Why would I? I've been losing my mind looking for you," Toji confesses freely. He doesn't care if it sounds asinine. Minato's gender doesn't change how he feels about her–Him.

Shit, he's going to have to learn how to tell the difference when Minato decides to switch. At least his name is neutral and can go either way. Oddly the thought doesn't perplex Toji, but instead eases a secret smile across his face. He watches Minato's hand swinging back and forth as they walk, wondering briefly if he were to make an attempt to reach if it would be pulled away. There would certainly be a reaction around the two of them if he didn't resist. People might have backlash to spare for seeing two men holding hands publicly.

That thought only goads Toji further, nearly making him try for it, but Minato swears suddenly and stops short right in front of him.

"Shit!"

"What's wrong?" Toji asks, snapping out of his musings.

Minato ducks, grabbing Toji by his arm to pull him behind a phone booth out of sight. His heart is in his throat at the contact, even though it's much more pinching than tender.

"See that building across the street with the painted red steps? That's where I live."

"Okay?"

Minato points at a woman in a long pink and blue floral pattern dress and matching frock coat seated on those steps. "And that lady with the sour face is my mother."

"Ah. So…Why are we hiding?" Toji asks cluelessly.

"Let's just say my family doesn't exactly approve of how I choose to live my life. They like to get involved and try to convince me to 'be more ladylike' and other dumb shit like that. She's terrified I'll end up a spinster like her sister. Who's totally a lesbian by the way, but doesn't want anyone in the family to know."

The woman on the steps checks her watch, raising her eyebrows in a punitive expression. She doesn't look like she's leaving anytime soon, glancing up the street one way then down the other. Clearly keeping a watchful eye out.

Then she turns toward the phone booth. Minato and Toji jerk back out of view, but not quite fast enough. Minato shuts his eyes in a pitiful attempt to will himself invisible.

"MINA-CHAAAN! You come out this instant! I can see you hiding back there!"

The physical pain flashes on Minato's face at being caught and he groans miserably at the feminization of his name.

"Fuck…"

He steps out into view, but his mother is already crossing the street with anger in each stride.

"Okaasan, I didn't know you were stopping by tonight. I'm sorry, my place is kind of a mess right now. I'm afraid I'm not prepared for a visit," he attempts with restraint.

His mother isn't buying his excuse, particularly as she notices Toji looming close behind. It's obvious they were together and on the verge of walking into Minato's supposedly unavailable apartment.

"And who's this? Another one of your bar flies?"

"Flings, Okaasan. They're called barflings. He's a… friend." Minato corrects pointedly, as if this were somehow any better in his mother's eyes. Her views of sex positivity were practically non-existant, believing anything physical before marriage was disgraceful.

Toji freezes as the astringent woman glares at him, scrutinizing every fiber of his clothing. He's not dressed well, but he never is. Baggy sweats and T-shirts were easiest to maintain and cheap to replace. Impressing someone with how much he spends on his wardrobe has never been important to him. This encounter however does make him feel strangely disconcerted with his appearance for once.

He can feel his irritation simmering below the surface.

"Does this friend of yours have a name?" she asks without looking away from the enormous man in front of her.

"Of course, Okaasan. His name is Toji Zenji."

"Zen'in." he mutters in correction before he realizes that was a poor choice. Proving Minato didn't remember his last name didn't make this situation look any less scandalous than it already was.

"Right, sorry. Toji Zen'in, this is my mother, Yua Fushiguro."

It's a clumsy introduction on his part, but Minato is still struggling to come up with an adequate excuse to cut this little reunion short. His brain is shorting out from embarrassment.

"It's nice to meet you," Toji recites with robotic emptiness. Social situations have never been his forte and this unexpectedly stressful interaction is no exception.

Yua wrinkles her nose, not liking the smell rolling off Toji's body. He'd broken a sweat chasing after Minato, and the heavy musk of bar smoke from where they'd run into one another beforehand lingered resistantly on him.

"So, Toji Zen'in, what is your career?" she inquires without sounding particularly interested.

Uhh…career? Shit.

Noticing his hesitation, she crosses her arms. "You do have a job, do you not?"

"Sure I do," he mutters, sweat beading from his temple.

