BUTTERFLIES

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"Aw, but why Misaki?" Sakura whined. Her pigtails bounced with each of her movements. Shizuka pushed her glasses up with one finger, also curious to hear Misaki's explanation.

"It really isn't the best setting…" That was the truth. What was left unsaid was why, and nobody needed to know her boyfriend was living with her. If Misaki didn't know better, Sakura's passion for her love life seemed to surpass Sakura's own. It was best to keep quiet unless she wanted a fury of questions thrown towards her.

"Please, Misaki! We've never been before and it'll be super fun—"

"Sakura!" Shizuko interrupted with a stern voice, "If Misaki said no, then it's a no."

"But she didn't say no…" Sakura hesitantly retaliated.

Shizuka shot the cowering pig-tailed girl a hard look.

Misaki pitied Sakura as she sat pouting. To be honest, a sleepover with her two best friends sounded like a good time. A great time, in fact. But adding Takumi to that equation sounded like a disaster.

There was always the option of asking Takumi to stay at his own apartment, and Misaki doubts he would refuse. Though she would feel like a coward to send him away. Everything he had was at her house anyway, so it would be too troublesome for him to leave.

"Why don't we do your house?" Misaki asked Sakura.

"But we always do my house," Sakura whined, "And we can never talk in secret cause I have to share my room. Wait Shizuko, don't you have your own room? Why don't we—"

"No." Shizuko didn't need an explanation.

Sakura turned to the side with her eyebrows pulled together. She peeked at Misaki through her bangs, trying one last attempt to convince her friend.

"Ah... " Misaki is torn. Maybe, just maybe this would all work out. Or maybe she would be digging herself into a hole. "I guess my place it is."

"Yay!" Sakura jumped into Misaki's arms. "You're the best, Misaki!"

The hole it is.

…

"So, you want me to hide?"

"No, that's not what I said," Misaki corrected, shifting uncomfortably in her tight apron. "I'm just saying to stay downstairs and not make noise. It'll only be for one night." It's not hiding. It's just… being discreet.

"I'll do it, but I just don't get why you don't want them to know. They already know about us."

Misaki felt guilt gnaw at her. This wasn't much different to her keeping her friends and classmates in the dark about her employment. She could only imagine what her manager must think to have an employee be embarrassed about the job. Her boyfriend was now another victim to her cowardness

"I'm sorry, Takumi, but I just can't. I don't want to give them the wrong idea." A boy in her room every night for the unforeseeable future? Her friends would come to all sorts of conclusions, all revolving around one topic.

"And that is?"

The clanking of trays announcing Satskui's presence took their attention.

Misaki sprung out of her chair and grabbed the dining ware piled in her manager's arms. Her manager shared her thanks and set the last of the plates in the sink.

"You kids are still here? You better get home. Especially you, Takumi. The walk to your house will feel especially long in this weather."

Takumi held his tongue, remembering Misaki's lecture. Satsuki would sure have a wild ride with this news.

"That's right! Don't want this bugger getting sick again," Misaki offered a kind smile to her manager for the concern, then guided Takumi out of his chair by hand. "We should get going."

In the locker room, Misaki let out a sigh.

"You're really planning to tell no one, huh?" Takumi shook his head. Her justification was obvious, even though she never spoke of them.

His question was never returned with an answer, but he said it as more of a statement anyway.

Without another word, Takumi and Misaki went to their respective areas. The rows of lockers provided them enough privacy to change.

The faint noise of chairs gliding across the floors penetrated the walls, soon followed by the soft but ever-so-present hiss of a zipper. Misaki slowed her pace, hoping it would quiet the noise.

Takumi stayed still, unblinking. His breath caught in his throat. Perhaps he had stopped breathing all together.

They've changed together ever since he started working as the cook. It was always with a row of lockers between them, but never this tense. Maybe it was the conversation they had yesterday? Their dynamic hadn't been any different this morning, yet they also weren't taking off their clothes then.

The ruffles of her costume made their presence known. Her actions weren't hurried but were fast. From skill learned through months of practice, she seamlessly removed her garments and with little struggle.

He was motionless, unwilling to mask the noises of Misaki undressing. What was Misaki in now? In a camisole? Less?

Thoughts were racing in his mind, full of images of a certain girl. What he would give to just get rid of the lockers in front of him and anything that would ever separate him from Misaki. Would Misaki want that?

Misaki pulled her long-sleeved cotton down, settling the static in her hair with her hands. She wondered why Takumi's side of the room was so quiet.

"Let's go." She didn't look back when she passed him to head for the exit.

The boy didn't follow immediately. Metal clanged as he dropped his weight onto the locker, losing the strength to hold himself up. Ironically, it was only then that he felt control return to his body.

