To read just the smut, go to chapter 2.

This was inspired by the Kurumi Tokisaki: after date style figurine. Pictures are NSFW.


Brighten up the Garden

Chapter One

"Do you want to sleep with my girlfriend?" Mutsunokami held a pot of daffodils as he spoke.

Yamanbagiri stood frozen on the other side of the counter. Mutsunokami's coin change was in Yamanbagiri's palm. He was supposed to place it in the blue tray and Mutsunokami should've taken the money and left for the nearby train station. That always happened with previous visits.

Mutsunokami looked prim and proper in his transit uniform as he smiled. Yamanbagiri's eyes narrowed. What was he so happy about? What was Yamanbagiri supposed to say? Was Sen aware of what he was arranging?

"Brother, can you assist me?" Horikawa called out as he watered a shelf of plants.

"Text me, okay, Ya-chan?" Mutsunokami patted the other's shoulder. "We'll figure out where to go on a date. It'll be like how it was in high school."

Yamanbagiri winced at the mention of the past; he'd rather not relive his childhood. Too many highlights included hiding in the school garden from bullies. Mutsunokami left the flower shop with his daffodils and change while Yamanbagiri remained still by the cash register. Why, after all these years, had Mutsunokami asked such a thing? And, above all, why did Mutsunokami and Sen choose him?


"Ya-chan, what do you like on your okonomiyaki?" Mutsunokami sat across from the blond. He leaned forward with his elbow on the table's edge, flexing his broad forearm.

Three okonomiyaki sizzled on the table top grill. The batter between the bonito flakes and cabbage turned golden. The bacon began to brown at the bottom. Yamanbagiri had been to these restaurants with his family; he knew what to do, but the company he was with was different. Regular folks dined out with friends and colleagues; Yamanbagiri didn't belong here. His life had nothing worthwhile that encouraged anyone to hangout with him.

Mutsunokami shook condiments over his pancake. He added seaweed, chili, mayo, and extra Worcester sauce. His okonomiyaki was speckled with red and green flakes, covered in a white drizzle, and dark sauce dripped down the side. The scent of all those sweet, salty, spicy toppings wafted around them and made Yamanbagiri's mouth water.

Yamanbagiri kept his head down. He hadn't pulled his white hood back since they stepped into the restaurant and was too embarrassed to rectify things; he had to live with his mistake. He shouldn't have worn this casual hoodie at all; he forgot to ask Horikawa for pointers on how to dress and what to say. Perhaps, it was best if he came across as aloof. They may realize being involved with him was a mistake.

"Yamanbagiri?"

It'd be rude of him to ignore Sen. He looked up. She wore a tight white blouse that accented her curves and bosom. Her black hair had grown down to her hips. When did she grow into this beauty?

"Won't you eat with us?" she said.

It was easy enough for him to shuffle his food onto a porcelain plate, pick up utensils, and avoid eye contact. His bite of bacon was crispy and juicy. They chose this restaurant well. This was the place where they'd figure out this arrangement.

Would Yamanbagiri mess up his first and last chance at some kind of companionship? Since graduating, he worked at his family's flower shop. His eldest brother, Yamabushi, found his calling and became a monk. Horikawa had a long term boyfriend and would take over the Kunihiro business. Mutsunokami and Sen obtained post-secondary degrees. He worked as a train conductor and she was a part-time shrine attendant. Other classmates accepted academic recognition, started good careers, married, and all that. What did Yamanbagiri have to show for his life lived?

"That was good!" Mutsunokami put an arm around Sen. "Anyways, do we want to talk about why we're here?"

Their table was distant from other customers; no one could overhear their conversation. If there was one thing Yamanbagiri wanted to get tonight, it was answers to lingering questions.

"...why me? ...why now?" Better choices existed for a third partner.

Mutsunokami chuckled. Yamanbagiri's face burned; the brunet wasn't making this easy.

"Why shouldn't it be you? Why not now? We can do anythin' in the modern age."

That wasn't helpful. Yamanbagiri wanted a straight answer. He glared as Mutsunokami shrugged.

"Don't you get bored doin' the same thing everyday? Try somethin' new with us, like when we were younger." He took a sip of his drink.

When they were teens having lunch in their school's garden, Yamanbagiri sampled Mutsunokami's experimental curries and snacks he ordered online. After graduation, they only interacted when Mutsunokami visited the shop to buy a foreign plant or surprise Sen with flowers for her birthday. Their lives were near separate. Now, they were talking about having sex together. He wasn't here to be an accessory in their relationship.

"What do you want from me?" Yamanbagiri said.

"I told you yesterday." Mutsunokami tilted his head. His shoulder pressed against Sen's. "What more do you need to know?"

Yamanbagiri's face heated up. He had to push through this to get answers.

"Are you serious about this? Why me?"

"We like tryin' new things 'cause it's fun. It was Sen-chan's idea and she wanted you."

What?

Sen stared down at her lap as Yamanbagiri snapped his gaze to her. Mutsunokami was the one who dashed to explore the unknown; this wasn't the Sen he knew. She was quiet, well-behaved, and wore the longest skirt as part of her student uniform. For some reason, she had picked him to be a part of this trio.

"Anyways." Mutsunokami finished his drink. The empty glass clanked against the table as he set it down. "I'm goin' to the washroom."

Yamanbagiri and Sen were left alone. The bustling kitchen and customer chatter filled the silence between them. Repeating his questions would increase the awkwardness. He should've kept his mouth shut; it was presumptuous of him to think they owed him answers. He should've been grateful for receiving interest from anyone at all.

"...Yamanbagiri," Sen said. "If you don't want to do this, I'm sorry for asking."

They could part ways tonight and never see each other again. Mutsunokami might stop buying from the shop. He and Sen would stay together while Yamanbagiri worked in his family's business for decades to come. It sounded so dull. Could they find something thrilling within each other by exploring this relationship? Was he worthy of being wanted? They were on good terms. Yamanbagiri knew they meant no harm.

"Ueda-san." They weren't intimate enough for him to use her given name; that belonged to Mutsunokami. "I...will try to do my best."

That was all he could utter. Her cheeks redden. Sen wanted Yamanbagiri because she hadn't seen him for years. Mutsunokami mentioned seeing the other man when he returned from the shop; that was all she had. The roses she received always had brightly coloured petals. The thorns were clipped away and it was easy to run a finger down the smooth green stems; the Kunihiro put care into their craft.


Generally, when you give cash/use your credit card, you place it in a blue tray at the cashier's table in Japan. When you receive change, it's usually put it in the tray and the employee passes it to you.

I went to Okonomiyaki Cabbage, a restaurant in Himeji. Their food was delicious and highly recommended.