Maybe if she thought he made good money (legitimately) that would help Minato's image, but what was a remarkable job that would impress her? Doctor and lawyer were out. He didn't even finish high school, much less any college classes. She'd see through that in an instant. He's becoming self conscious of his short-comings. There's nothing he can offer Minato as an honorable way to provide for them. He's a lowlife compared to any other citizen on the street. If anyone knew what he did for work, they'd run the other way. His fists ball up at his sides and he feels his face growing hot.

"Well?" she presses with impatience.

Thankfully Minato comes to Toji's rescue, cutting between the two of them.

"Leave him alone! I don't care what he does for work. Not everyone values other people based on how they make money."

Switching directly into another criticism, Yua seemingly notices the way Minato is presenting for the first time and tsks with disapproval.

"I wish you'd dress yourself better and quit this foolishness of dressing like a boy. I spent good money on your clothes, Mina-chan. You never wear them. That's probably why you can't attract anyone but these no-good thug types."

Minato's head sinks between his shoulders, wishing he could vanish through the cement of the sidewalk and out of this conversation. Of course she'd bring up his exes right in front of his date. She loved pointing out his flaws and pretending as if he's never once tried talking to her about his identity. This is too much all at once. His eyes are stinging from the tears building up.

"Excuse me," Toji interjects, surprising everyone including himself.

Yua narrows her eyes dangerously. "Yes? What could you possibly have to say?"

"Plenty. But for starters, you keep referring to Minato as 'chan.'"

"What of it?"

"Stop that," he snaps with more menace than he intended. His eyes are cold and threatening.

"Maybe try 'kun' instead."

She dropped her arms and took a step back, her face turning full crimson from outrage at being intimidated. Toji sees where Minato's temper comes from.

"Now see here, you're not going to tell me how I speak to my daughter!"

"Of course not. I'm telling you how to speak to your son. And your son already explained he's not expecting surprise visitors tonight. Maybe the polite thing to do is for you to leave until you're invited back," he suggests in a manner that is clearly no suggestion.

Looking for support, Yua Fushiguro turns to Minato, who merely shrugs and smiles apologetically, offering nothing more. This ignites his mother.

"You're going to let him speak to me this way?"

"I guess I am. I'll call you when my apartment is clean, Okaasan. Thanks for stopping by." Minato dips his head respectfully.

Yua's nostrils flare angrily as she at first seems to be searching for her own protest to this whole ordeal, but she's outnumbered. There's nothing more she can do aside from purposefully knocking past Minato's shoulder as she blusters by. Calling back without turning around,

"Your sister never treats me this way!"

As an aside, Minato turns to Toji and whispers, "That's because she's afraid mom will find out she's working in a hostess club. It's a total guilt trip."

Looking down, he sees Minato's hand clasping his. When did that happen?

He manages a weak laugh, his humor severely weakened by his conscience. Yua's accusations and scrutiny only hit on an important issue he'd been overlooking throughout his search for Minato. Getting involved with him was dangerous. He'd be putting Minato's life at risk if they were to pursue anything serious.

But Minato had called him a fling, which was probably true. It stung, but it was his allowance to linger as Minato led the way to his apartment. Toji concentrates on their contact. He doesn't know what Minato's full intentions are.

His grip tightens around the slender fingers in his hand.

"Home sweet home," Minato announces, opening the door to a modestly furnished apartment. He wasn't lying about the mess. There were beer cans and cigarette butts littering the floor, a few of the latter had been stepped on and trampled into the carpet, creating permanent grey stains freckling the walkway.

"Thank you for having me," Toji replies respectfully.

"Sorry if what happened outside made you change your mind."

Laughing aloud. Minato tosses his house keys across the bar, picking up a hair tie and beginning to pull back his hair.

"Are you joking? You told off my mother! I'm about to give you the blowjob of a lifetime, Sir."

Without much ado, Toji is led by the hand to a bedroom cluttered with men's clothes on both the floor and across a queen sized mattress. Maybe they're not all Minato's, but he doesn't particularly care. He's pushed onto a mattress that creaks even louder than his own, and Minato hums a tune lightly to himself as he reaches to untie Toji's sweatpants.

The older man tenses and pauses Minato's actions with both hands.

"Hey, uh…Not to sound like I'm being ungrateful or anything, but can we do something else instead?" Toji asks in a hushed voice.

"Hm? You don't want head?"

"Maybe later," he replies evenly.

"Well, alright. What did you have in mind?" Minato flops down beside him, propping up his head on his fist and eying the man in his bed up and down with a lascivious grin.

Readjusting so he's sitting upright, Toji appears thoughtful for a moment.