Eventually, he had composed himself enough to leave and they both greeted the older lady goodbye, pushing the heavy door aside. It creaked as it moved and crisp air seeped through their clothing.

…

They were almost at her house now.

"Why are you so quiet?" The walk they've taken countless times felt unfamiliar in his silence.

A few seconds passed before he answered. "You've given me a lot to think about." He let his eyes slowly fall from her eyes to her legs, then take their slow journey back up. "A lot."

"You're sick." She shoved him away, pretending she wasn't absolutely charred by the smoldering look he gave her.

The wind had picked up and Takumi's blond strands whipped back and forth. But he was too caught up in his thoughts to notice.

Misaki did the same but casted her head downward. There was a sort of awkwardness forming between them.

At home, the couple bid their greetings to Minako. Whatever awkwardness Misaki was feeling with Takumi was nothing compared to what she was feeling with her mother. Her mother had thought she was fooling around with her boyfriend.

A cringe later and Misaki had forced the thought away. There was no point in further torturing herself.

"Ready for bed?" Takumi had collapsed on the bed, his face buried in the pillow.

Misaki stretched her arms and related with his lethargy. Unfortunately, she had work to do before sleep could be her reality. "Did you already forget about the bio report?"

"That thing on Darwinism?" He paused to let out a yawn. "Let's just do it tomorrow."

"It's due tomorrow." Misaki sighed. She gathered her notes from her bag and opened her drawer to retrieve her pen. Her hand paused before making contact with the utensil because something particular was peeking in the corner of her drawer.

Her vibrator.

Takumi roused from the slam of her drawer. He raised one eyebrow, but Misaki refused to face his way. "Is the father of taxonomy truly something to get this riled up for?"

"No, I just…" I just what? Misaki didn't know what she was saying nor what she should say.

Takumi threw her another quizzical glance before the puzzle came together. "Ah…" He put his head back down, feeling a stark contrast in the softness of the pillow and the situation they're found themselves in.

Misaki turned to him with horrified eyes. "What is it?" She said after a moment's hesitation.

"I was just putting away your things yesterday; I swear I wasn't snooping." Takumi pulled himself upright. A relaxed position seemed inappropriate for the upcoming conversation.

Whatever happened with her mother was nothing compared to this. If only she could die today, she would never complain again. And if she was being honest, she doesn't think her body could deal with any more embarrassment before collapsing from its toxicity. Surely there must be a limit?

Takumi felt comedic remorse for the girl. She has been getting herself into these types of situations quite frequently now.

"It's okay," Misaki said to him but meant for herself. It wasn't his fault and it wasn't the end of the world. Now she just had to convince her body of that so she would stop feeling like it is.

Takumi hummed his response, unsure of how to continue. He wanted to tell her that it was okay, no matter how uncomfortable he or she was feeling.

"You know," Takumi hesitated before sharing, "I do it, too."

"What?" She had a sense of where he was going, but she didn't know if she was ready to hear it.

He shifted on the bed and bit the inside of his cheek. "I touch myself, too."

There was a silence that followed that was almost as apparent as the blush under Misaki's eyes.

"Oh…"

Takumi played with the frayed edges of her comforter, slightly regretting his openness. He brushed the thought off, rationalizing to himself that these conversations were normal. Hell, he fantasized about Misaki and him freely discussing their sexuality, but never in his dreams did it feel this… stiff.

A metallic taste filled his mouth. "I think of you when I do."

Misaki rubbed her wet palms on her skirt. The direction of this conversation was overwhelming.

She inhaled deeply, but only a whisper came out. "Me too."

Takumi heard her loud and clear. He searched for her eyes but she had turned away again. The thought of Misaki in bed with her legs spread wide returned. She probably did it on this exact bed he was sitting on. Even though he wasn't in her line of sight, Takumi brought her pillow to his lap. There were so many things he wanted to know and wanted to ask. But he couldn't wrap his head around anything.

One thing was clear: the nightly trend of arousals is far from over.

A/N: Now wasn't that worth sharing?

I know it's been a while, but I just couldn't miss Misa's birthday (well, i actually did by a short few hours but shhhh).

Thank you for all of your wonderful reviews. I read each and every one of them. Multiple times actually because it honestly just makes me so happy to hear what you guys have to say (unless it's totally trashing me but if you really feel inspired to do so who am i to stop you).

Urbyq: I've always wanted to see the less cocky side of Takumi and thought of this as the perfect chance. This series (?) will revolve around the humanness and vulnerability the TWO of them face. And thanks for replying to me trying to frantically rationalize when they actually do it in the manga. I see how the publisher would want things to be pg but some of the jokes in that manga goddayum.

Petite fleur: YES, tension is the ultimate recipe to this story.

See you guys in the next chapter which will happen long before takumi's b-day.

September 29, 2021 (but acc early earlyyyy 30th but shhhh again)