"We could talk? Or I could just hold you if you'd like?"

The boy laughs out loud as if he'd heard a joke, then realizing his guest is being serious, Minato cuts himself short.

"You can drop the nice guy act. You're already in my apartment."

Toji's mouth sets in a severe frown. "I don't have an act. I just thought it'd be nice to get to know you more."

"Why?"

"I told you why. Because I'm in lo-"

"OH, MY GOD! You were being serious?!" Minato's face loses all color, appearing as if he may pass out.

"Why else would I say something like that?" he simmers, annoyed that he hadn't been believed in the first place.

"To sleep with me! Guys are always saying crazy stuff to get laid…But you- Oh, fuck! You actually like me? Well, that's not the word you used but…FUCK! Really?!" He sounds more outraged than appreciative.

"I'm sorry?" Toji offers.

"No, no, it's fine. But you don't even know me! You can't possibly be in love with me. That's crazy!" Minato protests, pacing the expanse of the room now in sheer panic.

Toji watches pensively, rubbing the back of his neck. This wasn't the reaction he was expecting. Should he have just kept his mouth shut? No, there's no way he would have been able to. Even if all they did was screw casually like Minato was intending in the first place, he wouldn't have been able to hold back from pouring out his true feelings. It was crazy of him…

"I can leave if you want me to," he offers, already on his way up from the mattress.

"No! Stay!" Minato points a commanding finger.

"You sure? You seem upset…"

"I'm not upset! I'm- I'm…Thrilled! Okay?!" Despite his words, Minato is utterly frantic.

"Uh, you'll have to forgive me for asking, but…Why are you agitated if you're so thrilled?"

"Because I like you too!"

"You do?" Toji beams.

"Yes!"

"And that's a problem?"

Minato draws closer, looking very serious. He swallows hard before speaking.

"I…I've never liked someone as a guy. At least, when I do, they never like me as a man. It gets too complicated for them, so they'd rather have me as a woman instead….But I just get so bored with that! You'd have to understand that I'm never going to be all woman, for you or anyone else. It's only going to be whenever I feel like it."

The older man nods his head, seeing no issues. "That's fine."

"Stop that!" Minato snaps, stomping his foot.

"Stop what?"

Minato shoves Toji's shoulders but he doesn't budge. So he resorts to smacking on his guest's chest with closed fists. "You're just saying what you think I want to hear!"

He takes Minato's hands, holding them tight before he catches another swing. "I'm not. I'm saying what I mean. When I saw you tonight, I recognized you, and my first concern wasn't how you're dressed. I was thinking… 'What if this is my only shot to prove to you that I'm worth your time?'"

There's understanding in Minato's voice as he breathes a single "Oh…"

Toji's eyes are solemn. "And to tell you the truth, I'm not. What your mother said, it wasn't too far off. About me being no-good. I'm not in a legitimate line of work. And you're probably much safer without me in your life….It was selfish to try finding you again. I see that now. I'm sorry, Minato-kun. I won't bother you anymore."

His words are making him spiral, but he can't stop himself. Luckily he doesn't have to. The soft sensation of lips against his startles him. Minato's hands hold his face, not that he would have the strength to pull away from him. Wanting to keep the contact just a little longer, Toji lays his palm over one of those hands.

Minato smiles, swiping his thumb along the scar at the left corner of Toji's mouth.

"If you're a no-good degenerate who pisses my mom off, you're just my type. And I'm glad you found me, Toji-san."

Toji no longer has a need for words. He scoops the slender boy onto his lap. With one hand cradling his head, he leans in to kiss him again. The eagerness in the response he receives goads him on with the taste of Minato's tongue on his. Toji's hands are undressing him before he realizes what he's doing. Minato's trousers are pulled off easily, leaving him in only black cotton briefs and his oversized shirt that swallows him up to his wrists.

His fingers tangle in Minato's soft hair as he lays him back on the bed with care. His strong hands follow the narrow curves of Minato's waist, eagerly flexing in place with a preemptive motion. Without even meaning to, his own hips shift forward, earning a high pitched whimper. He hums in response, moving the boy in place beneath him to hear more of those sweet sounds, placing his ear closer to those softly parted lips.

"Minato-kun," Toji says for no reason, other than to give the boy a tremble from head to toe.

He receives no other response, but feels Minato's grip on the front of his shirt tighten. He says it again, letting his words resonate against the boy's ear meaningfully, baiting him to make a sound.

"Good boy…"

Minato's whimpers are impossible to hide at the unexpected praise. Nobody has ever called him that before. His stomach flutters, flipping in full circles as the man he just met trails more burning kisses down his neck. When he feels a caress across his breasts, he shrinks back only for a second before swatting the hand lower. They don't come back up, following his direction with eagerness to open Minato's legs. Toji sinks lower, inhaling the scent of skin and sweat through Minato's clothing, memorizing and treasuring it.

He's replayed their last meeting so many times. That taste he craves is just out of reach. When his fingers press through the cotton of Minato's underwear, teasing what's to come, his control vanishes. Just as he's about to begin, a sharp blow from a well aimed heel clips the side of Toji's face in a glancing blow. He's caught off guard and staggers back with a hand to his face.

Minato looks mortified at his offense. "S-sorry! Are you alright, Toji-san?!"

"Ow…You're trying real hard to make that a kink of mine, but I don't think it's working," Toji gripes, rubbing his sore jaw. It was a nice kick he had to admit.

"It was just a reflex, I swear! I thought you were gonna put your mouth on me and I freaked out. I'm really sorry." Minato apologizes profusely, blushing through both hands in utmost humiliation.

"You don't want me doing that?"

He shakes his head, cheeks ablaze. "No! Thank you, but no."

Toji sits in confused silence for several seconds while rubbing his jaw.

"I'm sorry…Did I confuse you for the person who staggered into my workspace and made me eat them out to full completion? Am I mistaken?"

"No, you're not. I'm sorry," Minato repeats, his face sinking lower into his hands.

"This is what I meant when I said it gets complicated dating me as a man. Things like that…They don't feel right all the time. Sometimes it feels… wrong. Like how my body looks and feels…It's all wrong."

"Ah, okay. That makes sense," Toji shrugs easily.

"Does it?"

"Well, yeah. If you only liked that as a girl, maybe it's too much to work around right now. Since you're a man."

"I mean, yeah. Exactly," Minato relaxes a bit when he realizes he isn't going to be chastised for kicking him twice now. The guy must really be in love with him to be so forgiving.

"So what feels good when you're a man?" he asks, taking Minato's chin between his fingers. The boy's eyes had started drifting down again, but he didn't want the moment to end like this.

"I don't know. I haven't had much experience as a man," Minato confesses finally.

"That's alright. We can start off slow. I'd really like that."

Toji tucks the boy's head under his chin. His bedmate rolls in place, scooting his hips backward until they're closer, fitting so naturally with Minato's back to Toji's broad chest.

"What if we just lie here a while? I'd be more than satisfied with that." he whispers.

"I won't fight it. It's nice," Minato agrees.

Warm bare legs wrap around Toji's and his heart races in response. It doesn't feel real. He's terrified he'll wake up from what would undoubtedly be the cruelest dream his subconscious has ever manifested. It isn't long before he has to bury his nose in the boy's hair, breathing in deeply. Anything to solidify the importance of this moment into his reality. Eventually this leads to a response from his body, prodding Minato in his lower back. With a little adjusting, it becomes clear it isn't going away anytime soon.

"Sorry," he mutters.

"You should be," Minato grins, turning his head to see the blush creeping across Toji's face.

"You're wearing more clothes than me."

"Should I–"

"Yes you should."

"Ah, Okay."

Gingerly the man strips out of his pants, doing as he's told though not convinced this would be better for his situation. Until he feels the incredible softness between Minato's thighs hugging around his erection. His eyes close on their own, fingers gripping Minato's waist tighter to pull him snug against his entire body. There's an audible sigh from both sides of the narrow mattress. Minato shifts in place, relishing Toji's presence between his legs and catching their reflection in the cracked dresser mirror across from his bed.

Reaching down, he prompts Toji's erection with a brushing of his fingers, feeling it flex. The man behind him gulps audibly, unable to read what's going through his new partner's mind, but watching expectantly.

"Everything okay?" he asks, ready to withdraw if needed.

Minato grins. "Yeah. I was just thinking …You look good on me."

Toji stops writing, checking over his words one last time. Yeah, that should suffice. He could be more detailed, but he didn't have the time or the stomach. From his peripheral he can already see Junpei jogging over to the car again, albeit a little too quickly to be inconspicuous. Jumping in the passenger seat, he quickly shuts the door behind him.

"Are…you writing in my textbook?" he asks in alarm.

"It was all you had. So," Toji reaches for the pages he'd scribbled on, taking them between his fingers.

Riiiiiiiiiipp!

"Sensei! That's school property, it doesn't even belong to me!" Junpei protests, dreading the cost of having to replace a textbook at the end of the year.

"It does now. Read over this, memorize it, then burn it. Hear me? I don't want anyone ever finding out we had this exchange, or it's your ass. Got it?" Toji snarls.

Gulping, Junpei can only nod, taking the folded papers from his teacher and muttering his thanks. He counts his blessings that Toji was willing to help him at all. He could have laughed in the boy's crying face and told him to figure it out on his own.

"Thank you, Sensei."

"Shut up. Don't fucking talk to me about this ever again," Toji threatens.

Thinking only a moment before he acts, he punches the boy in his arm anyway, knocking him into the door with a loud Oof!

Rubbing the spot sorely, Junpei only bows his head, thankful that his chastising had been brief. He was expecting far more. He exits the vehicle meekly.

"Good night, Sensei."

"Never again!" Toji repeats, tires squealing as he speeds away.

Gulping hard, Junpei peers down at the papers in his hand, then folds the bundle smaller and tucks them away. That literature book isn't going to be cheap to replace, and he doesn't get an allowance. He's also going to have to figure something out when it comes to reading and remembering the chapter Toji defaced so he can pass the assignment, but that burden isn't yet weighing on him. Even with the aching pulse of the knot forming on his bicep from the force of Toji's punch, there's an enormous smile on his face. The pain is well worth it.

As he's walking into his bedroom, he's about to burst from giddiness. Without wasting time, he chucks his bag to the floor and pulls out the notes from his pocket. He's nervous, and even embarrassed, but curious nonetheless. The short story Toji decided to use had wide margins between each chapter end, leaving a tiny bit of room for him to write beneath each pause. Carefully, Junpei reads the first note.

Keep things equal. Anything you do can be done back to you.

"Huh?"

That's hardly explicit, and certainly not warranting a ruined textbook for such vague advice that could have been easily said out loud. His initial disappointment aside, Junpei checks the next text break for something more helpful.

Stay on the outside on the worst days. There's always other places to go.

What does that mean? He doesn't understand. The next entry is even more vague, feeding his frustration.

You fit together. Remind him who he is.

Ugh! Junpei is getting seriously annoyed now. He flips to the last note. It's a single word.

Water.

"That motherfucker!" he swears a little too loudly.

There's a knock at his door. From the other side his mother voices her concern.

"Sweetie? Is everything alright?"

"Uh, Yeah, Sorry. Just wrestling with some word problems right now." he mumbles truthfully.

"Okay. Just watch your language, mister."

"Sorry, Mom."

He sits on his bed, still clutching the pages. To say he's disappointed is a huge understatement. The covert way Toji had been acting made him assume there would be some actual advice, not a bunch of ambiguous messages. Plus he'll have to worry about the school assignment that would require these pages now too. He's supposed to destroy the evidence after memorizing what his sensei wrote.

At least the latter part shouldn't be too hard.

Hoping some secret meaning may somehow show itself, Junpei mulls over the notes again and again, drilling them into his brain despite his irritation.

Keep things equal. Anything you do can be done back to you.

Stay on the outside on the worst days. There's always other places to go.

You fit together. Remind him who he is.

Water…..

What does it all mean?

You're hard at work in the kitchen by the time you hear Toji's keys in the front door. Noticing he was taking forever, and thinking he might be in a better mood after eating, you'd decided to make dinner.

"Hey. You get lost or something? What took so long?" you call over your shoulder without turning around.

Without pausing to reply to you, he instead heads right for the balcony, slamming the sliding door shut behind him.

"Jeez. What's up his ass?" you mutter under your breath.

He must really be annoyed with you. There's a small lump in your stomach at that thought. It wasn't like you needed Toji's approval or anything, but still…

With everything finished, you set the table, making sure to heap a larger serving onto one of the plates so he'd know which was his. All in all, it's not a bad job. Now to call in the grump to eat.

You tap on the glass, but he doesn't turn around. Stubborn ass. You slide the door open and step outside to join him at the railing. Then realize he isn't even smoking.

"Sensei?"

Toji rubs his face wearily before finally shifting his attention over to you. His expression is tired, and you can practically count the bags under his eyes.

"Is everything okay?" you ask cautiously. It's unnerving seeing him like this.

He heaves a long sigh. "Yeah. Sure."

Well that wasn't very convincing.

"Alright. Well…Food's ready. If you want any."

You leave the sliding door open, hoping the smell will help entice him. It seems to work as he joins you shortly after, sitting across from you and appraising the eggs, potatoes and sausage you'd placed for him. The same thing he'd made for you after he found you.

Toji watches you eat, both elbows on the table in the same way he himself did out of bad habit. There's a lump growing in his throat, but he swallows it down.

"Son?"

The endearment catches off guard, making you jerk your head up suddenly with your mouth still full.

"That Yoshino boy…He really cares alot about you."

Not sure what he's getting at, you nod your head, turning your attention back to your food.

"Mm-hmm. Yeah, he does."

"I'm happy for you," Toji whispers with a smile that you don't catch.

"Thanks." you reply awkwardly.

Damn. Your cooking must be getting a lot better.

.

.

.

.

"-But then it turned out in the end, the demon the guy had summoned was actually his girlfriend!"

"Uh-huh," Junpei replies automatically, giving no indication he's really listening.

It's early Monday morning, and you're talking to Junpei on the way to school.

That is, you're trying to talk to Junpei, but for some reason the guy seems like he's on another planet today. He barely reacts as you're telling him the plot of the scary movie you saw on television last night.

"Are you sure you're alright? You're really quiet…" you comment.

Junpei shrugs. "Mm. Just tired I guess. Haven't been sleeping well lately."

It's a poor excuse, but not exactly a lie.

After the confusing and uninspiring advice from Toji, Junpei had resorted to his last option: the internet. More specifically, adult video sites. A decision that only left him feeling even more perplexed and embarrassed afterward.

As it turns out, pornographic websites aren't the best place for trying to learn about giving someone an orgasm, particularly if they had a vagina. Right away he noticed there was vastly more focus on transgender women than men in porn, leading him to begrudgingly venture to watching anything with vaginal penetration instead, but he quickly became too flustered to go through with much of that. His fleeting courage ran out after only a few minutes when he realized how easily something like this could be traced through his phone plan by his mother. He panicked and closed the website, wiping it from his history as well just to be safe. All night long he laid awake with lewd visions in his head that weren't helpful in the least.

It was yet another dead end.

"Hey! Earth to Junpei, do you read me?" you practically holler into his ear.

"Ah! Yes! Sorry, what?" he sputters while blushing.

"Jeez. Maybe you need coffee or something to wake up. We can stop by a convenience store before class if you want?" you suggest.

"No, thanks. I'll be fine," he insists.

But by first period, he still hadn't perked much, even when you excitedly showed him your vastly improved score for the last math quiz.

"Looks like all our studying together is actually paying off," you beamed.

He gave you a thumbs up and attempted to mirror your smile, but it failed to reach his eyes. He must seriously be upset today. You have a feeling you know why too.

As the two of you are on the way to lunch, you hook your arm through his. Instead of your usual spot on the roof, you suggest ducking into the theater room.

"Here? But…What about last time?" he asks, his voice tinged with worry.

You merely scoff. "What about last time? You think Nishimura and his flunkies want to catch a double beating from us again?"

For the first time all day, he laughs for real, albeit just a tiny chuckle. You were right though. It was satisfying to see the shocked expressions on Honda's and Sayama's faces when they realized Junpei was actually handling his own for once against them. He's not nearly as afraid of the trio as he once was. That was all thanks to you.

As always, the room is vacant at this time. There wouldn't be a meeting of the drama club for another hour at least. You should have plenty of time for what you're planning.

Seating yourself in one of the multiple folding auditorium chairs, you hold down the one next to you for Junpei to take as well. He takes notice finally that unlike him, you haven't brought anything resembling a lunchbox with you today.

"You're not planning on eating here are you?" he asks with dawning realization.

You're impressed he's gotten so perceptive in such a short time. His accusation is correct. You put an arm around his shoulders instead.

"I guess not," you crack a mischievous grin.

In the dead silence of the auditorium, you hear him gulp. Good. You want him to be slightly unnerved. With your free hand, you caress his face with the back of your fingers, just enough to make his eyelashes flutter at the touch. He squirms, keeping his eyes tightly closed. It's too dark to see, but you feel the heat radiating from his face. You tuck his hair behind his ear, humming as he leans into your hand. Your nails lightly skate across his parted lips. It only takes a little convincing to coax his tongue to greet your fingers, and he does so with more enthusiasm than you'd been expecting.

How cute.

Placing your chin on his shoulder, you speak directly into his ear.

"Junpei, that was a pretty clever trick you played on me at the aquarium Saturday."

"Was it?"

"Sure was. And I warned you that I'd be thinking of ways to get even…"

"Wait! What are you doing?"

But he quickly pieces together your intentions as your hand disappears down the front of his pants. He has to muffle his initial response in the crook of his arm to keep from audibly moaning. Sound carries too well in an empty theater.

"Junpei…You've been down all day, and I think I know the reason why," you hum.

"Y-you do?!" he stammers with wide eyes.

"That's right. You must feel bad for what happened in the jellyfish room, don't you? It's so obvious. But I promise you don't have any reason to. If I wanted you to stop touching me, I would have stopped you." As you speak, your hand drifts lower, stroking between his legs with aching slowness.

"So maybe this will even things out between us…"

Junpei squirms in place, eyes darting nervously to the door, but you'd already thought of that.

"No worries. I jammed the door latch with a few coins. I took a page out of your book to make sure no one else comes in."

"Huh?!" he startles.

A page out of your book

There's no way you could have known the effect these words would have on him. All he can think of is the book Toji took pages from to give him advice, and the first thing his sensei had written:

Keep things equal. Anything you do can be done back to you.

You'd said you wanted to get even with Junpei for what happened before. Is this what you meant? So…He should let you do this, right?

When your hand slips beneath him entirely, pressing with curiosity, he yelps with surprise. Through the fabric of his underwear you feel his ass tightening against your fingertips. You ignore the rest of his body and focus on that spot alone, mimicking the same gentle circular motions he'd done to you.

"F-Fushiguro! What are you doing?!" he whisper-yells in a hiss.

"Don't worry, I'm not going any further than this for now. How does it feel?" you ask, pressing a soft kiss to his cheek, keeping your face close enough to hear his staggered breathing.

"I..I don't know," he confesses. His face feels so hot, and he can't keep himself from shifting in place as your fingers tentatively explore him. Tiny jolts of strange new sensations wash over him from head to toe, painting his vision in spots. He makes a small, desperate whine from the back of his throat.

"You sound as if you like it." Teasingly you drag your tongue across his cheek until his eyes roll back.

His control snaps like a string.

"Oh, God!" Junpei gasps and throws his arms around your neck. You can feel his entire body trembling. Your name slips from his lips in a needy voice. He isn't stopping you. Far from it actually. His feet come up, bracing on the back of the seats in front of him for leverage. He rocks back and forth, trying to increase the friction. He can't believe how good it feels being touched there by you.

Your fingers slip down his thigh, finding the opening you're looking for in his underwear.

"Is this what you want?" you ask to be sure.

"Yes! Yes, please. I just…I just want to feel you more," he begs. His eyes are still clenched shut, it's taking all of his courage to tell you to keep going, but it feels too good to interrupt.

When you touch him again, he groans, curling his fingers into your jacket.

"Ah! Oh, my God…."

He's tight, but begins to relax slowly as you ease your first two fingers across his opening. He flinches, spasming with each tickling caress. He'd anticipated it to hurt or at least be a little uncomfortable, but you're being so slow and gentle that he can't help but melt in response. Feeling helpless in your arms like this, surrendering to your plans for him, Junpei is losing himself in the experience easily, forgetting his initial fear of being touched down there altogether.

Yes, this is exactly what he wants for you too. Pure ecstasy. Even now you're inspiring him to do better next time.

"Junpei, you really like this, don't you?" you ask with a satisfied grin.

"It's so good! It's so, so good, Fushiguro!" he exalts

Silencing him with a kiss, you reluctantly pull your hand free with much protesting from him. His breathing slows gradually as he twists in place in his seat, missing your touch already. If only you didn't have more classes to get to, you'd love nothing more than to keep teasing him. You've accomplished your intention for now. The shy smile lighting up his face is visible even in the dim lighting.

"It's good to see you happy again, Junpei. Do you think you'll have a better day now?" you ask.

He laughs, hiding his blushing face in both of his hands. His heart is still pounding. He can't believe how good you make him feel.

"Of course I will," he promises as he peeks between his fingers.

You've given him plenty to think about.

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To Be Continued…